England Star Sarah Taylor Retires from International Cricket Because of Anxiety
Sep 27, 2019
England women's cricketer Sarah Taylor announced on Friday her retirement from international cricket because of anxiety.
The two-time World Cup winner is one of the greatest wicketkeepers in the game and sits second in run-scoring for her country with 6533 runs.
Taylor announced her exit from the international stage via her official Twitter account:
In 2006 my dream came true and I beam with pride at what I've achieved over the years, alongside the best players and people. It is the right time for me and my health to retire, but I have loved every minute in an England shirt. Thank you to everyone for supporting me ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8MdTqpgmWe
According to BBC Sport, the 30-year-old said she's had anxiety and panic for four years, and it has affected her performance for England. She's now taken the decision to step away from the international game as a result.
"This has been a tough decision but I know it's the right one, for me and for my health moving forward," said Taylor. "I am extremely proud of my career. I leave with my head held high."
Taylor added she would like to represent England again in the future, but her health must now be placed ahead of her sporting career.
England Cricket paid tribute to one of the all-time greats of the women's game:
"To wear the shirt for so long has been a dream come true." #ThankYouSarah ❤️🦁🏏
Former England women's captain and current managing director of England women's cricket, Clare Connor, said Taylor has been a role model for the sport and wished her the best in the future, per BBC Sport.
"Sarah is someone young people can look up to, for her achievements and talent on the pitch - but also for her bravery and resilience off it.
"She has come through significant adversity and performed on the world stage for her country.
"She has become a powerful voice within women's sport and I'm sure she will make a success of the next stage of her professional life."
Taylor leaves England duty as a legend having starred with both the bat and behind the wicket. The three-time Women's Ashes series winner has effected more dismissals than any individual in history playing the three formats of women's cricket.
The wicketkeeper made 226 appearances for her country and previously took a break from the sport in 2016 after having panic attacks, per Sky Sports. She returned for England in 2017 but has continued to struggle with mental health conditions. Taylor scored only six runs in three matches during the 2019 Women's Ashes series, with Australia retaining the title for the third time in a row.
England vs. New Zealand: Odds, Live Stream for 2019 Cricket World Cup
Jul 2, 2019
England got their 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign back on track with a comprehensive 31-run victory over previously unbeaten India at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.
The hosts' spot in the semi-finals is not yet guaranteed, though, and they will have to beat New Zealand at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday to be sure of a place in the knockout rounds.
The Kiwis fell to a chastening 86-run loss to Australia on Saturday at Lord's, and though they have one point more than England, they also need a victory at Chester-le-Street to ensure their place in the last four:
Here's how the #CWC19 table looks after today's result 👀
Remarkably, none of India, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, or Pakistan have qualified for the semi-finals, but all have their fate in their own hands!
Match Odds (via Oddschecker): England 4-9, New Zealand 19-10
Before they beat India, England lost back-to-back matches against Sri Lanka and Australia to put their hopes of winning a World Cup on home soil in serious jeopardy.
They bounced back in superb fashion against India, who had been the form team of the tournament.
The key difference came at the top of the order, where Jason Roy returned from injury to put on 160 with Jonny Bairstow for the opening wicket.
Bairstow top-scored with a superb 111, but Roy's 57-ball 66 allowed his opening partner to bat with great freedom and set the foundations for England's unassailable total of 337 for seven.
Over the last four years, Roy and Bairstow's opening partnerships have been crucial in helping England establish themselves as the best one-day side in the world.
If they score well again against New Zealand, England will have a good chance of picking up the win they need. However, should one of them fall cheaply, there are weaknesses in the hosts' middle order.
Joe Root has been in fine form, and Ben Stokes is quietly enjoying a superb tournament:
Ben Stokes today became the fourth player to make four scores of 75 or more in a single World Cup. Previously: Mark Waugh (1996); Tendulkar (5, in 2003); Sangakkara (2015). #CWC19
Jos Buttler has not been at his explosive best, though, and Eoin Morgan looks to be struggling with the short ball:
Eoin Morgan used to have a big problem against the short ball, but it went away for a while - is it back? He's averaging 21.20 against the short ball in 2019, the lowest he's averaged since 2014. #CWC19
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 30, 2019
His dismissal for one to Mohammed Shami against India will not have gone unnoticed by New Zealand's quicks, most notably Lockie Ferguson, who looked fearsome against Australia as he took the wickets of David Warner and Steve Smith.
Given recent form, home advantage and the necessity of victory, England should get the win they need against New Zealand if they play as they did against India.
And the Kiwis will likely still get through even if they are beaten because Pakistan will need a huge swing in net run rate to overtake them:
Scenarios for Pakistan to qualify for the semis now:
1) Expect New Zealand to beat England and then beat Bangladesh.
2) Expect England to beat New Zealand by a big margin and then beat Bangladesh by a big margin (unlikely to happen though). #IndvEng#CWC19
Two points would see England leapfrog New Zealand into third in the standings, which would likely mean another clash with India in the semi-finals.
They will not be thinking that far ahead yet, though.
However, if they get the job done on Wednesday by beating New Zealand, England will then have a week to look ahead and prepare for the semi-finals, and they will have re-established the winning momentum needed to go on and win the tournament.
England Top 2019 Cricket World Cup Standings After Win vs. Afghanistan
Jun 18, 2019
England moved to the top of the 2019 Cricket World Cup standings after beating Afghanistan by 150 runs on Tuesday at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Eoin Morgan was passed fit for the clash after a back problem and was the star man as the tournament hosts picked up their fourth win in five games.
The England captain hit a world-record 17 sixes, the most in an ODI innings, on his way to 148 off 71 balls to inspire his side to an emphatic win.
England produced a batting masterclass with Bairstow just 10 short of a century, while Joe Root picked up where he left off against the West Indies with 88.
However, it was Morgan who dazzled the most and sent a number of records tumbling:
Morgan only arrived at the end of the 30th over but quickly made his impact felt, reaching his half-century after just 36 balls.
The 32-year-old could have gone earlier but was dropped by Dawlat Zadran on 26 at deep midwicket.
It proved a costly error by Afghanistan, as the Ireland native pieced together one of the all-time great ODI batting displays and departed to a deserved standing ovation:
England's batting heroics left Afghanistan needing 398 to win, and they suffered an early blow when Jofra Archer dispatched Noor Ali Zadran with just his second delivery of the match.
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler caught captain Gulbadin Naib off Mark Wood to leave Afghanistan 52 for two, but England were made to wait for victory as Hashmatullah Shahidi and Asghar Afghan offered some resistance.
Hashmatullah hit his second half-century of the tournament off 66 balls despite receiving treatment after being being hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Wood.
It was a spirited effort by Afghanistan, helped by Bairstow dropping two catches at slip, as England registered their highest batting total of the World Cup so far.
However, Archer and Wood rattled through their lower middle order late in the day to seal a ruthless performance by the hosts that sends them top of the table after their five games.
England vs. Bangladesh: Odds, Live Stream for 2019 Cricket World Cup
Jun 7, 2019
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: Joe Root (R) of England celebrates with team mate Jos Buttler after scoring a century during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between England and Pakistan at Trent Bridge on June 03, 2019 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
England take on Bangladesh at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Saturday as they continue their 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign.
The two sides each opened the tournament with a win over South Africa before suffering a defeat in their second match.
The hosts were stunned by Pakistan on Monday, while the Tigers lost to New Zealand on Wednesday.
England have impressed at the crease so far in the tournament, having racked up 645 runs in their first two matches.
Three players have already exceeded 100 runs each in Joe Root (158), Jos Buttler (121) and Ben Stokes (102).
Root's century in the defeat to Pakistan was his second at a World Cup, as he also bagged one against Sri Lanka in 2015.
Root and England's other batsmen could have plenty of joy against Bangladesh, as their "bowling attack, despite their talent, skills and fighting ability that has served the team well in the last four years, doesn't always have the killer blow," according to ESPNcricinfo's Mohammad Isam.
Where the hosts will need to improve is in the field, as that is where they lost to Pakistan.
They will need it to be because Bangladesh have done well so far at the World Cup.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was impressed with their performance as they beat South Africa by 21 runs in their opening match:
Bangladesh are a fantastic batting team to watch ... full of skill and freedom ... !!! Experienced as well .... might be the dark horse team of the tournament ... !! #CWC19
Shakib Al Hasan will be a threat after scoring 139 runs in their two games at an average of 69.5.
Cricket writer Saj Sadiq gave them credit after their two-wicket defeat to New Zealand on Wednesday:
Bangladesh teams of the past would have been beaten easily by New Zealand, but not this current lot. They are going to give all opponents a hard time and nobody is going to fancy playing against this Bangladesh team #CWC19#BANvNZ
The Tigers set a target of 244 before they were bowled out in the final over, but the Black Caps chased that down in the 48th.
Barring a similarly poor fielding performance this time around, England should be capable of getting back to winning ways here, but Bangladesh will likely make them work hard for their victory.
England vs. Pakistan: Odds, Live Stream for 2019 Cricket World Cup
Jun 2, 2019
England's Joe Root holds onto the ball after taking a catch to dismiss South Africa's Imran Tahir off the bowling of England's Ben Stokes during their Cricket World Cup match at the Oval in London, Thursday, May 30, 2019. England won the match by 104 runs. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
2019 Cricket World Cup co-hosts England are favourites to beat Pakistan in Nottingham on Monday after their winning start against South Africa raised confidence they can win the tournament for the first time.
Even so, Pakistan tend to raise their game at a World Cup. It means this one-day international should be closer than the pre-tournament meetings between the two.
The psychological edge surely belongs to an England team that was good enough to beat Pakistan 4-0 in a Test series earlier this year. That result proved the co-hosts can pile up the runs while also having the talent to wreck Pakistan's batting order.
A similar pattern looks set to play out again, especially given the emergence of breakout bowling talent Jofra Archer. The 24-year-old drew rave reviews after dismantling South Africa.
He posted 3-27 off seven overs, with the Guardian's Ali Martin applauding both Archer's accuracy and pace: "It is not only the speeds that England’s box fresh right-armer generates from that frictionless cruise to the crease—or, indeed, the subtle changes that see him flit from a breezy 87mph up to an unsettling 93mph—but that his line is so laser-precise with it."
Martin also noted how Mark Wood gives England another fast-bowling option.
Both he and Archer can play a key role in upsetting Pakistan's talented openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman. Their performances are usually key to their side's fortunes.
It was no coincidence the West Indies were able to win by seven wickets on Friday after wasting little time getting both out. Zaman went early, falling victim to Andre Russell after Ul-Haq had put just two runs on the board in Nottingham.
England can do the same if Archer repeats his recent heroics. It will also help to have Ben Stokes repeat the strong form he displayed in the opener:
It was a ruthless England bowling display to win by 104 runs at The Oval https://t.co/aXy73x1nai
If Archer and Stokes get into the Pakistan order early, England should power their way to another win.
Ben Stokes Leads England Past South Africa in 2019 Cricket World Cup Opener
May 30, 2019
Cricket World Cup hosts England (311-8) won their first match of the tournament against South Africa (207-10) on Thursday, easily holding off the Proteas to win by 104 runs.
Four batsmen scored half-centuries for England, with Ben Stokes the standout, scoring 89. South Africa fell behind the required run rate early and never came close to chasing down the target of 312.
England and Wales will host the World Cup, set to run until July 14.
Per Nick Hoult of TheTelegraph, home-field advantage was negated by weather, with rain leaving the pitch greener than the hosts would have hoped:
At the Oval. England not massively happy with the pitch. Bit greener than they expect at this ground. Might have to temper the attacking shots if they bat first. Remember Lord’s v SA 2017 on a green top? England were 20-6
The Proteas won the toss and opted to bowl, sending out spinner Imran Tahir. He promptly got the World Cup off to a flying start for South Africa, taking the wicket of Jonny Bairstow in the first over:
-> Imran Tahir became the first spinner to bowl the first over of a World Cup.
-> Only the 2nd time a wicket fell in the first over of a World Cup. John Wright got out on the first legitimate ball of the CWC 1992. #ENGvSA
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) May 30, 2019
The hosts soon started to find their groove, however. Fellow opener Jason Roy cruised to a half-century, one of four English batsmen to do so on Thursday, and he finished with figures of 54 from 53 balls.
Joe Root (51 from 59) and Eoin Morgan (57 from 60) also had excellent knocks, but the standout was Stokes, who blasted 89 from 79 before he was finally caught by Hashim Amla.
Sports writer Patrick Boyland noted the 27-year-old played well when needed:
Goes without saying, Ben Stokes exemplary in pressure situation. Wasn't a fantastic IPL, but big name stepping up when it matters
Stokes' excellent knock was sorely needed, as his playing partners in the final 10 overs didn't produce much. Jos Buttler scored 18 from 16, Moeen Ali just three from nine and Chris Woakes 13 from 14. Stokes' wicket was the final to fall, and Liam Plunkett and Jofra Archer combined for 16 runs not out.
Lungi Ngidi led the Proteas with three wickets, but the 23-year-old also gave up 66 runs in 10 overs.
Per cricket writer Mohandas Menon, the Proteas had their work cut out for them:
If South Africa manages to reach their target, it will be the fourth highest successful run chase in #CWC history. But this will be the highest successful run chase in a CWC match between two major cricketing sides!#CWC19#EngvSA#SAvEng#CWC2019
Per ESPNCricinfo, they appeared happy with their work with the ball, but their projected total was well below 300:
South Africa seemed happy with their bowling effort, but our Forecaster takes into account that just one of their top 6 strikes at above 90+ and had them falling short at the start of the chase
Amla retired early with a head injury—another blow to the Proteas' bid. Even worse was the loss of star batsman Faf du Plessis, as he was caught after scoring just five from seven. Their win probability took a huge dive as a result:
Before #FafDuPlessis fell, South Africa were projected to reach 309, with a win probability of 38%
Archer took both his wicket and that of Aiden Markram (11 from 12), bowling well early. He also got Rassie van der Dussen's wicket in the 32nd over.
Quinton de Kock got the Proteas to 100 with a big four at the start of the 21st over, keeping the side within striking distance of the required run rate. He didn't last much longer, however, as he was caught in the 23rd over, ending the match with figures of 68 from 74.
And once De Kock left the pitch, South Africa's innings fell apart. Jean-Paul Duminy (8 from 11) and Dwaine Pretorius (one from one) quickly followed:
South Africa crumbling here. Almost immediately after enjoying a spell of dominance, with 28 from two overs. De Kock. Duminy. Pretorius. All gonzo. And with them, possibly the match. Damp squib after containing with the ball.#CWC19
Van der Dussen got a half-century for South Africa, scoring 50 from 61, but that wasn't nearly enough to chase down the target. Amla returned from his injury but only mustered 13 from 23.
Archer finished with three wickets in seven overs, giving up 27 runs.
Pakistan and West Indies will meet in Nottingham on Friday. South Africa face Bangladesh on June 2, one day before England play Pakistan.
