Ben Stokes was one of England’s few bright sparks in Barbados as England crashed to a big defeat in the first Test against the Windies.
The England all-rounder took 4/59 in the first innings, including an important pre-tea burst of two wickets to keep the visitors at level pegging on the first day.
He returned to have the impressive Shimron Hetmyer dismissed for the last wicket of the innings on Day Two but would be bowling again before the day was out after England’s dismissal for 77.
Stokes bowled an innings-high 25 overs in taking 2/81 before the sensational seventh wicket stand between Jason Holder & Shane Dowrich batted England out of the game, with Stokes making 34 in the second innings.
Test number two started yesterday in Antigua, with England announcing two changes to their 12-man squad – Mark Wood misses out.
Harte’s return in South Africa
Fellow Ds all-rounder Gareth Harte has been back in action for club side Old Edwardians in Johannesburg, playing the last three games & keeping their unbeaten record alive through ten games.
Harte’s First XI successes at Emirates Riverside have largely been with bat in hand, but he has also shown promise with the ball & he impressed with his bowling last weekend.
Opening the bowling in defending 175, Harte’s early three-wicket salvo reduced Kagiso to 31/3 & he returned to seal victory with figures of 4/23.
The 25-year-old has registered 70 runs across the three games he’s played so far.
Bancroft, Raine resume Down Under
Cameron Bancroft & Ben Raine have also been in action during their respective T20 leagues in Australia & New Zealand.
Raine’s Otago Volts currently stand fifth in the Super Smash, their qualification hopes all-but over after consecutive defeats.
The Durham man almost powered them to victory against Auckland, smashing 33 off 18 balls, though they fell just short by four runs.
Bancroft’s Scorchers have also been eliminated from the Big Bash. The three-time winners have failed to get going in this season’s competition, picking up three wins so far with three matches left.