SUITS YOU, SIR! BUT NOT FOR BOWLERS IT SEEMS

The songs of praise from Sir Andrew Strauss and Sir Alastair Cook were full-throated and from the heart.

LEGEND BOB DESERVES THE HONOUR

Derek Pringle says the Bob Willis Trophy is a fi tting tribute to his old team-mate and colleague

It's green for go as Rashid ups the ante

Got him! Adil Rashid clean bowls Kevin O’Brien to the delight of wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow

England lay foundations as Babar & co loom large

IT will be a case of the same again for England this week after they named an unchanged 14-man squad for the opening Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford.

‘Remarkable effort' to restart during global pandemic

WELL, it’s cricket, fans! Granted, not quite as we know it, but cricket nevertheless.

IT SURELY WASN'T JUST ME GRINNING UNDER MY MASK

JAMES WALLACE takes his place among a sparse crowd at the Oval for one of the few Spectator Pilot games designed to test Government Covid guidelines and ensure the return of cricket

CAMPHER COMMITS TO GREEN PARTY

You can guess the social media barbs coming if young Curtis Campher morphs into a superstar for Ireland.

Classy Coad Puts white Rose in the driving seat

BEN Coad played chief tormentor as Yorkshire’s home-grown attack skittled Durham for 103 on opening day in the Bob Willis Trophy.

BRILLIANT BROAD CAN JOIN THAT 600 CLUB

Derek Pringle on what makes Stuart Broad such a special bowler for Engand

Chance To Make Our Mark, Vows Proteas' Aiden

AIDEN Markram played no part in his country’s last tour to India but the opener feels South Africa may still be carrying some baggage from past disappointments.

‘He's The Best Spinner In The Country – By A Mile!'

Richard Edwards looks at the effect spinner Simon Harmer has had on an Essex side who have cleaned up with both red and white ball this season

Top Talent Taylor Bows Out A Legend

SARAH TAYLOR says her decision to retire from international cricket due to her anxiety issues was “the right one for her health”.

Big Ben's Heroics Even Surpass Botham's Of ‘81

Peter Hayter chats to Mike Brearley, who compares Ben Stokes’ Headingley salvo with Sir Ian Botham’s 38 years earlier – a game in which he captained

All Aboard The ESS Express!

SIMON HARMER predicted a new golden era for Essex after crowning an ‘unbelievable season’ by helping his team clinch the County Championship title for the eighth time in a dramatic finale at Taunton.

WINNER TAKES IT ALL!

Somerset and Essex lock horns in title showdown.

Spin King Harmer Can Be Match Winner, Whatever The Surface

Essex, my old team, must be favourites to win their second County Championship title in three years.

Simple For Simon As The Eagles Soar Towards T20 Showpiece

RAVI Bopara heaped praise on Essex captain Simon Harmer as he helped spin the Eagles into the t20 Blast final at Edgbaston with a 34-run triumph.

Ross Is The Boss, Leaving Northants On The Brink

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE stand on the cusp of a return to Division One of the County Championship for the first time since 2014 after dominating their crucial meeting with Durham.

Punch Drunk Cidermen Are Left In A Daze By King Kyle

KYLE ABBOTT recorded the best-ever figures for a fast bowler in a County Championship match and took the most scalps in a game for 63 years before admitting: I can’t bowl any better.

I'm All White With The Red Ball As Well, Says Billings

SAM BILLINGS insists he is a much more rounded player than just a whiteball dasher.

It's A Perfect Ten Again As Essex Gain Pole Position

RYAN ten Doeschate led from the front as Essex overwhelmed Surrey to stand on the cusp of Championship title hon- ours for the second time in three years.

Home Comforts Keep Red Rose Blooming

DELIGHTED Dane Vilas saluted his Lancashire team’s “perfect” end to their home season after a 104-run victory over Middlesex had been followed by the presentation of the Second Division championship trophy.

Bayliss Leaves England In Mixed Fettle

Derek Pringle reckons the departing England coach can bask in winning the World Cup, but dismal away form in Tests will leave some.

After A Season To Remember It's Comedown As A Shootout

AN emphatic victory against last year’s Cham- pions Surrey took Essex back to the top of the Division One table with just one match remaining – and what a mouth-watering prospect their final game promises to be.

Return Of Smith Sets The Tone For Next Ashes Showdown

After the drama of Headingley, England and Australia move on to Manchester this week for the latest instalment of an Ashes series that is shaping up to be the best since 2005.

It's Not Just The Wickets That Are Crucial

Adam Collins discusses the anatomy of a wicketless spell on the back of Pat Cummins’ 10-over spell on Friday which could yet prove series-defining

England Must Curb The White Ball Shots For Test Success

Derek Pringle says finding batsmen with patience can turn England into future world beaters

Reign Of Paine Must Be On Borrowed Time?

From the moment Tim Paine became Australia’s captain, it always felt like a temporary appointment. After the ball-tampering debacle, he was the logical band-aid solution. There wasn’t really anyone else to turn to.

Heads Will Roll, Surrey Coach Warns His Flops...

MICHAEL Di Venuto has issued a strongly-worded warning to his Surrey players: “You have eight days to save your careers.”

From Surviving To Thriving: The Moles End 39-Year Wait

EAST Molesey hero Jonathan Fawcett believes confidence was the key in ending his side’s 39 years of hurt and winning the Surrey Premier Division last weekend.