Wobble seam is killing Test cricket’s variety

Wobble seam is killing Test cricket’s variety

A sight we have become used to this summer: Ollie Robinson appealing for a wicket - Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Australia opener’s tortured 33-ball duck highlights big Ashes problem

Australia’s struggle to find an opening partnership ahead of next summer’s Ashes will go on, after their latest selection, Nic Maddinson, suffered a tortured return to Test cricket.

Australia stick to familiar formula in South Africa as they seek to bury demons of 2018

The Test series shapes as one of unforced errors and modest scores with both sides unconvincing with the bat and relying on their bowling attack

Renshaw keeps Australia’s hopes intact against South Africa after Maddinson gamble fails

Australia’s hopes of a competitive first innings total rest with Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins after they steered them to 187 for 6 on day one of the first Test against South Africa

Stokes retirement paves way for record number of England player deals

England will next week announce their longest list of centrally contracted cricketers, which will give the national team more control over a larger pool of players.

Australia struggle against South Africa quicks in first Test

South Africa picked two spinners, but it was their fast bowlers who did the damage as Australia limped to 187 for six on the first day of the first Test in Durban on Friday.Renshaw, normally an opening batsman in Test and red-ball cricket, was batting at number five and said he felt Australia had got close to "getting the foot on the throat" at times during a challenging first day.

Who is Nic Maddinson? Australia batter makes surprise Test return after recovery from testicular cancer

Maddison was diagnosed with testicular cancer in April 2025 but made a comeback late last year

New Australian Open boss Andrew Abdo throws shade at critics: ‘I’m not an outsider’

Launch event marred by former NRL CEO calling world No 1 ‘Jacob’ Sinner, while announcing the grand slam will add 700 seats in 2027

Farhan hopes Pakistan's new combination takes off in Sri Lanka T20Is

Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan hopes a new combination without star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi will come good against Sri Lanka in their Twenty20 International series starting in Rawalpindi on Friday.Shaheen is also out of favour for T20Is but will skipper Pakistan's one-day international side in a tri-series with Sri Lanka and England starting in Rawalpindi from October 18.

Is Prem rugby union turning into basketball? Nailbiters supply case for defence

Record try-glut in round one suggested all-out attack is en vogue, but maybe you can defend well and still concede tries in the modern game?

Sports quiz of the week: Harry Kane, Victor Wembanyama and WSL winners

Have you been following the big news in football, tennis, basketball, rugby, hockey, cycling, darts and the NFL?

The conspiracy theory that hangs over Australia’s sandpaper scandal

“There was no cover-up in Cape Town,” says Steve Richardson, the former Scotland Yard detective and anti-corruption investigator who sat in on the sandpaper scandal interviews with Australia players.

Anatomy of a scandal: The story of sandpapergate and how Australia got caught

LONG READ: Australia arrived in South Africa amid simmering hostility and left in disgrace, writes Lawrence Ostlere. But, as they prepare to return to Cape Town eight years on, there remain uncomfortable questions about who knew what

New Australian Open tournament director criticised for ‘Jacob Sinner’ gaffe

Andrew Abdo, who is also the new chief executive of Tennis Australia, later insisted, ‘Of course I know that it’s Jannik Sinner’

Green Lane's great and good talk us through remarkable title season

HAVING missed out on promotion by a point last season in Division Two of the Aire-Wharfe League, Green Lane more than made amends in 2026.

Wharfedale & Airedale Observer

Peter Willey interview: Beefy was a useless captain, he didn’t realise others weren’t as good as him

“People say: ‘Are you the Willey from “The bowler’s Holding, the batsman’s Willey”?’ I just say: ‘Yeah.’ They’ve got postcards, they’ve got mugs, they’ve got T-shirts and all sorts with them. People remember that more than the other stuff, just because of the name. I’ll probably have it on my headstone.”

Singapore GP, tasty Tests and the Premier League’s return – follow with us

Here’s how to follow along with our coverage – the finest writing and up-to-the-minute reports

The Manchester United misery economy is holding the club back - and there's an awkward paradox

What happens when your team's failure is good for business?

This is the man who could have transformed Welsh rugby – but was rejected

Regarding the state of Welsh rugby, three emotions dominate a discussion with Mark Rhydderch-Roberts: exasperation, fear, but also defiance.

The Premier League so far: draws, underperforming xG and other data pointers

Goal averages are crumbling as players take fewer touches in the box and once-reliable forwards underperform against xG

This is what you wanted: Scotland captain asks fans to give Sebastien Pocognoli time

Andy Robertson has asked to the Tartan Army to give new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli time as he implements the changes they demanded.