Ali Martin
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Cricket correspondent for @Guardian_sport. SJA Cricket Journalist of the Year 2021. #nffc
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Articles by Ali Martin
Stephen Fleming inherits intriguing squad after England's unsettling summer
As Joe Root calmly ran the rule over the Test summer and reeled off the ways in which it had been “chaos”, “unusual” and “unsettling” for England, it felt telling that first among them was Ben Stokes calling time on his international career during a match and a series that were both still live at the time. Cricketers announcing their retirement mid-game is nothing new. Heather Knight went on to do the same during the women's Test at Lord's two weeks later.
Stephen Fleming inherits intriguing squad after England’s unsettling summer
Joe Root is keen to meet Stephen Fleming as the new Test head coach arrives in the UK this week. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Stephen Fleming inherits intriguing squad after England’s unsettling summer
As Joe Root calmly ran the rule over the Test summer and reeled off the ways in which it had been “chaos”, “unusual” and “unsettling” for England, it felt telling that first among them was Ben Stokes calling time on his international career during a match and a series that were both still live at the time. Cricketers announcing their retirement mid-game is nothing new. Heather Knight went on to do the same during the women’s Test at Lord’s two weeks later.
Joe Root makes most of no-ball luck as England win despite Pakistan scare
It was a run chase that began in alarming fashion for England as Mohammad Abbas hitched up his strides, glided into the crease, and sent Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay trudging back to the Edgbaston pavilion to bookend a magical first over. Pakistan's players suddenly believed, their supporters inside Edgbaston likewise.
Joe Root makes most of no-ball luck as England win despite Pakistan scare
Joe Root makes most of no-ball luck as England win despite Pakistan scare
Razaullah lights up for Pakistan to slow down England's victory march in third Test
Ali Martin at Edgbaston Much has been made of the four-pronged pace attack that England have switched to since the mid-summer retirement of Ben Stokes, even comparisons with the fabled line-up that won the 2005 Ashes. But there have been questions, too. How, for example, might they fare when conditions are not as juicy as those in which they have routinely gutted Pakistan's batting line-up in this series?
Razaullah lights up for Pakistan to slow down England’s victory march in third Test
Razaullah lights up for Pakistan to slow down England’s victory march in third Test
England bat Pakistan out of third test before Robinson moves in for the kill
Friday is the only sold-out day of this third Test but whether that translates into a full house at Edgbaston remains to be seen. Much like the series itself, the contest is long since over, set in motion by Pakistan's howling collapse on the first day and then compounded by England's ruthlessness on the second. Although for all that England's march to a 3-0 clean sweep seems a formality, there should in theory be a fair chunk of cricket for ticket-holders to enjoy.
England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill
England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill Abdullah Shafique is caught by Joe Root off the bowling of Ollie Robinson in the final session of day two. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Friday is the only sold-out day of this third Test but whether that translates into a full house at Edgbaston remains to be seen.
England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill
England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill Thu, 10 September 2026 at 5:10 pm UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Abdullah Shafique is caught by Joe Root off the bowling of Ollie Robinson in the final session of day two.Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Friday is the only sold-out day of this third Test but whether that translates into a full house at Edgbaston remains to be seen.
England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill
England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill
England bat Pakistan out of third Test before Robinson moves in for the kill
Friday is the only sold-out day of this third Test but whether that translates into a full house at Edgbaston remains to be seen. Much like the series itself, the contest is long since over, set in motion by Pakistan’s howling collapse on the first day and then compounded by England’s ruthlessness on the second. Although for all that England’s march to a 3-0 clean sweep seems a formality, there should in theory be a fair chunk of cricket for ticket-holders to enjoy.
England look to extend lead over Pakistan in third Test
In jettisoning seven players from their squad, parachuting seven more in, and then making four changes to their XI, Pakistan went into this third Test against England pretty much throwing mud at the wall in the hope that some of it might stick. Some did, in fairness, with the newcomer Razaullah dismissing Joe Root after tea on the opening day with just his fourth delivery in Test cricket.
Gay and Brook put England in complete control after Pakistan crumble once more
In jettisoning seven players from their squad, parachuting seven more in, and then making four changes to their XI, Pakistan went into this third Test against England pretty much throwing mud at the wall in the hope that some of it might stick. Some did, in fairness, with the newcomer Razaullah dismissing Joe Root after tea on the opening day with just his fourth delivery in Test cricket.
Gay and Brook put England in complete control after Pakistan crumble once more
Gay and Brook put England in complete control after Pakistan crumble once more
Gay and Brook put England in complete control after Pakistan crumble once more Original
Gay and Brook put England in complete control after Pakistan crumble once more Emilio Gay plays a shot on his way to a half century at Edgbaston. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images In jettisoning seven players from their squad, parachuting seven more in, and then making four changes to their XI, Pakistan went into this third Test against England pretty much throwing mud at the wall in the hope that some of it might stick.
England seek calm end to chaotic Test summer against penitent Pakistan
Joe Root has seen his batting average drop below 30 in recent months as bowlers have been on top in the series. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
England seek calm end to chaotic Test summer against penitent Pakistan Original
England seek calm end to chaotic Test summer against penitent Pakistan Joe Root has seen his batting average drop below 30 in recent months as bowlers have been on top in the series. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA There are some chilly white-ball games still to come this month and with it the sight of Kevin Pietersen back in England training kit for the first time in 12 years.
Pakistan launch player conduct investigation during dysfunctional England tour
Pakistan have launched an investigation into “discipline and conduct” during their highly dysfunctional tour of England, with two players understood to have had their mobile phones confiscated as part of the probe.
Azhar Ali: ‘Pakistan cricket cannot change in the space of a year'
As a pillar of the Pakistan team that climbed from the nadir of the Lord's spot-fixing scandal in 2010 to the top of the Test rankings six years later, all while playing overseas for security reasons, Azhar Ali knows a bit about overcoming a crisis.
Kevin Pietersen gets surprise call-up as mentor for England cricket team
Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a “specialist mentor” to England's white-ball teams during the run-up to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in late 2027. Announced on Monday morning, the move marks the first time Pietersen will have worked with the senior England side since he was controversially sacked as a player in the wake of the 2013/14 Ashes whitewash in Australia.
Kevin Pietersen gets surprise call-up as mentor for England cricket team
Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a “specialist mentor” to England’s white-ball teams during the run-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in late 2027. Announced on Monday morning, the move marks the first time Pietersen will have worked with the senior England side since he was controversially sacked as a player in the wake of the 2013/14 Ashes whitewash in Australia.
Kevin Pietersen gets surprise call-up as mentor for England cricket team
Kevin Pietersen gets surprise call-up as mentor for England cricket team
Carse left out in cold again and told to 'work through issues' after Derby bar incident
Ali Martin Brydon Carse has been left out of England's white-ball squads to face Sri Lanka at the end of the season and told to “work through the issues” that led to him being handcuffed by police outside a bar in Derby last month. Carse, 31, is currently being investigated by the Cricket Regulator regarding the late night incident in August that saw him removed from England's Test plans for the ongoing series against Pakistan.
Pakistan cricket chaos prompts stand-in to seek swift reset after royal appointment
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Stand-in head coach Hesson hopes for reset and to restore Pakistan’s identity
The Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, in the nets at Lord's, before a heavy defeat prompted more upheaval in his squad. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA
Pakistan cricket chaos prompts stand-in to seek swift reset after royal appointment
Mike Hesson was only in the UK this week to meet King Charles. But now the New Zealander finds himself interim head coach of a Pakistan Test side that have sent seven players and his predecessor home. As Hesson put it after his first net session: “The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am.” Even by Pakistan’s standards, this past week has been more than a little chaotic, with their somewhat nuclear response to going 2-0 down to England the talk of the sport.
Pakistan sack head coach and send seven players home after England Test series defeat
Pakistan have decided to rip up their plans during an already chaotic tour of England by announcing that seven players and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed have been sent home before the third Test at Edgbaston next week. Already confirmed to lose the series after going 2-0 down with a 194-run defeat at Lord’s on Sunday, Pakistan have now asked Mike Hesson, the New Zealander who runs their white-ball teams, to replace Sarfaraz as head coach.
Pakistan sack head coach and send seven players home after England Test series defeat
Sarfaraz Ahmed watched his side crumble to a 194-run defeat at Lord's, which meant England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Pakistan sack head coach and send seven players home after England Test series defeat
Pakistan have decided to rip up their plans during an already chaotic tour of England by announcing that seven players and the head coach, Sarfaraz Ahmed, have been sent home before the third Test at Edgbaston next week. Already confirmed to lose the series after going 2-0 down with a 194-run defeat at Lord's on Sunday, Pakistan have now asked Mike Hesson, the New Zealander who runs their white-ball teams, to replace Sarfaraz as head coach.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue roll over Pakistan to give England series win
Ali Martin at Lord's Tempting as it is to consider the state of Pakistan's Test team and shrug at England completing a breezy series victory with a match to spare, it was not entirely insignificant for Joe Root and his men given the backdrop of a chaotic summer. Until Josh Tongue nicked off Mohammad Ali at 5.45pm on Sunday evening to claim this second Test by 194 runs, England had not won a series since late 2024 and for Root it was his first as captain for more than five years.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue roll over Pakistan to give England series win
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue roll over Pakistan to give England series win
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue roll over Pakistan to give England series win
Tempting as it is to consider the state of Pakistan’s Test team and shrug at England completing a breezy series victory with a match to spare, it was not entirely insignificant for Joe Root and his men given the backdrop of a chaotic summer. Until Josh Tongue nicked off Mohammad Ali at 5.45pm on Sunday evening to claim this second Test by 194 runs, England had not won a series since late 2024 and for Root it was his first as captain for more than five years.
Lawrence stretches lead against Pakistan as weather delays England victory push
Ali Martin at Lord's It was one of those days at Lord's. Rain meant just 24.5 overs were bowled and England's already dominant position in this second Test meant overall jeopardy was in short supply. The spectators got a 50% refund but this only mildly offset their general frustration of following a sport that is so weather-dependent. Yet for all this, it may in time prove a significant one for Dan Lawrence.
Lawrence stretches lead against Pakistan as weather delays England victory push
Dan Lawrence plays a shot straight back past Pakistan's Khurram Shahzad during his unbeaten 50 in difficult conditions.
Olé for Robinson as England take firm control of Lord’s Test against Pakistan Original
Olé for Robinson as England take firm control of Lord’s Test against Pakistan Ollie Robinson successfully appeals for lbw against Saud Shakeel of Pakistan.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Joe Root did not want the England captaincy when the prospect started to be floated earlier this summer. After performing the role as a stand-in for the suspended Ben Stokes against New Zealand at the Oval, his father, Matt, floated a full-time return as a hypothetical and says this was met with a "no".
Olé for Robinson as England take firm control of Lord’s Test against Pakistan
Olé for Robinson as England take firm control of Lord’s Test against Pakistan
Mohammad Abbas pegs back England as improved Pakistan make their mark at Lord's
Footage of Brydon Carse kept flashing up on the big screens at Lord's on Thursday. Not that footage, of course, but rather the headline-grabbing fast bowler enjoying a refreshing can of the fizzy apple juice that is English cricket's “official drinks break partner”. In fairness, both clips make a decent advert for sticking to the softies. In Carse's absence – not that he was likely to play in the second Test – the metaphorical clouds hanging over this England team made way for the real thing.
Pakistan complain to Sky after interview with Imran Khan’s sons over father’s treatment
The Pakistan Cricket Board made a formal complaint to Sky Sports after they broadcast an interview with Imran Khan's sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, during their coverage of the first day's play at Lord's with the tourists so incensed that Babar Azam's side threatened to refuse to return to the field after lunch.
Mohammad Abbas pegs back England as improved Pakistan make their mark at Lord’s Original
Footage of Brydon Carse kept flashing up on the big screens at Lord's on Thursday. Not that footage, of course, but rather the headline-grabbing fast bowler enjoying a refreshing can of the fizzy apple juice that is English cricket's "official drinks break partner". In fairness, both clips make a decent advert for sticking to soft drinks.
Mohammad Abbas pegs back England as improved Pakistan make their mark at Lord’s
Mohammad Abbas leads the successful lbw appeals as England captain Joe Root is given out.
PCB complains after Sky interview with Imran Khan’s sons over father’s treatment Original
PCB complains after Sky interview with Imran Khan’s sons over father’s treatment Imran Khan in 2023. Concerns are growing about he former Pakistan prime minister's health.Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters The Pakistan Cricket Board has made a formal complaint to Sky Sports after it broadcast an interview with Imran Khan's sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, during its coverage of the first day's play of the second Test at Lord's.
PCB complains after Sky interview with Imran Khan’s sons over father’s treatment
Imran Khan in 2023. Concerns are growing about he former Pakistan prime minister's health.
England reflect on new late-night drama as Pakistan seek Lord's revival
Here we go again, then. It feels like every Test involving England these days is one of critical importance in some way or other. On one level, this is good for business, showing the depth of interest compared with other, ahem, products. But it is not necessarily a good thing for the team in this instance. Since Ben Stokes retired and the last of Bazball's many funerals in June, the players left behind have been trying to wriggle free from their recent past.
England recovering from latest self-own as Pakistan yearn for Lord’s revival
Joe Root, flanked by Rob Key (left) and Marcus North, expects a response from Pakistan after their calamitous performance in the first Test at Headingley.
England recovering from latest self-own as Pakistan yearn for Lord’s revival
Here we go again, then. It feels like every Test involving England these days is one of critical importance in some way or other. On one level, this is good for business, showing the depth of interest compared with other, ahem, products. But it is not necessarily a good thing for the team in this instance. Since Ben Stokes retired and the last of Bazball’s many funerals in June, the players left behind have been trying to wriggle free from their recent past.
Brydon Carse dropped by England as investigation begins into handcuffs incident
Brydon Carse has been stood down from England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan this week as the footage of him in police handcuffs outside a bar in Derby city centre is investigated by the sport's disciplinary body. Carse was filmed by a member of the public while being spoken to by police officers outside Molly Malone's Tavern on Saturday night, as Durham celebrated victory over Derbyshire in the County Championship earlier in the day.
Brydon Carse dropped by England as investigation begins into handcuffs incident
Brydon Carse dropped by England as investigation begins into handcuffs incident
Brydon Carse dropped by England as investigation begins into handcuffs incident
Brydon Carse has been stood down from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan this week as the footage of him in police handcuffs outside a bar in Derby city centre is investigated by the sport’s disciplinary body. Carse was filmed by a member of the public while being spoken to by police officers outside Molly Malone’s Tavern on Saturday night, as Durham celebrated victory over Derbyshire in the County Championship earlier in the day.
Why England’s summer of cricket chaos could yet have a silver lining
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