Brendon McCullum says England have not become a bad team overnight after they were thrashed by South Africa in the first Test at Lord's.
England had started a new era under head coach McCullum and captain Ben Stokes by whitewashing New Zealand 3-0 and beating India in a rearranged match at Edgbaston to draw the series.
They were brought crashing back down to earth six weeks after that win over India, as the tourists hammered them by an innings and 12 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
England were thrashed inside three days, failing to live with a potent Proteas pace attack in a one-side match that saw them fold to 165 all out in the first innings and only 149 in the second.
McCullum says they must take the chastening defeat on the chin and hit back at Old Trafford next week.
"South Africa deserved the victory. We have a little bit of work to do, but you don't go from being a good team to a bad one overnight." the former New Zealand skipper told Sky Sports.
McCullum felt if anything England were too "timid' rather than overly aggressive.
He said: "It was the type of wicket that the boys reflected that you get in, then you got a cracking delivery from nowhere. I thought our approach was alright
"I think over the last four wins we've had there have been times where we have been behind then able to absorb it and turn it back on the opposition. We couldn't do that today.
"As we said at the outset, you have to buckle up for the ride. We'll come back stronger."
McCullum added: "The wicket was challenging at times and some of the balls were too good for us. If anything I thought some of the dismissals were a bit timid today. We won't overreact after this."
Alex Lees and Stuart Broad top scored with 35 apiece. The hostile pace quartet of Anrich Nortje (3-47), Kagiso Rabada (2-27), Marco Jansen (2-13) and Lungi Ngidi (1-15) tore through England after spinner Keshav Maharaj took 2-35 on Friday.
Cricket West Indies to review playing conditions after Super50 Cup Final ends in double forfeit
The 2024 CG United Super50 Cup ended in unprecedented fashion on Saturday, as both finalists, Jamaica Scorpions and Barbados Pride, forfeited the final after their captains failed to attend the scheduled coin toss. As a result, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has declared that there will be no champion for this year’s tournament.
The anticlimactic conclusion followed what had been an exciting and competitive tournament, leaving organizers, fans, and players stunned. The forfeiture occurred after a heavily rain-affected day at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, where persistent showers delayed the start of play.
Despite the delays, match officials confirmed that the game could proceed as a 20-over-a-side contest if play commenced by 6:17 PM. Both teams were informed that the toss would be held at 6:00 PM to facilitate the adjusted start time. However, neither captain appeared for the toss, leading to both teams failing to take the field and the final being ruled a double forfeit.
In a statement, CWI announced plans to review the tournament regulations following the unprecedented events. According to the playing conditions, if no play was possible due to rain, both teams would have been declared co-champions. However, as conditions were deemed playable, the failure of both teams to take the field resulted in the forfeiture.
“These unanticipated events highlight the need for a thorough review of the playing conditions to prevent a recurrence of such situations,” CWI said. “Further consultation with stakeholders will determine the necessary adjustments to the regulations.”
The conclusion marred what had been a tournament filled with memorable moments and outstanding performances. Barbados Pride secured their spot in the final with a commanding 153-run victory over defending champions Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, while Jamaica Scorpions cruised past the Leeward Islands Hurricanes with a 107-run win in their semifinal.
The round-robin phase produced several thrilling matches, including Barbados Pride’s nail-biting one-wicket win over Guyana, thanks to debutant Demetrius Richards’ unbeaten 65, and their eight-run victory over the Windward Volcanoes, with captain Kyle Mayers starring in a dramatic final over.
Individual brilliance was on full display throughout the tournament. Justin Greaves of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes made history as the first West Indian to score three consecutive List A centuries, with scores of 111*, 112, and 151*. Meanwhile, standout bowling performances from Rahkeem Cornwall (6/20), Khary Pierre (4/8), and Yannic Cariah underscored the importance of spin in Caribbean conditions. Emerging batting talent also shone, with Carlos Brown’s maiden List A century (121) and Matthew Nandu’s 116 highlighting the depth of future West Indian stars.
The forfeiture also impacted the tournament’s financial outcomes. The champions were set to receive US$100,000, while the runners-up were to earn US$50,000. Both semi-finalists will receive US$25,000 each.
CWI is expected to release additional information after completing its review, as the cricketing community reflects on an unforgettable—but ultimately disappointing—conclusion to the region’s premier 50-over competition.
Rutherford’s stunning century in vain as 'Spice Man' steals the show for UP Nawabs
Sherfane Rutherford's blistering century was not enough to prevent the Northern Warriors from falling to a nine-wicket defeat against UP Nawabs in the Abu Dhabi T10 on Sunday.
Coming off a personally successful run with the West Indies, Rutherford smashed an unbeaten 103 off just 40 balls, featuring seven fours and three towering sixes, as he single-handedly powered the Warriors to a challenging 142-4 in their 10 overs. Brandon King was the only other batter to reach double figures, contributing 16. Despite Rutherford's heroics, the Warriors’ total proved insufficient, as Tymal Mills spearheaded the Nawabs’ bowling with figures of 2-18. Odean Smith struggled with the ball, conceding 45 runs for his solitary wicket.
In reply, UP Nawabs made light work of the target, propelled by a flying start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who blasted 44 off 23 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. His measured aggression set the foundation for the chase before Andre Fletcher took over with an explosive unbeaten 75 off just 27 balls. Fletcher’s innings included four fours and seven sixes, ensuring the Nawabs reached the target with five balls to spare.
The win lifted UP Nawabs to fourth place in the 10-team table with four points, while the Northern Warriors remain in fifth on two points following the loss. Fletcher’s match-winning knock earned him the Player of the Match award.
Despite the loss, Rutherford’s century will be remembered as one of the standout performances of the tournament, showcasing his incredible power and skill even in a losing cause.
Rovman Powell powers Delhi Bulls to victory over Ajman Bolts in Abu Dhabi T10
Rovman Powell delivered a scintillating match-winning performance to lead the Delhi Bulls to a commanding 35-run victory over the Ajman Bolts in the Abu Dhabi T10 on Sunday.
The Bulls, batting first, posted an imposing 126-5 in their 10 overs, with Powell smashing a breathtaking 58 off just 22 balls. His explosive knock included four fours and five towering sixes, propelling the team to a formidable total. Powell was well-supported by Tim David, who hammered 29 off 13 balls with four sixes, and James Vince, who chipped in with 22 from 14 balls.
James Neesham was the pick of the bowlers for the Ajman Bolts, claiming 2-22, but he received little support as the Bulls capitalized on every scoring opportunity.
In their chase, the Ajman Bolts were stifled by disciplined bowling from the Delhi Bulls. Gulbadin Naib (22) and Shehan Jayasuriya (21) tried to build momentum, but the Bolts fell well short, managing only 91-6 in their 10 overs. Shahid Butta led the Bulls’ attack with an impressive 3-24, while Mohammad Rohid returned excellent figures of 2-10 to seal the victory.
Powell’s match-winning knock and the Bulls’ clinical bowling ensured a comprehensive win, keeping their Abu Dhabi T10 campaign firmly on track.
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