Joe Root puts England in the driving seat against New Zealand

Much more of this from Joe Root and even Andy Flower might consider throwing caution to the wind. Two months have passed since the England coach moved to dampen what he considered dangerously premature hype over the baby-faced Yorkshire man-child.

James Anderson: It's us, not the bosses, who want Ashes 'ban'

There has been a lot of chat about a supposed management 'ban' on players talking about the Ashes. It was even suggested that anyone who did so might face disciplinary action.

Headingley chief Mark Arthur slams the amount of international venues used in England

Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur has criticised the glut of international venues in England as the first day of the second Investec Test against New Zealand was washed out.

England v New Zealand, second Test - Headingley: Nick Compton and Jonny Bairstow set for Ashes shoot-out as Kevin Pietersen's return looms

PAUL NEWMAN: High summer and the Ashes seemed a world away on Thursday as hail lashed down at Headingley. Nick Compton and Jonny Bairstow would not be human, though, if they were not thinking further ahead.

England v New Zealand, second Test - Nasser Hussain: Alastair Cook plays at balls he doesn't need to

International sides are always on the look-out for the slightest weaknesses in the opposition, and it won’t have escaped New Zealand’s notice that England captain Alastair Cook has fallen six times in seven Test innings to their left-arm seamers this year.

County Championship and Yorkshire Bank 40 round-up: Sussex seal innings victory inside two days as Somerset crumble

Sussex swiftly wrapped up victory over Somerset on day two at Horsham and moved to the top of LV= County Championship Division One after the visitors suffered their second batting collapse of the contest.

Asad Rauf withdrawn from ICC Champions Trophy after Mumbai Police investigation

Umpire Asad Rauf has been withdrawn from next month’s Champions Trophy in England after it emerged that he was under investigation by Mumbai police, allegedly as part of the IPL spot-fixing scandal.

Ireland draw exciting opener with Pakistan as Paul Stirling hits a quick-fire century

Ireland fell agonisingly short of a first-ever win over a Test-playing national in Dublin as the opening RSA Insurance one-day international against Pakistan ended in a tie.

BJ Watling ruled out of second Test between England and New Zealand

New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling has been ruled out of the second Test against England starting on Friday at Headingley.

England v New Zealand 2nd Test: Joe Root says he will play his natural game at Headingley

Joe Root considered the pressures which will come with playing a first Test at his Headingley home ground and vowed to carry on doing what has come naturally during his rapid rise to the summit of English cricket.

Sreesanth says he is innocent in Rajasthan Royals IPL spot-fixing scandal

India test cricketer Shantakumaran Sreesanth has denied spot-fixing after being arrested in a scandal in a domestic Twenty20 league, while he and two teammates from his Rajasthan-based team remain in police custody.

The Ashes 2013: Andy Flower bans Ashes talk among England team until after Champions Trophy

As Australia embark on the long journey to England in a bid to wrestle back the Ashes, Andy Flower has banned any talk about the coveted urn among his team until after the Champions Trophy.

England squad for second Test v New Zealand at Headingley

England are set to name the same XI that won the first Test against New Zealand for the series finale at Headingley this week.

Nasser Hussain: Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad still showing the way for England

What outstanding bowling that was yesterday from Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, and what a fabulous pair they are when the ball is moving.

James Anderson: Talk of taking 400 Test wickets seems crazy

In the 10 years since I made my Test debut here at Lord’s, I have experienced all manner of emotions, ranging from elation to something close to despair. But what happened when Alastair Cook threw me the ball to show it to the crowd after taking my 300th Test wicket surpassed everything. I was just overwhelmed.

James Anderson joins 300 club interactive guide

James Anderson became only the fourth Englishman to reach 300 Test wickets on the second day of the first Test, but New Zealand have the advantage in this absorbing Test.

Yorkshire's Adil Rashid hits highest first-class score of his career

Adil Rashid struck the highest first-class score of his career as Yorkshire amassed a mammoth total on day two of their Division One clash against Somerset.

Surrey captain Graeme Smith is to fly home after a recurrence of an ankle injury

Graeme Smith could miss the rest of the domestic season with Surrey and the Champions Trophy with South Africa after a recurrence of his chronic left ankle injury.

Former England captain Alec Stewart says Hampshire will have a fight to retain their title.

The Yorkshire Bank 40 is back today and former England skipper Alec Stewart believes the Hampshire Royals will be in the running to retain their crown, but will face very stiff competition.

County cricket performance review: Luke Wells

In our first county cricket performance review of the season we look at left-handed Sussex opener Luke Wells, 22, who hit his maiden double century at The Kia Oval last week and has long been touted as one to watch.

ECB announce 2013 Ashes dates and venues

The England and Wales Cricket Board have released the itinerary for next year's international fixtures, with Trent Bridge playing host to the first Ashes Test.

Ashes 2013: Australian press savages 16-man squad selection

The Australian media has torn into the 16-man squad to tour England in this summer's Ashes series, calling it a 'dog's breakfast' and questioning whether the 'motley mob' is the worst to ever leave their shores.

Nasser Hussain guide to Australia Ashes squad

Australia named their 16-man squad for this summer's Ashes series on Wednesday. Here, former England captain and Sportsmail columnist Nasser Hussain runs the rule over Michael Clarke's inexperienced Baggy Green side.

Australia Ashes squad their worst ever - 5-0 here we come, says Paul Newman

Is that it, Australia? Is that all you have got? First impressions upon looking at the group of cricketers tasked with winning back the Ashes is that England will never have had it so good.

Australia announce Ashes squad: Brad Haddin recalled as Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus miss out

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been recalled to Australia's test squad as Michael Clarke's deputy to fill a leadership void for this summer's Ashes.

Local heroes Root and Bairstow put England in the driving seat against New Zealand

Joe Root became a Headingley hero as his maiden Test century gave England some much-needed backbone against New Zealand. Fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow scored 64 as England reached 337-7 at stumps.

England v New Zealand: Rain washes out first day of second Test

The first day of the second Investec Test between England and New Zealand has been washed out after persistent rain at Headingley.

England v New Zealand - day two - LIVE

Stay up to date with all the action on day two of the second Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley with Sportsmail's unrivalled team.

Kevin Pietersen cast a shadow over struggling duo Nick Compton and Jonny Bairstow

There was no attempt to don a shirt and join in the celebrations, a la John Terry, but the arrival of Kevin Pietersen at Lord’s was a reminder of what England are missing.

Kevin Pietersen ego was a challenge, says Andrew Strauss

Andrew Strauss has broken his silence on the turbulent events of last summer, claiming the problems caused by Kevin Pietersen were the ‘last thing we wanted to deal with’ during the crucial series against South Africa.