For the first five years, Rohit struggled to cement his place in the side. For the next five, he was among the finest batters in the world

Sidharth Monga08-May-20252:16

Kumble: Straight from the heart, that’s Rohit Sharma

The last act of Rohit Sharma the Test batter and captain will remain sitting out of the Sydney Test. The writing had been on the wall from the time he conceded he didn’t consider himself good enough – or in good enough form – to be one of the five best Test batters in the country. It is a move highly uncharacteristic of an elite cricketer. They get there in the first place by living in denial of any limitation. A comeback from there is unheard of. If at all, it had to come through substantial evidence of a return to form in domestic cricket.There were indications that Rohit didn’t see the end coming. In a recent interview with former Australia captain Michael Clarke, he said he looked forward to leading the attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj in England. It is unfortunate that the eventual announcement of retirement was a summary, likely a reaction to the breaking of news that the selectors had officially communicated to the BCCI that they were ready to name a new captain.How you choose to end your career, how you convey to the world that you will no longer wear the cap you worked so hard for and cherished, is a deeply personal thing. Ideally, your hand should never be forced on that. Not in the middle of the IPL when your team is alive in the competition.Related

• The contenders to fill Rohit's vacant spot in the Test team

• Rohit did the decent thing, so why cloak it in intrigue?

• Rohit in Test cricket: a solid opener, yet a six-hitter

• Gill leads the race for India's next Test captain after Rohit's retirement

• Rohit announces retirement from Test cricket

Some might say this imperfect end is in nice symmetry with an imperfect career. A career whose start was stalled for three years because minutes before the toss in what was supposed to be his debut Test, he stepped on a team-mate’s foot when going for a rocketball and injured himself.Rohit might have found it tough to get in, but once he was in, selectors and team managements moved heaven and earth to accommodate him. It was no favour to him, of course. They saw a high ceiling in him, which, if realised, would help India win more games. Higher than Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, one of whom would be left out for him.Outside the two centuries in his debut series against West Indies, Rohit wasn’t really able to vindicate the decision-makers for five years. In the 27 Tests that he played in this period, he averaged 39.62 when the average top-six batter in matches that he played went at 38.02. A team playing just five specialist batters wanted someone more than just average. That Rohit was strictly average confounded everyone, fans and outside observers included.Rohit Sharma’s last act as Test captain was dropping himself•Getty ImagesWhen thrown another – final, most likely – lifeline, something clicked for Rohit. Opening the innings brought out the best in him. For the next five years and a bit, Rohit was India’s best Test batter, and among the finest in the world. Only three batters in the world scored more hundreds than him in this period; none of them opened the innings.In this period, Rohit averaged 50.03 when the average top-six batter in Tests that he played went at 41.97. These were the returns everybody hoped for when making way for him. The 2021 tour of England was his absolute peak. He played 866 balls, and left alone 182 of them. He didn’t score off 680 balls, about as many balls as he had ever faced in a series previously.England 2021 was a perfect mix of skill, endurance and discipline in consistently challenging conditions. While he could never repeat this kind of feat of endurance, Rohit dominated bowlers in this period, even on treacherous turners in India. When he scored runs, he did so quickly, giving the bowlers time to win matches. All his 12 Test hundreds resulted in a win. No one has scored these many hundreds all in a win. Nearly 70% of his Test runs came in wins.When the other batters of his age group started to dip, when the spinners started to get on, Rohit the batter played a big role in sustaining India’s unbeaten series streak at home. In this dominant period, Rohit averaged 54.43 at home when the average top-six batter managed only 34.47 in these Tests. At home he was like Virender Sehwag – incidentally the only Indian to have hit more Test sixes than Rohit’s 88 – but in 2021 he also showed the promise of being able to bat like Rahul Dravid when away.Rohit Sharma hit 88 sixes in Test cricket. Only Virender Sehwag hit more for India•BCCIAlas, it was too good to last. His body didn’t cooperate. He was able to play just 32 of the 47 Tests India played during his best years. The itch was there now that he had tasted success. He made what seemed like an improbable return to fitness and spent a week locked up in a flat just to be able to play two Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy of 2020-21.As a leader, Rohit put a tense dressing room at ease. As a captain on the field, he didn’t fiddle with the winning formula he inherited. If anything, he tried to attack even more, but as his own game fell off a cliff, so did India’s fortunes. In his last eight Tests, Rohit averaged a little under 11. When he missed one Test and his replacement opener did well, he didn’t do what he would have done what elite players do: take back that spot. First signs perhaps that he knew his game was not elite anymore.Many coaches and captains tell their players that when all is said and done, people don’t instinctively remember your stats or trophies, but how you made them feel. It might be a little truer in Rohit’s case than in some others. For the first five years of his Test career, Rohit divided opinion: his backers felt he didn’t get enough consecutive chances, others saw injustice for Pujara and Rahane.What made us forget that was the next five years and a bit. During that period, Rohit made us feel batting was easier than it actually was, in arguably the toughest era for batting. Even when he was actually grinding out ugly runs in England. It felt like it was late morning on a late February Sunday when he batted. That everything was pleasant. That there was time at hand. Just like that late February idyll, there could have been more of it.

Umpiring great retired in 1996 after officiating in 66 Test matches

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Sep-2025

Harold “Dickie” Bird, one of the most beloved umpires in cricket’s history, has died at the age of 92.Bird, who officiated in 66 Tests and 69 ODIs, including three World Cup finals, was synonymous with his home county Yorkshire, for who he began his career as a top-order batter in 1956, and later went on to serve as Yorkshire president in 2014.He averaged 20.71 in 93 first-class matches, making two centuries including a best of 181 not out against Glamorgan in 1959. But when, after moving to Leicestershire in 1960, his career was cut short by injury four years later, his switch to umpiring would set him on the path to becoming a household name.Bird’s idiosyncrasies would become part of his appeal, including his famously anxious attitude to timekeeping. Having made his umpiring debut in May 1970, he travelled to London for his second match – Surrey versus Yorkshire at The Oval – arrived at 6am for an 11am start, and was caught by a policeman attempting to scale the wall of the still-locked ground.As an umpire, he was famously reluctant to raise his finger for lbw appeals – several of his decisions would have been quickly over-turned in the age of DRS. In mitigation, he was at least consistent in offering the benefit of the doubt to batters … with one possible exception. On the morning of his final Test, England versus India at Lord’s, he arrived in the middle with tears in his eyes after a guard of honour from the players. And duly gave Mike Atherton out lbw in the first over of the match.Other memorable moments included his decision, during the West Indies Test at Old Trafford in 1995, to call a halt to play for an excess of sunlight, which had been reflecting off a greenhouse behind the bowler’s arm. In that same fixture, as related by Atherton in his autobiography, Bird dropped the pocket-ful of marbles that he used to count the deliveries in an over.”Play was halted momentarily while Dickie scrambled around on his hands and knees looking for his counters,” Atherton wrote. “‘I’ve lost me marbles! I’ve lost me marbles! He cried. Most of us thought he had lost his marbles a long time ago.”He was frequently the victim of practical jokes – particularly at the hands of Ian Botham and Allan Lamb. On one occasion, Lamb arrived at the middle with his 1980s brick-style mobile phone still in his pocket. Bird duly stashed it in his coat, whereupon Botham rang the device from the dressing-room, telling a startled Bird to pass on a message for his team-mate to get a move on.Bird himself had believed his likeliest route to sporting success was football, although as he related in his autobiography, a cartilage operation on his knee at the age of 15 put paid to that ambition. Instead, he became a fixture in Barnsley’s 1st XI cricket team, where his team-mates included Michael Parkinson – who would later become a world-renowned chat-show host – and later, Geoffrey Boycott.”I have known Dickie nearly 70 years as a friend,” Boycott wrote in his tribute to Bird. “When I was 15 I was taken to Barnsley Cricket Club by my Uncle Algy. I was in awe of him because every week Dickie was the star batsman.”Boycott added that Bird was a “very good technical batsman” but added that “nerves got the better of him” during his Yorkshire career. As an umpire, however, he described him as “absolutely brilliant”.”Players all over the world respected and admired him for his firmness, fairness, and he did it with a sense of humour. He was loved by so many and became a legend.”In 2009, Bird was honoured with a bronze statue on Barnsley’s Church Lane, set in his familiar umpiring pose with one finger raised. The council was soon obliged to place it on a higher plinth than had been intended, due to the public’s temptation to hang objects on said finger.He was appointed an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 2012 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cricket, having stood in his last first-class match in 1998, Yorkshire versus Warwickshire at Headingley.In a statement, Yorkshire confirmed that he had died peacefully at home”He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility, and joy — and a legion of admirers across generations,” Yorkshire added.”The thoughts of everyone at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club are with Dickie’s family and friends during this time. He will be truly missed by all at the Club having spent an incredible amount of time in support of everyone here and will be remembered as one the greatest characters in Yorkshire’s history.”

Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya returned from the injured list on Wednesday and played in his first game since May 24. Unfortunately, his night was cut brutally short as he suffered another injury and had to leave the game on a cart.

Amaya, who had just returned from an oblique injury, hit a slow roller to shortstop and was trying to beat out the throw to first. When he got to first he planted awkwardly and went flying in pain. Amaya landed on the ground and did not even try to get up.

Coaches, players and trainers checked on him before he was eventually helped onto a cart where he put a towel over his face as he was taken off the field. Announcers were heartbroken for the 26-year old catcher.

Amaya was having the best season of his career before he suffered a left oblique injury back in May.

Reese McGuire, who entered the game for Amaya, scored two batters later and Chicago went on to beat the Blue Jays 4–1.

يستهل منتخب مصر مشواره في بطولة كأس العرب 2025 بمواجهة نظيره الكويتي، في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات البطولة الدولية.

وتقام المباراة بين مصر والكويت غدًا الثلاثاء، على أرضية استاد لوسيل في إطار لقاءات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة المجموعات لـ كأس العرب.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر مع منافسه الكويت في المجموعة الثالثة التي تضم أيضًا الإمارات والأردن، ضمن البطولة المقامة في قطر خلال الفترة من 1 حتى 18 ديسمبر.​

ويبحث منتخب مصر عن انطلاقة قوية في البطولة العربية تحت قيادة جهازه الفني الحالي، بقيادة حلمي طولان ساعيًا لتحقيق نتائج متقدمة بالمسابقة.

طالع | حكم مباراة مصر والكويت في كأس العرب 2025

بينما يدخل المنتخب الكويتي اللقاء بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد عبوره من الملحق وتأهله إلى دور المجموعات، في مواجهة منتظرة جماهيريًا وإعلاميًا بين المنتخبين.

ويشارك منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس العرب، بقيادة جهاز فني يضم حلمي طولان مدير فني ومعه أحمد حسن مديرًا للمنتخب وعصام الحضري مدربًا للحراس، وذلك بقرار من اتحاد الكرة.

MatériaMais Notícias

Flamengo e São Paulo se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (17), pela 2ª rodada do Brasileirão 2024. A bola rola às 21h30 (de Brasília), no Maracanã, em no Rio de Janeiro, com transmissão do Globo (TV Aberta) e Premiere (pay-per-view).

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➡️ Siga o Lance! São Paulo no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Tricolor

O Tricolor vem de derrota contra o Fortaleza na estreia do Brasileirão, enquanto o Rubro-Negro venceu o Atlético-GO, em Goiânia.

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

Confira abaixo todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre Flamengo e São Paulo (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

✅FICHA TÉCNICA
Flamengo x São Paulo
2ª rodada – Brasileirão

Data e horário: quarta-feira, 17 de abril de 2024, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Onde assistir: Globo e Premiere
Árbitro: Anderson Daronco (FIFA-RS)
VAR: Rodrigo D Alonso Ferreira (SC)
Assistentes: Rafael da Silva Alves (FIFA-RS) e Thiago Henrique Neto Correa Farinha (RJ)

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➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

FLAMENGO (Técnico: Tite)
Rossi, Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira e Ayrton Lucas; Pulgar, De la Cruz e Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Cebolinha e Pedro

SÃO PAULO (Técnico: Thiago Carpini)
Rafael; Igor Vinícus, Arboleda, Diego Costa e Welington; Pablo Maia, Alisson e Galoppo; Ferreira, Luciano e Calleri.

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BrasileirãoFlamengoSão Paulo

There was definitely some magic in the air at Great American Ballpark on Friday night.

The Milwaukee Brewers, powered by Christian Yelich and his custom Bob Uecker bat, a perfect tribute to the late former MLB catcher and announcer, stormed back to erase an 8-1 deficit and win a franchise record-tying 13th straight game with the 10-8 win over the Reds. And while the victory was undoubtedly one of the Brewers' most improbable of the season, there was never any doubt, particularly among Yelich.

Down 8-1, the 2018 National League MVP looked at his manager Pat Murphy in the dugout and firmly guaranteed his club would emerge victorious.

"… He told me on the bench, straight up, it was 8-1, he said, 'We're going to win this game,’" Murphy said, via Adam McCalvy. "How do you make that statement? He looked at me and said, 'We're going to win this game.'

"And then—it happened."

Yelich himself confirmed that his bold declaration also happened.

"Yeah," Yelich said when asked if he had said that to Murphy, via the . "We've been in that situation before. We seem to always kind of make it close. Just with the way our team is, I knew we weren't going to get our doors blown off. We were going to find a way to get back into that thing. Just kind of a room full of fighters and guys that don't care what the scoreboard says…

Spurred by a Yelich RBI double and Andrew Vaughn three-run homer, Milwaukee put up a five-spot in the top of the third inning to quickly cut into the deficit, then tied the game in the top of the fourth inning thanks to—guess who—Yelich.

A never-surrender type attitude certainly was paramount to the Brewers' victory, but it would be naive to think that there wasn't a little Uecker magic going on at the ballpark. Yelich, who was dealing with an injury last summer, was unable to use the blue Louisville Slugger, which featured a picture of the iconic announcer, a tribute to his signature play-by-play call and was designed for MLB's Players' Weekend.

But there he was on Friday night, using the bat en route to a 4-for-5 performance at the plate, the perfect tribute to Uecker, who passed away in January.

"…When it comes to that guy [Uecker], nothing surprises me," Yelich continued. "You guys have been around him a lot too. Stuff like that, that's just part of 'Ueck. If you know 'Ueck, you know crazy things like that are going to happen when he's involved. It just adds to how special tonight was with the guys and the comeback win… Just a pretty cool, full-circle moment."

“We have proven players in the current squad,” Litton Das says after West Indies won the T20I series 3-0, indicating that his boys have his trust

Mohammad Isam01-Nov-2025

Litton Das has words of support for his players despite West Indies trouncing Bangladesh 3-0 in the home T20I series over the past week, only the second time in 12 bilateral home series where Bangladesh have been swept away. It came on the back of Bangladesh winning four consecutive bilateral T20I series since July this year.Bangladesh couldn’t chase down 166 and 150 in the first two matches, and West Indies then. chased down a 152-run target quite convincingly in the third game on what Roston Chase said was the best pitch in the series.”We have proven players in the current squad,” Litton said after the game. “One or two series, we can play like this. A player can go through a bad time for four or five matches. A batter knows where he has to improve. I am sure the batters will focus on those areas and consult the batting coach to make a comeback. If you change players every day, the results will be the same. A new player is unlikely to give you much more. So those who are playing cricket for a long time, it is better to go ahead with them to expect better results.”Related

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Shepherd hat-trick and twin fifties complete WI's 3-0 sweep

Bangladesh’s batting was woeful in this T20I series, with only Tanzid Hasan hitting consecutive fifties. In the third game, only Tanzid (89) and Saif Hassan (23) crossed double-digits as they collapsed from 107 for 2 to be bowled out for 151 in 20 overs.Litton suggested that the T20I players needed some rest.Bangladesh have been the second-busiest team in 2025, having played 42 matches, two fewer than Pakistan. They have also played more than 40 matches in the last five calendar years and will feature in two Tests and three T20Is against Ireland in November and December to close off their 2025 tally.”We had separate fitness and skills camps before the Netherlands series. Then we beat them at home, before we went to the Asia Cup and Afghanistan series in the UAE, and then we came home for the West Indies ODIs and T20Is,” Litton listed. “Except for me – I was not in the T20 squad, so I got some time at home – most of these players were playing [continuously].”Sometimes, the players need rest because when you play so much, many things will not go your way. When the players get a break, like now that the T20 series is over, they will get at least ten days of break to restart themselves. Then there is the Ireland series, and before that, there will be practice. I think all the players will recover well and will be able to come back well.”Litton, however, conceded that the Bangladesh batters were behind the times in terms of skill development, especially in T20Is.”The more you develop your skill, the better you will get. Obviously our batters need to increase their skill and play all kinds of shots. We hardly have batters who play the reverse sweep, for instance,” he said. “World cricket is now far ahead, and those who bat on turning wickets play the reverse sweep. In that regard, we are a little behind. We need to work on those things. You should increase your strengths as much as possible, but when you apply it depends on your game.”Litton said that someone like Jaker Ali should look to be more positive and surround himself with people he can trust to get out of his batting dip.”There is only one option to come back from this: to keep his spirits high, not to worry too much, because if you worry, the negative thought will come more, the positive won’t. If he can think positive, it will be very good for him,” Litton said. “I will always say that when a person is struggling, he should back himself, give himself time, and hang out with people who always help him. I think he will get back into runs soon.”

They have called for an indefinite boycott of the Dhaka leagues

Mohammad Isam08-Oct-2025Dhaka cricket clubs’ officials have called for an indefinite boycott of the Dhaka leagues in protest of the recently held BCB elections, which they are calling “illegal”. These are the same clubs that withdrew from the polls held on October 6 after claiming interference in the electoral process.Tamim Iqbal, who withdrew from the race before the election, was among the club officials present at the press conference in Dhaka on Wednesday. Masuduzzaman, the BCB councillor from Mohammedan Sporting Club, said that they had a majority of the clubs united in the boycott, which he said would also include district-level cricket.”Starting from the third-division cricket league, including the second and first-division leagues and the Premier League, all the organisers who are participating, we saw how the beauty of cricket got lost,” Masuduzzaman said. “Therefore, if you continue like this, we will not play cricket. We will also boycott cricket at the district level.Related

Tamim accuses board president of 'interference'

Tamim withdraws from BCB elections: 'I cannot be a part of this'

Aminul Islam rules out government interference in BCB election

Aminul Islam re-elected BCB president

BCB director removed hours after being elected to his post

“We will all remain united in announcing that cricket will be temporarily closed. We didn’t accept the elections. We said many times that this election should not be allowed to happen. But no one listened. In our opinion, he [Aminul Islam] has conducted an illegal election.”Hours later, BCB chief Aminul Islam said that they would protect the interests of the cricketers. “The betterment of Bangladesh cricket and the well-being of those who matter most – the cricketers – are the main objectives and goals of the BCB. We are all in this together; those within the board and those outside share the same philosophy and passion,” he said in a BCB press release.According to reports, at least 38 clubs are behind the boycott, including seven Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) teams. These include defending champions Abahani Limited and their arch-rivals Mohammedan. The other DPL clubs are Legends of Rupganj, Gulshan Cricket Club, Brothers Union, Partex Sporting Club and Shinepukur City Club.Dhaka’s league structure has the DPL at the top of the pyramid, followed by the first-, second- and third-division leagues in a professional system that is the heartbeat of Bangladesh cricket. It is the competitive system that has sustained the country’s cricketers since the 1950s.As a result, the Dhaka clubs also enjoy the majority of positions in the BCB’s board of directors. Ahead of the elections this year, however, the Tamim-led faction had complained of interference, particularly after the BCB president issued a controversial letter on September 18, in which he asked the sports ministry to send a fresh list of councillors from the districts and divisions category.

After spending a reported £446m on new additions during the summer transfer window, the majority of pundits across the country expected Liverpool to retain their Premier League title.

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak’s arrivals saw the hierarchy break the Reds’ transfer record on two separate occasions, subsequently sending out a huge message to the rest of the division.

However, Arne Slot has so far been unable to find the winning formula with his big-money additions, as seen by the club’s recent form within England’s top-flight.

His side have lost six of their last seven league outings, with their slump seeing the club slide down the table and all but ending their chances of regaining the trophy come the end of May.

It hasn’t derailed their recent ambitions in the transfer market though, which has led to numerous high-profile names being linked with a winter switch to Anfield.

Liverpool’s hunt for new additions in January

Over recent weeks, Liverpool have been just one side mentioned over a possible move to land AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit in the upcoming window.

The Dutch attacking midfielder has massively impressed in 2025/26 to date, subsequently registering six combined goals and assists in his 19 appearances across all competitions.

A £25m price tag has been reported for the 19-year-old, but other sides such as Real Madrid and Manchester United also remain keen on landing his signature in the coming months.

However, Smit isn’t the only player in the Reds’ sights, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo another player who has been strongly touted with a potential move.

According to Fabrizio Romano, numerous members of the club’s hierarchy have already discussed terms with the Cherries over a deal in the January market, having made a move to understand the conditions of the player’s release clause.

He also stated that a deal is expected to cost around £65m- a fee that would activate Semenyo’s clause – but that other Premier League clubs, such as Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, are also closely monitoring the situation.

Why Semenyo could get Isak firing at Liverpool

As previously mentioned, spirits were at an all-time high on Deadline Day for Liverpool supporters after a deal was finally announced for striker Isak from Newcastle United.

The saga dragged on for months before it reached its conclusion, with Slot’s men having to fork out an English record £125m for the services of the Swedish international.

His tally of 23 league goals last campaign made many think the Reds had finally found the number nine they have craved to complete the club’s impressive attacking department.

However, the 26-year-old’s move to Merseyside has been nothing short of a disaster, with the striker only netting one goal in his first nine appearances across all competitions.

Isak’s recent showing against Nottingham Forest further highlighted his struggles, with the talisman only notching a total of 14 touches before being replaced in the 68th minute.

He’s massively struggled to make the desired impact at Anfield to date, but that could change should the hierarchy complete a deal for Semenyo this winter.

The Ghanaian international, who’s primarily a left-winger, has massively impressed at the Vitality this campaign, as seen by his tally of six goals and three assists in his 11 outings.

However, his underlying stats further highlight the quality he possesses, with such numbers certainly aiding Isak in his own quest for success on Merseyside.

Semenyo, who’s been dubbed “the best winger in the country” by former footballer Chris Waddle, has completed 1.9 take-ons per 90 – often able to get into dangerous areas with the ball at his feet.

Games played

11

Goals & assists

9

Take-ons completed

1.9

Chances created

1.4

Progressive passes

3.6

Passes into opposition box

1.6

Shots on target

1.3

Recoveries made

5.3

He’s also been able to add the end product to his mazy runs in the Premier League, as seen by his tally of 1.4 chances created per 90 – not to mention his goal contribution tally.

The 25-year-old has registered 3.6 progressive passes and 1.6 passes into the opposition box per 90, with such numbers potentially falling perfectly into the hands of Isak to turn around his dismal start to life at the club.

£65m in the modern market is an excellent price for a player of Semenyo’s quality, but it remains to be seen how much the board are willing to spend in January after their recent spending spree.

However, if the club are to get Isak fully up to speed in the near future, he will desperately need added support, which could make the Bournemouth star the perfect man to ignite his stint in the North West.

Worse than Konate: Slot must drop 2/10 Liverpool flop who lost 100% duels

Ibrahima Konate was not the only culprit during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

2 ByMatt Dawson Nov 23, 2025

Batter enjoyed chance to have a go at India ‘in the right manner’ during feisty third Test at Lord’s

Vithushan Ehantharajah21-Jul-20251:14

Brook: ‘Dawson is always willing to fight for the team’

Former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka has been moulding the minds of the England men’s Test squad this summer. And the man famous for the New Zealand rugby team’s “no d*ckheads” policy has been reinforcing the mental fortitude of the group, at a time when Harry Brook says they must ditch their “nice guy” persona.Enoka, who has recently worked with Chelsea Football Club, spoke to the team at Emirates Old Trafford at the start of their first training session ahead of the fourth Test against India. A friend of head coach Brendon McCullum, having previously worked with the Blackcaps, Enoka has been with England on a freelance basis. He first addressed the squad in May, when they met up in London ahead of their first Test of the summer against Zimbabwe, and he will remain with them in Manchester until the end of the week.At this stage, Enoka has been working primarily with McCullum and Ben Stokes. However, his methods proved integral to a cultural shift in New Zealand rugby that brought about back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015, and the hope is that his expertise will ignite a similar period of dominance for England’s cricketers. Beyond the current series against India lies the Ashes in the winter, both of which are seminal moments in this team’s lifecycle.On the field, England showed a notable degree of togetherness during the third Test at Lord’s, particularly when they rounded on India on the final day. Victory in the final session gave England a 2-1 lead in the series, after plenty of effort and just as much chat, with close-in fielders – notably Brook – not shy of a word towards India’s batters.The touch paper was lit on the third evening, when Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett faced the full wrath of the India team after the former successfully employed delaying tactics to keep an awkward mini-session to a single over. Shubman Gill led the protestations, pointing the finger at Crawley for time-wasting, who immediately pointed right back at the India skipper, after his own time-wasting efforts earlier in the match.Related

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'England openers came out 90 seconds late' – Gill on Lord's sledging

Injured Akash Deep ruled out of Manchester Test

Sledging, swearing, send-offs – Lord's needling promises explosive series ahead

As it happens, McCullum had mentioned before the Test that his team were a little too nice. Brook believes England’s opportunity to have a go at India, in the same way that India had gone at them, was one they had relished in pursuit of a new edge.”It was good fun,” Brook said. “We watched the Indians go hard at Creeps (Crawley) and Ducky. We had a conversation, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to not be the nice guys that we have been in the past three years, to go out there and put them under more pressure than what they have probably had before.”He (McCullum) actually said a few days before that we are too nice sometimes, and I brought it up the night before the last day: ‘Baz said the other day we’re too nice, I think tomorrow is a perfect opportunity to really get stuck into them’.”I don’t know if it had an effect on how we got the wickets, but it certainly had an effect on the atmosphere, the crowd. We bowled really well and got the wickets in the end.”Both teams shook hands at the end of the Lord’s Test, with Stokes and Gill accepting the on-field chat had inspired a fierce contest. England expect India to come back at them hard in Manchester this week, not least given the must-win nature of this match from the tourists’ perspective. And though Brook is relishing the prospect of more feistiness, particularly given how much more engaged the spectators became as a consequence, he feels it has not – and will not – cross a line.”I’ve had a lot of compliments,” he said. “Everybody said it was awesome to watch and it looked like there was 11 versus two when we were fielding. It was good fun, I have to admit, it was tiring but it made fielding a lot more enjoyable.”I don’t think it’s against the spirit of cricket. We weren’t being personal, we weren’t being nasty, we were just putting them under more pressure.”We were doing it within the spirit of the game. We weren’t going out there effing and jeffing at them, and being nasty people. We were just going about it in the right manner.”