Related items

• England aiming to be one of 'world's best' teams, says Earl

  England have aspirations of greatness, asserted Ben Earl as he prepares to face New Zealand in a friendly at Twickenham.

  The 26-year-old was optimistic about the progress England had made under Steve Borthwick despite registering two losses at the hands of the All Blacks in July.

  England will be seeking revenge after losing the second match of the test in a devastatingly close 16-15 defeat. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso had scored a try to put England ahead after scores had been tied 10-10 at half-time, but two penalty kicks from Damian McKenzie ended their hopes.

  Earl, however, believes the heartbreak has given his country an opportunity to develop.

  “I think it’s an experience all the big teams go through, you have to go through some heartache to get over the line,” he told TNT Sports.

  “It just feels like it’s the evolution of all the top teams, and we are a team that wants to be known as a great team, some of the world’s best. 

  “So we know the heartache is good for a while, but it’s time to go and do it at the right time. We got a glimpse of it against Ireland last year, and we feel we are due one, and we have learnt some really hard lessons over the summer, so we feel we are in a better place for it.

  “We have always said you don’t win easily against us and that’s something we have developed over the last 18 months with Steve’s mindset and the boys getting hold of it, and now I feel it’s time to get over the line in one of these big games.”

  New Zealand have won their last three matches, having defeated Japan and secured a double over Australia. They struggled against reigning world champions South Africa, however, as they failed to exact revenge on the Springboks in late summer tests falling to defeat twice.

  Undoubtedly, the All Blacks still represent some of the best talent in the world, with Earl expected to line up opposite New Zealand’s superstar Wallace Sititi.

  “There’s stardust littered all over the pitch isn’t there? There’s some pretty cool match-ups; it just feels like a game that isn’t going to disappoint,” he said.

  England won’t be overawed, though. Instead, they aim to make their west London home a fortress for visiting sides to travel to.

  “[Twickenham is] a place where we want to be really, really hard to beat. And we’ve always said in the camp, if you want to beat us at Twickenham you are going to have to be over and above the norm,” Earl said. 

• Matthew Nandu's century in vain as Harpy Eagles, CCC Marooners contest end in No-result

  Guyana Harpy Eagles and Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners were robbed an opportunity to bounce back from opening defeats in the CG United Super50 Cup as their second contest ended in a no result due to inclement weather at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday.

  With the encounter initially reduced to 45 overs per side, the Harpy Eagles got their innings in and posted a competitive 271-7, thanks to a century from Canada-born Matthew Nandu (116), and half-centuries from captain Tevin Imlach (51) and Kemol Savory, who was left unbeaten on an even 50 off 42 balls.

  Nandu’s knock came off 103 balls and included five sixes and seven fours, as he partnered with Imlach in a 123-run second wicket stand after Tagenarine Chanderpaul (13) went cheaply. Imlach struck five fours in his brisk 58-ball knock before he fell to Abhijai Mansingh, who also accounted for Kevlon Anderson (11).

  Nandu and Savory then posted another 52 runs for the fourth wicket to keep the momentum going, but the former became the first of three quick wickets as the Marooners gradually pulled things back. Still, Savory pressed on in a dynamic knock that had two fours and one six to put the Harpy Eagles in a decent position.

  Mikkel Govia (4-42) did the most damage for the Marooners with support from Mansingh (2-42).

  The Marooners run chase started positively with Kamil Pooran (20) and Kieran Powell (8 not out) posting 32 for the first wicket before the rain had the final say after a mere 6.5 overs.

  This no result means both teams are still left to play catch up, as the Harpy Eagles lost their first contest by one wicket to Windward Islands Volcanoes, while the Marooners went down by 60 runs to reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

• Jansen, Coetzee return as Rabada rested for South Africa’s T20 series against India 

  Fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have been included in the South Africa squad for their four-match home T20I series against India scheduled to begin on November 8. 

  The duo will make their return after injury lay-offs, but Cricket South Africa have rested Kagiso Rabada along with Lungi Ngidi with a home Test series against Sri Lanka to follow later next month. 

  Aiden Markram will captain the side against India, who beat the Proteas to win the T20 World Cup in Barbados earlier this year, while David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Keshav Maharaj are all included. 

  All-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana has received his maiden call-up, while uncapped Andile Simelane is also part of the roster.

  “It’s both an exciting and important series for us as we continue to build towards the T20 World Cup in 2026,” said South Africa white-ball coach Rob Walter.