After Nottinghamshire trio Stuart Broad, James Taylor and Samit Patel were part of the England team for the third Test against Pakistan in Sharjah, both South Africa and Australia were boosted by contributions from former Outaws this week.

With both countries kicking off Test series, Adam Voges lined up against New Zealand in Australia’s first challenge since the Ashes whilst two of 2015’s overseas players, Imran Tahir and Vernon Philander, were part of the South Africa side taking on India.

Meanwhile, a second round Sheffield Shield showdown between Ed Cowan (New South Wales) and Peter Siddle (Victoria Bushrangers) looks set to be a stormer.

All the best from this week in cricket:

Imran Tahir And Vernon Philander

After almost a year on the sidelines when it comes to Test cricket, Imran Tahir made his comeback in the current India series, owing to the spin-friendly conditions for his recall.

South Africa gained the early initiative by bowling the hosts out for 201 in their first innings. Philander did early damage removing Shikhar Dhawan without scoring before returning to account for Ravindra Jadeja (38) before Tahir’s googly was too much for Umesh Yadav (5) and Varun Aaron (0), both bowled in the same over.

South Africa replied with 184 all, AB de Villiers top scoring with 63, before the Nottinghamshire duo once again combined to take wickets for their country. Philander had Dhawan out once again without scoring, the Indian opener making a pair in the Test, before a third wicket with the googly for Tahir, Murali Vijay caught at short leg for 47, meant the hosts closed day two on 125-2, a lead of 142.

Darren Sammy

Away from the cricketing field, Darren Sammy has been giving his social media followers a glimpse in to what makes him one of the biggest hitters on the world circuit. With the Big Bash just a month away, the West Indian all rounder has been working hard in the gym, preparing himself for a winter ahead with the Hobart Hurricanes.

Sammy, who spent a short stint with the Outlaws in 2015, was at his big-hitting best at New Road, where he dismantled Worcestershire, before travelling to Edgbaston and smashing a window in a hospitality box with a maximum down the ground.

Adam Voges

2015 has been a whirlwind for Adam Voges, from making his Test debut against West Indies in June to being part of all five Ashes Tests for Australia this summer. Now the former Notts man is one of the more experienced heads in his country’s batting line up, following the retirements of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers.

With the arranged tour to Bangladesh cancelled due to safety concerns, New Zealand’s tour of Australia was their first Test challenge since the summer. Complemented with familiar faces in Joe Burns, filling Rogers’ opening slot, and Usman Khawaja, in at number three with Steven Smith taking Clarke’s role at four, they have got off to a flier.

On the back of David Warner (163) and Usman Khawaja (174) scoring hundreds, the latter on his return to the side and his debut ton, Voges piled on the runs with 83* before new captain Smith declared on 556-4. That came at the fall of Khawaja's wicket, after the left-hander and Voges had added 157 for the fourth wicket.

From there, the Australian bowlers continued the dominance, reducing New Zealand to 157-5 by close on day two, a typical hostile spell of bowling from Mitchell Johnson ripping through the middle order.

Sheffield Shield - Siddle v Cowan

With the second round of Sheffield Shield matches kicking off, the game between New South Wales and Victoria Bushrangers had two former Outlaws facing off against each other in Ed Cowan and Peter Siddle. Siddle, released from Australian duty for the first New Zealand Test, managed to produce a five over spell costing just ten runs before rain intervened and brought an early end to day one.

Cowan meanwhile continued his fine run of form, looking in great touch in the 9.5 overs that were possible on the first day, making 20*.

 

England are returning to the scene of their Ashes triumph in 2016 for Royal London One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Don't miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge and secure your seats now.