News about Viv Richards

Even today, it's one of the most bizarre bits of royal television ever to be broadcast. It's a Royal Knockout featured senior member of the Royal Family wearing fancy dress and playing silly games with celebrities, a spin on the BBC's long-running Saturday night game show. The royal version, clearly deviated by Prince Edward, set a new bar for Lese Majeste, and according to some commentators, changed monarchy's perceptions forever. We recall the leading commentators from MailOnline's discerning verdicts here as Channel 5 airs a new behind-the-scenes documentary.

On Sunday, Ben Stokes told his colleagues in the dressing room what playing for his England team is all about - and there is no better cricketer in that situation. If you ask me who I would like to be at the top of the crease from the previous 30 years, it would be Stokes. He's been doing it so many times before, whether it's the World Cup final, World Twenty20 final, or Headingley, four years ago, and it was amazing on Sunday that he barely added another match-winning masterclass to his portfolio. That was a truly amazing innings. When he sees a run chase, he has his sixth sense of being safe, when to protect, and when to strike the bowlers.

Sir Ian Botham, a legend in cricket, is selling coveted souvenirs from his career for £150,000. He's selling more than 240 souvenirs, including the stump (below inset) after winning the 1981 Ashes series with a stunning Headingley victory. He is also selling the legendary red cricket ball (bottom right) and he inspired England to win in the upcoming test match at Edgbaston.

NASSER HUSSAIN: There is no obvious flaw in Steve Smith's game, which is disappointing. That's why he averages 60 in Tests. And it's why, unlike other Australians in recent years, he has an outstanding track record in this region. In the World Test Championship final last week, his first-innings century against India was the best example. In recent years, England's tactics to him have been in full swing. They felt he was an lbw candidate for a while before discovering he whipped everything through midwicket. They fired at the fourth stump and tried to nick him off, but that had limited success. This summer, what they should be thinking about is trying a bit of both. I don't care who you are: every batter is in danger early on to the full stumbling ball. However, England must ensure that their length is correct. It's been bowled back by a length to Smith for far too long, and he does those deliveries to leg with greater efficiency than anyone else I've ever seen. He had his eye in by the time they went full bore. England needs to strike more at shin heights.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: England set the tourists a challenging challenge on the first day of a one-off Test match with Ireland. Ireland returned to the crease after England declared on 524 for four, thanks to England's fastest double-century from Ollie Pope and a 182 for Ben Duckett. Josh Tongue repaid the faith shown in him by Ben Stokes by taking three to leave the Irish on 97 for three, with James McCollum recovering injured.