Author: Zahid Noor

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Tuesday will host bilateral cricket against Zimbabwe for the first time since 2003 following an agreement to play a Men’s Test match in May 2025.

England Men will play Zimbabwe in a four-day Test from 28-31 May 2025, at a venue to be confirmed, and follows discussions between the ECB and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to forge closer relations.

ECB Chief Executive Officer, Richard Gould, said: “We are delighted to be able to host Zimbabwe for a Men’s Test match for the first time in two decades.

“Zimbabwe has a proud cricket history and have produced world-class players and coaches who have enriched the game across the world.

“We are committed to developing a closer relationship with Zimbabwe Cricket and the announcement of this Test against our England Men’s team is a step in that ambition.

“This summer’s Ashes series showcased all that is great about Test cricket and, while we must be mindful of the demands of world cricket’s schedule, we also want to help grow Test cricket and find opportunities to play more nations where we can.”

ZC Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be playing bilateral cricket in England for the first time in over two decades after we agreed to play a Test match in May 2025.

“The significance and magnitude of this tour cannot be over-emphasised, and I would like to say a huge thank you to the ECB for committing to the resumption of cricketing relations between our countries that date back to the introduction of the game in Zimbabwe in the 1890s.

“The experience of playing a Test match against a top team like England is massive for the current generation of our players, coming at a time when our game as a whole is on an upward trajectory.

“This will be a historic tour for everyone involved with cricket in Zimbabwe and we are already looking forward to some exciting action on the field of play.”

It is worth mentioning here that England and Zimbabwe played only three Test series thus far. The last of which was hosted by England in 2023.

England have an unbeaten record against Zimbabwe in Tests, having won three out of the six matches between the two sides while the rest ended in a daw.

READ: Atletico Madrid thump Granada to cruise to the top of La Liga standings

LONDON: Veteran pacer James Anderson has been recalled to England’s Playing XI for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.

Experienced pacer James Anderson was added back to England’s Playing XI and replaced Ollie Robinson, who struggled with back spasms in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

James Anderson, who could pick three wickets in the first two Ashes Tests at 75.33, was short of his best after returning from a groin injury, sustained while playing for Lancashire in the County Championship.

Another key change to England’s lineup was a shuffle to their batting order with Moeen Ali to bat at No. 3.

The spin all-rounder, who reversed his Test retirement for the Ashes, batted at No. 7 in the first innings of the third Test before being promoted to No.3 in the second inning.

The change in Ali’s batting position, enables Harry Brook to bat at his favour spot of No.5.

Although Ali could only make five in his new role but Brook’s 75 in his favoured spot vindicated the move.

Besides Ali’s promotion, England retained the same batting order with Ben Stokes at No.6 with wicketkeeper batter Jonny Bairstow to follow.

“We thought that him coming in at No. 3, he was able to impact the game more than he would be at No. 7,” stated Stokes.

“I just love the fact that Mo is willing to put himself in those situations; that he wants to get out there and help the team in a positive way… Mo going to Baz and saying, ‘I want the opportunity’ is everything that we’re about as a team.”

Ben Stokes-led England are eyeing a miraculous comeback in the Ashes remainder and will have to imitate an 86-year-old record of Don Bradman’s Australian side, which shrugged off the 2-0 deficit to win an Ashes series.

England Playing XI for fourth Ashes Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

READ: Pakistan under spin attack as Sri Lanka on top in Galle Test

Pakistan men’s and women’s teams will tour England next year in May to play the white-ball series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Tuesday.

According to the ECB, England Women and England Men will play concurrent white-ball series against Pakistan to open the international summer.

As per the schedule revealed by the ECB, the Pakistan men’s team will play a four-match T20I series against England, scheduled from May 22 to 30.

Before touring the UK, the national men’s team will also tour the Netherlands and Ireland where they will play a T20I series apiece against both nations.

However, the details of Pakistan’s tour of the Netherlands and Ireland will be announced in due course.

Pakistan and England Men last locked horns in a T20I series in September 2022 where the latter side emerged victorious 4-3 on Pakistan’s home soil.

The two sides also came face to face in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and England once again emerged victorious against Pakistan to claim their second title after Ben Stokes’s heroics.

Notably, Pakistan last played a T20I series in England back in 2021 when they suffered a 2-1 thrashing from the dominant hosts.

Additionally, the ECB also announced the itinerary of Pakistan women’s tour of England.

As per the ECB-released schedule, the national women’s side will play a three-match each T20I and ODI series.

Schedule for Pakistan men’s tour of England in 2024

First T20I – May 22 – Leeds
Second T20I – May 25 – Birmingham
Third T20I – May 28 – Cardiff
Fourth T20I – May 30 – The Oval

Schedule for Pakistan women’s tour of England in 2024

First T20I – May 11 – Birmingham
Second T20I – May 17 – Northampton
Third T20I – May 19 – Leeds

First ODI – May 23 – Derby
Second ODI – May 26 – Taunton
Third ODI – May 29 – Chelmsford

READ: Netherlands thump Oman on DLS to keep World Cup hopes alive

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday, announced the T20I squad for their remaining Women’s Ashes fixtures against Australia.

Unlike Men’s Ashes, this year’s Women’s Ashes is a multi-format series consisting of a one-off Test, three T20Is, and three ODIs.

The Test carries four points, while the T20Is and ODIs each carry two points. Australia won the one-off Test at Nottingham by 89 runs.

All-rounder Danielle Gibson, who was in travelling reserves for the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has received her first full IT20 call-up after being named in England’s Test squad for Women’s Ashes.

Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn and Lauren Winfield-Hill, who were all part of the squad for the T20 World Cup in February, are among the 16 names selected.

Issy Wong is recalled after missing out on selection for the World Cup and featuring in the recent England Women A T20 matches against Australia A.

Heather Knight’s side will start their limited-over Ashes campaign against Australia on Saturday (July 1).

Head coach Jon Lewis said: “We’re really looking forward to our IT20s in the next part of our Ashes Series.

“Danielle Gibson is selected for the first time in our IT20 squad, she is in great form at regional level and has the potential to impact the game whenever she is called upon.

“Issy Wong returns to the T20 squad after her success in the Women’s Premier League with Mumbai Indians, it will be exciting to see how she has progressed and grown from those experiences.

“We look forward to playing these three matches and putting on a show for everyone to enjoy.”

England Women’s T20I Squad: Heather Knight (c),  Nat Sciver-Brunt (vc), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Issy Wong, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danielle Wyatt.

Women’s Ashes Fixtures

Saturday, July 1: First T20I, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Wednesday, July 5: Second T20I, The Kia Oval, London
Saturday, July 8: Third T20I, Lord’s, London

Wednesday, 12 July: First ODI, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
Sunday, 16 July: Second ODI, Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Tuesday, 18 July: Third ODI, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.

READ: Mitchell Starc returns to Australia’s Playing XI for second Ashes Test

LONDON: Leicestershire leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the second Men’s Ashes Test against Australia starting at Lord’s on Wednesday.

According to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the young leg-spinner was added to England squad as a cover for veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali, who struggled with a finger injury on his return.

Following his inclusion, Rehan Ahmed will join the England contingent this weekend for the second Ashes Test, which is scheduled to commence on June 28.

His selection came amidst concerns about Moeen Ali’s fitness, who returned to Test cricket after Jack Leach was forced to withdraw due to a back ailment.

Notably, Moeen Ali sustained a blister on his finger in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston which forced him to bowl significantly less in the second innings.

Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed got a nod in selection at the back of a remarkable debut in Karachi against Pakistan.

Ahmed was the youngest English male cricketer to make his Test debut and he made it memorable by picking up seven wickets and playing a pivotal role in England’s victory over Pakistan.

He took a five-wicket haul in Pakistan’s second innings and became the youngest debut to achieve this feat.

Additionally, the prospect of Rehan Ahmed playing the second Ashes Test would make him the second-youngest player from either side to play in a Test between the two great rivals and the youngest since 1877.

England’s Ashes squad for the second Test against Australia: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

READ: Pakistan foreign office ‘evaluating aspects’ of WC participation in India

England cricketers Lydia Greenway, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran are among the names recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Greenway, a two-time World Cup winner and four-time Ashes winner who played over 200 times for her country, receives an OBE. Since retiring from playing, the former Kent left-hander has also founded Cricket For Girls.

Adil Rashid, also a two-time World Cup winner, is awarded an MBE, while Sam Curran – Player of the Tournament in England Men’s victorious ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign – receives an MBE.

There is also a British Empire Medal for former Northamptonshire CCC scorer Tony Kingston, who retired last year after 32 years of service at the club – a time period across which he missed just 66 overs of cricket.

Lydia Greenway said: “It’s an amazing honour to receive, and I was really surprised to receive it. It’s just a really nice thing to experience. I’ve always tried to enjoy my cricket and share my enjoyment of the game with other people, and I’m very proud to be recognised in this way.”

Adil Rashid said: “It’s nice to get the news and receive recognition for my work in cricket and in the community. I’m proud of the thing I’ve achieved on the field, including two World Cups, but I’ve always wanted to achieve things off the field in my local area. It’s all linked. I am so grateful for the things I have and I know some people don’t have as much as me, so I try to give what I can.”

Sam Curran said: “I was overwhelmed and delighted to be given an MBE. You see people getting these titles but you don’t expect it to be you. It’s an incredibly proud moment, not just for myself but for those who have helped me over the years.”

ECB Chair Richard Thompson said: “I would like to congratulate Lydia, Adil, Sam and Tony on behalf of cricket fans across England and Wales.

“They have all dedicated themselves to cricket, and in the cases of Lydia, Adil and Sam, represented our country with distinction on the biggest stage of them all.

“They have all given back to the community, and are tremendous role-models for anyone wishing to pursue a career in our game.”

READ: Taskin shines in Bangladesh’s record 546-run Test win

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday named the Playing XI for the first Ashes Test against Australia which includes all-rounder Moeen Ali.

Spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali, who last played a Test in September 2021 will return to the longest format on Friday when England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test.

Moeen, 36, retired from Test cricket in September 2021 but agreed to come back at Stokes’ request after left-arm spinner Jack Leach sustained a stress fracture in his spine.

“Stokesy messaged me with a question mark — ‘Ashes?’,” Moeen told reporters here on Tuesday.

Moeen Ali claimed that he was unaware of Jack Leach’s back injury and assumed Stokes was kidding.

“Then the news came through and I had a chat with him,” he said. “That was it. It’s the Ashes. To be part of it would be amazing.”

Besides him, veteran pacer James Anderson and his bowling partner Ollie Robinson also returned to England’s Playing XI while another experience Stuart Broad was preferred over Mark Wood to join England’s pace attack.

Anderson and Robinson recovered from a groin and an ankle injury respectively in time to face Australia at Edgbaston on Friday.

Anderson and Robinson both missed the one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s earlier this month due to injuries sustained in county cricket.

Meanwhile, England Test captain Ben Stokes, who has been nursing a long-term left knee injury, bowled at his full potential in the nets.

With concerns regarding Stokes’s fitness, England opted to choose Broad’s big-game experience and durability over Wood’s added pace, who would only be able to bowl short, quick spells.

England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.

READ: Kenya edge Pakistan in four-nation tournament 

LONDON: Spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the first two Ashes Tests, starting at Edgbaston on June 16.

The 35-year-old replaces Jack Leach, who was withdrawn from the original 16-player squad on Sunday after sustaining a low back stress fracture, which rules him out of the five-match Ashes Test series.

Moeen Ali, who retired from Test cricket at the end of the 2021 summer, has reversed his decision following discussions with Test Captain Ben Stokes, Test Head Coach Brendon McCullum and Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Rob Key.

The Birmingham-born off-spinner will be looking to add to his 64 Test caps. Moeen Ali has played 64 Tests so far, picking up 195 wickets and scoring 2914 runs and will be looking to better the stats.

He will celebrate his 36th birthday during the first Test at Edgbaston on 18 June.

“We reached out to Mo (Moeen Ali) early this week about returning to Test cricket. Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again,” said Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket in a statement issued by England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday.

“His vast experience, along with his all-around ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign.

We wish Mo and the rest of the squad well for the Ashes campaign,” he added.

Moeen Ali has played 64 Tests so far, picking up 195 wickets and scoring 2914 runs and will be looking to better the stats. The Birmingham-born off-spinner will be looking to add to his 64 Test caps.

He will celebrate his 36th birthday during the first Test at Edgbaston on 18 June.

The England party will report to Birmingham on Monday 12 June. They are due to practice at Edgbaston from Tuesday 13 June.

England Men’s Ashes Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (Captain), Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson

READ: IPL player apologises for sharing anti-Muslim Instagram story

LONDON: England have named the same group of 16 players from the one-off Test against Ireland for the first two Ashes Tests, starting later this month.

The squad includes James Anderson and fellow pacer Ollie Robinson, who missed the four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s due to fitness concerns as they are expected to be completely fit for the high-stake Test series against arch-rivals Australia.

Young fast bowler Josh Tongue also marked his call-up to the Ashes squad after a five-wicket haul in his debut Test, helping England beat Ireland by 10 wickets on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Stuart Board, Mark Wood, Matthew Potts and Chris Woakes are also included in the squad making up a high-spirited pace attack for England.

Ben Stokes will lead the England team despite his bowling fitness remains uncertain.

The highly-anticipated Ashes series begins on June 16 in Birmingham with the second Test at Lord’s from June 28.

England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Joe Root, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Jack Leach, Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Dan Lawrence, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Josh Tongue.

Ashes schedule:

1st Test: 16-20 June, Edgbaston, Birmingham

2nd Test: 28 June-2 July, Lord’s, London

3rd Test: 6-10 July, Headingley, Leeds

4th Test: 19-23 July, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

5th Test: 27-31 Kia Oval, London

READ: Five-star Tongue strikes as England down gutsy Ireland

LONDON: England Cricket Board on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s, marking the return of Jonny Bairstow after a prolonged injury layoff. 

With the wicket-keeper batter back in the side, Ben Foakes has been dropped from the team.

Bairstow last played international cricket in September 2021, before a golf accident left him with a fractured leg and dislocated ankle. He missed all of England’s winter programme, including the T20I megaevent in Australia, where his team became the World champions for the second time.

He returned to action only recently in the County Championship for Yorkshire and now looks ready to take the gloves during the Ashes, which begins on June 16.

Another positive for England is the inclusion of James Anderson, who suffered a minor injury while bowling on the opening day of Lancashire’s County clash against Somerset.

The ECB said that they would evaluate his fitness before the Ireland Test and his inclusion bodes well for the hosts.

Fast bowlers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes have also been recalled, with the latter coming back in the Test squad for the first time since March 2022 and if selected, it will be his first Test on home soil in the last two years.

Meanwhile, Jofra Archer, who returned from the ongoing IPL to assess discomfort in his elbow, was not considered after being ruled out for the remaining summer with a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow.

Ben Stokes will be leading the side with right-handed batter Ollie Pope as his deputy.

“We are looking forward to the summer ahead and getting into the swing of things, starting with a good test against Ireland,” said ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket Rob Key.

“It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad. He has been excellent for England in the last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.

“It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery. I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

“I would like to wish the players every success, especially those returning after some time away,” he concluded.

The four-day Test will be played from 1 to 4 June at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, London and will only be the second time when the two nations play a red-ball game. Interestingly, the first one, played in 2019 was also a four-day affair, which England won by 143 runs.

With the home Ashes against Australia in sight, England will be looking forward to getting some game time before facing their arch-rivals.

SQUAD: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

READ: Stokes fitness doubt in latest England Ashes scare