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England reveal schedule of 2025 home international season

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) unveiled the calendar for the upcoming 2025 home international season, encompassing fixtures for both the men’s and women’s cricket teams.

England Women will open the international summer at the Spitfire Ground, Canterbury, on 21 May with the first of the three-match T20I series against West Indies Women. Following the T20Is, the two teams will compete in three ODIs.

Meanwhile, a three-match ODI series between England Men and West Indies Men will begin a few days later at Edgbaston on 29 May, with a three-match T20I series straight after.

This follows the conclusion of a historic Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, starting on 22 May, which will be the first time Zimbabwe have played a Test match in England since 2003.

The West Indies series will be followed by concurrent England Men’s and England Women’s series against India.

A five-match Men’s Test series will be interspersed by England Women’s five T20Is and three One Day Internationals.

The Men’s Test series against India promises to be a thrilling clash, with the sides currently at numbers two and three in the ICC world rankings.

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The last series ended in a 2-2 draw after England won the rescheduled fifth Test by seven wickets in 2022 in Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s first summer at the helm. The match had been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

England Men’s series will begin at Headingley on 20 June before matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s and Emirates Old Trafford. The series will conclude at The Kia Oval in early August.

England Women’s series also promises to be exciting after England triumphed in the IT20 series and India took the ODI crown the last time the two sides met in this country in 2022.

Next year England Women’s series will begin with T20Is at Trent Bridge, Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium, The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford and Edgbaston, before three Metro Bank ODIs at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl, Lord’s and the Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street.

The home international summer will then conclude in early September, with England Men taking on South Africa in three ODIs and three T20Is before the team travels to Ireland for three ODIs from 17-21 September.

It has also been confirmed that India Women will return in 2026 for a one-off Test match at Lord’s – the first-ever Women’s Test to be staged at the Home of Cricket.

England Women have played white-ball matches at Lord’s for the past three years, with another scheduled next year, but it will be the first time the ground has hosted a Women’s Test match.

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ECB delegation visits National Stadium for security review

KARACHI: A security delegation of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) visited the National Bank Stadium here on Thursday to assess the arrangements for the upcoming England tour of Pakistan, later this year.

The security delegation visited different areas of the National Stadium and reviewed the security arrangements at the stadium and its surroundings.

The security delegation also reviewed the construction work of the stadium, whereas, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials briefed them about the ongoing work.

England is set to tour Pakistan for a three-match Test series in October this year. The tour begins with the First Test in Multan from October 7-11, before moving to Karachi for the Second Test from October 15-19. The Third Test will be in Rawalpindi from October 24-28.

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The three-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. It will be the second time England Men have played a Test series in Pakistan in under two years, with England having won the last series 3-0 in December 2022.

It is worth mentioning here that the three-match home Test series against England is part of the Pakistan men’s cricket team’s busy home international season 2024-25.

Besides England, Pakistan will host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series in August, followed by a three-match series against West Indies in January next year while they will play two away Tests against South Africa in December-January.

The nine Tests against Bangladesh, England, South Africa and the West Indies will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.

SERIES SCHEDULE

7-11 October, 2024 – First Test, Multan

15-19 October, 2024 – Second Test, Karachi

24-28 October, 2024 – Third Test, Rawalpindi

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ECB pays homage to retiring legend James Anderson

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has paid tribute to fast bowler James Anderson after his final appearance for England Men, bringing an end to a remarkable 21-year Test career.

Anderson signed off today taking a 704th and final Test wicket as England sealed a win in the First Men’s Test Match against West Indies at Lord’s.

ECB Chair Richard Thompson termed himself lucky to be able to witness James Anderson’s Test debut 21 years ago at Lord’s and asserted that no one would have predicted the longevity of the bowling genius then.

“I was lucky enough to be at Lord’s when Jimmy made his Test debut 21 years ago and while his prodigious talent was immediately obvious as he took a five-wicket haul, no-one could have predicted the significance and sheer longevity of his bowling genius.

“Seeing him then get his 700th wicket at Dharamshala and now as the curtain comes down at Lords I feel very privileged to have seen how his extraordinary career has unfolded.

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“He is quite simply the best Test pace bowler there has ever been and the sense of occasion that has engulfed Lord’s this week has befitted a man who will forever be an England legend. On behalf of English and Welsh cricket, thank you Jimmy.”

ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould echoed similar remarks for James Anderson and asserted that the pacer has earned a place as one of the all-time iconic names in world cricket.

said: “Jimmy has rightly earned a place as one of the all-time iconic names from world cricket. It is testament to the way he has combined his rare talent with outstanding professionalism and work ethic that he bows out still bowling so well more than 20 years after his Test debut.

“There was nothing more enjoyable than watching him slice through opposition batting line-ups who were helpless in the face of the skills and precision he crafted over two decades. It has been a privilege to witness and matched only by the humility he has shown while standing at the top of the game.”

READ: James Anderson gets dream farewell as England rout West Indies

ECB launches inaugural tape ball cricket competition across Core Cities

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday announced the launch of the inaugural National Core Cities Tape Ball Competition across the country.

“It’s a game of thrills, spills, passion and drama – now a brand new national competition is being launched to showcase the best of tape ball cricket from diverse urban communities across the country,” ECB’s press release stated.

“Ahead of the start of England Men’s and Women’s international series against Pakistan next month, England stars Adil Rashid, Dawid Malan, Heather Knight and Sophie Ecclestone will today help launch the inaugural National Core Cities Tape Ball Competition, part of the ECB’s Core Cities programme designed to engage diverse communities in urban areas, break down barriers and drive grassroots participation.”

Tape ball is a variation of the game which originated in Pakistan and is now played across the country and all over the world, often within South Asian communities.

A tennis ball is physically taped up to create swing and bounce variations in play. No protective equipment – such as helmets or pads – is needed as the ball remains soft and the game can be played on any surface, in any area, making it widely accessible and popular.

The format was identified as a key area for potential growth of the game at the Core Cities Summit in November 2023 because of the casual format’s accessible nature.

Now its profile is due to be elevated through the annual competition – the National Core Cities Tape Ball Competition – with hosting duties shared among the Core Cities, welcoming more people into cricket.

Each of the Core Cities – Birmingham, Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds, Leicester, London (Middlesex, Essex and Surrey), Luton, Manchester, Sandwell, Slough and Nottingham – can have a women’s and a men’s team in what will be two separate competitions.

The inaugural competition will be held at Bradford Park Avenue this weekend, with the ambition of promoting inclusivity and fostering grassroots engagement while also identifying and nurturing talent.

The tournament will be launched with an event held in Birmingham today, attended by England Women’s, Men’s and Disability stars, Heather Knight, Adil Rashid, Sophie Ecclestone, Dawid Malan and Jamie Goodwin.

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This launch event will be a true festival of tape ball cricket, with kids from Chance To Shine giving it a try and adult teams competing across three matches with celebrity and professional players accompanied by local South Asian food and entertainment.

The event also takes place in the build-up to England Women’s and Men’s joint upcoming series against Pakistan, which kicks off with the Women’s T20I at Edgbaston on May 11, 2024.

Adil Rashid, England Men’s world no.1 T20 bowler said: “I used to play tape ball in the street with my brothers and it would get really competitive,”

“It’s such a great format of the game, and can be played anywhere by anyone and that’s what cricket should be about.

“It’s brilliant that there’s now a national tape ball competition. It’s really important to give people across the country the opportunity to play.

“The British Pakistani community is cricket mad, the game unites us and the upcoming series is going to be incredible for the players and fans – we’re going to put on a show.”

ECB Managing Director of the Recreational Game, Leshia Hawkins, said: “Tape ball is such an exciting and accessible form of cricket,”

“Born on the streets of Karachi, it’s already played passionately in many communities across England and Wales and shows that you don’t need lots of equipment or expensive grounds to enjoy playing cricket.

“As we continue our collective efforts to make cricket the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales, the new competition we’re launching today will give players an extra chance to showcase and hone their skills.

“And with England Men and Women facing their Pakistan counterparts in the white ball series next month, we’re looking forward to experiencing the passion of crowds and communities enjoying the contests – whether it’s watching friends and family competing to lift the National Core Cities Tape Ball trophy, or seeing some of the world’s best cricket players competing on the international stage.”

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Michael Vaughan cleared of racism charge by ECB

LONDON: Former England captain and renowned commentator Michael Vaughan has been cleared of racism charges by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) disciplinary committee.

According to the ECB, the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) has today published its decisions in relation to charges brought by the ECB against Yorkshire CCC and a number of individuals.

In light of the CDC decisions, Michael Vaughan has been found not liable for a breach of ECB Directive 3.3, which states: “No such person may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute”.

Vaughan took to Instagram in advance to reveal that the charges against him had been dismissed.

“Now that the ECB’s charge against me has been dismissed, I want to thank the panel for their careful attention in very difficult circumstances and to thank all of those who have given me their support during an incredibly difficult period in my life,” he wrote on Instagram.

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A post shared by Michael Vaughan (@michaelvaughan)

However, a number of prominent former England cricketers Tim Bresnan, John Blain, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard and Richard Pyrah have been found liable for a breach of ECB Directive 3.3 for their alleged use of racist and/or discriminatory language.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Zimbabwe batter Gary Ballance had previously admitted charges of breaching the same Directive.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ECB started the investigation after the former Yorkshire CCC player Rafiq made racism allegations and claimed to have experienced ‘inhuman behaviour’, within the club.

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BCCI rejects ECB’s proposal to host Pakistan-India Test series

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected the proposal of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to host a bilateral Test series between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, Indian media reported.

According to English Newspaper The Telegraph, the ECB contacted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCCI and offered to be a neutral venue for the much-anticipated bilateral Test series between the two rivals.

“England have offered to be a neutral host for future Pakistan-India Test series opening the possibility of the two countries playing bilateral cricket for the first time in more than 15 years,” The Telegraph claimed.

“The matches would draw huge audiences in the United Kingdom, which has a strong South Asian population, and it will also create a lot of sponsorship and television viewers,” the Telegraph explained the reason behind the offer.

The BCCI, however, has turned down the informal proposal from the English Board as according to a report citing a close source to the Indian cricket authority said the odds of a bilateral series in the foreseeable future are “next to nil.”

Meanwhile, the PCB has also taken a similar stance on the proposal and displayed reluctance to play India at a neutral venue.

“It’s an unofficial offer and nothing was accepted. PCB wishes to host India as it’s Pakistan’s turn officially,” the sources said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan and India last came face to face in a bilateral series and 2012 when Pakistan toured India for a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series, with the visiting side winning the ODI series 2-1 while the T20I series ended in a draw.

The two sides, however, last met in a Test series in 2007-08 in India, with the home team winning the series 1-0.

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England Cricket sympathizes with flood victims in Pakistan

LONDON: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday expressed solidarity with the affectees of the devastating floods in Pakistan and requested donations for the flood relief activities.

Taking to Twitter, ECB urged followers to contribute to a local NGO’s relief efforts for the families and communities who had been affected by the catastrophic floods in Pakistan.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan” tweeted ECB.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan ❤️

You can donate to the relief appeal here ➡️ https://t.co/Rzsn1JFk5j pic.twitter.com/TPEHfdry9o

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2022

Reportedly, tens of millions of people are affected by relentless monsoon rains and one of the worst-hit floods in the country’s history that have submerged a third of the country and claimed more than 1,100 lives.

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ECB security delegation reviews arrangements of Pak-England series

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) visited Pakistan to assess the security arrangements for England’s upcoming tour of Pakistan later this year.

According to the sources, a suggestion has been put forward to set the arrival date of the England team on September 15.

Meanwhile, the ECB security delegation visited the Rawalpindi Stadium to take stock of arrangements and held a meeting with the officials of the interior ministry.

ECB officials will also assess the security arrangements at Lahore, Karachi and Multan during their visit.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan’s seven-match Twenty20 International series and three-match Test series against England are scheduled for September and November-December respectively.

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ECB confirms Eoin Morgan’s retirement from international cricket

LONDON: The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that the white-ball captain of the National Men’s team – Eoin Morgan, has hung up his boots from international cricket with immediate effect.

In an official statement, the ECB has confirmed that England’s white-ball captain Morgan has called off his 13-years-long career for the country.

"I'm hugely proud of what I have achieved, but what I will cherish and remember most are the memories I made with some of the greatest people I know."#ThankYouMorgs 👏

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2022

Speaking on the occasion, the 35-years-old stated that he got to the decision after careful deliberation and consideration, whereas claimed it to be the right time and right thing for both him and England’s white-ball sides.

“After careful deliberation and consideration, I am here to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect,” Morgan was quoted by the ECB.

“To call time on what has been without a doubt the most enjoyable and rewarding chapter of my career hasn’t been an easy decision, but I believe now is the right time to do so, both for me, personally, and for both England white-ball sides I have led to this point,” he added.

Amid his 13-year international career with England, Morgan became the first captain to lead England to World Cup glory in 2019. The left-handed batter was also a part of England’s 2010 T20 World Cup-winning squad, held in the West Indies.

The left-handed batter is the all-time leading run-scorer and most-capped player for England Men in both ODIs and T20Is. In his record-breaking 225 ODIs, Morgan scored 6,957 runs, including 13 centuries at an average of 39.75.

In his 126 ODIs as captain, Morgan enjoyed 76 victories at the winning percentage of 60 – the best by an England captain in ODIs. In T20Is, however, he captained the England side in 72 matches, equal to India’s MS Dhoni as the most in the limited-overs format.

He also holds the world record for the highest number of sixes in an ODI inning, with 17 against Afghanistan at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

He led England to the top of the ICC world rankings during his seven years as the Men’s ODI captain, winning notable series against all the major nations.

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ECB grants Hajj leaves to Rashid amid upcoming series against India

LONDON: England Leg spinner Adil Rashid has announced that he will perform the Hajj this year and will miss out upcoming England’s ODI and T20 series against India.

Rashid is set to depart for Saudi Arabia on Saturday along with his spouse to make the Hajj pilgrimage and will be unavailable for his country as well as his county, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, for the next few weeks.

England Cricket Board and Yorkshireshire CCC have granted permission to Rashid to make the hajj pilgrimage.

“I spoke to the ECB and to Yorkshire about it and they were very understanding and encouraging, like: ‘yep, you do what you’ve got to do and then come back when you can’. Me and the missus are going and I’ll be there for a couple of weeks,” said Rashid as reported by the Espncricinfo website.

While discussing his desire to undertake a holy journey, he disclosed that as a Muslim, he had committed himself to do so because it is one of the most important obligations as defined by Islam.

“It’s a massive moment: each faith has got their own different thing but for Islam and being a Muslim, this is one of the biggest ones. It’s a big thing for my faith and for myself. I knew that I needed to do it while I’m young and strong and healthy. This is something that I really committed to myself that I would do,” he added.

Rashid asserted that the whole team respected him and his Muslim teammates, Moeen Ali and Saqib Mahmood, for their faith. He credited England skipper Eoin Morgan and the team management for creating a supportive environment.

“It’s very easy for us to be who we are in the dressing room, on and off the pitch, around the boys because they’re so understanding,” he said.

“We’re all from different backgrounds and different countries – it’s a very diverse team – but everyone gets along and respects each other massively. That’s a big credit to Morgs for making that environment, and to the hierarchy.” Rashid concluded.

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