England suffer major setback ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 opener

England have been dealt a massive blow as Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to injury.

Full-back Livramento’s injury comes just one day before the Three Lions’ opening match against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday. Chelsea center-back Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as his replacement and is on his way to the United States.

Defender Livramento injured himself during training and was in doubt for the mega event. After assessment by a medical panel, he was ruled out of the tournament. His participation was already in doubt after he missed the final five weeks of the Premier League with a thigh problem.

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According to Fifa regulations, a player can be replaced in the 26-man squad up to 24 hours before that side’s first game of the tournament. However, the change could be only a name from the 55-man provisional player list submitted before the tournament.

Although Chalobah is not expected to play against Croatia, he is likely to play for the subsequent matches against Ghana and Panama.

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The 23-year-old Livramento was set to play as a back-up option for Reece James and Nico O’Reilly, who are set to be in the lineup for England’s opening fixture.

Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah has only played once for England since making his maiden appearance against Senegal last June.

Overall, the 26-year-old has played 34 Premier League matches for Chelsea this season, who finished 10th on the Premier League table.

On the contrary, Livramento has five caps to his name, and this was his first major tournament call-up. The defender was also part of the England side that won in a World Cup friendly against New Zealand 10 days ago.

READ: ICC penalizes Pakistan after India clash in Women’s World Cup 2026

Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson out of second New Zealand Test

England have announced the squad for the second Test against New Zealand, with Joe Root named as interim captain after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were left out due to an ongoing investigation.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the duo was unavailable for selection as the investigation into the nightclub incident continues.

“The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June,” the board said in a statement.

Stokes and Atkinson have been replaced by Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox in the 15-man squad. Meanwhile, Root has been picked as the stand-in captain ahead of the vice-captain, Harry Brook.

Previously, Root has led the side in 64 matches between 2017 and 2022. The ace batter has opted not to take the role after handing over the reins to Stokes.

However, Brook himself was fined and cautioned for the New Zealand nightclub incident last year. Root has stepped in as captain as the most senior member of the English side.

For the unversed, Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson are facing a probe by the ECB for breaking team rules in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s win in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

It is the latest controversy involving the England team following a tour of Australia during which the side faced allegations of a drinking culture amid a 4-1 Ashes series defeat that concluded in January.

The second Test between England and New Zealand will begin on 17 June at the Kia Oval.

England Squad for Second Test

Joe Root (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.

READ: ICC reveals Men’s Player of the Month nominees for May 2026

Bethell named captain as England announce squads for South Africa, Ireland series

Jacob Bethell is set to become the youngest England men’s captain as the Three Lions announces squads for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa and Ireland, set to commence in September 2025.

England will contest three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against South Africa. The ODI series begins on Tuesday, 2 September at Headingley.

The three-match T20I series against Ireland will be held at Malahide in Dublin, with the opening game scheduled for Wednesday, September 17.

Jacob Bethell is set to become the youngest England captain after being named as deputy for Harry Brook in the Ireland series.

The 21-year-old will surpass the record held by Monty Bowdow, who was 23 and 144 days when he led England.

Among the notable inclusions is off-pacer Sonny Baker, who has won his maiden call-up to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed is set to return to the ODI fold after having a prolific summer with the bat for his county team.

Following the squad announcement, England men’s selector, Luke Wright, shared his views on Jacob Bethell’s appointment.

“Jacob Bethell has impressed with his leadership qualities ever since he has been with the England squads, and the series against Ireland will provide him with the opportunity to further develop those skills on the international stage,” he said.

Wright further commented on Baker’s inclusion and his impressive tour with England Lions.

“Sonny is a player we have identified for a while and he was impressive during the England Lions tours last winter. He has carried that form into this season in white-ball cricket with Hampshire and Manchester Originals and deservedly gets his opportunity,” he remarked.

England ODI squad to face South Africa

Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith

England T20I squad to face South Africa

Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood

England T20I squad for Ireland Series

Jacob Bethell (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood

READ: Steve Smith sends warning to England ahead of Ashes

Star batter returns to England ODI squad for Champions Trophy 2025

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday, recalled star batter Joe Root to the national ODI squad for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in Pakistan.

The England Men’s selection panel named 15-member ODI and T20I squads that will play tour India for the white-ball series in January, followed by the Champions Trophy 2025 in February and March.

Root has been a key member of England’s Test team, however, he has not featured in any ODI since the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in November 2023.

Alongside Root, Jos Buttler has also returned to the team and will be leading them during the tour of ODI as well as the eight-team mega-event.

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Meanwhile, Test captain Ben Stokes was not considered for selection owing to a left hamstring injury, which he sustained during the third Test match against New Zealand earlier this month.

England squad will depart on 17 January 2025 for India, where they will play three T20Is and as many ODIs from January 22 to February 12 before heading to Pakistan for Champions Trophy.

England squad for T20I series against India

Jos Buttler (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

England squad for India ODIs and Champions Trophy

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

READ: Nathan McSweeney breaks silence after being dropped from Australia Test squad

Uncapped all-rounder named in England squad for New Zealand Tests

LONDON: Warwickshire all-rounder Jacob Bethell received maiden call-up as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming away Test series against New Zealand.

England made only one change to their squad, which suffered a 2-1 series defeat against Pakistan as wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith is expecting the birth of his first child.

“Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith will miss the tour as he takes paternity leave for the birth of his first child, with Cox in line to take on wicketkeeping duties and the opportunity of winning his first Test cap,” shared ECB in a statement.

Smith’s absence paved the way for 21-year-old Jacob Bethell to earn his maiden call-up in the format.

The attacking left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has made his international debut, when he represented England in white-ball series against Australia this summer.

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Bethell is currently with the England white-ball squad in the Caribbean and, along with Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox, will join the Test team following their commitments against the West Indies.

Prior to the three-match Test series, a two-day warm-up match is scheduled between New Zealand Cricket XI versus England XI at Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown from 23-24 November.

England Squad for New Zealand Tests:

Ben Stokes (Durham) (Captain), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Jordan Cox (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Jack Leach (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

Tour Itinerary:

Two-day warm-up: New Zealand Cricket XI v England XI, 23-24 November 2024, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown

First Test: 28 November-2 December 2024, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Second Test: 6-10 December 2024, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Third Test: 14-18 December 2024, Seddon Park, Hamilton

READ: PCB chief meets Rizwan, Salman ahead of Australia tour

Buttler named in England squad for white-ball series against West Indies

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday, announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming white-ball series against West Indies, marking the return of their regular captain Jos Buttler.

Buttler missed the recent T20I and ODI series against Australia as he continued his recovery from a calf injury.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire leg-spinner Jafer Chohan earned his maiden call-up, becoming the first graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy to be selected to an England Men’s squad.

Besides Chohan, John Turner and Dan Mousley are the other uncapped players. The duo were a part of the recent white-ball squads against Australia while Turner also toured the West Indies last December.

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The English board further shared that the ‘initial’ 14-player squad will be supplemented with two players from the Test squad in Pakistan.

“A decision on the two players to join the white-ball squad in the Caribbean is to be made after selection for the third Test in Rawalpindi, which begins on Thursday 24 October,” stated ECB.

England Men’s squad for white-ball series against West Indies:

Jos Buttler (Lancashire – Captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Jafer Chohan (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Will Jacks (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dan Mousley (Warwickshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), John Turner (Hampshire).

England white-ball tour of West Indies schedule:

1st ODI: Thursday, 31st October at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua

2nd ODI: Saturday, 2nd November at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua

3rd ODI: Wednesday, 6th November at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

1st T20: Saturday, 9th November at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

2nd T20: Sunday, 10th November at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

3rd T20: Thursday, 14th November at Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

4th T20: Saturday, 16th November at Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

5th T20: Sunday, 17th November at Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

READ: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 commentary panel unveiled

Key players return as England announce squad for Pakistan Tests

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday, unveiled a strong 17-member squad for the Test series against Pakistan, scheduled next month.

England will tour Pakistan for a three-match series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), scheduled to run from October 7 to 28.

The England squad features two uncapped players Durham’s Brydon Carse and Essex’s Jordan Cox while spinners Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach also returning to the Test side.

Meanwhile, England’s regular Test captain Ben Stokes, who missed the recently-concluded series against Sri Lanka due to an injury which he sustained in The Hundred also returned to the side but his participation would be subjected to the fitness.

Furthermore, left-handed opener Zak Crawley, who is recovering from a thumb injury was also among England’s 17-member squad for the Pakistan Tests.

Crawley sustained the injury while attempting a catch in the last Test of the three-match series against West Indies.

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England will tour Pakistan with momentum as the side recently secured series victories over West Indies and Sri Lanka while the Green Shirts succumbed to a new low after losing the two-match home series against Bangladesh 2-0.

England last toured Pakistan in 2022 for a three-match Test series and blew away the home side, securing a whitewash.

England Men’s Test Squad:

Ben Stokes, Durham, Captain; Rehan Ahmed, Leicestershire; Gus Atkinson, Surrey; Shoaib Bashir, Somerset; Harry Brook, Yorkshire; Brydon Carse, Durham; Jordan Cox, Essex; Zak Crawley, Kent; Ben Duckett, Nottinghamshire; Josh Hull, Leicestershire; Jack Leach, Somerset; Ollie Pope, Surrey; Matthew Potts, Durham; Joe Root, Yorkshire; Jamie Smith, Surrey; Olly Stone, Nottinghamshire; Chris Woakes, Warwickshire.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may announce a revised schedule for the upcoming Test series against England due to the unavailability of the venues.

It was reported last week that the second Test of the series which was originally scheduled at the National Stadium in Karachi may get relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi refuted the claims and confirmed that all the three matches will be played in Pakistan.

READ: Afghanistan unhappy with Greater Noida stadium facilities

England make one change to ODI squad for Australia series

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday, announced Olly Stone as the replacement for Gus Atkinson, who has been given rest from the five-match ODI series against Australia.

Atkinson did not take the field on the morning of the third Test against Sri Lanka due to a tight quad. He, however, appeared to have recovered from the discomfort and resumed bowling in the evening and on the fourth day but was lacking speed.

The right-arm pacer played a pivotal role in England’s 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 27.41.

He turned heads with his batting skills in the recently concluded series when he scored his maiden century in the second Test at Lord’s while batting at No.8.

Gus Atkinson was initially named in England’s ODI squad which marked the absence of key players like wicketkeeper batter Jonny Bairstow and experienced all-rounder Moeen Ali.

Jos Buttler was named as the captain of England’s ODI squad for the Australia series, however, his participation in the five-match series remains uncertain, with him being already ruled out of the T20I series.

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Atkinson has represented England in nine ODIs, picking up 11 wickets at 35.27. His last appearance for the Three Lions came in the format came against the West Indies in late 2023.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Nottinghamshire seamer Olly Stone will replace Gus Atkinson in the squad.

Stone was also clinical in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka as he bagged seven wickets. In his budding ODI career, Stone has eight wickets in as many matches.

The opening ODI of the five-match series between England and Australia will take place at Trent Bridge on September 19 while the last will be played in Bristol on September 29.

England’s ODI squad for the Australia series:

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner and Olly Stone.

READ: Nissanka hits ton as Sri Lanka stun England in third Test

Two key players left out of England’s white-ball squad for Australia series

LONDON: Wicketkeeper batter Jonny Bairstow and experienced all-rounder Moeen Ali have been left out of England’s white-ball squad for the upcoming home series against Australia.

Both Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali were under tight scrutiny due to their below-par performances in the recent ICC tournaments.

As a result, England’s T20I squad features five uncapped players: Essex batter Jordan Cox, Warwickshire pair Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley, Leicestershire seamer Josh Hull, and Hampshire fast bowler John Turner.

In the ODI squad, players from the current Test squad – Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Matthew Potts, Jamie Smith – have been included as England start their preparation ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, which gets underway early next year.

Josh Hull, who was added to the Test squad yesterday, is included alongside uncapped players Bethell and Turner.

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England will host Australia for a three-match T20I series, scheduled to run from September 11 to 15. The opening match of the series will be played at Utilita Bowl in Hampshire while the remaining two T20Is will be played at Sophia Gardens and Old Trafford respectively.

The two sides will then lock horns in a five-match ODI series, scheduled from September 19 to 29.

The third and fifth ODI will take place at Seat Unique Riverside in Bristol while the first, second and fourth fixtures are scheduled at Trent Bridge, Headingley and Lord’s.

England T20 squad to play Australia: Jos Buttler (Lancashire, captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Jordan Cox (Essex), Sam Curran (Surrey), Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dan Mousley (Warwickshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), John Turner (Hampshire)

England ODI squad: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts (Durham), Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (Surrey), Reece Topley, John Turner.

READ: “Pakistan in a mess,” says Michael Vaughan after Bangladesh defeat

Jofra Archer returns to England squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Defending champions England have announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Tuesday, featuring fast bowler Jofra Archer.

The 20-team tournament is scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) from June 1 to 29.

“Jofra Archer has recovered from his right elbow injury and is named in the squad. Archer’s last appearance at this level came over a year ago in England’s tour of Bangladesh in March 2023,” England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) press release stated.

The right-arm fast bowler was instrumental to England’s ICC World 2019 triumph, however, he has been struggling with injuries since then.

He has represented England in 15 T20Is, taking 18 wickets, before spending last year on the sidelines owing to the above-mentioned elbow injury.

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Meanwhile, all-rounder Chris Woakes was dropped in favour of fellow all-rounder Chris Jordan, who last represented England in September 2023 against New Zealand.

Uncapped left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who claimed 22 wickets during his first Test series against India recently, also earned a call-up for the T20 World Cup.

Jos Buttler will lead the squad, who will play in the T20I series against Pakistan, which will kick off on May 22 before departing for the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, England will commence their T20 World Cup defence against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.

England T20 World Cup squad

Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali (vc), Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Reece Topley

READ: South Africa announce ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad