Tag: England

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has supported head coach Brendon McCullum’s notion of being smarter with their comments ahead of a hugely important summer.

While speaking to the media ahead of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, Ben Stokes emphasized comments that England players had made in the past couple of years.

Ben Stokes, who will be playing his first competitive match since picking up a hamstring injury during last year’s tour of New Zealand, stated that comments made by himself, Brendon McCullum, and other players are sometimes misinterpreted when reported by the media.

“Yeah, I think what’s the messaging we have delivered over sort of last two and half or three years, let’s say has been for a multiple of reasons, you know the words that we say mean bigger things in our minds,” Ben Stokes said.

“I and Buzz [Brendon McCullum] and particular and sometimes when those sort of comments that we say come across in the media by some of the other lads that get heavily taken out of context,” Ben Stokes added.

Ben Stokes called for his team players to be smart with their words while taking the blame on himself for the interaction.

“I can totally understand that as to why that may frustrate or annoy fans, public. We always want public to be on our side. We know how much support we get and we value that incredibly.

“But now we have spoken about that and just be a little smarter about some of the comments that we, how we deliver it may be and I partly take a bit of blame for that as well because when sometimes I speak and I’ ve got a bigger meaning towards that does not mean everyone understand the bigger picture of that, if that makes sense, Ben Stokes explained.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Earlier, Brendon McCullum suggested that his side is ‘shooting for the stars’ ahead of a packed summer, but urged that players need to remain humble.

The statement comes in light of criticism England players have faced for reacting to their losses in public.

A month earlier, England speedster Mark Wood admitted to the fact that the team players have said ‘dumb’ things in the media.

It is pertinent to mention that the three lions were also under immense criticism from former batter Kevin Pietersen for not training enough, particularly during the white-ball tour of India earlier this year.

For this reason, England’s managing director, Rob Key, also gave a statement in March that the [England] players need to “stop talking rubbish”.

For the unversed, England will start their summer with a one-off historic Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday. This will be Zimbabwe’s first on English soil in 23 years.

The match will be followed by a white-ball series against West Indies under new captain Harry Brook.  England will later face the challenge of India in a five-match Test series, starting from 20 June.

READ: Jofra Archer ruled out of ODI series against West Indies

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday confirmed that star pacer Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the ODI series against the West Indies due to a right thumb injury.

The upcoming series will be the first under the newly appointed white-ball captain Harry Brooks, featuring three ODIs and as many T20Is.

According to the details,  Jofra Archer will be reassessed by the England medical team over the next fortnight to determine when he may return to action.

It’s important to note that Archer was excluded from the T20I series against the West Indies because he has been chosen to play for the England Lions against India A in Northampton, starting June 6.

He has not participated in a first-class match in four years and last played in one of his 13 Test matches in India in February 2021.

ECB has been gradually reintroducing him to international competition through white-ball cricket after a challenging spell of injuries.

However, they are eager for him to be part of the pace battery they plan to take to Australia this winter, aiming to win the Ashes overseas for the first time since 2010/11.

Unfortunately, his recent injury has made him doubtful for the England Lions’ red-ball match against India A.

Meanwhile, Lancashire’s Luke Wood has been added to England’s ODI squad for the three-match series, which begins on 29 May at Edgbaston.

England ODI Squad:

Harry Brook (Captain), Luke Wood,  Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton,  Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks,  Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

England T20I Squad:

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

England vs West Indies Series Schedule

1st ODI – Thursday 29 May 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham
2nd ODI – Sunday 1 June 2025, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
3rd ODI – Tuesday 3 June 2025, Kia Oval, London

1st T20I – Friday 6th June 2025, Banks Home Riverside, Durham
2nd T20I – Sunday 8th June 2025, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
3rd T20I – Tuesday 10th June, Utilita Bowl, Southampton

READ: Pep Guardiola warns he’ll quit if Manchester City squad too large

England has named its playing XI for the one-off historic Test against Zimbabwe, which is set to commence on Thursday at Trent Bridge.

The four-day Test, marking the beginning of England’s summer, will be Zimbabwe’s first on English soil since 2003.

England is set to hand a debut to Sam Cook as head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed his place in the playing XI two days before the match.

Cook, 27, who has 321 wickets to his name in first-class cricket, will feature alongside a three-pronged pace attack. Josh Tongue is also returning to the team after being sidelined with injury for much of the past two years.

The England seam attack post Stuart Broad and James Anderson’s retirement is raw, with only 13 previous caps between them.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The playing XI also features right-arm spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is retained, while Ben Stokes is gearing up to feature as an all-rounder after suffering an injury during the last Test against New Zealand in December.

Stokes has not played a competitive match since undergoing surgery on his hamstring.

Brendon McCullum admitted to the inexperience of the pace attack while stressing the desire to expand options available to his team.

“We’ve made no secret of us wanting to build a battery of fast bowlers. Knowing that when you’re you’re dealing at the elite level and you’re asking guys to play at 100% and leave it all out there, there’s going to be things which happen, which means guys are going to miss out,” he said.

“For us to walk into this Test match week, I feel like we’ve got a nice varied attack. It’s got some youth, and it’s got some inexperience, but these guys have also been around this group now for a decent amount of time, and they know how to operate,” he concluded.

England XI for Zimbabwe Test

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett,  Ollie Pope,  Joe Root, Harry Brook,  Ben Stokes (capt), James Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook,  Shoaib Bashir

READ: Pakistan down India to reach West Asia Baseball Cup final

England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed the reason behind giving up Alcohol after a string of injuries that cast doubts over his career as an all-rounder.

Stokes was ruled out of all three formats of cricket after suffering a tear during the third Test against New Zealand last December. The all-rounder underwent surgery on his left hamstring in aid of recovery.

Ben Stokes has yet to play a competitive game ahead of England’s packed summer. The three Lions’ summer begins with a one-off historic Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on 22 May, marking the latter’s first on English soil in 23 years.

Now, Stokes has revealed the reason behind quitting Alcohol on a podcast.

”After my first major injury, I remember the shock of it, after the initial adrenaline had stopped, thinking: ‘How has this happened? We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part? It wouldn’t have helped,” he said.

“Then I was like: ‘OK, I need to start changing what I do.’ I don’t think I’ll ever be completely sober, but I’ve not had a drink since 2 January,” he added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The 33-year-old shed light on his training methods, stressing the hard work away from the field to yield the best out of himself.

”I said to myself: ‘Not until I finish my injury rehab and get back on the field.”

“It’s just getting harder to do everything. Hence why now I feel like I have to work so much harder away from the field, in the gym, and all that kind of stuff to just give me the best chance of being out there to perform. But I’ll keep going as long as I possibly can.”

England Test skipper further emphasized on contrasting cricketing cultures of the ’90s and 2000s, highlighting the physical fatigue on the body.

”In the 90s and 00s there were unbelievable stories [about drinking]. It’s definitely settled down a lot over the years. The game is more demanding on the body than it was.

”There’s so much more cricket, there’s so much more in the schedule that it’s just impossible for the body to be able to withstand all of that anyway without the downsides of what a couple of beers at the end of the day can do to you for the next day,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 10 to observe breast cancer awareness day

England Test team captain Ben Stokes has slammed critics of the national team’s training methods, calling them ‘utter rubbish’.

The England team’s training methods were scrutinized earlier this year, particularly during their white-ball tour of India.

Rob Key, the managing director of the England Cricket Board (ECB), addressed the criticism, stating that the notion of a relaxed, carefree environment was England’s own fault.

Now, the three Lions captain Ben Stokes has voiced his support for his team’s exceptional work ethic, mentioning that he is frustrated by their reputation.

“When you hear comments saying that we don’t train hard enough, we’re more bothered about golf, we don’t work hard enough, it’s just complete and utter [rubbish],” he said during an interview with Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The dynamic all-rounder stressed the demands of an international sportsman while admitting that without a work ethic, a player could not sustain his place.

“You’re not going to be able to be an international sportsman for a long period of time if you don’t have a work ethic. Everyone who walks into the Test team, into the white-ball team, their work ethic is incredible,” Stokes explained.

Ben Stokes further highlighted the specific methods of the England team, stating that their activities relieve the squad’s burden.

“There is a reason for everything that we do, because we feel it helps players, it helps the team, but it also is a way of taking the pressure of what we do off us, without adding more to it.

“There’s enough pressure on the shoulders of everyone who walks out there with the three lions on their chest, and what we try and do is take any extra, added pressure off the shoulders of people,” he concluded.

READ: No Virat Kohli as Babar Azam picks his T20I World XI

Former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has joined the England team as ‘Specialist Skills Consultant’ on a short-term deal ahead of a packed cricketing summer. 

Southee has replaced legendary fast bowler James Anderson in England’s coaching staff across formats. The pacer hanged up his boots last year during the home series against England.

Tim Southee finished his career as New Zealand’s all-time great, scalping a record 776 wickets across formats in international cricket.

He will join former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum ahead of England’s first Test of the summer, against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge next week.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Tim Southee’s official designation in the England set-up will be “Specialist Skills Consultant;” however, his appointment is in effect a like-for-like replacement for James Anderson, who joined the English team as a consultant after raising the curtain on his 21-year Test career last July.

Tim Southee’s short-term will start working in his role from the one-off historic Test against Zimbabwe, beginning on 22 May. Furthermore, he will also look after the white-ball series against West Indies and the five Tests against India that get underway in June and July.

His stint will conclude after the Oval Test on August 4, after which he is expected to resume his playing career with Birmingham Phoenix in the Men’s Hundred.

The England Cricket Board (ECB) welcomed the pacer in the team, highlighting his extensive international experience across all formats.

“With his vast experience of playing in a wide range of conditions around the world and across all formats, [Southee] brings valuable insight and knowledge to the players,” the board said in a statement.

England’s upcoming fixtures:

One-off Test vs Zimbabwe 22-25 May – Only Test, Trent Bridge

ODIs vs West Indies:

May 29 – 1st ODI, Edgbaston

June 1 – 2nd ODI, Sophia Gardens

June 3 – 3rd ODI, The Oval

T20Is vs West Indies:

June 6 – 1st T20I, Durham

June 8 – 2nd T20I, Bristol

June 10 – 3rd T20I, Southampton

Tests vs India:

June 20-24 – First Test, Headingley

July 2- 6 – Second Test, Edgbaston

July 10-14 – Third Test, Lord’s

July 23-27 – Fourth Test, Old Trafford

July 31-August 4 – Fifth Test, The Oval

READ: Former England batter joins Islamabad United for remainder of PSL 10

The England Women’s selection panel has named the squads for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, set to begin on 21 May.

England will play three T20Is and three ODIs under new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

The T20I series, the first under Sciver-Brunt and head coach Charlotte Edwards’ leadership, gets underway with the opening match on Wednesday, 21 May in Canterbury.

Warwickshire duo Emily Arlott and Issy Wong are selected. Arlott, who is yet to make her international debut, is named in both groups.

She scored a century batting at number seven against Essex and has taken 13 wickets so far in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, while fast bowler Wong impressed for England Women A in their recent tour of Australia and in her county’s opening matches.

Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb have made a comeback in the ODI side.

Davidson-Richards last represented her country against Sri Lanka in an ODI in September 2023, while Lamb is the leading run-scorer in the county, also taking 12 wickets in her opening six matches for Lancashire.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Blazing opening batter Tammy Beaumont and spinner Linsey Smith – the leading wicket-taker in the Metro Bank One Day Cup – are selected in both squads.

Sophie Ecclestone has been unable to play domestic cricket due to a knee injury, and her return to the Lancashire side has come too late for her to be deemed ready for selection for this series.

Meanwhile, the England Cricket Board (ECB) is delighted to confirm Lydia Greenway as England Women’s new National Selector.

The former England batter will work alongside Head Coach Edwards, Managing Director Clare Connor and Performance Director Jonathan Finch as part of the four-strong selection panel. Greenway has advised on the selection of this squad.

It is pertinent to mention that all-rounders Freya Kemp and Danielle Gibson are unavailable due to injury.

England Squad For T20Is:

Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell , Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

England Squad For ODIs :

Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Alice Davidson-Richards, Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Mahika Gaur , Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith

READ: Carlos Alcaraz sweeps past Jack Draper to reach Italian Open semis

The England Cricket Board (ECB) has named the men’s squad for the white-ball series against West Indies, set to commence later this month.

England, led by new captain Harry Brook, will play three ODIs and three T20Is against the West Indies.

The ODI series gets underway with the opening match on Thursday, 29 May at Edgbaston.

Liam Dawson is among the notable inclusions to the T20I squad, making his comeback for the first time since September 2022. The left-arm spinner, known for his versatility, will look to add to his 11 T20I caps.

Additionally, Luke Wood also returns to the England T20 set-up, having last featured in September 2023.

For ODI, England has looked to continuity, as the majority of the squad is the same that played in the ICC Champions Trophy. Tom Hartley, who last represented England in September 2023 against Ireland, has been included in the ODI squad.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

While batting all-rounder Will Jacks has been named in both squads, marking a return to the England set-up.

England ODI Squad:

Harry Brook (Captain), Jofra Archer,  Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton,  Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks,  Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Joe Root , Jamie Smith

England T20I Squad:

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

Schedule for ODI and T20I Series:

1st ODI: England v West Indies, Thursday 29 May 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham

2nd ODI: England v West Indies, Sunday 1 June 2025, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

3rd ODI: England v West Indies, Tuesday 3 June 2025, Kia Oval, London

1st IT20: England v West Indies, Friday 6thJune 2025, Banks Home Riverside, Durham

2nd IT20: England v West Indies, Sunday 8th June 2025, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol

3rd IT20: England v West Indies, Tuesday 10thJune, Utilita Bowl, Southampton

READ: Cummins, Hazlewood, Green return in Australia’s WTC final squad

India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has reportedly opted out of contention for the Test captaincy.

Bumrah, who was considered a frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma in the longest format, has communicated to the board that he is not in a position to commit to playing all five Tests in a series, primarily due to workload management concerns.

According to media reports, selectors are now looking for someone who can consistently feature across an entire Test series, a critical factor with the five-match series against England on the horizon and the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle about to begin.

“Bumrah was seen as the most likely candidate to take over from Rohit, but he has made it clear that managing his fitness and longevity as a fast bowler remains the priority,” a source close to the development revealed.

“Given the intensity of the five-Test series, especially in a short window, his decision is understandable.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

With Jasprit Bumrah stepping aside, the BCCI’s focus has now shifted to younger names like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, both seen as long-term prospects who could lead India into the next generation of Test cricket.

Veteran batter KL Rahul, despite his experience and recent performances in Australia, is reportedly not in the running. At 33, selectors are said to have reservations over his consistency and long-term viability.

Rahul scored 276 runs in five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, including two gritty half-centuries, and is expected to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in England.

Interestingly, Rahul also boasts a solid Test record in English conditions, with 614 runs in nine matches at an average of 34.11, including a memorable 149 at The Oval in 2018.

But the selectors appear keen on building a team and leadership core that can last through the next WTC cycle.

The five-match Test series against England kicks off at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.

READ: Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test cricket

India’s legendary batter Virat Kohli has informed the BCCI of his intention to retire from Test cricket, sources close to the development revealed, with the five-match Test series in England around the corner.

The 36-year-old has reportedly been in talks with top BCCI officials for the past month, exploring the possibility of stepping away from the longest format of the game, a format he once ruled and revolutionised as captain.

Should Kohli follow through with this decision, it would mark the end of a remarkable red-ball career that has spanned over 14 years.

Having already retired from T20Is in 2024 following India’s World Cup triumph, Kohli’s Test exit would signal the closing of an era for Indian cricket, especially coming so soon after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format.

Despite reports suggesting Virat Kohli might be included in the squad for the England series, primarily due to his vast experience, clarity is still awaited.

With India set to tour under a new Test captain, his presence could prove vital, even if just to steady a transitional phase.

Statistically, Kohli’s Test journey boasts 123 matches and 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including a memorable tenure as captain across 68 Tests.

However, his red-ball form has seen a noticeable decline, with his average dipping to 32.56 in the past two years, despite a century in Perth in late 2024.

Kohli remains among the elite A+ category in the BCCI’s central contracts — a bracket usually reserved for all-format players.

But with T20Is already behind him and his future in Tests uncertain, a shift in his cricketing priorities seems increasingly likely.

It’s worth noting that the Test series between India and England will kick off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.

READ: Men’s domestic cricket events postponed over escalating India-Pakistan tensions