Cricket

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, possesses exceptional abilities that rival those of England's Ben Stokes, according to former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris. However, Styris emphasizes the need for Pandya to demonstrate greater consistency in his performances.Despite his immense talent, Pandya has not consistently delivered on the field. Styris believes that Pandya must improve his fitness and availability to become a dominant all-rounder. He urges Pandya to showcase his skills with both bat and ball, rather than relying solely on occasional cameos.Styris also highlights the importance of left-arm all-rounder Axar Patel in India's upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Patel's fighting spirit and reliability make him a valuable asset for the team. Styris suggests that Patel could be a floater in the batting order, providing flexibility and depth.While acknowledging the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 International cricket, Styris views it as an opportunity for the next generation of Indian players to gain experience. He praises the young Indian cricketers for their talent, as evidenced in the IPL, and believes they can step up and fill the void left by the veterans.Styris expresses his desire to see Rinku Singh given more opportunities in the Indian team. Singh's impressive performances have earned him a place in the squad, and Styris believes he should be given a chance to continue his role.

Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, has expressed concerns over the congested international cricket schedule, calling for greater player input in its planning. With a packed 12-month period ahead for both England's red- and white-ball teams, Stokes fears the impact on player development and the quality of cricket.The upcoming schedule includes a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, followed by a T20I series against Australia, an ODI series against Australia, a three-Test series in Pakistan, and an ODI series in the Caribbean. While England has a deep playing pool, the demands on multi-format players like Harry Brook, Mark Wood, and Jofra Archer will be significant.Stokes believes that players should have a say in shaping the schedule, especially given the rise of franchise cricket. He urges the ICC and ECB to consult with players to ensure the long-term health of the game. "The landscape is constantly changing," Stokes said. "I think some consultation might be quite nice... I think we could have some good input in that."The congested schedule also raises questions about the future of England's limited-overs teams. With a decision pending on the futures of head coach Matthew Mott and captain Jos Buttler, the team faces a period of transition. The demands of the schedule make it unlikely that both the Test and limited-overs teams will progress at the same pace.Stokes' focus is on building towards the Ashes in 2025-26, but he acknowledges the challenges ahead. "It is something that does need to be addressed," he said. "Who knows what international cricket is going to look like, with all the franchise stuff that is going on as well?"The international cricket schedule is at a crossroads, with the rise of franchise cricket and the demands on players increasing. Stokes' call for greater player input is a timely reminder of the need to balance the interests of all stakeholders to ensure the long-term health of the game.

England's victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge marked their first multi-match series win since the end of 2022. This triumph has instilled a sense of optimism within the team, with vice-captain Ollie Pope expressing his hope that it can become a habit.Despite losing only one series under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England's recent defeat to India highlighted the need to regain their winning ways. The team's success in this series, which gives them a 2-0 lead heading into the final Test at Edgbaston, has provided a much-needed boost.The series victory has been achieved with the help of several new faces, reinforcing Pope's belief in the team's future. Gus Atkinson's impressive debut performance, with 12 wickets in the match, has compensated for the absence of James Anderson. Jamie Smith's 70 in his maiden innings and seven catches have ensured a smooth transition in the wicketkeeper position. Shoaib Bashir's match-winning 5 for 41 in the second Test vindicated the decision to select him over Jack Leach.The seamless integration of new players into the team is a testament to the positive environment fostered by the selectors. Pope believes that the team has a "really nice balanced attack and batting line-up" that can continue to build on its success.Pope's own contribution to the batting line-up was evident at Trent Bridge, where he scored 121 in England's first innings and 51 in the second. Despite being dropped twice, he has emerged from a slump that saw him average just 19.05 in his previous 18 red-ball knocks.The team's ability to score 400 runs in both innings for the first time in history is a testament to their aggressive approach. Pope acknowledges that the batters are looking to adopt a more "ruthless" approach while retaining their capacity to attack opposition attacks.

England's Test players are set to make a significant impact on the upcoming seasons of the ILT20 and SA20 leagues. After missing the second seasons of both tournaments due to their tour of India, several Test stars are now being targeted by franchises.Joe Root has already been unveiled as a new signing by Paarl Royals in the SA20, and ESPNcricinfo reports that other Test players have also attracted interest. The Telegraph claims that Ben Stokes, who has not played limited-overs cricket since the 2019 World Cup, has been offered a lucrative contract by MI Cape Town.England's managing director, Rob Key, has acknowledged that lucrative offers from franchise leagues have influenced the decision to award multi-year central contracts to players. With Stokes' England contract expiring in September, he could use similar offers as leverage.While England will play T20I and ODI series in India early next year, their winter Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand will conclude before Christmas. This means that players not involved in those limited-overs squads will be available for the full seasons of the ILT20 or SA20.Root's availability for the SA20 is uncertain, as his England future in white-ball cricket remains unclear. However, he should be available for the majority of the tournament even if selected for the ODI series in India.The ILT20 and SA20 leagues, backed by Indian investors, have transformed the franchise landscape by offering substantial salaries to overseas players during the southern-hemisphere summer. Both leagues will run from mid-January to early February in 2025.Jamie Smith, who made his Test debut recently, has been retained by Gulf Giants in the ILT20 and was also targeted by Pretoria Capitals in the SA20. Like other young players such as Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope, Smith has aspirations to break into England's white-ball team but can rely on franchise cricket as a fallback option.Root's experience and versatility will be valuable for Paarl Royals, according to their global director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara. Sangakkara praised Root's all-around abilities, including his bowling and fielding.

England's dominance continued on Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge, as they bowled out the visitors for 416, setting up a commanding position in the match.Resuming on 349/6, England added 67 runs to their overnight total, with Ollie Pope completing a magnificent century (121). Ben Duckett (56) and captain Ben Stokes (54) also contributed valuable runs.West Indies' bowlers struggled to contain England's aggressive batting, with Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood proving particularly effective. Atkinson claimed 4/111, while Wood took 3/72.In response, West Indies made a shaky start, losing opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul for a duck. However, Kraigg Brathwaite (55) and Shamarh Brooks (50) steadied the innings with a 100-run partnership.But England's bowlers struck back, with James Anderson dismissing Brathwaite and Wood removing Brooks. Jermaine Blackwood (45) and Jason Holder (43) offered some resistance, but West Indies were eventually bowled out for 287.Anderson, playing his final Test match, finished with figures of 2/43, while Wood claimed 3/59.England now hold a 129-run lead heading into Day 3, with West Indies facing an uphill battle to save the match.

Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Hundred this summer, three years after his last appearance in the tournament. ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Stokes has been made available by the ECB to play the second half of the group stage for Northern Superchargers, where he will be reunited with his former England teammate Andrew Flintoff, who is now the team's head coach.Stokes' return to the Hundred is a significant development, as he has not played in the competition since its inaugural season in 2021. Despite being named in England's squads, he has opted to rest between Test series to manage a chronic knee injury. However, he has now been cleared to play four group-stage games for the Superchargers, starting with an away fixture against Birmingham Phoenix on August 6.Stokes' previous appearance in the Hundred was marred by a severe panic attack, which he has since spoken about openly in his documentary "Phoenix from the Ashes." The incident prompted him to take a break from the game later that year.The Hundred's schedule this year coincides with the third Test against West Indies, which means that England's star players will be unavailable for the first week of the tournament. However, the batters will be released to play straight after the Test, while the allrounders and bowlers will be made available from August 6 onwards.In addition to Stokes, several other notable players have been confirmed for the Hundred. Tim Southee has replaced Naseem Shah at Phoenix, while Mitchell Santner will deputise for Daniel Sams at Superchargers. Riley Meredith and James Neesham have signed short-term deals as cover for Joe Root and Zak Crawley respectively.The ECB is expected to confirm a number of injury replacements on Thursday, with Will Smeed and Tash Farrant both set to miss the competition with hamstring injuries.

Ben Stokes, the enigmatic English all-rounder, has etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the third player globally and the first from England to achieve the remarkable feat of amassing over 6,000 runs and taking more than 200 wickets in Test cricket. This extraordinary milestone was reached during the first Test of a three-match series against West Indies at Lord's, where Stokes secured his 200th Test wicket by dismissing Kirk McKenzie.Stokes' journey to this historic achievement has been marked by unwavering determination and exceptional skill. In 103 Tests, he has amassed 6,320 runs at an average of 35.30, including 13 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His highest score of 258 stands as a testament to his ability to dominate the crease. With the ball, Stokes has proven equally formidable, taking 200 wickets at an average of 30.43. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a potent weapon for England.The elite company that Stokes now joins is a testament to his all-round brilliance. Garry Sobers, the legendary West Indian, holds the record with 8,032 runs and 235 wickets in 93 Tests, while Jacques Kallis, the South African great, boasts 13,289 runs and 292 wickets in 166 Tests. Stokes' achievement places him among the pantheon of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen.Beyond his Test exploits, Stokes has also established himself as a world-class performer across all formats of international cricket. He has scored over 10,000 runs and taken more than 300 wickets in international cricket, becoming only the sixth player worldwide and the first from England to achieve this remarkable double.Stokes' all-round prowess has been instrumental in England's recent resurgence in Test cricket. Under his captaincy, England has won 10 of their last 12 Tests, including a memorable 3-0 series victory over New Zealand in 2022. His ability to inspire his team and lead from the front has made him a true icon of the sport.As Stokes continues his illustrious career, he will undoubtedly add to his already impressive tally of runs and wickets. His unwavering determination and exceptional talent make him a formidable opponent and a true ambassador for the game of cricket.

Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, is eager to resume his all-rounder role as the team embarks on its summer campaign against West Indies at Lord's. The first Test marks a new era for England, with James Anderson retiring after a remarkable 188-cap career.Stokes' return to full fitness after a knee injury that hindered his bowling ability over the past two years will ease the transition from Anderson's departure. His successful surgery in November and pain-free performance during the India tour earlier this year have paved the way for his recovery.During the County Championship matches, Stokes bowled ahead of schedule and took 18 wickets in 89.1 overs. He is now as fit as he has been in the last five years and relishes the prospect of regaining his balance as a batsman and bowler."I can now say that I can play the full role I had been doing for the first eight to 10 years," Stokes said. "The last two years have been tough with the knee problems, but I've done everything right to get myself to where I am now."Stokes' return to all-rounder status coincides with a new perspective as captain. He and Test coach Brendon McCullum have adopted a more forward-thinking approach, focusing on the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia. This shift prompted Anderson's retirement, as he will be 43 by the 2025/26 winter.Despite a 4-1 defeat in India, Stokes' record as captain remains strong with 14 wins from 23 Tests. However, the past four months have been marked by introspection and a desire to evolve the team."We've been a team focused on the here and now," Stokes said. "I want to implement stuff to push this team as far as they can go, not only as a team collective but also as individuals."The selections of wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and spinner Shoaib Bashir reflect England's long-term planning. Smith, despite being Surrey's second-choice keeper, has impressed with his batting and fits into the team's strategy at No. 7. Bashir, who moved on loan to Worcestershire, has shown promise in India and offers variety with his height and individual traits.Stokes acknowledges that these decisions, particularly Anderson's retirement, may raise questions. However, he believes it is his duty as captain to make tough calls that will ultimately benefit the team."There's always going to be decisions that are hard ones to make," Stokes said. "But that's a responsibility that you take on as captain or as a leader."

England Test captain Ben Stokes' passionate post-match speech after the rain-affected fourth Test of the 2023 Ashes series has sparked a debate. Stokes declared that his team would "live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket," despite failing to regain the Ashes urn.The all-rounder's remarks came after the match in Manchester was washed out, allowing Australia to retain the trophy. England had fought back from a 2-0 deficit to level the series 2-2, but the weather denied them a chance to win back the urn.Stokes' speech was captured in a documentary released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He told his players: "Everything we've done up until now isn't going to stop because we haven't managed to win the urn back. The reward for our work isn't what we get but what we become. And what we have managed to do is we've managed to become a sports team that will live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket."Stokes' comments were met with skepticism by some, including Fox Sports Australia, who shared the quotes with the caption "right, yeah, sure." However, Stokes defended his remarks, saying he was simply trying to motivate his team."Said this to the team who had watched it rain for 2 days when we had our foot on your throats, just tried to cheer up the disappointment tbh, but anyways rent free and all that," Stokes tweeted.England's last Ashes series win came in 2015, while their last Test victory on Australian soil was in 2009. Despite their recent struggles, Stokes believes his team has made a lasting impact on the game."What we have done is something a lot bigger than any Ashes trophy could ever signify for this team - be the team that everybody will always remember," he said.