Cricket

Gus Atkinson, the standout performer in England's recent ODI series against West Indies, will miss the final of the men's Hundred tournament due to his unavailability for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Atkinson, who claimed 22 wickets in his debut series and was named Player of the Series, has only featured once for Oval Invincibles this year.Invincibles' captain Sam Billings expressed disappointment over Atkinson's absence but acknowledged the ECB's cautious approach to player availability following Ben Stokes' hamstring injury. Saqib Mahmood, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, will replace Atkinson in the side.The Invincibles will also be without Spencer Johnson due to injury, but Tom Curran will return after being rested in the previous match. The ECB is taking a cautious approach to England players' availability, with Chris Woakes already withdrawn from the tournament. However, Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, and Jordan Cox will be available for the weekend's matches ahead of the first Test.Billings emphasized the importance of playing in the Hundred final for young players like Cox, who will gain valuable experience in front of a packed Lord's crowd. Jofra Archer, who has been carefully managed due to previous injuries, is expected to be available for both the eliminator and final if Southern Brave qualify.In the women's Hundred, Chamari Athapaththu will be unavailable for the Invincibles in their eliminator against London Spirit due to her commitments with Sri Lanka's ODI squad in Ireland. Megan Schutt, the Invincibles' fourth overseas player, is likely to feature in her place.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, marking the sport's return to the Olympics after a 128-year absence. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Scotland have initiated discussions to field men's and women's Team GB cricket teams at the Games.The ICC has proposed six-team T20 tournaments for both the women's and men's competitions, with each tournament expected to last around a week. Qualification details are yet to be confirmed, but the ICC's T20I rankings will likely play a role.If England qualifies, they will compete as Great Britain, in line with the rest of the Olympics. This opens up the possibility of Scottish players, such as Brandon McMullen or Sarah and Kathryn Bryce, representing Team GB.The ECB and Cricket Scotland are collaborating on the proposed Team GB cricket teams. Cricket Scotland is eager to contribute players and staff, while the ECB will serve as the teams' nominated governing body.Andy Anson, the chief executive of the British Olympic Association, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the ECB and Cricket Scotland. He cited successful examples in other sports, such as golf, rugby, and women's football, where the Four Nations have come together to nominate a single governing body.The venue for the cricket events at the 2028 Olympics is yet to be confirmed. Los Angeles Knight Riders and Major League Cricket are planning to build a stadium in Great Park in Irvine, while the Oakland Coliseum is also a potential option.West Indies' potential involvement presents some complications, as cricket is organized on an all-Ireland basis. However, there is precedent from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where Barbados represented West Indies in the women's cricket event.Involvement in the Olympics will add to an already busy 2028 summer for England's men, which includes six Tests and white-ball tours from Australia and India.

The Sri Lankan cricket team's upcoming test series against England has been overshadowed by concerns over player safety amidst ongoing anti-immigrant riots in Britain. Several Sri Lankan players currently in England for pre-series training have expressed their anxieties to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, requesting enhanced security measures."We can't go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up," a Sri Lankan player in England told ESPNcricinfo.Sri Lankan team manager, Mahinda Halangoda, has formally addressed these concerns with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), particularly after reports of unrest in Manchester, the venue for the first test match."I raised the issue with them, and the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements. We'll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well," Halangoda stated.The ECB has assured the Sri Lankan team of comprehensive security arrangements, but the players' apprehension underscores the potential impact of broader societal issues on international sporting events.This situation presents a parallel to Sri Lanka's own experience in 2022, when the island nation faced significant political and economic turmoil, leading to ethical concerns raised by Australia and Pakistan regarding touring for a bilateral series. Ultimately, the Asia Cup, initially planned to be held in Sri Lanka, was relocated to the United Arab Emirates due to the unrest.The SLC will be keen to ensure their players can focus on the upcoming series without undue anxiety. The effectiveness of the ECB's security measures and the overall management of the situation will be closely observed, setting a precedent for future touring teams navigating similar circumstances.

Zimbabwe will make history as the first country to receive a "touring fee" from the host board in bilateral cricket when they visit England for a two-Test series in the summer of 2025. This groundbreaking development was announced by ECB chief executive Richard Gould, who has been advocating for measures to address the financial disparities among Full Member nations and maintain the quality of Test cricket.Gould's proposal, which he initially presented in 2022, calls for host boards to compensate touring teams. He believes this will help offset the significant revenue gap between wealthier boards like the ECB, BCCI, and Cricket Australia, and those from smaller nations."There's a huge responsibility for the ECB and other financially strong boards to ensure Test cricket remains competitive," Gould stated. "The current revenue-sharing model is outdated and needs to be revised."The escalating costs of maintaining Test cricket in smaller countries, where broadcasting rights have become less valuable, have raised concerns about the sustainability of the format. CWI CEO Johnny Grave has criticized the ICC's revenue-sharing model, arguing that it has failed to support weaker boards.Gould expressed sympathy for boards like CWI and emphasized the need to find solutions to keep them competitive. "We've had conversations with the West Indies about providing assistance," he said. "It's not just about money; there are other ways to support them, such as organizing additional tours or providing opportunities for their players to gain experience in different conditions."ECB chair Richard Thompson has also highlighted the importance of ensuring a strong level of competition for both men's and women's teams. He noted that only 4% of the ECB's annual income comes from ICC revenue distribution, with the majority derived from bilateral cricket broadcast rights."We need to share the value that the game creates to keep Test cricket strong," Thompson said. "It's an accepted principle, and we're exploring different tactics to achieve it."The ECB's decision to pay a touring fee to Zimbabwe is a significant step towards addressing the financial challenges faced by smaller cricket nations. It sets a precedent that could lead to a more equitable distribution of resources and help maintain the health and competitiveness of Test cricket worldwide.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has initiated discussions with Indian Premier League (IPL) owners regarding the acquisition of a stake in the domestic Hundred competition. The Hundred, a controversial tournament featuring eight specially created teams with both men's and women's sides, is entering its fourth edition.The ECB seeks to secure private investment to strengthen the Hundred's position in the global calendar and enhance the financial stability of domestic cricket. The board aims to sell a 49% stake in each team to private investors, while host teams retain the remaining 51%. However, host teams may consider selling part or all of their shares.ECB chief executive Richard Gould emphasized that the board will retain control of the competition, despite the potential for private investment. He acknowledged the strength of the Indian market and welcomed the expansion of IPL teams into other national markets.The cash-rich IPL has transformed the global cricket landscape, providing players with lucrative opportunities outside of traditional Test matches. IPL owners, such as the Ambani family of the Mumbai Indians, may be interested in acquiring full control of a Hundred team.Vikram Banerjee, the ECB's director of business operations, confirmed that he has engaged in discussions with IPL owners. He also expressed interest in potential partnerships with American Football's NFL, citing their expertise in fan engagement and stadium experiences.The ECB's goal is to combine the strengths of IPL teams and NFL owners to enhance the Hundred's appeal and attract a new generation of fans. The board believes that such partnerships can contribute to the long-term success of the competition.

The Hundred, England's premier short-form cricket competition, is set to return on Tuesday with a bang. But beyond the fireworks and live music, the real action will be in the hospitality suites, where the ECB aims to attract investors to its eight teams.The ECB has rejected a significant offer from Bridgepoint Capital to buy a controlling stake in the Hundred and is now exploring alternative options. The governing body has launched 'Project Gemini' to develop a revamped Hundred, with external investors buying stakes in the teams by 2025.The ECB has received interest from potential investors worldwide, including IPL and WPL franchise owners, NFL owners, and parties from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and the USA. The sales process will formally begin in September, with the ECB appointing Deloitte and the Raine Group as financial advisors.The Hundred has a solid base, attracting strong crowds and support from broadcasters. However, it also faces challenges, including competition from other short-form leagues and the depletion of squads due to international commitments.The ECB plans to expand the Hundred to two new franchises from 2029 and is seeking investors who will support English cricket as a whole. The process will involve a three-month evaluation of both financial and qualitative factors.Some prospective investors have expressed frustration with the lack of clarity in the process, while others are concerned about the level of control they will have over their teams. The ECB is working to address these concerns and ensure that the sale process is transparent and fair.The Hundred has been a catalyst for the growth of women's cricket in England and Wales, providing a platform for exceptional female athletes. The double-header model, featuring both men's and women's matches, is particularly appealing to prospective buyers.The ECB believes that now is the right time to attract investment in the Hundred, as cricket is experiencing a global surge in popularity. The competition will face increased competition from other short-form leagues, and the ECB is keen to ensure that it remains a world-class tournament.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the structure for the second tier of its new domestic women's competitions, which will commence in 2025. Ten counties—Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire, and Yorkshire—will compete in Tier 2, playing both 50-over and 20-over cricket. The competition structure and schedule for 2025 are yet to be finalized.Tier 3 status will be granted to all National Counties that wish to participate in the new competitions at that level from 2025. The three tiers will be closed from the 2025 to 2028 seasons, with no promotion or relegation.To foster competition among all counties, the ECB has also announced a knock-out cup competition involving teams from all three tiers. The cup competition is expected to launch in 2025 alongside the establishment of the three-tiered structure.Earlier this year, the ECB announced that Durham, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, and Warwickshire would play in Tier 1 of the new competitions starting in 2025. Yorkshire will join Tier 1 for the 2026 season, subject to meeting certain conditions, while Glamorgan will join in 2027. The ECB aims to expand Tier 1 to 12 teams by 2029.Beth Barrett-Wild, director of the women's professional game, expressed excitement about the finalized tiers. She emphasized that the new structure will accommodate the growth and enhance the depth of the women's professional game.The ECB plans to invest £8 million in new funding per year in women's domestic cricket by 2027, bringing the annual investment in this area to approximately £19 million. This investment will support the development of more professional female players, increased investment, and improved alignment between the men's and women's game.

Brydon Carse, the Durham and England fast bowler, has been handed a three-month ban after an anti-corruption investigation by the newly formed Cricket Regulator. The ban, which was accepted by Carse, stems from 303 bets placed on various cricket matches between 2017 and 2019.Carse, who has represented England in 17 limited-overs internationals, did not bet on games he was playing in. However, according to a report in the Telegraph, he did place money on Durham games.The ECB, in a statement, said: "We take these matters extremely seriously and do not condone any form of anti-corruption breach in cricket."The statement continued: "We support the Cricket Regulator's decision and their consideration of the mitigating factors in Brydon's case. He has co-operated and shown remorse for his actions. We are satisfied that Brydon has shown growth in the five years since this breach and has demonstrated a greater understanding of his responsibilities.""We are hopeful that his case can serve as an educational example for other cricketers."Carse, 28, was called up to England's squad for the 50-over World Cup in India last year and was given a two-year deal in the ECB's last round of central contracts.Although he has yet to be involved in the Test set-up, he was part of the group of seam bowlers namechecked by Rob Key last year as central to England's planning across formats, with the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad set to create greater opportunities in red-ball cricket.Dave Lewis, the Cricket Regulator's interim director, said: "The Cricket Regulator takes any breach of integrity or misconduct rules seriously and I would encourage any participant, from within the professional game, who has gambled on cricket to come forward and not wait to be discovered.""The Cricket Regulator understands the many challenges participants can face and will handle cases fairly, with understanding and support for anyone who wishes to come forward. We also encourage any participant struggling with any welfare concerns to seek assistance from the PCA or other trusted professional source."

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is embarking on a bold initiative to privatize the Hundred, its flagship franchise league, with the aim of elevating it to the status of the world's second-largest after the Indian Premier League (IPL). The board has appointed financial advisors and legal counsel to facilitate the sale process, which is targeted for completion by the end of 2023.The counties have expressed their support for the ECB's proposed "direction of travel," recognizing the potential financial benefits of selling stakes in the eight Hundred teams to private investors. The ECB currently owns all the teams, but the sale is expected to attract interest from IPL owners and private equity firms.The proceeds from the sale will be distributed in a structured manner. Initially, the ECB will transfer 51% of the shares in each team to the host counties, who will then decide whether to retain all, some, or none of their stakes. The ECB will then sell its remaining 49% stake, with 10% allocated to the recreational game in England and Wales.The remaining proceeds will be shared among the counties, with the first £275 million distributed equally among all 19 first-class counties and MCC. The next £150 million will be shared among the 11 non-host counties, and any proceeds exceeding £425 million will be distributed equally among all 19 counties.Vikram Banerjee, the ECB's director of business operations, emphasized the transformative potential of the privatization move. "We have identified this moment as the opportunity to take the Hundred to the next level while capitalizing on the global interest in the competition to underpin the structure of the whole domestic game," he said.The ECB believes that the Hundred will play a crucial role in the future of cricket in England and Wales. The board is seeking strategic partners with the expertise to elevate the competition and ensure that the benefits extend to all levels of the sport.The Raine Group, which has advised on recent sales processes at Chelsea and Manchester United, will lead the search for investors and negotiate the terms of investment. Deloitte will provide strategic advice, while Latham & Watkins and Onside Law will serve as legal co-counsel.The Hundred will run from July 23 to August 18 this year, and the ECB hopes to showcase the competition's potential to prospective investors. However, the first six days of the season will overlap with Major League Cricket, which could impact the availability of overseas players.