Cricket

England's interim head coach Marcus Trescothick has paved the way for the new era of white-ball cricket under Brendon McCullum. Trescothick's tenure has been marked by a focus on blending winning with player development, which has resulted in a successful tour of the Caribbean.The tour has witnessed the emergence of several young players, including Jacob Bethell, who has impressed with his batting prowess. Bethell's performances have earned him a spot as the reserve batter on England's tour of New Zealand. Saqib Mahmood has also cemented his place in the team with his exceptional bowling performances.Captain Jos Buttler has returned to form and is eager to mold a team in his image. The appointment of McCullum will provide Buttler with the opportunity to start afresh with a new group of players.The question of whether Ben Stokes and Joe Root will return to the ODI side remains unanswered. Their experience would be valuable, but their inclusion could hinder the development of younger players.Trescothick believes that the team is in a good position for McCullum to take over. The tour of the Caribbean has provided valuable experience for the young players and has given Buttler the opportunity to find his feet as captain.

Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson, two integral members of England's white-ball coaching staff, will depart their roles following the conclusion of the ongoing tour of the Caribbean. Their departure paves the way for Brendon McCullum's arrival as the new head coach across all three formats.Hopkinson, England's esteemed fielding coach, joined the men's setup in 2018 and played a pivotal role in England's recent triumphs in ICC global events. He was instrumental in the team's 50-over World Cup victory on home soil in 2019 and the T20 World Cup triumph in Australia in November 2022.Dawson, a former offspinner who represented England in seven Tests between 2001 and 2003, served as head coach of the Young Lions team that reached the Under-19 World Cup final in 2022. He joined the senior coaching team ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup.Reflecting on his time with England, Hopkinson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the coaching setup and contribute to the team's historic World Cup victories. He highlighted his involvement in developing young players and assisting some of the world's best white-ball players in their growth.Dawson echoed Hopkinson's sentiments, expressing his enjoyment of working with the England team and the exceptional white-ball players it comprises. He emphasized the highlight of his career as head coach of the England U19 team that reached the World Cup final and the pleasure of working with top spinners and developing the depth of spin bowling talent in the country.Rob Key, England Men's managing director, acknowledged the significant contributions of Hopkinson and Dawson to the success of England's white-ball teams. He praised their coaching expertise and their role in developing young players, which has laid the foundation for the next generation of white-ball cricketers.

England's Twenty20 International (T20I) series triumph over the West Indies in St Lucia marks a significant milestone for the team. After a rain-delayed start, England emerged victorious in a tense match, securing their first white-ball series win in the Caribbean since 2019.The West Indies' innings began with a shaky start, losing five wickets for just 37 runs. However, a resilient half-century from captain Rovman Powell (51) and a valuable contribution from Romario Shepherd (28) helped the team recover, setting a target of 146 runs for England.England's chase faced early setbacks with the dismissals of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell. Sam Curran (41) and Liam Livingstone (39) steadied the innings, guiding England towards the target. Despite losing wickets at crucial moments, England managed to reach the target with just four balls to spare.Saqib Mahmood was England's standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 17 runs. The victory is a positive sign for England after disappointing performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and this year's T20 World Cup.The series has also witnessed a trend of the team winning the coin toss going on to win the match. This has been the case in all three One Day Internationals and the first two Twenty20 Internationals.With two more T20 matches remaining in St Lucia this weekend, England will aim to complete a series sweep and continue their momentum ahead of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Kane Williamson's return from injury has bolstered New Zealand's squad for the upcoming Test series against England, while Nathan Smith has earned his maiden Test call-up.Williamson, who missed the recent tour of India due to a groin injury, has recovered in time to take his place in the squad. His return could put pressure on Will Young, who impressed as player of the series in India.Smith, a 26-year-old allrounder, has been rewarded for his impressive performances in domestic cricket. He was the leading wicket-taker in last season's Plunket Shield and has also performed well for Worcestershire in the County Championship.Uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy has also been included in the squad, while Bear Sears and Kyle Jamieson are unavailable due to injuries. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in Pune, will join the group for the second and third Tests in Wellington and Hamilton.Ajaz Patel, who claimed 15 wickets against India, has been omitted from the squad, meaning his record of taking all 85 of his Test wickets away from home will remain intact for now.The opening Test against England takes place in Christchurch from November 28. New Zealand will be looking to build on their 3-0 win in India, which has given them a chance of reaching the World Test Championship final."It's obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee, only raises it up further," said New Zealand selector Sam Wells."Tim has had a fabulous career and will go down as one of the great Black Caps. I am sure the team and the public will want to give Tim a fitting send-off in what is a highly anticipated series."

James Anderson, England's legendary pacer, has expressed his unwavering support for Jofra Archer, suggesting that the speedster could play a pivotal role in England's quest to reclaim the Ashes in Australia in 2025/26.Archer, who has faced a challenging spell with injuries, has only played white-ball cricket since recovering from a persistent elbow injury and hasn't featured in a Test match since February 2021. However, Anderson sees the pacer as essential to England's Ashes campaign, if he's willing and physically able to take on the demands of the red-ball game."If we can keep him fit, the Ashes is a definite opportunity," Anderson told The Guardian. "The only worry is whether the injuries have scared him away from Test cricket and he thinks: 'Can my body cope?' But if Jofra works hard enough, and he's managed well, he would be huge for us in the Ashes."England's current focus on building a formidable pace attack has also contributed to Anderson's own retirement from international cricket, as the team prepares a roster of quicks fit for Australian conditions.Beyond Archer, Anderson highlighted England's promising crop of fast bowlers, including Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts, all of whom could be vital contributors to England's attack in 2025/26.Among the new generation of bowlers, Anderson praised Surrey's Gus Atkinson, who debuted in the same match Anderson bowed out against the West Indies. Atkinson's impact was immediate, with 12 wickets in the series, including a stunning seven-wicket haul in the first innings. Anderson noted that Atkinson, who has now accumulated 40 wickets in eight Tests, has "got it all.""I think we've got enough experience with Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Archer potentially, and then the guys that are coming in," Anderson said. "Gus Atkinson has done really well, so have Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts. They're getting experience all the time and if they've got 12 Tests under their belts that's great. It doesn't have to be 50 Tests.""He has got it all. Pace, skill and he picks up things really quickly. I've worked with him a little bit and he'll say, 'right, I want to learn an in-swinger' and within 12 balls he'll have it. That's a great trait. He's got amazing ability and a great temperament."

Reece Topley, England's fast bowler, has been fined 15% of his match fee by the ICC for smashing a chair in frustration after suffering another injury setback during the first T20I against West Indies in Barbados.Topley, 30, injured his right knee during his delivery stride in the series opener on Saturday. Despite attempting to continue bowling after a rain delay, he left the field after one more delivery and took no further part in the match.This latest setback is a cruel blow for Topley, whose career has been plagued by injuries. As he walked up the steps to the players' pavilion, he was seen picking up a plastic chair and smashing it on the staircase handrail.It was a similar reaction to one Topley had in Mumbai during the 50-over World Cup in October 2023. He had swiped another chair out of his path after leaving the field with what would later be revealed as a tournament-ending break to his left index finger.While the severity of Topley's latest injury is unknown, it was significant enough for him to miss England's second match in Barbados, a seven-wicket win on Sunday. This adds to a litany of injuries that have hampered Topley's career, including a career-threatening stress fracture of the back and a rolled ankle sustained on a boundary sponge during a practice match in Brisbane, which ruled him out of England's successful T20 World Cup campaign in 2022.Topley escaped punishment for the 2023 incident, but this time he was found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC's Code of Conduct, specifically Article 2.2 relating to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match."Topley admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson, the ICC's match referee, so there was no need for a formal hearing. In addition to his fine, one demerit point has been added to Topley's disciplinary record. If a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. However, this was Topley's first such offense within the time period.

Jafer Chohan, the 22-year-old Yorkshire legspinner, has been recalled from England's white-ball tour of the Caribbean to manage his workload ahead of the upcoming Lions tour of South Africa. Chohan made history last month as the first graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) to be named in an England squad.Chohan's opportunity with Yorkshire arose after he was released by Middlesex as a 17-year-old in 2019. He has since flourished under the guidance of Adil Rashid, his mentor at Yorkshire. Chohan's fast-tracking into the England set-up is a testament to his talent and the progress he has made in recent years.However, the England management has decided to prioritize Chohan's long-term development by sending him home before he has a chance to make his international debut. The team has a wealth of spin options available, including Rashid, Rehan Ahmed, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Dan Mousley, and Will Jacks.Chohan's release from the England squad is also a reflection of the team's current success in T20Is. England has taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series against the West Indies, with Chohan playing a supporting role in the nets.Despite not making his international debut on this tour, Chohan's inclusion in the England squad is a significant milestone for British South Asian cricketers. The SACA, launched in 2021, aims to address the under-representation of South Asian players in the professional game. Chohan's journey is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers from all backgrounds.In addition to the Lions tour, Chohan is also set to play for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, which commences on December 15. His release from the England squad will allow him to focus on these upcoming commitments and continue his development as a legspinner.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, England's prolific batter, has made a significant move by transferring her allegiance from Southern Vipers to Surrey for the inaugural Women's Tier 1 county competition in 2025. This decision marks a new chapter in her illustrious career, which has spanned over a decade and witnessed numerous accolades.Wyatt-Hodge, 33, has been a cornerstone of the England women's team since her debut in 2010. With 278 international appearances, she has amassed over 5,000 runs across all formats. Her exceptional performances in T20Is have earned her the distinction of being England's all-time leading run-scorer in the format, with 2,979 runs at an impressive strike rate of 127.85.Her move to Surrey reunites her with England teammates Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey. Wyatt-Hodge expressed her excitement about joining the club, stating, "I am both excited and honored to be joining Surrey. The club has an incredible history with a culture of success, which I want to contribute to."Emma Calvert, Surrey's Director of Women's Cricket, hailed Wyatt-Hodge's signing as a major coup for the club. "Danni's career speaks for itself, and we believe she will add strength and depth on the field as well as adding to the team off the field," Calvert said.Wyatt-Hodge's decision to join Surrey is a testament to the club's growing stature in women's cricket. The South East Stars, Surrey's women's team, have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in recent years, winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2022.Wyatt-Hodge's experience and leadership will be invaluable to Surrey as they aim to challenge for silverware in the new Women's Tier 1 competition. Her aggressive batting style and ability to score runs at a rapid pace will be a major asset to the team.

South Africa's women's cricket team is set to host England in a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series, with the aim of expanding their player pool and building on their performance at the recent T20 World Cup.For the T20I series, South Africa have rested experienced players Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka to give opportunities to other players. Medium-pacer Eliz-Mari Marx, who was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the CSA Women's Pro20 series, and allrounder Nondumiso Shangase have been recalled to the squad.Wicketkeeper-batter Mieke de Ridder and Seshnie Naidu have also been omitted from the T20I squad. De Ridder has been replaced by Faye Tunnicliffe, while Naidu is completing her final school exams and will then prepare for the Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia in January.The T20I squad includes three players currently playing in the WBBL: captain Laura Wolvaardt, allrounder Nadine de Klerk, and Chloe Tryon. Bowlers Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune, who were part of the T20 World Cup squad but did not play a game, may get an opportunity at home, where conditions are expected to suit them better.Interim coach Dillon du Preez said he hopes the team can build on their performance at the T20 World Cup, where they reached a second successive final. "We would like to have the same approach that we did in the last T20 World Cup. Although the next T20 World Cup is in two years' time, we would still like to grow as a team and continue to work on our T20 playing philosophy," du Preez said.For the ODI series, South Africa have added additional resources to the squad, including batter Lara Goodall and experienced seamer Masabata Klaas. Hlubi is also in line for an ODI debut. The matches are part of the Women's Championship, which forms the qualification pathway for next year's ODI World Cup in India.South Africa are currently in fourth place in the Women's Championship, with 23 points, five behind Australia and England. The top five teams along with hosts India will automatically advance to the event, which means Australia and England have already qualified. South Africa have also gone through, even if they are overtaken by Bangladesh or West Indies, both of whom have six matches left to play (including three against each other).The tour also includes a one-off Test in Bloemfontein from December 15 to 18, for which South Africa will name the squad at a later date. The T20 games are on November 24, 27, and 30, followed by the ODIs on December 4, 8, and 11.