Cricket

England's Women's T20 World Cup preparations have been thrown into disarray by the late venue change from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The team is now anticipating empty stadiums and different playing conditions, but they are confident that their upcoming training camp in Abu Dhabi will help them mitigate the impact.The ICC's decision to move the tournament from Bangladesh due to civil unrest has forced England to adjust their plans. Captain Heather Knight acknowledges that the lack of crowds will be a significant change, as Bangladesh would have provided a more enthusiastic atmosphere. However, she emphasizes that the team's focus should be on the World Cup itself, which should provide enough motivation.England will play their first three matches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which has a capacity of 16,000, and their final group match at the Dubai International Stadium, which can accommodate 25,000 spectators. However, neither venue has a history of attracting large crowds for women's cricket matches.Knight acknowledges that the lack of crowd support could affect some players, but she believes that the team needs to prepare for all possibilities. She also highlights the importance of safety and security, which were key factors in the ICC's decision to relocate the tournament.Despite the venue change, England's head coach, Jon Lewis, supports the ICC's decision. He believes that the conditions in the UAE will not be drastically different from those in Bangladesh, and that the team's spin-heavy strategy will still be effective.To prepare for the tournament, England will arrive in Abu Dhabi on September 13 for a three-week training camp. Lewis emphasizes the importance of this camp, as it will allow the team to practice on wickets similar to those they will encounter in the World Cup.England's squad remains unchanged despite the venue change. Lewis believes that the team has enough seam bowling options, despite concerns that they may be one seamer short. He also highlights the effectiveness of spin bowling in women's cricket, which will be a key factor in the UAE.Lauren Filer, who impressed in the Hundred, was the only player to miss out on selection. However, she will travel to Abu Dhabi for the training camp. Knight praised Filer's performances but acknowledged that Linsey Smith's versatility as a left-arm spinner gave her the edge.

Ollie Pope, England's stand-in captain, has sought guidance from former skipper Joe Root on balancing the demands of batting and leadership. Pope, who led England to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford, struggled with the bat, scoring twice for six.Despite the team's success, Pope recognized the need to separate his captaincy and batting responsibilities. He turned to Root, who captained England for a record 64 Tests, for advice. Root, known for his exceptional batting skills, emphasized the importance of compartmentalizing the two roles."It's about having the two things separate," Pope said. "That's something I've spoken to Joe Root about. We just spoke about how it's more taxing in the field but it's finding a little routine and doing small things."Pope acknowledged Root's "great cricket brain" and sought his insights on managing the mental and physical demands of captaincy. Root's experience in leading England through challenging times proved invaluable to Pope.While England's aggressive batting approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has been successful, Pope highlighted the importance of adaptability. He praised Root's unbeaten 62 off 128 balls in the first Test, which showcased a more measured approach on a slow pitch."We don't use the term 'Bazball' but we played a different style of cricket (at Old Trafford) and that's something that can keep taking us forward as a team," Pope said.Despite Stokes' absence due to injury, Pope expressed confidence in his return for the upcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. He believes that the break will allow Stokes to improve his game and return refreshed.

Ali Maiden, who served as England's assistant coach during their 2017 ODI World Cup triumph, is set to embark on a new chapter in his career as the inaugural head coach of Bears Women. Maiden, who has primarily worked in the men's game in recent years, expressed his eagerness to return to the women's game.Maiden's appointment at Bears Women, based at Edgbaston, will commence on November 1. He will oversee preparations for the 2025 season, when the club will compete in England's new domestic structure for women's cricket."I'm thrilled to be joining Bears Women at the start," Maiden said. "The club's passion for women's cricket and their commitment to developing a successful team are evident. I've been seeking an opportunity to return to women's cricket, and this role aligns perfectly with my aspirations."Bears Women, operated by Warwickshire, is one of eight 'Tier 1' sides that will participate in the new domestic structure. Laura MacLeod will serve as their director of cricket, and the club has already secured the signings of Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Chloe Brewer, Katie George, and Charis Pavely.Maiden's departure from Yorkshire's men's team marks the end of a three-year tenure, during which he played a key role in developing their batters. Colin Graves, Yorkshire's chair, expressed his gratitude for Maiden's contributions."We wish Ali all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his dedication to Yorkshire CCC over the past three seasons," Graves said.Maiden's appointment as head coach of Bears Women is a significant step in the development of women's cricket in England. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as the club aims to establish itself as a force in the new domestic structure.

Ben Stokes, England's talismanic all-rounder, is on the mend and on track to make a full recovery from his hamstring injury in time for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan in October. Stokes sustained the injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred two-and-a-half weeks ago, ruling him out for the remainder of the English summer.Despite his absence, Stokes has remained with the England squad during their ongoing series against Sri Lanka, batting in the nets at Lord's ahead of Thursday's second Test. England are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on October 2, with the first Test set to commence five days later in Multan.A return to full fitness for Stokes would be a significant boost to England's chances in Pakistan, where they triumphed 3-0 in their most recent tour in 2022. During that series, Stokes bowled only 35 overs due to a chronic knee injury.Stokes expressed his eagerness to return to action, describing it as "scratching an itch." He emphasized his gradual progress in rehab and his belief that being surrounded by the medical team would expedite his recovery.England's stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, praised Stokes's dedication and believes he will be "as fresh as anyone" heading into the winter tours to Pakistan and New Zealand. Pope highlighted Stokes's ability to improve his game during injury setbacks and his positive impact on the squad.Zak Crawley, who is also missing the Sri Lanka series due to a broken finger, visited Lord's on Tuesday and is targeting a return for the Pakistan tour in October. Mark Wood, another injured player, has been replaced by Olly Stone in England's XI for the second Test at Lord's.Pope expressed his excitement for Stone to showcase his abilities as a high-pace bowler, despite acknowledging that he may not reach Wood's top speeds. Stokes commended Pope's seamless transition into his interim role and enjoyed observing the team's performance from the dressing room in Manchester.

Dawid Malan, England's former top-ranked T20I batter, has bid farewell to international cricket at the age of 37. Malan, who represented England in 22 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 62 T20Is, is one of only two English batters (alongside Jos Buttler) to have scored centuries in all three formats.Malan's international breakthrough came on the 2017-18 Ashes tour, where he scored his only Test century, a gritty 140 in partnership with Jonny Bairstow at Perth. However, it was in the T20I format that he truly made his mark.In September 2020, Malan ascended to the top of the ICC's T20I batting rankings. The following March, he became the fastest men's player to reach 1000 runs in the format, achieving the milestone in just 24 innings. He was also a member of England's T20 World Cup-winning squad in Australia in 2022.Despite his success in T20Is, Malan's ODI career took longer to take off. However, he seized his opportunity when it came, scoring five ODI centuries in the space of 15 innings between June 2022 and September 2023. This impressive run of form earned him a place in England's 2023 World Cup squad.Reflecting on his career, Malan expressed both pride and regret. He acknowledged that he had "exceeded all expectations" in white-ball formats but admitted that his inability to establish himself consistently in Test cricket was a disappointment.Malan's departure from international cricket is likely to open up opportunities for younger players. He is expected to remain in high demand on the T20 franchise circuit, having recently played for Oval Invincibles in the Men's Hundred and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20.

Olly Stone, the 30-year-old left-arm fast bowler, is set to make his fourth Test appearance for England at Lord's this week, replacing the injured Mark Wood. Stone has pledged to push his limits and match Wood's blistering speeds, who clocked 97mph/156kph against West Indies last month.Stone's career has been plagued by injuries, including a hamstring issue that sidelined him for most of last season. However, he has made a strong comeback this summer, featuring in 28 matches across formats for Nottinghamshire and London Spirit.In the absence of Wood, Stone will be tasked with providing England with short, sharp bursts of pace. "It's been pretty frightening… the way he's come in and bowled this summer is very exciting," Stone said of Wood. "Hopefully, I can go out there and try to touch his speeds. He's obviously up there with the fastest in the world so I'm not sure if I'll match it - but I'll give it a good shot."Stone made his Test debut at Lord's in 2019, but underwent back surgery in 2021. He credits the procedure with his return to fitness and his unwavering determination to play Test cricket. "It's the best thing I ever went in for," he said. "Thankfully - touch wood - so far, I've had no recurrences with that… I'll keep coming back for Test cricket until my body tells me otherwise."Stone's selection is a testament to England's focus on attributes over averages. National selector Luke Wright explained that Sam Cook would have been called up if Chris Woakes had been injured, but Stone's height and left-arm angle gave him the edge over Cook.England's XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's:1. Ben Duckett2. Dan Lawrence3. Ollie Pope (capt)4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Jamie Smith (wk)7. Chris Woakes8. Gus Atkinson9. Matthew Potts10. Olly Stone11. Shoaib Bashir

England's selectors are considering recalling Joe Root and Ben Stokes for the 2025 Champions Trophy despite their absence from 50-over cricket since last year's World Cup. Both players are currently unavailable due to rest and injury, respectively, and will miss the upcoming ODI series against Australia and the tour to the West Indies.The Champions Trophy, scheduled for mid-February in Pakistan, will provide England with a crucial opportunity to prepare for the tournament. The team will play three ODIs in India at the start of the month, which will be the only chance for Root, Stokes, and other all-format players like Chris Woakes and Mark Wood to gain experience in the 50-over format before the tournament.England's selector, Luke Wright, emphasized the importance of fielding a strong team for the Champions Trophy. "We'll want to be as strong as possible," Wright said. "There's no Test cricket around at that point, so it gives us an opportunity to play our strongest team."Despite Root's struggles at the World Cup, Wright defended the decision to rest him against Australia, citing his heavy workload in recent years. "He's given a lot to English cricket," Wright said. "There's no reason why he can't then come into the major tournaments… we know how important Joe is to the England team."Wright acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to the 50-over format, which English players rarely play. "It's a challenge for everyone, isn't it? And even more so for us in England… Those top players are able to adapt as well as possible, as I don't think it's as big a problem for them as it would be for some of the others."England have dropped Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow from both their T20I and ODI squads, but Wright denied that their international careers are over. "They're disappointed to miss out," he said. "I certainly won't be saying that that's the end for them. They're fine cricketers, but right now, we just want to give some other opportunities."Jos Buttler remains as captain despite England's recent struggles in white-ball cricket. He is under pressure heading into the Australia series and may hand over the wicketkeeping duties to Phil Salt in the T20Is. Wright indicated that Buttler is considering fielding at mid-off to be closer to his bowlers.Wright emphasized the need to restore energy to the white-ball set-up after two disappointing World Cup campaigns. "I wouldn't say [things have been] stale," Wright said. "Those guys have given us some of the best times we've had in white-ball cricket. It's life… It's a great time now: without a World Cup just round the corner as there hasn't been for a while is an opportunity to blood some new players."England's squad for the Australia ODIs includes three uncapped players: Jacob Bethell, Josh Hull, and John Turner. Wright highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for younger players in the 50-over format.

England's Women's T20 World Cup squad has been announced, with Freya Kemp and Bess Heath earning their first call-ups. Danielle Gibson also makes her World Cup debut, while Lauren Filer misses out.Kemp, an allrounder, and Heath, a backup wicketkeeper, will also join the team for their upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland. Kate Cross will captain the side in Ireland, which will feature several potential debutants.England's meticulous planning for the T20 World Cup has resulted in a squad with few surprises. Sophia Dunkley retains her spot ahead of Tammy Beaumont, who will join the team for the Ireland tour.Linsey Smith provides backup spin support to Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and Sarah Glenn. Kemp and Gibson's versatility as seam-bowling allrounders means England opted against Filer's extra pace. However, Filer will join the team for their training camp in Abu Dhabi.Mahika Gaur, a teenage left-arm seamer, is included in the T20I squad for Ireland. The Women's T20 World Cup was originally scheduled for Bangladesh but was moved to the UAE due to civil unrest."Selecting teams has become incredibly tough," said England head coach Jon Lewis. "There are players who have been unfortunate to miss out, but they remain a part of our future plans."Captain Heather Knight expressed her excitement for the World Cup and the squad's balance. "World Cups are special events, and I'm thrilled with the team we've selected," she said.Cross, who will captain England in Ireland, acknowledged her unlikely chances of making the World Cup squad. She will be joined by Beaumont, Issy Wong, and Mady Villiers, who last played for England in 2021.

England's white-ball squads for the upcoming home series against Australia have been announced, with several notable inclusions and omissions. Jacob Bethell, Josh Hull, and Dan Mousley have received their maiden call-ups, while Brydon Carse returns after a suspension.Bethell and Mousley, both Warwickshire all-rounders, have impressed in the T20 Blast and Hundred. Hull, Leicestershire's towering fast bowler, has been called up for all three formats in the past two days. They join the experienced Jos Buttler, who will captain the side under interim head coach Marcus Trescothick.Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, and Chris Jordan, who featured in the T20 World Cup, have been omitted. Mark Wood is also unavailable due to injury. John Turner, who toured the Caribbean last winter, has been included in both squads.Jordan Cox, a member of the Hundred-winning Oval Invincibles, could make his T20I debut. Saqib Mahmood, Player of the Match in the Hundred final, is back in contention after a two-year absence due to back injuries.Carse, who was suspended for betting breaches, will add depth to England's pace attack alongside Turner. The ODI series will mark the start of England's preparations for the 2023 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Five Test squad members, including Jofra Archer, have been included.Archer, who has not played an ODI since 2023, is set to make his return after recovering from an elbow injury. Joe Root has been rested, while Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed have been overlooked.