Cricket

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.

West Indies' batters face a crucial challenge in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge, as they aim to strike a delicate balance between defense and attack. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite emphasizes the urgent need to "find a way" to accumulate runs after their dismal performance at Lord's, where they were bowled out for meager totals of 121 and 136.Brathwaite acknowledges that discussions have centered around potential adjustments, such as adopting a more aggressive approach against England's bowlers. However, he stresses the importance of maintaining their current strategy while extending their periods of concentration. "We've got to bat a lot better," he declares. "It's simple. We've got to find a way, which we've had some discussions around different things we can do better as a team."Despite the inexperience of his young batting lineup, Brathwaite remains unfazed by his own lack of form with the bat. He believes in his ability to lead the team and establish a solid foundation for their batting. "I know what I have to do and it's obviously important to lead this team and lead the batting, just to build this foundation is obviously what I'm focusing on," he says.Brathwaite draws inspiration from their victory in Brisbane earlier this year, where they overcame a heavy defeat in the first Test to triumph in the second. He believes that this experience demonstrates their resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. "I think from a belief point of view, it shows that we could get it done after a loss," he says.The West Indies captain also emphasizes the importance of scheduling more Test matches to accelerate the development of their players. "I think the more you play it, the faster you will learn," he says. "Obviously if it is drawn out over a long period of time, playing two Tests here, two Tests there, you will take longer to learn."With six more Test matches scheduled for the year, Brathwaite is optimistic about the team's prospects. He believes that the experience gained from these matches will be invaluable for their growth and development. "We've got to make use of that and hopefully, going forward, we can get more because it will benefit the players," he says.

England's preparations for the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge have been thrown into disarray as opener Ben Duckett awaits the imminent birth of his first child. Duckett, who delayed his arrival at England's training session on Tuesday to be with his fiancée, Paige, is expected to start the match on Thursday morning. However, plans are in place for any change in the situation, with spare batter Dan Lawrence primed to swap in if Duckett is pulled away before the toss.England captain Ben Stokes confirmed that Gus Atkinson will share the new ball with Chris Woakes following the retirement of James Anderson at Lord's. Atkinson, who took 7 for 45 and 5 for 61 on debut last week, is a notable promotion for the 26-year-old. Despite his relative lack of first-class experience, Stokes has full faith in Atkinson's ability to open the bowling.Stokes believes that opening with Atkinson will have a positive knock-on effect on the rest of the bowling attack, especially with the Dukes ball behaving differently in English conditions in recent years. "He just had all the attributes of a very, very good bowler. A lot of it is to do with the Dukes ball, how it has behaved," Stokes said. "There has not actually been that much movement in the air with the new ball. It's generally been off the surface, hitting the seam, and Gus is a very good exponent of that."England will be hoping that Duckett is able to play in his home Test, but they are prepared for any eventuality. Stokes has made it clear that family comes first and that Duckett will have the full support of the team whatever decision he makes.

England's Test team embarks on a new era at Trent Bridge, but with a familiar face returning to the fold. James Anderson's departure after 21 years leaves a void, but Mark Wood steps in to provide continuity alongside Chris Woakes.Wood and Woakes were instrumental in England's Ashes triumph last summer, offering a potent combination of raw pace and incisive swing. Their experience will be crucial as England prepare for the next Ashes tour.West Indies, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to regain momentum after their defeat at Lord's. Their batting lineup struggled to cope with England's bowling attack, and they will need their senior players to step up. Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder must lead the charge if West Indies are to avoid a series loss.Gus Atkinson, who made a stunning debut at Lord's, will be a key figure for England. His ability to generate swing and seam movement could prove decisive on a pitch that is expected to offer some assistance to the bowlers.England's team selection reflects their commitment to continuity and faith in their chosen players. Despite Wood's recent struggles, his raw pace and experience make him a valuable asset. Woakes' impressive record on home soil also makes him a reliable choice.West Indies, on the other hand, have opted for an unchanged lineup. They will hope that their batsmen can show more resilience and application against England's bowling attack.The weather forecast for the first two days of the Test is favorable, with sunny conditions expected. However, there is a chance of rain over the weekend. The pitch is expected to have a tinge of live grass on the surface, which could provide some assistance to the bowlers.

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, has embarked on a new chapter in his illustrious career as the bowling mentor for the England Test side. Following his emotional retirement from international cricket after the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's, Anderson will now share his vast experience and knowledge with the team's bowlers for the remaining two matches of the series.Anderson's transition to a coaching role marks a significant moment in English cricket. The 41-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time, having taken 704 wickets in 175 Test matches. His exceptional skill, longevity, and unwavering determination have made him a role model for aspiring cricketers worldwide.In his final Test appearance, Anderson showcased his enduring brilliance, claiming four wickets to finish his career as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history. His departure from the international stage was met with an outpouring of tributes from fellow players, pundits, and fans alike.As England prepare for the second Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Anderson will assume his new role as bowling mentor. His primary responsibility will be to guide and support the team's bowlers, helping them develop their skills and strategies. Anderson's vast experience and deep understanding of the game will be invaluable to the young bowlers in the squad.The first Test of the series saw England dominate the West Indies, winning by an innings and 114 runs. Anderson played a crucial role in the victory, taking the first wicket of the day and setting the tone for the match. However, it was debutant Gus Atkinson who stole the limelight, claiming a remarkable ten-wicket haul to etch his name into the Lord's honors board.Anderson's retirement and subsequent appointment as bowling mentor mark a changing of the guard in English cricket. While the team will undoubtedly miss his presence on the field, his continued involvement in the coaching setup ensures that his legacy will live on. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Anderson is well-positioned to help England's bowlers reach new heights and continue the team's success in the years to come.

England's dominance over New Zealand and Pakistan this summer can be traced back to a pivotal T20I loss in New Zealand in March, according to captain Heather Knight. That defeat sparked a conscious effort to address mental barriers in T20 chases, leading to a ruthless streak that has characterized England's recent performances.Knight praised the team's improved skill level and relentless pressure, which has kept New Zealand's key players quiet. Despite the opposition's struggles, Knight emphasized the quality of England's bowling attack, led by spinners Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, and Charlie Dean.The hosts have also showcased their batting depth, with Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt securing the opening berth and Sophia Dunkley rediscovering her form. Dunkley's versatility and ability to bat up and down the order could earn her a place in the T20 World Cup squad as the spare batter.However, England faces a selection conundrum with teenage left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur, who has missed games due to injury. Knight acknowledged the need to manage young fast bowlers carefully, but Gaur remains in contention for the World Cup squad.England's spin-heavy attack is likely to travel to Bangladesh, with Lauren Filer providing raw pace and Nat Sciver-Brunt increasing her bowling load. Freya Kemp is also returning to her allrounder role after a back injury.Knight emphasized that England's recent success is not solely due to the opposition's performances, but also reflects the team's ongoing improvement. She highlighted the team's ability to beat anyone on their day, as demonstrated in the Ashes series and the T20I series win in India.As England prepares for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, Knight expressed confidence in the team's ability to continue their winning ways in a major tournament.

Mark Wood has been recalled to England's Test squad for the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge, replacing the retired James Anderson. Wood, England's fastest bowler, missed the first Test at Lord's due to his recent return from the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.Wood's inclusion means that Matthew Potts and Dillon Pennington will have to wait for their Test debuts, despite being named in the original squad for the first two Tests. Potts, who impressed with 23 wickets in his first six Tests, has not played for England since last June, while Pennington is yet to make his Test debut.Wood's selection follows the success of another 90mph seamer, Gus Atkinson, who claimed match figures of 12 for 106 in the Lord's Test. Atkinson's performance was the fourth-best by a debutant in Test history.Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who did not bowl in the Lord's Test, retains his place in the squad for Nottingham.England's XI for the second Test is as follows:1. Zak Crawley2. Ben Duckett3. Ollie Pope4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Ben Stokes (capt)7. Jamie Smith (wk)8. Chris Woakes9. Gus Atkinson10. Mark Wood11. Shoaib Bashir

England's swift victory over the West Indies in the first Test at Lord's has sparked concerns about the state of Test cricket. Former captain Nasser Hussain believes the match highlighted the challenges facing the longest format of the game.West Indies' lack of preparation, with only one three-day red-ball game before the Test, contributed to their poor performance. Hussain emphasized the importance of proper preparation, stating that "you've got to give Test matches the preparation that they deserve."The match also raised questions about the decline of West Indies cricket. England has not won in the Caribbean for two decades, and the West Indies hold the Richard-Botham Trophy. Hussain believes that the West Indies' struggles are part of a larger issue facing Test cricket."All it does is add to the fact that Test-match cricket is in a difficult place, and it is sort of self-perpetuating," Hussain said. "If you don't look after it, then sides turn up and put in a performance like that, and everyone goes, 'Told you, Test-match cricket is dying.'"Former England skipper Michael Atherton highlighted the passion of Jimmy Anderson for Test cricket. Anderson, who recently retired from international cricket, spoke about the transformative impact Test cricket has had on his life."Test cricket has literally made me the person I am," Anderson said. "All the lessons he's drawn from Test cricket -- the ups, the downs, the highs, the lows, the coming back for that third spell at six o'clock in the evening and having to dig deep within yourself."Atherton believes that Anderson's experience and insights can help young players make informed career choices. "You'd like to feel Jimmy would say to them 'sometimes the easiest choices are not always the most rewarding or most fulfilling,'" Atherton said.The future of Test cricket remains uncertain, but Hussain and Atherton believe that it is essential to prioritize its preparation and development. By investing in the longest format of the game, cricket can ensure its continued relevance and appeal.

Mahika Gaur, England's promising left-arm seamer, has withdrawn from the upcoming Women's Hundred tournament to prioritize her recovery from a side strain. The 18-year-old, who impressed in her debut season with Manchester Originals last year, will utilize the competition's month-long window to continue her rehabilitation under the guidance of the ECB and Thunder medical teams.Gaur's absence from the Hundred could potentially affect her chances of securing a spot in England's squad for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The tournament is expected to serve as a crucial preparation platform for the team, given the lack of bilateral cricket scheduled before their departure in October.Gaur, who previously represented the UAE from the age of 12, made a notable impact in her first appearances for England against Sri Lanka last summer. Her impressive performance included a three-wicket haul for 26 runs on her ODI debut at Chester-le-Street in September.Despite her early promise, Gaur was unavailable for England's white-ball series against Pakistan due to her A-level commitments. She was subsequently ruled out of the T20I squad to face New Zealand this month after sustaining her injury.Gaur's withdrawal from the Hundred highlights the importance of managing player workload and ensuring their long-term fitness. The ECB and Thunder medical teams will closely monitor her progress and provide the necessary support to facilitate her recovery.