Cricket

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is confident that captain Kane Williamson will return to action for the first Test against England, scheduled for November 28-December 2 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Williamson suffered a groin injury during the tour of Sri Lanka, but the team management has opted for a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.Despite Williamson's absence, New Zealand pulled off a historic Test series victory in India, with Will Young stepping up in his place. However, tearaway quick Ben Sears is likely to miss the England series due to a knee injury.Stead expressed his confidence in Williamson's availability for the first Test against England, stating that they could have rushed him back for the Mumbai Test but decided against it to ensure proper recovery. He praised the team's performance in Williamson's absence, highlighting Young's contributions.Sears' injury could pave the way for a potential Test debut for Nathan Smith, who was recently added to New Zealand's central contracts list. Smith impressed as the top wicket-taker in the 2023-24 Plunket Shield.Stead also expressed optimism about New Zealand's chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With four remaining Tests, they need to win each to finish on 64.29%. Stead drew inspiration from their previous WTC triumph in 2019-21, where they won six consecutive Tests.

Jason Holder, the former West Indies captain, has hailed England's third white-ball tour of the Caribbean in as many years as a "massive boost" to the survival of his team as an international force. Holder believes that the tour is a way for England to repay the debt they owe to the West Indies for helping to save the finances of English cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic.In 2020, the West Indies squad led by Holder played three Tests behind closed doors in Manchester and Southampton at the height of the Covid outbreak. This tour helped to mitigate the ECB's losses during the pandemic, which could have been upwards of £380 million had their entire summer schedule been cancelled.Holder believes that England have been fulfilling their side of the bargain by touring the Caribbean so frequently. "It's a fair way of putting it," Holder told ESPNcricinfo. "We've obviously had the English coming over for the last three years consecutively. And that has definitely boosted, not only our economy within the Caribbean, but it adds a massive boost to our survival in international cricket."Despite the financial disparities between the two boards, the Caribbean has been a particularly tough destination for England teams in recent years. The Test team hasn't won a series in the region since 2004, while the white-ball squads have lost each of the last three series: 3-2 in the T20Is in both 2022 and 2023, and 2-1 in their last ODI campaign in December last year.Holder is looking forward to the contest, which he believes will be keenly contested as both teams are in a transitionary phase. "England have obviously got a point to prove, and they'll be trying a few different combinations to see what works. And likewise, with West Indies, we've got a lot of youngsters within our cohort, and it is important for them to just gain experience, gain confidence and gain knowledge. I think these series will go a long way to developing our base at a rapid rate."One of the most exciting young players in the West Indies squad is 17-year-old Jewel Andrew, who made his ODI debut in their most recent match against Sri Lanka. Holder believes that Andrew has a bright future ahead of him. "He definitely stood up. He looks a very easy-going player. He's got time, and any top-order batter who shows signs of having time is promising."Holder himself hasn't been involved in West Indies' white-ball set-up since pulling out of their T20 World Cup plans through injury in June. He will instead be a studio pundit for TNT in the UK throughout the eight-match tour.Looking back on the T20 World Cup, in which England's Super Eights victory in St Lucia proved critical to West Indies' hopes of reaching the last four, Holder acknowledged it had been a missed opportunity for a strong squad to do something special in front of their home fans. But, with players such as Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer set to face England in the coming campaign, he's confident there will be other chances for this team to compete for global trophies in the coming years.

England's recent 2-1 Test series defeat to Pakistan has exposed a glaring weakness in their batting lineup against spin bowling. Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has labeled the team "flat track bullies," criticizing their inability to adjust to challenging conditions.After winning the first Test in Multan, England lost the second and third Tests, with all 40 of their wickets falling to spinners. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali combined for a staggering 39 wickets, highlighting the English batters' vulnerability against spin.Boycott has sharply criticized the England batting, particularly their aggressive "Bazball" approach implemented by coach Brendon McCullum. He argues that this approach is ill-suited for spinning pitches, which demand a more nuanced and adaptable batting style."England are flat-track bullies on good batting pitches... spinning pitches demand adjustments," Boycott wrote in his column for The Telegraph UK.He pointed to the example of Harry Brook, who scored a triple century in the first Test but struggled against spin in subsequent innings. "A perfect example is Brook. He scored a brilliant 317 in the first Test and in the next four innings he was naive with no idea against spin and totalled 56 runs," Boycott wrote.After piling up 823 runs in the first Test, England failed to cross 300 again in any innings of the second and third Tests. In the second innings of both the final two Tests, England collapsed for a total of under 150 (144 and 112).Boycott expressed concern that these results will be forgotten as England will not tour the subcontinent again on spinning pitches for nearly three years. "The saddest thing is that England do not play in India or Pakistan again on spinning pitches for nearly three years, so our players will quickly be back to being praised by some supporters as the best batsmen England have ever had. All I say to that is you must be kidding," Boycott wrote.England's series defeat has left them 6th in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle table, significantly reducing their chances of making the WTC final.

West Indies have recalled Shimron Hetmyer to their ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against England, starting in Antigua on Thursday. Hetmyer replaces Alick Athanaze in the squad, marking the only change from the group that recently toured Sri Lanka.Hetmyer's return to the ODI setup comes after a brief absence. He last featured in the format in December 2023, playing a key role in West Indies' 2-1 series victory over England. However, he missed the Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons.Despite his absence, Hetmyer has maintained his form in domestic cricket. He recently finished fifth on the run-scorers' list at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). His inclusion in the squad is expected to bolster West Indies' batting lineup.Alick Athanaze, who had been one of the incumbent openers, has lost his spot to Evin Lewis. Lewis, making his first ODI appearance in over three years, impressed with an unbeaten 102 from 61 balls in the third ODI against Sri Lanka.Shai Hope will continue to lead the West Indies team, which also includes 17-year-old batting prodigy Jewel Andrew. Andrew made his ODI debut at the end of the Sri Lanka series and will be looking to make an impact against England.England, led by Liam Livingstone, have already arrived in the Caribbean for their third limited-overs tour since 2022. Jos Buttler, who has been out with a calf injury since July, is still recovering and will not be available for the ODI series."Playing against England always provides a new challenge and reignites a rivalry that the players and the people of the Caribbean are eager for," said Daren Sammy, West Indies head coach. "We West Indies always find a way to raise our game when we face England."The first two ODIs will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, followed by the third ODI in Barbados. The series will then be followed by five T20Is, played at the Kensington Oval and the Daren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia.

Jacob Bethell, the promising Warwickshire all-rounder, has been called up to England's Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The 21-year-old replaces Jamie Smith, who will miss the trip due to paternity leave.Bethell's inclusion is a testament to his impressive performances in white-ball cricket. During his international debut against Australia in September, he showcased his batting prowess with a match-winning 44 off 24 deliveries in the second T20I.Despite his limited experience in first-class cricket, Bethell has made a strong impression. In his 20 County Championship appearances, he has demonstrated his all-around abilities, contributing with both bat and ball.Bethell's selection is the only change to the 16-man squad that recently faced Pakistan in a three-match Test series. Jordan Cox, who served as an unused batting reserve in Pakistan, is expected to make his Test debut as the wicketkeeper in Smith's absence.The England Test squad for the New Zealand tour is as follows:* Ben Stokes (captain)* Rehan Ahmed* Gus Atkinson* Shoaib Bashir* Jacob Bethell* Harry Brook* Brydon Carse* Jordan Cox* Zak Crawley* Ben Duckett* Jack Leach* Ollie Pope* Matthew Potts* Joe Root* Olly Stone* Chris WoakesEngland will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan and secure a positive result in New Zealand. Bethell's inclusion adds depth to the squad and provides an opportunity for the young all-rounder to showcase his talent on the international stage.

Ben Duckett's career took a dramatic turn in 2017-18 when he was sent home from the Ashes tour after an incident involving James Anderson. Now, seven years later, Duckett has revealed the full story behind the incident, shedding light on the events that led to his suspension.Duckett, then a promising young batsman, was part of the Lions tour at the time. The incident occurred at Perth's Avenue Bar, where England players were under intense scrutiny for their off-field behavior. Anderson, a senior member of the team, allegedly threw a drink on Duckett, who then retaliated by pouring a drink on Anderson's head.The incident was witnessed by an ECB security guard, who reported it to the management. Head coach Trevor Bayliss was furious, calling it "unacceptable" in the current climate. Anderson downplayed the incident in his Telegraph column, but the ECB took a hard stance, imposing a fine and suspension on Duckett.Duckett feared his England career was over. He was isolated in Australia, unable to train or play. The time difference and lack of support from home made it a difficult time for the 22-year-old. However, the incident also forced him to grow up quickly and develop resilience.Duckett's subsequent emergence as an England regular has allowed him to put a positive spin on that period of his career. He has become a mainstay across all three formats, with over 1980 Test runs since returning to the side in 2022. He is also set to play a vital role in the rejuvenation of England's limited overs set-up.While Duckett acknowledges that his actions were not ideal, he believes the experience made him a stronger and more determined player. He is grateful for the support he received from his teammates during that difficult time and is now focused on making the most of his opportunity to represent England.

MS Dhoni's Masterclass on Tactics: A Guide for Future Skippers and CoachesIn a recent promotional event, legendary Indian cricketer and captain MS Dhoni shared his insights on the evolving tactics in Test cricket, particularly the aggressive approach adopted by England under coach Brendon McCullum. Dhoni's response was a valuable lesson for aspiring leaders and coaches.Dhoni emphasized the importance of considering the strengths of the team before implementing any tactic. He believes that players need time to adapt to new strategies and should not be expected to produce immediate results."You can give cricket any term you want to," Dhoni said. "But at the end of the day, what is it? It's a way to play cricket. Some people want to play aggressive cricket, some people want to play authentic cricket. A lot of that depends on the kind of team you have got."Dhoni cited the example of Jasprit Bumrah, a bowler known for his exceptional yorkers. He argued that not every bowler can replicate Bumrah's skill, and forcing them to do so could lead to costly mistakes."So what is important is to realize the strength of your team, and according to that you decide which is the way you want to play your cricket," Dhoni explained. "It takes time. It doesn't happen overnight."Dhoni's advice highlights the need for a balanced approach to tactics. While it is important to innovate and adapt to changing trends, it is equally crucial to recognize the limitations of the team and allow players to adjust gradually.By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of their players, coaches and captains can develop strategies that maximize their potential and lead to success on the field.

England's coach, Brendon McCullum, has expressed concern over Ben Stokes' struggles in Pakistan, but remains confident in his captain's ability to bounce back in New Zealand. Stokes, who returned from a hamstring injury, failed to make a significant impact in the 2-1 series defeat.McCullum attributed Stokes' performance to the lingering effects of his injury, which he believes may have affected his decision-making as both a batter and captain. He emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences and ensuring that Stokes remains clear-headed in future situations.Despite the series loss, McCullum praised Stokes' resilience and determination. He acknowledged that Stokes is disappointed but believes he will return stronger. The coach emphasized the need for the team to support Stokes and ensure that their messaging remains consistent.McCullum also acknowledged England's struggles in Asia, having lost six of their eight Tests this year. He stated that the team needs to improve their approach in spin-friendly conditions. He emphasized the importance of creating a confident and clear environment where the messaging is simple.The coach expressed optimism about the upcoming series in New Zealand, seeing it as an opportunity for England to learn from their mistakes and bounce back. He highlighted the need for a quick turnaround and the importance of applying the lessons learned in Pakistan.

Pakistan's remarkable turnaround against England in the recently concluded Test series has been attributed to their ability to neutralize England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach. Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain praised Pakistan's tactical adjustments, particularly their reliance on high-quality spinners.After losing six consecutive Tests, Pakistan made significant changes to their team, dropping underperforming players and introducing spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. These changes proved pivotal as the spinners dominated England's batters, exposing their vulnerability against spin bowling.Hussain highlighted the contrast between Pakistan's spin prowess and England's struggles in this area. "They have spinners of the highest quality and they have players that play spin really well," he said. "It is exposed to England when the ball does spin. When it spins and it is gripping, England does not play spin or bowl spin as good as Pakistan."Hussain also questioned England's ability to adapt to different pitch conditions. "There should be a discrepancy because the pitches have been so different from the first Test to the second and third," he said. "But, the discrepancy in the England side is a concern."In the third Test at Rawalpindi, Pakistan's spinners once again played a crucial role. Sajid and Noman combined for 10 wickets, while Saud Shakeel's century helped Pakistan secure a 77-run lead. England's second innings collapse, where they were bowled out for 112, sealed Pakistan's 2-1 series victory.Shakeel was named 'Player of the Match' for his match-winning century. Hussain's comments underscore the importance of spin bowling in subcontinent conditions and the need for England to improve their ability to play and bowl spin effectively.