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.

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.

England's Liam Livingstone played a pivotal role in his team's thrilling three-wicket victory over Australia in the second T20I at Sophia Gardens on Friday. His blistering 87 off 47 balls propelled England to a challenging target of 194 runs, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.Livingstone's second T20 half-century in his 50th match for England proved crucial. He formed a match-winning partnership of 90 runs with Jacob Bethell (44 off 24 balls) after England faced early setbacks.England captain Phil Salt's aggressive start, hitting three successive sixes in the third over, was cut short by Sean Abbott's dismissal of Will Jacks and Jordan Cox. Salt's departure for 39 off 23 balls left England in a precarious position at 79/3 in the ninth over.However, Livingstone and Bethell steadied the innings, with Livingstone showcasing his power-hitting prowess with six fours and five sixes. Despite Livingstone's dismissal in the 19th over by Matt Short, who took five wickets, England reached the target with six balls to spare.Reflecting on his performance, Livingstone expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I feel like I'm in decent nick with the bat and ball. It's nice to play with a smile on my face." He also praised Bethell, calling him an "incredible talent" and a "fearless kid" who performed well under pressure.Australia, led by Travis Head in place of the unwell Mitchell Marsh, posted a competitive 193/6. Head, leading for the first time, scored 31 off 14 balls before being dismissed by Brydon Carse. Jake Fraser-McGurk scored his first international T20 half-century with 50 off 31 balls before being caught by Jamie Overton off Livingstone's bowling.Commenting on the game, Head said, "We got a really good score and we got really close. Jake Fraser-McGurk played nicely. We didn't get the win, but we move on to Manchester."The victory came after England's 28-run defeat in the first match at Southampton. The series will conclude with the final game in Manchester on Sunday.

England and Australia are set to clash in a thrilling series of eight T20Is over the next 18 days, starting with the first match in Southampton. Despite a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, England boasts a strong squad with a mix of experienced players and rising stars. Australia, too, is looking to make a statement after their early exit from the World Cup.The series marks the beginning of a new era for England's T20 team, with Brendon McCullum taking over as head coach in January. Marcus Trescothick will lead the team for this series and the upcoming tour of the West Indies. Phil Salt will captain the side in the absence of the injured Jos Buttler.Australia, on the other hand, is gradually transitioning its team with an eye towards the 2026 T20 World Cup. While some Test players are missing due to the busy schedule, the squad still features a blend of experience and youth. Josh Inglis and Cameron Green impressed in the recent matches against Scotland, while Josh Hazlewood has joined the squad after recovering from a minor injury.The spotlight will be on England's Jacob Bethell, an all-rounder who has generated buzz with his performances in the T20 Blast. Australia's Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has been given the opportunity to replace David Warner at the top of the order, will be eager to prove his worth.England has confirmed its XI for the first T20I, with Bethell and Jordan Cox making their debuts. Jamie Overton will also make his T20I debut as a batter-only. Australia has not yet named its XI, but Mitchell Marsh has confirmed that Hazlewood will return after his calf niggle.The match will be played on a surface with minimal grass and some of the largest boundaries in the country, which could favor Australia. The weather forecast is fair, although chilly in the evening. The match is a sellout, and Hampshire is installing 1000 solar panels at the Utilita Bowl before the game.

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.

Warwickshire's resilience shone through on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash against Somerset at Edgbaston. Despite Somerset's early dominance, the home side fought back valiantly to reach a respectable 277 for 6, thanks to a crucial partnership between Jacob Bethell and Michael Burgess.Somerset, seeking a victory to keep pace with Division One leaders Surrey, opted to bowl first. Their seamers initially put Warwickshire on the back foot, reducing them to 165 for 6. However, Bethell and Burgess stepped up to the plate, adding an unbroken 112 in 30 overs to bail out their team.Bethell, with his explosive batting style, smashed a 15-ball T20 half-century earlier this year. However, on this occasion, he displayed remarkable technique, concentration, and selectivity to guide Warwickshire out of trouble. The 20-year-old reached his fifth first-class half-century from 107 balls, providing a solid foundation for Burgess to attack at the other end.Burgess, who had scored a century against Somerset at Taunton seven weeks ago, continued his impressive form. He lifted Jack Leach for six over long on and cleared the ropes twice more in an over off the spinner to reach his half-century from just 66 balls.The seventh-wicket pair's resilience and determination left Somerset frustrated. Craig Overton and Josh Davey both took two wickets, but Somerset's bowlers struggled to maintain consistent pressure, mixing good balls with too many loose offerings.Warwickshire, who are battling relegation, will be grateful for the contributions of Bethell and Burgess. The duo's partnership has given them a platform to build on and push for their first Championship victory of the season.

Birmingham Bears emerged victorious in their local derby against Worcestershire Rapids, securing a five-wicket triumph at 'Visit Worcestershire New Road.' The Bears' victory propelled them to the summit of the Northern Group in the Vitality Blast, while Worcestershire's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals dwindled.Sam Hain and Jacob Bethell played pivotal roles in Birmingham's success. Hain struck a fluent 76, while Bethell remained unbeaten on 71, guiding the Bears to their fourth consecutive win. Their 148-run partnership for the fourth wicket set a new record against Worcestershire in the competition.Worcestershire's batting display was disjointed, with several players contributing to their own dismissals. The Bears' spinners, Danny Briggs, Jake Lintott, and Dan Mousley, kept a tight grip on proceedings, restricting the Rapids to 155 for 7.Adam Hose led the Rapids' batting, but his former club proved too strong. Kashif Ali returned for Worcestershire after a break, while Michael Booth replaced Richard Gleeson in the Bears' lineup.Birmingham captain Alex Davies elected to field first on a new hybrid pitch. Kashif struck a six off Michael Booth but perished attempting to repeat the shot. Ed Pollock attacked George Garton, hitting a six and two boundaries, but Jake Lintott dismissed Josh Cobb with a superb catch.Gareth Roderick hit Bethell for a six but was bowled by Briggs. Briggs also dismissed Hose, while Ethan Brookes fell to Bethell. Nathan Smith's attempted big hit was caught at long-off by Lintott. Rob Jones and Tom Taylor provided some late impetus for Worcestershire.Worcestershire needed early wickets, and Smith delivered, dismissing Ed Barnard and Dan Mousley in the opening over. Hayden Walsh held onto a low chance to remove Alex Davies, leaving the Bears at 7 for 3.However, Hain and Bethell launched a recovery, rebuilding and then accelerating. Bethell brought up his fifty in 37 balls, hitting three sixes. Hain and Chris Benjamin were dismissed by Tom Taylor, but the Bears sealed victory with 2.1 overs to spare.

Warwickshire's dominance continued on the third day of their Vitality County Championship Division One clash against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford. After posting a formidable 284 in their first innings, the visitors reduced Lancashire to a paltry 149 all out, thanks to career-best figures from Jacob Bethell (4-20) and Jake Lintott (3-10).Lancashire's batting woes continued as they collapsed from a promising 66 for 3 overnight. Bethell and Lintott wreaked havoc, claiming the last six wickets for just 36 runs. George Balderson was unlucky to be dismissed for 20 after a deflection off the wicketkeeper's thigh, while Keaton Jennings was adjudged lbw to a delivery that appeared to be sliding down leg.Warwickshire began their second innings with a 135-run lead, and despite losing Rob Yates and Alex Davies early on, they extended their advantage to 231 runs. Ed Barnard (40*) and Dan Mousey (18) steadied the ship, taking Warwickshire to 96 for 3 before rain halted play.Lancashire's hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow by Bethell's exceptional bowling. The slow left-armer's ability to extract turn and bounce proved too much for the Lancashire batsmen, who have now been dismissed for under 150 in their first innings three times this season.Warwickshire's bowlers, led by Bethell and Lintott, have been in impressive form throughout the match. Their ability to control the pace and trajectory of the ball has made it difficult for Lancashire's batsmen to score runs.With seven wickets in hand and a substantial lead, Warwickshire are in a strong position to secure a victory on the final day. Lancashire, on the other hand, will need to produce a remarkable performance to avoid defeat.