Cricket

England's cricket team has made a bold move by awarding Jamie Smith a lucrative two-year central contract, signaling their intention to build their future around the rising star. Smith, 24, has impressed in both Test and white-ball cricket, earning recognition as the PCA's Young Player of the Year.Despite limited opportunities in white-ball cricket, Smith showcased his potential in the recent ODI series against Australia. He is expected to play a key role in England's upcoming white-ball tour of India and the Champions Trophy. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has also received a two-year deal, extending his existing contract.England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, and white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, have both signed two-year deals, demonstrating their commitment to the team. Buttler's contract is a show of faith despite his ongoing calf injury.England's contract system has been revamped to reflect the growing influence of T20 franchise cricket. 18 of the 26 offers are multi-year deals, with 19 of this year's 29 deals being for one year only.Five players have signed their first central contracts: Shoaib Bashir, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Will Jacks, and Jacob Bethell. Three players have been handed development contracts, including Josh Hull and John Turner.Seven players have been cut from England's list, including Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, and James Anderson, who have retired. Ollie Robinson and Ben Foakes, who were dropped from the Test team in the summer, are also notable absentees."The strength and depth of talent across England Men's red and white-ball cricket is clear," said Rob Key, England men's managing director. "These contracts reward the players we believe will play an important role for our England Men's teams."

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.

Jordan Cox, a promising 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, is poised to make his Test debut for England during their upcoming tour to New Zealand. Cox's opportunity arises due to Jamie Smith's expected absence for paternity leave during part of the series.Cox, who has been England's spare batter for their last five Tests, has impressed with his performances for Essex. Despite missing the wicketkeeping role this summer due to a broken finger, he has been working diligently with Brendon McCullum in Pakistan to enhance his glovework.McCullum expressed confidence in Cox's abilities, stating that New Zealand is a "comfortable place" to keep wicket. He believes Cox's "solid" glovework and talent with the bat make him a suitable candidate for the Test level.Cox's journey to the England Test team has been marked by determination and a desire for change. After feeling stagnant at Kent, he moved to Essex to reignite his passion for four-day cricket. His impressive performances for Essex, including four centuries, have earned him a place in the England squad.While Cox's lack of recent wicketkeeping experience may raise some concerns, England's selection of Smith earlier this summer, despite his second-choice status at Surrey, suggests that this is not a major issue.Cox's Test debut will provide him with an opportunity to showcase his skills and stake a claim for a permanent spot in the England team. His self-assured character and talent make him a promising prospect for the future.

England's Jamie Smith etched his name into the history books on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper became the youngest English wicketkeeper to score a Test century, breaking a record that had stood for over 90 years.Smith's magnificent ton came at a crucial time for England, who were struggling at 116/5 in their first innings. The Surrey star showed immense composure and skill, guiding his team to a respectable total of 362. His innings was a testament to his talent and determination, and it earned him widespread praise from both fans and pundits.Smith's century was not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for English cricket. It marked the emergence of a new generation of wicketkeepers who are not only reliable behind the stumps but also capable of making significant contributions with the bat.After the match, Smith paid tribute to the influence of former England batsman Ian Bell, who is now working as a batting consultant for Sri Lanka. Bell, who played alongside Smith in the recent Hundred competition, provided valuable guidance and support to the young wicketkeeper."Belly has been a great help for me both in the Lions and with Birmingham Phoenix for the last couple of years," Smith said. "The knowledge that he passed on and his willingness to throw balls at me before games when I had an eye on the Test series is something I'm really grateful for."Smith's century was a major highlight in a match that was ultimately won by England by five wickets. The victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, and it will be hoping to seal the series in the second Test at Durham.

England emerged victorious in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, securing a five-wicket triumph on Saturday. The hosts chased down a modest target of 205 runs, thanks to a composed 64-run stand between Joe Root and Jamie Smith.Root played the anchor role, reaching his half-century off 108 deliveries. England's chase got off to a shaky start with the early dismissals of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. Dan Lawrence was trapped lbw by Milan Rathnayake, leaving England in a precarious position at 119-4.Smith, who scored his maiden Test century in the first innings, provided stability alongside Root. The duo patiently navigated a challenging period, going an hour without finding the boundary. England regained control before Asitha Fernando dismissed Smith for 39.Root remained unbeaten on 62, hitting only his second four off the final ball to seal England's victory. Earlier, Sri Lanka resumed the day at 204-6, with Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal adding 117 runs for the seventh wicket. Kamindu scored his third Test century, showcasing his consistent form.However, England capitalized on the new ball after lunch, with Gus Atkinson dismissing Kamindu. Matthew Potts removed Chandimal, who battled through pain after injuring his thumb. Sri Lanka's innings concluded on 326, adding just 19 runs for the last three wickets.The second Test of the three-match series will commence at Lord's on Thursday. England will look to extend their lead, while Sri Lanka will aim to level the series.

England's wicketkeeper Jamie Smith played a pivotal role in pushing the team to a 23-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka in the ongoing first Test at Old Trafford. Smith's unbeaten knock of 72 helped England reach 259-6 before play was halted due to weather on Day 2.Resuming on 22-0, England faced early setbacks as Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando claimed the wickets of Ben Duckett (18) and Ollie Pope (6). Dan Lawrence survived an lbw review but was later dismissed for 30, while Joe Root fell for 42.However, Smith and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a 62-run partnership. Brook reached a half-century for the 13th time in 15 Tests, continuing his impressive start to his career in the format.After tea, Smith carried England past Sri Lanka's total of 236 all out. He has now scored three half-centuries in his four Test matches, showcasing his immediate impact in the Test arena.Sri Lanka, who were reeling at 6-3 on Day 1, have shown resilience in the match. Asitha Fernando has been their standout bowler, claiming figures of 3-68.The weather played a significant role on Day 2, with rain washing out the morning session and leading to an early end to the day's play. The teams will be hoping for better conditions on Day 3 as they look to gain an advantage in the series opener.

Jamie Smith, England's wicketkeeper-batter, has opened up about the mental toll of his first three weeks as a Test cricketer. Despite making two attacking half-centuries, Smith found the experience "mentally draining."Smith's workload was compounded by his wicketkeeping duties, which he admitted contributed to his fatigue. He also acknowledged the intense emotions and expectations that come with Test cricket."It's been different for me," Smith said. "Mentally and physically, it was quite a lot in three weeks, going from county cricket into that, and with the potential for more stuff to come."Smith's admission highlights the challenges of transitioning from domestic to international cricket. The intensity and pressure of Test cricket can be overwhelming for even the most experienced players.Despite the mental toll, Smith remains open to moving up the batting order to No. 6 in the absence of Ben Stokes. He has batted at various positions in his career and believes he can adapt to the role.England have two options to replace Stokes: bring in uncapped batter Jordan Cox or promote Smith and Chris Woakes up the order. Smith's experience as a specialist batter in the County Championship could make him a suitable candidate for No. 6.Smith's workload management will be crucial in the coming months. England have a busy schedule, including white-ball series against Australia and West Indies, and Test series in Pakistan and New Zealand.Smith's girlfriend is also expecting their first child in December, which could affect his availability for some of England's Test series in New Zealand."It's not been massively discussed," Smith said. "I'll just play it by ear… there's no guarantee that I'll be selected for anything moving forward anyway."Smith's situation underscores the challenges of balancing international cricket with personal commitments. As England look to manage their players' workloads, Smith's versatility and adaptability will be valuable assets.

England's 3-0 Test series victory over West Indies has been hailed by head coach Brendon McCullum as a testament to the team's newfound resilience and the successful integration of new faces.Despite facing pressure from West Indies at various points, England's ability to withstand those challenges and emerge victorious has impressed McCullum. He attributes this to a focus on "refinement" and a determination to improve when behind the game.The series has also seen the seamless integration of debutants Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, and Shoaib Bashir. Atkinson's 22 dismissals earned him the Player of the Series award, while Smith's batting and wicketkeeping contributions have been equally impressive. Bashir's five-wicket haul in the second Test further vindicated the decision to hand him the main spinner's role.McCullum acknowledges that the transition from old to new was not entirely smooth, but the performances of the new players have justified the changes made. He also praises the influence of James Anderson, who has taken on a fast-bowling mentor role and provided valuable insights to the team.Looking ahead, McCullum expresses support for limited-overs coach Matthew Mott, who has faced criticism after two unsuccessful World Cup campaigns. He emphasizes Mott's qualities as a coach and believes that he will continue to be successful regardless of the outcome of the ongoing review.

Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, is eager to resume his all-rounder role as the team embarks on its summer campaign against West Indies at Lord's. The first Test marks a new era for England, with James Anderson retiring after a remarkable 188-cap career.Stokes' return to full fitness after a knee injury that hindered his bowling ability over the past two years will ease the transition from Anderson's departure. His successful surgery in November and pain-free performance during the India tour earlier this year have paved the way for his recovery.During the County Championship matches, Stokes bowled ahead of schedule and took 18 wickets in 89.1 overs. He is now as fit as he has been in the last five years and relishes the prospect of regaining his balance as a batsman and bowler."I can now say that I can play the full role I had been doing for the first eight to 10 years," Stokes said. "The last two years have been tough with the knee problems, but I've done everything right to get myself to where I am now."Stokes' return to all-rounder status coincides with a new perspective as captain. He and Test coach Brendon McCullum have adopted a more forward-thinking approach, focusing on the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia. This shift prompted Anderson's retirement, as he will be 43 by the 2025/26 winter.Despite a 4-1 defeat in India, Stokes' record as captain remains strong with 14 wins from 23 Tests. However, the past four months have been marked by introspection and a desire to evolve the team."We've been a team focused on the here and now," Stokes said. "I want to implement stuff to push this team as far as they can go, not only as a team collective but also as individuals."The selections of wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and spinner Shoaib Bashir reflect England's long-term planning. Smith, despite being Surrey's second-choice keeper, has impressed with his batting and fits into the team's strategy at No. 7. Bashir, who moved on loan to Worcestershire, has shown promise in India and offers variety with his height and individual traits.Stokes acknowledges that these decisions, particularly Anderson's retirement, may raise questions. However, he believes it is his duty as captain to make tough calls that will ultimately benefit the team."There's always going to be decisions that are hard ones to make," Stokes said. "But that's a responsibility that you take on as captain or as a leader."