Cricket

England's Test series against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, commencing Wednesday, presents an opportunity for several players to prove their worth in the absence of injured captain Ben Stokes. Stokes' hamstring injury has ruled him out of the three-match contest, leaving England without their inspirational leader for the first time since the inception of the dynamic "Bazball" era under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.Ollie Pope, England's vice-captain, will assume the captaincy despite having led Surrey in only one first-class match. The team announced on Monday that fast bowler Matthew Potts has been recalled, bolstering their attack to five bowlers.Dan Lawrence, rarely deployed as an opener in county cricket, returns to the England side after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, filling the vacancy created by Zak Crawley's fractured finger. Crawley sustained the injury during England's 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies last month.England is expected to achieve a similar result against Sri Lanka, who, like the West Indies, have played only one warm-up match before the first Test. However, England's approach under McCullum has often defied conventional cricket wisdom, so it is unsurprising that they have opted against replacing Crawley with a specialist opener.Lawrence himself believes his aggressive style aligns well with the current England setup. "I think that's the style of cricketer that Baz McCullum and Ben Stokes are generally after," Lawrence said. "I'm just going to go out there and try to be as free as possible."Sri Lanka, while lacking the star power of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, boasts experienced performers in Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne. Dhananjaya de Silva's side will also benefit from the guidance of interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya, a Sri Lankan great, and former England batsman Ian Bell, who provides local knowledge.Sri Lanka's last Test match was in April, but they recently upset India in a three-match one-day international series. Jayasuriya believes the timing of the current campaign could favor Sri Lanka. "The fact that we have got a late-summer tour is great," he said. "It's more similar to our conditions than the early summer tours."

Jonny Bairstow, the explosive English batsman, is set to make his long-awaited return to Yorkshire's County Championship side this week. After a six-week break, the competition resumes with Bairstow eager to prove his worth and regain his place in the England team.Bairstow has only played two first-class matches for Yorkshire since the end of the 2020 season, due to his commitments with England and the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has yet to feature for his home county in any format this season, having taken a break after the T20 World Cup and the Hundred.However, Bairstow will be back in action on Thursday against Sussex at Scarborough. Yorkshire currently sit just outside the promotion places in Division Two, four points behind second-placed Middlesex. They have a chance to close the 27-point gap on leaders Sussex this week.Bairstow's return is a major boost for Yorkshire, who have struggled for consistency in his absence. The 32-year-old is a proven match-winner and his experience will be invaluable in the final five games of the season.Bairstow lost his place in England's Test team after a disappointing tour of India earlier this year. He is unlikely to feature in the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia in September. However, he remains determined to regain his place in the national side."All I want to do is play for England," Bairstow said at the start of the Hundred. "I'm not going to give up on that."Yorkshire head coach Ottis Gibson believes Bairstow can rediscover his best form at the county level."Jonny still has ambitions of getting back into the England team," Gibson said. "We can help him get into a position where he puts good performances in, and everybody benefits from that."Yorkshire confirmed on Monday that Bairstow is available to play at Scarborough after recovering from a shoulder niggle. However, his availability for the final four games of the season has not yet been confirmed.

Pakistan's fast-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal will miss the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh due to an ongoing back injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Monday. Jamal was initially included in the squad with his participation contingent upon fitness clearance. However, his recovery has been slower than anticipated, ruling him out of both Tests.Jamal, who emerged as Pakistan's leading wicket-taker during the 2023-24 away series in Australia with 18 scalps in three Tests, has been battling lower back issues since May. The injury hampered his multi-format stint with Warwickshire in England, where he last played competitive cricket in June.As the lone seam-bowling allrounder in the squad, Jamal's absence leaves Pakistan with a 14-man roster for the first Test. Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam have also been released to play for the Shaheens. Consequently, Pakistan is likely to field an all-seam attack for the first Test, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali vying for selection.Jamal will now focus on regaining fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. His aim is to be ready for the Test series against England in October.

Pakistan's decision to exclude leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and uncapped batter Kamran Ghulam from their 17-man squad for the first Test against Bangladesh has drawn criticism from former cricketer Basit Ali. Ali believes that the selectors should have included a genuine spinner in the squad, especially considering the predicted rain during the match.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad on Saturday, opting for an all-out pace attack with Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the charge. Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shehzad, and Mir Hamza will provide support. However, Ali argues that the management has failed to consider the conditions and should have included a specialist spinner."A genuine spinner should have been in the squad," Ali said. "The management has failed to read the conditions. Rain is predicted, and a spinner would have been crucial."Abrar and Kamran have been released to play for Pakistan Shaheens in a four-day game against Bangladesh 'A' starting Tuesday. The PCB stated that Abrar needs match practice ahead of the second Test, which begins on August 30. Both players will rejoin the Test squad before the second match.Pakistan last played a Test with an all-pace attack in 2019 against Sri Lanka. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha is now the only spin option available for the first Test. Agha has been consistent in Test matches since 2023, claiming crucial wickets for Pakistan.The decision to drop Abrar and Kamran has raised questions about Pakistan's strategy for the series. With rain expected, the inclusion of a spinner could have provided a significant advantage. However, the selectors have opted for an aggressive approach, relying on their pace attack to dominate Bangladesh.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has identified the team's failure to capitalize on their bowling performance in the first innings as a crucial factor in their 40-run loss to South Africa in the second Test in Providence.Despite bowling South Africa out for a meager 160, the West Indies bowlers were unable to take a significant lead, as Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger added a crucial 63-run partnership for the final wicket. In response, the West Indies were bowled out for 144, conceding a 16-run deficit."Our first innings total needed to be bigger. We needed to get a lead from it," Brathwaite said. "I think that was very important. You can never complain about the bowlers' effort to bowl them out for 160, but yeah, the batting effort in the first innings just wasn't big enough."Despite the disappointing result, Brathwaite highlighted several positives from the series, including the performances of Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Jason Holder. Joseph took five wickets in the first innings, while Seales was the West Indies' leading wicket-taker with 12, including a six-wicket haul in the second innings. Holder scored a half-century in the first innings.Brathwaite also praised the bowling of the two spinners, Rahkeem Cornwall and Veerasammy Permaul, who both conceded less than three runs per over in the second innings."I think bowling-wise, you look at Shamar coming back in, not playing the first Test, and coming in bowling out South Africa on the first day. Jayden throughout the series, continued to keep coming despite the hot conditions. That was a positive," Brathwaite said."You see the two spinners, one of the first time two spinners played together in the Caribbean, and they did well, in particular this game where both of them were under three runs an over. That's one thing we asked for, and that was great to see."Looking ahead, Brathwaite expressed excitement about the potential of the West Indies' fast bowling unit, which includes Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, and Seales. However, he also emphasized the importance of the batting unit."I must say, I'm very excited about the batting unit. I really think the line-up we have, can do the job," Brathwaite said. "So, we just got to keep believing."

The Gabba, an iconic cricket venue in Brisbane, faces an uncertain future as an international cricket ground. The Queensland government has signed a two-year hosting agreement with Cricket Australia, leaving the venue's long-term status in doubt.The Gabba has witnessed numerous historic Test moments, including the 1960 tie, Ian Botham's last great innings, and Shane Warne's career-best performance. However, its viability as a modern cricket stadium is nearing its end in 2030.Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympics, and initial plans to rebuild the Gabba were scrapped due to costs. Instead, a renovation is expected, but its impact on the stadium's usability during the renovation remains unclear.Queensland Cricket has expressed frustration and concern over the uncertainty, fearing it could impact participation and fan engagement in the state. Former Australia captain Allan Border has called for a new multipurpose venue to be built in Brisbane.Tasmania is also vying to host indoor Test cricket in its proposed new Hobart stadium, which could potentially challenge the Gabba's status as a regular Test venue. However, Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird emphasized the importance of Brisbane remaining part of the Test schedule.Queensland has other smaller international venues, such as Allan Border Field and the Gold Coast, which could host international matches. The Future Tours Programme includes winter home cricket in Australia, potentially opening the door for venues like Cairns and Townsville.The Gabba's future remains uncertain, but Cricket Australia is working with the AFL to find a long-term solution for a major cricket venue in Brisbane. Queensland Cricket remains hopeful that Test cricket will return to the Gabba after 2026-27, despite the current lack of clarity.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, originally scheduled to be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3, has been shifted to Rawalpindi. The decision was made due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium in Karachi, which is being prepared for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.According to the PCB, the construction experts have advised that while construction could continue during playing hours, the resulting noise pollution would disturb the cricketers. Additionally, the dust from the construction work could affect the health and well-being of the players, officials, broadcasters, and media.Given that construction must continue uninterrupted to ensure the venue is operationally ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB, after consulting all stakeholders and reviewing operational and logistical matters, has decided to hold both Tests in Rawalpindi.The PCB has also confirmed that fans will be allowed to attend the match in Rawalpindi, unlike in Karachi, where the game was supposed to be played without spectators due to the redevelopment work.The first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be held in Chittagong from August 15 to 19. The third and final Test match will be played in Rawalpindi from September 8 to 12.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam is set to bat at number four in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, according to sources. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the team's fitness following their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup 2024.Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has praised Azam's fitness and consistency, highlighting his impressive run-scoring record over the past two years. Butt emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, especially after the criticism the team faced for their poor performance at the T20 World Cup.The two-match Test series against Bangladesh will mark the first assignment for Pakistan's new Test coach, Jason Gillespie. The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spectators will not be allowed during the second Test match in Karachi due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium.The Pakistan squad for the Test series includes:* Shan Masood (captain)* Saud Shakeel* Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness)* Abdullah Shafique* Abrar Ahmed* Babar Azam* Kamran Ghulam* Khurram Shahzad* Mir Hamza* Mohammad Ali* Muhammad Hurraira* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Salman Ali Agha* Sarfaraz Ahmed* Shaheen Shah AfridiThe Bangladesh squad for the Test series includes:* Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)* Mahmudullah* Zakir Hasan* Shadman Islam* Mominul Haque* Mushfiqur Rahim* Shakib Al Hasan* Litton Das* Mehidy Hasan Miraz* Taijul Islam* Nazmul Hossain* Nurul Hasan* Ebadot Hossain* Hasan Mahmud* Taskin Ahmed* Khaled Ahmed

Australia and England will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Test cricket with a special one-off match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027. This historic fixture will mirror the Centenary Test of 1977, which Australia won by 45 runs, replicating the margin of victory in the inaugural Test in 1877.The confirmation of the anniversary Test is part of a seven-year staging agreement between Cricket Australia (CA) and state governments, ensuring that the MCG, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), and Adelaide Oval will continue to host their regular Tests. The annual Boxing Day (Melbourne) and New Year's Tests (Sydney) have been locked in until 2030-31, while Adelaide has secured a pre-Christmas slot for its Test.Despite the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) extending only to early 2027, England and India have already confirmed tours in the subsequent four years. Optus Stadium in Perth will host the opening Test of the season for the next three seasons, while the Gabba in Brisbane will host the Ashes opener next year. However, the Gabba's future beyond 2024 is uncertain due to redevelopment plans for the 2032 Olympics.Adelaide Oval has established itself as the home of day-night Test cricket, having hosted seven of the 12 such matches in Australia. However, the new agreement does not guarantee that all future Tests there will be pink-ball encounters. The 2025-26 Ashes Test in Adelaide will be a red-ball game, with Brisbane hosting the day-nighter. Adelaide Oval will also host a New Year's Eve Big Bash League (BBL) game for the next seven years.England will tour for a five-match Ashes series in 2025-26, while New Zealand will visit in 2026-27. The latter series has been extended to four Tests from the original three on the FTP and will be played in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. Australia is scheduled to tour India for five Tests in January and February 2027.The additional anniversary Test could potentially squeeze the calendar in March 2027, as Australia is also due to host Bangladesh in two World Test Championship matches. While rival states attempted to lure the marquee Christmas and New Year Tests away from Melbourne and Sydney, it was always an unlikely outcome.Beyond 2026-27, other venues may have an opportunity to compete for a Test if the Gabba remains unavailable, potentially bringing Hobart and Canberra into the mix. Tasmania has ambitions to host indoor Test cricket at their proposed new multipurpose stadium, although it will not be available until at least 2028.The staging agreements confirmed on Sunday are one of the final major projects completed by outgoing CA CEO Nick Hockley, who announced his resignation earlier this month. A future schedule for women's internationals will be confirmed in the coming months when the next FTP is complete, but Adelaide has been guaranteed an ODI or T20I every season.