Cricket

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."

Jason Holder, the former West Indies captain, is eager to make a strong return to Test cricket after missing the thrilling victory over Australia in January. Holder, who opted out of a central contract to play in the ILT20, believes the experience of watching from afar has given him renewed motivation.Despite being underdogs, Holder is confident that West Indies can challenge England at Lord's. He points to their recent Test victory in Australia and their impressive performances in England in 2017 and 2020. Holder emphasizes the importance of learning and believing in their abilities.The current tour is a stark contrast to the 2020 visit, which was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Holder recalls the challenging experience of being confined to bio-secure environments. However, he is grateful for the opportunity to bring joy to the Caribbean people during a difficult time.Holder's preparations for his Test return included matches for Barbados and Worcestershire. He credits his time with Worcestershire for giving him a boost of energy. While acknowledging the impending retirement of James Anderson, Holder believes that West Indies must move on and focus on their own strengths.

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, is set to bid farewell to international cricket after the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's, commencing on Wednesday. The 42-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over two decades, amassing an unparalleled 700 Test wickets.Anderson's longevity and consistency have been exceptional. He is the only fast bowler to have taken more than 700 Test wickets, and his 188 Test appearances are second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 200. Despite his age, Anderson remains a potent force, as evidenced by his recent 7-35 for Lancashire.Reflecting on his impending retirement, Anderson expressed pride in his achievements. "Playing my 188th Test at just short of 42 years old, makes me the most proud," he said. "I'm still pushing myself to be the best I possibly can."Anderson's decision to retire from international cricket is part of England's long-term planning for the 2025/26 Ashes series against Australia. While he remains uncertain about his future in first-class cricket, he has not ruled out continuing to represent Lancashire.Anderson's impact on cricket has been profound. His mastery of swing bowling has made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world. His legacy will be celebrated for generations to come, regardless of whether he chooses to continue playing for Lancashire or not.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) recently hosted a symposium to discuss the future of Test cricket and the potential role of the 20-overs format in expanding the sport's reach. One of the key suggestions was to limit Test cricket to a smaller number of teams, such as six or seven, to maintain a competitive landscape.The appeal of Test cricket has declined in recent years outside of traditional strongholds like India, England, and Australia. This decline has coincided with the rapid growth of lucrative T20 leagues worldwide. While Test cricket still offers thrilling moments, the shorter and more action-packed nature of T20 cricket has become increasingly popular with new fans.Former Indian player and coach Ravi Shastri emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive Test cricket landscape. He believes that restricting participation to stronger teams is the only way to achieve this. "When you don't have quality, that is when the ratings drop, there are fewer people in the crowd, its meaningless cricket, which is the last thing sport wants," Shastri said.Shastri proposed a two-tier system, with the top six or seven teams playing in a promotion and relegation format. This would ensure that only the strongest teams compete in Test cricket, maintaining its quality and appeal.Justin Langer, the former Australian batsman and coach, expressed his support for T20 leagues but emphasized the importance of safeguarding international cricket. He believes that international cricket has a significant impact on the younger generation, as evidenced by the recent performances of West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph.MCC President Mark Nicholas summarized the key points discussed, emphasizing that the opinions expressed were not intended to imply that Test cricket was unjustified. He acknowledged that cricket, like any other sport, requires financial resources to sustain its existence."T20 cricket is the behemoth that everybody wants," Nicholas said. "It is where the new market is, where the fans are and where the money is."The symposium highlighted the challenges facing Test cricket in the modern era. While T20 cricket continues to grow in popularity, it is essential to find ways to maintain the quality and appeal of Test cricket. Limiting participation to a smaller number of teams and implementing a promotion and relegation system could be potential solutions to ensure the future of the longest format of the game.

South Africa's Test squad for their upcoming tour of the West Indies has been announced, with David Bedingham, Dane Paterson, and Dane Piedt being the only players retained from the makeshift squad that toured New Zealand in February.Bedingham is considered a key figure in South Africa's long-term batting plans, while Paterson, 35, brings experience to the bowling attack in the absence of Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen. Piedt, 34, provides a second spin option alongside Keshav Maharaj.The rest of the squad was part of South Africa's home series against India earlier this year, with the exception of batter Matthew Breetzke, who earns his first Test call-up. Breetzke is expected to provide batting depth behind a top five likely to include Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma, Bedingham, and Tristan Stubbs.Ryan Rickelton returns to the squad after last playing Tests against West Indies in March 2023. He will compete with Kyle Verreynne for the wicketkeeper-batter role at No. 6. Wiaan Mulder is the only seam-bowling allrounder in the squad, with Jansen rested from the tour."The decision to rest Marco Jansen was taken to allow for a conditioning period aimed at ensuring optimal physical and mental well-being given the season-long workloads," said Test coach Shukri Conrad.Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will lead the pace attack, with Paterson and left-armer Nandre Burger providing support. South Africa's first-choice Test players have not played since the New Year's Test against India, having missed the New Zealand series and honored SA20 commitments."This tour is extremely important for us as we aim to improve our standing in the ICC World Test Championship," said Conrad. "We have, therefore, selected our strongest possible squad and look forward to strong performances in the Caribbean."Players not involved in the MLC or on the county circuit will attend a four-day training camp in Durban before departing for the West Indies. The first Test takes place in Trinidad from August 7, followed by the second in Guyana a week later.

Jason Gillespie, the former Australian fast bowler, has taken charge as Pakistan's red-ball coach with a hectic six-month schedule ahead. Gillespie's two-year tenure begins with a two-match series against Bangladesh in August, followed by three Tests against England in October, both at home. Pakistan will then tour South Africa for two Tests in December before hosting the West Indies for two Tests in January 2024.Gillespie, who arrived in Pakistan on Sunday, acknowledged the team's talent but emphasized the need for consistency. "How can they be more consistent is one thing that I am hoping I can find some solutions for," he said. Pakistan currently ranks fifth in the World Test Championship cycle, and Gillespie aims to improve their position."Ultimately we want to win games of Test cricket," Gillespie stated. "There are skillful cricketers here, how can we play as a team and perform well against good quality international oppositions and that's going to be the key for us."Gillespie, who played 71 Tests for Australia, has a successful coaching record, having led Yorkshire to two English County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015. He was hired to improve Pakistan's Test side, which suffered a 1-0 loss to Australia in 2022 and a 3-0 home whitewash against England the same year.Gillespie believes Pakistan's recent struggles were not due to a lack of skill. "As an observer from outside, I think there were some moments in games where Pakistan were on top but could not finish well," he said. He highlighted the need for smart tactics to counter England's aggressive style of play, known as "Bazball."Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh begins in Rawalpindi on August 21-25, followed by a second Test in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. They will face England in three Tests starting in Multan (October 7-11), Karachi (Oct 15-19), and Rawalpindi (October 24-28).

Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI), believes that the West Indies' successful bio-secure tour of England in 2020 can serve as a catalyst for a more equitable revenue-sharing model in Test cricket. Grave's comments come after he previously criticized the current system as "completely broken."Speaking at the inaugural World Cricket Connects symposium, Grave emphasized the importance of competitive balance and financial support for less financially secure cricket nations. He cited the West Indies' recent victories against England and their thrilling win at the Gabba in Australia as evidence of their competitiveness.However, Grave also highlighted the financial challenges faced by CWI, particularly in light of their recent tour of Australia, where they reportedly spent $2 million. He called on the "Big Three" of India, England, and Australia to find ways to support the economies of smaller cricket nations, rather than simply sending their own teams on overseas tours.Grave welcomed the suggestion by ECB CEO Richard Gould that touring teams should be paid a fee for their overseas engagements. He believes that such a revenue-sharing model would ensure that all countries have the resources to thrive.Grave also praised India's ongoing T20I series in Zimbabwe, led by Shubman Gill, as an example of the BCCI's commitment to the global game. However, he emphasized that the BCCI cannot do more than it already does and that other countries need to step up.Grave acknowledged the role that West Indies played in "keeping the lights on" for English cricket during the COVID-19 pandemic by agreeing to play three Tests behind closed doors in 2020. He believes that this experience demonstrated the importance of collaboration and the need for a balanced international game.Despite the West Indies' disappointing performance in the recent T20 World Cup, Grave expressed optimism about the team's future. He highlighted the balance that CWI has struck between international commitments and allowing players to participate in franchise leagues.Grave emphasized the significance of the upcoming Test series against England, particularly the first Test at Lord's. He believes that a strong performance in this series will be a testament to the team's development and will help them announce themselves to the English audience.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has consistently praised Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling skills, particularly his unwavering commitment to Test cricket. Shastri has emphasized Bumrah's desire to break away from the stereotype of being labeled a "white-ball specialist."Shastri's admiration for Bumrah's journey is evident in a recent revelation about a compliment the pacer received from legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts. Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri disclosed that after Bumrah's devastating performance in a two-Test series in the Caribbean in 2019, Roberts and Curtly Ambrose approached the Indian pacer.In those two Tests, India defeated the West Indies in Antigua and Jamaica, winning both by a margin of more than 200 runs. Bumrah claimed 13 wickets in the matches, including a hat-trick."The ultimate compliment for Jasprit Bumrah came in 2019," Shastri said. "When I was coach here and we were playing a Test series and he dismantled the West Indies in 2-and-a-half or three days in the two Tests matches. And Andy Roberts walked up to him in Antigua. Andy and Curtly (Ambrose) together. Andy walked up to him and said 'You, young man could have taken the new ball in our era'.""You will not get a bigger compliment than that. Roberts was the leader of the pack that had Marshall, Garner, Croft, and Holding. No better compliment than that for Jasprit Bumrah. That was in 2019, he has come along leaps and bounds since then," Shastri added.Shastri also highlighted Bumrah's unique release point, which allows him to bowl a wide range of deliveries with exceptional accuracy."His release point. From where Mohammed Siraj releases the ball to where Jasprit Bumrah releases the ball is 48 cm. And with a straight wrist. Normally when you release the ball from ahead, it has to be a bouncer. When you release the ball from behind, it's pitched. But from there, to be able to yorker at will, to bowl the bouncer and bowl a hard length, that's amazing. That's what separates him from the rest. The pace might say 140 kph, but it's hitting the ball a lot harder," Shastri explained.Bumrah's exceptional skills were on display in the recent T20 World Cup, where he finished as the third highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets. He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament as India remained undefeated throughout the competition.In the final, Bumrah took two wickets as India turned the tables on South Africa, restricting them to 169/8 and emerging victorious to end an 11-year-long global trophy drought.

Pakistan's cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season is set to be their busiest in over two decades, with seven Test matches scheduled to be played on home soil. The PCB has announced the dates and schedule for the entire home season, which also includes hosting the Champions Trophy.The home season will begin with the arrival of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August, followed by a three-Test series against England in October. After a limited-overs tour of Australia and Zimbabwe, Pakistan will host South Africa for a T20I series and two Tests in December.The home Tests against West Indies will start nine days later, with the matches to be played in Karachi and Multan. All seven home Tests will be part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan are currently ranked fifth.After the West Indies Tests, Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series, which will have South Africa and New Zealand as the visiting teams. The Champions Trophy, the first ICC event Pakistan will host in 29 years, is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9.However, it remains to be seen if India, the only team in the Champions Trophy to not have travelled to Pakistan since international cricket resumed in the country in 2015, agree to make the trip.