Cricket

Andrew Flintoff, the former England all-rounder, will join the Test squad as a batting consultant ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval. Flintoff's appointment comes as Marcus Trescothick, the current batting coach, takes a short break before assuming the role of interim white-ball head coach for the upcoming series against Australia.Flintoff has been involved with England's white-ball setup for the past year, including the T20 World Cup in June. However, he will not be part of Trescothick's coaching staff for the three T20Is and five ODIs against Australia next month. Flintoff recently gained experience as a head coach with the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred, where his team narrowly missed out on qualification.Flintoff is expected to join the Test squad on Wednesday for two training days and will assist Brendon McCullum's staff throughout the third Test. His role is short-term, and he is not expected to be involved in the winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.Trescothick will take a few days off after the second Test at Lord's before joining the white-ball squad ahead of the first T20I against Australia on September 11. His backroom staff will largely remain the same as Matthew Mott's, with the addition of England Under-19s coach Michael Yardy.Trescothick has not yet decided whether he will apply for the white-ball head coach's role on a permanent basis. He stated, "I'm still very focused on the batting stuff with the Test team. I'm going to let this play out and see what happens for this period of time, and see how much I enjoy doing the head coach's role and then go from there really."Trescothick will work alongside Jos Buttler, his former Somerset teammate, who is expected to continue as captain but may relinquish the wicketkeeping gloves in the T20Is. Trescothick said, "It's definitely something we'll think about, because we can try different options, give it a go for a period of time and see what reaction it has on his captaincy and on the team."Despite recent setbacks in World Cups, Trescothick believes England's one-day cricket is in a good place. He added, "Jos is going to lead that forward for a period of time at the moment - and I don't see it changing."

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batsman, has earned the admiration of legendary English pacer James Anderson for his exceptional skills in chasing down targets and closing out games, particularly in white-ball cricket.Anderson, a guest on the Tailenders Podcast, hailed Kohli as "one of the best" players in history when it comes to batting second and pursuing scores. "His record at chasing is absolutely phenomenal," Anderson remarked. "The number of hundreds he has scored in the second innings, chasing down scores is ridiculous."Anderson attributed Kohli's remarkable chasing abilities to his unwavering self-belief. "It is no surprise that when he gets in that situation, with his mentality, it is just like it is meant to be. His self-belief is so high," Anderson said.When asked if Kohli is the greatest white-ball batter of all time, Anderson acknowledged the brilliance of Australia's Michael Bevan, who was renowned for his impressive finishes in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, he emphasized that Kohli's centuries during winning chases elevate him to the status of "greatest finisher" and among the greatest white-ball batters ever."I cannot say that [Kohli is the greatest white-ball batter ever]," Anderson clarified. "I was thinking more in terms of just chasing. [As for the best white-ball batter ever,] Michael Bevan from Australia comes to my mind, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s - he was just phenomenal coming in at number six and doing that job.""Kohli batting at number 3 gets those hundreds while Bevan was renowned for getting his 50s, 60s and being at the end, while Kohli gets the big score, to get his teams over the line. I honestly can't think of a better finisher and greater white-ball players than him [Kohli]," Anderson concluded.Kohli's exceptional chasing skills have been instrumental in India's success in limited-overs cricket. His ability to anchor the innings, control the tempo, and accelerate when necessary has made him a formidable force in the middle order. His composure under pressure and unwavering determination have earned him the respect and admiration of opponents and fans alike.

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.

Marcus Trescothick, England's assistant coach, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia. However, Trescothick remains undecided about his long-term aspirations for the white-ball role.Trescothick, who is currently assisting the Test team in their series against Sri Lanka, will join the white-ball squads at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton after the third Test at The Oval. The T20I series against Australia commences on September 11, just 24 hours after the scheduled conclusion of the Test match.Despite having no prior experience as a head coach, Trescothick has expressed interest in transitioning to the role. He served as an assistant coach at Somerset for 18 months following his retirement as a player in 2019 and has been part of England's coaching staff since 2021.Trescothick's close relationship with Jos Buttler, the white-ball captain, from their time together at Somerset will be an asset in his new role. Buttler, who has recovered from a calf injury, could feature for Lancashire in their T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex on September 4.The ECB has yet to formally advertise the white-ball head coach position vacated by Matthew Mott's dismissal earlier this month. However, Trescothick could emerge as a strong contender if England performs well against Australia. Kumar Sangakkara is considered the early favorite, but his interest remains unconfirmed.Andrew Flintoff, who recently coached the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred, could also be a potential candidate. However, he will not reprise his role in England's coaching staff against Australia due to reported compatibility issues with Buttler.

Jimmy Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, has hinted at a potential return to white-ball cricket after retiring from international red-ball cricket last month. Anderson, who holds the record for most Test wickets for England with over 700 scalps, is considering playing in the Hundred, a 100-ball cricket tournament."I might be in a bit of denial because I'm well aware I won't play for England again, but I've still not made a decision on my actual cricket career," Anderson told the Press Association. "There's definitely a bit of intrigue with the shorter formats because I've not played any franchise stuff before."Anderson, who played 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is for England, became a Test-match specialist in 2015. However, he believes he still has the skills to compete in white-ball cricket. "Watching The Hundred this year, seeing the ball swing around, it makes me feel like I could do a job there," he said. "I know it's a while since I played it and my age will get brought up again, but I really feel I'll be good enough to play that form of cricket."Anderson's return to white-ball cricket would be a significant boost for the Hundred, which is entering its third season in 2023. The tournament has been praised for its innovative format and its ability to attract top players from around the world.In addition to his potential return to playing, Anderson is also being considered for a mentorship position with the England cricket team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is keen to tap into Anderson's vast experience and knowledge to help develop the next generation of fast bowlers.Anderson's career has been one of the most successful in the history of cricket. He has taken over 1,000 wickets in all formats and has been a key member of England's Test team for over two decades. His return to white-ball cricket would be a fitting end to a remarkable career.

Matthew Mott's tenure as England Men's white-ball head coach has come to an abrupt end, with the Australian stepping down with immediate effect. Mott's departure marks a significant shift in the team's leadership, following a disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup.Appointed in May 2022, Mott's tenure was marked by both triumph and disappointment. He guided England to a memorable T20 World Cup victory in 2022, but the team failed to defend their title this year, bowing out in the semi-finals. Additionally, England's hopes of retaining the 50-over World Cup crown they won in 2019 were dashed at the 2023 edition, where they managed only three wins in nine games.Mott's decision to step down follows a review into the team's recent performances, which saw England drop out of the top three in the ICC T20I rankings. The review, conducted by ECB managing director of England men's cricket Rob Key, concluded that the team needed a new direction to prepare for future challenges.Key praised Mott's contributions to the team, acknowledging his role in England's T20 World Cup triumph. However, he emphasized the need for a fresh approach to address the team's recent struggles.Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the home summer, which includes three T20Is and five ODIs against Australia in September. The search for a full-time replacement for Mott will begin immediately.Mott expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach England, highlighting the team's character and passion during his tenure. He also thanked the players, management, and ECB staff for their support.The departure of Mott leaves a void in England's coaching setup, with the team facing a crucial period in their development. The upcoming Champions Trophy and the next cycle of white-ball competition will test the team's resolve and determine their future trajectory.

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, has expressed his support for the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach. Shastri believes that Gambhir's contemporary approach, fresh ideas, and experience make him the ideal candidate for the role.Gambhir, who recently led the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL), brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Indian team. Shastri highlighted Gambhir's understanding of the current players, especially in the white-ball format, as a key advantage."He's contemporary, he just had a great season in the IPL," Shastri said. "I think he's the right age where he's young, he'll come with fresh ideas. He knows most of the players, especially in the white-ball format, having been part of teams in the IPL."Shastri also emphasized the importance of player management in the role of a coach. He believes that Gambhir's ability to understand his players as individuals will be crucial for success."Obviously, player management becomes the key as a coach," Shastri said. "So it'll be interesting to see how he goes. I think he's got the tools, he's got the goods for the job and he's got the experience."Gambhir's first assignment as head coach will be the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, starting with the three T20Is on Saturday in Pallekele. He will then take over in all formats, with major assignments including the five home Tests starting in September and the ICC trophies in 2025 and 2026.Shastri believes that India needs to find the right mix for the T20I format, especially with the departure of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, he is confident that Gambhir has the talent and experience to guide the team to success."I think a lot of the players that won this T20 World Cup will still be around two years later," he said. "So I don't think there's much to be done there. In fact, you will get a problem on your hands because you'll have to choose from the new lot that's coming and there's some real exciting talent there."

England's disjointed schedule has created a significant divide between their Test and white-ball squads, with only Harry Brook featuring in all three formats in the past month. This divergence is in stark contrast to the adaptable core of multi-format players that have underpinned the success of Australia and India.England's heavy Test schedule has forced them to separate selection between red and white-ball cricket, with 51 matches played in just over four years since the pandemic. This has limited opportunities for players to transition between formats, as evidenced by Brook's lack of experience in 50-over cricket.The logistical challenges continue throughout the year, with England's next T20I series against Australia starting the day after their third Test against Sri Lanka concludes. Similarly, their ODI series against Australia in September overlaps with the start of a Test series in Pakistan.England's desire to bring their squads closer together, following the lead of Australia and India, faces significant obstacles due to their packed schedule. While they have different captains and coaches across formats, the resources to field separate squads consistently are limited.However, England's competitive advantage in having most franchise T20 leagues take place during their off-season provides an opportunity to develop and test their bench strength. The upcoming limited-overs tour against Australia offers a chance to bring through a new generation of young players.By investing in younger players like Dan Mousley, who can fill similar roles to established Test players like Ben Duckett, England can double down on their split-squads approach and create a more adaptable squad for the future.

England's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has cast a shadow over Matthew Mott's tenure as white-ball head coach. Despite reaching the semi-finals, the team's lackluster performance against India has raised questions about Mott's ability to lead England forward.Mott, who is two years into a four-year contract, insists he is the right man for the job. However, his team's inconsistent performances, including a dismal showing at last year's 50-over World Cup, have raised concerns. England's only victory against a Test-playing nation during the T20 World Cup was against Afghanistan.With no major white-ball tournaments scheduled for the next year, England has a 10-week break before their next limited-overs series against Australia. This provides Managing Director Rob Key with an opportunity to assess the team's progress and make crucial decisions.Key faces a series of questions, including whether Mott can reinvigorate the team, if England is making genuine progress under his leadership, and if there is a suitable replacement. He must also consider the future of captain Jos Buttler, who may opt to retire from international cricket.England's performance in the T20 World Cup was a mixed bag. After a shaky start, they put together a strong performance against West Indies but struggled against South Africa. They secured their semi-final spot with a thrashing of USA, but their hopes were dashed by India's dominance on a low-bounce pitch.Mott acknowledged that England "weren't quite at our best" and that they "needed to peak at the right time." However, he believes the team has made progress under his leadership.Despite Mott's optimism, there is a sense that England has lost its aura. The team's identity under Mott remains unclear, and they have struggled to maintain consistency. Key must decide whether Mott has a clear vision for the future and whether he is the right person to lead England into the next phase.