Lord's has a tradition of rewarding those who give their best, asserts veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
Atherton reckons that in his three years at the helm, the series against India is Stokes' sternest test of leadership qualities.
Jamie Smith will return from injury to keep wickets and bat at number three in England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was "disappointed" on missing a century by a whisker, but amazed by Test captain Shubman Gill's "incredible" effort that powered India to a comfortable position at the end of the opening day of the second Test against England, at Edgbaston, on Wednesday.
Stokes, the leading wicket-taker of the series with 17 scalps, will be a mere spectator at The Oval, robbing the series finale of his charismatic on-field presence.
'Watching him bat this innings is like watching the MCC coaching manual in action.'
Steve Smith shouldn't captain Australia again as the original skipper Pat Cummins is doing a great job, said former all-rounder Shane Watson.
The West Indies Masters secured a thrilling eight-run victory over England Masters in the International Master League, thanks to an all-round team effort. After a strong start from Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith, England's spinners, led by Chris Schofield and Monty Panesar, turned the tide. However, late contributions from Deonarine and Ashley Nurse helped West Indies reach a respectable total of 179/6. England's chase faltered early, but a late partnership between Schofield and Chris Tremlett gave them hope. Ultimately, the West Indian bowlers held their nerve, securing a crucial win.
Sam Konstas has vowed to take a more conventional approach than in his early Test appearances for Australia
The 33-year-old has been in strong form in 50-overs cricket too and famously quipped "I'm back, baby" during an ODI against England in November after a successful technique tweak.
Joe Root produced a batting masterclass on way to a milestone 38th hundred as England exploited a jaded Indian bowling attack to stamp their dominance on the fourth Test in Manchester.
Diogo Jota, a Liverpool forward, and his younger brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday morning.
It was the perfect start to Brook's reign as white ball captain as England recorded their second-largest win in terms of runs, second only to the 242-run thrashing of Australia in 2018.
'I love playing here at Lord's. It's a nice place to play if you get in, you get good value for your shots and yeah, nice to get myself back up on the honours board again.'
West Indies' fearsome bowling attacks of old, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph tore through Australia on Wednesday
Shubman Gill has not just scored a double hundred; he's rewritten the record books.
Steve Smith will lead Australia in the fourth and final Test against India as regular captain Pat Cummins remains with his unwell mother back home.
As Team India gear up for the much-anticipated Test series against England starting on Friday, several players in the squad will draw confidence from their county cricket experience.
India women will be keen to internalise the conditions and character of venues in England ahead of next year's World Cup during the five-match T20I series against the hosts, beginning with the opening game on Saturday.
Skipper Steve Smith said the opener, who suffered the quad injury while fielding but struggled on to scored 20 runs from 15 balls before the game was washed out, is unlikely to be fit to face India or New Zealand on Tuesday or Wednesday.
With over 500 runs, six crucial catches, the most by an Indian on the tour, Rahul led by example and lived up to his wiseman tag.
Stokes praises incredibly skillful Akash Deep, says task was to bat out 80 overs
An injury-plagued India could be forced to depart from their preferred template when they takes on a reinvigorated England in the fourth Test starting in Manchester on Wednesday.
Four days before the opening Test, Leeds chief curator Richard Robinson and his crew were seen working on the lush green strip of Headingley, which held moisture, to offer a good battle between the bat and ball.
Pat Cummins confirmed Australia's new-look batting line-up on Tuesday with Steve Smith to open and Cameron Green at number four in the team to face West Indies in the first Test at Adelaide Oval from Wednesday.
Images from Day 4 of the second Test between England and India at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, on Saturday.
Despite the ups and downs, The Oval remains a ground of rich memories and monumental moments for Indian cricket.
Who do you think should be part of the Indian team for the fifth Test against England?
'He's come back and he's taken his opportunities, got himself into the squad and now he's obviously likely to bat in the top-four throughout the World Cup.'
Images from the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia on Saturday.
India finished Day 3 on 90/2 to lead England by 96 runs at stumps in the opening Test on Sunday after England were dismissed for 465 in the first innings.
With the series nicely poised at 1-1 going into the third Test, the narrative built around both the teams has changed significantly following India's 336-run routing of England at Edgbaston.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith is confident that his country will end its long wait for an ICC trophy in 2023, with the Champions Trophy and World Test Championship final on the horizon. He believes the team is in a strong position to break their drought and is focused on developing the nation's cricket ecosystem ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes the 285-run first innings partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head made the difference in the World Test Championship final.
Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord's.
Images from the Club World Cup quarter-finals between Paris St Germain-Bayern Munich and Real Madrid-Dortmund.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald hinted at a rejig in the top order after misfiring in the World Test Championship final defence against South Africa at Lord's.
Can Shubman Gill and his men rewrite the script once more? The answer begins unrolling on July 23.
Australia had an intense three-hour practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai, focusing on their play against spin.
Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja would open the innings for Australia in the WTC final against South Africa while the fit-again Cameron Green would bat at the No. 3 position.
