England on Tuesday named a 16-man squad for the Ashes series starting in Australia in November with Ben Stokes, who is currently nursing a shoulder injury, set to return to lead the side.
Four-Test-old all-rounder Jacob Bethell was awarded his maiden central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which offered two-year deals to 14 multi-format cricketers, including Test captain Ben Stokes and injury-plagued pacer Jofra Archer.
England batter Harry Brook has cautioned against underestimating Australia in the Ashes series, even as doubts linger over the availability of their captain and fast bowler, Pat Cummins, for the opener in Perth.
Harry Brook could be in contention to replace Ollie Pope as Ben Stokes' deputy when England travel to Australia this winter.
Cash on target as Villa hand Man City their first defeat since August
'I'm worried. We're going to wander in and have a little game with the 'A' team. (It will be) 'Alright mate, how are you? Good on ya' and we're going to go and perform?'
Since going missing from red-ball action in 2021, the 30-year-old endured a period during which injuries constantly plagued him, especially a recurring stress fracture in his right elbow.
England have not won an Ashes Test match in Australia for nearly 15 years but their batting firepower could prove decisive in the series starting in Perth next month, according to former captain Alastair Cook.
In Lille, substitute Olivier Giroud turned the game on its head in the 80th minute.
England racked up an eighth successive victory against Wales with a 3-0 cruise in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday.
'Sometimes vice-captains aren't brilliant captains.'
England's stand-in captain Ollie Pope has no doubt that Chris Woakes will expertly spearhead their pace attack in the three-test series in Pakistan beginning in Multan on Monday.
Mohammed Siraj added another milestone to his growing Test resum by becoming only the second Indian bowler to take 20 or more wickets in a Test series in England
Shubman Gill deservedly was the Player of the Match in the Edgbaston Test, but many Indian cricket fans will agree that Akash Deep deserved to be joint POM for his incredible 10 wickets that gave India a triumph for the ages.
All-rounder Jamie Overton, who played the only Test match of his career back in 2022, has been recalled to the 15-member England squad
The most wickets by an Indian in international cricket are by spinner Anil Kumble, with 953 scalps at an average of 30.06, with best figures of 10/74, with 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-fers.
"Came here to give myself every chance to play just as batter": Stokes after being ruled out of Oval Test
Shubman Gill's toss woes continued as England opted to bowl in the fifth and final Test at The Oval on Thursday.
Nair will bat at No 5 at The Oval in what many see as his last chance at redemption.
Siraj has now taken 202 wickets in 101 international matches at an average of 29.06 and an economy of 4.11.
With two days still to play, England are firm favourites to secure the win in Manchester, one that would seal victory in the five-match series with one test still to come.
A superb unbeaten century from Ollie Pope helped drag England back into the first Test against India at Headingley on Saturday, with the home side closing Day 2 on 209/3.
England on Wednesday announced their playing XI for the opening Test of the five-match series against India, which will kickstart at Headingley on Friday.
Ben Stokes was ruled out due to a shoulder muscle tear.
Siraj, who now leads the wicket-takers' chart in the series with 18 scalps, showcased his control and Aaron particularly highlighted the use of his signature delivery.
Former England skipper Alastair Cook backed Ollie Pope to retain the No. 3 spot in the batting line-up ahead of Jacob Bethell during the upcoming five-match Test series against India.
'A fast bowler that is bowling 124 (kmph) and he's got a mouth from the south'
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.
'It felt like you had to force the ball through, which in England were are not used to -- you usually get rewards for your cuts and clips.'
IMAGES from Day 1 of the third Test match between England and India at Lord's, London, on Thursday.
Former cricketers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton lampooned England's top order for their early collapse
England batter Ollie Pope gave fans an interesting glimpse into what happens inside the dressing room during Test match breaks at lunch and tea.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said that India batter Shubman Gill should incorporate what Ollie Pope did using his front foot to good effect.
'Hussain was baffled by England's top three approach on Edgbaston's flat surface when the ball was slightly swinging.
Images from Day 4 of the fifth Test between England and India at The Oval, London, on Sunday.
England captain Ben Stokes tried to focus on the positives after his team's agonising six-run loss to India in their riveting final Test at The Oval on Monday.
England replace Shoaib Bashir with Liam Dawson in playing XI for 4th Test against India
Siraj now has 203 international wickets in 101 matches, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar, who had 201 wickets in his career.
England go unchanged at Edgbaston
Images from Day 2 of the fifth Test between England and India at The Oval, London, on Friday.
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