Zak Crawley out of Sri Lanka series as England call up Jordan Cox and Olly Stone

England will be without injured opener Zak Crawley for the upcoming Test series with Sri Lanka and have called up uncapped Jordan Cox alongside Olly Stone.

Crawley has been ruled out of the three-match series, which is due to begin on August 21, after he fractured the little finger on his right hand during the third Test victory over the West Indies at Trent Bridge, with Dan Lawrence set to open in his place.

The 26-year-old Kent batter has cemented his name at the top of the order alongside Ben Duckett but will now switch his attention to being fit for the away Pakistan series in October.

Dan Lawrence is set to open the batting with Ben Duckett (Mike Egerton/PA)

Lawrence has been included in several England squads but has not been played a Test since 2022. The 27-year-old moved from Essex to Surrey over the winter and has made an impressive start to the County Championship season, averaging 53.09 at a strike rate of 74.68 with two centuries and three fifties.

England made a number of changes to their side ahead of the West Indies series, handing Test debuts to Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith, and there is now a maiden call-up for Essex middle-order batter Cox.

The 23-year-old right-hander, who has been in excellent form since moving to Essex from Kent this year, has been involved in the England set-up previously after joining the white-ball tour of Pakistan in the autumn of 2022 and will now be looking to make his international bow against Sri Lanka.

There is a first call-up for Jordan Cox (Joe Giddens/PA)

However, uncapped seamer Dillon Pennington, who was in the squad for the 3-0 series win over the West Indies but did not feature, joins Crawley on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred.

Nottinghamshire seamer Stone returns to the Test squad for the first time since June 2021 and will be hoping to add to his three Test caps.

England squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka: Ben Stokes (cap), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

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Head coach Ottis Gibson to leave Yorkshire at end of the season

Yorkshire have begun searching for a new head coach after announcing that Ottis Gibson will depart at the end of the season.

Gibson took charge in 2021 during the most turbulent period in Yorkshire’s history following allegations of racism and discrimination made by Azeem Rafiq.

Yorkshire were fined GBP 400,000 and given a 48-point deduction by the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission after admitting to four charges.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club would like to announce that Head Coach of the Men’s First Team squad, Ottis Gibson, will leave the Club at the end of this season.

Thank you for your efforts over the last three seasons Ottis! #YorkshireFamily

— Yorkshire Vikings (@YorkshireCCC) August 3, 2024

Former West Indies all-rounder and head coach Gibson will complete the final season of his three-year deal with the hope of securing promotion to Division One of the Vitality County Championship.

“Despite the issues we have faced off the field, that inevitably spilt on to the playing side, I’m pleased with the state of the squad, the development of our younger players and to be in contention to challenge for promotion,” Gibson said.

“I’d like to thank all of my staff, players and the supporters that have been behind us in my time here and I wish Yorkshire all the very best going forward.”

Ottis Gibson is targeting County Championship promotion (Adam Davy/PA)

Yorkshire chair Colin Graves praised Gibson for rebuilding the club on the field in the wake of the racism scandal.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Ottis. The work he has done in really difficult circumstances has been impressive,” Graves said.

“He will leave with his head held high having helped build some solid foundations, which we are seeing with performances this season.”

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Head coach Ottis Gibson to leave Yorkshire at end of the season

Yorkshire have begun searching for a new head coach after announcing that Ottis Gibson will depart at the end of the season.

Gibson took charge in 2021 during the most turbulent period in Yorkshire’s history following allegations of racism and discrimination made by Azeem Rafiq.

Yorkshire were fined GBP 400,000 and given a 48-point deduction by the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission after admitting to four charges.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club would like to announce that Head Coach of the Men’s First Team squad, Ottis Gibson, will leave the Club at the end of this season.

Thank you for your efforts over the last three seasons Ottis! #YorkshireFamily

— Yorkshire Vikings (@YorkshireCCC) August 3, 2024

Former West Indies all-rounder and head coach Gibson will complete the final season of his three-year deal with the hope of securing promotion to Division One of the Vitality County Championship.

“Despite the issues we have faced off the field, that inevitably spilt on to the playing side, I’m pleased with the state of the squad, the development of our younger players and to be in contention to challenge for promotion,” Gibson said.

“I’d like to thank all of my staff, players and the supporters that have been behind us in my time here and I wish Yorkshire all the very best going forward.”

Ottis Gibson is targeting County Championship promotion (Adam Davy/PA)

Yorkshire chair Colin Graves praised Gibson for rebuilding the club on the field in the wake of the racism scandal.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Ottis. The work he has done in really difficult circumstances has been impressive,” Graves said.

“He will leave with his head held high having helped build some solid foundations, which we are seeing with performances this season.”

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Lack of interest driving some West Indian talent away from Tests – Andre Russell

London Spirit star Andre Russell believes a lack of interest rather than a lack of money is driving some of the West Indies’ top talent away from Test cricket and towards the short-form game.

This summer has highlighted a deep dichotomy between red and white-ball formats when it comes to the region, with England routing the West Indies 3-0 in a one-sided Test series, while some of the Caribbean’s biggest names were limbering up to take a leading role in the Hundred.

Russell is one of five West Indian players picked up in the maximum GBP 125,000 bracket for this year’s tournament, joining Spirit team-mate Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran at Northern Superchargers, Rovman Powell at Trent Rockets and Kieron Pollard at Southern Brave.

Russell claims money is not the only reason for Test cricket’s struggles in the Caribbean (Adam Davy/PA)

Despite being some of the most valuable hitters on the franchise scene, Pooran, Powell and Pollard have never played a single Test, while Russell won a solitary cap in 2010.

It is often said the limited financial muscle of the West Indies Cricket Board is to blame for the exodus from first-class cricket but Russell thinks the change of mindset runs deeper than mere mercenary considerations.

“I don’t think it’s the money, I don’t think money is the issue,” he told the PA news agency.

“Based on the amount of T20 and leagues around the world, I think a lot of players are just not interested in playing Tests.

“I’m not going to speak for anyone but I think a lot of players now are batting more aggressively, everyone wants to scoop and paddle sweep and do all these fancy T20 shots.

“I’m always excited watching the other West Indian batters, especially when they’re hitting boundary after boundary.

“As long as you can do well from contracts outside your nation I think they are going to grab that opportunity but everyone wants to play on the big stage.

“So, if the big stage comes in Test cricket, I know youngsters will be happy to play. I just don’t think it’s about money or anything like that.”

Russell, who insists he was not made for the rigours of the five-day format, also offered a word of sympathy for the Test team who were swept away in 10 days out of a scheduled 15 by England.

“Red-ball cricket is not my cookie, I don’t think my body will keep up with Test cricket. But those in the team at the moment are fit enough and taking on the challenge,” he said.

“They had a few moments in the Test series where they could have turned things around. Playing England at home is always going to be hard for the West Indies. It’s home advantage and that’s how it should be.”

London Spirit finish their 100 balls with a score of 127.

Andre Russell hit 37 off 20 balls for the hosts.#LoveLords | #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/b1pTOHznjd

— Lord’s Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) July 27, 2024

For now Russell is hoping to help turn things around at Lord’s, with the Spirit losing two of their first three games.

He added: “I want to raise the championship, yeah. I think that would be a great achievement because I’ve never won a tournament in the UK before.

“Winning the Hundred would mean a lot. I’m pumped to keep contributing.”

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Kumar Sangakkara says England job an ‘exciting prospect’ but no ECB approach yet

Kumar Sangakkara has admitted it would be an “exciting prospect” to lead England’s white-ball team, but has not been approached for the role so far.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is on the hunt for a new limited-overs head coach after Matthew Mott left his post on Tuesday.

Marcus Trescothick has been placed in interim charge while Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, begins the hunt for Mott’s replacement.

Matthew Mott has stepped down as England Men’s white-ball Head Coach.

Assistant Coach Marcus Trescothick has been appointed on an interim basis.

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2024

Sangakkara has been listed as an early front-runner after success with Rajasthan Royals, the Indian Premier League franchise of England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, but the former Sri Lanka captain was keeping his cards close to his chest on Friday.

“Well, I know (my name) has been mentioned for some reason, but there has not been any approach as such,” Sangakkara, part of Sky Sports’ commentary team for The Hundred, told the PA news agency.

“I think the England white-ball job is an exciting prospect for anyone, but there are so many good candidates out there. I think Matthew Mott has done a really good job.

“It is great that Jos Buttler is staying in that leadership role as the side progresses because it is a nice time from what the side is – and was – and how it wants to progress in the future.

“I think the decision making in the England camp has been spot on. I really love the leadership that Rob Key has provided in the background because he hates being in front of the cameras after finishing his commentary stint.

“I think he has been a really smart, practical man, very commonsensical in terms of how he makes decisions and very forward-thinking in how he has set the vision for England cricket.

“Everyone who is aligned with it has found success and anyone coming in, I don’t think the job is going to be too much of a task, but it is just about getting the best out of a very deep and able talent pool.

“They are getting younger players in, the senior players are constantly performing, but at the same time there is an aspect of moving on and understanding what needs to change, what has worked, what needs to be kept and also looking at new directions or new trends that need to be incorporated.

“Perhaps a slightly different way of playing maybe? But that is all to be seen. I think currently in terms of the state of England cricket, I think it is in a very, very healthy state.”

Sangakkara would appear to tick a lot of boxes, especially given his strong relationship with Buttler.

The 46-year-old also has an English home, but has served as Rajasthan Royals head coach for the past four editions of the IPL, a tournament which eats into two months of the cricket calendar.

Sangakkara added: “I am very happy at the moment. The Rajasthan Royals experience has been very fulfilling and it has been a job I have really enjoyed over the last four years.”

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A post shared by Kumar Sangakkara Personal Page (@sangalefthander)

For the time being Sangakkara’s focus is on The Hundred, where compatriot Chamari Athapaththu will feature for Oval Invincibles after she guided the Sri Lanka women’s team to Asia Cup success last week.

“I am excited Ben Stokes is playing, but I am more excited that Chamari Athapaththu is getting a game because she has been the perfect, inspiring leader and captain for global cricket in terms of Sri Lanka,” Sangakkara said.

“The Hundred is about growing the reach of the game and attracting new fans.

“I think it is serving its purpose really well and the cricket on the field has also been vindicating.”

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Alice Capsey pleased to see England players continue momentum during The Hundred

Alice Capsey is pleased to see England’s leading lights take charge in the women’s Hundred after taking up head coach Jon Lewis’ challenge to dominate the tournament.

An undefeated summer saw England sweep aside Pakistan and New Zealand with ease and Lewis told his squad to continue proving they were a cut above as they dispersed around the country for the fourth edition of The Hundred.

Capsey has already heeded the call at Oval Invincibles, reeling off successive half-centuries against Birmingham Phoenix and Welsh Fire to start the campaign on a high.

More runs for Alice Capsey! #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/ZDSBSgnpli

— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 28, 2024

That made her the first player to pass the 100-run barrier, followed closely by international team-mates Sophia Dunkley and Nat Sciver-Brunt, with captain Heather Knight close behind. Among the big-name overseas signings, only Australia’s Ellyse Perry commands a place in the top five scorers.

And, as they tune up for October’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, it is a club Capsey is happy to be part of.

“It’s pleasing from an England point of view that we are finding form. As a group we’ve had a very successful summer so it was just about taking that into the Hundred and building on what we’ve started with an eye on the World Cup,” she told the PA news agency.

“We’ve all gained an understanding of our own games and how we want to play as an England team and that doesn’t change now with we’re our teams this month. You want to be at the top of those wicket-taking charts or at the top of the run-scoring tables and go in that next tournament in a good place to perform.

“If it’s me who finishes on top of the scoring charts it means I’ll have scored a few more and helped the Invincibles get some wins.

“I’m more focused on helping the team finish top of the table than myself topping a table but every batter wants to score as many as possible. If I could score 50 every single game that would be great but I guess it depends how the next few teams bowl at me!”

Capsey was arguably the first true breakout star of The Hundred, emerging as a fearless 16-year-old talent in the opening season back in 2021 and quickly catapulted into the England setup as a result.

Less than two weeks before he 20th birthday she still feels a kinship with the setting and wants to do her best to elevate the competition that once did the same to her.

“The Hundred gave me the stage to perform, to kick on and have people know my name. It’s a spotlight for the women’s game,” she said.

“Without it I might not be playing for England, or certainly not as soon as I did. I’ve always seen it as a real honour to be part of this and I love playing in it. I feel like me doing well is my way of giving back to the tournament for everything it’s given me.”

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Alice Capsey pleased to see England players continue momentum during The Hundred

Alice Capsey is pleased to see England’s leading lights take charge in the women’s Hundred after taking up head coach Jon Lewis’ challenge to dominate the tournament.

An undefeated summer saw England sweep aside Pakistan and New Zealand with ease and Lewis told his squad to continue proving they were a cut above as they dispersed around the country for the fourth edition of The Hundred.

Capsey has already heeded the call at Oval Invincibles, reeling off successive half-centuries against Birmingham Phoenix and Welsh Fire to start the campaign on a high.

More runs for Alice Capsey! 🤩#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/ZDSBSgnpli

— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 28, 2024

That made her the first player to pass the 100-run barrier, followed closely by international team-mates Sophia Dunkley and Nat Sciver-Brunt, with captain Heather Knight close behind. Among the big-name overseas signings, only Australia’s Ellyse Perry commands a place in the top five scorers.

And, as they tune up for October’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, it is a club Capsey is happy to be part of.

“It’s pleasing from an England point of view that we are finding form. As a group we’ve had a very successful summer so it was just about taking that into the Hundred and building on what we’ve started with an eye on the World Cup,” she told the PA news agency.

“We’ve all gained an understanding of our own games and how we want to play as an England team and that doesn’t change now with we’re our teams this month. You want to be at the top of those wicket-taking charts or at the top of the run-scoring tables and go in that next tournament in a good place to perform.

“If it’s me who finishes on top of the scoring charts it means I’ll have scored a few more and helped the Invincibles get some wins.

“I’m more focused on helping the team finish top of the table than myself topping a table but every batter wants to score as many as possible. If I could score 50 every single game that would be great but I guess it depends how the next few teams bowl at me!”

Capsey was arguably the first true breakout star of The Hundred, emerging as a fearless 16-year-old talent in the opening season back in 2021 and quickly catapulted into the England setup as a result.

Less than two weeks before he 20th birthday she still feels a kinship with the setting and wants to do her best to elevate the competition that once did the same to her.

“The Hundred gave me the stage to perform, to kick on and have people know my name. It’s a spotlight for the women’s game,” she said.

“Without it I might not be playing for England, or certainly not as soon as I did. I’ve always seen it as a real honour to be part of this and I love playing in it. I feel like me doing well is my way of giving back to the tournament for everything it’s given me.”

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