England call up talented youngster as injury replacement for Zimbabwe Test
England's revised squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, James Rew, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
Cox's replacement Rew has been in sparkling form in the County Championship, batting at an incredible average of 54.21 with a highest score of 152. His most recent knock of 116 guided his side to victory over Essex.
A graduate of the England Lions pathway, Rew was part of the squad that toured Australia last winter and played a central role in the Young Lions' run to the ICC U19 World Cup final in 2022, where he lined up alongside now-established internationals Rehan Ahmed and Jacob Bethell.
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Int'l Cricket Council
3 days ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
India advised to bring in key spinner for Edgbaston bout ICC World Test Championship
While their top and middle-order batters performed well at Headingley, India were found short in the bowling department, as England chased down a comprehensive target of 371 in the fourth innings. Discussing India's possible lineup for the second Test, former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta backed left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav to make it into the side because of the match conditions. 'Looking forward to Birmingham, where it's usually a batting friendly venue, I would love to see Kuldeep there,' Dasgupta spoke on JioHotstar programme GamePlan. Kuldeep Yadav in a net session at Edgbaston || Getty Images Dasgupta believed that with India's mainstay batters firing, the side could afford to lighten up on their late-order batting. He expected Kuldeep to fit in for Shardul. 'And now the advantage of having your top five amongst runs is that you're not too worried about contributions from your No.8 with the bat. So I think that would help someone like Kuldeep to play at No.8 and not worry too much in terms of how much he's going to contribute with the bat.' Another change that Dasgupta favoured was promoting Karun Nair up the batting order, which would allow India to squeeze in a batting all-rounder. 'Get Karun Nair (at No. 3),' Dasgupta continued. 'Because Karun Nair has got most of his runs (at that position). We keep talking about the first-class career and all of that at No.3. And also, he batted for India A against the England Lions at number three.' Nair batted one down in the first game between India A and England Lions and scored a stroke-filled 204. In the next game, he dropped one down and scored 65 runs over two innings. Dasgupta went on to suggest that this would open up a spot for Nitish Kumar Reddy. 'That opens up a space for someone like Nitish at No.6, who, if required, can give you a few overs of seam up. He's been working very hard on his bowling. 'So you also have a fourth seamer.' Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar agreed with Dasgupta on both the changes. 'Nitish Kumar Reddy, I had included in my side for the first Test. And Kuldeep Yadav has to come back. I'm sorry to say, but Shardul Thakur has to go out,' Manjrekar added. 'India will have to take a hard call that even in English conditions, they go with quality bowlers and if the quality bowlers happen to be two spinners, go for it because you don't quite have the luxury of a Shami and some of the other bowlers to pick from. 'So I would go maybe one seamer short and get Kuldeep Yadav in.' Manjrekar also believed that the changed climate in recent years, might help Kuldeep thrive in England. 'English summers these days are generally dry summers because of global warming. So you know maybe it's a way to introduce spin in England. And let's not forget, Ben Stokes has completely changed his thinking and made it common-sense cricket thinking. We have to go back to those days when India would play three spinners no matter what, if it's New Zealand or England.' Another big dilemma ahead of the Test is with respect to the availability of Jasprit Bumrah. India had announced prior to the series, that Bumrah would feature in three out of the five England Tests. Bumrah did feature in Leeds and picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings, but there is no certainty around his availability in Edgbaston, which is a crucial game for India in the series. Manjrekar opined that the pacer's availability would boost India's prospects. 'When you break it down, he has bowled 42 or 43 (43.4) overs in total in five days, and there's going to be a break of another few days (between the first and the second Test). 'So my logic is, talk to him, you know, how are you feeling? Talk to his physiotherapist, his doctor, see him in the nets, and if he's pretty good, close to 100% fitness, you play him. 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Pant's sensational performance comes after an underwhelming season in the Indian Premier League, wherein he scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45, and his side failed to reach the knockout stage of the competition. His shot selection was also in scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 wherein despite getting starts, he added only 255 runs over five games. Manjrekar believed his recent poor run might strengthen his resolve further. 'Rishabh Pant enjoys Test cricket. He hasn't got enough runs so he's hungry. I see Pant carrying his form.' ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsMen's News
Int'l Cricket Council
3 days ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Former all-rounder named new Pakistan red-ball head coach ICC World Test Championship
Pakistan are confident Azhar can thrive in the role given his expertise as a player and coach prior. "A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience," Pakistan said via a release. "Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team's strategic core. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, make him exceptionally well-suited for this position. "His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles—an achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence. "The PCB is confident that under Azhar's guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline and performance on the global stage."
Int'l Cricket Council
16-06-2025
- Int'l Cricket Council
In-form Sudharsan draws inspiration from fellow townsman
Sai Sudharsan credited fellow Chennaite Washington Sundar's cricketing journey for inspiring him, ahead of the crucial red-ball series against England. Following a splendid domestic season, including a stellar Indian Premier League (IPL) in which he was the highest run-getter, Sudharsan earned a call-up to the national squad for the five-match Test series commencing on Friday, 20 June. "I've played a few games against him, so it is always special", the left-hander batter told praising Sundar. "We've looked up to him a lot, I've practiced once, twice and the way he went up and the way he played for the country, it was really quick and I had that in my mind." The rich in-form batter said Sundar has been an inspiration for him when he was young. "It was great to see him - a few years of IPL, he did well in IPL, then he played for the country, so it was a great motivator for me from Chennai. "Knowing him from young, playing with him - it's kind of an inspiration where it made me feel that I also want to do the same way." Sundar started as a batter in the ICC U19 World Cup in 2016, and made his senior national team debut within a year. The then 20-year old all-rounder made his Test debut and played a vital knock in India's famous Gabba win in 2021, which helped them win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sundar reciprocated the same thoughts about Sudharsan saying his friends and coaches have constantly spoken about the latter's growth. "He's always grown with his cricketing career in the last three-four years, and he's managed to get better every year. "Everytime I have watched him on TV, there was a lot to take away from him and from his skill sets and the kind of work ethics that he has got. "He has definitely inspired a lot of kids, especially in Chennai and I am sure he's going to continue to inspire so many more around the world. I am very for him." India, under a new captain, will begin the new World Test Championship cycle taking on England at Leeds from Friday.
