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Dawid Malan says team have “hell of a lot to play for” in remaining group games

Matt Roller31-Oct-2023England have arrived in Ahmedabad knowing that they must win at least one of their next three games – not only to restore pride but to ensure that they are spared the ignominy of missing the cut for the next global men’s 50-over event in 2025. Failing to mount a challenge for the World Cup is one thing; failing to qualify for the Champions Trophy would be quite another.The England set-up were blindsided when the ICC confirmed on Sunday that a change in the qualification process had been ratified – but not announced publicly – in November 2021. Pakistan, the hosts, will be joined by the other seven highest finishers at the World Cup, with England dead last after five defeats in six matches.There has been significant institutional change at the ECB in the two years since, with a new chief executive, chair and managing director in place. But realistically, after a seven-year era of unprecedented white-ball success since 2015, the prospect of finishing outside the top eight would not have registered with England’s management.Related

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England play Australia on Saturday before fixtures against Netherlands and Pakistan on November 8 and 11 respectively, and the Netherlands game in Pune already looks like a potential qualification decider. The Dutch have a proud history against England, beating them in the 2009 and 2014 World T20s, and will be desperate to turn them over once more.It is not lost on England’s players that they need to finish this World Cup strongly – even if, with 11 out of 15 squad members aged 30-plus, many of them will not be involved in two years’ time. “People’s jobs are being scrutinised and players’ careers are being scrutinised,” Dawid Malan said on Tuesday. “We have a hell of a lot to play for in the last three.”The last thing you want – if the decision gets made to move on from players – is that we haven’t done well enough to give other players the opportunity in future to play in big tournaments. That’s what you play the game for: you want to be in the Champions Trophy and the World Cup, things like that.”Dawid Malan is England’s leading run-scorer at the World Cup•Getty Images

England are not mathematically out of the World Cup, but their players are realistic about their semi-final prospects. “It’s definitely not going to be a situation where we just go through the motions because we’re potentially out of this World Cup,” Malan said. “We have a lot at stake and a lot of pride for England to be in that Champions Trophy in two years’ time.”Malan told the BBC that, at 36, he is “pretty sure I’ll be done” as an England player before the 2025 Champions Trophy. “It feels a long way away,” he said. “Two years feels a long way away. I am playing as well as I’ve played, but whether that decision is mine or someone else’s, we’ll find out.”Criticism of England has grown with every defeat and Malan found himself playing down various perceived issues: he denied that central contracts had been a major distraction, said that it was “fair” for Eoin Morgan to lay into their underperformance, and suggested it was up to the players to take the heat off head coach Matthew Mott.Malan is England’s leading run-scorer at this tournament with 236 at 39.33, 140 of which came in their only win, against Bangladesh in Dharamshala. “I feel like I am playing well, but just finding ways of getting out,” he said. “We just can’t get anything going with the bat and get a score on the board. I can’t put my finger on it.”He also confirmed recent reports that he will not play in the County Championship for Yorkshire next year. “I’ll probably try and play as much white-ball cricket as I can for the rest of my career,” Malan said. “It’s prioritising spending a bit more time at home because my winters are so busy with internationals or franchise tournaments.”

Teenager falls for 91 but Sam Hain remains firm after Olly Stone’s five-for limits Hampshire to 539

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2019Teenager Rob Yates fell nine runs of his maiden first-class century as Warwickshire battled hard to eat into Hampshire’s huge first-innings total of 539.Top order batsman Yates, who only signed his first professional deal last December, showed maturity which belied his age to guide his side towards the follow-on target. The 19-year-old academy graduate added a vital 142-run stand for the third wicket with fellow talented youngster Sam Hain, who collected his second Specsavers County Championship half-century of the season.Earlier, Olly Stone had marked his return from almost seven months on the sidelines with a bone stress injury in his lower back with a five-wicket haul. Stone, who had taken three wickets on his first day of action of the season helped wrap up the Hampshire tail inside 20 overs during the morning.Hampshire returned on 450 for 6 after an an extraordinary opening day which had seen Ian Holland and Aneurin Donald notch centuries. The bright sunshine which had shone over the Ageas Bowl made way for overcast conditions on day two, although the wicket remained flat as Hampshire added 89 more runs.Gareth Berg lasted five overs before he was castled by Oliver Hannon-Dalby. Lewis McManus and Keith Barker, against his former county, added 60 for the eighth wicket, scoring 41 not out and 35 respectively. But the final three wickets fell for six runs as Ben Mike had Barker caught at deep square leg before Stone had Kyle Abbott lbw and Fidel Edwards bounced out to claim figures of 5 for 93.Warwickshire’s reply started poorly as Will Rhodes edged Kyle Abbott behind to leave the visitors 15 for 1 at lunch. That became 39 for 2 when Division One’s highest run-maker Dom Sibley tamely chipped Abbott to cover.With 350 runs still required to avoid the follow-on, and an uber-accurate and disciplined Hampshire bowling attack asserting plenty of pressure, Hain and Yates joined for a dogged partnership. Attacking shots came at a premium throughout the afternoon session, with the run-rate barely touching two.Solihull-born Yates, who has played for Warwickshire since their Under-10s, was handed two lives, on 35 and 45, as plenty of runs came through the slip cordon.Yates broke into the first team during Warwickshire’s Royal London Cup campaign and hasn’t been left out since. He batted patiently to reach a half-century in 144 balls, beating his previous best score of 49, and appeared on course for three figures. But he meekly fell for 91 when he struck part-time spinner Felix Organ to short midwicket.Meanwhile, Hain passed his 3000th Championship run before moving to his own fifty in 85-balls as he ended the day unbeaten on 68. Warwickshire on 198 for 3, still 191 adrift of the follow-on and trailing by 341.

Alan Gardner02-Apr-2019Ben Foakes has admitted he was surprised to be dropped by England for their final Test of the winter, just a few months after being named Man of the Series in Sri Lanka, but is willing to contemplate whatever potential avenues are open to him in an attempt to remain in contention for the Ashes.Foakes was left out in St Lucia, despite a fine start to his Test career that included making a century on debut, as England returned Jonny Bairstow to No. 7 in the batting order and his coveted role of wicketkeeper. Having rebalanced the side, England claimed a small-consolation victory in the third Test against West Indies, and left Foakes with a few questions about where to go next.Widely regarded as the best gloveman in the country, Foakes may now find his best route back into the team is as a specialist batsman – even discussing with Trevor Bayliss, England’s head coach, about the possibility of pitching himself as a candidate for the Test team’s troublesome No. 3 slot.It is a measure of his understated nature that Foakes was seemingly readying himself to be dropped from the outset, after replacing the injured Bairstow in Galle and then playing an instrumental role in England’s 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka. His debut series was “a dream come true” but a couple of unfortunate dismissals in the Caribbean – caught at short leg and playing on while pulling – contributed to him losing his place after just five Tests.”I didn’t think I’d be getting dropped that game,” he said, reflecting on his experience at Surrey’s pre-season media day. “From what you hear within [the squad] I was quite surprised to be dropped. It was a case where, without making excuses, a couple of the dismissals were quite freak dismissals.”I didn’t feel like I had had an absolute stinker. It was one of those phases. I didn’t feel like I was horribly out of form and you get dropped. I just didn’t get runs, a little bit of bad luck, and it’s over before you know it – that sort of tour. It’s obviously quite difficult to deal with that brief period.”From what I was told they wanted to get Jonny back down to No. 7 and didn’t like that balance [of Foakes keeping at No. 8]. In a county season I’ve been through many stages where I haven’t got runs and you get a long stretch. But I guess that’s the first learning of international cricket, that you don’t have that luxury. You do get dropped, you do get back in at certain stages.”Foakes had initially been planning to take some time off, after several winters of involvement with England and the Lions, so his surprise elevation to the Test side after Bairstow rolled his ankle during the ODIs in Sri Lanka was the start of an unexpected journey.”I think it was a rollercoaster, but a dream come true,” he said, “an amazing winter where I guess I didn’t think it would come about and then things went better than I could ever expect. And obviously you’ve got the other end of the spectrum, so with international cricket I guess that’s the way it is. But it was an amazing winter.”As for whether he could force his way in as a batsman – he averages 40.70 in first-class cricket, usually while playing as a keeper – Foakes is uncertain. England’s lower-middle order is the Test team’s batting stronghold, with most of the question marks around the top three, but Surrey are well-stocked with options in that area – including Foakes’ team-mate Jason Roy, who is hoping to make an Ashes case himself.But while he is a markedly different player, Foakes can perhaps look to the example of Jos Buttler, another wicketkeeper-batsman in the Test XI, for inspiration. Buttler’s return, sparked in part by his form in the IPL, was one of a number of selectorial dice rolls that paid off for England last year.”I’d play for England wherever I could get in,” Foakes said. “I’m speaking to Ed Smith next week and I’ll ask him a few questions about routes back into the team, how I can get back in.”The way the Test team is now, it’s a versatile team and there are some left-field selections and that sort of thing. I’ve never thought I could play as a batter only, I always thought I’d have to get in as a keeper but I guess the way it’s going, if I could push my case and get a lot of runs then you never know.”Obviously I’d love to bat three but I’ve never done it with keeping. There are certain steps up but I’d love to give it a go. Technically I’m quite happy, it’s obviously a more challenging place to bat but as with all new challenges you evolve, you learn. I’m not the most attacking player so am probably suited to batting up a little bit.”Whatever questions he may have for the England management, Foakes has no doubts about his desire to get back into the side. “It was something that I have worked my whole career for. To get there you will get highs and lows, but especially in Sri Lanka, the feeling out on the pitch with the guys was the best feeling I’ve ever had in cricket. So I want that again.”

Akash has played nine T20s so far, picking up seven wickets at an economy rate of 7.87

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Mar-2023Chennai Super Kings left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary has been sidelined from the entire IPL 2023 with a stress fracture of the back. Nagaland left-arm seamer Akash Singh, who has played for Rajasthan Royals in the past, has been signed as a like-for-like replacement.Choudhary’s injury is the latest blow to the Super Kings attack that is already without New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who has also been ruled out of the entire season with a back injury. Super Kings will also be without the Sri Lankan pair of Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana, who will link up with the franchise only after the end of Sri Lanka’s six-match white-ball series in New Zealand on April 8.Choudhary was one of the finds of the last IPL season, emerging as the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker, with 16 strikes in 13 games at an economy rate of 9.31. Eleven of those wickets came in the powerplay, the joint-most by any bowler during this phase in the tournament.Related

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Akash, who was unsold at the auction, will join Super Kings at his base price of INR 20 lakh. In all, he has played nine T20s so far, picking up seven wickets at an economy rate of 7.87. He made his T20 debut for Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2019 before helping India Under-19s to a runners-up finish in the 2020 World Cup in South Africa. He had moved from Rajasthan to Nagaland ahead of the 2022-23 domestic season.

IPL contracted players not named in T20 squad

Firdose Moonda18-Mar-2021Allrounder Wihan Lubbe and fast bowler Lizaad Williams have received their first call-ups to a South African squad, with Lubbe included in the T20 squad to face Pakistan next month, and Williams in both the T20 and ODI squads. Sisanda Magala, who was part of South Africa’s limited-overs squads to play England and Australia last summer but could not get a game because of fitness concerns, is in both squads.Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder have both been recalled to the ODI squad after last playing in 2019, while Migael Pretorius, who was part of the Test squad against Sri Lanka but did not play, has been selected for the T20s. Kyle Verreynne is also part of the T20 squad for the first time. Daryn Dupavillon is back in the ODI squad after debuting in March 2020.The teams will be captained by Temba Bavuma, who has taken over from Quinton de Kock as South Africa’s white-ball captain for the next two years. De Kock, who was on a mental health break until this week, has been named in the squad but, along with the rest of the IPL contracted players will be released early. De Kock, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi are the five players who will leave early. Faf du Plessis, who retired from Test cricket last month but remains available in white-ball formats, has not been selected.”We’re very excited about these two squads that we have selected for our home tour against Pakistan. The ODI squad boasts the calibre of talent we have in South African Cricket and I’m really excited to see how they go about the series. We have enough experience within that squad to provide a good challenge to Pakistan when they arrive on our shores,” Victor Mpitsang, selection convenor said.”The T20 squad is also a good indication of our depth as a cricket nation with the loss of some of the senior players to the IPL. We have a massive 18 months of T20 cricket coming up, with two ICC T20 World Cups for players to contest. We as a selection panel are looking forward to seeing what the new additions to the team will contribute to the Proteas’ system.”All eyes will be on Magala who topped both the domestic one-day and T20 cup wicket-takers’ lists and has established himself as one of the best death-bowlers in the South African game. Keshav Maharaj was the leading spinner in the T20 cup and though he has only been included in the fifty-over group, he has an opportunity to make a case for a long run in white-ball cricket. Maharaj is one of three spinners in the ODI squad, including Tabraiz Shamsi and allrounder Jon-Jon Smuts, who are both in the T20 squad along with George Linde and Bjorn Fortuin. Dwaine Pretorius is the only first-choice seam-bowling allrounder in the T20 squad, leaving no room for Andile Phehlukwayo in the shortest format.The series will be played in a biosecure environment between Johannesburg and Centurion, and starts on April 2.ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Beuran Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Lizaad WilliamsT20 squad: Temba Bavuma (captain) Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Pite van Biljon, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Wihan Lubbe

On his return to ODI cricket, Steyn top-scored with 60 then took two wickets, before Tahir cleaned up with 6 for 24 to seal the series for South Africa

The Report by Liam Brickhill in Bloemfontein03-Oct-2018Imran Tahir is overjoyed after becoming the fourth South African to take an ODI hat-trick•AFP

Imran Tahir became the fourth South African bowler to take a one-day international hat-trick as Zimbabwe folded for just 78 in the second ODI in Bloemfontein. Tahir removed Sean Williams, Peter Moor and Brandon Mavuta with successive deliveries over two overs to derail Zimbabwe’s chase and finished with a 6 for 24, taking full advantage of a batting line-up softened up by the alarmingly variable bounce extracted by Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi earlier in the evening. Steyn provided a particular fearsome challenge, bowling well above 140kph to rattle the top order. He picked up 2 for 19 on his return to ODI cricket, capping a day in which he also top scored with a career-best 60 to boost South Africa to a total of 198.That already looked like it could be enough when Tahir was brought on in the 14th over, thanks in large part to a pitch that misbehaved all day and became particularly capricious when Dale Steyn opened the bowling under lights. The Willow End, in particular, exhibited variable bounce that made the prospect of chasing look very difficult.Craig Ervine was struck on the glove and the grille by consecutive deliveries from Steyn, while both Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza were made to fend at brutal lifters that reared off a length. With Solomon Mire undone third ball by a full one from Steyn, none of the rest of the top were able to build partnerships and Zimbabwe entered the Powerplay teetering at 28 for 2. The visitors’ last hopes evaporated when Masakadza fell for 27, indecision sewn by the irregular bounce bringing a flat-footed poke to slip off Ngidi.Tahir had, by this point, already started to weave his magic at the other end. Taylor swept a four but then misread a googly to be lbw for 10, Tahir setting off in celebration even as he turned to appeal the wicket. From then on, although the pitch levelled out, Tahir’s variations simply proved too much for Zimbabwe. Williams was drawn out of his crease by one that spun away from him to be stumped off the last ball of Tahir’s third over, while Moor played outside a slider to be lbw to the first of his fourth. The next ball zipped in off a length, right between Mavuta’s bat and pad to spark Tahir’s trademark celebration.Zimbabwe slumped to 59 for 8 with the hat-trick, and the result was now a foregone conclusion. Jarvis slogged across the line at another googly to be bowled for 1, and fittingly it was Steyn who held the final catch to bring the game to an end when Chatara heaved a slider into the deep.The catch completed an almost perfect comeback for Steyn, whose two wickets came after his maiden ODI fifty had carried South Africa out of the depths of 101 for 7. South Africa picked him to bowl, but in his first one-day international in almost two years Steyn’s plucky batting rescued his team. Thirteen years since his ODI debut, and batting for the 48th time in the format, Steyn put on 75 with Andile Phehlukwayo, a new South African record for the eighth wicket against Zimbabwe.South Africa were tottering when Steyn got to the crease, but the mantra being drilled into them is to play positive cricket regardless of the situation and the shots kept coming. Steyn was off the mark with an edge through the vacant second slip, and while he swung merrily Phehlukwayo shrugged off a strong lbw shout to drill Williams over long on for six.An outside edge over slip took Steyn to his highest score in ODIs, and he motored into the 40s with a heave to midwicket – his seventh four. He had scored the bulk of the eighth-wicket stand that rebuilt South Africa’s innings when Zimbabwe finally broke through, Chatara strangling Phehlukwayo down the leg side.Steyn brought up his fifty with a crisp strike down the ground for six off Donald Tiripano, becoming the fourth South African after Lance Klusener, Andrew Hall and Richard Snell to score an ODI half century from no. 9. It was an effort that was desperately needed after three of the top five fell for single figures.Zimbabwe, too, had had some assistance from a pitch that captain Masakadza described as “up and down”, but they had also been rewarded for disciplined application with the ball. The wickets were shared around by their seamers and spinners and Jarvis was particularly probing in his opening spell. Once again, South Africa’s unproven top order stumbled under pressure, and it was left to the two of the oldest men on the field – Steyn and Tahir – to secure the match and the series.

The Sri Lanka spinner is required to undergo testing on his action within 14 days, but can bowl in international cricket until the results of the tests are out

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2018Sri Lanka offspinner Akila Dananjaya has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the first Test against England in Galle.He is required to undergo testing on his action within 14 days, but can bowl in international cricket until the results of the tests are out, the ICC said.The second Test against England begins on November 14 in Pallekele, so Dananjaya will be eligible to bowl in that match if selected to play. He took only two wickets in the first Test in Galle.Dananjaya, 25, has played four Tests, 30 ODIs and 16 T20Is for Sri Lanka since his international debut in September 2012.

The fast bowler picked up 5 for 100 as Western Australia were bowled out for 251 in their second innings despite Josh Philippe’s maiden century

The Report by Alex Malcolm19-Oct-2018Chris Tremain goes up in appeal•Getty Images

Last season’s leading Sheffield Shield wicket-taker Chris Tremain has picked up where he left off, claiming nine wickets in Victoria’s innings demolition of Western Australia at the WACA ground.Victoria’s march to victory was halted by heavy rain on day three. But despite a sparkling maiden Shield century from Josh Philippe, the game was wrapped up before lunch on day four.Philippe and Cameron Green put on a 78-run partnership for the seventh wicket to frustrate Victoria. Philippe added 17 to his overnight score to reach his century before falling to Scott Boland for 104 from 142 balls.Green watched helplessly from the non-striker’s end as Boland then knocked over Usman Qadir and David Moody for ducks before Tremain trapped Simon Mackin in front for nought to complete his sixth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Green finished on 35 not out.Will Pucovski was named Player of the Match for his stunning 243.

The West Indies captain expects Bangladesh to bounce back in the second Test after the innings and 219 runs defeat in the first

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-20180:43

Clive Lloyd: Roach is doing a marvellous job

It was the fast bowlers’ opening bursts – in both innings – that paved way to West Indies beating Bangladesh inside three days, according to captain Jason Holder.In the first innings, Kemar Roach reduced Bangladesh to 18 for 5 on the way to 43 all out, and in the second, Shannon Gabriel had them 50 for 6. In fact, Bangladesh were able to last a mere 354 deliveries in the entire Test as they crashed to an-innings-and-219-run defeat.Roach took 5 for 8 in the first innings and was the Man of the Match, while Gabriel continued the good form he had shown in the series against Sri Lanka with 5 for 77 in the second innings. Holder himself and Miguel Cummins, the fourth pacer in West Indies’ attack, took five wickets each in the match.2:31

What’s the big deal about Shannon Gabriel?

“The opening burst by Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach set the tone for us, and I was able to come in and get a few wickets at the end, and obviously Miguel Cummins got three wickets in the first innings as well,” Holder said. “It was a clinical performance in the first hour of play and obviously we set it up quite nicely with the bat, led by Kraigg (Brathwaite). A wonderful hundred, I think it’s his seventh Test match century, and well supported by everybody else who chipped in. I think it was a good opportunity for everybody to get a chance in the middle. Only one of our batsmen missed out, that’s Roston (Chase, who made 2). But hopefully in Jamaica, he comes to the party.”Holder said he was looking forward to the second and final Test of the series, starting in Kingston from July 12, and expected Bangladesh to bounce back. “Happy overall with the performance. I felt we bowled and batted well in this Test match. We also supported our bowlers in the field,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the next Test in Jamaica. I expect Bangladesh to come back and come at us pretty hard. It’s just a matter of us being consistent and maintaining the pressure we set on them.”While the West Indies seamers have all been among the wickets, legspinner Devendra Bishoo has had a lean run. Bishoo has been wicketless in West Indies’ last three Tests – two against Sri Lanka and this one against Bangladesh – and also not been thrown the ball very often. He has bowled only 29 overs combined in those three matches, and only seven overs in the last two Tests.”I think we’ve got a really good balance here. I know Devendra Bishoo hasn’t really come into the fore as much as we probably would have expected but I think he has a part to play,” said Holder while remaining noncommittal about the XI for the next match. “It’s just a matter of seeing how the conditions are in Jamaica and then making a decision.”

New deal to include increase in Blast coverage, and more women’s fixtures than ever before

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2022The ECB and Sky Sports have extended their broadcast partnership by a further four years, until the end of 2028.The new deal, which is set to begin in 2025, includes a commitment to 90 extra hours of cricket each year, and guarantees that the Hundred – the new competition that was a major factor in the last rights cycle for 2020-24 – will continue for at least another five seasons.That hike in live coverage includes a commitment to a 50 percent increase in the number of Vitality Blast fixtures being broadcast, including one game per round being shown free-to-air on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel.The exact details of the new deal’s free-to-air provisions will be confirmed at a later date – the BBC’s current agreement extends until the end of 2024 – although at least two women’s T20 internationals each year will be broadcast on terrestrial TV, as well as eight women’s Hundred matches – an increase of two from the current deal.Sky have also pledged to continue supporting grassroots cricket through the ECB’s Dynamos Cricket programme.Clare Connor, the ECB’s interim chief executive, said: “Sky have been fantastic partners for cricket for over 30 years. Their broadcast coverage is rightly lauded as the best in the world, but more significantly than that we have a shared commitment to growing the sport and investing in more opportunities, not only for people to watch and follow cricket in all its forms, but also to pick up a bat and ball.”Thanks to Sky and the support of other partners, we saw a record 14 million people playing, attending or following cricket in 2021. This year alone, 10,000 children will get the chance to have a free taste of cricket through Sky Dynamos Intros, while many, many more will benefit from facilities and opportunities to play which are only possible because of Sky’s investment. It shows this media rights model is working, and we are very grateful for Sky’s ongoing support.”We have worked closely with the wider game and our First-Class Counties to agree this new deal with Sky, which will see not only more live women’s and men’s cricket on Sky, but also more on free to air TV as well. I would like to place on record our thanks to the First Class County Chairs, to all of the Sky teams involved and to ECB colleagues including Tony Singh and Tom Harrison, who have played the central role in delivering this outstanding result for cricket.”Our shared values and vision with Sky will make cricket accessible to even more people over the coming years and will use the power of sport to inspire the next generation, while safeguarding the wonderful traditions which are such a key part of our game.”Stephen van Rooyen, Sky Sports’ EVP and CEO UK and Europe, added: “This is an exciting time for English cricket and we’re thrilled to be furthering our long and successful partnership with the ECB. Together we will continue to help grow the game while boosting participation in the sport by children from all backgrounds through initiatives like our Dynamos Cricket Intros.”On screen, we will continue to push boundaries in our BAFTA-winning coverage, bringing Sky Sports viewers even more live action from 2025 – including more women’s cricket than ever before – with men’s and women’s England internationals and domestic cricket. Sky’s investment over the last 30 years has contributed to a great deal of success on the pitch, and we hope to be at the forefront of much more to come.”