England cricket in the news: selectors reshuffled as North replaces Wright; Stokes out with a broken cheekbone. Captain and coaching shakeups follow. Biog: England team, governed by ECB since 1997; top men’s squad for England & Wales.
Ben Stokes has required facial surgery after suffering a broken cheekbone during a net session at Durham in February. He has been working on recovery and is expected to lead England in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4. Stokes has also addressed recent team criticism and team dynamics.
England’s cricket and rugby leadership are consolidating new structures after recent reviews. The ECB has formed a county feedback panel to inform selection, while rugby appoints Brian McDermott as head coach for the World Cup, aiming to lift performance after a heavy defeat in the Ashes. Changes signal a push for clearer pathways and accountability across sports.