English cricketer, Surrey and England batter (goalkeeper: none)
England names a 16-man squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan as Ben Stokes retires. Jordan Cox is promoted to No. 3 with Bethell out injured. Dan Lawrence returns to the middle order; Shoaib Bashir remains among the spinners. The series begins at Headingley on 19 August.
England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket after a dramatic Trent Bridge finish. The Guardian reports a verdict on Brendon McCullum’s leadership remains contested as England’s form wanes and a new era looms.
England’s one-day side is reshaping as Bethell eyes an ODI opening spot alongside Duckett, while Stokes’ retirement creates a leadership and selection vacuum. Curran and Coles emerge as other potential pillars as England chase a series win against India in the white-ball format.