Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has voiced his support for Joe Root's return as England's Test skipper while admitting he is concerned about the toll the role could once again take on his close friend. Speaking on the latest episode of the For The Love Of Cricket podcast alongside Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad, Stokes revealed that his biggest concern is not Root's ability to lead the team, but the personal sacrifices the star batter may make after previously stepping down from the captaincy in 2022. Root resigned from the role four years ago after describing his first stint as captain as a "very unhealthy relationship," with the pressures of leading England during the Covid-19 era taking a significant emotional toll. Stokes, who succeeded Root and recently retired as Test captain following the New Zealand series, said he had already spoken to Root after his reappointment. "I love Rooty and wish him nothing but success," Stokes said. "My only worry is Joe himself. He always puts the team first and himself second. Having seen what he went through the last time he was captain, I just don't want to see that happen again because I care about him a lot." Fleming's Arrival Boosts Confidence Stokes expressed confidence that newly appointed Test head coach Stephen Fleming will provide valuable support to Root, having previously worked with the former New Zealand captain in the Indian Premier League. According to Stokes, Fleming's experience and leadership style could help Root enjoy his second spell as captain while easing some of the burdens that accompanied his previous tenure. Stokes Questions Brook Decision The former captain also questioned the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision not to promote vice-captain Harry Brook to the top job after Stokes' retirement. Brook, who was appointed vice-captain ahead of the Ashes, was overlooked despite being the designated deputy. ECB Managing Director Rob Key recently explained that the board felt it was "too soon" to hand Brook full leadership responsibilities following recent off-field issues. Stokes disagreed with that assessment. "If someone is good enough to be vice-captain, then trust them with the captaincy when the opportunity comes," he said. "When I missed a Test earlier, I wondered why Brook wasn't leading. If he's vice-captain but doesn't become captain when the captain is unavailable, what message does that send?" Stokes also pointed out that he had no previous leadership experience when he was appointed England captain in 2022. Cricket's Relationship with Alcohol Addressing questions about England's off-field culture, Stokes rejected suggestions that the national team has a drinking problem. Instead, he argued that alcohol has long been embedded in cricket at every level of the game. "I don't think England has a drinking culture," he said. "I think cricket has a drinking culture. From club cricket right through to the international game, alcohol has always been part of the sport." Stokes acknowledged that the issue can become problematic and admitted he had experienced periods in his own career where his relationship with alcohol had become "potentially dangerous." However, he said his approach has changed significantly in recent years. While sports science, nutrition and professionalism have evolved dramatically, Stokes believes cricket's association with alcohol has remained largely unchanged and deserves greater attention. Coaching Ambitions Looking ahead, Stokes revealed he hopes to remain involved in cricket after his playing career by pursuing coaching. The 35-year-old is currently completing his ECB Level Three coaching qualification while continuing to play domestic cricket for Durham. He said coaching England in the future would be an ambition. "I want to be a coach," Stokes said. "Would I love to coach England one day? Absolutely. Whether it happens or not, I don't know." No Retirement U-Turn Stokes also dismissed speculation that he could reverse his retirement from Test cricket, insisting his decision is final. Although he had initially planned to retire after the 2027 Ashes, recurring injuries and the physical demands of international cricket convinced him to step away earlier. The all-rounder explained that after dedicating much of his career to leading England, he could not imagine returning to the side solely as a player. "I was very comfortable with retiring," Stokes said. "If I was going to play for England, it was going to be as captain. I gave everything to that role, and I don't see myself coming back just as a player." With Root beginning a second chapter as England's Test captain and Stokes turning his attention toward coaching, the team's leadership enters a new era while one of its most influential figures prepares for life beyond international cricket.

Ireland and Afghanistan are set to usher in a new chapter in their ODI journeys as they face off in a five-match series beginning at Bready. Both teams enter the contest under new leadership, with fresh coaching setups and an eye on building towards qualification for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. For Ireland, the series marks the beginning of Gary Wilson's tenure as head coach following the team's historic 2-0 T20I series victory over India. The hosts will also benefit from the expertise of former Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott, who has joined the Irish setup as a short-term consultant after spending more than three successful years transforming Afghanistan into one of the most competitive ODI teams. Although Ireland arrive with confidence after their recent T20I success, they have not played an ODI in over 15 months, making the series a crucial opportunity to rebuild and experiment. Afghanistan are also entering a new phase. Richard Pybus has taken over as head coach following Trott's departure, while veteran batter Rahmat Shah has replaced Hashmatullah Shahidi as ODI captain. Afghanistan have enjoyed an impressive run in the 50-over format since 2024 and defeated Ireland 2-0 in their previous ODI series in Sharjah. However, they will be eager to bounce back after their winning streak was halted by India earlier this year. Players to Watch Ireland's spotlight will be on left-arm pacer Jai Moondra, who is poised to make his ODI debut after an outstanding Player-of-the-Series performance against India in the recent T20Is. With several frontline Irish seamers sidelined through injury, Moondra has an opportunity to establish himself despite having played only nine List-A matches. For Afghanistan, explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz will once again be the key figure. The wicketkeeper-batter enters the series in outstanding form after scoring 87, an unbeaten 107, and 102 in the Shpageeza Cricket League before helping Guyana Amazon Warriors win the Global Super League with a string of consistent performances. Recently appointed vice-captain, Gurbaz will shoulder additional leadership responsibilities alongside his batting and wicketkeeping duties. Injury Concerns for Ireland Ireland's bowling attack has been severely affected by injuries, with Josh Little, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Matt Hollard, Jordan Neill, and David Delany all unavailable. The depleted squad could hand ODI debuts to right-arm seamer Byron McDonough and middle-order batter Ben Calitz, while spinner Gavin Hoey is expected to play a vital role. Afghanistan, meanwhile, receive a timely boost with the return of pace bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has opted out of the series, while spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman remains unavailable due to injury. Pitch and Conditions Bready has hosted only one men's ODI, back in 2019, but recent women's internationals at the venue produced high-scoring contests, with successful run chases of 242 and 270. Similar batting-friendly conditions are expected for the opening two matches, although forecasts suggest a 35 percent chance of rain on Wednesday. Key Statistics Afghanistan have won each of their last six ODIs against Ireland. Ireland's last ODI victory over Afghanistan came in May 2019. George Dockrell needs three wickets to become Ireland's leading wicket-taker in ODI history. In the only previous men's ODI at Bready, Ireland successfully chased 255 against Zimbabwe, with Mark Adair claiming four wickets and Andrew Balbirnie scoring a match-winning century. With both teams embarking on new journeys under fresh leadership, the five-match series promises to be an important test of progress, squad depth, and long-term ambitions in the ODI format.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former South African first-class cricketer and experienced coach Michael Smith as the batting coach of the Pakistan men's national team. Smith, a Level 4 qualified coach, will work with both the Test and white-ball squads. His first assignment will be Pakistan's upcoming three-match Test series against England, beginning on August 19 in Leeds. The PCB officially confirmed Smith's appointment on July 4, filling a role that had remained vacant in recent months. Before his arrival, national selector Asad Shafiq had occasionally assisted with batting responsibilities, but Smith will now assume the role on a full-time basis. Smith is no stranger to Pakistan cricket, having previously worked in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a coach with Islamabad United. More recently, he served as assistant coach of Multan Sultans, gaining valuable experience within Pakistan's domestic and franchise cricket setup. His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan's batting, particularly in Test cricket, has faced intense criticism following a series of disappointing performances. The team's recurring batting collapses have been a major factor behind its struggles in the longest format. In their most recent Test against the West Indies, Pakistan squandered a commanding position after slipping from 244 for 3 to lose their final seven wickets for just 38 runs in the first innings. The visitors then failed to chase 211, collapsing for 120 in the fourth innings to suffer another defeat. Such performances have contributed to Pakistan losing 13 of their last 17 Test matches, highlighting the urgent need for improvement in the batting department. The lower order has been another area of concern. Since the start of 2025, Pakistan's last four batters have averaged just 9.91 runs per wicket, the lowest among all Test-playing nations during that period. Their struggles have been compounded by the bowling unit's inability to dismiss opposition tailenders cheaply, with rival teams' last four wickets averaging 27.02 runs per wicket against Pakistan since May 2024—also the worst record among Test sides. The PCB will hope Smith's experience and coaching expertise can strengthen Pakistan's batting unit as the team prepares for a challenging Test series in England. The opening Test of the three-match series will begin at Headingley, Leeds, on August 19.

Pakistan women's team ended their tour of Sri Lanka with a morale-boosting four-wicket victory in the third and final T20I, successfully chasing down a target of 114 to avoid a series whitewash. Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka claimed the three-match series 2-1 after convincing wins in the opening two games. A composed innings from Ayesha Zafar, who scored 39 off 31 balls, laid the foundation for Pakistan's successful chase. Her knock guided the visitors close to victory before she was dismissed while attempting an aggressive shot off Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu. By then, Pakistan needed only nine runs from 23 deliveries, and Tuba Hassan and Saira Jabeen completed the chase with 10 balls to spare. Tuba sealed the win in style with a crisp back-foot punch through the covers. Unlike the first two matches, where batters dominated, the deciding contest was shaped by disciplined bowling on a slower surface. Pakistan's spin attack proved decisive, restricting Sri Lanka to 113 for 6 after the hosts had elected to bat. Sri Lanka made a steady start, matching Pakistan's eventual powerplay score of 44, and appeared on course for a competitive total at 72 for 1 in the 12th over. Captain Chamari Athapaththu and Sanjana Kavindi had built a promising 36-run partnership before Pakistan turned the match around. Spinner Momina Riasat produced the breakthrough by dismissing Kavindi, who was caught at extra cover, before removing Athapaththu just three deliveries later as the Sri Lankan skipper found the fielder at deep square leg. The double strike halted Sri Lanka's momentum and triggered a middle-order collapse. Pakistan's spin unit maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings. Umm-e-Hani, Momina Riasat, Nashra Sandhu, Tuba Hassan and Ayesha Zafar shared all six wickets to fall, conceding only 47 runs between the sixth and 16th overs. Sri Lanka managed just 40 runs in the final eight overs, including only 22 in the death overs, finishing with a below-par total. Pakistan carried that momentum into the chase, with Zafar leading the way through intelligent shot selection and calm batting on a challenging surface. Her match-winning effort earned her the Player of the Match award. Speaking after the game, Zafar said the pitch conditions were different from what Pakistan had anticipated but praised her team's ability to adjust and execute their plans. Although Pakistan finished the tour with a victory, Sri Lanka emerged as the series winners, taking the three-match T20I contest 2-1 after dominant batting performances in the first two encounters.

West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul has called for greater consistency from his pace attack after Pakistan gained the upper hand on the second day of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval. Pakistan ended the day on 266 for 2, trailing West Indies' first-innings total of 344 by just 78 runs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 168-run partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam. Reflecting on the day's play, Rampaul acknowledged that the pitch had become easier for batting compared to the opening day, reducing the assistance available for the fast bowlers while still offering some help to the spinners. "The pitch got a little flatter, and there was less assistance for the faster bowlers," Rampaul said. "There was still something there for the spinners, but as a bowling group, our inconsistency hurt us again." West Indies' bowlers struggled to maintain pressure as Pakistan scored at a brisk rate of 4.03 runs per over, significantly quicker than the hosts' scoring rate of 3.25 in their first innings. Rampaul stressed that the fast bowlers must improve their accuracy and discipline, particularly in conditions where movement off the pitch is limited. "Our consistency as a bowling group needs to improve," he said. "When the pitch or the ball isn't offering much, bowling consistently is what creates wicket-taking opportunities. The faster bowlers need to dry up the runs and allow our spinners more time to attack." Pakistan's commanding position was built on the composed partnership between Shafique and Babar, who combined disciplined defence with positive stroke play to frustrate the West Indies attack. "They batted really well," Rampaul said. "They defended the good deliveries, punished the loose ones, and ran exceptionally well between the wickets. They never allowed our bowlers to settle, and that's how they built such a strong partnership." Having played much of his domestic cricket at Queen's Park Oval, Rampaul remains hopeful that the surface will deteriorate as the match progresses, bringing West Indies' spin bowlers more into the contest. "From my experience at this ground, the pitch usually breaks up as the game goes on," he said. "Hopefully, it deteriorates enough to provide our spinners with more assistance over the remaining days." With Pakistan well placed and only 78 runs behind with eight wickets in hand, West Indies will be hoping improved discipline from their bowlers and increasing assistance for spin can help them regain control of the Test.

Welsh Fire pulled off a dramatic last-ball victory over previously unbeaten Southern Brave in The Hundred, keeping their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling win at Sophia Gardens. Heading into the contest, Welsh Fire were sixth in the standings and without regular captain Sophie Devine, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury. Facing an unbeaten Southern Brave side, Fire produced a spirited performance to hand the league leaders their first defeat of the season. Southern Brave captain Sophie Molineux became the first skipper to choose to bat first in this year's women's competition, but her side struggled to build momentum on a turning surface. The opening pair departed inside the first 16 balls before Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the innings with a cautious partnership. Despite their efforts, Brave never fully accelerated and finished on 121 for 5, a total that appeared competitive given the challenging batting conditions. Georgia Voll briefly became the tournament's leading run-scorer before falling for 11, while Tilly Corteen-Coleman impressed with two key wickets. Welsh Fire also kept the pressure on through disciplined bowling, limiting the visitors to a modest score. Chasing 122, Welsh Fire found themselves under pressure against Southern Brave's renowned bowling attack. The dismissal of Orla Prendergast and Georgia Wareham left the hosts needing 52 runs from the final 38 balls, with the visitors seemingly in control. Debutant Grace Thompson injected fresh momentum with a quickfire six and four before her dismissal, setting the stage for an exciting finish. As the equation tightened, young batter Niamh Holland played a fearless knock, striking crucial boundaries with sweeps and drives to keep Fire in the contest. With three runs required from the final two deliveries, a missed run-out opportunity proved costly for Southern Brave after wicketkeeper Lee dropped the ball, allowing the scores to level. Needing just one run from the final ball, Heather Graham calmly drove Lauren Bell through the infield to seal a memorable victory and spark jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. Graham, who was named Meerkat Match Hero, praised her batting partner after the match. "For Niamh to come in at the end, run really well with me, and get a few boundaries away herself, the win is more for those guys than me," Graham said. "I've played for a lot of years and been in plenty of tight games, so you rely on those experiences to help get you over the line." The dramatic victory ended Southern Brave's perfect start to the season while giving Welsh Fire a vital boost in their bid to reach the knockout stages of The Hundred.