logo
England call up talented youngster as injury replacement for Zimbabwe Test

England call up talented youngster as injury replacement for Zimbabwe Test

Cox will miss out on the opportunity to make his England Test debut for the second time, having previously been ruled out of last year's tour of New Zealand due to a finger injury.
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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Labuschagne: Test cricket ‘in a great place' ahead of showpiece at Lord's
Labuschagne: Test cricket ‘in a great place' ahead of showpiece at Lord's

Int'l Cricket Council

time3 days ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

Labuschagne: Test cricket ‘in a great place' ahead of showpiece at Lord's

Marnus Labuschagne believes Test cricket is in a 'great place' ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final as his Australia side bid to defend their crown. The 30-year-old was part of the XI which defeated India by 209 runs at The Oval in 2023 to lift the trophy for the first time. They now take on South Africa, the country of Labuschagne's birth, at the conclusion of the third edition of a competition the batter feels has helped reinvigorate the game's oldest format. 'It is an exciting tournament,' he said. 'It means every Test you play has something on it, it brings all the countries into play, and anyone can make the final. 'It's exciting to play in, you're playing for a trophy at the end of a two-year cycle. I think it has worked great. Two years ago, when we beat India, it was awesome. 'I'm looking at it from a player's perspective and it looks like the game is in a great place. 'Every time Test cricket is on, people want to watch it. India, Australia and England are probably carrying a bit of the load of Test cricket, but we really want to see all the countries keep producing great players and being part of upholding such an amazing tradition of Test cricket.' Labuschagne has been a lock-in as part of Australia's top order since becoming Test cricket's first-ever concussion substitute at Lord's, the venue for the upcoming final, in the 2019 Ashes. After 14 Tests, his average stood at 63.43 and he spent six months as the world's top-ranked Test batter from December 2021. But runs have been harder to come by in recent times and he averages 28.33 in the current WTC cycle, with just one century. He made valuable contributions against India in the Australian summer, however, with scores of 64 in Adelaide and 70 and 72 in Melbourne, and has been acclimatising to British conditions during his latest stint with Glamorgan, which has become something of a second home. 'I love playing with the guys here, they are close friends, and I love the environment at the club,' he said. 'The benefit of having a relationship with the club for six years is that you have the perks of being able to call the director of cricket and say: 'this is what it looks like, is there a chance we can line this up'. 'Without that relationship, there might be some hesitancy, or you might not get someone in for two games. But that's the benefit of the long-term commitment I have shown over the last six years.' Labuschagne is not the only Australian impressing in the County Championship, with fit-again Cameron Green among the runs for Gloucestershire and all-rounder Beau Webster impressing with Warwickshire. 'I spoke to Greeny last week, he's going well,' Labuschagne said. 'I think he's just enjoying being back playing and being able to be on the park after being out for as long as he was. 'I haven't spoken too much to Beau but I'm sure we will reunite in the next week or so, get back on the golf course and have a bit of chat before we get ready for the final. 'It (county cricket) just stands you in good stead as you are out playing games, you are in that competitive mindset, and you get yourself in that headspace again. 'In a one-off game, to pull all that together and get it right in the first innings can feel like a lot to do. I personally prefer it to get a bit of preparation time in before a big game like this.' Green's return to fitness and form has given Australia's selectors a dilemma as to the make-up of their batting order, with speculation Labuschagne may be moved up to open from his usual spot at number three. Teenage opener Sam Konstas, who made a 52-ball half-century on debut against India in December, is also part of the travelling squad and Labuschagne is excited to see how the latest cab off the Australian rank develops. 'He is a very talented player, and we haven't seen the best of him by any stretch of the imagination,' he said. 'He's got time, and he is someone we are investing in. You can't ever predict what the future holds but he is a very good player who will have a very good career.' Australia last faced South Africa in a Test series in 2022-23, with the hosts running out 2-0 winners Down Under. The latest instalment has silverware on the line and Labuschagne is determined to leave London with his hands on it. 'South Africa have been a very good team in this cycle, on paper it's a well-balanced side and they have some really nice players,' he said. 'It will be a good challenge for us, and we are going to have to be on our game. 'Playing at Lord's is always special with the history and what is involved with playing there. It's going to be an awesome week and another great match.' ENDS

England regain Carse and Woakes for first Test against India, Atkinson out with hamstring injury
England regain Carse and Woakes for first Test against India, Atkinson out with hamstring injury

Gulf Today

time4 days ago

  • Gulf Today

England regain Carse and Woakes for first Test against India, Atkinson out with hamstring injury

England's remodeled pace attack lost Gus Atkinson to injury but has regained Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse for the first Test against India starting on June 20 in Leeds. With Atkinson ruled out of selection after injuring his right hamstring in the innings defeat of Zimbabwe in last month's one-off Test, England again has had to shuffle a fast-bowler unit missing injured pair Mark Wood (knee) and Jofra Archer (thumb) and permanently deprived of now-retired stalwarts James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Woakes has only recently returned from a long-term ankle injury and has been playing for England's second-string Lions against India A. Carse also missed the match against Zimbabwe while he fully recovered from a toe injury sustained while playing in the Champions Trophy in February, but is set to return. Meanwhile, Jamie Overton, a bowling allrounder, has been picked despite breaking his right little finger during a one-day international against the West Indies on May 29 and is back in the Test squad for the first time since June 2022 when he earned his sole cap against New Zealand. That was at Headingley, where England and India will begin their highly anticipated five-match series. On Atkinson's fitness, England selector Luke Wright said on a video call it was a minor injury and added: 'We are going to try and get him ready for the second or third' Test. Fast bowler Jofra Archer is in contention to play for England in their second Test, said Wright. He added that an exact idea of Archer's fitness will come when Sussex play Durham in a County Championship game at Chester-le-Street happening in two weeks' time. Archer hasn't played red-ball cricket for four years due to multiple injuries in elbow and back. He was set to make a red-ball comeback for England Lions in their series against India A, but a thumb injury picked while fielding for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 has kept him out of action. 'Jof's also trucking along really well actually. The plan is for him to play a few second-team games, loading up in the second team for Sussex. Then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test (when it begins in Leeds on June 20).' 'Then if all things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test. Like anything with all these bowlers, he's got to keep ticking things off everyday with no setbacks. But, if all goes well and he gets through that Durham game, then he's available potentially for selection for that second Test,' said Wright to reporters after England's squad for the first Test was announced on Thursday. Also in the 14-man squad is rising star batter Jacob Bethell, who didn't return home from the Indian Premier League to play against Zimbabwe but has been playing in the ODIs against the Windies. It looks to be a straight shootout between Bethell and Ollie Pope to bat at No. 3, but Pope has the edge given he is vice captain and scored a big century against the Zimbabweans. Wright said no decision had been made yet on whether the 21-year-old Bethell would come straight into the team having impressed on tour in New Zealand late last year. There will be further Tests at Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford and the Oval. Meanwhile, opener Phil Salt will miss England's upcoming three-match T20I series against the West Indies after being granted paternity leave, said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday. The ECB in its statement said wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith is now Salt's replacement in the squad. 'Salt, who is taking time away on paternity leave following the birth of his child earlier this week, will now spend time at home,' further said the ECB. Salt had gone back home for the birth of his child after playing a match-winning knock of 56 not out off 27 balls in Royal Challengers Bengaluru beating Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 in New Chandigarh. Agencies

Gill confident India can heap ‘immense' pressure on England
Gill confident India can heap ‘immense' pressure on England

Int'l Cricket Council

time4 days ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

Gill confident India can heap ‘immense' pressure on England

India's new red-ball skipper Shubman Gill is positive of India's Test squad for the five-Test series in England. Speaking before departure for the much-anticipated tour, Gill acknowledged that while England's aggressive style of play makes them a challenging opposition to face, India have the goods to counter them. 'They play a certain way. I think we saw that when they came to India as well,' Gill said. 'It gives us an opportunity, it gives us a great challenge, if we are very proactive with our execution, and if we are proactive with our plans, I think it would put them under pressure immensely.' Gill was named skipper of India's 18-member squad that will be missing stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who recently called it quits from the longest format. Among the seasoned campaigners in the squad is pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The 31-year-old, who recently made a comeback from a back injury he sustained on the tour of Australia, is unlikely to be available for all five Tests to manage his workload. Jasprit Bumrah on his multiple ICC honours for an incredible 2024 | ICC Awards An elated Jasprit Bumrah speaks on the privilege of being honoured with multiple ICC awards for his incredible 2024 🤩 #ICCAwards Gill, however, is confident of India's depth in the fast bowling department. 'We have enough pace battery, a lot of fast bowlers in great space, who can win us Test matches from any situation,' he said. 'Obviously, someone like Jasprit Bumrah, whenever he would play it would be a great sight for us. But we have a great mix of bowlers.' India squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav. In the lead up to the series, a particular positive for India saw returning middle-order batter Karun Nair score a double century for India A against England Lions. India head coach Gautam Gambhir highlighted how Nair's presence in the India squad after seven years adds to the side. 'We know the importance of domestic cricket if you keep doing well in domestic cricket, the doors are never shut for you,' Gambhir said. 'He's got a double hundred for India, so it's always good to have players, especially on this kind of good form among the runs. His experience will definitely come in handy, and hopefully he can deliver.' Nair arrives in England on the back of noteworthy displays in India's domestic cricket season and the Indian Premier League. He also boasts vital county experience in English conditions, having played for Northamptonshire in 2023 and 2024, amassing 736 runs in 10 matches at an average of 52.57, which also included a splendid double hundred.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store