Sports
Athletes Worldwide Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr 2022
Muslims celebrate the Ramadan Feast when a new moon rises on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. The followers of Islam are always keen to observe the day with a heart full of happiness. Over the past decade, people have tended to share their moments during the Eid festival, showing how special this day was for them. Celebrities are no exception. They share happy moments on their verified social media accounts and get plenty of well-wishes from their followers. Let’s have a look at some of the notable Eid-ul-Fitr 2022 wishes by athletes around the world.
The Celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr 2022 by the Athletes
Nowadays, sports celebrities have a huge influence on their fans thanks to various social media platforms. Fans usually pay attention to how their favorite athletes dress, what they wear, how they behave, and what they do in their personal lives. So, they have the power to influence heavily on their fans' lives. Fans also argue with each other regarding who has the best dress sense and has the best outfits for celebrating the Sugar Feast. Put that aside, athletes also give special messages to their followers on this special day, which normally speaks of brotherhood. Without further ado, let’s take a look at a few noteworthy Eid-ul-Fitr 2022 wishes and ways of celebration by the athletes.
Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan wished everyone a happy Eid Mubarak by putting a wishes banner on his social media account.
Read Madrid clinch record-extending 35th Spanish league title
Tamim Iqbal
Bangladesh's ODI skipper, Tamim Iqbal Khan shared a family photo and wished everyone "Eid Mubarak."
Mushfiqur Rahim
Bangladesh's dependable batter, Mushfiqur Rahim shared a photo with his son.
Mominul Haque
Bangladesh's Test captain, Mominul Haque posted a couple of pictures of himself and his wife and greeted everyone with "Eid Mubarak."
Read: Bangladesh celebrates Eid as pandemic fades
Mahmudullah Riyad
Bangladesh's T20I captain, Mahmudullah Riyad posted a family picture and wished everyone a happy Eid Mubarak.
Madrid clinch record-extending 35th Spanish league title
In a dominating season for Real Madrid, it was fitting that they did not even need their best players to win the Spanish league.
Using their backups ahead of the Champions League semifinals, Madrid earned a record-extending 35th Liga title with a comfortable 4-0 home win over Espanyol Saturday.
Players and coaches celebrated with the crowd at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium long after the match ended, then paraded to the team's usual party spot at Cibeles plaza, but there was not a lot of time to rejoice.
Wednesday, Madrid is back at the Bernabéu to host Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals. Madrid lost 4-3 in the first match in England.
"We know we have an important match ahead of us, but today we have to celebrate," said Brazilian veteran Marcelo, who reached a milestone with his 24th career title with Madrid, the most in the club's history.
"We have to enjoy it, this could help us Wednesday," said Carlo Ancelotti, who became the first coach to lift trophies in the top five European leagues.
The Italian manager won with AC Milan in Serie A, Chelsea in the English Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Rodrygo scored twice and Marco Asensio and substitute Karim Benzema added on to give Madrid their second league title in three seasons, and third in six years.
Madrid have an insurmountable lead with four rounds to go. It was 17 points in front of Sevilla, who drew with Cádiz 1-1 Friday, and 18 points ahead of Barcelona, who host Mallorca on Sunday.
"This is how you win leagues," Madrid midfielder Casemiro said. "We've done a great job the entire season, being consistent from the start."
Madrid has nine more league titles than Barcelona.
Ancelotti rested most of his regular starters against Espanyol, including Benzema and his attacking teammate Vinícius Júnior. Only goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielders Casemiro and Luka Modric made the starting lineup.
Benzema, Vinícius and Toni Kroos entered the match in the second half, and Benzema closed the scoring in the 81st for his league-leading 26th goal.
Casemiro had to play improvised as a central defender because David Alaba was out injured, and Nacho Fernández and Éder Militão were suspended.
Marcelo started at left-back and surpassed the 23 titles won by Francisco "Paco" Gento, who died this year at age 88. The 33-year-old Brazilian tied Gento when Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup in January, a few days before Gento's death.
Marcelo gave the pass to countryman Rodrygo to open the scoring from near the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Rodrygo added to the lead 10 minutes later, and Marco Asensio scored the third goal in the 55th.
It was a well-deserved title as Madrid got off to a good start and fended off every run by their challengers. They led after all but six rounds early in the season, being at the top since the 14th round in November.
The only question now is if Atlético Madrid will agree to give its city rival a "guard of honour" before the teams meet at Atlético's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium next Sunday.
IPL leader Gujarat beats Bangalore despite Kohli 58
Virat Kohli’s first half-century in 14 Indian Premier League games went in vain as the high-flying Gujarat Titans routed the Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets on Saturday.
Kohli made 58 off 53 balls and led Bangalore to 170-6 but Gujarat’s strong middle order continued to prosper and reached 174-4 with three balls to spare.
Read: RR vs MI: Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2022 playoff dream is about to sink
Rahul Tewatia’s power-hitting exploits earned him an unbeaten on 43 off 25 balls, David Miller was unbeaten on 39, and the two left-handers combined in a match-winning 79-run stand.
Gujarat improved to a two-win lead on the league with a fifth straight win. It has lost just one of its nine games.
Bangalore slipped to fifth after a third straight loss.
Kohli finally got amongst the runs after coming into the game with scores of 9, 0 and 0 in his last three matches.
Kohli, who stepped down from Bangalore captaincy at the start of the season, shared a 99-run partnership for the second wicket with Rajat Patidar, 52 runs, after fast bowler Pradeep Sangwan found the outside edge of skipper Faf du Plessis in the second over.
But both batters survived tough chances before completing their half-centuries.
Read: Australia names full-strength squads for Sri Lanka tour
Sangwan returned and broke the stand when Patidar top-edged the left-arm fast bowler to square leg, and Kohli was clean bowled by Muhammed Shami off a yorker in the 17th over.
Glenn Maxwell added two sixes and three fours in his quickfire 33 off 18 balls.
Spinners Shahbaz Ahmed and Wanindu Hasaranga brought Bangalore back in the game by claiming four wickets in the middle overs to pull back Gujarat to 95-4 in the 13th over.
But Tewatia and Miller controlled the chase in the death overs before Tewatia raised the victory with a boundary against Josh Hazlewood in the final over.
BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani regain 2nd place beating Police FC 2-1
Coming from behind, six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited again advanced to the 2nd slot of the 12-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football '2021-22 beating Bangladesh Police FC by 2-1 goal at the Sylhet District Stadium on Saturday.
Dhaka Abahani also beat Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by 4-3 goal in the previous match after trailing by 0-2 goal.
After the day's match, Dhaka Abahani regained the 2nd slot toppling Sheikh Jamal DC securing 28 points from 13 matches.
Read: BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings put half a dozen past Uttar Baridhara
Last two times champions Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league collecting 32 points from 13 outings while Sheikh Jamal DC went down to 3rd slot with 27 points, also playing 13 matches.
In the day's match, Mohammad Al Amin put the Police team ahead in the 17th minute with the frustration of Abahani fans (1-0).
But, local winger Jewel Rana rescued the sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit from a debacle scoring twice--first in the 22nd minute (1-1) and the match winning 2nd goal in the 68th minute (2-1).
In the day's another match, former champions Sheikh Russel KC almost avoid the relegation fear defeating Chittagong Abahani also by 2-1 goals at the Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla.
Ibrahim Akinade scored first for Sheikh Russel in the 32nd minute (1-0) while Aizar Akmatov sooredthe Russel margin in the 51st minute from a penalty (2-0).
Read: BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani regains 2nd slot beating Muktijoddha SKC 4-3
Shakhawat Hossain netted the lone goal for Ctg Abahani in the stoppage time of the match (90+5 minute).
In the day's other match, Saif SC defeated Rahmatganj MFS by 4-2 goalsat the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Emeka Ogbugh struck twice in the 8th and 79th minutes, Bayisenge and Sunday Udoh scored the remaining goals for Saif SC in the 4th and 58th minutes respectively.Enamul and Ashraful scored one each for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the 63rd and 76th minutes respectively.
Mosaddek or Nayeem: Who Should Play in CTG Test of BAN vs SL Series 2022?
A key member of Bangladesh's Test team, Mehidy Hasan Miraz suffered a finger injury while playing in a Dhaka Premier League match. According to the BCB's physio, Miraz's full recovery would take two to three weeks. Therefore, he was excluded from the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series. Mosaddek Hossain and Nayeem Hasan were chosen to replace the injured Miraz. Let's see who has the best longer-version record to earn a place in the playing XI of the BAN vs SL series 2022's Chattogram Test.
Test Records of Mosaddek Hossain and Nayeem Hasan
Mosaddek Hossain and Nayeem Hasan have both played Test cricket for Bangladesh. Nayeem Hasan is more consistent than Mosaddek in the Test format. Nayeem has appeared in seven Tests, whereas Mosaddek has only been in three. Nayeem Hasan is a specialist off-spinner, which is one of the reasons he plays more longer-version cricket than Mosaddek. Specialist players are given more preference in Test cricket than regular all-rounders.
Read RR vs MI: Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2022 playoff dream is about to sink
Test Profile of Mosaddek Hossain
Mosaddek made his Test debut in 2017 against Sri Lanka, and his most recent match was in September 2019 against Afghanistan. He has 164 runs and a 41-run average in three outings. Mosaddek has the highest score of 75 in this format, which he achieved against Sri Lanka. He is also a good off-spinner, especially in limited-version formats. Mosaddek is yet to take a wicket in a Test match.
Mosaddek Hossain’s Test Stats
Match
Runs
HS
Ave
50s
3
164
75
41.00
1
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Read IPL 2022: Mustafizur’s Delhi seek win against Kolkata in the race for top four finish
Nayeem Hasan’s Test Profile
Nayeem Hasan made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2018, and his most recent encounter came in February 2021 against the same opponents. He is a promising off-spinner with 25 wickets at a strike rate of 26.24 in seven games. Nayeem has two fifers in his career, with his best bowling figures of 5/61 against the West Indies. Nayeem can also bat and he has the ability to play crucial knocks in the lower order.
Nayeem Hasan’s Test Stats
Match
Wickets
BBI
Ave
5W
7
25
5/61
26.24
2
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Read Key Takeaways from the DPL 2022
Who would be a better fit for Bangladesh's team against Sri Lanka?
Given their respective Test performances, Nayeem Hasan should have the upper hand against Mosaddek Hossain. Nayeem is a wicket-taking off-spinner who may be even more devastating against the Lankan batting order in Bangladesh's conditions. Nayeem may be a potential match-winner on day four or five when the surface offers more bounce and turn for the slower bowlers. Furthermore, Nayeem's abilities as a batter in the lower order can help Bangladesh's innings.
Mosaddek Hossain, on the other hand, is a limited-overs specialized all-rounder, but his all-round abilities in the longer-version format may not be as impactful. Mosaddek can help with a good knock with the bat. Though, in bowling, he may not be the best choice because the Bangladesh team requires a proper off-spinner in their playing XI. In this scenario, Nayeem Hasan, rather than Mosaddek Hossain, would be the best pick to play the first Test in Chattogram.
Read DPL 2022: Sheikh Jamal win championship, while Khelaghar are relegated
Test Schedule of BAN vs SL Series 2022
First Test: 15-19 May | Venue: Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Second Test: 23-17 May | Venue: Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
Bottom Line
The head coach and captain usually have the final say when it comes to selecting players for a game. However, the opinions of the Bangladesh team management and senior players will be taken into account when picking the playing XI for the first Test of the BAN vs SL series 2022. Chattogram's pitch will most likely be more conducive to batting than Dhaka's.
Read BAN vs SL Series 2022: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis
Therefore, adding a specialized spinner rather than a batting all-rounder might be a wiser option. However, the Bangladesh team may want to have a strong batting lineup. Anyone who will get the opportunity to play in the match should try to make the most of it by giving their all for the Bangladesh team.
RR vs MI: Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2022 playoff dream is about to sink
The IPL 2022 campaign is the worst-ever for the most successful team in the tournament, the Mumbai Indians. In fact, their eight consecutive losses from the start of the season have been the worst in the tournament’s history. With six more matches to go, the Mumbai Indians' hope to qualify for the playoffs is practically over. Though, mathematically, they can still advance to the next round if they win the RR vs MI contest. However, that chance will also perish if they lose against the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday.
Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians: Team News
The champions of the inaugural edition, the Rajasthan Royals, have been in excellent form this season. It seems they are a genuine contender for the IPL 2022. Rajasthan are currently in the second position with 12 points. They are a couple of wins away from securing a place in the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians have yet to register a win in this year’s IPL. They are on their way to surpassing Pune Warriors and Delhi Capitals' eleven straight defeats in the Indian Premier League. Mumbai need to win a match within the next two matches to avoid such an embarrassing record.
Read IPL 2022: Mustafizur’s Delhi seek win against Kolkata in the race for top four finish
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan's campaign should feel confident after a comfortable 29-win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their latest league match. It’s Jos Buttler who has taken the bulk of the responsibility for batting for the Royals. However, Buttler didn’t perform with the bat on Tuesday (April 26), but that didn’t stop Rajasthan from clinching the contest.
Young middle-order batter, Riyan Parag stepped up with the bat and made 56 off 31, striking the ball at a rate of 180.64. The bowling department is very strong for Rajasthan this season and they have probably the best options in bowling among the participating teams.
Playing XI (RR):
Top Order: Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (Captain, Wicket-Keeper). Middle-Orders: Shimron Hetmyer, Daryl Mitchell, Riyan Parag, Ravi Ashwin, Trent Boult.
Lower-Order: Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen.
Read Key Takeaways from the DPL 2022
Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai franchise lost some of their star players who helped them win multiple IPL trophies over the years. Clearly, losing those players have impacted immensely on the Mumbai Indians' performance this season. None of the Mumbai Indians' main power hitters — Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Kieron Pollard perform well with the bat, which is a big concern. Their bowling hasn’t been impressive either.
Playing XI (MI):
Top-Order: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Ishan Kishan (Wicket-Keeper), Dewald Brevis;
Middle-Orders: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Jaydev Unadkat;
Lower-Order: Hrithik Shokeen, Jasprit Bumrah, Riley Meredith.
Match Schedule (RR vs MI)
Time: Saturday (April 30) at 8 pm (Bangladesh Standard Time) | Venue: Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.
Read DPL 2022: Sheikh Jamal win championship, while Khelaghar are relegated
Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals: Head-to-Head
Mumbai and Rajasthan have met each other 26 times. The Mumbai Indians lead the head-to-head battle with 13 wins. On the other hand, Rajasthan have won 12 matches and one match had no result.
Aftermath
Rajasthan Royals will undoubtedly start as favourites in the RR vs MI contest, based on their recent form. The Royals team will try to move even closer to the playoffs by beating Mumbai in the game. On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians team’s confidence level has worsened with each defeat in the tournament. There is no more hope left for them in this year’s competition.
The only thing the Mumbai team can do is to play with a sense of pressure-free and try to win as many games as possible before the season ends. They can identify their best playing XI by rotating players from the squad, which could be beneficial for the next season.
Read IPL 2022: Halfway Through, Playoffs Qualification Scenarios for Ten Teams
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings put half a dozen past Uttar Baridhara
Holders Bashundhara Kings maintained winning run in the 2nd phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2022 crushing lowly Uttar Baridhara Club by 6-0 goals at their home venue--Bashundhara Sports Complex-- here on Friday.
Last two times champions and star studded Bashundhara Kings, which dominated the league comfortably after the eleven- match first phase, today (Friday) further consolidated their lead securing 32 points from 13 matches.
Three times champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and six times champions Dhaka Abahani followed the leader distantly with 27 and 25 points respectively, playing 13 and 12 matches.
In the day's one sided match, newly recruited Brazillan midfielder Miguel Figueira, who scored twice against Swadhinata KS in his first appearance in the previous match, opened the floodgate for the Kings in the 26th minute while local medio Sohel Rana doubled the margin just four minutes later (30th minute).
Read: BPL Football: Holders Bashundhara Kings make good start in 2nd phase beating Swadhinata KS 2-0
Gambian striker Nuha Marong scored the 3rd goal for the Kings in the 38th minute to dominate the first half by 3-0 goals.
Forward Towhidul Alam Sabuz scored one more goals for the Kings in the 87th minute (4-0).
Baridhara defender Khokon Miah scored a sucidal goal in the 3rd minute of the stoppage time (5-0) while local striker Sumon Reza sealed the fate of the match scoring the 6th goal for the Kings in the very next minute (6-0).
In the day's other match, Sheikh Jamal DC beat Muktijoddha SKC by 2-1 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Nigerian foorballer Musa Nigere scored first for Sheikh Jamal in the 28th minute (1-0) while Gambian booter Solomon King Kanform sounded the Sheikh Jamal margin in the 66th minute (2-0).
Guinea defender Bakia Camara reduced the margin for the freedom fighters team Muktijoddha in the 70th minute (2-1).
Australia names full-strength squads for Sri Lanka tour
Australia will be at close to full strength for all three legs of its Sri Lankan tour as 34 players were named Friday for the all-format matches in June and July.
Marcus Harris was the biggest surprise after not being named in the 16-man test squad which will play two matches in Galle to end the seven-week tour. The tour begins with three Twenty20 matches followed by five one-day internationals.
Read: IPL 2022: Halfway Through, Playoffs Qualification Scenarios for Ten Teams
Star players Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell have all returned to the limited-overs squads having missed the recent white-ball games in Pakistan.
It will be new head coach Andrew McDonald’s first tour with the team.
Test captain Pat Cummins will sit out the T20 matches while first-choice spinner Adam Zampa will miss the entire tour due to the impending birth of his first child.
Fringe players could still push their cases for inclusion in the test series in the two four-day games for Australia A in Hambantota.
Read: Stokes chosen as England test captain
“It’s incredibly exciting to have an Australia A component which offers the further flexibility and opportunity for players to be available for and cross over into all squads,” said selection chief George Bailey. “That could be from a test or white-ball preparation perspective or an opportunity to impress at an international level.”
Australia squads:
Test: Pat Cummins (captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
ODI: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
Twenty20: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
Australia tour of Sri Lanka:
June 7: 1st T20, Colombo
June 8: 2nd T20, Colombo
June 11: 3rd T20, Kandy.
June 14: 1st ODI, Kandy
June 16: 2nd ODI, Kandy
June 19: 3rd ODI, Colombo
June 21: 4th ODI, Colombo
June 24: 5th ODI, Colombo
June 29-July 3: 1st test, Galle
July 8-12: 2nd test test, Galle
Australia A matches
June 8: 1st one-day game, Colombo
June 10: 2nd one-day game, Colombo
June 14-17: First-class tour match Hambantota
June 21-24: First-class tour match, Hambantota
Al Amin bags six, Tamim hits a ton as Dhaka League ends
On the last day of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Al Amin Hossain, the right-arm pacer of Legends of Rupganj, bagged six wickets against champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, and Tamim Iqbal of Prime Bank Cricket Club hit a century against Gazi Group Cricketers.
Riding on their performance, Legends of Rupganj secured a win by eight wickets while Prime Bank won by 78 runs.
In most parts of the Dhaka League, Al Amin remained out of form. Before the six-wicket haul on Thursday, Al Amin bagged eight wickets in eight matches in the league.
Also read: Key Takeaways from the DPL 2022
Sheikh Jamal batted first on Thursday and posted below-par total of 116 for all wickets in Mirpur. Captain Imrul Kayes hit a fifty but the other batters were unable to play well against the bowling attack of Rupganj led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
In reply, Rupganj chased the target of 117 in 25.1 overs with eight wickets in hand.
Along with Tamim, who hit a century in the previous match, Anamul Haque Bijoy of Prime Bank hit 96 on Thursday. These two guided Prime Bank to a big total of 355 for seven. Tamim ended up on 137.
Also read: Nayeem added to Test squad to replace injured Mehidy
In reply, Gazi Group fell short off 78 runs despite the fifties from Al Amin Jnr (87) and Meherob Hasan (71). For Prime Bank, Taijul Islam and Rubel Hossain bagged three wickets each.
In the other match of the league on the same day, Abahani Limited beat Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club by 63 runs. Mohammad Saifuddin bagged four wickets for Abahani while Mosaddek Hossain Saikat took three.
Stokes chosen as England test captain
Ben Stokes was appointed as captain of England’s test cricket team on Thursday, taking on the high-pressure role just a few months after returning from a long spell away from the game to protect his mental health.
The allrounder was the only credible option to replace Joe Root, who quit his position — which he had held for five years — two weeks ago with England having only won one of its last 17 test matches.
It is the first big decision by Rob Key, the former England batsman who was recently hired as managing director of men’s cricket in England in a turbulent period for the national team that is currently without a head coach.
Key said he was sure Stokes was ready to shoulder the burden of the captaincy despite missing most of 2021 to focus on his well-being and also recover from two finger operations. It could mean Stokes plays fewer one-day and Twenty20 internationals, though.
“It’s just something we’ve got to do — we’ve got to manage that load, we have to prioritize at times where we think he needs to be playing. At the moment, that’s going to be test cricket,” Key said.
“I don’t think we have to overthink this. We have to make sure he is in a good frame of mind, his body is in good shape, and then we can plan accordingly.”
While announcing Stokes’ new role, Key also said veteran fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad — the top two wicket-takers in England’s test history — would also be available again after being controversially left out of the recent West Indies tour.
Read: IPL 2022: Mustafizur’s Delhi seek win against Kolkata in the race for top four finish
England plays test series against New Zealand and South Africa this summer, and also completes the series against India that was cut short last year with India 2-1 ahead with one test remaining.
“Before it got announced I was doing this job, I rang them up and said, ‘In my opinion you’re both available for selection,’” Key said of the 35-year-old Broad and the 39-year-old Anderson. “I can’t promise you you’re going to play but you are just available for selection.
“Ben Stokes was very clear on the fact that he wants Jimmy and Broady to come back in. It will purely be done on what’s the best XI to win that first test match. Nothing more, nothing less. If they are in that, which there’s every chance they will be because they are two great bowlers, then they play.”
Key said new head coaches would soon be hired to lead the men’s test and limited-overs teams, insisting the same person cannot handle both jobs.
“It’s just become a job that has become near-impossible for one coach to do,” Key said. “The amount of cricket we play, with all the COVID catch-up, all that stuff, you’re going to have times where you literally would be jumping on a plane to the other side of the world to coach a different format.”
Getting rid of COVID bubbles for teams is expected to further ease the mental burden on players and coach staff. That should help Stokes, one of the world’s best cricketers in all formats, as he settles back into the swing of a hectic cricket schedule.
“He cares about the people around him, he has understanding for why people struggle, he has understanding for why people might not be feeling right,” Key said. “All those traits, along with a very good cricket brain, make him the standout choice.”
Read: Nayeem added to Test squad to replace injured Mehidy
Stokes said Root will “continue to be a key ally for me” as he takes on the captaincy.
“I want to thank Joe for everything he has done for English cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world,” Stokes said. “He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room.”