Shimron Hetmyer has been picked by West Indies in their 15-man squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Shamar Joseph, the 24-year-old fast bowler who has played only three T20s and is yet to make his international debut in the format, has also been given a surprise call-up. Hetmyer had quite literally missed his flight to the 2022 T20 World Cup, but has since returned to the fold for West…

England Women are using artificial intelligence (AI) to inform selection using a system head coach Jon Lewis says proved crucial in last year’s drawn Ashes series. Lewis was first exposed to the technology, provided by London-based company PSi, while coaching UP Warriorz in the inaugural WPL last year. He has since spoken with the likes of England Rugby Union coach Steve Borthwick about the system, also used by English rugby…

Bangladesh chose to bowl v Zimbabwe Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bowl in the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Chattogram. His counterpart Sikandar Raza, however, said his team was happy to bat. Joylord Gumbie made his T20I debut for Zimbabwe as the visitors made two changes. Tony Munyonga and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe played Zimbabwe’s last T20I against Sri Lanka, but they were replaced by Gumbie and Ryan Burl. Tanzid…

Australia have replaced India as the No. 1 Test team in the ICC men’s rankings after the annual update. India, though, have retained the top spot in the ODI and T20I rankings. In this cycle, the matches played only after May 2021 are taken into consideration for the ranking, which means India’s 2-1 series win in Australia in December 2020-January 2021 has dropped out. All results between May 2021 and…

Sophia Dunkley must rediscover her rhythm and find her best cricket if she is to break back into the England side for this year’s T20 Women’s World Cup after being left out of the squad for home white-ball series against Pakistan. Dunkley was overlooked for both T20I and ODI squads for Pakistan’s visit, which starts with the first of five T20Is in Birmingham on May 11. Tammy Beaumont was only…

Northamptonshire have signed South Africa top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the the upcoming Vitality T20 Blast. Breetzke, 25, has won three T20I caps for his country but was not named in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad and should be available throughout the group stage alongside Northamptonshire’s other overseas signing, Zimbabwe allrounder Sikandar Raza. “Matt is a very capable batter who will bring power, experience and some real determination to…

India is set to host South Africa for a multi-format women’s tour in June-July. ESPNcricinfo has learnt Bengaluru will host the white-ball leg, beginning with three ODIs from June 16, while Chennai will host the one-off Test starting June 28. The three T20Is will be played after the Test, with a view to ensure continuity in formats ahead of the T20 World Cup that is set to be held in…

Sean Jarvis, Leicestershire’s chief executive, has warned that county cricket is facing its “Premier League moment” with the ECB’s impending sale of equity stakes in the Hundred, and has urged the game not to create the same divide between haves and have-nots that is currently afflicting English football. Despite being the reigning Metro Bank One-Day Cup champions, as well as top of Division Two in the County Championship after a…

Counties have been told they have until the end of May to propose changes to the ECB’s visa criteria for overseas players, after a challenging offseason for directors of cricket. Securing high-quality overseas players has never been harder for counties due to a congested domestic schedule, overlaps with an increasing number of franchise leagues and the unique challenge of a T20 World Cup in the middle of the English summer….

South Africa will host Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s men teams and England’s women team in the 2024-25 summer for a total of 17 international fixtures, including five Tests, between November and January. The men’s Test series form part of the World Test Championship and will be played in Durban and Gqeberha (Sri Lanka), and Centurion and Cape Town (Pakistan), which leaves the country’s biggest venue – the Wanderers in Johannesburg…