Root to retain England captaincy as Archer gets central contract
Joe Root will captain England's Test side regardless of their new head coach, Ashley Giles has confirmed.
Test skipper Root came under pressure in the recent Ashes series as England were held to a 2-2 draw, seeing Australia retain the urn as tourists for the first time since 2001.
The uncertainty around the coaching position added to speculation regarding the Yorkshireman's future, with Trevor Bayliss leaving his role following the series.
But Giles, the managing director of England men's cricket, has confirmed Root will continue to lead the side going forward.
"There have been no questions asked [about Root's future] by me," Giles told Sky Sports News. "I would hope that is the most important thing for now.
"One of the most important things for Joe is that we now redress that balance between red and white-ball cricket and we have more focus on Test match cricket.
"And when the new coach arrives, Joe gets a choice to sit down with him and really plan and decide a way forward - with me as well - our DNA around Test cricket going forward.
"If I were Joe, and we've had these discussions, we need to start planning towards winning the Ashes back in Australia in just over two years."
England will have one coach across all formats when they replace Bayliss, with Giles adding: "It's an exciting process because it's my first big appointment and we need to get it right."
The team's central contracts for the 2019-20 season were confirmed on Friday, with Eoin Morgan, England's white-ball captain, also set to continue in his role after winning the Cricket World Cup.
He has been given a limited-overs contract again, with Jofra Archer awarded an all-format deal.
The paceman starred in his first international campaign, playing key roles as England won the Cricket World Cup and drew the Ashes.
Rory Burns has been handed a Test contract following his performances against Australia, although Joe Denly got a white-ball deal.
Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, previously contracted across all three formats, received limited-overs agreements, while Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett and David Willey missed out completely.
Jack Leach and Sam Curran were granted incremental deals.
Kohli addresses Dhoni retirement rumours, insists tweet was misinterpreted
Virat Kohli says he has learned a lesson after sending a tweet about MS Dhoni that significantly heightened speculation the wicketkeeper-batsman was about to retire.
Kohli shared a photo of himself and Dhoni from a 2016 World Twenty20 victory over Australia on Thursday, adding the caption: "A game I can never forget. Special night. This man made me run like in a fitness test."
The post prompted a frenzied reaction on social media, with many Indian cricket fans and news outlets questioning whether a retirement announcement was imminent from Dhoni, who is not part of India's squad for the Twenty20 series with South Africa that starts on Sunday.
Addressing reporters on the eve of the first T20 against South Africa, India's skipper insisted he had not intended to cause such a stir.
"I didn't have anything on my mind," Kohli was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
"I was sitting at home and posted that photo normally. That became news and it's a lesson for me, that what I intend when I do something isn't how the world perceives it.
"I didn't even have the remotest idea that I should think about it before putting up that picture.
"Like I tweeted, I get memories of that game and I haven't talked about it before. So I thought I'll do a post about it and people inferred something else about it."
The future of Dhoni, 38, remains unclear. After featuring in the Cricket World Cup, he reportedly took a two-month sabbatical to spend time with his paramilitary regiment in the Territorial Army.
Sarfraz retains Pakistan captaincy, Babar named deputy
Sarfraz Ahmed will stay on as Pakistan captain and Babar Azam has been appointed as his deputy for the upcoming limited-overs encounters against Sri Lanka.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz's position was called into question during and after a disappointing Cricket World Cup.
Head coach Mickey Arthur's contract was not renewed after the ICC Champions Cup holders failed to make it beyond the group stage of the World Cup, with former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq replacing him this month and becoming chief selector.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday announced Sarfraz will continue to lead his country in all formats following a recommendation from Misbah.
Babar steps up to take over as vice-captain ahead of three ODIs and as many Twenty20 Internationals at home to Sri Lanka.
Sarfraz said: "I feel humbled and honoured to have been awarded extension to my captaincy term. I have enjoyed captaining the Pakistan cricket team and look forward to improving my leadership qualities under the new set-up of Misbah-ul-Haq, who also has a proven record as captain.
"I have played most of my cricket under Misbah and we know each other pretty well. I think we will make a good combination, which will contribute to improved performances of the side across all formats.
"I am aware we have not done justice to our potential in ODIs, which has disappointed us as well as our fans. I am hopeful we will be able to turn things around in the coming season and in this relation, I remain committed to stepping up to the challenge with my performances and captaincy.
"I have complete faith in my team, which has time and again shown the talent, class and charisma it possesses. The only thing missing has been consistency, which Misbah and I would like to focus and improve across all departments of the game.
"I assure all our fans we will not leave any stone unturned in our preparations for the forthcoming assignments and will do our best to translate these preparations into solid performances."
Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan in doubt due to terrorism concerns
Sri Lanka have requested government support after a new terrorism warning cast doubt on whether their limited-overs tour of Pakistan should go ahead.
An armed attack on the Sri Lanka team coach in Lahore in 2009 saw seven team members among the injured, while six policemen and two civilians were killed.
Most of Pakistan's home matches for the past decade have been held in the United Arab Emirates, due to security concerns, but Sri Lanka have agreed to visit on tour, having until now played just one T20 match in the country since the deadly attack.
Three ODIs are scheduled to take place in Karachi on September 27, 29 and October 3, before a series of Twenty20s in Lahore.
Several high-profile players - including captains Dimuth Karunaratne and Lasith Malinga - have refused to travel with the 15-man squad, with Sri Lanka naming Lahiru Thirimanne and Dasun Shanaka as skippers for the tour.
The tour may now be in jeopardy, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) having been informed by the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe there is a "possible terrorist threat" to the team.
The national governing body said it had "sought the assistance of the Sri Lankan government to conduct a 'reassessment' of the security situation in Pakistan".
"The decision was taken following a warning SLC received from the Prime Minister's office," Sri Lanka Cricket said.
"Accordingly, the warning highlights that the Prime Minister's office has received reliable information of a possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lankan team while touring Pakistan."
Ashes 2019: Flintoff wants to be England coach 'one day but not yet'
Andrew Flintoff says he would be keen to coach England one day and revealed he has applied for the position in the past.
The former Ashes hero retired from Test cricket in 2009 and has since gone into television work, but he harbours a desire to return to the game as a head coach.
Trevor Bayliss is set to leave his role with England at the end of the Ashes and a replacement has not yet been appointed.
However, Flintoff, while serious about holding the position in the future, is not ready to take on the job at this stage.
"Coaching is definitely an ambition," he told BBC's Test Match Special. "There are probably two or three coaching jobs I'd like - England, Lancashire or Lancashire Academy.
"I'd love to be England coach one day, just not quite yet."
Flintoff went on to explain he had previously shown his interest in taking over the England job but had not been taken seriously.
"I like to come and watch, I turn up with a sense of excitement," he said.
"A few years ago I applied for the England coaching job - we were getting beat, I was in the office and thought, 'I'm going to apply'.
"I wrote an email for the interview, a month passed and I'd heard nothing. I chased it up, then I got a phone call saying they thought it was somebody taking the mick.
"I've got two of my coaching levels - me and [friend and former team-mate] Steve Harmison might do our level threes soon."
Former South Africa coach Domingo lands Bangladesh job
Former South Africa coach Russell Domingo has been appointed to lead the Bangladesh national team.
The 44-year-old will take up his post on August 21 and has agreed a two-year contract, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said.
He replaces Steve Rhodes, the former Worcestershire and England wicketkeeper, who spent 13 months in charge before parting company with Bangladesh after their disappointing eighth-place finish at the Cricket World Cup.
Domingo had a four-year spell as head coach of his native South Africa before being replaced by Ottis Gibson in 2017.
Port Elizabeth-born Domingo said: "It is a massive honour to be appointed the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team. I have followed Bangladesh's progress with keen interest and I am extremely excited to assist the team in reaching the goals that they are capable of.
"I look forward to continuing the ongoing development of current players whilst also looking towards the future and developing some new bright stars from within the talent pool of Bangladesh cricket."
In a statement on the BCB website, board president Nazmul Hassan said of Domingo: "He has a wealth of experience and we have been very impressed with his passion and coaching philosophy. He has a clear idea of what is required to take the team forward."
Bangladesh play Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in a tri-nation T20 series in September, before touring India for two Tests and three T20 games in November.
In-demand Mahmood excited by future after Pakistan exit
Azhar Mahmood is disappointed he was not invited to meet the committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before his tenure as bowling coach was ended, but says he is in demand as he eyes a new challenge.
The PCB last week announced a revamp of the coaching staff, with head coach Mickey Arthur, bowling coach Mahmood, batting coach Grant Flower and trainer Grant Luden leaving at the end of their contracts.
Arthur and captain Sarfraz Ahmed met the committee before the decision was made over whether the coaching staff would be offered new deals, yet former Pakistan all-rounder Mahmood was not given the opportunity to state his case to stay on.
The former Pakistan all-rounder felt he should have been allowed to represent himself, but left the role with his head held high two years after playing a big part in the ICC Champions Trophy triumph in England.
Mahmood told Omnisport: "We had some wonderful times. There were a lot of ups and downs in that two-and-a-half-year period, but I worked really hard with this young group of bowlers.
"I would have liked to have been able to represent myself in front of the committee before the decision over contracts was made, but I can move on with dignity and pride over what I achieved.
"I believe I've done a really good job with these guys and they have the potential to become world-class bowlers, so I wish them all the luck.
"Initially I got a two-year contract, which they asked me to extend until after the World Cup. Now it's time to move on and grow further as a coach.
"My aim was to be there and give my best to the country and to the players, I certainly feel I did that.
"Let's see where I end up next. Now people know I'm available, I have a lot of interest coming my way so I need to work out which is the best for my future.
"Even when I was doing the job with Pakistan I got a job offer from Surrey and now people know I am available, there has been more interest."
Gayle: I didn't announce any retirement
Chris Gayle's ODI career may not be over as the West Indies opener stated he "didn't announce any retirement" after blasting a quickfire half-century in the defeat to India on Wednesday.
Gayle raised his helmet on his bat and shook hands with India players as he left the field in the final match of the series in Port of Spain, where he smashed 72 from only 41 balls.
The 39-year-old was given a standing ovation following what was thought to be his last international innings in the 50-over format.
Yet, in a brief clip posted on the Windies' Twitter account, Gayle later declared: "I didn't announce any retirement". He then added that he would be around "until further notice".
Windies captain Jason Holder confirmed there had been no word on Gayle quitting ODIs.
"To my knowledge, he hasn't retired," said the skipper, whose opposite number Virat Kohli saw the tourists home with a second successive century.
"But today was an example of his career. The knock he played was outstanding. He got us off to a really good start.
"He was entertaining, he showed presence, and that's just what people have come to expect of Chris Gayle over the years."
On Sunday, Gayle broke Brian Lara's record for both ODI appearances and runs in the second match of a series which India won 2-0.
Gayle shines but classy Kohli sees India clinch ODI series
Chris Gayle produced a typically dazzling display of big hitting but for his early fireworks were overshadowed by Virat Kohli, who hit an unbeaten century to help India clinch the ODI series in Port of Spain.
Three days after he overtook Brian Lara to become West Indies' record run-scorer in the format, Gayle flayed India's bowlers for a 41-ball 72, an innings that contained eight fours and five sixes.
His onslaught came to a tame end when he hit Khaleel Ahmed to Kohli at mid off, the left-hander – wearing a shirt with the number 301 on the back to mark his number of appearances - propping his helmet on the top of the handle before holding his bat up to the crowd as he returned to the pavilion.
West Indies finished on 240-7 after rain reduced their innings to 35 overs, with the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method adjusting India's target would be 255, a score they reached with six wickets and 15 balls to spare thanks to Kohli's unbeaten 114.
The touring captain's knock – plus 65 from 41 deliveries from Shreyas Iyer – means India win the three-match series 2-0 after the opener was wiped out by bad weather.
Gayle's innings in potentially his final ODI was the West Indies' key contribution, though opening partner Evin Lewis also made a handy 43 in a stand of 115, while Nicholas Pooran later cleared the ropes three times in a breezy 30 from 16 balls.
West Indies then had India in trouble at 92-3 in the 13th over of their reply, Fabian Allen taking two wickets in three balls as he removed Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant.
Kohli and Iyer led the recovery after the double setback, their 120-run partnership transforming the match as the latter matched Gayle's of five sixes before he was caught by Jason Holder off Kemar Roach.
Kedar Jadhav contributed 19 not out but it was Kohli who finished the West Indies off, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Carlos Brathwaite as he followed up his 120 on Sunday with another impressive ton.
The teams will next face each other in two Tests, the first of which begins on August 22.
Chris Gayle provides fireworks in apparent West Indies ODI farewell
Chris Gayle scored a typically brutal half-century in what looked set to be his final ODI appearance for West Indies.
Three days after he overtook Brian Lara to become West Indies' record run-scorer in the format, Gayle flayed India's bowlers for a 41-ball 72 in Port of Spain.
Boundaries accounted for 62 of the runs from the tall left-hander, who hit eight fours and five sixes in a crowd-pleasing innings.
It came to a tame end when he looked to play another big shot against Khaleel Ahmed, who had come in for early punishment.
Rather than find the ropes again, Gayle picked out India captain Virat Kohli at mid off and the catch was safely taken.
Gayle, whose match shirt carried the number 301 to signify his number of ODI appearances, was surrounded by well-wishing Indian fielders after his innings ended.
He chose to play on after West Indies' disappointing Cricket World Cup performance, despite saying in March he had played his final home ODIs.
But the 39-year-old signalled this would be his last ODI series, and if he stays true to that decision it will leave him free to concentrate on a lucrative T20 franchise career.
India's players offered what appeared to be warm words to Gayle, who walked off in a theatrical manner with his bat raised, his maroon batting helmet balanced on its top.
West Indies and India were contesting the final match in their three-game ODI series and, besides the attention on Gayle, there was plenty to play for.
The first was abandoned due to rain, before India won the second match that, like Wednesday's contest, was also played in Port of Spain.
Carlos Brathwaite confident West Indies can level ODI series against India
West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite is confident his side can bounce back from their 59-run defeat Sunday to level their ODI series against India in the second ODI in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
Kohli leads India past Windies as Gayle breaks Lara's records
Chris Gayle broke two of Brian Lara's ODI records but a sublime century from Virat Kohli inspired India to a 59-run victory in Port of Spain and a 1-0 series lead over West Indies with one match to play.
Gayle surpassed Lara to become the first West Indian to make 300 appearances in the 50-over format and also moved past the great left-hander's record tally of 10,348 ODI runs at the Queen's Park Oval on Sunday.
The opener fell for only 11 soon after making history and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 4-31 as Jason Holder's side were bowled out for 210, chasing a revised target of 270 to win from 46 overs after a couple of rain delays – Evin Lewis top scoring with 65.
Kohli (120) was the star of the show, the India captain crafting a 42nd ODI hundred and setting a record of his own for the fewest innings to score 2,000 ODI runs against one nation in his 34th knock against the Windies.
The classy Kohli also moved past Sourav Ganguly into second on the all-time list of India's leading ODI run-makers and held three catches, while Shreyas Iyer scored an excellent 71 in India's 279-7.
Sheldon Cottrell gave the Windies an ideal start by trapping Shikhar Dhawan leg before from the third ball of the match, but Kohli – who won the toss – and Rohit Sharma set a platform with a second-wicket stand of 74.
Kohli was in ominous touch from the start of his latest masterclass, scoring freely on both sides of the wicket, and Iyer provided great support for his skipper after Rohit and Rishabh Pant departed.
India were 101-3 in the 23rd over when Carlos Brathwaite (3-53) bowled Pant, but Kohli and the impressive Iyer frustrated the Windies with a fourth-wicket stand of 125.
Kohli crunched Holder back over his head for six and pointed to his name on his shirt to celebrate yet another hundred before holing out off Brathwaite and Iyer followed after hitting a six and five fours.
Gayle was given a standing ovation and a shake of the hand by Kohli when he surpassed Lara's tally, but Bhuvneshwar sent him on his way soon after leg before.
Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer also failed following a second rain delay, but Lewis dug in for a fluent half-century despite suffering a calf injury before Kohli rose to remove the opener with a sharp one-handed catch at extra cover off Kuldeep Yadav.
Nicholas Pooran played his shots to give the Windies hope, but Bhuvneshwar dismissed him for 42 and took a brilliant catch off his own bowling to get rid of Roston Chase as India secured a comfortable win.
Gayle passes Lara to become Windies record ODI scorer
Chris Gayle broke Brian Lara's ODI run-scoring and West Indies appearance records before falling cheaply after India captain Virat Kohli made another sublime century in Port of Spain.
Gayle marked his historic 300th match in the 50-over format by bettering the great Lara's tally of 10,348 runs at the Queen's Park Oval on Sunday.
The 39-year-old opening batsman was given a standing ovation and a shake of the hand from Kohli when he set the record in Lara's hometown.
Gayle was five ahead of Lara when he fell for only 11, failing with a review after he was trapped leg before wicket bang in front by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, reducing the Windies to 45-1 in reply to 279-7 in the second match of the series.
Kohli earlier produced another masterclass, moving above Sourav Ganguly into second on the list of leading India ODI run-scorers with a magnificent 120 from 125 balls.
The classy skipper struck a six and another 14 boundaries and Shreyas Iyer made 71 after the tourists had won the toss.
Kohli also set a record for the fewest innings to score 2,000 ODI runs against one nation in what was his 34th knock against the Windies.
Gayle pulls clear of Lara for most ODI appearances - Sets sights on most runs
Windies star Chris Gayle is admittedly grateful to achieve the significant mark of 300 ODIs, the most appearances by any West Indian player.
The left-handed opener reached the mark during the second ODI against India at Queens Park Oval, in Trinidad, on Sunday. The appearance moved Gayle, now 39 years old, past another West Indies legend Brian Lara, who had made 299 and makes him the first West Indies player to take part in 300 ODIs.
"I'm thankful, it's a great achievement to actually accomplish," he said in a video posted by Windies Cricket on Twitter.
"It's a very special day. I must give thanks to the almighty to actually reach this far and to the fans for the support through the years, it's been fantastic."
Gayle could of course also make more history as he remains just 9 runs shy of Lara's record for the most ODI runs (10,405). The opening batsman struggled in the abandoned first ODI, scoring 4 from 31 deliveries.
"Hopefully I can make it a special one today for the fans. 300 ODIs, from a personal point of view as well I want to make it a special one. I'm grateful, but it will be more important to get a win as well and go one up as well."
The batsman will have to have to wait or his chance, however, as India won the toss and choose to bat.
Season over for England spinner Rashid
Adil Rashid's hopes of playing any part in the Ashes are over after the England spinner was ruled out for the rest of the domestic season due to a chronic shoulder injury.
Rashid played through the pain barrier as England made history by winning the Cricket World Cup for the first time last month.
The 31-year-old tweaker withdrew from Yorkshire's Vitality Blast squads to undergo further treatment last week, revealing the pain in his shoulder was "the worst it has been this summer".
Yorkshire on Friday confirmed Rashid's campaign is over, so he will definitely not feature in the ongoing five-match series against Australia.
Rashid told Yorkshireccc.com: "The aim was to come back after the World Cup and play for Yorkshire. I enjoy playing for Yorkshire, but it just wasn't meant to be.
"I've had a shoulder problem for a little while and I got through the World Cup with an injection. Obviously, as time has gone on the injection has worn out and, after the World Cup, I started feeling a bit of a pinch in my shoulder.
"These things can happen and fortunately it hasn't happened to me earlier than it has. I've played 13-14 years of professional cricket and this is the first time I've suffered an injury to my shoulder.
"I'm very confident, after being ruled out for the rest of the season, that I can get myself fully fit before we go away in the winter. I've got two months now to get myself fully fit and it's as simple as that.
"From both the ECB's and Yorkshire's point of view, now we've identified what's wrong with the shoulder, it's important during this period that I'm not playing. I got through the World Cup due to an injection but that's just a temporary thing so the aim now in these two months is to get the rehab done and get fully fit.
"I'm confident if I do things properly I can get fully fit, not just for the winter but for the rest of my career."
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