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The Hundred postpones till 2021
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Women Contracted For The Hundred Can Renew Deal For 2021: ECB

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England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said that all players who were offered contracts for the Women’s Hundred this year can renew their deal on the same terms for 2021.

The Hundred is an innovative franchise-based league which includes American sports-style draft and was due to be launched in mid-July but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ECB Confirms Women Can Stick With Current Team And Can Sign With Other Teams From October

The ECB said in a statement that players would get the option of rolling over their contracts into 2021 and sticking with their current team on the same payroll terms, while those that turn it down can sign with other teams starting from October.

“COVID-19 has caused some uncertainty for athletes, especially female athletes, so being able to provide immediate clarity and assurance to the women’s players is very important,” said Beth Barrett-Wild, head of the Hundred women’s competition.

ECB The Hundred
The Hundred

The Hundred Women’s Competition in 2021 will feature eight teams comprising of 15 players in each team which will be confirmed in 2021. All players signed to play in the 2020 edition of The Hundred will be given the opportunity to roll-over their contracts to 2021. By doing so they will continue to play for the same team and be paid the same fee.

Anya Shrubsole Who Re-signed Don’t Expect Many Players Switching Teams

England seamer Anya Shrubsole, who has re-signed with Southern Brave, said she did not expect too many players to switch teams.

“There may be a little bit of movement but you obviously signed up for those teams because that’s where you wanted to play, so I can’t see a huge amount of changing within the year,” Shrubsole told Sky Sports.

The Hundred, ECB
The Hundred Image Credit: Sky Sports Cricket Twitter

Each team will select the rest of its squad of 15 and must sign a minimum of 13 players. Teams can sign a maximum of three England women’s centrally contracted players and a maximum of three overseas players according to ECB. The eight teams align directly with the teams competing in the Men’s Competition:

    • Birmingham Phoenix
    • London Spirit
    • Manchester Originals
    • Northern Superchargers
    • Oval Invincibles
    • Southern Brave
    • Trent Rockets
    • Welsh Fire

One-hundred-ball cricket is a form of limited-overs cricket, played by two teams each playing a single innings made up of 100 balls.

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Hundred, ECB Postpones till 2021
Photo Credit: Getty Images.
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BCCI Interested In Launching Their Own Hundred: Colin Graves

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BCCI already owns the world’s richest cash league in IPL but that won’t stop them from venturing into new avenues. One such topic has arisen as ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) chairman Colin Graves has hinted that BCCI has enquired about ‘The Hundred’.

The Hundred is a new form of cricket tournament which was to begin in July 2020 but has been postponed to 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The idea is a brainchild of the ECB through which they expect to generate millions of revenue which would be put into grassroots cricket development in England. The competition will comprise of eight teams, and each team will have both men’s and women’s teams.

BCCI, IPL 2020, UAE
BCCI. Image Credit: Twitter.

India Are Looking To Start Their Own Hundred Ball Tournament: ECB Chairman

ECB chairman Colin Graves has confirmed that many countries have shown interest in ‘The Hundred’ and the BCCI particularly have inquired about the tournament in detail and maybe looking to start their own in their country. He said that the tournament has been able to create a lot of buzz everywhere around.

“I know that some of the countries abroad, India in particular, are looking at their own,” Graves told Sky Sports.

Colin Graves, ICC Chairman, ECB chairman
Colin Graves. Image Credit: Getty Images.

“They have been talking to me about it for the last year on a regular basis. So around the world it has created a lot of excitement,” he stated.

“The Hundred”: An Exciting New Format

The format of the games will see each team playing a maximum of 100 balls with a change of ends after every 10 deliveries. Bowlers will deliver either five or 10 consecutive balls but are restricted to a maximum of 20 per match. There will be 25-ball powerplay in each innings during which only two fielders will be allowed outside the initial 30-yard circle.

ecb
Photo Credit: ECB.

The tournament is created to focus on “new audience” comprising mainly “women, children, families, which really had not come to cricket’, believe ECB.

The BCCI has not yet commented on their interest in the new format of the game, but their long stay to want to expand the IPL can be done by venturing in this new avenue of the sport.

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Azhar Mahmood, 2019 World Cup, Pakistan, Australia
Pakistan bowling coach on Pak-Aus ODI series. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
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England Include Azhar Mahmood In Coaching Staff For Pakistan T20s

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Azhar Mahmood — the former Pakistani all-rounder has been included in England’s coaching staff for the upcoming T20Is against Pakistan. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Azhar Mahmood will support England bowling coach- Jon Lewis in the T20 series against Pakistan.

The two sides are currently facing each other in a three-match Test series with hosts leading 1-0. The second Test of England vs Pakistan was drawn after inclement weather played spoilsport.

The teams were frustrated to not have completed the match as the pitch conditions were very favourable for the bowlers and the match was turning out to be a competitive one. England had the lead coming into the second match after they dramatically won the first Test match at Old Trafford Manchester.

Azhar Mahmood, ICC World Cup 2019, Pakistan, New Zealand
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

England Coaching Staff And Team Altered For T20 Against Pakistan

The 45-year-old Azhar Mahmood was in the Pakistani coaching staff until last year. He is a British citizenship holder and will be under head coach — Graham Thorpe, who replaces Chris Silverwood. He will be supported by assistant coach Paul Collingwood. Marcus Trescothick has been appointed batting coach while former Essex wicketkeeper James Foster will be the wicketkeeping coach for the series.

Graham Thorpe, Alastair Cook, England vs New Zealand
England coach Graham Thorpe, Credit: Getty Images.

“In this crowded international summer, players who are currently in the Test match bio-secure bubble for the Pakistan Test series are not included in this squad,” England national selector Ed Smith said in a statement.

“We want to give multi-format players some opportunity to rest and refresh, while still selecting strong squads for every series. We will announce the squad for the Australia T20 series at a later date.”

England T20 Squad:

Adil Rashid
(Image Credit: ICC Twitter)

Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey.

Reserves: Pat Brown, Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley.

The series starts on August 28, the second and third T20s are scheduled for August 30 and September 1.

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Ben Srokes, Virat Kohli
Ben Srokes, Virat Kohli. Image Credits: Twitter
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Ben Stokes Can Emulate Virat Kohli’s Captaincy: Nasser Hussain Backs The Former For Stand-In Captain

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Although Ben Stokes will take charge of the national team in one Test of the three-match Test series against the West Indies, there has been a lot of debate to make him stand-in-captain. Well, former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed the allrounder to take the role for the first Test at Southampton. 

The regular Test captain Joe Root will be unavailable for the first Test of the forthcoming home series against West Indies because he is expecting his second child’s birth during that time. And according to ECB’s guideline, Root, after returning from hospital, will have to go under seven days quarantine. So, his deputy Ben Stokes has been given the role of captain in the opening Test while Jonny Bairstow has been made the vice-captain.

Ben Stokes is a great choice: Nasser Hussain

Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes. Credits: Getty Images.

Although former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has disagreed with ECB’s decision for handing Stokes the responsible job, Nasser Hussain has supported him to be the interim captain. He even said that the all-rounder would be able to emulate India’s Virat Kohli and his captaincy.

Nasser Hussain
Nasser Hussain (Credits: Twitter)

“Generally, what Ben does is a bit like Virat. Everything he does, he does it at 100 mile an hour. So, I think he will be an excellent captain, he’s only a stand-in captain. Joe Root is off with that baby, his second child. I think as a stand-in captain, I am absolutely behind it, absolutely great choice, very loyal as well to Joe Root,” Hussain said on the Cricket Connected Show on Star Sports.

Ben Stokes,
Ben Stokes (Image Credit: Getty Images.)

Interestingly, Ben Stokes has never captained in the first-class cricket. It will be his first Test series as a captain.

Meanwhile, the West Indies have already arrived in England last month. They are serving the quarantine period at Old Trafford. Once all the COVID-19 tests will be done, the Test series will begin from July 8. It will be the first bilateral series that will be played amid the crises. 

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ICC, ECB, England Cricket Board, Coroanvirus substitute
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ICC Discussing To Introduce Coronavirus Substitute: ECB

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England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) director of special projects Steve Elworthy has revealed that ICC is considering to introduce a coronavirus substitute for the longest format of the game as cricket resume amid the pandemic.

ECB is set to host the Test series against West Indies in July, so they had demanded ICC to allow a coronavirus substitute. Although the players would be kept in a bio-secure environment, the board is well aware that players might get affected by the unprecedented virus.

Like for like replacement: ECB

West Indies, CWI, ECB, West Indies tour of England 2020, COVID-19
England vs West Indies. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Elworthy told Sky Sports’ The Cricket Show that ICC is discussing to allow COVID-19 substitute for Test matches, not necessarily for shorter formats. The replacement would be “like for like”, which would work similarly like a concussion substitute. He added that the affected person would be isolated and the medical team would examine him.

“COVID-replacements are certainly something that the ICC are discussing. I have seen communication about that and it’s certainly something we hope would be allowed – specifically for Test matches, not necessarily ODIs or T20s,” Elworthy said.

“That replacement would have to be a ‘like for like’ player, if you will. Our on-site COVID medical practitioner and Public Health England would be informed immediately and that player would then be put into isolation for a period of time, based on government guidance and the medical overlay,” Elworthy added.

ICC Discussing To Introduce Coronavirus Substitute: ECB 1
Image Credit: Twitter

“With the testing protocols of getting those players into that [bio-secure] bubble first, you would hope that wouldn’t be a scenario we’d have to deal with. But clearly it is something we are planning for,” he said.

As per ICC rules, the substitute for injuries and illness, expect concussion, can not do batting or bowling. They can only be used as fielders. Well, the conditions would be different now, so ECB is urging ICC to introduce the coronavirus substitute ahead of the West Indies tour to England.

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The Hundred, ECB
Image Credit: Sky Sports Cricket Twitter
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The Hundred Introduces Teams, First Players And Other Crucial Details

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On last Thursday (3rd October), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has introduced eight teams for the first edition of The Hundred tournament. Besides that, the ECB has also revealed two women players and three men players of each team. Also, the ECB has clarified some crucial rules of this tournament.

The Hundred is a new initiative from the ECB. It will be a professional 100-ball cricket tournament in England and Wales that will begin in July 2020. Like the T20 leagues, it will be also city-based franchise league where each franchise will have one men’s and one women’s team.

Read More: Harbhajan Singh Withdraws His Name From The Hundred Draft, Will Continue To Play For CSK In IPL

However, it will be the white-ball competition with 100 balls per innings. While a bowler can deliver either five or ten consecutive deliveries, the ends will change after every 10 balls. Taking about the other different rules, every bowler can maximum bowl 20 balls in each innings and each innings will have a 25-ball powerplay at the beginning.

The Hundreds 2020 will have eight teams

On Thursday, the ECB has also introduced the eight teams for the inaugural season. Also, the ECB has announced the first five cricketers of each franchise. Among these players, two are England women’s central contracted picks, one is England men’s red-ball contract pick and the other two players are Local icons.

The Hundred, ECB
Image Credit: Twitter

Here are the details of each team after the first round of the players’ selection

Team England women’s central contracted picks England men’s red-ball contract pick Local icons
Birmingham Phoenix Amy Jones, Kirstie Gordon Chris Woakes Moeen Ali, Pat Brown
London Spirit Heather Knight, Freya Davies Rory Burns Eoin Morgan, Dan Lawrence
Manchester Originals Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone Jos Buttler Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson
Northern Superchargers Lauren Winfield, Linsey Smith Ben Stokes Adil Rashid, David Willey
Oval Invincibles Laura Marsh, Fran Wilson Sam Curran Jason Roy, Tom Curran
Southern Brave Anya Shrubsole, Danni Wyatt Jofra Archer James Vince, Chris Jordan
Trent Rockets Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt Joe Root Alex Hales, Harry Gurney
Welsh Fire Katie George Bryony Smith Jonny Bairstow Tom Banton, Colin Ingram

Each team will have 15 players, including the maximum three cricketers can be from overseas. Every franchise can almost fill up the other remaining spots during the players’ draft round. On 20th October 2019, the ECB will organise this players’ draft.

Many international stars have already joined in the draft list. According to the ICC reports, Shakib Al Hasan, Quinton de Kock, Aaron Finch, Kane Williamson, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Lasith Malinga, Steven Smith, Chris Gayle, David Warner, Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, Babar Azam, and Mitchell Starc etc are in the draft list.

Read More: It Will Be Too Early To Judge Mayank Agarwal – Sourav Ganguly

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England’s Test Batting Coach Mark Ramprakash Set to Relinquish his Duties

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Mark Ramprakash has been granted early leave from the England and Wales Cricket Board. Ramprakash will give away his duties as England’s Test cricket batting coach in September. In order to refill his position, Graham Thorpe is expected to step into the breach.

The 49-year-old Ramprakash had earlier revealed that he will step down from his role as England’s Test batting coach. He has been by England’s Test batting side since 2014. With Ashley Giles becoming the new managing director of England men’s cricket in January, the team’s national coaching staff has been rebuilding.

England's Test Batting Coach Mark Ramprakash Set to Relinquish his Duties 2

Ramprakash has been involved with the men’s set-up over the past six years. He has been working with players across the senior men’s side and the pathways, which include the Lions and Under-19s. The former England international cricketer had played 52 Tests in his career. It was announced in March that he won’t be a part of the upcoming Ashes coaching set-up.

“I feel the time is now right for me to move on from my role at the ECB and seek to further and broaden my career,” said Ramprakash.

“The last six years have been a hugely enjoyable time of my life. In that time, I have been privileged to be able to support, encourage and mentor the Young Lions, England Lions and the England test and ODI teams.

England and Wales Cricket Board, England, Graham Thorpe, Mark Ramprakash,

Another former England international, Graham Thorpe will be taking over Ramprakash’s role as England’s Test batting coach. The southpaw has been part of England’s middle for over a decade. The 49-year-old Thorpe had played exactly 100 Test matches for England as their mainstay player.

England’s Test batting came under increasing scrutiny towards the end of Ramprakash’s tenure following a series of collapses and low scores. This prompted the director of English cricket, Ashley Giles to change the set-up. However, Ramprakash is now happy to explore more and broaden his career.

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ECB, South Africa, England
ECB announces the schedule for South Africa. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
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ECB Announces England’s Schedule for South Africa Tour

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England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the much-awaited schedule of South Africa tour on Friday (May 24). Also, the two giants of the cricketing world will begin with a four-match Tests series according to the English board.

But as of now, the two heavy-weights of the game will wrestle against each other in the twelfth edition of the ICC World Cup 2019.

Overall, the Three Lions will play as many as ten matches against the Proteas in the final quarter of this year.

Visitors will begin with the two-day tour match in Benoni between December 17 and 18. However, it will be followed by a three-day game against South Africa ‘A’ at Benoni’s Willowmoore Park.

South Africa vs England – Boxing Day Test in Centurion:

ECB, England, South Africa
SuperSport Park will host the Boxing Day Test. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The first Test of the four-match series will begin on December 26. So, this means the SuperSport Park in Centurion will host the Boxing Day Test.

In 2015-16, England won the Tests series 2-1. Joe Root-led side will be aiming to continue giving their best.

Interestingly, following the Ashes 2019, the Proteas tour will also be England’s second series in the ICC’s World Test Championship.

Following the culmination of Test series on 28th of January in Johannesburg, England will feature in two warm-up fixtures on January 31 and February 1 at Eurolux Boland Park in Paarl.

In the white-ball cricket, England and Proteas will face-off in three ODIs and three T20Is.

Moreover, the limited-overs series will commence from February 4 in Cape Town. Also, it will culminate with the T20I on February 16 in Centurion.

Here’s the detailed schedule of England’s tour of South Africa 2019-20

December 17-18: Two-day Tour Match – Benoni

December 20-22: South Africa ‘A’ – Benoni

December 26-30: 1st Test – Centurion

January 3-7: 2nd Test – Cape Town

January 16-20: 3rd Test – Port Elizabeth

January 24-28: 4th Test – Johannesburg

January 31: One-day warm-up – Paarl

February 1: One-day warm-up – Paarl

February 4: 1st ODI – Cape Town

February 7: 2nd ODI – Durban

February 9: 3rd ODI – Johannesburg

February 12: 1st T20I – East London

February 14: 2nd T20I – Durban

February 16: 3rd T20I – Centurion

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ICC World Cup Trophy. Photo Credit: ICC.
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ICC World Cup 2019: When and Where to Watch, Live Streaming of Warm-Up Fixtures

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With ICC World Cup 2019 less than two weeks away to get underway at Kennington Oval in London, all ten teams are gearing up for the mega cricketing carnival. Most of the teams are partaking in the preparatory camps to gear up for the World’s most popular cricketing festival.  Anyway, we’ve also set the focus on the warm-up matches. You could access when and Where to Watch, live Streaming of Warm-up fixtures in this

The broadcasting giant Star Sports will telecast the twelfth edition of the World Cup, has also confirmed its stance for the practice fixtures.

Interestingly, in the space of five days, ten matches will be telecasted live on the distinct channels of Star Sports.

Besides, the warm-up matches will be played between May 24 and 28. Four different venues will be used for all the ten matches as the teams would be eyeing to get acclimatised to the English conditions.

The warm-up round will kick-off with Pakistan and Afghanistan game in Briston, before Sri Lanka will take on South Africa on the same day.

When and Where to Watch, ICC World Cup 2019, Warm-up fixtures,
It is estimated that 1 lakh fans from India will turn to the UK. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Meanwhile, the Virat Kohli-led side India face-off New Zealand and Bangladesh on May 26 and 28 respectively.

To be precise, the matches won’t hold any official status, and the teams can play beyond XI players owing to the duration in batting and fielding or vice versa.

Also, the live streaming for 3:00 PM IST warm-up games will be available through HotStar which is based on subscription.

Moreover, Sanjog Gupta, who’s the executive vice-president for Star Tv Network has recently confirmed the news through his Twitter handle.

However, in the same thread New Zealand former allrounder Scott Styris has taken a dig at India’s long-standing issue of solving the No.4.

In response, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has given it back to Styris by saying how long Kiwis had to lose in the ICC’s mega event using ‘see no evil monkey’ emoticon.

Here’s the detailed list of warm-up fixtures for the ICC World Cup 2019:

May 24 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Bristol

24 Sri Lanka v South Africa, Cardiff

25 England v Australia, Southampton

25 India v New Zealand, The Oval

26 South Africa v West Indies, Bristol

26 Pakistan v Bangladesh, Cardiff

27 Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

27 England v Afghanistan, The Oval

28 West Indies v New Zealand, Bristol

28 Bangladesh v India, Cardiff

*The matches will start at 3:00 PM IST.

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Dukes balls, ECB, Ashes series, Ashley Giles
Dukes cricket balls (Image Credit: Google)
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The Ashes 2019: ECB Decides To Use The Older Dukes Balls

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England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has recently decided to use the older Dukes cricket balls in the 2019 home Test matches.

After the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, England will be busy in the home Ashes series against Australia. This five-match Test series will run from 1st August to 16th September 2019.

Dukes balls, ECB, Ashes series, Ashley Giles
Ashes trophy (Image Source: Google)

Before that giant Test series, England will play one home Test against Ireland at Lord’s (London) that will begin on 24th July. It will be the first Test match between England and Ireland.

For the ongoing English County Championship, ECB has introduced the smaller seam balls to provide a better balance between bat and ball. However, ECB has recently decided to continue the past two seasons’ Dukes balls in this season’s home Test matches.

Ashley Giles, the former English left-arm spinner and the present ECB managing director, has recently claimed that they want to ensure a fair contest between bat and ball.

Dukes balls, ECB, Ashes series, Ashley Giles
Ashley Giles (Image Credit: Google)

When Giles was asked about this strategy to fully utilise the home advantage, he replied, “People will say that, but that’s why we want to be on the front foot. We didn’t want to appear as though we were doing this underhandedly.”

I’ve spoken to Cricket Australia, they were fine – Ashley Giles

Giles has also revealed that the Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket Ireland have agreed with their decision to continue the same Dukes balls in Test cricket. He also reminded that Australia has an excellent pace bowling line-up in the present time. Their frontline pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all are very reputed bowlers in international cricket.

Dukes balls, ECB, Ashes series, Ashley Giles
Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc

Giles added, “I’ve spoken to Cricket Australia, they were fine, and I’ve spoken to Cricket Ireland (who play at Lord’s in July).

“It’s not as though we’re talking about playing against a bowling attack that isn’t very good.

“The Aussies are quite handy themselves.

“There are elements of risk in choosing to go with this other ball. But clearly Jimmy Anderson is one of our best weapons, one of the best bowlers who has ever played the game, and we want to bring him into the game.

“We just want to be up front and honest.”

Ashley Giles also revealed the issue with the present Dukes balls

Australia will play the upcoming Ashes series as the defending title holders. They won the previous Ashes series (2017/18) in the home (by the 4-0 margin). However, they haven’t won an Ashes series in England since 2001. In the recent home Ashes series since 2005, England has dominated over their arch-rivals Australia.

Giles further claimed that the latest modified Dukes balls are too batter-friendly, especially on good Test wickets.

He said, “Test cricket has definitely sped up in the last few years but it’s not about having a two-day game.

“It’s about having a fair contest. My concern was that this 2019 ball would make conditions too batter-friendly on good Test wickets in the middle of summer.”

England and Wales are currently busy to host the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. It will be the 12th edition of Cricket World Cup that will run from 30th May to 14th July. The host side England will participate along with nine other top teams in this competition.

After completion of that tournament, England will play the home Test series.

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