Connect with us

CK Updates

Ben Stokes: ICC contacts ECB over retirement video announcement

Published

on

BBC Sport microphone and phone

The global governing body had also previously informed the ECB any footage shot in the PMOA must not carry audio or be released before the conclusion of a match.

Speaking at the close of the fourth day, Stokes explained why the public announcement was made during play, detailing it was a plan between his agents and the ECB.

“I just said, ‘You guys work with Michael Lumb and Neil Fairbrother, who work with me, and you guys just come up with a plan’,” said the all-rounder.

Stokes was in the middle of a bowling spell at the time of the announcement and, with his first delivery after news of his retirement spread, took the wicket of New Zealand’s Zak Foulkes.

The Test, and Stokes’ international career, did not end until the following day.

The ICC adopted what it described as “minimum standards” for the PMOA in order to support its anti-corruption code.

Neither the ECB nor the ICC have commented. The letter from the ICC was sent the day before the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s, when ECB chair Richard Thompson met with Jay Shah, chairman of world cricket’s governing body. The ECB has yet to respond to the ICC.

Advertisement

Stokes’ retirement has left England looking for a new Test captain in time for the three-match series against Pakistan in August.

Vice-captain Harry Brook has said it would be an “honour” to succeed him, but England are understood to be taking time over an appointment.

A factor in the decision could be uncertainty over the futures of other figures in the England management after a run of poor results in Test cricket and a string of off-field controversies.

Head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key were both backed in the spring following a review into the Ashes series, which England lost 4-1.

The ECB are now reflecting on the situation around the men’s team, but may wait until the conclusion of the ongoing white-ball series against India before making any formal announcements.

Neither Key nor chief executive Richard Gould have spoken publicly since Stokes’ retirement.

Advertisement

CK Updates

Commonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales

Published

on

Ruby Evans in her gymnastic routine

Gymnast Ruby Evans has won Wales’ first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow with victory in the floor final.

Evans, 19, performed the final routine of the women’s programme and defeated England’s Abigail Martin into silver, with her team-mate Shantae-Eve Amankwaah securing bronze.

Evans left the arena in tears on Sunday after her disappointing sixth in the all-round individual competition, that after Wales finished fourth in the team event.

Now, after Welsh identical twins Abigail and Emily Roper won bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other on Monday, Evans has delivered gold.

It was the first victory for Team Wales in Scotland and a ninth medal alongside two silver and six bronze.

There is also a guaranteed podium position for boxer Connor Williams after he reached the semi-finals.

Continue Reading

CK Updates

Saltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating

Published

on

Tech Billionaire Takeover

An amateur cricket match has made global headlines after a fielder was accused of cheating by clicking his fingers to get a wicket.

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has started an investigation into a second XI Division 2 game between Saltburn and Norton.

A viral video on social media appears to show a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Saltburn appeal and the umpire gives Shabir out.

It has been suggested that the finger-clicking was designed to trick the umpire into thinking the batter edged the ball.

Saltburn won by 159 runs and are top of Division 2 by 17 points.

“The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday,” the league said in a statement on X.

“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”

Advertisement

Last week Bowes took eight catches in Saltburn’s 22-run win over Shildon Railway. The men’s Test record for catches by a keeper in an innings is seven.

Bowes leads the league standings with 31 catches, 10 more than any other player.

Rory Cotterill, who captained Middlesbrough second XI during a 29-run defeat by Saltburn last month, responded to a social media post containing the video and alleged two further incidents of cheating by Saltburn in that match.

The original video of the incident has had more than three million views on X, with publications in Australia and New Zealand among those to report it.

The BBC has contacted the league and Saltburn. Norton declined to comment.

Continue Reading

CK Updates

West Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell

Published

on

Steve Borthwick

First Test, Tarouba (day three of five)

West Indies 311 (Hope 92; Ali 4-50) & 126-7 (Chanderpaul 35, Abbas 3-14)

Pakistan 282 (Masood 109; Greaves 5-27)

West Indies lead by 155 runs

Scorecard

West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves took five wickets without conceding a run in an incredible spell of bowling on day three of the first Test against Pakistan.

Greaves, who is playing in his 17th Test, claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help dismiss Pakistan for 282 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311.

Advertisement

The 32-year-old Barbadian’s spell – five consecutive wicket maidens – was all the more remarkable given he had bowled six overs earlier in the day for 27 runs without taking a wicket.

“When I came on captain Roston Chase just said ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,” Greaves said.

“The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations.

“To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I’m really happy, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game.”

Pakistan captain Shan Masood was Greaves’ first wicket at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad when he was bowled for 109 in the 64th over following a superb set-up.

Greaves had pushed the ball wide to the left-hander from over the wicket before he tailed a delivery back into Masood who played down the wrong line and inside edged on to his stumps.

Aamer Jamal had his middle stump uprooted in Greaves’ next over as the seamer speared one through his defences.

Advertisement

Greaves then trapped Ali Usman lbw before he had Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas both caught behind as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.

West Indies reached stumps on day three on 126-7 in their second innings – a lead of 155 runs – to leave the match finely poised.

Continue Reading

Trending

© 2025 - CK Sports UG. All rights reserved.