England suffered an embarrassing 3-0 ODI series defeat and 4-1 T20I series defeat at the hands of India in their recently-concluded tour, and legendary India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a scathing criticism on them. In particular, Ashwin expressed disappointment at how lightly England seemingly took the series, and also emphasized his disapproval of excuses used by England following their defeats. In particular, England opener Ben Duckett came under the hammer from Ashwin after he’d said that they don’t mind losing the series 3-0 as long as England beat India in the Champions Trophy.

“If we lose 3-0 to India, I don’t care as long as we beat them in the final in the Champions Trophy. No one will probably look back on this series if we go and do the business in that competition,” Duckett had said after the 3-0 ODI series defeat.

Ashwin sharply responded to Duckett’s statements.

“No matter what Ben Duckett says, going into the Champions Trophy this series loss will create a big dent to their confidence,” Ashwin said, speaking on his YouTube channel.

“Ben Duckett has said similar things in the past too, saying Yashasvi Jaiswal has learnt to play aggressive cricket from England’s Bazball style. I know Ben Duckett and his penchant for humour, but this was no joke and it is like you are hiding your failures behind humour,” Ashwin added.

Ashwin also criticized the fact that England players seem to look for excuses after a series defeat. He also stated that the England team has been in a slump for a fair while now.

“Your 2023 ODI World Cup was pretty bad as well. It isn’t like they are in bad form over 2-3 months. It has been the case for four years now. Despite having such a talented group they are not able to justify their potential,” Ashwin stated.

“Even in Test cricket, I read somewhere a few days ago that Ben Stokes said that he doesn’t understand the points system of the WTC. My only advice to him is that if you don’t understand the points system, then first go and understand it. This is not a joke. Every time you lose, you bring up such lame excuses,” Ashwin said.

England will face Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan in what is expected to be a closely-fought group in the Champions Trophy 2025. England finished behind all three nations at the 2023 World Cup.

When Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final, it will mark the end of the current format, which is set to be relaunched as a two-tier system ahead of India’s tour of England later this summer. In a bid to create a “fairer competition”, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Richard Thompson, who is the head of the ICC’s strategic growth committee, recently held talks with the apex body’s chairman Jay Shah and the two will lead the plan.

With just five months left for the next cycle to start with England hosting India at Headingly from June 20, Thompson acknowledged the urgency of the matter.

“It is fully understood that the current structure does not work in the way it should and we need to find a fairer, better competition, but at this stage no recommendations have been put forward,” Thompson told Telegraph Sport.

“We have five months to work on this, step back and look at what the structure should be going forward. The World Test Championship should be fairer and more competitive. It is going to change to ensure it always encourages the best teams to reach the final and encourages other nations that want to play Test cricket, to play Test cricket.

“We will protect, grow and ensure the integrity of Test cricket because the format is crucial to the DNA of the game.” The current model has drawn criticism for its inconsistencies.

Teams do not play every other nation within the two-year cycle, and an excess of two-Test series has skewed standings.

Political constraints mean India and Pakistan do not face each other, impacting the integrity of the competition.

Similarly, South Africa reached the final without playing Australia, though they will meet in the title clash at Lord’s in June.

Discussions will also explore the possibility of four-day Tests, as this could help boards schedule three-Test series around franchise leagues, the report has said.

Notably, no three-Test series involving teams outside the “big three” of England, India, and Australia has taken place since 2019.

However, the four-day Tests won’t be there for marquee series such as the Ashes or matches between tier-one nations.

The push for a two-tier system gained traction following Australia’s blockbuster series against India, which set attendance records.

The proposed model would see the top-tier nations play each other more frequently, potentially sidelining other teams and series which has evoked negative responses from the legends of the game.

West Indies great Clive Lloyd has been a strong critic of the system, saying it would be “disastrous for smaller teams”.

“All these countries have worked very hard to get there. We have been in ICC for nearly 100 years. We’ve a great history and now you’re going to tell us, because of a monetary situation, this is how it’s going to be,” Llyod had said.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has also criticised the move, saying it would only benefit the three boards.

“Sport isn’t just about Pounds, Dollars and Rupees. Administrators must nurture and protect the game.” Bangladesh batter Mominul Haque and England’s former pacer Steven Finn have also criticised the move.

England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of next year’s Champions Trophy one-day international tournament in Pakistan and the preceding white-ball tour of India, team management announced Sunday. The 33-year-old star all-rounder was not considered  after damaging a hamstring during England’s defeat by New Zealand in the third Test at Hamilton earlier this month. “Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes was not considered for selection as he continues to be assessed following a left hamstring injury sustained,” said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.

Stokes did not bat in the second innings of that match as England slumped to a 423-run defeat — a result that meant his side still won a three-match series 2-1.

He previously missed this year’s home series against Sri Lanka and the first Test in Pakistan due to hamstring issues.

With England facing a five-match Test series at home to India starting in June before their pinnacle 2025/26 Ashes tour of Australia, team management have decided against risking inspirational red-ball skipper Stokes.

Key batsman Joe Root, who preceded Stokes as Test captain, returns to the ODI side for the first time since the 2023 World Cup in India.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, who missed the recent Test tours of both Pakistan and New Zealand, with a bone-stress injury to his right elbow, is in both squads.

The India series and Champions Trophy will mark England’s first limited-overs tour and tournament under coach Brendon McCullum, previously just in charge of the Test side.

– Buttler stays as captain – 

Jos Buttler, who missed the recent ODI series against the West Indies with a calf injury, remains captain of the two white-ball teams despite England surrendering both their 50-over and T20 world titles since November 2023. 

But it is possible the dashing batsman, replaced as skipper in the Caribbean by all-rounder Liam Livingstone, may not keep wicket, as he has for much of his limited-overs career.

Both the ODI squad for the India tour and the Champions Trophy, as well as the squad for five T20s in India in January, feature two other wicketkeepers in Test gloveman Jamie Smith, who missed the New Zealand series to attend the birth of his first child, and Phil Salt.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old  rising star Jacob Bethell, who marked his debut Test series with three fifties in New Zealand, is included in both squads. 

Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed joins the T20 squad, while Root is selected only for the ODIs. 

The tour party leaves for India on January 17, with the first match of a five-game series against T20 world champions India in Kolkata on January 22.

India and England will then play a three-match ODI series, in preparation for the Champions Trophy, starting in Nagpur on February 6.

Match dates for the Champions Trophy, which also features Pakistan as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, have yet to be announced, with the tournament due to run from February 19 to March 9.

England ODI squad for India tour and 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan:

Jos Buttler (capt/wkt), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith (wkt), Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt (wkt), Mark Wood 

Note: Rehan Ahmed to join squad for T20 series in India with Root not involved

New Zealand tore through England’s batting Tuesday to crush the visitors by 423 runs in the third Test and send Tim Southee into retirement on a triumphant note. The hosts sealed a dominant performance in Hamilton by claiming seven wickets in 41.2 overs on day four as England crumbled for 234. It was New Zealand’s equal highest victory by runs and a complete reversal from the first two Tests, which England won easily to clinch the three-match series. Playing on his home ground at Seddon Park, seamer Southee finished with 2-34 in his 107th and final Test, ending the career of one of New Zealand’s finest players. 

He finishes with 391 Test wickets, second only to Richard Hadlee among New Zealanders.

“I want to thank New Zealand Cricket for everything you have done. My family, who are there for the ride and see the ups and downs,” said the 36-year-old Southee.

“And my team-mates. These guys have made the ride so much more enjoyable, I have loved every minute.

“And finally the fans. It is always great to turn out in front of numbers. This week has been pretty special to play at Seddon Park in front of a great crowd.”

New Zealand only needed to take nine second-innings wickets for an emphatic victory because England skipper Ben Stokes did not bat.

Stokes suffered a hamstring injury on Monday.

Stokes said it was disappointing to end the series in the manner England did.

“You can’t fault any of the energy or effort we put into the game,” he said.

“Obviously it’s not ideal to end a series on this note but New Zealand are a strong side and didn’t give up.

“We want to come out and win every game we play. We wanted to leave with three victories in the bag.”

England crumble

After resuming at 18-2, England never threatened their enormous target of 658, their hopes dwindling further when losing Jacob Bethell for 76, Joe Root for 54 and Harry Brook for just one before lunch.

They looked comfortable for the first hour before Root departed, having put on 104 for the third wicket with Bethell.

England’s greatest run-scorer was trapped lbw attempting to sweep left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.

Having been given not out, New Zealand successfully reviewed, with ball-tracking showing the ball would have hit the middle stump.

It left 33-year-old Root 28 runs short of becoming the fifth player to score 13,000 Test runs.

Brook, who scored match-winning centuries in each of the first two Tests, was out cheaply for the second time at Seddon Park, caught behind off a sharply rising Will O’Rourke delivery.

Left-hander Bethell batted fluently, striking 13 fours and a six, until he swung at a wide Southee delivery to be caught at deep point.

Ollie Pope (17) was bowled attempting to reverse scoop pace bowler Matt Henry before Gus Atkinson‘s hard-hit 43 ended when caught in the deep off Santner.

Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse fell cheaply, also trying to hit Santner out of the ground.

All-rounder Santner justified his recall by taking 4-85 to finish with seven wickets in the match, alongside scores of 76 and 49 with the bat.

New Zealand vs England 3rd Test Day 1 Live Scorecard© AFP

England recalled Matthew Potts on Friday to replace Chris Woakes for the third Test against New Zealand, with captain Ben Stokes keen to build bowling depth after wrapping up the series. Durham seamer Potts will take the new ball in the dead-rubber final Test starting in Hamilton on Saturday after England clinched a first series win on New Zealand soil since 2008 with lop-sided victories in Christchurch and Wellington. Potts has failed to nail down selection since playing the first of his nine Tests in 2022 against New Zealand at Lord’s.

He took seven wickets on debut, including twice dismissing New Zealand great Kane Williamson.

Stokes said the 26-year-old had a “massive engine” and deserved another chance in what will be an inexperienced attack.

“It’s another opportunity to look at one of the fast bowlers that we see playing a big role going forward,” Stokes said.

“Two-nil up, you put yourself obviously in an easier position to make that change.

“We want to be giving experience to the guys who don’t necessarily always get the opportunity. We’ve put ourselves in a position to be able to do that.”

It means none of England’s specialist bowlers — also comprising seamers Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson and spinner Shoaib Bashir — has played more than 14 Tests.

NZ wait to name XI

Woakes has taken six wickets at an average just under 30 across the two Tests and Stokes said the 35-year-old’s form was not the reason for leaving him out.

“Chris Woakes came into the winter tours with a bit of scrutiny behind his away record but I think what he’s done has proven a lot of people wrong,” Stokes said.

“He was great over in Pakistan and obviously he’s been influential here in New Zealand in the two games he’s got.”

New Zealand captain Tom Latham confirmed Will Young will start his first match of the series, opening the batting in place of Devon Conway, who stayed home to attend the birth of his first child.

However, Latham will wait to see the Seddon Park pitch on Saturday morning before finalising his starting XI.

Spinner Mitchell Santner could yet replace one of four seamers, although Latham suggested veteran bowler Tim Southee‘s selection was safe for his 107th and final Test before retirement.

Latham said his players want to prove themselves after barely firing a shot so far against the aggressive playing style of the tourists.

“The guys, myself, we don’t need any motivation,” Latham said.

“We know we haven’t played to our potential the last couple of games but hopefully we can put on a good showing for the fans.

“We know the style that England play but it’s slightly different conditions here which may play its part.”

Teams: 

New Zealand (Squad): Tom Latham (capt), Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy.

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Shoaib Bashir.

New Zealand vs England 2nd Test Day 3 Live Score Updates© AFP

New Zealand vs England 2nd Test, Day 1 Live Score Updates© X/@BLACKCAPS

England Test captain Ben Stokes hit back at the International Cricket Council (ICC) following a slow-over-rate penalty on his team after the first Test against New Zealand at Christchurch, claiming that the match was finished with “10 hours of play still left”. The race to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final gained a lot of spice and intensity as New Zealand and England were docked three points each for maintaining a slow over-rate in the opening Test of their three-match series.

On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced sanctions against New Zealand and England for failing to maintain the required over-rate during the series opener in Christchurch.

As a result, both teams were fined 15 per cent of their match fees and penalised three crucial WTC competition points, adding another layer of intrigue to the race for the final.

Taking to Instagram, Stokes said, “Good on you ICC (accompanied by three shrugging emojis). “Finished the game with 10 hours of play still left.”

Ben Stokes’ Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/X2GYPilr2U

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 4, 2024

The ICC stated, “New Zealand and England were both found to be three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, with sides penalised one point for each over they were found short.”

England skipper Stokes and New Zealand captain Tom Latham accepted the charges and the proposed sanctions, negating the need for a formal hearing.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Rod Tucker, third umpire Adrian Holdstock, and fourth official Kim Cotton, while the sanctions were imposed by David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.

England, already out of contention for next year’s final, secured an 8-wicket victory in Christchurch. They are currently in the sixth spot with 10 wins, nine losses and a draw in 20 Tests, translating to a PCT of 42.50.

However, the sanctions dealt a significant blow to New Zealand’s chances. The inaugural WTC champions dropped from the joint fourth spot to fifth in the standings.

Following the penalty, New Zealand’s points percentage stands at 47.92 per cent. Even if they win their remaining two Tests against England, their best possible finish is a points percentage of 55.36 per cent. Their fate in reaching the WTC final will depend on the outcomes of other matches.

Jasprit Bumrah was the Player of the Match for India in Perth Test© AFP