England on back foot again in Adelaide
Australia declared their first innings on 473/9 on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test match at the Adelaide Oval. In reply, England were down to 17/2 at stumps, still trailing by 456 runs.
Resuming on 221/2, Marnus Labuschagne completed his sixth Test century before being dismissed on 103. Travis Head and Cam Green departed cheaply, but Steven Smith (93) and Alex Carey (51) added 91 for the sixth wicket to steady the ship. Mitchell Starc (39*) and Michael Neser (35) then played breezy cameos to take their side past 450.
England lose more WTC points for slow over rate in Brisbane
England were docked eight World Test Championship points – three more than previously announced – for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Ashes Test match against Australia, in Brisbane.
Earlier, it was announced that England would be lost five WTC points, one for each over they initially fell short. However, subsequent calculations confirmed they had been eight overs short, and they lost three additional points.
As a result, they are now with six points after five Test matches in the ongoing 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle. They are placed seventh, only over Bangladesh, with a 10% win percentage.
England announce squad for Women’s Ashes
England named a 17-member squad for the multi-format Women’s Ashes series, starting 27 January in Canberra. Charlie Dean and Maia Bouchier, who made their international debut last year in New Zealand, earned their maiden Ashes call-up, while Tash Farrant has been recalled.
Australia have held the Ashes since 2015. In their last Ashes series in 2019, England only won once in seven matches. The series opens with a Test match, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs.
England will also travel with a 12-member 'A' squad with the Ashes contingent for the first time.
England Women's Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Kate Cross, Nat Sciver, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Danni Wyatt, Sophie Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill.
England ‘A’ squad: Emily Arlott, Alice Capsey, Lauren Bell, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Issy Wong, Emma Lamb.
Flower in charge of Lucknow in IPL 2022
The Lucknow franchise of the IPL appointed Andy Flower as their head coach for the upcoming season. Flower is the first appointment on the coaching staff by the franchise, which was bought by RPSG Group in August for INR 7,090 crores. Flower previously worked as an assistant coach at Punjab Kings in the last two IPL campaigns.