Ben Stokes will balance his commitments with Durham and franchise leagues according to England cricket sources. The England captain's schedule reflects the increasing overlap between domestic and T20 franchise cricket.

Stokes remains central to England's white-ball and red-ball plans. His dual role requires careful workload management across the international calendar and county obligations.

The arrangement allows Stokes to maintain his connection with Durham while participating in lucrative franchise competitions. England cricket officials have not set specific limits on his franchise appearances.

Marcus Stoinis scored 34 and took two wickets as Southern Brave finally won in the Hundred, beating Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs at the Rose Bowl. Luke Wood chipped in with the ball, and the low-scoring contest never really got away from either side.

Brave's total looked ordinary, but Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer kept Phoenix guessing with their spells. The chase for 129 never settled into a rhythm.

The win ended a three-match losing streak and lifted Brave off the bottom of the table.

The ICC has announced 12 venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. The tournament returns to the continent for the first time since the 2003 edition hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Eight of the 12 venues will stage the bulk of the 54 matches, with South Africa hosting the majority of fixtures.

Warwickshire have re-signed India spinner Manav Suthar for the final stretch of the County Championship after his earlier performances impressed the coaching staff. Suthar played two matches during his first spell with the club and returns to provide an additional slow-bowling option as Warwickshire chase promotion.

Head coach Ian Westwood expressed satisfaction with Suthar's signing. The spinner has drawn attention for his high revolutions on the ball and clean release, qualities highlighted by former India spinner Maninder Singh who praised Suthar's seam position and action.

Suthar made Bishan Singh Bedi take note of his classical left-arm spin during his domestic career. His re-signing adds depth to a Warwickshire attack that needs variety in the decisive phase of the season.

Josh Hazlewood returns to Test cricket after a 13-month injury absence as Australia prepares to host Bangladesh in a two-Test series beginning in Darwin on August 13. The 35-year-old pacer will lead Australia's pace attack having recovered from the injury that sidelined him for over a year. Hazlewood has played 76 Tests but has never been part of an Australian team that won a Test series in India or England.

Australia last won an away Ashes series in 2001, while their most recent Test series victory in India came in 2004. Hazlewood has expressed his desire to achieve series wins in both countries before retirement. Bangladesh arrives in Australia on Friday and will play a four-day warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI before the opening Test.

The series provides Hazlewood with an opportunity to regain full fitness and form ahead of Australia's future commitments. His return strengthens Australia's pace resources significantly.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said the Test captaincy could be exactly what Joe Root needs. Vaughan made the comment after Root was appointed to the role for a second time. The appointment followed Ben Stokes' retirement.

Root, now 35, returns to the captaincy under new head coach Stephen Fleming. Fleming will begin work after the Pakistan series and ahead of the South Africa tour. Marcus Trescothick has been named interim coach for the Pakistan matches.

Vaughan argued that the extra responsibility could sharpen Root's game. Root has previously led England in 64 Tests. The new coaching setup aims to rebuild the side for the 2027 World Test Championship cycle.

Adam Zampa has switched states to play for Queensland in the upcoming Australian domestic season after leaving New South Wales. The 34-year-old leg-spinner said he wanted a fresh start following limited opportunities with the Blues.

Zampa's BBL club for the 2026-27 season remains undecided. He will be available for selection in Queensland's Marsh One-Day Cup and Sheffield Shield campaigns.

The move comes weeks after Zampa was dropped from Australia's T20I side for the tour of South Africa.

Saltburn Cricket Club has suspended a player accused of cheating during a local league match in England. The player, nicknamed "Clicky Ponting," allegedly clicked his fingers to simulate an edge during a match that has since gone viral with over 7.5 million views on social media. The incident occurred in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League.

The club confirmed it is treating the allegations seriously and the player will not feature in any matches in the foreseeable future. An Indian restaurant that sponsored the player has withdrawn its support following the controversy. The league is currently investigating the matter.

Brian Devine, identified as the player at the centre of the incident, faces potential sanctions from the league authorities. The club has also conceded its second-team cup fixture scheduled for Wednesday as a result of the suspension.

The Hundred will run under new ownership in 2026. Minority stakes in several teams have already gone to outside investors, and the ECB plans to sell more. Men's and women's sides will now share points tables and a single trophy for the best overall team. Each franchise gets updated names and kits to match its new backers, but the 100-ball rules stay the same. The ECB wants the changes in place before the next broadcast deal is negotiated.

The Rothesay County Championship stays at 14 matches for 2026 after counties voted down the ECB's 13-game plan. The two-division structure and points system that have run since 2017 remain untouched. The ECB floated the shorter format as a cost-saving move, but a majority said no at last week's meeting. In exchange, the Vitality Blast cuts its group stage from 14 matches to 12, trimming two fixtures from every side. Those changes begin in 2026.

Saltburn Cricket Club have suspended a player accused of clicking his fingers to simulate a dismissal during an amateur match. The incident, dubbed the Clicky Ponting controversy, has prompted an investigation by the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League. The club said the player will not feature again in the foreseeable future.

The fielder was captured on video appearing to click his fingers near the batter's edge. The umpire gave the decision out, leading to protests from the batting side. An Indian restaurant that sponsored the club has withdrawn its support.

The league is reviewing footage from multiple matches after similar allegations surfaced. Saltburn have forfeited their next cup fixture while the investigation continues.

Trent Rockets defeated Welsh Fire by nine wickets in Cardiff during the men's Hundred. Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 52 as Rockets chased down 123 with 28 balls remaining. Welsh Fire bowled seven no-balls in the second innings, easing the chase further.

Rockets completed their second win in three matches and moved up the standings. Duckett's innings provided stability after an early wicket. Welsh Fire's total proved inadequate on a true batting surface.

The women's Hundred match at the same venue also went to Trent Rockets by eight wickets.