After Ben Stokes failed to justify his promotion to number three and Joe Root's struggle against left-arm spin continued his, England slumped to 120 for four at lunch on the opening day of the second test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Jos Buttler was on a belligerent 38 at the break, having earlier hit spinner Akila Dananjaya for three successive boundaries.&nbsp;

Root won the toss and elected to bat, thus sparing his team the tricky prospect of batting fourth on a track already offering turn.

Sri Lanka captain Suranga Lakmal, however, denied them a good start, inducing Keaton Jennings into edging a delivery in the fifth over.

Stokes then survived a review against Dilruwan Perera before he succumbed to another.&nbsp;

Dismissed by a retiring Rangana Herath in both innings of the Galle test, Root fell to his replacement Malinda Pushpakumara for 14.

England, chasing a first overseas test series win since prevailing 2-1 in South Africa in early 2016, fielded the same side who beat the hosts by 211 runs in Galle.

Sri Lanka were forced into two changes with Herath retiring while regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out with a groin injury.

After Ben Stokes failed to justify his promotion to number three and Joe Root's struggle against left-arm spin continued his, England slumped to 120 for four at lunch on the opening day of the second test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

After Ben Stokes failed to justify his promotion to number three and Joe Root's struggle against left-arm spin continued his, England slumped to 120 for four at lunch on the opening day of the second test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Jos Buttler was on a belligerent 38 at the break, having earlier hit spinner Akila Dananjaya for three successive boundaries. Root won the toss and elected to bat, thus sparing his team the tricky prospect of batting fourth on a track already offering turn. Sri Lanka captain Suranga Lakmal, however, denied them a good start, inducing Keaton Jennings into edging a delivery in the fifth over. Stokes then survived a review against Dilruwan Perera before he succumbed to another. Dismissed by a retiring Rangana Herath in both innings of the Galle test, Root fell to his replacement Malinda Pushpakumara for 14. England, chasing a first overseas test series win since prevailing 2-1 in South Africa in early 2016, fielded the same side who beat the hosts by 211 runs in Galle. Sri Lanka were forced into two changes with Herath retiring while regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out with a groin injury.

2nd Test, day 1: England reach 120/4 at lunch

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his teammate Jasprit Bumrah have maintained their top spot in the latest ICC ODI rankings for batsmen and bowlers respectively.

Kohli sits at the top with 884 points, followed by his deputy Rohit Sharma, with 842 ranking points.&nbsp;

Opener Shikhar Dhawan is placed fifth in the list carrying 802 points.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in bowling, &nbsp;pacer Bumrah leads the list with 797 points to his name.

The death-over specialist is followed by young Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan, who has 788 points, while Indian chinaman Kuldeep Yadav is placed third with 700 points.

In the team's rankings, England tops the chart with 127 points, while India is placed second with 122 points.

New Zealand (112 points), South Africa (110) and Pakistan (101) grabbed the third, fourth and fifth position respectively.

England will have to win the away series against Sri Lanka, starting October 10, to retain their number one ranking.&nbsp;

If they fail to win, India will have a chance provided they defeat West Indies the five ODI series.

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his teammate Jasprit Bumrah have maintained their top spot in the latest ICC ODI rankings for batsmen and bowlers respectively.

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his teammate Jasprit Bumrah have maintained their top spot in the latest ICC ODI rankings for batsmen and bowlers respectively. Kohli sits at the top with 884 points, followed by his deputy Rohit Sharma, with 842 ranking points. Opener Shikhar Dhawan is placed fifth in the list carrying 802 points. Meanwhile, in bowling, pacer Bumrah leads the list with 797 points to his name. The death-over specialist is followed by young Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan, who has 788 points, while Indian chinaman Kuldeep Yadav is placed third with 700 points. In the team's rankings, England tops the chart with 127 points, while India is placed second with 122 points. New Zealand (112 points), South Africa (110) and Pakistan (101) grabbed the third, fourth and fifth position respectively. England will have to win the away series against Sri Lanka, starting October 10, to retain their number one ranking. If they fail to win, India will have a chance provided they defeat West Indies the five ODI series.

Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah retain top spots in ICC ODI ranking

All-rounder Ben Stokes was included in England&#39;s 16-man cricket squad for their Test tour of New Zealand Thursday, while Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone got his first call up.

Seamer Mark Wood returns after struggling with injury, and Ashes underperformers Mooen Ali, James Vince and Mark Stoneman were all retained.

But Gary Ballance, Jake Ball and Tom Curran, who were all part of the Australia Test squad, miss out.

England play two Tests in New Zealand starting in Auckland on March 22 after being thrashed 4-0 by Australia in the Ashes series that ended in Sydney this week.

In the chastening campaign, Australia record four comprehensive wins - including two innings victories and a 10-wicket triumph.

Stokes missed the entire series in Australia after being banned from international duties while police investigate his alleged role in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol three months ago.

He kept his hand in by playing for Canterbury, his New Zealand birth province, for a month, but has since returned home to be with his wife and young family.

England selectors said he was in the frame &quot;though his involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary developments in relation to the incident in Bristol in September&quot;.

&quot;Should the ECB Board receive formal confirmation that Stokes has either been charged or that he will face no charges, they would convene within 48 hours to make a decision on his availability for the team at that stage,&quot; they said.

Livingstone was rewarded for his form with Lancashire, with National Selector James Whitaker saying they had been watching him for some time.

&quot;Liam has been a player that we have been impressed with for quite some time, having performed well in the county system with Lancashire and over the past couple of years with the England Lions,&quot; he said.

&quot;He is a very talented and tough cricketer who has the ideal qualities and character to be successful in the Test arena.&quot;

Selectors also recalled Durham seamer Wood, who is back in the Test squad for the first time since last year.

&quot;After a frustrating period with injuries, Mark is now back to full fitness and is looking forward to being part of our Test plans,&quot; said Whitaker.

&quot;He will play a significant part in our forthcoming ODI tour of Australia and we will be paying close attention to his efforts over the next few weeks.&quot;

England play five one-dayers against Australia, starting in Melbourne on Sunday.

From the Ashes Test squad, Yorkshire batsman Ballance, Nottinghamshire seamer Ball and Surrey all-rounder Curran all miss out and will return to county cricket.

&quot;They are talented players and I am sure their time will come again,&quot; said Whitaker.

England - Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Alaister Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

England play two Tests in New Zealand starting in Auckland on March 22 after being thrashed 4-0 by Australia in the Ashes series that ended in Sydney this week.

All-rounder Ben Stokes was included in England's 16-man cricket squad for their Test tour of New Zealand Thursday, while Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone got his first call up. Seamer Mark Wood returns after struggling with injury, and Ashes underperformers Mooen Ali, James Vince and Mark Stoneman were all retained. But Gary Ballance, Jake Ball and Tom Curran, who were all part of the Australia Test squad, miss out. England play two Tests in New Zealand starting in Auckland on March 22 after being thrashed 4-0 by Australia in the Ashes series that ended in Sydney this week. In the chastening campaign, Australia record four comprehensive wins - including two innings victories and a 10-wicket triumph. Stokes missed the entire series in Australia after being banned from international duties while police investigate his alleged role in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol three months ago. He kept his hand in by playing for Canterbury, his New Zealand birth province, for a month, but has since returned home to be with his wife and young family. England selectors said he was in the frame "though his involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary developments in relation to the incident in Bristol in September". "Should the ECB Board receive formal confirmation that Stokes has either been charged or that he will face no charges, they would convene within 48 hours to make a decision on his availability for the team at that stage," they said. Livingstone was rewarded for his form with Lancashire, with National Selector James Whitaker saying they had been watching him for some time. "Liam has been a player that we have been impressed with for quite some time, having performed well in the county system with Lancashire and over the past couple of years with the England Lions," he said. "He is a very talented and tough cricketer who has the ideal qualities and character to be successful in the Test arena." Selectors also recalled Durham seamer Wood, who is back in the Test squad for the first time since last year. "After a frustrating period with injuries, Mark is now back to full fitness and is looking forward to being part of our Test plans," said Whitaker. "He will play a significant part in our forthcoming ODI tour of Australia and we will be paying close attention to his efforts over the next few weeks." England play five one-dayers against Australia, starting in Melbourne on Sunday. From the Ashes Test squad, Yorkshire batsman Ballance, Nottinghamshire seamer Ball and Surrey all-rounder Curran all miss out and will return to county cricket. "They are talented players and I am sure their time will come again," said Whitaker. England - Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Alaister Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Stokes, Livingstone in England cricket squad for New Zealand Tests

Former Australia quick Damien Fleming says England&#39;s top six contains some of the worst batsmen he has seen play test cricket and believes the home pace attack will run through them in the Ashes series at the end of the year.

While Fleming conceded that all-rounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, as well as wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, would cause problems for Australia he was scathing in his assessment of Keaton Jennings, Tom Westley, and Dawid Malan.

&quot;England needs three decent batsmen in their top six,&quot; Fleming, who played 20 tests and 88 one-dayers when Australia were in their pomp in the 1990s, told Melbourne&#39;s RSN radio.

&quot;Watching the South African series, they&#39;re some of the worst batsmen I&#39;ve ever seen play test cricket.&quot;

England beat South Africa 3-1 in the just-completed series but Fleming said the retention for the Ashes of opener Jennings and top order batsman Westley would offer plenty of opportunities for the Australian bowlers.

&quot;(Jennings) scored 127 runs at an average of 15. I used to bat nine in test matches and I would just be happy with that, averaging 15. Just be happy. He&#39;s opening the batting,&quot; Fleming added.

&quot;I don&#39;t like his technique, closed grip, he&#39;s going to nick people that can angle the ball across him and bowlers that can actually get the ball to shape back in, that gap between bat and front pad. This is an opening batsman.

&quot;Westley has a similar technique. He is squared up, he has hands that are a long way in front of his body with a closed grip. How does he hit the ball through the off side? He&#39;s going to nick off or get in trouble with the ball that comes in.

&quot;Where are 80 per cent of the deliveries going to be to Jennings and Westley? Outside off stump, maybe shaping away. They don&#39;t have a technique to cope with that.&quot;

Westley and Malan made their test debuts in the third test against the Proteas, with the former taking over at &quot;first drop&quot; from the injured Gary Ballance, who did not escape Fleming&#39;s brutal analysis.

&quot;How did Gary Ballance play test cricket again after that last series two years ago there?&quot; Fleming said, referring to the batsman&#39;s axing after two tests of the 2015 Ashes.

&quot;Young Malan, 35 runs at an average of eight. There&#39;s real opportunities for Australia to run through the top order.&quot;

England, who won the 2015 series 3-2, begin their defence of the Ashes in Brisbane on Nov. 23.

'Watching the South African series, they're some of the worst batsmen I've ever seen play test cricket'

Former Australia quick Damien Fleming says England's top six contains some of the worst batsmen he has seen play test cricket and believes the home pace attack will run through them in the Ashes series at the end of the year. While Fleming conceded that all-rounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, as well as wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, would cause problems for Australia he was scathing in his assessment of Keaton Jennings, Tom Westley, and Dawid Malan. "England needs three decent batsmen in their top six," Fleming, who played 20 tests and 88 one-dayers when Australia were in their pomp in the 1990s, told Melbourne's RSN radio. "Watching the South African series, they're some of the worst batsmen I've ever seen play test cricket." England beat South Africa 3-1 in the just-completed series but Fleming said the retention for the Ashes of opener Jennings and top order batsman Westley would offer plenty of opportunities for the Australian bowlers. "(Jennings) scored 127 runs at an average of 15. I used to bat nine in test matches and I would just be happy with that, averaging 15. Just be happy. He's opening the batting," Fleming added. "I don't like his technique, closed grip, he's going to nick people that can angle the ball across him and bowlers that can actually get the ball to shape back in, that gap between bat and front pad. This is an opening batsman. "Westley has a similar technique. He is squared up, he has hands that are a long way in front of his body with a closed grip. How does he hit the ball through the off side? He's going to nick off or get in trouble with the ball that comes in. "Where are 80 per cent of the deliveries going to be to Jennings and Westley? Outside off stump, maybe shaping away. They don't have a technique to cope with that." Westley and Malan made their test debuts in the third test against the Proteas, with the former taking over at "first drop" from the injured Gary Ballance, who did not escape Fleming's brutal analysis. "How did Gary Ballance play test cricket again after that last series two years ago there?" Fleming said, referring to the batsman's axing after two tests of the 2015 Ashes. "Young Malan, 35 runs at an average of eight. There's real opportunities for Australia to run through the top order." England, who won the 2015 series 3-2, begin their defence of the Ashes in Brisbane on Nov. 23.

England's top order has worst ever batsmen: Fleming

Alastair Cook has stepped down as England&#39;s Test captain but plans to carry on as a player, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday.

Cook, who was appointed captain in 2012, led England in 59 Tests, which includes Ashes victories at home in 2013 and 2015 as well as series wins in India and South Africa.

ECB has started the process to appoint the next Test captain with batting mainstay Joe Root regarded as the favourite for the job.

&quot;Stepping down has been an incredibly hard decision but I know this is the correct decision for me and at the right time for the team,&quot; Cook said in a statement.

&quot;I&#39;ve had time to reflect after the India series and this weekend I spoke to Colin Graves, the Chairman, to explain and offer my resignation,&quot; England`s most capped test captain said referring to last year`s 4-0 loss in India.

The 32-year-old has scored more test centuries than any of his predecessors and is also the country&#39;s most prolific test batsman with 11,057 runs in 140 tests.

&quot;Playing for England really is a privilege and I hope to carry on as a Test player, making a full contribution and helping the next England captain and the team,&quot; he added.

In November, Cook was asked about his captaincy while on the Test series tour of India which England lost 4-0.

Cook said his captaincy was reviewed on a series-by-series basis.

&quot;It could be the end of this series, it could be six months, it could be the end of the next one, it could be two years.. so that&#39;s kind of the answer. And obviously, the headlines been made, wasn&#39;t intentional and stuff, so like everything I have gone about business in last two years, it will be series-by-series judgement, always has been,&quot; he said.

(Reuters)&nbsp;

ECB has started the process to appoint the next Test captain with batting mainstay Joe Root regarded as the favourite for the job

Alastair Cook has stepped down as England's Test captain but plans to carry on as a player, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday. Cook, who was appointed captain in 2012, led England in 59 Tests, which includes Ashes victories at home in 2013 and 2015 as well as series wins in India and South Africa. ECB has started the process to appoint the next Test captain with batting mainstay Joe Root regarded as the favourite for the job. "Stepping down has been an incredibly hard decision but I know this is the correct decision for me and at the right time for the team," Cook said in a statement. "I've had time to reflect after the India series and this weekend I spoke to Colin Graves, the Chairman, to explain and offer my resignation," England`s most capped test captain said referring to last year`s 4-0 loss in India. The 32-year-old has scored more test centuries than any of his predecessors and is also the country's most prolific test batsman with 11,057 runs in 140 tests. "Playing for England really is a privilege and I hope to carry on as a Test player, making a full contribution and helping the next England captain and the team," he added. In November, Cook was asked about his captaincy while on the Test series tour of India which England lost 4-0. Cook said his captaincy was reviewed on a series-by-series basis. "It could be the end of this series, it could be six months, it could be the end of the next one, it could be two years.. so that's kind of the answer. And obviously, the headlines been made, wasn't intentional and stuff, so like everything I have gone about business in last two years, it will be series-by-series judgement, always has been," he said. (Reuters)

Alastair Cook steps down as England Test captain

Alastair Cook has indicated the upcoming Test series against India could be his last as England captain.

But the 31-year-old Essex left-hander said that whatever his future as skipper, he would like to continue his Test career purely as an opening batsman.

Cook is set to break Michael Atherton`s record of 54 Tests as England captain when he leads the tourists in the first of five-match series against India in Rajkot on Wednesday.

&quot;Deep down I don`t know how much longer I am going to carry on,&quot; he said in an interview with this month`s Cricketer magazine quoted by The Times newspaper.

&quot;It could be two months, it could be a year.&quot;

Cook became England captain in 2012 and promptly led his side to a 2-1 series win in India that year.

In total, Cook has won 24 of his Tests as captain, a tally that includes two home Ashes series triumphs.&nbsp;

His tally of 10,688 runs in 135 Tests is the highest by any England batsman and includes a century on debut, against India in Nagpur in 2006.

That was the first of 29 Test hundreds, another England record, and Cook would like to return to the ranks before he retires from international cricket.

&quot;I do look forward to the day when hopefully I can play a Test match as just a batter, there`s no doubt about that,&quot; said Cook.

&quot;If that happens I am going to really enjoy standing at first slip and being the bloke who makes suggestions to whoever`s in charge and not being the bloke who has to make the final decision.

&quot;There have been some tough moments and amazing moments and you can enjoy that success that little bit more because of what you go through as England captain.&quot;

Former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC radio on Monday that Cook could relinquish the leadership of the team either following the India series of after the 2017/18 Ashes tour of Australia.

&quot;These next six or seven weeks are not crucial for Cook, he is breaking records and he has four or five years left as a batsman, if his mind wants to play that long,&quot; said Vaughan.

&quot;He`d be a real good sounding board and be able to see when the new captain is under stress. He would be the perfect foil.&quot;

&nbsp;

(AFP)

&nbsp;

England's captain said it his future as skipper was uncertain but he would definitely continue his Test career as an opening batsman

Alastair Cook has indicated the upcoming Test series against India could be his last as England captain. But the 31-year-old Essex left-hander said that whatever his future as skipper, he would like to continue his Test career purely as an opening batsman. Cook is set to break Michael Atherton`s record of 54 Tests as England captain when he leads the tourists in the first of five-match series against India in Rajkot on Wednesday. "Deep down I don`t know how much longer I am going to carry on," he said in an interview with this month`s Cricketer magazine quoted by The Times newspaper. "It could be two months, it could be a year." Cook became England captain in 2012 and promptly led his side to a 2-1 series win in India that year. In total, Cook has won 24 of his Tests as captain, a tally that includes two home Ashes series triumphs. His tally of 10,688 runs in 135 Tests is the highest by any England batsman and includes a century on debut, against India in Nagpur in 2006. That was the first of 29 Test hundreds, another England record, and Cook would like to return to the ranks before he retires from international cricket. "I do look forward to the day when hopefully I can play a Test match as just a batter, there`s no doubt about that," said Cook. "If that happens I am going to really enjoy standing at first slip and being the bloke who makes suggestions to whoever`s in charge and not being the bloke who has to make the final decision. "There have been some tough moments and amazing moments and you can enjoy that success that little bit more because of what you go through as England captain." Former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC radio on Monday that Cook could relinquish the leadership of the team either following the India series of after the 2017/18 Ashes tour of Australia. "These next six or seven weeks are not crucial for Cook, he is breaking records and he has four or five years left as a batsman, if his mind wants to play that long," said Vaughan. "He`d be a real good sounding board and be able to see when the new captain is under stress. He would be the perfect foil." (AFP)

Cricket: Cook hints at nearing end as England's captain

Bangladesh has ruled out playing England&#39;s cricket team in a third country in September, an idea floated after a deadly terror attack in the capital killed 18 foreigners last week.&nbsp; 
 
England are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on September 30 to play two Tests and three one-day internationals. 
 
England&#39;s limited-over captain Eion Morgan voiced &quot;big concern&quot; after last Saturday&#39;s attack by Islamist extremists at an upmarket restaurant, saying a neutral venue could be an option for the series. 
&nbsp; 
And an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman hinted at a possible cancellation of the Bangladesh tour saying that &quot;if the environment is not acceptably safe or the right measures not in place, we would take the appropriate steps&quot;. 
 
However, Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury told reporters in Dhaka today that Bangladesh wanted the matches to go ahead on home turf. 
 
&quot;We always believe suspending cricket in a particular country will not bring any solution,&quot; Chowdhury said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Our all-out effort will be fulfilling our commitment of hosting the series here,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
He also noted that a security delegation from England would be coming to inspect the security measures in place ahead of the games. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;England security delegate was supposed to visit last month. But they are taking time,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;They will also tour India after Bangladesh series. Perhaps,they will do the security inspection both in India and Bangladesh together.&quot; 
&nbsp; 
Australia pulled out of a tour of Bangladesh last year due to security concerns. The West Indies Under-19 side also aborted a tour in 2013 after an explosion near their hotel in the southern city of Chittagong. 
 
Chowdhury said the International Cricket Council is working on updated security protocol to deal with the problem globally.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It`s not just a problem of Bangladesh. Many developed countries in the world, who have strong security barriers, face some incidents too.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Still, whenever we host an international series, we take special security measures. We have hosted many major ICC events, despite many challenges,&quot; he said. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

England are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on September 30 to play two tests and three one-day internationals

Bangladesh has ruled out playing England's cricket team in a third country in September, an idea floated after a deadly terror attack in the capital killed 18 foreigners last week. England are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on September 30 to play two Tests and three one-day internationals. England's limited-over captain Eion Morgan voiced "big concern" after last Saturday's attack by Islamist extremists at an upmarket restaurant, saying a neutral venue could be an option for the series. And an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman hinted at a possible cancellation of the Bangladesh tour saying that "if the environment is not acceptably safe or the right measures not in place, we would take the appropriate steps". However, Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury told reporters in Dhaka today that Bangladesh wanted the matches to go ahead on home turf. "We always believe suspending cricket in a particular country will not bring any solution," Chowdhury said. "Our all-out effort will be fulfilling our commitment of hosting the series here," he added. He also noted that a security delegation from England would be coming to inspect the security measures in place ahead of the games. "England security delegate was supposed to visit last month. But they are taking time," he said. "They will also tour India after Bangladesh series. Perhaps,they will do the security inspection both in India and Bangladesh together." Australia pulled out of a tour of Bangladesh last year due to security concerns. The West Indies Under-19 side also aborted a tour in 2013 after an explosion near their hotel in the southern city of Chittagong. Chowdhury said the International Cricket Council is working on updated security protocol to deal with the problem globally. "It`s not just a problem of Bangladesh. Many developed countries in the world, who have strong security barriers, face some incidents too. "Still, whenever we host an international series, we take special security measures. We have hosted many major ICC events, despite many challenges," he said. (AFP)

Bangladesh rule out playing England in neutral venue