In today’s European cricket news, learn more about Luke Wright, a former all-rounder for both England and Sussex, has announced his retirement and been named an England Men’s Selector. Meanwhile, David Warner, claiming, “I’m not a criminal,” expresses his dismay and frustration with Cricket Australia for taking so long to amend their code of conduct involving leadership positions. Lastly, England’s white-ball tour of the West Indies in December will see the return of captain Heather Knight and deputy Nat Sciver, as well as the inclusion of Lauren Winfield-Hill for T20 international duty.
Luke Wright Will Retire and Embark on a New Role as England Men’s Selector
Original Source: Luke Wright to retire and take on new role as England Men’s Selector, inputting into all men’s squads and team selections
Wright will input into all England men’s squads and team selections from senior teams to Lions and Young Lions, sharing selection responsibility with coaches and captains of the red and white ball teams, England Men’s Managing Director Rob Key, Performance Director Mo Bobat, and Player ID Lead David Court.
Wright, Sussex’s previous T20 captain, will retire from professional cricket after almost 400 matches.
Once he takes over, he will oversee all domestic cricket in the summer, be engaged in central contract decisions, and work closely with Bobat, Court, and the scouting network on talent identification. He will collaborate with ECB science and medicine on player availability and programming.
Wright’s “experience” and “deep knowledge” of country cricket were lauded by Key.
“After the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup win and a fantastic summer for our men’s Test team, I’m glad Luke will join England Selector,” added Key.
With his experience playing in England and internationally and his knowledge of county cricket, he will be a key voice in squad selection and assist discover the next generation of England stars.
“It’s a great time for England men’s cricket, but we have a lot of work ahead if we want to build on this year’s success.”
Wright calls his new role a “honor” and is excited for the big tournaments next year.
Wright: “It’s a big honor and privilege to take on this responsibility.”
I can’t wait to contribute to the Ashes and ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup next year after a tremendous year for England men’s cricket.
Wright began his career with Leicestershire and then joined Sussex.
Between 2007 and 2014, he played 100 times for England, winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2010. He also played in the Big Bash League, Indian Premier League, and Pakistan Super League.
Wright represented Sussex in almost 400 matches across all formats, scoring over 16,000 runs and 30 hundreds. He is the Sharks’ all-time T20 Blast leading run-scorer with 5,026.
“Thank you Sussex for 19 amazing seasons,” Wright said. I am proud of what I did individually and as a team.
I’d want to thank everyone at the club for their support since I arrived. I gave it my all and hope it showed.
“Thank you to my friends and family for their love, support, and sacrifices during my profession.
“And finally, my brother Ashley, my hitting coach from day one.
Always a Sussex fan.
Wright is now coaching with Auckland Cricket and will finish there at the end of March to start the English season.
Warner Criticizes Lifelong Ban, Which May End Shortly
Original Source: ‘I’m not a criminal’: Warner blasts ’traumatic’ lifetime ban — which may finally end soon
David Warner is angry and frustrated that Cricket Australia took so long to amend their leadership code of conduct, claiming, ‘I’m not a criminal.’
Warner was banned for 12 months for his role in ‘Sandpapergate’ on the 2018 South Africa tour. Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft were also banned for 12 and 9 months, respectively.
Warner was banned from leadership roles for life after that terrible episode in Australian cricket.
Now that CA has cleared Warner to become captain or vice-captain after letting players to appeal their bans from Monday, the star opener criticized the long process.
“I’m not a criminal,” Warner said Monday.
At some point, you should be able to appeal. I understand that CA has a ban, but a lifetime ban is harsh.
It’s an opportunity to prove that I’m regretful and have worked hard to rejoin the Australian cricket team.
“It’s one of those hard ones where I feel like it’s all about me campaigning, which it’s not.
It’s frustrating because we could have done this nine months ago.
It’s terrible that ‘Finchy’ (one-day skipper Aaron Finch) retired and they rushed it.
Warner was frustrated that it took CA four days to punish him, Smith, and Bancroft in 2018, but nine months to change its code of conduct.
“That’s hard,” Warner replied.
“Unfortunately, the decisions made (in 2018) by the board are gone, and the CEO is gone.
“The board fined the integrity unit.”
We’ll have to wait and see.
“But it’s nice to be where we are today because it gives me a chance to call the integrity unit and explain the 100 hours of community service I completed for what happened.
“All this good behavior stuff I’ve done I have to put forward, so I’m pleased to do that. I’ll have to wait and see when my calendar fits to do it.
Five years went into it. For me, I’ve done everything properly.
Warner stated it was “out of my hands” to captain Australia before he retires.
But he says reliving his role in the Cape Town incident was “terrible” for him, his family, and everyone involved.
“It’s drawn out,” Warner added.
We don’t need to relive what happened or go into detail. What happened happened, and we’re moving on and doing our best for Australian cricket.
“Hopefully a decision can be made and we can proceed.”
Heather Knight and Nat Sciver Return for West Indies Series
Original Source: England Women skipper Heather Knight and vice-captain Nat Sciver return to squad for West Indies series
Knight missed the Commonwealth Games with a hip injury and the September matches against India after surgery, while Sciver withdrew to focus on her mental health.
Knight and Sciver will play three ODIs and five T20s in the Caribbean from December 4 to 22.
Katherine Brunt is back in the T20 squad after being rested for the India series, and top-order batter Winfield-Hill is back after successful Hundred, Big Bash, and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy tournaments. She could make her first England appearance in that format since 2020.
Winfield-Hill lost her central contract for 2022-23 and hasn’t played for her country since she was dismissed for 12 against West Indies in March.
England will be seeking to win the T20 World Cup in South Africa in February for the first time since 2009.
The West Indies games will be the first since Jon Lewis replaced Lisa Keightley as head coach.
The ODIs are in Antigua on December 4, 6, and 9, followed by the first T20 on December 11. Barbados hosts the final four matches on December 14, 17, 18, and 22.
The ODIs begin at 6pm UK time and the T20s at 10pm UK time.
“I’m anxious to come to the West Indies and work with this bunch,” stated Lewis. Though I wasn’t engaged in selection for this trip, we had some brief chats beforehand, and I’m happy for everyone chosen.
“It’s nice to have Heather, Nat, and Katherine back.” The skill and experience they provide can help on and off the field. Katherine will return to competitive cricket in time for the February T20 World Cup.
“For Lauren, it’s great to watch a player go through a challenging phase and come back stronger, showing great form at domestic and franchise level.
I’m impressed by Lauren’s ability to pressure bowlers and score well in the powerplay.
Left-arm seamer Tash Farrant is out with a back stress fracture.
England ODI squad: Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Danni Wyatt
England T20 squad: Heather Knight (captain), Lauren Bell, Katherine Brunt, Alice Capsey, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt
Summary of today’s Cricket News
Overall, Luke Wright, a former all-rounder for England and Sussex, has announced his retirement and been named an England Men’s Selector, joining the panel responsible for choosing national men’s teams. Wright will contribute to the selection of all England men’s squads and teams, from senior teams to Lions and Young Lions, along with the coaches and captains of the red and white ball teams, the England Men’s Managing Director Rob Key, the Performance Director Mo Bobat, and the Player ID Lead David Court.
On the other hand, David Warner has expressed his displeasure with Cricket Australia’s slow pace of reforming their code of conduct for those in leadership roles, saying, “I’m not a criminal.” While on tour in South Africa in early 2018, Warner was involved in the infamous “Sandpapergate” controversy, which resulted in suspensions of 12 and 9 months for Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft, respectively. Because of his role in that bleak period of Australian cricket history, Warner was also banned from ever again serving in a leadership role for the sport.
Finally, England’s captain Heather Knight and her second-in-command Nat Sciver are back in the team for the white-ball tour of the West Indies in December. Knight missed the Commonwealth Games this summer because of a hip injury. She also missed the home games against India in September because she had surgery to fix the problem. All-rounder Sciver pulled out of the India series to focus on her mental health. Knight and Sciver are back for the five T20 internationals and three ODIs that will be played in the Caribbean from December 4 to December 22.