After a turbulent week for English cricket, fast bowler Sonny Baker delivered a performance full of personality and promise on day one of the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval.

Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of England's next two T20 World Cup fixtures after suffering a left calf strain against Ireland. The 33-year-old remains the hosts' most important batter and her absence will be keenly felt.

Michael Vaughan has come out strongly in support of Ben Stokes retaining the England Test captaincy, calling any other outcome an 'absolute travesty'. But with ECB leadership staying tight-lipped, the skipper's future remains far from certain.

England showed admirable character on day one of the second Test at The Oval, restricting New Zealand to 291-7 despite the off-field chaos surrounding Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson.

Warwickshire head coach Ian Westwood has expressed his satisfaction at seeing the Bears remain genuine County Championship contenders at the halfway point of the season, sitting just five points off the top of Division One.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell has thrown his full support behind Ben Stokes, insisting the England Test captain is in fine fettle and grafting hard in training after being dropped for the second New Zealand Test.

Sonny Baker endured a bruising introduction to international cricket, but the 92mph Hampshire tearaway says he's learned from those early struggles and is ready to express himself fully in an England shirt.

England got their Women's T20 World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a four-wicket win over Ireland in Southampton, though captain Nat Sciver-Brunt's early retirement through injury cast a shadow over the result.

England made it two wins from two at the Women's T20 World Cup, but a calf scare involving captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has cast a shadow over their victory against Ireland in Southampton.