England will head into the series with arguably their quickest fast-bowling lineup in years.

Ben Stokes has been awarded a fresh two-year contract that will take him through to the end of the next home Ashes series in 2027, England cricket chiefs announced on Tuesday.

England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson has been knighted for his services to cricket on Tuesday.

The former England captain has chalked up nine test half-centuries in Australia, with a highest score of 89 in a nine-wicket loss in Brisbane in December 2021.

Woakes took 192 wickets in 62 Tests and scored more than 2,000 runs at an average of more than 25.

England still have plenty of time to pull clear of Bangladesh and the West Indies, but assistant coach Trescothick accepts the slump needs to come to an end.

England will play three Tests against New Zealand in June, starting at Lord's, and Pakistan will arrive in mid-August for three Tests.

“I did see their point. I wasn’t angry, though my wife was; probably still is. But then she’s always been my biggest supporter, my biggest help throughout my career.”

Lawrence, the first British-born Black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed last year with MND, a degenerative condition that causes muscle wastage and affects the brain and nerves.

There has long been talk over whether Bethell, recently returned from IPL duty, will go straight back into the Test side for the upcoming five-match series with India.

Chasing a mountainous target of 427, Richmond's hapless batsmen lasted a mere 5.4 overs before their innings concluded in what statisticians might generously describe as a collapse.

Following a recent ICC rankings update, England surged two places to second, leapfrogging both South Africa and India.

“We're not trying to pick this team up any more. It's a matter of taking this team from a good team into being something English people are really proud of,” McCullum told the BBC Radio 5 Live Cricket show.

A new era begins for England in white-ball cricket, with Harry Brook set to take charge for the first time during the upcoming ODI series at home against the West Indies, starting May 29.

In one of his first interviews since sustaining severe facial injuries in the accident in 2022, Flintoff admitted he initially found it hard to return to public life.

With Jos Buttler stepping down from the role after a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, the search is on for England's new white-ball captain. While several names are in contention, Joe Root - the most experienced member of the squad - has ruled himself out for the role.

Lever took 41 wickets in 17 Tests and also featured in 10 one-day internationals, including the historic inaugural match in the format against Australia in 1971.

Recent scans followed by a surgery have revealed ligament damage in his left knee, ruling him out of action for an extended period.

The 34-year-old joins India's Sachin Tendulkar and West Indian Brian Lara as players who failed to translate their many individual triumphs into success as captains.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes Jos Buttler's time is up.