It’s going to be a hectic summer of cricket for England, both on the domestic and international fronts. It will also be crucial for the game’s newest format and the England Test, ODI, and T20 teams. Let us pick out the five highlights for you.
The MCG hosts the 2022 T20 World Cup T20 final on November 13 | Rodger Wang Photo by Rodger Wang on Unsplash.
1. Ben Stokes’ Test team takes on the Kiwis.
A three-Test home series against New Zealand is always something to get excited about, but this one will have added interest as it will be Ben Stokes’ first as England captain. It will be intriguing to see if the all-rounder can infuse his team with much-needed energy and direction and end what has been a woeful period for the national team.
He has much of the same squad that his predecessor Joe Root had to choose from, but his hands will also be tied to some extent. However, if rumors are to be believed, Stokes is likely to insist that stalwarts Anderson and Broad are available, something that was a bone of contention and a source of frustration for Root and most England fans, especially when there is no one obviously ready. -replacements done.
One thing that will please Stokes is that his side is currently a narrow favorite to beat New Zealand in the series, something that may well not have been the case had Root remained in the role. One peculiarity of cricket for those who don’t live and breathe it is that so much depends on the pitch, especially with the English weather and pitches. As a result, the cricket odds for each Test, even the series, will change quite often after the toss (conducted half an hour before the first ball is bowled), something to keep in mind if you are thinking of taking a clearance.
2. T20 World Cup
At the other end of the scale in terms of the number of balls bowled in the T20 World Cup. The tournament, which takes place across Australia, starts on October 16 and the final is played at the MCG on November 13. This is the eighth time the tournament has been held with six different teams lifting the trophy, the West Indies being the only team to do so twice. Reigning champions Australia will be hoping that home advantage will make them the first nation to win in successive tournaments.
Video: Australia lights up with the launch of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 fixture!
3. The Hundred
Despite a less than warm welcome when the sport’s newest format was announced, The Hundred’s inaugural season was a resounding success. Packed stadiums are the most obvious indication that the organizers have got it right, and the competition is helped by the fact that each game features a double bill with the women’s game before the men’s and taking place in one month. That month is August, and if the English weather behaves well, all indications are that it will become a favorite feature not only of cricket but also of the sporting calendar.
Video: What is ‘The Hundred’? – How is it DIFFERENT from T20?
4. Taking on the Indians
July sees a unique set of circumstances when England plays India in all three formats of the international game. They resume last year’s Test series, with India 2-1 ahead with one to go. The two nations then play three T20 matches, before finishing with a three-match ODI series.
5. South Africa
England host the Proteas with an opening three-match T20 series, in which both teams will be eager to prepare for the upcoming World Cup. This is followed by a three-match Test series, in which Stokes will be hoping to really make his mark as captain in the summer when his side will face the second, third, and fourth-ranked teams in the world.
One thing is for sure, after this summer, England will know a lot more about where they stand in terms of their progress in the rankings in all three formats.
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