Joe Root’s masterful Hundred cameo shows risk England are taking with captaincy recall | Ali Martin

A trip to watch a strokeplay exhibition by England’s restored captain serves as a reminder of what can be lost amid the demands of leadership

My wife and I walked the kids down the hill to Edgbaston last Saturday afternoon, where our latest attempt at cricket indoctrination was the Birmingham Phoenix versus Welsh Fire game in the men’s Hundred.

Though a one-sided defeat for the hosts – the Phoenix women at least got the win earlier in the day – it was decent enough, with the youngest (six) the only one to get restless before some tactical popcorn lifted spirits towards the back end of the game. The kindness of strangers meant she was happy regardless, having been gifted two foam meerkat paws and a giant red/orange Phoenix flag that looks as if she now supports some obscure separatist movement in the Balkans.

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Andrew Flintoff makes surprise exit as England Lions head coach after two years

  • Other demands meant he was unable to commit fully

  • Mike Yardy will step in for upcoming Pakistan fixture

Andrew Flintoff has decided to step down as the head coach of England Lions with immediate effect before his winter spell working in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

The former all-rounder, 48, has been in charge of England’s second string since September 2024 and had been given the all-clear to leave this winter’s Lions tour of South Africa early to take up his new role at BBL side Sydney Thunder.

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