With Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith having endured a painful Ashes, the race is on for England selection ahead of the first Test series of the summer, against New Zealand in June.

The former Test skipper's bank balance is in rude health after he scored a massive windfall on Tuesday.

Middlesex are 'drifting towards irrelevance' and chairman Richard Sykes must stand down, according to a bombshell open letter to the club's members.

RICHARD GIBSON: McKinney has been a beneficiary of Bazball's boldness to this point in his career, having been discussed for an international debut as far back as a year ago.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY JAMES SHARPE: Chris Woakes, the county pro. Even for the man himself, it's a title he's still getting used to.

It now appears that a key demographic which Cricket Ireland has been courting faces an extra hurdle in order to travel to the games.

RICHARD GIBSON: After being axed 13 months ago ahead of the Champions Trophy, Surrey all-rounder Curran made a bold move in calling for a meeting with England head coach Brendon McCullum.

David Payne was an anomaly during a doom-laden Ashes winter: an England seamer departing Australia with his reputation enhanced.

Ben Stokes has had his target of featuring in half of Durham's opening six County Championship fixtures eradicated by specialists while the club have 'no expectations' of fellow international Mark Wood playing for them this season.

A cricket fan was dramatically turned away from the Sheffield Shield final after officials ruled his clothing crossed the line into political territory

LAWRENCE BOOTH: Both and Zak Crawley face pressure for their places after disappointing tours of Australia in which they averaged 20 and 27 respectively in a 4-1 defeat.