Ben Stokes is on course for another clash with the England and Wales Cricket Board because the governing body is unlikely to grant him permission to play in overseas franchise competitions next summer.
The former England captain is understood to have had discussions with franchises in the United Statesâ Major League Cricket (MLC) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) about joining them next season, but the Guardian has learned that the ECB is reluctant to provide the No-Objection Certificate required to play in either competition while he remains registered with Durham.
ThereâÂÂs another ODI taking place today: Daniel Gallan is on duty for the second match between South Africa and Australia.
Every cloud, eh? EnglandâÂÂs defeat to Sri Lanka at Headingley on Thursday was a shock, and a bit of a shocker, but it comes with a reward of sorts: a series decider. Eoin Morgan craved them when he was England captain, because they were the closest bilateral cricket came to replicating the pressure of a World Cup knockout game.
Harry BrookâÂÂs team are about to play their third series decider of the year. They dealt pretty well with the first two, beating Sri Lanka and India after scoring 357-3 and then 387-3. If they score 417-3 today, something weird is going on.