English prolific batter, Alex Hales announces his retirement from the International Cricket on Friday. The Nottinghamshire batter made his international debut in 2011 in a T20I match and went on to represent England in 11 Tests, 70 ODIs, and 75 T20Is. The right-handed notably played an integral role in helping England lift their 2nd T20 World Cup title last year as he scored 212 runs. He became his side's second-highest run-getter in the tournament. The 34-year-old's experience and prolific run with Big Bash League franchise Sydney Thunder was a huge help to England's T20 World Cup victory in 2022.
Alex Hales was never in serious contention for this year's World Cup but would have been a contender for England's T20 title defence in the Caribbean and the United States next year. Instead, his retirement will open up opportunities for players like Will Jacks and Phil Salt.
"It has been an absolute privilege to have represented my country on 156 occasions across all three formats. l've made some memories and some friendships to last a lifetime and I feel that now is the right time to move on."
- Alex Hales
"Throughout my time in an England shirt, I've experienced some of the highest highs as well as some of the lowest lows. It's been an incredible journey and I feel very content that my last game for England was winning a World Cup final."
The English international made a surprise return for the T20 World Cup as ECB selected him as a replacement for the injured Jonny Bairstow. He spent three years on probation after testing positive for a recreational drug before the 2019 World Cup.
156 Matches🧢 5066 Runs 🏏 578 Fours 💥 123 Sixes 💥 T20 World Cup Winner 🏆
"Throughout the ups and downs, I've always felt a huge amount of support from my friends, family and undoubtedly the best fans in world cricket. I look forward to continuing to play for Notts and experiencing more franchise cricket around the world."
ENG-A vs IND-A: Karun Nair makes solid return to India set up; scores unbeaten 186 on Day 1
Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A against England Lions, in the first unofficial test match. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also scored fifties.
India A started their England tour on a great note with a solid Day 1 display against the England Lions in Canterbury. Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A.
England Lions captain James Rew won the toss and decided to bowl first on a greenish pitch at the St. Lawrence Ground.
When it looked like that, Rew took the right decision of bowling first, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair put up a 181-run partnership for the third wicket to give India A the advantage after Day 1’s play.
Karun Nair, who last played a test match in 2017, continued his great form and completed his fifty in 85 balls.
Soon, Sarfraz Khan, who was dropped from the test squad, completed his fifty in 84 balls as well. When both batters were looking to get to the hundred mark first, Sarfraz was caught down the leg side on 92 off 119 balls and missed his ton.
Sarfaraz Khan gets dismissed 8 short of a well-deserved hundred.
Sarfaraz was looking good but was eventually caught down the leg side on 92.
Nair, who was dropped on 89 off Ajeet Singh Dale, completed his 24th first-class ton off 155 balls.
Post that, incoming batter Dhruv Jurel and Nair started smashing the bowlers and changed their gears. Nair reached the landmark of 150 in 205 balls while Jurel reached his fifty in just 68 balls.
At the end of Day 1 of the 4-day unofficial test match, Jurel remained unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls while Nair remained unbeaten on 186 from 246 balls, with India A finishing with 409/3.
Here are all the England white ball captains (ODIs and T20Is) in men's cricket since 1971, as Harry Brook became the most recent player to become a permanent England white-ball captain.
Harry Brook was recently named England's white-ball captain, succeeding Jos Buttler, who stepped down in February 2025 following a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign. Brook now has become the 38th ODI captain for England and 15th to be named as T20I captain of the country as well.
Ray Illingworth was the first-ever ODI and white-ball captain of England, who was also part of the first-ever men's One-day cricket match in 1971. Mike Denness and Tony Greig followed him on the list.
Michael Vaughan was the first T20I captain of England as he led the team in the shortest format of the game for the first time in 2005. Stuart Broad and Craig Kieswetter are a few of the players who captained the team only in T20Is. In the meantime, Michael Vaughan, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, and Jos Buttler led them in both ODIs and T20Is.
Bellingham started in Thomas Tuchel's first starting XI as England's boss. It was the 41st appearance of the 21-year-old. The English midfielder overtook Wayne Rooney for the most senior appearance for the England national football team at 21 or younger. The former Manchester United legend made 40 appearances.
41 - Jude Bellingham is making his 41st appearance for England, overtaking Wayne Rooney's record (40) for most games for the senior side while aged 21 or younger. Baton. pic.twitter.com/wBVzvIiFlL
Jude Bellingham made his senior debut for the National side being a 17-year-old in November 2020 on his debut England triumphed with a 3-0 victory over Ireland in a friendly match. He has since made 41 appearances and scored 6 goals and provided 10 assists.
Jude Bellingham continued his good form against Albania on Friday as well. He got the ball in midfield and went past a couple of players before putting a cross for the debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly and the debutant scored the goal and put his side a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.
Harry Kane scored the second goal in the 77th minute and helped the Three Lions clinch a 2-0 victory over Albania. England is now at the top of the group k of 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The group also has Latvia, Serbia, and Andorra along with England and Albania.
While England beat Albania 2-0, Jude Bellingham spoke about things the Tuchel's managed side need to improve. Assessing his side's performance Jude said: (Via England Football)
I think we had clear ideas on what we wanted to do and how we wanted to play. We tried that as much as possible. I know it is difficult when you play against a team that sits so low and is so compact.
At times the game takes you a different direction. You want to go on the ball and move around but generally, we stuck to the plan really well. We had a really good week of training, and it was a good way to start the new era.
England vs Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Inglis and Aussie batters chased down biggest target of ICC ODI events
Josh Inglis's maiden ODI ton and fifties from Alex Carey and Matthew Short helped Australia make the highest successful chase in ICC Men's ODI event's history.
Australia started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a winning note as they chased down the highest successful chase in tournament history. Australia chased down England's 352-run target with 15 balls remaining in the match. Jos Inglishwas the star of the show with his maiden ODI ton during the chase.
Ben Duckett dismantled the Australian bowling lineup with a recurrent breaking 165, the highest score by a better in Champions Trophy history. But, Australia ensured they made the highest successful chase in ICC Men's ODI events. Here's everything you need to know from the England vs Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match.
Smith decided to bowl keeping the dew in mind
Alex Carey took a stunning catch to dismiss Phil Salt. Image | ICC
Steve Smith won the toss and decided to field first keeping the dew in mind. Ben Dwarshuis dismissed Phil Salt early in the second over. Despite a flying start to the innings, Dwarshuis was able to send back Jamie Smith for 15 in the sixth over as England found them at 43/2 after 5.2 overs.
But, then it was the partnership between Ben Duckett and Joe Root that took them to a record-breaking score. They first accumulated well to get their first fifty from 48 balls while Ben Duckett completed his fifty off 49 balls.
Root and Duckett build a solid partnership for England
Joe Root did his part by completing his fifty from 56 balls as they reached the 100-run mark for the third wicket in 94 balls. But, post his fifty, Duckett changed his gear instantly and his skill against the Aussie spinners was a masterclass from the southpaw opener.
But, after Root was trapped in front of the wicket by Adam Zampa, Ben Duckett lost support from the other end and England missed out on maybe 10 or 15 runs at the end.
Duckett's 3rd ODI ton gave England the momentum
Ben Duckett scored the highest score by a batter in Champions Trophy History. Image | ICC/Getty Images
Duckett went on to get his 100 off 95 balls, his 3rd ODI ton. Then he changed to fifth gear alongside captain Jos Buttler. Although Buttler was caught in the deep by Nathan Ellis off Glenn Maxwell, Duckett continued his slog and soon reached 150 off 134 balls.
He was finally dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne on 165 off 143 balls. Archer added a quick 21 from 10 balls to take England's total to 351/8 in the first inning.
Australia got off a flyer but lost wickets early
Mark Wood dismissed Steve Smith with a 150 kmph delivery. Image | ESPN Cricinfo
Just like England, Australia got a quick start but lost two wickets early. Travis Head was dismissed on 6 off 5 by Jofra Archer in the 4th over while Steven Smith was dismissed by Mark Wood for 5 in the next over. But, then, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short stitched a 95-run partnership to give others a platform to chase down the total.
With both Labushcagne and Short finding the gaps easily, they reached the 100-run mark in the 15th over and kept themselves in the chase. Meantime, Short reached his fifty in 47 balls but Marnus was outfoxed by Adil Rashid on 47 off 45 balls in the 20th over.
Though it looked a bit tough for the Aussies, who had not won a game in the ICC Champions Trophy in 16 years, they had batters with immense talent in the middle order.
Carey and Inglis steadied the ship
Jos Inglis, born in England, always had the game to win games for Australia, but needed to prove that now. Meantime, they had their most in-form batter in Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell to come as well.
Livingstone dismissed Short (63) with a sharp caught and bowled chance in the 23rd over and it was then the partnership between Inglis and Carey that took Australia near to home. For the 5th wicket, they put up 100 runs in just 78 balls while Inglis completed his fifty. Australia reached the 250-run mark in the 38th over and Carey also completed his fifty off 49 balls.
Maxwell and Inglis finished things off
Josh Inglis celebrating his maiden ODI ton. Image | Associated Press
However post Carey's (69) dismissal in the 42nd over, things could have gone either way but Glenn Maxwell made sure he made things easier for them. Inglis eased to his maiden ODI ton while Maxwell started hitting the ball powerplay from the other end.
In the end, it was a comfortable win for the Aussies as Inglis remained unbeaten on 120 from 86 balls while Maxwell was undefeated on 32 from 15 balls. All the English bowlers except for Adil Rashid went more than 6 runs an over and that made it hard for Jos Buttler to control the game.
Buttler accepted that the score was good from but the dew affected more than he had expected. "Both sides played well, credit to Australia. fantastic innings from Inglis. 350 is a pretty good score, but it was wet and the dew was a worry," Buttler said.
"The guys were outstanding. Matt Short played beautifully, Travis and I the only two to miss out," Australian captain Steve Smith said in the post-match presentation.
India vs England, 1st ODI Match Report: All-round India thrash England with an easy win in Nagpur
India thrashed England with an easy 4-wicket victory in Nagpur as Ravindra Jadeja and Harshit Rana took 3 wickets each while Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill scored fifties.
Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill scored important fifties during the chase. Image | BCCI/X
After a dominating victory in the T20I series, India started the ODI series with an easy win over England in Nagpur. The Men in Blue registered a 4-wicket victory in the India vs England, 1st ODI of the series.
India were able to bundle the visitors for 248 only in the first inning. Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja were the stars of the show with the ball with three wickets each. The batters chased down the score with 68 balls remaining in the match as Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill scored fifties.
Jasiwal and Rana debuted for India
Though the day did not start that well for India, the home team managed to make a great comeback in the match. First, it was the news of Virat Kohli's absence, who had to sit out due to a sore knee, a rare miss for the modern master. In his absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana made their ODI debut.
Then, it was the English openers who gave Rohit and the company many things to worry about.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana are all set to make their ODI debut TODAY! 🇮🇳💥
Phil Salt and Ben Duckett went after the new ball bowlers and Harshit Rana went for 26 runs in the sixth over of the inning. But, the pacer made a great comeback with a two-wicket over.
Harshit Rana celebrating the wicket of Harry Brook. Image | AFP
However, it was England who gave away the momentum as Shreyas Iyer ran out Phil Salt on 43 from 26 balls. Rana then dismissed Ben Duckett, all thanks to a stunning running catch from Yashasvi Jaiswal. Two balls later, Harry Brook edged the ball to KL Rahul while fending away a bouncer from the Delhi Pacer.
Joe Root (19), who was returning to the ODI team after a long, tried to build a partnership with Jos Buttler but was trapped in front of the wicket by Ravindra Jadeja.
Then it was the 59-run partnership between Buttler and youngster Jacob Bethell that gave England the momentum to finish well. But, after the dismissal of Jos Buttler (52 off 67), England lost their way. Axar Patel was lucky to get the England captain out with a long huff.
Jacob Bethell scored a fifty in the first ODI in Nagpur. Image | MB Media/ Getty Images
Though Bethell scored a beautiful fifty, none from the lower order contributed that much. Bethell (51 off 64) was outfoxed by Jadeja as the youngster went for the big shot and missed the ball completely. Jofra Archer added 21 runs at No. 10 to take England to 248.
Rana (53/3) and Jadeja (26/3) were the stars for India with the ball.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up his 600th international wicket in Nagpur. Image | BCCI/X
Rohit fails again with the bat
Rohit Sharma's poor form with bat continued in Nagpur. Image | Associate Press
During the chase, India did not start that well as debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught behind off an outstanding delivery by Jofra Archer. Jaiswal could only add 15 off 22.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma's poor form continued as he spooned one in the leg side after scoring only 2 from 7. Saqib Mahmood got England back in the game with Rohit Sharma's wicket.
Iyer showcase class with an attacking inning
Shreyas Iyer scored a quick 36-ball 59. Image | BCCI/X
But, then it was all about Shreyas Iyer, who once again proved why he is called the best among the youngsters. Iyer came to the crease and took on the English bowlers with two huge sixes against Jofra Archer. He then went after the spin attack and completed his 19th ODI fifty in just 30 balls.
However, Jacob Bethell trapped him in front after that as Iyer (59 off 36) missed a sweep shot. Even the DRS could not save him.
Picked 🆙
..and DISPATCHED Twice 💥💥
Shreyas Iyer gets going in the chase in some style 👌👌
India team management then pulled out a surprising decision to send Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. Patel showed his intent right after coming to the crease and hit boundaries against Jacob Bethell and Liam Livingstone.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill kept on guiding the ball into the gaps and completed his 14th ODI fifty despite getting cramps. As England bowlers decided to change their plan and go short at Axar Patel and Shubman Gill, the runs kept on coming faster for India.
Axar Patel scored an important fifty batting at number 5. Image | BCCI/X
Patel proved Indian team management right with a solid fifty that helped Gill to manage his inning as well. Axar Patel scored his first ODI fifty in India and third in overall to cause more trouble to England bowlers. Patel (52) got out after his fifty as he tried to slog a leg spinner from Adil Rashid.
Shubman Gill scored his 14th ODI fifty. Image | BCCI
Shubman Gill could not end the match the way he would have liked as he fell 13 short off a well deserved ton. Gill tried to play it over the mid off but only managed to get a edge to Buttler. In the end, Ravindra Jadeja (12) hit the wining run with Hardik Pandya (9) at the other end with 68 balls to go and 4 wickets in hand.
India go 1-0 up in the three-match series and the next match of the series is in Cuttack on 9th February.
Match Summary
India clinches victory by 4 wickets and takes a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. Different format, same winning mindset! 🇮🇳🏏
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