One opening batsman whose career trajectory is heading in the opposite direction, however, is Aneurin Donald, of Derbyshire.

RICHARD GIBSON: Rew, 18, comes into a 16-strong squad that is missing the injured Jos Buttler and will be without the multi-format bowlers for the second half of the four-week tour.

RICHARD GIBSON: Daily Mail Sport analyses the key questions behind England's increase in central contracts and the new make-up of the Test and white-ball backroom teams.

Eric Simons, 64, coached his native South Africa for two years until 2004, and later spent two years as a bowling consultant to the Indian national side.

Stokes retired from England duty earlier this year after an incident in a London nightclub alongside Gus Atkinson, having made his Test debut back in 2013, which is when Botham spoke up.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: As Australia and South Africa wage war in Friday's first Test at Durban, no one will be tampering with the ball. And yet you can be sure everyone is thinking about ball-tampering.

A $16 offer allowing Aussies to swap their home office for a day at the cricket has sparked a backlash from business leaders, who warn employees could be taking advantage of their bosses

The Australian vice-captain has said she was surprised the breakdown of her marriage became so public.

With a year to go before the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa, Daily Mail Sport examines the state of England's one-day team and the questions to be answered over the next 12 months.

The email announced that 39-year-old Simranjit Singh, who hasn't played for Ireland for almost four years, had decided to retire. There were warm tributes but it still made many wonder: why now?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY LAWRENCE BOOTH: It would be wrong to say there's a spring in Richard Thompson's step as he ticks off another lap of Lord's to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.