Flintoff was hailed for creating an impressive environment and helping to develop several talented young players, yet he is leaving the job with immediate effect.

COMMENT - BY RICHARD GIBSON: Joe Root 's first squad in his second coming as England Test captain has a real back to the future feel about it.

One county executive told us: 'The rebranding is utterly ridiculous. They've alienated the local people, and now they've whacked the prices up that nobody can afford it. And the sales are through the floor.'

Former England captain Ben Stokes has spoken publicly for the first time since his shock announcement about the decision to call time on his Test career.

Former internationals have called for Ireland to stop playing fixtures against the nation where women are second-class citizens and banned from playing any sport.

Tourists swarmed on to Saltburn-by-the-Sea's pier yesterday, guzzling fish, chips and Mr Whippy ice-creams, but a few hundred yards inland, another great Victorian landmark was eerily quiet.

A village cricket scandal has gone viral after an amateur fielder was accused of tricking umpires by clicking his fingers to imitate the noise of an edge off the bat.

A fresh controversy has engulfed the amateur cricket club at the centre of the 'Clicky Ponting' cheating scandal after footage appeared to show another player deploying the same trick.

Brian Devine - now known as 'Clicky Ponting' - seems to have hoodwinked umpires to get three opponent batsmen out in a key match (pictured).

At the snap of a finger, Brian Devine became English cricket's Public Enemy No 1 - and 'Clicky Ponting' was born.

RICHARD GIBSON: This century Peter Moores (twice) and Chris Silverwood are the only Englishmen to have been given the privilege of calling themselves Test coach.