It's bad enough that your star bowler has to miss the first Test of the post-Ashes rebuild because he's at the IPL. It's worse that his absence appears beyond the ECB's control.

Pat Cummins and some of the best-known players in the game have had wads of money thrown at them by overseas competitions.

'Freddie' Flintoff is best known to Aussies as an Ashes villain who played a starring role in England winning one of the greatest Ashes series of all time.

Hayden has shot to fame on the back of her work in cricket as well as horse racing and motor sport.

There are several eye-catching selections in England's squad for the first Test of the summer against New Zealand on June 4, but none is quite as contentious as the recall of Ollie Robinson.

Australia's white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh, which run from late May until late June, have left counties mulling over their options.

England could name their squad for next month's first Test against New Zealand as early as this week. These are the issues to be resolved after the latest round of Championship matches.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY LAWRENCE BOOTH: Eight years on from his only Test cap, Mason Crane is doing his best to change the story.

During last winter's Ashes, England completely overlooked established first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir, opting to use part-timer Will Jacks in a move designed to lengthen their batting.

It has been a while since Shoaib Bashir bowled a ball in an England shirt. Ten months to be precise. Time out that he has used to improve his game, after being snubbed Down Under.

Stuart MacGill's legal team have argued why the former Aussie Test cricketer should have his conviction and sentence for drug supply overturned.