Fleming lands England Test job as Root returns; Joseph hits back at Sammy — cricket digest 31 Jul 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Fleming appointed England Test coach as Root returns to the captaincy

Stephen Fleming has been named England men’s new Test head coach on a four-year deal running to the end of September 2030, with Joe Root making a full-time return as captain. Fleming will not be in place for the home series against Pakistan next month, which will be overseen by Marcus Trescothick on an interim basis, before Fleming takes charge ahead of the tour of South Africa.

The appointment follows the ECB’s post-Ashes review and the subsequent change in leadership, with England’s immediate focus now on managing the transition into a demanding run that includes Pakistan at home and then South Africa, the reigning World Test Champions.

Joseph says Sammy’s ‘declined selection’ line was “controversial, without context”

Alzarri Joseph has pushed back at Daren Sammy’s public description of him having “declined selection” for the ongoing home Test series against Pakistan, saying the wording was “controversial, without context” and risked driving an unhelpful narrative. Joseph said he had spoken with Sammy and Cricket West Indies, and noted that the board’s statement had cited “personal reasons”.

Joseph explained he is managing his workload after a second stress fracture in his lower back and felt his body was not ready for another Test series after playing five back-to-back ODIs earlier this month. He added that, professionally, he will continue to represent West Indies regardless of any strain, with the hosts leading Pakistan 1-0 ahead of Sunday’s second Test.

Pakistan lose Masood for second West Indies Test as England tour doubt lingers

Pakistan batter Shan Masood has been ruled out of the second Test against West Indies in Port of Spain after scans confirmed a fracture to his left index finger. The injury occurred in the first Test when he was struck while facing Jayden Seales, though he still went on to make a century.

Masood will remain with the squad in the Caribbean and travel on to England, but the PCB said his availability for the first Test at Leeds on 19 August will depend on his recovery. Pakistan have Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and uncapped middle-order batter Awais Zafar as replacement options, with Abdullah Fazal already ruled out of the series with a lower-back injury.

UAE clinch Asia Qualifier to book 2027 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup place

UAE qualified for the 2027 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup by winning the Asia Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur, edging Malaysia by one run in the final. UAE were bowled out for 95 but defended it, with Al Maseera Jahangir contributing 31 and taking 2 for 12 to earn Player of the Match as the team finished unbeaten across five games.

Samoa also sealed their spot by winning the 2026 East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Papua New Guinea, going undefeated against Fiji, Indonesia, Vanuatu and the hosts to reach the tournament for a second successive time.

Albie Morkel to take over as Joburg Super Kings head coach

Albie Morkel has been appointed head coach of Joburg Super Kings ahead of SA20 2027, replacing Stephen Fleming, who stepped down earlier this month. Morkel has been part of the franchise setup since its inception and has also worked as South Africa’s T20 consultant at this year’s T20 World Cup.

Joburg Super Kings have reached the semi-finals twice (2023 and 2024) and exited in the Eliminator in 2025 and 2026. The next SA20 begins on 17 January 2027, with JSK’s opening match scheduled for the following day against Paarl Royals.

In brief

  • Southern Brave finally got on the board in the Hundred men’s competition, defending 128 to beat Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs, with Marcus Stoinis starring and key spells from Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
  • Lizelle Lee and Maia Bouchier helped Southern Brave make it four wins from four in the Hundred women’s competition as they beat Birmingham Phoenix by 24 runs, despite a half-century from Davina Perrin.
  • Ben Duckett said he has been “surprised” by a dip in Hundred attendances, with overall crowds a few thousand down on the same stage last season.
  • Arav Shetty’s 53 and 3 for 35 powered Lancashire to a 31-run Metro Bank One-Day Cup win over Nottinghamshire, ending Notts’ perfect start.
  • Kent allrounder Joey Evison has agreed a three-year move to Sussex, while Warwickshire have brought in Will Young as County Championship cover.
  • Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto backed his pace attack to “give Australia a tough time” in the two-Test series starting on 13 August, and welcomed Australia naming a full-strength squad as a sign of respect.
  • Offspin allrounder Saransh Jain has earned his first India call-up at 33, named in the squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka.
  • Teams including Dambulla, Colombo, Jaffna and Galle have made late squad changes as the LPL playoff race tightens, with Dambulla adding Sikandar Raza and Sonal Dinusha.
  • The ICC confirmed 12 host cities for the 2027 men’s ODI World Cup across South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, with the final set for either the Wanderers or Newlands.
  • Ajinkya Rahane’s career has been assessed as he bows out, closing the book on a run that included an IPL title, three World Cups and a landmark Test series win as India captain.
  • Kolkata Knight Riders will need a new captain for 2027 after Rahane’s retirement, with vice-captain Rinku Singh emerging as the leading internal option unless a replacement is acquired.
  • A look back at Rahane’s standout Test innings revisited highlights from Melbourne to Delhi as his retirement from all formats was confirmed.
  • A new Rock & Roll It podcast episode debates Ravindra Jadeja’s Test legacy and where he sits among modern allrounders.
  • Joe Root’s return to England’s Test captaincy has been examined in the context of Fleming’s arrival and the leadership void left by recent changes.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo