Jofra Archer will continue his rehabilitation from a back injury by training with the England Lions squad in the United Arab Emirates next month.

England fast bowler Archer has not played any cricket since July 2021 after being sidelined by a stress fracture of his back.

The paceman has not seen action for his country for 19 months, having also been out due to a long-standing elbow problem.

Archer is now eyeing a return and will step up his recovery in a camp in the UAE from November 11 to 27.

Fellow quicks Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse will also continue their rehabilitation from injuries in the UAE.

Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence and Matthew Fisher are among the 15 players who will be in the Lions training group.

England will face the Lions in a three-day practice match, starting on November 23, ahead of a three-match Test series in Pakistan that starts at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on December 1.

David Warner could have his lifetime ban on captaining Australia lifted.

Cricket Australia (CA) ruled that the opening batter would never hold a leadership role again due to his part in the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal.

Warner was seen to have been a main protagonist in Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to try and alter the condition of the ball during the Test against South Africa in Cape Town four years ago.

The 35-year-old has been mentioned as a candidate to replace Aaron Finch as ODI skipper after he stepped down last month.

With CA directors looking at rewriting the governing body's code of ethics, Warner may get another opportunity to lead his country.

"The view within Cricket Australia is that David is doing particularly well on the field and making a great contribution off the field," CA chairman Lachlan Henderson said. 

"The first step in terms of David's leadership ban is to review the code and see if those sanctions are able to be reviewed. And the appropriate revisions to that code that would need to be made.

Henderson added: "Our intention is to review the code as quick as is practical. It's not in anyone's interest for us to delay that. It would be in time for any future leadership conversations in relation to David."

Finch remains Australia's T20 captain for the World Cup on home soil.

Will Jacks is the new face in England's Test squad as captain Ben Stokes recalled a host of old hands to the fold for December's tour of Pakistan.

The Surrey all-rounder, already capped at white-ball level, is the lone maiden call-up to a 15-man party headlined by the return of Mark Wood for the first time since March.

Keaton Jennings and Ben Duckett return for the first time since 2019 and 2016 respectively after superb domestic campaigns with Lancashire and Nottinghamshire. 

There is no Stuart Broad, however, after the bowler opted to remain at home for the birth of his first child. Paceman Jamie Overton is included following a Test debut against New Zealand earlier this year.

Liam Livingstone will be chasing a first cap, having last been included in a Test squad in 2018, while form batsman Jonny Bairstow is absent through the injury that has ruled him out of the T20 World Cup.

Former captain Joe Root, alongside James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope and Ollie Robinson, make up the rest of Brendon McCullum's party.

"We are looking forward to touring Pakistan as a Test team for the first time since 2005," ECB director Rob Key stated. "It will be a historic tour and a compelling series against a good side. The selectors have picked a squad for the conditions we can expect.

"There is a strong blend of youth and experience and players who will adapt well to the types of pitches we are likely to get across the three-match series. I wish the players every success, especially those new to the squad and those returning after a period of time away."

England squad; Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.

England batter Jonny Bairstow has no idea when he will be able to return after breaking his leg in three places and suffering a dislocated ankle in a freak incident.

Bairstow was ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia following an accident during a round of golf last month.

The 33-year-old, who has been outstanding for his country this year, slipped at the side of a green and has undergone surgery in London.

Bairstow on Monday revealed it is far too early to say when he will be back on the field.

He posted on Instagram along with some horrific pictures of the damage done to his left leg: "I am just writing this to give you all an update on my injury and progress.

"The actual injury was as such... a broken fibula in 3 places which required a plate, I dislocated my ankle which in turn meant I did my syndesmosis joint and lateral ligament along with a couple more bits. All in all I have done a proper job on it!

"Anyway... on the positive side the operation went well and I am now 3 weeks post surgery and my staples have been removed. It's now all about swelling prevention and getting my ankle moving once again. These next few weeks/couple of months are the key to the recovery.

"As for a timescale on return to play I'm afraid it is too early to say, the first targets in mind are getting me back on my 2 feet again and making sure it's right.

"One thing is for sure and that is I shall not be partaking in anything more during 2022... however I cannot wait for what 2023 holds!!"

Moeen Ali has voiced his support for a reported proposal from the England and Wales Cricket Board to host Test matches between India and Pakistan.

The two neighbouring nations, who share a complex history, have not played one another in cricket's longest format since 2007.

Pakistan have only recently seen the resumption of home matches for the first time in 10 years.

But the ECB is said to be working on a plan to have India play Pakistan on neutral in England. ESPNcricinfo reports Pakistan are unlikely to take up the offer as the PCB concentrates on hosting matches itself.

It is an idea that appeals to Moeen – an England international of Pakistani descent.

"That would be awesome, brilliant," he said. "It's a shame that they don't play each other unless it's a World Cup or an ICC event because they're two great teams and two massive playing nations.

"With the viewing figures involved, it would be one of the biggest games, and it’s not been done for a very long time.

"It would be great because Pakistan have a really good bowling attack, and India have a great Test side. It would be really good."

The England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed the schedule for the men's and women's Ashes series in 2023, including a five-day Test for the latter.

Australia's men will start their defence of the urn at Edgbaston on June 16 and the five-match series will end earlier than usual at The Oval in a finale that will be staged from July 27-31.

Ben Stokes' England side will also face their fierce rivals at Lord's from June 28 to July 1, Headingley (July 6-10) and Old Trafford (July 19-23).

The five-day contest between England's women and the tourists will start at Trent Bridge on June 22, and will be only the second women's Test of that length ever after the same two countries played at the North Sydney Oval in 1992.

A multi-format series, the women's Ashes will see the Test match account for four points, while there will also be three ODIs and three T20Is, each worth two points.

The T20Is will be played at Edgbaston, Lord's and The Oval, the first time the venues will have hosted women's Ashes games in the format.

The Oval and Lord's have been confirmed as the venues for the next two World Test Championship finals.

The ICC announced the locations of the 2023 and 2025 finals on Tuesday, with The Oval to host the top two teams in the ongoing 2021-23 campaign in June 2023.

As things stand, Australia and South Africa are first and second with points percentages of 70 and 60 respectively.

Sri Lanka (53.3) and India (52.1) are the nearest rivals of the top two.

Surrey CEO Steve Elworthy said: "It’s a real honour that The Oval has been selected to host the final of the World Test Championship.

"To have the two best teams in the world playing here in south London will be a fantastic occasion."

Lord's will then welcome the world's best red-ball teams in 2025, with the first three World Test Championship finals all played in England.

The decider in 2021 took place at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, where New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets to claim the inaugural title.

Joe Root declared he has "never had more fun playing professional cricket" after England's terrific red-ball form continued with a 2-1 series victory over South Africa.

Having recorded memorable triumphs over New Zealand and India since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over as the side's captain and coach partnership, England enjoyed further success as they sealed a nine-wicket victory over the Proteas at The Oval on Monday.

England have now claimed four consecutive series wins over South Africa, and have won six of their seven Tests under the new regime.

They have also earned widespread praise for their adventurous style under McCullum – dubbed 'Bazball' – and Root has been impressed by their rapid progress.  

"It's been absolute class," the former skipper said. "It's been great to be part of, so much fun to play the way we have played, and to win six out of seven is a reflection of the quality with which we've played. 

"It makes the winter and beyond look very exciting for this team. To know there's still more potential and areas we can improve is the most exciting part of it. 

"We're definitely not the finished article, but to see the strides we've made in such a short space of time has been a breath of fresh air. 

"I'm buzzing about it, to be honest, looking forward to the next series already!

"I've never had more fun playing professional cricket. Honestly, it is hard to put into words. You turn up every day, and you're very excited about what's going to happen. It's the unknown. 

"It's quite a strange feeling to have played 120-odd games, still to have that feeling when you turn up every day. 

"It's a really good place to be. It keeps you very hungry and motivated. You can bounce off the energy of everybody else who is in the same mindset."

Root then compared England's development to that of the country's one-day side, who won the 2019 World Cup following a change in style under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan.

"Some of the things we'd never seen before in Test cricket happened in a short space of time. It's nice to know what we're capable of," he added. 

"It almost feels like - I hate drawing the comparison, but there is a small feeling of what it was like when we started to make those really big scores in the white-ball team. 

"That's the exciting thing - what is the limit, how far can we go? 

"You look at what that team has achieved over a period of time. I know it is early days and a lot of different elements to Test cricket, compared to the white-ball format, but it is very exciting that there is the same sort of vibe around, in my mind anyway."

Cricket South Africa has confirmed Mark Boucher will step down from his role as the national team's head coach after the T20 World Cup.

The Proteas suffered a nine-wicket defeat in the third and final Test of their tour of England at The Oval on Monday, losing the series 2-1.

Boucher took on the role in December 2019, signing a four-year deal and going on to secure 11 wins in Test matches, as well as 12 ODI and 23 T20I victories.

South Africa are currently second in the ICC World Test Championship table, despite their loss in England, and Boucher's last games in charge will come at the T20 World Cup in Australia, which runs from October 16 to November 13 later this year.

A statement from CSA on Monday outlined that Boucher had resigned to "pursue other opportunities in line with his future career and personal objectives".

"While Cricket SA greatly regrets that Mr Boucher is unable to see out the term of his contract, it respects his decision and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours," the statement added.

The former Proteas wicket-keeper earned 147 Test caps during his playing days between 1997 and 2012, scoring 5,515 runs at an average of 30.30.

CSA Chief Executive Pholetsi Moseki thanked Boucher for his efforts in the role, saying: "We would like to thank Mark for the time and effort he has invested in South African cricket as the head coach over the past three years.

"He has helped navigate us through some rough waters following the departures of so many senior players through retirement and has helped lay some strong foundations for the next generation of Proteas.

"We are extremely grateful to him for the work he has done and would like to wish him well with the next chapter of his career."

CSA also confirmed it "will in due course announce its intentions regarding a successor to Mr Boucher".

England captain Ben Stokes was proud of his team's attitude after seeing them secure a series win against South Africa at The Oval on Monday.

Starting the day needing just 33 runs with all 10 wickets remaining in their second innings, England took just 5.3 overs to reach their target of 130, sealing a 2-1 win in the three-Test series.

Alex Lees (39) was the only batsman to fall, trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada, but his fellow opener Zak Crawley (69 not out) and Ollie Pope (11no) saw the hosts home.

It was England's sixth win in their last seven Test matches, and Stokes – who was named player of the series – outlined how pleased he was with the way the team has embraced the attacking mindset promoted by him and head coach Brendon McCullum.

"It has been a great series for us as a team," he told Sky Sports.

"It has been a series where we haven't had any real individual standout performances, but different people throughout the series have put their hands up in crucial periods for us.

"For me, it is about the clarity of the decisions. Me and Brendon are the guys who are sending this message to this group of players, I said to the lads in the dressing room the other day that the person who is delivering the message can only do so much."

Ollie Robinson returned during the series for the first time since an underwhelming Ashes series in January, and was named player of the match after claiming 7-89 with the ball across both South Africa innings, including five-for in the first.

"It has been a really enjoyable comeback for myself and the team," the bowler said to Sky Sports. 

"The experience over the last few weeks has been really enjoyable and it has just been great to be with the lads again. 

"It is nice to get where I am at the moment but I don't think I am the finished article by any means."

England knocked off the final runs to seal a nine-wicket victory against South Africa in the third Test at The Oval, giving them a 2-1 series win.

There was frustration from players and fans on Sunday as bad light stopped play with the hosts just 33 runs shy of their target, but it took just 5.3 overs to finish things off on Monday.

There had been concerns as to whether a result would be possible in the deciding Test of the series after the first day was washed out by rain, and the second was postponed after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

However, with both teams' first innings lasting just 36.2 overs each, the Test match raced along and after dismissing the tourists in their second innings for 169 on Sunday, England earned themselves a modest target of 130 to win.

Alex Lees and Zak Crawley wasted no time in racing towards that total, with England finishing Sunday on 97-0 from just 17 overs.

The former then edged a Kagiso Rabada delivery in the first over when play resumed on Monday, but was somehow dropped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.

Lees did not last much longer though as Rabada trapped him lbw for 39, though it took a review from Dean Elgar to get the opener off the field.

There was no more damage to England's batting though as Ollie Pope (11 not out) came in and helped Crawley (69no) to finish off the run chase, giving the in-form hosts a sixth win from their last seven Test matches.

Stuart Broad refused to categorise himself in the same class as Glenn McGrath, despite having surpassed the Australia great's Test wicket tally.

Broad took his 564th wicket in the longest format on Sunday when he dismissed South Africa captain Dean Elgar leg before wicket at The Oval.

While replays revealed the ball was missing the stumps, Elgar did not review the decision and so Broad, who had matched McGrath's haul of 563 wickets on Saturday, became the seam bowler with the second-most dismissals in Test cricket, behind team-mate James Anderson (667).

Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619) are also ahead of Broad - who finished with figures of 3-45 as England reduced South Africa to 169 all out - on the all-time list.

Zak Crawley's superb, unbeaten 57 guided England to within 33 runs of victory until the umpires called time for bad light, with the hosts set to resume on day five with 10 wickets to spare.

"Really special," Broad said in a press conference when asked how it felt to overtake McGrath.

"Jimmy [Anderson] got his 564th [wicket] on September 11 four years ago as well, so that was quite funny. Glenn McGrath's a hero of mine, the reason I wanted to become a bowler, I used to imitate him in the garden.

"Obviously he's a much finer bowler than I've ever been, but it's incredible to be up there in that kind of company and really special to have joined Jimmy as a one-two with him being a great mate and someone who I've shared a fantastic partnership with for a long time."

England are closing in on a sixth Test win of the Brendan McCullum-Ben Stokes era, out of seven matches, with the 'Bazball' approach continuing to receive plaudits.

"It's been incredible to be a part of," Broad said.

"The mindset that those two guys have brought to our changing room and Test cricket as a whole, it's been reinvigorating as a player – no consequences, trying to play cricket on the front foot all the time, I feel it suits my mindset and how I like to play my cricket.

"Just being in a room full of players that want to move the game forward at speed, at no stage is there ever talk about draws or surviving, it's all about taking the positive mindset option at all times.

"It's been incredible how those two have worked together and the messaging has been so united, you feel really backed if you play in the style of cricket those two have created.

"We're now at the stage where every player has contributed throughout the summer, which is a really healthy place to be and as a fan it's been really exciting. We’ve had times where we've been 50-6, 50-7 and got ourselves out of trouble with that mindset."

Asked if he believes he still has plenty to offer, Broad added: "I feel great, I'm 36, feel like I bowled really well, got a bit more luck in this series but if I can keep adapting my game, whether that continues in the winter or the Ashes, it's nice to have that adaptability and do a role for the captain."

James Anderson claimed Brendon McCullum's England have changed the way the world views Test cricket as they closed in on a series win over South Africa.

McCullum has introduced a thrilling style since taking over as England's red-ball coach in May, leading the side to a whitewash of New Zealand and a terrific chase victory over India at Edgbaston. 

While South Africa dealt the coach-captain duo of McCullum and Ben Stokes their first Test match defeat last month, the hosts are on the brink of completing a 2-1 series triumph over the tourists after impressing with both ball and bat at The Oval on Sunday.

England will require just 33 runs to wrap up a fourth consecutive series win over the Proteas when the decisive third Test resumes on Monday, and Anderson is relishing their revival. 

"It's been amazing, I'll be honest, Baz [McCullum] has been a breath of fresh air. He's come in and it just feels positive, there's a positive atmosphere in that dressing room," Anderson told Sky Sports.

"The messages he sends about going out there and trying to entertain, everyone's bought into it. Some days it hasn't paid off, but when it has, it's spectacular. 

"It's changed the way not only some of the players have thought about Test cricket, but maybe even the way the world thinks about Test cricket. 

"Hopefully we can get the job done tomorrow. Still 33 runs to get on a tricky wicket, we'll just try and get it done as professionally as we can."

With 667 wickets in the format, Anderson is the third most prolific bowler in Test cricket history, behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708).

He was joined in the top five of that illustrious list by Stuart Broad on Sunday, as his three dismissals moved him clear of Glenn McGrath with 566 red-ball wickets.

Anderson was delighted by his team-mate's achievement, adding: "It means a lot to him because of how high he held Glenn in his eyes.

"So for him to go past him, it means a lot to him and shows the amount of work he's put in, the dedication to his job, and his skill as well. It's a pleasure to bowl at the other end."

Having benefited from the decision to stop play for bad light when South Africa were on top on Saturday, England were left frustrated after not being given the opportunity to finish the visitors off a day later.

Despite his annoyance at the umpire's decision to call time, Anderson remains confident England will see the match through on Monday, adding: "It's obviously frustrating from our point of view, because the rate we were scoring at, we might only have needed another five or six overs. 

"The guys were seeing the ball pretty well and with a good crowd in here it would have been nice to finish it. 

"The point of view of the umpires is they took a reading yesterday, that's the precedent for the whole game, and I think their message was if it rained all day tomorrow it would be unfair on South Africa to get the game done today.

"It's frustrating, but hopefully we'll come back and get the job done.

"I'd like to think that common sense would prevail. At the minute, the reading is the precedent for the rest of the game, but in certain situations you do think common sense could come into play."

England enjoyed a fantastic day at The Oval to close in on victory in the third and series-deciding Test against South Africa.

In the hunt for a fourth consecutive Test series win against the Proteas, England bowled and batted superbly on Sunday to leave them requiring just 33 runs on day five with all 10 wickets still in hand.

The hosts wanted to get the win wrapped up early when Alex Lees (32 not out) and Zak Crawley (57 no) powered them to within touching distance of victory, but bad light stopped play to the frustration of a full house and England captain Ben Stokes.

England had started the day at the crease but secured only a 40-run lead, requiring Stokes (3-38) to lead the England attack in their response, making the breakthrough when he drew an edge from Sarel Erwee (26).

Stuart Broad (3-45) also contributed handily, even if his first wicket – moving him past Glenn McGrath into fifth in the all-time list – came as Dean Elgar opted not to review an incorrect lbw decision.

James Anderson lured Keegan Petersen into an edge to Ollie Pope, then Broad exploited a weakness in Ryan Rickelton's defence.

Ollie Robinson's 50th and 51st Test wickets further diminished South Africa's hopes, before Stokes capped a draining spell with dismissals either side of tea, delivering a beauty to Marco Jansen (4) and finding an edge from Kagiso Rabada (0).

Broad and Anderson completed the job to leave South Africa 169 all out and set a target of 130, although England then survived a series of early scares.

Rash work from Lees saw him put down by Jansen, only narrowly escape when he appeared to be run out and loop a wild shot just beyond Keshav Maharaj.

Lees and Crawley soon settled, though, with the latter lashing his way to 50 in 36 balls before the umpires called time, much to England's chagrin.

Stoic Stokes leads by example

England's captain was clearly struggling with that troublesome, persistent left knee injury, but he kept himself in the attack late in the second session.

That paid dividends with the brilliant dismissal of Jansen that brought on tea, the swing on the delivery leaving the batsman with little chance as it knocked off leg stump, and Stokes carried on that form after the break when he sent Rabada packing. 

Those wickets came in the ninth over of a marathon 11-over spell, and Stokes was clearly in pain by the end of it, requiring treatment for the efforts that brought England to the brink of a sixth win in seven Tests under Brendon McCullum.

Broad joins Anderson at the top

Broad's first wicket of the innings might have come in bizarre fashion, but it saw him surpass Australia great McGrath as Test cricket's second-most successful seam bowler.

Partner in crime Anderson is the only paceman to have taken more wickets than Broad in the longest format, and Sunday bizarrely marked four years to the day since the 40-year-old had himself passed McGrath against India.

England were pegged back following a scintillating start to the decisive third Test against South Africa on Saturday, ending an emotional day at The Oval with a 36-run lead. 

Ollie Robinson claimed a five-wicket haul as the tourists were bowled out for just 118, though Marco Jansen responded with four of his own to keep the match, and the series, in the balance.

The third and final Test began two days later than planned, with rain preventing play on Thursday before the death of Queen Elizabeth II saw Friday's action also suspended.

A capacity crowd at The Oval observed a faultless minutes' silence ahead of the national anthem being sung, after which the home seamers took control in an action-packed morning session.

Robinson and James Anderson dismissed South Africa's openers within the first three overs, the former beating Dean Elgar (1) with a ferocious delivery to make the breakthrough. 

Robinson's dream start continued as Keegan Petersen (12) made the dire decision to leave a routine ball, before the 28-year-old paceman also had Kyle Verreynne (0) and Wiaan Mulder (3) caught behind.

Things did not get much better for the Proteas after lunch, with Joe Root handing Robinson his fifth wicket with a simple catch to dismiss Jansen, before Stuart Broad finished them off by bringing up four wickets of his own when Ben Stokes caught Anrich Nortje (7).

But England made a slow start with the bat as Alex Lees (13) fell within four overs, while Zak Crawley (5) followed lbw as Jansen doubled up early on.

That was a sign of things to come as Jansen added the wickets of Root (23) and debutant Harry Brook (12), before Kagiso Rabada felled Broad (6) and England dangerman Ollie Pope, whose 67 had dragged them into the lead.

Much to England's relief, however, bad light stopped play just as the visiting attack were hitting their stride, leaving Stokes' men to resume on 154-7 on Sunday.

Seamers make quick work of Proteas

A total of 17 wickets fell on an exciting day of action, with South Africa putting on the shortest first innings ever recorded in a Test match at The Oval.  

The tourists were dismissed for 118 runs in just 36.2 overs, beating the previous record of 42.1 overs (England v Australia in August 1948) by some distance.

Five-star Robinson on top

Robinson was the star of the show as England tore through South Africa's line-up early on, recording his third Test five-for as the hosts seized the initiative.

While Jansen's response dragged his team back into the match, Robinson's efforts will be key if England go on to register a fourth consecutive series success against the Proteas.