Michael Bracewell - players.bio

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson returns to face England at Headingley

Kane Williamson is back to lead New Zealand’s quest to avoid a series whitewash against England after watching last week’s Trent Bridge thriller on his hotel television.

Stokes illness overshadows England's bid for New Zealand clean sweep

England head into the third Test at Headingley on Thursday with doubts over the health of captain Ben Stokes as they chase a 3-0 series clean sweep against New Zealand.

Unwell Ben Stokes misses England training ahead of third Test vs New Zealand

Stokes was absent while the rest of the squad trained ahead of Thursday's first day of the final Test in the three-match series. An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson indicated that Stokes had tested negative for Covid-19 on Tuesday morning. Stokes is being kept away from the group as a precautionary measure.

England hopeful Ben Stokes will be fit for third New Zealand Test after illness

England are crossing their fingers over captain Ben Stokes’ fitness for this week’s Headingley Test after illness forced him to sit out training on a day that saw Covid-19 return to the camp.

England fret over Ben Stokes's availability after all-rounder falls ill

England will adopt a wait-and-see approach on the availability of captain Ben Stokes as the all-rounder missed training on Tuesday after feeling unwell as his side started their preparations for the third Test at Headingley.