https://www.cricwaves.com Latest news from www.cricwaves.com (c)www.cricwaves.com en-gb Sat 27 Apr 2024 https://www.cricwaves.com/cricket/news/articles/9cNubxl6dg_drh-sevawcirc/it-was-obviously-pretty-frustrating-to-miss-the-last-test-through-covid-kane-williamson.html New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has confirmed his availability for the 3rd Test of the ongoing three-match series against England, which begins on June 23 at Leeds in Headingley. The Kiwis skipper was forced to miss the second Test after testing positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Nottingham Test. England went on to win the match by five wickets to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. https://www.cricwaves.com/cricket/news/articles/l25H8PETWW_drh-sevawcirc/captaincy-had-started-to-have-an-unhealthy-effect-on-the-rest-of-my-life-joe-root.html Former England Test skipper Joe Root has stated that captaincy had begun to have an “unhealthy effect” on his daily life, which is why he took the decision to quit. The 31-year-old stepped down as England captain in April and passed on the baton to experienced all-rounder Ben Stokes. https://www.cricwaves.com/cricket/news/articles/d7nj4F7hJe_drh-sevawcirc/i-just-see-this-as-a-complete-and-utter-blank-canvas-new-england-test-captain-ben-stokes-ahead-of-new-zealand-series.html England’s new Test captain Ben Stokes has stated that the team will head into the Test series against New Zealand, which begins on Thursday (June 2) at Lord’s, with a ‘blank canvas’ and not look at the game as a ‘red-ball reset’. He is also hopeful of his partnership with new head coach, Brendon McCullum, making the players in the team comfortable and confident.