Two former England cricketers were given key posts on Wednesday, with James Whitaker named chairman of selectors and Paul Downton managing director by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Fresh questions over Monty Panesar's character were raised on Friday when the England spinner accepted he'd acted in a "potentially threatening and intimidating" manner towards an opponent.
The habit of briefing the press about selections and explaining the vision helps clear the air around a squad announced ahead of an important series. While England and Australia are among the countries that follow this organised process, Indian selectors (under BCCI) surely have a thing to learn from these countries. Abhijit Banare sheds light on the importance of selectors maintaining a healthy communication with the media.
England insisted Monty Panesar's personal problems were behind him as they included the spinner in a 17-man squad for the defence of the Ashes in Australia.
England defended their approach to cricket after Australia coach Darren Lehmann said Monday they were a "dour side".
England know the bulk of a squad due to be announced on Monday for a tour of Australia that will see them try to win a fourth straight Ashes series for the first time since the 19th Century.
Geoff Miller, a more-than-capable all-rounder, was curiously underutilised by his captains at Test level.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced their 14-member squad for the one-off ODI against Ireland and the ODI series against Australia following it. Left-hander Eoin Morgan has been named as captain of the side which will take on Ireland on September 3.
England all-rounder Ravi Bopara has expressed his determination to fightback and earn a place in the national side. Bopara had lost his place in the Test side in 2012 as he withdrew from a match against South Africa due to personal reasons.
Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan has been announced as skipper of the England Lions team to play Australia in a two-day game starting on August 16 at the County Ground, Northampton.