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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is facing criticism from parents of learning‑disability cricketers who say the board has permitted non‑disabled players to compete in the Disability Premier League (DPL), jeopardising the league’s role as the top feeder for England’s mixed‑disability side.Parents of former England internationals Jai Charan and Alex Jervis claim their sons were replaced by players who do not meet the ECB’s learning‑disability (LD) criteria. An anonymous parent estimates that 12 of the 64 players drafted in December were not disabled, a figure that, if accurate, would represent a significant breach of the league’s purpose.The DPL is intended to be the pinnacle of the pathway to the England Mixed‑Disability team. Under the ECB’s affiliation with Virtus – the global federation for athletes with intellectual impairments – any cricketer seeking an LD spot must demonstrate an IQ of 75 or below, as assessed by an educational psychologist.Owen Jervis, volunteer manager of Yorkshire’s disability team, alleges that several neurodiverse athletes have been fielded despite failing the LD assessment. He notes that most neurodiverse players would not satisfy the eligibility thresholds, citing professional bowler Em Arlott, diagnosed with ADHD and autism in 2023, as an example of a mainstream player with a neurodiverse profile.While the ECB is not legally bound to apply Virtus rules to a domestic competition, critics argue that the inclusion of non‑disabled players undermines the league’s integrity. “You can’t call it a Disability Premier League if the players aren’t disabled,” said Tracey Jervis.Another parent highlighted that his son, a learning‑disability cricketer, is now confined to county disability cricket rather than mainstream county cricket, where many England‑qualified players develop. He warned that the DPL has become an “old‑boys’ club” where selection is driven by personal connections rather than merit.The shift to a mixed‑disability format – combining learning, physical and deaf impairments in the same squads – has further reduced available spots. Parents claim that players without a qualifying LD are occupying key batting and bowling positions, relegating genuine LD athletes to peripheral roles such as fielding or carrying equipment.Owen Jervis raised these concerns with Richard Hill, the ECB’s events and competition manager for disability cricket, in September 2024. Hill acknowledged “several challenges” linked to high‑functioning conditions and said the ECB was drafting an action plan, though Jervis says the situation has worsened.Jai Charan, who debuted for the England LD team in 2023 and holds the DPL’s best bowling average and strike‑rate, and Alex Jervis, a decade‑long LD representative and three‑time LD Ashes winner, were reduced to non‑playing roles in the 2025 season. Charan’s father, Shanial Charan, expressed his disappointment: “My son has the best stats in the league yet he isn’t selected – it feels like discrimination within disability cricket.”The ECB responded that the DPL offers top‑level competition for 60 mixed‑disability players annually, with a strict quota for physical, learning and deaf impairments, making selection highly competitive. It acknowledged ongoing debates about eligibility and indicated a review slated for 2027 to potentially adjust criteria.

England cricketer Ben Duckett has made a significant decision to pull out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) to focus on his career with the England Test team. Duckett was signed by Delhi Capitals at the IPL auction in December for a substantial £200,000, but he has now withdrawn from the tournament. The decision comes after a combination of a poor Ashes series, where he played all five Tests with a highest score of 42, and heavy travel following his reserve duties at the recent T20 World Cup. Duckett believes that playing for Nottinghamshire will help him regain his form and secure his place in the England team. “It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” Duckett told the Telegraph. “I’ve spent a lot of time away from home in different places, and it felt like the best thing for me to do to be ready to play for England is to be here right now, at home, refreshing my mind and body.” Under IPL rules, players who withdraw from the tournament for reasons other than injury face a three-year ban. Duckett follows in the footsteps of Harry Brook, who also signed for Delhi in 2025 before pulling out to prioritise his England career. Duckett’s recent performances have been under scrutiny, particularly after a video of him drunk on a night out during the team’s mid-tour break in Noosa was published on social media. He has since apologised for the incident, acknowledging that it was unprofessional. The England team is currently under pressure to refresh its lineup after the Ashes defeat. While Duckett’s opening partner, Zak Crawley, may be the likelier to make way for a newcomer, Duckett has shown promise since his return to the Test team in 2022, averaging 42 with six centuries.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reaffirmed its support for head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director of cricket Rob Key, despite the team's dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia. This decision, while potentially unpopular among fans, is seen as the right course of action by the ECB.According to Richard Gould, the ECB's chief executive, the board's choice to stick with McCullum and Key is guided by 'good judgment and objective views,' rather than public sentiment. Gould emphasized that the leadership duo has shown a willingness to 'adapt' and 'evolve' their approach in the wake of the Ashes debacle.The ECB's internal review of the Ashes series highlighted several key areas for improvement, including better use of the performance system, enhanced long-term planning, and a more professional culture within the senior men's setup. These findings were presented to the media in the form of two slides with bullet points.One of the major talking points from the review was the team's culture and environment, which came under scrutiny following a mid-Ashes break in Noosa that generated headlines about player behavior. The situation escalated when Harry Brook was disciplined for a drunken altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand.Gould described the incident as 'significantly unprofessional,' while Key noted that Brook was given a second chance due to his previous clean record and the decision to prioritize England commitments over the Indian Premier League.In response to these challenges, the team has introduced a midnight curfew to formalize McCullum's stance on the importance of rest and discipline. Key also highlighted the recent appointment of Troy Cooley to oversee fast-bowling development as a positive step forward.Looking ahead, Key emphasized that the team will not undergo a major philosophical shift under McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, who have different but complementary outlooks. The focus will be on refining their existing approach rather than implementing drastic changes.