PAUL NEWMAN: If cricket returns this summer, one key proposal by the ECB is for the Test and white-ball sides to play at the same time to enable as much action as possible to take place. 

PAUL NEWMAN: It is not without irony that Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, spoke of rewarding cricket's 'core audience' if the game can squeeze a truncated season into this summer.

Ben Stokes, the hero of England's dramatic World Cup triumph and the miracle of Headingley last summer, has been named the leading cricketer in the world.

Ashley Giles says England's players will have 'no excuses' for not being fully fit to start a truncated cricket season he still believes can take place later this summer.

Coco Cuhna made the mistake of suggesting to her cricket coach boyfriend that it might be fun to see if he could show her how to bat when she saw him whacking a few tennis balls into a net.

Phil Neville played alongside former all-rounder Andrew Flintoff for Lancashire's age-group sides, and also went on to make an appearance for their second XI before turning to football.

If cricket returns while Covid-19 is still a threat, bowlers will be asked to throw clothing and other things such as sunglasses beyond the boundary rope instead of handing to officials.

EXCLUSIVE BY PAUL NEWMAN: Cricket's biggest counties are most in danger of collapsing under the financial pressure of the coronavirus pandemic, claims Richard Thompson.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Sportsmail has learned that all players are entitled to 12.5 per cent of their deals even if the competition does not take place.

The ECB had initially announced that no cricket would be played in the UK until May 28 at the earliest, but - as expected - the pandemic has caused a further delay.

The prospect of the sanctioned use of artificial substances to alter the condition of the red ball, under the supervision of umpires, has been debated this week by the ICC's medical committee.

ECB chief Tom Harrison revealed on Friday that he had offers 'on the table' from both New Zealand and Australia, as English cricket explores all options in a bid to fulfil its fixture list.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: Hampshire are willing to host more than one Test this summer, with chief Rod Bransgrove confident club can help get cricket up and running again in a biosecure environment.

NASSER HUSSAIN and DARREN GOUGH come together for Sportsmail via Zoom to talk about old times, this England team and what the Dazzler did next…

One of the deepest thinkers in the England squad has concerns over the safety of players and concerns about playing cricket while so many people are losing their lives.

Cricket manufacturer Kookaburra have developed a wax applicator that would allow balls to be shined without using sweat or saliva during the coronavirus crisis.

Dukes, the manufacturers of balls used in English home Tests, have dismissed the need for artificial substances to aid shining if international cricket is played this summer.

With ECB chief Tom Harrison warning of a £380m black hole in the game's finances if no cricket is possible, Connor remains hopeful England will still be able to face India and South Africa.

Sportsmail's experts give their views on what the 61-year-old former FA chief executive must do to ensure English cricket survives, recovers and improves.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Players at all counties with the exception of Surrey have already taken wage cuts of up to 20 per cent and talks are planned for next week over another salary sacrifice.

Morgan skippered England to Cricket World Cup glory in stunning fashion and is understood to have visited St George's Park as preparations continue for matches against Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

NASSER HUSSAIN IN PORT ELIZABETH: When the ICC asked me to vote for my world cricketer of the year, it was an absolute no-brainer. I just ticked the box that said Ben Stokes.

INSIGHT BY NASSER HUSSAIN: Yes, I know Kagiso Rabada already had thee demerit points and has been a serial offender. He has probably been warned time and again.

As with every other sport, cricket has been thrown into crisis by the coronavirus pandemic. Here, Sportsmail's Nasser Hussain answers the key crisis questions...

Sher Khan pitched up for Afghanistan versus the West Indies in Lucknow, northern India, but getting a room turned out to be a tall order. Hoteliers were stumped by his 8ft 2in height and refused him.

EXCLUSIVE: A first Test match between England and Afghanistan, planned to take place in 2021, has become a doubt, with the domestic summer set to be dominated by white-ball cricket.

SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE - Members of the MCC have been left outraged after talk of an extraordinary and 'radical' proposal started to filter among the masses.

Australian international cricketer Travis Head has purchased a lavish home with panoramic views of the Adelaide skyline and the sea for $3.05 million.

A glittering summer of sport is set to be wiped out by the impact of coronavirus - with social restrictions imposed earlier this week set to be in place for the next six months.

He's known to be one of the greatest cricketers in the world.  

The ex doctor for the Australian cricket team for many years, Dr Peter Brukner, has offered a look at his diet and exercise regime during the coronavirus lockdown

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Josh Hazlewood has put Australia in complete control of the fourth Ashes Test after grabbing three quick wickets late on during the third day at Old Trafford.

Australian cricketer David Warner has given a quick thinking response to a fan after being sledged in England during the Ashes test. 

Steve Smith was already the pantomime villain for England fans but he has riled them even more following Australia's celebrations after they retained the Ashes on Sunday.

Jimmy Anderson will consider changing his diet in a bid to prolong his Test career after the disappointment of missing the Ashes through injury - and has looked at the possibility of going vegan.

MIKE DICKSON: The Oval is no stranger to farewells, and this final Test will be the valedictory appearance of both David Gower (left) and Sir Ian Botham (right) on the Sky commentary team.

Mick Jagger cut a casual figure as he watched England take on Australia in the Ashes on Thursday.

PAUL NEWMAN AT THE OVAL: What a way to end England's longest season and what a catch from the flying figure of Joe Root to complete a victory that sees the first drawn Ashes since 1972.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT THE OVAL: Joe Root hailed a 'phenomenal' summer of cricket after England squared the Ashes at 2-2 almost exactly two months after England's World Cup win.

Joe Root knows England have 'something special' on their hands in Jofra Archer but has already started the job of managing expectations around the breakout star of the summer.

Archer took 47 wickets in his first season of international cricket, including 22 at just 20 apiece in the Ashes , leaving new-ball partner Broad to lavish praise on his 'incredible attributes'.

Joe Root has declared his desire to continue as England Test captain despite a failure to win back the Ashes from Australia after a drawn series.

The Ashes star was seen with his hand in wife Clare Stokes' face at the Professional Cricketers' Association Awards Anniversary party in London last Wednesday.

EXCLUSIVE BY LAURA LAMBERT: Sky is being investigated by Ofcom for three separate incidents of the word 'f***' being audible during its cricket coverage this summer. Sky declined to comment.

Ben Stokes has revealed being sledged relentlessly by David Warner was the motivation behind his stunning match-winning century against Australia at Headingley in August.

Sky Sports breached Ofcom's broadcasting rules on swearing during their cricket coverage this summer, but have been cleared over David Gower using the f-word in his final Test.

Siddle, 35, made his debut in 2008, took 221 Test wickets at an average of 30.66 apiece, and played his last Test in the fifth and final match of this year's Ashes series in England, which England won.

Stokes' incredible performances in the World Cup, not least in the Lord's final, and his unforgettable match-winning century in the Ashes Test at Headingley saw him land the prestigious prize.

A large crowd of English cricket fans were seen taunting the Australian team as they boarded their bus during the Ashes tour in 2019.

The singer turned radio presenter, 32, was positively bowled over as she joined her sportsman beau, 33, and pet pooch Alfie for another game of garden cricket on Thursday afternoon.