Sky Cricket Podcast: England must play brand of cricket fans want to watch, says Mark Butcher

England’s middle-order batsmen would be the envy of the world if they weren’t under pressure to turn in ‘super-human’ performances so often, says Mark Butcher.

Alastair Cook’s side began their tour of Sri Lanka with a confident 56-run Duckworth Lewis victory over Sri Lanka A on Friday, the skipper sharing a 94-run opening stand with Moeen Ali, who blasted a 21-ball fifty in Colombo.

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Sky Cricket Podcast: England must play brand of cricket fans want to watch, says Mark Butcher

County cricket: Will Beer, Callum Jackson and Steffan Piolet sign new Sussex deals

Sussex academy products Will Beer, Callum Jackson and Steffan Piolet have all signed new one-year contracts with the county.

Spinner Beer has largely specialised in one-day cricket for Sussex, taking 13 wickets in the Sharks’ T20 Blast campaign, and also making key contributions in the Royal London One-Day Cup with bat and ball.

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County cricket: Will Beer, Callum Jackson and Steffan Piolet sign new Sussex deals

Andrew Strauss defends Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior and Andy Flower

Andrew Strauss says that despite the fallout from Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography, Andy Flower, Matt Prior and Pietersen himself should all look back on their England careers with pride.

Pietersen has blasted Flower’s man-management and Prior’s involvement in a “bullying culture” in the team in his new book.

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Andrew Strauss defends Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior and Andy Flower

Royal London One Day Cup final: Durham border house in low-scoring thriller against Warwickshire

Durham refused Warwickshire a national double after holding their nerve to claim a tense three-wicket triumph in a low-scoring Royal London One-Day Cup final at Lord’s.

NatWast T20 Blast winners Warwickshire were bowled out for only 165 on a blue day in the Home of Cricket and despite the best attempts of Jeetan Patel (4-25), Durham edged house to claim a stressed success.

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Royal London One Day Cup final: Durham border house in low-scoring thriller against Warwickshire

Durham and Warwickshire establish for conflict "Royal" in One-Day Cup Final

Durham will make an effort to refuse Warwickshire a dynamic double in Saturday’s Royal London One Day Cup final, at Lord’s.

The Bears possess another prize within their sights after powering their approach to the NatWest T20 Blast decoration on home turf before this summer.

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Durham and Warwickshire establish for conflict "Royal" in One-Day Cup Final

County Championship: Allrounder Will Smith signs contract extension at Hampshire

Allrounder Will Smith has signed a fresh two-year contract extension that will keep him with Hampshire before the conclusion of the 2017 season.

The 31-year old is a disclosure together with the ball this season, taking an impressive 20 wickets in Hampshire’s NatWest T20 Blast effort.

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County Championship: Allrounder Will Smith signs contract extension at Hampshire

County Championship: Anthony Ireland and Michael Thornely to leave Leicestershire

Leicestershire are to release seamer Anthony Ireland and top-order batsman Michael Thornely at the end of this season.

Zimbabwe-born Ireland, 30, is departing Grace Road despite finishing as the club’s leading wicket-taker in the NatWest t20 Blast in his two years at the club, with 32 wickets at an average of 16.90, including a best of 5-22 at Derbyshire.

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County Championship: Anthony Ireland and Michael Thornely to leave Leicestershire