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Marcus Trescothick is to retire from professional cricket in September after 27 seasons as a Somerset player.The 43-year-old former England opener has announced his decision following a disappointing start to the current County Championship campaign, which saw him left out of the team after scoring 88 runs in eight innings. But Trescothick remains available for selection and would like nothing more than to crown his illustrious career by helping leaders Somerset to a maiden Championship title.”It has been an incredible 27 years and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Trescothick said. “However, everything has to come to an end eventually.”I’ve been discussing my future with the club and my family for a while and we felt that now was the appropriate time to make this announcement in order for the club and I to put plans in place.”There’s still a lot of the season left and I’ll be doing everything I can to put in performances for the second XI in order to force my way back into contention for the first team.”Marcus Trescothick bats as another season draws to a close•Getty Images

Since making his debut in 1993, Keynsham-born Trescothick has proved himself one of the best players the county has ever produced, breaking numerous records and playing in 76 Test matches and 123 one-day internationals for England.Those numbers would be even greater, but for the stress-related illness that led to him returning home from an Ashes tour in 2006 and announcing his retirement from international cricket in March 2008.A legend with Somerset supporters and, with a stand named after him at his beloved County Ground in Taunton, Trescothick can leave the stage assured of a place in the club’s history books alongside the great Harold Gimblett.While Gimblett will retain his record as having scored the most first-class runs for Somerset, Trescothick boasts the most first-class centuries, with 52, and the most List A runs, with 7,374.In first-class cricket, he has scored 19,654 runs for the county, at an average of 41.11, and holds the record for the number of catches with 445.His international career began with a one-day international against Zimbabwe in 2000 and he went on to score 5,825 Test runs at an average of 43.79, along with 4,335 one-day runs for England at 37.37.As a member of the 2005 Ashes-winning team, he was awarded the MBE. He played in the 2003 World Cup and established himself as one of the most feared opening batsmen in the game.Named Somerset captain in 2010, having helped the club win the 2001 C&G Trophy and the 2005 Twenty20 Cup, Trescothick led the team for the next six seasons.Announcing his forthcoming retirement, he said: “The club, the members and the supporters mean so much to me. There are so many memories that I will cherish forever and Somerset will always hold a truly special place in my heart.”Twenty seven years is a long time, but it’s gone incredibly quickly. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to do something that I love for that length of time and I’m extremely grateful for all the support that I’ve received throughout this remarkable journey.”Somerset director of cricket, Andy Hurry said: “Marcus Trescothick is one of the finest players that this country has ever produced and his record on the field of play speaks for itself.”His passion and enthusiasm for the game of cricket is infectious, and his work ethic is phenomenal. He is the absolute personification of what a professional sportsman should aspire to be.”Whilst his playing record is there for all to see, what you can’t measure is the positive influence that he has behind the scenes. He leads by example in everything that he does, and the way that he goes about his business is second to none.”Trescothick plans a future in coaching and media work. He is a Mental Health Ambassador for the Professional Cricketers Association and has taken a leading role in helping fellow players fight the sort of illness which cut short his international career.

Ruth Strauss Foundation to raise funds for cancer research and counselling services

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Mar-2019Andrew Strauss has launched a foundation in the name of his late wife, Ruth, who died last year after battling a rare form of lung cancer.The Ruth Strauss Foundation will raise funds to research rare forms of lung cancer and to provide emotional and psychological support to patients and their families.Ruth Strauss died last December, just over a year after being diagnosed with rare disease ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.In an interview with The Sunday Times, former England captain Strauss, who stepped down as director of England cricket last year as his wife underwent treatment, said he and Ruth had undergone counselling during her illness, which helped them to deal with their situation and to support their sons, Sam (13) and Luca (10). The couple decided they wanted to help other families access similar counselling services.”We spoke about her experience and asked ourselves, what can we do, given what we know now, to make other people’s journeys easier? I talked about my ambition to create a foundation in her memory and we thought there were two things that we would focus upon,” Strauss told the .”Number one was that in dealing with death people need support, even if they don’t know it. This support is not freely available.”Most of the funding goes into the treatment, which is understandable. Psychological and emotional support is very haphazard in terms of its availability. Preparing for a death is a horrible thing and you need a lot of support when going through it. So one of the aims of the foundation is going to be to raise funds to provide that support for as many people as possible.”The second aim relates to the cancer that took Ruth’s life. There is an assumption there that if you get lung cancer you were a smoker. Ruth never smoked a cigarette in her life. ALK-positive non-small- cell lung cancer is said to be very rare but anecdotally there seems to be an increase in the number of young women who have never smoked contracting it.”Nobody knows what is causing it. The unfortunate thing is that it tends not to be diagnosed until stage four, when it is incurable. There needs to be a lot of work done on the research side to understand these cancers better and provide better treatment and to ensure that knowledge is being shared both in this country and worldwide. That will be another focus of the foundation, to provide the funds for this to happen.”To help raise funds, the foundation will hold a golf day in partnership with the Lord’s Taverners at Stoke Park Country Club on June 11.The Ruth Strauss foundation: www.ruthstraussfoundation.com

Jalaj Saxena, Avesh Khan, Ricky Bhui and Mayank Markande have earned call-ups for the first game against England Lions, which begins on February 7

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2019Ankit Bawne will lead India A in their first four-day game against England Lions, which is scheduled to begin on February 7 in Wayanad. Bawne led India in the fourth unofficial ODI against Lions in Ajinkya Rahane’s absence on Tuesday. KL Rahul finds a place in the squad, as does long-time domestic performer Jalaj Saxena, who gets into an India A squad for the first time since 2013. The Kerala allrounder averages 44.00 with the bat and 20.41 with the ball over his last two first-class seasons, with 73 wickets in 17 matches.Gujarat’s Priyank Panchal (898 runs in nine matches) and Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran (861 runs in six matches) are the two openers besides Rahul, and are the batsmen in the squad with most runs in the ongoing Ranji season.Other players rewarded for their Ranji form are Andhra’s Ricky Bhui (775 runs in eight matches), Madhya Pradesh fast bowler Avesh Khan (35 wickets in seven matches), and Punjab legspinner Mayank Markande (29 wickets in six matches). This is the first India A call-up for all three of them.Karun Nair, who captained India A in their last red-ball series in New Zealand, has been dropped from the squad, as have his Karnataka team-mates R Samarth and K Gowtham, who were among the top performers on that tour. The trio endured poor bouts of form after returning to the Ranji Trophy. Other notable names not in the squad are Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill, who are currently with India’s ODI squad in New Zealand.India A squad for first four-day game: Ankit Bawne (capt), KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Priyank Panchal, Ricky Bhui, Siddhesh Lad, KS Bharat (wk), Jalaj Saxena, Shahbaz Nadeem, Mayank Markande, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Varun Aaron

The legendary goalkeeper spoke to reporters ahead of his upcoming induction on May 4

Throughout his career, Tim Howard must have always felt the weight of expectations. At home, he was next up in a long line of legends, placed into shoes that were almost impossible to fill. Abroad, he was playing in environments that don't care where you're from or what you've done, just how you play.

Somehow, though, the American defied each and every expectation thrust upon him. He achieved things that none could have imagined. And, now, he'll have a title to prove it: Hall of Famer.

Not that he needed it, really. Howard's impact remains unquestionable. He has the years, the moments, the statistics, the memories…. Howard's legacy is secure.

So, when he gets his big Hall of Fame moment on May 4, it'll be another accolade for a superstar who earned plenty of them. This one, though, will be special. It solidifies what everyone already knew: that Howard is right there with any American who has ever played this sport.

"Chasing greatness, having a Hall of Fame career, it's scary as hell," Howard told reporters. "There are a lot of lows. There's a lot of low moments. If someone were to ask me if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't want to do it over! I know how hard it was and I wouldn't really want to have to make those sacrifices over again.

"I think I'd tell my younger self that if you work hard enough, and I truly mean work hard enough, and you're willing to sacrifice nearly everything in your life to be great, then things will turn out okay."

Ahead of his Hall of Fame induction, Howard spoke to reporters about his experiences, his legacy and his upcoming big moment…

GettyThinking about legacy

Now that it's all over, Howard can think back to his earliest days a bit more. He can think of his mom kicking a ball at him in front of a wall as he made saves with baseball gloves on his hands. He can think back to sitting in the nosebleeds at Giants Stadium to see the Marlboro Cup. He can look back at a 1990 World Cup that felt like it was played on a different planet than the one he existed in back home in New Jersey.

The American can also think back about the influence of Tony Meola, the U.S. goalkeeper who set the tone for all of those that followed. Howard has earned his place among the greats, players like Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel.

All these years later, Howard can now realize that there are plenty of other kids now kicking balls in front of walls or sitting in the last rows of stadiums for a glimpse of their heroes. And many of those kids are doing so because of him. For a generation of young players, Howard has become a role model on par with the ones he had growing up.

"When you're done playing, all you have is your legacy," Howard says. "Hopefully you're smart enough and you surround yourself with good enough people that you don't tarnish that legacy on your journey. I'm very fortunate to have that and have had monumental moments, to have had World Cups, longevity in the Premier League to where people can identify with me…I think when it really hit me was when I came home, when I came back to Denver in 2016. Just the amount of people who come up to me and say, 'I'm an Everton fan because of you' and I'm like 'God, I didn't realize I was that old!'

"But that's so cool. That's awesome. I see a lot of kids out there wearing No. 24, which is the number wore. I'm lucky I feel humbled by the fact that I was able to inspire a generation or part of a generation. I think that, when you're done and retire, that's all you got. You can't kick a ball anymore, nor do I desire to kick a ball anymore, but it's your legacy is all you have to hold on to."

AdvertisementGettySir Alex or David Moyes?

On the club level, Howard is best known for his time in the Premier League. He came up as a Metrostar and ended his career as a Colorado Rapid, but many will remember him for his run in England, for good reason.

Howard spent four years with Manchester United before starring at Everton for a decade, becoming one of the Toffees' most beloved players. Few American players have endeared themselves to a club quite like Howard did at Goodison Park, where he earned legitimate icon status.

During his time abroad, he played under legends like Sir Alex Ferguson and, throughout his Everton stretch, David Moyes. And, under them, Howard went from boy to man, both on and off the field.

"Sir Alex Ferguson was very scary," Howard began with a laugh. "I was a young kid when I went to Man Utd, 23, 24, 25, somewhere in there, so I was just a scared kid in a corner saying 'yes sir' or 'no sir'. It was a really big team with big players. My voice wasn't there to be heard. Although that's scary, you don't have much say.

"When I went to Everton, David Moyes, he heaped a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. When that happens, the tide turns. You have to have tough conversations with the manager. When the team isn't playing well or someone isn't turning up, you get the brunt of that fury. David Moyes was the scariest, but I'd run through the Gates of Hell seven days of the week for David Moyes."

Getty ImagesTHAT Belgium game

There are so few moments in sports defined by the loser. History is written by and about winners, with those on the other side often being an afterthought.

Not Howard. Not at the 2014 World Cup. Not on that day when Howard became a legitimate legendary figure in this sport's long history.

Howard's 16-save performance against Belgium remains a historic one. It's the one that earned him the nickname "Secretary of Defense" back home in the States, and the one he's remembered for most abroad, with fans all over the world remembering what may just be the greatest goalkeeping performance of all time.

"The one thing people say to me, If anyone comes up to me and says anything, whether I'm in the supermarket or the airport, which I'm in a lot, or anywhere on the street, they talk about the Belgium game," Howard says. "I think what's special to me now is that I have the opportunity to share that with hundreds, if not thousands, of fans everywhere I go. They tell me where they were, what they were doing, who they were with when they were watching the Belgium game.

There are a lot of times, and this is the crazy thing about generations, a lot of times they'll come up to me with their son or daughter and be like 'I was holding my son while watching the game!' And now and now that baby is kicking a soccer ball around and is eight or nine years old or whatever.

"It's special to have that one shining moment in that category. I have a lot of great moments, but that's one that people can cling to. so I'm very fortunate and I appreciate the fact that that has added to my legacy."

GettyThe current USMNT crop

For the first time in 30 years or so, the USMNT goalkeeper position is struggling a bit. There were so many transitions from Meola right on down to Howard. At the moment, though, American goalkeepers are struggling at the top level.

Matt Turner is stuck on the bench at Nottingham Forest. Zack Steffen has returned home to the Rapids, Howard's former club. Youngsters like Gaga Slonina and Patrick Schulte are making waves, but both still have a lot of growing to do.

Howard isn't worried, although there are concerns.

The legendary goalkeeper says that he's seen a dip in quality in goalkeeping coaching over the years, with that dip directly impacting the development of plenty of players. Between a lack of coaching and a lack of minutes, Howard says there's an easy explanation for the struggles American shot-stoppers are facing at the moment.

"I don't know if our young goalkeepers are getting pushed as hard as they need to, to that breaking point," Howard said. "It's one of the things that Kasey Keller said to me when I signed with Manchester United and it stuck with me forever. He just said that, in order to be judged as a goalkeeper, we have to play 100 games at the highest level. Right now, our young guys aren't getting those games to even be able to judge them.

"I'm not worried about the World Cup. We've got a few years to go. I like Zack and I like Matt, too. I like Matt's wherewithal and fortitude and mental toughness. Zack's talent is unmatched. I've always said about Zack that he can be the greatest USMNT goalkeeper of all time because of the physical tools that he possesses. Obviously, the ball's in his court.

"Am I worried? No, not particularly. I worry more about the team as a whole and making sure they're in the right place."

The Sri Lanka spinner is required to undergo testing on his action within 14 days, but can bowl in international cricket until the results of the tests are out

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2018Sri Lanka offspinner Akila Dananjaya has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the first Test against England in Galle.He is required to undergo testing on his action within 14 days, but can bowl in international cricket until the results of the tests are out, the ICC said.The second Test against England begins on November 14 in Pallekele, so Dananjaya will be eligible to bowl in that match if selected to play. He took only two wickets in the first Test in Galle.Dananjaya, 25, has played four Tests, 30 ODIs and 16 T20Is for Sri Lanka since his international debut in September 2012.

The absence of Lasith Malinga could hurt them but they do have reliable back-ups to fill the hole

Vishal Dikshit17-Sep-20204:26

Will Rohit Sharma open for Mumbai Indians?

Where they finished in 2019: Champions, with a last-ball win over Chennai Super Kings in the final after having topped the league table.Potential XI: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock, 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Ishan Kishan, 5 Krunal Pandya, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Rahul Chahar, 9 Mitchell McClenaghan/James Pattinson/Nathan Coulter-Nile, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Jasprit BumrahBatting: With a solid top order and a power-packed middle order, Mumbai don’t have much to worry about. Sharma can continue to open with de Kock, who was their leading scorer last year, but Chris Lynn might have to wait, especially given his recent run of low scores and dismissals against spin (six out of nine) in the CPL – the pitches in the UAE are expected to be on the slower side. With Yadav at No. 3 followed by Kishan, the Pandya brothers and Pollard, they look pretty good even for slower tracks.Mumbai Indians full squad•ESPNcricinfo LtdBowling: Mumbai might miss Lasith Malinga, who is missing this IPL for personal reasons, because he might have proven even more dangerous than usual in the UAE with his experience and slower variations. He usually split the last four overs with Bumrah – this time Bumrah may either do Malinga’s job with Boult doing Bumrah’s, or Boult may just bowl the 18th and 20th overs with Bumrah sticking to his 17th and 19th overs.Boult had a terrific IPL in 2018 for Delhi Daredevils, especially on the slow Feroz Shah Kotla tracks, and his death-overs record will give Mumbai confidence in Malinga’s absence.For pace, they also have Coulter-Nile, who was bought for INR 8 crore ($1.1 million approx.), McClenaghan, Malinga’s replacement Pattinson, and Dhawal Kulkarni as options.Unlike the other teams, Mumbai lack a big-name T20 spinner in the squad. Krunal and Chahar will be expected to do the bulk of the heavy lifting and should they need a third spinner in the XI, they could leave out one of the overseas quicks for left-arm spinner Anukul Roy or the offspin of Jayant Yadav. Mumbai may also consider Pollard, who proved handy on slower tracks in the CPL, for a bigger role with the ball.Young player to watch out for: Mumbai have a habit of throwing unknowns at their oppositions and they have two young spinners for that sort of plan: left-arm spinner Anukul Roy and legspinner Prince Balwant Rai. Roy, from Jharkhand, played the 2018 Under-19 World Cup but is still an unknown entity in the IPL with only one game under his belt. Rai, 21, is yet to make his debut in senior cricket after playing for Punjab at the junior level.With spin expected to play a major role this time, Roy could come on against the right-hand batsmen, and Rai might get at least a few chances to show off what he has.Coaching staff: Mahela Jayawardene (head coach), Zaheer Khan (director of cricket operations), Shane Bond (bowling coach), Robin Singh (batting coach), James Pamment (fielding coach).