Central cricket News

England's cricket squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's has been named this morning.

Nottinghamshire's Graeme Swann will return to the squad after recovering from elbow surgery.

Team mate Stuart Broad has also been selected, along with Warwickshire's Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott.

• Sport
• Cricket
• Warwickshire

Nottinghamshire's Graeme Swann is back in England's squad for the the first Investec Test after recovering from elbow surgery.

• Sport
• Cricket
• Nottinghamshire

In the second of our series looking at women in sport meet one of England's top cricketers, as she looks to make her mark in the Midlands.

Sarah Taylor signed to play for the Walmley women's team but, having been a key part of England's success over the last few years, has now made history by being selected for the men's team.

Michael Sibert reports.

• Sport
• Cricket
• Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor has been breaking down barriers ever since she started playing cricket. In 2004 she was at the centre of controversy when she played in the boys team at Brighton College with future England colleague Holly Colvin.

Since then she's become an integral part of the England set-up. As a powerful batswoman, she opened the batting when England won the World Cup in Australia in 2009. She's also a match-winner behind the wicket, taking a stumping and two catches in the final of the World T20 the same year.

Last year she was named the ICC's Woman T20 Cricketer of the Year.

Now she looks set to be the first woman to play in the men's Birmingham and District Premier League.

• Sport
• Cricket
• Sarah Taylor

England Women's cricketer Sarah Taylor will be the first woman to play in a Birmingham top flight men's competition when she lines up for Walmley Cricket Club in the Wiliamson Trophy on Saturday.

Sarah initially signed for the Midlands' club to play for their women's team but now looks set to be the first woman to play in the Birmingham and District Premier League in its 125-year history.

The wicketkeeper-batsman told ITV News Central:

From what I know, the Birmingham Premier League is a great league to be a part of. It would be great for the club to recognise women's talents so I'm hoping there could be a pathway for other women if there is a chance of me playing.

I'm just looking to be part of this club, and that's what it's about.

• Sport
• Cricket
• Sarah Taylor

Three Midlands-based cricketers lead a 12-strong Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) squad Women's Young Cricketers squad announced by the MCC and the England Cricket Board (ECB) for the 2013 season.

Sarah Taylor who plays for Walmey, Warwickshire's Amy Jones and Staffordshire's Danni Wyatt are among the 2013 intake.

The MCC Head of Cricket, John Stephenson said ' MCC is absolutely delighted to once again join-up with the ECB to deliver the MCC Women’s Young Cricketers programme for the 2013 season.

'The Club is a very proud supporter of women’s cricket, and it is fantastic that we can now offer such a dynamic and purposeful programme for some of the brightest young talents in England to intensively develop their skills at Lord’s during the summer'.

• Sport
• Cricket
• ECB

One of the biggest names in world cricket, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, has today been getting to know his new home in Derbyshire ahead of the coming months.

ITV News Central's sport correspondent, Steve Clamp, has the ultimate guide to the Midlands cricket season.

• Sport
• Cricket

Shivnarine Chanderpaul has signed for Derbyshire CCC and will play in his first match for the county tomorrow against Warwickshire.

The temperature was around 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees Celsius when he left his home in Orlando, Florida. In Derbyshire at the moment it is around 10 degrees Celsius.

• Sport
• Cricket

Chesney Hughes will play for Derbyshire in 2013 as an England Qualified cricketer after completing his residency.

He has signed a two-and-a-half year contract committing him to the club until September 2015.

Hughes, born in Anguilla, made his List A debut for Derbyshire in 2009. He has since gone on to make 100 first team appearances in all competitions.

Chief Executive Simon Storey said: “It is a great moment on a personal level for Chesney who has an exciting future in the game and I’m sure will make many valuable contributions during the coming years.”

• Sport
• cricket