The time has come for us to once again turn our attention and divert our resources to a truly global world sport: football.
Our cricketers will suffer the most over this difficult period which is why they must receive full sympathy and financial support. If this means that we forfeit participation in the 2026 World Cup (as has now transpired) so be it. There will be another opportunity in 2 years.
The question isn't whether Bangladesh made the tactically perfect decision. The question is whether middle powers everywhere -- in cricket, in trade, in international relations -- are ready to stop performing compliance and start building alternatives. That's what sovereignty looks like when the old order collapses and the new one hasn't been built yet.
At Lord’s, Ben Stokes showcased the rare qualities of a captain who not only wins matches but changes the very DNA of his team. His tactical nous, emotional intelligence, and visible authority are shaping a culture of resilience and bravery that could define English cricket for a generation.
