Jofra Archer is relieved to finally be back among the England camp after a prolonged period of injury woe left him sidelined for the better part of two years.
The Sussex fast bowler has not played for the national team since March 2021, missing out since with a succession of elbow injuries and a back stress fracture.
But a return to the senior Test camp as part of an England Lions team for a three-day match in Abu Dhabi this month has helped him move a step closer to a return.
Having missed England's T20 World Cup glory during his absence, Archer is fixing his eye on defending the trophy he helped England win in the 50-over format back in 2019, but for now is just happy to be back among his team-mates.
"Being back here in Abu Dhabi, in and around the guys, it is kind of heartwarming," he told Sky Sports.
"It makes you feel like you are at home again, seeing all the familiar faces.
"I am so, so glad to be back and this is a big year.
"We just won the T20, we have the 50-over coming up so, hopefully, I get a chance to help defend the title."
Asked if a return to the ODI fold for next year's Cricket World Cup is a realistic target, Archer added: "That is the goal. I still don't think I am 100 per cent as yet.
"I still need to do some more work, to get the body back up and fit and firing. In the short-term, just to be fit is the most important thing."
On picking up overs during the Lions game, Archer stated he has been limited on his workload, but was nevertheless satisfied with his efforts.
"This morning, it kind of felt like a bus hit me," he added. "But that is a good feeling. I was glad to get a run out, especially with the boys. It is almost like being back playing with them.
"There are some restrictions. The coach and the physio said I could use my discretion with how much I wanted to bowl and I think I did enough for a first run out."
'A true gentleman' - Tributes pour in for former England manager Eriksson
Tributes from across the football world have flooded in after the news that Sven-Goran Eriksson has died, aged 76, on Monday.
Eriksson, who was England's first foreign manager, revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
His former clubs, England and UEFA, have expressed their condolences, along with countless players and managers as they honoured the Swede's life and career.
David Beckham was named Three Lions captain in 2001 by Eriksson, captaining the side 57 times under the Swede.
"We laughed, we cried, and we knew we were saying goodbye," Beckham said.
"Sven, thank you for always being the person you have always been - passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman.
"I will be forever grateful for you making me your captain, but I will forever hold these last memories of this day with you and your family... Thank you, Sven, and in your last words to me 'It will be ok'."
Wayne Rooney was handed his England debut by Eriksson as a 17-year-old and described him as a "special man".
"Rest in peace, Sven," he said on X.
"Thanks for the memories and all your help and advice. Thoughts and prayers with all his family and friends."
Eriksson led England to three major quarter-finals in his five-year spell as manager, at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2004.
He oversaw 67 games in charge of the Three Lions, with only Walter Winterbottom (139), Alf Ramsey (113), Gareth Southgate (102) and Bobby Robson (95) leading the team on more occasions.
The national side published a tribute to their former manager, saying: "We are deeply saddened that Sven-Goran Eriksson, who managed the Three Lions from 2001 to 2006, has passed away aged 76.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Rest in peace, Sven. You will be greatly missed."
Eriksson managed 12 clubs, winning 18 trophies across his career, with Swedish side Gothenburg the first top-flight club he managed.
He won four trophies during his three-year stay between 1979 and 1982, including the UEFA Cup.
"We are so grateful for his deed, the one he did in IFK Gothenburg and for Swedish football," the club said in a statement.
"We are also happy that we were able to thank him this spring, both with a match in his honour and by naming one of our stands at Gamla Ullevi after him."
He also had spells in charge of Benfica, Lazio, Manchester City and Leicester City. The clubs sent their condolences, with Lazio holding a minute's silence for their former manager at training.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who played under Eriksson at Notts County, Man City and Leicester, posted a heartfelt tribute.
"It feels very strange to have to write this, and I feel like I've had to write too many of these over the years. It was only yesterday evening that I sat and watched the documentary about his life. And what a life! We have lost an incredible man to whom I owe a great deal," he said.
"Sven was the first manager to truly believe in me and give me a chance at the highest level. He was the first manager to call me world-class, and he made me feel 10 feet tall.
"He gave me my Premier League debut, brought me to Notts County, and finally to Leicester, where I enjoyed the best time of my career. It is a great loss to football and the world. I want to thank him for everything he did for me."
Bairstow and Moeen left out of England's white-ball squad
Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali have both been left out of England's white-ball series squad, with five uncapped players named.
As Jos Buttler looks to the future, Warwickshire batting all-rounders, Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley, have been given their first international call-ups for the three-match T20 series against Australia next month.
Essex batter Jordan Cox, Hampshire seamer John Turner and Leicestershire left-arm bowler Josh Hull, who was named as Mark Wood's replacement in the Test squad to play Sri Lanka, have also been picked.
The latter three will also be involved for the five one-day internationals that follow.
World Cup winners Bairstow and Moeen, who have been regular fixtures in England's white-ball squad for over a decade, could have made their final international appearances after being left out of the squad, with Chris Jordan also being overlooked.
Brydon Carse, however, has been recalled for both squads after serving a betting ban, while Saqib Mahmood returns for the T20 series after recovering from injury. Buttler will also be fit to feature after overcoming a calf injury.
Marcus Trescothick will lead England for the first time against Australia after being named Matthew Mott's interim replacement.
Mott left in July following England's semi-final exit to eventual champions India in the T20 World Cup, having also failed to help England defend their 50-over world title in 2023.
The first match of the T20 series will take place on September 11 at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
England T20 squad to play Australia:
Jos Buttler (captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner.
England ODI squad: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner.
Rain restricts play to 15 overs on day one between West Indies and South Africa
Aiden Markram lost his wicket as South Africa reached 45-1 before rain stopped play on day one of the first Test against West Indies.
Markram was dismissed on nine by Jason Holder (1-2) in the 14th over.
Kemar Roach (0-6) had Markram on the back foot throughout, though it was Holder who made the breakthrough with a wicked delivery that sent the South African's off-stump tumbling.
Tony de Zorzi reached 32 not-out and Tristan Stubbs was on two not-out when, during the tea break, play was abandoned for the day.
It means 75 overs of play were lost on day one in Trinidad, where play will start early on day two.
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