England's World Cup squad has been caught engaging in an unusual activity just days before their opening match. Photographs obtained by the Daily Star show several key players, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Pickford, and Dean Henderson, playing cricket at their training base in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Unexpected cricket session
The images reveal Aston Villa's Morgan Rodgers bowling to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who appears to be holding a plastic yellow bat. The group was using a tennis ball for their impromptu game. According to the pictures, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson showed considerable skill at bowling, while Harry Kane looked comfortable as a batsman.
Earthquake strikes hours later
This light-hearted cricket session took place just hours before a powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake rocked the region. The earthquake's epicentre was located off the west coast of Cuba, approximately 400 miles from Central Florida. It struck at 2pm local time on Monday and was recorded as the strongest in the area for 150 years.
Tremors were felt across a wide area, including Flagler County, north of West Palm Beach, as well as central Orlando, Miami, and Jacksonville. Several buildings in these cities were evacuated after they began swaying due to the quake's impact.
Cross-training benefits
While the sight of England's football stars playing cricket may seem bizarre, experts suggest that the two sports share significant athletic crossover. Google's AI language model, Gemini, highlights several ways in which cricket can benefit football training.
As a batsman, constant foot adjustments, weight transfer, and rapid pivoting are required to play a shot. This lateral quickness and balance directly translate to a footballer's ability to change direction quickly, dribble in tight spaces, or jockey an attacker.
Gemini explains: "Fielding in cricket requires reading the angle of the bat, anticipating the ball's trajectory, and reacting instantly. This elite spatial awareness trains the brain to better judge a football's flight, aiding in winning aerial duels, intercepting passes, or positioning for a volley."
"Running between the wickets or chasing a ball to the boundary involves 10- to 20-yard sprints from a dead stop. This trains fast-twitch muscle fibres, essential for burst speed needed in counter-attacks or tracking back on defence."
"Catching a small, hard, fast-moving cricket ball drastically improves reaction times. While this is a clear advantage for goalkeepers, outfield players also benefit from enhanced visual tracking and body coordination."
"Cricket demands intense, unwavering concentration over long periods. A momentary lapse can lead to being bowled out or dropping a catch. Building this psychological stamina helps footballers stay focused and make smart decisions during the exhausting final minutes of a 90-minute match."
The England team will now turn their attention back to football as they prepare for their World Cup opener next week.
