Short 92* inspires Gloucestershire to Surrey thrashing
Australian opener lights the way in Bristol before bowling attack runs through visitors
Bethell: 'Nothing sweeter as a batter than walking off not out with a win'
England match-winner describes 46-ball 76 as close to the top among his favourite innings
Punia, Tanisha lay foundation as India A secure series win
Century stand from openers sets up victory as England A fall well short in chase of 282
Bethell's takedown of Bishnoi takes England 1-0 up
A 27-run over and 29-run over, the latter including two back-foot no-balls by Bishnoi, cost India dearly at Old Trafford
T20 World Cup: England all-rounder Jacob Bethell said testing himself against the strongest sides in world cricket is what drives him after his unbeaten 76 powered England to a four-wicket victory over India in the T20I. Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Bethell reflected on his previous success against India, England's calculated approach to the chase, the turning point provided by Ravi Bishnoi's expensive over, and the partnerships that helped overhaul a target of 191. Having also impressed against India during the 2026 T20 World Cup, Bethell said delivering against quality opposition makes performances all the more rewarding, while acknowledging the challenge posed by India's attack. I really enjoyed that semi-final (2026 T20 WC), although we couldn't get over the line. They're a high-skilled attack, it's just that I've played them on two pretty nice pitches. And, yeah, you want to do well against the best teams in the world. So, yeah, it's really pleasing to do so, Bethell said during the post-match presentation. Bethell arrived at the crease with England reeling at 1/2 after both openers fell in the first over. However, Harry Brook's counterattacking cameo restored the momentum before Bethell and Tom Banton stitched together a crucial partnership that steadied the chase. Looking back, Bethell said the innings was built around partnerships and waiting for the right moments to accelerate rather than attacking throughout. It worked out well in the end, but just going into bat two down, Brooky (Harry Brook), set the tone really well there. He flipped the momentum straight back on them. And, that made it easier for me to go out there and just give him strike to start and then it's a shame when he got out. But I thought Banton came in and that partnership we built, both of us would have liked to go on and finish that. But everyone just keep chipping in. And then, yeah, in those kind of chases, you're not going rapid the whole time, but a couple of big overs and then the game swings. So, yeah, it was one of them that just kind of got timed really well, he added. The biggest swing arrived in the 17th over when England collected 29 runs off Ravi Bishnoi, aided by two free hits after the leg-spinner overstepped twice. Bethell admitted that targeting that particular end of the ground had not originally been part of his thinking, but the circumstances demanded a change in approach. If I'm honest, I probably would have targeted the other end more with my leg side, with the wind, but, and the shorter side. But, yeah, when, (there are) a couple of free hits and then bowler's down, so then you try and take him. So, yeah, that all worked out really well. And then, yeah, Jof (Jofra Archer) came in and finished it off, he stated. The biggest swing arrived in the 17th over when England collected 29 runs off Ravi Bishnoi, aided by two free hits after the leg-spinner overstepped twice. Bethell admitted that targeting that particular end of the ground had not originally been part of his thinking, but the circumstances demanded a change in approach. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Yeah, I think so. I mean, the thing with playing on different dimensions is one side might be easier to hit sixes, but you can also score the same amount of runs, hit in the gaps that are bigger on that big side. So, yeah, it was just about being smart with that. And I thought as a batting group, we were really good at that on the whole, Bethell concluded. Article Source: IANS
2nd T20I: 17th Over Haunted Us, Says Iyer On Where Indias Lost The Game Vs England
Shreyas Iyer: India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted that one costly over changed the course of the contest after England completed a four-wicket victory in the second T20I in Old Trafford on Saturday, chasing down 191 with an over to spare. Speaking after the defeat, Iyer assessed how the game unfolded, highlighted Jacob Bethell's decisive innings, backed Ravi Bishnoi despite his expensive spell, and stressed that the young leg-spinner would emerge stronger from the experience. India had appeared in control for much of England's chase after reducing the hosts to 1/2 in the opening over and keeping the pressure on through the middle phase. However, Bethell's unbeaten 76 and a momentum-shifting 29-run 17th over swung the match firmly in England's favour. Reflecting on where the match turned, Iyer chose not to single out any individual despite the decisive spell. I think we all know where it went away but I don't want to pinpoint a particular player. I was like, okay he's going to come back strong after that (the first no ball). But the 17th over haunted us. But he'll learn, Iyer said post game. The India skipper also felt his side had posted a competitive first-innings total on a surface that wasn't straightforward for batting. I think it was a phenomenal score on this pitch with variable bounce. First 15 overs we were on top of the game but suddenly - credit to the way Jacob played, he added. Bethell's calculated assault, particularly against the spinners in the closing stages, proved decisive as England overturned India's advantage. Iyer credited the left-hander and England's planning for identifying the conditions and boundary dimensions early in the chase. They analysed the dimensions of the ground and the wicket early, he said. Iyer also praised Sam Curran for executing England's tactical plans with the ball during India's innings, pointing to the accuracy of his lines. He was bowling right outside off stump, and that was very well planned (Curran), the skipper stated. The India captain reserved special praise for Bethell's fearless mindset, saying the youngster's approach had already stood out during practice sessions, as he said, He's got that unflinching attitude where he's fearless. The way he bats in the nets... something to learn out of him. I wasn't anticipating him to be nervous. He was bowling right outside off stump, and that was very well planned (Curran), the skipper stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Absolutely, I'm always in high spirits and I know that this is the lowest you can go, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Her T20 World Cup: Australia captain Sophie Molineux says a final decision on Ellyse Perry's availability for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final against hosts England will be taken on match day, but remains confident the veteran all-rounder can still make a significant impact even if she is unable to bowl. Australia and England will reignite one of women's cricket's biggest rivalries when they meet in the title match at Lord's on Sunday. Both teams have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, leading their groups before winning convincingly in the semi-finals, setting up an exciting finale. Perry suffered a quad injury during Australia's eight-wicket semi-final win over West Indies and had to retire hurt, raising concerns about her fitness for the final. However, Molineux confirmed that the 35-year-old completed a full training session on Saturday. She (Perry) went through a bit of a test for the final. She trained really well today, batted, and bowled. We'll check tomorrow and see how she feels, Molineux said. The Australian captain mentioned that Perry's batting alone could justify her spot even if she can't bowl. Itd be great if she could bowl for us, but with our bowling depth, we feel covered in that area. Her T20 World Cup performance with the bat has been incredible; she's won a couple of games for us. I think her batting, even if she's not bowling, will still be a huge plus for us. Australia returns to the Women's T20 World Cup final for the first time since 2023 after missing out in 2024. Despite having a team full of experienced players, Molineux believes the team's improvement since last year's ODI World Cup semi-final loss to India has driven their success. The group has grown over the last three to four months, she said. Weve freed ourselves up a bit to play openly and showcase our skills. It's a very smart cricket team. Standing between Australia and a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title is an unbeaten England side playing in front of a large home crowd at the Home of Cricket. Molineux acknowledged the challenge but feels her team is prepared. They've played some excellent cricket lately, and they seem full of confidence with 30,000 English fans here at Lord's, she said. Standing between Australia and a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title is an unbeaten England side playing in front of a large home crowd at the Home of Cricket. Molineux acknowledged the challenge but feels her team is prepared. Also Read: Live Cricket Score History adds another interesting element to Sunday's final. Australia leads England 5-2 in Women's T20 World Cup matchups and has won all three previous T20 World Cup finals between the two rivals. However, England has never lost a Women's World Cup final - ODI or T20 - on home soil. Article Source: IANS
Can Lord's memories inspire England to bring down mighty Australia?
This was the venue where England won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2009. Can they repeat history against the six-time champions?
England Ready to Go Toe-to-Toe with Australia in Womens T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt has promised England will go toe-to-toe with Australia in the Womens T20 World Cup fina l at Lord's on Sunday as they look to end a series of dispiriting defeats by their arch-rivals. Contests between two powerhouses of the women's game have been lopsided affairs in recent times, with Australia whitewashing England 16-0 in the multi-format Ashes when the teams last met 'Down Under' 18 months ago. That humiliating reverse led to the exit of England head coach Jon Lewis and the end of Heather Knight's long reign as captain. Charlotte Edwards , one of England's greatest women's cricketers and no stranger to success against Australia in her playing days, succeeded Lewis as coach. Edwards stuck with many of the same players whose nerve had repeatedly betrayed them in the pressure of knockout cricket, with England -- for all their wealth and playing resources -- having gone nearly a decade since they last won a major global title, the 2017 50-over World Cup final. She was accused of living up to a quote attributed to Albert Einstein -- insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Edwards, however, does appear to have overseen a significant improvement in fielding standards and self-belief. England may well be beaten on Sunday, but they now look less likely to beat themselves. - 'Standing up to Australia' - Sciver-Brunt, one of three survivors in the England squad from that memorable World Cup final triumph against India at Lord's nine years ago, said: The vibe we have created as a group throughout this competition has allowed us to feel confident in ourselves. We are looking forward to that battle at Lord's. The way we have gone about our cricket in this tournament is planned out and the way we can beat them. Australia are a world-class side who have had huge success in the last few years, in different Ashes series home and away. Standing up and going toe-to-toe with them is the way forward. England fans would have been forgiven for thinking the worst when their side collapsed to 23-3 in Thursday's semi-final against South Africa at the Oval. But Sciver-Brunt starred on her return from aggravating a left-calf injury, that had sidelined her for England's last three group-stage games, with a superb 75 off 47 balls. Fellow veteran Knight made a fine 58 in a match-changing 133-run stand with her successor as England captain. And a fine all-round team effort then restricted the Proteas to 129-8 as England swept into the final with a crushing 40-run win. Heather and I knew we had a big job to do and we used all of our experience, said Sciver-Brunt, 33. England have won every women's World Cup, in all formats, they have hosted -- a sequence dating back to the inaugural 1973 one-day international showpiece, which took place two years before the debut of the equivalent men's event. But history is likely to count for little against a formidable Australia side who, like England, are unbeaten heading into the final following six straight wins. Six-time T20 world champions Australia knocked India out after making light of a tournament-record chase of 171 at Lord's last weekend and then thrashed the West Indies by eight wickets in their semi-final. The only concern for Australia, apart from how they might cope if put under sustained pressure by England, is the fitness of Ellyse Perry. The veteran all-rounder, an all-time great of women's cricket, retired hurt with a quad problem in the semi-final following her superb 56 against India. But the 35-year-old looked to have come through unscathed following an intensive training session on Friday. Australia coach Shelley Nitschke suggested Thursday that Perry could play in the final even if less than fully fit. Perry's Australia team-mate Phoebe Litchfield, however, said Friday: Pez is great. She's prepping really well and she's the ultimate professional. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As you can all imagine, she wants to be out there on Sunday and is doing everything in her ability to do that, which is the true professional that she is.
Late Flourish Lift India To Competitive 190/7 Against England
Despite Axar Patel: India overcame a testing surface and a spirited England fightback to post a competitive 190/7 in the second T20I at Old Trafford, thanks to brisk contributions throughout the batting order and a late flourish from Tilak Varma. After racing away in the PowerPlay, the visitors lost momentum through the middle overs before Tilak's unbeaten cameo ensured they finished with a flourish. The evening also marked a historic occasion as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became India's youngest T20I debutant. Walking out alongside Abhishek Sharma, the teenager announced himself in fearless fashion despite England's quicks extracting appreciable pace and bounce from the fresh surface. Jofra Archer began with an incisive opening over, repeatedly beating Abhishek outside off, but India soon counterattacked. Sooryavanshi wasted little time in showcasing his attacking instincts, lifting Archer over the wicketkeeper for his maiden international six before depositing Josh Tongue deep into the stands with another clean strike. While the youngster looked unfazed by the occasion, his promising stay ended on 14 when Will Jacks deceived him in flight and Jos Buttler completed a sharp stumping. Abhishek, meanwhile, mixed audacious strokeplay with a few nervy moments against the extra bounce. He punished anything overpitched, collecting boundaries at will and striking a quickfire 43 off 24 deliveries before Sam Curran induced a mistimed pull to deep midwicket in the final over of the PowerPlay. With India well placed at 65/2 after six overs, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan rebuilt intelligently. They rotated strike consistently against England's three-pronged spin attack before cashing in on scoring opportunities. Shreyas was particularly fluent against the slower bowlers, using his feet confidently and producing a stunning back-foot six off Liam Dawson. Kishan complemented him with calculated aggression, finding boundaries through square on both sides of the wicket as the pair added 65 runs for the third wicket. England, however, wrestled back control through disciplined bowling and clever captaincy from Harry Brook. Will Jacks delivered a miserly over that yielded only singles before Curran returned to vary his pace expertly. The slower balls gripped on the surface, making clean hitting increasingly difficult, and the pressure eventually brought rewards. Dawson dismissed Shreyas for a well-made 37 after luring him into a mistimed loft, while Curran struck twice in quick succession, removing Shivam Dube and then ending Kishan's enterprising knock on 49, just one run short of a deserved half-century. Curran finished as England's standout bowler with figures of 3/32, leading a remarkable recovery after India's dominant start. At 153/4 after 17 overs, India risked falling short of a par score, but Tilak Varma injected fresh momentum. Despite Axar Patel's unfortunate run-out, the left-hander attacked fearlessly at the death, taking on both Tongue and Archer. He launched two towering sixes and added another maximum and boundary in the final over, remaining unbeaten on 24 off just 11 deliveries to propel India to 190/7. Dawson dismissed Shreyas for a well-made 37 after luring him into a mistimed loft, while Curran struck twice in quick succession, removing Shivam Dube and then ending Kishan's enterprising knock on 49, just one run short of a deserved half-century. Curran finished as England's standout bowler with figures of 3/32, leading a remarkable recovery after India's dominant start. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 190/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 49, Abhishek Sharma 43; Sam Curran 3/33, Will Jacks 1-22) against England. Article Source: IANS
BCA President Harsh Vardhan: Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) President Harsh Vardhan on Saturday hailed teenaged batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshis international debut for India in the ongoing second T20I against England as a golden day in the history of Bihar cricket and a matter of immense pride for the entire state. Sooryavanshi, 15, etched his name into the annals of cricketing history by making his highly-anticipated international debut during the second T20I against England at Old Trafford on Saturday. At 15 years and 99 days, Sooryavanshi was handed his maiden cap by vice-captain Tilak Varma, thus becoming the youngest-ever Indian cricketer to debut in international cricket. Eventually, Sooryavanshi, playing at the expense of Sanju Samson, made 14 before being stumped off the bowling of Will Jacks. Today will be remembered as a golden day in the history of Bihar cricket. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi representing India at such a young age is a matter of immense pride for the entire state. Through his hard work, discipline, and exceptional talent, he has proved that no dream is impossible when dedication meets opportunity. By surpassing the record of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, he has created history. On behalf of the Bihar Cricket Association, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Vaibhav and his family and wish him a long, successful, and illustrious international career, Vardhan said in a BCA statement on Saturday. In doing so, Sooryavanshi has shattered long-standing benchmarks of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Verma, who was previously the youngest cricketer to play T20Is for India in both mens and womens circuit. Tendulkar had famously made his international debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi back in November 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. Meanwhile, Shafali was 15 years and 239 days old when she earned her maiden T20I cap against South Africa in Surat in 2019. Echoing Vardhans sentiments, BCA Secretary Ziaul Arfin highlighted that Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise reflects the steady progression and overhaul of grassroots cricket infrastructure in the state. Tendulkar had famously made his international debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi back in November 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. Meanwhile, Shafali was 15 years and 239 days old when she earned her maiden T20I cap against South Africa in Surat in 2019. Also Read: Live Cricket Score By reaching the international stage at such a young age, he has shown that with the right platform and proper guidance, talent can achieve global recognition. The Bihar Cricket Association is immensely proud of Vaibhav and wishes him a long, successful, and distinguished international career, he added. Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: England Are Much More Composed And Confident, Says Nat Sciver-Brunt
T20 World Cup: Ahead of the high-octane ICC Womens T20 World Cup final against arch-rivals Australia, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt on Saturday stated that her side is entering the title clash with far greater composure and confidence, adding that they have improved a lot since making an early exit in the 2024 edition. The iconic Lords Cricket Ground holds fond memories for England, who clinched the 2017 ODI World Cup title here under Heather Knight's leadership with a tense nine-run victory over India. It was a high-pressure match where Nat top-scored for England with a vital 51 off 68 deliveries. Now leading the side herself, Nat is on the precipice of securing Englands first T20 World Cup crown since their inaugural tournament triumph at home in 2009. However, England face a monumental task against six-time champions Australia, a team that has held complete psychological dominance over them with eight consecutive victories across formats over a three-year undefeated streak. I guess a lot of cricket has happened between 2024 and now. Initially there was a lot of disbelief that we'd sort of lost one game and didn't quite make it to the semis. I suppose that game (defeat to West Indies) was, chaotic for all sorts of reasons. But I think where we are now is as a much more sort of composed and confident team. We have been put under pressure and been able to come out the other side and our batting coach calls it nitty-gritty moments, and there are those in every game that we play. But I suppose so far in this one we've shown that we can get through those moments and come out the other side. So we're a very different team to 2024, said Nat in the pre-match press conference. The Home of Cricket is no longer an unfamiliar territory for England, who have gained significant exposure to the ground in recent years via The Hundred. Additionally, England will carry fond recent memories of the venue, having registered a comfortable 38-run victory over the West Indies during their group stage encounter here on June 24. It is going to be a big occasion. But it's why we've done everything that we've done so far. Everything that we've worked on and everything was to try and get us to this point. So, I suppose acknowledging that and try and take in as much of the day as you can. I mean, being part of the 2017 final, we sort of spoke in a similar way about how special a day it was going to be and try and, I guess, be really present during the day and try and enjoy yourself as much as you can. So, that was what I've been trying to instill in everybody. It is going to be a big occasion. But it's why we've done everything that we've done so far. Everything that we've worked on and everything was to try and get us to this point. So, I suppose acknowledging that and try and take in as much of the day as you can. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There's been so many different people during the tournament who have had their moment to shine and to show what they could do. So as a team we're really well balanced in that everyone has had success throughout the tournament and can draw on that moment, and feeling to help us tomorrow, she added. Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: Australias Road To Final, Dominant And Destructive
T20 World Cup: Australia's pursuit of another global title has followed a familiar script: clinical, composed and ruthlessly efficient. The six-time champions have once again underlined why they remain the benchmark in women's T20 cricket, navigating the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 without a defeat to book their place in an eighth final. Whether it has been explosive batting, relentless bowling or experienced campaigners delivering under pressure, Australia have found different match-winners at every turn. Now, with England standing between them and a seventh Women's T20 World Cup crown, Australia arrive at Lord's carrying the momentum of six successive victories and a squad that has looked increasingly formidable as the tournament has progressed. A commanding start against South Africa Australia opened their campaign with an emphatic statement against the 2024 runners-up, overpowering South Africa in all three departments. Phoebe Litchfield injected early momentum with a blistering half-century off just 24 balls, while Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham chipped in with valuable contributions to lift Australia to 172/8. The bowlers then took complete control. Georgia Wareham starred with figures of 3/13, while Sophie Molineux and Alana King struck twice each as South Africa were bundled out for just 107, despite Laura Wolvaardt's fighting 44. Bowlers dismantle Bangladesh Australia barely eased off in their second outing. Kim Garth and Sophie Molineux ripped through Bangladesh's top order, ensuring the Asian side never recovered from the early blows. Restricted to just 77/8, Bangladesh offered little resistance, with only captain Nigar Sultana and Ritu Moni reaching double figures. The chase proved little more than a formality. Georgia Voll's unbeaten 45 guided Australia home inside 10 overs, while Perry's all-round contribution earned her the Player of the Match award. Batters rewrite the record books against Netherlands Against tournament debutants Netherlands, Australia's batting unit shifted into top gear. Beth Mooney produced a classy 74, Ashleigh Gardner added a powerful 58 and Wareham supplied the finishing flourish as Australia amassed 219/6the joint-highest total in Women's T20 World Cup history, matching England's record set earlier in the tournament. The Dutch showed admirable resilience through Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis, whose century partnership prevented a collapse, but the target proved well beyond reach as Australia secured another convincing victory. Perry powers another dominant win Pakistan briefly sensed an opening after removing Beth Mooney from the very first ball of the innings. Australia responded in trademark fashion. Ellyse Perry steadied the innings with a commanding 71, sharing a century stand with Georgia Voll to put Australia firmly back in control before Nicola Carey and Annabel Sutherland accelerated late to push the total close to 200. The bowlers ensured there would be no contest. Perry, Sutherland and Sophie Molineux collected three wickets apiece as Pakistan folded for just 86, handing Australia a comprehensive 113-run victory. Experience shines through against India Australia finally encountered genuine resistance in their final league fixture. India, needing victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive, posted a competitive 170/4 after valuable contributions from Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and a late assault from Harmanpreet Kaur. Australia's reply was equally challenging. Reduced to 68/3 midway through the innings, the six-time champions briefly found themselves under pressure. That was when experience took over. Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner stitched together a match-winning century partnership, calmly dismantling India's hopes as Australia completed the chase with six wickets in hand. The result not only secured a perfect group-stage record but also eliminated India from the tournament. Clinical in the semi-final challenger against West Indies Australia raised their standards once more in the semi-final against West Indies. After opting to bowl, they never allowed the Caribbean batters to dictate terms. Hayley Matthews top-scored with 30, while Deandra Dottin provided late impetus despite an injury concern, but Australia's disciplined attack restricted West Indies to 125/7 Gardner broke the backbone of the innings with a decisive two-wicket over, while Wareham and Molineux chipped in with two wickets each. The chase reflected Australia's authority. Beth Mooney anchored proceedings with an unbeaten 61 before Gardner's brisk cameo ensured the target was overhauled with ease, sealing an eight-wicket victory and another place in a World Cup final. A campaign built on collective excellence Australia's unbeaten run has been driven less by individual brilliance than by the remarkable depth within their squad. Perry has repeatedly delivered when the team has needed stability, Gardner has influenced games with both bat and ball, Mooney has anchored crucial chases, Wareham and Molineux have spearheaded the bowling attack, while Litchfield, Voll, Garth, Sutherland and King have all stepped up at key moments. Australia's unbeaten run has been driven less by individual brilliance than by the remarkable depth within their squad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now, only England remain. At Lord's, the tournament's most successful side will chase yet another chapter in an already glittering legacy, aiming to lift a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup trophy. Article Source: IANS
Anvita Khammam Aces: Anvita Khammam Aces took a significant step towards confirming their place in the Playoffs of the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 after clinching a five-wicket win against Ranga Reddy Risers in the first match on Saturday. The win pushes Aces to third place on the points table. Skipper CV Milind led the way as he bagged three wickets in the first innings to restrict Risers to 147/9. He also played a significant role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 29 off 21 balls to guide his side over the finish line after vice-captain Himateja Kodimela laid the platform for the chase with a 28-ball 45. With this result, the Aces ensured that their destiny for the playoff spot remained in their hands. Returning to the side, Aces captain CV Milind instantly made his presence felt as he dismissed Aaron George (4 off 2) in the second ball of the contest. Gnana Prakash Reddy delivered the counterpunch, scoring 15 runs in the third over, to help Risers get back on track. He played the aggressor in the partnership alongside Avanish Rao. The latter fell after scoring a subdued 12 off 10, with Harshith Sai getting the better of him and conceding a solitary run in the fifth over. With Risers in a spot of bother at 38/2, Gnana Prakash and Aditya Javvaji stabilised the innings as they stitched together a 39-run stand. The pair rotated strike and capitalised on the loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking before 16-year-old Ved Reddy dismissed Gnana Prakash in the tenth over, bringing an end to his 25-ball 36. Shaik Azhar also chipped in to get rid of Raghava Pattapu (2 off 4) in the following over to have Risers reeling at 82/4. They once again had to bide their time to rebuild the innings with Aditya and Tanay Thyagarajann at the crease. The pair dragged their side past the three-figure mark in the thirteenth over as they looked to set the platform for a big finish. Unfortunately for Risers, they werent able to provide the fireworks at the backend of the innings. Adityas well-constructed 43 off 37 balls was halted by Ved Reddy, who bagged his second wicket of the contest in the fifteenth over, triggering a collapse for the batting side. Apart from Tanays 14 off 11 and Nitin Sai Yadavs 19 off 16, no other batter in the lower order managed to score in double digits. The highlight of the innings came when the latter was dismissed courtesy a spectacular catch from Mickil Jaiswal, who plucked a one-handed blinder at long-off. As a result, Risers only scored 31 runs in the last five overs. CV Milind proved to be the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/34, while Harshith and Ved Reddy bagged a couple of wickets each, restricting Risers to 147/9. It was a tricky start to the run chase as Aces lost three wickets in the powerplay. Wafi Kachchhi (4 off 8) was the first to fall, dismissed by Aryan Cariappa in the second over. Despite the setback, Prateek Reddy and G Sai Krishna Reddy continued to play on the front foot, scoring 17 runs off the following over. Risers struck back with twin strikes as T Arun Kumar and Sacheit Binjrajka dismissed Sai Krishna Reddy (17 off 7) and Prateek Reddy (14 off 11) respectively. However, Risers glimmer of hope was quickly wiped out by Himateja and Mickil. It was a tricky start to the run chase as Aces lost three wickets in the powerplay. Wafi Kachchhi (4 off 8) was the first to fall, dismissed by Aryan Cariappa in the second over. Despite the setback, Prateek Reddy and G Sai Krishna Reddy continued to play on the front foot, scoring 17 runs off the following over. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Aces had a shaky resumption as T Arun Kumar cleaned up Himateja immediately after the restart, breaking the 72-run stand. The district bowler bagged his third wicket as he got the better of Mickil in the fifteenth over. His efforts eventually went in vain as Milind and Sahendra Mallu (4* off 7) knocked the ball around and comfortably got Aces over the line with 17 balls to spare. Article Source: IANS
Sai Sudharsan Hits Magnificent 168 As India A Take 175-run Lead Against Sri Lanka A
While Devdutt Padikkal: A masterful 168 by left-handed batter B Sai Sudharsan helped India A take a commanding 175-run first-innings lead against Sri Lanka A on day three of the second unofficial Test here on Saturday. Resuming the day from an overnight score of 104 not out, Sudharsan anchored the innings with supreme confidence to guide India A to a massive 541/8 in 142 overs at stumps, in response to the hosts' first-innings total of 366. The morning session brought mixed fortunes for India A. While Devdutt Padikkal departed without adding to his overnight score of 94, Ruturaj Gaikwad was forced to retire hurt on 13. Nevertheless, Sudharsan continued his fine run, and was well-supported by captain, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (53 off 88 balls, six boundaries) and Shaik Rasheed (45 off 51 balls, five boundaries) to keep the visitors firmly on front foot. Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera provided the breakthroughs for the hosts - trapping Jurel lbw before finally ending Sudharsans marathon stay worth 267 balls at the crease, laced with 22 boundaries and now his career-best score in India A colours. Medium-pacer Keshara Nuwantha was the most successful bowler, picking up 4-158 from a grueling 50 overs, which included the dismissals of Padikkal, Rasheed, and Gurnoor Brar. Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera provided the breakthroughs for the hosts - trapping Jurel lbw before finally ending Sudharsans marathon stay worth 267 balls at the crease, laced with 22 boundaries and now his career-best score in India A colours. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Sri Lanka A 366 trail India A 541/8 in 142 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94; Keshara Nuwantha 4-158, Dilum Sudeera 3-101) by 175 runs Article Source: IANS
India bat first and hand Sooryavanshi his debut in Manchester
England brought back Jora Archer to their eleven and handed Josh Tongue his debut in white-ball internationals
ENG-W vs AUS-W Final, Cricket Tips :After a month-long intense cricket season, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will host its final game. Australia Women and England Women have reached the final stage. The final will kick off on Sunday at Lord's Cricket Ground at 8 PM IST. This match will decide which team will lift the title. Australia have been exceptional on the field, and they have managed to record clinical wins even against tough oppositions. They are flying high and they will win their seventh title. For England, they need to do well on the day, and history awaits them. ENG-W vs AUS-W: Match Details Date : July 05, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 8 PM IST Venue : Lords Cricket Ground, London ENG-W vs AUS-W Live Streaming Details The final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be televised on the Star Sports Networks in India. The live stream of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG-W vs AUS-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 45 England Women : 20 Australia Women : 22 No-Result: 03 ENG-W vs AUS-W: Ground Pitch Report Lord's Cricket Ground has a good batting wicket. Early on, there will be some zip for the fast bowlers. The batting conditions will be tough for the first few overs, which will settle down with time. That might make chasing a better option on the day. ENG-W vs AUS-W Possible XIs ENG-W : Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Heather Knight, Alice Capsey, Freya Kemp, Charlie Dean, Danielle Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell AUS-W : Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Ash Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton ENG-W vs AUS-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Nat Sciver-Brunt made his comeback with a match-winning knock. Being a captain, she will be a big wicket. For Australia, Ellyse Perry has been fantastic, and she is the player in form. Probable Best Bowler Captain Sophie Molineux has led Australia from the front and taken crucial wickets for her team. For England, stand-in captain Charlie Dean has been in wicket-taking form this edition. Today Match Prediction : England have a good chance in home conditions, but Australia are better suited with form and momentum. Hence, we predict Australia women to win this game. ENG-W vs AUS-W Match Final ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, ENG-W vs AUS-W 2026 Prediction, ENG-W vs AUS-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ENG-W vs AUS-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your prediction.
2nd T20I: Sooryavanshi Makes Debut As India Opt To Bat Against England
Speedster Jofra Archer: India won the toss and elected to bat against England in the second T20I of the five-match series at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday. India marked a historic occasion ahead of the game, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi receiving his maiden T20I cap from Tilak Varma to become the youngest debutant in T20I history. After a rain-hit opener denied fans a result, both sides will be eager to finally get meaningful game time. Although the contest in Durham never progressed beyond India's innings, there were enough positives for the visitors to take forward. Abhishek Sharma continued his fearless approach at the top with another explosive half-century, while Shreyas Iyer settled in with a composed fifty that should give him plenty of confidence heading into the remainder of the series. India's team combination also drew attention in the series opener, as they opted for a spin-heavy attack featuring three specialist spinners. Whether they persist with that strategy or strengthen the pace department remains one of the key talking points ahead of the second T20I. England, meanwhile, have made two changes to their XI. Speedster Jofra Archer returns after sitting out the opening game, while Josh Tongue is set to make his T20I debut, adding another exciting fast-bowling option to the hosts' attack. Old Trafford has earned a reputation for producing high-scoring encounters, most notably when England became the first Full Member nation to cross the 300-run mark in a T20I at this venue. However, with overcast skies once again hovering above Manchester and a fresh surface in use, both teams will be waiting to see whether the conditions favour another run-fest or offer something for the bowlers before the toss takes centre stage. Winning the toss, India skipper Shreyas Iyer said, We'll bat first again. We've got one change. Vaibhav comes in for Sanju. Absolutely... you've seen him in last few months, the way he's been batting. Not really. I feel that he completely deserves to be in the squad. He's someone who doesn't take pressure at all. Has an unflinching nature. He's very well aware of what's going to come in these coming matches. The way he bats in the nets and takes on the bowlers, shows what kind of player he is. You see the competition, it's game after game - the amount of talent India produces is pleasing to the eye. Keeps us on the toes. Pressure is a privilege I feel. Meanwhile, England captain Harry Brook said, Would've had a bat as well. Was an awesome day that. Unfortunately we're not going to be able to do that again unless we chase down 300. Happy with the selections. Joff coming back in - strong player for us. Tongue has been knocking the door down. They're both very skillful bowlers and have extremely good slower balls. Also the ability to nail the yorkers. Yeah we've done a little bit of homework with Vaibhav. Playing XIs: Meanwhile, England captain Harry Brook said, Would've had a bat as well. Was an awesome day that. Unfortunately we're not going to be able to do that again unless we chase down 300. Happy with the selections. Joff coming back in - strong player for us. Tongue has been knocking the door down. They're both very skillful bowlers and have extremely good slower balls. Also the ability to nail the yorkers. Yeah we've done a little bit of homework with Vaibhav. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy Article Source: IANS
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes Youngest-ever T20I Debutant, Breaks Sachins Record
Indian Premier League: Indian cricket welcomed a new record-holder on Saturday as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent the country in T20 Internationals. The 15-year-old was handed his maiden India cap ahead of the second T20I against England in Manchester, marking another remarkable milestone in his meteoric rise. At just 15 years, 3 months and 7 days, the left-handed opener from Bihar surpassed Shafali Verma to become India's youngest international debutant. His selection is the latest reward for a breakthrough year that has transformed him from a promising teenager into one of the country's most exciting young cricketers. Sooryavanshi forced his way into national contention with a sensational Indian Premier League campaign for Rajasthan Royals. The teenage opener amassed 776 runs in 16 matches, registering a century and five half-centuries while dominating bowling attacks with fearless strokeplay. His power-hitting also saw him eclipse Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, underlining his ability to change the course of a game within a few overs. His extraordinary season earned unprecedented recognition as he became the first player in IPL history to claim both the Most Valuable Player and Best Emerging Player awards in the same edition. India's chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, had admitted that the youngster's performances made him impossible to ignore. Highlighting his match-winning ability and composure under pressure, Agarkar had said Sooryavanshi had almost carried Rajasthan Royals during the latter stages of the tournament and described him as a genuine game-changer with a bright future. He added that the teenager had picked himself through the weight of his performances. His extraordinary season earned unprecedented recognition as he became the first player in IPL history to claim both the Most Valuable Player and Best Emerging Player awards in the same edition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now wearing India colours for the first time, Sooryavanshi begins the next chapter of an already extraordinary journey, with expectations high that the teenage sensation can translate his domestic and franchise success onto the international stage. Article Source: IANS
India A grow lead after Sai Sudharsan hits 168
Gaikwad retired hurt on 13 but India A zoomed ahead on day three in Galle
Womens T20 WC: Englands March To Final, Unbeaten And Unshaken
T20 World Cup: Englands unbeaten march has carried them to the doorstep of history. On Sunday at Lords, the inaugural champions will face six-time title winners Australia in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 final, seeking to preserve a remarkable record that stretches across every womens World Cup they have hosted. What makes Englands campaign stand out is not simply the six victories on the bounce, but the variety with which they have arrived at the title clash. Record-breaking batting displays, disciplined bowling performances, recoveries from difficult positions and contributions from almost every corner of the squad have underlined a tournament in which they have rarely looked out of control. A statement on opening night against Sri Lanka England wasted no time announcing themselves as contenders. In the tournament opener against Sri Lanka, they rewrote the record books by posting 219/1, the highest team total in Women's T20 World Cup history. The innings belonged to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who produced an unbeaten 105 from 62 deliveries to register the first century of the tournament. Amy Jones added a fluent half-century, while captain Nat Sciver-Brunt provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 46. Sri Lanka never recovered from the assault. Freya Kemp ripped through the batting order with figures of 4/22 as England wrapped up an emphatic 87-run victory to begin their campaign in ideal fashion. Bowlers take charge against Ireland England's second win came through a different route. Rather than overpowering opponents with the bat, they strangled Ireland through disciplined bowling. Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean dictated the contest by limiting Ireland to 118/9. Ecclestone claimed three wickets while Dean's economical spell ensured there was never any sustained momentum for the Irish batting unit. The chase briefly threatened to become complicated after England lost regular wickets, with Sciver-Brunt even being retired out on 48. Nevertheless, the hosts completed the chase comfortably with four wickets in hand and more than two overs remaining. Responding under pressure versus Scotland For the first time in the tournament, England suffered an early setback when Amy Jones departed off the opening delivery against Scotland. The wobble barely lasted. Sophia Dunkley counter-attacked with a sparkling 57 from just 37 balls, while Alice Capsey's aggressive 40 shifted the momentum completely. Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson then added valuable late runs to carry England to 200/5. Scotland never truly threatened the target as Ecclestone once again showcased her consistency, helping restrict them to 162/7 and sealing another comfortable victory. Middle order answers West Indies challenge West Indies posed one of England's sternest tests in the group stage after reducing the hosts to 38/2. Once again, England found solutions. Wyatt-Hodge anchored the recovery with another half-century before Heather Knight accelerated in the closing overs with an enterprising 43 to push the total to 186/7. England's bowlers ensured the chase never gathered momentum. Despite Chinelle Henry's unbeaten fifty, West Indies were kept to 148/5, giving England a fourth successive win and virtually confirming their place in the knockout stage. Clinical finish against New Zealand With New Zealand needing victory to keep their title defence alive, England produced arguably their most complete performance of the league phase. The White Ferns began brightly through Melie Kerr and Isabella Gaze before England's bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse, removing three batters in the space of four deliveries without conceding a run. Set 164, England made the chase look routine. Wyatt-Hodge continued her outstanding tournament with a commanding 89 as the hosts romped home by nine wickets with 16 balls remaining, completing a flawless group stage. Character on display in the semi-final against South Africa England's toughest examination arrived in the semi-final against South Africa. The innings could hardly have begun worse. Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail dismantled the top order, reducing England to 23/3 inside the opening exchanges. What followed was the defining partnership of their campaign. Returning from a calf injury, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt joined forces with Heather Knight to produce a magnificent 133-run stand, the highest partnership in Women's T20 World Cup history. Sciver-Brunt led from the front with 75, while Knight's composed 58 transformed England from early trouble to a competitive 169/5. South Africa made a positive start through Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, but England's bowling unit steadily tightened the screws. Charlie Dean and Lauren Bell struck twice apiece, while the attack collectively denied South Africa any sustained momentum, restricting them to 129/8 and securing a 40-run victory. A campaign built on depth While Wyatt-Hodge has emerged as England's standout performer with a century and multiple match-winning knocks, the journey to the final has been far from a one-player show. Sciver-Brunt has delivered captain's innings under pressure, Knight has rescued England when required, Ecclestone has remained the leader of the bowling attack, while Dean, Kemp, Bell, Dunkley, Capsey and Gibson have all made decisive contributions at different stages. While Wyatt-Hodge has emerged as England's standout performer with a century and multiple match-winning knocks, the journey to the final has been far from a one-player show. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now only Australia stand between the hosts and a second Women's T20 World Cup crown. England arrive at Lord's unbeaten, confident and carrying the weight of an extraordinary home record that has survived every Women's World Cup played on English soil. One final victory would make this campaign one of their finest yet. Article Source: IANS
'We Know The Job Isnt Done Yet', Says Patil Ahead Of Maharaja Trophy's High-stakes Bengaluru Leg
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Ahead of the commencement of high-stakes Bengaluru leg of Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, Bengaluru Blasters batter Rohan Patil has cautioned his team against complacency, stating that the job isnt done yet despite securing the pole position in the points table and sealing a playoffs spot. The marquee tournament shifts to the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, starting from the double header on Sunday. While the Blasters have the top spot in firm hand, a fierce battle lies ahead for the remaining five franchises, who are separated by a mere two points in the race for the final three playoff berths. Weve been playing really good cricket as a team. Weve found ourselves in a few close situations this season, but weve consistently found a way to get over the line, which says a lot about the character of the group. Finishing at the top of the table gives us the added advantage of an extra opportunity to reach the final, but we know the job isnt done yet and well stay focused on whats ahead, Patil, who has amassed 269 runs in eight innings, said in a statement on Saturday. The crucial Bengaluru leg kicks off the afternoon fixture at 2pm seeing the Blasters clash with Mysore Warriors, followed by a night game at 7:30pm between Shivamogga Yodhas and Hubli Tigers. Mysore Warriors enter the capital city on the back of consecutive victories. Highlighting the collective team effort, their star all-rounder Ritesh Bhatkal, who has contributed 214 runs and eight wickets, said, We're pleased to have finished the Hubballi leg on a strong note. I think we're definitely peaking at the right time in the tournament. Whenever I've contributed with the bat, it's been about building important partnerships, and with the ball, it's been possible because the entire bowling unit has consistently been among the wickets. That creates pressure from both ends and gives everyone the opportunity to make an impact. Meanwhile, current Orange Cap holder and Shivamogga Yodhas vice-captain Luvnith Sisodia (278 runs) talked about the influence of the added leadership responsibilities he has taken up this season. Ive been feeling good with my batting, and this season Ive taken on more responsibility within the team as Vice-Captain. My focus has been on batting according to the situation and taking the game deep, because I know I have the ability to accelerate at any stage of the innings. Im pleased to be contributing with runs, but more importantly, were in a good position as a team. Our immediate focus is on securing qualifications, and then well take it one game at a time, he said. Ive been feeling good with my batting, and this season Ive taken on more responsibility within the team as Vice-Captain. My focus has been on batting according to the situation and taking the game deep, because I know I have the ability to accelerate at any stage of the innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Purple Cap isnt on my mind. My focus is on doing my job and helping the team win. If that results in the Purple Cap, itll be a bonus. The morale in the camp is high, and every setback has made us stronger. Well take the learnings from the Hubballi leg and look to put on an even better show in Bengaluru, said Gopal. Article Source: IANS
'I Wasn't Happy When Virat Retired From Test Cricket': Kapil Dev On Kohli's Shock Decision
Kapil Dev: Former India captain Kapil Dev admitted he was 'not happy' with Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket, saying the batting great still possessed the ability to succeed in the longest format and could have fought his way back into the side if required. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 14-year red-ball career in which he scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries. India's most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches, Kohli stepped away from the format ahead of the England tour, saying he had given everything to Test cricket. Reflecting on Kohli's decision, Kapil said he would have preferred the former India captain to continue playing. I wasn't happy when he retired from Test cricket. It's not about 10,000 runs or any milestone. I felt that if he had stayed away from reacting in anger for six months, there was every chance he would have played for India again, Kapil told Sports Tak. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain suggested Kohli should have remained patient even if he faced setbacks. If the selectors didn't pick him, it's okay. If the captain didn't pick him, it's okay. Go back, work hard, score runs in domestic cricket or wherever you play. He would have come back because he still has the ability of a Test match player, he added. Kapil also drew comparisons between Kohli's intensely competitive personality and tennis legend John McEnroe, saying some athletes thrive on emotion and confrontation. He had that ability, though sometimes he got a little too enthusiastic. Looking at Virat, I remember John McEnroe. Until he fought, he couldn't produce his best performance, he said, Some players, like Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin, keep their heads down and let their performances do the talking. But some players take up challenges. That's why I mentioned McEnroe. He was always fighting with the referee. I could never do that, but it was fascinating to watch, he added. Kapil acknowledged that while Kohli's aggression occasionally appeared excessive from the outside, it may have been central to the former captain's success. Some players, like Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin, keep their heads down and let their performances do the talking. But some players take up challenges. That's why I mentioned McEnroe. He was always fighting with the referee. I could never do that, but it was fascinating to watch, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, despite taking retirement from Test and T2OIs, Kohli still plays ODIs for India and is expected to play a crucial role in the team's mission to clinch the World Cup 2027 trophy. Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: Struggling to break into Delhi's competitive cricket circuit, flamboyant India batter Sanju Samson on Saturday revealed how a sudden, life-changing decision was made by his father Viswanathan to shift the entire family to Kerala, which later turned out to be the turning point of his eventual cricketing career. Samson had a breakthrough time by hitting three consecutive fifties to take India to T20 World Cup glory at home earlier this year and became Player of the Tournament. But Samson hasnt been at his best of late making five and zero in the series defeat to Ireland and posting just one in the abandoned T20I against England in Durham. Samson, though, will be backed to find his rhythm when India take on England in the second T20I at Old Trafford on Saturday. Back in school, I used to see friends wear the DDCA jacket and talk about playing for the state cricket team of Delhi. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi too. I went for trials, attended state camps, and scored runs. Two or three times I made it to the camp but never got a breakthrough into the state team. The competition was tough. Then one day, the team list was announced after my trials had ended. My name was not there. We returned home in silence. As soon as we reached home, my father told my mother, 'We will have to move to Kerala. We are shifting.' My mother said, 'The kids are only in 6th standard. Let them complete 10th.' My father said, 'No, we have to go now. Pack your things. I am booking tickets in three days.' He took that decision instantly. I remember, we all boarded the train. Then we reached Kerala and I started playing for Kerala. That is how my cricket journey for the Kerala State team began, said Samson on JioStar's show 'Superstars'. He also recalled how he began to have a love for cricket while growing up in the police colony in GTB Nagar. Delhi has played a very big role in my life, to be very honest. My life started in Delhi. My father was in the Delhi Police football team. He used to go for practice in the morning and evening. From that time, I developed a love for sports. I felt that yes, I want to become a sportsman one day. I used to live in the police quarters. There, cricket used to be played everywhere. So automatically, cricket attracted me from childhood. I used to gather my friends and we would play in the middle of the road in the police colony, with quarters on both sides. We would put up stumps and play there. It started from proper gully cricket, with a tennis ball. We had our own rule. My father also saw that I was enjoying cricket. He never tried to push me into football. He used to take us to play football, and we still play it, but he thought that cricket has a good future. He told me, 'I saw you batting and I felt that you have talent.' So, he made me and my brother play cricket instead of football. He further shared a fond memory of seeing a rare practice session at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla), arranged courtesy of his father being on police duty. It is a very special memory. As kids, we used to go to academies and practice in schools. One day, my father said that he would take me to Feroz Shah Kotla for practice. We would put up stumps and play there. It started from proper gully cricket, with a tennis ball. We had our own rule. My father also saw that I was enjoying cricket. He never tried to push me into football. He used to take us to play football, and we still play it, but he thought that cricket has a good future. He told me, 'I saw you batting and I felt that you have talent.' So, he made me and my brother play cricket instead of football. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, my brother, my father, and I practiced together in the nets for an hour. I don't know, it must have been a big blessing. I don't know how my father managed it, but nowadays they don't allow such things. Maybe because my father was on duty, it happened. Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: When And Where To Watch AUS Vs England Final, Know All Details
Star Sports Network TV: Arch-rivals England and Australia are set to battle for ultimate glory in the final of the 2026ICC Womens T20 World Cup at the historic Lords Cricket Ground on Sunday. The high-stakes encounter marks the fourth time these two cricketing powerhouses will contest the tournament's summit clash, having previously met in the 2012, 2014, and 2018 finals all won by Australia. Six-time champions Australia enter the title decider as firm favourites after maintaining a flawless tournament record with six consecutive victories. Led by Sophie Molineux, who took over the captaincy following Alyssa Healys retirement in March, Australia entered the final with a commanding eight-wicket win over the West Indies at The Oval. Australias phenomenal squad depth has been their biggest asset, featuring multiple match-winners like Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, and Georgia Wareham. Meanwhile, hosts England earned their place in the final after defeating South Africa by 40 runs in their semi-final fixture at The Oval. The Nat Sciver-Brunt-led side are aiming to capture their second T20 World Cup crown, and repeat their historic triumph from the inaugural edition at this very venue back in 2009. Under a revamped coaching setup led by Charlotte Edwards, this refreshed England lineup looks to break a three-year jinx against Australia, who have dominated recent head-to-head encounters with eight successive wins across formats. Beyond the intense on-field cricketing action, the final of the 10th edition of the tournament will feature a star-studded closing ceremony. Global music icons Rita Ora and Clean Bandit are scheduled to perform at the venue and add entertainment value to the massive sporting spectacle. When: Sunday, July 5, 7:00 PM IST Where: Lords Cricket Ground, London Where to watch: The title clash will be shown live on Star Sports Network TV channels and will be live-streamed on JioHotstar website and app. Squads Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham and Tahlia Wilson (travelling reserve). Squads Also Read: Live Cricket Score On-Field: Jacquline Williams & Vrinda Rathi. Third Umpire: Kim Cotton. Fourth Umpire: Nimali Perera. Match Referee: GS Lakshmi Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: Unbeaten Heavyweights Australia And England Clash For Ultimate Glory At Lord's
T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals Australia and England will lock horns in a clash of unbeaten teams when cricket's most celebrated rivalry takes centrestage in the final of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday. The title clash has all the ingredients to deliver a blockbuster finale and decide the winner of the 12-team tournament. Six-time champions Australia are gunning for their seventh title and standing on the cusp of a milestone 150th womens T20I victory. They have historically dominated England in global tournament finals, emerging victorious in all three of their previous T20 World Cup final encounters in 2012, 2014, and 2018. Australia have won six of their last eight T20Is against England, including in their last three consecutive meetings. But England, the hosts and 2009 winners, will lean on their immaculate record at the 'Home of Cricket'. England boast a perfect four-from-four T20I record at Lord's, a streak that includes their maiden T20 World Cup triumph back in 2009. Australia's primary concern revolves around the fitness of veteran seam-bowling all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who sustained a quad injury during their semi-final victory over the West Indies. Head coach Shelley Nitschke hinted that the management's tolerance for playing a partially fit Ellyse remains high given what is at stake. Australia will also rely heavily on leg-spin bowling all-rounder Georgia Wareham, who has been their standout impact player in the tournament with a blistering batting strike rate of 182.22 alongside picking seven crucial wickets. England look equally formidable following the successful return of skipper Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who smashed a match-winning 75 in the semi-final against South Africa after recovering from a calf issue. Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge is in roaring form, having amassed 294 runs so far, the most for any player in a single edition of the tournament. With both in peak form, Sunday's clash promises to be a thrilling tactical battle at a venue where England previously scored 186 against the West Indies and emerged victorious, while Australia pulled off a record run-chase against India here last week. Squads- With both in peak form, Sunday's clash promises to be a thrilling tactical battle at a venue where England previously scored 186 against the West Indies and emerged victorious, while Australia pulled off a record run-chase against India here last week. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge Article Source: IANS
ICC Women's Chief Pradhan Hails 'Outstanding' World Cup Standard
England and Australia may be into the T20 World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday but the performances of emerging nations have led the global head of the women's game to hail the outstanding cricket on display at the whole tournament. Concerns were raised about whether the women's game had the depth to cope with an event expanded from 10 teams to 12. But the likes of Scotland, who thrashed Ireland by 40 runs, have more than played their part. The Scots challenged several established teams and almost defeated Sri Lanka, while Ireland ended a 12-year wait for a maiden World Cup win by beating the West Indies, the 2016 champions. I think it's been outstanding in terms of the standard of cricket that we've seen, Snehal Pradhan, the International Cricket Council's manager of women's cricket, told AFP in an interview. The number of scores well above the 150-160 mark are a mark of an entertaining tournament. And some of those scores are being chased down -- you're not just having one team putting up a big score and the other team falling short. We've seen that even from the likes of Scotland, who have relied on their lower order to be able to get them scores of more than 150-160. Title-holders New Zealand and 50-over world champions both failed to reach the semi-finals, with former India seamer Pradhan saying that was a sign of the overall competitive levels of the tournament. A crowd of some 27,000 witnessed last week's double-header at Lord's, where South Africa just snuck past Bangladesh before Australia knocked India out of the tournament. Another capacity attendance is expected at the 'Home of Cricket' for Sunday's final. I'm almost sad that we don't have grounds here that are bigger than maybe the 27,000 capacity we've seen at Lord's, which has been the highest so far, because I feel some of these matches would have gone more than the 27,000 that showed up, said Pradhan. This tournament has also witnessed the return of several players who had previously retired from international duty, notably South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who featured in the Proteas semi-final loss to England. - 'Game-changing' - Pradhan, citing the importance of equal prize money at ICC's men's and women's tournaments, said: Prize-money parity at our events in the last few years has been game-changing. Maybe it's a factor in a few stars returning to the international game after having retired? Away from the World Cup, cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time in over a hundred years with men's and women's T20 medals up for grabs at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles -- something Pradhan believes is vital to the sport's global expansion beyond established nations once part of the British Empire. It's not just about the six teams who will be there, but the fact the entire ecosystem now has access to Olympic solidarity programmes is a huge boost in terms of being able to access funding that did not exist before, she said. But West Indies captain Hayley Matthews lamented an unfair funding ecosystem following her cash-strapped side's eight-wicket semi-final thrashing by Australia, home to the Women's Big Bash League and long a sporting and financial powerhouse of the women's game. The reason we were so successful back in 2012 to 2016 is because women's cricket was based off pure talent at that time, said Matthews. The minute that investment comes into the picture, we've seen the gap widen a lot...I feel like it's a bit unfair sometimes. I saw those comments, Will Glenwright, the ICC's head of global development, told AFP. I think the one truth that is perpetual is there's never enough money -- the members are always crying out for more. Our role, I think, in addition to trying to maximise the amount of money we give to the members, is also reducing their reliance on ICC income. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So we work with them to either access more funding from governments, build their commercial capability and get more money from partners and sponsors.
'Sooryavanshi Will Do Wonders For India, Don't Pressurise Him': Chaminda Vaas
Former Sri Lanka: Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, currently serving as the official mentor of the Palamuru Strikers in the Telangana T20 League (TG20), believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has all the ingredients to enjoy a successful international career but urged fans and experts not to burden the 15-year-old with unrealistic expectations. Speaking to IANS, Vaas said India has consistently produced world-class young cricketers over the years and expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi will eventually establish himself in the national side if allowed to develop naturally. Well, India has produced so many young talent over so many years. And this new sensation, Sooryavanshi, is still young, and I am sure he will get the opportunity to play for India and do well, but one thing I will ask of the people is that he is still young and not to pressurise him, and I am sure he will do wonders for Indian cricket. Sooryavanshi, who grabbed headlines by amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 to bag the Player-of-the-Tournament honour in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, is currently eyeing a much-anticipated international debut for India in the ongoing five-match T201 series against England. Sooryavanshi was unused in Ireland, as India suffered a shock 2-0 series loss. Vaas also lauded the TG20, saying tournaments of this nature are crucial in identifying and nurturing young talent while providing aspiring cricketers with a pathway to the IPL and eventually the Indian team. Hyderabad Cricket Association organizing the first Telangana T20 is good for the youngsters, and theres so much potential I can see with all the teams. Especially if you take Palamuru Strikers, there are quite a few youngsters coming through the ladder, and Im really pleased with their performance, but even though as a team we didnt perform, there are a few individuals striking really well, He said. Vaas also lauded the TG20, saying tournaments of this nature are crucial in identifying and nurturing young talent while providing aspiring cricketers with a pathway to the IPL and eventually the Indian team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Indian cricket has done a great job for youngsters, and not only in Hyderabad, I think every state they organize a T20 tournament and give so much exposure, so much opportunity, as well as the experience to get into IPL, and thats how most of the cricketers have come up. And its really good to see the youngsters are stepping into the next level, he added. Article Source: IANS
Nandani, Charani called up for England Test; Renuka, Bhatia back
Anushka and Deol to lead India A in T20s and One-dayers, respectively, against England A
'Iyers Knock In 1st T20I Was A Masterclass In Reading The Situation, Says Patel
Emirates Old Trafford: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes Shreyas Iyer silenced his critics with a composed captains knock in the rain-abandoned first T20I against England, saying the innings showcased his maturity and ability to adapt to the match situation. Leading the side in the series opener at Chester-le-Street, Iyer struck 68 off 47 deliveries to anchor Indias innings after the visitors were reduced to 6/2 inside the first two overs. His knock, along with Abhishek Sharmas explosive 59 off just 24 balls and Shivam Dubes unbeaten 42 off 21 deliveries, helped India recover to post a competitive 189/7. However, persistent rain after the completion of Indias innings prevented England from beginning their chase, forcing the match to be abandoned without a result. Reflecting on Iyers innings, Parthiv said the India skipper displayed excellent awareness by complementing Abhisheks aggressive approach instead of looking for big hits himself. Those raising questions over Shreyas Iyer would have felt a lot more relieved after this innings. As a player, Shreyas Iyer doesnt have to worry about anything. Hes a proven performer in this format. It was a very important innings because India had lost two early wickets, while at the other end, Abhishek Sharma was batting quite aggressively. So, Shreyas had to play the second fiddle rather than rely too much on hitting sixes, which is something every Indian player is so used to from playing in the IPL, Parthiv told Jio Hotstar. You have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. Thats something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland, he added. Patel also felt Indias batting display was an important step forward after an inconsistent start to the tour during the two T20Is against Ireland, saying the innings showed the teams ability to adapt to different conditions. You have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. Thats something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India and England will now clash in Manchester in the second T20I at Emirates Old Trafford, with the five-match series still level after the rain washed out the opener. Article Source: IANS
LAKR climb to fourth after Powell takes Super Kings apart
Saiteja Mukkamalla's 80 set up a strong total for Texas Super Kings, but Rovman Powell's onslaught was too much for them to handle
West Indies hope new ball brings change of luck after Udara bosses first day
This is my third chance in Tests, so I thought I want to go big. I made it, so I'm really happy about that, Lahiru Udara says after scoring his first Test century
World Cup serves up Wimbledon dilemma: Football or tennis?
Despite Wimbledon's ban on broadcasting World Cup matches, football fever is palpable. Roars from Centre Court and No. 1 Court erupted during England's crucial equalizer, with fans and players alike glued to their phones. Organisers acknowledge they can't control everything, with tournament director Jamie Baker noting it creates light-hearted moments and doesn't impact the atmosphere. Players are also discussing the tournament, though some sensitive topics are avoided.
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Coco Gauff scrambled into the fourth round past fellow American Claire Liu; Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime continues to fly under the radar
Harmer and Cook help Essex hand out Hove thrashing
Eagles captain hits 46 off 17 balls to boost total before claiming two wickets and effecting a run-out
Stone holds nerve as Notts seal one-run win to stay top
Munsey continues hot streak with fifth half-century in six before Lancashire mess up run chase
Smale trail plots path for Glamorgan to win again
Sam Hain hits 63 not out from 46 but Warwickshire unable to knock home side off course in chase
Bairstow, Moeen gun down Durham as Yorkshire close on knockouts
Durham get off to flyer thanks to Alex Lees' 73 off 35 before stumbling, unable to defend 205-9
ENG vs IND 2nd T20I: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of Manchester Clash
ENG vs IND 2nd T20I,T20IApproaching Milestones and Records :The stage is set for another thrilling encounter between two top T20I sides. England cricket team and Indian cricket team will lock horns in the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday at 7 PM IST. The first game was washed out at Riverside Stadium after the first innings. Both teams will be aiming to get a win to get a lead in the series. Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer scored half-centuries in the first game, while Shivam Dube played yet another crucial knock. But other Indian batters struggled in these conditions. That will be a big challenge in this Manchester clash on Saturday. England had a good bowling display. They started well with two early wickets and then closed out the innings with not much to offer. They have announced a strong playing XI for the second game, and they will be expecting a good display from the team. Notably, it is a good scoring venue, and we can expect a high-scoring thriller. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the England vs India second T20I clash at Old Trafford in Manchester. ENG vs IND 2nd T20I: Approaching Test Records and T20ICricket Milestones Ahead of the ENG vs IND 2ndT20IatOld Trafford in Manchester 23 - Tilak Varma is just 23 runs away from completing 1500 T20I runs. He will be the 10th Indian to do so. 60 - Abhishek Sharma scored a 20-ball fifty in the first game. He needs 60 more runs to surpass Suresh Raina (1605) and become India's 8th highest scorer in T20Is. He will play his 50th T20I on Saturday. 2 - Adil Rashid needs two more wickets for surpassing Ish Sodhi (165) and becoming the second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is. 3 - Arshdeep Singh needs three more wickets to surpass Haris Rauf (133) and get into the top 15 wicket-takers in T20Is. 1 - Axar Patel is just one wicket away from becoming the fourth Indian bowler with 100 T20I wickets.5 - Jos Buttler needs five sixes to surpass Suryakumar Yadav (179) and become the batter with the fourth highest T20I sixes. 85 - Sanju Samson needs 85 runs to complete 85 international runs for India. 41 - Jos Buttler needs 41 more runs to complete 12500 international runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 1 - Adil Rashid needs one wicket to become England's fourth highest wicket-taker at the international level.
Hose, Raza get Rapids flowing before Kent collapse
Visitors blown away for 59 with Allison, Raza and Mir all taking two apiece
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Praveen Dubey's unbeaten 64 off 32 balls guided Bengaluru Blasters to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Hubli Tigers off the final ball of the match in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament in Hubballi on Friday. Chasing 197, the Blasters recovered from an early collapse before holding their nerve to register their seventh win of the season and assure themselves of the top spot in the playoffs. The Blasters were rocked early after slipping to 59/4 with two balls remaining in the powerplay as Shikhar Shetty and Vaibhav Sharma combined to put the chase on the back foot. Captain Shubhang Hegde (41 off 30) and Wahid Faizan Khan (25 off 18) steadied the innings with a crucial 39-run partnership before Dubey took charge with an unbeaten 64 off 32 balls, striking three fours and six sixes to seal victory dramatically. The victory consolidated the Blasters' position at the top of the table with 14 points from eight matches, while Hubli Tigers remained at the bottom with six points from eight outings. Earlier, Hubli Tigers posted a competitive 196/6 after recovering from a difficult start. Reduced to 82/5 in the 12th over, the Tigers rebuilt through a vital 70-run stand between Abhinav Manohar (35 off 18) and Shivkumar Rakshith (50 not out off 28). Manvanth Kumar also played an important unbeaten knock of 28 off 11 balls as the Tigers added valuable runs in the closing overs. The Tigers had earlier lost momentum despite a promising start from Kruthik Krishna (34 off 22) and Aneeshwar Gautam (31 off 18). Shubhang Hegde was the pick of the Bengaluru Blasters bowlers with figures of 2/24, while the rest of the attack chipped in to restrict further damage before the late surge. Earlier, Hubli Tigers posted a competitive 196/6 after recovering from a difficult start. Reduced to 82/5 in the 12th over, the Tigers rebuilt through a vital 70-run stand between Abhinav Manohar (35 off 18) and Shivkumar Rakshith (50 not out off 28). Manvanth Kumar also played an important unbeaten knock of 28 off 11 balls as the Tigers added valuable runs in the closing overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hubli Tigers 196/6 in 20 overs (Shivkumar Rakshith 50 not out, Kruthik Krishna 34, Abhinav Manohar 35; Shubhang Hegde 2/24) lost to Bengaluru Blasters 197/7 in 20 overs (Praveen Dubey 64 not out, Shubhang Hegde 41; Shikhar Shetty 3-19, Vaibhav Sharma 2-56 ) by three wickets Article Source: IANS
Dawkins hundred, Flintoff 79* as England U19s level series
Unbroken 191-run partnership sees South Africa comfortably overhauled
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Pakistan Spinner Abrar Is In A Fix As West Indies Tests Clash With The Hundred
West Indies Test: Pakistans mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is in a spin as his possible selection for the two-match Test series in the West Indies will hurt his chances to feature in The Hundred in the UK, where he was bought by an Indian owner, Sunrisers Leeds, a news report said on Friday. Abrar is facing the country v club debate, and he will have to decide whether to join the national team for red-ball cricket or his franchise for white-ball cricket, a report in Telecom Asia Sport said. Abrar and his agent are in a fix because if he is selected for the Test team to play in the West Indies, it will affect his participation in The Hundred, which will start four days before the first Test, sources said. The Hundred starts from July 21, while the first Test commences on July 25. Abrars signing caused a major controversy in Indian cricket circles as the Kavya Maran-owned franchise Sunrisers Leeds came under fire for signing the Pakistani player for a big sum of 190,000 pounds (approx. INR 2.3 crore). Kavya Maran had faced online backlash with fans criticising the move and accusing the franchise of ignoring national sentiment. The controversy intensified after reports suggested that Kavya herself raised the paddle during the bidding war that secured the services of a Pakistani spinner. Sources close to Abrars agent said it would be a big blow if the spinner is not released to take part in The Hundred. Sunrisers Leeds owner has faced backlash from 140 billion people and has resisted that, so it will be imperative that Abrar plays in The Hundred, sources told telecomasia.net. Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. India halted bilateral cricket with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, blamed on militants based across the border. The two countries only play each other in multi-national events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup. Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Since then, Pakistani players have been banned from the IPL, while all Indian owners of teams in Leagues around the world do not select them. It was only following a threat by the England and Wales Cricket Board that o discrimination would be allowed against Pakistan players that Sunrisers Leeds bought Abrar in the auction. Article Source: IANS
Winfield-Hill 99, Kalis 86* as Yorkshire romp to first Blast win
Anika Learoyd's unbeaten hundred in vain as Somerset fall short in chase of 211
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The Blaze suffer disastrous collapse from 98 for 2 to 121 all out chasing 156
2nd T20I: Morkel Backs Sooryavanshi To Be Ready But Urges 'patience'
Lucknow Super Giants: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has praised teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's seamless integration into the senior setup but insisted the management will not rush the 15-year-old into the playing XI, reaffirming its faith in established openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma ahead of the second T20I against England in Manchester. With Samson experiencing a tough time on the ongoing UK tourscoring 5, 0, and 1 in his last three inningsand Sooryavanshi waiting for his chance, Morkel said the coaching staff remained committed to supporting players who have consistently performed for India. I think we need to respect the fact that we had our No.1 batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. Sanju was the player of the World Cup, Morkel explained. Samson had a great IPL. So, as a coaching staff, its only fair to show trust and support for your players. Yes, a young man is knocking on the door, and thats exciting. But for not just those two players at the top, but for the entire group, its good that we show our support. Morkel also emphasised that India was hesitant to move batters from their preferred roles just to make room for new players. In a day, its about putting performances on the board. That is the key. But we also dont want to think too much and put other players in different positions. So, its not as simple as just saying, 'Lets play Sooryavanshi.' Its about standing by some of the guys who have won World Cups, who have performed well in tough situations, and then building from there to strengthen our top order as much as possible in these conditions. Although he didnt specify when Sooryavanshi might debut internationally, Morkel said the young player had already impressed everyone with his attitude and composure. I think hes filled in very well. If you follow the boys on Instagram, there are already many photos being posted, especially of him. At the nets as a 15-year-old on the international stage, it can be intimidating. But just from the couple of nets weve had, hes been very impressive. Were all excited to see how he performs. When he gets an opportunity, Im sure hell be ready. Fitting into the squad has been very smooth. Morkel also praised fast bowler Prince Yadav, who has taken six wickets in his first three international matches after starting as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants. I was lucky to work with Prince while I was with Lucknow Super Giants. At that time, he was a net bowler, and he was already recognised as someone with great skill. Im amazed at how calm he stays. Morkel also praised fast bowler Prince Yadav, who has taken six wickets in his first three international matches after starting as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The former South Africa pacer added that it was encouraging to see Harshit Rana return from injury and bowl with intensity, providing India with more depth in their pace attack as they aim to even the five-match series. Article Source: IANS
ODI World Cup: Days after announcing his retirement from international cricket during the England vs New Zealand third Test, former captain Ben Stokes has shared an emotional farewell message, thanking fans, teammates, and everyone who supported him during his remarkable 15-year career. Stokes, regarded as one of England's greatest all-rounders and match-winners, reflected on the highs and lows of his journey in a heartfelt post on X, saying the decision to retire was one only he could make. It's been a mad 15 years. It's had everything thrown in there, from the highest highs to the lowest lows (on and off the field). My time was up, and no one was going to be able to make that decision other than me. But in the meantime, I just want to say I love every single England fan and every single cricket fan who's supported me over the years, Stokes wrote. The 35-year-old also expressed gratitude to his teammates and everyone associated with his career. I love every single person I've walked out onto the field with representing England. I could go on and on, but I hope you get the gist of how much I loved doing what I did for 15 years. I'm looking forward to being a fan and supporting the team, and the odd day in hospitality won't go amiss. Family, friends, teammates, fans...I love y'all. Stokesy, he added. Stokes brought the curtain down on an illustrious international career after England's defeat to New Zealand in the third Test, his final appearance in England colours. He leaves the game as one of the defining cricketers of his generation and among England's greatest match-winners. His unbeaten 84 in the unforgettable 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand helped England lift the trophy for the first time in history after a dramatic Super Over finish. Just six weeks later, Stokes produced another iconic innings, smashing an unbeaten 135 at Headingley to script one of the greatest Test victories of all time and keep England alive in the 2019 Ashes series against Australia. He leaves the game as one of the defining cricketers of his generation and among England's greatest match-winners. His unbeaten 84 in the unforgettable 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand helped England lift the trophy for the first time in history after a dramatic Super Over finish. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He retires having represented England in 122 Tests, including 44 as captain, scoring more than 7,000 runs and taking over 200 wickets in the longest format. He also featured in 114 One-Day Internationals and 43 T20 Internationals, cementing his legacy as one of England's finest all-format cricketers. Article Source: IANS
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Bhatkal Stars In Mysore Warriors' 3-wkt Victory Over Gulbarga Mystics
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Ritesh Bhatkals unbeaten 75 in 42 balls was the highlight of Mysore Warriors' three-wicket victory over Gulbarga Mystics in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 in Hubballi on Friday. It was another thriller with Bhatkal holding things together to steer the Warriors home in 19.3 overs. Chasing 197, the 33-year-old dug deep into his reserves, pulled the team back from early hiccups (2/39) and remained unconquered with four fours and five sixes. He was aided by Manoj Bhandage (24 off 15) as the pair combined for 37 runs in 23 balls to seize control despite a strong showing from the Mystics' attack led by Nathan D'Mello (3-38), Paras Gurbax Arya (2-24), and Ronit More (2-41) The Warriors moved up out of the bottom berth with their third victory from eight matches and sit in fourth position on seven points, while the Mystics are now below them on six points after their fifth loss. The Mystics, put into bat, relied on disciplined batting before seamlessly shifting gears to steady the ship from 2-24 in 2.4 overs to a more manageable 147-5 in 16 overs. Young all-around No. 4 Dhruv Prabhakar and attacking No.5 Thippa Reddy batted with composure and added a 29-ball 56 for the fourth wicket to pull up the Gulbarga Mystics before Manish Pandey unleashed a late assault of 41 runs in only 19 deliveries with six fours and a six. The Raichur-born Thippa Reddy (51 off 26) slammed his second successive half-century studded with five fours and three sixes, while the 21-year-old Dhruv also made the most of his promotion, making a fluent 51 in 35 balls with six fours and a six. For the Warriors, Arbind Rai and Lavish Kaushal were the most successful bowlers with 3-31 and 3-25, respectively. The Raichur-born Thippa Reddy (51 off 26) slammed his second successive half-century studded with five fours and three sixes, while the 21-year-old Dhruv also made the most of his promotion, making a fluent 51 in 35 balls with six fours and a six. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gulbarga Mystics 196/7 in 20 overs (Macneil Noronha 27, Dhruv Prabhakar 51, Thippa Reddy 51, Manish Pandey 41 not out; Arbind Rai 3-31, Lavish Kaushal 3-25) lost to Mysore Warriors 197/7 (L R Chethan 23, Ritesh Bhatkal 75 not out, Lankesh KP 29, Manoj Bhandage 24; Nathan DMello 3-38, Paras Gurbax Arya 2-24, Ronit More 2-41 Article Source: IANS
Hope returns, Roach out for West Indies after injury-hit Sri Lanka bat
Sri Lanka were forced to make three changes with Nissanka and Kumara out injured, and Rajitha left out because of form
Archer back in the XI, Tongue to debut; India eye runs at Old Trafford
India bowling coach Morne Morkel hints Sooryavanshi will have to wait his turn
TG20 Season 1: Gaurav Reddy's Blistering 101* Helps Nalgonda Knights Surge To 2nd Spot
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Opener Gaurav Reddy carried his bat to guide Anurag Nalgonda Knights to a crucial eight-wicket win against Medak Falcons in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20s first match on Friday. The victory lifts the Knights to second on the points table. Chasing 181, Knights openers Gaurav and Jashwanth Mote (34 off 21) laid the platform for their side in the powerplay. The former went on to score his maiden century in the tournament, registering an unbeaten 101 in 47 balls to lead his side to a comprehensive win. He also moved into third place in the race for the Orange Cap, amassing 257 runs in the tournament thus far. Opting to bat first, the Falcons were off to a steady start courtesy of Naman Agarwal (18 off 14) and Shrunjith Reddy. The two openers capitalised on loose deliveries to cruise their way to 30/0 after three overs. Aniketh Reddy outfoxed Naman to provide the Knights with the breakthrough in the fourth over, turning the tide for his side. With that setback, Falcons skipper Ravi Teja and Shrunjith then consolidated with a 28-run stand off 24 balls. They found the odd boundary and combined it with regular strike rotation to lead their side to 58/1 in the Power-play. Shrunjiths 17-ball 30 was brought to a halt as he succumbed to a runout in the eighth over. His captain took the onus to counterattack, smashing back-to-back sixes to score 13 runs against Urvesh Kakkad in the ninth over. Debutant Ilyaan Sathani made an immediate impact in his first over, dismissing Ravi to put the Falcons in a spot of bother. Rakshann Readdi also got the better of Bunny Jagam (4 off 7) in the following over, sinking Falcons deeper into trouble at 89/4. District player Vikram Naik and Sai Varun Yerram (44* off 29) then showed immense maturity to rebuild the innings in the latter half. They kept the scoreboard ticking without too many risks before taking on the bowlers at the death, scoring 63 runs in the last five overs. The onslaught began with 15 runs coming in the fifteenth over, with Vikram displaying why hes regarded as one of the best batters in the tournament thus far. His 31-ball 48* included four fours and two sixes. Sai Varun also found boundaries with regularity towards the end, as the two notched a 91-run stand off 55 balls to help Falcons post 180/4. It was an exhilarating start to the run chase for the Knights, with Jashwanth setting the tone by scoring 14 runs in the first over. Gaurav also joined in on the action as the two openers found boundaries at will and ate into a large chunk of the target. They blazed to 81 runs in the powerplay before Arjun Gorrapalli provided the Falcons with some respite as he dismissed Jashwanth, breaking the 83-run partnership. Despite the breakthrough, Falcons bowlers were being put to the sword by Gaurav, who registered his half-century in 22 balls. Nitish Reddy played second fiddle alongside him as the two stitched together a 58-run stand off 34 balls, with Gaurav playing the aggressor. Madhukar Manne struck for the Falcons to dismiss Nitish after his 17-ball 21, but the damage had already been inflicted by then. With the finish line in sight, skipper Rahul Buddhi (20* off 14) joined Gaurav in the middle to finish the job for their side. The latter carried on his scintillating form to amass his maiden ton in the tournament. He reached the milestone in 46 balls, with his knock including six fours and nine sixes. Gaurav eventually scored the winning runs, guiding his team to a commanding win with 21 balls to spare. Nitish Reddy played second fiddle alongside him as the two stitched together a 58-run stand off 34 balls, with Gaurav playing the aggressor. Madhukar Manne struck for the Falcons to dismiss Nitish after his 17-ball 21, but the damage had already been inflicted by then. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Medak Falcons 180/4 in 20 overs (Vikram Naik 48*, Sai Varun Yerram 44*, Aniketh Reddy 1/27, Rakshann Readdi 1/32) bt Anurag Nalgonda Knights 181/2in 16.1 overs (Gaurav Reddy 101*, Jashwanth Mote 34, Arjun Gorrapalli 1/36) by 8 wickets. Article Source: IANS
Archer Returns As England Make Two Changes For Second T20I Against India
Emirates Old Trafford: England have recalled pace spearhead Jofra Archer and handed fast bowler Josh Tongue his T20I debut as the hosts made two changes to their playing XI for the second T20I against India at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday. Archer replaces Saqib Mahmood, while Tongue comes in for left-arm seamer Luke Wood as England look to build momentum after the opening match of the three-game series at Chester-le-Street was washed out due to rain. The first T20I ended without a result after India posted 189/7, powered by half-centuries from captain Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, before persistent rain prevented England from beginning their chase. Archer returns to the shortest format on the back of an impressive Test series against New Zealand, where he was named Player of the Series despite featuring in only two of the three matches. The right-arm quick claimed 11 wickets at an average of 22.81 to finish as England's leading wicket-taker in the series. Having missed the opening Test, Archer made an immediate impact at The Oval with a five-wicket match haul before producing his best performance in the series finale at Trent Bridge. He picked up two wickets in the first innings and followed it up with figures of 4/53 in the second innings, removing both New Zealand openers early to put the visitors under pressure. The 30-year-old also carried excellent form from the IPL, where he finished as Rajasthan Royals' highest wicket-taker with 25 wickets in 16 matches during the 2026 season. Having missed the opening Test, Archer made an immediate impact at The Oval with a five-wicket match haul before producing his best performance in the series finale at Trent Bridge. He picked up two wickets in the first innings and followed it up with figures of 4/53 in the second innings, removing both New Zealand openers early to put the visitors under pressure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England Playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue. Article Source: IANS
James Coles Earns Maiden England ODI Call-up As Hosts Name Squad For India Series
ODI World Cup: Sussex all-rounder James Coles has earned his maiden England One-day International call-up after being named in a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against India later this month, while fast bowler Josh Tongue also received his first ODI selection. England have also brought back Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood. Jofra Archer returns to the 50-over setup after being rested for the ODI series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. The inclusion of James Coles is one of the biggest topics in Harry Brook's squad as England prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The 21-year-old Sussex cricketer, a left-handed batter who bowls left-arm spin, has consistently impressed in domestic cricket. He gives England another all-round option. Liam Dawsons selection alongside Coles highlights Englands aim to strengthen their spin-bowling resources. Tongue has been rewarded for his recent performances in Test cricket. He joins a well-known pace attack featuring Archer, Atkinson, and Mahmood. Atkinson returns from injury, while Mahmood is back in ODI consideration after missing England's winter fixtures due to a knee issue. England will be without Brydon Carse, who is still recovering from a hand injury, and Jamie Overton, who has been ruled out with a quad problem. Carse had started training with the squad before the rain-affected opening T20I against India in Durham. The batting group includes captain Harry Brook, former skipper Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, and Rehan Ahmed. England is looking to finalise their strongest combination ahead of the next World Cup cycle. India, on the other hand, has named a full-strength squad for the 50-over series. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (subject to fitness), and Jasprit Bumrah are all set to play. The batting group includes captain Harry Brook, former skipper Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, and Rehan Ahmed. England is looking to finalise their strongest combination ahead of the next World Cup cycle. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England ODI squad: Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler, James Coles, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, and Josh Tongue. Article Source: IANS
Bethell in line to open as England name ODI squad for India series
Batter's promotion could foreshadow a future elevation in Test cricket as well
The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the match officials for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final, with experienced umpires Jacquline Williams and India's Vrinda Rathi set to take charge of the title clash between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday. The final, set to start at 8:00 PM IST, will feature unbeaten hosts England facing six-time champions Australia. This match revisits one of the greatest rivalries in women's cricket. Williams, who is officiating her fifth ICC Women's T20 World Cup, has had another strong tournament. She was on the field for the opening match on June 12, where England defeated Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. She also oversaw England's 40-run semi-final win over South Africa and Australia's important six-wicket Group A victory against India. Sunday's final will be Williams' second ICC Women's T20 World Cup final as an on-field umpire. She previously officiated Australia's 19-run win over South Africa in the 2023 final. For Rathi, this appointment marks a significant milestone as she prepares to officiate her first Women's T20 World Cup final. During the tournament, she has overseen victories for both finalists, including Australia's strong semi-final win over the West Indies and England's four-wicket victory over Ireland. New Zealand's Kim Cotton is the third umpire, while Sri Lanka's Nimali Perera will serve as the fourth umpire. Experienced Indian official GS Lakshmi has been named the match referee for this major event. Lakshmi also officiated the tournament opener between England and Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lanka's memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand in Southampton. Sunday's final will be Williams' second ICC Women's T20 World Cup final as an on-field umpire. She previously officiated Australia's 19-run win over South Africa in the 2023 final. For Rathi, this appointment marks a significant milestone as she prepares to officiate her first Women's T20 World Cup final. During the tournament, she has overseen victories for both finalists, including Australia's strong semi-final win over the West Indies and England's four-wicket victory over Ireland. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia reached the final with a strong eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first semi-final at The Oval. Meanwhile, unbeaten hosts England secured their spot with a convincing 40-run win over South Africa. England will be chasing their second Women's T20 World Cup crown, having won the first tournament at Lord's in 2009. Australia, on the other hand, aims to add a record-extending seventh title to their impressive collection, following wins in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023. Article Source: IANS
Fresh Twist in J&K Cricket Association Turf War: Court Bars President from Exercising Powers
A Jammu court has granted ad-interim relief to the Vivek Khajuria-led faction of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), restraining suspended and reinstated president Javed Ahmad Kitab from exercising the powers of his office until the next hearing on July 6.
ENG vs IND 2nd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
ENG vs IND 2nd T20I , Cricket Tips :The first T20I between England and India was called off due to rain. India scored 189/7 in the first innings, and there was no further play. The second T20I is scheduled to begin at 7 PM IST on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester. These two sides will look to produce a thrilling encounter. Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube did well again, and captain Shreyas Iyer scored a much-needed fifty. But Samson, Tilak, Ishan, and Axar looked bad again. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is still on the sidelines. Will he play the next match? England would be happy with their bowling performance in the first game. But they will like to take wickets in the middle. ENG vs IND: Match Details Date : July 04, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester ENG vs IND: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the second T20I on the Sony Sports Networks on TV channels. The live stream option of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG vs IND: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 31 India : 18 England : 12 No-result : 01 ENG vs IND: Ground Pitch Report Old Trafford is considered a good batting wicket in T20Is. Even in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, this venue produced good scores. However, we might see overcast conditions or light rain, which will produce more assistance for the fast bowlers. In that case, bowling first can be a better option. ENG vs IND: Possible XIs England : Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood India : Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy ENG vs IND: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma carried his form and struck a 20-ball fifty in the first game. He is a dangerous batter in the power play. Phil Salt is the most destructive English batter, and he has a good record against India. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh will like bowling in these conditions, and he can be dangerous with the new ball. Adil Rashid did well in closing overs in the first game. But his usage will be important in the second game. Today Match Prediction: India had an improved batting performance, but they still struggled as a unit. Hence, we predict England to win the second T20I in Manchester. ENG vs IND Match 2nd T20, Today Match ENG vs IND, ENG vs IND Prediction, ENG vs IND Predicted XIs, Injury Update for England vs India Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Women's T20 WC: Head Coach Mashimbyi Vows Stronger South Africa After Semi-final Exit
T20 World Cup: South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes the Proteas will emerge stronger from their ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign despite their semi-final defeat to England, insisting the team will use the disappointment as motivation to improve ahead of future global tournaments. South Africa's run ended at The Oval on Thursday after England secured a strong 40-run victory, earning a place in Sundays final against Australia. The Proteas started well by eliminating three England batters early on. However, a crucial century partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight shifted the game in Englands favor. Despite the loss, Mashimbyi remained positive about his team's growth and the lessons they learned during the tournament. You just lose and you learn, Mashimbyi said after the semi-final. We've learned a lot in this World Cup. We'll go back to the drawing board and put in place things that will make us even more dangerous and better as a team. We know where our gaps are, and thats all we can do really. We can't change the results. Its about the work we put in going forward. We want to ensure that when we get another chance to play in a World Cup or ICC Trophy tournament, we are competing with other teams. South Africa had a strong tournament, even though they did not reach the final. Opener Tazmin Brits was the team's top run-scorer with 225 runs. Experienced bowlers Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail each took eight wickets in six matches. Mashimbyi also supported veteran bowler Ismail, who came out of retirement for the tournament, to continue representing South Africa. I think she's still in for the long haul, he said. She'll have to make a decision. But right now, she's still a Proteas player. The South Africa coach dismissed claims that his side relied too much on Kapp and Ismail with the new ball. He admitted, however, that the bowling attack lacked variety and needed better support for frontline spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. I think we had too many similar types of bowlers, and teams could figure out what we were trying to do, Mashimbyi said. Shabnim and Kapp can put any team under pressure with a new ball, and thats what weve been doing. The South Africa coach dismissed claims that his side relied too much on Kapp and Ismail with the new ball. He admitted, however, that the bowling attack lacked variety and needed better support for frontline spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While South Africa's World Cup journey ended just short of the final, Mashimbyi believes the campaign has laid out a clear plan for the Proteas to become an even stronger presence in future ICC tournaments. Article Source: IANS
Dhoni, Djokovic Both Have Rare Quality To Stay Calm When It Matters Most: Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma: Indian women's cricket team all-rounder Deepti Sharma has drawn an interesting comparison between former India captain MS Dhoni and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, saying both sporting icons possess the rare ability to remain calm and composed in the most challenging situations. Deepti, who is attending Wimbledon for the first time, shared her thoughts on how Dhoni, like Djokovic, handles pressure with calmness. When you talk about Djokovic, everyone speaks about his mental strength. He is someone who never gives up, no matter how tough the situation is. In cricket, I think MS Dhoni sir is very similar. He is known for being very cool and calm. Whenever pressure situations come, he handles them really well. It never looks like he is in a difficult situation. He handles pressure so easily, Deepti told Jio Hotstar. Both Djokovic and Dhoni have that rare quality of staying calm and strong when it matters the most. Watching them, we learn how to stay calm and find a way out of tough situations, she added. The Indian all-rounder also revealed that watching a Wimbledon match in person had been a bucket-list wish for years. My dream was that one day I would come to watch a Wimbledon match, and it feels really good to finally be here. When you go to watch a match at an iconic venue like this, and when you have always seen it on TV but today you are seeing it live for the first time, it feels amazing. The atmosphere, the crowd, the energy everything is different. I am really enjoying watching tennis at Wimbledon. It just feels great, she said. Deepti also named Djokovic as the player she admires the most, praising the Serbian's resilience and competitive spirit. My favourite is Djokovic. I follow his game very closely. The way he fights on the court, his mental strength, and his never-give-up attitude, I really admire all of that. Watching him play is always inspiring, she said. I grew up watching greats like Federer and Nadal. I followed their matches closely for a long time. But lately, Djokovic has become my favourite. I follow his matches more than anyone else now, Deepti said. Asked whom she would like to accompany her for a day at Wimbledon, Deepti named three Indian cricket legends. I grew up watching greats like Federer and Nadal. I followed their matches closely for a long time. But lately, Djokovic has become my favourite. I follow his matches more than anyone else now, Deepti said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Deepti is the second Indian cricketer to visit Wimbledon in two days. On Wednesday, former India opener Shikhar Dhawan made an appearance at the Centre Court at the All-England Club. Article Source: IANS
Shepherd and de Kock make the difference as MI New York defend 132 in Pomona
Marcus Stoinis put on a strong all-round show, with 3 for 14 and 36 in 31 balls, but couldn't take Seattle Orcas over the line
England Ease Past SA To Set Up Women's T20 WC Final With Australia
T20 World Cup: Nat Sciver-Brunt proved pivotal as all-round England eased South Africa by 40 runs in the semifinal here at The Oval to set up a date with Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup final. Sciver-Brunt helped England rally from a shaky start and post 169/5. Despite a defiant fifty by Tazmin Brits, South Africa crumbled to 129/8 in their 20 overs. Sunday's final at the Lord's Cricket Ground pits the two unbeaten teams of the tournament, England and Australia. England will also be looking to maintain their perfect record at home -- they have never lost a women's World Cup, T20 or ODI, as hosts. After electing to field first, Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail gave South Africa a fiery start as the latter was the first to have delivered the first blow, claiming the wicket of Amy Jones while Kapp castled Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Ismail returned to attack and trapped Alice Capsey leg before the wicket to reduce England to 23/3 in 3.2 overs. In the process, Ismail also became the first bowler to cross the milestone of 50 wickets at the tournament, ICC reports. In the hunt for another key wicket, South Africa bowled out Kapp early, and the pacer finished with outstanding figures of 1/16 in four overs. After early blows, Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight led the England fightback with a 133-run stand for the third wicket, which is the highest partnership in knockouts in the tournament. Sciver-Brunt dazzled with her footwork and ran hard between the wickets, hitting 11 fours and a six en route to her eighth half-century in Women's T20 World Cup. It drew her level with the game's greats Suzie Bates (New Zealand) and Beth Mooney (Australia). At the other end, Knight also kept the runs ticking. She brought up her fifty with a heave over deep mid-wicket for six. When it looked like England were about to switch gears, Nonkululeko Mlaba landed decisive blows in the 19th over. She had the England captain caught in the deep while trying to sweep, bringing an end to the partnership. Two balls later, Knight lofted the ball straight to Laura Wolvaardt at extra-cover. Though England didn't quite get the acceleration at the death, they finished at a challenging 169/5. In response, South Africa made a steady start as Wolvaardt and Brits put on an opening partnership of 43 runs. Wolvaardt stay at the wicket was cut short as Sophie Ecclestone grabbed a leaping catch near mid-on off Linsey Smith. Freya Kemp then removed Annerie Dercksen cheaply for 3. The hammer blow was the loss of Kapp, who, having added just five, tried to flick the ball into the leg side but got a leading edge, leaving Sciver-Brunt with the simplest of catches. That left the South Africans on 68-3 in 10.4 overs. Even as South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Brits waged a lone battle, getting to 50. However, she was dismissed on the very next ball, as she got a leading edge off Charlie Dean that flew to Sciver-Brunt. Once Brits departed, the South African challenge fell apart and England walked away with the win. Lauren Bell and Dean were the most effective bowlers on the day and claimed two wickets each. Smith, Freya Kemp and Eccelestone also chipped in with a wicket each. Even as South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Brits waged a lone battle, getting to 50. However, she was dismissed on the very next ball, as she got a leading edge off Charlie Dean that flew to Sciver-Brunt. Once Brits departed, the South African challenge fell apart and England walked away with the win. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: England Women 169/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 75, Heather Knight 58; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-25, Shabnim Ismail 2-31) beat South Africa Women 129/8 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 51, Laura Wolvaardt 17; Lauren Bell 2-28, Charlie Dean 2-32) by 40 runs Article Source: IANS
Anisimova and Fritz through as Americans sparkle at Wimbledon
Even as media speculation swirled about Serena Williams' participation in the women's doubles event alongside her sister Venus after a knee injury, her singles conqueror Maya Joint fell to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight put England in final
They defended 170 with ease against South Africa and will now face Australia in the final at Lord's on Sunday
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Shivamogga Yodhas Climb To Second Spot With Win Over Mangaluru
Mangaluru Coastal Kings Mangaluru: Riding on a mammoth partnership between Aneesh KV and Smaran R, Shivamogga Yodhas surged to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Coastal Kings Mangaluru in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 on Thursday. The win helped the Yodhas climb to the second spot on the points table, while Coastal Kings Mangaluru slipped to third. Earlier in the day, Shreesha Achar, Abhilash Shetty, and Dhanush Gowda all registered figures of 2/33 for the Yodhas to restrict the Coastal Kings to 162/7. During the chase, Shivamogga Yodhas found themselves in early trouble after slipping to 40/3 at the end of the Power-play. Vasuki Koushik struck first to dismiss orange-cap holder Luvnith Sisodia (5 off 3), before Nischith Pai continued his impressive form by accounting for Tushar Singh (7 off 9) and Naveen MG (20 off 20). With the innings in the balance, Aneesh KV and Smaran R combined to produce a match-winning, unbeaten partnership of 125 runs off just 75 balls to wrest control of the chase. Aneesh led the counterattack, bringing up a fluent half-century in just 31 deliveries, and finishing the innings with eight fours and two sixes. By the end of the 15th over, the Yodhas were firmly in command at 127/3. Aneesh further tilted the contest with three consecutive boundaries in the 16th over before Smaran fittingly sealed the chase by launching Nischith over mid-wicket for a maximum. The left-hander also brought up a 32-ball half-century in the process, studded with six fours and two sixes. Earlier, opting to bat first, Coastal Kings Mangaluru made a steady start through Aadharsh (24 off 17) and Nikin Jose (51 off 41), who stitched together a 35-run opening stand from 31 deliveries. However, Shivamogga Yodhas' disciplined bowling attack ensured the scoring rate never got away during the Power-play. The innings then unravelled quickly as Coastal Kings Mangaluru lost wickets in clusters. Gowda turned the tide with a superb sixth over, dismissing Aadharsh and Karun Nair (0 off 2) within the space of three deliveries. Shreesha Achar compounded the damage in the eighth over by removing Siddharth Akhil (5 off 10) and Shreyas Gopal (0 off 1), leaving the batting side under pressure. Jose anchored the innings through the middle overs, adding a valuable 43-run stand with Suraj Ahuja (39 off 19), before Yashovardhan Parantap accounted for him in the 14th over with the score on 103/5. Ahuja then joined forces with CA Karthik (36 not out off 20) to inject momentum into the innings, the pair adding 29 runs in just 13 deliveries. Abhilash Shetty struck twice late in the innings, removing Ahuja and Rajvir Wadhwa (3), but Karthik remained unbeaten, smashing two fours and three sixes to lift Coastal Kings Mangaluru to a competitive total of 163. Jose anchored the innings through the middle overs, adding a valuable 43-run stand with Suraj Ahuja (39 off 19), before Yashovardhan Parantap accounted for him in the 14th over with the score on 103/5. Ahuja then joined forces with CA Karthik (36 not out off 20) to inject momentum into the innings, the pair adding 29 runs in just 13 deliveries. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Coastal Kings Managaluru 162/7 in 20 overs (Nikin Jose 51, Surah Ahuja 39, CA Karthik 36; Shreesha Achar 2/33, Abhilash Shetty 2/33, Dhanush 2/33) lost to Shivamogga Yodhas 165/3 in 18.2 overs (Aneesh KV 76 not out, Smaran R 53 not out; Nischith 2/35) by 7 wickets Article Source: IANS
Wimbledon 2026 | Superb Swiatek, Zverev cruise into last 32
Reigning champion was back to her ruthless best in a 6-1, 6-3; Zverev was also on top form raising hopes the German can finally master the grass courts
South Africa bowl and bring in Sune Luus against England
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt returned after recovering from a calf muscle injury, with Dunkley making way
All-rounder Deepti Sharma Visits Wimbledon
T20 World Cup: With the Indian team's campaign in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup coming to an end, all-rounder Deepti Sharma visited Wimbledon, the world's most prestigious Grand Slam, and watched some of the top tennis players plying their trade at the All-England Club in London. One of the world's top all-rounders, Deepti, who did well for the Indian team in the T20 World Cup before their campaign came unstuck in the league stage against five-time champions Australia, was welcomed by the All-England Club on her maiden visit to Wimbledon. Welcome to Wimbledon, @officialdeeptisharma
TG20 Season 1: Rahul, Hrishikesh Score Fifties To Propel Karimnagar Diamonds To Second Spot
Ranga Reddy Risers: EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds secured their third win on the trot, registering a 58-run win against Ranga Reddy Risers in Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 on Thursday. The win propelled Diamonds to second place on the points table, while Risers dropped down to third spot. Rahul Radesh, the centurion from the Diamonds previous match, carried on his fine form with a 37-ball 72, including seven fours and four sixes. He was supported by Hrishikesh Sharma (60 off 38) as the two stitched together a brilliant partnership to help their side post 230/5 on the board. Narayana Teja led the way with the ball courtesy of his three-wicket haul, while Rathlavath Dinesh (2/25), Shubham Sharma (2/38), Ashish Srivastav (1/19), and B Satish Kumar (1/24) all contributed to ensure Diamonds manufactured a commanding win. Tanmay Agarwal (29 off 16) was quick off the blocks, smashing Aryan Cariappa for 16 runs in the first over. This set the tone for the Diamonds, with his partner Satwik Reddy (24 off 13) soon getting in on the action as the two set the platform for their side, scoring 42/0 after four overs. However, the Risers struck back with Tanay Jaddu bagging the prized scalp of Tanmay in the fifth over. Tanay Thyagarajann got the better of Satwik in the following over, pulling things back for the Risers. They conceded only nine runs in the next fifteen balls as Rahul Radesh and Hrishikesh Simha bided their time to consolidate the innings. After a lull in the middle, which saw boundaries drying up, both batters broke the shackles in the ninth over. They scored 49 runs in three overs to put the pressure back on the Risers bowlers. Adding to their woes, Rahul was dropped off Nitin Sai Yadavs bowling as he went on to register his half-century in 28 balls. The onslaught continued as Hrishikesh cruised to his fifty in 31 balls. The pair added 123 runs off 65 balls to build a monumental partnership the fourth-highest partnership of the tournament that put Diamonds in the ascendancy. Tanay Jaddu provided the vital breakthrough to dismiss Rahul in the 17th over and bagged his second wicket in the process. Hrishikesh too fell in the next over, with Nitin Sai Yadav getting the better of him. However, the momentum was firmly in the batting sides favour despite losing a couple of wickets. Chandan Sahani (20 off 10) and Shubham Sharma (17 off 7) chipped in with crucial cameos in the death overs. The pair scored 30 runs off the last two overs to power the Diamonds to 230/5 at the end of 20 overs. With a high total to chase down, Risers endured an early setback when Rathlavath Dinesh dismissed Avanish Rao (4 off 3) in the opening over. Gnana Prakash Reddy counterattacked with three boundaries in a single over from Harish Thakur before Dinesh got the better of him. Despite the setback, Aaron George found the fence regularly as the Risers recovered to 50/2 after five overs before Shubham dismissed Aaron (19 off 13) to leave the Risers in trouble at 51/3. Aditya Javvaji (48 off 31) then seized control of the innings alongside Alankrith Rapole. Aditya shifted gears spectacularly with back-to-back sixes off Shubham Sharma in the final over of the powerplay to lead his side to 64/3. He continued to be on the charge against Satish Kumar, scoring 16 runs off an over to help the Risers race to 97/3 at the halfway mark. Narayana Teja broke the back of the run chase with a double blow in the twelfth over. He dismissed Alankrith and Tanay Thyagarajann in successive deliveries. Ashish Srivastav then outfoxed Aditya to put the Risers further into trouble. The innings unravelled rather quickly for them thereafter. Aryan Cariappa displayed his skills with the bat to score a 20-ball 30 to help his side reduce the margin of defeat. Risers eventually fell well short, losing by 58 runs. Narayana Teja broke the back of the run chase with a double blow in the twelfth over. He dismissed Alankrith and Tanay Thyagarajann in successive deliveries. Ashish Srivastav then outfoxed Aditya to put the Risers further into trouble. Also Read: Live Cricket Score EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds 230/5 in 20 overs (Rahul Radesh 72, Hrishikesh Simha 60, Tanay Jaddu 2/48, Tanay Thyagarajannn 1/32) bt Ranga Reddy Risers 172/9 in 20 overs *(Aditya Javvaji 48, Aryan Cariappa 30, Narayana Teja 3/25, Rathlavath Dinesh 2/25) by 58 runs Article Source: IANS
Skipper Sahan Arachchige: Skipper Sahan Arachchige led from the front with an unbeaten 83 to help Sri Lanka 'A' reach a commanding 288/5 on the opening day of the second four-day game against India 'A' on Thursday. For India, pacer Yash Thakur and off-spinner Saransh Jain were the standout bowlers with two scalps each. Earlier, India 'A' made three tactical alterations to their playing eleven drafting in Aman Mokhade, Zeeshan Ansari, and Gurnoor Brar in place of Ayush Pandey, Harsh Dubey, and Anshul Kamboj. B Sai Sudharsan, who retired hurt in the second innings in the first game, became fit for the ongoing game. Opting to bat first, the hosts received a steady launchpad from openers Pawantha Weerasinghe and Sohan de Livera, who put together a 53-run partnership. Thakur provided India A's first breakthrough in the 16th over by removing de Livera for 28. Weerasinghe looked set but threw away his start for 39, falling to Gurnoor Brar just before the lunch break. The afternoon session saw Nuwanidu Fernando (44) play with positive intent, hitting Brar for consecutive boundaries. He stitched a crucial 57-run stand for the third wicket with Ashen Bandara before Saransh broke the partnership in the 37th over. The pattern of batsmen failing to convert good starts persisted as Ashen was dismissed for 34 in the 47th over. Thereafter, Arachchige joined forces with Anjala Bandara to frustrate the Indian bowlers by guiding the home team to 192/4 by tea. The Sri Lanka A captain looked comfortable throughout his stay and crossed his half-century with a boundary off Auqib Nabi in the 64th over. India A's search for a wicket finally ended in the 77th over when Saransh cleaned up Anjala for 42, ending a stubborn 99-run association. However, Arachchige remained unperturbed through the final session till stumps were called. Thereafter, Arachchige joined forces with Anjala Bandara to frustrate the Indian bowlers by guiding the home team to 192/4 by tea. The Sri Lanka A captain looked comfortable throughout his stay and crossed his half-century with a boundary off Auqib Nabi in the 64th over. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka A 288/5 in 85 overs (Sahan Arachchige 83 not out, Nuwanidu Fernando 44; Yash Thakur 2-32, Saransh Jain 2-77) against India A Article Source: IANS
Srinagar's 11-Year-Old Atiqa Asif Mir Scripts History With Selection for Formula 1 Academy Programme
Eleven-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Asif Mir from Srinagar has created history by becoming the first Indian and the first Asian female driver to be selected for the Formula 1 Academy's prestigious 'Discover Your Drive' development programme. Her remarkable achievement has earned praise from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and is being hailed as a milestone for Indian motorsport.
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Abhinav Manohar's explosive 12-ball 46 lit up a rain-hit match between Hubli Tigers and Mysore Warriors before persistent rain forced the match to be abandoned in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament on Thursday. Both teams walked away with one point each. Reduced to an eight-overs-a-side contest, Hubli Tigers posted 91/6, thanks largely to Manohar's breathtaking late assault. The Tigers were in trouble at 27/2 after five overs when rain interrupted play. Kruthik Krishna (23 off 19) and Hardik Raj (2 0ff 4) both retired out, leaving the innings in a precarious position. Manohar smashed two fours and six sixes in a whirlwind knock. The former Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter took a particular liking to Vyshak Vijaykumar, hammering 6, 4, 6, 6 in the sixth over before finishing with 6, 6, 4, 6 in the eighth. He eventually fell off the final ball of the innings after propelling the Tigers to a competitive total. The knock was a timely reminder of Manohar's big-hitting prowess, having struck 52 sixes for the Shivamogga Lions during the 2024 season, including three innings featuring nine maximums. Ritesh Bhatkal was the top performer for the Warriors, picking up two wickets for just 10 runs. The washout leaves Hubli Tigers fifth on the table with six points from seven matches, having registered two wins, three losses, and two no results. Mysore Warriors remain sixth with five points from seven matches, with two wins, four losses, and one no result. Bengaluru Blasters continue to lead the standings on 12 points, followed by Coastal Kings Mangaluru, Gulbarga Mystics, and Shivamogga Yodhas. Later in the evening, Coastal Kings Mangaluru will take on Shivamogga Yodhas. Bengaluru Blasters continue to lead the standings on 12 points, followed by Coastal Kings Mangaluru, Gulbarga Mystics, and Shivamogga Yodhas. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hubli Tigers 91/6 in 8 overs (Kruthik Krishna 23 retired hurt, Abhinav Manohar 46; Ritesh Bhatkal 2/10). No Result Article Source: IANS
ETPL Completes Historic Inaugural Player Draft As Six Franchises Finalize Squads For Maiden Season
The European T20 Premier League: The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) completed its first-ever Player Draft in Dublin on Thursday, marking a major milestone ahead of the tournament's inaugural season. The league's six franchises selected 36 players, 12 each from Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), to finalise their core squads, with Irish all-rounder Jai Moondra and veteran batter Paul Stirling among the headline picks. The draft saw an even distribution of talent across the six teams, although franchises largely leaned towards players from their respective regions. Amsterdam Flames and Rotterdam Dockers selected the majority of the Dutch contingent, while Edinburgh Castle Rockers and Glasgow Cosmic drafted nine of the 12 Scottish players. Dublin Guardians and Belfast Wolves, meanwhile, picked seven of the 12 Irish players. One of the biggest talking points of the draft was Rotterdam Dockers making highly rated all-rounder Jai Moondra their opening selection. Moondra has emerged as one of Ireland's brightest young prospects and recently impressed in the T20I series against India with his all-round performances. The Dockers also strengthened their squad by adding Netherlands internationals Michael Levitt, Ryan Klein, Vikramjit Singh, and Saqib Zulfiqar, along with Scotland's Jasper Davidson. Belfast Wolves, meanwhile, added proven international experience by drafting Ireland opener Paul Stirling and left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys as part of their inaugural squad. Dublin Guardians captain and mentor Ravichandran Ashwin explained that his franchise prioritised versatility and role clarity over nationality while building its squad. While the majority of our picks were Irish, I think nationality comes second; it's about the quality of the player and how they will fit into our mix. I do believe that, going into an auction or a draft, every single player that you pick must be a playable resource. Of course, there must be an exciting amount of skill that they put on display, but they must be very playable. If a player is unavailable, somebody should be able to seamlessly come in and fill that role. Rotterdam Dockers co-owner Jonty Rhodes said Moondra had been a priority target after his recent rise on the international stage. Jai Moondra was someone we were particularly keen to bring into the squad after the way he announced himself on the international stage. He is an exciting young talent with tremendous potential, and we're delighted to have secured him. Alongside Jai, we've put together a really exciting group of players from across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. We believe we have a strong, balanced squad with the depth and quality to be highly competitive, and we're looking forward to seeing them come together when the league gets underway. The remaining franchises also completed their player selections during the draft: Amsterdam Flames: Curtis Campher, Kyle Klein, Tim Pringle, Aryan Dutt, Jordan Neill, and Max O'Dowd. Belfast Wolves: Matthew Humphreys, Fred Klaassen, Tim Tector, Paul Stirling, Zainullah Ihsan, and Alexander Roy. Dublin Guardians: Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Matthew Hollard, Craig Young, Noah Croes, and Chris Greaves. Edinburgh Castle Rockers: Gareth Delany, Ross Adair, Jack Jarvis, Charlie Tear, Safyaan Sharif, and Finlay McCreath. Glasgow Cosmic: Brad Currie, Matthew Cross, Paul van Meekeren, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, and Chris McBride. Rotterdam Dockers: Jai Moondra, Michael Levitt, Ryan Klein, Jasper Davidson, Vikramjit Singh, and Saqib Zulfiqar. Irish Wolves co-owner Glenn Maxwell expressed satisfaction with the squad-building process, describing the draft as a rewarding experience. Incredibly happy with how the draft went. Its a new experience for me to be involved in starting a team from scratch. To go through the risk management process, building a squad and a team that we can put on the park and be really competitive, has been a really great experience. Really happy how the draft went, we were able to get the picks that we needed, the playing skills we needed to give ourselves depth as well. Amsterdam Flames co-owner Steve Waugh said the draft demanded flexibility, particularly after making the opening selection. Incredibly happy with how the draft went. Its a new experience for me to be involved in starting a team from scratch. To go through the risk management process, building a squad and a team that we can put on the park and be really competitive, has been a really great experience. Really happy how the draft went, we were able to get the picks that we needed, the playing skills we needed to give ourselves depth as well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The inaugural draft represents one of the most significant milestones in the ETPL's build-up, with franchises backed by several of cricket's biggest names, including Rahul Dravid, Steve Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, Glenn Maxwell, and Jonty Rhodes. With the squads now finalised, focus shifts to the league's maiden season, where established internationals and emerging talent from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands will compete together in a new franchise competition. Article Source: IANS
Yash Thakur, Saransh Jain make inroads for India A
Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige held fort for the hosts with an unbeaten 83
DPL 2026 Women's Auction: Parunika Sisodia Top Buy At 14 Lakh As Franchises Complete Squads
Delhi Premier League: Left-arm spinner Parunika Sisodia emerged as the biggest buy at the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 Womens Auction after being signed by East Delhi Riders for 14 lakh, as the four franchises assembled their squads for the third edition of the tournament. The auction witnessed intense bidding, strategic Right to Match (RTM) moves, and marquee signings, underlining the growing profile of the womens competition, which has established itself as one of Indias leading domestic T20 platforms. East Delhi Riders strengthened their squad by signing marquee players Parunika Sisodia and Simran Dil Bahadur, while Central Delhi Queens acquired all-rounder Arushi Goel to partner retained marquee all-rounder Soni Yadav. North Delhi Strikers bolstered their bowling attack by adding Priya Mishra alongside retained marquee player Ayushi Soni, while South Delhi Superstarz signed India batter Priya Punia to complement retained India U-19 player Shweta Sehrawat. Besides Parunikas 14 lakh deal, Arushi Goel was the second-most expensive player at 11 lakh after being picked by Central Delhi Queens. The top seven most expensive players at the auction were: Parunika Sisodia East Delhi Riders 14 lakh Arushi Goel Central Delhi Queens 11 lakh Sumiti Soni Central Delhi Queens 8 lakh Simran Dil Bahadur East Delhi Riders 8 lakh Purva Siwach East Delhi Riders 7 lakh Samaira Raghav North Delhi Strikers 7 lakh Pragya Rawat - East Delhi Riders - 7 lakh Franchises also strategically exercised their Right to Match (RTM) cards to retain proven performers from last season. East Delhi Riders brought back Pragya Rawat for 7 lakh, while North Delhi Strikers used RTM to re-sign all-rounder Samaira Raghav for 7 lakh. By the end of the auction, all four franchises assembled balanced squads featuring a blend of experienced performers and promising young talent, setting the stage for a highly competitive edition of the DPL T20 2026 Womens competition. Complete squads: Central Delhi Queens: Soni Yadav, Arushi Goel, Monika, Deeksha Sharma, Nidhi Mahto, Sumiti Soni, Medhavi Bidhuri, Ritisha Khushi, Nidhi Tanwar, Kanika Mathur, R Priyadarshni, Riya Kondal, Saachi, Jyoti, Mallika Khatri, Neha Parmar, Puja Halder, Akshita Jain, Nishtha Bisht, Kashvi Kumar, Chelcy Yadav, Tanu Chauhan. East Delhi Riders: Parunika Sisodia, Simran Dil Bahadur, Bharti Rawal, Pragya Rawat, Purva Siwach, Vanshika Lila, Aarna Dudeja, Goyinka Sharma, Mahi Chauhan, Nilanchal Nerwal, Sonakshi, Tamanna Singh, Suhana Attri, Ishika, Riti Tomar, Hridya Sharma, Neha Chhillar, Urvashi Gupta, Jasleen Kaur, Geet Rarhana, Yashasvi Dhiman, Rajshri Yadav. Central Delhi Queens: Soni Yadav, Arushi Goel, Monika, Deeksha Sharma, Nidhi Mahto, Sumiti Soni, Medhavi Bidhuri, Ritisha Khushi, Nidhi Tanwar, Kanika Mathur, R Priyadarshni, Riya Kondal, Saachi, Jyoti, Mallika Khatri, Neha Parmar, Puja Halder, Akshita Jain, Nishtha Bisht, Kashvi Kumar, Chelcy Yadav, Tanu Chauhan. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Delhi Superstarz: Priya Punia, Shweta Sehrawat, Ekta Bhadana, Tanisha Singh, Disha Nagar, Mayuri Singh, Nishika Singh, Himakshi Chaudhary, Tanishqa Singh, Aarti Kumari, Chhavi Gupta, Kashish, Ananya Pahuja, Avleen Kaur, Harshita, Mitali R, Geetanjali, Pragati Bisht, Anamika Kumari, Yashika, Roopali Vishwa Mohan. Article Source: IANS
How RCA's Ad-hoc Regime Rose, Lingered And Fell Amid 'dynasty Politics' Charges
BJP State Spokesperson Pinkesh Jain: Rajasthan cricket over the past two-and-a-half years witnessed the rise and fall of the Rajasthan Cricket Associations (RCA) ad-hoc committee -- a body that was constituted as a temporary arrangement after the resignation of the associations elected president but gradually evolved into a prolonged administrative regime marked by repeated extensions, leadership changes and allegations of promoting parivarvad. Also, there were repeated extensions, changing conveners, internal disputes and mounting controversies, however the one task it was created to accomplish, to conduct elections, remained unfulfilled. The long-running chapter reached a decisive conclusion on Wednesday, when the Rajasthan High Court suspended the ad-hoc committee, appointed senior IAS officer Bhaskar A. Sawant as administrator and directed that elections be held at the earliest. The order effectively ended an interim arrangement that had survived three conveners, multiple extensions and nearly two and a half years of uncertainty. The story began on February 23, 2024, when the Rajasthan State Sports Council sealed the RCA office at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium after terminating the MoU over alleged dues of nearly Rs 8 crore. Three days later, then RCA president Vaibhav Gehlot resigned, bringing the elected administration to an end and setting in motion a chain of events that would keep the state's premier cricket body under ad-hoc rule for far longer than anyone had anticipated. To fill the vacuum, the state government constituted the first ad-hoc committee on March 28, 2024, appointing BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani as its convener. The committee was given a clear mandate, to stabilise the association and conduct elections within three months. Initially, the move was welcomed as an opportunity to reform cricket administration and restore democratic governance. However, the optimism was short-lived. Within months, the committee itself became embroiled in controversy. Allegations surfaced that key decisions were being taken unilaterally, while several members claimed meetings had virtually stopped and collective decision-making had broken down. Instead of preparing the association for elections, the committee increasingly found itself defending its own functioning. Yet, despite the controversies, the committee continued to receive extensions. Its first three-month tenure, which was to end in June 2024, was extended. Another extension followed in September 2024, then again in December 2024, and once more in March 2025. With every extension, expectations of elections faded further while criticism from district cricket associations, players and administrators grew louder. Many began questioning whether the ad-hoc arrangement, conceived as a temporary measure, was quietly becoming a permanent one. Facing mounting opposition, internal disagreements and complaints regarding the committee's functioning, the government finally replaced Jaideep Bihani, appointing Deendayal (DD) Kumawat as the new convener. The leadership changed, but the narrative did not. Administrative disputes persisted, the election process remained stalled, and repeated assurances that polls would be held soon failed to inspire confidence among stakeholders. In March 2026, the government reshuffled the leadership once again, appointing Dr Mohit Jaswant Yadav as the third convener of the ad-hoc committee. While the committee continued to oversee cricketing activities, it failed to accomplish the very objective for which it had been constituted, holding elections and restoring an elected executive body. Every leadership change was accompanied by fresh promises, but the outcome remained the same. As part of this reshuffle, the incumbent convener, Deendayal Kumawat, was removed from his post. Furthermore, BJP State Spokesperson Pinkesh Jain was also dropped from the committee. In the last announcement, the ad hoc committee featured Mohit Yadav, son of BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav, as the convener of the committee, while others include Dhananjay Singh Khimsar (son of Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar), Arisht Singhvi (grandson of former Minister Chandraraj Singhvi), Ashish Tiwari (son of BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari), and Arjun Beniwal (son of MLA Sanjeev Beniwal), all five members who were sons of ruling BJP politicians. Flagging this reshuffle, the leader of opposition Tika Ram Jully said that by appointing sons of ministers and MLAs to the RCA committee, the ruling BJP, which often questions 'parivarvad' in politics, has made RCA a launching pad for relatives of politicians. By then, frustration within Rajasthan's cricket fraternity had reached a tipping point. Players, district associations and former office-bearers openly questioned why the RCA continued to function under an interim arrangement nearly two and a half years after the resignation of its elected president. What had started as a short-term administrative solution had evolved into one of the longest-running ad-hoc regimes in the association's history. The impasse eventually reached the Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday, where judges questioned the repeated extensions granted to the ad-hoc committee and sought an explanation for the continued delay in conducting elections. Observing that an ad-hoc committee could not continue indefinitely, the High Court suspended the committee, appointed senior IAS officer Bhaskar A. Sawant as administrator and directed that elections be held at the earliest. The court's intervention effectively brought the prolonged chapter to a close. It also echoed what Rajasthan's cricket fraternity had been demanding for nearly two years, that the state's premier cricket body should return to elected leadership instead of continuing under an endlessly extended interim arrangement. From the sealing of the RCA office on February 23, 2024, to Vaibhav Gehlot's resignation on February 26, the constitution of the first ad-hoc committee on March 28, followed by successive tenure extensions in June 2024, September 2024, December 2024 and March 2025, the story remained one of recurring postponements. It also echoed what Rajasthan's cricket fraternity had been demanding for nearly two years, that the state's premier cricket body should return to elected leadership instead of continuing under an endlessly extended interim arrangement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In the end, it was judicial intervention -- rather than administrative action -- that dismantled the extended ad-hoc regime, paving the way for long-awaited elections in Rajasthans premier cricket body. Article Source: IANS
Ashwin: ETPL crucial in making cricket a global sport
The former India allrounder believes that a short format like T20 cricket is key to the sport's success in Europe and beyond, including at the LA Olympics in 2028
T20 Is Here To Stay, Not Too Sure About ODI Cricket: Ashwin
European T20 Premier League: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes T20 cricket has cemented its place as the format that will drive the sport's future, while expressing doubts over the long-term sustainability of One-Day Internationals. Speaking during a media interaction after the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 Player Draft on Thursday, the Dublin Guardians captain and mentor said T20's shorter duration makes it the ideal vehicle for cricket's global expansion and its return to the Olympic Games. Responding to a question on whether cricket's growth in emerging nations should focus only on T20s or extend equally to other formats, Ashwin stressed that players must first master the art of adapting to different situations, irrespective of the format they play. I think cricket as a whole needs to be learned in a way that you get better every single day. You should be able to adapt. The name of the game is adaptation, Ashwin said in a media interaction following the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft. He pointed to India's recent T20I series against Ireland as an example of how external conditions can significantly influence the shortest format, forcing players to evolve constantly. Which is why what happened recently between India and Ireland in that T20 series is a classic example of how conditions can eliminate a lot of aspects of the game that have been developed as a root cause of T20 as a sport, the all-rounder added. The veteran spinner, however, believes that when it comes to expanding cricket's footprint across new markets, T20 remains the most practical and effective format. But that aside, our job will be purely on T20 cricket and how it can get better. And if the game has to become global and it has to become an Olympic sport, the shorter the game, the more viable it is, the Dublin Guardians captain and mentor stated. The veteran spinner, however, believes that when it comes to expanding cricket's footprint across new markets, T20 remains the most practical and effective format. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 38-year-old then offered a blunt assessment of how he views the future of the game's formats. T20 as a sport is here to stay. I am not too sure about ODI cricket. Article Source: IANS
Galle and Colombo to host India for two Tests in August 2026
No tour matches have been officially announced
Nathan McSweeney agrees 2027 Northants return
Australian has been in prolific form in County Championship and T20 Blast
WI vs SL 2nd Test: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction
WI vs SL 2nd Test, Cricket Tips :Sri Lanka's tour of West Indies is coming to its end. Sri Lanka won the ODI series 1-0, and West Indies bounced back with a 2-1 T20I series win. The hosts carried their good form in the test series also and beat the visitors with a massive margin of an innings and 217 runs in the first test. They have taken a 1-0 lead and will be aiming for the long-awaited series win in tests. It was their first win in the ongoing WTC cycle. Amir Jangroo scored 233 runs and won the MOTM award. Captain Roston Chase also scored 194. West Indies produced an all-round bowling display and recorded a dominating win. Sri Lanka would be feeling the pressure. They crumbled badly with the bat. With the ball, the restricted West Indies for 168/5, but after that they had a record 401-run stand, and Sri Lanka couldn't recover from there. But to stay in the series, they need to win the upcoming test. WI vs SL: Match Details Date : July 3-7, 2026 (Friday-Tuesday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua WI vs SL: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the second test on the FanCode streaming platform. WI vs SL: Head-to-Head in Tests Total Matches : 25 West Indies : 05 Sri Lanka: 11 No-result: 09 WI vs SL: Ground Pitch Report As seen in the first game, there will be something in this wicket for everyone. Fast bowlers can get good pace from the wicket, but as the game goes on, the bounce can get uneven. The spinners will have their role. Meanwhile, batters who can stick to the crease can play long innings. WI vs SL: Possible XIs West Indies : Brandon King, John Campbell, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales Sri Lanka: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando WI vs SL: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Amir Jangoo scored his maiden double hundred in the game, and he will be hoping for another match-winning knock. For Sri Lanka, captain Dhananjaya de Silva scored a good century in the first innings and showed his good form. Probable Bowler Kemar Roachachieved the milestone of 300 test wickets in the first game. He was moving the ball well and took six wickets in the game. Milan Priyanath Rathnayake bowled a long spell and took five wickets. He was the only Sri Lankan who looked consistent with his line. Today Match Prediction : After the first test, West Indies will be high on confidence. They also know these conditions better. Hence, we predict West Indies to win the second test. WI vs SL Match 2nd Test, Today Match WI vs SL, WI vs SL Prediction, WI vs SL Predicted XIs, Injury Update for West Indies vs Sri Lanka Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Rahul Doesnt Want To Be Involved, Has Left Cricketing Decisions To Me At Dublin Guardians: R Ashwin
European T20 Premier League: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that Rahul Dravid has entrusted him with complete control over the cricketing affairs of Dublin Guardians in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), saying the former India head coach has deliberately chosen to stay away from on-field decision-making. Speaking after the ETPL 2026 Player Draft on Thursday, Ashwin said the responsibility for building the squad and shaping the team's strategy rests squarely with him as the franchise's captain and mentor. Dublin Guardians, co-owned by Dravid, appointed Ashwin in the dual role ahead of the league's inaugural season. Asked how closely the Indian batting great would be involved in the team's planning and strategy, Ashwin said Dravid had made his intentions clear from the outset, and that he had consciously stepped back from cricketing matters, placing his trust in the former India spinner to oversee the team's direction. I think freedom is very important for people to be able to run a cricket team on the field. And I don't think we have had too many issues at all so far. Rahul has been very clear that he doesn't want to be involved as much in cricketing decisions. Which is why I am at the centre of it. I will be taking responsibility for it, and I also have to construct the teams, Ashwin said in a media interaction following the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft. The 39-year-old acknowledged that leading a franchise in a new league presents unfamiliar challenges but said both he and Dravid share the ambition of helping establish the ETPL on a strong footing. And like everybody else on this call and those who were available on this draft, it is new territory for all of us. We are looking forward to it and, hopefully, in the long run, making a difference. And Rahul and I both will have our sincere stamp on whatever we do in this tournament, he added. Ashwin also explained why he accepted the dual responsibility of captain and mentor, saying it reflects the direction he wants his career to take as he transitions towards leadership and coaching roles. I think I'm at that stage of my career where I'd like to contribute more than just being a player. And for whatever it is, whatever it is worth, even if it's a straight-run league, I've been a coach-cum-captain for the last couple of years that I've played my cricket there, the spin-bowling all-rounder said. He said the opportunity felt like a natural progression, with Dravid already familiar with the leadership role he has been playing in domestic cricket. So, it was just a straight connection. And Rahul (Dravid) had seen me do the job. And he understands what I do back home for club cricket. So, I think he was pretty confident that I could do it. It's just a crossover into what I'd like to do next. I think I'm at that stage of my career where I'd like to contribute more than just being a player. And for whatever it is, whatever it is worth, even if it's a straight-run league, I've been a coach-cum-captain for the last couple of years that I've played my cricket there, the spin-bowling all-rounder said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's also sort of a comeback for me after my knee surgery. So, it's taking a touch longer. But I'm assuming that by the time I'm getting there to Malahide, I'd be good enough to go and all guns blazing, he stated. Article Source: IANS
Entire World Waiting To See Sooryavanshi Play, Will Feature In All Three Formats Soon, Says Karim
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not only the cynosure of Indian fans, but also of the entire cricketing world, who is eagerly waiting to see him perform at the highest level, said former India selector and wicketkeeper Saba Karim. Sooryavanshi, who grabbed headlines by amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 to bag the Player-of-the-Tournament honour in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, is currently eyeing a much-anticipated international debut for India in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. Sooryavanshi was unused in Ireland, as India suffered a shock 2-0 series loss. In my opinion, in the history of the IPL, perhaps after that season of Virat Kohli when he scored so many runs, if one season has to be defined, it is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL, IPL 2026. The kind of performances he has put in against top-quality bowlers, even though in Indian conditions, have been top-notch. I have full faith in his ability to score big runs. Not only Indian fans but the entire world is waiting to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play in the same manner that he did in the IPL. I have high hopes for this young lad. Very soon, we will see him in all three formats. I am dead sure about it, said Karim on JioStar. He also recalled of the time when Sooryavanshi first burst in IPL 2025 and didnt expect him to get big runs. I didn't expect him to score in his very first year. But before last season's IPL, I remember getting a lot of videos from all his coaches, Manish Ojha from the Patna academy, our Bhojpuri commentator Robin, and a few others, saying, 'Sir, you have to watch him. He's a kid, but he has great timing.' When he was bought in the auction, I was just hoping that he would get a chance to play at least once because I wanted the world to see that India now has such a talented player. Just imagine, you're playing your first match on such a big platform, up against a top-quality bowler who has played for India. He had no baggage whatsoever. The first ball he faced, he completely dismissed the bowler from his sight. This is what Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is all about. Dismissing concerns that the youngster would suffer from second-season blues after opposition analysts figured out his game, Karim revealed of his reassuring conversation with RR batting coach Vikram Rathour. Even after he scored that record 170-odd in the Under-19 World Cup final, everybody still felt that in the second season, it was possible that bowlers would come with definite plans against him and cause him problems, targeting his body and identifying areas to trouble him. But I didn't feel that he would have second-season blues. I felt that he was well prepared, and he batted in the same way. I remember having a chat with Vikram Rathour, who is the batting coach at Rajasthan Royals, where I asked him if Vaibhav could find it challenging against top-quality bowling or short-pitched deliveries at 145-150 clicks. He said, 'Saba, just wait and watch.' I think he is equally prepared to handle any kind of delivery, he said. Even after he scored that record 170-odd in the Under-19 World Cup final, everybody still felt that in the second season, it was possible that bowlers would come with definite plans against him and cause him problems, targeting his body and identifying areas to trouble him. Also Read: Live Cricket Score That kind of preparation is what he has done. That's why this year we have seen him start to play the upper cut against shorter deliveries, hit through the covers with a strong base, go over long-off, over cover, and play inside-out shots. All these shots that he has added to his scoring repertoire mean that now, whatever the conditions are, whatever the bowling attack is, he is ready, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Surrey pile on the runs as Essex are outdone at Chelmsford
Trio of half-centuries make the difference in contest of 473 runs
European T20 Premier League: Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell believes the gap between cricket's powerhouses and emerging nations is narrowing rapidly, saying the United States came close to upsetting India at the T20 World Cup and that the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) can further accelerate the rise of developing teams. Speaking after the ETPL 2026 Player Draft on Thursday, the Belfast Wolves co-owner and captain said franchise leagues provide the exposure needed for Associate nations to consistently challenge the world's best. Asked whether ETPL could help make results like Ireland's recent T20I series win over India more frequent by giving European players a stronger competitive platform. The Australian cited the USA's performance against India at the T20 World Cup as evidence that emerging teams are already capable of challenging the sport's heavyweights, saying that the Americans came within touching distance of producing one of the biggest upsets in recent ICC tournament history. Yeah, I think you've only got to look at a team like the US. The way that they've grown as a team and how they played at the last T20 World Cup. I think it was in, sorry, the last T20 World Cup in India. And how they pushed teams. And if they had probably caught SKY (Suryakumar Yadav), they might have even upset India there as well, Maxwell said while replying to an IANS query during a media interaction following the conclusion of the 2026 Player Draft. Using that example, the Australian said emerging cricket nations are improving at a rapid pace and backed the ETPL to play a significant role in Europe's cricketing development. And hopefully the same thing will happen with the ETPL. It can happen quite fast, the growth in these nations. With the, I suppose, inspiring the next generation of cricket, the all-rounder stated. While he acknowledged that building a sustainable cricket culture takes time, Maxwell said recent ICC tournaments have already shown that Associate nations are becoming increasingly competitive against Full Members. It might take a little bit longer. But as we've seen over the last period, the last little period of time with the T20 World Cup. And involving so many different nations. It can happen quite fast, he said. He added that regular opportunities to compete against experienced international sides will only help emerging teams continue their upward trajectory. It might take a little bit longer. But as we've seen over the last period, the last little period of time with the T20 World Cup. And involving so many different nations. It can happen quite fast, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Maxwell concluded by saying that the success of the ETPL could ensure European teams continue to narrow the gap on the world's leading cricket nations, as he said, And I think that's what we're going to see in the future, pending the success of the ETPL. Article Source: IANS
LA Knight Riders Cricket Ground: ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed the inauguration of the LA Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles as a significant step in crickets global expansion, describing it as 'a key milestone' in the sports return to the Olympic Games The state-of-the-art venue, developed by the Knight Riders Group, hosted its first-ever Major League Cricket (MLC) match on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Knight Riders took on Washington Freedom, making the franchise the first global cricket brand to establish an international-standard cricket stadium. Congratulating Bollywood superstar and Knight Riders Group co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, who described the project as the fulfilment of a dream, Jay Shah said the initiative would play a vital role in expanding crickets footprint in emerging markets. Congratulations @iamsrk. This is a key milestone in Crickets return to the Olympics, made possible by the collaboration between the @LA_KnightRiders, @LA28 and @ICC, Shah wrote on X. The ICC Chairman said crickets continued global growth depended on collective efforts from stakeholders across the sport. Growing cricket around the world is a collective effort, and initiatives such as this one help create new ecosystems for fans and players, which fuel this growth. I wish you the best and look forward to being on the journey ahead with you, he added. Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan had celebrated the historic achievement by calling the opening of the venue the realisation of a long-cherished dream. What started as a dream turns into reality today. Welcoming you all to the Knight Riders Cricket Ground, LA. A place built not just for sports but also entertainment and for families and memories that last forever, Shah Rukh posted on X. The actor also thanked Jay Shah, the ICC and its CEO Sanjog Gupta for their support in bringing the ambitious project to life. What started as a dream turns into reality today. Welcoming you all to the Knight Riders Cricket Ground, LA. A place built not just for sports but also entertainment and for families and memories that last forever, Shah Rukh posted on X. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Knight Riders Cricket Ground, built to international standards, marks a major investment in cricket infrastructure in the United States. Besides hosting Major League Cricket matches, the venue is expected to play an important role in expanding the games reach in North America ahead of crickets return to the Olympic programme at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Article Source: IANS
The Los Angeles Knight Riders: Bollywood Superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan hailed the opening of the Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles as the realisation of a long-cherished dream after the venue hosted its first-ever Major League Cricket (MLC) match, with the Knight Riders Group becoming the first global cricket franchise to establish an international-standard cricket stadium. The Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) took on Washington Freedom in the inaugural fixture at the newly-built venue, marking another milestone in crickets growing presence in the United States. Reflecting on the historic occasion, Shah Rukh Khan said the project was the culmination of years of planning and a vision to take cricket to newer audiences. What started as a dream has become a reality today. Bringing cricket, the second most-watched sport in the world, to Los Angeles is a landmark moment for all of us. Through this long-term partnership between Fairplex and Knight Riders, we are creating much more than a cricket venue. We are building a space that celebrates community, togetherness, energy and entertainment. It is a place built not just for sport, but also for entertainment, for families, and for memories that will last forever, he said. Expressing his hopes for the future, Shah Rukh Khan said he wanted the ground to become the citys cricketing home and inspire generations of players and fans. We hope this becomes a home for cricket in Los Angeles and inspires generations of fans and players alike. This is for Los Angeles, for cricket fans across the globe, and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold, he added. Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore described the stadium as a defining moment in the franchises global journey. We hope this becomes a home for cricket in Los Angeles and inspires generations of fans and players alike. This is for Los Angeles, for cricket fans across the globe, and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Built to international standards, the Knight Riders Cricket Ground features eight wickets on the main square, ICC-standard playing dimensions, six 120-foot floodlight towers and required the movement of over 32,000 metric tonnes of earth during construction. The venue will stage Major League Cricket matches from July 1 to July 5, reinforcing the United States emergence as one of crickets fastest-growing markets. Article Source: IANS
World Sports Journalists Day: Sports Min Mandaviya, Jay Shah Hail Media's 'invaluable' Contributions
On World Sports Journalists Day: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on Thursday extended their wishes to the sports media fraternity on the occasion of World Sports Journalists Day, recognising the invaluable contribution of journalists in promoting sport, celebrating athletes achievements and connecting millions of fans with sporting action across the globe. Observed annually on July 2, World Sports Journalists Day honours the efforts of sports journalists, photographers, broadcasters and digital content creators who chronicle sporting events and bring stories from the field to audiences worldwide. The day was instituted by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1994 to mark the 70th anniversary of the organisation, which was founded on July 2, 1924, during the Paris Olympic Games in France. Mandaviya highlighted the importance of sports journalists in Indias rapidly evolving sporting landscape. He described the media as vital partners in the countrys sporting journey, crediting journalists for celebrating achievements, identifying and highlighting emerging talent, and inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence. The Sports Minister further said the hard work, dedication and professional integrity displayed by members of the sports media fraternity continue to strengthen Indias sporting ecosystem. Sports journalists are vital partners in Indias sporting journey, celebrating achievements, highlighting talent, and inspiring the next generation of athletes. On World Sports Journalists Day, I extend my heartfelt wishes to the entire sports media fraternity. Your hard work, dedication, and professional integrity continue to strengthen Indias sporting ecosystem. Happy World Sports Journalists Day! he posted on X. The Sports Minister further said the hard work, dedication and professional integrity displayed by members of the sports media fraternity continue to strengthen Indias sporting ecosystem. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On World Sports Journalists Day, I extend my appreciation to sports journalists around the world whose dedication and passion bring the stories of sport to life. Your commitment to informing, inspiring, and connecting fans plays a vital role in the growth of sport globally. Thank you for your invaluable contribution, Shah wrote. Article Source: IANS
Amsterdam Flames Prioritised 'adaptable Players' In ETPL Draft: Co-owner Steve Waugh
European T20 Premier League: Australian great Steve Waugh said versatility was the defining factor behind Amsterdam Flames' selections in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 Player Draft, explaining that the franchise deliberately prioritised multi-skilled cricketers over loading up on specialist batters. Amsterdam Flames entered the draft with an already formidable core featuring Australian T20I captain Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith and Tim David, alongside Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards. That allowed the franchise to focus on building balance around its established stars. The Flames used four of their six picks on all-rounders, led by Ireland international Curtis Campher. Speaking on whether adaptability had taken precedence over traditional batting depth, Waugh, who co-owns the franchise, made it clear that the strategy had been planned alongside head coach Ryan Cook. Yeah, we've got lots of all-rounders. That's what Ryan Cook, the coach, was really focused on. Players that are adaptable, that can play different roles, Waugh said while responding to an IANS query during a media interaction after the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft. The Flames made Curtis Campher their first draft selection before adding Kyle Klein, Tim Pringle, Aryan Dutt, Jordan Neill and Max O'Dowd across the remaining rounds. While the draft appeared to lean heavily towards all-rounders, Waugh insisted the squad already possesses ample batting firepower. At the end of the day, we've got some amazing players. There's international players who are specialist batsmen. Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith and Tim David. I mean, they're three outstanding players, probably three of the best batsmen in the world in T20 cricket, he added. Waugh also pointed to the franchise's wider roster, highlighting players capable of contributing with the bat despite being classified as all-rounders. But we see a lot of these other players with multiple skills. I've been seeing Airee (Dipendra Singh Airee) from Nepal, excellent batsman, Curtis Campher. We've got lots of all-rounders. We've got lots of all-rounders. Yuvraj Samra from Canada is a specialist batsman. So we've got plenty of batsmen there, he stated. The former Australia captain believes having players who can seamlessly switch roles will prove decisive in the shortest format, particularly in a new competition expected to feature varied conditions across Europe. But we see a lot of these other players with multiple skills. I've been seeing Airee (Dipendra Singh Airee) from Nepal, excellent batsman, Curtis Campher. We've got lots of all-rounders. We've got lots of all-rounders. Yuvraj Samra from Canada is a specialist batsman. So we've got plenty of batsmen there, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Amsterdam Flames will enter the inaugural ETPL season with a squad built around proven international experience and emerging global talent, banking on flexibility as the cornerstone of their campaign. Article Source: IANS
