Klinger joins ILT20 team Gulf Giants as batting coach
Kadeer Ali has joined Gulf Giants as the fielding coach and Gary Brent has taken over as the strength and conditioning coach
Ryan Cook Steps Down As Netherlands Head Coach
Royal Dutch Cricket Association: Ryan Cook has stepped down as head coach of the Netherlands men's cricket team with immediate effect, the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) announced on Thursday, bringing an end to a four-year tenure that oversaw some of the most significant achievements in Dutch cricket in recent years. Cook leaves at a time when the Netherlands remain firmly in contention in the Cricket World Cup League 2 competition, sitting third in the standings with 32 points from 28 matches. The decision comes following the birth of Cooks second child, with the former South African cricketer citing the demands of the role and the need for greater personal presence as reasons behind his departure. Batting coach Heino Kuhn will take charge on an interim basis for the Netherlands upcoming Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures, according to Cricinfo. In a statement released by the board, Cook reflected on his journey with the national side and the progress made during his tenure. Coaching the Dutch men's team has without a shadow of a doubt been one of the highlights of my coaching career so far. It's been an absolute pleasure to lead the journey towards professionalism and creating a competitive cricket team with strong values, Cook said. The 41-year-old took charge in May 2022 and guided the Netherlands through a period of notable growth on and off the field. Under his leadership, the team secured qualification for major ICC events and produced several memorable performances against Full Member nations. Explaining his decision to move on, Cook said the position now required a level of commitment he could no longer provide. I thank all at the KNCB and the Dutch cricket community for all their continued support throughout the years. The KNCB and the team deserve someone who can give the job the full, sustained focus and presence it now requires. I know that the foundations are strong and the future is bright, he added. Among the highlights of Cooks tenure was the Netherlands qualification for the 2022 ICC Mens T20 World Cup in Australia, where they registered impressive victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa. A year later, the Dutch side earned a place at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, marking their first appearance at the tournament since 2011. They further enhanced their reputation by defeating South Africa and Bangladesh during the competition. KNCB chief executive Huib van Walsem credited Cook with helping transform multiple aspects of Dutch cricket beyond the senior national team. Ryan Cook has had an enormous impact on the entire system of Dutch cricket, building the depth of players, a strong team culture, coaching development and contributions to grassroots cricket. We are grateful for his wonderful efforts that have brought great results, van Walsem said. Netherlands captain Scott Edwards also paid tribute to the departing coach, highlighting the influence he had on the squads development and identity. Ryan Cook has had an enormous impact on the entire system of Dutch cricket, building the depth of players, a strong team culture, coaching development and contributions to grassroots cricket. We are grateful for his wonderful efforts that have brought great results, van Walsem said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With Kuhn set to oversee the team in the interim, the Netherlands will now begin the search for a permanent successor as they continue their push towards qualification for future global tournaments, aiming to build on the foundations established during Cooks tenure. Article Source: IANS
Women's T20 WC: 'I'm Never Satisfied...' Says Dean After England Clinch SF Spot
T20 World Cup: England captain Charlie Dean said her side will continue striving for higher standards despite securing a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026, after the hosts defeated West Indies by 38 runs at Lords. The victory ensured England became the first team to qualify for the last four, with a game still remaining in the group stage. Englands progression was built on a commanding batting effort that saw multiple players contribute to a total of 186/7 before the bowlers restricted the West Indies chase. While pleased with the outcome, Dean stressed that neither she nor the team were prepared to become complacent. I'm never satisfied, I guess. I always want to keep getting better. And yeah, I still think I can put in better performances than I did today. I was really happy with the processes that I went with. I think I followed those a little better today. So, happy, but always, always learning, always getting better, Dean said post match. The result marked another successful step in Englands campaign, and Dean acknowledged the significance of achieving the teams primary objective of reaching the knockout stage ahead of schedule. It's brilliant. It's what we set out to do today and in the tournament. So to get over that line with the game to spare feels great, she added. Englands innings was anchored by Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Knight, but Dean highlighted the collective contribution of the batting unit after the hosts crossed the 180-run mark in challenging conditions. For all of that is to chip in as well. You know, different people scoring runs. Heather and Danny, the standouts. Yeah, everyone chipped in and to get up to that score at Lord's, I feel like we had a really good chance, Dean mentioned. Although England controlled large portions of the match, the fielding effort was not flawless, with several opportunities going to ground. Dean admitted there was room for improvement, even while noting the positives in creating chances. For all of that is to chip in as well. You know, different people scoring runs. Heather and Danny, the standouts. Yeah, everyone chipped in and to get up to that score at Lord's, I feel like we had a really good chance, Dean mentioned. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With England sitting atop Group B after four consecutive victories, Deans message was one of progress rather than perfection, as the hosts look to refine their game further before the knockout stages begin. Article Source: IANS
Amshi de Silva runs through Unicorns to give Super Kings second win
Good hands from Donovan Ferreira and Faf du Plessis propelled Texas Super Kings to 161 before their quicks took over
New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson To Miss England Decider As Fitness Precaution
New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will miss the series decider against England at Trent Bridge as a fitness precaution, captain Tom Latham said Wednesday. The towering paceman, nearly 7 foot (2.13 metres) tall, took 10 wickets at an impressive average of 24.20 in the opening two Tests of a three-match series all square at 1-1 heading into the start of Thursday's match in Nottingham. Jamieson has recovered from a succession of back injuries and having sent down 65 overs at Lord's and the Oval in the first two Tests -- the most of any bowler on either side - he has been removed from contention at Trent Bridge in a bid to manage his workload. KJ won't be available for selection, the plan was always for him to play two Test matches, Latham told reporters at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. He's certainly not injured, there's nothing to worry about. We know the road he's had over the last two or three years and for him to get back to this point, to be able to play two matches, has been a win for us and a win for KJ. Blair Tickner is in contention as a replacement seamer, while New Zealand are also considering recalling fit-again left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner given the forecast for unusually hot and dry conditions in Nottingham. Severe heat warnings are in place for the first two days but Test cricket regularly takes place in soaring temperatures, with a sanguine Latham insisting: I wouldn't say it's a concern. As international cricketers we're used to playing around the world in pretty hot and humid conditions, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score From a hydration point of view, it's important to stay in touch with that and give yourself the best chance of performing over the five days.
India's 2036 Olympic bid fate to be known in 2029 as IOC introduces revamped selection process
The next phase will now be Strategic Dialogue instead of Targetted Dialogue, which will remain the final phase of decision-making process even in the revamped structure
Women's T20 WC: Aussie Coach Nitschke Hopeful For Litchfield's Return For India Game
T20 World Cup: Phoebe Litchfield is on track in her recovery from a quad injury after missing three games, as the head coach Shelley Nitschke said the star batter is likely to return from injury for the side's final group match at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup against India in London on Sunday. Litchfield has missed Australia's past three group matches after suffering an acute quad injury during her match-winning 24-ball knock of 50 against South Africa at Old Trafford on June 13. Speaking to cricket.com.au on Wednesday, Nitschke confirmed she was optimistic Litchfield would be available. I think Pheebs is tracking really well and hopefully will be available for the India game, Nitschke said. Allrounder Ellyse Perry was elevated to No.3 in Litchfield's place. If Litchfield does return it would mean veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry would drop back down to the No.4 position following her Player of the Match performance against Pakistan and one unlucky player would drop out of the XI entirely. And then, that's going to be really tough call Pheebs is likely to come back into that number three position, so then we've got some decisions to make on what the set-up looks like and how to structure up. But obviously someone has come out for her, she added. A final call on Litchfield's availability will be made closer to Sunday's game, with Australia to train at Lord's on Friday and at Wormsley on Saturday. And then, that's going to be really tough call Pheebs is likely to come back into that number three position, so then we've got some decisions to make on what the set-up looks like and how to structure up. But obviously someone has come out for her, she added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score She's played at Lord's quite a bit with the London Spirit, so she certainly throws her hat into the ring as well. She's been really unlucky, so we've certainly got some options, Nitschke said. Article Source: IANS
Sciver-Brunt Making Progress But Will Miss Last Group Game: ECB
T20 World Cup: England have provided a fresh update on injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt just minutes after qualifying for the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, saying she is progressing well in her recovery but will sit out their final group match against New Zealand at The Oval on Saturday. Sciver-Brunt has been battling a calf problem and was watching on from the sidelines when England defeated the West Indies by 38 runs at Lord's to book their place in the knockout stages of the tournament. England Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement after their win over the West Indies confirming Sciver-Brunt batted in the nets earlier in the day but will miss the group match against New Zealand. England Women can confirm that Nat Sciver-Brunt had an MRI scan, and it showed she is making good progress. Nat also batted in the nets on Wednesday, ECB said in a statement While her calf is responding well to treatment, the England medical team feel that she needs a little more time for rehabilitation before being available for selection so will miss the group match against New Zealand, it added. The all-rounder has not played since retiring during England's win against Ireland in their second match of the tournament, where she picked up a left calf strain. Nat retired hurt on 48 with nine runs needed in Englands fourwicket win after feeling tightness in her calf but insisted at the conclusion of the game that it was a precautionary decision. But the ECB later confirmed that a scan revealed a muscle strain in the same area where Nat previously suffered a calf injury in the run-up to the 12-team mega event, ruling her out of the two group matches. Nat retired hurt on 48 with nine runs needed in Englands fourwicket win after feeling tightness in her calf but insisted at the conclusion of the game that it was a precautionary decision. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Vicecaptain Charlie Dean was leading England in the match against Scotland and the West Indies. Article Source: IANS
England Crush West Indies by 38 Runs to Become First Womens T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Finalists
England became the first team to lock in a semi-final spot at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 as they defeated the West Indies by 38 runs, thanks to gutsy half-century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge. After Wyatt-Hodge (65 off 42) and Heather Knight's (43 off 26) led the hosts to 186/7, England's bowlers kept a lid on power-packed West Indies line-up to restrict them to 148/5 and registered their fourth straight win of the tournament. Electing to field first, the West Indies found early success as Chinelle Henry dismissed Amy Jones in the first over of the innings. The hosts took the early wicket on the chin and launched into attack against a West Indies bowling line-up that struggled to find the right line and length. Wyatt-Hodge led the charge for England with an impressive 65 off 42 balls, which was studded with eight boundaries. England's top and middle order delivered on the day and rallied around the in-form Wyatt-Hodge. Alice Capsey chipped in with 28 while Heather Knight, who was dropped on 14 by Hayley Matthews, made West Indies pay as she struck a 26-ball 43. England batters were keeping the pressure on the West Indies and reached 86 runs in the first 10 overs before adding 100 runs in second-half. Though West Indies run out Wyatt-Hodge and packed off power hitters Freya Kemp and Danielle Gibson early, the lower order knocked off 24 runs in the last two overs to take them over the 180-mark. Save Aaliyah Alleyne, who went wicketless, all the West Indian bowlers went for over eight runs an over. Off-spinner Ashmini Munisar was the most successful, with figures of 2-42 in her four overs. Chasing 187, the West Indies needed at least one of their top three to fire, but Linsey Smith dismissed Matthews in the fourth over after overturning a not-out decision for caught behind via DRS. Save Aaliyah Alleyne, who went wicketless, all the West Indian bowlers went for over eight runs an over. Off-spinner Ashmini Munisar was the most successful, with figures of 2-42 in her four overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shemaine Campbelle, who had scored a match-winning knock against New Zealand, came up short against England as she was clean bowled by Sophie Ecclestone for 20. Reduced to 64/3, West Indies struggled to keep pace and were hemmed in by some smart bowling by England. Article Source: IANS
Voll enjoys licence to thrill in seamless opening transition
Filling the shoes of Alyssa Healy could have been a daunting task, but so far Georgia Voll has taken it all in her stride
Matthews left frustrated after 'clear gap' on caught behind review
When the dismissal was confirmed, West Indies' captain showed her anger on the field but later said she had no choice but to respect the decision
Tom Banton puts first-class career on hold with Somerset
Keeper-batter signs white ball deal at Taunton to manage cross-format workloads
Wyatt-Hodge, Knight and bowlers power England into semi-final
Dean, Ecclestone and Smith reduced West Indies to 69 for 4 in the 187 chase, during which Matthews was controversially given out
WI vs SL 1st Test: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction
WI vs SL 1st Test, Cricket Tips :After the white-ball leg of the Sri Lanka tour of West Indies, these two teams will be facing each other in the longest format. Sri Lanka won the ODI series 1-0, while West Indies responded well in the shorter format with a 2-1 series win. Now, these two teams will face each other in two tests. The first test will begin on Thursday at 7:30 PM IST at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the visitors, which has some new faces like Sonal Dinusha, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, and Isitha Wijesundera. Roston Chase will lead West Indies, which will see the return of Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, who missed the last two assignments. Their bowling unit will be strengthened after that, and that will give them a better chance. WI vs SL: Match Details Date : June 25-29, 2026 (Thursday-Monday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua WI vs SL: Live Streaming Details In India, the only option to watch the first test is through the FanCode mobile app or website. WI vs SL: Head-to-Head in Tests Total Matches : 24 West Indies : 04 Sri Lanka : 11 No-result : 09 WI vs SL: Ground Pitch Report Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has been a low and slow wicket. It has good assistance for the seamers early on, and the wicket tends to get slower with the time. The batting conditions will be better for the first two days, and batting last will be the difficult decision here. WI vs SL: Possible XIs West Indies : Lahiru Udara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis/Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayike, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha Sri Lanka : Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (c), Joshua Da Silva (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales WI vs SL: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Pathuam Nissanka and Shai Hope are the two in-form batters, who have scored runs in the white leg of this tour. Probable Bowler Shamar Joseph and Asitha Fernando are two strike bowlers in the test for these teams. They will be the ones to watch out for. Today Match Prediction : West Indies are a good team at home, but Sri Lanka are better suited in this format. Hence, we predict Sri Lanka to win the first test. WI vs SL Match 1st 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.
TG20 Season 1: Nitish Reddys Fifty Powers Nalgonda Knights To Maiden Victory In Rain-hit Clash
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: A disciplined bowling effort led by Rakshann Readdi and Varun Goud, followed by Nitish Reddys composed 52, helped Anurag Nalgonda Knights register their first win of the Hyderabad Cricket Associations TG20 Season 1 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday. In what was the second match of the day -- one that was interrupted by rain -- the Knights comfortably chased down a revised target of 117 in 17 overs to defeat EIPL & elev Karimnagar Diamonds by six wickets. After a cautious start, Diamonds skipper Tanmay Agarwal shifted gears in the third over, taking 15 runs off Nishanth Saranu to inject momentum into the innings. His aggressive intent set an early tone as the Diamonds began to put pressure on the Nalgonda Knights. Tanmay continued to dominate, combining crisp boundary-hitting with smart strike rotation alongside Sai Sharan (15 off 18). The pair stitched together a valuable opening partnership, with Tanmay bringing up the 50-run stand in style with a six. However, just as the Diamonds looked set, Arfaz Ahmed provided the breakthrough, dismissing the skipper for a fluent 46 off 26 deliveries. The Knights capitalised on the wicket immediately. Satwik Reddy managed just 1 off 7 balls before edging behind to hand Varun Goud his first wicket of the evening. Goud struck again in the same over, removing Sai Sharan (15 off 18), who found Nitish Reddy in the field, leaving the Diamonds under pressure. Following a rain interruption, Goud picked up where he left off, dismissing Rahul Radesh (1 off 2) to claim his third wicket. Rakshann Readdi then joined the party, accounting for Chandan Sahani (1 off 3) as Karimnagar slumped to 65/5. With the innings in danger of unravelling, Harish Thakur (21 off 23) and Shubham Sharma (20 off 16) attempted to steady the ship. The duo battled through a difficult phase, but boundaries remained hard to come by. Just when the partnership began to show promise and the Diamonds crossed the 100-run mark, Readdi struck again, bowling Shubham to halt the recovery. Readdi returned in the 18th over to add two more wickets to his tally, finishing with an impressive 4/20. His spell effectively sealed the Diamonds fate, as the innings folded on the final ball for 130, capping off a disciplined bowling performance from the Knights. Chasing a revised target of 117 in 17 overs, the Nalgonda Knights suffered an early setback when Harish Thakur struck in the second over, dismissing Pranav Suryadevara for a quickfire 11 off just five deliveries. The Diamonds struck again soon after as Gaurav Reddy (4 off 8) holed out to Satish Kumar, giving Rathlavath Dinesh his first wicket of the innings. At 22/2, the Knights needed a steady partnership to regain control of the chase. Nitish Reddy and skipper Rahul Buddhi responded with a measured stand. The pair kept the scoreboard moving with Nitish hitting timely boundaries before Narayana Teja broke the partnership by removing Buddhi for 5 off 13 balls. Undeterred, Nitish continued to anchor the chase with a composed knock, finding the perfect balance between caution and aggression. He found an able ally in Divesh Singh, who kept the pressure on the bowlers with an enterprising innings. The pair steadily chipped away at the target, ensuring the required rate never became a concern. Nitish brought up a well-crafted half-century in just 33 deliveries, but his impressive innings came to an end when Ashish Srivastav dismissed him for 52 off 36 balls. By then, however, the Knights were firmly in command of the contest. With only 16 runs needed for victory, Divesh Singh put the finishing touches on the chase. The unbeaten batter smashed a six off Shubham Sharma to seal the win with three overs to spare, finishing on 36 not out from 18 deliveries and guiding the Knights to their first victory of the season in convincing fashion. Nitish brought up a well-crafted half-century in just 33 deliveries, but his impressive innings came to an end when Ashish Srivastav dismissed him for 52 off 36 balls. By then, however, the Knights were firmly in command of the contest. Also Read: Live Cricket Score EIPL & elev Karimnagar Diamonds 130 all out (Tanmay Agarwal 46, Harish Thakur 21, Rakshann Readdi 4/20, Varun Goud 3/8) lost to Anurag Nalgonda Knights 121/4 in 14 overs (Nitish Reddy 52, Divesh Singh 36*, Rathlavath Dinesh 1/10) by six wickets (DLS). Article Source: IANS
SA-W vs NED-W Match 24, Cricket Tips :South Africa had a tough start to their campaign in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with a big defeat against Australia Women. But they displayed an improved performance with two consecutive wins. Their win against India have set a great platform for them. They will be facing Netherlands Women in the upcoming contest. This contest is scheduled to be played on Thursday at 11 PM IST at County Ground, Bristol. A win at this stage will take South Africa very close to the semifinal. They are playing good cricket and have a good chance. Netherlands' campaign is already over, and they will hope to end the tournament on positive notes. SA-W vs NED-W: Match Details Date : June 25, 2026 (Thursday) Time : 11 PM IST Venue : County Ground, Bristol SA-W vs NED-W Live Streaming Details The live action of the SA-W vs NED-W clash will be available on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also watch the live stream of the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website. SA-W vs NED-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches: 01 South Africa Women : 01 Netherlands Women : 00 No-Result : 00 SA-W vs NED-W: Ground Pitch Report County Ground offers good bowling-friendly conditions. The ball moves and swings here for the first 4-5 overs. The grass on the wicket will keep the bowlers interested if they bowl in the right areas. Teams have often bowled first here because the conditions are expected to ease out in the second innings. SA-W vs NED-W Possible XIs SA-W : Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba NED-W : Heather Siegers, Phebe Molkenboer, Babette de Leede (c & wk), Sterre Kalis, Robine Rijke, Frederique Overdijk, Iris Zwilling, Myrthe van den Raad, Silver Siegers, Caroline de Lange, Isabel van der Woning SA-W vs NED-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Marizanne Kapp played her best T20I innings against India and played good shots. She will be confident after that innings. Babette de Leede has been the best Dutch batter this edition. Probable Best Bowler Kapp has been the pick of the bowlers, and she takes early wickets. Caroline de Lange has been impressive and will be the one to watch out for. Today Match Prediction : South Africa Women have experienced side, and we predict them to win this game. SA-W vs NED-W Match 24 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, SA-W vs NED-W 2026 Prediction, SA-W vs NED-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for SA-W vs NED-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.
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: A blazing 118-run opening stand between Luvnith Sisodia and MG Naveen laid the foundation for Shivamogga Yodhas comprehensive 42-run victory over Hubli Tigers in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament on Wednesday. Asked to bat first, the Shivamogga Yodhas made a flying start as Sisodia and Naveen plundered 73 runs in the powerplay before putting together 118 runs off just 61 deliveries. Sisodia struck a fluent 57 off 33 balls, including six fours and three sixes, while Naveen produced a scintillating 75, smashing five fours and six sixes. After Sisodias dismissal, skipper Smaran Ravichandran (37 off 25; 3x4, 2x6) maintained the momentum with Naveen, adding 65 runs for the second wicket in only 36 balls to propel Shivamogga Yodhas to an imposing 220 for five. Hubli Tigers responded positively through a 74-run second-wicket partnership between Mohammed Taha (44 off 33; 6x4, 1x6) and Hardik Raj (43 off 25; 5x4, 3x6), briefly raising hopes of a successful chase. However, left-arm seamer Abhilash Shetty turned the contest decisively in Shivamogga Yodhas favour. He struck twice in three deliveries in his third over, dismissing the well-set Taha before removing Abhinav Manohar off the very next ball to reduce the Hubli Tigers to 98 for five. Captain Mayank Agarwal fought a lone battle thereafter, but with the required rate climbing rapidly and wickets falling at regular intervals, the Hubli Tigers were eventually bowled out for 178 in 19.3 overs. The victory was Shivamogga Yodhas' second in four matches, lifting them to second place with four points on the points table. Hubli Tigers, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the season after their tournament opener against Coastal Kings Mangaluru was washed out. Captain Mayank Agarwal fought a lone battle thereafter, but with the required rate climbing rapidly and wickets falling at regular intervals, the Hubli Tigers were eventually bowled out for 178 in 19.3 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shivamogga Yodhas 220/5 in 20 overs (Luvnith Sisodia 57, MG Naveen 75, Smaran Ravichandran 37; L R Kumar 2/30, Vaibhav Sharma 2/48) Vs Hubli Tigers 178 all out in 19.3 overs (Mohammed Taha 44, Hardik Raj 43; Abhilash Shetty 4/25, Mohsin Khan 2/31). Article Source: IANS
IND-W vs BAN-W Match 23, Cricket Tips :India Women started the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with two good wins. But they had a disappointing defeat against South Africa in the previous game. That has put them in a must-win situation. India will be facing Bangladesh Women in the upcoming contest. This encounter will kick off at 7 PM IST on June 25 at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. India might not worry about this opposition, as they have a dominating record against them. But Bangladesh have also been impressive, recording two wins. They can certainly outsmart India on their day. IND-W vs BAN-W: Match Details Date : June 25, 2026 (Thursday) Time : 7 PM IST Venue : Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester IND-W vs BAN-W Live Streaming Details Indian fans can tune into the Star Sports networks to watch this game live. The live stream of the match will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND-W vs BAN-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 23 India Women : 20 Bangladesh Women : 03 No-Result : 00 IND-W vs BAN-W: Ground Pitch Report Old Trafford has been a good venue for the batting sides. This is a good-scoring venue with an average first-inning score of 165-170. The bounce and carry is pretty good here. Fast bowlers can extract good help with the new ball. IND-W vs BAN-W Possible XIs IND-W : Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma BAN-W : Juairiya Ferdous, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (C & wk), Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Shanjida Akter Meghla, Marufa Akter IND-W vs BAN-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Smriti Mandhana is in red-hot form and has scored the most runs for India. She will be the big wicket at the top. For Bangladesh, Juairiya Ferdous has been in a class apart. She has scored a match-winning fifty. Probable Best Bowler Shree Charani and Narufa Akter are the wicket-takers with the new ball. They will make it tough for the batters. Today Match Prediction : India Women are more experienced and have a better combination. Hence, we predict them to beat Bangladesh Women to win this game. IND-W vs BAN-W Match 23 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, IND-W vs BAN-W 2026 Prediction, IND-W vs BAN-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for IND-W vs BAN-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.
Red-hot Southby scorches Warwickshire in Hampshire's latest win
Wicketkeeper underlines batting improvement with 90 not out before spinners squeeze
CAB Names Ashoke Dinda As Head Of Vision 2028 Programme & Fast Bowling Coach
CAB President Sourav Ganguly: The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Wednesday announced the appointment of Ashoke Dinda and Utpal Chatterjee to spearhead its ambitious 'Vision 2028' player development programme, scheduled to commence in July 2026. The Cricket Association of Bengal on Wednesday announced two Bengal legends, Mr Utpal Chatterjee and Mr Ashoke Dinda, in the Vision 2028 programme starting July 2026. Mr Dinda has been named as the Head of Vision 2028 and Fast Bowling Coach. Mr Chatterjee has been named as the Spin bowling coach for Vision 2028, the CAB stated in an official release on Wednesday. The 'Vision 2028' initiative is designed as a comprehensive blueprint to identify, promote, and elevate cricketing talent in Bengal. To ensure a unified and structured development pathways system, the apex state body has integrated the entire coaching core into the initiative. Chatterjee played three ODIs for India in 1995, and later served as the head coach of Bengal in the 2008/09 season. Dinda, meanwhile, featured in 13 ODIs and nine T20Is for India from 2009 to 2013. Dinda is also serving as the Minister of State for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and Textiles in the West Bengal government. According to CAB, the head coaches alongside the assistant coaches of all major state representative squads -- spanning the Under-16, Under-19, Under-23, and the senior mens and womens Bengal teams -- will be actively included within the operational folds of the Vision programme. Chatterjee played three ODIs for India in 1995, and later served as the head coach of Bengal in the 2008/09 season. Dinda, meanwhile, featured in 13 ODIs and nine T20Is for India from 2009 to 2013. Dinda is also serving as the Minister of State for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and Textiles in the West Bengal government. Also Read: Live Cricket Score --IANS Article Source: IANS
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Bengaluru Blasters Overcome Coastal Kings Mangaluru By 20 Runs
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Bengaluru Blasters defeated Coastal Kings Mangaluru by 20 runs in the first match of the day at the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 to stay at the top of the table with six points from four matches. For Coastal Kings, it was their first defeat in three matches, and they slipped to third with three points. It was another run fest as, batting first, the Blasters raced to 226 for six with useful contributions from almost all the top and middle-order batters. The Coastal Kings, in reply, made a poor start, losing opener Nikin Jose in the first over, and, more crucially, captain Karun Nair also fell soon for a mere 10, reducing them to 23-2 in 3.3 overs. They slipped further to 97-5 in the 12th over. When it looked all over, Suraj Ahuja single-handedly waged a spirited battle that turned the match into a thrilling affair. The 26-year-old scored a whirlwind 96 not out in 38 balls with five fours and eight sixes. He fell short of a deserving century while C.A. Karthik remained unbeaten on 49 off 27 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes). The pair added 109 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket off just 51 balls. Shubhang Hegde was the pick of the Blasters' attack with figures of 2-31. Earlier, it was wicket-keeper batsman KL Shrijith who motored the innings for the Blasters with 59 runs in 33 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes. Shrijith added a 26-ball 55 with opener Rohan Patil (30 off 14) for the second wicket and a 33-ball 49 with Samit Dravid for the third. Patil (30 off 14, 5 fours, 1 six) and Dravid (39 off 21, 3 fours, 2 sixes) were equally fluent and at times more aggressive than Shrijith. The good work continued through captain Shubhang Hegde (34 off 18, 4 sixes) and Praveen Dubey (45* off 21, 6 fours, 2 sixes), adding 47 runs in 24 balls for the fifth wicket on the way to a formidable score. C A Karthik (3-49) was the most successful bowler for Coastal Kings. Patil (30 off 14, 5 fours, 1 six) and Dravid (39 off 21, 3 fours, 2 sixes) were equally fluent and at times more aggressive than Shrijith. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bengaluru Blasters 226-6 in 20 overs (Rohan Patil 30, KL Shrijith 59, Samit Dravid 39, Shubhang Hegde 34, Praveen Dubey 45 not out; CA Karthik 3-49) bt Coastal Kings Mangaluru 206 all out in 20 overs (Suraj Ahuja 96 not out, C A Karthik 49 not out; Shubhang Hegde 2-31) by 20 runs. Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: Willing To Put My Hand Up As An All-rounder, Says Shafali Verma
ICC T20 World Cup: Asserting that she now considers herself a complete all-rounder, opener Shafali Verma said she is ready to raise her hand and deliver in any situation as India look to put their semifinal aspirations on track when they take the field for a crucial 2026 Women's T20 World Cup Group A match against Bangladesh. Shafali had impressive figures of 1-22 in her four overs against South Africa at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, though India lost by six wickets and got their first defeat in the 12-team competition. A win over Bangladesh on Thursday will help them be in contention for entering the semi-finals. Yes, I would say I am an all-rounder now. In domestic cricket, playing for Haryana, I have always tried to bowl, as a captain too, and used to think about what I could do if I got a chance to bowl for the Indian team. I had prepared for it and worked hard. That is why I could execute well. As a player, I would like to put my hand up and serve the team in a given situation, said Shafali in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. She also credited her family for encouraging her to bowl in her formative years. My brother is a leg-spinner, and he said I too should bowl. My father now is happy and tells me it was good that I bowled in those days. Yes, I would say I am an all-rounder now. In domestic cricket, playing for Haryana, I have always tried to bowl, as a captain too, and used to think about what I could do if I got a chance to bowl for the Indian team. I had prepared for it and worked hard. That is why I could execute well. As a player, I would like to put my hand up and serve the team in a given situation, said Shafali in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So yesterday, we spoke about it in the huddle - we know it's a crucial game, but we will back each other. We will give our best in preparation over the next two days. We will take it day by day. We cant take any team lightly. They also came here to play good cricket. We will go game by game and try to play our best cricket and try to win that game, she concluded. Article Source: IANS
New Zealand Captain Latham Urges Replication Of 'old-school' Grit For Series Triumph
New Zealand: New Zealand captain Tom Latham has urged his side to summon oldschool grit as they chase a Test series triumph against England, when they take the field for the third Test starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday. The Blackcaps bounced back remarkably well from the sudden retirement of talismanic batter Kane Williamson just days after the 115-run defeat in the first game at Lords by sealing an emphatic 253-run victory in the second match at The Oval to level the three-match series 1-1. Any series you step into, the end goal is to be there at the end with the results that you want. What's important for us is the work we do leading up to that point, and trying to stick to the things that we do well and stick to our style as best we can. It was a really good example of how we operated last week (which) was maybe slightly different to what the modern generation of Test cricket is, and how it's been played. It was a little bit more old-school, and trying to do things for long periods of time and keep being a threat for long periods of time. If it's required throughout this week to do something similar, then we'll obviously be looking to do that. We've got better and better throughout the series, and hopefully we can keep improving on those performances, Latham told reporters in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. The visitors will be forced to alter their playing combination as pacer Kyle Jamieson has been rested to manage his workload following a long rehabilitation from a back stress fracture. If it's required throughout this week to do something similar, then we'll obviously be looking to do that. We've got better and better throughout the series, and hopefully we can keep improving on those performances, Latham told reporters in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He's certainly not injured; there's nothing there to worry about. It was always the plan for him to get through two Test matches. For Mitch to get himself ready for this tour was testament to the work that he put in. He's someone that spins the ball on many different surfaces. If we do go down that line, then we certainly know he'll be a threat throughout the five days, added Latham. Article Source: IANS
Avesh Khan Opens Up On India Comeback Dream, Says biggest Challenge Is Consistency
For Madhya Pradesh: Competition for places in India's fast-bowling attack has rarely been tougher. With a growing pool of pacers consistently performing across formats, staying in contention requires far more than talent alone. For Madhya Pradesh and Lucknow Super Giants pacer Avesh Khan, who has already represented India at the international level, the biggest challenge in earning another opportunity is remarkably simple. The biggest challenge is consistency, Avesh told IANS when asked to describe the biggest challenge faced during the journey between representing India and then working to earn that opportunity again to make a comeback. The 29-year-old was candid when asked about the journey between wearing the India jersey and working to get back into the national setup. If you are performing consistently, then you will stay in the team, he added. While many players speak about confidence, pressure, or competition, Avesh believes consistency remains the defining factor that separates those who break into the Indian team from those who manage to stay there. Avesh acknowledged that he is currently outside the national setup, but made it clear that his focus remains on controlling the things within his reach. So, the main thing is that I am not a part of the team yet. So, I will try to do well in the Ranji Trophy season or the domestic season. Rather than looking too far ahead, the fast bowler is focused on performing for his team and building a strong case through results, as he said, I win matches for my team. So that I come back to the place where I deserve myself. His immediate roadmap is straightforward: complete the MPL campaign strongly before turning his attention to the upcoming domestic season. So, for that, I will work after the MPL. I will try to come back to my fitness and bowling, he stated. Modern T20 cricket is often viewed as one of the toughest environments for bowlers, with power-hitters, flatter pitches, and aggressive batting approaches making life increasingly difficult. Avesh agrees that the challenge is real, yet he sees that challenge as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. As you can see, T20 is a little tough for fast bowlers and bowlers. But I think there is an opportunity in it that you can do well. And if you develop new balls as a fast bowler, as a spinner, then you will be successful. For Avesh, survival in modern cricket depends on continuous evolution. You must have seen that there are a lot of fast bowlers and spinners in the league. So, I always look for opportunities to do well. And I always think that I will dominate him as a bowler. That mindset, of constantly adding new skills and looking for ways to improve, is central to his pursuit of another India call-up. India's pace-bowling reserves are deeper than ever, with several bowlers competing for limited spots across formats. But Avesh does not view that competition as a burden. Instead, he sees it as motivation. I mean, motivation is always there as a fast bowler. Because I have also played for India, Avesh said. The desire to continue playing at the highest level remains a major driving force. And playing in the IPL or any league always feels like a motivation. That you do what you love. So, it's a very good thing. According to Avesh, one of the biggest benefits of playing domestic cricket, franchise cricket, and leagues such as the MPL is the opportunity to learn from a wide range of players. Talking about motivation, it always feels good. That you are playing cricket, you are playing with young players, you are playing with experienced players, you are playing in the IPL. So, you get to learn a lot of new things, so it feels good, he opined. Avesh also opened up on Lucknow Super Giants, a franchise he has represented for multiple seasons. While LSG have endured disappointing campaigns in recent years, he believes the team's culture has remained one of its strengths. According to the pacer, the focus within the dressing room has always been on identifying shortcomings and finding ways to improve. My experience has been very good. The last two years, the results have not been in our favour. But we have always been together as a team. And we always think about where we are and try to improve it. And whatever is good, we try to make it better. So, our environment is very good, he stated. Avesh also opened up on Lucknow Super Giants, a franchise he has represented for multiple seasons. While LSG have endured disappointing campaigns in recent years, he believes the team's culture has remained one of its strengths. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For now, Avesh's attention remains fixed on the process rather than the destination. The Indian dream remains alive, but in his mind, the path back is clear. Article Source: IANS
India, South Africa eye NRR boost in close Group 1 race
South Africa won the only T20I they played against Netherlands in 2010, while India hold a 20-3 head-to-head record against Bangladesh
Latham calls upon NZ to keep 'raising the bar' in bid for Test series win
After completing an old-school 253-run win at The Oval, the NZ captain pushes for more glory at Trent Bridge
Everyone Has Talent; Improvement Is What Matters: Avesh Khan
Madhya Pradesh Premier League: As the Madhya Pradesh Premier League enters its business end, Chambal Ghariyals have emerged as one of the standout teams of the season, finishing the league stage at the top of the table. But for India pacer Avesh Khan, success in cricket is not determined by talent alone. Having spent years in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and represented India at the highest level, Avesh believes the biggest differentiator between players is their ability to constantly evolve. Talent is present in everyone. It is more important how you improve as a cricketer every time. Because talent lasts only for a time, Avesh told IANS in an exclusive interaction when asked to describe the qualities that convince him that a player has the potential to go a long way. The fast bowler stressed that natural ability can only take a player so far. Sustained success, he said, comes from consistently working on every aspect of the game. And then you have to continuously work on your fitness, your bowling, your batting, your mindset, your skills. So, when a player plays, he plays at a higher level, he added. Avesh revealed that this is a message he regularly shares with young cricketers around him, particularly in a tournament like the MPL, where several aspiring players are hoping to catch the attention of IPL scouts and state selectors. So, I also tell our team members that talent is present in everyone. But how you use it and how you learn from mistakes is very important, Avesh said. He believes one of the biggest traps young players can fall into is relying solely on their talent without addressing their shortcomings. Instead of making the same mistakes every time, being talented and always hearing that there is a lot of talent, there is a lot of talent, he is not making runs according to that, he is not taking wickets. So, how you improve yourself is very important, he stated. Now in its third season, the MPL has expanded from seven men's teams to ten, providing more opportunities for players across Madhya Pradesh. Avesh feels the tournament has become an important stepping stone for cricketers looking to progress to higher levels. It feels good to play MPL. Because there are 10 teams and not a single team seems to be a light team. All the teams are very good. It almost feels like a mini IPL, he mentioned. The Indian pacer believes the competitiveness of the league is helping players prepare for bigger challenges ahead. We are playing at home ground in Indore. And we are playing against our own players. So, there is always a lot of excitement. A lot of young players are coming from our team and from other teams as well. So, this is a very good thing for MP cricket, he expressed. According to Avesh, the tournament serves as a confidence booster for players targeting opportunities beyond the state circuit, as he said, We are getting a confidence booster for all the players who can be picked for IPL, Ranji Trophy, or Mushtaq Ali. While individual talent often grabs headlines, Avesh credits Chambal Ghariyals' success this season to a collective effort. The biggest plus point for us is that we have different match winners in every match. The table-toppers, he said, have thrived because they are not overly reliant on one or two players. We are playing very well as a team. We are not dependent on any individual. If a batsman does not make a run today, our score will be reduced. If a bowler does not take wickets today, we will lose. Our entire team's effort is compact. So, we are playing very good cricket. As the team prepares for the semi-finals, Avesh is keen to ensure the league-stage success does not create unnecessary pressure. We all (teammates) have not met yet. But when we meet tomorrow, we will discuss that the semi-final match is just another game. We should not look at it differently. Obviously, there is a little pressure. But our team has handled the pressure very well in the league stage. And we will continue to handle the pressure in the same way, Avesh opined. The table-toppers, he said, have thrived because they are not overly reliant on one or two players. We are playing very well as a team. We are not dependent on any individual. If a batsman does not make a run today, our score will be reduced. If a bowler does not take wickets today, we will lose. Our entire team's effort is compact. So, we are playing very good cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Instead, the team's focus remains on preparation and execution. We always talk in meetings that we will give our 100% effort. And we will play to our 100% ability. We always say that if we play to our 100% ability, we will win matches. And in the league stage, if we play to our 100% ability, we will win matches. Article Source: IANS
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium: Warangal Warriors secured a five-wicket win against Anvita Khammam Aces to register their first win in Season 1 of the TG20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, in the first match on Wednesday. Chasing 203, opener Harshit Choudhary carried his bat with an unbeaten 121 off 62 balls to lead the Warriors to victory in a tense chase. In the first innings, Mohd. Abdul Malik (3/35) and Murugan Abhishek (3/54) did well to restrict the Aces to 202 despite half-centuries from Mayank Gupta (54 off 36) and Mickil Jaiswal (54 off 22). Aces were quick off the blocks with Wafi Kachchhi and Mayank scoring ten runs in the first over to set the tone. Wafi struck consecutive sixes off Abdul Malik in the second over before the bowler struck back immediately to dismiss the 19-year-old and give his side an early breakthrough. Mayank then collaborated with Himateja Kodimela (23 off 13) as they stitched together a quickfire 47-run stand off 24 balls. The two batters made the most of the Power-play, finding the gaps with expert precision. Abdul Malik then stepped up for the Warriors once again, dismissing Himateja in the final over of the powerplay, with the Aces at 60/2. Despite losing a couple of wickets, Aces continued to be on the charge as Mayank and Prateek Reddy (20 off 11) combined for 35 off 20. The latter looked in fine touch as he struck three fours in his innings, but his untimely dismissal in the ninth over, courtesy Abhishek, held the Aces to 104/3. Mayank hung in there to ensure the scoreboard kept ticking alongside Mickil Jaiswal (54 off 22), who laid down a marker of intent from the get-go. The two batters notched their half-centuries with Mayank getting there with a well-constructed innings in 32 balls, while Mickil smashed 7 sixes and a boundary to amass his fifty in 21 balls. Abhishek broke the partnership by getting rid of Mickil in the fifteenth over, which triggered a collapse for the Aces. Mayank, who was the joint top-scorer for the innings, also fell soon after. From there on, the Aces only managed a boundary and a six towards the end as they lost six wickets in a space of 27 runs. Abdul Malik and Abhishek bagged three wickets each, while Pallepati Kranthi (2/42) and Mudassar (1/30) also chipped in to bundle out the Aces for 202. Warriors openers laid the foundation for the chase, scoring 28 off the first two overs with Harshit leading the charge. District player Mahesh Vipparla gave his side the breakthrough in the third over, getting the better of Aman Rao Perala (7 off 4), who scored the fastest century in T20 domestic leagues in the previous game against Medak Falcons. A key moment of the match came in the fourth over when Harshit was dropped on 32. He made the most of that lifeline along with Rishiket Sisodia as they ensured that the required run rate remained in check with a 51-run stand off 29 balls, helping Warriors post 77/1 in Power-play. Warriors openers laid the foundation for the chase, scoring 28 off the first two overs with Harshit leading the charge. District player Mahesh Vipparla gave his side the breakthrough in the third over, getting the better of Aman Rao Perala (7 off 4), who scored the fastest century in T20 domestic leagues in the previous game against Medak Falcons. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the game going down to the wire, Harshit displayed immense maturity and calmness as he registered his century in 48 balls. Although Aces captain C.V. Milind got the wicket of Abhishek (5 off 4) in the 18th over, Harshit ensured he finished the job for his side along with Adi Mani Kiran (14 off 4), who chipped in with a handy cameo to lead their team to a five-wicket win. Article Source: IANS
Yo Mahesh, Named Tamil Nadu Senior Men's Head Coach For 2026/27 Season
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association: Former India U19 and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh has been appointed as the new head coach of the Tamil Nadu senior men's cricket team for the upcoming 2026/27 domestic season. The decision was finalised by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) after screening applications for various coaching and selection positions. According to a statement from the TNCA, Yo Mahesh will spearhead the coaching staff for both the multi-day and white-ball senior men's teams, moving up after a successful stint with the state's Under-19 squad. He replaces M. Senthilnathan (red-ball coach) and M. Venkataramana (white-ball coach) for the upcoming domestic season. Mahesh, a domestic cricket veteran of 50 first-class games, 61 List A, and 46 T20 matches who also represented Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in the IPL, will be supported by R Srinivasan as the assistant coach for red-ball cricket. J. Hariesh, who works as an assistant batting coach for IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, will serve as the assistant coach for the white-ball formats. In other notable appointments for the mens division, V R S Guru Kedarnath has been handed the reins of the Under-23 team, while V Maaruthi Raghav takes over the Under-19 boys' setup. S Dinesh and T R Madhavan will helm the Under-16 and Under-14 coaching departments, respectively. Mahesh, a domestic cricket veteran of 50 first-class games, 61 List A, and 46 T20 matches who also represented Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in the IPL, will be supported by R Srinivasan as the assistant coach for red-ball cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The state's Under-23 women's team will be guided by V Bobby Gulecha, while S Ashok Anand and Nilofer Firdhouse will take charge of the U19 and U15 set-ups, respectively. TNCA Secretary U Bhagwandas Rao also confirmed that K Hemamalini has been appointed as the chairperson of the womens senior selection committee, while N Manjhulaa will head the junior womens selection committee to oversee grassroots talent identification across the state. Article Source: IANS
Stokes 'desperate' to make the difference for England after apologising for nightclub impact
England captain returns after missing second Test with sole focus on the coming five days
Yo Mahesh appointed TN head coach; Sandeep Patil named Mumbai mentor
Yo Mahesh will take over from Senthilnathan and Venkataramana, who had split coaching duties in the previous season
Shadab, Philippe join Lancashire, Surrey for Vitality Blast
Both could be in action for next round of matches on Friday
Pandey: 'Harmanpreet Kaur's strike rate is a cause for concern'
Former India bowler believes Harmanpreet will be better served by freeing herself up while batting in the middle order
England's crisis meets NZ's opportunity at Trent Bridge
Weather conditions - hot, especially on the first day - enhances the prospect of spin playing a significant part for the first time in the Test series
ENG vs NZ 3rd Test Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
ENG vs NZ 3rd Test , Cricket Tips :The three-match Test series between England and New Zealand is evenly poised, with both teams winning one game each. England started the series with a 115-run win at Lord's in a low-scoring thriller. But it was followed by some unwanted circumstances for captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Gus Atkinson. As a result, the duo missed the second test, and New Zealand took full advantage of it. New Zealand recorded a 253-run win to level the series. The duo is back for the final test, as England will take on New Zealand. The final game will begin at 3:30 PM IST on Thursday at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Also Read: Live Cricket Score ENG vs NZ: Match Details Date : June 25-29, 2026 (Thursday-Monday) Time : 3:30 PM IST Venue : Trent Bridge, Nottingham ENG vs NZ: Live Streaming Details Indian fans will be able to watch the third test on the Sony Sports Networks. The live stream option will be available on the Sony LIV app or website. ENG vs NZ: Head-to-Head in Test Total Matches : 117 England : 55 New Zealand : 15 Drawn : 47 ENG vs NZ: Ground Pitch Report Trent Bridge offers another good batting wicket for Test cricket. There is a good amount of assistance for the bowling side early on. However, the wicket is expected to get better with time, making it good for batting. However, batting first will be ideal here as the record suggests. ENG vs NZ: Possible XIs England : Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue New Zealand : Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, William ORourke ENG vs NZ: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Glenn Phillips made an impact with the century in the second test, and he played the English bowlers pretty well. Joe Root has been the guy for England, and his wicket will be important. Probable Best Bowler Matt Henry ended the second test with 11 wickets and showed what he can do in these conditions. Gus Atkinson took seven wickets in the first game, and he is back again for another match-winning performance. Today Match Prediction : With the return of Stokes and Atkinson, England will be confident. They are expected to win the final test. ENG vs NZ Match 3rd Test, Today Match ENG vs NZ, ENG vs NZ Prediction, ENG vs NZ Predicted XIs, Injury Update for England vs New Zealand Match 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.
Sooryavanshi To Get A Separate Dressing Room During India's T20I Tour Of England
Each County Safeguarding Officer: In a rare move, teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will use a separate dressing room compared to his India teammates during the upcoming five-match T20I series in England, starting in Durham on July 1, to comply with mandatory child safeguarding policies. The protocol for Sooryavanshi is aligned with the rigorous under-16 protective guidelines laid down by both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). As per the norms, Sooryavanshi is permitted inside the main Indian team dressing room for tactical team meetings, strategy discussions, and match-day interactions. But he will be using the separate dressing room for changing his clothes across all five T20I game venues. This is an ICC event, with their safeguarding procedures active as they have jurisdiction. A safeguarding concern occurring during the event may (in some circumstances) be managed by the ICC. In addition to this, the ECB Safe Hands policy applies at all times. The Cricket Regulator is in contact with the Team Liaison Officer (TLO) for the Indian team to discuss requirements and expectations for the player while he is in the UK, the ECB was quoted as saying in 'The Guardian' on Wednesday. Sooryavanshis parents will accompany him throughout the United Kingdom tour, and they will reside in the official team hotels. Devajit Saikia, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), had previously said that it would fully sponsor the travel and accommodation expenses of the teenage left-handed batters parents. Each County Safeguarding Officer for the relevant cricket venue is also working closely with the Team Liaison Officer to ensure venue protocols and arrangements (specifically changing room environments) are understood and adhered to. This is conducted via safeguarding risk assessments. It is our understanding that the players parents will be travelling with him at all times. They are staying in the same hotel, which is outside of usual protocol, but agreed on this occasion due to his age. This additional measure provides us with further confidence that he has family members who can provide the additional level of support and care, added the ECB. Each County Safeguarding Officer for the relevant cricket venue is also working closely with the Team Liaison Officer to ensure venue protocols and arrangements (specifically changing room environments) are understood and adhered to. This is conducted via safeguarding risk assessments. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Though Sooryavanshi has previously shared dressing rooms with his team-mates in Bihar, Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, and India A, a debut on the tour of the United Kingdom will see him surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record (16 years, 205 days) of India's youngest men's international cricket debutant. Article Source: IANS
MPCA's Player Development Programme Revives Devendra Katheits Cricketing Journey At 37
Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association: Talent knows no age, and Royal Nimar Eagles pacer Devendra Singh Katheit is living proof of that. At 37, the left-arm fast bowler has returned to competitive cricket and earned an opportunity to showcase his skills on a major platform through the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup. Katheits comeback has been made possible through the Player Development Programme (PDP), an initiative launched by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) to provide talented cricketers who had stepped away from the game with a second chance to revive their careers. Under the programme, every MPL franchise includes two PDP players in its squad after an extensive scouting process. Katheit grabbed the opportunity and worked his way back into competitive cricket after spending years away from the professional circuit. Speaking about his journey, Katheit said playing in the MPL felt like a dream come true. Getting the opportunity to play in the MPL itself felt like a dream come true. I had stepped away from competitive cricket for several years, but I never lost the passion for fast bowling. When the Player Development Programme came along, I saw it as a chance to test myself against some of the best players in the state, he said. The veteran pacer credited the support of coaches, teammates and senior players for helping him regain confidence and belief in his abilities There was a time when I thought competitive cricket had passed me by. I was focused on my job and played only occasionally, but the love for the game was always there. The Player Development Programme gave me a platform to showcase my skills and the encouragement from experienced players around me pushed me to work even harder, he added. Katheit praised the initiative for opening doors for players who may have missed opportunities earlier in their careers and stressed that persistence had been the key to his return. The Player Development Programme is a huge opportunity for players who may not have had the chance to play professional cricket earlier. My message is simple keep working hard and stay prepared. You never know when an opportunity like this will come, he said. His MPL debut also turned into an emotional occasion as family members watched from the stands and cheered him on during his long-awaited return to competitive cricket. My family had always known how much I loved cricket, so when I got the opportunity to play in the MPL, it was an emotional moment for all of us. Seeing them watch me perform on such a big platform made all the hard work worthwhile, Katheit said. His MPL debut also turned into an emotional occasion as family members watched from the stands and cheered him on during his long-awaited return to competitive cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The MPL has given players like me a platform to dream again. I stayed patient, kept working hard and waited for my opportunity. Now that it has come, my focus is on giving my best for the team and enjoying every moment of this journey, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: When And Where To Watch SA Vs NED, Know All Details
T20 World Cup: A semifinal qualification-seeking South Africa will aim for a comprehensive victory to boost their net run-rate when they face an already eliminated Netherlands in a Group A match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at the County Ground in Bristol on Thursday. On the field, the Proteas find themselves in a complex race to the semifinals. Despite bouncing back from an opening 65-run loss against Australia by scraping past Pakistan and thrashing India by six wickets -- propelled by Marizanne Kapp's sensational 45-ball 81 not out -- Laura Wolvaardts side sits third in the group with four points, which is level with India, due to an inferior net run-rate of -0.546. They need a massive, margin-heavy victory against the winless Dutch team to keep themselves in contention for the semi-finals. The clash will take place under challenging weather conditions as a severe heatwave sweeps through Bristol. The soaring temperatures had already disrupted attendance at Sri Lanka-Ireland and New Zealand-Scotland fixtures on Tuesday. Due to the scorching weather, school kids' attendance at the games was cancelled, and shortened opening flag ceremonies were held out of safety concerns for minors. As a result, it was decided to use two smaller flags and only the over-18s on the ICC emblem for the two aforementioned fixtures. It is understood that player safety and management of the game itself due to extreme heat have been assessed and will continue to be assessed by the joint work between the safety officer, match officials, medical teams, and event delivery team. When: Thursday, June 25, 11:00 PM IST Where: The County Ground, Bristol Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game on their app and website. Squads: Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game on their app and website. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, and Dane van Niekerk Article Source: IANS
Sooryavanshi to use separate dressing room during India's tour of England
The ECB said the decision is in accordance with its - and the ICC's - safeguarding policies for players under 16
Nandre Burger ruled out of rest of MLC 2026
The South Africa left-arm quick has been sidelined due to a pre-existing stress reaction in his back
PCB may fly players to USA for power-hitting training
Arrangements and player selection are yet to be made but the plan is in the works
Womens T20 WC: In Hunt For Semis Spot, South Africa Aim To Upstage Already Out Netherlands (Preview)
T20 World Cup: With a semifinal berth still within reach, South Africa will look to solidify their prospects when they take on an already eliminated Netherlands in their 2026 Womens T20 World Cup at the County Ground on Thursday. The Proteas, who finished as runners-up in the previous two editions of the showpiece event, commenced their ongoing edition journey with a bruising 65-run defeat against Australia. Though they scraped past Pakistan by two wickets, South Africa put in their best performance when it mattered the most by securing a crucial six-wicket victory over India in Manchester. Currently placed third in Group A with four points from three games, South Africa trail India on net run-rate (-0.546). The task for Laura Wolvaardts unit is simple they must secure massive victories in their remaining fixtures against the Netherlands and Bangladesh to stay in contention for semi-finals, especially if India wins their upcoming matches. All-rounder Marizanne Kapp remains the lynchpin for South Africa after smashing a sensational, match-winning 81 not out off 45 deliveries in the previous outing against India. What will also make the Proteas happy is Marizanne and her new-ball bowler Shabnim Ismail being at their sharp best. Meanwhile, debutants Netherlands have bowed out of semifinal contention after suffering three consecutive defeats. Following a fighting six-wicket loss to Bangladesh, the Associate nation suffered heavy defeats against heavyweights India and Australia by 95 and 98 runs respectively. While skipper Babette de Leede leads the tournament run-charts for her side with 134 runs, the Dutch bowling unit faces a monumental task in stopping a formidable Proteas batting line-up from making a tall score on a hot day in Bristol. Squads: While skipper Babette de Leede leads the tournament run-charts for her side with 134 runs, the Dutch bowling unit faces a monumental task in stopping a formidable Proteas batting line-up from making a tall score on a hot day in Bristol. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, and Dane van Niekerk Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: India Seek Complete Performance Vs Bangladesh As Semi-final Race Intensifies (Preview
T20 World Cup: India's path to the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals remains firmly in their own hands, but Thursday's meeting with Bangladesh offers little room for complacency. With the tournament entering a decisive phase, Harmanpreet Kaur's side must find answers to growing concerns that have surfaced despite occupying a strong position in Group A. The biggest challenge for India is no longer at the top of the order. Questions surrounding the opening partnership have largely disappeared thanks to the aggressive starts provided by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. The duo has consistently laid solid foundations, allowing India to dominate the powerplay in multiple matches. What follows, however, has become a recurring problem. India's middle order has struggled to convert those strong starts into commanding totals. Too often, momentum has stalled during the middle overs, forcing finishers Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma to play catch-up with limited deliveries remaining. Against stronger opposition, that approach could prove costly. The defeat to South Africa highlighted another issue. After reducing the Proteas to 25 for 2, India appeared in complete control before missed opportunities in the field allowed the game to drift away. As the knockout stage approaches, such lapses could become the difference between victory and elimination. Bangladesh, meanwhile, arrives with confidence and momentum. Wins over Pakistan and defending champions New Zealand have demonstrated the depth and discipline within their squad. Rather than relying on individual brilliance, Bangladesh have built their campaign on collective contributions and smart execution. For India, the equation is straightforward. A victory would strengthen their hold on a semi-final berth and restore confidence before a blockbuster clash against Australia. For Bangladesh, another upset would dramatically reshape the Group A standings and enhance their own qualification prospects. The spotlight may be on India's batting lineup, but Thursday's contest could ultimately be decided by which team handles the pressure moments better. When: Thursday, June 25, 7:00 PM IST Where: Old Trafford, Manchester Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming Squads: Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (c&wk), Nahida Akter (vc), Dilara Akter (wk), Juairiya Firdous (wk), Sobhana Mostary, Tej Nehar, Sharmin Akhter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Trisna, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Sultana Khatun. Article Source: IANS
Henry and Root go top of the table after Oval heroics
Shubman Gill has risen to No. 2 among ODI batters following his 84 not out and 154 in the ODI series against Afghanistan
'He Will Get Full Freedom From My Side': Patel On Pant's Delhi Capitals Return
Captain Axar Patel: Captain Axar Patel has expressed joy at the announcement of senior wicketkeeper batter and his friend Rishabh Pant returning to the Delhi Capitals franchise ahead of IPL 2027 and also assured that the Indian star will get full freedom from his side to perform without pressure. In a historic trade between Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, Pant, who was bought by LSG at the mega auction ahead of IPL 2025 for a record fee of Rs 27 crore, will return to DC for Rs 15 crore. Kuldeep, meanwhile, will move to LSG for his existing fee of Rs 13.5 crore. Delhi Capitals team shared a video of Axar Patel welcoming Pant back to the team while also acknowledging the mutual understanding between the two stalwarts of the franchise. When he was here before, he was my captain, and he was leading me. At that time, we didn't have anything like 'I am the captain, I will tell you this and that'. We used to work in mutual understanding. He knows that he is a senior player, and I know that I am a senior player. We had a mutual understanding of what he can do best in a particular situation and what he can't, Patel said in the video. As a friend and as a captain, I will tell him that he knows that he doesn't have any extra pressure from me or from the franchise. This is his own house; he has played here for many years. Delhi is his home, so I don't have to say much to him. I just know that he will get full freedom as a captain from my side, he added. Concluding his message, Patel said, Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy your character. Form is temporary, class is permanent. You are a player of that category. You have full freedom from our side. Just play your game and enjoy. This will be the message for him. Pant had spent nine seasons between 2016 and 2024 with DC, making 111 appearances, the most by any player for DC. One of the franchise's defining faces for nearly a decade, he also captained the side in 43 matches across four seasons from 2021 to 2024. Concluding his message, Patel said, Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy your character. Form is temporary, class is permanent. You are a player of that category. You have full freedom from our side. Just play your game and enjoy. This will be the message for him. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pant had a turbulent time with LSG, who finished at the bottom of the points table in IPL 2026, following their seventh-place finish in IPL 2025. Even before the IPL 2026 season ended, Pant stepped down as LSG's captain, and the franchise accepted the decision. Pant's stint at LSG lasted two seasons - as captain, he managed 10 wins and faced 18 defeats. Article Source: IANS
Former India Cricketer Sandeep Patil Named Mumbai Team Mentor For 2026/27 Season
MCA President Ajinkya Naik: Former India cricketer Sandeep Patil has been appointed as the mentor for Mumbai's men's teams across all levels for the upcoming 2026/27 domestic season, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announced on Wednesday. Patil, who played 29 Tests and 45 ODIs for India from 1980 to 1986 and was a member of the 1983 ODI World Cup winning team, will provide strategic guidance, technical expertise, leadership development, and motivational support to both players and coaching staff across all mens teams. His extensive scope of work will include player development, tactical education, leadership mentoring, match reviews, talent identification, and active involvement during preparatory camps and tournaments. The appointment of Sandeep Patil as Mentor will greatly benefit our players and coaching staff. His vast experience at the highest level of the game, combined with his deep understanding of Mumbai cricket, will help nurture the next generation of cricketers, said MCA President Ajinkya Naik. In another significant development, the MCA has appointed former India cricketer Arundhati Ghosh as the Womens Tournament Coordinator to oversee and streamline the women's cricket ecosystem in the city. Arundhati played eight Tests and 11 ODIs for India and she will be responsible for the planning and smooth execution of women's tournaments, local leagues, selection trials, and specialized camps. She will also work closely with players, coaches, selectors, and the MCA administration to drive developmental initiatives. We are equally delighted to welcome Arundhati Ghosh as Women's Tournament Coordinator as we continue our efforts to expand and strengthen women's cricket across our jurisdiction, added Naik. In another significant development, the MCA has appointed former India cricketer Arundhati Ghosh as the Womens Tournament Coordinator to oversee and streamline the women's cricket ecosystem in the city. Arundhati played eight Tests and 11 ODIs for India and she will be responsible for the planning and smooth execution of women's tournaments, local leagues, selection trials, and specialized camps. Also Read: Live Cricket Score These appointments, along with the coaching and support staff announced for the season, will contribute significantly towards the development and success of Mumbai cricket, he said. Article Source: IANS
Ben Stokes Urged To Use Curfew Controversy As Fuel To Beat New Zealand
Brendon McCullum has challenged England captain Ben Stokes to use the controversy over his curfew breach as fuel to inspire a series-clinching victory in the third Test against New Zealand. Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped from the second Test after breaking a midnight curfew in an incident at a London nightclub while celebrating England's first Test win at Lord's. McCullum said he was concerned and worried about Stokes in the after the late-night antics, which sparked suggestions the all-rounder might be stripped of the captaincy or retire from international duty. But the two players were largely cleared in two subsequent investigations, receiving only a written warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board for breaking specific contractual obligations. England were thrashed by 253 runs in the absence of their skipper and one of their key fast bowlers in the second Test at the Oval. Stokes and Atkinson have been recalled from exile for the third Test, which starts in Nottingham on Thursday. They trained with their team-mates at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. McCullum is adamant the ultra-competitive Stokes can turn the saga to his advantage by silencing the critics with a match-winning display against the Black Caps. Everyone that has seen Ben over the course of his captaincy and worked intimately alongside him has an immense amount of respect for him, myself included, McCullum said. One blemish doesn't ruin all of that. It's just a slight blip, then you move on. That's where we're at as a team, that's where Ben is at as well. Anyone can lead when it's easy. The true account of a leader, or leadership group, is to be able to lead when times are difficult. You've got to be prepared to go through some tough times knowing that if you're able to navigate through that, and hold the fort and hold your nerve, then there's some good stuff to come. - 'We've been through a lot' - McCullum has denied his relationship with his good friend Stokes was damaged by the after-hours drama. He had initially declined to publicly back Stokes, leading to renewed speculation over the pair's bond which was strained by after a dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia marred by drinking controversies surrounding England's players. On Tuesday, McCullum said it was good to get the band back together. Obviously we've been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here, he added. In the end, we both want what's right and what is the best for English cricket and we're crystal clear on the direction we want this team to take. Despite smoothing over any tension with the captain, losing the series to New Zealand would increase the pressure on the Stokes-McCullum regime after the Ashes debacle. England have not lost a home series of at least three Tests since they were beaten by South Africa 14 years ago. For now, McCullum, whose attacking 'Baz-ball' game-plan revitalised England earlier in his four-year reign, is undaunted by talk that he could be sacked if they lose to New Zealand and fail to beat Pakistan later this season. What will be, will be. When I took this job I knew it wasn't going to be easy. You can't whinge about it when you're deep into it, he said. There's a stubbornness to me as well. I'm a big boy, I can get on with things. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Along with Stokes and Atkinson, spinner Shoaib Bashir and wicket-keeper Jamie Smith were also recalled for the third Test, with James Rew, Jordan Cox, Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker left out.
West Indies Brace For Sri Lanka Challenge As Da Silva Returns
After a rain-ruined ODI series and a hard-fought T20 seriss, West Indies and Sri Lanka renew their Test rivalry in the Caribbean on Thursday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The two teams have very different objectives, with the hosts looking to reignite their Test form after losing seven of eight matches played in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle while Sri Lanka, who lie third, will want to press their claims for a place in next year's final at Lord's. Every Test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said in a Cricket West Indies statement. Sri Lanka are a quality side, so we know we'll have to be at our best, but we're excited about the challenge ahead. Sammy knows that after a dreadful period in the longest format, which sees West Indies bottom of the nine-team WTC table, credentials are on the line. For us, it's about playing with discipline, showing character when the game gets tough, and representing the West Indies with pride, he added. Sri Lanka's third place in the WTC, behind former champions Australia and title-holders South Africa, is somewhat misleading, however, due only to a 1-0 home series success over Bangladesh 12 months ago. Dhananjaya de Silvas team will need to stay on the winning track against the West Indies if they are to remain in contention for the showpiece occasion. Both Tests in this brief duel are being played at the same venue where these opponents played out two draws on placid surfaces in 2021. The batters, though, are expected to be much more challenged than in that immediate post-Covid campaign with games in the West Indies first-class season suggesting pitches that offer pace, bounce and considerable seam movement. - 'Make the most of it' - Wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva, a fixture in the West Indies side for five years before he lost his place at the start of 2025, is set for a return, primarily on the strength of consecutive outstanding domestic seasons with the bat. Its been really good coming back into the team. I've been accepted and mingling with everyone like Ive been here for the last couple of years, so it feels like I have not been away for very long, said the 28-year-old. I went back to first class cricket, did what I had to do, scored runs and got another opportunity, so Im trying to make the most of it. For all their recent struggles, the West Indies have been generally well served by their fast bowlers and with Alzarri Joseph returning to full fitness to partner Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph, the Sri Lankan top order can expect a searching examination. Not that they are incapable of responding in kind. While their fastest bowler, Dushmantha Chameera, is apparently being preserved for the white ball formats, in the two Fernandos, Vishwa and Asitha, the visitors have bowlers eminently capable of extracting any assistance from helpful surfaces. Sri Lankas batting is again built around the experienced trio of skipper de Silva, former captain Dinesh Chandimal and the in-form Pathum Nissanka as they seek to post the type of totals which will give their bowlers a chance of achieving a first-ever Test series triumph in the Caribbean. Teams (probable): West Indies: Roston Chase (captain), John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Joshua da Silva (wicketkeeper), Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando
Gill Climbs To No.2 In ODI Rankings; Henry Draws Level With Bumrah Atop Test Bowling Charts
ICC World Test Championship: India opener Shubman Gill climbed to second place in the latest ICC ODI Batter rankings, while New Zealand pacer Matt Henry joined India's Jasprit Bumrah at the summit of the Test Bowling rankings following stellar performances across formats. There was also a change at the top of the Test batting rankings, with England veteran Joe Root reclaiming the No.1 position. Root's scores of 46 and 77 against New Zealand helped him move up two places and overtake teammate Harry Brook and Australia's Travis Head to return to the summit for the 12th time in his career. Gill gained three places after his recent performances and now sits second among ODI batters, just 24 rating points behind top-ranked Daryl Mitchell. Fellow India batter Ishan Kishan also made significant progress, jumping 21 places to move to joint 43rd in the ODI batting rankings. India's bowlers enjoyed notable gains as well following the completion of the ODI series against Afghanistan. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh rose 16 places to 22nd among ODI bowlers, while Prasidh Krishna surged 34 spots to joint 58th. All-rounder Washington Sundar climbed 17 places to joint 71st in the same list. In Test cricket, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry became only the third New Zealander to reach the No.1 ranking for Test bowlers, drawing level with India's Bumrah at the top following his match-winning 11-wicket haul in the second Test against England at The Oval. Bumrah had held sole possession of the top ranking since overtaking South Africa's Kagiso Rabada in November 2024, but Henry's heroics helped New Zealand level the three-match ICC World Test Championship series against England at 1-1 and earn him a share of the top spot. Henry joins Jack Cowie, who first achieved the feat in 1947, and New Zealand great Richard Hadlee, who held the position between 1984 and 1990. His current rating of 870 points has only been surpassed by two New Zealand players in ICC rankings history: Hadlee, who reached 909 in 1985, and former captain Kane Williamson, who attained a batting rating of 919 in 2021. Several New Zealand batters were rewarded for their performances in the same Test. Rachin Ravindra moved up two places to 10th, Daryl Mitchell climbed five spots to 16th, Glenn Phillips jumped eight places to 31st, and Henry Nicholls gained 13 positions to reach 40th. Henry joins Jack Cowie, who first achieved the feat in 1947, and New Zealand great Richard Hadlee, who held the position between 1984 and 1990. His current rating of 870 points has only been surpassed by two New Zealand players in ICC rankings history: Hadlee, who reached 909 in 1985, and former captain Kane Williamson, who attained a batting rating of 919 in 2021. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite Bangladesh's 3-0 series defeat, Towhid Hridoy advanced nine places to 30th, and Saif Hassan moved up 13 spots to joint 35th among T20I batters. Spinner Nasum Ahmed also enjoyed a major rise, jumping 27 places to 11th in the T20I bowling rankings. Article Source: IANS
Ex-New Zealand Pacer Bob Blair Passes Away On 94th Birthday
Former New Zealand: Former New Zealand fast bowler Bob Blair, whose courage in the aftermath of the Tangiwai rail disaster became one of crickets most enduring stories, has passed away in England on his 94th birthday. Blair represented New Zealand in 19 Tests between 1952 and 1964, claiming 43 wickets at an average of 35. In first-class cricket, he enjoyed an outstanding career, taking 330 wickets at an average of 15 in 59 matches, largely for Wellington and during one season for Central Districts. His finest domestic season came in 1956-57 when he captured 46 wickets at an average of just nine, including two nine-wicket hauls in an innings. However, Blairs name became etched in sporting folklore during New Zealands 1953 tour of South Africa. Playing in the second Test at Ellis Park, the then 21-year-old received devastating news that his fiancee, Nerissa Love, had been among the 151 people killed in the Tangiwai rail disaster on Christmas Eve. After initially remaining at the team hotel to grieve, Blair made a remarkable appearance at the crease when New Zealand were down to their final wicket on the second day of the Test. He joined a battered Bert Sutcliffe, who had earlier been hospitalised after being struck several times while batting. In front of a stunned crowd of 23,000, the pair added 33 runs for the last wicket, including a then world-record 25 runs off a single over from South African spinner Hugh Tayfield. Players from both teams and spectators were moved by the moment, which remains one of crickets most emotional chapters. The story later inspired the creation of the Tangiwai Shield, jointly introduced by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and Cricket South Africa in 2024 for mens Test series between the two nations. Blair was the last surviving New Zealand player from that historic Test. NZC interim chief executive Graham Parks paid tribute to Blair, saying the story of the former fast bowler and the Tangiwai disaster had left an indelible mark on cricket in both New Zealand and South Africa. The courage and camaraderie shown during the second Test in South Africa in 1953 and in the years that followed epitomises everything that is great about sport, Parks said. Following the 1953 tour, Blair continued his international career for another decade and signed off in style against South Africa in Auckland in 1964, recording his best Test match figures of 7 for 142. Even after retiring, Blair remained deeply involved with cricket, playing into his 60s and later coaching in Queensland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Northern Ireland and England. Following the 1953 tour, Blair continued his international career for another decade and signed off in style against South Africa in Auckland in 1964, recording his best Test match figures of 7 for 142. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As a mark of respect, the BlackCaps will wear black armbands on the opening day of the third Test against England in Nottingham on Thursday. Article Source: IANS
Chathli, MacDonald-Gay star as England A draw level
Vrinda Dinesh scored a 53-ball 79 in a losing cause
Grew Up Watching Irfan Pathan; I Look Up To Bhuvneshwar And Bumrah: Nandni Sharma
Irfan Pathan: India fast bowler Nandni Sharma has identified Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah as the biggest influences on her bowling, saying she closely follows their control, variations and approach to the game as she continues her development. Speaking about the role models who have guided her career, Nandni also explained why she remained committed to pace bowling despite briefly considering a switch to spin and how competing alongside boys accelerated her growth. Sharing the names she draws inspiration from, Nandni said she has admired Indian fast bowlers since childhood and has also taken lessons from one of the world's leading women's seamers. I grew up watching Irfan Pathan sir bowl. The way he swung the ball and took wickets, that really made me want to do the same. Currently, I look up to Bhuvneshwar bhaiya and Bumrah paaji. The way they bowl with control and variations is something I try to learn from. In women's cricket, I am a huge fan of Marizanne Kapp. She bowls with pace, hits the right areas, and always gives her best. Watching her inspires me to keep pushing myself, Nandni told JioStar. Nandni revealed that her passion for fast bowling was strengthened by training almost exclusively with boys during her early years, a challenge that forced her to improve every aspect of her game. The moment I started bowling; the coaches pushed me to play with the boys. I was the only girl among them. But that never stopped me. I played with them every single day. All our fielding sessions, batting practice, and bowling, everything used to happen with the boys, and that helped me improve quickly. They bowled fast, they hit the ball hard, and I had to raise my game to keep up. Fast bowling attracted me a lot at that time. Watching boys run in and bowl with pace felt really good. I wanted to do the same. That is the only reason I wanted to do fast bowling at that time, she added. The young pacer admitted there were moments when she questioned whether remaining a fast bowler was the right decision, particularly because of the physical demands associated with the role, and added that her performances with the ball ultimately convinced her to continue pursuing pace bowling. The moment I started bowling; the coaches pushed me to play with the boys. I was the only girl among them. But that never stopped me. I played with them every single day. All our fielding sessions, batting practice, and bowling, everything used to happen with the boys, and that helped me improve quickly. They bowled fast, they hit the ball hard, and I had to raise my game to keep up. Fast bowling attracted me a lot at that time. Watching boys run in and bowl with pace felt really good. I wanted to do the same. That is the only reason I wanted to do fast bowling at that time, she added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Fast bowling is very difficult. Injuries happen often. You must stay extra fit and take more care of your body. I used to think, should I change, should I try spin bowling? But then I would see myself succeeding with pace, and the thought of switching to spin would fade away. Wickets kept coming, and that gave me confidence, she said. Article Source: IANS
WPL Has Changed Me A Lot As A Cricketer: Nandni Sharma
Nandni Sharma: India fast bowler Nandni Sharma has credited the Women's Premier League (WPL) with transforming her understanding of the game, while also recalling the childhood moment that inspired her to become a pace bowler. Speaking about her cricketing journey, Nandni explained how exposure to elite players reshaped her mindset and how a chance observation at her academy sparked a passion that continues to drive her career. Reflecting on the impact of the WPL, Nandni said the tournament broadened her perspective far beyond simply taking wickets. The WPL has changed me a lot as a cricketer. I have learned so much, from sharing the dressing room with big players to watching how they prepare, how they handle pressure, and how they approach different situations. I now see cricket in a different way. Earlier, I used to think that if I just bowl, I will get wickets. But now I understand that there is so much more to the game. There is planning, reading the batter, adapting to conditions, and communicating with teammates. I have learned a lot, and all of it is helping me in my journey, Nandni told JioStar. The young pacer also looked back on the early days of her cricketing life, revealing that her first experiences in the sport were far from straightforward. Accompanying her brother to the academy, she initially found herself on the sidelines, unable to convince coaches to let her bowl. When I started playing cricket, my brother used to play, so I began by watching him. I would go to the academy with him, but I wasn't given the chance to bowl. The coaches wouldn't hand the ball to me at that time. I felt left out. So, I left cricket in between. I kept complaining at home that they don't give me the chance to bowl, she added. Despite stepping away from the game for a period, Nandnis desire to return never faded. Once she resumed training, a senior cricketer unknowingly altered the course of her career. Then, after some time, I felt like playing again. I wanted to give it another try. After that, I saw a senior player running in and bowling fast. I didn't even know at that time that it was called pace bowling. I just watched her and thought, I also want to bowl like that, Nandni stated. Despite stepping away from the game for a period, Nandnis desire to return never faded. Once she resumed training, a senior cricketer unknowingly altered the course of her career. Also Read: Live Cricket Score That moment changed everything. Earlier, I didn't even get a ball in my hand. But from that day, I started fast bowling. That is one of my most important memories. That is where my journey as a fast bowler truly began, she said. Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: Pakistan Played Their Worst Cricket, Admits Fatima Sana After Huge Loss To AUS
T20 World Cup: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana admitted her side produced their poorest performance of the tournament after suffering a 113-run defeat to Australia in their Group A ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash at Headingley. The loss left Pakistan winless after four matches, with Sana urging the team to honestly assess the shortcomings before their final group fixture against the Netherlands. Reflecting on the defeat, the skipper did not shy away from acknowledging where Pakistan fell short. I think we just played our worst cricket in this game, and as a whole team we need to accept that. We need to go back, reflect, and improve ourselves, she said post-match. Pakistan entered the World Cup after an extensive preparation phase, and Sana believes the groundwork before the tournament had been encouraging. However, she stressed that translating those preparations into performances on the field remains the team's biggest challenge. Personally, I think we got a lot of good practice in before coming here, but we still need a response from the team. That's what we need right now. Otherwise, we had some really good practice sessions and preparation, Sana added. Despite the disappointing result, Sana found positives in the efforts of her new-ball bowlers, who kept Australia under pressure in the early stages before the innings gathered momentum. Left-arm spinners Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal finished with two wickets apiece, but Pakistan were unable to sustain that pressure as Australia's batting depth took over. Personally, I think we got a lot of good practice in before coming here, but we still need a response from the team. That's what we need right now. Otherwise, we had some really good practice sessions and preparation, Sana added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan will now turn their attention to their final Group A fixture against the Netherlands, hoping to finish their World Cup campaign on a positive note after a difficult tournament. Article Source: IANS
Despite the record-breaking feat, Ronaldo said his primary focus remains helping Portugal achieve its objectives. The victory also marked Portugal's first win of the tournament after an opening draw against DR Congo.
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Bob Blair, who soldiered on after Tangiwai disaster, dies aged 94
Bob Blair played 19 Tests from 1953 to 1964, taking 43 wickets at an average of 35.23
Shedge Has Talent, Mental Strength To Play For India For Next 10 Years: Paranjape
Vasoo Paranjape Cricket Centre: Former India cricketer and national selector Jatin Paranjape has backed seam-bowling allrounder Suryansh Shedge to enjoy a long international career after he earned his maiden India call-up for the T20I tours of Ireland and England, adding that the youngster possesses both the skill and temperament needed to play internationally for the next ten years. Shedge was added to Indias squad as a replacement for injured Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been ruled out due to a left quadriceps injury aggravated during last week's third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai. With Hardik Pandya sidelined by a leg niggle, Shedge and his progress will be closely watched by the team management and selectors given the scarcity of fastbowling allrounders in Indian cricket. He is a natural T20 cricketer and that will go in his favour. He will find international cricket has more intensity than IPL cricket. So, it will take him three or four games to get used to it. But I have no doubt that he has the talent and the mental strength to play for India for the next 10 years, Paranjape told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Wednesday. A clean striker of the ball who doubles up as a handy medium-pacer, Shedge arrives on the back of good recent performances. He scored 158 runs in seven innings at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 175.55 for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, before following it up with making 147 runs at a strike rate of 120.49 and bowling 23 overs in five innings for India A in their 50-over tri-series win in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Paranjape, who has been coaching Suryansh Shedge for the past two years at the Vasoo Paranjape Cricket Centre in Mumbai, said the timing and location of the youngsters maiden India callup could not have been more fitting. I was obviously very, very happy for him and more so because this tour of Ireland and England is just the kind of location suited for an all-rounder like Suryansh. It's because the ball will do a little bit in the air and off the pitch and I feel also from a batting perspective, he will like these pitches. So I was very happy that the location is perfect for him. It's important that when you're making your debut, you need so many things to kind of go your way and one of them is the place where you're making the debut. So, I am very, very excited about this, he said. On the two years of work behind the scenes gone into Shedge, Paranjape said the focus had been on refinement rather than reinvention. A couple of technical things with his batting and his bowling we focused on. But overall, just trying to look better - he already had such a good record for Bombay. He won them a Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy on his own in 2024/25. So obviously very, very talented and you just need to be able to put these guys at ease a little bit mentally and kind of convey that you believe in them as much as they believe in themselves. So a lot of the work has been talking about the game in general, trying to get him there and me trying to understand how he thinks. Then it also involved sharing whatever experiences I have had in my cricketing career. Luckily, they kind of resonated with him and he had a good IPL. He had a good India A series in Sri Lanka and so, interesting times are ahead for him, he said. Much of that work, Paranjape, the co-founder of KheloMore and member of BCCIs Cricket Advisory Committee, explained has revolved around simplifying the mental side of batting under pressure. The fact that I've had similar experiences in my playing career and the solutions which I devised to handle them was something which I communicated to him. The more you keep it simple, it's better as all the great players in the world keep it really, really simple. So we spoke about what is the kind of self-talk needed when he is actually facing every ball and keeping that self-talk consistent, simple, and repeatable. So there were small things like this which we worked on. We worked on some technical stuff like smoothening his flow of the bat a little bit. This is just the start of his career. Hopefully, I am able to understand him better as a cricketer, and as a person day by day and I can be supportive and be of assistance to him in the future as well, he said. With Shreyas Iyer captaining the T20I side and Shubman Gill leading the ODI team, Paranjape backed Shedge to be well looked after whenever he gets his chance. Not only Shreyas - let's not forget that Shubman is also a very young captain. From what I have observed of Shubman very, very closely, he has great empathy as a captain. So if Suryansh plays in that playing eleven, I think Shubman will take care of him in a very, very good manner because as a young person himself, he will understand the butterflies, the tension, the nervous energy that happens when you play your first few games. So, I am actually very excited that Shubman will also be able to lead him. Asked whether Shedge would get into the ODI team later on the tour of England, Paranjape was optimistic. Depending on the scenario, they might keep him in the team. That's what I feel. But let's see, they might just keep him around the squad, so to speak. Paranjape also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Shedges parents, Prashant and Priyadarshini, who also left her banking job, to enable his growth as a cricketer. I have met his parents many, many times. So, the role as a coach is also to understand the support system very well. Here are two modern parents, who are fully supportive and they have been there for him. Suryansh has been in love with cricket right from a very young age and they have been supportive. My job is to also work with them to make sure that the right support systems are provided to the player, he said. Paranjape also spoke about the temperament that has stood out to him away from the cricket itself. He has always been very, very grateful for all the chances he has got and that's his personal nature. As you keep playing cricket, you realize that you are amongst the more fortunate people and he has been able to channelise that into gratitude, which is great to see. Here are two modern parents, who are fully supportive and they have been there for him. Suryansh has been in love with cricket right from a very young age and they have been supportive. My job is to also work with them to make sure that the right support systems are provided to the player, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I just wish my father had been alive to see this. He would have enjoyed it very much. I am trying to give Suryansh the same advice that I think he would have given to Suryansh. So, fingers crossed for a good debut for him. Article Source: IANS
Shreyas Iyer Begins India T20I Captaincy Era in Ireland as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Eyes Historic Debut
Shreyas Iyers India side on its Europe tour will first play against Ireland in two Twenty20 internationals at Stormont. The last time these two teams met at Malahide was in 2023 in a three-match series. This summer has begun for Ireland with a one-off Test match with New Zealand in Belfast in May, and now they host India and will end with a five-match ODI series against Afghanistan. For India matches, expecting a bigger crowd, some 5,000 seats have been installed to accommodate spectators. BCCI is keeping its fingers crossed in view of the recent anti-immigrant violence in Belfast. The situation is being closely monitored after days of unrest and even the possibility of moving the matches out of Belfast was also discussed. For the present, India is scheduled to play two T20Is on June 26 and 28 at Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast, although the Inter-Provincial T20 Festival in Lisburn was called off. For India, this T20I series shall mark the beginning of Shreyas Iyers stint as Indias T20I captain and, incidentally, he shall return to the T20I side for India, as he last played a T20I in December 2023. The tour may also see teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making his much-awaited senior international debut. He received a senior India call-up at just 15 (youngest player called up to a senior Indian team in any format) and if he makes his international debut on the tour, will improve Sachins long-standing record of being the youngest Indian player to ever play international cricket. Tendulkar made his Test debut in 1989 against Pakistan at the age of 16 years and 205 days, while Vaibhav celebrated his 15th birthday in March this year. In white ball cricket, Sachin also holds the record of being youngest in ODI cricket (debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16 years and 238 days), while in T20Is, the Indian record is in the name of Washington Sundar at 18 years and 80 days (debuted against Sri Lanka in 2017). After the Ireland tour, the same 16-member Indian team will proceed to England to play in a five-match T20I series between July 1 and 11. The Dublin stopover shall provide a vital acclimatization opportunity before they cross the Irish Sea for the England tour. This is India's fourth tour to Ireland in recent years, as they have earlier toured Ireland three times for short T20I series in the past seven years (in 2018, 2022 and 2023) and were very popular visitors every time, attracting a significant crowd at Malahide on the outskirts of Dublin. This India series is likely to boost the new avenues for Ireland cricket. Ireland players are concerned about the lesser opportunities they get to play top sides despite being full members, but since this season, the situation is showing some improvement. Next summer, Ireland are due to host New Zealand (one Test), Bangladesh (three Odis and three T20Is) and Afghanistan (one Test, three Odis and three T20Is). A new stadium project at Abbotstown on the outskirts of Dublin is also a positive sign as they are preparing to host the 2030 men's T20 World Cup, which Ireland, England and Scotland will co-host. Ireland has also extended its support for a two-division World Test Championship, as it will provide them with more opportunities to play international cricket and much required exposure. Ireland had a very poor outing in the T20 World Cup 2026 resulting in veteran opener and captain Paul Stirling stepping down from the leadership role so that a new captain takes charge ahead of the 2028 World Cup cycle. However, Stirling will continue to lead the team in ODI. The last time India visited Ireland in August 2023 under Jasprit Bumrah, he was returning from a long-term injury and had many youngsters in the side. Even then, the visitors won by 2-0, with the final match washed out. As per the head-to-head record, in their 8 T20I meetings, India enjoys a perfect 100% winning record and most likely the domination will continue. In each of the last three Ireland visits, India have played three matches but this time finding a window has been an issue. Anyway, after a lot of deliberation, a proper, albeit brief, window has been found to squeeze the matches between the Afghanistan and England series. In fact, India agreed to tour to provide financial help to the Cricket Ireland board, as the India match has its own commercial value, estimated to be around 510 million USD, so this will be financially helpful for them. Thats why Cricket Ireland wanted at least three T20I, but finally settled for two matches. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Cricket Ireland is lobbying for support for the 'Euro Nations Cup' which could be launched as early as 2027, featuring some European teams, such as England, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands and Italy, involving both men's and women's fixtures in the T20 format. In addition to this, Ireland has entered into a long-term deal with the Emirates Cricket Board and the Cricket Association of Nepal which shall facilitate their men's national team playing regular white-ball matches against the UAE and Nepal and will also involve each ILT20 franchise signing at least one Ireland player from 2026-27 onwards.
Scotland still have 2028 T20 World Cup automatic qualification incentive
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Perry's greatness on display in her drive for continual improvement
Filling in at No. 3 due to Phoebe Litchfield's injury, the allrounder produced one of her most dominant T20I innings
Chota Nagpur Royals Crowned Champions Of Inaugural Jharkhand T20 League
Jharkhand T20 Cricket League: Chota Nagpur Royals clinched the inaugural Jharkhand T20 Cricket League by defeating the Jamshedpur Steelers in front of a roaring crowd packed inside the JSCA International Stadium Complex. While the Steelers fought with grit, it was the Chota Nagpur Royals who turned the game on its head in spectacular style, pulling off a seven-wicket victory to crown themselves the first-ever champions of the league. Batting first, the Jamshedpur Steelers posted a competitive 180/8 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings kicked off with opener Kumar Karan (28) and skipper Kumar Deobrat (39) putting on a 32-run opening stand before Karan was dismissed. A sudden flurry of wickets soon dented the Steelers' middle-order morale, slumping them to a precarious 90/5 in 11.5 overs. However, the game changed completely when Harsh Rana walked out to the crease. Playing a breathtaking counter-attacking knock, Rana smashed a sensational 64 off just 26 deliveries, single-handedly shifting the momentum and powering his side to a fighting total. For the Chota Nagpur Royals, it was a collective bowling effort as Durgesh Kumar (1-15), Suprieyo Chakraborty (1-19), Chandan Kumar Mukhi (1-23), Vikash Singh (1-37), and Rahul Rajak (1-62) picked up one wicket apiece. Chasing a challenging target of 181, the Chota Nagpur Royals suffered a massive early blow when their star skipper, Virat Singh was dismissed for just 1 run. Refusing to panic, MD Nazim Siddiqui stepped up to inject early momentum with a firing 38 off 24 balls, before the grand stage was completely taken over by Kumar Kushagra and Himanshu Dwivedi. The dynamic duo unleashed an absolute masterclass, stitching together a 110-run partnership for the third wicket that utterly snatched the game away from the opposition. While Dwivedi played a brilliant anchor role to bring up a fine half-century (51 off 33 balls), Kushagra remained a ruthless force until the very end, storming his way to an unbeaten 78 off just 39 deliveries. Chasing a challenging target of 181, the Chota Nagpur Royals suffered a massive early blow when their star skipper, Virat Singh was dismissed for just 1 run. Refusing to panic, MD Nazim Siddiqui stepped up to inject early momentum with a firing 38 off 24 balls, before the grand stage was completely taken over by Kumar Kushagra and Himanshu Dwivedi. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For the Jamshedpur Steelers, Aman Kumar Singh (2-24) and Anurag Singh Sengar (1-3) fought hard with the ball, but their efforts were eventually eclipsed by the Royals' batting supremacy. Article Source: IANS
Ellyse Perry runs the show as Australia brush past Pakistan
Beth Mooney twice shrugs off dislocated finger to be involved in five dismissals
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Gulbarga Mystics Register 95-run Win Over Shivamogga Yodha
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Gulbarga Mystics scored their maiden victory on Tuesday, trouncing Shivamogga Yodhas by 95 runs in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament in Mysuru. A turbo-charged batting display in the Power-play during which the Mystics smashed 93 runs, and a heroic all-round performance by Kranthi Kumar (31 of 22, 2/8) did the magic for Gulbarga, who posted a challenging 232/8. Gautam Mishra (3/34) and Ronit More (2/7) also shone with the ball as Gulbarga restricted Shivamogga to 137. To complete an outstanding day, Kranthi Kumar returned to claim two decisive wickets for just eight runs in three overs to put Gulbarga on the highway to a comfortable victory. Kumar first dismissed Harshil Dharmani (23 off 17) on the last ball of his first over. Then he got rid of captain Smaran Ravichandran (23 off 23) on the first ball of his next to effectively end Shivamoggas ambitions of pulling off a high-scoring chase. For Shivamogga Yodhas, opener Luvnith Sisodias (30 off 14) early burst hardly mattered as the line-up could not cope with the mounting pressure. The match eventually petered out into a one-sided contest. It was Shivamoggas second defeat in three matches. Earlier, put into bat first, Gulbarga opener Lochan Gowda (47 off 21) and No.3 Prakhar Chaturvedi (45 off 19) set the early tempo with some aggressive strokes, and once in the saddle, they stepped up the pace to such an extent that a 300-run target was possible. But Shivamoggas medium pacer Bheem Rao Navale, who had gone for 18 runs in his first over, dismissed both Gowda and Chaturvedi in the space of 11 runs to firmly grab the initiative back. Macneil Noronha (26 of 16) and captain Manish Pandey (22 off 11) stemmed further rot from setting in by adding an 18-ball 35 for the fifth wicket. But their run rate suffered as, at one stretch of play, there were no boundaries for 15 deliveries. Dhruv Prabhakar (13 off 14) supported Kranthi Kumar to close out the innings at a formidable total. But Shivamoggas medium pacer Bheem Rao Navale, who had gone for 18 runs in his first over, dismissed both Gowda and Chaturvedi in the space of 11 runs to firmly grab the initiative back. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gulbarga Mystics 232-8 in 20 overs (Lochan Gowda 47, Prakhar Chaturvedi 45, Manish Pandey 22, Kranthi Kumar 31; Bheem Rao Navale 2-31, Naveen MG 2-44) beat Shivamogga Yodhas 137 all out (Luvnith Sisodia 30; Gautam Mishra 3-34, Ronit More 2-12, Kranthi Kumar 2-7) by 95 runs. Article Source: IANS
'23rd June Bringing All Kinds Of Magic', Says Rohit Sharma After Receiving Padma Shri
Smt Droupadi Murmuji: Former India captain Rohit Sharma celebrated the significance of June 23 in his life a few hours after being conferred with the Padma Shri, one of the country's highest civilian honours, during the Padma Awards ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Rohit, considered one of the greatest while-ball cricketers in the history of the game with three double-hundreds in ODIs and two World Cup titles in T20 format, was alluding to the fact that he got the highest civilian award of his life on the day on which he earned his first India cap. 23rd June bringing all kinds of magic, said Rohit in a post on X. 19 years ago, it began with an India cap. Today, another proud chapter is added to the story, said Rohit in his post. The honour marks another significant achievement in a career that has spanned nearly two decades at the highest level. Since making his international debut in 2007, Rohit has established himself as one of India's most successful batters and captains, producing memorable performances across all formats of the game. The Indian cricket team posted the video of Rohit receiving the award and wrote, A highly prestigious honour for a great of the game. President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmuji @presidentofindia confers former #TeamIndia captain Rohit Sharma @rohitsharma45 with the Padma Shri award. When his Padma Shri was announced earlier this year, Rohit described the recognition as a special moment for both himself and his family. The Indian cricket team posted the video of Rohit receiving the award and wrote, A highly prestigious honour for a great of the game. President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmuji @presidentofindia confers former #TeamIndia captain Rohit Sharma @rohitsharma45 with the Padma Shri award. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rohit's leadership tenure brought considerable success to Indian cricket. Under his captaincy, India ended their ICC trophy drought by winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 after defeating South Africa in the final. The following year, he guided the team to another major title as India lifted the Champions Trophy, cementing his reputation as one of the country's most successful white-ball captains. Article Source: IANS
Carter hopes for more cricket after Scotland threaten T20 World Cup upsets
After going winless in four matches in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Scotland beat Ireland, and ran WI and NZ close in 2026
T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said leading from the front remains her biggest responsibility after producing a magnificent unbeaten century to guide her side to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Ireland in the Women's T20 World Cup at the County Ground on Tuesday. Athapaththu smashed 106 not out from just 61 deliveries, hitting 17 fours and two sixes, as Sri Lanka chased down Ireland's total of 130/5 in only 15.3 overs. The century was the fourth T20I hundred of her career and another memorable innings at a venue where she has enjoyed considerable success over the years. Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Athapaththu admitted Bristol has become one of her favourite grounds. Yeah, I love Bristol. I score most of the runs here, especially in England. I played my natural game and scored a hundred, but the most important thing is that we won, Athapaththu said. Sri Lanka entered the match needing a victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive, and the captain was pleased to deliver when her team needed her most. We were waiting for a win. As a captain and as a leader, I always try to lead from the front. That's what I want to do, she added. Athapaththu dominated the chase from the beginning, helping Sri Lanka race to 55 without loss in the powerplay before bringing up a 30-ball half-century. She later converted it into a century off just 59 deliveries as Ireland struggled to contain her aggressive strokeplay. While her batting grabbed the headlines, the skipper was equally pleased with Sri Lanka's performance with the ball, which restricted Ireland to 130/5 despite a fighting 59 from captain Gaby Lewis. Sri Lanka's bowlers struck regularly after Ireland's top-order collapse and prevented the opposition from building significant momentum through the middle and death overs. Actually, young Mithali bowled really well, and the rest of the bowlers, the whole bowling unit, did an amazing job. I'm really happy about the bowling unit, Athapaththu said. Mithali Ayodhya was one of four Sri Lankan bowlers to claim a wicket, alongside Sugandika Kumari, Nilakshika Silva, and Athapaththu herself. The victory kept Sri Lanka's qualification hopes alive ahead of their final group-stage fixture against Scotland. However, Athapaththu acknowledged that her team no longer has complete control over its fate following an earlier defeat to the West Indies. Mithali Ayodhya was one of four Sri Lankan bowlers to claim a wicket, alongside Sugandika Kumari, Nilakshika Silva, and Athapaththu herself. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With one group match remaining, Sri Lanka will now turn their attention to Scotland, hoping Athapaththu's brilliance and another strong all-round performance can keep their Women's T20 World Cup campaign alive. Article Source: IANS
Unchanged Australia bat first at Headingley against Pakistan
Pakistan, without a win and knocked out of the T20 World Cup, made two changes, bringing back Diana Baig and Rameen Shamim
Women's T20 WC: 'The Belief Is Still There In The Squad,' Says Ireland's Lewis After Sri Lanka Loss
T20 World Cup: Ireland captain Gaby Lewis remained optimistic about her team's progress despite a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, saying the experience of competing against stronger opposition will only make the side hungrier to improve. Ireland posted 130/5 after recovering from a disastrous start, with Lewis leading the rescue effort through a fighting 59-run knock. However, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu stole the show with a magnificent unbeaten 106 off 61 balls, guiding her side to 134/1 in just 15.3 overs at the County Ground on Tuesday. Reflecting on Ireland's innings, Lewis said rebuilding after the early collapse was the immediate priority after her side slipped to 30/3 during the powerplay. Yeah, it was definitely tough. I think you just have to rebuild. I feel like me and Leah did that well. The main thing for us was to get a partnership, and that's what we focused on, Lewis said after the match. Ireland's innings was in trouble after Amy Hunter was run out in the opening over, while Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell also departed early. Lewis and Leah Paul then combined for a vital 66-run stand that steadied the innings and helped Ireland recover to a competitive total. Despite the early setbacks, Lewis said the team does not want its batters to become overly cautious. We still want the girls to come in and play freely. We didn't want the girls to retract because that's not what you want as well. We need to still get a winning total on the board. I'm sure the girls will learn and come back better, she said. The Ireland skipper also spoke about the growing standards in international women's cricket and believes the gap between her side and the world's leading teams is not as large as some may think. Definitely, the level has gone up, but it also makes you hungrier as a cricketer. After every World Cup, you go back and think we're not far off. Look at how close we were to beating New Zealand and how well we've played in patches. It's just about everything coming together, and that's what drives you to get better, Lewis said. Lewis' innings of 59 was her second consecutive half-century in the tournament, but she admitted the result overshadowed the personal milestone. She also reserved special praise for Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu, whose century effectively ended Ireland's hopes of defending 130. She's a world-class player. She's definitely one you need to get out; otherwise, what happened today can happen. It was a brilliant knock, and she did exactly what her team needed, Lewis said. Athapaththu dominated the chase from the outset, striking 17 fours and two sixes in her unbeaten 106 and becoming only the second player to score a century in the tournament. She's a world-class player. She's definitely one you need to get out; otherwise, what happened today can happen. It was a brilliant knock, and she did exactly what her team needed, Lewis said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A win. We beat them in the Tri-Series, and the belief is still there in the squad. It's about going back, rectifying our mistakes, and understanding where we went wrong today. It's the same ground and the same time, so hopefully we can have some good conversations on how to turn it around for Saturday, she said. Article Source: IANS
Madhya Pradesh League: Gwalior Cheetahs bowed out of playoff contention in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 following a 38-run (VJD Method) defeat to Indore Pink Panthers at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Tuesday. Kartik Parihar was the standout performer for the Cheetahs, producing a fluent 71 off 46 deliveries. The opener struck 11 fours and a six, anchoring the innings. After an early setback, Kartik steadied the innings with useful partnerships, while captain Rajat Patidar added momentum with a brisk 37 off 19 balls. Despite the efforts of the duo, Gwalior Cheetahs finished on 157/7 in 17.1 overs. Earlier, Akash Raghuwanshi was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/40, while Kartik Parihar also chipped in with a wicket as the Panthers posted 221/3 in their 20 overs. While the result ended Gwalior Cheetahs' hopes of reaching the knockout stages, the team continued to show glimpses of the promise that has marked their MPL 2026 campaign. The Gwalior Cheetahs will now turn their attention to their final league fixture against Royal Nimar Eagles on June 24 and will look to conclude their season on a positive note. Earlier, bowlers made their mark spectacularly, with three hat-tricks lighting up the competition on Monday. Rewa Jaguars pacer Naveen Chouhan became the first bowler to achieve the feat this season during a clash against Gwalior Cheetahs. Chouhan dismissed Ishan Afridi, Akash Singh, and Saumy Pandey off successive deliveries, finishing with outstanding figures of 3/11. His late burst helped restrict the Cheetahs to 215/9 and played a key role in Rewas successful defence of 239. Earlier, bowlers made their mark spectacularly, with three hat-tricks lighting up the competition on Monday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The third hat-trick of the tournament came the very next day and belonged to Royal Nimar Eagles spinner Kumar Kartikeya, who produced a stunning spell against Bhopal Leopards in a rain-curtailed encounter. Kartikeya dismissed Pawan Nirwani, Pranjul Puri, and Anurag Malviya off consecutive deliveries and eventually finished with six wickets as the Leopards were bowled out for 107. The Eagles went on to register a commanding eight-wicket victory. Article Source: IANS
Women's T20 WC: Athapaththus Unbeaten 106 Powers Sri Lanka To Dominant Nine-wicket Win Over Ireland
T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced one of the finest knocks of the Womens T20 World Cup, smashing an unbeaten 106 off 61 balls to guide her side to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Ireland in Match 20 at the County Ground in Bristol on Tuesday. Chasing a modest target of 131, Sri Lanka made light work of the task as Athapaththu dominated the Irish bowling attack from the outset and powered her side to 134/1 in just 15.3 overs. The victory was built around the skippers breathtaking century, her fourth in T20 Internationals, which included 17 fours and two sixes. Sri Lanka began cautiously, managing just six runs from the opening over of the chase. However, Athapaththu quickly shifted gears in the second over, striking a boundary and collecting nine runs to signal her intentions. The experienced left-hander continued her aggressive approach against Arlene Kelly in the following over, hitting back-to-back boundaries and putting immediate pressure on the Irish bowlers. With Athapaththu finding gaps with ease, Sri Lanka raced to 26 without loss after three overs. The 36-year-old never allowed Ireland to settle. She peppered the boundary ropes throughout the Power-play, striking five more fours across the next two overs. Her attacking intent ensured Sri Lanka remained firmly in control of the chase. At the other end, opening partner Imesha Dulani initially played a supporting role before joining the scoring spree in the final over of the powerplay with a boundary of her own. The opening pair carried Sri Lanka to 55/0 after six overs, already putting a significant dent in the target. Athapaththu brought up a magnificent half-century off just 30 deliveries in the seventh over, reaching the landmark with another boundary off spinner Cara Murray. Dulani also grew in confidence and chipped in with valuable runs as Ireland struggled to find a breakthrough. The Sri Lankan captain continued to dominate proceedings and struck the first six of the innings in the ninth over, launching Murray for a massive 81-metre hit. By the halfway stage of the innings, Sri Lanka had surged to 86/0 and were well on course for victory. Ireland finally found some success in the 12th over when Orla Prendergast cleaned up Dulani for 20 off 27 balls. The openers innings included three boundaries and provided excellent support during the 101-run opening stand. The wicket did little to slow Athapaththu down. She responded by striking a four and a six in the next over, keeping Sri Lanka firmly ahead of the required rate while moving rapidly towards a memorable century. With the target almost secured, Athapaththu reached three figures in style during the 15th over. A single brought up her century off just 59 deliveries, drawing applause from around the ground. It was another landmark moment in the decorated career of one of womens crickets most accomplished batters. Athapaththu remained unbeaten on 106 from 61 balls as Sri Lanka completed the chase with 27 balls to spare. Harshitha Samarawickrama provided support at the other end as the captain fittingly sealed a dominant victory. Earlier, Ireland had recovered from a disastrous start thanks to a fighting half-century from captain Gaby Lewis. After being asked to bat first, Ireland lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 30/3 during the Power-play. Amy Hunter was run out in the opening over, while Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell also departed cheaply. Lewis then led the recovery effort with a calm and composed innings. She shared a crucial 66-run partnership with Leah Paul, who contributed 20, helping Ireland rebuild after the early collapse. The Irish skipper brought up her second successive fifty in 40 balls and continued to anchor the innings before eventually being dismissed for 59 in the 19th over by Athapaththu. Alice Tector added an unbeaten 28 to help Ireland post 130/5 from their 20 overs. For Sri Lanka, Mithali Ayodhya, Sugandika Kumari, Nilakshika Silva, and Athapaththu picked up one wicket each. The Irish skipper brought up her second successive fifty in 40 balls and continued to anchor the innings before eventually being dismissed for 59 in the 19th over by Athapaththu. Alice Tector added an unbeaten 28 to help Ireland post 130/5 from their 20 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland 130/5 in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 59, Alice Tector 28*, Nilakshika Silva 1-12, Mithali Ayodhya 1-18) lost to Sri Lanka 134/1 in 15.3 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 106*, Imesha Dulani 20; Orla Prendergast 1-22) by nine wickets. Article Source: IANS
Several Injured In Stampede At Ranchi JSCA Stadium During Jharkhand T20 Final
Jharkhand Premier League T20: Several people were injured, three of them seriously, after a stampede-like situation broke out during the final match of the Jharkhand Premier League T20 cricket tournament at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium in Dhurwa, here on Tuesday evening, officials said. Three of the injured spectators had to be admitted to a hospital. According to eyewitnesses, a large number of cricket enthusiasts began arriving at the stadium in the afternoon to watch the final match. Just before the match began, the crowd surged sharply at the West Gate. Due to slow entry procedures and delays in security checks, long queues had formed at the gate. As the pressure of the spectators kept increasing, pushing and jostling started near the gate, triggering chaos and a stampede-like situation. Several people reportedly sustained injuries in the incident. Three of the injured -- a young man and two young women -- were shifted to Raj Hospital in Ranchi for treatment. Hospital sources said that all three are currently undergoing treatment. The situation worsened as anger grew among spectators over the disorder and delays in entry. Eyewitnesses said that some frustrated attendees attempted to breach the security cordon. In the process, parts of the West Gate and the barricading were damaged. Police and administrative officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and worked hard to control the crowd. The situation was brought under control after additional security forces were brought in and deployed in the area. The situation worsened as anger grew among spectators over the disorder and delays in entry. Eyewitnesses said that some frustrated attendees attempted to breach the security cordon. In the process, parts of the West Gate and the barricading were damaged. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The incident during the high-profile final has raised serious concerns about crowd management and security arrangements at such large public events. Article Source: IANS
International Cricket Council: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has welcomed the International Cricket Council's newly launched post-pregnancy return-to-play guidelines, describing the initiative as a major step forward for women's cricket and athlete welfare. Reacting to the ICC's announcement on social media, Tendulkar praised the governing body's efforts to create a more supportive environment for female cricketers balancing motherhood and professional sport. Exceptional batting by the ICC. Empowerment in sport is about ensuring that a player's journey, in all phases, is supported with the right framework. Seeing the transition from 'choosing between' to 'doing both' is proof that we are playing the game the right way. A massive boost for the future of women cricketers worldwide, Tendulkar posted on X. The ICC on Monday unveiled its Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines, a comprehensive framework aimed at helping female cricketers safely and confidently resume competitive cricket after childbirth. The initiative forms part of the ICC's broader 100% Cricket programme, which seeks to accelerate the growth of the women's game and improve support systems for players. Central to the framework is a six-step pathway, Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine, designed to guide athletes through recovery, medical assessments, progressive training, cricket-specific conditioning and their eventual return to competition. The guidelines also recommend that every player be assigned a dedicated case manager, usually a doctor or physiotherapist, to coordinate medical care and support throughout pregnancy and the return-to-play process. Regular review meetings at key stages, including pregnancy, post-childbirth recovery and reintegration into cricket, have also been proposed. In addition, the ICC has emphasised a player-centred approach involving multidisciplinary support teams comprising medical experts, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, psychologists, dietitians, coaches and family support networks. The policy further underlines the importance of player privacy, stating that decisions regarding public pregnancy announcements should remain solely with the player and that member boards should not require pregnancy testing. The move has been widely welcomed across the cricket community, particularly as more female cricketers choose to start families during their playing careers. The policy further underlines the importance of player privacy, stating that decisions regarding public pregnancy announcements should remain solely with the player and that member boards should not require pregnancy testing. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The ICC believes the guidelines will help member boards create environments where motherhood and elite-level cricket can coexist, enabling more women to remain in the game while making informed choices about their careers and personal lives. Article Source: IANS
Morris mows through Essex to lift struggling Lancashire
Career-best 6 for 27 puts seal on emphatic 153-run win over bottom club Essex
Phillips, Kelly keep table-topping Blaze on track
Yorkshire bundled out for 150 before home side wrap up chase with 20 overs to spare
Levick, Villiers, Armitage star as Durham overwhelm Surrey
Graham plays key supporting role as hosts overcome wobble to cruise to six-wicket win
'We Just Tried To Build A Partnership': Leah Paul On Ireland's Recovery Against Sri Lanka
T20 World Cup: Ireland batter Leah Paul said the team's priority after losing early wickets was to rebuild through partnerships, as she praised captain Gaby Lewis for leading the recovery against Sri Lanka in their Women's T20 World Cup clash at the County Ground on Tuesday. Ireland posted 130/5 in their 20 overs after a difficult start, with skipper Lewis producing a crucial 59-run knock. Paul played an important supporting role, scoring 20 off 27 balls in a 66-run partnership with her captain that helped steady the innings after Ireland were reduced to 30/3 during the powerplay. Reflecting on the rescue act, Paul said the focus was simply on stabilising the innings and creating a platform for the middle and lower order. I think myself and Gaby just tried to build a partnership after those first few wickets and then hopefully set a platform up for some of our later batters, Paul said after the innings. Ireland found themselves under pressure early after losing wickets in quick succession. Amy Hunter was run out in the opening over before Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell also departed cheaply, leaving Lewis and Paul with the task of rebuilding the innings. The pair adopted a measured approach, rotating the strike effectively and refusing to take unnecessary risks against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Their partnership allowed Ireland to recover and eventually reach a competitive total. Paul also spoke about her batting style and the effort she has put into developing innovative scoring options around the ground. I think it takes a lot of practice. Strength and power probably isn't my biggest skill set, so trying to be innovative and manipulate the field is something that I love to do, she said. With Ireland setting Sri Lanka a target of 131 for victory, Paul stressed the importance of striking early with the ball if her side hopes to secure a historic World Cup victory. I think we need to take some early wickets like we have done in the past few games and then back our bowlers up in the field, she said. Despite Ireland's challenging campaign so far, Paul said the squad has enjoyed competing on the global stage, while admitting there was disappointment over narrow defeats earlier in the tournament. I think we need to take some early wickets like we have done in the past few games and then back our bowlers up in the field, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland will now look to their bowlers to defend the 130-run total and secure an important victory against Sri Lanka in Bristol. Article Source: IANS
Stokes, Atkinson among four changes as England name Trent Bridge XI
Robinson sits out despite being passed fit, as Jamie Smith also returns after paternity leave
Zimbabwe Unveil Squad For One-off Bangladesh Test As Ngarava Takes Charge
Harare Sports Club: Zimbabwe have entrusted left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava with the Test captaincy for the first time, naming him to lead a 15-member squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh, which begins on Sunday at the Harare Sports Club. The fixture marks Zimbabwe's return to the longest format after an extended break and signals the start of an important home season, with the selectors opting for a blend of established names and returning performers. Ngarava steps into the leadership role after playing a pivotal part in Zimbabwe's most recent Test appearance, an innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan at the same venue in October last year. The fast bowler spearheaded the attack with a five-wicket haul as Zimbabwe registered one of its most dominant Test wins in recent memory. Several members of that successful side have retained their places, including Ben Curran, whose century laid the foundation for the comprehensive victory, and all-rounder Brad Evans, who also claimed a five-wicket haul during the match. The squad, however, features notable changes, with five players earning recalls. Innocent Kaia, Graeme Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri have forced their way back into national contention after impressing in domestic competitions and representative cricket. Zimbabwe will be without experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who has been released to honour his county commitments with Worcestershire for the remainder of the 2026 Vitality Blast in England. The upcoming contest also renews Zimbabwe's recent Test rivalry with Bangladesh. The teams last met in a two-match series in Bangladesh in April and May last year, where Zimbabwe claimed a memorable three-wicket victory in the opener, their first Test win in four years, before the hosts bounced back to square the series. Zimbabwe will be without experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who has been released to honour his county commitments with Worcestershire for the remainder of the 2026 Vitality Blast in England. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Zimbabwe squad for Bangladesh Test: Richard Ngarava (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Roy Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor, Tafadzwa Tsiga Article Source: IANS
McCullum on Stokes' return: 'Ben and I are tight'
Head coach plays down talk of broken relationship after captain was stood down for second Test
McCullum Dismisses Rift Talk, Says 'Stokes And I Are Good Friends
Brendon McCullum: Brendon McCullum has dismissed speculation of a rift with England captain Ben Stokes, insisting the pair remain close friends as England prepare for a decisive third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Stokes returned to the England squad on Tuesday after missing the second Test at The Oval due to a breach of the team's midnight curfew. McCullum expressed confusion over claims that their relationship had soured. I asked him, 'Do you know where this talk about our relationship has come from over the last six months?' McCullum told reporters before the series decider. He replied, 'No, I have no idea.' I told him, 'As far as I'm concerned, I consider you a good friend.' This reunion is crucial for England, who lost their series lead after a heavy defeat in the second Test. They are now tied at 1-1 with New Zealand heading into the final match. Concerns about the McCullum-Stokes partnership grew during Stokes' absence, especially after the England coach expressed worry for the skipper before the second Test. Durham head coach Ryan Campbell later mentioned that Stokes was in good spirits, while chief executive Tim Bostock said he was puzzled by McCullum's comments. Clarifying his remarks, McCullum stated the situation had improved considerably. Initially, I was slightly worried, but now I see that he looks great and is ready to go. He looks fantastic, he seems eager about the week, and it's nice to have the team back together. McCullum emphasised the strength of their partnership, built over four years during England's red-ball resurgence. It has been a real privilege for me to work closely alongside Ben. I look back fondly on how tight we were as a group and as a pair. Anything outside of that is beyond our control. Ben and I are close. England's training session in Nottingham seemed to confirm this bond, with Stokes and McCullum embracing before discussing plans with selector Marcus North ahead of the team announcement. Stokes also came into this match in good form, scoring 95 for Durham against Northamptonshire during his break from international cricket. I thought he batted brilliantly, McCullum said. He even texted me, asking, 'Have you seen the highlights?' I said I had, and he responded, 'I'm back.' The third Test is important for England. A loss would give New Zealand a rare series win in England and worsen concerns about England's red-ball performance, having won only two of their last nine Tests. However, McCullum believes that tough times reveal the true qualities of a leadership team. Anyone can lead when things are easy, he said. The true measure of a leader or leadership group is their ability to lead during tough times. Recalling a conversation with former England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan after the 2015 World Cup, McCullum added, I remember Eoin coming to me and asking, 'What do you think I should do?' I told him, 'Tough times don't last, but tough people do.' I think it's the same hereyou must be ready to face challenges, knowing that if you can navigate through them, good things will follow. Anyone can lead when things are easy, he said. The true measure of a leader or leadership group is their ability to lead during tough times. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's well known now how we view not only the curfew but also our standards around protocols and conduct, McCullum said. It's important to know when and where to have fun, and we always encourage that. But excess is not what we want. When mistakes happen, we need to address them and move forward as a team. That's our focus right now. Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: New Zealand youngster Izzy Sharp said patience was the key to the teams successful chase after the defending champions defeated Scotland in their must-win Women's T20 World Cup clash to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Promoted to No. 3 after New Zealand lost early wickets while chasing 132, Sharp anchored the innings with a match-winning half-century and stitched together a 101-run partnership with Brooke Halliday that took the defending champions to a six-wicket victory. Sharp revealed that she and Halliday entered the middle with a clear strategy to rebuild the innings before looking to accelerate. Me and Brooke knew that we had to be there till about the 14th over. And we said that didnt matter really too much about the runs per over. But then, as soon as we hit that 14-over mark, we were able to accelerate. So it was awesome, she said during the post-match presentation after receiving the Player of the Match award. The approach paid dividends after New Zealand found themselves under pressure at 31 for 3 inside the PowerPlay. Instead of chasing boundaries, the pair focused on preserving wickets, gradually taking control of the chase before lifting the scoring rate in the closing overs. Sharp also credited Halliday's composure and experience for helping her navigate one of the most important partnerships of New Zealand's campaign. Brookes awesome to bat with. Shes so calm, and her experience is awesome, especially for me coming into the side. So I love batting with her and hopefully a few more, she added. The innings marked another significant step in Sharp's young international career, having been entrusted with the No. 3 role in a high-pressure contest. Reflecting on the opportunity, the right-hander said she was simply focused on making the most of every chance she received. The innings marked another significant step in Sharp's young international career, having been entrusted with the No. 3 role in a high-pressure contest. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sharp's composed knock not only earned her the Player of the Match award but also ensured New Zealand's title defence remains alive heading into a decisive final group-stage fixture against hosts England. Article Source: IANS
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium: Hyderabad e-Champions kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive 7-wicket victory against Palamuru Strikers in Match 4 of the Hyderabad Cricket Associations TG20 Season 1 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Ajay Dev Goud spearheaded the bowling attack for the e-Champions with figures of 4/21 to bundle out Strikers for 141 in 19.4 overs. In the run chase, half-centuries from Anvith Reddy (53 off 42) and Ganesh Gadugu (50 off 30) guided their team home to help them register their first win of the season. The strikers got off the blocks quickly with Vignesh Reddy at his attacking best, taking down Kappaganti Sriniketh for 21 runs in the third over to set a strong platform for his side. However, Yashveer Goud put a halt to the proceedings after cleaning up Chaitanya Reddy (5 off 7) in the fourth over. With Vignesh (30 off 17) succumbing to Pranav Varma in the following over, the Strikers lost momentum, amassing 50/2 in the first six overs. Pragnay Reddy (9 off 12) fell soon after in the ninth over, with Ganesh taking a brilliant catch off Ajays bowling. Rohit Rayudu added some impetus to the innings with a quickfire 35 off 22 before Sriniketh sent him back to the dugout in the twelfth over. Apart from Pratheek Pawars 22-ball 30, Strikers werent able to regain their early momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Ajay was the pick of the bowlers, bagging figures 4/21 - the first four-wicket haul of the tournament - with his clever variations, while crafty spinners Yashveer (2/15) and Pranav (2/25) scalped a couple of wickets each. E-Champions lost their last five wickets for a mere 20 runs, bundling out for 141 in 19.4 overs. It was a tricky start to the chase for the e-Champions as Rishab Baslas delivered a wicket-maiden in the second over, dismissing Sai Vikas Reddy (1 off 4). Captain Abhirath Reddy led the counterpunch, hammering 24 runs in the third over. He scored a blistering 13-ball 35, which included 5 fours and a couple of sixes before holing out to Rishab. Ravi Kiran also got the better of Yashveer in the fifth over, keeping the e-Champions in check at 55/3 at the end of the powerplay. With their side in a spot of bother, Anvith and Ganesh then consolidated the run chase, keeping the scoreboard ticking to ensure the required run rate remained in control before finishing the game in a flurry. They finished the job for their side rather comprehensively in the end, stitching together an unbeaten 92-run stand off 60 balls. Both batters took their time before unleashing a range of strokes, registering half-centuries with Anvith scoring 53 off 42, while Ganesh scored 50 off 30 to guide their side home to a commanding seven-wicket win in their opening clash. Ravi Kiran also got the better of Yashveer in the fifth over, keeping the e-Champions in check at 55/3 at the end of the powerplay. With their side in a spot of bother, Anvith and Ganesh then consolidated the run chase, keeping the scoreboard ticking to ensure the required run rate remained in control before finishing the game in a flurry. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Palamuru Strikers 141 all out in 19.4 overs (Rohit Rayudu 35, Vignesh Reddy 30, Ajay Dev Goud 4/21) lost to Hyderabad e-Champions 147/3 in 20 overs (Anvith Reddy 53*, Ganesh Gadugu 50*, Rishab Baslas 2/17) by 7 wickets. Article Source: IANS
Unbeaten England and West Indies eye semi-final berth
It will be a top-of-the-table clash as Lord's gears up to host its first game of the tournament
We Left 20 Runs Out There': Kathryn Bryce Rues Missed Opportunity Against NZ After Scotland's Exit
T20 World Cup: Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce admitted her side fell short of a winning total after their Women's T20 World Cup campaign ended with a defeat to defending champions New Zealand on Tuesday here at County Ground. Scotland, who posted 131/7 after a promising start before New Zealand chased it down with six wickets in hand, were eliminated from the tournament, with Bryce identifying the final overs of the innings as the decisive phase while also drawing positives from another competitive performance against higher-ranked opposition. Bryce felt Scotland had laid the platform for a much stronger total before losing momentum towards the end of their innings. I think we started off again fantastically with the bat, and then probably a little tough period there at the end, probably felt like we left maybe 20 runs out there and probably the difference at the end, Bryce said post match. A major positive for Scotland was another accomplished innings from Darcey Carter, whose unbeaten 72 anchored the total after she had earlier converted promising starts into substantial contributions. Bryce was full of praise for the young batter's progress, as she said, Absolutely fantastic. She had a big score against the West Indies, but was kind of really disappointed with how she managed to kind of continue through the innings and I think she learnt a lot from that and made a couple of games, learned some from that and been able to put it in practice. So yeah, Im really proud of how shes been able to go today. Scotland then struck three times inside the PowerPlay to put New Zealand under pressure, but an unbroken century stand between Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday swung the contest decisively in the defending champions' favour. Bryce believed the opportunities created during that partnership could have altered the complexion of the chase. Yeah, massively. I think we did really well to get those few early wickets and then had a couple of chances in there as well, and if one of them stuck, it maybe opens the game up a bit more, but they had a fantastic partnership and just were really smart through that middle period, she said. She also acknowledged the quality of New Zealand's running between the wickets, which kept the scoreboard moving even when boundaries were hard to come by. Yeah, it was pretty tough, like the bigger boundaries and probably a bit slower out there as well, hard to judge kind of where you stood on the boundaries compared to Headingley. So, yeah, I think they ran really well out there, the all-rounder stated. She also acknowledged the quality of New Zealand's running between the wickets, which kept the scoreboard moving even when boundaries were hard to come by. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A huge amount. I think, again, the batting was a massive point and I think taking those early wickets as well, probably, I havent taken as many powerplay wickets as earlier in the competition, and I think that really set us up to be able to squeeze through the middle period and probably just let them away a little bit at the period, she added. Article Source: IANS
Sikandar Raza to miss Zimbabwe's Test against Bangladesh
Richard Ngarava set for captaincy debut in the one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in Harare from June 28
Women's T20 WC: Amelia Kerr Hails Izzy Sharp For Her Role In New Zealand's Crucial Win
T20 World Cup: New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr hailed youngster Izzy Sharp's match-winning innings after the defending champions defeated Scotland in their must-win ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Chasing 132 after restricting Scotland to 131/7, New Zealand recovered from an early top-order collapse through Sharp's composed half-century, prompting Kerr to single out the young batter while also acknowledging that her side still has areas to improve despite securing a crucial victory. Reflecting on Sharp's knock that rescued New Zealand from a precarious position, Kerr backed the youngster to develop into one of the game's leading players. Obviously, we dont want to keep losing three in the Power-play, but I think what a special knock from Izzy Sharp today, Kerr said during the post-match presentation. I guess Ive seen her in the nets and at Supersmash for a long time. And I just think she has the potential to be one of New Zealands best and be one of the best in the world. And today, for a young player to play the way she did was brilliant, she added. New Zealand fought back impressively with the ball after Scotland threatened to post a much bigger total through Darcey Carter's unbeaten 72. The defending champions conceded 96 runs for the loss of only two wickets before pulling things back brilliantly in the closing overs to limit Scotland to 131. Kerr was pleased with the turnaround after her bowlers tightened the screws at the death. Really happy to keep them to that total. I think they got off to a bit of a flyer, and Darcy Carter played a great innings. But then, I guess when it was about four overs to go, I thought we pulled them back really nicely, Kerr stated. While the result kept New Zealand's campaign alive, Kerr admitted her side's fielding standards were still short of where they wanted them to be. It was a bit of a mixture again in the field. You havent quite put it together yet, but I guess winning these close ones now when you were losing them earlier on is a good, better sign. Some good stuff in the field, but also some stuff where we can be a little bit better. And we know that, but yeah, just pleasing to get the win, she added. The New Zealand skipper also pointed out that sharper fielding could have made the chase significantly easier, saying, And if we are 5 percent better, potentially, were only chasing 120. It was a bit of a mixture again in the field. You havent quite put it together yet, but I guess winning these close ones now when you were losing them earlier on is a good, better sign. Some good stuff in the field, but also some stuff where we can be a little bit better. And we know that, but yeah, just pleasing to get the win, she added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kerr welcomed the challenge of taking on the hosts in front of a packed crowd, as she said, We are excited for it. I think The Oval is a great place to play cricket. Obviously, today the wicket was a little bit slower, and normally at The Oval its a belter. Its a sellout. So thats really exciting to play, you know, the host nation. And I guess its all to play for for us. Article Source: IANS
Sharp, Halliday blunt Scotland to keep NZ's semi-final hopes alive
NZ were 26 for 3 after Melie Kerr and Devine restricted Scotland to 131, but the two batters then added 101
Women's T20 WC: Unchanged Sri Lanka Opt To Bowl Against Ireland
Unchanged Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against Ireland in the 20th match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Bristol County Ground on Tuesday. Chamari Athapaththu's team have found the tournament tough. After an enormous defeat against England in their opening game, Sri Lanka produced an inspirational triumph over New Zealand. But it has been a case of 'win, lose, lose' in the ensuing weeks, with the five-wicket collapse against West Indies proving to be a costly defeat as Sri Lanka lie bottom of the group with two points, with a negative run rate of -1.913. Ireland's T20 World Cup bid is all but over after three successive defeats in the group stage, although they have put up a good show in two games and could easily have won against the likes of the much-fancied New Zealand before finally succumbing by four runs on Wednesday night. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu said, Will bowl first because I'm confident about my bowling unit. Conditions should suit the bowlers. If we can bowl the right line and length, 140 should be chaseable. Every game is crucial for us. Unfortunately, we lost the last game. The thing is we lost a couple of wickets early in the last game and couldn't execute our plans. No changes. While after losing the toss, Ireland skipper Gaby Lewis said, Was happy to do either. I think there was a big discussion before this game about what to do, and to be honest, I was happy doing either. We like to set the tone in the power play, and yeah, hopefully we can do that today, she said. I think if you look at the progression from game one to game two to game three, were moving in the right direction, and thats what you want to see in tournaments like this. So Im still looking for our first win and hopefully todays the day, she added. Playing XIs I think if you look at the progression from game one to game two to game three, were moving in the right direction, and thats what you want to see in tournaments like this. So Im still looking for our first win and hopefully todays the day, she added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ireland: Amy Hunter(wk), Gaby Lewis(c), Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Louise Little, Leah Paul, Alice Tector, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Cara Murray, Lara McBride Article Source: IANS
Womens T20 WC: Izzy Sharp, Kerr Shine As NZ Knock Out Scotland To Stay Alive In SF Race
T20 World Cup: New Zealand kept their Women's T20 World Cup campaign alive with a composed six-wicket victory over Scotland, surviving an early wobble before a 101-run partnership between Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday sealed a crucial win that eliminated Scotland from the tournament. Coming into the contest with both teams facing a virtual knockout, New Zealand made the right call at the toss by opting to field. However, the defending champions were made to work hard by a spirited Scotland outfit that refused to go quietly. Darcey Carter anchored Scotland's innings with an outstanding unbeaten 72 off 52 deliveries, carrying her bat through as wickets tumbled around her. Scotland looked set for a significantly bigger total after reaching 96 for 2 in the 15th over, with Carter finding valuable support from Katherine Fraser and Sarah Bryce. But New Zealand's bowlers staged an impressive turnaround in the closing stages. Sophie Devine broke the momentum with two quick wickets before Amelia Kerr's brilliant spell at the death, which yielded figures of 3 for 17, restricted Scotland to 131 for 7. The collapse of five wickets for just 35 runs meant Carter's lone effort was left without the finishing flourish it deserved. Scotland sensed an opportunity almost immediately in the chase. Kathryn Bryce struck with the very first ball of her spell, removing Amelia Kerr, before dismissing Isabella Gaze in the fifth over. Rachel Slater then produced the biggest breakthrough by bowling Sophie Devine, reducing New Zealand to 31 for 3 inside the PowerPlay and placing the defending champions under immense pressure. With their title defence hanging in the balance, Sharp and Halliday responded with remarkable composure. Rather than forcing the pace, the pair focused on rebuilding, rotating the strike consistently while punishing loose deliveries. Their partnership gradually shifted the momentum as Scotland struggled to create another opening despite disciplined bowling. Sharp, promoted to the top of the order, played the aggressor's role to perfection. Confident against both spin and pace, she found boundaries through the leg side, swept effectively, and used her feet well against the slower bowlers. Her maiden T20I half-century came at precisely the right moment, underlining one of the finest innings of her young international career. Halliday complemented her partner superbly. Initially content to play second fiddle, she accelerated when the asking rate demanded it, particularly after the drinks break, finding boundaries with controlled pulls and sweeps to ensure New Zealand remained comfortably ahead of the required rate. The pair added a match-defining 100-run stand that effectively extinguished Scotland's hopes. Slater eventually ended Sharp's superb knock for 62 with New Zealand requiring only a handful of runs, but by then the result was a mere formality. Halliday remained unbeaten on 41 as New Zealand completed the chase with 10 balls to spare. Scotland can take pride in another competitive performance despite bowing out of the competition. Carter's unbeaten half-century and Bryce's incisive new-ball spell once again showcased the progress they have made on the global stage. However, much like earlier in the tournament, they were unable to sustain pressure through the middle overs or capitalise after reducing a stronger opponent to a vulnerable position. For the White Ferns, the victory keeps their title defence alive after an inconsistent start to the campaign. The bowlers recovered brilliantly after a sloppy opening phase in the field, while Sharp and Halliday produced the calm, mature partnership their campaign had been crying out for. With qualification still within reach, the defending champions have earned themselves another opportunity to fight for a place in the knockout stages. For the White Ferns, the victory keeps their title defence alive after an inconsistent start to the campaign. The bowlers recovered brilliantly after a sloppy opening phase in the field, while Sharp and Halliday produced the calm, mature partnership their campaign had been crying out for. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Scotland 131/7 in 20 overs (Darcey Carter 72*, Sarah Bryce 25; Amelia Kerr 3-17, Sophie Devine 2-19) lost to New Zealand 132/4 in 18.2 overs (Izzy Sharp 62, Brooke Halliday 41*; Kathryn Bryce 2-13, Rachel Slater 2-22) by 6 wickets. Article Source: IANS
