Cricket

Bangladesh's big guns return for ODI battle against Zimbabwe

Both teams will want to gain knowledge about their personnel in conditions where the 2027 World Cup will be played

Brar's Ten-wicket Haul Scripts Emphatic Ten-wicket Win For India A Over Sri Lanka A

Aaqib Nabi Dar: Tall pacer Gurnoor Brar picked a ten-wicket match haul as he propelled India A to a comprehensive ten-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test and sealed the two-match series 1-0 here on Sunday. Brar dismantled the hosts batting line-up to register career-best match figures of 10-145 - backing up his four-wicket haul in the first innings with a lethal six-wicket burst in the second essay. Resuming from a commanding 541/8, India As innings had a swift end when left-arm spinner Keshara Nuwantha completed his five-wicket haul by removing Yash Thakur and Ruturaj Gaikwad did not return to bat after retiring hurt on the previous day. Armed with a massive 177-run first-innings lead, Brar, alongside pacers Aaqib Nabi Dar and Thakur, reduced the hosts to a precarious 49/4 within the first 11 overs. Sri Lanka A's solitary resistance came from Ashen Bandara, who counter-attacked with a brisk, 86-ball 87, laced with 11 boundaries and two maximums. He anchored a crucial 70-run stand with Anjala Bandara to briefly delay the inevitable. But Brar returned for his second spell to break the partnership, dismissing both set batsmen in quick succession to leave the hosts reeling at 141/06. Brar later wiped out the tail to claim his maiden six-for, while off-spinner Saransh Jain chipped in with two scalps to bowl out Sri Lanka A for 209. Armed with a massive 177-run first-innings lead, Brar, alongside pacers Aaqib Nabi Dar and Thakur, reduced the hosts to a precarious 49/4 within the first 11 overs. Sri Lanka A's solitary resistance came from Ashen Bandara, who counter-attacked with a brisk, 86-ball 87, laced with 11 boundaries and two maximums. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Sri Lanka A 366 and 209 (Ashen Bandara 87; Gurnoor Brar 6-68, Saransh Jain 2-66) lost to India A 543/9 declared and 36 for no loss (B Sai Sudharsan 25 not out, Aman Mokhade 11 not out) by ten wickets Article Source: IANS

India Pacer Jasprit Bumrah Seen Training With Red-ball Ahead Of Gruelling Schedule

ODI World Cup: India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was seen bowling with the red ball at his practice session in Ahmedabad, signalling his preparation for the upcoming gruelling. The pace spearhead shared pictures of his intense training session, including bowling with the red SG ball, on his Instagram account on Sunday, even as his team-mates from the Gujarat domestic set-up watched on. In the last few days, Bumrah has been training with his domestic team-mates like Chintan Gaja at the Gujarat College ground after a brief post-IPL break. Bumrah has been rested from the T20I series against Ireland and England, but is scheduled to play in the three-match series against England starting on July 14 in Birmingham, and is followed by games in Cardiff (July 16) and Lords (July 19). The ODI series in England will be the first time Bumrah will be seen in the 50-over format since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. After that, Bumrah missed out on playing in ODIs due to workload management reasons. He was also rested from the one-off home Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan in June, but will feature in the Asian Games mens T20 cricket games in Japan in September. From a red-ball perspective, Bumrahs services will be much needed when India plays a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held from August 15 to 27, with matches at Galle and Colombo. The ODI series in England will be the first time Bumrah will be seen in the 50-over format since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. After that, Bumrah missed out on playing in ODIs due to workload management reasons. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In Tests, Bumrah has picked 234 wickets in 52 matches, while taking 149 scalps in 89 ODI games. The Test tour of Sri Lanka will be the first time Bumrah will play red-ball games in the island nation. Article Source: IANS

India A win series after Gurnoor Brar demolishes Sri Lanka A

Gurnoor Brar returned 6 for 68 in the second Sri Lanka A innings, to go with 4 for 77 in the first, to return his career-best first-class figures

Indias Main Concern Has Been Their Bowling Combination: Deep Dasgupta

Deep Dasgupta: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta believes India need to rethink their bowling combination following the defeat to England in the second T20I in Manchester, suggesting the team management consider fielding an additional specialist seamer for the remainder of the series. Assessing India's performance after England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, Dasgupta said the current balance leaves the attack vulnerable if one of the frontline pacers has an off day, and added that India's bowling resources become stretched when they rely on two specialist seamers along with all-rounder Shivam Dube. The main concern for India has been their bowling combination. When you go in with only two seamers plus Shivam Dube, and if one of them has an off day, you are left with very few options, Dasgupta told JioStar. He explained that the lack of a similar replacement in the pace department makes it easier for the opposition to seize control during the middle overs. You don't have a like-for-like replacement in the middle overs, and the opposition can target the weaker links. I think this is something the team needs to look at, he added. Dasgupta believes India should seriously consider altering the composition of their attack by adding another specialist fast bowler, even if it means making compromises elsewhere in the playing XI. They should consider going with three seamers instead of two plus Shivam Dube, he said. The former cricketer also questioned whether India need to persist with three spinners, particularly in English conditions where seam and bounce are likely to play a greater role. The other couple of questions the team needs to answer are whether they really need three spinners and whether they can afford to play an extra seamer, he added. Dasgupta acknowledged that strengthening the pace attack could reduce India's batting depth but felt the trade-off may ultimately benefit the side. The other couple of questions the team needs to answer are whether they really need three spinners and whether they can afford to play an extra seamer, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the series finely poised, Dasgupta's remarks underline the selection dilemma facing the Indian team management as they weigh batting depth against the need for greater flexibility in the bowling attack ahead of the remaining matches. Article Source: IANS

Kirti Azad Seeks Answers From BCCI, Raises Voice Against Adult Ads During IND-ENG Telecast

Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad: Former India cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad has questioned the broadcast of an alleged adult advertisement during the second T20I between India and England at Old Trafford, urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to examine the matter. Azad, who also posted about the issue on social media during the match, said the presence of such advertisements during a game watched by millions of children raised serious concerns and warned that he would take up the issue in Parliament if necessary. Elaborating on his concerns, Azad said cricket's massive family audience made the issue particularly significant, arguing that children should not be exposed to such content during live sporting events. This is an adult advertisement. Children watch the match with their parents. They are children under 16 years old. In this country, cricket is considered a religion. When I was watching it, 44 crore people were watching it, and an adult advertisement appeared during the match, Azad told IANS. The former all-rounder said such advertisements often leave parents in an uncomfortable position while prompting questions from children who may not understand the context. Parents don't know where to look, and children don't understand it. They ask what it is. What effect will it have on their minds? This is a very big question, and the BCCI should answer it. How are they allowing all this? he questioned. Azad also asked why such advertisements were being aired when promotions related to alcohol and tobacco remain prohibited. Alcohol and cigarette advertisements are all banned, and they should be. So why adult advertisements? And that too between overs. I raise a big question over its validity, he said. Parents don't know where to look, and children don't understand it. They ask what it is. What effect will it have on their minds? This is a very big question, and the BCCI should answer it. How are they allowing all this? he questioned. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sharing his objection on X during the match, Azad had called on the BCCI to take note of what he described as an inappropriate advertisement during the live telecast. He wrote, Children are watching live the international T20 match between India and England being played at Old Trafford. Isnt it a shame that an adult advertisement for Durex comes on the screen @BCCI to take note. Article Source: IANS

Sooryavanshi Is Going To Win A Lot Of Hearts, Sky Is The Limit: Parthiv Patel

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has all the ingredients to enjoy a long and successful international career after the teenager made a historic debut for India in the second T20I against England in Manchester. While the 15-year-old scored 14 runs on debut, Parthiv said the occasion was far bigger than the numbers on the scoreboard and backed the youngster to justify the enormous expectations surrounding him. He described Sooryavanshi's maiden international appearance as a landmark moment, not only because of his age but also as the youngest player to represent India in international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record. The whole cricketing world was waiting for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut. He got his chance here in Manchester against England at the age of 15, becoming the youngest player ever to debut for India, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record. This is a huge moment, Parthiv told JioStar. Reflecting on the emotions associated with an international debut, Patel said every cricketer dreams of wearing the India jersey and believes Sooryavanshi will cherish the experience despite a modest return with the bat. As a player, you dream of representing your country. And when it happens, it is a surreal feeling. Talking about his knock, he played some good shots and missed a few too, but that's fine. I'm not worried about the 14 runs he managed to score, he added. The former wicketkeeper also pointed to one particular stroke during the innings as evidence of the teenager's immense promise, saying the left-hander had already offered a glimpse of the talent that has generated widespread excitement. As a player, you dream of representing your country. And when it happens, it is a surreal feeling. Talking about his knock, he played some good shots and missed a few too, but that's fine. I'm not worried about the 14 runs he managed to score, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We all saw that flick shot off Jofra Archer; we know what he is capable of. The sky is the limit for him. He is going to score a lot of runs and win a lot of hearts. It's rare to see a player carry so many expectations, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has done exactly that, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Those Two No-balls Changed Everything, Says Parthiv Patel On India's Defeat In 2nd T20I

Parthiv Patel: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes Ravi Bishnoi's costly 17th over proved to be the turning point in India's defeat to England in the second T20I in Manchester, while also backing the team's bowling decisions and hailing 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-breaking international debut. Reflecting on the match, Parthiv said the two no-balls bowled by Bishnoi shifted momentum decisively in England's favour by allowing Jacob Bethell to play with complete freedom. He pointed to the dramatic change in Bethell's approach after the over, explaining that the free hits removed the pressure that had built during the left-hander's slow start. Batters take one delivery to get out, and bowlers have five more deliveries to come back after a six. So, you look at that 17th over from Ravi Bishnoi and the transformation in Jacob Bethell's innings, the switch in his batting intent happened because of the freedom he got from the no-ball, to go after the ball without worrying about losing your wicket, Parthiv told JioStar. He noted that Bethell had struggled to accelerate before the momentum swung. Before that over, Bethell was struggling at 37 off 33 balls. He was finding it hard to accelerate. But those two no-balls changed everything. They released the pressure and gave him the license to attack. While acknowledging that conceding boundaries is part of T20 cricket, Parthiv said the no-balls made the task considerably easier for the batter. This is something Ravi Bishnoi will want to work on. Getting hit for runs is part of the game. But when a no-ball gives the batter a free hit, it becomes easier to play without accountability because you don't get out; you only get the runs. That over turned the match in England's favour, he added. Questions were also raised over India's decision not to use all-rounder Shivam Dube with the ball, but Parthiv felt stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer managed his resources sensibly. The situation of the game matters. You try to use your sixth bowler, Shivam Dube, to get through a couple of overs. But when the game demands wickets, that is when you go back to your main bowlers, Parthiv stated. While acknowledging that conceding boundaries is part of T20 cricket, Parthiv said the no-balls made the task considerably easier for the batter. This is something Ravi Bishnoi will want to work on. Getting hit for runs is part of the game. But when a no-ball gives the batter a free hit, it becomes easier to play without accountability because you don't get out; you only get the runs. That over turned the match in England's favour, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He also suggested India could consider strengthening their pace attack for the remaining matches of the series, saying, I thought 190 was a par score on this pitch. But when you are playing in England, with bigger boundaries, the slower deliveries and bouncers come into play. So maybe an extra seamer could help India in the next game. Article Source: IANS

Babar Azam to captain Pakistan on West Indies and England Test tours

Pakistan will play the first of two Tests against the West Indies in Tarouba, Trinidad, from July 25. The second begins in Port-of-Spain from August 2.

Pakistan drop Shaheen, Hasan and Noman for West Indies and England Tests

Saud Shakeel has been left out of the West Indies tour because of fitness issues, but Pakistan are expecting him to be back for the Tests in England

Babar Returns As Test Captain As Pakistan Name Squads For West Indies, England Tours

Brian Lara Cricket Academy: Pakistan have handed Babar Azam the Test captaincy once again while announcing their squads for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England, marking the former skipper's return to leadership after he stepped away from the role in 2023. The Pakistan Men's National Selection Committee unveiled the squads during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday. Babar will lead the side in both the two-Test series against the West Indies, scheduled from July 25 to August 6, and the three-Test series in England, scheduled for August 19 to September 13. A 16-member squad has been named for the West Indies tour, while a 17-member group has been picked for the England series. Saud Shakeel has been included in the England squad, subject to fitness. The selectors have also rewarded four uncapped players with call-ups. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm pacer Ubaid Shah, and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have all been named in the squads as Pakistan look to inject fresh talent into the Test setup. Babar's appointment marks a significant turnaround in Pakistan's leadership timeline. The 31-year-old had resigned as captain across all formats in November 2023 following Pakistan's group-stage exit from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India. Although he returned as Pakistan's ODI and T20I captain in March 2024, that stint proved short-lived. Babar stepped down from the white-ball captaincy again in October 2024, ending his second spell in charge after just six months. His latest appointment now sees him return to the helm of the Test side as Pakistan prepare for two challenging overseas assignments against the West Indies and England. Squad for West Indies tour: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, and Ubaid Shah Squad for England tour: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood, and Ubaid Shah Schedule for West Indies series: July 25-29 1st Test, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba August 2-6 2nd Test, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Port of Spain Schedule for England series: August 19-23 1st Test, Leeds Schedule for England series: Also Read: Live Cricket Score September 9-13 3rd Test, Birmingham Article Source: IANS

2nd T20I: We Played For A Perfect Team, Can Do Better, Says Ishan After Loss To England

Ishan Kishan: India batter Ishan Kishan claimed that the team management had picked the 'perfect team' for the second T20I against England, rejecting the suggestion that they needed an off-spinner to stem the run-flow in the middle overs. Ishan Kishan scored 49 and, along with skipper Shreyas Iyer (37) and Abhishek Sharma (43), helped India post a challenging 190/7 upon electing to bat first at Old Trafford on Saturday. However, England rode on an unbeaten 76 from Jacob Bethell to overhaul the target and reach 191/6 in 19 overs, recovering from a precarious 1/2 and 51/3 for a four-wicket win. The key to India's defeat was the 17th over bowled by Ravi Bishnoi that cost 29 runs as the leggie finished with figures of 4-0-60-0. Asked whether India needed an off-spinner to capitalise on the situation in the middle and lower-order, Ishan Kishan said the bowlers picked for the match were quality bowlers, and all this talk was conjecture. No, I mean, we played for a perfect team, you know. It's just that when you don't win, there are a lot of thoughts coming in, a lot of ifs and buts are coming in. But at the same time, I feel all of them were very good bowlers who have done well in the past, who have made their team win in different situations. Even bowling on very flat tracks and still getting wickets. So, I don't think we could have done anything different looking at the team side, said Ishan Kishan in the post-match press conference. Kishan, however, admitted that the team has to consider how it can improve its performance, taking the conditions into account. Yeah, like I said, we need to just understand what conditions are and how we can improve, what we can do better. You know, thoughts will keep coming in. But at the end of the day, we just need to understand the situation, like we are playing outside India, and what the pitch requires from us as a batter and as a bowler. Not only one batter or one bowler can, you know, just make the difference. But as a group, I feel we need to just understand more, like where we can get better, he added. Kishan came in at one down as India went in with 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the second match. The first match was abandoned without a ball being bowled in the second innings after India posted 189/7 in the rain-hit match. Pointing out that the team has been losing momentum in the backend and falling short by 15-20 runs from what they could have in both times they batted in this series, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter said the team has to improve, and said all batters would have to think about where they can score those 20-plus runs. He said they will have to look at the hosts' batters to understand what they are doing better because they know the conditions better. Pointing out that the team has been losing momentum in the backend and falling short by 15-20 runs from what they could have in both times they batted in this series, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter said the team has to improve, and said all batters would have to think about where they can score those 20-plus runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We are all looking to understand what these guys are doing against us. Like, when we play in India, we have more ideas about the wicket. So, here, obviously, every batter needs to understand, as a team, like, where we can, you know, get those extra 20 runs, whether it's by scoring boundaries or, because it's a big ground, you need to take those, whether you have to target the gaps. So, these are a few things I feel we'll talk about as a group, we'll understand, and we'll get better with time, he said. Article Source: IANS

Pollard and Bosch star as MI NY leapfrog Freedom to reclaim No. 1 spot

Jason Holder hammered 43 off 22 balls late in LAKR's innings but it wasn't enough for a win

Babar Azam takes charge after Shan Masood is removed as Pakistan Test captain

Babar Azam, in his second stint as Pakistan Test captain, will lead the side on their upcoming two-match Test series in the West Indies

Seales praises Sri Lanka for 'brave decision' to bat first

As a batting unit, we had a good score. So bowlers have a good, big responsibility to make the game for us, Sonal Dinusha says after the second day's play

Women's T20 WC: Mandhana, Perry Among Player Of The Tournament Nominees

T20 World Cup: Australia's Ellyse Perry, England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, India's Smriti Mandhana, and South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp have been shortlisted for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Player of the Tournament award after standout campaigns across the competition. The four nominees have been instrumental in their respective teams' fortunes, with finalists Australia and England accounting for two of the contenders, while Mandhana and Kapp earned recognition despite their sides falling short of the title clash. Ellyse Perry (Australia) Perry has enjoyed another stellar ICC event, scoring 185 runs at an average of 46.25 and claiming four wickets at 7.50. The veteran all-rounder collected three Player of the Match awards during Australia's unbeaten march to the final, beginning with an all-round display against Bangladesh, where she picked up two wickets before finishing unbeaten on 19. The 35-year-old followed that with successive half-centuries against Pakistan and India, helping Australia maintain a perfect record and secure a place in Sunday's final. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England) England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge heads into the final as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 294 runs at an impressive average of 73.5. Her campaign began spectacularly with a century against Sri Lanka in the opening match before she added two more half-centuries to power England into the title decider. Wyatt-Hodge has also provided consistently brisk starts for the hosts, striking at 152.33 throughout the tournament. Smriti Mandhana (India) India's Smriti Mandhana is the lone nominee from a side that failed to reach the semi-finals. The left-handed opener scored 205 runs at an average of 41, including back-to-back fifties against Pakistan and the Netherlands to launch India's campaign in style. Mandhana also contributed a fluent 38 against Australia in a must-win final group-stage fixture, though India eventually fell short of securing a semi-final berth. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa) Completing the shortlist is South Africa's Marizanne Kapp, whose all-round contributions once again proved invaluable for the Proteas. Kapp scored 124 runs at 31 and claimed eight wickets at an average of 14.37 during South Africa's run to the semi-finals. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa) Also Read: Live Cricket Score The winner of the Player of the Tournament award will be announced following Sunday's Women's T20 World Cup final between England and Australia at Lord's. Article Source: IANS

Edwards four-for lifts Freedom from sixth to first

Washington Freedom slumped to 19 for 3 before Steven Smith and Mark Chapman revived the chase of 127

England Bid To Emulate Lionesses And Red Roses In T20 World Cup 2026 Final

Nat Sciver-Brunt is adamant her side are ready for the battle as they bid to join football's Lionesses and rugby union's Red Roses by becoming the latest England women's team to win a major tournament on home soil. The Lionesses' triumph at Euro 2022, winning the final at Wembley, was a break through moment for the side and it was a similar story when the Red Roses won the Women's Rugby World Cup at a packed Twickenham last year. England's cricketers will now look to complete a hat-trick of women's sporting successes in front of their own fans when they face arch-rivals Australia in the T20 World Cup final at a sold-out Lord's on Sunday. Sciver-Brunt, the England women's cricket captain, was reminded of what is at stake when talking to wife and former international team-mate Katherine. We were talking about the Lionesses and the Red Roses and things like that before the tournament, Sciver-Brunt told reporters on Saturday. As a side we've got the chance to be part of that movement of women's sport in the country. Katherine said to me, 'it's bigger than you think it is', so I guess we've been living in our bubble as a team together and not letting anyone stray out of that. Sciver-Brunt is one of only three players - together with Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt-Hodge - who were in England's side when they last won a global trophy at the 2017 50-over World Cup, also at home. Being part of the 2017 final, we spoke in a similar way about how special a day it was going to be, trying to be really present during the day, Sciver-Brunt said. That is what I've been trying to instil in everybody. - 'Come a long way since the Ashes' - England have lost all six of their white-ball World Cup finals against Australia, who also sealed claimed a 16-0 whitewash win in the last multi-format Ashes 18 months ago. But Sciver-Brunt insisted England were no longer carrying any mental scars. Our team has come a long way since that Ashes tour and I think everyone knows what tomorrow is about, a World Cup final at home at Lord's, she added with both England and Australia unbeaten at this tournament heading into the showpiece match. Australia have surrendered both white-ball World Cups in the past couple of years, but are now one win away from a record-extending seventh T20 crown. We know it's going to be an incredible challenge, but it's also going to be a really special day just to be involved in, said Australia captain Sophie Molineux. We match up well against them. We don't look too far into the past, but we should be very confident heading into this. Veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry is set to retain her spot, despite retiring during Australia's semi-final win over the West Indies with quad awareness on Tuesday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score She's trained really well, added Molineux. She's had a good bat and a good bowl. We'll assess tomorrow and see how she pulls up before we make any decisions.

'My Success Is Not Mine Alone: Sophie Devine Pens Emotional Note On Retirement

T20 World Cup: Former New Zealand captain Sophie Devine reflected on her 20-year international career with an emotional message after bringing the curtain down on her time with the White Ferns following the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The veteran all-rounder, whose final international appearance came in New Zealand's tournament-ending defeat, thanked teammates, support staff, fans, and her family while looking back on a journey that spanned two decades in the silver fern. Devine, who retired alongside long-time teammates Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu after the White Ferns bowed out of the competition, admitted that the magnitude of the moment had only begun to sink in. Wellnot too sure where the last twenty years have gone, but to walk off the park one final time, with my two great mates, is a pretty fitting farewell to the international game, Devine wrote while sharing pictures with her teammates on Instagram. The 35-year-old paid tribute to the countless people who shaped her international journey, acknowledging that her career was built on the efforts of far more people than she could individually name. Dont think Ill be able to thank all the people that have played a part in my journey, because otherwise Ill name half of NZ, but to the coaches, physios, trainers, officials, fans, and media, thank you. Thank you for supporting me, pushing me, and, most importantly, putting up with my shit, she said. While Devine's career featured numerous individual milestonesincluding leading New Zealand to the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup titleshe said it was representing her country alongside her teammates that remained her greatest source of pride. To my White Fern teammates (theres probably about a hundred of ya!), you are the reason I played the gameto represent our beautiful Aotearoa on the world stage, side by sidetheres nothing that filled me with more pride, she added. Devine also reserved special words for her family, who were present to witness her final walk off the international stage after supporting her throughout the highs and lows of her career. And last but not leastto my family. To have you watch me walk off the field for the last time is one of the most special moments of my career. Youve seen it all. The good days. The bad days (there were a few), you have always had my back, and Ive never forgotten that when I pulled on the Silver Fern, Devine penned. She concluded the message with a Mori proverb that encapsulated how she viewed her achievementsnot as individual accomplishments, but as the product of collective support. And last but not leastto my family. To have you watch me walk off the field for the last time is one of the most special moments of my career. Youve seen it all. The good days. The bad days (there were a few), you have always had my back, and Ive never forgotten that when I pulled on the Silver Fern, Devine penned. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Devine leaves international cricket as one of New Zealand's finest all-rounders, ending a career that spanned two decades and concluded alongside fellow White Ferns stalwarts Bates and Tahuhu, bringing to a close one of the most celebrated eras in the team's history. Article Source: IANS

Ill Always Give My Best Every Single Time, Says Sooryavanshi After Historic India Debut

Despite Arshdeep Singh: Indian youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, and senior players after making his senior international debut, thanking everyone who supported and backed him throughout his journey. Sharing a photograph of himself in the India jersey on his Instagram story after the match, the teenage batter said representing the national team was a privilege and pledged to continue giving his best whenever called upon. Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest debutant in men's international cricket on Saturday, acknowledged the messages he received from across the cricketing fraternity and supporters. Overwhelmed by all the messages. Thank you to everyone of my well-wishers and seniors for your constant love and support. Im truly grateful for the opportunity to represent my country, and Ill always try to give my best for my team every single time. Thank you for everything, everyone, the 15-year-old, who broke Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Vermas record to become the youngest debutant, wrote in an Instagram story. The post came shortly after Sooryavanshi completed his maiden appearance for India's senior men's side, marking a significant milestone in the youngster's rapidly rising career. Although India ended up on the losing side in the second T20I against England, the occasion represented a landmark moment for the teenager, who earned his first international cap after impressing through the domestic circuit and age-group cricket. By sharing the message alongside a photograph in India's senior jersey, Sooryavanshi acknowledged the encouragement he received following his debut while reaffirming his commitment to the national team. The post came shortly after Sooryavanshi completed his maiden appearance for India's senior men's side, marking a significant milestone in the youngster's rapidly rising career. Although India ended up on the losing side in the second T20I against England, the occasion represented a landmark moment for the teenager, who earned his first international cap after impressing through the domestic circuit and age-group cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Tom Banton's 39 provided crucial support, while a 29-run 17th over from Ravi Bishnoi, featuring two no-balls leading to as many free hits, proved the turning point. Earlier, India posted 190/7, but England's calculated batting, smart use of conditions, and late acceleration sealed a series-levelling victory. Article Source: IANS

Sonal Dinusha falls short of maiden Test ton as Sri Lanka declare on 549 against West Indies

West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test (Day 2) Report: Sonal Dinusha missed out on a maiden Test century but Sri Lanka continued to pile on the runs in reaching an impressive 549 for nine declared after tea on the second day of the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday. Having thrashed the visitors by an innings and 217 runs inside four days in the first Test at the same venue, the home side needed more than one slice of luck to get to the close at 58 for one in reply. Coming to the crease late on day one when the West Indies enjoyed success with the second new ball, Dinusha and Kusal Mendis faced very few alarms as their sixth-wicket partnership advanced slowly through another bright morning on a pitch offering very little assistance to the home sides pace-heavy attack. Accelerating after the lunch interval, their stand was worth 143 runs and they looked set for many more when Mendis became a victim of his own exaggerated ambition, bowled behind his legs for 69 when attempting to scoop fast-medium bowler Anderson Phillip to the leg-side. His dismissal, with the total already at an imposing 476 for six, did not distract Dinusha in his pursuit of a maiden Test century in only his third Test. Finding a resolute partner in Milan Rathnayaka, the 25-year-old left-hander was within sight of the landmark when the introduction of Kavem Hodge to toss up his part-time left-arm spin caused him to get too greedy. Hodge's first two deliveries were put away for boundaries, taking Dinusha to 92. Off the third ball though, he appeared to be caught in two minds and only succeeded in popping up a simple catch to Brandon King at cover. His innings occupied 166 deliveries, highlighted by 12 fours. Rathnayaka and debutant Isitha Wijesundara then perished in pursuit of quick runs with captain Dhananjaya de Silva poised at the front of the dressing with the clear intention of making a declaration. That decision to close off the innings came when Wijesundara, who smashed a six and a four in his brief maiden Test innings, swung Jayden Seales high to the leg-side where John Campbell held a well-judged catch running back from mid-wicket. Sri Lanka's head coach Gary Kirsten was particularly pleased with the way the overnight pair carried on the good work of the first day. We really wanted to come back today and carry on the good work and Kusal and Sonal did just that, with guys chipping in with important runs afterwards, said the former South African batsman. Sonal complemented Kusal very well. He's a gutsy cricketer. I always like a player who comes in at six or seven (in the batting order) and is prepared to stick around. I am looking forward to watching him in the future, he added. Campbell and opening partner King then faced a searching examination from the swing and seam of Asitha Fernando and Rathnayaka operating with the new ball. Rathnakaya removed King via a low catch at second slip by Kamindu Mendis but Sri Lanka should have enjoyed more success but for their own frailties in the field. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New batsman Hodge was the prime beneficiary, missed by a diving Dinusha at long-leg off a miscued hook and then by Lahiru Udara at first slip.

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Bethell's takedown of Bishnoi takes England 1-0 up

A 27-run over and 29-run over, the latter including two back-foot no-balls by Bishnoi, cost India dearly at Old Trafford

2nd T20I: Want To Do Well Against Worlds Best Teams, Says Bethell After Match-winning Knock Against India

T20 World Cup: England all-rounder Jacob Bethell said testing himself against the strongest sides in world cricket is what drives him after his unbeaten 76 powered England to a four-wicket victory over India in the T20I. Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Bethell reflected on his previous success against India, England's calculated approach to the chase, the turning point provided by Ravi Bishnoi's expensive over, and the partnerships that helped overhaul a target of 191. Having also impressed against India during the 2026 T20 World Cup, Bethell said delivering against quality opposition makes performances all the more rewarding, while acknowledging the challenge posed by India's attack. I really enjoyed that semi-final (2026 T20 WC), although we couldn't get over the line. They're a high-skilled attack, it's just that I've played them on two pretty nice pitches. And, yeah, you want to do well against the best teams in the world. So, yeah, it's really pleasing to do so, Bethell said during the post-match presentation. Bethell arrived at the crease with England reeling at 1/2 after both openers fell in the first over. However, Harry Brook's counterattacking cameo restored the momentum before Bethell and Tom Banton stitched together a crucial partnership that steadied the chase. Looking back, Bethell said the innings was built around partnerships and waiting for the right moments to accelerate rather than attacking throughout. It worked out well in the end, but just going into bat two down, Brooky (Harry Brook), set the tone really well there. He flipped the momentum straight back on them. And, that made it easier for me to go out there and just give him strike to start and then it's a shame when he got out. But I thought Banton came in and that partnership we built, both of us would have liked to go on and finish that. But everyone just keep chipping in. And then, yeah, in those kind of chases, you're not going rapid the whole time, but a couple of big overs and then the game swings. So, yeah, it was one of them that just kind of got timed really well, he added. The biggest swing arrived in the 17th over when England collected 29 runs off Ravi Bishnoi, aided by two free hits after the leg-spinner overstepped twice. Bethell admitted that targeting that particular end of the ground had not originally been part of his thinking, but the circumstances demanded a change in approach. If I'm honest, I probably would have targeted the other end more with my leg side, with the wind, but, and the shorter side. But, yeah, when, (there are) a couple of free hits and then bowler's down, so then you try and take him. So, yeah, that all worked out really well. And then, yeah, Jof (Jofra Archer) came in and finished it off, he stated. The biggest swing arrived in the 17th over when England collected 29 runs off Ravi Bishnoi, aided by two free hits after the leg-spinner overstepped twice. Bethell admitted that targeting that particular end of the ground had not originally been part of his thinking, but the circumstances demanded a change in approach. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Yeah, I think so. I mean, the thing with playing on different dimensions is one side might be easier to hit sixes, but you can also score the same amount of runs, hit in the gaps that are bigger on that big side. So, yeah, it was just about being smart with that. And I thought as a batting group, we were really good at that on the whole, Bethell concluded. Article Source: IANS

2nd T20I: 17th Over Haunted Us, Says Iyer On Where Indias Lost The Game Vs England

Shreyas Iyer: India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted that one costly over changed the course of the contest after England completed a four-wicket victory in the second T20I in Old Trafford on Saturday, chasing down 191 with an over to spare. Speaking after the defeat, Iyer assessed how the game unfolded, highlighted Jacob Bethell's decisive innings, backed Ravi Bishnoi despite his expensive spell, and stressed that the young leg-spinner would emerge stronger from the experience. India had appeared in control for much of England's chase after reducing the hosts to 1/2 in the opening over and keeping the pressure on through the middle phase. However, Bethell's unbeaten 76 and a momentum-shifting 29-run 17th over swung the match firmly in England's favour. Reflecting on where the match turned, Iyer chose not to single out any individual despite the decisive spell. I think we all know where it went away but I don't want to pinpoint a particular player. I was like, okay he's going to come back strong after that (the first no ball). But the 17th over haunted us. But he'll learn, Iyer said post game. The India skipper also felt his side had posted a competitive first-innings total on a surface that wasn't straightforward for batting. I think it was a phenomenal score on this pitch with variable bounce. First 15 overs we were on top of the game but suddenly - credit to the way Jacob played, he added. Bethell's calculated assault, particularly against the spinners in the closing stages, proved decisive as England overturned India's advantage. Iyer credited the left-hander and England's planning for identifying the conditions and boundary dimensions early in the chase. They analysed the dimensions of the ground and the wicket early, he said. Iyer also praised Sam Curran for executing England's tactical plans with the ball during India's innings, pointing to the accuracy of his lines. He was bowling right outside off stump, and that was very well planned (Curran), the skipper stated. The India captain reserved special praise for Bethell's fearless mindset, saying the youngster's approach had already stood out during practice sessions, as he said, He's got that unflinching attitude where he's fearless. The way he bats in the nets... something to learn out of him. I wasn't anticipating him to be nervous. He was bowling right outside off stump, and that was very well planned (Curran), the skipper stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Absolutely, I'm always in high spirits and I know that this is the lowest you can go, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Kusal Mendis, Dinusha take Sri Lanka past 400

Sri Lanka enjoyed another wicketless session in North Sound

Women's T20 WC: Ellyse Perry's Fitness To Be Decided On Match Day, Says Sophie Molineux Ahead Of Final

Her T20 World Cup: Australia captain Sophie Molineux says a final decision on Ellyse Perry's availability for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final against hosts England will be taken on match day, but remains confident the veteran all-rounder can still make a significant impact even if she is unable to bowl. Australia and England will reignite one of women's cricket's biggest rivalries when they meet in the title match at Lord's on Sunday. Both teams have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, leading their groups before winning convincingly in the semi-finals, setting up an exciting finale. Perry suffered a quad injury during Australia's eight-wicket semi-final win over West Indies and had to retire hurt, raising concerns about her fitness for the final. However, Molineux confirmed that the 35-year-old completed a full training session on Saturday. She (Perry) went through a bit of a test for the final. She trained really well today, batted, and bowled. We'll check tomorrow and see how she feels, Molineux said. The Australian captain mentioned that Perry's batting alone could justify her spot even if she can't bowl. Itd be great if she could bowl for us, but with our bowling depth, we feel covered in that area. Her T20 World Cup performance with the bat has been incredible; she's won a couple of games for us. I think her batting, even if she's not bowling, will still be a huge plus for us. Australia returns to the Women's T20 World Cup final for the first time since 2023 after missing out in 2024. Despite having a team full of experienced players, Molineux believes the team's improvement since last year's ODI World Cup semi-final loss to India has driven their success. The group has grown over the last three to four months, she said. Weve freed ourselves up a bit to play openly and showcase our skills. It's a very smart cricket team. Standing between Australia and a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title is an unbeaten England side playing in front of a large home crowd at the Home of Cricket. Molineux acknowledged the challenge but feels her team is prepared. They've played some excellent cricket lately, and they seem full of confidence with 30,000 English fans here at Lord's, she said. Standing between Australia and a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title is an unbeaten England side playing in front of a large home crowd at the Home of Cricket. Molineux acknowledged the challenge but feels her team is prepared. Also Read: Live Cricket Score History adds another interesting element to Sunday's final. Australia leads England 5-2 in Women's T20 World Cup matchups and has won all three previous T20 World Cup finals between the two rivals. However, England has never lost a Women's World Cup final - ODI or T20 - on home soil. Article Source: IANS

Can Lord's memories inspire England to bring down mighty Australia?

This was the venue where England won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2009. Can they repeat history against the six-time champions?

England Ready to Go Toe-to-Toe with Australia in Womens T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Nat Sciver-Brunt

Nat Sciver-Brunt has promised England will go toe-to-toe with Australia in the Womens T20 World Cup fina l at Lord's on Sunday as they look to end a series of dispiriting defeats by their arch-rivals. Contests between two powerhouses of the women's game have been lopsided affairs in recent times, with Australia whitewashing England 16-0 in the multi-format Ashes when the teams last met 'Down Under' 18 months ago. That humiliating reverse led to the exit of England head coach Jon Lewis and the end of Heather Knight's long reign as captain. Charlotte Edwards , one of England's greatest women's cricketers and no stranger to success against Australia in her playing days, succeeded Lewis as coach. Edwards stuck with many of the same players whose nerve had repeatedly betrayed them in the pressure of knockout cricket, with England -- for all their wealth and playing resources -- having gone nearly a decade since they last won a major global title, the 2017 50-over World Cup final. She was accused of living up to a quote attributed to Albert Einstein -- insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Edwards, however, does appear to have overseen a significant improvement in fielding standards and self-belief. England may well be beaten on Sunday, but they now look less likely to beat themselves. - 'Standing up to Australia' - Sciver-Brunt, one of three survivors in the England squad from that memorable World Cup final triumph against India at Lord's nine years ago, said: The vibe we have created as a group throughout this competition has allowed us to feel confident in ourselves. We are looking forward to that battle at Lord's. The way we have gone about our cricket in this tournament is planned out and the way we can beat them. Australia are a world-class side who have had huge success in the last few years, in different Ashes series home and away. Standing up and going toe-to-toe with them is the way forward. England fans would have been forgiven for thinking the worst when their side collapsed to 23-3 in Thursday's semi-final against South Africa at the Oval. But Sciver-Brunt starred on her return from aggravating a left-calf injury, that had sidelined her for England's last three group-stage games, with a superb 75 off 47 balls. Fellow veteran Knight made a fine 58 in a match-changing 133-run stand with her successor as England captain. And a fine all-round team effort then restricted the Proteas to 129-8 as England swept into the final with a crushing 40-run win. Heather and I knew we had a big job to do and we used all of our experience, said Sciver-Brunt, 33. England have won every women's World Cup, in all formats, they have hosted -- a sequence dating back to the inaugural 1973 one-day international showpiece, which took place two years before the debut of the equivalent men's event. But history is likely to count for little against a formidable Australia side who, like England, are unbeaten heading into the final following six straight wins. Six-time T20 world champions Australia knocked India out after making light of a tournament-record chase of 171 at Lord's last weekend and then thrashed the West Indies by eight wickets in their semi-final. The only concern for Australia, apart from how they might cope if put under sustained pressure by England, is the fitness of Ellyse Perry. The veteran all-rounder, an all-time great of women's cricket, retired hurt with a quad problem in the semi-final following her superb 56 against India. But the 35-year-old looked to have come through unscathed following an intensive training session on Friday. Australia coach Shelley Nitschke suggested Thursday that Perry could play in the final even if less than fully fit. Perry's Australia team-mate Phoebe Litchfield, however, said Friday: Pez is great. She's prepping really well and she's the ultimate professional. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As you can all imagine, she wants to be out there on Sunday and is doing everything in her ability to do that, which is the true professional that she is.

'Golden Day For Bihar Cricket': BCA President Harsh Vardhan Hails Sooryavanshi's Historic International Debut

BCA President Harsh Vardhan: Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) President Harsh Vardhan on Saturday hailed teenaged batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshis international debut for India in the ongoing second T20I against England as a golden day in the history of Bihar cricket and a matter of immense pride for the entire state. Sooryavanshi, 15, etched his name into the annals of cricketing history by making his highly-anticipated international debut during the second T20I against England at Old Trafford on Saturday. At 15 years and 99 days, Sooryavanshi was handed his maiden cap by vice-captain Tilak Varma, thus becoming the youngest-ever Indian cricketer to debut in international cricket. Eventually, Sooryavanshi, playing at the expense of Sanju Samson, made 14 before being stumped off the bowling of Will Jacks. Today will be remembered as a golden day in the history of Bihar cricket. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi representing India at such a young age is a matter of immense pride for the entire state. Through his hard work, discipline, and exceptional talent, he has proved that no dream is impossible when dedication meets opportunity. By surpassing the record of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, he has created history. On behalf of the Bihar Cricket Association, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Vaibhav and his family and wish him a long, successful, and illustrious international career, Vardhan said in a BCA statement on Saturday. In doing so, Sooryavanshi has shattered long-standing benchmarks of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Verma, who was previously the youngest cricketer to play T20Is for India in both mens and womens circuit. Tendulkar had famously made his international debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi back in November 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. Meanwhile, Shafali was 15 years and 239 days old when she earned her maiden T20I cap against South Africa in Surat in 2019. Echoing Vardhans sentiments, BCA Secretary Ziaul Arfin highlighted that Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise reflects the steady progression and overhaul of grassroots cricket infrastructure in the state. Tendulkar had famously made his international debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi back in November 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. Meanwhile, Shafali was 15 years and 239 days old when she earned her maiden T20I cap against South Africa in Surat in 2019. Also Read: Live Cricket Score By reaching the international stage at such a young age, he has shown that with the right platform and proper guidance, talent can achieve global recognition. The Bihar Cricket Association is immensely proud of Vaibhav and wishes him a long, successful, and distinguished international career, he added. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: England Are Much More Composed And Confident, Says Nat Sciver-Brunt

T20 World Cup: Ahead of the high-octane ICC Womens T20 World Cup final against arch-rivals Australia, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt on Saturday stated that her side is entering the title clash with far greater composure and confidence, adding that they have improved a lot since making an early exit in the 2024 edition. The iconic Lords Cricket Ground holds fond memories for England, who clinched the 2017 ODI World Cup title here under Heather Knight's leadership with a tense nine-run victory over India. It was a high-pressure match where Nat top-scored for England with a vital 51 off 68 deliveries. Now leading the side herself, Nat is on the precipice of securing Englands first T20 World Cup crown since their inaugural tournament triumph at home in 2009. However, England face a monumental task against six-time champions Australia, a team that has held complete psychological dominance over them with eight consecutive victories across formats over a three-year undefeated streak. I guess a lot of cricket has happened between 2024 and now. Initially there was a lot of disbelief that we'd sort of lost one game and didn't quite make it to the semis. I suppose that game (defeat to West Indies) was, chaotic for all sorts of reasons. But I think where we are now is as a much more sort of composed and confident team. We have been put under pressure and been able to come out the other side and our batting coach calls it nitty-gritty moments, and there are those in every game that we play. But I suppose so far in this one we've shown that we can get through those moments and come out the other side. So we're a very different team to 2024, said Nat in the pre-match press conference. The Home of Cricket is no longer an unfamiliar territory for England, who have gained significant exposure to the ground in recent years via The Hundred. Additionally, England will carry fond recent memories of the venue, having registered a comfortable 38-run victory over the West Indies during their group stage encounter here on June 24. It is going to be a big occasion. But it's why we've done everything that we've done so far. Everything that we've worked on and everything was to try and get us to this point. So, I suppose acknowledging that and try and take in as much of the day as you can. I mean, being part of the 2017 final, we sort of spoke in a similar way about how special a day it was going to be and try and, I guess, be really present during the day and try and enjoy yourself as much as you can. So, that was what I've been trying to instill in everybody. It is going to be a big occasion. But it's why we've done everything that we've done so far. Everything that we've worked on and everything was to try and get us to this point. So, I suppose acknowledging that and try and take in as much of the day as you can. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There's been so many different people during the tournament who have had their moment to shine and to show what they could do. So as a team we're really well balanced in that everyone has had success throughout the tournament and can draw on that moment, and feeling to help us tomorrow, she added. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: Australias Road To Final, Dominant And Destructive

T20 World Cup: Australia's pursuit of another global title has followed a familiar script: clinical, composed and ruthlessly efficient. The six-time champions have once again underlined why they remain the benchmark in women's T20 cricket, navigating the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 without a defeat to book their place in an eighth final. Whether it has been explosive batting, relentless bowling or experienced campaigners delivering under pressure, Australia have found different match-winners at every turn. Now, with England standing between them and a seventh Women's T20 World Cup crown, Australia arrive at Lord's carrying the momentum of six successive victories and a squad that has looked increasingly formidable as the tournament has progressed. A commanding start against South Africa Australia opened their campaign with an emphatic statement against the 2024 runners-up, overpowering South Africa in all three departments. Phoebe Litchfield injected early momentum with a blistering half-century off just 24 balls, while Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham chipped in with valuable contributions to lift Australia to 172/8. The bowlers then took complete control. Georgia Wareham starred with figures of 3/13, while Sophie Molineux and Alana King struck twice each as South Africa were bundled out for just 107, despite Laura Wolvaardt's fighting 44. Bowlers dismantle Bangladesh Australia barely eased off in their second outing. Kim Garth and Sophie Molineux ripped through Bangladesh's top order, ensuring the Asian side never recovered from the early blows. Restricted to just 77/8, Bangladesh offered little resistance, with only captain Nigar Sultana and Ritu Moni reaching double figures. The chase proved little more than a formality. Georgia Voll's unbeaten 45 guided Australia home inside 10 overs, while Perry's all-round contribution earned her the Player of the Match award. Batters rewrite the record books against Netherlands Against tournament debutants Netherlands, Australia's batting unit shifted into top gear. Beth Mooney produced a classy 74, Ashleigh Gardner added a powerful 58 and Wareham supplied the finishing flourish as Australia amassed 219/6the joint-highest total in Women's T20 World Cup history, matching England's record set earlier in the tournament. The Dutch showed admirable resilience through Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis, whose century partnership prevented a collapse, but the target proved well beyond reach as Australia secured another convincing victory. Perry powers another dominant win Pakistan briefly sensed an opening after removing Beth Mooney from the very first ball of the innings. Australia responded in trademark fashion. Ellyse Perry steadied the innings with a commanding 71, sharing a century stand with Georgia Voll to put Australia firmly back in control before Nicola Carey and Annabel Sutherland accelerated late to push the total close to 200. The bowlers ensured there would be no contest. Perry, Sutherland and Sophie Molineux collected three wickets apiece as Pakistan folded for just 86, handing Australia a comprehensive 113-run victory. Experience shines through against India Australia finally encountered genuine resistance in their final league fixture. India, needing victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive, posted a competitive 170/4 after valuable contributions from Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and a late assault from Harmanpreet Kaur. Australia's reply was equally challenging. Reduced to 68/3 midway through the innings, the six-time champions briefly found themselves under pressure. That was when experience took over. Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner stitched together a match-winning century partnership, calmly dismantling India's hopes as Australia completed the chase with six wickets in hand. The result not only secured a perfect group-stage record but also eliminated India from the tournament. Clinical in the semi-final challenger against West Indies Australia raised their standards once more in the semi-final against West Indies. After opting to bowl, they never allowed the Caribbean batters to dictate terms. Hayley Matthews top-scored with 30, while Deandra Dottin provided late impetus despite an injury concern, but Australia's disciplined attack restricted West Indies to 125/7 Gardner broke the backbone of the innings with a decisive two-wicket over, while Wareham and Molineux chipped in with two wickets each. The chase reflected Australia's authority. Beth Mooney anchored proceedings with an unbeaten 61 before Gardner's brisk cameo ensured the target was overhauled with ease, sealing an eight-wicket victory and another place in a World Cup final. A campaign built on collective excellence Australia's unbeaten run has been driven less by individual brilliance than by the remarkable depth within their squad. Perry has repeatedly delivered when the team has needed stability, Gardner has influenced games with both bat and ball, Mooney has anchored crucial chases, Wareham and Molineux have spearheaded the bowling attack, while Litchfield, Voll, Garth, Sutherland and King have all stepped up at key moments. Australia's unbeaten run has been driven less by individual brilliance than by the remarkable depth within their squad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now, only England remain. At Lord's, the tournament's most successful side will chase yet another chapter in an already glittering legacy, aiming to lift a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup trophy. Article Source: IANS

TG20: CV Milind's All-round Brilliance Fires Anvita Khammam Aces To Third Place With Five-wicket Win Against Ranga Reddy Risers

Anvita Khammam Aces: Anvita Khammam Aces took a significant step towards confirming their place in the Playoffs of the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 after clinching a five-wicket win against Ranga Reddy Risers in the first match on Saturday. The win pushes Aces to third place on the points table. Skipper CV Milind led the way as he bagged three wickets in the first innings to restrict Risers to 147/9. He also played a significant role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 29 off 21 balls to guide his side over the finish line after vice-captain Himateja Kodimela laid the platform for the chase with a 28-ball 45. With this result, the Aces ensured that their destiny for the playoff spot remained in their hands. Returning to the side, Aces captain CV Milind instantly made his presence felt as he dismissed Aaron George (4 off 2) in the second ball of the contest. Gnana Prakash Reddy delivered the counterpunch, scoring 15 runs in the third over, to help Risers get back on track. He played the aggressor in the partnership alongside Avanish Rao. The latter fell after scoring a subdued 12 off 10, with Harshith Sai getting the better of him and conceding a solitary run in the fifth over. With Risers in a spot of bother at 38/2, Gnana Prakash and Aditya Javvaji stabilised the innings as they stitched together a 39-run stand. The pair rotated strike and capitalised on the loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking before 16-year-old Ved Reddy dismissed Gnana Prakash in the tenth over, bringing an end to his 25-ball 36. Shaik Azhar also chipped in to get rid of Raghava Pattapu (2 off 4) in the following over to have Risers reeling at 82/4. They once again had to bide their time to rebuild the innings with Aditya and Tanay Thyagarajann at the crease. The pair dragged their side past the three-figure mark in the thirteenth over as they looked to set the platform for a big finish. Unfortunately for Risers, they werent able to provide the fireworks at the backend of the innings. Adityas well-constructed 43 off 37 balls was halted by Ved Reddy, who bagged his second wicket of the contest in the fifteenth over, triggering a collapse for the batting side. Apart from Tanays 14 off 11 and Nitin Sai Yadavs 19 off 16, no other batter in the lower order managed to score in double digits. The highlight of the innings came when the latter was dismissed courtesy a spectacular catch from Mickil Jaiswal, who plucked a one-handed blinder at long-off. As a result, Risers only scored 31 runs in the last five overs. CV Milind proved to be the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/34, while Harshith and Ved Reddy bagged a couple of wickets each, restricting Risers to 147/9. It was a tricky start to the run chase as Aces lost three wickets in the powerplay. Wafi Kachchhi (4 off 8) was the first to fall, dismissed by Aryan Cariappa in the second over. Despite the setback, Prateek Reddy and G Sai Krishna Reddy continued to play on the front foot, scoring 17 runs off the following over. Risers struck back with twin strikes as T Arun Kumar and Sacheit Binjrajka dismissed Sai Krishna Reddy (17 off 7) and Prateek Reddy (14 off 11) respectively. However, Risers glimmer of hope was quickly wiped out by Himateja and Mickil. It was a tricky start to the run chase as Aces lost three wickets in the powerplay. Wafi Kachchhi (4 off 8) was the first to fall, dismissed by Aryan Cariappa in the second over. Despite the setback, Prateek Reddy and G Sai Krishna Reddy continued to play on the front foot, scoring 17 runs off the following over. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Aces had a shaky resumption as T Arun Kumar cleaned up Himateja immediately after the restart, breaking the 72-run stand. The district bowler bagged his third wicket as he got the better of Mickil in the fifteenth over. His efforts eventually went in vain as Milind and Sahendra Mallu (4* off 7) knocked the ball around and comfortably got Aces over the line with 17 balls to spare. Article Source: IANS

Farbrace agrees to stay at Sussex as part-time director of cricket

New head coach will come in to work under Farbrace as Sussex manage financial constraints

Sai Sudharsan Hits Magnificent 168 As India A Take 175-run Lead Against Sri Lanka A

While Devdutt Padikkal: A masterful 168 by left-handed batter B Sai Sudharsan helped India A take a commanding 175-run first-innings lead against Sri Lanka A on day three of the second unofficial Test here on Saturday. Resuming the day from an overnight score of 104 not out, Sudharsan anchored the innings with supreme confidence to guide India A to a massive 541/8 in 142 overs at stumps, in response to the hosts' first-innings total of 366. The morning session brought mixed fortunes for India A. While Devdutt Padikkal departed without adding to his overnight score of 94, Ruturaj Gaikwad was forced to retire hurt on 13. Nevertheless, Sudharsan continued his fine run, and was well-supported by captain, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (53 off 88 balls, six boundaries) and Shaik Rasheed (45 off 51 balls, five boundaries) to keep the visitors firmly on front foot. Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera provided the breakthroughs for the hosts - trapping Jurel lbw before finally ending Sudharsans marathon stay worth 267 balls at the crease, laced with 22 boundaries and now his career-best score in India A colours. Medium-pacer Keshara Nuwantha was the most successful bowler, picking up 4-158 from a grueling 50 overs, which included the dismissals of Padikkal, Rasheed, and Gurnoor Brar. Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera provided the breakthroughs for the hosts - trapping Jurel lbw before finally ending Sudharsans marathon stay worth 267 balls at the crease, laced with 22 boundaries and now his career-best score in India A colours. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Sri Lanka A 366 trail India A 541/8 in 142 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94; Keshara Nuwantha 4-158, Dilum Sudeera 3-101) by 175 runs Article Source: IANS

India bat first and hand Sooryavanshi his debut in Manchester

England brought back Jora Archer to their eleven and handed Josh Tongue his debut in white-ball internationals

ENG-W vs AUS-W Final Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

ENG-W vs AUS-W Final, Cricket Tips :After a month-long intense cricket season, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will host its final game. Australia Women and England Women have reached the final stage. The final will kick off on Sunday at Lord's Cricket Ground at 8 PM IST. This match will decide which team will lift the title. Australia have been exceptional on the field, and they have managed to record clinical wins even against tough oppositions. They are flying high and they will win their seventh title. For England, they need to do well on the day, and history awaits them. ENG-W vs AUS-W: Match Details Date : July 05, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 8 PM IST Venue : Lords Cricket Ground, London ENG-W vs AUS-W Live Streaming Details The final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be televised on the Star Sports Networks in India. The live stream of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG-W vs AUS-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 45 England Women : 20 Australia Women : 22 No-Result: 03 ENG-W vs AUS-W: Ground Pitch Report Lord's Cricket Ground has a good batting wicket. Early on, there will be some zip for the fast bowlers. The batting conditions will be tough for the first few overs, which will settle down with time. That might make chasing a better option on the day. ENG-W vs AUS-W Possible XIs ENG-W : Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Heather Knight, Alice Capsey, Freya Kemp, Charlie Dean, Danielle Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell AUS-W : Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Ash Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton ENG-W vs AUS-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Nat Sciver-Brunt made his comeback with a match-winning knock. Being a captain, she will be a big wicket. For Australia, Ellyse Perry has been fantastic, and she is the player in form. Probable Best Bowler Captain Sophie Molineux has led Australia from the front and taken crucial wickets for her team. For England, stand-in captain Charlie Dean has been in wicket-taking form this edition. Today Match Prediction : England have a good chance in home conditions, but Australia are better suited with form and momentum. Hence, we predict Australia women to win this game. ENG-W vs AUS-W Match Final ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, ENG-W vs AUS-W 2026 Prediction, ENG-W vs AUS-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ENG-W vs AUS-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your prediction.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes Youngest-ever T20I Debutant, Breaks Sachins Record

Indian Premier League: Indian cricket welcomed a new record-holder on Saturday as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent the country in T20 Internationals. The 15-year-old was handed his maiden India cap ahead of the second T20I against England in Manchester, marking another remarkable milestone in his meteoric rise. At just 15 years, 3 months and 7 days, the left-handed opener from Bihar surpassed Shafali Verma to become India's youngest international debutant. His selection is the latest reward for a breakthrough year that has transformed him from a promising teenager into one of the country's most exciting young cricketers. Sooryavanshi forced his way into national contention with a sensational Indian Premier League campaign for Rajasthan Royals. The teenage opener amassed 776 runs in 16 matches, registering a century and five half-centuries while dominating bowling attacks with fearless strokeplay. His power-hitting also saw him eclipse Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, underlining his ability to change the course of a game within a few overs. His extraordinary season earned unprecedented recognition as he became the first player in IPL history to claim both the Most Valuable Player and Best Emerging Player awards in the same edition. India's chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, had admitted that the youngster's performances made him impossible to ignore. Highlighting his match-winning ability and composure under pressure, Agarkar had said Sooryavanshi had almost carried Rajasthan Royals during the latter stages of the tournament and described him as a genuine game-changer with a bright future. He added that the teenager had picked himself through the weight of his performances. His extraordinary season earned unprecedented recognition as he became the first player in IPL history to claim both the Most Valuable Player and Best Emerging Player awards in the same edition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now wearing India colours for the first time, Sooryavanshi begins the next chapter of an already extraordinary journey, with expectations high that the teenage sensation can translate his domestic and franchise success onto the international stage. Article Source: IANS

India A grow lead after Sai Sudharsan hits 168

Gaikwad retired hurt on 13 but India A zoomed ahead on day three in Galle

Womens T20 WC: Englands March To Final, Unbeaten And Unshaken

T20 World Cup: Englands unbeaten march has carried them to the doorstep of history. On Sunday at Lords, the inaugural champions will face six-time title winners Australia in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 final, seeking to preserve a remarkable record that stretches across every womens World Cup they have hosted. What makes Englands campaign stand out is not simply the six victories on the bounce, but the variety with which they have arrived at the title clash. Record-breaking batting displays, disciplined bowling performances, recoveries from difficult positions and contributions from almost every corner of the squad have underlined a tournament in which they have rarely looked out of control. A statement on opening night against Sri Lanka England wasted no time announcing themselves as contenders. In the tournament opener against Sri Lanka, they rewrote the record books by posting 219/1, the highest team total in Women's T20 World Cup history. The innings belonged to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who produced an unbeaten 105 from 62 deliveries to register the first century of the tournament. Amy Jones added a fluent half-century, while captain Nat Sciver-Brunt provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 46. Sri Lanka never recovered from the assault. Freya Kemp ripped through the batting order with figures of 4/22 as England wrapped up an emphatic 87-run victory to begin their campaign in ideal fashion. Bowlers take charge against Ireland England's second win came through a different route. Rather than overpowering opponents with the bat, they strangled Ireland through disciplined bowling. Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean dictated the contest by limiting Ireland to 118/9. Ecclestone claimed three wickets while Dean's economical spell ensured there was never any sustained momentum for the Irish batting unit. The chase briefly threatened to become complicated after England lost regular wickets, with Sciver-Brunt even being retired out on 48. Nevertheless, the hosts completed the chase comfortably with four wickets in hand and more than two overs remaining. Responding under pressure versus Scotland For the first time in the tournament, England suffered an early setback when Amy Jones departed off the opening delivery against Scotland. The wobble barely lasted. Sophia Dunkley counter-attacked with a sparkling 57 from just 37 balls, while Alice Capsey's aggressive 40 shifted the momentum completely. Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson then added valuable late runs to carry England to 200/5. Scotland never truly threatened the target as Ecclestone once again showcased her consistency, helping restrict them to 162/7 and sealing another comfortable victory. Middle order answers West Indies challenge West Indies posed one of England's sternest tests in the group stage after reducing the hosts to 38/2. Once again, England found solutions. Wyatt-Hodge anchored the recovery with another half-century before Heather Knight accelerated in the closing overs with an enterprising 43 to push the total to 186/7. England's bowlers ensured the chase never gathered momentum. Despite Chinelle Henry's unbeaten fifty, West Indies were kept to 148/5, giving England a fourth successive win and virtually confirming their place in the knockout stage. Clinical finish against New Zealand With New Zealand needing victory to keep their title defence alive, England produced arguably their most complete performance of the league phase. The White Ferns began brightly through Melie Kerr and Isabella Gaze before England's bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse, removing three batters in the space of four deliveries without conceding a run. Set 164, England made the chase look routine. Wyatt-Hodge continued her outstanding tournament with a commanding 89 as the hosts romped home by nine wickets with 16 balls remaining, completing a flawless group stage. Character on display in the semi-final against South Africa England's toughest examination arrived in the semi-final against South Africa. The innings could hardly have begun worse. Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail dismantled the top order, reducing England to 23/3 inside the opening exchanges. What followed was the defining partnership of their campaign. Returning from a calf injury, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt joined forces with Heather Knight to produce a magnificent 133-run stand, the highest partnership in Women's T20 World Cup history. Sciver-Brunt led from the front with 75, while Knight's composed 58 transformed England from early trouble to a competitive 169/5. South Africa made a positive start through Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, but England's bowling unit steadily tightened the screws. Charlie Dean and Lauren Bell struck twice apiece, while the attack collectively denied South Africa any sustained momentum, restricting them to 129/8 and securing a 40-run victory. A campaign built on depth While Wyatt-Hodge has emerged as England's standout performer with a century and multiple match-winning knocks, the journey to the final has been far from a one-player show. Sciver-Brunt has delivered captain's innings under pressure, Knight has rescued England when required, Ecclestone has remained the leader of the bowling attack, while Dean, Kemp, Bell, Dunkley, Capsey and Gibson have all made decisive contributions at different stages. While Wyatt-Hodge has emerged as England's standout performer with a century and multiple match-winning knocks, the journey to the final has been far from a one-player show. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now only Australia stand between the hosts and a second Women's T20 World Cup crown. England arrive at Lord's unbeaten, confident and carrying the weight of an extraordinary home record that has survived every Women's World Cup played on English soil. One final victory would make this campaign one of their finest yet. Article Source: IANS

'We Know The Job Isnt Done Yet', Says Patil Ahead Of Maharaja Trophy's High-stakes Bengaluru Leg

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Ahead of the commencement of high-stakes Bengaluru leg of Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, Bengaluru Blasters batter Rohan Patil has cautioned his team against complacency, stating that the job isnt done yet despite securing the pole position in the points table and sealing a playoffs spot. The marquee tournament shifts to the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, starting from the double header on Sunday. While the Blasters have the top spot in firm hand, a fierce battle lies ahead for the remaining five franchises, who are separated by a mere two points in the race for the final three playoff berths. Weve been playing really good cricket as a team. Weve found ourselves in a few close situations this season, but weve consistently found a way to get over the line, which says a lot about the character of the group. Finishing at the top of the table gives us the added advantage of an extra opportunity to reach the final, but we know the job isnt done yet and well stay focused on whats ahead, Patil, who has amassed 269 runs in eight innings, said in a statement on Saturday. The crucial Bengaluru leg kicks off the afternoon fixture at 2pm seeing the Blasters clash with Mysore Warriors, followed by a night game at 7:30pm between Shivamogga Yodhas and Hubli Tigers. Mysore Warriors enter the capital city on the back of consecutive victories. Highlighting the collective team effort, their star all-rounder Ritesh Bhatkal, who has contributed 214 runs and eight wickets, said, We're pleased to have finished the Hubballi leg on a strong note. I think we're definitely peaking at the right time in the tournament. Whenever I've contributed with the bat, it's been about building important partnerships, and with the ball, it's been possible because the entire bowling unit has consistently been among the wickets. That creates pressure from both ends and gives everyone the opportunity to make an impact. Meanwhile, current Orange Cap holder and Shivamogga Yodhas vice-captain Luvnith Sisodia (278 runs) talked about the influence of the added leadership responsibilities he has taken up this season. Ive been feeling good with my batting, and this season Ive taken on more responsibility within the team as Vice-Captain. My focus has been on batting according to the situation and taking the game deep, because I know I have the ability to accelerate at any stage of the innings. Im pleased to be contributing with runs, but more importantly, were in a good position as a team. Our immediate focus is on securing qualifications, and then well take it one game at a time, he said. Ive been feeling good with my batting, and this season Ive taken on more responsibility within the team as Vice-Captain. My focus has been on batting according to the situation and taking the game deep, because I know I have the ability to accelerate at any stage of the innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Purple Cap isnt on my mind. My focus is on doing my job and helping the team win. If that results in the Purple Cap, itll be a bonus. The morale in the camp is high, and every setback has made us stronger. Well take the learnings from the Hubballi leg and look to put on an even better show in Bengaluru, said Gopal. Article Source: IANS

Indian Womens Deaf Cricket Team Set For Historic First International T20 Tour To Sri Lanka

T20 International Deaf Cricket Series: The Indian Deaf Womens Cricket Team is about to make history by starting their first international T20 tour to Sri Lanka this week. This significant tour will be the deaf womens teams debut in international womens cricket and will pave the way for future developments in deaf cricket in India. Before the historic five-match T20 International Deaf Cricket Series, the Indian team revealed their jersey in New Delhi. The event was attended by Sumit Jain, President of the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), Sunny Singh, IAS DM of New Delhi (the chief guest), and Guest of Honour Ashok Sharma, Secretary of DDCA, along with Ravi Chauhan, Secretary of DCCI and Member of the BCCI Differently Abled Cricket Committee. Speaking on the occasion, Sumit Jain said, This Sri Lanka tour is a defining chapter for Indian deaf cricket. For so many years, our women cricketers have trained and played away from the international spotlight, driven purely by love for the game of cricket. With this tour, they will walk onto the global stage as Indias ambassadors. IDCA has always believed in equal opportunity, and this tour proves that talent knows no boundaries. I congratulate all the players on this historic feat and for building a legacy for the next generation of deaf cricketers. Commenting about the landmark moment, former Indian Womens Cricket team Captain Daina Edulji said, It is a significant milestone for India that our hearing-impaired girls have got their first international call-up, Cricket belongs to everyone! Youve broken barriers just by getting here and we all are very proud of you. I have personally witnessed your game as your chief guest, playing in Mumbai, the T 10 deaf tournament, the calibre & sportsmanship of these women players impressed me! Now its time to just go and show the world what Indian women cricketers can do on the field. Wishing you all, all the best, Jai Hind! Echoing their sentiment, Kajal Dhawan, Captain, Indian Womens Deaf Cricket Team, added, This is a historic moment for us. Going to Sri Lanka for our first international T20 tour is not just about playing cricket, its about proving that hearing is not a barrier to passion, skill, or representing our country. Every player in this team has worked tirelessly and we will be carrying the hopes of every girl in India who dreams of wearing the blue jersey. The Indian Womens Deaf Cricket Team will compete in five T20 matches at De Soysa Park International Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, from July 7 to July 13, 2026. Indian Womens Team: Kajal Dhawan (c & wk), Needa Zabi Shaikh (vc), Pratima Mishra (wk), Aakansha Kanasiya, Reddy Jyoshna, Dipti Rani Sahoo, Shraddha Vaishnav, Sangeetha, Sukanya K. S., Ruby Yadav, Chandani Khan, Priyanshi Dixit, D. Kanthamma, Priyanka Saini, Anjali The Indian Womens Deaf Cricket Team will compete in five T20 matches at De Soysa Park International Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, from July 7 to July 13, 2026. Also Read: Live Cricket Score These historic events highlight Indias expanding role in advocating for inclusive cricket and offering a global stage for deaf women athletes. Article Source: IANS

'I Wasn't Happy When Virat Retired From Test Cricket': Kapil Dev On Kohli's Shock Decision

Kapil Dev: Former India captain Kapil Dev admitted he was 'not happy' with Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket, saying the batting great still possessed the ability to succeed in the longest format and could have fought his way back into the side if required. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 14-year red-ball career in which he scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries. India's most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches, Kohli stepped away from the format ahead of the England tour, saying he had given everything to Test cricket. Reflecting on Kohli's decision, Kapil said he would have preferred the former India captain to continue playing. I wasn't happy when he retired from Test cricket. It's not about 10,000 runs or any milestone. I felt that if he had stayed away from reacting in anger for six months, there was every chance he would have played for India again, Kapil told Sports Tak. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain suggested Kohli should have remained patient even if he faced setbacks. If the selectors didn't pick him, it's okay. If the captain didn't pick him, it's okay. Go back, work hard, score runs in domestic cricket or wherever you play. He would have come back because he still has the ability of a Test match player, he added. Kapil also drew comparisons between Kohli's intensely competitive personality and tennis legend John McEnroe, saying some athletes thrive on emotion and confrontation. He had that ability, though sometimes he got a little too enthusiastic. Looking at Virat, I remember John McEnroe. Until he fought, he couldn't produce his best performance, he said, Some players, like Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin, keep their heads down and let their performances do the talking. But some players take up challenges. That's why I mentioned McEnroe. He was always fighting with the referee. I could never do that, but it was fascinating to watch, he added. Kapil acknowledged that while Kohli's aggression occasionally appeared excessive from the outside, it may have been central to the former captain's success. Some players, like Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin, keep their heads down and let their performances do the talking. But some players take up challenges. That's why I mentioned McEnroe. He was always fighting with the referee. I could never do that, but it was fascinating to watch, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, despite taking retirement from Test and T2OIs, Kohli still plays ODIs for India and is expected to play a crucial role in the team's mission to clinch the World Cup 2027 trophy. Article Source: IANS

'My Father Took That Decision Instantly': Samson Recalls How He Shifted Base To Kerala After Rejection In Delhi

T20 World Cup: Struggling to break into Delhi's competitive cricket circuit, flamboyant India batter Sanju Samson on Saturday revealed how a sudden, life-changing decision was made by his father Viswanathan to shift the entire family to Kerala, which later turned out to be the turning point of his eventual cricketing career. Samson had a breakthrough time by hitting three consecutive fifties to take India to T20 World Cup glory at home earlier this year and became Player of the Tournament. But Samson hasnt been at his best of late making five and zero in the series defeat to Ireland and posting just one in the abandoned T20I against England in Durham. Samson, though, will be backed to find his rhythm when India take on England in the second T20I at Old Trafford on Saturday. Back in school, I used to see friends wear the DDCA jacket and talk about playing for the state cricket team of Delhi. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi too. I went for trials, attended state camps, and scored runs. Two or three times I made it to the camp but never got a breakthrough into the state team. The competition was tough. Then one day, the team list was announced after my trials had ended. My name was not there. We returned home in silence. As soon as we reached home, my father told my mother, 'We will have to move to Kerala. We are shifting.' My mother said, 'The kids are only in 6th standard. Let them complete 10th.' My father said, 'No, we have to go now. Pack your things. I am booking tickets in three days.' He took that decision instantly. I remember, we all boarded the train. Then we reached Kerala and I started playing for Kerala. That is how my cricket journey for the Kerala State team began, said Samson on JioStar's show 'Superstars'. He also recalled how he began to have a love for cricket while growing up in the police colony in GTB Nagar. Delhi has played a very big role in my life, to be very honest. My life started in Delhi. My father was in the Delhi Police football team. He used to go for practice in the morning and evening. From that time, I developed a love for sports. I felt that yes, I want to become a sportsman one day. I used to live in the police quarters. There, cricket used to be played everywhere. So automatically, cricket attracted me from childhood. I used to gather my friends and we would play in the middle of the road in the police colony, with quarters on both sides. We would put up stumps and play there. It started from proper gully cricket, with a tennis ball. We had our own rule. My father also saw that I was enjoying cricket. He never tried to push me into football. He used to take us to play football, and we still play it, but he thought that cricket has a good future. He told me, 'I saw you batting and I felt that you have talent.' So, he made me and my brother play cricket instead of football. He further shared a fond memory of seeing a rare practice session at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla), arranged courtesy of his father being on police duty. It is a very special memory. As kids, we used to go to academies and practice in schools. One day, my father said that he would take me to Feroz Shah Kotla for practice. We would put up stumps and play there. It started from proper gully cricket, with a tennis ball. We had our own rule. My father also saw that I was enjoying cricket. He never tried to push me into football. He used to take us to play football, and we still play it, but he thought that cricket has a good future. He told me, 'I saw you batting and I felt that you have talent.' So, he made me and my brother play cricket instead of football. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, my brother, my father, and I practiced together in the nets for an hour. I don't know, it must have been a big blessing. I don't know how my father managed it, but nowadays they don't allow such things. Maybe because my father was on duty, it happened. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: When And Where To Watch AUS Vs England Final, Know All Details

Star Sports Network TV: Arch-rivals England and Australia are set to battle for ultimate glory in the final of the 2026ICC Womens T20 World Cup at the historic Lords Cricket Ground on Sunday. The high-stakes encounter marks the fourth time these two cricketing powerhouses will contest the tournament's summit clash, having previously met in the 2012, 2014, and 2018 finals all won by Australia. Six-time champions Australia enter the title decider as firm favourites after maintaining a flawless tournament record with six consecutive victories. Led by Sophie Molineux, who took over the captaincy following Alyssa Healys retirement in March, Australia entered the final with a commanding eight-wicket win over the West Indies at The Oval. Australias phenomenal squad depth has been their biggest asset, featuring multiple match-winners like Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, and Georgia Wareham. Meanwhile, hosts England earned their place in the final after defeating South Africa by 40 runs in their semi-final fixture at The Oval. The Nat Sciver-Brunt-led side are aiming to capture their second T20 World Cup crown, and repeat their historic triumph from the inaugural edition at this very venue back in 2009. Under a revamped coaching setup led by Charlotte Edwards, this refreshed England lineup looks to break a three-year jinx against Australia, who have dominated recent head-to-head encounters with eight successive wins across formats. Beyond the intense on-field cricketing action, the final of the 10th edition of the tournament will feature a star-studded closing ceremony. Global music icons Rita Ora and Clean Bandit are scheduled to perform at the venue and add entertainment value to the massive sporting spectacle. When: Sunday, July 5, 7:00 PM IST Where: Lords Cricket Ground, London Where to watch: The title clash will be shown live on Star Sports Network TV channels and will be live-streamed on JioHotstar website and app. Squads Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham and Tahlia Wilson (travelling reserve). Squads Also Read: Live Cricket Score On-Field: Jacquline Williams & Vrinda Rathi. Third Umpire: Kim Cotton. Fourth Umpire: Nimali Perera. Match Referee: GS Lakshmi Article Source: IANS

ICC Women's Chief Pradhan Hails 'Outstanding' World Cup Standard

England and Australia may be into the T20 World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday but the performances of emerging nations have led the global head of the women's game to hail the outstanding cricket on display at the whole tournament. Concerns were raised about whether the women's game had the depth to cope with an event expanded from 10 teams to 12. But the likes of Scotland, who thrashed Ireland by 40 runs, have more than played their part. The Scots challenged several established teams and almost defeated Sri Lanka, while Ireland ended a 12-year wait for a maiden World Cup win by beating the West Indies, the 2016 champions. I think it's been outstanding in terms of the standard of cricket that we've seen, Snehal Pradhan, the International Cricket Council's manager of women's cricket, told AFP in an interview. The number of scores well above the 150-160 mark are a mark of an entertaining tournament. And some of those scores are being chased down -- you're not just having one team putting up a big score and the other team falling short. We've seen that even from the likes of Scotland, who have relied on their lower order to be able to get them scores of more than 150-160. Title-holders New Zealand and 50-over world champions both failed to reach the semi-finals, with former India seamer Pradhan saying that was a sign of the overall competitive levels of the tournament. A crowd of some 27,000 witnessed last week's double-header at Lord's, where South Africa just snuck past Bangladesh before Australia knocked India out of the tournament. Another capacity attendance is expected at the 'Home of Cricket' for Sunday's final. I'm almost sad that we don't have grounds here that are bigger than maybe the 27,000 capacity we've seen at Lord's, which has been the highest so far, because I feel some of these matches would have gone more than the 27,000 that showed up, said Pradhan. This tournament has also witnessed the return of several players who had previously retired from international duty, notably South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who featured in the Proteas semi-final loss to England. - 'Game-changing' - Pradhan, citing the importance of equal prize money at ICC's men's and women's tournaments, said: Prize-money parity at our events in the last few years has been game-changing. Maybe it's a factor in a few stars returning to the international game after having retired? Away from the World Cup, cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time in over a hundred years with men's and women's T20 medals up for grabs at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles -- something Pradhan believes is vital to the sport's global expansion beyond established nations once part of the British Empire. It's not just about the six teams who will be there, but the fact the entire ecosystem now has access to Olympic solidarity programmes is a huge boost in terms of being able to access funding that did not exist before, she said. But West Indies captain Hayley Matthews lamented an unfair funding ecosystem following her cash-strapped side's eight-wicket semi-final thrashing by Australia, home to the Women's Big Bash League and long a sporting and financial powerhouse of the women's game. The reason we were so successful back in 2012 to 2016 is because women's cricket was based off pure talent at that time, said Matthews. The minute that investment comes into the picture, we've seen the gap widen a lot...I feel like it's a bit unfair sometimes. I saw those comments, Will Glenwright, the ICC's head of global development, told AFP. I think the one truth that is perpetual is there's never enough money -- the members are always crying out for more. Our role, I think, in addition to trying to maximise the amount of money we give to the members, is also reducing their reliance on ICC income. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So we work with them to either access more funding from governments, build their commercial capability and get more money from partners and sponsors.

'Sooryavanshi Will Do Wonders For India, Don't Pressurise Him': Chaminda Vaas

Former Sri Lanka: Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, currently serving as the official mentor of the Palamuru Strikers in the Telangana T20 League (TG20), believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has all the ingredients to enjoy a successful international career but urged fans and experts not to burden the 15-year-old with unrealistic expectations. Speaking to IANS, Vaas said India has consistently produced world-class young cricketers over the years and expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi will eventually establish himself in the national side if allowed to develop naturally. Well, India has produced so many young talent over so many years. And this new sensation, Sooryavanshi, is still young, and I am sure he will get the opportunity to play for India and do well, but one thing I will ask of the people is that he is still young and not to pressurise him, and I am sure he will do wonders for Indian cricket. Sooryavanshi, who grabbed headlines by amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 to bag the Player-of-the-Tournament honour in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, is currently eyeing a much-anticipated international debut for India in the ongoing five-match T201 series against England. Sooryavanshi was unused in Ireland, as India suffered a shock 2-0 series loss. Vaas also lauded the TG20, saying tournaments of this nature are crucial in identifying and nurturing young talent while providing aspiring cricketers with a pathway to the IPL and eventually the Indian team. Hyderabad Cricket Association organizing the first Telangana T20 is good for the youngsters, and theres so much potential I can see with all the teams. Especially if you take Palamuru Strikers, there are quite a few youngsters coming through the ladder, and Im really pleased with their performance, but even though as a team we didnt perform, there are a few individuals striking really well, He said. Vaas also lauded the TG20, saying tournaments of this nature are crucial in identifying and nurturing young talent while providing aspiring cricketers with a pathway to the IPL and eventually the Indian team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Indian cricket has done a great job for youngsters, and not only in Hyderabad, I think every state they organize a T20 tournament and give so much exposure, so much opportunity, as well as the experience to get into IPL, and thats how most of the cricketers have come up. And its really good to see the youngsters are stepping into the next level, he added. Article Source: IANS

Nandani, Charani called up for England Test; Renuka, Bhatia back

Anushka and Deol to lead India A in T20s and One-dayers, respectively, against England A

'Iyers Knock In 1st T20I Was A Masterclass In Reading The Situation, Says Patel

Emirates Old Trafford: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes Shreyas Iyer silenced his critics with a composed captains knock in the rain-abandoned first T20I against England, saying the innings showcased his maturity and ability to adapt to the match situation. Leading the side in the series opener at Chester-le-Street, Iyer struck 68 off 47 deliveries to anchor Indias innings after the visitors were reduced to 6/2 inside the first two overs. His knock, along with Abhishek Sharmas explosive 59 off just 24 balls and Shivam Dubes unbeaten 42 off 21 deliveries, helped India recover to post a competitive 189/7. However, persistent rain after the completion of Indias innings prevented England from beginning their chase, forcing the match to be abandoned without a result. Reflecting on Iyers innings, Parthiv said the India skipper displayed excellent awareness by complementing Abhisheks aggressive approach instead of looking for big hits himself. Those raising questions over Shreyas Iyer would have felt a lot more relieved after this innings. As a player, Shreyas Iyer doesnt have to worry about anything. Hes a proven performer in this format. It was a very important innings because India had lost two early wickets, while at the other end, Abhishek Sharma was batting quite aggressively. So, Shreyas had to play the second fiddle rather than rely too much on hitting sixes, which is something every Indian player is so used to from playing in the IPL, Parthiv told Jio Hotstar. You have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. Thats something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland, he added. Patel also felt Indias batting display was an important step forward after an inconsistent start to the tour during the two T20Is against Ireland, saying the innings showed the teams ability to adapt to different conditions. You have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. Thats something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India and England will now clash in Manchester in the second T20I at Emirates Old Trafford, with the five-match series still level after the rain washed out the opener. Article Source: IANS

'Communicate Clearly With Vaibhav, Dont Rush Him Into Playing XI': Parthiv

T20 World Cup: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has urged the Indian team management to handle Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with patience while backing teenage batting sensation to make his debut at some stage in the series. He stressed that the youngster should not be left guessing about his role in the squad. Parthivs remarks come a day after India bowling coach Morne Morkel also urged patience with the teenage prodigy while reiterating the teams faith in established openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma ahead of the second T20I against England in Manchester. I feel Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will definitely get an opportunity at some point in this series. But at this stage, communication is extremely important. When youre part of the coaching staff, you have to make sure you communicate clearly with the players. Even if youre not going to play him, you have to tell him that, Parthiv told Jio Hotstar. Hes a 15-year-old kid, so you need to be very careful with him and advise him to be patient. There are a lot of players who have also done really well. Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan, who is batting at three, is the ICCs No. 1-ranked T20I batter, while Abhishek Sharma is No. 2.At this point in time, there isnt a place for Vaibhav in the XI, and that needs to be communicated to him really well, he added. With Samson experiencing a tough time on the ongoing UK tour, scoring 5, 0, and 1 in his last three innings and Sooryavanshi waiting for his chance, Morkel had said the coaching staff remained committed to supporting players who have consistently performed for India. I think we need to respect the fact that we had our No.1 batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. Sanju was the player of the World Cup, Morkel explained. Samson had a great IPL. So, as a coaching staff, its only fair to show trust and support for your players. Yes, a young man is knocking on the door, and thats exciting. But for not just those two players at the top, but for the entire group, its good that we show our support. Morkel also emphasised that India was hesitant to move batters from their preferred roles just to make room for new players. In a day, its about putting performances on the board. That is the key. But we also dont want to think too much and put other players in different positions. So, its not as simple as just saying, Lets play Sooryavanshi. I think we need to respect the fact that we had our No.1 batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. Sanju was the player of the World Cup, Morkel explained. Samson had a great IPL. So, as a coaching staff, its only fair to show trust and support for your players. Yes, a young man is knocking on the door, and thats exciting. But for not just those two players at the top, but for the entire group, its good that we show our support. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sooryavanshi, who grabbed headlines by amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 to bag the Player-of-the-Tournament honour in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, is currently eyeing a much-anticipated international debut for India. He was unused in Ireland, as India suffered a shock 2-0 series loss. Article Source: IANS

LAKR climb to fourth after Powell takes Super Kings apart

Saiteja Mukkamalla's 80 set up a strong total for Texas Super Kings, but Rovman Powell's onslaught was too much for them to handle

West Indies hope new ball brings change of luck after Udara bosses first day

This is my third chance in Tests, so I thought I want to go big. I made it, so I'm really happy about that, Lahiru Udara says after scoring his first Test century

World Cup serves up Wimbledon dilemma: Football or tennis?

Despite Wimbledon's ban on broadcasting World Cup matches, football fever is palpable. Roars from Centre Court and No. 1 Court erupted during England's crucial equalizer, with fans and players alike glued to their phones. Organisers acknowledge they can't control everything, with tournament director Jamie Baker noting it creates light-hearted moments and doesn't impact the atmosphere. Players are also discussing the tournament, though some sensitive topics are avoided.

Harmer and Cook help Essex hand out Hove thrashing

Eagles captain hits 46 off 17 balls to boost total before claiming two wickets and effecting a run-out

Stone holds nerve as Notts seal one-run win to stay top

Munsey continues hot streak with fifth half-century in six before Lancashire mess up run chase

Smale trail plots path for Glamorgan to win again

Sam Hain hits 63 not out from 46 but Warwickshire unable to knock home side off course in chase

Bairstow, Moeen gun down Durham as Yorkshire close on knockouts

Durham get off to flyer thanks to Alex Lees' 73 off 35 before stumbling, unable to defend 205-9

Johnson flattens Lancashire to keep Durham's Finals Day hopes alive

Lancashire officially eliminated after sliding to 79 all out at Chester-le-Street

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of Manchester Clash

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I,T20IApproaching Milestones and Records :The stage is set for another thrilling encounter between two top T20I sides. England cricket team and Indian cricket team will lock horns in the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday at 7 PM IST. The first game was washed out at Riverside Stadium after the first innings. Both teams will be aiming to get a win to get a lead in the series. Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer scored half-centuries in the first game, while Shivam Dube played yet another crucial knock. But other Indian batters struggled in these conditions. That will be a big challenge in this Manchester clash on Saturday. England had a good bowling display. They started well with two early wickets and then closed out the innings with not much to offer. They have announced a strong playing XI for the second game, and they will be expecting a good display from the team. Notably, it is a good scoring venue, and we can expect a high-scoring thriller. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the England vs India second T20I clash at Old Trafford in Manchester. ENG vs IND 2nd T20I: Approaching Test Records and T20ICricket Milestones Ahead of the ENG vs IND 2ndT20IatOld Trafford in Manchester 23 - Tilak Varma is just 23 runs away from completing 1500 T20I runs. He will be the 10th Indian to do so. 60 - Abhishek Sharma scored a 20-ball fifty in the first game. He needs 60 more runs to surpass Suresh Raina (1605) and become India's 8th highest scorer in T20Is. He will play his 50th T20I on Saturday. 2 - Adil Rashid needs two more wickets for surpassing Ish Sodhi (165) and becoming the second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is. 3 - Arshdeep Singh needs three more wickets to surpass Haris Rauf (133) and get into the top 15 wicket-takers in T20Is. 1 - Axar Patel is just one wicket away from becoming the fourth Indian bowler with 100 T20I wickets.5 - Jos Buttler needs five sixes to surpass Suryakumar Yadav (179) and become the batter with the fourth highest T20I sixes. 85 - Sanju Samson needs 85 runs to complete 85 international runs for India. 41 - Jos Buttler needs 41 more runs to complete 12500 international runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 1 - Adil Rashid needs one wicket to become England's fourth highest wicket-taker at the international level.

Hose, Raza get Rapids flowing before Kent collapse

Visitors blown away for 59 with Allison, Raza and Mir all taking two apiece

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Praveen Dubey Guides Bengaluru Blasters To Thrilling Last-ball Win Over Hubli Tigers

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Praveen Dubey's unbeaten 64 off 32 balls guided Bengaluru Blasters to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Hubli Tigers off the final ball of the match in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament in Hubballi on Friday. Chasing 197, the Blasters recovered from an early collapse before holding their nerve to register their seventh win of the season and assure themselves of the top spot in the playoffs. The Blasters were rocked early after slipping to 59/4 with two balls remaining in the powerplay as Shikhar Shetty and Vaibhav Sharma combined to put the chase on the back foot. Captain Shubhang Hegde (41 off 30) and Wahid Faizan Khan (25 off 18) steadied the innings with a crucial 39-run partnership before Dubey took charge with an unbeaten 64 off 32 balls, striking three fours and six sixes to seal victory dramatically. The victory consolidated the Blasters' position at the top of the table with 14 points from eight matches, while Hubli Tigers remained at the bottom with six points from eight outings. Earlier, Hubli Tigers posted a competitive 196/6 after recovering from a difficult start. Reduced to 82/5 in the 12th over, the Tigers rebuilt through a vital 70-run stand between Abhinav Manohar (35 off 18) and Shivkumar Rakshith (50 not out off 28). Manvanth Kumar also played an important unbeaten knock of 28 off 11 balls as the Tigers added valuable runs in the closing overs. The Tigers had earlier lost momentum despite a promising start from Kruthik Krishna (34 off 22) and Aneeshwar Gautam (31 off 18). Shubhang Hegde was the pick of the Bengaluru Blasters bowlers with figures of 2/24, while the rest of the attack chipped in to restrict further damage before the late surge. Earlier, Hubli Tigers posted a competitive 196/6 after recovering from a difficult start. Reduced to 82/5 in the 12th over, the Tigers rebuilt through a vital 70-run stand between Abhinav Manohar (35 off 18) and Shivkumar Rakshith (50 not out off 28). Manvanth Kumar also played an important unbeaten knock of 28 off 11 balls as the Tigers added valuable runs in the closing overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hubli Tigers 196/6 in 20 overs (Shivkumar Rakshith 50 not out, Kruthik Krishna 34, Abhinav Manohar 35; Shubhang Hegde 2/24) lost to Bengaluru Blasters 197/7 in 20 overs (Praveen Dubey 64 not out, Shubhang Hegde 41; Shikhar Shetty 3-19, Vaibhav Sharma 2-56 ) by three wickets Article Source: IANS

Novak Djokovic earns 105th match win at Wimbledon to equal Roger Federer record

Djokovic will face Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin in the fourth round

Pakistan Spinner Abrar Is In A Fix As West Indies Tests Clash With The Hundred

West Indies Test: Pakistans mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is in a spin as his possible selection for the two-match Test series in the West Indies will hurt his chances to feature in The Hundred in the UK, where he was bought by an Indian owner, Sunrisers Leeds, a news report said on Friday. Abrar is facing the country v club debate, and he will have to decide whether to join the national team for red-ball cricket or his franchise for white-ball cricket, a report in Telecom Asia Sport said. Abrar and his agent are in a fix because if he is selected for the Test team to play in the West Indies, it will affect his participation in The Hundred, which will start four days before the first Test, sources said. The Hundred starts from July 21, while the first Test commences on July 25. Abrars signing caused a major controversy in Indian cricket circles as the Kavya Maran-owned franchise Sunrisers Leeds came under fire for signing the Pakistani player for a big sum of 190,000 pounds (approx. INR 2.3 crore). Kavya Maran had faced online backlash with fans criticising the move and accusing the franchise of ignoring national sentiment. The controversy intensified after reports suggested that Kavya herself raised the paddle during the bidding war that secured the services of a Pakistani spinner. Sources close to Abrars agent said it would be a big blow if the spinner is not released to take part in The Hundred. Sunrisers Leeds owner has faced backlash from 140 billion people and has resisted that, so it will be imperative that Abrar plays in The Hundred, sources told telecomasia.net. Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. India halted bilateral cricket with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, blamed on militants based across the border. The two countries only play each other in multi-national events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup. Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Since then, Pakistani players have been banned from the IPL, while all Indian owners of teams in Leagues around the world do not select them. It was only following a threat by the England and Wales Cricket Board that o discrimination would be allowed against Pakistan players that Sunrisers Leeds bought Abrar in the auction. Article Source: IANS

Winfield-Hill 99, Kalis 86* as Yorkshire romp to first Blast win

Anika Learoyd's unbeaten hundred in vain as Somerset fall short in chase of 211

Kaia, Burl, Marumani, Masakadza back in ODI side for Bangladesh series

This will be Ngarava's first ODI series as captain, having recently led them to the one-off Test win against Bangladesh

Litchfield ready for long-awaited World Cup final after injury setback

Australia are optimistic over Perry's availability, while Knight says England will lean on their 2017 experience

Moore takes five as Surrey swoop after Knott's six-for

The Blaze suffer disastrous collapse from 98 for 2 to 121 all out chasing 156

2nd T20I: Morkel Backs Sooryavanshi To Be Ready But Urges 'patience'

Lucknow Super Giants: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has praised teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's seamless integration into the senior setup but insisted the management will not rush the 15-year-old into the playing XI, reaffirming its faith in established openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma ahead of the second T20I against England in Manchester. With Samson experiencing a tough time on the ongoing UK tourscoring 5, 0, and 1 in his last three inningsand Sooryavanshi waiting for his chance, Morkel said the coaching staff remained committed to supporting players who have consistently performed for India. I think we need to respect the fact that we had our No.1 batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. Sanju was the player of the World Cup, Morkel explained. Samson had a great IPL. So, as a coaching staff, its only fair to show trust and support for your players. Yes, a young man is knocking on the door, and thats exciting. But for not just those two players at the top, but for the entire group, its good that we show our support. Morkel also emphasised that India was hesitant to move batters from their preferred roles just to make room for new players. In a day, its about putting performances on the board. That is the key. But we also dont want to think too much and put other players in different positions. So, its not as simple as just saying, 'Lets play Sooryavanshi.' Its about standing by some of the guys who have won World Cups, who have performed well in tough situations, and then building from there to strengthen our top order as much as possible in these conditions. Although he didnt specify when Sooryavanshi might debut internationally, Morkel said the young player had already impressed everyone with his attitude and composure. I think hes filled in very well. If you follow the boys on Instagram, there are already many photos being posted, especially of him. At the nets as a 15-year-old on the international stage, it can be intimidating. But just from the couple of nets weve had, hes been very impressive. Were all excited to see how he performs. When he gets an opportunity, Im sure hell be ready. Fitting into the squad has been very smooth. Morkel also praised fast bowler Prince Yadav, who has taken six wickets in his first three international matches after starting as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants. I was lucky to work with Prince while I was with Lucknow Super Giants. At that time, he was a net bowler, and he was already recognised as someone with great skill. Im amazed at how calm he stays. Morkel also praised fast bowler Prince Yadav, who has taken six wickets in his first three international matches after starting as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The former South Africa pacer added that it was encouraging to see Harshit Rana return from injury and bowl with intensity, providing India with more depth in their pace attack as they aim to even the five-match series. Article Source: IANS

'It's Been A Mad 15 Years': Ben Stokes Bids Emotional Farewell After Retiring From International Cricket

ODI World Cup: Days after announcing his retirement from international cricket during the England vs New Zealand third Test, former captain Ben Stokes has shared an emotional farewell message, thanking fans, teammates, and everyone who supported him during his remarkable 15-year career. Stokes, regarded as one of England's greatest all-rounders and match-winners, reflected on the highs and lows of his journey in a heartfelt post on X, saying the decision to retire was one only he could make. It's been a mad 15 years. It's had everything thrown in there, from the highest highs to the lowest lows (on and off the field). My time was up, and no one was going to be able to make that decision other than me. But in the meantime, I just want to say I love every single England fan and every single cricket fan who's supported me over the years, Stokes wrote. The 35-year-old also expressed gratitude to his teammates and everyone associated with his career. I love every single person I've walked out onto the field with representing England. I could go on and on, but I hope you get the gist of how much I loved doing what I did for 15 years. I'm looking forward to being a fan and supporting the team, and the odd day in hospitality won't go amiss. Family, friends, teammates, fans...I love y'all. Stokesy, he added. Stokes brought the curtain down on an illustrious international career after England's defeat to New Zealand in the third Test, his final appearance in England colours. He leaves the game as one of the defining cricketers of his generation and among England's greatest match-winners. His unbeaten 84 in the unforgettable 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand helped England lift the trophy for the first time in history after a dramatic Super Over finish. Just six weeks later, Stokes produced another iconic innings, smashing an unbeaten 135 at Headingley to script one of the greatest Test victories of all time and keep England alive in the 2019 Ashes series against Australia. He leaves the game as one of the defining cricketers of his generation and among England's greatest match-winners. His unbeaten 84 in the unforgettable 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand helped England lift the trophy for the first time in history after a dramatic Super Over finish. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He retires having represented England in 122 Tests, including 44 as captain, scoring more than 7,000 runs and taking over 200 wickets in the longest format. He also featured in 114 One-Day Internationals and 43 T20 Internationals, cementing his legacy as one of England's finest all-format cricketers. Article Source: IANS

Hope returns, Roach out for West Indies after injury-hit Sri Lanka bat

Sri Lanka were forced to make three changes with Nissanka and Kumara out injured, and Rajitha left out because of form

Archer back in the XI, Tongue to debut; India eye runs at Old Trafford

India bowling coach Morne Morkel hints Sooryavanshi will have to wait his turn

TG20 Season 1: Gaurav Reddy's Blistering 101* Helps Nalgonda Knights Surge To 2nd Spot

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Opener Gaurav Reddy carried his bat to guide Anurag Nalgonda Knights to a crucial eight-wicket win against Medak Falcons in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20s first match on Friday. The victory lifts the Knights to second on the points table. Chasing 181, Knights openers Gaurav and Jashwanth Mote (34 off 21) laid the platform for their side in the powerplay. The former went on to score his maiden century in the tournament, registering an unbeaten 101 in 47 balls to lead his side to a comprehensive win. He also moved into third place in the race for the Orange Cap, amassing 257 runs in the tournament thus far. Opting to bat first, the Falcons were off to a steady start courtesy of Naman Agarwal (18 off 14) and Shrunjith Reddy. The two openers capitalised on loose deliveries to cruise their way to 30/0 after three overs. Aniketh Reddy outfoxed Naman to provide the Knights with the breakthrough in the fourth over, turning the tide for his side. With that setback, Falcons skipper Ravi Teja and Shrunjith then consolidated with a 28-run stand off 24 balls. They found the odd boundary and combined it with regular strike rotation to lead their side to 58/1 in the Power-play. Shrunjiths 17-ball 30 was brought to a halt as he succumbed to a runout in the eighth over. His captain took the onus to counterattack, smashing back-to-back sixes to score 13 runs against Urvesh Kakkad in the ninth over. Debutant Ilyaan Sathani made an immediate impact in his first over, dismissing Ravi to put the Falcons in a spot of bother. Rakshann Readdi also got the better of Bunny Jagam (4 off 7) in the following over, sinking Falcons deeper into trouble at 89/4. District player Vikram Naik and Sai Varun Yerram (44* off 29) then showed immense maturity to rebuild the innings in the latter half. They kept the scoreboard ticking without too many risks before taking on the bowlers at the death, scoring 63 runs in the last five overs. The onslaught began with 15 runs coming in the fifteenth over, with Vikram displaying why hes regarded as one of the best batters in the tournament thus far. His 31-ball 48* included four fours and two sixes. Sai Varun also found boundaries with regularity towards the end, as the two notched a 91-run stand off 55 balls to help Falcons post 180/4. It was an exhilarating start to the run chase for the Knights, with Jashwanth setting the tone by scoring 14 runs in the first over. Gaurav also joined in on the action as the two openers found boundaries at will and ate into a large chunk of the target. They blazed to 81 runs in the powerplay before Arjun Gorrapalli provided the Falcons with some respite as he dismissed Jashwanth, breaking the 83-run partnership. Despite the breakthrough, Falcons bowlers were being put to the sword by Gaurav, who registered his half-century in 22 balls. Nitish Reddy played second fiddle alongside him as the two stitched together a 58-run stand off 34 balls, with Gaurav playing the aggressor. Madhukar Manne struck for the Falcons to dismiss Nitish after his 17-ball 21, but the damage had already been inflicted by then. With the finish line in sight, skipper Rahul Buddhi (20* off 14) joined Gaurav in the middle to finish the job for their side. The latter carried on his scintillating form to amass his maiden ton in the tournament. He reached the milestone in 46 balls, with his knock including six fours and nine sixes. Gaurav eventually scored the winning runs, guiding his team to a commanding win with 21 balls to spare. Nitish Reddy played second fiddle alongside him as the two stitched together a 58-run stand off 34 balls, with Gaurav playing the aggressor. Madhukar Manne struck for the Falcons to dismiss Nitish after his 17-ball 21, but the damage had already been inflicted by then. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Medak Falcons 180/4 in 20 overs (Vikram Naik 48*, Sai Varun Yerram 44*, Aniketh Reddy 1/27, Rakshann Readdi 1/32) bt Anurag Nalgonda Knights 181/2in 16.1 overs (Gaurav Reddy 101*, Jashwanth Mote 34, Arjun Gorrapalli 1/36) by 8 wickets. Article Source: IANS

Archer Returns As England Make Two Changes For Second T20I Against India

Emirates Old Trafford: England have recalled pace spearhead Jofra Archer and handed fast bowler Josh Tongue his T20I debut as the hosts made two changes to their playing XI for the second T20I against India at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday. Archer replaces Saqib Mahmood, while Tongue comes in for left-arm seamer Luke Wood as England look to build momentum after the opening match of the three-game series at Chester-le-Street was washed out due to rain. The first T20I ended without a result after India posted 189/7, powered by half-centuries from captain Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, before persistent rain prevented England from beginning their chase. Archer returns to the shortest format on the back of an impressive Test series against New Zealand, where he was named Player of the Series despite featuring in only two of the three matches. The right-arm quick claimed 11 wickets at an average of 22.81 to finish as England's leading wicket-taker in the series. Having missed the opening Test, Archer made an immediate impact at The Oval with a five-wicket match haul before producing his best performance in the series finale at Trent Bridge. He picked up two wickets in the first innings and followed it up with figures of 4/53 in the second innings, removing both New Zealand openers early to put the visitors under pressure. The 30-year-old also carried excellent form from the IPL, where he finished as Rajasthan Royals' highest wicket-taker with 25 wickets in 16 matches during the 2026 season. Having missed the opening Test, Archer made an immediate impact at The Oval with a five-wicket match haul before producing his best performance in the series finale at Trent Bridge. He picked up two wickets in the first innings and followed it up with figures of 4/53 in the second innings, removing both New Zealand openers early to put the visitors under pressure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England Playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue. Article Source: IANS

Sai Sudharsan century, Padikkal 94* put India A in command

Arachchige's 127 led Sri Lanka A to 366, as Gurnoor and Jain got four wickets each for the visitors

James Coles Earns Maiden England ODI Call-up As Hosts Name Squad For India Series

ODI World Cup: Sussex all-rounder James Coles has earned his maiden England One-day International call-up after being named in a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against India later this month, while fast bowler Josh Tongue also received his first ODI selection. England have also brought back Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood. Jofra Archer returns to the 50-over setup after being rested for the ODI series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. The inclusion of James Coles is one of the biggest topics in Harry Brook's squad as England prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The 21-year-old Sussex cricketer, a left-handed batter who bowls left-arm spin, has consistently impressed in domestic cricket. He gives England another all-round option. Liam Dawsons selection alongside Coles highlights Englands aim to strengthen their spin-bowling resources. Tongue has been rewarded for his recent performances in Test cricket. He joins a well-known pace attack featuring Archer, Atkinson, and Mahmood. Atkinson returns from injury, while Mahmood is back in ODI consideration after missing England's winter fixtures due to a knee issue. England will be without Brydon Carse, who is still recovering from a hand injury, and Jamie Overton, who has been ruled out with a quad problem. Carse had started training with the squad before the rain-affected opening T20I against India in Durham. The batting group includes captain Harry Brook, former skipper Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, and Rehan Ahmed. England is looking to finalise their strongest combination ahead of the next World Cup cycle. India, on the other hand, has named a full-strength squad for the 50-over series. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (subject to fitness), and Jasprit Bumrah are all set to play. The batting group includes captain Harry Brook, former skipper Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, and Rehan Ahmed. England is looking to finalise their strongest combination ahead of the next World Cup cycle. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England ODI squad: Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler, James Coles, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, and Josh Tongue. Article Source: IANS

Bethell in line to open as England name ODI squad for India series

Batter's promotion could foreshadow a future elevation in Test cricket as well

Women's T20 WC: Jacquline Williams, Vrinda Rathi To Officiate Final Between England And Australia At Lord's

The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the match officials for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final, with experienced umpires Jacquline Williams and India's Vrinda Rathi set to take charge of the title clash between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday. The final, set to start at 8:00 PM IST, will feature unbeaten hosts England facing six-time champions Australia. This match revisits one of the greatest rivalries in women's cricket. Williams, who is officiating her fifth ICC Women's T20 World Cup, has had another strong tournament. She was on the field for the opening match on June 12, where England defeated Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. She also oversaw England's 40-run semi-final win over South Africa and Australia's important six-wicket Group A victory against India. Sunday's final will be Williams' second ICC Women's T20 World Cup final as an on-field umpire. She previously officiated Australia's 19-run win over South Africa in the 2023 final. For Rathi, this appointment marks a significant milestone as she prepares to officiate her first Women's T20 World Cup final. During the tournament, she has overseen victories for both finalists, including Australia's strong semi-final win over the West Indies and England's four-wicket victory over Ireland. New Zealand's Kim Cotton is the third umpire, while Sri Lanka's Nimali Perera will serve as the fourth umpire. Experienced Indian official GS Lakshmi has been named the match referee for this major event. Lakshmi also officiated the tournament opener between England and Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lanka's memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand in Southampton. Sunday's final will be Williams' second ICC Women's T20 World Cup final as an on-field umpire. She previously officiated Australia's 19-run win over South Africa in the 2023 final. For Rathi, this appointment marks a significant milestone as she prepares to officiate her first Women's T20 World Cup final. During the tournament, she has overseen victories for both finalists, including Australia's strong semi-final win over the West Indies and England's four-wicket victory over Ireland. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia reached the final with a strong eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first semi-final at The Oval. Meanwhile, unbeaten hosts England secured their spot with a convincing 40-run win over South Africa. England will be chasing their second Women's T20 World Cup crown, having won the first tournament at Lord's in 2009. Australia, on the other hand, aims to add a record-extending seventh title to their impressive collection, following wins in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023. Article Source: IANS

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I , Cricket Tips :The first T20I between England and India was called off due to rain. India scored 189/7 in the first innings, and there was no further play. The second T20I is scheduled to begin at 7 PM IST on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester. These two sides will look to produce a thrilling encounter. Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube did well again, and captain Shreyas Iyer scored a much-needed fifty. But Samson, Tilak, Ishan, and Axar looked bad again. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is still on the sidelines. Will he play the next match? England would be happy with their bowling performance in the first game. But they will like to take wickets in the middle. ENG vs IND: Match Details Date : July 04, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester ENG vs IND: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the second T20I on the Sony Sports Networks on TV channels. The live stream option of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG vs IND: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 31 India : 18 England : 12 No-result : 01 ENG vs IND: Ground Pitch Report Old Trafford is considered a good batting wicket in T20Is. Even in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, this venue produced good scores. However, we might see overcast conditions or light rain, which will produce more assistance for the fast bowlers. In that case, bowling first can be a better option. ENG vs IND: Possible XIs England : Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood India : Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy ENG vs IND: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma carried his form and struck a 20-ball fifty in the first game. He is a dangerous batter in the power play. Phil Salt is the most destructive English batter, and he has a good record against India. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh will like bowling in these conditions, and he can be dangerous with the new ball. Adil Rashid did well in closing overs in the first game. But his usage will be important in the second game. Today Match Prediction: India had an improved batting performance, but they still struggled as a unit. Hence, we predict England to win the second T20I in Manchester. ENG vs IND Match 2nd T20, Today Match ENG vs IND, ENG vs IND Prediction, ENG vs IND Predicted XIs, Injury Update for England vs India Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Women's T20 WC: Head Coach Mashimbyi Vows Stronger South Africa After Semi-final Exit

T20 World Cup: South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes the Proteas will emerge stronger from their ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign despite their semi-final defeat to England, insisting the team will use the disappointment as motivation to improve ahead of future global tournaments. South Africa's run ended at The Oval on Thursday after England secured a strong 40-run victory, earning a place in Sundays final against Australia. The Proteas started well by eliminating three England batters early on. However, a crucial century partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight shifted the game in Englands favor. Despite the loss, Mashimbyi remained positive about his team's growth and the lessons they learned during the tournament. You just lose and you learn, Mashimbyi said after the semi-final. We've learned a lot in this World Cup. We'll go back to the drawing board and put in place things that will make us even more dangerous and better as a team. We know where our gaps are, and thats all we can do really. We can't change the results. Its about the work we put in going forward. We want to ensure that when we get another chance to play in a World Cup or ICC Trophy tournament, we are competing with other teams. South Africa had a strong tournament, even though they did not reach the final. Opener Tazmin Brits was the team's top run-scorer with 225 runs. Experienced bowlers Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail each took eight wickets in six matches. Mashimbyi also supported veteran bowler Ismail, who came out of retirement for the tournament, to continue representing South Africa. I think she's still in for the long haul, he said. She'll have to make a decision. But right now, she's still a Proteas player. The South Africa coach dismissed claims that his side relied too much on Kapp and Ismail with the new ball. He admitted, however, that the bowling attack lacked variety and needed better support for frontline spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. I think we had too many similar types of bowlers, and teams could figure out what we were trying to do, Mashimbyi said. Shabnim and Kapp can put any team under pressure with a new ball, and thats what weve been doing. The South Africa coach dismissed claims that his side relied too much on Kapp and Ismail with the new ball. He admitted, however, that the bowling attack lacked variety and needed better support for frontline spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While South Africa's World Cup journey ended just short of the final, Mashimbyi believes the campaign has laid out a clear plan for the Proteas to become an even stronger presence in future ICC tournaments. Article Source: IANS

Dhoni, Djokovic Both Have Rare Quality To Stay Calm When It Matters Most: Deepti Sharma

Deepti Sharma: Indian women's cricket team all-rounder Deepti Sharma has drawn an interesting comparison between former India captain MS Dhoni and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, saying both sporting icons possess the rare ability to remain calm and composed in the most challenging situations. Deepti, who is attending Wimbledon for the first time, shared her thoughts on how Dhoni, like Djokovic, handles pressure with calmness. When you talk about Djokovic, everyone speaks about his mental strength. He is someone who never gives up, no matter how tough the situation is. In cricket, I think MS Dhoni sir is very similar. He is known for being very cool and calm. Whenever pressure situations come, he handles them really well. It never looks like he is in a difficult situation. He handles pressure so easily, Deepti told Jio Hotstar. Both Djokovic and Dhoni have that rare quality of staying calm and strong when it matters the most. Watching them, we learn how to stay calm and find a way out of tough situations, she added. The Indian all-rounder also revealed that watching a Wimbledon match in person had been a bucket-list wish for years. My dream was that one day I would come to watch a Wimbledon match, and it feels really good to finally be here. When you go to watch a match at an iconic venue like this, and when you have always seen it on TV but today you are seeing it live for the first time, it feels amazing. The atmosphere, the crowd, the energy everything is different. I am really enjoying watching tennis at Wimbledon. It just feels great, she said. Deepti also named Djokovic as the player she admires the most, praising the Serbian's resilience and competitive spirit. My favourite is Djokovic. I follow his game very closely. The way he fights on the court, his mental strength, and his never-give-up attitude, I really admire all of that. Watching him play is always inspiring, she said. I grew up watching greats like Federer and Nadal. I followed their matches closely for a long time. But lately, Djokovic has become my favourite. I follow his matches more than anyone else now, Deepti said. Asked whom she would like to accompany her for a day at Wimbledon, Deepti named three Indian cricket legends. I grew up watching greats like Federer and Nadal. I followed their matches closely for a long time. But lately, Djokovic has become my favourite. I follow his matches more than anyone else now, Deepti said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Deepti is the second Indian cricketer to visit Wimbledon in two days. On Wednesday, former India opener Shikhar Dhawan made an appearance at the Centre Court at the All-England Club. Article Source: IANS

Shepherd and de Kock make the difference as MI New York defend 132 in Pomona

Marcus Stoinis put on a strong all-round show, with 3 for 14 and 36 in 31 balls, but couldn't take Seattle Orcas over the line

Wijesundara set for debut as injury-hit Sri Lanka struggle to make up XI

Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando are down with injuries, Pathum Nissanka is in the UK for a wrist surgery, and Ramesh Mendis is suffering from a bacterial infection

England Ease Past SA To Set Up Women's T20 WC Final With Australia

T20 World Cup: Nat Sciver-Brunt proved pivotal as all-round England eased South Africa by 40 runs in the semifinal here at The Oval to set up a date with Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup final. Sciver-Brunt helped England rally from a shaky start and post 169/5. Despite a defiant fifty by Tazmin Brits, South Africa crumbled to 129/8 in their 20 overs. Sunday's final at the Lord's Cricket Ground pits the two unbeaten teams of the tournament, England and Australia. England will also be looking to maintain their perfect record at home -- they have never lost a women's World Cup, T20 or ODI, as hosts. After electing to field first, Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail gave South Africa a fiery start as the latter was the first to have delivered the first blow, claiming the wicket of Amy Jones while Kapp castled Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Ismail returned to attack and trapped Alice Capsey leg before the wicket to reduce England to 23/3 in 3.2 overs. In the process, Ismail also became the first bowler to cross the milestone of 50 wickets at the tournament, ICC reports. In the hunt for another key wicket, South Africa bowled out Kapp early, and the pacer finished with outstanding figures of 1/16 in four overs. After early blows, Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight led the England fightback with a 133-run stand for the third wicket, which is the highest partnership in knockouts in the tournament. Sciver-Brunt dazzled with her footwork and ran hard between the wickets, hitting 11 fours and a six en route to her eighth half-century in Women's T20 World Cup. It drew her level with the game's greats Suzie Bates (New Zealand) and Beth Mooney (Australia). At the other end, Knight also kept the runs ticking. She brought up her fifty with a heave over deep mid-wicket for six. When it looked like England were about to switch gears, Nonkululeko Mlaba landed decisive blows in the 19th over. She had the England captain caught in the deep while trying to sweep, bringing an end to the partnership. Two balls later, Knight lofted the ball straight to Laura Wolvaardt at extra-cover. Though England didn't quite get the acceleration at the death, they finished at a challenging 169/5. In response, South Africa made a steady start as Wolvaardt and Brits put on an opening partnership of 43 runs. Wolvaardt stay at the wicket was cut short as Sophie Ecclestone grabbed a leaping catch near mid-on off Linsey Smith. Freya Kemp then removed Annerie Dercksen cheaply for 3. The hammer blow was the loss of Kapp, who, having added just five, tried to flick the ball into the leg side but got a leading edge, leaving Sciver-Brunt with the simplest of catches. That left the South Africans on 68-3 in 10.4 overs. Even as South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Brits waged a lone battle, getting to 50. However, she was dismissed on the very next ball, as she got a leading edge off Charlie Dean that flew to Sciver-Brunt. Once Brits departed, the South African challenge fell apart and England walked away with the win. Lauren Bell and Dean were the most effective bowlers on the day and claimed two wickets each. Smith, Freya Kemp and Eccelestone also chipped in with a wicket each. Even as South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Brits waged a lone battle, getting to 50. However, she was dismissed on the very next ball, as she got a leading edge off Charlie Dean that flew to Sciver-Brunt. Once Brits departed, the South African challenge fell apart and England walked away with the win. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: England Women 169/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 75, Heather Knight 58; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-25, Shabnim Ismail 2-31) beat South Africa Women 129/8 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 51, Laura Wolvaardt 17; Lauren Bell 2-28, Charlie Dean 2-32) by 40 runs Article Source: IANS

Anisimova and Fritz through as Americans sparkle at Wimbledon

Even as media speculation swirled about Serena Williams' participation in the women's doubles event alongside her sister Venus after a knee injury, her singles conqueror Maya Joint fell to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines

Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight put England in final

They defended 170 with ease against South Africa and will now face Australia in the final at Lord's on Sunday

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Shivamogga Yodhas Climb To Second Spot With Win Over Mangaluru

Mangaluru Coastal Kings Mangaluru: Riding on a mammoth partnership between Aneesh KV and Smaran R, Shivamogga Yodhas surged to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Coastal Kings Mangaluru in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 on Thursday. The win helped the Yodhas climb to the second spot on the points table, while Coastal Kings Mangaluru slipped to third. Earlier in the day, Shreesha Achar, Abhilash Shetty, and Dhanush Gowda all registered figures of 2/33 for the Yodhas to restrict the Coastal Kings to 162/7. During the chase, Shivamogga Yodhas found themselves in early trouble after slipping to 40/3 at the end of the Power-play. Vasuki Koushik struck first to dismiss orange-cap holder Luvnith Sisodia (5 off 3), before Nischith Pai continued his impressive form by accounting for Tushar Singh (7 off 9) and Naveen MG (20 off 20). With the innings in the balance, Aneesh KV and Smaran R combined to produce a match-winning, unbeaten partnership of 125 runs off just 75 balls to wrest control of the chase. Aneesh led the counterattack, bringing up a fluent half-century in just 31 deliveries, and finishing the innings with eight fours and two sixes. By the end of the 15th over, the Yodhas were firmly in command at 127/3. Aneesh further tilted the contest with three consecutive boundaries in the 16th over before Smaran fittingly sealed the chase by launching Nischith over mid-wicket for a maximum. The left-hander also brought up a 32-ball half-century in the process, studded with six fours and two sixes. Earlier, opting to bat first, Coastal Kings Mangaluru made a steady start through Aadharsh (24 off 17) and Nikin Jose (51 off 41), who stitched together a 35-run opening stand from 31 deliveries. However, Shivamogga Yodhas' disciplined bowling attack ensured the scoring rate never got away during the Power-play. The innings then unravelled quickly as Coastal Kings Mangaluru lost wickets in clusters. Gowda turned the tide with a superb sixth over, dismissing Aadharsh and Karun Nair (0 off 2) within the space of three deliveries. Shreesha Achar compounded the damage in the eighth over by removing Siddharth Akhil (5 off 10) and Shreyas Gopal (0 off 1), leaving the batting side under pressure. Jose anchored the innings through the middle overs, adding a valuable 43-run stand with Suraj Ahuja (39 off 19), before Yashovardhan Parantap accounted for him in the 14th over with the score on 103/5. Ahuja then joined forces with CA Karthik (36 not out off 20) to inject momentum into the innings, the pair adding 29 runs in just 13 deliveries. Abhilash Shetty struck twice late in the innings, removing Ahuja and Rajvir Wadhwa (3), but Karthik remained unbeaten, smashing two fours and three sixes to lift Coastal Kings Mangaluru to a competitive total of 163. Jose anchored the innings through the middle overs, adding a valuable 43-run stand with Suraj Ahuja (39 off 19), before Yashovardhan Parantap accounted for him in the 14th over with the score on 103/5. Ahuja then joined forces with CA Karthik (36 not out off 20) to inject momentum into the innings, the pair adding 29 runs in just 13 deliveries. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Coastal Kings Managaluru 162/7 in 20 overs (Nikin Jose 51, Surah Ahuja 39, CA Karthik 36; Shreesha Achar 2/33, Abhilash Shetty 2/33, Dhanush 2/33) lost to Shivamogga Yodhas 165/3 in 18.2 overs (Aneesh KV 76 not out, Smaran R 53 not out; Nischith 2/35) by 7 wickets Article Source: IANS

Wimbledon 2026 | Superb Swiatek, Zverev cruise into last 32

Reigning champion was back to her ruthless best in a 6-1, 6-3; Zverev was also on top form raising hopes the German can finally master the grass courts

South Africa bowl and bring in Sune Luus against England

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt returned after recovering from a calf muscle injury, with Dunkley making way

All-rounder Deepti Sharma Visits Wimbledon

T20 World Cup: With the Indian team's campaign in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup coming to an end, all-rounder Deepti Sharma visited Wimbledon, the world's most prestigious Grand Slam, and watched some of the top tennis players plying their trade at the All-England Club in London. One of the world's top all-rounders, Deepti, who did well for the Indian team in the T20 World Cup before their campaign came unstuck in the league stage against five-time champions Australia, was welcomed by the All-England Club on her maiden visit to Wimbledon. Welcome to Wimbledon, @officialdeeptisharma