Cricket

Tilak, Arya, Kushagra, spinners put India A in final

Needing a win for a spot in the final, India A bowled out Afghanistan for 218 in 36.5 overs.

Bowlers, Voll power Australia to huge win over Bangladesh

Garth, Molineux and Perry shared six wickets between them to restrict Bangladesh to 77 for 8 before Australia raced home with more than 10 overs to spare

Fisher, Archer strike for England as New Zealand make steady start

Henry Nicholls battles through to lunch after England had opted to bowl

Women's T20 WC: Voll Shines As Australia Crush Bangladesh By 9 Wickets At Headingley

T20 World Cup: Australia continued their strong start to the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh at Headingley on Wednesday. After restricting Bangladesh to just 77/8 in 20 overs, the six-time champions chased down the target in only 9.3 overs with opener Georgia Voll leading the way with an unbeaten 45. Chasing a modest target of 78, Australia were briefly tested by some disciplined bowling from Marufa Akter, who conceded only four runs in the opening over. However, the pressure did not last long as Beth Mooney and Voll quickly took control of the chase. Mooney got Australias first boundary in the second over before Voll shifted gears. The young opener struck a six and a four against Marufa in the third over and continued to find the gaps with ease. The Australian openers added runs at a brisk pace and put Bangladeshs bowlers under pressure with regular boundaries. Bangladesh finally found a breakthrough in the fifth over when Marufa dismissed Mooney for 10. Attempting an attacking shot, Mooney mistimed the ball and was caught by Ritu Moni. With Phoebe Litchfield unavailable due to a quad injury suffered during Australias opening match against South Africa, experienced all-rounder Elyssa Perry came in at No. 3 and immediately looked comfortable at the crease. Perry struck a boundary off just her second ball and settled quickly. Voll then produced her best over of the innings by hitting three boundaries in the final over of the powerplay. Australia raced to 49/1 after six overs, effectively ending any hopes of a Bangladesh comeback. Bangladeshs problems were compounded by poor fielding when Perry was dropped in the seventh over. The missed chance proved costly as Australia continued their charge towards victory. Voll remained in complete control and added two more boundaries in the eighth over to take Australia within touching distance of the target. She eventually finished unbeaten on 45 off 31 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Perry remained not out on 19 as Australia completed the chase with 63 balls to spare. Earlier, Bangladesh struggled throughout their innings after being asked to bat first. Captain Nigar Sultana top-scored with a patient 27, but none of the other batters could build meaningful partnerships against Australias disciplined bowling attack. Bangladesh got off to a slow start, scoring only three runs in the first over. Their troubles deepened in the second over when Kim Garth bowled Dilara Akhtar for a duck with a delivery that crashed into the stumps. Jauiriya Ferdous, who had impressed with a half-century in Bangladeshs previous match, briefly showed promise with a boundary but was trapped lbw by Garth for eight. The wickets continued to fall as Sophie Molineux dismissed Sharmin Akhtar lbw, leaving Bangladesh in early trouble. Captain Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary attempted to steady the innings. Mostary played a few positive shots and struck a boundary off the final ball of the Power-play as Bangladesh reached 22/3 after six overs. Just when Bangladesh were trying to rebuild, Perry delivered a decisive blow. The veteran all-rounder removed Sobhana Mostary, who was caught by Molineux, before trapping Shorna Akter lbw later in the same over. Bangladesh suddenly found themselves struggling at 34/5. Nigar and Ritu Moni then focused on rebuilding the innings and avoiding further damage. However, Australias bowlers maintained tight lines and offered very few scoring opportunities. The conditions also assisted the seamers, making strokeplay difficult for the Bangladesh batters. The pair added some valuable runs, but boundaries were hard to come by. Bangladesh crossed the 50-run mark only in the 16th over when Ritu finally found the fence against Perry. The partnership ended in the 17th over when Georgia Wareham dismissed Ritu for 16. Nigar continued to battle at one end but struggled to accelerate. Her innings ended on 27 from 47 deliveries when she tried to attack Molineux and was caught out. Annabel Sutherland picked up another wicket in the final over as Australia completed a clinical bowling performance. The partnership ended in the 17th over when Georgia Wareham dismissed Ritu for 16. Nigar continued to battle at one end but struggled to accelerate. Her innings ended on 27 from 47 deliveries when she tried to attack Molineux and was caught out. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bangladesh 77/8 in 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 27, Ritu Moti 16; Ellyse Perry 2-14, Sophie Molineux 2-14, Kim Garth 2-18) lost to Australia 78/1 in 9.3 overs(Georgia Voll 45*, Elyssa Perry 19*; Marufa Akter 1-28) by 9 wickets Article Source: IANS

India all out for 402 after Gill and Kishan hundreds

Nangeyalia Kharote picked up four wickets in Lucknow run-fest

2nd ODI: Gill's 154, Kishan's 125 Propel India To 402 Against Afghanistan

Ekana Cricket Stadium: India rode on magnificent centuries from captain Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan before surviving a late collapse to post a daunting 402/10 in 49.5 overs against Afghanistan in the second ODI here at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. After opting to bat, India endured a cautious start as Afghanistan surprised everyone by opening with off-spinner AM Ghazanfar. Yashasvi Jaiswal struggled to break free before falling early, while Rohit Sharma looked fluent in patches, leaving the hosts at 80/1 inside the first powerplay. Rohit started brilliantly, but was dismissed at 48, just a couple of runs shy of a well-deserved half-century. From there, Gill and Kishan produced a breathtaking counterattack that completely wrested control of the contest. Gill anchored the innings with trademark elegance while Kishan unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes, punishing anything short or overpitched as Afghanistan's attack wilted under relentless pressure. The duo brought up their century stand before accelerating spectacularly through the middle overs. Gill reached his ninth ODI hundred off just 77 deliveries, continuing his outstanding run of form, while Kishan shifted gears dramatically after a measured fifty, racing to his century in 71 balls. Their third-wicket stand swelled to 224 runs off only 140 deliveries at a run rate of 9.60, becoming the joint second-highest partnership against Afghanistan in ODIs and one of India's fastest double-century stands. India also stormed past 300 in just 35.5 overs, the fourth-fastest 300 by a team batting first in ODI history. Kishan eventually departed for a scintillating 125 off 79 balls, smashing 14 fours and seven sixes, when Nangeyalia Kharoti induced a mistimed pull to deep midwicket. Gill, however, continued to dominate, bringing up his 150 in only 108 deliveries before reaching 154 from 110 balls, an innings studded with 22 fours and two sixes. His knock also made him the fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs in terms of innings. Shreyas Iyer ensured the scoring rate never dipped, striking a brisk 26 off 24 deliveries, while Washington Sundar and the lower order looked to provide the finishing flourish as India appeared set to comfortably breach the 420-run mark. Afghanistan, however, mounted an impressive comeback in the closing overs. Left-arm spinner Kharoti dismissed both Gill and Iyer, finishing with impressive figures of 4/76 and triggering a collapse as India's lower order perished in search of quick runs. Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar also tightened the screws after enduring a difficult middle phase, ensuring India lost their final seven wickets for just 80 runs. Shreyas Iyer ensured the scoring rate never dipped, striking a brisk 26 off 24 deliveries, while Washington Sundar and the lower order looked to provide the finishing flourish as India appeared set to comfortably breach the 420-run mark. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 402/10 in 49.5 overs (Shubman Gill 154, Ishan Kishan 125; Nangeyalia Kharoti 4-76, Rashid Khan 3-48) against Afghanistan. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: When And Where To Watch WI Vs SCO; Know All Details

T20 World Cup: Momentum, confidence, and valuable points will all be at stake when West Indies take on Scotland in one of the standout fixtures of the Group B schedule of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup. Having negotiated their opening assignments successfully, both teams now have the chance to take a significant step towards the knockout phase. Few players influence a match as consistently as Hayley Matthews. The West Indies captain is expected to shoulder responsibility with both bat and ball, providing the aggressive starts and crucial breakthroughs that have become her trademark. However, the Caribbean side also received a timely reminder that they possess match-winners beyond their skipper after Shemaine Campbelle's outstanding unbeaten 90 powered a dramatic victory over New Zealand. Scotland have been among the early surprise packages of the tournament. Their commanding display against Ireland reflected the steady progress the side has made over the last few seasons, built around a disciplined bowling attack and a batting unit that rarely loses composure. Kathryn and Sarah Bryce remain the backbone of the Scottish lineup, while Katherine Fraser and Kirstie Gordon have shown they can apply sustained pressure with the ball. Gordon's decisive spell in the opening game, in particular, underlined Scotland's growing ability to deliver on the biggest stage. History may favour the West Indies, but reputations will count for little once play begins. Scotland have steadily closed the gap on the established sides, setting up what promises to be one of the most competitive contests in the group. When: Thursday, June 18, 11:00 PM IST Where: Headingley, Leeds Where to watch: The WI vs SCO match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The WI vs SCO match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul. Article Source: IANS

Women's T20 WC: Perry, Garth Shine As Australia Hold Bangladesh For Paltry 77/8

Captain Nigar Sultana: Captain Nigar Sultana waged a lone battle with a patient 27, but Bangladesh struggled throughout their innings as a disciplined Australian bowling attack held them to a paltry 77/8 in 20 overs in Match 9 of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 at Headingley on Wednesday. After being put in to bat, Bangladesh endured a difficult start and never managed to recover as Australias bowlers maintained tight lines and regularly struck at crucial moments. Bangladesh scored just three runs in the opening over before Kim Garth provided the first breakthrough in the second over. The pacer produced a superb delivery that crashed into the stumps of Dilara Akhtar, who departed without scoring. The early wicket increased the pressure on Bangladesh, whose batters found it difficult to rotate the strike. Jauiriya Ferdous, coming off a half-century in the previous match, briefly looked positive and struck a boundary at the end of the third over. However, Garth returned to dismiss her for eight off nine balls, trapping her lbw with an inswinging delivery. Australia continued to tighten their grip when captain Sophie Molineux joined the wicket-taking act. Sharmin Akhtar, who struggled to find any rhythm, was trapped lbw as Bangladesh slipped further into trouble. Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary then attempted to rebuild the innings. Mostary showed some attacking intent and found the boundary against Garth in the final ball of the powerplay as Bangladesh reached 22/3 after six overs. Just when Bangladesh appeared to be settling, veteran all-rounder Elyssa Perry struck twice in the same over to push Australia firmly into control. Perry first dismissed Sobhana, who miscued an attempted drive and was caught by Molineux at cover. A few deliveries later, she trapped Shorna Akter in front of the stumps, reducing Bangladesh to 34/5. With half the side back in the pavilion inside eight overs, Nigar and Ritu Moni focused on rebuilding the innings. However, Australias bowlers gave away very little, making scoring extremely difficult. The conditions also favoured the seamers, with the pitch offering significant assistance. The average seam movement in the first ten overs was measured at 2.6 degrees, the highest recorded in the tournament so far. Bangladeshs scoring rate remained sluggish as boundaries dried up for long periods. The team crossed the 50-run mark only in the 16th over, when Ritu finally broke the drought with a boundary off Perry. The partnership was eventually broken in the 17th over when Georgia Wareham dismissed Ritu for 16 from 26 deliveries. Despite losing her partner, Nigar continued to hold one end together, but her cautious innings came to an end when she attempted an attacking shot against Molineux and was dismissed for 27 off 47 balls, an innings that included two boundaries. Annabel Sutherland added further misery for Bangladesh in the final over by removing Rabeya Khan as Australia completed a dominant bowling performance. The partnership was eventually broken in the 17th over when Georgia Wareham dismissed Ritu for 16 from 26 deliveries. Despite losing her partner, Nigar continued to hold one end together, but her cautious innings came to an end when she attempted an attacking shot against Molineux and was dismissed for 27 off 47 balls, an innings that included two boundaries. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Bangladesh 77/8 in 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 27, Ritu Moti 16; Ellyse Perry 2-14, Sophie Molineux 2-14, Kim Garth 2-18) against Australia Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: West Indies, Scotland Target Early Control In Group B (Preview)

T20 World Cup: An opportunity to seize control of Group B awaits West Indies and Scotland as the two unbeaten sides meet in an ICC Womens T20 World Cup contest that could have a major bearing on the race for the semi-finals. With both teams beginning their campaigns on a winning note, another victory would significantly strengthen their position before the business end of the group stage. West Indies arrive with renewed confidence after edging past New Zealand in a thrilling chase. Shemaine Campbelle was the architect of that success, producing a composed unbeaten 90 under pressure to steer her side home off the final delivery. While Campbelle grabbed the spotlight, the influence of captain Hayley Matthews continues to define the Caribbean outfit. Whether it is providing rapid starts with the bat or making breakthroughs with the ball, Matthews remains the player Scotland must contain. The experienced Stafanie Taylor adds stability to the batting order, but West Indies will expect greater contributions from the middle order if they are to sustain another high-scoring effort. Scotland, meanwhile, have carried their growing confidence onto the global stage. Their convincing victory over Ireland showcased a disciplined all-round performance, with spinner Kirstie Gordon dismantling the middle order to secure one of the most significant results in the team's history. The Bryce sisters once again demonstrated why they are central to Scotland's ambitions, combining patience with smart shot selection, while Katherine Fraser has quietly become a reliable wicket-taking option. Although previous meetings have largely favoured West Indies, Scotland have developed into a far more competitive side in recent years. With both teams carrying momentum into the fixture, another closely fought contest appears firmly on the cards. When: Thursday, June 18, 11:00 PM IST Where: Headingley, Leeds Where to watch: The WI vs SCO match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The WI vs SCO match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul. Article Source: IANS

England choose to bowl, Nicholls comes in for New Zealand

Joe Root wins toss on return to captaincy, leading an England side featuring three debutants

Women's T20 WC: Phoebe Litchfield Set To Miss Three Matches Due To Quad Injury

T20 World Cup: Australia have been dealt a big blow amid the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2026, as their in-form batter Phoebe Litchfield is set to miss the next three games after injuring her quad while batting against South Africa. Litchfield is not taking part in Australia's second match against Bangladesh on Wednesday. All-rounder Ashleigh Gardner is also not playing the match due to a leg sprain. Litchfield was in top form in the first match against South Africa; the youngster made 50 runs off just 23 balls and gave a good start to the Australian side, which made a big difference in the match. This latest setback is a fresh injury for the 23-year-old, who had been dealing with quad awareness in the same leg prior to the tournament, sitting out both warm-up matches in Cardiff. Litchfield will likely also miss upcoming games against the Netherlands and Pakistan but could return for Australia's blockbuster showdown against India at Lord's on June 28. Megan Schutt and Grace Harris have come into the Australia XI in their place as the six-time winners made a big change in the batting order. Elyssa Perry is placed at number 3 in Litchfield's absence. Litchfield will likely also miss upcoming games against the Netherlands and Pakistan but could return for Australia's blockbuster showdown against India at Lord's on June 28. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia playing XI: Beth Mooney(wk), Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux(c), Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt. Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh bat against Australia; Litchfield and Gardner out with injuries

Phoebe Litchfield has a quad injury, while Gardner has a sprained ankle; Grace Harris and Megan Schutt have replaced them, while Bangladesh have brought in Nahida Akter and Sultana Khatun

Bangladesh Bowlers Shine As ICC ODI Rankings See Major Shake-up

Despite Sri Lanka: Bangladeshs impressive ODI series victory over Australia has been reflected in the latest ICC rankings, with pacers Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed emerging as some of the biggest movers. Bangladesh secured a memorable 2-1 series triumph over Australia at home, and their bowlers played a key role in the success. Shoriful enjoyed a particularly rewarding series, capped by a stunning six-wicket haul in the final ODI. The left-arm pacer climbed 10 places to reach 18th in the latest ODI bowling rankings. Experienced seamer Mustafizur Rahman also made significant progress, jumping 12 spots to share 25th position, while Taskin Ahmed moved up five places to 27th following consistent performances throughout the series. Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy was another major beneficiary of the rankings update. The right-hander amassed 154 runs across the three-match series, including a top score of 83, and climbed seven places to 20th in the ODI batting rankings. Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz also enjoyed a notable rise after his superb century against India in the opening ODI of their series in Dharamsala. Gurbaz gained six spots to move up to 13th among ODI batters. Meanwhile, there was movement in the rankings following the conclusion of the ODI series between the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the Caribbean. West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph was the standout performer of the series, claiming 11 wickets and earning the Player of the Series award as the hosts secured a 2-1 victory. His exploits helped him surge 42 places to 27th in the ODI bowling rankings. Meanwhile, there was movement in the rankings following the conclusion of the ODI series between the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the Caribbean. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite Sri Lankas series defeat, several players enjoyed rankings success. Batter Kamil Mishara climbed 24 places to 18th in the ODI batting rankings, while spin duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage made significant gains among bowlers. Hasaranga rose six spots to eighth, while Wellalage jumped 11 places to share 17th position in the bowling rankings. Article Source: IANS

Women's T20 WC: Litchfield, Gardner Out As Australia Elect To Bowl Against Bangladesh

T20 World Cup: Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first against Bangladesh in the 9th match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Headingley on Wednesday. Australia have been dealt a blow as Ashleigh Gardner is out of the match due to injury, while Phoebe Litchfield is also missing the match due to a quad injury. Australia are coming to the contest after registering a dominant 65-run win over South Africa. The six-time champions relied exclusively on spin to dominate at Old Trafford, fielding Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham and Alana King together. With Leeds expected to be less favourable for slow bowlers, experienced pacer Megan Schutt is firmly in contention to bolster the attack. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have little reason to alter a winning formula. They opened their campaign with a controlled six-wicket victory over the Netherlands, with debutant opener Juairiya Ferdous laying the platform through a fluent fifty before Sharmin Akter Supta finished the chase. Past meetings also point towards Australian dominance. They comfortably defeated Bangladesh in Canberra during the 2020 edition after Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney combined for a century opening stand. In 2023, Georgia Wareham's three-wicket haul restricted Bangladesh to 107 before Meg Lanning anchored a straightforward chase with an unbeaten 48. After winning the toss, Australia skipper Sophie Molineux said, We'll have a bowl. Just having a look at the pitch, it's a little bit soft on top. Hopefully we'll get the best of it with our seamers. Outfield looks a lot faster. Beautiful ground, never been here before. Two changes, Phoebe Litchfield and Ash Gardner are out. Just a couple of injuries. Poor Ash had a bit of a fall. Sprained ankle, will be fine for next game. After losing the toss, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said, Really wanted to bat first, wanted to give the batting unit the freedom. It's all about the mindset. Have the belief that if we can execute our plans, we have a chance. For a long time we have been concerned about our top order. We found someone who can go after the bowlers (Ferdous). We're introducing off-spinners as they have three left-handers. Playing XIs After losing the toss, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said, Really wanted to bat first, wanted to give the batting unit the freedom. It's all about the mindset. Have the belief that if we can execute our plans, we have a chance. For a long time we have been concerned about our top order. We found someone who can go after the bowlers (Ferdous). We're introducing off-spinners as they have three left-handers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia: Beth Mooney(wk), Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux(c), Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh bat with Litton ruled out; Chaudhary and Davies debut for Australia

Towhid Hridoy is leading Bangladesh in Litton Das' absence, and they have handed a debut to Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, the quick bowler

Nitish Reddy Out Of 2nd ODI Due To Sore Thigh: BCCI

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy missed out on the second ODI at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday due to quad issues as India made three changes to their playing XI that beat Afghanistan in the first ODI in Dharamsala on Saturday. Nitish Kumar Reddy was unavailable for selection for the second ODI due to a sore left thigh. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress, the board said in a statement released after the toss. The 23-year-old allrounder played a pivotal role with the ball in a rain-curtailed match, finishing with clinical figures of 2 for 31. His crucial breakthroughs included the prized wickets of Afghanistans explosive centurion Rahmanullah Gurbaz and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, helping India restrict the visitors to 194. Ahead of the toss, the Men in Blue handed a debut to Prince Yadav, making him the third debutant in this series after Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar, who earned their caps in the 1st ODI. Dubey and Prasidh Krishna, however, have not been included in the XI for the second game as India brought in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kuldeep Yadav as Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl. Speaking of the series opener, India drew first blood in Dharamsala, sealing a convincing seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened 25-overs-a-side contest. While the margin suggested a one-sided affair, Afghanistan had their moments, largely thanks to an explosive innings from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The opener tore into the Indian attack with a stunning century off just 48 deliveries, putting his side in a commanding position during the first half of the innings. However, once he departed, the momentum shifted dramatically as Afghanistan's middle order failed to build on the platform, leaving plenty of runs behind on a surface that had more to offer. Speaking of the series opener, India drew first blood in Dharamsala, sealing a convincing seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened 25-overs-a-side contest. While the margin suggested a one-sided affair, Afghanistan had their moments, largely thanks to an explosive innings from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The chase was handled with authority. India experimented with their combination by giving Ishan Kishan a fresh role, while captain Shubman Gill continued to lead confidently and anchored the pursuit with composure. Article Source: IANS

2nd ODI: Prince Yadav Debuts As Afghanistan Ask India To Bat First

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl against India in the second ODI of the three-match series here at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The hosts have handed Prince Yadav a debut cap, making him the third debutant in this series after Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar, who earned their caps in the 1st ODI. Nitish Kumar Reddy, meanwhile, was unavailable for selection due to quad issues. The series began with India drawing first blood in Dharamsala, sealing a convincing seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened 25-overs-a-side contest. With several senior players unavailable, the opening ODI also served as an important audition for India's emerging talent, who grabbed the opportunity and gave the hosts an early 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Winning the toss, Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said, Wicket looks fresh. I think it'll be spinning in the first innings. In the last game, we played really well, we missed the partnerships. We had one partnership and then threw away our wickets. Hopefully we come back stronger. Our boys have a lot of passion of cricket. We have three changes. Nabi is sick, Azmat got injured and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi isn't playing. Bilal, Darwish Rasooli and one more. The series began with India drawing first blood in Dharamsala, sealing a convincing seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened 25-overs-a-side contest. With several senior players unavailable, the opening ODI also served as an important audition for India's emerging talent, who grabbed the opportunity and gave the hosts an early 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Playing XIs: Article Source: IANS

Conway, Tickner Return To New Zealand's 2026-27 Central Contract List

Head Coach Rob Walter: Top-order batter Devon Conway and pace bowler Blair Tickner have been included in New Zealand's central contract for the 2026-27 period, replacing Adithya Ashok and Muhammad Abbas in the 20-player list, New Zealand Cricket announced on Wednesday. After two years on a casual playing agreement, Conway returns to the central contract list with a busy 12 months of Test cricket ahead. Tickner earned his recall to the list after compelling performances across all formats for both the Central Stags and the national side. Head Coach Rob Walter said it was pleasing to see the return of both Tickner and Conway. Blair has worked extremely hard over the past few years and added new levels to his game. Hes an excellent team man and has stepped into various roles for the side over the past few months and excelled in them. Its important we continue to nurture that depth in our bowling stocks, especially with a heavy diet of red-ball cricket over the next 12 months, so to have Blair contracted full-time will help maintain that depth. Devon has been a regular member of the side in all three formats for some time now, even whilst on a casual contract, so its great to have a player of his calibre back on the central contract list, especially with the amount of exciting cricket coming up, he said. Conways 146 international caps and over 6,000 runs across all formats is a welcome return to the central contract list, with the top-order batter making himself available for all international fixtures during the upcoming contracting period (1 August 2026 - 31 July 2027). Tickner has claimed four or more wickets in five of his last eight innings for New Zealand, with his maiden international five-wicket-bag coming last month against Ireland in the one-off Test match at Stormont. Tickner and Conways inclusion means Adithya Ashok and Muhammad Abbas come off the central contract list, NZC said in a release. Zak Foulkes and Mitch Hay have retained their contracts after being added to the list for the first time last year and featuring across all three formats in the past 12 months. Foulkes has already chalked up 36 internationals and featured prominently in all formats during the first half of the home summer, playing a key role in the one-day series win against England with his seven wickets. Wicketkeeper-batter Hay has 23 caps to his name after making his Test debut in Wellington against the West Indies in December, where he scored 61 from his solitary innings and took three catches behind the stumps. Foulkes has already chalked up 36 internationals and featured prominently in all formats during the first half of the home summer, playing a key role in the one-day series win against England with his seven wickets. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kane Williamsons recent retirement from international cricket means he will not feature as a casually contracted player. Article Source: IANS

West Indies Recall Da Silva, Jangoo For SL Tests; Alzarri, Shamar Return From Injury

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium: Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 15-member squad for the two-match test series against Sri Lanka, which will see the return of wicketkeeper-batters Joshua Da Silva and Amir Jangoo. The series will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from June 25 to July 7 and the West Indies will look to make the most of home conditions. Fast bowling duo Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph have also returned to the Test setup after missing the tours of India and New Zealand through injury. The pair last featured in a Test squad during the home series against Australia in 2025. Da Silva earned a recall after amassing 996 runs across the last two seasons of the West Indies Championship. Also returning is Amir Jangoo, who earned a recall following an impressive showing in this years Championship, finishing second in runs scored, including a double century. It will be his first Test squad selection since January 2025. Jangoo, meanwhile, returned after an impressive showing in this years Championship, finishing second in runs scored, including a double century. It will be his first Test squad selection since January 2025. Meanwhile, Tevin Imlach will captain the 13-man WI Select XI in the four-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka from June 18-21 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. Head Coach Daren Sammy welcomes the challenge of playing Sri Lanka at home this summer. Every Test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity. Sri Lanka are a quality side, so we know well have to be at our best, but were excited about the challenge ahead. For us, its about playing with discipline, showing character when the game gets tough, and representing the West Indies with pride. The players have been putting in the work, and were looking forward to putting on a strong display for our fans across the Caribbean, he said. As part of the team's preparations for the series, the squad is currently participating in a high-performance training camp in Antigua which commenced on June 12 and runs until June 22, with those players who competed in the white-ball series in Jamaica joining on June 15. The programme also provides the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess player readiness and fine-tune plans ahead of the series against Sri Lanka and the final home series against Pakistan. This is a key component of our preparations heading into the series, providing players and coaches with valuable time to enhance and improve the skills we want to see sharpened, based on the areas we need to focus our attention on when facing this opponent. It also gives us the opportunity to put clear objectives and plans in place for the conclusion of the summer against Pakistan. The programme also provides the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess player readiness and fine-tune plans ahead of the series against Sri Lanka and the final home series against Pakistan. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales Article Source: IANS

Footballers Who Played Cricket and Cricketers Who Made It Big in Football

The Three Lions skipper Harry Kane was recently seen leading his teams cricket practice at his teams FIFA World Cup training base in Florida. Not only this, MCC approves of football players technique with bat and ball, and the official lawmakers of the game commented on the English footballers cricket skills, Technique straight from the MCC manual, on their official Instagram page. In the pre-tournament training camp at West Palm Beach in Florida, Harry Kane rolled his arm over with some sharp deliveries and also batted. If footballers can play cricket, believe it, many cricketers have played football at the top level, even the FIFA World Cup. The first and most popular name on everyones list is Ellyse Perry of Australia, who is a two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner and played for the Matilda (Australian football team), at the FIFA World Cup in 2011. She is a multi-sport legend and, if we talk of football only, she played for Central Coast Mariners, Canberra United and Sydney FC during her footballing career and made 18 appearances for the Matilda and even scored Australia's only goal in the 1-3 defeat against Sweden in the quarter final at the 2011 FIFA Womens World Cup. She is the last Australian to score a goal in a football World Cup. Ellyse Perry would make it among the top sportspersons in the world just based on her cricketing accolades. It is generally believed that she is the only player ever to play in both ICC and FIFA World Cups, which is incorrect. Clare Taylors achievement is no less. She was part of the 1993 cricket World Cup winning England team at Lords and two years later, in 1995, she played for England at the FIFA World Cup. Taylor is from Yorkshire and played her club football for Bronte and Liverpool Ladies. Clare Taylor is the only player of either gender to have played for England in World Cups for both cricket and football. She represented the England women's football team at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sweden, helping the team reach the quarterfinals. In fact, Taylor preferred football to cricket, and she focused on cricket after being dropped from the England football team. She was allotted 82 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of Englands inaugural international. She was No. 1 in the ICC women's batting rankings that were released for the first time in October 2008. Taylor was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2000 Birthday Honors for services to Cricket, Association Football, and to Hockey. Sir Vivian Richards had greater success on the cricket field than he ever did on a football pitch. The West Indian legend occasionally turned out for the Antiguan national football team, and he played in their qualification campaign for the 1974 World Cup finals, but Antigua lost all four of their matches, including an 11-0 dismantling at the hands of Trinidad & Tobago and a 6-0 defeat to Surinam. Believe it, Sir Geoff Hurst, scorer of the most famous hat-trick (the only one to score in a World Cup final) in the history of English football, to win the World Cup in 1966 at Wembley also played one County Championship game for Essex (against Lancashire) in 1962. He was an outstanding fielder, and occasional wicketkeeper, but couldnt spare much time for cricket. You will be surprised to note that Bobby Moore was also a very good cricketer, and it took the England cricket team until 2010 to win a World Cup, but these two English cricketers managed it 44 years earlier. CB Fry and Denis Compton were more accomplished footballers, but the connection to the football World Cup eluded them. However, in the 1953 Ashes series, a player with the name of Willie Watson also played with Compton. Watson, who played 23 Tests, scored two Test hundreds and overall accumulated more than 25000 runs in first class cricket, was one of that very small select band who represented England at both cricket and football. He was in the English squad for the World Cup in Brazil in 1950 but did not play in a match, probably because he didnt fit into the strategy of his manager. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This reference shall remain incomplete without the mention of one and only Steve Bucknor. This famous umpire did not officiate in a FIFA World Cup, but he made history as the first person to officiate in both Cricket and Football World Cup events. He was a FIFA-accredited football referee who notably officiated in World Cup qualifying matches.

Conway and Tickner return to New Zealand central contracts list

Adi Ashok and Muhammad Abbas have been dropped from the list, while Kane Williamson was not considered following his international retirement

Da Silva and Jangoo earn recalls for West Indies' Tests against Sri Lanka

Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph are also back in the Test squad after missing West Indies' last two series with injuries

Sciver-Brunt to undergo calf scan as injury mars Ireland win

Predecessor Knight admits it 'wouldn't be ideal' if captain has suffered injury relapse after missing early season

Women's T20 WC: England Continue To Prosper With Win Over Ireland

T20 World Cup: Hosts England marched ahead in their charge towards their maiden title as they continued their winning run in the Women's T20 World Cup, registering a four-wicket win over Ireland in a rain-delayed match at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday. With the experienced Sophie Ecclestone spearheading the bowling attack by claiming 3-22, England restricted Ireland to 118/9. In reply, captain Nat-Sciver Brunt led from the front as the hosts chased down the target in 17.3 overs to secure a four-wicket win. This is England's second win in Group B after they started with an 87-run victory over Sri Lanka on the opening day. Opting to field first, the English bowlers made the most of the overcast conditions to make early inroads as both the Irish openers, Amy Hunter and Alana Dalzell, were sent back inside the first five overs. Captain Gaby Lewis also departed without troubling the scorers. Bowling a tight line and length, England kept the pressure on Ireland by choking runs. They bowled a total of 60 dot balls, with Charlie Dean contributing 20 of them. Dean was the most economical of the English bowlers, with 2-11 in her four overs, while the experienced Sophie Ecclestone finished with 3-22. Danielle Gibson claimed 2-10 in two overs to help England dominate with the ball. Ireland had their chances, but they failed to capitalise on them. With the team reduced to 25/3, Orla Prendergast took the attack to England. She struck two fours off Ecclestone, starting with a late cut past backward point, in the sixth over to give them a boost. The budding innings, however, was cut short for 26 off 18, with four fours. Later on, Louise Little made sure Ireland finished on a high. She hit four fours off Lauren Bell in the final over, including a flick through backward square leg on the last ball, to garner 17 runs. It was Ireland's best over of the innings and took them to 118/9. On resumption, Ireland gave England a scare early on as they claimed three wickets in 10 balls to reduce the hosts to 35/3 inside Power-play. Aimee Maguire made early inroads with two wickets in the fifth over. The first of which was of Amy Jones, who mistimed the ball to mid-off, only for Lewis to pocket it. Two balls later, the Maguire-Lewis combo struck again to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who had led England to victory in the tournament opener against Sri Lanka. On resumption, Ireland gave England a scare early on as they claimed three wickets in 10 balls to reduce the hosts to 35/3 inside Power-play. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England had trouble closing out the match as Sciver-Brunt retired hurt just short of her half-century, while Freya Kemp was run out. But they were within touching distance, and Dean and Gibson saw them through to 119/6 in 17.3 overs. Article Source: IANS

Sciver-Brunt, spinners star as England edge to laboured victory over Ireland

England made heavy weather of 119-run chase after a rain delay at Hampshire Bowl

Womens T20 World Cup: England Survive Ireland Test To Maintain Winning Start

T20 World Cup: Hosts England were made to work hard for their second successive win in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 as they defeated Ireland by four wickets in a Group 2 encounter, here on Wednesday. After producing a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Ireland to 118/9 in their allotted 20 overs, England chased down the target with 15 balls to spare despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Ireland struggled to build partnerships after being put under pressure by Englands attack. Regular breakthroughs prevented them from gaining momentum, with the innings never really taking off. Sophie Ecclestone led the bowling effort with a three-wicket haul, while Englands seamers and spinners combined effectively to keep the scoring rate in check. A late contribution from the lower middle order helped Ireland push past the 100-run mark and finish on 118/9, giving their bowlers something to defend. Englands chase, however, was far from straightforward. Ireland struck early to leave the hosts under pressure and ensure the contest remained alive for most of the evening. The home side lost wickets at crucial moments and were unable to dominate proceedings against a disciplined Irish bowling attack. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt anchored the innings with a valuable knock of 48, providing stability after the early setbacks. Her innings ensured England remained on course despite Irelands persistent challenge. With the required rate under control, Englands middle order kept the scoreboard moving before guiding the team home in the closing stages. Although Ireland continued to chip away with wickets, the target proved just within Englands reach as the hosts crossed the line with four wickets in hand. The victory strengthens Englands position in Group 2 and keeps their unbeaten run intact, while Ireland can take encouragement from a competitive performance against one of the tournament favourites despite ending on the losing side. Brief Scores: Ireland Women: 118/9 in 20 overs (Louise Little 26; Sophie Ecclestone 3 wickets) England Women: 119/6 in 17.3 overs (Louise Little 26; Sophie Ecclestone 3 wickets) Also Read: Live Cricket Score Result: England Women won by 4 wickets. Article Source: IANS

Jharkhand T20 League: Ranchi Titans Dethrone Koylanchal Super Kings To Become The Table Toppers

Jharkhand T20 Cricket League: In a day filled with commanding performances at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Santhal Strikers and Ranchi Titans registered clinical victories on Day 7 of the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League 2026. While the Strikers pulled off a win against table-toppers Koylanchal Super Kings, the Ranchi Titans continued their fine form with a stellar chase against the Dhanbad Diamonds. In the afternoon fixture, the Santhal Strikers registered their first victory of the season by defeating the league-leading Koylanchal Super Kings by seven wickets. After being put in to bat first, the Super Kings were restricted to a modest total of 148/8. Sharandeep Singh Bhatia top-scored with a well-compiled 58 off 47 balls, marking his fourth fifty-plus score of the tournament, while wicketkeeper-batter Robin Minz chipped in with a brisk 40 off 28 deliveries. The Strikers' bowling unit was spearheaded by Pratyush Kumar, who produced a clinical spell for exceptional figures of 3/17 in his four overs, while Manishi provided strong support by claiming 2/23. Chasing a target of 149, the Strikers bounced back from an early setback after losing opener Vibhor Pandey for a duck. Vivek Kumar anchored the chase spectacularly, orchestrating a vital 64-run partnership for the second wicket alongside Kumar Suraj, who contributed a solid 34. Vivek led the batting onslaught with a match-winning 64 off just 36 balls to completely take the game away from the opposition. Following his dismissal, Sumit Kumar played a highly sensible, unbeaten knock of 27* off 29 balls to guide his team home, wrapping up the comprehensive chase at 154/3 in 18.2 overs. For his standout, restrictive first-innings spell, Pratyush Kumar was rightfully adjudged the Player of the Match. The evening match was a high-scoring encounter, with the Dhanbad Diamonds batting first and being bowled out for 191 on the very last ball of their innings. Ram Raushan Sharan played a fiery knock, top-scoring with a blistering 58 off just 24 balls, while Aditya Singh (26) and Bisesh Dutta (24) made important contributions. For the Ranchi Titans, Prince Anurag Murmu continued to be the standout bowler for his side, claiming excellent figures of 3/20 in his four overs. Skipper Rajandeep Singh (2/46) and Yuvraj Kumar (2/47) also chipped in with two wickets each. The evening match was a high-scoring encounter, with the Dhanbad Diamonds batting first and being bowled out for 191 on the very last ball of their innings. Ram Raushan Sharan played a fiery knock, top-scoring with a blistering 58 off just 24 balls, while Aditya Singh (26) and Bisesh Dutta (24) made important contributions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The battle intensifies on Wednesday, featuring a high-stakes clash between the Jamshedpur Steelers and a rejuvenated Santhal Strikers side, hungry to build on their momentum. Later in the evening, prime-time action with a heavy-hitting blockbuster pitting the Chota Nagpur Royals directly against the table toppers, Koylanchal Super Kings. Article Source: IANS

Bengal T20 League: Priyam's Ton, Saksham's Blazing 98 Light Up The Night; Raju Stars In Rarh Tigers' Win

The Bengal T20 League Season: The Bengal T20 League Season 3 at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday witnessed two masterclass batting performances by Novus Royals Purulia's Priyam Sarkar (100 off 56) and Murshidabad Kings' Saksham Chaudhary (98 off 47). Priyam, who scored the fourth century in the league's history, was unlucky to end up on the losing side as Purulia went down to Murshidabad Kings by four wickets in a rain-curtailed encounter. Batting first, Purulia posted a challenging 196/3 in 18 overs, thanks to Priyam, who smashed 10 fours and 6 sixes in his knock. Yuvraj Deepak Keshwani (56 not out off 27) also played a brilliant innings. In reply, Abhishek Raman (43) gave Murshidabad Kings the perfect start. After his departure, Saksham played a knock to remember as he single-handedly took his team closer to victory before falling agonisingly short of a well-deserved century by just two runs. En route to his knock, Saksham struck 10 sixes and six fours as Murshidabad chased down the target, scoring 200/6 in 17.4 overs. Ravi Kumar bagged three wickets for Royals Purulia. In the day's second match, Shrachi Rarh Tigers edged Rashmi NES Medinipur Wizards by 3 runs in yet another thrilling contest in the league. Batting first, Shrachi Rarh Tigers scored 169/9 in 20 overs, thanks to Rohit Kumar's explosive 30 off just 8 balls and Shuvam Dey Sr's 35 off 21 deliveries. For Medinipur, Sayed Irfan Aftab bagged three wickets. In reply, Medinipur Wizards fell just short, scoring 166/6 in their 20 overs despite Abhishek Das' unbeaten 40 off 28 balls. For Rarh Tigers, Raju Halder was the pick of the bowlers, bagging 3 for 23. The result marked yet another nail-biting finish in the Bengal T20 League Season 3. After a one-wicket win for Shrachi Rarh Tigers and a one-run victory for Kolkata Royal Tigers in the previous two matchdays, Tuesday produced another thriller, underlining the fierce competition as the league heads towards its business end. Brief scores: The result marked yet another nail-biting finish in the Bengal T20 League Season 3. After a one-wicket win for Shrachi Rarh Tigers and a one-run victory for Kolkata Royal Tigers in the previous two matchdays, Tuesday produced another thriller, underlining the fierce competition as the league heads towards its business end. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shrachi Rarh Tigers 169/9 (20 overs) beat Rashmi NES Medinipur Wizards 166/6 (20 overs) by 3 runs. Article Source: IANS

Crumpled but still a good fit, Root dons his blazer for the England cause once more

England's senior pro takes the reins for the 65th time in Tests, four years on from his previous stint

Women's T20 WC: Listening To Experienced Players Helped Me, Says Richa Ghosh

T20 World Cup: Indian women's team player Richa Ghosh has credited the advice of her experienced teammates for regaining her form in time for the ongoing ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026, in which the Indian women's team made a rousing start with a win over archrivals Pakistan. The 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter blasted a crucial 17-ball 34 during Indias 64-run win over Pakistan on Sunday, having hit an equally explosive 68 during her sides warm-up match against England in Cardiff. Before those two knocks, Ghosh was suffering from a lean spell in which she only scored 18 runs across four innings. But now back fully firing for Indias latest attempt at claiming a maiden T20 global crown, Ghosh, who is part of the side that will take on the Netherlands at Headingley on Wednesday, was always confident that she could turn things around. At that time, I just stayed focused on my game because, although I was not getting the runs at the time, I knew what I could do, said Ghosh. I was thinking that I could work more on my drills and just remain focused. And that it was okay if I'm not getting it, as I was in good touch at that time, but not getting runs. This happens. I spoke to Hari [Harmanpreet Kaur] and all the seniors, Smriti [Mandhana] too, about what to do. And they said, Don't worry, just play your game and just focus. That's it. And that helped me also., Richa was quoted as saying on Tuesday. Despite the Netherlands making their ICC Womens T20 World Cup debut, the Dutch outfit fitted in on the big stage during their first match of the tournament against Bangladesh, as they only narrowly missed out on a maiden World Cup win. Ghosh insists she and her teammates will not be taking the Netherlands for granted when the two meet in Leeds on Wednesday and praised them for the strides they have made in international cricket. She added, I saw them before the World Cup. They have good bowlers, and for them it's the first time. They're doing really well, and every team is like, They can do well. I think they've done really well. That's why they're here, and we are not taking any team easily, and we're just looking forward. The Netherlands head coach, Neil MacRae, was full of admiration for Wednesdays opponents and the work they had done in promoting the womens game, adding that the positive effects of India's franchise tournament, the Womens Premier League, can be felt around the world. The rise of Indian women's cricket has been an inspiration for everybody, particularly in the last few years, he said. With four years of the WPL and winning their first World Cup last year in the 50-over format, you can see that progression has really come through the WPL experience and the team has gone to a different level. MacRae was also proud of the way his players handled themselves at Edgbaston in their World Cup opener and said his charges are viewing the tournament as a chance to expand the countrys cricketing horizons. He added: It's a privilege for us to be at a World Cup taking on a team of the might of India, a country steeped in so much history and passion for cricket. It's an unbelievable opportunity to take on one of the world's best teams. I thought in the first game against Bangladesh we played some good cricket, but the occasion of our first-ever T20 World Cup match weighed quite heavily on the players. He added: It's a privilege for us to be at a World Cup taking on a team of the might of India, a country steeped in so much history and passion for cricket. It's an unbelievable opportunity to take on one of the world's best teams. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I thought they coped really well. Having experienced that now, they're much better placed in the second game to come out and play their best cricket, she added. Article Source: IANS

SA-W vs PAK-W Match 11, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

SA-W vs PAK-W Match 11, Cricket Tips :It has not been a good start for the runner-ups of the last two Women's T20 World Cups, South Africa Women. They were humiliated by Australia in their opening encounter, losing by 65 runs. They have not just lost the game but also suffered a big hit to their NRR. So, to make a comeback, they need a big win. South Africa Women will be in action against Pakistan Women. On Wednesday, this contest will start at 11 PM IST at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Pakistan also lost their opening game, and their situation is also pretty similar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score SA-W vs PAK-W: Match Details Date : June 17, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 11 PM IST Venue : Edgbaston, Birmingham SA-W vs PAK-W Live Streaming Details In India, the live telecast of this game will be available on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also watch this game through the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. SA-W vs PAK-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 27 South Africa Women : 15 Pakistan Women : 12 No - Result : 00 SA-W vs PAK-W: Ground Pitch Report Edgbaston has been a good batting venue in England. It offers true bounce and pace off the wicket, which helps the batters play big shots. The batting conditions will remain similar in both innings, which is why it will be important for the team batting first to score big. SA-W vs PAK-W Possible XIs SA-W : Laura Wolvaardt (c), Annerie Dercksen, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Kayla Reyneke, Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka PAK-W : Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Saira Jabeen, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Nashra Sandhu, Rameen Shamim, Tasmia Rubab, Sadia Iqbal SA-W vs PAK-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Laura Wolvaardt is the prolific scorer for her team across formats. She will be the one to watch out for. For Pakistan, experienced Mnueeba Ali needs to take more responsibility with the bat. Probable Best Bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba and Sadia Iqbal showed good form in the first game, and their teams will hope they do well in this game. Today Match Prediction : Pakistan Women have troubled South Africa Women in this format. But by comparing these two, South Africa Women look like the better side to win this game. SA-W vs PAK-W Match 11 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, SA-W vs PAK-W 2026 Prediction, SA-W vs PAK-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for SA-W vs PAK-W Match 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 predictions.

Women's T20 WC: Kerr Rues 'poor Fielding' After New Zealand's Second Straight Defeat

Captain Amelia Kerr: New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr lamented her side's fielding standards after the defending champions suffered a five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, admitting that dropped chances once again proved costly in a match she felt the White Ferns had enough runs to win. After choosing to bat first, New Zealand scored 150/6 on a pitch that Kerr described as slower than expected. Amelia contributed 45 runs, while Sophie Devine also scored 45. Their partnership helped the White Ferns recover from an early setback. However, Sri Lanka successfully chased down the target with one ball to spare. Nilakshi de Silva scored an unbeaten 54 and formed a crucial 48-run partnership with Kaushani Nuthyangana, who contributed 24 not out. Reflecting on the defeat, Kerr felt New Zealand had set a competitive total but acknowledged that their fielding once again fell short. I thought the wicket was a bit slower. Given the nature of their bowling attack with a lower trajectory, I thought we set a good total. We had enough runs; we would have liked more. But once again, our fielding has let us down. Sri Lankas chase was fueled by smart running between the wickets, and a confident finish from de Silva and Nuthyangana, especially after the team stumbled from 45/1 to 55/4. Kerr believed those elements set the two teams apart. I thought they ran really well between the wickets. And that partnership at the end was key. If I could have batted for a couple more overs when I got out, I could have built a platform for Sophie. Reflecting on the defeat, Kerr felt New Zealand had set a competitive total but acknowledged that their fielding once again fell short. I thought the wicket was a bit slower. Given the nature of their bowling attack with a lower trajectory, I thought we set a good total. We had enough runs; we would have liked more. But once again, our fielding has let us down. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We have three matches to go. These are big games for our country. We need to lift ourselves. The most important improvement is in our fielding. Our batting is strong, and we're bowling well in good areas. We're creating opportunities. But catches win matches, and our fielding has not met that standard. Article Source: IANS

IND-W vs NED-W Match 10, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

IND-W vs NED-W Match 10, Cricket Tips :India Women were challenged by Pakistan Women in the opening game of their campaign in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Eventually, they had an easy win, and they beat the arch rival by 64 runs, courtesy of a record figure of 5/10 by Deepti Sharma. Smriti Mandhana also looked in good touch and scored a much-needed half-century at the top. With two points, India will now take on Netherlands on Wednesday. This contest will be held at Headingley, Leeds, at 7 PM IST. Netherlands had a defeat to start the tournament, and they will need something special to beat this Indian side. Also Read: Live Cricket Score IND-W vs NED-W: Match Details Date : June 17, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 7 PM IST Venue : Headingley, Leeds IND-W vs NED-W Live Streaming Details Indian fans can tune into the Star Sports networks on Wednesday to watch Indian women live. The live stream of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND-W vs NED-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 00 India Women : 00 Netherlands Women : 00 No - Result : 00 IND-W vs NED-W: Ground Pitch Report Headingley has been a good venue for the fast bowlers. There will be good help at the start of the match with the new ball. However, the wicket is expected to improve for batting, and chasing will be recommended in these conditions. IND-W vs NED-W Possible XIs IND-W : Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud NED-W : Sterre Kalis, Sanya Khurana, Babette de Leede (c & wk), Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Iris Zwilling, Heather Siegers, Caroline de Lange, Frederique Overdijk, Silver Siegers, Isabel Woning IND-W vs NED-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Smriti Mandhana scored a classy fifty against Pakistan and showed why she is India's premier batter. Captain Babette de Leede was brilliant in the first game, and she will be a key batter for her team. Probable Best Bowler Deepti Sharma is coming off a MOTM performance and will be confident of another good spell. Isabel Woning holds the key for Netherlands with the ball. Today Match Prediction : On the basis of current form, experience, and skills, we predict India Women to win this game. IND-W vs NED-W Match 10 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, IND-W vs NED-W 2026 Prediction, IND-W vs NED-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for IND-W vs NED-W Match 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 predictions.

Women's T20 WC: Nilakshika Silva's Unbeaten Fifty Sinks Defending Champions NZ By Five Wickets

T20 World Cup: Nilakshika Silva produced a match-winning unbeaten half-century, after Sri Lanka's bowlers delivered a superb collective effort, to script a five-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in a thrilling seventh match in Group 2 of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday. Chasing 151, Sri Lanka stayed calm in a tense finish. Silva was not out on 54 and teamed up with Kaushani Nuthyangana, who scored 24, in a partnership worth 48 runs that brought the Asian side home with one ball left. This was Sri Lanka's first win in the tournament and dealt another serious blow to New Zealand, whose title defense is falling apart. Sri Lanka's chase started well with captain Chamari Athapaththu leading the attack. After getting a second chance on seven, she punished New Zealand by hitting 27 off just 19 balls before getting bowled in the final over of the Powerplay. Her wicket sparked a sudden collapse as New Zealand fought back into the game. Vishmi Gunaratne scored 17, Harshitha Samarawickrama made 5, and Hasini Perera was out for 2, causing Sri Lanka to drop from a strong position of 45/1 to 55/4. With the innings in jeopardy, Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshi de Silva calmly built a critical 50-run partnership. Dilhari added 17 before being run out in the 15th over, leaving Sri Lanka needing a steady hand to finish the job. De Silva took on that role, leading the chase effectively. Needing 16 runs from the last two overs, she and Nuthyangana picked up the pace just right, scoring 11 runs in the 19th over and leaving only five needed from the final six balls. The duo showed great composure under pressure and helped Sri Lanka cross the finish line with one delivery to spare, securing a memorable win. Earlier, New Zealand scored 150/6 after deciding to bat first. Their innings faced an early blow when Isabella Gaze was out for 4 in the opening over. Georgia Plimmer (18) and captain Amelia Kerr then worked together to rebuild through a 49-run partnership before Plimmer got out. Kerr continued to lead and made 45 before being caught in the deep in the 13th over. New Zealand seemed set for a bigger total when Sophie Devine began to fight back, but Sri Lanka's bowlers applied constant pressure. Devine played well for her 45 before getting out late in the innings, while Maddy Green remained not out on 18 as the White Ferns finished at 150/6. Sri Lankas bowling performance was disciplined, with five of the six bowlers picking up wickets. Kavisha Dilhari stood out with figures of 2 for 35 from her four overs as Sri Lanka consistently broke New Zealands rhythm and stopped them from scoring more. After holding the defending champions to 150/6 and then completing a tense chase thanks to de Silva's unbeaten 54, Sri Lanka celebrated a win that could be vital for their World Cup run. Sri Lankas bowling performance was disciplined, with five of the six bowlers picking up wickets. Kavisha Dilhari stood out with figures of 2 for 35 from her four overs as Sri Lanka consistently broke New Zealands rhythm and stopped them from scoring more. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 150/6 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 45, Melie Kerr 45; Kavisha Dilhari 2-35) lost to Sri Lanka 153/5 in 19.4 overs (Nilakshika Silva 54 not out, Chamari Athapaththu 27; Nensi Patel 2-23) by five wickets Article Source: IANS

AUS-W vs BAN-W Match 9, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

AUS-W vs BAN-W Match 9, Cricket Tips :Australia Women, the six-time winner, have recorded an easy win in their opening encounter of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. They took down South Africa Women by 65 runs to earn their first points. Now, they will be up against Bangladesh Women in match 9 of the competition. This contest will be held on Wednesday at 3 PM IST at Headingley in Leeds. Only two teams will qualify from Group A, and another win will help Australia to strengthen their chances. Bangladesh Women have never beaten them, and it will be a miracle if they do it on Wednesday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score AUS-W vs BAN-W: Match Details Date : June 17, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 3PM IST Venue : Headingley, Leeds AUS-W vs BAN-W Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch this game live on the Star Sports networks, and the live stream of this game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. AUS-W vs BAN-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 05 Australia Women : 05 Bangladesh Women : 00 No - Result : 00 AUS-W vs BAN-W: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Leeds is good for batting. This is a good batting-friendly deck, which offers bounce and pace to the batters to play their shots. However, fast bowlers will get some movement at the start, but the wicket is expected to settle down well for batting. AUS-W vs BAN-W Possible XIs AUS-W : Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Alana King BAN-W : Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (c) (wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akter Meghla, Fariha Trisna AUS-W vs BAN-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Phoebe Litchfield scored a blistering fifty in the last game, and she is in excellent form. Juairiya Ferdous won the MOTM award for her fifty in the first game, and she has shown good promise at the top. Probable Best Bowler Marufa Akter and Kim Garth will like bowling with the new ball at this venue. Today Match Prediction : Australia have a strong record, and they have never lost to Bangladesh Women. Hence, we back Australia to win this contest. AUS-W vs BAN-W Match 9 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, AUS-W vs BAN-W 2026 Prediction, AUS-W vs BAN-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for AUS-W vs BAN-W Match 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 predictions.

Nilakshika, Nuthyangana stun NZ to seal famous win for Sri Lanka

Nilakshika produced her finest international innings to beat defending champions New Zealand in a thriller

James Rew to make Test debut as Jamie Smith goes on paternity leave

Three debutants and five changes for England, following victory in Lord's Test

Canada-Netherlands ODI abandoned due to dangerous pitch in Toronto

A pitch at the same venue had received an unsatisfactory rating from the match referee ODI between USA and Netherlands last week

UP Brij Stars Crowned Champions As Big Cricket League Season 2 Ends On A High

Big Cricket League Season: The second season of the Big Cricket League (BCL) concluded on a high note with UP Brij Stars emerging champions after a tournament that featured 18 matches, more than 60 amateur cricketers, and several innovative elements aimed at promoting grassroots talent. Positioning itself as a bridge between amateur and professional cricket, the league brought together aspiring players from across the country and provided them an opportunity to share the field with former international stars, including Shikhar Dhawan, Chris Gayle, Harbhajan Singh, Ross Taylor, S. Sreesanth and Upul Tharanga. One of the major highlights of the season was the league's Amateur Buzzer Reward System, which added an extra layer of competition and strategy to matches. Season 2 witnessed more than 60 Bronze Buzzers, over 10 Silver Buzzers, three Golden Buzzers, and two Platinum Buzzers, producing several match-defining moments throughout the tournament. The season also saw a unique reward initiative, with Batting Boss Amaan Patel of MP Tigers and Bowling Boss Jatin Mavi of UP Brij being awarded equity in the Big Cricket League and announced as co-owners of the league. More than 60 amateur cricketers featured in the competition, producing notable performances with bat and ball while showcasing their abilities on a national platform. Speaking on the successful completion of Season 2, RP Singh, Founder and President, Big Cricket League, said, Season 2 has been transformational for the Big Cricket League. The response we have received from players, fans, franchise owners, partners, and stakeholders has exceeded expectations. The success of innovations such as the Buzzer System, combined with the introduction of equity ownership for our Batting Boss and Bowling Boss winners, reflects our vision of creating a cricket ecosystem that is exciting, rewarding, and deeply empowering for players. Most importantly, this season proved that amateur cricketers, when given the right platform, can shine just as brightly on the biggest stages. Puneet Singh, Chief Patron, Big Cricket League, said, Big Cricket League stands for opportunity, belief, and talent discovery and Season 2 showcased exactly that. We saw players come in with dreams and leave with recognition, confidence, and life-changing experiences. The passion, energy, and quality of cricket this season reaffirmed our belief that India is filled with extraordinary untapped talent waiting for the right opportunity. Speaking on the successful completion of Season 2, RP Singh, Founder and President, Big Cricket League, said, Season 2 has been transformational for the Big Cricket League. The response we have received from players, fans, franchise owners, partners, and stakeholders has exceeded expectations. The success of innovations such as the Buzzer System, combined with the introduction of equity ownership for our Batting Boss and Bowling Boss winners, reflects our vision of creating a cricket ecosystem that is exciting, rewarding, and deeply empowering for players. Most importantly, this season proved that amateur cricketers, when given the right platform, can shine just as brightly on the biggest stages. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Following the completion of Season 2, the organisers also announced that registrations for Season 3 are now open. The next edition of the tournament is expected to be held in January 2027 and will provide aspiring cricketers from across India another opportunity to compete for recognition and rewards on one of the country's fastest-growing amateur cricket platforms. Article Source: IANS

Root stops the England captaincy gap ... but for how long?

Former captain returns to role he relinquished in 2022, with Stokes' return to the job far from certain

Women's T20 WC: Kerr, Devine Shine, But Sri Lanka Fight Back To Restrict NZ To 150/6

T20 World Cup: Kavisha Dilhari took 2-35 while a wicket each from Chamari Athapaththu, Sugandika Kumari, Nimasha Meepage, and Mithali Ayodhya helped Sri Lanka restrict New Zealand Women's innings to 150/6 in the seventh match of Group 2 of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at The Rose Bowl on Tuesday. Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine looked set to lead New Zealand Women to a much higher total, but Sri Lanka Women made a strong comeback with regular breakthroughs. New Zealand chose to bat first for the second match in a row, even after losing their tournament opener. They were confident their bowlers could defend any target. At one point, with captain Amelia Kerr and experienced player Sophie Devine playing well, a score over 165 seemed easy to reach. However, Sri Lanka's bowlers kept taking wickets at crucial moments, preventing New Zealand from running away with the game. The innings started dramatically. Izzy Gaze edged a catch off Mithali Ayodhya's bowling on the third ball of the match, leaving New Zealand at 4/1 in the first over. Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr then steadied the innings with a solid 49-run partnership for the second wicket. They faced a disciplined Sri Lankan attack and guided New Zealand to 38/1 by the end of the six-over Powerplay, with Plimmer not out on 15 and Kerr on 17. The White Ferns reached fifty in 7.5 overs and looked ready to accelerate, but Nimasha Meepage took a wicket with her very first delivery. Plimmer fell for 18 off 22 balls, catching a ball to Hasini Perera at short third, which brought New Zealand to 53/2 in the ninth over. At the halfway point, New Zealand was 73/2 and looking for momentum. Sophie Devine provided just that, scoring a boundary off her first ball and quickly starting an aggressive partnership with Kerr. The experienced duo picked up the pace during the middle overs, attacking the spinners and threatening to take control of the game. With Kerr anchoring the innings and Devine hitting boundaries, New Zealand appeared to be heading toward a total beyond 165. But Sri Lanka wouldn't let up. Just when the White Ferns seemed ready to surge late in the innings, the visitors took wickets at consistent intervals. This stopped New Zealand from fully exploiting the strong foundation laid by Kerr and Devine, turning what could have been an impressive total into a more manageable one. Kerr and Devine, though given themselves a score they were always looking to have Sri Lanka chasing, with the pressure still being maintained, with Kerr falling for 45 off 36 balls that included five boundaries, after slicing Kawya Kavindi to deep mid-wicket and not reaching the rope. The middle and death overs would see Sri Lanka keep things tight as Halliday managed only 7, after being granted an unsuccessful review from Chamari Athapaththu that seemed to be outside off, before Devine threatened to set them on their way with a rapid 45 off 30 deliveries, with 4 fours and a six, before miscuing a loft to long-on, which would be caught. Izzy Sharp picked out a fielder two deliveries later for a silver duck. Green on 18 and Kerr 6, with seven off the final over, took New Zealand to 150-6. The middle and death overs would see Sri Lanka keep things tight as Halliday managed only 7, after being granted an unsuccessful review from Chamari Athapaththu that seemed to be outside off, before Devine threatened to set them on their way with a rapid 45 off 30 deliveries, with 4 fours and a six, before miscuing a loft to long-on, which would be caught. Izzy Sharp picked out a fielder two deliveries later for a silver duck. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 150/6 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 45, Melie Kerr 45; Kavisha Dilhari 2-35) against Sri Lanka Article Source: IANS

Teams regroup after mid-series chaos, ahead of must-win Oval Test

England could make as many as five changes after injuries and nightclub antics wreck Lord's momentum

Wednesday triple-header: Australia, India look to continue good form; SA, Pakistan eye comebacks

Headingley will host Australia vs Bangladesh and India vs Netherlands before South Africa take on Pakistan in Birmingham

Latham Backs Nicholls To Fill No. 3 Spot For NZ In Second Test Vs England

Skipper Tom Latham: Skipper Tom Latham has backed Henry Nicholls to fill the void left by Kane Williamson's shock mid-series retirement from international cricket, confirming that the experienced batter will return to New Zealand's Test side at No. 3 for this week's second Test against England at The Oval. Nicholls, 34, has played only two Tests since the start of 2024. Both occurred during last year's tour of Zimbabwe when Williamson was unavailable due to commitments with the Hundred. He has mostly batted at No. 5 in his Test career but moved up to No. 3 during that tour. He is set to take on that role again after Williamson's sudden departure from international cricket following the opening Test defeat at Lord's. Latham stated that Nicholls earned his recall through his impressive domestic performance. He's someone with a lot of international experience, Latham said ahead of training on Tuesday. He's been out of the squad for a couple of years, but he has definitely worked his way back in through his runs at the domestic level. It's a really exciting opportunity for him to rejoin the side in a role at No. 3, which he has been filling for Canterbury back home. Nicholls was the leading run-scorer in the 2025-26 Plunket Shield season, scoring 870 runs at an average of 96.66 over 11 innings while batting at No. 3 and No. 4 for Canterbury. Latham believes the left-hander's ability to adjust makes him well-suited for the challenge. For most of his career, he has batted No. 4 or 5. But for Canterbury, he often bats No. 3 or 4 as well. The good thing about Henry is that he has always been able to adapt to different situations. This is a really exciting chance for him to try something new in Test cricket. Will Young, who performed well at No. 3 during New Zealand's historic series win in India in late 2024 when Williamson was injured, was also considered for the role. However, his inconsistent form lately and his late arrival in England after being called up as batting cover seem to have shifted the favour to Nicholls. The bigger topic remains Williamson's retirement, which came shortly after New Zealand lost the first Test at Lord's. Latham acknowledged that the dressing room felt the impact of this decision, even though it had been developing over time. Williamson had gradually reduced his international commitments over the past two years. It's been a long process, Latham said. Throughout his 16-year career, he's always given 100 percent during training and matches, showing the qualities of this team for a long time. For him to recognise that he can't give that same commitment is a testament to who he is, both as a player and a person. He's allowing someone else the chance to step up. Were obviously disappointed not to have him, but we appreciate everything he's done in his career. Williamson informed his teammates of his decision a few days after the Lord's Test, a moment Latham described as emotional. He spoke to the guys a few days after that Test, and it was a tough time. I'm sure everyone will reflect on how fortunate they are to have played with him. I certainly feel that way; I've been lucky to play most of my career alongside Kane. His contribution to this group and to individuals will certainly leave a lasting legacy. New Zealand is expected to make just one change to the side that suffered a heavy loss at Lord's, as long as fast bowler Matt Henry comes through training without issues after dealing with back spasms following his first spell in the previous Test. Williamson informed his teammates of his decision a few days after the Lord's Test, a moment Latham described as emotional. He spoke to the guys a few days after that Test, and it was a tough time. I'm sure everyone will reflect on how fortunate they are to have played with him. I certainly feel that way; I've been lucky to play most of my career alongside Kane. His contribution to this group and to individuals will certainly leave a lasting legacy. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite the significant loss at Lord's, Latham insisted that New Zealand remains confident going into The Oval Test and is not overreacting to a match played on a pitch later deemed unsatisfactory by the ICC. We did many things well at Lord's, Latham said. The pitch influenced the game a bit. We feel good, and just because one game didn't go our way doesn't mean we need to change everything. Article Source: IANS

Unchanged New Zealand opt to bat vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka made three changes to the side that lost to England on Friday

Women's T20 WC: New Zealand Elect To Bat Against Sri Lanka In Southampton

T20 World Cup: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the seventh match of Group 2 of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on Tuesday. After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr opted to bat first, citing similarities with the conditions from the previous match. Kerr felt the surface looked good for batting and backed her side to put up a strong total. While she expected the wicket to slow down slightly as the game progressed, she remained hopeful that it would stay true despite the reduced 40-over format. Reflecting on New Zealand's previous outing, Kerr admitted the team's fielding standards had slipped. She said dropped catches and inconsistent bowling had cost her side valuable runs, but stressed that it was not a skill issue. Backing the same playing XI, Kerr expressed confidence that her team could bounce back by improving their execution and intensity in the field. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu revealed that her side would have preferred to bowl first had they won the toss. However, she acknowledged the challenge of adapting to unfamiliar conditions and emphasised the importance of playing their best cricket regardless of the circumstances. Athapaththu also confirmed that Sri Lanka had made three changes to their playing XI. Looking ahead to the contest, she identified bowling discipline as the key area for improvement, saying her side needed to be more consistent with their line and length if they were to challenge New Zealand effectively. Playing XIs: Athapaththu also confirmed that Sri Lanka had made three changes to their playing XI. Looking ahead to the contest, she identified bowling discipline as the key area for improvement, saying her side needed to be more consistent with their line and length if they were to challenge New Zealand effectively. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand Women: Isabella Gaze (wk), Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr (c), Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing Article Source: IANS

BAN vs AUS 1st T20I: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

BAN vs AUS 1st T20I , Cricket Tips :The three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Australia ended in favor of the hosts. This was the first time that Bangladesh beat Australia in an ODI series since they started playing cricket. Now, these two sides will be up against each other in three T20Is. Litton Das has the responsibility to lead Bangladesh. He has done well as captain. On the other hand, after Australia's batting struggle, captain Mitchell Marsh is back, and Tim David, Aaron Hardie, and Nikhil Chaudhary have joined Australia. The visitors are looking good and they will be ready for this challenge in Bangladesh. BAN vs AUS: Match Details Date : June 17, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 1:30 PM IST Venue : Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram BAN vs AUS: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the first T20I on the FanCode mobile app or website. BAN vs AUS: Head-to-Head in ODIs Total Matches : 11 Bangladesh : 04 Australia : 07 No - result : 00 BAN vs AUS: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Chattogram is good for batting. This wicket has seen good T20 scores. Early on, batters can play their shots, but as the game goes on, the wicket will get slower. Hence, it can be hard to chase here in the second innings. BAN vs AUS: Possible XIs Bangladesh : Litton Das (c & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam. Australia : Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Inglis (wk), Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, Adam Zampa BAN vs AUS: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Mitchell Marsh and Litton Das will be key batters for both teams. Their aggressive approach makes him a difficult batter to bowl to. Probable Best Bowler Nathan Ellis is Australia's specialist bowler in this format, and he can bowl different types of slower ones. Mustafizur Rahman has been the go-to bowler for Bangladesh in T20Is. Today Match Prediction : Both teams are good in their own way. Australia's blistering batting gives them an edge. Hence, we predict Australia to win the first T20I. BAN vs AUS Match 1st T20I, Today Match BAN vs AUS, BAN vs AUS Prediction, BAN vs AUS Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Bangladesh vs Australia 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

After rainy Dharamsala, India and Afghanistan brace for Lucknow's heat

India won the first ODI against Afghanistan and are aiming to wrap up the series

2nd ODI: When And Where To Watch India Vs Afghanistan Clash, Know All Details

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: India will aim to secure the three-match ODI series when they face Afghanistan in the second ODI at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajyapaye Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday. The hosts began the series confidently, winning the rain-shortened opener in Dharamsala by seven wickets. Chasing 195 in a 25-over match, India achieved the target with 13 balls to spare after limiting Afghanistan to 194. Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey stood out with the ball as India's young attack put in a disciplined performance. With the series at stake, India might keep experimenting with different combinations as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Players like Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal still have a chance to make the playing XI. On the other hand, Afghanistan must win to keep the series alive before the final ODI on June 20. The visitors need a stronger batting effort after relying too much on Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first match. Their hopes with the ball will again depend on star spinners Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar. A slower surface in Lucknow could provide more help to Afghanistan's spin attack, making for an exciting matchup as India chases the series and the visitors strive to stay in it. When: July 17, Wednesday at 1:30 PM IST Where: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajyapaye Cricket Stadium, Lucknow Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and will be live-streamed on JioStar. The squads: Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and will be live-streamed on JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Bilal Sami, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Fareed Ahmad Malik, AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. Article Source: IANS

ENG vs NZ 2nd Test Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ENG vs NZ 2nd Test , Cricket Tips :England recorded an easy win by 115 runs in the first Test against New Zealand. But since then, a lot has changed. Kane Williamson has announced his international retirement, while Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been sidelined for disciplinary reasons from the English team. Joe Root has been appointed as captain for the second test, which will be played at Kennington Oval in London between June 17 and 21, starting at 3:30 PM IST. Jordan Cox and Jofra Archer have been added to the squad. For New Zealand, it will be a big shoe to fill for Williamson. But they have to produce a good result to level the series. ENG vs NZ: Match Details Date : June 17-21, 2026 (Wednesday-Sunday) Time : 3:30 PM IST Venue : Kennington Oval, London ENG vs NZ: Live Streaming Details The live action of the second test will be available on the Sony Sports Networks in India. Fans can also watch the game on the Sony LIV or FanCode mobile apps or websites. ENG vs NZ: Head-to-Head in Test Total Matches : 116 England : 55 New Zealand : 14 Drawn : 47 ENG vs NZ: Ground Pitch Report Kennington Oval offers a good surface for the fast bowlers. It has a green deck, which will allow the seamers to get the best support from the wicket. The batting will be challenging, and the more you stay, the better you can score. Batting first will be a good option for this game. ENG vs NZ: Possible XIs England : Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker New Zealand : Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Dean Foxcroft, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke ENG vs NZ: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Joe Root will lead England, and his numbers as captain are brilliant. For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra will be key, because he is in good form. Probable Best Bowler Nathan Smith and Ollie Robinson were two stand-out bowlers in the first game. They will like bowling at Kennington Oval. Today Match Prediction : England have a strong squad, and we predict them to win the second Test. ENG vs NZ Match 2nd Test, Today Match ENG vs NZ, ENG vs NZ Prediction, ENG vs NZ Predicted XIs, Injury Update for England vs New Zealand 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.

Womens T20 WC: Pakistan Fined For Maintaining Slow Over-rate Against India

Emirates ICC International Panel: Pakistan have been fined five per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Group A clash of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The two rivals squared off in a high-profile encounter on Sunday, but the Women in Blue handed a 64-run defeat to the Women in Blue. Trudy Anderson of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Pakistan were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Claire Polosak and Jacquline Williams, third umpire Eloise Sheridan and fourth umpire Sue Redfern levelled the charge, the ICC said in a statement. India began their campaign strongly, achieving a convincing 64-run win over rivals Pakistan in front of a record audience of 18,814. After losing key openers Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues early, the team found themselves at a fragile 18/2 but managed to recover. Smriti Mandhana led the charge with an outstanding, smooth 68 from 44 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes. She formed a crucial 91-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 36. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Claire Polosak and Jacquline Williams, third umpire Eloise Sheridan and fourth umpire Sue Redfern levelled the charge, the ICC said in a statement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Deepti Sharma was the clear star of the evening. She first weakened Pakistan by executing a precise run-out that dismissed Muneeba Ali (41), then dominated the batting lineup. Deepti ended with her best T20I figures of 5/10, earning the Player of the Match award. Spinner Shree Charani supported her excellently, taking 3/21. Pakistan experienced a severe collapse, losing their final 6 wickets for only 31 runs and being dismissed for 106 in the 17th over. Article Source: IANS

2nd ODI: Upbeat India Eye Series Win As Afghanistan Look For Batting Support For Gurbaz (Preview)

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: India will look to wrap up the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan when the teams meet in the second match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajyapaye Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday. Having secured a solid win in the rain-shortened opening ODI, India leads the series 1-0. Another victory would clinch the contest. However, with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching and about two dozen ODIs left before the tournament, the team management is taking every chance to try out combinations and evaluate players in various roles. India's bowling attack performed well in Dharamsala, and another strong showing would strengthen their hold on the series. In the pace department, debutant Gurnoor Brar impressed in the first match and is expected to get another chance, while fellow newcomer Prince Yadav awaits his opportunity. One major decision ahead of the second ODI is about Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist spinner was a regular in India's home ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, but he has struggled with his form lately. After a modest IPL season, he had a disappointing performance in the one-off Test and missed selection for India's recent T20I squads for the Ireland and England tours, as well as the Asian Games. Despite this, ODIs remain Kuldeep's best format, and his ability to take wickets in the middle overs may lead the team management to consider bringing him back into the lineup. Head coach Gautam Gambhirs preference for versatile players suggests that Washington Sundar will likely keep his spot, which may leave debutant Harsh Dubey at risk despite his impressive three-wicket haul in the opening ODI. Another player aiming for a spot is Yashasvi Jaiswal. With Virat Kohli sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the No. 3 position is open for experimentation. Ishan Kishan played in the opener, but Jaiswal's recent performances across formats have boosted his chances of making the XI. India will also look for a stronger performance from veteran opener Rohit Sharma, who was run out cheaply in the first ODI. Gill, on the other hand, will feel positive about how his team handled pressure and adjusted to the rain-affected conditions in Dharamsala. For Afghanistan, the task is clear--deliver a more complete batting performance. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's aggressive century was the highlight in the opening ODI, but he received little help from the rest of the batting lineup, leading to a less competitive total. The visitors will also hope that the conditions in Lucknow favour their strong spin attack. Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, and Mohammad Nabi struggled to apply consistent pressure on the Indian batsmen in Dharamsala, but a slower surface in Lucknow could work to their advantage. When: July 17, Wednesday at 1:30 PM IST Where: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajyapaye Cricket Stadium, Lucknow Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and will be live-streamed on JioStar. Squads: Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and will be live-streamed on JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Bilal Sami, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Fareed Ahmad Malik, AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. Article Source: IANS

Serena Williams to play doubles with sister Venus at Wimbledon

The Williams sisters are six-time doubles champions at Wimbledon, winning their last title on their most recent appearance together a decade ago

'Anger, Disbelief And Worry': Ben Stokes Saga Overshadows England's Revival

Ben Stokes' absence will cast a long shadow over England's bid to clinch a series victory against New Zealand when they face the Black Caps without their controversial captain this week. Stokes and Gus Atkinson were dropped for the second Test, which starts at the Oval on Wednesday, after the pair broke a midnight curfew by celebrating late into the night following England's series opening win at Lord's. The England and Wales Cricket Board are still investigating the incident in a London nightclub, which also involved Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa and reportedly ended with a member of the England's security staff being hit. Amid reports he could be stripped of the captaincy or even retire from international cricket, Stokes' England future has been plunged into doubt by the latest after-hours drama in his chaotic career. Stokes was cleared of charges of affray following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017, but missed an Ashes tour as a result of that incident. The 35-year-old also took a break from cricket in 2021 to prioritise his mental health. Stokes is one of the most dynamic players of his generation, but his brilliance has been marred by a self-destructive streak. His failure to appreciate the significance of being on his best behaviour after England's shambolic Ashes tour last winter does not reflect well. England were routed 4-1 in Australia, with their off-field behaviour criticised after players were seen drinking during a day off in Noosa between matches. Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand prior to the Australia leg of the tour, adding to the impression that England's players are out of control. That incident made it impossible for vice-captain Brook to replace Stokes this week, forcing to England ask Joe Root, who last captained his country in 2022, to serve as stand-in skipper. Rob Key, managing director of men's cricket at the ECB, couldn't hide his frustration about England's latest indiscretion when he spoke last week. - 'No rash decisions' - It's still very raw, certainly for Ben, (England head coach) Brendon (McCullum), myself, the ECB. Ben has been through a range of emotions, as you would do in this situation, he said. A lot of people have had phone calls where you're just in disbelief, then you get angry. There's a load of things and I'm still not sure I'm over those at the moment. Time is probably the best thing for all of us. Nobody wants to make any rash decisions. McCullum refused to be drawn on Stokes' chances of retaining the captaincy, instead focusing on the well-being of the all-rounder. Our concern is with Ben, our concern is handling that situation, making sure we look after him, that he feels supported by us and in communication with us, he told reporters at a sombre press conference on Monday. I'm worried about Ben. I'll leave it at that. Those other things will work out down the line. New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra insisted England's travails mean nothing to his side as they look to bouncing back after a 115-run thrashing on a treacherous pitch in the first Test. The Black Caps are dealing with a surprise absence of their own after Kane Williamson abruptly retired from international cricket. The 35-year-old -- New Zealand's all-time record run scorer across all formats -- featured in the first Test but will play no further part in the three-match series. There's a few things going on. It's always interesting when you are the other team and you hear news like that, Ravindra said of England's issues. But honestly we are just focused on us. Whatever happens with them, we are focusing on our cricket. Tarnished by their exiled captain's lack of restraint, it will take some time for England to restore their reputation in the eyes of the cricket public. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The long road to redemption starts at the Oval.

Womens T20 WC: Redemption On The Line As Pakistan, South Africa Seek First Points (Preview)

T20 WC: Edgbaston hosts a high-stakes Group A fixture on Wednesday as Pakistan take on South Africa, with both sides looking to recover from bruising opening-round defeats and keep their semifinal hopes alive. Neither side found answers in their tournament opener. Pakistan were swept aside by India, while South Africa were comprehensively beaten by Australia, leaving both searching for an immediate response in Birmingham. Batting remains the biggest concern. Pakistan managed only 106 in reply to India's imposing total, with Muneeba Ali's 41 accounting for much of the resistance. South Africa fared little better, posting 107, as Laura Wolvaardt's 44 and Nadine de Klerk's 25 proved insufficient against relentless Australian pressure. A recurring theme in both defeats was the inability to handle spin. Deepti Sharma's career-best five-wicket haul exposed Pakistan's fragile middle order, while Australia's quartet of Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner overwhelmed South Africa. Wednesday's contest is unlikely to offer any respite. Pakistan possess two of the world's leading spinners in Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu, while South Africa's attack is spearheaded by Nonkululeko Mlaba. How each batting lineup negotiates the middle overs could determine the result. Pakistan also arrive with modest recent numbers, having won only seven of their last 20 T20Is. South Africa, by contrast, came into the World Cup as finalists from the previous three ICC global tournaments, making their opening setback an unexpected one. With India and Australia already establishing early control of the group, this fixture represents an opportunity to reset the campaign or risk falling dangerously behind. When: Wednesday, June 17, 11:00 PM IST Where: Edgbaston, Birmingham Where to watch: The SA vs PAK match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The SA vs PAK match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tasmia Rubab Article Source: IANS

'My Goal Was To Break The Partnership,' Says Kartik Parihar After 3/29 Spell For Gwalior Cheetahs

Madhya Pradesh League: Kartik Parihar emerged as the standout performer with the ball for Gwalior Cheetahs in a high-scoring Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 clash against Rewa Jaguars, finishing with impressive figures of 3/29 despite the batting-friendly conditions at the Holkar Stadium on Monday. Alongside him, Parth Chaudharys explosive 61 off just 27 balls gave Gwalior Cheetahs early momentum in the chase and further strengthened his sensational run in the MPL 2026, where he currently leads the scoring charts with 420 runs in just five innings at a staggering strike rate of 196.26. Speaking after the game, Kartik highlighted his clear mindset as he stepped into the attack at a crucial stage of the innings. My approach was to dominate and fulfil the role given to me by my coach and captain for the team. When I came on to bowl, Akshat and Arham had already built a strong partnership. I wasnt thinking about the scoreboard or how the pitch was playing my goal was simply to break their partnership and shift the momentum for my team, he said. The young pacer admitted that dismissing Akshat Raghuvanshi was the biggest moment of his spell. Akshat Raghuvanshis wicket gave me the most satisfaction because everyone knows what he can do for his team. If he stays at the crease, he can create a massive impact on the game, Kartik added. Kartik also credited the support staff and leadership group of the JKC Sports-owned Gwalior Cheetahs for helping him execute his plans effectively in difficult conditions. Akshat Raghuvanshis wicket gave me the most satisfaction because everyone knows what he can do for his team. If he stays at the crease, he can create a massive impact on the game, Kartik added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite the result not going in favour of Gwalior Cheetahs, Kartik remains confident heading into the remainder of the tournament. Of course, the result didnt go our way as a team, but I can definitely take confidence from my spell going into the upcoming matches of this tournament, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

ICC Rankings: Matthews Regains No.1 All-rounder Spot As Deepti, Charani Make Big Gains

T20 World Cup: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Womens T20I all-rounder rankings, while India stars Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani registered significant gains in the list following their impressive performances in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 opener. Deepti climbed two places to third in the T20I all-rounders rankings after her match-winning spell of 5/10 against Pakistan at Edgbaston. The off-spinning all-rounder was instrumental in Indias victory and now sits behind West Indies captain Hayley Matthews and New Zealand skipper Melie Kerr in the standings. Matthews reclaimed the No.1 position among T20I all-rounders after producing a fine all-round display in West Indies seven-wicket win over New Zealand. The Caribbean skipper scored 48 runs and claimed the wicket of former White Ferns captain Sophie Devine, overtaking Kerr at the summit. India also enjoyed major gains in the T20I bowling rankings, where left-arm spinner Shree Charani surged five places to a career-best second position. Charani is now just five rating points behind England spinner Linsey Smith, who continues to hold the No.1 ranking. Deepti was another big mover in the bowling charts, jumping five places to fifth and strengthening Indias presence among the worlds leading T20I bowlers. The race for the top bowling ranking remains extremely close, with only 20 rating points separating the top eight bowlers. Elsewhere, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce moved up seven places to re-enter the top 10 of the all-rounders rankings at 10th following her Player of the Match performance against Ireland. New Zealand pacer Jess Kerr, Scotland spinner Katherine Fraser and Bryce also made gains in the bowling rankings. The race for the top bowling ranking remains extremely close, with only 20 rating points separating the top eight bowlers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australias Phoebe Litchfield climbed four places to a career-best 10th after her half-century against South Africa, while England veteran Danni Wyatt-Hodge jumped six spots to 14th following her century against Sri Lanka in the tournament opener. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: When And Where To Watch IND Vs NED, Know All Details

T20 World Cup: Confidence is firmly with India heading into their second Group A fixture of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup, against the Netherlands, after producing one of the most complete performances of the opening round. Their 170 against Pakistan was built on contributions across the order rather than individual brilliance alone. Smriti Mandhana led the charge with an attacking 68, Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the middle overs, and Richa Ghosh's explosive finish left Pakistan chasing a daunting target. The Netherlands will need a significant improvement after falling short against Bangladesh. Babette de Leede's measured fifty held the innings together, but the top order failed to capitalise on the powerplay, leaving too much work for the middle order. Bowling remains the visitors' stronger suit. Veteran seamer Iris Zwilling was economical despite going wicketless in the opener, while Caroline de Lange impressed with figures of 2 for 27. Even so, the Dutch attack will need greater support to contain India's deep batting lineup. India's biggest weapon, however, could again be their spin attack. Deepti Sharma was virtually unplayable in the opener, claiming 5 for 10 with a masterclass in flight and control. Shree Charani added three wickets of her own, while Renuka Singh Thakur and Radha Yadav provided balance to the attack across all phases of the innings. The middle overs could ultimately determine the outcome for the Netherlands. India's experienced spinners are expected to test a batting unit with limited exposure to off-spin of Deepti Sharma's quality, while another convincing win would further strengthen India's net run rate in a tightly contested group. When: Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 PM IST Where: Headingley, Leeds Where to watch: The IND vs NED match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The IND vs NED match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Netherlands: Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frdrique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: Spin Challenge Awaits Netherlands After India's Emphatic Opening Statement (Preview)

T20 World Cup: An in-form India will look to continue their winning momentum in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup when they face debutants Netherlands in their upcoming clash in Leeds on Wednesday. India couldn't have asked for a stronger start to their World Cup campaign. A commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan not only earned two crucial points but also underlined their credentials as one of the tournament favourites. The batting unit clicked from the outset, with Smriti Mandhana setting the tone through a sparkling 68 off 44 deliveries. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur ensured the innings never lost direction with a composed 36 before Richa Ghosh's 34 from just 17 balls powered India to a formidable 170. If the batting impressed, the bowling completely dismantled Pakistan. Deepti Sharma delivered a spell for the ages, returning figures of 5 for 10 to become the leading wicket-taker in T20Is. Shree Charani complemented her brilliantly with 3 for 21, while Renuka Singh Thakur's new-ball threat and Radha Yadav's left-arm spin provide India with a varied attack. The Netherlands enter the contest after a six-wicket defeat to Bangladesh despite posting 139 for 8. Captain Babette de Leede stood tall with a fighting half-century, but the rest of the batting order struggled to build meaningful partnerships. The Dutch will also hope openers Heather Siegers and Phebe Molkenboer can provide a stronger platform. On the bowling front, Iris Zwilling continues to be the standout performer after becoming the first Netherlands player to reach 100 T20I wickets. Caroline de Lange claimed two wickets in the opener, but the attack lacked the penetration needed to defend a competitive total. With net run rate likely to play a decisive role in Group A, India will be targeting another emphatic victory while the Netherlands search for their first points. When: Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 PM IST Where: Headingley, Leeds Where to watch: The IND vs NED match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The IND vs NED match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Netherlands: Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frdrique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis Article Source: IANS

IPL Scouts From MI, RCB Arrive In Ranchi To Track Talent At Jharkhand T20 Cricket League

JSCA President Ajay Nath Shah: The inaugural Jharkhand T20 Cricket League continues to gather momentum as a key platform for emerging cricketers, with talent scouts from Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) arriving in Ranchi to assess promising players. The presence of former India wicketkeeper-batter Naman Ojha, representing MI, and domestic cricket veteran Gokul Sharma, representing RCB, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex underlined the growing stature of the competition and its potential role in identifying future IPL talent. The league has enjoyed a successful debut season since its launch in the presence of India's World Cup-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The tournament has attracted significant attention from cricket followers across the country while also securing strong corporate support. The competition has also become an important showcase for Jharkhand's emerging cricket talent. Following the state's historic triumph in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which helped opener Ishan Kishan return to the national setup, several young players have impressed during the tournament. Cricketers such as Sharandeep Singh, Rajandeep Singh, Prince Anurag Murmu and Suprieyo Chakraborty have emerged as standout performers with a series of impactful displays. Naman Ojha spoke highly of both the organisation of the tournament and the quality of players on display. The tournament is being organized in a phenomenal manner here in Jharkhand. Even the quality of the wickets is excellent. There is a fine coverage of grass on the pitch which offers genuine assistance to the bowlers. The raw talent pool here is immense. You can see the hunger in these players, they possess the drive required to elevate their careers to the next level. Gokul Sharma said RCB had begun its scouting process early as the franchise seeks to strengthen its domestic talent pool. We had a strong last season, but we remain highly focused on infusing fresh, high-quality domestic talent into our setup. We initiated our scouting operations almost immediately. Having seasoned stalwarts like Saurabh Tiwary and Shahbaz Nadeem actively embedded within the association's ecosystem ensures that the local game will inherently thrive and grow. For the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA), the arrival of IPL scouts is a significant validation of the league's objectives. JSCA President Ajay Nath Shah Deo described the tournament as a landmark development for cricket in the state. This league marks a significant milestone in Jharkhand cricket. We are excited to witness the best talent from the state compete at a professional level and inspire the next generation of cricketers. Our primary objective has been to give our home-grown players a top-tier platform to reach the highest echelons of the sport. JSCA Secretary and former India cricketer Saurabh Tiwary highlighted the opportunities being created for young players. The Jharkhand T20 Cricket League creates immense opportunities for young players to showcase their abilities alongside experienced campaigners. It is a massive milestone for our domestic cricketers to perform live in front of decision-makers from top IPL franchises. This exposure bridges the gap to trial invitations. When these scouts witness you performing under pressure in real time, it drastically accelerates the pathway to receiving official franchise call-ups. JSCA Secretary and former India cricketer Saurabh Tiwary highlighted the opportunities being created for young players. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We are confident that the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League will continue to provide fans with weeks of thrilling, highly competitive cricket while creating truly valuable opportunities for emerging talent. Having icons like MS Dhoni support us, and IPL selectors watch from the stands guarantees that our grassroots cricketers are being noticed at the right time. Article Source: IANS

Marsh boost for Australia as T20I rebuild begins in Bangladesh

Bangladesh have retained the pace attack that caused problems in the ODIs but face a tricky selection call

Women's T20 WC: When And Where To Watch AUS Vs BAN, Know All Details

Sharmin Akter Supta: A shift in venue could force Australia's first major selection decision of the tournament when they meet Bangladesh at Headingley. The defending champions relied exclusively on spin to dominate South Africa at Old Trafford, fielding Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham and Alana King together. With Leeds expected to be less favourable for slow bowlers, experienced pacer Megan Schutt is firmly in contention to bolster the attack. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have little reason to alter a winning formula. They opened their campaign with a controlled six-wicket victory over the Netherlands, with debutant opener Juairiya Ferdous laying the platform through a fluent fifty before Sharmin Akter Supta finished the chase. The result continued Bangladesh's upward trajectory after recovering from consecutive defeats, as they won their final three matches in the tri-series involving Scotland and the Netherlands before the World Cup. Australia, however, have been equally impressive. Before outclassing South Africa in Manchester, they completed a 3-0 clean sweep of the West Indies, their only recent setback being a home T20 series loss to India. Past meetings also point towards Australian dominance. They comfortably defeated Bangladesh in Canberra during the 2020 edition after Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney combined for a century opening stand. In 2023, Georgia Wareham's three-wicket haul restricted Bangladesh to 107 before Meg Lanning anchored a straightforward chase with an unbeaten 48. With Australia leading Group 1 on net run rate and Bangladesh also off to a winning start, both teams have the opportunity to strengthen their positions before the competition enters its decisive phase. When: Wednesday, June 17, 3:00 PM IST Where: Headingley, Leeds Where to watch: The AUS vs BAN match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Squads: Where to watch: The AUS vs BAN match will be broadcast on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar live-streaming the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Taj Nehar Article Source: IANS

'You Have To Be Open To Changing Plans': Harsh Dubey On His Mindset Behind Dream Debut

Emerging Asia Cup: Making an international debut is often described as a whirlwind of emotions, but for Harsh Dubey, composure proved as important as preparation. The left-arm spinner, who recently earned his maiden India cap, revealed that adaptability, rather than sticking rigidly to pre-match strategies, was key to helping him settle into international cricket. Reflecting on his approach to the game, Dubey stressed that planning before the match only goes so far, with in-game decisions often determining success. In our team meetings, we discuss the kinds of shots a player might play and the areas in which he is strong. At the end of the day, we can only try because he is a batter and has more opportunities to score runs and in ODIs, there is one more fielder inside the ring. So, I tend to go with my gut feel more often than not. For example, with the first wicket I got, their captain, I knew that if I bowled a bit quicker, it would be easier for him to hit. So, based on that situation, I moved away from the plan slightly and it worked. You should stick to your plans, but not be rigid in thinking they will always work. You have to be open to changing them according to the match situation and the conditions, he told JioStar. The debut itself, however, was far from flawless. Dubey admitted his opening over did not unfold the way he had imagined, forcing him to reassess quickly instead of dwelling on the setback. I found out the previous evening before the practice that I was making my debut. I actually slept well, not thinking about the match too much. The first over didn't go as well as I would have liked. I was trying to stick to my strengths, but things don't always go according to plan. After that first over, I was thinking about what I could do better, what lengths, speed or trajectory I could bowl that would work on that wicket, he added. That ability to reset mentally, he believes, has become an increasingly important aspect of his cricket as his career has progressed. Rather than focusing only on technical improvements, Dubey has made mental readiness the cornerstone of his preparation, ensuring he is equipped for opportunities across formats whenever they arise. After a certain age, I feel the preparation becomes more mental; it's about how you prepare yourself for every situation because you have to be ready for an opportunity at any time. During the off-season, I kept that in mind and practised with both the red ball and the white ball so that I am prepared, irrespective of the format. Since I didn't get a chance to play in the Test match, my focus was on doing well in the ODIs. I spoke to my coaches and worked on my bowling and fielding, and those things really helped, Dubey stated. That ability to reset mentally, he believes, has become an increasingly important aspect of his cricket as his career has progressed. Rather than focusing only on technical improvements, Dubey has made mental readiness the cornerstone of his preparation, ensuring he is equipped for opportunities across formats whenever they arise. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Obviously, those things help because you come through a system after performing in domestic cricket. Then you get an opportunity in the IPL, where you are part of a good environment and share the dressing room with international players. Those experiences really help because, eventually, the more you communicate with senior players, the more you learn, and that is beneficial going forward. I got those opportunities while playing for India A in the Emerging Asia Cup and then in the IPL, and I kept improving step by step. Those opportunities certainly helped me feel a little more at ease before the debut. There were definitely nerves, but not as much, he noted. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: Team India Reach Leeds For Second Group Clash Against Netherlands

Renuka Singh Thakur: Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India reached Leeds for their second group stage clash against the Netherlands, scheduled to be played on Wednesday at Headingley. The Women in Blue are coming off an emphatic win in their campaign opener, beating arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs. The team took a bus from Birmingham to Headingley, enjoying some scenic views and coffee on the go. The BCCI shared a video of their travel on X, where Jemimah Rodrigues, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, and Shafali Varma, among other members of the team, shared their thoughts about their teammates. Asked to say two best things about Arundhatti Reddy, Smriti said, She has that fire in her, she also keeps motivating me to do the right things in terms of preps and doing the right things on the ground. Arundhatti, speaking of the Indian vice-captain, said, The one good thing about her is that every place that I eat when I come abroad is chosen by her and most often than not they turn out to be great food. So if anybody wants to know where to go and what to wat, get in touch with her. Jemimah was asked what she likes about Shreyanka, to which she replied, The thing I love about Shrey is that shes really caring; she looks after the people shes around. Arundhatti, speaking of the Indian vice-captain, said, The one good thing about her is that every place that I eat when I come abroad is chosen by her and most often than not they turn out to be great food. So if anybody wants to know where to go and what to wat, get in touch with her. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In the video, Shafali revealed that pacer Renuka Singh Thakur loves soft toys, while Deepti Sharma said that wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh has all the knowledge about a country or a city wherever theyre travelling. Article Source: IANS

Mandhana and Bavuma feature in TIME magazine's power list

Smriti Mandhana and Temba Bavuma are the only cricketers to figure in The 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list published by TIME magazine

Ashok Sharma Replaces Injured Yudhvir Singh In India A Squad For 50-over Tri-series

The BCCI Medical Team: Pacer Ashok Sharma has replaced injured Yudhvir Singh in the India A squad that is currently playing the 50over triseries against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A in Dambulla. The Mens Selection Committee has named Ashok Sharma as a replacement for Yudhvir Singh in the India A squad for the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka. Yudhvir reported discomfort in his right shoulder while bowling on 13th June and also experienced similar pain earlier during a fielding session on 11th June, the BCCI said in a statement. The BCCI Medical Team, after consultation with a specialist, recommended that Yudhvir undergo a graduated rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) to achieve a full recovery from the right rotator cuff injury, the statement added. Ashok made a noticeable impact in IPL 2026 with his fast bowling, taking six wickets over six matches for the Gujarat Titans, who finished as runners-up. He first gained attention in the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he was the top wicket-taker with 22 wickets in ten games. This development follows Ashok's confirmed switch from Rajasthan to Gujarat for the upcoming domestic season. He is the second player after India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi to transfer from Rajasthan to Gujarat in domestic cricket. Ashok will be playing domestic cricket from Gujarat and has got the NOC. That's really good for the teams set-up, considering he has been in good form and even clocked a 154.2 kmph delivery in IPL 2026, sources told IANS. This development follows Ashok's confirmed switch from Rajasthan to Gujarat for the upcoming domestic season. He is the second player after India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi to transfer from Rajasthan to Gujarat in domestic cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Updated India A squad for tri-series: Tilak Varma (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, Anukul Roy, Ashok Sharma Article Source: IANS

Melbourne Stars, Renegades likely to exist for another BBL season

While some progress has been made in the privatisation process there remains significant uncertainty over the timeline

India A call up Ashok Sharma to replace the injured Yudhvir Singh

Ashok Sharma, the tearaway quick, will be representing Gujarat in the upcoming domestic season after securing an NOC from Rajasthan

Walter century hunts down Foxes to send Essex top

Combative opening knock makes light work of 215-run target at Grace Road

IND vs AFG 2nd ODI Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

IND vs AFG 2nd ODI , Cricket Tips :The first ODI between India and Afghanistan was interrupted due to rain and was shortened to 25 overs per team. Afghanistan reached 194, courtesy of a record-breaking 48-ball century by Rahmanullah Gurbaz. He scored 102 off just 51 balls and played a blinder. But his knock went in vain. Captain Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls to take India home. He was equally supported by Ishan Kishan (34 off 22) and KL Rahul (39* off 19). Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey made their debuts and picked up three wickets each. Now, India will take on Afghanistan in the second ODI on Wednesday at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow at 1:30 PM IST. IND vs AFG: Match Details Date : June 17, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 1:30 PM IST Venue : Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow IND vs AFG: Live Streaming Details Fans can watch the second ODI on the Star Sports networks, and the live stream will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head in ODIs Total Matches : 05 India : 04 Afghanistan : 00 Drawn : 01 IND vs AFG: Ground Pitch Report Ekana Stadium offers a slow deck, which tends to help the spinners more. But as seen in the recent IPL 2026, the wicket was playing well for the batters. So, we can expect a good batting track for this game on Wednesday. IND vs AFG: Possible XIs India : Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna Afghanistan : Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, AM Ghazanfar, Fareed Malik, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi IND vs AFG: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shubman Gill and Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed their good form in the first game. They will be big wickets for the opposition. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh will be effective with the new ball and is taking wickets for India. For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan will love bowling in Lucknow because he will get good purchase. Today Match Prediction :Afghanistan are overly dependent on 1-2 batters, which was evident in the first game. We predict India to beat them in the second ODI. IND vs AFG Match 2nd ODI, Today Match IND vs AFG, IND vs AFG Prediction, IND vs AFG Predicted XIs, Injury Update for India vs Afghanistan 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.

Bengal T20 League: Royal Tigers Script First Win; Smashers Malda Cruise Past Howrah Warriors (Ld)

Kolkata Royal Tigers: Riding on Sourav Halder's hat-trick, Kolkata Royal Tigers bagged their first victory in Season 3 of the Bengal T20 League after a hard-fought one-run win over Servotech Siliguri Strikers at Eden Gardens on Monday. Asked to bat first, Royal Tigers posted 147/9 in 20 overs. Abishek Porel (76 off 53) and Ritwik Roy Chowdhury (33 off 27) were the pick of the batters. For Siliguri Strikers, Ishan Porel (3-24), Geet Puri (2-28), and Kaushik Maity (2-17) were the star bowlers. Chasing the target, Karan (46 off 35) and Sudip Chatterjee (35 off 31) gave Siliguri Strikers a fine start. Vishal Bhati (18 off 15) also chipped in with a handy knock. Against the run of play, Sourav brought Royal Tigers back into the game in the 13th over, dismissing Vishal off the fourth ball, followed by Snehasish Saha (0) and Badal Singh Balyan (0) off the fifth and sixth balls respectively to become the second bowler to bag a hat-trick in the league's history after Md Shami's feat earlier in the tournament this season. Despite the quick wickets, Pramod Chandila (35 off 23) gave Siliguri Strikers some hope, but Sayan bagged two crucial wickets in the final over to help the team script its first win. Siliguri Strikers fell short, scoring 146/7 in 20 overs. Sourav was the star bowler for Royal Tigers, bagging 4 for 22, while Sayan Ghosh (2-25) and Ashutosh Kumar (1-25) also impressed. Convincing win for Malda In the second match of the day, Sobisco Smashers Malda registered a convincing eight-wicket victory over Adamas Howrah Warriors. Batting first, Adamas Howrah Warriors posted 132 in 20 overs, with Shashank Singh top-scoring with a fighting 60. For Malda, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal starred with the ball, claiming four wickets, while Mukesh Kumar chipped in with three. In reply, Malda chased down the target comfortably, reaching 136/2 in just 13.4 overs. Abhimanyu Easwaran anchored the innings with a composed 58 off 37 deliveries, while Akhil provided the early impetus with a brisk 41 off 21 balls as Malda cruised to victory with plenty of overs to spare. Brief scores: Adamas Howrah Warriors vs Sobisco Smashers Malda Adamas Howrah Warriors 132 all out (20 overs) lost to Sobisco Smashers Malda: 136/2 (13.4 overs) by 8 wickets. Adamas Howrah Warriors vs Sobisco Smashers Malda Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kolkata Royal Tigers 147/9 (20 overs) beat Servotech Siliguri Strikers 146/7 (20 overs) by 1 run Article Source: IANS

Harrison hammers Northants home despite Bracey heroics

Unbeaten 92 trumps unbeaten 148 as Gloucestershire are undone

Women's T20 WC: We Will Start From Zero, Says England's Lauren Bell Ahead Of Ireland Clashv

T20 World Cup: As they get ready for their second match in Group B against Ireland in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Hampshire Bowl on Tuesday, England top pacer Lauren Bell said they will be starting from zero despite making a winning start in their campaign. England Women opened their campaign with a comprehensive 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in the tournament opener in Birmingham on Friday, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge slamming an unbeaten 105 and Amy Jones stroking 53 off 38 balls. In contrast, Ireland went down to Scotland by 49 runs at Old Trafford in Manchester. Bell said it was good to start with a win, but they will try to start at zero and bring the same energy as in their opener. Yeah, definitely. I think we couldn't have been happier with how Friday night went, especially with it being the opening game. And yeah, it sets us in a good place. But yeah, you've got to go again, start from zero, and yeah, bring the same energy as we had on Friday, said Lauren Bell in the pre-match press conference. Lauren Bell said England want to continue doing well, but are not thinking about maintaining momentum and a high net run rate (NRR), and avoid losing out on that aspect as they did in 2024. No, no, that's not a conversation. The main thing is just to play a really good brand of cricket and win matches. I think tomorrow night is a reset, and we go again. We're really happy with how Friday night went. But yeah, it's a new game of cricket, and we'll just try and do everything we can to play a really good game of cricket and try and get another win, she said. The 25-year-old right-handed medium pacer said she is happy with her form this summer and elated to take wickets in the Power-play. Yeah, I feel really happy with where I'm at and my role in this team. I think, yeah, I'm obviously in it to take powerplay wickets and come back at the death. And yeah, I feel like I'm happy with where I'm at and how it's all going, said Bell. The 25-year-old right-handed medium pacer said she is happy with her form this summer and elated to take wickets in the Power-play. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I've bowled at these players plenty of times. A team like Ireland, you do have to do a little bit of research on who they are and how they might line up, but ultimately, in the same way I prep for any team, I know my strengths, I know my plans, and a lot of the time I don't fare too far off from what I do best and what my strengths are, she added. Article Source: IANS

Hain leads Warwickshire rearguard as Yorkshire are denied

Hill's early wickets can't set up victory push at Headingley

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi And Tilak Varma Get Into A Verbal Fight With Sri Lanka A Players In Super Over Drama

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and India A' captain Tilak Varma found themselves at the centre of ugly scenes as tempers flared during and after their dramatic Super Over defeat to Sri Lanka 'A' in the tri-series clash at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Monday. What started as an exciting match ended in controversy, with debates over whether to play a Super Over. There were disagreements about a key no-ball decision and an apparent altercation involving 15-year-old Sooryavanshi after Sri Lanka 'A' won the match. The match ended in a tie when Sri Lanka A matched India A's score of 265 on the last ball. However, uncertainty arose about whether fading light would permit a Super Over. Tilak quickly approached the on-field umpires and engaged in lengthy discussions, using animated gestures while arguing that the tie-breaker should go ahead. Several India 'A' players joined in, and members of the Indian support staff also got involved before officials eventually agreed to proceed with the Super Over. The drama intensified after Sri Lanka A finished their over. Arshad Khan bowled a waist-high full toss on the last ball without any runs coming in. Players had started to leave the field, and Sooryavanshi was padded up and ready to bat when the umpires declared it a no-ball. This decision led to another heated conversation, with Tilak again seeking clarification from the officials. The India A captain remained in a lengthy discussion, and the delay only raised tensions further. The situation escalated after the match. Sooryavanshi, who scored five runs from the two balls he faced in the Super Over, looked noticeably frustrated as he walked past the celebrating Sri Lankan players. TV footage seemed to show him making contact with one of the players before being pushed away by others. The young player, who is close to making his senior India debut on the upcoming T20I tour of Ireland, was also seen exchanging words with Sri Lankan players before finally leaving the field. The controversy overshadowed a thrilling match in which India A made a remarkable recovery earlier in the day. At 143 for seven, India A seemed headed for a low total until Suyansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam put together a vital 104-run partnership for the eighth wicket. However, India 'A' later lost 10 runs due to a costly mistake by Vipraj during that partnership, a penalty that ultimately impacted the result. The situation escalated after the match. Sooryavanshi, who scored five runs from the two balls he faced in the Super Over, looked noticeably frustrated as he walked past the celebrating Sri Lankan players. TV footage seemed to show him making contact with one of the players before being pushed away by others. The young player, who is close to making his senior India debut on the upcoming T20I tour of Ireland, was also seen exchanging words with Sri Lankan players before finally leaving the field. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This victory pushed Sri Lanka A to the top of the points table and brought them closer to a spot in the final. Article Source: IANS

Bell vows to 'bring the energy' as England face Ireland's call

Fast bowler embraces prospect of home-ground outing after enthusiastic support at Edgbaston

No Central Contracts For Pak Cricketers Failing To Turn Up For Domestic Cricket: PCB

T20I World Cup: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has warned the countrys cricketers that they will not be handed central contracts if they do not play domestic events, as the board unveiled a radical formula for the annual payments, a news report said on Monday. The new central contract model for 2026 replaced the traditional A, B, C, D categories with five format-based tracks, which the Pakistan Cricket Board claimed was a world-first structure in cricket, according to a report in Telecom Asia Sport. Pakistans recent fall in Tests has prompted former players to suggest to the PCB that it make it mandatory for players to participate in domestic cricket, especially the first-class four-day matches, as it will help groom players for international challenges. Pakistan finished ninth and last in the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) and lags eighth in the fourth cycle after a humiliating 2-0 defeat in Bangladesh, followed by a defeat at the same margin to the same team in 2024. Pakistans performances in the International Cricket Council (ICC) events are also poor as they crashed out of the T20I World Cup 2024, ODI World Cup 2023, and the Champions Trophy 2025 in the first round. Pakistan also failed to qualify for the semi-final of the T20I World Cup this year. To lift our standards, we want all the top players to compete in domestic cricket, and those who do not feature in first-class events will not get the central contracts, said Naqvi, according to the report in www.telecomasia.net. The new formula is also backed by Pakistan's white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, who said impactful performances will now be given more weightage. This is a data-driven formula, and it will give players with impactful performances their rightful value, said Hesson. The top format, named Track AB, will be for those who play Tests and ODIs, while Track A will be for dedicated Test-playing cricketers. Those who play Tests only will be given added incentives and permission to play overseas first-class cricket to strengthen red-ball development, said Aqib Javed, the director of High Performance. The new framework aims to protect Test cricket and bring more transparency and fairness to contract decisions. The top format, named Track AB, will be for those who play Tests and ODIs, while Track A will be for dedicated Test-playing cricketers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The players who undergo development at the High Performance academy will get a Track D contract. Article Source: IANS

McCullum Admits To Being 'worried' About Stokes' Wellbeing After Nightclub Incident

Wales Cricket Board: England head coach Brendon McCullum has admitted that he is worried about the well-being of Ben Stokes after the regular skipper was dropped for the second Test against New Zealand following a latenight nightclub incident. Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson were excluded for the second Test after breaching a midnight curfew in the aftermath of Englands victory at Lords. The altercation, involving a Saracens club rugby player, is currently under an internal investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). When I first found out, I was slightly bewildered. You go through a range of emotions. You go from being bewildered, to angry, to gutted. From the progress that we talked about and discussed over these six months, and what we're trying to do, and the improvements we want to make, which includes the standards we set for ourselves. To hear about this was incredibly gutting. Quickly, through talking to Ben and Gus, my emotion turned to worry and concern -- for Ben in particular -- and how we support these guys. That's not overlooking the fact they haven't lived up to the standards we set for ourselves, said McCullum in the press conference. Asked if the incident was serious enough to cost Stokes the captaincy, McCullum paused before replying. I'm worried about Ben. That's it. I'll leave it at that. We need to go through a process. I look at the time, the last four years I've worked intimately with Ben. I've seen Ben be an unbelievable captain. I've seen him at his absolute best as a captain, his best as a player. He's helped shape this environment over the last four years. He's had some incredible success doing it, and I feel very lucky that during that time, we have worked so closely together. What will be will be down the line. Those decisions are not for now. Asked if the incident was serious enough to cost Stokes the captaincy, McCullum paused before replying. I'm worried about Ben. That's it. I'll leave it at that. We need to go through a process. I look at the time, the last four years I've worked intimately with Ben. I've seen Ben be an unbelievable captain. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There's been a range of emotions Ben has gone through. I am not going to share those with you. That's out of respect for our relationship and the confidentiality of it as well. I care about Ben and want to make sure we are doing the right thing by him. Ultimately, doing the right thing by the team also, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Sooryavanshi, Halambage in heated exchange after Super-Over finish

Tempers flared after Sri Lanka A edged India A in a Super Over in Dambulla

Sri Lanka A deny Sooryavanshi, Shedge in dramatic Super Over thriller

Kugadas Mathulan defended 17 in the Super Over after Sadeera Samarawickrama's 93 helped Sri Lanka A tie the game in 50 overs

PCB to switch to formats-based central contract system

The new structure will no longer have players in four categories from A to D, and will be classified by which format they are deemed to specialise in

McCullum 'worried' about Stokes' wellbeing after being stood down by England

Head coach stops short of saying Ben Stokes could return as captain after investigations into night out are complete

Bengal T20 League: Sourav Halder's Hat-trick Helps Royal Tigers Earn First Victory Of Season 3

Bengal T20 League Season: Riding on Sourav Halder's hat-trick, Kolkata Royal Tigers bagged their first victory of the Bengal T20 League Season 3 after a hard-fought one-run win over Servotech Siliguri Strikers at Eden Gardens on Monday. Put in to bat, Royal Tigers posted 147/9 in 20 overs. Abishek Porel (76 off 53) and Ritwik Roy Chowdhury (33 off 27) were the pick of the batters. For Siliguri Strikers, Ishan Porel (3-24), Geet Puri (2-28), and Kaushik Maity (2-17) were the star bowlers. Chasing the target, Karan (46 off 35) and Sudip Chatterjee (35 off 31) gave Siliguri Strikers a fine start. Vishal Bhati (18 off 15) also chipped in with a handy knock. Against the run of play, Sourav brought Royal Tigers back into the game in the 13th over, dismissing Vishal off the fourth ball, followed by Snehasish Saha (0) and Badal Singh Balyan (0) off the fifth and sixth balls respectively to become the second bowler to bag a hat-trick in the league's history after Md Shami's feat earlier in the tournament this season. Despite the quick wickets, Pramod Chandila (35 off 23) gave Siliguri Strikers some hope, but Sayan bagged two crucial wickets in the final over to help the team script its first win. Siliguri Strikers fell short, scoring 146/7 in 20 overs. Sourav Halder was the star bowler for Royal Tigers, bagging 4 for 22, while Sayan Ghosh (2-25) and Ashutosh Kumar (1-25) also impressed. The Bengal T20 League is a franchise-based T20 cricket competition organised under the aegis of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Now in its third season, the league features eight city-based franchises representing the breadth of West Bengal - Adamas Howrah Warriors, Novus Royals Purulia, Kolkata Royal Tigers, Murshidabad Kings & Kueens, Rashmi Nes Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Rarh Tigers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda competing across men's and women's competitions. Men's matches are held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with women's matches at the JU Salt Lake Campus, Kolkata. Despite the quick wickets, Pramod Chandila (35 off 23) gave Siliguri Strikers some hope, but Sayan bagged two crucial wickets in the final over to help the team script its first win. Siliguri Strikers fell short, scoring 146/7 in 20 overs. Sourav Halder was the star bowler for Royal Tigers, bagging 4 for 22, while Sayan Ghosh (2-25) and Ashutosh Kumar (1-25) also impressed. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kolkata Royal Tigers 147/9 in 20 overs (Abishek Porel 76, Ritwik Roy Chowdhury 33; Ishan Porel 3-24, Geet Puri 2-28, Kaushik Maity 2-17) beat Servotech Siliguri Strikers 146/7 in 20 overs (Karan 46, Sudip Chatterjee 35, Pramod Chandila 35; Sourav Halder 4-22, Sayan Ghosh 2-25) won by 1 run Article Source: IANS

Overton overpowers Nottinghamshire to land big win for Somerset

O'Neill resists with half-century but victory sealed by 306 runs in mid-afternoon

England Hand Debuts To Cox And Baker For Second Test Against New Zealand

New Zealand: England have named a refreshed side for the second Test against New Zealand, starting at The Oval on Wednesday, by handing debuts to batter Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker. The duo are a part of four changes from the team that won at Lords by 115 runs. Matt Fisher returns for his first Test in more than four years, while Jofra Archer is back to spearhead a fourman pace attack. The wholesale forced changes to Englands playing eleven have come after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were stood down following them breaking the midnight curfew, while Ollie Robinson, who picked seven wickets on return to the Test team at Lords, has been ruled out due to a right knee soreness. Shoaib Bashir also misses out as England opted against a specialist spinner, with Joe Root set to captain in Stokes absence. Jamie Smith retains his place behind the stumps, though Somersets James Rew has been placed on standby, with the formers partner due to give birth to their second child. Cox, 23, comes into the side after hitting a doublehundred for Essex in the County Championship. He was previously denied a debut in New Zealand in 2024 after breaking his thumb in practice. Baker, who has played just 12 firstclass matches, has long been on Englands radar and featured for the Lions in Australia, though he had difficult ODI and T20I debuts. Shoaib Bashir also misses out as England opted against a specialist spinner, with Joe Root set to captain in Stokes absence. Jamie Smith retains his place behind the stumps, though Somersets James Rew has been placed on standby, with the formers partner due to give birth to their second child. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England playing eleven for second Test: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (captain), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, and Sonny Baker Article Source: IANS

Football mania grips Keralam with community screenings and carnivals

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Sri Lanka A Clinch Super Over Thriller Against India A Despite Fifties From Nigam, Shedge

Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium: Kugathas Mathulan held his nerve to defend 16 runs as Sri Lanka A edged India A in a nailbiting Super Over thriller in the 50-over tri-series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Monday. Despite fighting halfcenturies from Vipraj Nigam and Suryansh Shedge taking India A to 265 in 49.2 overs, the visitors fell short as the hosts equalled the total in their 50 overs and then sealed a victory in dramatic fashion in the Super Over. While Sri Lanka A made 16 runs in their Super Over, Mathulan kept his cool to keep India A to nine runs and get a win by seven runs. But the contest was marred by heated exchanges and disputes with on-field umpires in deteriorating light. The drama began in the closing stages when India A protested a decision on the final delivery, with skipper Tilak Varma relentlessly pleading his case to the umpires, who were also looking at the light meter. Questions were raised over whether Chamika Gunasekara had offered a shot, but the officials stood firm, thus forcing the game into a Super Over. India A grew further agitated over subsequent wide and noball calls, with teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi briefly returning to prepare for his batting stint before being summoned back to field. In the Super Over, Arshad Khan immediately struck with a dipping full toss that appeared to have dismissed Avishka Fernando. The onfield umpires adjudged Fernando out, but the third umpire overturned the decision after reviewing the replay. Varma was visibly upset and engaged in a prolonged discussion with the officials, expressing his displeasure at the reversal. Tempers flared again at the end of the match, with Sooryavanshi visibly upset after missing the shot on the last ball and engaged in a brief exchange with Vishen Halambage before being pulled away by his batting partner Suryansh Shedge. That was not all - after they were separated, Sooryavanshi continued to talk in the direction of the Sri Lanka A huddle while walking back to the pavilion. The teams eventually shook hands, but the contest ended on a sour note. Earlier, India A had staged a remarkable recovery from 143/7, thanks to a 104run eighthwicket stand between Shedge and Vipraj Nigam. Nigam made 51 off 49 balls and Shedge struck 72 off 66 deliveries to lift the total to 265, though the formers two warnings for running on the pitch proved costly as India were docked 10 penalty runs. Tempers flared again at the end of the match, with Sooryavanshi visibly upset after missing the shot on the last ball and engaged in a brief exchange with Vishen Halambage before being pulled away by his batting partner Suryansh Shedge. That was not all - after they were separated, Sooryavanshi continued to talk in the direction of the Sri Lanka A huddle while walking back to the pavilion. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India A 265/10 in 49.2 overs (Suryansh Shedge 72, Vipraj Nigam 51; Vijaykanth Viyaskanth 3-26, Mohamed Shiraz 3-33) tied with Sri Lanka A 265/9 in 50 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 93, Niroshan Dickwella 37; Ayush Badoni 2-45, Suryansh Shedge 1-13) Sri Lanka A won the Super Over Article Source: IANS

Tuesday at T20 World Cup: New Zealand eye first win; Ireland run into England

Southampton will host the double-header on Tuesday, with some rain expected in the evening

Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker to debut for England in second New Zealand Test

England announce four changes from Lord's Test - and could yet make a fifth

NZ-W vs SL-W Match 7, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

NZ-W vs SL-W Match 7, Cricket Tips :The start to the title defense didn't go well for New Zealand Women in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. They suffered a defeat against West Indies in their opening game. New Zealand were poor on the field, dropping 7-8 catches. That has put them under pressure as they head into their second match. New Zealand Women will lock horns with Sri Lanka Women on Tuesday. This contest will start at 7 PM IST at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Sri Lanka also had similar start, where they conceded the highest total in Women's T20 World Cup history. The team that loses this game will be put in a must-win situation. NZ-W vs SL-W: Match Details Date : June 16, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 7 PM IST Venue : The Rose Bowl, Southampton NZ-W vs SL-W Live Streaming Details The live action of the NZW vs SLW will be available on the Star Sports networks in India. Fans can also watch the live stream of the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website. NZ-W vs SL-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 17 New Zealand Women : 14 Sri Lanka Women : 02 No - Result : 01 NZ-W vs SL-W: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Southampton is good for batting. There is much less assistance for the bowling sides from this wicket. Although fast bowlers will get some movement if bowled in right areas. But overall, this wicket is in favor of the batters. NZ-W vs SL-W Possible XIs NZ-W : Georgia Plimmer, Isa Gaze (wk), Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Nensi Patel, Izzy Sharp, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing SL-W : Chamari Athapaththu (c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Imesha Dulani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya NZ-W vs SL-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Chamari Athapaththu is very important for Sri Lanka Women. If she scores, her team does well. For New Zealand, captain Amelia Kerr has been in good form with the bat. Probable Best Bowler Jess Kerr and Malki Madara are two in-form bowlers for each team going into this game. Today Match Prediction : New Zealand Women have a better unit as compared to Sri Lanka. Hence, we predict New Zealand Women to win this contest. NZ-W vs SL-W Match 7, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, NZ-W vs SL-W 2026 Prediction, NZ-W vs SL-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for NZ-W vs SL-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 predictions.