The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the use of pink balls in day-time Test matches on a trial basis, aiming to mitigate the frequent loss of overs due to fading light in the final session. This decision, applicable to series starting from October 1, allows for mutual agreement between teams to use the pink ball for the entire duration of a Test.
South African captain Temba Bavuma acknowledged the pressure of being World Test Champions after their series-levelling win against Australia. He highlighted the team's realisation of facing strong opposition and praised key performances from himself, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada. The victory sets up an exciting series decider in Cape Town.
Temba Bavuma will lead South Africa against Australia, with Gerald Coetzee recalled, Kagiso Rabada injured, and Dewald Brevis omitted as the Proteas strengthen World Cup preparations.
Australian paceman Scott Boland continued his impressive form, taking four wickets to leave South Africa struggling at 97/5 at stumps on Day 2 of the second Test. Captain Temba Bavuma remains unbeaten on 41, offering the only resistance against a dominant Australian attack.
As the cycle enters a crucial phase, the teams now look to strengthen their case for a top-two finish.
On the third day of the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad, Canada secured a dominant 74-28 victory over Australia, becoming the first men's team to score over 70 points. Other men's matches saw Sri Lanka narrowly defeat Uganda and England comfortably beat Nigeria. In the women's division, Nigeria achieved their historic first win against Singapore, while Sri Lanka women decisively beat England women.
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has become the fourth Proteas bowler to claim 200 Test wickets on home soil, joining legends like Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock. His achievement came during a Test match against Australia where South Africa staged a remarkable comeback, enforcing a follow-on after dismissing Australia for 99. Captain Temba Bavuma led a strong batting recovery for the Proteas.
South Africa, reeling from a 214-run defeat in the first Test against Australia, is determined to level the series in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha. The hosts are expected to make several team changes, including the return of paceman Kagiso Rabada, as they look to overcome batting fragilities exposed in the previous match. Australia, despite their dominant win, might consider workload management for their fast bowlers amidst forecasts of persistent rain.
'But sometimes I am cuckoo in the head. I sit late at night, and I think of how I want to play and how I want to be as a cricketer.'
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin praised Sri Lanka's "unreal" 400-run chase against England, highlighting their determination. He also commended Harry Brook's double century and stressed the importance of promoting Test cricket. Azharuddin also congratulated the Indian team for their T20I victory against New Zealand.
Australia A has announced a 14-member squad for their upcoming series against India A in Puducherry. The tour, featuring both four-day and one-day matches, is crucial for exposing players to subcontinental conditions and preparing them for future senior team tours to India, including a Test series next year. The squad includes several players with prior international experience.
Out-of-form batter Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia's One-Day International squad for upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Josh Hazlewood returning to the side.
South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Australia due to a right hamstring strain and faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the subsequent three-match Test series.
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes reverse swing will be a crucial factor in the ongoing three-test series against South Africa, attributing its resurgence to the abrasive pitches. He successfully utilised this technique in the first test, which Australia won, and expects similar conditions for the second test in Gqeberha. Hazlewood also reflected on his recent performance and career longevity.
India's women's and men's kabaddi teams both secured dominant victories over Nigeria at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad on Monday, advancing to the semifinals. The women's team won 38-10, while the men's team triumphed 50-23, marking their fourth consecutive wins in the tournament. Other matches saw Singapore, Malaysia, and Uganda also register wins.
Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh has highlighted the need for greater discipline and sharper man-marking for the Indian team to bridge the gap with top European sides and Australia. He acknowledged India's progress in ball possession and overall fitness but stressed the importance of disciplined play. Singh also commented on Pakistan's withdrawal from the Asian Champions Trophy and expressed confidence in India's chances as hosts.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the qualifiers for the Los Angeles Olympics' cricket competition will take place in January-February 2028, according to a media report.
South Africa has made significant changes to their squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, dropping Tristan Stubbs and calling up Matthew Breetzke. Ryan Rickelton will take over as wicketkeeper, likely leading to Kyle Verreynne's exclusion from the playing XI. These changes come after their heavy defeat in the first Test, with lead pacer Kagiso Rabada expected to return.
Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test win on Australian soil and stunning the No. 1-ranked Test side.
From a Duleep Trophy hundred to a Player of the Match performance against Australia A, Kumar Kushagra's recent form has earned him his first India call-up.
Australia's nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in Darwin has been described as one of the country's biggest test humiliations, prompting uncomfortable questions about the top-ranked team's future and sparking calls for regeneration.
Jasprit Bumrah ranked third in Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad's top 10 bowlers of the 21st century, ahead of Glenn McGrath and Muttiah Muralitharan, behind Warne and Anderson.
Australia has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of South Africa, with top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne retaining his place despite recent poor form.
Australia secured a thumping innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh in Mackay, levelling the two-match series 1-1. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were instrumental, with Starc taking 10-51 in the match.
Australia's veteran bowling attack, featuring Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, delivered a decisive performance in the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Their combined effort led Australia to a 214-run victory, with Hazlewood taking career-best figures. Captain Cummins lauded the bowlers' rigorous preparation and team-first approach, highlighting their continued effectiveness despite their age.
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has cautioned his team to expect a strong comeback from Australia in the second Test after their surprising nine-wicket victory in the series opener. Simmons emphasised the need for continued high performance, while Australia's captain Pat Cummins acknowledged their poor performance in the first match and confirmed team changes for the upcoming game in Mackay.
Australia is under pressure to secure a decisive victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay to level the two-match series, following an embarrassing nine-wicket loss in Darwin. The team has made personnel changes, including recalling Matt Renshaw, and is looking for a strong bounce-back performance. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, buoyed by their historic win and a successful shift to a pace-centred bowling attack, is confident of continuing their strong form and potentially sweeping the series.
Australia's Matt Renshaw has broken Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored while batting with lower-order batters and tail-enders (numbers 8 to 11) in a single Test innings, achieving 174 runs during his 190-run knock against South Africa in Durban.
Leading Australian women cricketers and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) are urging Cricket Australia (CA) to schedule more matches during the peak summer months, arguing the current calendar is hindering the team's growth and missing opportunities to build on the sport's development.
Naomi Osaka admits she has contemplated retirement as motherhood shapes her priorities, but the four-time Grand Slam champion believes she is close to rediscovering her title-winning form.
Bangladesh achieved a historic nine-wicket victory over top-ranked Australia in the first Test in Darwin, marking their first Test win in Australia. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto credited the team's focus on pace bowling for this significant upset, highlighting a shift in mindset among young fast bowlers. Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match for his nine wickets, including 6-55 in the first innings.
Shukri Conrad has demanded sharper batting and greater mental toughness from South Africa after their 214-run defeat to Australia, urging composure over knee-jerk changes ahead of Sunday's second Test.
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has become the ninth Australian bowler to take 300 Test wickets, achieving the milestone during the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin with his 14th career five-wicket haul.
Australia secured an innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test, but the performance highlighted persistent issues with their top-order batting, particularly for Marnus Labuschagne, raising questions ahead of their South Africa tour.
Australian batsman Steve Smith admitted to feeling anxious after being hit on the head during the first Test against South Africa, fearing another concussion, despite passing all protocols.
India's top doubles player Yuki Bhambri, partnering American Ryan Seggerman, secured his first ATP Tour title of the 2026 season by winning the Almaty Open. This victory marks Bhambri's fifth career ATP doubles title, achieved after a thrilling final against top seeds Lucas Miedler and Neil Oberleitner. The win comes after a mixed season for Bhambri, including a medal-less Asian Games and a runner-up finish at the Geneva Open.
Prachi Tokas has secured India's first medal at the U-19 World Boxing Championships in Budva, Montenegro, by reaching the semifinals in the women's 80kg-plus category.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has urged Australia and cricket's powerbrokers to increase Test tours to the South Asian nation, emphasising its importance for his team to gain experience in diverse conditions and improve in the format.
Steve Smith surpassed Steve Waugh's Test run tally in 42 fewer matches, moving behind only Ricky Ponting and Allan Border among Australia's leading run-scorers.
Josh Hazlewood's return completes Australia's 'Fab Four' bowling attack for the first Test against Bangladesh, marking their first reunion in over a year and setting the stage for a significant home series.
