IMAGES from Day 2 of the 1st Test between England and India at Headingley in Leeds on Saturday.
This was India's seventh defeat in their last nine matches as their poor run in Test cricket continues following successive series defeats against New Zealand at home and in Australia.
Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord's.
Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja would open the innings for Australia in the WTC final against South Africa while the fit-again Cameron Green would bat at the No. 3 position.
Images from the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Aiden Markram scored an unbeaten century as South Africa edged tantalisingly close to an unlikely success in the World Test Championship final, needing 69 runs to dethrone Australia after reaching 213-2 at stumps on the third day at Lord's on Friday.
A B de Villiers described South Africa's squad as a well-balanced unit and backed them to pull off an upset against defending champions Australia.
Australia will be aiming to become the first-ever side to defend their ICC WTC mace as they take on Proteas in the 'Ultimate Test' from June 11 onwards at Lord's.
Temba Bavuma hopes South Africa's historic ICC World Test Championship Final victory will help his country 'rejoice and come together' as he revealed a desire to emulate the Springboks' all-conquering rugby team.
Ashwell Prince, South Africa's batting coach, labelled Aiden Markram as the "man for the big occasion" after the opener steered the Proteas towards what could be a famous run-chase in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia on Friday.
Former England captain Alastair Cook believes at the "precise moment in time" the in-form Joe Root is only matched by New Zealand's Kane Williamson.
Root surpassed 7000 runs in ODIs and also went past Eoin Morgan to become England's leading ODI run-scorer.
A 'special message' from India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on the eve of Cameron Green's back surgery gave the Australian all-rounder the much-needed reassurance about his decision to go under the knife.
An Indian defence firm has refuted a report in The New York Times that linked the company to a Russian arms agency, calling it "factually incorrect" and "misleading". The report suggested that military hardware supplied by a British firm to the Indian company may have found its way to Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms agency. The Indian firm said it has scrupulously followed all its international obligations and that India's legal framework on strategic trade guides its companies' overseas ventures. The New York Times report cited documents claiming that a British aerospace manufacturer, H.R. Smith Group, sold sensitive technology to the Indian firm, which is a major trading partner of Rosoboronexport. The company, however, denied the allegations, stating that the equipment was destined for an Indian search-and-rescue network and is not designed for military use.
Gibbs said leadership develops with time, and Gill possesses the composure to grow into the role.
"With 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India, Dhoni's numbers reflect not just excellence but extraordinary consistency, fitness and longevity," it said.
Jamie Smith's unbeaten 72 propelled England to a 23-run lead over Sri Lanka on day two of the opening Test on Thursday
If history is anything to go by, Leeds always has room for a little magic.
Kohli's Test retirement makes Tendulkar's record of 100 centuries 'safe'
Australia's opening partnership has been the subject of much debate since David Warner retired and remains unresolved less than a month before the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
British media reports said all 10 English players involved with the IPL will hold a meeting with the Professional Cricketers' Association over security arrangements for a potential return to India.
'Especially in the middle overs. That's going to be a key challenge.'
Skipper Pat Cummins, who missed the tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child in February and was also ruled out of the Champions Trophy campaign with an ankle injury, will take the reins against South Africa.
Sunderland stun Sheffield United in playoff to return to Premier League
A must read for a generation that grew up on his novels.
They will meet the winner of Wednesday's second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
Smith carried his bat with an unbeaten 91 in a losing cause in Brisbane.
West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran was named the 'Leading T20 Player in the World'.
Australian batting star Steve Smith has said that the cricketing authorities should urgently address the issue of pacers persistently bowling bouncers to a leg side field, as it restricts a batter's ability to hit the ball "anywhere in front of the wicket".
Salman, Sirens, Seoul sisters, the OTT menu this week is as diverse as it gets.
England have named two uncapped players in Essex duo Sam Cook and Jordan Cox in the squad for the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge later this month.
Between 2014 and 2019, he scored 21 centuries in just 55 Tests. Among these were seven double centuries, the most by an Indian in Test cricket. Remarkably, six of those double tons came within a span of just 22 Tests.
Artherton's successor and former England captain Nasser Hussain believes Kohli transformed the way India plays Test format with his "aura, swagger, and passion".
The West Indies Masters secured a thrilling eight-run victory over England Masters in the International Master League, thanks to an all-round team effort. After a strong start from Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith, England's spinners, led by Chris Schofield and Monty Panesar, turned the tide. However, late contributions from Deonarine and Ashley Nurse helped West Indies reach a respectable total of 179/6. England's chase faltered early, but a late partnership between Schofield and Chris Tremlett gave them hope. Ultimately, the West Indian bowlers held their nerve, securing a crucial win.
Jayant Narlikar wrote alternative what-if histories, explained difficult scientific theories with funny analogies, and leavened his lectures with jokes and humorous asides.
Jamie Smith will return from injury to keep wickets and bat at number three in England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday.
Skipper Steve Smith said the opener, who suffered the quad injury while fielding but struggled on to scored 20 runs from 15 balls before the game was washed out, is unlikely to be fit to face India or New Zealand on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Kohli's skill and spikiness on the field reminded many of their own: Australian media
Manchester City gave Kevin De Bruyne a victory in his final appearance at Etihad Stadium, as Omar Marmoush scored a stunner in a 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Tuesday that saw them climb to third in the table.
Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu starred in a dominant performance by India Masters, securing a six-wicket victory over West Indies Masters in the inaugural International Masters League.
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