IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Test between England and Sri Lanka, at Lord's, on Sunday.
Tilak Varma smashed an unbeaten half-century to steer India to a thrilling two-wicket victory against England in Chennai on Saturday.
England, chasing 251 to win the must-win third Ashes Test, closed the rain-delayed day three on 27/0.
Former ICC elite umpire Simon Taufel said people cite the 'spirit of the game' when they don't like a dismissal under the laws of cricket.
Out-of-favour India opener K L Rahul was back amongst the runs, hitting an unbeaten half-century to steer India 'A' to 219 for one on day two of the first unofficial Test against England Lions.
England captain Ben Stokes' swashbuckling 155 was in vain as Australia won the second Ashes Test at Lord's by 43 runs on an extraordinary final day on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series.
'We did so many things right in that first game. The messages from the coaches and captain was just that. We had to come back today and put things right, which we did.'
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Australia led England by 12 runs at the end of a tense and fluctuating second day to leave the final Ashes Test at The Oval on a knife-edge on Friday.
But Stokes then introduced Ahmed in the afternoon session and the youngster ripped apart Pakistan's middle order.
After a disappointing showing in the Test series in Australia recently, the Indian team is eager to make a fresh start in the T20 format.
India may not be contemplating life after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli just yet but the robust display of their fringe players against England will have eased any fears about how they will cope when the old guard steps aside.
England will need to defeat Namibia in their last league match and hope that Scotland lose to Australia.
Josh Tongue picked up a five-wicket haul as England handed Ireland a crushing defeat in the one-off Test at the Lord's.
Images from Day 1 of the fifth and final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval in London on Thursday.
England captain Ben Stokes on Saturday said staying true to the 'Bazball' approach did not work and conceded that India were too good in their own conditions, always finding a way to wriggle out of tight curves.
No team is assured of a semifinal berth and England will need to defeat USA by either 10 runs or at least an over to spare to stay in contention for the semifinals.
England lost opener Zak Crawley but held firm in the final hour of a pulsating day four in the second Test against New Zealand.
The first ODI of the three-match series will be played on July 30 followed by the other two on August 1 and 4.
'I love playing here at Lord's. It's a nice place to play if you get in, you get good value for your shots and yeah, nice to get myself back up on the honours board again.'
India will be looking for another favorable result to extend their lead in the World Test Championships standings.
As the prestigious Ashes gets underway, here's a look at the milestones that can be achieved.
Abrar Ahmed made a stunning Test debut claiming seven for 114 to bowl out England for 281
Images from Day 3 of the second Ashes between England and Australia at Lord's.
Australia's pacemen Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins ripped out England's top order with a masterclass of textbook bowling to put their side in sight of a 2-0 Ashes lead on Saturday.
Images from Day 1 of the third Ashes Test between England and Australia at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday.
Bangladesh secure a 16-run victory in the final match in Mirpur on Tuesday.
Worcestershire bowler Joe Leach claimed a hat-trick with the first three balls of his side's Royal London One-Day Cup match against Northamptonshire on Sunday.
England will be looking to bounce back from a rain-affected opening match and solidify their T20 World Cup campaign
McDonald 'disappointed' with McCullum's comment post Bairstow dismissal
KL Rahul will encounter in his road to redemption as he gears up to play for India A in the first unofficial Test.
India after taking a 100+ run lead at the end of the first innings in a Home Test: Instances: 106. Won: 70. Drawn: 35. Lost: 1 (vs England, Hyderabad 2024).
Emotional Tickner returns to NZ squad after cyclone relief efforts
After England tore the prediction books for an epochal 28-run victory in Hyderabad in the first Test, India now find themselves in a tight space, mentally and technically, ahead of the second match starting in four days in Visakhapatnam.
The last time England toured India, back in early 2021, Joe Root's team went back home beaten and bruised 3-1.
England were 7-1 at stumps with Ben Duckett (4) and Ollie Pope (3) batting together
India will need to be ruthless and tactful in equal measure while dealing with an unpredictable England when the third chapter of a riveting Test series begins in Rajkot on Thursday.
