Internationals, franchise leagues, selections, and the administrative rows that shape them, across the full calendar rather than one board’s corner of it.
England have added two fit bowlers to their ODI squad for the October tri‑series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka after injuries ended their summer campaigns. All‑rounder Sam Curran and spinner Adil Rashid returned to the 16‑man side, while fast bowler Jofra Archer will be rested to manage workload. The squad also features three uncapped players – leg‑spinner Mason Crane, Sussex’s James Coles and Henry Crocombe – who could make their ODI debuts. Crane, who last appeared for England in 2018, has impressed for Glamorgan this summer and earned a recall after eight years out of international cricket. Curran’s comeback follows a groin operation that halted his summer, but he took three wickets in the final ODI against India, including Virat Kohli’s wicket. Rashid, who missed the ODI leg of the home T20 series with a hand injury, was part of England’s win over Sri Lanka in September and is now fit for overseas play. England’s captain Harry Brook will lead the side through six matches in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with the series offering a chance to test the squad before the World Cup. The tri‑series will run from 18 to 31 October, with games at Rawalpindi and Lahore, and England will face each opponent twice.
The 2026 ODI series between South Africa and Australia will run from 24 to 30 September, with matches in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. Fans can watch the games on a variety of platforms: Sky Sports in the UK, Willow TV in the US, FanCode in India, Supersport in South Africa, Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports in Australia, and Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand. A VPN such as NordVPN is recommended for viewers outside the host country to bypass geo‑blocking and access the streams. The series is a preparation for the 2027 World Cup and follows a Test series that will be the first since the 2018 ball‑tampering scandal. Australia entered the series with momentum after a 3‑0 win over Zimbabwe, while South Africa will rely on captain Temba Bavuma and a strong batting line‑up. The match schedule is: 1st ODI at Kingsmead Stadium (Durban) on 24 September, 2nd ODI at Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg) on 27 September, and 3rd ODI at JB Marks Oval (Potchefstroom) on 30 September. Each region’s local broadcaster offers different subscription options, from Sky Sports’ £35/month to FanCode’s ₹199/month. Viewers can also try free trials on Kayo Sports and Sling TV, but a VPN is still advised for overseas audiences.
Middlesex lifted the Metro Bank One Day Cup after a 31‑run victory over Leicestershire at Trent Bridge, ending a 36‑year List A trophy drought. Ryan Higgins delivered a maiden List A century, scoring 115 from 115 balls, while Harry Duke added 55 as the pair forged a 135‑run sixth‑wicket partnership that took Middlesex to 231 all out. Leicestershire’s New Zealand batter Nick Kelly hit 103 off 107 balls, but Ian Holland’s 5‑for‑36 and Tom Helm’s 3‑for‑32 restricted the Foxes to 200. Middlesex’s Toby Roland‑Jones claimed 3‑27 and 21‑year‑old Naayva Sharma finished the tournament as the leading wicket‑taker with 20 wickets. The win marks Middlesex’s first List A final triumph since 1990 and lifts the county out of a long trophy drought. Leicestershire, meanwhile, remains under pressure after a points deduction in the County Championship that threatens relegation. The victory provides a morale boost for Middlesex’s squad and fans alike, while the loss underscores the challenges faced by the Foxes.
England dominated Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Southampton, with Harry Brook scoring 114 not out off 49 balls and Jos Buttler adding 80 off 49. The pair produced a 233‑run partnership in 103 balls, pushing England to 254 for four. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 135 in 19 overs, losing by 119 runs and extending their losing streak to 13 consecutive defeats in the format. Kevin Pietersen, England’s new white‑ball mentor, watched the innings from the dugout while Ben Stokes praised Brook’s innings as a sign that he may surpass Pietersen. The win marks England’s 21st victory from their last 24 T20Is and keeps the series alive with a game to spare in Cardiff. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled, with Sonny Baker taking his first white‑ball wicket and Kamil Mishara dismissed for 10. England’s bowlers, led by Baker and Adil Rashid, restricted the Sri Lankan attack to 3‑12 and 1‑31 respectively. The match sets the tone for the remaining fixtures, with England aiming to close out the series in Cardiff.
After a 72‑run victory over Sri Lanka, the Indian women’s cricket team declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi. Head coach Amol Muzumdar said the decision was a stand taken by the BCCI and that the win itself was sufficient. The refusal echoes a similar stance by the 2025 men’s team, which also rejected the trophy to protest the Pahalgam terror attack. Muzumdar added that the trophy remains locked at the ACC headquarters in Dubai and that no plans have been announced for its transfer. He praised the players, support staff and the coaching unit for their performance and expressed pride in the team’s achievements. The team’s victory marks its eighth Asia Cup title, extending the record held by India. Looking ahead, Muzumdar said the focus will shift to the Asian Games, where both men’s and women’s squads will defend their titles. The BCCI’s position has been reiterated by the board’s officials, who reaffirmed that the trophy will not be handed over until a formal ceremony is arranged.
This week's cricket highlights feature impressive catches, innings, and bowling spells from clubs around the world. Notable performances include Luke Townzen's second catch of the week, Tyler's 101 not out, and Josh Court's six wickets for two runs. The Village moment of the week showcases two humorous moments from Edinburgh South CC and Spencer CC.
Australian cricketer Lauren Bell discussed the upcoming World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, highlighting the challenge posed by Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland.
In a closely contested match, the Danish doubles team of Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen defeated the Indonesian pair of Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya to win the world badminton championship. The match saw intense rallies and impressive play from both teams, with the Danes ultimately emerging victorious.
Former England captain Joe Root has been reappointed as the team's leader, bringing a new approach to the role. He aims to build on the success of the Bazball era while introducing his own style. Root's return has sparked interest in how he will lead the team and whether he can replicate his past success.
In a masterclass session, Wasim Akram shared his unique bowling approach, which involved a short run-up and a natural swing that allowed him to deceive batsmen. Akram credited his self-taught skills and his time playing for Lancashire in the English county cricket league for helping him develop his technique. He also discussed his grip on the ball and how he used to assess the pitch before delivering the ball.
Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman has tried his hand at wicketkeeping in a charity cricket match. Seaman, who played for Arsenal from 1990 to 2003 and earned 75 caps for England, showed a natural talent for wicketkeeping, with former teammates praising his footwork and reflexes. Seaman's foray into wicketkeeping comes after years of playing football, and he has credited his school days for introducing him to the sport. The charity match, which featured Seaman and other former footballers, aimed to raise funds for a local cause.