Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Shane McDermott has been appointed as Afghanistan's new assistant and fielding coach, strengthening the team's coaching setup ahead of an important international assignment. McDermott, 45, is scheduled to join the Afghanistan squad on August 1 as preparations begin for their five-match ODI series against Ireland. He will work alongside head coach Richard Pybus, who took over the role in February this year following the departure of Jonathan Trott. A highly regarded fielding specialist, McDermott brings extensive international coaching experience to the Afghan camp. He previously served as Bangladesh's assistant fielding coach for three years before spending another three years in a similar role with Sri Lanka. Most recently, he was Pakistan's all-format fielding coach from July 2025 to July 2026. His departure from the Pakistan setup came as a surprise at the time. Afghanistan will also usher in a new era in ODI leadership, with Rahmat Shah set to captain the side for the first time in the format during the Ireland series. The five-match ODI series will begin in Bready, where the opening two matches will be played on August 5 and August 7. The teams will then travel to Belfast for the remaining three ODIs, scheduled for August 10, August 12, and August 15. McDermott's appointment is expected to bolster Afghanistan's fielding standards as the team looks to build momentum under Pybus and prepare for upcoming international challenges.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Litton Das as the new captain of the men's One-Day International (ODI) team, replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz after his tenure of just over a year. The leadership change comes in the wake of Bangladesh's recent ODI series defeat to Zimbabwe earlier this month. With the appointment, Litton will now lead Bangladesh in both limited-overs formats, having already been entrusted with the captaincy of the T20I side. Mehidy Hasan Miraz had taken over the ODI captaincy a little over 12 months ago but has now stepped aside as the team looks to regroup following a disappointing run of results. Meanwhile, Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue to captain the Bangladesh Test team, ensuring continuity in the longest format of the game. The move reflects the BCB's strategy of placing Litton Das at the helm of the country's white-ball setup as Bangladesh prepares for upcoming international assignments.

Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad have each been handed one demerit point by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba. The ICC found both players guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal." In addition to receiving a demerit point, Shahzad was fined 15 percent of his match fee, while Abbas received an official reprimand for his conduct during the match. The sanctions were imposed by match referee Jeff Crowe after both players admitted the offences and accepted the proposed penalties, eliminating the need for formal disciplinary hearings. The incidents mark the first Code of Conduct offences for both Abbas and Shahzad within the past 24 months. Under ICC regulations, a player who accumulates four or more demerit points over a two-year period will have those points converted into suspension points, which can result in a ban from international cricket. The disciplinary action came after Pakistan suffered a 90-run defeat to the West Indies in the opening Test, with the hosts securing victory inside four days at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. The two teams will now turn their attention to the second and final Test of the series, which is scheduled to be played in Port of Spain from August 2 to August 6.

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase and vice-captain Jomel Warrican will lead a delegation of Barbadian cricketers to the state funeral of cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers in Barbados on Wednesday. The announcement was made by Cricket West Indies (CWI) shortly after the West Indies secured a memorable 90-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The win came on what would have been Sobers' 90th birthday, adding further significance to the occasion. The legendary all-rounder passed away on July 17. Following the Test, all Barbados-based members of the West Indies squad travelled from Trinidad to Barbados to attend the state funeral in honour of one of the game's greatest cricketers. The delegation includes captain Roston Chase, vice-captain Jomel Warrican, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Kemar Roach, Joshua Bishop and assistant coach Floyd Reifer. Cricket West Indies president Kishore Shallow will also be part of the official contingent. "The opportunity for our Barbadian representatives to be present at the state funeral of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers is a deeply meaningful one for West Indies cricket," Shallow said in a statement. "On a day when the cricketing world celebrated his extraordinary life, the team honoured his enduring legacy with a performance that reflected the courage, resilience and skill that defined his remarkable career and inspired generations." West Indies paid tribute to Sobers with a spirited victory over Pakistan, successfully defending a target of 210 in the fourth innings. All-rounder Justin Greaves starred with the ball, claiming seven wickets across the match to earn the Player of the Match award. During the post-match presentation, Greaves dedicated his performance to the late cricket icon. As a mark of respect, players observed a minute's silence before the start of the Test and wore black armbands throughout the match in memory of Sobers. The state funeral is expected to be attended by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, while Cricket West Indies has also expressed its appreciation to the Barbados government for facilitating the participation of the national team's players. "We are deeply grateful to Prime Minister Mia Mottley and her government for making this possible," Shallow said. "We reaffirm our commitment to preserving the memory of a true icon whose name will forever be synonymous with the greatness of West Indies cricket." Cricket West Indies concluded its statement by extending its deepest condolences to the family of Sir Garfield Sobers, the people of Barbados and the wider Caribbean community. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to confirm whether members of the visiting team will attend the state funeral.

Rachin Ravindra produced a sensational all-round display as Welsh Fire defeated MI London by 15 runs in The Hundred, delighting a record crowd at Sophia Gardens on Sunday. The New Zealand star smashed a breathtaking 98 off just 44 balls—the joint fourth-highest score in the history of The Hundred men's competition—before taking a stunning caught-and-bowled dismissal to remove the dangerous James Vince during MI London's chase. After being asked to bat first, Welsh Fire endured a slow start. Phil Salt fell early to Tom Curran, while Richard Gleeson dismissed Matthew Short, leaving the hosts struggling at 20 for 2 after 22 deliveries. Ravindra then transformed the innings with an explosive counterattack. He reached his half-century in only 22 balls, bringing up the milestone by launching Rashid Khan over the midwicket boundary. Partnering with Joe Root, who contributed a composed 29 off 26 deliveries, Ravindra dominated the scoring, clearing the ropes repeatedly and surpassing Jonny Bairstow's previous highest score for Welsh Fire in the men's competition. Jordan Cox added a quick unbeaten 17 from nine balls after Root was stumped off Rashid Khan. Ravindra looked destined for a memorable century but fell agonizingly short on the penultimate ball of the innings, dismissed for 98 after mistiming a shot to Jason Roy off Trent Boult, who finished with figures of 1 for 16. Chasing the target, MI London lost Will Jacks early to Sam Cook but recovered through a strong partnership led by James Vince. At 72 for 1 after 46 deliveries, the visitors appeared to be in control before Lockie Ferguson turned the match on its head. The New Zealand fast bowler struck twice in consecutive balls, clean bowling Jason Roy before dismissing Sam Curran for a golden duck. Ferguson continued his outstanding spell by removing Nicholas Pooran, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 26. With the match finely balanced, Vince kept MI London's hopes alive with a brilliant 66 off 38 balls. However, Ravindra delivered another decisive moment, producing a superb caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss the MI London captain. Sherfane Rutherford fought back with an unbeaten 24 off 18 deliveries, but Welsh Fire's bowlers held their nerve in the closing stages. Ferguson returned to clean up Tom Curran, sealing a crucial 15-run victory and Welsh Fire's second win of the campaign. Named the Meerkat Match Hero, Ravindra praised his team's performance after the match.

Ishan Kishan said India's middle-order approach in the second T20I against Zimbabwe was guided by match awareness rather than chasing a massive total, as the visitors secured a convincing 90-run victory to seal the three-match series 2-0 with one game remaining. Promoted to No. 3 after India lost two early wickets, Kishan anchored the innings with a fluent 81 off 44 balls. His 66-run partnership with captain Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings before Tilak Varma's unbeaten 60 off 29 deliveries powered India to a formidable 219 for 5. India's bowlers then dominated the chase, dismissing Zimbabwe for 129 in 17.5 overs to wrap up the series in commanding fashion. Named Player of the Match, Kishan said the team's priority after the early setbacks was to assess the conditions and build a platform instead of taking unnecessary risks. "As a batter batting at No. 3, your job is to watch the ball and play your natural game. You also have to understand the wicket," Kishan said after the match. "There were a lot of thoughts about whether we should aim for 250 or 230, or whether the wicket was one where 170 to 180 would be enough. When Shreyas came in, we wanted to build a partnership and take the innings deep. I think we executed that plan really well." Kishan also emphasized that his role in the batting order differs from that of India's attacking openers and said he prefers to focus on the team's needs rather than outside expectations. "I don't give so much focus to what's happening outside," he said. "I know the way I have to play. What's important is to stay in the moment and not think about what people are saying or who is scoring more runs. Every player has a different role in the team. As a No. 3 batter, if two wickets are down, you need to understand what's important—whether to keep taking chances or build a partnership. You have to read the wicket and play accordingly." The wicketkeeper-batter also reflected on India's demanding international schedule, with the team having played T20Is in Ireland, followed by a white-ball tour of England, before travelling directly to Zimbabwe. "It's obviously very difficult," Kishan admitted. "We started in Ireland, then played so many matches in England, and suddenly we came here to Zimbabwe and were playing the very next day." "It's never easy for an athlete. You always want to give 100 percent every time you step onto the field. The only option is to recover well, get proper sleep, eat well, and be ready for the next game." Although India have already clinched the series, Kishan said the team's immediate focus is on recovery ahead of the third and final T20I, especially with the bowlers managing the demands of back-to-back matches. "Now it's just about recovering well because playing back-to-back games is never easy, especially for the bowlers," he added.

Pakistan have strengthened their squad for the remainder of their tours of the West Indies and England by adding opener Abdullah Shafique and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the duo's inclusion after Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of both series due to a back injury. Fazal sustained the injury during a training session on the eve of the opening Test against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, forcing the selectors to make changes to the touring squad. Shafique returns to Pakistan's Test setup for the first time since October 2025, replacing the injured Fazal. The 25-year-old will be eager to revive his red-ball career after enduring a prolonged lean patch. Following an impressive start to his Test career, during which he amassed 856 runs at an average of over 65 in his first eight matches, Shafique's form has dipped considerably. He has managed just 754 runs in his last 31 Test innings at an average of 25.13, including only 136 runs across his previous nine innings. Meanwhile, Shakeel's inclusion comes earlier than initially expected. The left-handed batter was not named in the original squads for the West Indies and England tours because of fitness concerns. However, Pakistan's Director of Cricket, Aqib Javed, had indicated that Shakeel was expected to join the team during the England leg of the tour. His recovery has progressed ahead of schedule, allowing him to rejoin the squad in the Caribbean. Pakistan began the first Test against the West Indies on Saturday with six specialist batters, opting to play fast-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal at No. 7. While the combination offered greater bowling depth, it also left the batting lineup relatively light. Shakeel's arrival provides additional stability and experience in the middle order, giving Pakistan greater flexibility for the second Test and the subsequent series in England. The additions of Shafique and Shakeel are expected to bolster Pakistan's batting resources as the team looks to recover from the setback of Fazal's injury and maintain momentum during a demanding overseas schedule.

Senior India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been declared fit and is set to be considered for India's squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with selectors scheduled to announce the team on Monday. Jadeja has been sidelined since May after suffering a tennis elbow injury during IPL 2026. The experienced all-rounder last represented India in the ODI series against New Zealand in January and is expected to bolster India's spin department for the crucial World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures. However, concerns remain over the fitness of Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana. Rana is still recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained during the T20I series in England. The fast bowler had only recently returned from a lengthy layoff caused by a knee injury that forced him to miss IPL 2026 and the ICC T20 World Cup. His last Test appearance came against Australia in Adelaide in December 2024. Washington Sundar also faces a race against time after missing the third ODI against England due to a hamstring injury. Sources indicate that selectors are awaiting his final fitness assessment before making a decision. If cleared, Washington could be included in the squad, or potentially join as the 16th member if he becomes available only for the second Test. In Washington's absence, off-spinning all-rounder Saransh Jain has emerged as a strong contender after an impressive performance for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle, where he claimed six wickets and remained unbeaten on 70 in the first innings. The selection committee is also expected to receive an update on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the final ODI against England after suffering an impact injury to his left knee in Cardiff. The injury was described as precautionary, and Bumrah is expected to be fit for the Sri Lanka tour. Given his heavy workload across the T20 World Cup and IPL, team management is likely to carefully monitor his fitness ahead of a demanding Test calendar. Meanwhile, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is unlikely to recover in time after sustaining a quadriceps injury that ruled him out of the Ireland and England tours. India's batting line-up is expected to remain largely unchanged. KL Rahul is likely to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order, while captain Shubman Gill is expected to bat at No. 4. Sai Sudharsan, who impressed during the India A tour, is likely to retain his place, with Devdutt Padikkal also in contention for a middle-order spot. Rishabh Pant will continue as India's first-choice wicketkeeper, with Dhruv Jurel expected to serve as his backup. If fully fit, Bumrah will lead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Young pacer Gurnoor Brar has strengthened his selection case after claiming a 10-wicket match haul for India A against Sri Lanka A. Brar also made his senior India debut during the ODI series against Afghanistan. India's spin attack is expected to feature Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who impressed with seven wickets on his Test debut against Afghanistan in June. Harsh Dubey, following an outstanding domestic season, remains another option should Jadeja or Washington fail to regain full fitness. The two-match Test series begins on August 15 in Galle, with the second Test scheduled to start on August 23 at the SSC in Colombo. The Sri Lanka tour marks India's first assignment in the new World Test Championship cycle following a disappointing 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa in November. Prior to that, India drew a five-Test series 2-2 in England and swept the West Indies 2-0 at home. India currently sit fifth in the WTC standings, while Sri Lanka occupy sixth place.

Warwickshire have been dealt a major setback after captain Sam Hain was ruled out of the remainder of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup due to a knee injury sustained during the team's opening match against Northamptonshire. Hain, who was appointed captain of Warwickshire's 50-over side earlier this month, suffered the injury while fielding after scoring an impressive 80 runs in the tournament opener. The Bears lost the match, and subsequent scans confirmed the extent of the injury. In a statement, Warwickshire said Hain will be sidelined until at least mid-August but declined to provide a definitive timeline for his return. The 29-year-old batter has built a reputation as one of the most consistent performers in List A cricket, boasting a remarkable career average of 58.18. Hain earned two One-Day International caps for England in late 2023 but has featured sparingly in domestic 50-over cricket in recent years due to commitments in The Hundred. Despite going unsold in March's Hundred auction and missing out on a wildcard selection, Hain enjoyed an impressive T20 Blast campaign, averaging 43.71 at a strike rate of 140.36. In Hain's absence, Rob Yates has taken over the captaincy, while Ed Barnard is unavailable due to his participation in The Hundred with Sunrisers Leeds. Warwickshire have struggled without their skipper, losing all three of their opening One-Day Cup fixtures and currently sitting at the bottom of Group A. The injury could also impact Warwickshire's ambitions in the County Championship. The Bears are currently third in Division One, just five points behind leaders and defending champions Nottinghamshire, with six matches remaining in the season. Hain has been Warwickshire's standout performer in the Championship this year, leading the team's run-scoring charts with 622 runs at an average of 62.20 across 14 innings. His absence could prove significant as the club continues its pursuit of the Division One title.

Bangladesh chief selector Habibul Bashar has defended the team's workload management after fast bowler Nahid Rana was ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Australia with a side strain, describing the injury as "unfortunate" despite the team's cautious approach. Rana, 23, sustained the injury during the recent white-ball tour after initially being rested for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. The setback means the pace spearhead will miss Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia in 23 years. Speaking about the injury, Bashar said modern monitoring systems showed Rana's workload had remained within planned limits. "Nahid Rana was well within our workload management policy. The GPS tracker tells us everything these days, so we decide which match, how many matches, and which series each fast bowler will play," Bashar said. He added that Rana had been deliberately rested during Australia's tour of Bangladesh in June to ensure he would be available for the demanding Test series in Australian conditions. Injury Despite Careful Planning Rana has enjoyed a breakthrough year, claiming 44 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls, while emerging as one of Bangladesh's most exciting fast bowlers thanks to his pace and bounce. After impressing against Australia in the ODI series in Dhaka, he was rested for the Zimbabwe Test as part of Bangladesh's injury prevention strategy before returning for the ODI series. However, he suffered the side strain during the second T20I, cutting his tour short. Bashar admitted the injury was difficult to avoid. "We didn't pick him for the Test against Zimbabwe by being extra cautious. He got hurt in the second T20I after having played the first two ODIs, so it was unfortunate." He also stressed that balancing workload management with maintaining match fitness remains a challenge. "He has to bowl a certain number of deliveries to be match ready. His injury is unfortunate; it could have happened in Australia. It is hard to keep fast bowlers free of injuries." No External Pressure Behind Rana's Selection Bashar also rejected suggestions that Bangladesh faced pressure to field Rana in the white-ball matches following their disappointing Test defeat to Zimbabwe. He explained that the decision to rest frontline bowlers during the Test had been intentional and that Bangladesh's defeat stemmed from poor batting rather than bowling. "We lost the Test due to our batting. We batted very poorly. We still had bowlers like Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud, who are all Test specialists." While acknowledging the disappointment of losing to Zimbabwe, Bashar insisted the selection decisions were made independently. Fast Bowlers Backed to Fill the Void With Rana unavailable, Bangladesh will rely on Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain for the two-Test series, scheduled in Darwin (August 13–17) and Mackay (August 22–28). Although Bashar admitted Rana's absence would be significant, he expressed confidence in the remaining pace attack. "Nahid is a special bowler who has done special things this year. We will regret not having him in Australia, but it can't be the only thing in our mind." Soumya Sarkar Recalled Amid Opening Concerns Bashar also explained Bangladesh's decision to recall Soumya Sarkar to the Test squad despite the left-hander not having played a Test since 2021. He acknowledged the move was driven by a lack of experienced opening options rather than recent form. "You can say that there was a bit of desperation." According to Bashar, while younger openers have performed in domestic cricket, they are not yet considered ready for the challenge of opening in Australia. Bangladesh also considered the balance of a top order that could feature four left-handed batters, but concerns over the form of Mahmudul Hasan Joy prompted selectors to send him on the Bangladesh A tour to South Africa instead. "We felt he is out of form, and his batting is in a vulnerable state. We are hopeful he can return to form on that tour." Bangladesh will now look to overcome the loss of their premier fast bowler as they prepare for a challenging Test assignment in Australia, with the selectors placing their faith in the current pace attack and experienced batting options.

Top-order batter Tom Alsop will leave Sussex at the end of the season after agreeing to a three-year contract with Gloucestershire, becoming the latest player to depart Hove as the club continues to deal with financial difficulties. The 30-year-old's exit follows those of fast bowler Henry Crocombe and experienced all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice, with Sussex facing spending restrictions after being placed under special measures by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace acknowledged that the club's financial situation had influenced Alsop's departure, expressing gratitude for his contributions during his six-year association with the county. Alsop admitted the decision was difficult but necessary given the uncertainty surrounding Sussex's future. He said he had enjoyed his time at Hove and hoped to continue living there, but emphasized the importance of long-term security for his family at this stage of his career. Looking ahead to the next chapter, Alsop expressed his excitement about joining Gloucestershire, praising the club's vision under director of cricket Jon Lewis. He also welcomed the opportunity to move closer to his roots in Wiltshire. A product of Hampshire's academy, Alsop joined Sussex on loan in 2022 before making the move permanent. During his time with the club, he established himself as a dependable top-order batter, averaging 37.59 in first-class cricket with six centuries, including a career-best unbeaten 182 against Leicestershire. Although Sussex opted for Tom Clark at No. 3 for much of this County Championship season, limiting Alsop to just two appearances, he remained a regular in the club's T20 Blast campaign. He is currently representing Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred and has previously featured for Trent Rockets, as well as playing franchise cricket in Australia's Big Bash League and the UAE's ILT20. Gloucestershire director of cricket Jon Lewis welcomed the signing, describing Alsop as an experienced batter capable of excelling across all formats. Lewis highlighted Alsop's consistency for Sussex and Hampshire, along with his resilience in county cricket, adding that his West Country connections and leadership qualities would make him a valuable addition to the squad as Gloucestershire looks to strengthen for the future.

Saransh Jain's long wait for international recognition has finally paid off. The 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has received his maiden India Test call-up for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka in August, marking a remarkable milestone in a career built on perseverance and consistent domestic performances. A left-handed batter and off-spin bowler, Jain has established himself as one of the country's most reliable performers in red-ball cricket. In 54 first-class matches, he has scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 while claiming 188 wickets at an impressive average of 27.30. Although he has also played 67 List A and T20 matches, his greatest impact has come in the longer format. The son of former first-class cricketer Subodh Jain, Saransh made his Ranji Trophy debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2014. However, his breakthrough came only in 2022 after limited opportunities in the early stages of his career. He played a pivotal role in Madhya Pradesh's historic maiden Ranji Trophy triumph, taking 13 wickets and scoring a crucial half-century during the knockout stages. Jain's impressive form continued in the 2024-25 domestic season. He enjoyed his most productive Ranji Trophy campaign, scoring 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and taking 30 wickets at 20.43. Before that, he starred in the Duleep Trophy, where he scored two half-centuries and picked up 16 wickets in just two matches, earning the Player of the Series award. His performances also saw him serve as a net bowler for India's one-off Test against Afghanistan last month. Jain has often credited veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as his biggest inspiration. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo in 2024, he said he admired Ashwin's dedication and hoped to emulate his approach to the game. Several factors contributed to Jain's selection for the Sri Lanka tour. Washington Sundar was ruled out of the opening Test because of a hamstring injury, creating an opening in India's spin department. Additionally, Sri Lanka's batting line-up features several left-handed batters, prompting selectors to opt for an off-spinner. Jain further strengthened his case during the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka. After a quiet first match, he delivered an unbeaten 70 and claimed six wickets in the second game, making a strong impression ahead of the senior team's tour. His chances of making his Test debut also appear promising. India are expected to field three spinners in Sri Lankan conditions, with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav likely to be automatic selections. The final spin-bowling spot is expected to be contested between Manav Suthar and Jain. While Suthar impressed on his debut against Afghanistan with seven wickets, the presence of Jadeja may lead the team management to prefer an off-spinner, especially against Sri Lanka's left-handed batters. If selected in the playing XI, Saransh Jain will become the first Indian cricketer since Robin Singh in 1998 to make his Test debut after the age of 33, completing an inspiring journey from domestic stalwart to international cricketer.