SUTHAR STARS AS INDIA CELEBRATE 600TH TEST WITH SRI LANKA WIN

India beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle on Wednesday to win their 600th Test and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with Manav Suthar taking 10 wickets in his second Test to bowl out the hosts for 206.

Playing only his second Test, the 24-year-old Suthar took four wickets in the first innings before returning figures of 6-55 in the second.  Getty Images

INDIA beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle on Wednesday to win their 600th Test and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with Manav Suthar taking 10 wickets in his second Test to bowl out the hosts for 206.

India marked their 600th Test with a 165-run win over Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday, with left-arm spinner Manav Suthar taking 10 wickets to help secure a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Playing only his second Test, the 24-year-old Suthar took four wickets in the first innings before returning figures of 6-55 in the second. He helped India bowl out Sri Lanka for 206 shortly after lunch on the final day.

Chasing 372 for victory, Sri Lanka could not build enough partnerships, with Sonal Dinusha the exception. He was the hosts' top scorer in both innings.

India captain Shubman Gill called the win "very satisfying".

"We were in a comfortable position but were not sure if the match would go on (because of weather), but the team responded well," he said.

Gill praised Suthar and India's batsmen for their efforts on a wicket that was not easy to score runs on.

"He has been bowling magnificently. Looks like a very promising guy and someone who can play for India for a long time," he said.

Sri Lanka resumed the final day on 84-4. India took two wickets in the morning session before quickly moving through the lower order.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinusha had earlier added 95 runs for the fifth wicket after batting together for more than two hours.

'It was not easy'

De Silva, who had been dismissed off a no-ball early in his innings, went on to score his 20th half-century. He was eventually caught at short fine leg by Suthar while attempting a sweep against Ravindra Jadeja.

"It was not easy (batting fourth," said De Silva.

"They won the toss, got the runs on the board, and with our batting, we lost wickets and it went downhill from there."

Niroshan Dickwella, who had scored a half-century in the first innings, made 10 in the second before edging Prasidh Krishna to the wicketkeeper while trying to hit over the slips.

Suthar then took three wickets in a maiden over after lunch before claiming the final wicket of Keshara Nuwantha in his next over.

Sri Lanka lost their final four wickets for seven runs, with Suthar taking all four.

Dinusha, 25, finished with 84 after facing 128 deliveries. He hit eight fours and one six before Dhruv Jurel took a bat-pad catch at leg slip.

"We believed that we could draw the game even at lunch," said Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten.

"Our instruction to the lower order batters was to bat as long as they could. We just needed one big partnership but once Dinusha was dismissed, it all fell off quickly."

Devdutt Padikkal was India's other standout performer after scoring 167 and 44 in the match following his inclusion as a late injury replacement.

"The wicket had its natural wear and tear but it was a good Test wicket," Padikkal said.

"Turned a lot more from the third day onwards. In the end it was all about who came out on top with their skill-set."

The teams will now travel to Colombo for the second Test, starting on Sunday.

- Eastern Eye

WEST INDIES SUFFER FRESH BLOW AS DIRECT QUALIFICATION TO ODI WORLD CUP 2027 SLIPS AWAY

• West Indies have missed automatic qualification to ODI World Cup 2027.

• The Caribbean side will now have to battle through the Qualifiers to reach the mega event.

West Indies have been dealt another major setback in their bid to reach the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the two-time champions now certain to enter the qualification tournament rather than secure a direct place through the ICC rankings. Afghanistan’s victory over Ireland in Belfast confirmed their position among the teams set to qualify automatically, leaving the Caribbean side outside the required top-eight bracket.

Under the qualification system, the eight highest-ranked teams in the ICC ODI rankings on September 30, 2026, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will earn automatic entry into the 14-team World Cup. Afghanistan’s rise into that group has effectively ended West Indies’ hopes of breaking into the direct qualification places.

The West Indies are currently ranked 10th and have two ODIs against India remaining before the cut-off. However, even winning both matches will not be enough to lift them into the automatic qualification positions. That means the Caribbean side will once again have to take the longer route to the World Cup.

A painful reminder of what happened in 2023

For West Indies, another qualification campaign represents an uncomfortable return to a situation they would have desperately wanted to avoid. The Caribbean giants were forced to enter the qualification process for the 2023 ODI World Cup as well. Their campaign in Zimbabwe ended in disappointment after they finished fifth in the Super Six stage and failed to qualify for the tournament.

It was a historic low for one of cricket’s most successful teams. West Indies had appeared at every men’s ODI World Cup from the inaugural edition in 1975 until 2019, but their failure to qualify for the 2023 tournament brought that remarkable streak to an end. The consequences continued beyond the World Cup. Their ranking position also meant they missed the 2025 Champions Trophy, having last featured in the competition in 2013. With another World Cup qualification battle now confirmed, there will inevitably be concern about history repeating itself.

New qualification system offers another route

The 2027 qualification tournament will feature 10 teams and provide West Indies with another opportunity to reach the global showpiece. The field is set to include West Indies and Ireland as the two lowest-ranked non-host Full Members, along with the top four teams from Cricket World Cup League 2 and the four sides emerging from the Qualifier Playoff.

The playoff itself brings together teams from different levels of the qualification pyramid, including the bottom four League 2 sides and four teams from the Challenge League. The revised system also gives teams more than one opportunity to progress. The winner of the 10-team Qualifier will earn a direct place in the second round of the 2027 World Cup. Teams finishing second, third and fourth will enter a three-team Super Series, with the winner also advancing.

The ICC approved the revamped World Cup structure in July, with the 14-team tournament designed to provide more competitive matches while keeping the overall event shorter. While the new pathway keeps West Indies’ World Cup dream alive, it also highlights the seriousness of their current position. A team once synonymous with dominance on the global stage now faces another high-pressure qualification campaign.

For Shai Hope and his teammates, the immediate task is clear: finish the remaining fixtures strongly, regroup and make sure the next qualification journey does not end in another historic disappointment.

- Akshat Gaur

ABDULLAH SHAFIQUE BECOMES FIRST PAKISTANI BATTER IN 49 YEARS TO SCORE 150 IN WEST INDIES

Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique has ended a 49-year wait by becoming the first Pakistani batter since 1977 to score more than 150 runs in a Test match in the West Indies.

Shafique struck a commanding 160 in the Port of Spain Test, playing a key role in Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second Test.

The milestone placed Shafique in distinguished company in Pakistan’s Test history. Before him, Majid Khan was the last Pakistani batter to score 150 or more runs in a Test in the West Indies. He made 167 in Guyana in 1977.

Shafique’s innings also highlighted his growing impact in overseas Test cricket. Three of Pakistan’s last four individual scores of 150 or more in Test matches played outside the country have been recorded by the right-handed batter.

His 160 proved particularly valuable as Pakistan chased down the target comfortably to complete an eight-wicket win in Port of Spain.

The victory also marked another significant overseas Test success for Pakistan. The national side had last won a Test series away from home in 2023, when it defeated Sri Lanka in a two-match series.

Shafique’s latest century-plus performance will therefore be remembered as both a personal milestone and an important contribution to Pakistan’s success in the Caribbean.

- Pakistani Observer 

BABAR AZAM EQUALS IMRAN KHAN'S HISTORIC PAKISTAN RECORD

 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has equalled a historic record previously held by former captain Imran Khan after being named the joint Player of the Series in the two-match Test series against the West Indies.

Pakistan defeated the West Indies by eight wickets in the second Test to level the series 1-1.

Babar finished as the leading run-scorer of the series, scoring 193 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 96.50. He shared the Player of the Series award with West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves.

The award was Babar’s first Player of the Series honor in Test cricket and his 10th overall in international cricket, allowing him to equal the Pakistan record jointly held by Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.

Before this, Babar had won five Player of the Series awards in T20 Internationals and four in One-Day Internationals.

Most Player of the Series Awards for Pakistan

Babar’s latest achievement places him alongside two of Pakistan’s greatest cricketers, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, as the joint record-holder for the most Player of the Series awards in Pakistan’s international cricket history.

- Abdul khalique

WHY ZIMBABWE AND INDIA CRICKETERS ARE WEARING BLACK ARMBANDS FOR THE SECOND T20I

India and Zimbabwe players were seen wearing black armbands during the second T20I in Harare on Saturday - here’s why.

The two teams took on each other in the second game of the three-match T20I series on Saturday (July 25). At the toss, which was won by Zimbabwe, both skippers, Shreyas Iyer and Sikandar Raza, were seen wearing black armbands, the reason for which was later confirmed by the BCCI.

Why are India and Zimbabwe wearing black armbands for the 2nd T20I?

According to a statement by the Indian cricket board, both Team India and Zimbabwe players are paying their respects to the Zimbabwe Cricket vice-chairman Sylvester Matshaka, who passed away last night.

Zimbabwe Cricket mourned the loss of Matshaka, 76, who passed away following a short illness on Friday. He joined the ZC board in 2006 and served as the vice-chairman since 2015. He was also part of the leadership that oversaw Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket in 2011, after a six-year absence.

Zimbabwe Cricket’s chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, paid tribute to Matshaka: “Mr Matshaka was a steady hand during some of the most defining moments in our history and his wisdom, sound judgement and quiet strength helped shape the organisation we are today, while his passion for growing the game touched countless lives across Zimbabwe.”

India make one change, Ashok Sharma dropped

India made one change to their XI, bringing in debutant Yash Thakur for Ashok Sharma for the game. Ashok, who had also made his debut in the last game, conceded 0-29 in four overs on Thursday. Zimbabwe were unchanged, hoping to draw level in the series after India clinched the first game by seven wickets.

The third T20I will be played tomorrow, Sunday, July 26

- Wisden

INDIA'S STAR BATTER VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI REFLECTS ON HIS UNIQUE CONNECTION WITH HARARE AHEAD OF ZIM VS. INDIA T20I SERIES

India's star batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi reflects on his unique connection with Harare ahead of the ZIM vs IND T20I series (Image source: X)

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi spoke about his special connection with Harare before the Zimbabwe T20I series.

• Suryavanshi will look to bounce back in form as India take on Zimbabwe in a thrilling T20I series.

Table of Contents

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi shares why Harare holds a special place in his heart

• Zimbabwe name full-strength squad led by Sikandar Raza to challenge Men in Blue

Following back-to-back T20I series setbacks, reigning world champions India have arrived in Zimbabwe seeking a swift turnaround. The three-match T20I series kicks off on July 22 at the Harare Sports Club, and all eyes are firmly on 15-year-old batting phenom Vaibhav Suryavanshi. After a quiet start to his international career in England, the teenage prodigy is eager to regain his explosive rhythm on familiar ground.

Suryavanshi, India’s youngest senior international cricketer, faced a baptism of fire during his debut tour, posting scores of 14, 13, and 15 across three matches. However, returning to Harare offers the young left-handed opener a chance to reset his game at a venue where he produced one of the most memorable innings of his blossoming career.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi shares why Harare holds a special place in his heart

For Suryavanshi, stepping back onto the lush turf of the Harare Sports Club brings back overwhelming nostalgia. Just four months ago, the venue served as the backdrop for India’s triumph at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, where Suryavanshi stole the spotlight with a breathtaking, match-winning performance.

In a video released by the BCCI ahead of the series opener, Suryavanshi expressed his excitement about returning to the historic venue:

“We are currently in Harare, Zimbabwe, and this is a very memorable ground for me. Just four months ago, we played the U-19 World Cup here and won it, so it’s a very special ground. Representing India is everyone’s dream, and it’s a truly special moment to return and play on such a great ground where we created history just four months ago. It is a wonderful feeling, so we will enjoy it.”

During that dramatic U-19 summit clash against England, Suryavanshi hammered a record-breaking 175 off just 80 deliveries. That masterclass included 15 fours and 15 sixes, propelling India to their sixth youth world title. Having already mapped out the pitch conditions and boundary dimensions from his previous stint, the teenager remains confident in applying those insights as India seek a dominant series victory.

Zimbabwe name full-strength squad led by Sikandar Raza to challenge Men in Blue

While Team India aim to test their tactical depth, hosts Zimbabwe are determined to capitalize on home advantage. Zimbabwe Cricket announced a formidable squad led by veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza, balancing seasoned international experience with promising young talent.

The squad features key pace weapons Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, while experienced all-rounders Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere strengthen the middle order. Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga has earned his maiden T20I call-up, while Madhevere makes his return to the national setup. With Suryavanshi looking to turn past memories into fresh runs, the stage is set for an exciting clash in Harare.

- Akash Thapa

MCCALLUM 'GUTTED' AS HE'S SACKED AS ENGLAND ENGLAND TEST CRICKET COACH

 

Brendon McCullum has been sacked as head of red ball cricket for England.
Credit: PA

Brendon McCullum has left his role as England’s Test head coach but will remain in charge of the white-ball set-up.

McCullum has paid the price for a poor run of red-ball form with a 4-1 defeat in last winter’s Ashes followed by a 2-1 home loss to New Zealand last month, which occurred against the backdrop of another off-the-field incident under the watch of the Kiwi coach.

Ben Stokes announced his international retirement midway through defeat at Trent Bridge, and that will prove the final Test of McCullum’s England red-ball tenure.

It started in extraordinary fashion in 2022 with ‘Bazball’ taking the cricket world by storm. England’s bold and fresh attack-minded approach under McCullum and Stokes led to 3-0 series wins over New Zealand and in Pakistan, where 500 runs were scored in one day, before a thrilling 2-2 home Ashes in 2023, but the trajectory soon changed.

A 4-1 thumping in India two years ago exposed England’s stubborn and at times naive mantra and along with multiple disciplinary issues, McCullum has lost his Test role months after the overseas Ashes were lost in 11 days during an abject tour of Australia.

It leaves England in need of a new head coach and captain for red-ball cricket.

Richard Gould, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s chief executive officer, said: “Brendon breathed new life into England men’s Test team during an exciting period which saw some amazing victories and we’re grateful for all he has given to the role.

“We now believe that the time is right to make a change for the Test team as we target victory in the Ashes next summer.”

Rob Key had faced scrutiny after a 4-1 loss to Australia but while Stokes and now McCullum have left their roles, he believes the red-ball set-up are “poised to achieve great things” on the foundations set by two figures which have left a mark on Test cricket.

“Some of England’s most memorable moments in recent history have occurred under Brendon’s leadership of the Test team,” Key said.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to watch him shape the mentality of the team, to one the players have loved and see him develop a new generation of talent who will be at the heart of England men’s teams for years to come.

“He leaves the Test team well-set and poised to achieve great things.”

This news occurred the day after England’s T20 team thrashed India by a 56-run margin at Ageas Bowl to seal a 4-0 Vitality Series win under McCullum.

McCullum, who took on the white-ball role in 2024 and will remain in charge of the one-day set-up, won 25 of his 44 Tests and said that while he was “gutted” to leave the Test role, he “respects” the decision to make a change.

“I’ve absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. There’ve been some unbelievable highs and a few tough days along the way, but that’s all part of taking on a challenge like this,” he said.

“It’s been a privilege and an honour, and I’m grateful. Grateful to the players, the staff and the fans who supported us on the journey.

“Of course I’m gutted not to be continuing, but I respect the decision. My focus now is on giving everything I’ve got to the white-ball teams and helping England keep moving forward.

“I wish the Test team nothing but success. There’s a hell of a lot of talent in that dressing room and they’re a special bunch of lads.

“I’ll always be backing the boys, with a smile on my face, and hoping they keep taking the game on. I know they’ll continue to make people proud.”

Former Australia captains Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting have both been touted for as possible England coaches in the past, while a second stint at the helm for Zimbabwean Andy Flower would also be a popular option.

Flower previously served between 2009 and 2014, and oversaw three successful Ashes campaigns – including their last away success in 2010-11. Domestically, Surrey’s three-time County Championship winner Gareth Barry and Gloucestershire’s highly rated Richard Dawson are well thought of.

Andrew Flintoff has also been spoken of as a future England coach by Key, who is a close friend, and he is effectively an internal candidate due to his role in charge of the England Lions setup. Whether he has the experience to oversee a rebuild of the Test regime is less clear.

- itvX

INDIA BAT FIRST AND HAND SOORYAVANSHI HIS DEBUT IN MANCHESTER

England brought back Jora Archer to their eleven and handed Josh Tongue his debut in white-ball internationals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got his India cap at 15 years and 99 days  •  Getty Images

India won the toss and opted to bat in the second T20I at Old Trafford. They made one change to their XI, bringing in 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a hotly anticipated debut - in the process overwriting Sachin Tendulkar's record as the youngest man to represent India.

India's management had dead-batted the prospect of Sooryavanshi making the step up after a stellar IPL campaign, but having left him on the sidelines for two T20Is in Belfast, as well as the first game of the series against England, they have given into temptation. He received his cap from Tilak Varma, and replaces Sanju Samson - India's Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup earlier this year - after a run of 5, 0 and 1.

"He completely deserves [it], the way he has performed that last couple of months," India's captain, Shreyas Iyer, said of Sooryavanshi at the toss. "He doesn't take pressure, you see him in the dressing room and he has that unflinching nature."

Sooryavanshi will get first go on an Old Trafford surface that last year yielded a total of 304 for 2 when England took on South Africa. Conditions were a little overcast and blustery, with Iyer losing his cap as the coin went up.

England had named their team in advance, with two changes from the washed-out first T20I at Chester-le-Street: Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue - the latter making his debut - in for Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood. "We're happy with selections, Jof coming back in is a very strong player," Harry Brook said. "Tonguey has been knocking the door down and I think it's the right time for him

On the prospect of facing down India's teenage phenom, Brook said: "We've been thinking about tactical decisions, it's just about executing them."

England 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Harry Brook (capt), 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Tom Banton, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tongue

India 1 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Harshit Rana, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Varun Chakravarth

- Alan Gardner

ENGLAND SKIPPER BEN STOKES ANNOUNCES SHOCK RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

England captain Ben Stokes has announced his bombshell retirement from international cricket with the curtain set to fall after the end of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.

England captain Ben Stokes has announced his bombshell retirement from international cricket with the curtain set to fall after the end of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.

Stokes issued a statement shortly before tea on day four of the decisive third Test against New Zealand, having informed his team-mates in the dressing room at Trent Bridge before the start of play.

As the news broke, Stokes was in the middle of a mammoth bowling spell, with news filtering out into a stunned crowd as he stood at the top of his mark to start an 11th over.

The 35-year-old received a spontaneous standing ovation from all four corners of the crowd and then produced a quite remarkable piece of theatre – having Zak Foulkes caught at slip with his next ball.

GOODBYE: Ben Stokes will end his Test career after the ongoing match against New Zealand
PICTURES: Joe Giddens/PA

Cricket folklore

The fans roared in delight as the rest of the team mobbed him in a moment that will live long in English cricket folklore.

The shocking development comes in the immediate aftermath of the disciplinary incident that unfolded earlier this month, involving Stokes and Gus Atkinson in a London nightclub.

He was stood down from the second Test at the Kia Oval while the England and Wales Cricket Board conducted an investigation into the episode.

He was later handed a written conduct warning but escaped any further censure and immediately returned to lead the side in Nottingham.

Speaking for the first time since the saga began on Wednesday, he appeared to cast doubt over his long-term future, repeatedly focusing on the importance of the five days ahead.

Invited to clarify that he was not back in the side for one match only, he refused to do so.

JOY: England’s Ben Stokes (right) celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Zak Foulkes minutes after announcing he is to retire from international cricket

One more trip

Informing his team that his long and storied England career was coming to an end in the next 48 hours, Stokes said in a clip shared by the ECB: “There’s something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England.

“Reasons can wait but I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I’ve got one more trip to do.

“And the only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone please just do the same?

“We’ve done a lot of hard work still to do, and the only thing that I want is to be able to walk off the end of that field regardless of the result, knowing that I’ve had this group of men and one lady (fielding coach Sarah Taylor) give everything for the last two days.

“The only thing I want is just for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team and everything else we’ve got going forward for you blokes.

“Let’s just go out there and f***ing give absolutely everything for another two days because that’s my only intention and that’s where all my energy is right now.

“(I’ve) got the emotional side out of it but now it’s time to go to work and everyone else, please just come with me.”

- The Cricket Paper Team

ENGLAND LOSE 12 WTC POINTS FOR SLOW OVER RATE AT OVAL

This is the second time England have lost points for a slow over rate in this World Test Championship cycle

Joe Root accepted the charge of maintaining a slow over rate at The Oval  •  Philip Brown/Getty Images

England have been docked 12 points in the World Test Championship and fined 50% of their match fee for a slow over-rate offence against New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval. Since a win is worth 12 WTC points, the penalty has cost England the points they earned for beating New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's.

England were found to be 12 overs short of the target at The Oval after factoring in time allowances. According to the World Test Championship playing conditions, a team is penalised one point for each over short. The ICC's Code of Conduct says players will be fined 5% of their match fee for each over short but the maximum is capped at 50%, which is the penalty England have been hit with.

The charges were brought by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd. England captain Joe Root, who was standing in for Ben Stokes in the aftermath of the Rex Rooms incident, pled guilty and so no hearing was needed with match referee Andy Pycroft.

England lost the second Test by 253 runs, with the series level at 1-1 ahead of the decider at Trent Bridge from June 25. England are currently seventh out of nine teams in the WTC standings with 38 points from 12 Tests, which translates to 26.39 percentage points.

This is the second time England have been docked points for a slow over rate in the current WTC cycle. They lost two points for the same offence during their 22-run victory against India at Lord's in 2025. In the previous WTC cycle from 2023 to 2025, England had lost 22 points due to slow over-rate offences and finished fifth.

- ESPNcricinfo

ENGLAND CREATE TEST HISTORY AS MCC RELEASE STATEMENT ABOUT DANGEROUS LORD'S PITCH

 

England and New Zealand created a new piece of Test history at Lord's during the first of their three-match series.

As the home of cricket celebrated its 150th Test, there were a combined 24 dismissals via bowled and LBWs in English Test history.

England's Ollie Robinson was awarded Man of the Match after a stunning return to the England teamCredit: Getty

It was also the second-shortest Test match ever held at Lord's by the number of overs.

And after the Test, the MCC have issued a statement in which they apologised for the pitch's condition.

166 overs were bowled across three days and a bit, which works out as fewer than two full days of cricket.

And of all Tests to be played with all 40 wickets being taken, this was the third-shortest, with the other two being in 1888 and 1907.

Only two players scored 50s, and they were both English.

In the first innings, Harry Brook scored 56 as England made just 140.

But it proved to be equally difficult for the Black Caps to bat as well as they made just 113.

And Emilio Gay on his Test debut scored 57 to give England a big lead and a difficult target for New Zealand to chase, which they couldn't.

The visitors needed 254 to win and were bowled out for just 138, with bowlers well on top.

There wasn't a single over of spin bowled as the seamers totally dominated due to a friendly pitch and overhead conditions.

Ahead of the Test, the Lord's ground staff made a conscious effort to create a livelier pitch after years of slow ones at the home of cricket.

Robinson was named player-of-the-match on his England returnCredit: Getty

There was even a new method used of steaming, which is something that happens at Wimbledon, but it was too much in the end.

In a statement from the MCC, they said: "We recognise that the pitch for this Test has shown more variable bounce than we would have wanted.

"We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are naturally frustrated when a surface falls short of those expectations.

“MCC invests significantly each year in the preparation of the Main Square at Lord’s, as well as in research, technology and expertise aimed at producing pitches that provide a fair and consistent contest between bat and ball.

"The unusually hot and dry weather during May, followed by wetter conditions in the lead-up to the match, presented a number of challenges in preparing the pitch.

“However, we fully recognise the need to act quickly. We will remain fully focused on applying all aspects of pitch development and improvement as outlined in our recently published MCC Cricket Strategy 2026-29.”

And speaking on talkSPORT's exclusive international commentary, ex-New Zealand star Jeremy Coney wasn't happy with the pitch.

He said: "No spinner has bowled a ball in this Test match and that was because of the movement up and down, variable bounce and seam movement.

"It was hard batting conditions and no one was really able to conqueror it.

"It worked out as a wicket every four overs, and of the 20 New Zealand lost, 14 of them were either LBW or bowled."

Speaking about it later on in the broadcast, he said: "The groundstaff aren't trying to produce a bad pitch.

"But if you are going to use a new method, test it out somewhere else first.

"Whatever they did, the result is unfortunate. It has produced a lopsided game.

"It was weighted too heavily on one side.

"No one wants to see weighted too heavily on the batting side either."

And England legend Steve Harmison also felt it was too favourable to the bowlers.

He also had his say after Tom Latham's speech.

"Tom has decided not to say anything there, but the head coach should come out.

"New Zealand's head coach should come out strong because they've got to condemn this pitch.

"This is one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world, and year upon year, we seem to be getting a poor pitch.

"We have to do something about it, and the only way we can do something about is to talk about it in the right way.

"It has been sub-standard, and you have to call it as it is.

"The pitch was poor last year, and this year, it was actually a danger to the players, and that is the final straw."

There four five-fors across the Test, showing just how much the ball dominatedCredit: Getty

Big positive

England needed to win, and they did, and the return of Robinson from the cold was huge.

The Sussex bowler hadn't played for England since 2024 due to concerns over his fitness and form, and it had looked as if his Test career was over.

But a brilliant start to the County Championship season saw him earn a shot in the Test team, and he claimed seven wickets across the two innings, including three in an over to put England in charge.

And after the first day, it was all a bit too much for his wife, who was very emotional.

Robinson will now look to cement his place in the team and ensure this isn't just a brief spell.

- Jack Cunningham

IPL 2026 ELIMINATOR: RECORDS BROCKEN BY RR'S SOORYAVANSHI DURING 29-BALL 97

The 15-year-old fell a few runs short of scoring the fastest century, but broke or equalled numerous other IPL records

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays a shot against Sunrisers Hyderabad during the Eliminator IPL T20 match at the New Chandigarh Stadium in Punjab on May 27, 2026 | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Rajasthan Royals (RR) prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi surpassed West Indies legend Chris Gayle for most sixes in a single Indian Premier League (IPL) edition and in a T20 tournament.

Sooryavanshi achieved this milestone during his side’s IPL eliminator match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), slamming a stormy 97 in just 29 balls, with five fours and 12 massive sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 334.48.

He's always aiming for the stars 💫

Relive his record-breaking six ▶️ https://t.co/7D6JymqfsM#TATAIPL | #Eliminator | #TheFinalLeap | #SRHvRR | @rajasthanroyalspic.twitter.com/8YODkB5QJy

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2026

Sooryavanshi has smashed 65 sixes so far in the ongoing IPL season, outdoing Gayle’s tally of 59 sixes in the 2012 edition.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, left, returns to the dugout after his dismissal as players and staff in the dugout applaud him | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Sooryavanshi has also levelled with Gayle for most instances of hitting 10-plus sixes in an IPL innings, a total of four times. Three of these occasions have come this season, making him the first batter to hit 10-plus sixes in three IPL innings in a season.

The 15-year-old’s take down of cricket legends one by one continues as he also surpassed Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya’s tally of seven powerplay sixes during the IPL 2008 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with eight sixes in the powerplay at Mullanpur.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, left, returns to the dugout after his dismissal as players and staff in the dugout applaud him | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Sooryavanshi is the batter with the most runs coming in the powerplay during an IPL season, with 490 runs, overtaking Australian legend David Warner, who scored 467 runs for SRH in the 2016 edition.

This is also his fifth fifty-plus score in the power play in IPL, with only Warner (six such scores) ahead of him.

He has also joined Suresh Raina (87 against Punjab Kings in 2014) and Adam Gilchrist (74 against Delhi Daredevils in 2009) for fifty-plus scores made during powerplay in an IPL knockout/playoff match.

This is Sooryavanshi’s fifth fifty in less than 20 balls, with only Abhishek Sharma (six) above him.

Sooryavanshi establishes new IPL playoff records

A generational IPL season

In this season, Sooryavanshi has smashed 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85, including a century and four fifties, with a best score of 103. He has smashed 55 fours and 65 sixes in 280 balls faced. His balls per boundary shot ratio is 2.3, and balls per six ratio is 4.3.

The 15-year-old’s 16-ball half-century tied with Raina’s 16-ball fifty (against PBKS in 2014) for the joint-fastest fifty in an IPL knockout/playoff match.

Twelve sixes smashed by him are also the most in an innings by a batter in IPL knockouts/playoffs, outdoing Shubman Gill’s 10 sixes against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023. Sooryavanshi has the most sixes in an IPL inning by an Indian as well.

Ninety-seven runs by Sooryavanshi is the second-highest individual score for RR in an IPL knockouts/Playoffs game, behind 106* runs by Jos Buttler against RCB in the qualifier 2 of IPL 2022.

A generational IPL season

In this season, Sooryavanshi has smashed 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85, including a century and four fifties, with a best score of 103. He has smashed 55 fours and 65 sixes in 280 balls faced. His balls per boundary shot ratio is 2.3, and balls per six ratio is 4.3.

This is the most runs an uncapped batter has scored in an IPL season, overtaking his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal’s tally of 625 runs in the 2023 season. Also, he is the youngest to complete 600 runs in an IPL season.

Before the left-handed sensation arrived to the scene, no other batter in T20 history had smashed 600+ runs in a T20 tournament while also striking at 200-plus.

- ANI

LADY CHEVRONS RETURN HOME

THE Zimbabwe senior women’s cricket team returned to Harare yesterday morning following their tour of Pakistan and will take a week-long break before regrouping for a high-performance camp in Bulawayo.

The camp, held at the high-performance centre run by Zimbabwe Cricket in Bulawayo, will bring together senior national team players and selected prospects from the high-performance programme.

Technical director Steve Mangongo confirmed the programme will begin in a week.

“Training starts in a week,” Mangongo told NewsDay Sport.

The break allows the squad time to recover from the demanding tour of Pakistan before resuming intensive training.

The Bulawayo camp is expected to focus on fitness, skills development and tactical work in a centralised environment aimed at raising standards across the national women’s cricket pathway.

It will also allow emerging players to train alongside established internationals as Zimbabwe continues efforts to strengthen its talent pipeline.

The move is part of Zimbabwe Cricket’s broader strategy to consolidate high-performance programmes outside Harare and expand opportunities for players across the country.

- AUSTIN KARONGA

BANGLADESH BEAT PAKISTAN BY 78 RUNS TO CLINCH HISTORIC TEST SERIES WIN

Taijul Islam’s six-for helps Bangladesh bowl out the visitors for 328 in their first home series win over Pakistan.

Bangladesh's Taijul Islam was their leading wicket-taker in the second Test against Pakistan [Munir uz Zaman/AFP]

Bangladesh have sealed a historic home Test series win over Pakistan after handing the visitors a 78-run defeat in their second Test in Sylhet.

Spinner Taijul Islam took six wickets to lead the spirited home side’s series win on the fifth day of the match on Wednesday.

Pakistan, who started the day on 316-7 while chasing a record 437, were bowled out for 328 in the first session after Mohammad Rizwan hit a valiant 94.

It was Bangladesh’s first Test series win at home against Pakistan and their second successive sweep after their 2-0 triumph on Pakistani soil in 2024.

Wicketkeeper Rizwan kept Pakistan in the hunt for an unlikely win with a 166-ball stay after the visitors had slumped to 162-5 on day four.

Rizwan put on an eighth-wicket partnership of 54 with overnight partner Sajid Khan, who made 28.

Taijul broke through to dismiss Sajid for his 18th Test five-wicket haul, and Shoriful Islam had Rizwan caught in the next over to end Pakistan’s resistance.

Taijul took the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad to return figures of 6-120 and trigger Bangladesh celebrations.

The left-arm spinner also took 3-67 during Pakistan’s first-innings 232.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das scored 126 in their first-innings 278.

Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 in the second to guide Bangladesh to 390, with contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69).

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, won the opening Test by 104 runs.

- AFP

FASTEST TO 50 SIXES, 500 RUNS: SOORYAVANSHI SHATTERS MORE IPL RECORDS IN RR-LSG MATCH

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-breaking knock helped RR earn a seven-wicket win, propelling them to 14 points, a win away from sealing qualification.

IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi broke a heap of runs and sixes records during the RR vs LSG match. (CREIMAS)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking spree continued its charge towards otherworldly territory as the 15-year-old produced a match-winning innings that kept Rajasthan Royals’ playoffs hunt alive on Tuesday. Featuring in a daunting 221-run chase against the Lucknow Super Giants, Sooryavanshi spearheaded the charge with a spell-binding assault of 93 runs in 38 balls, laced with 10 sixes and seven fours.

The knock helped RR earn a seven-wicket win, propelling them to 14 points, a win away from sealing qualification. Sooryavanshi’s six-hitting fest also elevated him to rare territory as a slew of records tumbled down.

Here’s a look at all the records broken by Sooryavanshi in the RR vs LSG match

Fastest to 500 runs in a season

Sooryavanshi, who leads the Orange Cap charts, became the fastest to clock 500 runs in an IPL season, in only 220 balls.

Youngest to reach 500

The southpaw also became the youngest batter ever to hit 500 runs in a T20 tournament, eclipsing Devdutt Padikkal who scored 580 runs in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at 19. Sooryavanshi is the first teenager to score 500 runs in an IPL season.

Fastest to 50 sixes

Sooryavanshi also became the fastest batter to slam 50 sixes in an IPL season, getting there in only 236 deliveries.

Fastest to 50 IPL sixes in an edition

• 236 balls – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 2026

• 237 balls – Andre Russell, 2019

• 430 balls – Chris Gayle, 2012

• 456 balls Chris Gayle, 2013

First Indian to hit 50 sixes

The Bihar prodigy also became the first Indian batter and only the third overall after Gayle and Russell to record 50 sixes in an IPL season. With 53 sixes to his tally, only Gayle has smashed more maximums (59 in 2012) in a season in the league’s history.

Most sixes in an IPL season

• 59 – Chris Gayle (2012)

• 53 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026)

• 52 – Andre Russell (2019)

• 51 – Gayle (2013)

Powerplay slayer

426 of Sooryavanshi’s 579 runs this season has come in the Powerplay, making it one of the most successful seasons for a batter in the first six overs. With a game left in the league stage, only David Warner has amassed more Powerplay runs (467) than Sooryavanshi in an IPL season.

Most powerplay (1-6 overs) runs in an IPL season

• 467 – David Warner (2016)

• 426 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026)

• 402 – Travis Head (2024)

• 402 – Sai Sudharsan (2025)

- The Indian Express 

PBKS IPL 2026 PLAYOFFS QUALIFICATION SCENARIO: HOW CAN PUNJAB QUALIFY AFTER 5 DEFEATS

PBKS Playoffs qualification scenario, IPL 2026: Punjab have suffered five consecutive losses. (CREIMAS)

PBKS IPL 2026 Playoffs qualfication scenario: Punjab were on a phenomenal run since the start of the season, bossing the park with an unbeaten run of seven consecutive matches before losing five matches.

IPL 2026 Playoffs qualification scenario: Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings have endured a terrible patch of bad form right in the middle of their IPL 2026 campaign. PBKS’ staggering freefall has now extended to five successive defeats after a loss to Mumbai Indians in Dharamsala on Thursday night.

After a wobbly batting effort that still ushered them to a 200-run total, Punjab floundered in defence as Mumbai snatched a rare win during their poor season. Already eliminated from the Playoffs race, Mumbai have put Punjab under great pressure now to pull themselves through to the Playoffs.

Punjab’s move to their second base in Dharamsala has coincided with two losses now, the previous one occurring by 33 runs during a steep 236-run chase against SunRisers Hyderabad a few nights ago.

PBKS IPL 2026 Playoffs qualification scenario

Punjab were on a phenomenal run since the start of the season, with Iyer and Co. bossing the park with an unbeaten run of seven consecutive matches. However, things changed drastically as they went on to drop the next five matches.

Having ceded the top spot over the last two weeks, Punjab are stranded on 13 points from 12 games, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of them.

Punjab’s next two matches are against RCB and Lucknow Super Giants, who are already eliminated from the Playoffs race.

If they manage to win both games, Punjab could finish at 17 points and be secured of a top-four finish as only two other teams can be in contention to surpass the mark then. If they slip-up in either of the two remaining matches and earn only one win, Punjab will be all but out of contention as they will finish on 15 points. RCB and Gujarat Titans have already reached 16 points with SRH, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals also in the race to reach 16 points.

Punjab will have their task cut out, but can still rest easy believing that their fate still lies in their own hands.

PBKS remaining matches

PBKS vs RCB, May 17, 3:30 PM IST – Dharamsala

LSG vs PBKS, May 23, 7:30 PM IST – Lucknow

- The Indian Express 

HOLDER STARTS AS GUJRAT TITANS RESTRICT PUNJAB KINGS AND SEAL 4-WICKET WIN IN AHMEDABAD

Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada had set it up for the Titans after they opted to bowl first

Gujarat Titans all-rounder Jason Holder rocked the Punjab Kings with his medium pace bowling, claiming 4/24 in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
PTI

When an aggressive batting line-up like that of Punjab Kings gets restricted to hitting only seven sixes in their innings, it goes on to reflect how well their opponents bowled. The Gujarat Titans bowlers, led by seamer all-rounder Jason Holder (4/24), deserve all the credit for limiting the Kings to 163/9, laying the foundation for their four-wicket victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The Ahmedabad pitch aided strokeplay and also had purchase for the quicks, keeping them in the game right through.

The likes of Arshdeep Singh, Impact Player Vijaykumar Vyshak and Marco Jansen took the contest closer with their respective strikes, before Washington Sundar (40 not out off 23 balls) sealed the game for the Titans off with a six as Marcus Stoinis failed to execute his yorker off the penultimate delivery.

After Arshdeep had Holder holing out at the deep, the Titans needed 11 off the final over. But Stoinis began with a wide and got his execution wrong as the Titans reached home with a ball to spare, registering their third straight victory. For the Kings, this was the second consecutive loss.

For the Titans, Sai Sudharsan (57 off 41 balls) was their top scorer.

Penetration at its best

Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada had set it up for the Titans after they opted to bowl first. The duo reduced the Kings to 35/3 in the Powerplay and then Holder’s arrival led to the departure of both Impact Player Nehal Wadhera and Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer in the ninth over.

Wadhera and Shreyas were both bamboozled by length and a bit of movement.

Right through his spells, Holder, looking to make a comeback in Test cricket, focused on the back-of-a-length stuff and also looked to shape the ball in towards the right-handers.

It was only when Holder and the other quicks were away that Suryansh Shedge (57 off 29 balls) and Stoinis tried to maximise the scoring opportunities during their 79-run sixth-wicket stand. Shedge alone smashed five of the seven sixes in the Kings innings on way to his maiden IPL fifty.

But, given the damage caused earlier by Holder, it was extremely tough for the Kings to stage much of a recovery.

- The Telegraph India

RIYAN PARAG SMOKING CONTROVERSY: MATCH REFEREE COULD BE PUNISHED FOR NOT CHECKING ON BANNED SUBSTANCE REACHING DRESSING ROOM: BCCI SOURCES

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 30 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could punish the match referee for bringing disrepute to the game by letting a banned substance reach the dressing room unchecked, as Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag was caught smoking on a e-cigarette in the dressing room during his side's Indian Premier League (IPL) match, as per BCCI sources.

As per the BCCI sources, there is no provision in the BCCI rule book to penalise Riyan for smoking during the Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash at Mullanpur. However, the match referee could be on the receiving end of the punishment as the banned substance was brought inside the dressing room without any checking.

While RR is having a fine IPL campaign as a collective, having won six and lost three matches and being a strong contender for playoffs with 12 points, holding a fourth-place finish currently, Riyan is himself having a poor run with the bat, having made just 117 runs in nine matches at a poor average of 14.62, a strike rate of 124.46 and a best score of 29.

So far, the RR's fire-packed campaign has been dominated by the opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (400 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 238, with a century and two fifties) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (306 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 158, with three fifties), the pace duo of Jofra Archer (14 wickets at an average of 19.50) and Nandre Burger (nine wickets at an average of 32.77).

Donovan Ferreira (182 runs in six innings at an average of 36.40 and a strike rate of over 158, with two fifties) has also delivered some strong finishes for RR.

The Royals will take on the Delhi Capitals (DC) at a home clash on Friday. (ANI)

- Vipul Kashyap

KOLKATA BEAT LUCKNOW IN THRILLING SUPER OVER

 

Getty 

Kolkata Knight Riders edged past Lucknow Super Giants in a dramatic Indian Premier League contest that needed a super over to decide the winner.

Chasing KKR's 155-8, Lucknow required seven runs to win from Kartik Tyagi's last ball, which Mohammed Shami launched for six to force a tie and send the match into a super over.

Sunil Narine dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram to restrict hosts Lucknow to just one run batting first in the super over before Rinku Singh, who had emerged as KKR's star on the field with four catches, fittingly hit the winning runs.

Earlier, Mohsin Khan had claimed five wickets as Lucknow took early control after asking KKR to bat first.

The 27-year-old Indian left-arm seamer set the tone early by dismissing Tim Seifert for a three-ball duck in a wicket-maiden and finished with 5-23 to leave Kolkata reeling at 73-6.

But Rinku produced a stunning late surge, smashing four consecutive sixes in the last over to remain unbeaten on 83 from 51 balls and help KKR post 155-8.

Lucknow lost wickets at regular intervals as they struggled to keep pace during the chase but Rishabh Pant's 42 and contributions from Markram and Ayush Badoni set up the dramatic finish.

Kolkata climb to eighth place with five points while Lucknow are bottom with four.

- BBC Sport

SACHIN TENDULKAR BREAKS DOWN SHREYAS LYER'S 'CATCH OF THE SEASON' TO DISMISS HARDIK PANDYA

 Sachin Tendulkar summed up Shreyas' acrobatic effort, saying that the PBKS captain got everything "spot on".

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer celebrates after relaying a stunning catch to dismiss Hardik Pandya. @BCCI

Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar was right on the money as he explained Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer's flying attempt, which many described as the "Catch of the Season", to get rid of Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya. Shreyas was at his acrobatic best as he ran in from long-on to reverse-cup Hardik's mistimed pull before relaying it to Xavier Bartlett despite being airborne. The attempt stunned fans and experts alike, including Tendulkar, who described it as "one of the best catches i've ever seen".

The MI dugout had the best view of Shreyas' audacious attempt, especially Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who were sitting just a few meters away from where the PBKS skipper landed after parrying the ball to the fielder charging in from long-off. In a viral video, Rohit and Surya were seen looking at each other with expressions of pure disbelief.

Taking to X, Tendulkar summed up Shreyas' acrobatic effort, saying that the PBKS captain got everything "spot on".

"What made Shreyas Iyer's catch so special was not just the athleticism, but the awareness behind it. He had to judge the speed of the ball, the height, where the boundary rope was, how close he was to stepping on it, and get his jump absolutely perfect," Tendulkar wrote on X.

The legendary batter noted the key to the catch wasn't just Shreyas' athleticism, but his head position, balance and awareness.

"Then, while still in the air, he caught the ball and released it to a teammate before landing, all the while knowing exactly where that fielder was positioned. To process all of that in a split second takes unbelievable awareness, timing, fitness, and composure.

"Shreyas Iyer got everything spot on. One of the best catches I've ever seen live!"

- Vedant Yadav