Latest updates from the cricket world
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi marked his debut for the senior India National Cricket Team in the second T20I match of the five-match series against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. Receiving cap number 122 from Tilak Varma, Sooryavanshi became India's youngest-ever player at 15 years, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record. Varma encouraged him to continue playing fearless cricket with the right attitude. Sooryavanshi shared that he first informed his father upon confirmation of his debut, describing it as a proud and dream-come-true moment. In his debut innings, he hit a six off Jofra Archer but was dismissed after scoring 14 runs from 10 balls.
In the 2nd T20I match at Manchester's Emirates Old Trafford, England defeated India by 4 wickets, leading the 5-match series. Shreyas Iyer, India’s captain, expressed disappointment over the bowling performance that contributed to the loss. India batted first with debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among the players, scoring 190/7, with notable contributions from Abhishek Sharma (43) and Ishan Kishan (49). England’s successful chase featured a pivotal unbeaten 76-run innings from Jacob Bethell and strong starts from Arshdeep Singh who took early wickets. Iyer highlighted a crucial 29-run over by Ravi Bishnoi that shifted momentum towards England. Despite the loss, Iyer maintained high spirits and acknowledged England’s effective game plan and Bethell’s fearless batting.
Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has drawn a comparison between Virat Kohli and tennis legend John McEnroe due to their similar fiery demeanor on the field. Kapil highlighted Kohli's unique energy and emotion as key strengths that fuel his performance under pressure, in contrast to players who remain calm and quiet. He applauded Kohli's exceptional wrist work and ability to pick ball length, comparing him favorably with Rohit Sharma. Kapil also mentioned former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad as a similar spirited competitor. The 1983 World Cup winner said he admires players like Kohli who express intense passion and hunger to win, despite being less confrontational himself. Kohli is set to return to international cricket with the upcoming three-match ODI series in England starting July 14, 2026.
England's cricket team has expressed concerns over disruption caused by singer Rita Ora's closing ceremony performance before the Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's. Ora's show is scheduled from 2:30pm to 3pm, with the final starting half an hour later, reducing the players' warm-up time on the main square. England's captain Nat Sciver-Brunt noted frustrations as bowlers prefer to warm up on specific wickets on the main field. However, the Nursery Ground remains available for practice. Australia's captain Sophie Molineux appeared unbothered by the schedule, recalling past entertainment at finals such as Katy Perry's 2020 performance in Melbourne. The final will be free to watch on Sky Sports Sky Mix, with England facing Australia, a team that has won all prior T20 final encounters against them.
The USA T20 League 2026's twentieth match will feature the Los Angeles Knight Riders against MI New York on 5th July at 7:00 AM IST at Knight Riders Cricket Field, Pomona. Both teams have collected 6 points and are eager to improve their standings. Key players to watch include Quinton de Kock for MI New York and all-rounders Sunil Narine and Jason Holder for Los Angeles Knight Riders. The match promises a batting-friendly pitch with the average first innings score around 172. Los Angeles Knight Riders are predicted to win based on their recent form and squad strength.
England have historically struggled against Australia in Women's World Cup finals, losing all six encounters across formats, including a recent 16-0 defeat in Australia. However, recent structural changes led by coach Charlotte Edwards have revitalised the England team, who are entering the 2026 T20 World Cup final unbeaten. Former player Katherine Sciver-Brunt highlights the psychological challenge Australia poses, noting that their reputation can impact opponents before the match starts. England's transformation includes clearer player roles and renewed confidence, which even Australian players have acknowledged. Experts emphasize that England’s status as underdogs may shift pressure onto Australia, potentially enabling England to leverage calm, focused play to challenge their dominant rivals in the final at Lord's on 5 July 2026.
England's women's cricket team will compete against Australia in the T20 World Cup final held at Lord's on Sunday, starting at 15:30 BST. England, looking to secure their first major title since 2017, reached the final unbeaten after defeating South Africa in the semi-final. Australia, six-time champions, advanced by overcoming the West Indies. BBC Sport will provide extensive coverage including live radio commentary via BBC Sounds, Radio 5 Sports Extra, and the BBC Sport app, alongside live text updates and video highlights, all accessible primarily to UK users. Additional commentary and podcasts will feature insights from experts and past World Cup winners.
England will face Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's, hoping that home advantage and their familiarity with the pitch and conditions will help them overcome a confident Australian team. Australia, led by captain Sophie Molineux, has had a dominant tournament run, including a strong semi-final win over West Indies. England's squad, bolstered by experienced players such as Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Heather Knight, who have previous success at Lord's, emphasize the significance of playing on home soil with passionate support from family and fans. Coach Charlotte Edwards has also been instrumental in transforming the English team's culture and performance over the past 18 months. While Australia has a strong recent record against England, the English side is motivated to maintain their record of never losing a World Cup on home soil.
Surrey climbed to the top of the Women's T20 Blast standings with a 34-run victory against The Blaze at Trent Bridge. Phoebe Franklin scored 46 runs to help Surrey post 155-9. Kalea Moore took a maiden five-wicket haul of 5-22 to bowl out The Blaze for 121, despite Charli Knott's six wickets and 28 runs. In other matches, Yorkshire recorded their first win of the season, with Lauren Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis setting a world-record equalling fourth-wicket partnership of 167 as they defeated Somerset. Durham also secured a seven-wicket win over Lancashire, propelled by medium-pacer Trudy Johnson's career-best 3-7 and Hollie Armitage's 44 not out for Durham. Surrey's victory lifts them above The Blaze in the table, with Yorkshire remaining bottom despite their win.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has indicated that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old batting prodigy, is yet to make his international debut. Despite calls for his inclusion following recent defeats, Morkel confirmed that the team management will continue to back established players Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson during the five-match T20I series against England. Morkel emphasized maintaining the batting order without forcing changes to accommodate Sooryavanshi, while recognizing the young player's positive attitude and seamless integration into the squad. The Indian coaching staff remain excited about Sooryavanshi's potential and expect him to be ready when eventually given the opportunity.
Australia's star all-rounder Ellyse Perry is expected to play in Sunday's T20 World Cup final against England after showing no signs of discomfort during a near full-intensity training session. Perry, who retired hurt with a quad issue in the semi-final against West Indies, remained a key player for Australia, being the leading run-scorer for her team in the tournament with 185 runs, including three half-centuries. Coach Shelley Nitschke indicated Perry might play even if not fully fit. Teammates praised her professionalism and dedication to participate in the final at Lord's. The final marks a clash between unbeaten rivals Australia and England, their first World Cup final meeting since 2022.
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh praised Ben Stokes for his significant contributions to England and Test cricket upon Stokes' retirement at 35 during the third Test against New Zealand. Waugh expressed sadness over Stokes' exit, calling him a fearless player and a major match-winner who brought excitement to Test cricket. Although Stokes announced he will not return, Waugh predicts a possible comeback for the Ashes series in 2027. Waugh also lauded India's teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his fearless approach and remarkable impact on T20 cricket at just 15, inspiring a new generation of cricketers.
The second T20I between India and England is scheduled for July 4, 2026, at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The venue, known for its bouncing pitches, favors pace bowlers early but also offers good batting conditions as the match progresses. The pitch typically plays true with bounce and early swing, providing assistance to spinners later in the game. Weather forecasts predict a 25% chance of rain with overcast conditions and temperatures around 20°C. The stadium has seen 13 men's T20Is with an average first innings score between 155-170 and second innings between 120-140, slightly favoring batting. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 304/2 by England on 12 September 2025. A competitive first-innings score is expected to be in the range of 180-195 runs, with totals above 200 putting substantial pressure on the chasing team. The match will start at 9:30 PM IST and will be broadcast on JioHotstar and Sony Sports Network.
