Sport Updates
Same-day match highlights, records, team news and results from across the sports you follow.
Arsenal Open Title Defence With 3-0 Win Over Coventry, Arteta Reaches 150 PL Wins
Arsenal made the perfect start to their Premier League title defence, beating newly-promoted Coventry City 3-0 at the Emirates in the season opener, with Kai Havertz , Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all on the scoresheet. Havertz opened the scoring after 15 minutes, converting from a Riccardo Calafiori cross after Coventry gifted possession away cheaply. Saka doubled the lead eight minutes later, turning in a low cross from debutant winger Christos Tzolis, who impressed throughout with two assists on his first Premier League appearance. Odegaard added a third four minutes into the second half, finishing off a move involving Saka and Ben White to put the game to bed. Coventry, back in the top flight after 25 years away, struggled throughout and became the first side since 2007 to have no touches in the opposition box or make a single tackle in the first half of a Premier League game. The win also brought up a personal milestone for manager Mikel Arteta , who recorded his 150th Premier League victory in just 249 games in charge, making him only the fifth manager in the competition's history to reach 150 wins in fewer than 250 matches, joining an elite list that includes Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Sir Alex Ferguson. Arsenal did have one significant absence. Summer signing Bruno Guimaraes , a £75 million arrival from Newcastle, missed out after picking up a groin injury during last week's Community Shield win over Manchester City. The issue was later described as a slight tension rather than anything more serious, offering some relief after early concern, though he wasn't risked for the opener. New defensive signing Ezri Konsa was presented to the crowd before kickoff but had to settle for watching from the stands on his big unveiling, with his debut still to come. With the win, Arsenal open their title defence in the manner they'll have wanted, and will be targeting a first successful defence of the English title since the 1930s as the new season gets underway.
WTC Table Update: England Climb After Win, Pakistan Drop to Last Place
England's innings-and-103-run thrashing of Pakistan at Headingley has shaken up the bottom of the World Test Championship 2025-2027 table, with the result lifting the hosts and dropping Pakistan to last place. England move to 50 points from 14 matches, with a points percentage climbing from 24.36 to 29.76 , though the win wasn't enough to shift them off 7th spot. Their overall record in the cycle now reads 5 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw, a reminder of how far off the pace England remain in this WTC cycle despite the resounding win to open Joe Root's second stint as full-time captain. The bigger shake-up came at the very bottom. Pakistan drop to 9th and last place in the table, their points percentage falling to 19.05 from 7 matches, with 2 wins and 5 losses recorded so far. The defeat sees them swap places with West Indies , who move up to 8th on 20.83 percent from 12 matches, having played far more Tests in the cycle without adding to their points tally in this particular update. At the top of the standings, there's no change: Australia continue to lead comfortably with 84 points and a 77.78 PCT from 9 matches, with South Africa (75.00), New Zealand (72.22) and Bangladesh (66.67) rounding out the top four. India remain 5th on 53.33 percent, and Sri Lanka hold 6th on 33.33 percent. With Pakistan now needing a response in the second Test at Lord's, starting next Thursday, and England looking to build on their strong start under Root, both sides have plenty to play for as they look to climb away from the foot of the table before the business end of the cycle arrives.
Pakistan Set Unwanted Record: First Team to Lose First Wicket for 0 in Both Innings
Pakistan set an unwanted new Test record during their innings-and-103-run defeat to England at Headingley, becoming the first team in Test history to lose their first wicket for 0 in both innings of the same match . The pattern was set inside the very first ball of the Test, when opener Azan Awais was dismissed by Ollie Robinson without scoring, becoming the first Pakistan batter ever to fall on the opening delivery of a Test match. Awais at least avoided a king pair, surviving Robinson's next over, but Pakistan slid to 0 for 1 for the second time in the match when Jofra Archer struck in the second innings, having Imam-ul-Haq caught behind for a duck as he tried to evade a short delivery. Archer completed a double blow soon after, removing Awais himself for 9 to leave Pakistan reeling at 13 for 2 in the second innings, a mirror image of their first-innings capitulation. From there, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue once again did the bulk of the damage, having shared all 10 wickets in the first innings, this time combining for six more as Pakistan folded for just 135 in 37.3 overs, having managed only 171 first time round. The result rounded off a chastening return to Test cricket for Pakistan, who lost 20 wickets across the match in under 86 overs and have now gone 16 innings without adding 100 runs after losing half their side. It was also the joint-second fastest of Joe Root's 66 Tests as England captain, wrapping up in just three days as the hosts opened the new era under Root and interim coach Marcus Trescothick with a statement win. Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Match for his eight wickets, edging out Josh Tongue, who also finished with eight. Pakistan now face an anxious wait before the second Test at Lord's, which begins next Thursday, as they look to arrest a slide that has left their batting fundamentals under serious scrutiny.
Mitchell Starc's 5/11 Burst Leaves Bangladesh 35/6, Bowler Passes Dale Steyn's Wicket Tally
Mitchell Starc ripped through Bangladesh's top order on day one of the second Test in Mackay, taking 5 for 11 in just 22 balls to leave the tourists reeling at 35 for 6 at lunch, one of the most destructive opening spells of his career. Starc struck with the very first ball of the match, having Shadman Islam edge behind to gully, and barely let up from there. He removed both openers, then captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper Litton Das for ducks to leave Bangladesh reeling at 12 for 5, before completing his five-for inside the opening hour. Pat Cummins chipped in from the other end, removing Mushfiqur Rahim for 5 on a pitch likened to a typical Gabba surface. It's the sixth-fastest five-wicket haul in Test history, with Starc himself holding the outright record, having taken five wickets in just 15 balls against West Indies in Kingston last year. The spell also carried him past a significant career mark. Starc entered the Mackay Test on 435 Test wickets, and his burst here takes him to 440 , moving him past South African great Dale Steyn's tally of 439 and into the top five fast bowlers in the history of the format, behind only James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh. It continues a remarkable few weeks for the left-armer, who had already gone past Rangana Herath to become the most prolific left-arm bowler in Test history, and past Kapil Dev to enter the top 10 wicket-takers of all time, both during the series-opening Darwin Test. Bangladesh arrive in Mackay leading the series 1-0 after a famous win in Darwin, but were made to pay for a horror start on a lively surface at Australia's newest Test venue. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (11 not out) and Hasan Mahmud (8 not out) steadied things briefly at the other end, but the tourists will need something special to recover from such an early collapse and keep the series alive.
England Thrash Pakistan by an Innings and 103 Runs in Root's Captaincy Return
England thrashed Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs inside just three days at Headingley, Leeds, to make the perfect start to the first Test of the series and, with it, Joe Root's first Test back as full-time England captain. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, but were skittled for just 171 , with Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson both claiming five-wicket hauls, the first time two England bowlers have taken five-fors in the same innings since Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar managed it back in 2006, also against Pakistan. England's reply was built around contributions right through the middle order. Harry Brook led the way with 91, Jordan Cox made 73, captain Joe Root chipped in with 66 on his first day back in charge, and Dan Lawrence added 51, as England posted 409 , a first-innings lead of 238. Mohammad Usman was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers with 5 for 92, showing plenty of fight despite the lopsided contest. Set an improbable task of avoiding an innings defeat, Pakistan folded again in their second innings, bowled out for just 135 in only 37.3 overs. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 41, but there was little else to shout about as Robinson (3/29), Tongue (3/43) and Jofra Archer (3/50) shared the wickets and wrapped up the innings before tea. Ollie Robinson was named Player of the Match for a superb all-round performance, finishing with match figures of 5 for 51 and 3 for 29. The win also saw Joe Root break the record for most catches by a fielder in Test history, moving past Steven Smith's mark of 218. With Pakistan left with plenty to ponder, attention now turns to the second Test at Lord's, starting Thursday, as Root's new-look England side look to seal the series.
Australia vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Preview: Tigers Eye Series Win in Mackay
Australia and Bangladesh return to action on Saturday for the second and final Test of their two-match series, with Bangladesh leading 1-0 after a historic win in the series opener at Darwin. The second Test gets underway at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay , Queensland, marking the venue's first-ever men's Test match and its elevation to become Australia's 12th Test ground. Play begins at 10am local time and runs across five scheduled days, from August 22 to 26. Bangladesh's win in Darwin was a landmark result for the touring side, and they now have the chance to complete a first-ever series win in Australia if they can back it up in Mackay. A win, or even a draw, would seal the series for the Tigers, while Australia must find a way to level things up on unfamiliar territory to keep the series alive. Australia have made a change to their top order for the pink-ball-free red-ball assignment, recalling Matthew Renshaw in place of Jake Weatherald , who has been dropped following the opener. Renshaw arrives with a strong record at the Mackay venue itself, having previously scored first-class centuries there, and the hosts will be hoping his experience can help stabilise an opening combination that has been unsettled through the past few series. With home advantage and a venue debut on the line, the Mackay Test carries plenty of intrigue beyond just the series result. A new ground stepping up to Test status always brings its own storylines around pitch behaviour and conditions, and how both attacks adapt to a surface with little historical red-ball data will likely play a big role in how the match unfolds. Bangladesh will sense a genuine opportunity to complete a famous series win away from home, while Australia know anything less than victory ends their hopes of squaring the ledger.
Joe Root First Player to 3,000 WTC Runs as Captain
Joe Root has become the first player in history to reach 3,000 runs as captain in the World Test Championship , reaching the landmark during the first Test between England and Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds. The milestone came as England piled on the runs in reply to a below-par Pakistan total, with the hosts closing day two on 366 for 8 in their first innings, having earlier bowled Pakistan out for just 171 to seize control of the match. This is a different mark to the overall 3,000-WTC-runs landmark Root reached back in 2022, which counted all his runs across WTC cycles regardless of leadership status. This latest record is specific to runs scored purely in matches where Root was leading the side, underlining just how central he has been to England's Test fortunes across his various stints in charge. Root first took over the England Test captaincy in 2017 and led the side for the best part of five years before stepping down in 2022, handing the reins to Ben Stokes. Even after giving up the armband, Root has continued to captain England in select matches when Stokes has been unavailable through injury, adding further to his overall leadership tally and, evidently, his WTC runs column as captain. Root's numbers as a batter have remained extraordinary regardless of leadership duties. He continues to be one of the most consistent run-scorers in the world across formats, and this latest landmark adds another layer to a Test career already built on volume, longevity and a rare weight of runs across different eras of WTC cricket. With England well on top against Pakistan at Leeds, Root will be hoping to add plenty more to this new record before the innings, and the match, are done.
Champions League Play-Offs: Celtic and Bodø/Glimt Take Control in First Legs
Wednesday's Champions League play-off first legs saw both Celtic and Bodø/Glimt take control of their ties with convincing away-goal buffers, after Tuesday's three fixtures had all ended level. Celtic 3-0 LASK : Celtic put in a ruthless finishing display at Celtic Park to seal a commanding first-leg lead over the Austrian champions. Benjamin Nygren curled home the opener after LASK had twice had the ball in the net in the opening minutes, both efforts ruled out for offside. Camilo Duran then struck twice, first turning in a Kieran Tierney cross before sidefooting home a second after a one-two, to complete the scoring. LASK, unbeaten in eight games across all competitions coming in, huffed and puffed but could not find a way past a resolute Celtic defence. The second leg follows in Linz next Tuesday. Bodø/Glimt 3-1 NEC Nijmegen : The Norwegian side made history with their first-ever away win in a Champions League qualification play-off, moving them to the brink of a return to the league phase. Sondre Fet opened the scoring after a slick move involving Jens Petter Hauge, before Andreas Helmersen doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time. Haitam Aleesami added a third early in the second half to put the tie to bed, and though Clement Bischoff pulled one back late for NEC, it did little to change the complexion of the contest. The return leg takes place in Norway next week. Elsewhere on Wednesday, Slovan Bratislava and Celje played out a 1-1 draw, leaving that tie finely balanced heading into the second leg. With two of Wednesday's three ties now well in the control of the away underdogs turned first-leg favourites, the return fixtures promise to be decisive for spots in this season's Champions League league phase.
Manav Suthar Becomes Youngest Indian Spinner to Take 10-Wicket Haul in an Away Test
Manav Suthar has etched his name into the record books, becoming the youngest Indian spinner to claim a 10-wicket haul in an away Test, at just 24 years and 16 days . The left-arm orthodox spinner produced match figures of 10 for 131 in Galle, picking up 4 wickets in the first innings and a superb 6 for 55 in the second, as India sealed a 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the series opener. Suthar's feat takes him past Harbhajan Singh , who was 28 years and 28 days old when he took 10 for 153 against Sri Lanka at the same venue back in 2008. Ravichandran Ashwin also managed the feat in Galle, aged 28 years and 11 months, when he took 10 for 160 in 2015. Further back, Bishan Singh Bedi was 31 years and 3 months when he claimed 10 for 194 against Australia in Perth in 1977-78, while Bhagwat Chandrasekhar took 12 for 104 in the same series at the age of 32 years and 7 months. Suthar now stands as the youngest of this group of Indian spinners. It's worth noting the wider record among all Indian bowlers, not just spinners, still belongs to Irfan Pathan , who took 11 wickets against Bangladesh in Dhaka in December 2004 at 20 years and 44 days. Suthar's mark applies specifically to spin bowlers picking up a 10-wicket haul away from home. The Galle Test was only Suthar's second appearance in whites. He had already made a mark on debut against Afghanistan in June, taking a 7-wicket match haul including 6 for 33 in the first innings. With his 6-wicket second-innings return in Galle, he became just the second Indian bowler after Narendra Hirwani to take a six-wicket haul in each of his first two Tests, and the fourth Indian overall to pick up 10 wickets in a match within his first two Tests. Suthar now has 17 wickets from just two Test matches, at an outstanding average of 11.35. India captain Shubman Gill praised the youngster after the win, saying he had bowled magnificently both on debut against Afghanistan and again in Galle, calling him a promising talent who could play for India for a long time. Attention now turns to the series decider in Colombo, starting August 23, where Suthar will look to continue his remarkable start to international cricket.
Justin Greaves Named ICC Men's Player of the Month for July 2026
West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves has been named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for July 2026 , edging out fellow nominees Harry Brook and Tanzid Hasan after a month of standout performances with both bat and ball in Test cricket. Greaves' month began against Sri Lanka in North Sound, where the visitors had posted a daunting 549/9 declared in their first innings. With West Indies reeling at 144/4, Greaves walked out and produced a magnificent 180 , striking 14 fours and two sixes to steady the innings and help the hosts close the gap on Sri Lanka's total. His knock ensured West Indies batted out time to secure a draw, which was enough to seal a 1-0 series win at home and collect valuable WTC points. He also featured in two ODIs against New Zealand during the month, opening the batting and scoring 32 runs at a strike rate of 114.28, before returning to the Test arena for the series against Pakistan in Tarouba. There, Greaves delivered arguably his most complete all-round performance of the year, claiming his maiden Test five-wicket haul with figures of 5/27 in the first innings, including a remarkable spell of five consecutive wicket-maidens. He followed it up with 2/12 in the second innings to help West Indies close out the match. Across the month, Greaves finished with 215 runs from two Tests at an average of 71.66, and eight wickets at a superb average of 10.25. "I have had a memorable month playing at home, and to have contributed with both bat and ball against Sri Lanka and Pakistan has been particularly special for me," Greaves said after receiving the honour. He added that impactful Test performances in front of home fans were something he would always cherish. Greaves saw off competition from England's Harry Brook, who was outstanding across the home T20I series against India, and Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan, who was the leading run-scorer in white-ball series against Zimbabwe. The award continues the ICC's monthly recognition series, running since the start of 2021, with winners chosen by a panel of respected journalists and former cricketers.
Harry Brook Reclaims No. 1 Test Batting Spot, Bumrah Stays Top Among Bowlers
Harry Brook has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings, moving above Joe Root after a string of strong performances that have kept England's middle order firing. Brook now sits on 852 rating points , with Joe Root close behind in second on 840. It's the latest twist in what has been a closely fought battle for top spot between the two England batters over the past few months. Steven Smith holds third place with 833 points, followed by Travis Head in fourth on 819, though Head has slipped a place after a recent dip in returns. Temba Bavuma rounds out the top five for South Africa. Among Indian batters, Shubman Gill is the highest-ranked at 7th with 743 points, with Yashasvi Jaiswal at 9th and Rishabh Pant climbing to 13th on the back of his recent form in Sri Lanka. In the bowling charts, there's no change at the summit. Jasprit Bumrah continues to hold the No. 1 spot among Test bowlers with a rating of 870 , comfortably ahead of the chasing pack despite playing a reduced workload through careful management of his fitness. New Zealand's Matt Henry is closest in second on 861, with Mitchell Starc third on 826. Marco Jansen has been the standout mover, climbing to fourth on 825 points and edging closer to Starc's mark, while Pat Cummins has dropped to fifth after a quieter run with the ball. India's other frontline pacer, Mohammed Siraj , sits joint-14th alongside Kuldeep Yadav on 695 points. Both rankings remain fluid with a heavy Test calendar still to come, including India's series decider against Sri Lanka in Colombo and Australia's ongoing assignment against Bangladesh. Any big performances from the contenders below Brook and Bumrah could shake up the top of the charts before the year is out.
India Beat Sri Lanka by 165 Runs in Galle, Take 1-0 Series Lead
India wrapped up the first Test against Sri Lanka in style, winning by 165 runs in Galle to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Match for his twin knocks of 167 and 44 , a performance that shaped the game from the very first day. Sent in to bat after winning the toss, India piled up 462 in their first innings. Padikkal's 167 was the standout, but he had support all around him. KL Rahul made 82, Dhruv Jurel chipped in with 51, and Rishabh Pant added a brisk 39. Sri Lanka hit back through Prabath Jayasuriya , who picked up 4 wickets, but the total gave India a platform they never really gave up. Sri Lanka's reply fell well short. Sonal Dinusha was the one shining light with a fighting hundred, but the rest of the batting couldn't build around him, and the hosts were bowled out for 284, handing India a lead of 178 runs. India didn't let up in their second innings either. Padikkal's second-innings 44 and a quickfire 66 from Rishabh Pant helped set Sri Lanka a target of 372, well beyond what the hosts had shown they could chase on a wearing surface. Asitha Fernando was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 4 wickets in that innings. Sri Lanka fought hard in the fourth innings. Dinusha made his second half-century plus fifty of the match, and Niroshan Dickwella played a lively 80 to keep India waiting. But Manav Suthar had other ideas, ripping through the tail with a maiden Test 10-wicket haul across the match to seal victory for India well inside the fifth day. The result puts India firmly in charge of the series with one Test to go. Attention now shifts to the second and final Test, starting August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo , where Sri Lanka will look to level the series and India will aim to close it out.
India Climb to 5th in WTC Table After Galle Win Over Sri Lanka
India's 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle has lifted them to 5th place in the World Test Championship 2025-2027 standings. The victory takes India to 64 points from 10 matches, with a points percentage of 53.33 , built on 5 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw in the cycle so far. It's been a mixed campaign for India in this WTC cycle, but the Galle result gives them some momentum with a second and final Test against Sri Lanka still to come. A win in Colombo would push their tally further and put them in touching distance of the top four, who currently occupy the spots that matter most heading into the business end of the cycle. At the top of the table, Australia continue to lead the way with 84 points from 9 games and a healthy 77.78 PCT, having won 7 of their 9 Tests. South Africa sit second on 75 PCT despite having played just 4 matches, while New Zealand are third on 72.22 PCT with 4 wins from 6. Bangladesh , buoyed by their recent form, are fourth on 66.67 PCT. Below India, Sri Lanka remain 6th on 33.33 PCT after the Galle defeat, with England , Pakistan and West Indies rounding out the table, all struggling to keep pace after a heavy run of Test defeats. With the cycle running through mid-2027 and plenty of cricket still to be played across all nine teams, the standings remain fluid. India's next Test, the series decider against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo starting August 23 , offers a chance to climb further before attention turns to the home season ahead.
Champions League Play-Offs: All Three First Legs End in Draws
The Champions League play-off round got underway on Tuesday, and all three first legs ended level, leaving every tie wide open before the return matches. In Istanbul, Fenerbahçe and Lyon played out a 1-1 draw . Lois Openda put Lyon ahead with a headed goal, his first for the French club. Fenerbahçe hit back after the break through Mason Greenwood , who scored a fine equaliser to level things up. Neither side could find a winner after that, so the tie is finely poised going into the second leg in France. Dinamo Zagreb and Viking shared a wild 2-2 draw in Croatia. The hosts raced into a two-goal lead inside the first ten minutes through Dion Beljo and Mateo Lisica. Viking, though, hit back before half-time with goals from Peter Christiansen and Zlatko Tripić to level the score. It is a big result for the Norwegian side, who are playing in the Champions League for the first time in 34 years and are chasing a first-ever spot in the league phase. In Bulgaria, Levski Sofia and AEK Athens could not be separated either, playing out a goalless 0-0 draw . AEK's Luka Jović came closest to scoring, but his effort came back off the crossbar. Levski goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha also made a couple of key saves to keep the visitors out. All three second legs are set for next week, with the winners securing a place in the Champions League league phase and the losers dropping into the Europa League play-offs.
Barcelona Complete Double Transfer Swoop: Rodri and Cancelo Both Signed
Barcelona have completed two big transfers in the same week, adding both Rodri and João Cancelo to Hansi Flick's squad. Rodri's move from Manchester City is now fully done. The Spain midfielder has signed a deal until June 2030 . Barcelona are paying City around €76.5 million for the World Cup winner, who is set to wear the No. 16 shirt. Rodri was seen as the best defensive midfielder in the world at City, and his arrival gives Barcelona even more strength in an already stacked midfield. Real Madrid had also chased Rodri hard this summer, so losing out on him is a blow for them too. Cancelo's return is a different kind of deal. He is coming back to Barcelona for a third time, but this time on a permanent, free transfer . He had been on loan at the club from Al-Hilal for the second half of last season and became a key part of the side, playing mostly at left-back. To make the move happen, Cancelo agreed to end his contract with the Saudi club early, giving up a large chunk of his pay in the process. He has now signed a new three-year contract with Barcelona, running until 2029. Both deals show how serious Barcelona are about building on their recent success. The club has already won the league title in back-to-back seasons, and adding a world-class holding midfielder plus a versatile, experienced full-back gives Flick even more depth and quality to work with heading into the new campaign. Barcelona's business does not appear to be over either, with reports linking the club to more late moves before the transfer window shuts.
Australia Drop Jake Weatherald, Recall Matt Renshaw for Second Bangladesh Test
Australia have made one change to their squad for the second Test against Bangladesh, dropping opener Jake Weatherald and bringing in Matt Renshaw as his replacement. The match starts Saturday at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, a venue making its Test debut. The call comes after Australia's shock nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the series opener in Darwin. Weatherald managed just 23 and a duck in the match, extending a lean run that has now cost him his spot after only one Test since his recall. His career average across 12 innings stands at 20.36. Renshaw, a left-hander like Weatherald, is set to open alongside Travis Head , breaking up the pairing that had put together strong stands during Australia's 4-1 Ashes series win. He has previously scored two first-class centuries at the Mackay venue, and remains in Australia's white-ball setup after making his ODI debut in October last year. Marnus Labuschagne keeps his place in the squad for now, though coach Andrew McDonald has said he needs more runs to secure his spot. Australia must win in Mackay to keep the series alive after Bangladesh's win in the opener. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw , Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
Root Begins Second Stint as England Captain, Pakistan Turn to Salman Agha as Babar Sits Out
A new era begins for England as the three-Test series against Pakistan gets underway today at Headingley. It's the hosts' first Test assignment since Joe Root took over the captaincy again following Ben Stokes' retirement, marking the start of his second stint in charge of the side. Root already holds the record for the most Tests captained by an England player, with 64 in his first spell plus an interim game against New Zealand in June. A full run through to the next Ashes would take him level with Stephen Fleming's 80, third on the all-time list. Pakistan arrive without their own captain. Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opener with a right-hand injury picked up during the tour warm-up game, the same hand he was struck on during the West Indies series last month. Scans have ruled out a fracture, but he wasn't considered fit to play or lead the side in Leeds. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has handed the captaincy to Salman Ali Agha for the first Test. It will be his first Test as Pakistan captain, though he already leads the side in T20Is and has plenty of experience within the leadership group. Babar's absence is expected to be limited to this Test, with hopes he recovers in time for the second match at Lord's. Pakistan are playing a Test series in England for the first time in six years, having lost 1-0 on their last visit in 2020. Both sides go into the contest under pressure in the World Test Championship table, making the opening exchanges at Headingley an early litmus test for two teams in transition.
Rishabh Pant Becomes Fastest to 100 Test Sixes, First Indian to the Landmark
Rishabh Pant reached a landmark of his own during his 66 off 69 balls in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. He struck two sixes in the knock, and the second of them took him to 100 sixes in Test cricket . It's a mark no batter has reached faster. Pant got there in just 89 innings , quicker than Adam Gilchrist, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, the only other three men to hit a century of Test sixes. Gilchrist had been the previous benchmark, needing 130 innings and 6,578 balls to get to 100. Pant did it in only 4,918 balls. He's also the first Indian batter to reach three figures in Test sixes. Virender Sehwag was the closest an Indian had come before this, finishing his career with 91 sixes from 104 Tests. Six-hitting has become a defining part of Pant's Test batting. He has struck at least one six in 43 of his 89 Test innings, the best such ratio among batters with a minimum of 50 innings. His sixes have also contributed nearly a sixth of his total Test runs. Pant's innings helped India post 193 in the second innings and set Sri Lanka a target of 372. Asitha Fernando took four wickets and Prabath Jayasuriya picked up a four-wicket haul as India lost their last five wickets for just 19 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja Enters an Elite Test Cricket Club
🏏 Ravindra Jadeja Enters an Elite Test Cricket Club Ravindra Jadeja has added another remarkable achievement to his Test career, becoming only the fourth player in cricket history to score 4,000+ Test runs and take 350+ Test wickets. 🇮🇳🔥 This milestone puts Jadeja alongside three legendary all-rounders — Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Daniel Vettori — highlighting his incredible consistency with both bat and ball. 📊 The Elite Club - 🇮🇳 Kapil Dev: 5,248 runs | 434 wickets | 131 Tests - 🏴 Ian Botham: 5,200 runs | 383 wickets | 102 Tests - 🇳🇿 Daniel Vettori: 4,531 runs | 362 wickets | 113 Tests - 🇮🇳 Ravindra Jadeja: 4,108 runs | 350 wickets | 90 Tests 💚 Jadeja's Test Legacy Jadeja reaching this landmark in just 90 Tests makes the achievement even more special. Over the years, he has established himself as a crucial part of India's Test team, contributing valuable runs in the middle and producing match-winning spells with his left-arm spin. His combination of batting, bowling and elite fielding has made him one of the most complete all-rounders of the modern era. 🏆 A Milestone Worth Celebrating From Kapil Dev's legendary career to Botham and Vettori's greatness, this exclusive club represents the highest level of Test all-round ability. Now, Ravindra Jadeja's name stands proudly alongside them. 🇮🇳💪 4000+ runs. 350+ wickets. One elite club. Class is permanent! 🔥 Follow Gameonfield – Field of Dreams for more cricket updates, records, stats and stories.
Premier League 2026/27 Season to Kick Off August 21 With Arsenal vs Coventry
The Premier League has confirmed its full fixture list for the 2026/27 season, and defending champions Arsenal will kick things off at home to newly promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21. The curtain-raiser at the Emirates Stadium kicks off at 8pm BST and will be shown live on Sky Sports. This is a week later than usual. The Premier League has pushed the start back to give players extra recovery time after the 2026 World Cup in North America. The final round of matches falls on Sunday, May 30, 2027, with all 10 fixtures kicking off together, as is tradition on the last day. The rest of the opening weekend is packed too. Hull City host Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime, while Newcastle United face Liverpool in Andoni Iraola's first match in charge of the Reds. There's also a London derby feel to the weekend with Brentford hosting Tottenham Hotspur , and Fulham welcoming Chelsea on the Monday night to close out the round. Three clubs return to the top flight this season: Coventry City , promoted as Championship winners under Frank Lampard, Ipswich Town , back after finishing second, and Hull City , who won the play-off final. West Ham, Burnley and Wolves make the drop the other way after being relegated from the 2025/26 season. Before a ball is kicked in the league proper, Arsenal get an even earlier look at the new campaign. They face 2026 FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
Bangladesh Stun Australia by 9 Wickets in Historic Darwin Test
Bangladesh pulled off one of the biggest results in their Test history, beating Australia by 9 wickets in the series-opening Test at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. It's their first-ever Test win on Australian soil. Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match for his match haul of 9 wickets (6/55 and 3/56). Put in to bat after losing the toss, Australia never got going on a lively opening day. Mahmud ripped through the top and middle order, finishing with 6 for 55 , while Steven Smith's fighting 71 was the only real resistance as the hosts folded for just 198. Bangladesh's reply was built around a maiden Test century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim , who made 101 off 197 balls in only his second Test. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto supported him with 84, and useful contributions from Mominul Haque (49) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (65) took the total to 426 all out , a lead of 228. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 6 for 89. Australia fought harder in their second innings, with Cameron Green striking a defiant 104 and Steven Smith adding 44. But Mehidy Hasan Miraz ran through the tail with a 5-wicket haul (5/56) , and support from Mahmud (3/66) bowled Australia out for 284, leaving Bangladesh a modest target of 57. Openers Shadman Islam (25*) and Mominul Haque (30*) knocked off the runs without much fuss to seal a 9-wicket win , sparking wild celebrations in the Bangladesh camp. It's just their third-ever Test appearance in Australia, and their first Test win in the country in any format history. Captain Shanto called it one of the proudest days of his career, while Mehidy credited the team's self-belief for turning around a tour that began with a warm-up defeat. Bangladesh will look to seal the series when the two teams meet again in the 2nd Test at Mackay, starting August 22 .
Sony Bags TV Rights for Afghanistan-India T20Is; ACB Requests Ganesh Chaturthi Fixture
Sony Sports Network has secured the linear television broadcast rights for the upcoming Afghanistan versus India T20I series, set to be played in Delhi in September. FanCode will hold the digital streaming rights for the three-match contest. ITW Universe, which holds the global media rights for the series, allotted the broadcast deal to Sony after discussions with other networks including JioStar, Zee and Unite8. The three T20Is are scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17, with Afghanistan officially designated as the home side for the series. Alongside the broadcast news, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has reached out to the BCCI requesting a modest schedule adjustment, seeking to have either the first or second T20I moved to September 14, which falls on Ganesh Chaturthi. ITW Universe founder Bhairav Shanth wrote to ACB CEO Naseeb Khan asking the board to consider the shift as a cultural gesture, noting that both proposed options would preserve the tight three-match window with only a minor change to the currently confirmed dates. The series marks a notable occasion, being the first time Afghanistan will formally host India in a bilateral series on Indian soil, and will also serve as valuable preparation for both sides ahead of the Asian Games in Japan later in September.
Afghanistan Complete 4-0 ODI Series Sweep of Ireland
Afghanistan completed a dominant 4-0 sweep of their ODI series against Ireland, sealing the whitewash with a five-wicket win in the fifth and final match at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast. Chasing Ireland's total built around a Harry Tector half-century, Afghanistan were rocked early as Ireland's McCarthy removed both openers cheaply inside the first six overs, dragging the scoring rate down below three an over. The innings was rebuilt through a marathon 201-run partnership between captain Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal, who anchored the chase before Atal fell for 98 attempting to accelerate. Shah continued unbeaten, finishing the match on 143 off 133 balls to guide his side home, with Azmatullah Omarzai chipping in with a brisk 24 late in the chase before departing in the 47th over. The result extends a commanding tour for Afghanistan, who had already sealed the series with a 42-run win in the fourth match courtesy of centuries from Atal and Ibrahim Zadran. Ireland, playing their first ODI series in over 15 months under a new head coach, could not find enough with either bat or ball across the five matches to trouble the visitors, leaving captain Paul Stirling to admit his side had been "thoroughly outplayed" over the series.
India's 600th Test Coincides with Galle's 50th as SL vs IND Series Begins
India's tour of Sri Lanka begins with a landmark occasion at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, as the opening Test of the two-match series doubles up as India's 600th Test match overall. The fixture also falls on India's Independence Day, adding extra significance to the milestone. With this game, India become just the third team in the sport's history to reach 600 Tests, joining England and Australia, who remain the only two sides ahead of them on the all-time list. India's Test journey stretches back to 1932, when they made their debut against England at Lord's. The venue itself reaches a milestone of its own. Saturday's Test is also the 50th Test to be played at Galle, making it the first ground in Asia to reach that mark. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who grew up playing school cricket at the venue, spoke of the pride in leading his side in the stadium's 50th Test. Shubman Gill leads India into the contest, calling it a huge honour to captain the side in such a historic match. The series carries added weight beyond the numbers, with both teams eyeing World Test Championship implications as India continue their build-up towards a possible WTC final appearance. India go into the series without premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, handing opportunities to the rest of the bowling attack to step up on what are traditionally spin-friendly conditions at Galle.