Cricket Australia has released the 2026-27 WNCL schedule, opening September 29 with several members of Australia's T20 World Cup-winning squad expected to feature in the first round. The season will include at least 16 day-night matches — double last year's number. The WNCL remains the premier domestic 50-over competition for Australian women and the main pathway for players aiming to represent the national side in longer formats. The expanded evening schedule aims to boost visibility and attendance across venues. The ODI tournament expands to 14 teams and introduces a Super Series stage followed by Super 7 and Eliminators.

Brendon McCullum has stepped down as England men's Test head coach after four years in the role. The ECB confirmed the change ahead of the 2027 Ashes series.

McCullum will remain in charge of England's white-ball sides. The decision follows a period of mixed Test results and comes as the board seeks a different approach for the longer format.

Ben Stokes had already retired as Test captain earlier in the cycle. The ECB now begins the search for a new Test coach.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif suggested Virat Kohli's aggressive approach could have changed India's drawn Test result in Colombo. Kaif said Kohli's ability to lift those around him might have made a difference.

India won the first Test in Galle before Sri Lanka forced a draw in the second match. Sonal Dinusha scored two centuries and put pressure on India's bowlers.

Kaif's comments came after former South Africa captain AB de Villiers defended his Kohli-Tendulkar comparison as personal opinion. De Villiers maintained that impact and influence present a different picture from statistics.

AB de Villiers defended his remarks comparing Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar after facing backlash on social media. The former South Africa captain said his comments focused on the ability to adjust playing styles in foreign conditions, and that he was expressing a personal view rather than diminishing either player.

De Villiers acknowledged that statistics overall favour Tendulkar, but maintained that impact and influence present a different picture. He noted that Tendulkar established a template for subcontinental batters succeeding abroad, while Kohli pushed those boundaries further.

The former South Africa captain emphasised that both players contributed significantly to India's overseas success across different eras. He described the comparison as his personal opinion rather than an attempt to rank one above the other.

AB de Villiers clarified his earlier remarks comparing Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar after facing backlash on social media. He stated that statistics favour Tendulkar overall but maintained that impact and influence present a different picture.

De Villiers said his comments focused on the ability to adjust playing styles in foreign conditions. He acknowledged that Tendulkar established a template for subcontinental batters succeeding abroad, while Kohli pushed those boundaries further.

The former South Africa captain emphasised that both players contributed significantly to India's overseas success across different eras. He described the comparison as his personal opinion rather than an attempt to diminish either player's achievements.

AB de Villiers clarified his comments comparing Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar after facing online criticism for suggesting Kohli performed better in seam-friendly overseas conditions. The former South Africa captain stated that statistics favor Tendulkar overall, but impact and influence present a different picture.

De Villiers maintained that his remarks focused on the ability to adjust playing styles in foreign conditions. He acknowledged that Tendulkar established the template for subcontinental batters succeeding abroad, while Kohli pushed those boundaries further in subsequent years.

The clarification came after De Villiers initially stated that Kohli outperformed Tendulkar in seam-friendly conditions. He emphasized that both players contributed significantly to India's overseas batting success across different eras, with statistical comparison representing only one aspect of their respective legacies.

Taskin Ahmed's called into Bangladesh's T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series, replacing Mustafizur Rahman who tore his right hamstring (Grade 1) and is ruled out for the rest of the tour. He'll also miss the start of The Hundred.

Taskin's Lanka Premier League stint with Jaffna Kings is on hold until after the Zimbabwe series wraps. Bangladesh had already cleared Mustafizur for the full 2026 Hundred season before the injury hit.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is out of the Zimbabwe tour and the start of The Hundred next year. Injury concerns forced the decision after a final fitness assessment by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Rahman had been cleared for the full Hundred season just weeks ago, so this reversal signals something's flared up. Team management now has to find replacement bowlers for the limited-overs fixtures, and The Hundred franchises holding his registration will have to rebuild their early-match plans without him. No return date's been set.

India left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore produced a delivery that dismissed Ben Stokes while playing for Gloucestershire in the County Championship. The wicket came on Day 2 of Gloucestershire's match against an unspecified opponent.

Sai Kishore signed a short-term deal with Gloucestershire for the final six matches of the 2026 County Championship season. The agreement began with the fixture against Worcestershire on August 20.

The India spinner returns to English domestic cricket after previous county experience. His performances in England provide preparation ahead of India's upcoming international commitments.