Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has welcomed the ICC's decision to stage the first Women's Champions Trophy in February. The T20 tournament will feature six teams. Perry described the event as an important step that will give women's cricket greater visibility and structure. She singled out India's Smriti Mandhana for her skill and composure, and praised captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her competitive drive. Perry added that her own long career continues to offer fresh lessons each season.

Kagiso Rabada suffered a right hamstring injury during South Africa's winter training programme. The fast bowler was not named in the travelling squad for the tour of Namibia as a result.

Most of South Africa's frontline attack and both captains were also omitted from the Namibia tour squad. The decision allows the team to manage player workloads ahead of more important assignments.

Rabada's injury adds to South Africa's concerns about their pace attack depth. The team will need to rely on other options for the Namibia series.

England have named Charlie Dean as captain for the three-match ODI series against Ireland that begins on Wednesday. Nat Sciver-Brunt has been rested along with several other senior players. Dean previously led the side during Sciver-Brunt's injury absences earlier this summer. The squad has been described as forward-looking and includes players who featured in the recent T20 World Cup. Sciver-Brunt is expected to return for the multi-format tour of New Zealand in October.

Australia breached an ICC over-rate rule in the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. The governing body hasn't decided if the team will face sanctions after their nine-wicket defeat.

That loss marked the first time Bangladesh had beaten Australia at home. Captain Pat Cummins said the batting collapse followed a longer pattern and selectors might now look at changes before the second Test in Mackay.

Australia must win that match to keep the series alive. The threat of fines and points deductions adds another layer of pressure to a side already facing questions after the result.

Rain interruptions limited play on the third day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at Galle. India closed day two on 460 for nine with Devdutt Padikkal scoring 167 and Dhruv Jurel adding 51. Sri Lanka reached 215 for five at tea on day three, trailing by 247 runs after Niroshan Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha both passed fifty.

Shubman Gill took a one-handed catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis off Kuldeep Yadav. Sri Lanka's spinners Nuwantha and Jayasuriya claimed six of the seven wickets on the rain-affected second day. Padikkal fell after extending his maiden Test century, while KL Rahul contributed 82 before his dismissal.

India must now press for a substantial lead before Sri Lanka resume their innings. The hosts have the first-innings deficit to overcome on a pitch beginning to offer turn and bounce. Weather forecasts suggest further interruptions remain possible in the days ahead.

The BCCI's anti-corruption unit has bookies, players and owners of state T20 leagues under investigation. Reports of irregular betting patterns in several domestic tournaments triggered the probe. No formal charges have been filed.

The unit is examining financial records and player contracts across multiple state associations. The investigation covers leagues that operate outside the official IPL structure. The BCCI hasn't disclosed the names of individuals or franchises involved.

State associations have been asked to cooperate with the inquiry. Further updates are expected once the preliminary assessment concludes.

India reached 460 for nine on a rain-affected second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 after reaching his maiden Test century on day one. Sri Lanka's spinners took six of the seven wickets to fall.

Dhruv Jurel added 51 from number six while KL Rahul had retired hurt on 77 on the opening day. Only 43 overs were possible on day two due to rain interruptions.

India will resume on day three with a substantial first-innings lead and seven wickets remaining.

Bangladesh defeated Australia by nine wickets in the first Test at Darwin on Sunday. The visitors chased down a target of 57 after Australia were bowled out for 284 in their second innings. Cameron Green's 104 was not enough to prevent the historic result.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets across both innings while Bangladesh's fast bowlers dismissed Australia for 198 in the first innings. Najmul Hossain Shanto said the whole team deserved the player-of-the-match award.

The result leaves Australia 1-0 down in the two-match series and marks Bangladesh's first Test victory on Australian soil.

Graeme Smith, SA20 League Commissioner, extended Independence Day wishes to India on the country's 80th anniversary of independence. Smith highlighted the strong bond between India and South Africa through cricket.

The former South Africa captain said cricket has played a significant role in building connections between the two nations. Smith has maintained close ties with Indian cricket through various roles in the game.

India and South Africa are scheduled to play bilateral series in multiple formats over the next 18 months.

KL Rahul retired hurt on 77 after cramps hit his right forearm during India's first innings at Galle. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed the vice-captain got treatment from the physio and should be available on day two.

Rahul had put on 150 with Devdutt Padikkal before leaving in the 51st over. India closed day one at 288 for two, Padikkal 131 not out.

Trent Rockets dismissed Sunrisers Leeds for 91 at Lord's on Sunday and then knocked off the target for the loss of two wickets. It was Leeds' lowest score in the competition's history.

Dunkley and Mooney added 69 in an unbroken stand that turned the chase into a formality. Rockets had lost just once in the group stage, so they arrived at the final without the extra knock-out match most teams had to play.

The win gives the Nottingham-based side their first Hundred title in the women's competition.