Twining takes charge of Renegades while maintaining his Australia assistant coach duties.
Melbourne Renegades have named Ashley Twining as their WBBL head coach. He's been an assistant with the Australia women's team across formats, and he'll keep that role once the tournament ends.
The 2026-27 season is the target. Renegades came last last time and need to climb the table, so they're bringing Twining in early to start the rebuild.
He'll juggle both jobs through the domestic window, splitting his time between national duties and the franchise.
The Galle pitch is expected to offer gradual turn rather than sharp spin from day one, prompting India to consider three spinners.
Two days before the first Test, word from both camps suggests the Galle pitch is not the usual dry turner and may not offer sharp spin from the opening day. Recent history indicates that for the first couple of days, Galle is a batting paradise, with gradual turn offered as the game progresses. India bowling coach Morne Morkel said something will start to happen as the match goes on. This leaves India with a choice between three spinners or three fast bowlers. As things stand, the former is the more reliable option because it adds batting depth. If the spin attack remains as expected, it could be a rare instance where the visitors field all left-arm spinners. The last Test at this venue saw two 450-plus totals, four hundreds and four half-centuries.
Morne Morkel says India will rely on KL Rahul's experience from the 2017 Sri Lanka tour to navigate conditions in Galle.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has identified KL Rahul as a key resource for the team in Sri Lanka, citing his experience from the 2017 tour and his consistent form as an opener in recent years. Rahul is the only member of the current squad who played Tests on the island in the last decade. Morkel expects Rahul to share his knowledge of local conditions during net sessions and team meetings. The 33-year-old has averaged 42 as an opener over the past five years and scored multiple centuries on difficult overseas pitches. His presence offers both batting stability and tactical insight that younger players lack. India arrived in Galle ten days before the first Test specifically to allow players time to adapt to the conditions.
Hasan Mahmud's 6-55 dismantles Australia for 198 on day one in Darwin, while Bangladesh reach 96-1 and trail by just 102.
Hasan Mahmud claimed career-best figures of 6-55 to bowl Australia out for 198 on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin. Steve Smith top-scored with 71 after a reprieve early on, but Bangladesh's pace attack suffocated the hosts on a tricky surface.
Mahmud became the first Bangladesh bowler to take six wickets against Australia in Test cricket. While he was getting among the runs, Taskin Ahmed notched 300 international wickets during the innings — a milestone that underscores how long Bangladesh's attack has been grinding away.
Bangladesh reached 96-1 at stumps, trailing by 102 runs. They've seized control of day one and hold all the momentum heading into day two.
Gary Kirsten backed Gautam Gambhir to deliver another ICC title at the 2027 ODI World Cup based on his previous successes.
Gary Kirsten worked with Gautam Gambhir during his playing days and says the former opener's record speaks for itself. Gambhir has already guided India to the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup, and Kirsten thinks the next step is the 2027 ODI World Cup at home.
Kirsten also points to Gambhir's time with Kolkata Knight Riders, where he led them to the 2024 IPL title. He calls Gambhir a smart cricketer and expects the same instincts to carry over into coaching.
Kirsten spent three years as India coach himself and says the players made him feel welcome. He has taken the same approach into his current job with Sri Lanka.
CA chief executive says pay talks with players and privatisation discussions with states remain unresolved.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg says talks with the Australian Cricketers' Association over a new pay deal have not concluded. Privatisation discussions with New South Wales and Queensland are due to move forward in September. Both sides still differ on how revenue gets split and what players will be asked to do.
Greenberg said governance talks remain live but no final agreements are on the table. Multiple stakeholders need to sign off before either the pay structure or the ownership changes can be finalised. The BBL contracting process requires alignment between CA and the ACA before the next season can be fully planned.
The pay negotiations and privatisation talks are running on separate tracks but both require resolution before the league's operating model can be confirmed. Greenberg indicated that September remains the target for progress on the ownership discussions.
Farokh Engineer says he has never received the Padma Shri announced for him in 1973 and is still seeking official confirmation 53 years later.
Farokh Engineer, 88 and now settled in England, still hasn't received the Padma Shri announced for him in 1973. He read about it in the newspapers while playing county cricket. Since then he's written to Arun Jaitley and, more recently, to Jay Shah, who promised to help. The official awards site lists him among the recipients, but no letter ever came.
He'd like the certificate framed and to attend the Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony with his wife. A BCCI source says the board intends to raise the matter with the government in the coming weeks. Engineer played 46 Tests between 1961 and 1975, and was the first-choice keeper for the Rest of the World side in the early 1970s.
The value is lower than BCCI bilateral rates but still lucrative for Afghanistan.
Sony and Fancode acquired the media rights for the three-match India-Afghanistan T20I series in Delhi next month. The collective rights value will fetch the Afghanistan Cricket Board around $2 million per match, significantly higher than revenue from any other bilateral series. ITW Universe, the ACB's global consulting partners, struck the deal with Sony for television rights on Thursday. Fancode holds the digital rights. Nearly 90 per cent of on-ground sponsorship inventory has already been sold despite the late announcement. The series is scheduled for September 13-17, though organisers are adjusting dates to accommodate Ganesh Chaturthi and a weekend match. The per-match value is lower than the ₹68 crore JioStar paid for Afghanistan's previous series as part of the BCCI's long-term rights package.
Murali Kartik has backed Dhruv Jurel to keep his place at No.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik believes Dhruv Jurel should start ahead of Sarfaraz Khan at No. 6 for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Jurel has been part of the team's planning for over a year, captaining India A in Sri Lanka last month and scoring a century and half-century in the red-ball tour games. Sarfaraz returns to the squad after more than a year out following the injury to Sai Sudharsan.
Kartik said it is important for the team to show consistency in selection and messaging so that players feel secure about their places. He noted that Jurel is also a capable wicket-keeper if needed. The decision will set the template for how India handle similar middle-order choices in the remainder of the World Test Championship cycle.
Dhananjaya de Silva believes Sri Lanka's experience on turning pitches at Galle gives them an advantage over India.
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva says his side have the upper hand against India in the first Test in Galle because they know how to bat on turning pitches once the surface starts to grip. De Silva expects the pitch to help batters in the first two or three days before turning, with spinners becoming the primary line of attack.
De Silva believes the hardest part of batting in these conditions is knowing what to do when the surface begins to change. He said several batters become clueless when it turns and do not know how to approach an innings. Sri Lanka will look to drag India deep into the Test and let the spinners dictate the game. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya has played more matches at Galle than any other player in either squad.
Mohammed Kaif has asked why top experts are turning down BCCI sports science roles despite the board's resources and the team's injury problems.
Former India batter Mohammed Kaif has questioned why the Board of Control for Cricket in India has failed to appoint a head for sports science at the Centre of Excellence for over a year amid the national side's current injury crisis. India's fitness situation has unravelled over the last fortnight, with several key international stars out injured ahead of the two-match Test tour to Sri Lanka.
In a recent press conference in Bengaluru, CoE head VVS Laxman revealed that the BCCI had come close to appointing Nitin Patel's successor but failed after the top candidate backed out citing family reasons. Kaif said he was surprised because the BCCI pays well and many people are eager to work with the board. He added that the current injury situation is having a significant impact on the team.
Chaminda Vaas has backed Shubman Gill to be India's most important batter in the first Test at Galle.
Veteran pacer Chaminda Vaas believes Shubman Gill will be the key player for India in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The conditions are expected to test the Indian batters, particularly with the pitch likely to offer assistance to spinners as the match progresses. Gill will have the added responsibility of leading the team from the front and setting the tone.
Vaas believes Gill's temperament and ability to build long innings could make him India's biggest weapon in Galle. The former Sri Lanka pacer has closely watched the Indian captain's batting and feels his consistency and composure make him particularly difficult to dismiss once he settles in. Gill has made a strong start as India's Test captain, scoring 1,076 runs in nine matches and 15 innings at an average of 82.76 with six centuries.
Centuries from Zadran and Atal powered Afghanistan to their highest ODI total and an unassailable 3-0 lead over Ireland.
Afghanistan posted their record one-day international score of 343 for 9 as they thrashed Ireland by 42 runs in Belfast on Wednesday to clinch a five-match series with a game to spare. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal both struck centuries in Afghanistan's second-wicket partnership of 231. After the opening match of the series was washed out last week, Afghanistan won the second and third matches by 92 runs and three wickets respectively.
Ireland opener Andrew Balbirnie managed a century of his own in response for the hosts before becoming the 11th of leg-spinner Rashid Khan's 12 wickets so far this series. Curtis Campher's aggressive 84 from 46 balls maintained Ireland's slim hopes of victory but they were never truly in the hunt and they were eventually bowled out for 301. The series concludes at Stormont on Saturday.
KL Rahul aims to extend his Test centuries beyond 100 as his conversion rate trails other top openers.
KL Rahul returns to Sri Lanka aiming to turn his Test centuries into bigger scores after his current average of 128.45 lags behind contemporary openers. Six of his 12 hundreds have finished between 100 and 110, and only two have gone past 150. Rahul is the only batter in the current squad who played in India's previous Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2017, where he scored half-centuries in both matches.
Former opener Wasim Jaffer said Rahul needs both mental strength and physical fitness to stay out there for long hours. Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton noted that modern players arrive at Test level already low on mental reserves because of packed schedules. Rahul's one domestic score above 200 is a triple century in a Ranji Trophy final against Uttar Pradesh.
Amit Mishra says Gautam Gambhir deserves more time as India Test coach amid recent struggles.
Former India spinner Amit Mishra has urged patience with head coach Gautam Gambhir after India's poor recent Test results. Mishra said one coach for all formats has been the norm for years and that any coach needs time to establish themselves. He pointed out that Rahul Dravid also required 1-1.5 years before performance improved under his tenure.
Under Gambhir, India have won eight, lost 10 and drawn one of their 19 Tests, with series defeats against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Mishra stressed that players must take more responsibility and adapt to conditions rather than blame the coach. Gambhir's position is understood to be safe until the end of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
Sri Lanka recalled Niroshan Dickwella and named uncapped Keshara Nuwantha while India added replacements for multiple injuries.
Sri Lanka have named a 16-member squad for the first Test against India in Galle on Saturday with Dhananjaya de Silva as captain and Kamindu Mendis as deputy. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were ruled out due to injuries, prompting the recall of 33-year-old wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella after three years out of the side. Uncapped off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha earned selection alongside left-arm pacers Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
India named a 15-member squad that includes replacements Auqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan for injured Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan. India sit fifth in the World Test Championship table after nine matches while Sri Lanka occupy sixth place after four games in the 2025-27 cycle. The second Test begins in Colombo on August 23.
Sony and Fancode secured the rights deal for the three-match series, with the ACB set to receive around $2 million per match in combined revenue.
Sony and Fancode have acquired the television and digital rights for the three-match India-Afghanistan T20I series scheduled in Delhi from September 13 to 17. ITW Universe, the Afghanistan Cricket Board's global consulting partner, sold the TV rights to Sony on Thursday, with Fancode taking the digital rights.
The combined rights value across both platforms will bring the ACB approximately $2 million per match. This figure exceeds the revenue Afghanistan typically earns from other bilateral series but remains below the per-match value of ₹68 crore paid by JioStar for a previous Afghanistan series in India under the 2023-28 BCCI rights cycle.
JioStar opted not to bid for the short series. Organisers have sold nearly 90 percent of on-ground sponsorship inventory for matches at prime time in the capital, despite the late announcement of the series dates.
Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal centuries powered Afghanistan to their highest ODI score and an unassailable 3-0 series lead over Ireland.
Afghanistan posted their highest ODI total of 343 for 9 to beat Ireland by 42 runs in Belfast and seal the five-match series with one game remaining. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal both scored centuries in a second-wicket partnership of 231. Ireland opener Andrew Balbirnie replied with a century before becoming Rashid Khan's 11th wicket of the series.
Curtis Campher scored an aggressive 84 from 46 balls but Ireland were eventually bowled out for 301. Afghanistan won the second and third ODIs by 92 runs and three wickets respectively after the opening match was washed out. The series concludes at Stormont on Saturday.
Hasan Mahmud's 6 for 55 led Bangladesh's attack as Australia collapsed to their lowest score against them while Mitchell Starc claimed a left-arm bowling record.
Hasan Mahmud claimed career-best figures of 6 for 55 to bowl Australia out for 198 on the opening day of the first Test in Darwin. It was Australia's lowest innings total in seven Tests against Bangladesh. Steve Smith top-scored with 71 but the rest of the batting order struggled on a surface that assisted seam movement.
Mitchell Starc took his 434th Test wicket when he dismissed Shadman Islam, moving past Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath as the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history. Bangladesh reached 96 for 1 at stumps with Tanzid Hasan on 32 not out and Mominul Haque on 35 not out, reducing the deficit to 102 runs. The Darwin Test marks Bangladesh's first appearance in Australia in 23 years.
Sri Lanka recalled Niroshan Dickwella and named uncapped Keshara Nuwantha while India added Auqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan to cover multiple injuries.
Sri Lanka named a 16-member squad for the first Test against India in Galle on Saturday with Dhananjaya de Silva as captain and Kamindu Mendis as deputy. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were ruled out due to injuries, prompting the recall of 33-year-old wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella after three years out of the side. Uncapped off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha earned selection alongside left-arm pacers Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
India named a 15-member squad that includes replacements Auqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan for injured Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan. India sit fifth in the World Test Championship table after nine matches while Sri Lanka occupy sixth place after four games in the 2025-27 cycle. The second Test begins in Colombo on August 23.
