Australia avoided a series whitewash with a 45-run DLS victory in the rain-affected third ODI against South Africa in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. Australia posted 322 for nine after being put in, with Alex Carey scoring 74 off 88 balls and Mitch Marsh making 56 off 42. Ollie Peake added 48. Adam Zampa took two for 34 and Xavier Bartlett claimed two for 25.

South Africa reached 145 for four in 28 overs, with Ryan Rickelton unbeaten on 71, when rain ended the match. Pat Cummins returned for his first ODI in almost two years but did not captain the side, with Marsh retaining the job. Mitchell Starc also came back into the XI while Nathan Ellis was ruled out with a side strain.

South Africa made five changes for the dead rubber, resting captain Temba Bavuma and David Miller among others. Australia, who lost the series 2-1, take on South Africa in the first Test in Durban on 9 October.

Aneurin Donald took three wickets for no runs to match a 131-year-old record during a County Championship match. The explosive opener also smashed 31 from eight deliveries as England Lions chased down 118 with 76 balls to spare against Sri Lanka at Chelmsford.

Donald received his maiden England call-up just a week before the tour match. His performance came days after the national selection announcement.

The all-round display highlighted the 22-year-old's growing reputation across formats. England Lions completed their chase with more than 12 overs remaining.

Imran Tahir revealed his young son is the biggest motivation behind his decision to continue playing at 47. The veteran leg-spinner claimed a career-best 5 for 17 to become the oldest bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20 history.

Tahir said family responsibilities drive his determination to remain competitive at the highest level. He emphasised that his son's future depends on his continued professional success. The five-wicket haul came during a domestic T20 match where he maintained control throughout his spell.

Tahir has shown no signs of reducing his workload despite his age. He said the achievement proves age is not a barrier when motivation remains strong. His performance has sparked discussions about his potential return to international cricket.

New Zealand batter Tim Robinson signed with Brisbane Heat for his first Big Bash League stint ahead of the BBL 16 season. The 23-year-old will join the Queensland franchise as an overseas player for the upcoming tournament.

Robinson has impressed in domestic cricket for Wellington and earned call-ups to the New Zealand side across formats. His aggressive batting style suits the shorter format and provides the Heat with an additional option at the top of the order.

Heat officials confirmed the signing as part of their overseas player allocation for the season. Robinson will link up with the squad when pre-season training begins later this year.

AB de Villiers raised concerns over Tilak Varma's positioning in India's T20I batting order ahead of the Afghanistan series. The former South Africa batter said the team's batting balance remains tricky with selection decisions looming.

India face a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. De Villiers said establishing clear batting roles is essential with the Asian Games also approaching.

The vice-captain's form and placement in the middle order have become talking points as India prepare for a full-strength squad after several changes in the top order.

Ben McKinney scored 184 for Durham against Middlesex in Division Two of the County Championship. The century was McKinney's third of the season and put Durham within touching distance of promotion.

Brydon Carse took a five-wicket haul to restrict Middlesex and leave Durham in control at Chester-le-Street. The result strengthened Durham's position at the top of the Division Two table.

Middlesex face a difficult chase if they are to avoid defeat. Durham need one more win to confirm their return to Division One with two rounds remaining.

Shree Charani became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 T20I wickets during the Women's Asia Cup semi-final against Bangladesh. The 22-year-old spinner achieved the milestone in 29 matches and surpassed Kuldeep Yadav, who took 30 matches to reach the same landmark.

Charani claimed four wickets on her T20I debut against England in mid-2025. The Delhi Capitals player has become a central figure in India's T20I bowling attack.

Her rapid rise has positioned her among the team's leading wicket-takers across formats. Charani's record now stands as the fastest by an Indian player in both men's and women's cricket.

Mohammed Siraj said a two-month break left his run-up ragged and his pace down during the Sri Lanka Tests. The rhythm never felt right, and he knew it showed.

In the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone at Chepauk he conceded 187 runs and picked up just one wicket. The second innings brought the old feel back.

Shami had told him to trust the basics during the layoff. Siraj now believes his body needs regular bowling to stay sharp.

Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin has been acquitted of all charges related to a 2004 case of forgery and cheating. The court's ruling highlighted the absence of credible evidence against Martin, allowing him to close this challenging chapter of his life and career.

Martin spent two decades in legal turmoil following the case. The proceedings had restricted his post-playing options and kept the 2004 allegations active through multiple court hearings.

The acquittal now permits Martin to pursue future opportunities without the legal constraints that followed the original charges.

England batters produced 22 scores of 50 or more across six Tests this summer, but only one century was recorded. Ben Duckett scored 113 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, the sole hundred of the series.

Alastair Cook described the lack of centuries as a concern for the England team. The former captain noted that while the middle order contributed multiple half-centuries, the conversion rate remained low throughout the campaign.

The issue comes ahead of England's upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan at Edgbaston. The first match begins on Friday.

The Bangladesh Premier League has been brought forward to ensure a rain-free window for national team preparation ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The ICC World Cup is scheduled in Africa from October 4 to November 21 next year, and Bangladesh is expected to secure a direct berth based on current rankings.

The domestic tournament's early shift allows the Bangladesh Cricket Board to complete the league without weather interruptions before the national side begins its full-scale build-up. Officials have not announced revised dates for the competition.

Bangladesh has seven titles in the Asia Cup across both formats and will use the extended preparation period to fine-tune its squad for the global event.

Quinton de Kock smashed a six onto the stadium roof off Jason Holder during Barbados Tridents' Caribbean Premier League match against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The former Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper produced the shot while batting for Barbados Tridents.

Holder, who captains St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, was the bowler on the receiving end of the massive hit. De Kock plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

The CPL match showcased de Kock's continued power-hitting ability ahead of the franchise season.

Cameron Green's batting helped Barbados Tridents secure a victory that lifted them from the bottom of the Caribbean Premier League table. The Mumbai Indians all-rounder contributed with both bat and ball in the match.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Jason Holder put in useful shifts for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots but the side faltered across departments. Green was the standout performer for the winning team.

The result improved Tridents' position in the CPL standings as the tournament progresses.

Wanindu Hasaranga struck back-to-back boundaries off an Afghan mystery spinner during a Caribbean Premier League match. The Sri Lanka all-rounder plays for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the competition.

Hasaranga will be part of Sri Lanka's squad for upcoming white-ball assignments. His CPL form provides preparation ahead of the team's international schedule.

The boundaries came during a match between St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and another CPL franchise.