Somerset lost their first four wickets for 24 runs on the opening day of their County Championship match against Yorkshire at Taunton. Ben Cliff took three of those wickets, including a hat-trick threat that was broken when Archie Vaughan survived the hat-trick ball.

Tom Abell fell first ball and Josh Thomas followed soon after as Yorkshire's seam attack exploited early movement. Vaughan hit a six before falling for 18 as Somerset reached stumps at 86 for eight.

The result leaves Somerset's title hopes under pressure while Yorkshire remain in contention with two rounds remaining in the season.

Sanju Samson said he deals with external criticism by switching off his Wi-Fi after scoring 57 off 22 balls in the second T20I against Afghanistan on Tuesday. The 31-year-old admitted that comments still affect him and that he is not immune to pressure, but added that he focuses on his preparation and role within the team rather than selection debates. Samson also said he understands the team management's decision to pick Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for earlier matches and does not view the teenager as a personal rival.

Players and officials have stated that former sports adviser Asif Nazrul was the sole decision-maker behind Bangladesh's withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. The three-member probe committee's findings contradict Nazrul's later claim that the decision was a joint sacrifice made by BCCI officials and players.

Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Nazrul was the sole decision-maker and that players were not consulted. Former captain Tamim Iqbal stated that security concerns were used as an excuse to fulfil the sports adviser's ego.

The committee interviewed 12 people including Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and BCB officials. The report concluded that the withdrawal did not originate from a collective decision by the BCB board or the highest level of government.

Former sports adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has questioned why Bangladesh's decision not to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup is being investigated months after the event. A three-member probe committee formed by the National Sports Council on May 10 concluded that Nazrul was responsible for the team's absence.

The committee found that Nazrul, who served as sports minister in the interim government, made the call after the ICC rejected a request to move Bangladesh's matches out of India. Nazrul admitted the decision was his but said he fails to understand why the matter needed investigation after such a long delay.

Nazrul cited security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman's removal from the IPL and said the interim government made efforts to shift the tournament to another venue without success.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out of India's playing XI for the second consecutive T20I against Afghanistan on Tuesday. The left-hander has not featured in either of the first two matches despite being named in the squad.

India made one change to their XI, with Ravi Bishnoi replacing the injured Varun Chakravarthy. Sanju Samson retained his place at the top of the order alongside Abhishek Sharma and scored 57 off 22 balls in India's seven-wicket win.

Captain Shreyas Iyer said after the match that India would look to give opportunities to players sitting out in the third T20I on September 17. The final match of the series is a dead rubber with India already leading 2-0.

Bangladesh keeper-batter Nigar Sultana is set to resign as T20I captain after the team's disappointing Asian Games campaign, Cricbuzz reported on Tuesday. She has led the side in the format since 2022 and recorded 32 wins in 80 matches.

Nigar informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board of her decision in a letter on Tuesday. Board president Tamim Iqbal accepted the resignation, which will allow her to focus on her batting and wicket-keeping. She intends to continue leading the ODI team.

Nigar led Bangladesh to its first T20 World Cup win in a decade when the side beat Scotland in 2024.

Kris Srikkanth criticised India's decision to leave out Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI for the first T20I against Afghanistan. The 15-year-old, who was Player of the Series against Zimbabwe with 151 runs at a strike rate of 196.10, remained on the bench as Sanju Samson opened with Abhishek Sharma.

Srikkanth said his wife argued about the exclusion while watching the match and warned that the rotation sends wrong signals to young players. He noted that Sooryavanshi has performed at every level from Duleep Trophy to the IPL for Rajasthan Royals.

The former selector expressed concern about Samson's handling as well, saying the team management is playing around with both batters by giving them short runs rather than extended opportunities. Sooryavanshi has remained on the bench for the second consecutive T20I.

Sydney Sixers have confirmed the signing of England international Alice Capsey on a one-year deal for the 2026 Women's Big Bash League. The 22-year-old joins the club after departing Melbourne Renegades, making her the latest overseas addition to the Sixers' squad for the upcoming season.

Capsey has accumulated 1,053 runs in T20 Internationals, including six half-centuries. She has also gained franchise experience with Birmingham Phoenix, Delhi Capitals and MI London across various competitions. Sydney Sixers General Manager Rachael Haynes described Capsey as one of the most exciting young players in world cricket.

Capsey will join compatriot Sophia Dunkley, who has re-signed with the Sixers. The squad features three overseas slots filled by Capsey, Dunkley and New Zealand's Melie Kerr. The club is building its group following the retirement of Alyssa Healy last summer.

Kuldeep Yadav said he feels bad when left out of India's playing XI but accepts management decisions on team balance. The left-arm spinner was dropped from the Test side against Sri Lanka after limited use in Galle and missed the T20I series against Afghanistan.

Kuldeep recorded career-best innings figures of 6 for 50 for Yorkshire at Headingley, completing his first ten-wicket match haul in first-class cricket. He insisted the county stint was not an attempt to prove a point to selectors.

The 31-year-old added that English conditions help spinners and batters face unfamiliar challenges. He plans to return to Yorkshire next season.

India's selectors will decide whether Rishabh Pant returns to the ODI squad and if Hardik Pandya can handle a full 50-over workload when they meet this week. The panel will name squads for three ODIs and five T20Is against the West Indies.

Pant could serve as second wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul if Ishan Kishan remains unavailable after the Asian Games. Pandya is scheduled to return to competitive cricket on 20 September in India A's series against Australia A.

Selectors must assess whether Pandya can bowl ten overs and field for a full ODI immediately after his layoff.