South Africa will host Australia for three ODIs between 24 and 30 September. The series begins at Kingsmead in Durban, moves to Johannesburg and concludes in Potchefstroom. Australia captain Pat Cummins is likely to miss the opener as the side manages its fast bowlers ahead of the three-Test series that follows.

South Africa have lost fast bowlers Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi to hamstring injuries. Duan Jansen and Nqobani Mokoena have been added to the squad. Australia have also lost Billy Stanlake and Spencer Johnson, with Jack Edwards brought in and handed an ODI debut. Mitchell Marsh will lead the side in the first match.

The tour forms part of preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that Chennai Super Kings considered Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra for the head coach position before appointing Zaheer Khan. Ashwin said Nehra was in the frame at some stage though he does not need to leave GT. The franchise also spoke to two other Indian legends and some overseas candidates, but deals did not materialise for various reasons including contract length and availability for international tournaments. Ashwin described Zaheer's appointment as fabulous, citing his relationship with MS Dhoni and his understanding of bowling tactics. Zaheer replaces Stephen Fleming, who left after 18 seasons to become England's red-ball coach.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said he is curious to see how 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi responds to pace and bounce when India tour for a five-match T20I series beginning October 22. Walter noted that Sooryavanshi has dominated against the world’s best bowlers in the IPL but faces a different challenge on seam-friendly surfaces.

Sooryavanshi struggled in his first three senior international matches in England but scored two half-centuries in Zimbabwe. Walter said the series would test how the teenager’s aggressive game translates to different conditions and how New Zealand can bowl to him.

Walter also said he is interested in seeing how emerging players respond under pressure, adding that if Sooryavanshi is not selected, India still have other very good players.

Warwickshire enter the final round of the 2026 County Championship 11 points clear at the top — a cushion that's hard to squander, though the last four days will test their nerve. Olly Hannon-Dalby, the medium-fast bowler who's been a fixture in the attack all season, said the squad's in the groove after training at Edgbaston. "We're favourites," he said, and the math backs him. The decisive matches begin this week.

Hannon-Dalby at 6ft 7in has been consistent throughout, and that reliability across the attack is why Warwickshire's pulled clear. BBC Sport's invited readers to pick their County Championship team of the season from 2026, a sign of how tight the racing has been. The Guardian noted Warwickshire remain the clear favourites — but clear doesn't mean coronation.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson described India as the benchmark in white-ball cricket and said Pakistan's challenge is to catch up to that standard. He spoke during Pakistan's pre-departure camp ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. India have won the last six T20I meetings between the sides, including three victories during the 2025 Asia Cup. Pakistan will travel to Japan without Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, with Sahibzada Farhan leading a squad containing several emerging players. Hesson said the Asian Games provide an excellent platform for new and talented players to showcase their abilities. Both nations have directly qualified for the quarterfinals of the men's T20 event.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif thinks 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be in the T20I XI within six months and could push Tilak Varma or Shivam Dube out. Kaif points to Dube's patchy form and fielding lapses, and he says Tilak's vice-captaincy won't protect him if the runs dry up. Sooryavanshi missed India's recent T20I series against Afghanistan, but Kaif has watched him tighten his game and add all-round value in the Duleep Trophy.

Each ILT20 franchise will enter the 2026/27 auction with a US$ 1.3 million purse and must spend between US$ 1.5 million and US$ 2 million by the end of the sale. Squads must comprise 18 to 23 players with specific nationality requirements.

Each team must have at least 11 players from ICC Full Member countries, including four from Afghanistan and one from Ireland. Teams also require four UAE players, one from Kuwait, one from Saudi Arabia and one additional player from another ICC Associate nation.

Player registrations closed on September 12. The lowest base price is US$ 10,000, with capped Afghanistan and Ireland players able to set base prices of US$ 40,000 or US$ 80,000. Each franchise receives four optional Right to Match cards.

South Africa fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been ruled out of the ODI series against Australia with a right hamstring strain. The 20-year-old suffered the injury during training and will undergo further assessments. Lizaad Williams has been added to the squad as his replacement.

Maphaka becomes the fourth Proteas fast bowler to miss the series after Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi were also ruled out with hamstring injuries. The withdrawals have significantly altered South Africa's bowling options from the squad originally selected. Williams has played eight ODIs since his 2021 debut, taking 16 wickets at an economy rate of 5.88.

The opening ODI against Australia is scheduled for Thursday in Durban. The second match will be played in Johannesburg on Sunday, followed by the series finale in Potchefstroom next Wednesday. South Africa remain uncertain about the availability of Rabada and Ngidi for the three-Test contest that begins shortly after the one-day matches.

Jasprit Bumrah was filmed testing ergonomic pillows at a Japanese bedding store during India's tour. Teammate Axar Patel posted the video on Instagram, showing Bumrah being assessed by specialists for custom-made support.

Bumrah's wife Sanjana Ganesan commented on the reel, writing that he had gone all the way to Japan to do this. Bumrah replied that he would not share the pillow when she asked for it.

The exchange went viral on social media, with fans enjoying the couple's light-hearted banter during the team's downtime in Japan.

The India A Women versus Australia A Women four-day red-ball match has been relocated from Dharamsala to Mohali after prolonged rainfall affected the outfield and ground conditions at the Himachal Pradesh venue. The fixture is now scheduled at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali from September 29 to October 2.

The series began on September 12 and includes three T20 matches, three ODIs, and the single multi-day red-ball game. All previous matches in the series have been held in Mohali using both the new and old stadiums.

Dharamsala's outfield had drawn criticism during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The stadium is equipped with a sub-air drainage system designed to make the outfield playable within 15 to 20 minutes after heavy rainfall.

Former Australia international Ashley Noffke has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands men's cricket team. The 49-year-old succeeds Ryan Cook and has signed a two-year contract through the end of 2028. Noffke will lead the team through qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup.

Noffke played one international match for Australia and had an extensive first-class career with Queensland, Western Australia and four English counties. He also played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first IPL match in 2008. As a coach, he has won a WBBL title and two Coach of the Year awards with Brisbane Heat.

Noffke will remain with Pakistan through the 2026 Asian Games before taking up the Netherlands role. The PCB has begun the search for a new bowling coach to replace him.

New Zealand have named a 16-man squad for their five-match T20I series against India, including seven frontline fast bowlers. The series runs from October 22 to November 1 across four venues.

Adam Milne returns after more than a year out with injury, joining Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith. Michael Bracewell is also included after missing the T20 World Cup.

Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained at a promotional event. He is expected to return for the ODI series starting November 4. Mitchell Santner will captain the side.