Former India batter Abhinav Mukund believes Kuldeep Yadav can secure his place as India's frontline spinner for the 2027 ODI World Cup with consistent performances over the next year. Mukund highlighted Kuldeep's match-winning four-wicket haul in the first ODI against West Indies as evidence of his return to form.

Kuldeep took 4 for 40 to restrict West Indies after they reached 135 for 0 in the 20th over. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award despite centuries from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. Mukund noted that India will need a specialist spinner for the World Cup in South Africa and believes Kuldeep is best positioned to fill that role.

Mukund also observed that India are still determining their optimal combination for the tournament, which explains Naman Dhir's inclusion and his five overs of part-time off-spin in the first match.

Kushagra Ojha was eight when a pick-up vehicle struck him stepping off his school van in Jaipur. The impact fractured his left hand and left leg. He spent six or seven months in bed. Doctors and family wondered if cricket should continue.

He returned to training and earned a place in India's U-19 multi-day squad against Australia. On debut against Sri Lanka he made 92 and was named Player of the Match.

The 17-year-old says he handles setbacks by visiting a temple and thinking about the next phase of the game, not the scoreline.

England coach Brendon McCullum wants warm-up games built into the winter schedule. The comment came after the side wrapped up their series win over Sri Lanka at The Oval.

McCullum pointed out that many of his players have barely touched white-ball cricket lately. England have won every 50-over series they've played this year, a sharp reversal from the six defeats in seven ODIs that followed the 2023 World Cup.

They crashed out of the Champions Trophy without a win. The next World Cup is still twelve months away, and McCullum's message is simple: England might not be the best side in the format, but they're finished with being its biggest underachievers.

The Women's National Cricket League starts September 29 with three matches on the same day. Most of Australia's senior players will turn out before they face Bangladesh and New Zealand next month. Victoria host South Australia at home on Tuesday and Thursday. New South Wales welcome Queensland in the rematch of last year's final at Cricket Central, while Western Australia take on Tasmania in a pair of day-night games.

Only one round is scheduled before the T20 Spring Challenge and the WBBL begin, and the WNCL will not resume until December 14. The final is set for March 20.

Every match of the 2026-27 season will be live streamed free for fans in Australia on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app.

Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird resigned on Monday after Cricket NSW withdrew support over the partial privatisation of the Big Bash League. Baird said he stood down after the board pushed ahead with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades franchise despite domestic opposition. Former Test opener David Boon was named interim chair until the annual general meeting in late October.

Baird had faced months of scrutiny over plans to sell stakes in the eight BBL teams. Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania backed the move, but New South Wales and Queensland rejected it. Cricket Australia has sought private investment to secure the competition's finances.

Boon, who will serve in the interim role, said the position was an honour during an exciting and challenging time for Australian cricket. He previously served as a national selector and state administrator.

Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux is a doubt for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh due to a hip injury. A Cricket Australia spokesperson said her involvement in the series will continue to be assessed. Molineux picked up the injury during Australia's recent T20I series against New Zealand.

The left-arm spinner has been a key part of Australia's white-ball setup and her absence would be a significant blow. Australia have named a 15-player squad for the three-match ODI series, which begins on October 5 in Darwin.

Molineux's injury adds to Australia's concerns ahead of the series. The team has already been without several key players due to injury and rest rotations.

Mike Baird has stepped down as chair of Cricket Australia after New South Wales withdrew support for the board's decision to proceed with private investment in the Big Bash League. Former Australia international David Boon will take over from him in the interim from October 28.

Baird, who had been chair since February 2023 and served on the CA board for six years, cited a desire to ensure unity at board level after his home state opposed the privatisation of the Melbourne Renegades franchise. He said he leaves the role believing CA's long-term sustainability is assured after the recent decisions on the Big Bash.

Boon, who played 107 Tests for Australia between 1984 and 1996, was appointed to the CA board in February 2025 after serving as Cricket Tasmania director for nine years. A process to appoint a permanent chair will begin after the AGM.

Incoming chief executive Richard Kenyon will lead a review of Lancashire's cricket operation and performance structure. Kenyon spent more than a decade at Everton and will officially take over from Daniel Gidney on October 5 after a 10-month spell as Nottinghamshire chief executive. The review will build on last week's restructure which confirmed the departure of director of cricket performance Mark Chilton and director of women's cricket David Thorley. It will assess Lancashire's performance environment, including staff and player contracts, resources, and the pathway from academy to first team. Lancashire finished second-bottom of Division Two in the County Championship, bottom of the T20 Blast table, and failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the One-Day Cup. Club chairperson Dame Sarah Storey said Kenyon's arrival comes at an important moment for the club.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency said its inquiry into Mohammad Rizwan has been delayed by the wicketkeeper-batter's alleged non-cooperation. Investigators have contacted Rizwan several times since seizing his phone after Pakistan's Test series against England, but have not received a positive response. The probe relates to online betting and possible leaks of information from the Pakistan dressing room.

Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq appeared before the agency in Lahore earlier this month. Imam has since cooperated and forensic analysis of his phone is underway. The NCCIA will contact Rizwan again on Monday and may issue a formal notice if he continues to withhold cooperation.

The agency said the forensic examination of Rizwan's phone must be conducted in his presence. No final finding has been announced against either player, and the inquiry remains at an initial stage.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has launched a new domestic competition called D3, bringing three formats under one identity with the motto "Bringing colour back to domestic cricket." Tamim Iqbal said the main goal was to restore the appeal of domestic cricket, which has been criticised for losing its excitement. D3 will replace the NCL T20, Bangladesh Cricket League four-day and BCL one-day tournaments. Eight interested parties have already shown interest in taking over six teams. The opening T20 tournament is planned for Barishal, with Dhaka also selected as a venue. Fifty percent of the revenue from sponsorships and ticket sales will be shared with the teams.