England Lions produced a sensational batting display, posting the fifth-highest total in List A cricket history before securing a massive 266-run victory over West Indies A in the second match of their five-game one-day series at Warner Park on Monday. The Lions piled up an imposing 487 for 5 in 50 overs, powered by a stunning 145 off just 65 balls from Durham batter Ben McKinney and an unbeaten century from Somerset's James Rew. In reply, West Indies A were bowled out for 211, handing England Lions a 2-0 lead in the series. McKinney stole the spotlight with a breathtaking innings, reaching his century in just 43 deliveries. The 22-year-old left-hander smashed 145 runs, including five sixes off left-arm wristspinner Vitel Lawes, and registered what is believed to be the second-fastest List A century by an English batter. Only Graham Rose's 36-ball hundred for Somerset against Devon in 1990 is faster. McKinney reached his half-century in just 27 balls before accelerating further to complete his second List A century. His explosive performance underlined his growing reputation as one of England's most promising batting prospects. He recently signed an England development contract after an outstanding County Championship season, scoring 1,044 runs at an average of 52.20 for Durham. James Rew provided an equally impressive finish, smashing an unbeaten 107 off 55 balls to record his second century in three days. Dan Lawrence contributed a quickfire 76 from 56 deliveries, while Ben Mayes remained unbeaten on 58. Rew and Mayes added an unbeaten 166-run partnership for the sixth wicket, ensuring England Lions crossed the 480-run mark. Rew finished in style by hitting sixes off the final two deliveries of the innings. West Indies A began their chase positively, with Kirk McKenzie scoring 67 and Carty contributing 75. The hosts reached 143 for 1 after 19 overs and appeared to have a chance of mounting a competitive response. However, the dismissal of McKenzie, taken by an excellent diving catch from McKinney, triggered a dramatic collapse. Hampshire fast bowler Eddie Jack led the bowling attack with outstanding figures of 5 for 42 in just six overs, dismantling the West Indies middle order. Mason Crane provided excellent support, claiming three wickets for 26 runs as the hosts were dismissed for 211. The comprehensive victory gives England Lions a commanding 2-0 advantage in the five-match one-day series, following their clean sweep in the preceding T20 series. With McKinney's explosive century, Rew's consecutive hundreds and Jack's five-wicket haul, England Lions delivered a dominant all-round performance and continued to showcase the depth of their emerging cricketing talent.

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has backed Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Juhi Chawla’s suggestion to shift the Indian Premier League (IPL) from its traditional March-May window to the cooler months, proposing either a January start or a carefully structured October-April competition calendar. The debate over the IPL schedule gained attention after Juhi Chawla expressed concerns about players competing in extreme summer temperatures. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Chawla suggested that the tournament should consider moving to January to provide better playing conditions. "Why keep playing the biggest cricket tournament on the planet in the harshest heat? And if the calendar is being reconsidered, why not January instead of April-May? Better conditions. Better cricket. A better experience for everyone overall," she wrote. She further added that the IPL had evolved into one of the biggest sporting competitions in the world and its schedule should evolve accordingly. Lalit Modi Supports the Proposal Lalit Modi, widely credited as the architect of the IPL, strongly supported Chawla’s suggestion. He argued that the BCCI, as the owner and organiser of the tournament, has the authority to decide its schedule without needing approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to Modi, international cricket commitments and player availability would need to be managed, but these factors should not prevent the IPL from choosing a more suitable window. He also highlighted the league's growing financial and commercial influence, stating that the IPL has become a global sporting powerhouse capable of shaping the wider cricket calendar. Two Possible Windows Suggested Modi proposed two alternatives for reconsidering the tournament's schedule: January start: Moving the IPL to January to avoid the extreme heat experienced during the traditional April-May period. October-April calendar: Introducing a carefully structured competition calendar spread across these months to create better playing conditions and commercial opportunities. He believes such a move could improve player performance, enhance the experience for spectators and create more valuable broadcasting opportunities. IPL's Growing Influence on World Cricket Modi compared the IPL's global position to the English Premier League (EPL), arguing that its financial strength, international appeal and commercial model have made it one of the most influential sporting competitions in the world. He also pointed out that IPL contracts represent a significant portion of annual cricket earnings for many international players, giving the tournament considerable economic influence. While the IPL has traditionally been held between March and May, its schedule was altered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. However, there has been no official announcement or formal discussion from the BCCI regarding a permanent change to the tournament's calendar. For now, shifting the IPL to January or adopting an October-April structure remains a proposal. Nevertheless, the comments from Juhi Chawla and Lalit Modi have reignited the debate over whether the world's richest T20 league should take greater control of the international cricket calendar.

Starc has become the first member of Australia’s established bowling attack from the controversial 2018 series to publicly respond to the latest allegations. Khawaja’s autobiography, released on Tuesday, reportedly provides further details about the ball-tampering controversy, including events during the second Test in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. Speaking at the launch of Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket ahead of Australia’s home international season, Starc maintained that his recollection of the incident remained unchanged. "My recollection hasn't changed from what we said in 2021," Starc said, referring to the joint statement issued by Australia's four frontline bowlers — Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. The statement was released following Cameron Bancroft’s 2021 interview, in which the former Australian opener suggested that it was "self explanatory" that the bowlers knew about the ball-tampering plan. Responding to questions about whether the entire team was aware of the plan, Starc insisted that the bowlers had no knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field. "As far as our statement said, we weren't aware of anything being taken onto the field. We saw it on the big screen in Cape Town," he said. Starc also addressed Khawaja’s claims about the earlier Test in Gqeberha, where Australia reportedly generated significant reverse swing during a session. "That [Cape Town] is the first I was aware of any of that taking place. I'll leave that one for the author to explain," Starc added. The left-arm pacer admitted that he had not followed the controversy closely and suggested that he was unlikely to read Khawaja’s autobiography. He also revealed that he had not spoken to Khawaja in recent days. Asked whether the two would discuss the matter, Starc replied, "It's up to him." Warner Calls for Accountability as Cricket Australia Rules Out Fresh Investigation The controversy has resurfaced following the publication of Khawaja’s autobiography, which has reignited questions about the events surrounding Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa. Former Australia vice-captain David Warner has described the original investigation as "botched" and called for greater accountability and transparency. However, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said there was no compelling reason to reopen the investigation, which resulted in suspensions for Warner, Cameron Bancroft and former captain Steve Smith. The original investigation primarily focused on the events of the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, where Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball. Khawaja has defended the timing of his autobiography, rejecting suggestions that its release was motivated by commercial interests. He said he did not need the money and insisted that the book was not intended to generate controversy or target former teammates. Alyssa Healy Comments on Khawaja-Starc Controversy Australia women's team captain and Starc's wife, Alyssa Healy, has also addressed the controversy, acknowledging that the situation puts her in a difficult position as a broadcaster. Speaking on the Keepin' It Cricket podcast, Healy joked about the criticism surrounding her husband following the publication of Khawaja’s book. She said she had been "scraping off bits of Mitch off the bitumen after the bus had just hit him" over the previous two days. Healy also expressed reservations about the timing of the revelations, describing it as "a little bit sticky". However, she made it clear that she had no concerns about sharing the commentary box with Khawaja or Warner during the upcoming Australian summer. "I'm not one to sit there and worry about sitting next to anyone in the commentary box, regardless of who it is. We're a team," she said. Mitchell Marsh Could Be Next to Address the Controversy The renewed debate comes just ahead of Australia's home international season, with the first ODI against England scheduled to take place in Perth on Friday. Starc admitted that the controversy was disappointing, particularly as attention was expected to focus on the upcoming cricket season. Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft and Nathan Lyon are scheduled to feature in Sheffield Shield matches, while Steve Smith is expected to return to Sydney from New York next week. Australia's ODI captain Mitchell Marsh could become the next prominent player from the 2018 series to address the issue when he speaks to the media in Perth on Thursday. With Khawaja's revelations, Warner's demands for accountability and Starc's firm denial, the eight-year-old ball-tampering scandal has once again become a major talking point in Australian cricket.

India maintained their 2-0 lead in the ODI series against New Zealand after the third match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Hamilton on Tuesday. The washout also brought an end to New Zealand's remarkable 11 consecutive home bilateral ODI series victories. New Zealand, who entered the third ODI trailing 2-0, can now only aim to level the series by winning the remaining two matches scheduled for Friday and Sunday at Mount Maunganui. Rain began falling in Hamilton on Monday afternoon and continued throughout the match day, allowing only a brief window for the ground staff to prepare the pitch. During that short break, India won the toss for the seventh time in eight attempts on the tour and elected to bowl first in what was initially expected to be a 40-over contest. However, the rain returned before the toss interviews could even be completed and continued to disrupt proceedings. Despite the ground staff's efforts, conditions never improved enough to allow the match to begin. New Zealand have experienced an unusually wet spring, with their home summer schedule compressed to accommodate India's full tour before their upcoming trip to Australia. Although rain has affected the series, the teams managed to complete the first two matches, albeit in shortened formats. The weather forecast for Mount Maunganui, which will host the final two ODIs on Friday and Sunday, is considerably more promising, raising hopes of uninterrupted cricket. The third ODI also marked the final appearance in the series for India's Test captain Shubman Gill, who will now shift his focus to preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer is set to take over the captaincy for the remaining ODI matches in Gill's absence. Meanwhile, New Zealand have decided to give fast bowler Matt Henry additional time with the national team's medical staff. Henry sustained an injury in a collision with Devon Conway on the eve of the series and will continue his recovery. With India firmly in control of the series, New Zealand face a challenging task in the final two matches as they look to avoid a series defeat on home soil.

Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has made fresh revelations about the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, claiming that Australia had used sandpaper on the ball during the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, then known as Port Elizabeth. In his newly released autobiography, Sabr, Khawaja has described how South Africa struggled against Australia's reverse swing during the final session of the second day at St George's Park. He revealed that South Africa lost four wickets for just 28 runs after the Australian team allegedly altered the condition of the ball using sandpaper. According to Khawaja, the incident took place before Australia were caught tampering with the ball during the third Test in Cape Town. He claimed that Cameron Bancroft had picked up the ball after the interval and worked on it with sandpaper before the Australian bowlers returned to the field. Khawaja recalled that Australia had struggled to generate reverse swing earlier in the innings, while South Africa managed to achieve it in fewer than 25 overs. He wrote that the Australian team had taken considerably longer to make the ball reverse swing and admitted that he had warned Bancroft about the large number of cameras monitoring the match. Describing the dramatic session, Khawaja wrote that the ball had become extremely effective after being worked on with sandpaper. He recalled that whenever the ball reached him at gully, he was surprised by how easily it was reversing. The Australian bowlers then took advantage of the altered condition, claiming four wickets for 28 runs. Khawaja also revealed that one of the Australian bowlers reportedly commented during a team huddle that the ball was moving excessively and warned teammates not to do anything further to it. The former batter, however, did not identify the bowlers involved. He also clarified that his intention was not to single out individual players, emphasising that the mistakes were made collectively and that the team had remained silent about the incident for years. South Africa Still Won the Port Elizabeth Test Despite Australia's impressive bowling spell, South Africa recovered strongly, thanks largely to a magnificent innings from AB de Villiers. De Villiers scored an unbeaten 126 off 146 deliveries, an innings Khawaja described as one of the great knocks he had witnessed. He admitted that watching de Villiers bat was particularly impressive considering the amount of reverse swing Australia were generating. Australia managed 239 runs in their second innings, leaving South Africa with a manageable target. The hosts eventually secured a six-wicket victory. Interestingly, Khawaja also claimed that South Africa's bowlers generated significant reverse swing during Australia's second innings, beginning after approximately 21 overs. He admitted that the Australian players were unsure how South Africa were achieving it, despite having used sandpaper themselves. Khawaja Was Not Interviewed During Cricket Australia's Investigation The revelations also raise questions about the scope of Cricket Australia's investigation into the ball-tampering scandal. The investigation primarily focused on the Cape Town Test, with its key findings identifying Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Steven Smith as the three players with prior knowledge of the incident. Khawaja revealed that he was never interviewed during the investigation. In another section of his autobiography, he recalled being angry after an Australian bowler appeared on the television programme The Back Page and denied having any knowledge of the ball-tampering incident. Khawaja said that David Warner was particularly upset by the denial and had sent him a video clip of the interview. The former batter also revealed that he had considered speaking publicly about the incident before the fourth Test in Johannesburg, after the suspensions had already been announced. He approached then-head coach Darren Lehmann near the hotel swimming pool and expressed his frustration, arguing that the entire team should take collective responsibility. According to Khawaja, Lehmann listened to him but warned that making further public statements would not help the situation and could make matters worse. Lehmann, who resigned before the Johannesburg Test, recently told ABC Grandstand that he did not recall Khawaja's earlier dressing-room plea for the team to accept collective responsibility. However, he was not questioned about the subsequent conversation described in the autobiography. Khawaja Also Opens Up About the 2017-18 Ashes Apart from the South Africa tour, Khawaja has also discussed Australia's use of reverse swing during the 2017-18 Ashes series. He specifically referred to the Perth and Adelaide Tests, claiming that the Australian team had experimented with the ball's quarter seam to generate reverse swing. Khawaja recalled Mitchell Starc's memorable delivery to James Vince on the fifth day of the Perth Test, explaining that Australia had been able to generate reverse swing during the closing stages of the match. He also mentioned that achieving reverse swing with the pink ball in Adelaide was more challenging, but the team had discovered ways to make it happen by lifting the seam's flaps. Khawaja emphasised that his use of the word 'we' reflected the collective responsibility of the team, regardless of which individual had actually altered the ball. His revelations in Sabr have reopened one of the most controversial chapters in Australian cricket, offering a fresh account of events surrounding the 2018 ball-tampering scandal and raising further questions about what happened during the South Africa tour.

The third and final unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw after persistent rain washed out the fourth day in Lincoln on Tuesday. Despite brief hopes of play, the weather once again intervened, forcing the match to be called off at 1 pm local time without a single delivery being bowled. The three-match series concluded with a 0-0 scoreline, providing valuable preparation for several Indian players ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, beginning November 19. Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as one of India's biggest positives, continuing his impressive red-ball form with a century in the third unofficial Test. His 102-run knock took his series tally to 279 runs in five innings at an outstanding average of 69.75. The battle for India's No. 3 batting position also remained in focus, with Devdutt Padikkal and B Sai Sudharsan making strong impressions. Padikkal, the incumbent contender for the position, delivered a 199-run innings in the opening match. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan strengthened his case with two half-centuries, scoring 91 in the first game and 88 in India's only innings of the third match. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel also continued his impressive performances, following up his earlier century with a valuable 71 in the final game. With Rishabh Pant's availability still uncertain due to his recovery from a side strain, Jurel remains a strong contender for a place in India's playing XI. Tilak Varma, who is yet to make his Test debut and is not part of India's Test squad for the upcoming series, also showcased his red-ball capabilities. He scored an unbeaten 81 before India declared their innings at 464 for 5 on the second day. For New Zealand A, Dean Foxcroft was the standout batter, finishing as the leading run-scorer for his side with 196 runs in four innings at an average of 65.33. His highest score was 93 in the second match in Christchurch. Among the bowlers, uncapped pacer Zak Gibson topped the series wicket-taking charts with eight wickets, making a strong impression ahead of New Zealand's upcoming Test assignments. India also used the third match to provide valuable match practice to key members of their senior bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna featured in the game as India looked to fine-tune their preparations. However, rain and limited playing time restricted their opportunities. Bumrah and Prasidh bowled a combined 11 overs, while Jadeja did not get an opportunity to bowl. Although Bumrah went wicketless, he impressed with his accuracy, while Prasidh claimed both New Zealand A wickets to fall. Bumrah had been rested for the white-ball series against West Indies and New Zealand, while Jadeja joined the squad after featuring in two Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra. Prasidh, meanwhile, returned to action after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the second ODI against West Indies in September. New Zealand are yet to announce their squad for the upcoming Test series. Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith are set to leave the ongoing ODI squad ahead of the fifth match to prepare for the red-ball challenge. Although persistent rain prevented a result in the final unofficial Test, the series provided India with encouraging performances from several batting contenders and valuable preparation ahead of the two-Test contest beginning November 19.

West Indies captain Roston Chase has credited his team's improved batting against spin bowling for their impressive 1-0 Test series victory over Bangladesh. The drawn second Test in Sylhet on Monday confirmed the visitors' series triumph after their dominant performance in Dhaka last week. The victory marked another significant achievement for West Indies, who secured consecutive Test series wins in Bangladesh for the first time since 2021. More importantly, they completed their first calendar year without losing a Test series since 1994. West Indies' success was largely built on their ability to handle Bangladesh's spin attack. The visitors averaged an impressive 47.81 against spin bowling, losing just 16 wickets across the two Tests. Their own spinners proved even more effective, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 26.79. Speaking after the series, Chase highlighted the importance of the team's preparations, particularly a red-ball batting camp in Chennai ahead of the Bangladesh tour. "When we usually come to Bangladesh, the spinners eat us for dinner most of the time. But I think we are an improved unit in terms of playing spin," Chase said. He explained that practising in spin-friendly conditions in India helped the players identify and improve areas of weakness in their batting. Chase also pointed out that West Indies were prepared for both pace-friendly and spin-friendly conditions. However, Bangladesh's decision to prepare turning pitches ultimately worked in the visitors' favour. "We came here with an open mind because we know that Bangladesh have been using seam attacks more in the past few games they have won. If the wickets were seam-friendly, we had our seamers, and if they were spin-friendly, we had the same artillery in the spin department. They opted to go with the spinning surfaces and it backfired on them," he added. The West Indies captain described winning in Bangladesh as a significant achievement, considering the challenges of playing in the subcontinent. He admitted that his team had hoped to win both Tests but was satisfied with securing the series despite the second match ending in a draw. Bad light and interruptions made it difficult for the visitors to force a result in Sylhet. Chase also reflected on West Indies' progress during the current World Test Championship cycle. After a difficult opening year, the team had targeted stronger performances against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the second year. The Caribbean side managed to win two of their three targeted series, which Chase considered a positive step towards rebuilding the team's consistency. "We did not lose a series this year. This is something that hasn't been done for a number of years. It just goes to show that when you sit down and plan and put in the hard work, anything is achievable. I just think that we're going in the right direction as a unit and as a team," Chase said. Jomel Warrican Leads West Indies' Spin Dominance Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was one of the standout performers throughout the series, finishing with 16 wickets. His impressive performance also saw him reach the milestone of 100 Test wickets, becoming only the second West Indies left-arm spinner to achieve the feat. Warrican now has 76 Test wickets in Asia, placing him second on the West Indies list behind legendary fast bowler Courtney Walsh, who finished with 77 wickets in the region. Chase praised Warrican's control, consistency and ability to build pressure on Bangladesh's batters. "I thought Warrican bowled well in both games. He controlled his economy rate very well and built a lot of pressure. He kept putting the ball in front of the batsmen for a long period of time. I thought that was the hallmark of his bowling throughout the series, along with spinning and straightening as well," Chase said. Towhid Hridoy's Double Century Denies West Indies a Clean Sweep Despite being in a strong position to win the second Test, West Indies were unable to secure a 2-0 series victory after Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy produced a remarkable unbeaten 242. Hridoy's outstanding innings, supported by crucial contributions from the lower order, helped Bangladesh fight back from a difficult position and force a draw in Sylhet. Chase admitted that West Indies had been in a commanding position and were targeting a clean sweep to improve their position in the Test rankings. However, he had no regrets about the final outcome, praising Hridoy for his exceptional performance. "We came here to win both games to see if we could move up to sixth in the Test rankings. I thought we were in a great position to push for a win, but Towhid Hridoy played a great innings, and that's what Test cricket is about. Sometimes you think that you're in a commanding position and then someone comes and does something spectacular," Chase concluded. The 1-0 series victory represents an important milestone for West Indies as they continue to build momentum in the World Test Championship cycle, with improved performances against spin and greater consistency emerging as key positives.

Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur Rahim has created history by becoming the first batter from his country to score 7,000 runs in Test cricket. He achieved the remarkable milestone on the final day of the ongoing Test against West Indies in Sylhet. Mushfiqur reached the landmark shortly after lunch when he scored a single off West Indies spinner Roston Chase to move to nine runs in his innings. Interestingly, the experienced batter initially appeared unaware of the achievement and acknowledged the milestone only after his teammates stood up in the dressing room to applaud him. The 38-year-old has continued to strengthen his position as Bangladesh's leading run-scorer in Test cricket. He was also the first Bangladeshi batter to cross the 5,000-run and 6,000-run marks, achieving those milestones in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Mushfiqur currently leads Bangladesh's all-time Test run-scoring charts by a considerable margin. Mominul Haque occupies second place with 5,293 runs, while former opener Tamim Iqbal is third among the country's leading Test run-getters. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter also holds the record for the most Test centuries by a Bangladeshi player, with 14 hundreds to his name, including a career-best unbeaten 219. Mominul and Tamim follow him with 13 and 10 Test centuries, respectively. Mushfiqur's latest achievement adds another milestone to an illustrious international career that began in 2005. He is Bangladesh's most experienced Test cricketer and is currently featuring in his 107th Test. In November 2025, he became the first Bangladeshi player to make 100 appearances in the longest format. Initially starting his career as a lower-middle-order batter and wicketkeeper, Mushfiqur took 20 Test matches to reach his first 1,000 runs. However, his growing responsibilities in the national side, particularly after becoming Bangladesh captain in 2011, helped him establish himself as one of the team's most dependable batters. His consistency has improved significantly over the years. While he required 20 Tests to reach 1,000 runs, he needed only 25 innings to progress from 6,000 to 7,000 Test runs, highlighting his remarkable longevity and consistency at the international level. Apart from his achievements in Test cricket, Mushfiqur has also accumulated 6,697 runs in One-Day Internationals and 1,495 runs in T20 Internationals. He has since retired from both limited-overs formats but continues to contribute to Bangladesh in Test cricket. With the 7,000-run milestone, Mushfiqur Rahim has further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest batters in Bangladesh's cricketing history.

Western Australia fast bowler Lance Morris has suffered another injury setback after sustaining a cut to his left hand following his first professional appearance since undergoing lumbar surgery. WA Cricket confirmed on Monday that Morris had injured his non-bowling hand and would consult a hand specialist to assess the extent of the damage. However, the circumstances surrounding the injury have not yet been disclosed. The incident reportedly occurred hours after the completion of Saturday's match against England. The latest setback comes at an unfortunate time for Morris, who had recently made a promising return to professional cricket after spending 18 months on the sidelines following back surgery. Making his first appearance for Western Australia since the operation, the 28-year-old delivered an impressive performance against England's ODI side, claiming three wickets for 29 runs in his 10 overs, including two maiden overs. He dismissed Tom Banton and Joe Root, showcasing his pace and ability to generate extra bounce. Morris' return had already been delayed after he suffered a side strain late in the pre-season. Following his encouraging performance against England, he was expected to feature again when Western Australia take on Victoria in the One-Day Cup next Monday. However, his availability for the upcoming fixture is now uncertain, with his recovery timeline likely to depend on the assessment of the hand specialist. Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey had expressed his excitement about Morris' comeback before news of the latest injury emerged. "Just excited and happy to see Lance back playing," Bailey said on Monday. Bailey acknowledged that Morris had endured a frustrating period with injuries and praised the fast bowler's ability to quickly regain his rhythm and bowling intensity. "Particularly that latest setback he had just prior to the start of the season, it just felt like just give the man a little bit of luck. Great to see him back on Saturday against England, and pretty impressed by how quickly he seemed to get back into his work. He bowled good pace and good areas, and got a nice performance outcome," Bailey added. Morris' latest injury will be a concern for Western Australia and Australian selectors, who will be hoping the fast bowler can overcome this setback and continue his comeback without further interruptions.

India A suffered a setback in their preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand after rain washed out the entire third day of their third four-day match against New Zealand A in Lincoln on Monday. The washout has left the match, as well as the three-match series, heading towards a stalemate. More importantly, India's team management will be disappointed with the lost opportunity to provide valuable match practice to their bowlers ahead of the first Test, scheduled to begin on November 19. The biggest concern will be the lack of bowling time for senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom are part of India's preparations for the Test assignment. Jasprit Bumrah Gets Limited Match Practice All eyes were on Jasprit Bumrah, who returned to competitive action in Lincoln after last featuring in the Asian Games in early October. The Indian fast bowler was rested for the white-ball series against West Indies and New Zealand as part of his workload management. He had been training in Ahmedabad before completing the required return-to-play procedures at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Bumrah bowled six overs on the second day of the match against New Zealand A, conceding just 11 runs and delivering one maiden over. Although he did not pick up a wicket, his economical spell was an encouraging sign ahead of the Test series. However, Monday's washout prevented him from getting further overs under his belt, leaving limited opportunities for the senior pacer to build match rhythm before the first Test. Ravindra Jadeja Also Misses Out on Bowling Opportunity Ravindra Jadeja was another prominent Indian player who missed out on valuable preparation time due to the weather. The experienced all-rounder did not get an opportunity to bowl on the second day of the match and will be hoping for favourable conditions on the final day to gain some bowling practice. Jadeja arrived in New Zealand after featuring in two Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra, making the India A fixture an important part of his preparations for the upcoming international assignment. With his contributions expected to be crucial in both departments, India will be keen to see him get sufficient game time before the Test series. Prasidh Krishna Makes Strong Comeback Meanwhile, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna made an encouraging return to action against New Zealand A. Prasidh, who is in contention for a place in India's pace attack for the opening Test, picked up both New Zealand A wickets during his five-over spell on the second day. It was his first competitive appearance since suffering a hamstring injury during the second ODI against West Indies on September 30. The pacer was initially included in India's squad for the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand but was subsequently withdrawn to participate in the India A fixture and continue his preparations for the longer format. His two-wicket performance will provide a positive boost to India's selection plans, although the team management will be hoping to see him bowl more overs before the Test series begins. India Await Better Weather Ahead of First Test With the first Test against New Zealand scheduled for November 19, the remaining time in the India A fixture has become increasingly important for India's preparations. The management will be particularly keen to ensure that Bumrah, Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna get enough bowling practice to regain rhythm and assess their fitness ahead of the challenging overseas assignment. However, persistent rain in Lincoln has disrupted those plans, leaving India A with limited opportunities to make the most of the final day. For India, the priority will now be to maximise whatever match time remains and ensure that their key bowlers are ready for the upcoming Test challenge.

Australian batting star Steven Smith is making progress in his recovery from a neck injury that forced him to miss the final Test against South Africa. The 37-year-old is targeting a return to competitive cricket in the fifth round of the Sheffield Shield later this month, ahead of Australia's upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Smith was diagnosed with an injury to his cervical facet joint after experiencing neck pain during the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park. The problem affected his batting during the second innings, forcing him to move down the order. Although there was initial confidence within the Australian camp that Smith would recover in time for the third and final Test at Newlands, a nerve-block injection on the morning of the match failed to provide sufficient confidence that he could play. As a result, he was ruled out of the series decider. Smith Consults Specialist in New York Following Australia's tour of South Africa, Smith travelled to New York instead of returning directly home with the rest of the squad. The experienced batter owns an apartment in the city and regularly spends time there. During his stay, Smith consulted medical specialists to identify the underlying cause of his neck discomfort. He is expected to return to Sydney next week as he continues his rehabilitation. Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey provided a positive update on Smith's recovery, expressing hope that the batter would be available for New South Wales in Sheffield Shield Round 5. "Just chatting to him in New York, he's had some specialist appointments there and some progress, I think, in terms of getting to the root of what might have been causing him some trouble in South Africa," Bailey said on Monday. "Hopefully that continues to trend in the right direction. His plan is he'll be available for Shield [round] five." Difficult South Africa Tour for Smith Smith endured a challenging tour of South Africa, managing just 83 runs across four innings. Apart from his neck injury, he also experienced a concussion scare during the Durban Test. His absence from the final Test was a significant setback for Australia, given his experience and importance in the middle order. The injury has also raised questions about his workload and long-term availability, particularly with several important international assignments approaching. Australia Confident Smith Will Continue His Test Career Despite Smith previously stating that he approaches his Test career on a series-by-series basis, Bailey indicated that there were no signs suggesting the batter was considering retirement. The Australian selector confirmed that the team management continues to view Smith as an important part of its future plans, including next year's tours of India and England. "Yeah, absolutely. I certainly haven't had any discussions with him to suggest otherwise," Bailey said when asked about Smith's future. Bailey added that Australia were working towards understanding the root cause of the injury and developing a strategy to manage it if the problem returns. He also highlighted Smith's importance to the Australian team, describing him as a quality player whose presence makes the side stronger. "He's an absolutely quality player and we're a better team with him in it," Bailey said. The selector further expressed confidence that Smith still has plenty to offer Australian cricket, particularly with several exciting international series on the horizon. Sheffield Shield Return Could Be Crucial Smith's potential return for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield will be an important step in his recovery. Getting some red-ball cricket under his belt would help him regain match fitness and confidence before Australia's next Test assignment against New Zealand. For Australia, having their experienced batter fit and available will be a major boost. The team will now hope that Smith's treatment in New York continues to deliver positive results and that he can return to the field without further complications.