In cricket news today, India received squad reinforcement ahead of their Test tour of New Zealand with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant declared fully fit. In Sydney, Australian captain Pat Cummins rejected allegations regarding the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering incident. Action on the field saw Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan claim a seven-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, while New Zealand domestic batter Bevon Jacobs struck a record-breaking double century. Off the field, the International Cricket Council met in Bali to discuss proposed structural changes to franchise leagues and the World Test Championship.
Pat Cummins Rejects Ball-Tampering Claims from Usman Khawaja's Book
Australia Test captain Pat Cummins addressed the media at Cricket Central in Sydney to respond to ball-tampering allegations. The claims were made in an autobiography titled Sabr, written by his former teammate Usman Khawaja. Cummins arranged the press conference himself after publicly inviting reporters to ask him questions regarding the contents of the book.
Speaking at the briefing, Cummins strongly rejected the claims that knowledge of the 2018 Cape Town sandpaper plot was widespread across the Australian playing group and coaching staff. He dismissed the suggestion that members of the dressing room outside those involved had prior awareness of the incident.
“Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week at 9.30 am. I've taken some time to try and better understand the long list and full extent of Uzzy's allegations so I can respond properly.”
Pat Cummins
Why it matters: The comments clarify the Australian captain's stance on historical ball-tampering claims involving the national team.
↑ HeadlinesRishabh Pant Cleared Fit to Join India's Test Squad in New Zealand
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been declared fit following his rehabilitation from an abdominal side strain. Pant proved his readiness by clearing match-simulation assessments conducted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He had been out of action since sustaining the abdominal injury during the Irani Cup in October.
Following his successful medical clearance, Pant departed for New Zealand on Thursday. He will link up with the Indian Test squad captained by Shubman Gill ahead of the opening fixture against New Zealand, which is scheduled to start on November 19 in Wellington.
Why it matters: Pant's return bolsters India's batting and wicketkeeping options ahead of the upcoming Test series in New Zealand.
↑ HeadlinesDebutant Saqib Khan Takes Seven Wickets as Pakistan Bowl Out Sri Lanka
Pakistan debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan delivered an impactful performance on Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Saqib took seven wickets for 130 runs, bowling an effective morning spell that accounted for centurions Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis.
His bowling triggered a collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose their final six wickets for 42 runs, bowling them out for 446. With this display, Saqib became only the fourth Pakistani bowler to secure a seven-wicket haul in an innings on Test debut.
“My strength is to bowl out-swingers and I did exactly that today under favorable overcast conditions.”
Saqib Khan
Why it matters: Saqib's debut performance establishes him among an elite group of Pakistani bowlers and swung the Rawalpindi Test in Pakistan's favor.
↑ HeadlinesJames Anderson Signs One-Year County Championship Contract with Surrey
Former England fast bowler James Anderson has signed a one-year contract with Surrey for the 2027 English County Championship season. The agreement brings the 44-year-old to The Oval following his release by Lancashire, which officially concluded his 25-year association with his home county.
Anderson explained that his primary ambitions with Surrey are to continue taking wickets and to help the club compete for County Championship titles. In addition to his on-field contributions, the veteran seamer aims to assist in the development of younger fast bowlers within the Surrey squad.
“It's an honour to join a club like Surrey and I can't wait to start a new chapter in my career.”
James Anderson
Why it matters: Fans will see the veteran fast bowler continue his first-class career at The Oval after a quarter of a century with Lancashire.
↑ HeadlinesProposed World Test Championship Expansion Meets Resistance at ICC Board
A proposal to expand the World Test Championship from nine teams to all 12 Full Members for the 2027–29 cycle has encountered opposition during ICC board discussions in Bali. The England and Wales Cricket Board opposes a single 12-team division due to concerns regarding excessive overseas travel and disruption to its domestic home summer schedule.
As a result of these objections, the competition is likely to maintain its current nine-team format or adopt a ten-team structure as a compromise. Under these scenarios, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan face the prospect of continued exclusion from the tournament.
Why it matters: The outcome of the ICC discussions will decide whether smaller Test nations gain entry to the World Test Championship cycle.
↑ HeadlinesBrett Randell Receives Maiden New Zealand Call-Up for India ODI Series
New Zealand Cricket has named uncapped 31-year-old fast bowler Brett Randell in the national squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs against India in Mount Maunganui. Alongside Randell's maiden call-up, all-rounder Josh Clarkson has also been recalled to the New Zealand squad for the fifth and final ODI of the series.
The late additions to the team follow the early departure of several senior New Zealand players from the one-day group. These experienced squad members travelled to Wellington early in order to commence their preparations for the upcoming Test series.
“It's always a special time when a player earns their first international call up”
Rob Walter
Why it matters: The squad changes give an uncapped bowler an opportunity against India as New Zealand balance their limited-overs commitments with Test preparations.
↑ HeadlinesICC Announces Global Broadcast Plans for Women's Emerging Nations Trophy
The International Cricket Council has confirmed the global broadcast and live streaming details for the second edition of the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy taking place in the United Arab Emirates. The 10-team tournament features five Full Members playing alongside five Associate nations across 30 T20 matches in Ajman from 12 to 25 November.
For supporters in India, all tournament fixtures are being streamed live on FanCode. Global coverage for the event is being provided across multiple regional broadcast partners, with additional viewing available worldwide on ICC.tv.
Why it matters: Fans across India and globally can follow emerging women cricketers across 30 televised T20 matches.
↑ HeadlinesMelie Kerr Leads Sydney Sixers to WBBL Win Over Melbourne Renegades
Sydney Sixers maintained their unbeaten run in WBBL|12, moving to a 5-0 record with an 11-run victory over Melbourne Renegades at Junction Oval in Melbourne. Melie Kerr led the batting effort with 53 runs off 34 deliveries to guide the Sixers to a total of 140 for six.
In reply, Melbourne Renegades were bowled out for 129 in the final over of the match. Ashleigh Gardner starred with the ball by taking three wickets for 13 runs, while Kerr supported the bowling attack by collecting figures of one for 29.
“So we knew that if we could get to 140, 150, we gave ourselves a good chance.”
Melie Kerr
Why it matters: Sydney Sixers maintain their flawless record at the top of the WBBL standings thanks to Kerr and Gardner's contributions.
↑ HeadlinesICC Review Group Proposes Four-Overseas Player Limit for Franchise Leagues
The International Cricket Council's Franchise Leagues Review Group has submitted recommendations ahead of the quarterly meetings in Bali to introduce standardized global regulations. The proposals recommend establishing a maximum limit of four overseas players per playing XI, which would alter roster compositions in competitions such as the UAE's ILT20 and the USA's Major League Cricket.
The review group also recommended providing the ICC with authority to review sanctions imposed by Full Member leagues. Additional proposals include mandating the integration of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit across competitions and restricting sponsorships from betting companies.
Why it matters: These proposed regulations could reshape squad structures and player selections across prominent T20 franchise tournaments worldwide.
↑ HeadlinesBevon Jacobs Hits Record 21 Sixes in Ford Trophy Double Century
Auckland Aces batter Bevon Jacobs scored an unbeaten 202 runs from 137 deliveries against Otago Volts at Kennards Hire Community Oval in Auckland. Jacobs cleared the boundary 21 times during his innings, establishing a new New Zealand record for the most sixes in a List A match.
His tally of 21 sixes also stands as the second-highest recorded in men's List A cricket history. The innings marked Jacobs' first century in List A cricket and set a new benchmark as the highest individual one-day score in Auckland Aces history.
Why it matters: Jacobs' innings enters the record books as one of the most prolific six-hitting one-day performances in world cricket.
↑ HeadlinesQuick hits
- Australia stand-in ODI captain Mitchell Marsh stated in Perth that he has moved on from the 2018 ball-tampering controversy and declined to address Usman Khawaja's book claims ahead of the England series.
- Sri Lanka Women secured a 10-wicket win over Ireland in their ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy opener in Ajman after restricting Ireland to 105 for nine and chasing the target in 13 overs.
- England all-rounder Jacob Bethell will miss the white-ball tour of Australia due to a right knee injury, with James Coles and Eddie Jack called up as replacements.
- Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah entered the top ten of the ICC Men's Test batting rankings in seventh place, while Indian bowlers Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Gurnoor Brar climbed in the ODI bowling rankings.
- The BCCI named India A Women squads for their home series against England A, appointing Anushka Sharma as captain for the limited-overs fixtures and Minnu Mani for the multi-day match.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rishabh Pant fit to play in India's Test series against New Zealand?
Yes, Rishabh Pant cleared match-simulation assessments at the BCCI Centre of Excellence following an abdominal side strain and has departed to join the squad in New Zealand.
What did Pat Cummins say about Usman Khawaja's ball-tampering claims?
Pat Cummins strongly rejected claims made in Khawaja's autobiography that knowledge of the 2018 sandpaper plot was widespread across Australia's playing group and coaching staff.
What bowling record did Saqib Khan achieve on his Test debut?
Saqib Khan took 7 for 130 against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, becoming only the fourth Pakistani bowler to claim a seven-wicket haul in an innings on Test debut.
Where can fans in India watch the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy?
All matches of the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy are being streamed live for viewers in India on FanCode.
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