Australia lost two early wickets in the first Test against South Africa in Durban. The scorecard tracks the opening stages of Australia's return to South African conditions.
5:00 AMBBC Sport Cricket22 stories from 3 sources
Australia’s Test return and cricket’s tightening commercial race
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Australia and South Africa meet on South African soil for the first time in eight years in a Test contest with World Test Championship implications. The rematch gives both sides an early opportunity to build position in the current qualification cycle.
5:50 PMESPN Cricket
Australia have not confirmed whether Cooper Connolly or Nic Maddinson will get the opportunity, while Pat Cummins has urged the team to prepare for a long contest.
1:29 PMESPN Cricket
Kagiso Rabada will miss South Africa's first Test against Australia. Anrich Nortje returns to the Test XI for the first time since March 2023, while Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer provide a two-spinner attack.
7:31 AMESPN Cricket
The Indian Premier League is the only Asia Pacific sports property commanding rights fees at the top of the global market. Regional sports rights growth is expected to slow to 1% to 2% annually through 2030, compared with roughly 10% a year since 2021.
11:00 PMVariety
The Pakistan Super League is set to overlap with the Indian Premier League in 2027. Walee Technologies, which holds the PSL's media rights through 2029, is dissatisfied with the current scheduling window because broadcasting revenue drops after Ramadan.
4:33 AMESPN Cricket
Kusal Mendis has replaced Dhananjaya de Silva as Sri Lanka's Test captain. De Silva remains available for selection when Sri Lanka next play Test cricket in Pakistan in November.
6:45 AMESPN Cricket
Dhananjaya de Silva has resigned as Sri Lanka's Test captain but remains available for selection. Sri Lanka's next Test series is scheduled in Pakistan in November.
3:50 AMESPN Cricket
India have won 42 of their last 51 home T20Is and have not lost back-to-back matches at home during that run. The West Indies now face the task of breaking that sustained dominance.
10:15 AMESPN Cricket
The scorecard records the latest position in the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, including the teams' runs, wickets and innings progress.
2:01 AMBBC Sport Cricket
Bangladesh enter the rare Test meeting with confidence from their win in Darwin, but still face concerns across formats. Afghanistan begin under new captain Rahmat Shah and will try to reset their campaign.
2:37 AMESPN Cricket5:00 AMBBC Sport Cricket
Hazlewood takes six as Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs - scorecard
Summary
Australia lost two early wickets in the first Test against South Africa in Durban. The scorecard tracks the opening stages of Australia's return to South African conditions.
South Africa have gained the early advantage by breaking Australia's top order before the innings
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Early top-order failures could expose Australia's batting depth and give South Africa first control of the match.
5:50 PMESPN Cricket
World Test Championship final rematch could shape next year's decider
Summary
Australia and South Africa meet on South African soil for the first time in eight years in a Test contest with World Test Championship implications. The rematch gives both sides an early opportunity to build position in the current qualification cycle.
The result can materially alter the race for next year's final because both teams are
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A series between two recent finalists could establish the early hierarchy in the next World Test Championship cycle.
1:29 PMESPN Cricket
Connolly or Maddinson? Australia keep their cards close to the chest
Summary
Australia have not confirmed whether Cooper Connolly or Nic Maddinson will get the opportunity, while Pat Cummins has urged the team to prepare for a long contest.
The unresolved selection points to a balance between Connolly's potential and Maddinson's experience. Cummins' emphasis
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The selection will reveal whether Australia are prioritizing development or experience in a contest expected to test their endurance.
7:31 AMESPN Cricket
Kagiso Rabada ruled out of first Australia Test
Summary
Kagiso Rabada will miss South Africa's first Test against Australia. Anrich Nortje returns to the Test XI for the first time since March 2023, while Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer provide a two-spinner attack.
Rabada's absence removes a key pace threat and forces South Africa to rebalance its attack.
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South Africa must replace its leading fast-bowling presence without sacrificing pressure against Australia's top order.
11:00 PMVariety
Indian Premier League Stands Alone at the Top as Asia Pacific Sports Rights Growth Slows, Media Partners Asia Finds
Summary
The Indian Premier League is the only Asia Pacific sports property commanding rights fees at the top of the global market. Regional sports rights growth is expected to slow to 1% to 2% annually through 2030, compared with roughly 10% a year since 2021.
The market is shifting from rapid expansion to selective pricing, with the IPL retaining enough
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The IPL is consolidating its position as Asia Pacific's benchmark sports property while the wider rights market loses momentum.
4:33 AMESPN Cricket
PSL to clash with IPL again in 2027
Summary
The Pakistan Super League is set to overlap with the Indian Premier League in 2027. Walee Technologies, which holds the PSL's media rights through 2029, is dissatisfied with the current scheduling window because broadcasting revenue drops after Ramadan.
The 2027 overlap reflects a commercial dispute over a window that does not maximize the
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The PSL's schedule is becoming a direct commercial contest with the IPL, not just a logistical problem.
6:45 AMESPN Cricket
Kusal Mendis appointed Sri Lanka Test captain after Dhananjaya de Silva steps down
Summary
Kusal Mendis has replaced Dhananjaya de Silva as Sri Lanka's Test captain. De Silva remains available for selection when Sri Lanka next play Test cricket in Pakistan in November.
The change separates the captaincy from De Silva's place in the team and gives Mendis
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Sri Lanka can change its leadership without discarding De Silva's experience before a demanding overseas series.
3:50 AMESPN Cricket
Dhananjaya de Silva steps down as Sri Lanka Test captain
Summary
Dhananjaya de Silva has resigned as Sri Lanka's Test captain but remains available for selection. Sri Lanka's next Test series is scheduled in Pakistan in November.
Sri Lanka must appoint a new Test captain before an away series in Pakistan, while
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Sri Lanka faces a leadership transition with limited preparation time before a demanding overseas assignment.
10:15 AMESPN Cricket
Can West Indies find a way to halt India's home juggernaut?
Summary
India have won 42 of their last 51 home T20Is and have not lost back-to-back matches at home during that run. The West Indies now face the task of breaking that sustained dominance.
India's home record makes consistency, rather than a single upset, the central challenge for West
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The series tests whether West Indies can challenge India's strongest structural advantage: control of home conditions.
2:01 AMBBC Sport Cricket
Afghanistan battle to draw one-off Test with Bangladesh - scorecard
Summary
The scorecard records the latest position in the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, including the teams' runs, wickets and innings progress.
The match's significance rests on a single Test, leaving no series margin for either side
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A one-off Test concentrates the result's importance because neither team has another match in the series to offset it.
2:37 AMESPN Cricket
Afghanistan look to tick boxes in rare Test outing against confident Bangladesh
Summary
Bangladesh enter the rare Test meeting with confidence from their win in Darwin, but still face concerns across formats. Afghanistan begin under new captain Rahmat Shah and will try to reset their campaign.
Bangladesh hold the immediate psychological edge, yet their unresolved form issues leave the contest more
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The match tests Bangladesh's consistency and Afghanistan's readiness for a longer-format future under new leadership.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Jeet Raval has retired from professional cricket after representing New Zealand in 24 Tests between 2016 and 2020. He finishes with more than 10,000 runs in first-class cricket.
10:50 PMESPN Cricket
Pakistan will host a changing Sri Lanka side in a rare home bilateral T20I series. The previous series between the teams in Pakistan ended in a 3-0 victory for Sri Lanka.
2:21 PMESPN Cricket
Pat Cummins says Australia have moved on from the Sandpapergate scandal and that he has addressed questions about it repeatedly, even as Usman Khawaja's autobiography could revisit the episode.
1:28 PMESPN Cricket
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to return to provide experience while Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable, according to Kotak, who also says Ishan Kishan has matured significantly.
12:05 PMESPN Cricket
Queensland reached 258 for 6 against Western Australia on a difficult WACA surface. Left-hander Clayton made 82, while Jimmy Peirson remained unbeaten on 65.
7:14 AMESPN Cricket
New South Wales debutants Jackson and Scott took three for 36 and four for 35 respectively as Tasmania finished on 241 for 9. Matthew McDermott made 77 and Caleb Jewell scored 50 for Tasmania.
6:07 AMESPN Cricket
South Australia reached a lead of 108 with four first-innings wickets remaining after Travis Head? No, Manenti was unbeaten on 91, Lehmann made 90 and Hunt scored 71. Their progress came after Weatherald suffered a concussion.
5:45 AMESPN Cricket
James Hopes and Brad Haddin have left the Punjab Kings coaching staff. Both are currently leading Queensland and New South Wales respectively in the Sheffield Shield.
2:51 AMESPN Cricket
Martin Guptill and Andre Adams will join New Zealand's coaching staff for the T20I tour of Australia while assistant coach Craig McMillan recovers from back surgery. They will support head coach Luke Ronchi Brownlie during McMillan's absence.
12:39 AMESPN Cricket
Nathan McSweeney scored a match-winning century for Australia A against India A in their first one-day match. He made the runs despite intense heat and India's spin attack.
12:25 AMESPN Cricket10:50 PMESPN Cricket
Jeet Raval retires from professional cricket
Summary
Jeet Raval has retired from professional cricket after representing New Zealand in 24 Tests between 2016 and 2020. He finishes with more than 10,000 runs in first-class cricket.
Raval's retirement closes the playing career of a substantial first-class run scorer who spent four
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Raval's departure marks the end of a notable New Zealand first-class and Test career.
2:21 PMESPN Cricket
Experimental Pakistan host transitional Sri Lanka in rare home T20Is this season
Summary
Pakistan will host a changing Sri Lanka side in a rare home bilateral T20I series. The previous series between the teams in Pakistan ended in a 3-0 victory for Sri Lanka.
Both teams are using the series to test personnel rather than rely solely on established
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The series will influence selection decisions while testing whether Pakistan has converted home conditions into a durable T20 advantage.
1:28 PMESPN Cricket
Cummins unfazed by potential revelations from Khawaja's autobiography
Summary
Pat Cummins says Australia have moved on from the Sandpapergate scandal and that he has addressed questions about it repeatedly, even as Usman Khawaja's autobiography could revisit the episode.
Cummins is trying to close the issue rather than reopen an internal debate. Any new
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The book could test whether Australia's public resolution of Sandpapergate matches the private views of players who lived through it.
2 stories · 2 sources
12:05 PMESPN Cricket
Kotak: Bhuvneshwar probably recalled to add experience in Bumrah's absence
Summary
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to return to provide experience while Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable, according to Kotak, who also says Ishan Kishan has matured significantly.
Bumrah's absence shifts responsibility toward a bowler who can offer control and know-how, even if
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India may need experience and composure to offset the loss of their leading fast bowler.
7:14 AMESPN Cricket
Clayton impresses as Queensland grind on green WACA surface
Summary
Queensland reached 258 for 6 against Western Australia on a difficult WACA surface. Left-hander Clayton made 82, while Jimmy Peirson remained unbeaten on 65.
Clayton and Peirson turned a testing batting assignment into a competitive position for Queensland. Their
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Queensland's ability to build a substantial total could determine whether the WACA surface remains a bowler's advantage or becomes easier to bat on.
6:07 AMESPN Cricket
Jackson and Scott shine on debut for New South Wales against Tasmania
Summary
New South Wales debutants Jackson and Scott took three for 36 and four for 35 respectively as Tasmania finished on 241 for 9. Matthew McDermott made 77 and Caleb Jewell scored 50 for Tasmania.
The debut bowlers have put New South Wales in position to finish the innings quickly,
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New South Wales has found immediate bowling impact from its debutants, giving it control before the match's first major result is set.
5:45 AMESPN Cricket
Manenti, Lehmann put South Australia in control after Weatherald concussion
Summary
South Australia reached a lead of 108 with four first-innings wickets remaining after Travis Head? No, Manenti was unbeaten on 91, Lehmann made 90 and Hunt scored 71. Their progress came after Weatherald suffered a concussion.
South Australia has absorbed the disruption of Weatherald's concussion and built a commanding first-innings position
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South Australia has converted an injury setback into a strong advantage, but Weatherald's concussion could affect both the match and his near-term availability.
2:51 AMESPN Cricket
Hopes and Haddin depart Punjab Kings coaching staff
Summary
James Hopes and Brad Haddin have left the Punjab Kings coaching staff. Both are currently leading Queensland and New South Wales respectively in the Sheffield Shield.
Punjab Kings must replace two senior coaches while Hopes and Haddin remain committed to state
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Punjab Kings now face a coaching rebuild that could affect preparation, recruitment and team continuity.
12:39 AMESPN Cricket
Guptill and Adams to assist Brownlie on New Zealand's T20I tour of Australia
Summary
Martin Guptill and Andre Adams will join New Zealand's coaching staff for the T20I tour of Australia while assistant coach Craig McMillan recovers from back surgery. They will support head coach Luke Ronchi Brownlie during McMillan's absence.
New Zealand has chosen experienced former players to preserve continuity rather than alter its coaching
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The appointments protect New Zealand's preparation and add recent playing expertise ahead of a high-level T20I series.
12:25 AMESPN Cricket
Nathan McSweeney - evolving in England, adapting in India
Summary
Nathan McSweeney scored a match-winning century for Australia A against India A in their first one-day match. He made the runs despite intense heat and India's spin attack.
The century gives McSweeney a concrete marker of progress in adapting to contrasting overseas conditions,
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McSweeney is building evidence that he can handle the conditions and tactical demands likely to shape Australia's future selections.
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