Warner backs Khawaja’s account of 2018 ball-tampering scandal

Warner backs Khawaja’s account of 2018 ball-tampering scandal

David Warner has endorsed Usman Khawaja’s account that Australia’s players knew about the use of sandpaper during the 2018 Cape Town Test, calling Khawaja “100% accurate” in an Instagram video. Khawaja’s claims appear in his autobiography, Sabr, which was due out on Tuesday.

Warner said Cricket Australia’s investigation was “rushed and botched”, noting that Khawaja sat next to Cameron Bancroft but was not interviewed. He called for accountability and transparency, and urged scrutiny of those responsible for the investigation rather than of Khawaja.

Bancroft, Warner and Steve Smith were suspended for nine months, one year and one year respectively after Bancroft was caught applying sandpaper to the ball. Cricket Australia said it remained comfortable with the findings of its integrity process.

Labuschagne ruled out of Australia’s New Zealand Test series

Australia selector George Bailey said Marnus Labuschagne will not be considered for the first Test against New Zealand or the rest of the four-Test series. Bailey said the decision should give the batter space to work through the next round of Sheffield Shield cricket.

Labuschagne has gone 49 Test innings without a century, with his last coming in the 2023 Ashes. Bailey said a return to form could put him back in contention for later assignments, including the India tour and the Ashes.

Ferguson and Tickner ruled out as New Zealand reshuffles ODI squad

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will miss the fourth and fifth ODIs against India while recovering from a low-grade right-calf tear. Blair Tickner, cleared of concussion after being struck while batting in the second ODI, must serve a seven-day stand-down after being replaced by Matt Fisher.

Kristian Clarke has been called up as cover for Tickner. Matt Henry is targeting a return for the fourth ODI, and he and Kyle Jamieson will remain with the squad rather than join the Test camp after the third match. New Zealand plans to add two more players for the final two ODIs.

Patterson-White earns first England Test call-up for South Africa tour

Uncapped Nottinghamshire left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White has been named in England’s 15-player squad for its three-Test tour of South Africa. He took 42 wickets in the County Championship this summer, the most of any spinner in Division One, according to England selector Marcus North.

Jacob Bethell returns after missing the Pakistan series with a knee injury, while Shoaib Bashir is absent from the Test squad and will travel with the Lions. Brydon Carse has also been named in the Lions squad, with England considering him as cover for Josh Tongue, who is set to miss the first Test.

Ireland Women set for first Emerging Nations Trophy appearance

Ireland Women will make their debut at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in the United Arab Emirates, with the 10-team tournament scheduled for November 12 to 25. Ireland open against Sri Lanka in Ajman on November 12.

The expanded competition features five full ICC members and five Associate teams, divided into two groups. The top three teams in each group advance to the Super Six stage, with the final set for November 25.

IPL 2027 mini-auction set for December 16 in Goa

The IPL 2027 mini-auction will take place in Goa on December 16, the first time in three editions the auction will be held in India. It is the last mini-auction of the current cycle, ahead of a mega auction before the 2028 season.

Franchises must submit their retained and released lists by November 17, while player registration closes on November 23. Trades listed include Rishabh Pant’s move to Delhi Capitals and Liam Livingstone’s move to Chennai Super Kings.

Kotak praises Rahul’s adaptability after difficult ODI innings

India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak praised KL Rahul’s ability to adapt to different roles, from opening in Test cricket to batting in the middle order in ODIs and accelerating late in an innings. Kotak said Rahul’s unbeaten 26 in the second ODI against New Zealand showed his value on a difficult pitch.

Kotak said Rahul rarely looks under pressure and has contributed when given the opportunity. Former India selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth had criticised Rahul’s position at No. 6, while Sunil Gavaskar defended sending left-hander Axar Patel in ahead of him.

Mushfiqur becomes first Bangladesh batter to reach 7,000 Test runs

Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladesh batter to score 7,000 Test runs, reaching the milestone in the second Test against West Indies in Sylhet on November 9. He achieved it with a single off Roston Chase.

Mushfiqur has 14 Test centuries and 30 half-centuries, including four double centuries, according to Sportstar. He reached the landmark during Bangladesh’s final-day chase in a match that ended in a draw.

Williamson says conversation with Kohli helped clarify retirement decision

Kane Williamson said a conversation with Virat Kohli the day before announcing his retirement from international cricket helped him reach his decision. Williamson described the discussion as “like looking in a mirror”, citing their shared experiences of long careers, captaincy and raising children while playing.

Williamson said he got off the phone and told his wife, “It’s time.” He retired in June, 13 months after Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, according to the reports.

India’s coaches and bowlers to split for New Zealand Test preparations

India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak said Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi would stay back to help prepare for the Test series against New Zealand. India’s Test players are due to begin a camp on November 11 ahead of the series, which starts on November 19.

Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel are expected to join the Test group in Wellington, while head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule are set to remain with the ODI squad. Kotak said the plans could change.

Hridoy’s record match helps Bangladesh draw against West Indies

The second Test between Bangladesh and West Indies in Sylhet ended in a draw on November 9, giving West Indies a 1-0 series win after their victory in the first Test. Bangladesh finished at 184 for four while chasing 369 when bad light ended play.

Towhid Hridoy scored an unbeaten 242 in Bangladesh’s first innings and added 82 in the second, finishing with 324 runs in the match. His first-innings score surpassed Mushfiqur Rahim’s previous Bangladesh Test record of 219 not out.

Rajput’s century cannot prevent Pakistan U19 victory over India

Arjun Rajput scored 107 as India were bowled out for 208 against Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup. The left-hander came in with India at 22 for three and reached his century from 80 balls, but Pakistan won by three wickets.

Rajput, 18, made 695 runs in eight innings in the 2026-27 Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy, according to the Times of India report. Pakistan’s Hamza Zahoor hit the winning boundary and completed an unbeaten century.

Mahfijul Islam earns Bangladesh Test call-up for South Africa series

Uncapped opener Mahfijul Islam has earned a place in Bangladesh’s 16-player squad for the two-Test series in South Africa. He was selected after a strong domestic season, with reports citing a double century and a century in recent National Cricket League matches.

Shadman Islam is out with an ankle injury, while Mohammad Naim has been recalled and Mominul Haque returns after missing the second West Indies Test under concussion protocols. Pacer Khaled Ahmed is also back in the squad.

Australia’s Test players set to return to Sheffield Shield

Eleven of Australia’s Test players are set to return to Sheffield Shield cricket across rounds four and five, Cricket Australia said.

Steven Smith has had further investigation of the neck problem that ruled him out of the final Test in South Africa and is in line for a Sheffield Shield return, ESPNcricinfo reported.

West Indies series win leaves WTC table positions unchanged

West Indies’ 1-0 series win over Bangladesh left both teams in the same positions in the 2025-27 World Test Championship standings. Bangladesh stayed fifth, while West Indies remained eighth.

Bangladesh’s points percentage fell from 47.62 to 45.83 after the draw in Sylhet, while West Indies’ rose from 26.92 to 27.38.

Pakistan make strong start against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi

Pakistan reached 281 for five on the first day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. Captain Babar Azam and debutants Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha all made half-centuries.

Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 57 when bad light ended play, while Babar was dismissed for 50 by Dilshan Madushanka.