Jimmy Anderson signs with Surrey for 2027 after Lancashire release

Jimmy Anderson signs with Surrey for 2027 after Lancashire release

James Anderson has signed a one-year County Championship contract with Surrey for 2027, extending his playing career beyond his 45th birthday. The 44-year-old leaves Lancashire after 25 years with the county; he took 50 wickets last season, when Lancashire finished second-bottom of Division Two.

Anderson said he was not joining Surrey for a send-off and still wanted to take wickets and help win matches. He also said he hoped to support young players. Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart said Anderson’s 50 wickets showed he was still among the country’s best bowlers.

Cummins to respond to Khawaja’s Sandpaper-gate claims

Australia captain Pat Cummins plans to address Usman Khawaja’s claims about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal at a media session on Friday. Khawaja has alleged that the whole team knew about a plan to use sandpaper against South Africa; Cricket Australia’s investigation at the time found that David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft knew.

Cummins said he had taken time to understand the allegations before responding. Mitchell Starc said his recollection had not changed from the bowlers’ 2021 statement that they were unaware of anything being taken onto the field. Cricket Australia has ruled out reopening its investigation, and chairman David Boon said the organisation supports Cummins.

Hardik Pandya joins Punjab Kings in trade for Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings have acquired Hardik Pandya from Mumbai Indians in a direct swap for Arshdeep Singh. Mumbai were keen on Arshdeep, Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia said, while describing Pandya as a long-term investment for the franchise.

Pandya will play under Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer, according to the trade report. Arshdeep, who took 111 IPL wickets in 96 matches for Punjab, gives Mumbai a left-arm pace option alongside Jasprit Bumrah.

England Women drop West Indies Test for Ashes preparation

England Women’s April tour of the West Indies will consist of three T20Is and three ODIs, with the scheduled Test removed from the programme. The ECB said there was insufficient time to fit in the match, which had been expected to be part of the tour.

Instead, England will prepare for the Ashes with three intra-squad red-ball matches, a three-day game against Australia A and a 10-day training camp in India. The ECB said the programme would provide multi-day cricket experience ahead of the Headingley Test, which begins June 24.

India set up Under-19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan

India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets in the Under-19 Asia Cup semifinal to book a final against Pakistan. Afghanistan made 227 for 8, with Noman Salarzai and Shah Rahimi scoring 51 each; Ishan Sood took 3 for 43.

Captain Lakshya Raichandani made 93 and Aaryavir Sehwag scored 51 in an opening stand of more than 100. VK Vineeth finished unbeaten on 57 as India completed the chase with 13.1 overs to spare, according to Sportstar.

Kevin Malloy elected New Zealand Cricket chair

Kevin Malloy has been elected chair of New Zealand Cricket, succeeding Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, who completed the maximum nine years as a director. Malloy has been an NZC director since 2019 and served as deputy chair.

NZC reported a deficit of $7.3 million in August, against a budgeted deficit of $1.8 million. Malloy has also held roles with Super Rugby Pacific, Kiwibank and Tourism New Zealand, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Sydney Sixers beat Renegades to extend unbeaten WBBL run

Sydney Sixers beat Melbourne Renegades by 11 runs in the WBBL, making 140 for 6 before bowling their opponents out for 129. Amelia Kerr top-scored for the Sixers with 53 from 34 balls, while Ellyse Perry made 30.

CricTracker reported that Ashleigh Gardner took 3 for 13 and Milly Illingworth claimed 2 for 24. The win extended the Sixers’ unbeaten start to five matches, according to Cricket Australia.

Seven Bangladesh players register for IPL 2027 auction

Seven Bangladesh players, including Mustafizur Rahman, have registered for the IPL 2027 mini-auction, Sportstar reported. The other six named were Nahid Rana, Rishad Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam. The auction is scheduled for December 16 in Goa.

Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operations official Shahriar Nafees Ahmed described the registrations as part of the routine auction process. Sportstar reported that franchises were waiting for more clarity about player availability, while the BCB said it hoped teams would show interest.

Auqib Nabi backs seam skills to adapt to New Zealand

India pacer Auqib Nabi said he will rely on seam movement and skills developed in domestic cricket to take wickets in New Zealand. Speaking ahead of the fourth ODI, Nabi said the conditions were new to him and that scrambled seam or hitting the deck could create chances.

Nabi has played three ODIs after making his debut against the West Indies. He took 2 for 31 in the rain-shortened Wellington match, dismissing Will Young and Tim Seifert, and will remain with the team to help prepare for the Test series, according to Hindustan Times and Sportstar.

South Africa coach Conrad wants stability in Test batting order

South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said he wants a settled batting order through the Tests against Bangladesh and England. David Bedingham has been dropped from the No. 3 role, with Tony de Zorzi and Zubayr Hamza the candidates to replace him, Sportstar reported.

Conrad said he wanted to avoid frequent changes in the top seven, while noting that South Africa would not underestimate Bangladesh’s fast bowlers. South Africa’s first Test against Bangladesh begins in Johannesburg on Sunday, according to Sportstar.

Rizwan and Imam cleared for domestic cricket as inquiry continues

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq can play domestic cricket while an investigation into alleged dressing-room leaks continues. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency is seeking further clarification from Rizwan before completing its findings, Naqvi said, according to India Today.

The inquiry followed allegations of confidential information being leaked during Pakistan’s England tour. Cricket Addictor reported that both players have returned to domestic competition, with Rizwan playing for SNGPL and Imam representing OGDCL.

Jacob Bethell ruled out of England’s Australia white-ball tour

Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of England’s white-ball tour of Australia after a setback to his right knee, Hindustan Times reported. He will return to England for assessment by a specialist after a recurrence of the injury during training in Perth.

Bethell will miss three ODIs and five T20s, and his availability for England’s Test tour of South Africa is also in doubt. James Coles and Eddie Jack have been added to the squad after Josh Tongue was ruled out with a toe injury.

Aakash Chopra raises questions about Delhi Capitals captaincy

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said Delhi Capitals have not resolved who will captain the side after their trade for Rishabh Pant. He named Pant and KL Rahul as possible candidates and said he had heard Axar Patel did not want the role.

Chopra also said Pant should bat in the top four and identified pace bowling as a concern, including uncertainty over Mitchell Starc’s availability.

Rishabh Pant clears fitness test ahead of New Zealand Tests

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has passed a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence ahead of the two-Test series in New Zealand, Sportstar reported. Pant had suffered a side strain during the Irani Trophy in October.

Reports said Pant would be available for selection before the first Test in Wellington, which begins November 19. He posted an airplane-wing image on Instagram, with emojis indicating he was flying to New Zealand.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh declines to discuss Sandpaper-gate

Australia limited-overs captain Mitchell Marsh declined to discuss the renewed Sandpaper-gate claims at a media session ahead of the ODI series against England. He said his focus was on preparing his team for the opening match in Perth on Friday.

Marsh’s comments came after Usman Khawaja alleged that Australia’s whole team knew about the 2018 plan to use sandpaper. Test captain Pat Cummins planned to address the allegations separately on Friday.

India’s fourth ODI against New Zealand offers chance to clinch series

India lead the ODI series 2-0 and can secure it in the fourth match at Bay Oval, Hindustan Times reported. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have joined the Test squad, leaving India to consider changes to its batting order.

The report said Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remained with the ODI squad, while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj had yet to bowl in the series. New Zealand had brought opener Finn Allen back into its side after splitting its ODI team.

England’s blind team loses second IT20 to South Africa

South Africa’s men’s blind team beat England by 20 runs in the second IT20 in Pretoria, tying the seven-match series at 1-1. Brothers Lwande and Buhle Bidla each scored 90, putting on 195 for the opening wicket as South Africa made 216 for 2.

England replied with 196 for 5, with Andy Powers making a half-century. The England and Wales Cricket Board said the third match was scheduled for November 13 at Tshwane University of Technology.

West Indies United marks 60 years in South London

South London club West Indies United celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. Wisden reported that the club began in 1966 when four Jamaican factory workers met to play cricket at Peckham Rye Park.

The club now has around 40 cricketers on its books and plays across Lewisham, Bromley and Croydon, with members from Caribbean, South Asian, African and Caucasian backgrounds. Club manager Calbert McLean said the club’s survival was an achievement.