📢Matt Walker becomes Sussex head coach, replacing Paul Farbrace in November
Matt Walker. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Matt Walker will take over as Sussex's head coach from November 1, with Paul Farbrace transitioning into the role of Director of Cricket on the same date. Walker enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Kent and Essex, scoring more than 18,000 runs across all formats before shifting into coaching.
Walker arrives at Hove after eight seasons as head coach at Kent, where he steered the county to promotion to Division One before leading them to Vitality Blast success in 2021 and the One-Day Cup in 2022. He has also coached within the England men's set-up, is currently batting coach at Warwickshire and serves as an assistant coach with Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.
"I am incredibly honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to become Head Coach of Sussex Cricket," said Walker as quoted by Sussex Express.
"Sussex is a Club I have always admired and one with a proud history. The opportunity to work with this group of players and staff, alongside Paul, was one that really excited me. There is already a strong foundation in place and I'm looking forward to building on that as we strive to help Sussex compete for trophies. I can't wait to get started," he added.
Why did Sussex conduct a thorough search process for the head coach role?
Farbrace said the club conducted a thorough three-stage recruitment involving several excellent candidates from across the cricketing world, and Walker consistently impressed throughout before emerging as the clear choice, bringing excellent reputation within the game and the experience, energy and enthusiasm Sussex sought.
"I'm really looking forward to working alongside him as we tackle the challenges in front of us and build a team capable of competing for trophies," Farbrace added.
Walker's appointment marks another significant step in Sussex's long-term plans as the club looks to build on the progress made in recent seasons. Farbrace will continue as head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season before taking up his revised director of cricket role from 1 November.
For the unversed, Sussex were slammed with a 12-point deduction for the 2026 season after "sustained operating losses" in the preceding financial year. Walker and new club chairman Ed Warner will have to work on a tight budget going forward. The club is under a player salary cap until 2028, and needs to give the ECB a three-year business model and deliver sustainable year-on-year operating profits for the same time span.
Matt Walker. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Matt Walker will take over as Sussex's head coach from November 1, with Paul Farbrace transitioning into the role of Director of Cricket on the same date. Walker enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Kent and Essex, scoring more than 18,000 runs across all formats before shifting into coaching.
Walker arrives at Hove after eight seasons as head coach at Kent, where he steered the county to promotion to Division One before leading them to Vitality Blast success in 2021 and the One-Day Cup in 2022. He has also coached within the England men's set-up, is currently batting coach at Warwickshire and serves as an assistant coach with Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.
"I am incredibly honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to become Head Coach of Sussex Cricket," said Walker as quoted by Sussex Express.
"Sussex is a Club I have always admired and one with a proud history. The opportunity to work with this group of players and staff, alongside Paul, was one that really excited me. There is already a strong foundation in place and I'm looking forward to building on that as we strive to help Sussex compete for trophies. I can't wait to get started," he added.
Why did Sussex conduct a thorough search process for the head coach role?
Farbrace said the club conducted a thorough three-stage recruitment involving several excellent candidates from across the cricketing world, and Walker consistently impressed throughout before emerging as the clear choice, bringing excellent reputation within the game and the experience, energy and enthusiasm Sussex sought.
"I'm really looking forward to working alongside him as we tackle the challenges in front of us and build a team capable of competing for trophies," Farbrace added.
Walker's appointment marks another significant step in Sussex's long-term plans as the club looks to build on the progress made in recent seasons. Farbrace will continue as head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season before taking up his revised director of cricket role from 1 November.
For the unversed, Sussex were slammed with a 12-point deduction for the 2026 season after "sustained operating losses" in the preceding financial year. Walker and new club chairman Ed Warner will have to work on a tight budget going forward. The club is under a player salary cap until 2028, and needs to give the ECB a three-year business model and deliver sustainable year-on-year operating profits for the same time span.
📢'I can hit from ball one, but I play according to the situation' - Tilak Varma addresses strike rate criticism ahead of ZIM T20Is
Tilak Varma (Source: BCCI/X)
Tilak Varma pushed back against mounting criticism of his strike rate on recent tours, saying he prioritises adjusting his approach to match what the team needs rather than chasing aggressive batting metrics. The 23-year-old left-handed batter faced questions after his recent form across Ireland and England, where he managed to score runs but at a measured tempo compared to expectations of a specialist middle-order batter.
Recent tours exposed India's challenges in the powerplay phase. Reflecting on the lessons from India's last two T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, Tilak said the squad's focus is firmly on executing its plans and rediscovering winning momentum. The middle order often had to stabilise the innings rather than launch attacks when early batters departed quickly, placing Tilak in a difficult balancing act.
"In this game, you have to bat in different positions, and especially in those conditions, it isn't easy. At the same time, I've always said that I do whatever the team requires. If I have to grind it out for the team, I'll do that. If I have to hit from ball one, I can do that as well," Tilak was quoted as saying by ICC.
Context and match situations shape his approach
Tilak, India's T20I vice-captain, emphasised that the squad's focus remains on executing plans and regaining winning momentum.
"Honestly, it has been a big learning since the last series. And we are just looking forward and we just want to follow our basics and do well in the coming series. In this series, we will execute well and seal our best cricket. We want to get that momentum back again," the Mumbai Indians' batter said.
Tilak warned against underestimating the hosts, citing their victory in the opening match of the previous bilateral series. Shubman Gill-led India lost the first match but won the next four in the five-T20I series in 2024.
The series starts on July 23, with the second and third matches on July 25 and 26 at Harare Sports Club. India have called up three fresh faces to the T20I side in the form of pacers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma, as well as explosive opener Prabhsimran Singh. For Tilak, the Zimbabwe tour presents a chance to reset his form and prove that his measured innings can co-exist with his side's attacking brand when conditions demand it.
Shreyas Iyer would be hoping to register his first win as India's T20I skipper. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue lost two matches in Ireland and four in England. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, recently lost a three-match T20I series at home by a 2-1 margin.
Tilak Varma (Source: BCCI/X)
Tilak Varma pushed back against mounting criticism of his strike rate on recent tours, saying he prioritises adjusting his approach to match what the team needs rather than chasing aggressive batting metrics. The 23-year-old left-handed batter faced questions after his recent form across Ireland and England, where he managed to score runs but at a measured tempo compared to expectations of a specialist middle-order batter.
Recent tours exposed India's challenges in the powerplay phase. Reflecting on the lessons from India's last two T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, Tilak said the squad's focus is firmly on executing its plans and rediscovering winning momentum. The middle order often had to stabilise the innings rather than launch attacks when early batters departed quickly, placing Tilak in a difficult balancing act.
"In this game, you have to bat in different positions, and especially in those conditions, it isn't easy. At the same time, I've always said that I do whatever the team requires. If I have to grind it out for the team, I'll do that. If I have to hit from ball one, I can do that as well," Tilak was quoted as saying by ICC.
Context and match situations shape his approach
Tilak, India's T20I vice-captain, emphasised that the squad's focus remains on executing plans and regaining winning momentum.
"Honestly, it has been a big learning since the last series. And we are just looking forward and we just want to follow our basics and do well in the coming series. In this series, we will execute well and seal our best cricket. We want to get that momentum back again," the Mumbai Indians' batter said.
Tilak warned against underestimating the hosts, citing their victory in the opening match of the previous bilateral series. Shubman Gill-led India lost the first match but won the next four in the five-T20I series in 2024.
The series starts on July 23, with the second and third matches on July 25 and 26 at Harare Sports Club. India have called up three fresh faces to the T20I side in the form of pacers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma, as well as explosive opener Prabhsimran Singh. For Tilak, the Zimbabwe tour presents a chance to reset his form and prove that his measured innings can co-exist with his side's attacking brand when conditions demand it.
Shreyas Iyer would be hoping to register his first win as India's T20I skipper. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue lost two matches in Ireland and four in England. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, recently lost a three-match T20I series at home by a 2-1 margin.
Phoebe Litchfield leads Sunrisers Leeds to opening day triumph
MI London restricted 107 for 8 as Sunrisers romp home with 31 balls unused
MI London restricted 107 for 8 as Sunrisers romp home with 31 balls unused
Hameed, McCann star as Notts hunt down Somerset
Lammonby makes 92 but 258-run target is overhauled with four wickets to spare
Lammonby makes 92 but 258-run target is overhauled with four wickets to spare
Cross shoulder scare overshadows Sunrisers win
Cricinfo has learned that she did not dislocate the shoulder but Sunrisers are waiting to learn the extent of the injury in the next 24 hours
Cricinfo has learned that she did not dislocate the shoulder but Sunrisers are waiting to learn the extent of the injury in the next 24 hours
Thomas leads Surrey charge to topple Lancashire
Jennings is hosts' bedrock at Sedburgh School but stiff target proves insufficient
Jennings is hosts' bedrock at Sedburgh School but stiff target proves insufficient
Tom Prest, Ashtoush Sharma thrive to see Hampshire past Yorkshire
Prest's 89-ball century was followed by a List A best of 3 for 48 for Ashtoush
Prest's 89-ball century was followed by a List A best of 3 for 48 for Ashtoush
Stokes' matchwinning hundred steals the thunder on Hundred's opening night
Former England captain defies leg injury to produce winning display in front of 1,300 crowd at Derby
Former England captain defies leg injury to produce winning display in front of 1,300 crowd at Derby
BCCI updates domestic rules for overthrows, deliberate no-balls
The BCCI has also implemented the MCC's revised wording relating to the wicketkeeper's position at the point of delivery
The BCCI has also implemented the MCC's revised wording relating to the wicketkeeper's position at the point of delivery
Hashmatullah Shahidi resigns as Afghanistan's ODI captain
He led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs, overseeing wins against England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the 2023 World Cup
He led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs, overseeing wins against England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the 2023 World Cup
McSweeney trumps Hain as Northants maintain that winning feeling
Commanding 88 sets up a five-wicket victory against Warwickshire at Wantage Road
Commanding 88 sets up a five-wicket victory against Warwickshire at Wantage Road
Fernandes makes the difference as Middlesex see off Essex
Opener's century lays the foundations for Middlesex to launch Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign
Opener's century lays the foundations for Middlesex to launch Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign
West Indies bowl first and pick Hetmyer in the bid for consolation win
Meanwhile, New Zealand picked Kristian Clarke for his first game of the tour in place of Matt Fisher
Meanwhile, New Zealand picked Kristian Clarke for his first game of the tour in place of Matt Fisher
Pooran, Curran power MI London to opening-night romp
Gleeson takes four as Sunrisers fall short at the Kia Oval
Gleeson takes four as Sunrisers fall short at the Kia Oval
Mott named Sydney Sixers BBL coach, leaves WBBL role
The former Australia and England coach was an assistant with the BBL side last season but both head coach jobs was considered unworkable
The former Australia and England coach was an assistant with the BBL side last season but both head coach jobs was considered unworkable
Babar, Awais hit centuries and Mohammad Ali bags five-for in Pakistan's tour game
Not all the Pakistan batters could make the most of the opportunity in Tarouba ahead of the first Test against West Indies, which starts on July 25
Not all the Pakistan batters could make the most of the opportunity in Tarouba ahead of the first Test against West Indies, which starts on July 25
Hetmyer, Rutherford haul West Indies home in tense chase
Duffy took two wickets in the 45th over to make things tense, but Hetmyer held his nerve to lead the hosts to a two-wicket win
Duffy took two wickets in the 45th over to make things tense, but Hetmyer held his nerve to lead the hosts to a two-wicket win
Warner pleads guilty to drink driving
He was pulled over by police during Easter when on a break back home from the PSL
He was pulled over by police during Easter when on a break back home from the PSL
'Invigorated' Smith remains vital for uncertain batting order
While Australia have remained very successful in Test cricket, the batting has leaned on three key players for some time
While Australia have remained very successful in Test cricket, the batting has leaned on three key players for some time
📢Hashmatullah Shahidi steps down as Afghanistan ODI captain
Hashmatullah Shahidi steps down as Afghanistan ODI captain (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Afghanistan's Hashmatullah Shahidi has announced his resignation as ODI captain with immediate effect on Wednesday. The 31-year-old batter made the announcement through Instagram, marking the end of a major era in Afghan cricket. Shahidi took charge in January 2022 and captained the side across 55 ODIs, with his final match coming against India in June 2026.
During his four-and-a-half-year tenure, the left-hander oversaw Afghanistan's participation in three major tournaments. He led the side at the 2023 Asia Cup, the 2023 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Afghanistan secured 27 victories from the 55 matches he captained. Memorable wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands came at the 2023 World Cup, though the team narrowly finished sixth and missed out on the semi-finals. At the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai, Afghanistan defeated England again but fell short of the semi-finals after their fixture against Australia was abandoned due to rain.
"Resignation from the captaincy after careful personal consideration, I have decided to step down as captain of our team. It has been a great honor to lead this team. I sincerely thank the management, coaches, my teammates, and our supporters for their trust and support throughout this journey. Although I am resigning as captain, I remain fully committed to serving the team as a player and wish the new captain and the team continued success," Shahidi wrote on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Hashmatullah Shahidi (@hashmatshahidi50)
Why did Shahidi step down at this stage?
The exact reasons for Shahidi's departure were not detailed in his public statement. He confirmed he will remain available as a player for future ODI assignments, keeping his options open for future involvement with the side.
What lies ahead for Afghanistan's captaincy?
Afghanistan are scheduled to tour Ireland in August for a five-match ODI series, which is expected to be the first ODI campaign under a new captain. The Afghanistan Cricket Board must now identify and announce Shahidi's successor before the tour begins. The matches are scheduled to run from August 5 to 14, 2026.
Hashmatullah Shahidi steps down as Afghanistan ODI captain (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Afghanistan's Hashmatullah Shahidi has announced his resignation as ODI captain with immediate effect on Wednesday. The 31-year-old batter made the announcement through Instagram, marking the end of a major era in Afghan cricket. Shahidi took charge in January 2022 and captained the side across 55 ODIs, with his final match coming against India in June 2026.
During his four-and-a-half-year tenure, the left-hander oversaw Afghanistan's participation in three major tournaments. He led the side at the 2023 Asia Cup, the 2023 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Afghanistan secured 27 victories from the 55 matches he captained. Memorable wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands came at the 2023 World Cup, though the team narrowly finished sixth and missed out on the semi-finals. At the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai, Afghanistan defeated England again but fell short of the semi-finals after their fixture against Australia was abandoned due to rain.
"Resignation from the captaincy after careful personal consideration, I have decided to step down as captain of our team. It has been a great honor to lead this team. I sincerely thank the management, coaches, my teammates, and our supporters for their trust and support throughout this journey. Although I am resigning as captain, I remain fully committed to serving the team as a player and wish the new captain and the team continued success," Shahidi wrote on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Hashmatullah Shahidi (@hashmatshahidi50)
Why did Shahidi step down at this stage?
The exact reasons for Shahidi's departure were not detailed in his public statement. He confirmed he will remain available as a player for future ODI assignments, keeping his options open for future involvement with the side.
What lies ahead for Afghanistan's captaincy?
Afghanistan are scheduled to tour Ireland in August for a five-match ODI series, which is expected to be the first ODI campaign under a new captain. The Afghanistan Cricket Board must now identify and announce Shahidi's successor before the tour begins. The matches are scheduled to run from August 5 to 14, 2026.
📢One Day Cup 2026: Ben Stokes hits historic century for Durham weeks after international retirement
Ben Stokes (Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Former England Test captain Ben Stokes returned to domestic cricket with an unbeaten century for Durham to help them secure a win against Derbyshire in the opening game of the 2026 One Day Cup. This was the left-hander's first innings back after retiring from international cricket towards the end of the New Zealand series.
Stokes did hint he would continue playing domestic cricket for Durham after his retirement and took the field at the County Ground in Derby on Tuesday, July 21, in front of a modest audience.
Durham were put into bowl in the first innings with Stokes giving nine overs to his side, whilst conceding just 38 runs. However, it was his innings with the bat that caught the eye. Chasing 257, the former England skipper walked out at number four with his side reeling at 24 for 2, having lost opener Alex Lees.
Stokes patiently started his innings but quickly got into his groove. The talismanic batter would eventually end up with an unbeaten 108 off 123 deliveries to help his side secure a five-wicket win. Hitting 10 fours and three sixes, including two against his former England teammate Shoaib Bashir, the left-hander struck at 87.80 to chase down the total in the final over.
An historic century for Ben Stokes and Durham
Stokes played his first List A game for Durham since representing the northern county in the 2014 One Day Cup final at Lord's, which they happened to win. The all-rounder was named Player of the Match for his two-wicket haul and an unbeaten 38 in a low-scoring affair.
Stokes' century against Derbyshire was his 10th time passing triple digits in his List A career, his first since hitting 108 off 84 balls against the Netherlands during the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
However, it was the left-handed batter's first List A century for Durham in nearly 12 years. He scored his last hundred for the county against Nottinghamshire in August 2014, scoring 103 at Chester-le-Street.
Ben Stokes (Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Former England Test captain Ben Stokes returned to domestic cricket with an unbeaten century for Durham to help them secure a win against Derbyshire in the opening game of the 2026 One Day Cup. This was the left-hander's first innings back after retiring from international cricket towards the end of the New Zealand series.
Stokes did hint he would continue playing domestic cricket for Durham after his retirement and took the field at the County Ground in Derby on Tuesday, July 21, in front of a modest audience.
Durham were put into bowl in the first innings with Stokes giving nine overs to his side, whilst conceding just 38 runs. However, it was his innings with the bat that caught the eye. Chasing 257, the former England skipper walked out at number four with his side reeling at 24 for 2, having lost opener Alex Lees.
Stokes patiently started his innings but quickly got into his groove. The talismanic batter would eventually end up with an unbeaten 108 off 123 deliveries to help his side secure a five-wicket win. Hitting 10 fours and three sixes, including two against his former England teammate Shoaib Bashir, the left-hander struck at 87.80 to chase down the total in the final over.
An historic century for Ben Stokes and Durham
Stokes played his first List A game for Durham since representing the northern county in the 2014 One Day Cup final at Lord's, which they happened to win. The all-rounder was named Player of the Match for his two-wicket haul and an unbeaten 38 in a low-scoring affair.
Stokes' century against Derbyshire was his 10th time passing triple digits in his List A career, his first since hitting 108 off 84 balls against the Netherlands during the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
However, it was the left-handed batter's first List A century for Durham in nearly 12 years. He scored his last hundred for the county against Nottinghamshire in August 2014, scoring 103 at Chester-le-Street.