Neser strains calf ahead of Bangladesh Tests; Root captaincy debate; Hundred run-fest — cricket digest 05 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Australia’s pace plans take a hit as Neser strains calf; Inglis, Lyon monitored ahead of Bangladesh

Michael Neser has suffered a right calf strain in training, an injury expected to require around a month of rehab, though the 36-year-old remains hopeful of being ready for Australia’s tour of South Africa in October. Neser wasn’t picked in the 13-man squad for next week’s home Tests against Bangladesh in Darwin, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood returning from injury, but he had been in full training and on standby.

Josh Inglis had back spasms during a centre-wicket session but is expected to be fine for the squad’s travel to Darwin on Saturday. Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are all tracking well, with Hazlewood and Boland in the frame for the final spot in the XI, while Nathan Lyon is expected to return after hamstring surgery. In Darwin, Jack Clayton has been added to a 13-man Cricket Australia XI for the three-day tour match against Bangladesh, replacing Tom Rogers (who is heading to the Lanka Premier League), with Kurtis Patterson set to lead; Noah McFadyen misses out.

Stokes voices concern over Root’s return as England captain and questions Brook snub

Ben Stokes has said his main worry about Joe Root resuming England’s Test captaincy is the toll it could take on Root, given how the role weighed on him before he stepped down in 2022. Stokes, who retired as captain at the end of the New Zealand series, said he raised those concerns directly with Root after his reappointment last week.

Stokes also expressed confusion that vice-captain Harry Brook was not promoted, arguing it sends a mixed message when the designated deputy is repeatedly overlooked. Root’s return was made in part by new Test head coach Stephen Fleming, appointed after Brendon McCullum was stood down, with Stokes suggesting the decision might not have been taken had he stayed on.

Warrican’s six-for drags West Indies back, then Sajid swings it Pakistan’s way in Port of Spain

Jomel Warrican bowled 46 overs and claimed 6 for 112 as West Indies fought back in the Port of Spain Test, with captain Roston Chase limited to seven overs because of an index-finger injury. Pakistan began the day well placed at 266 for 2, but lost 8 for 121, leaving West Indies only 43 behind on first innings.

Pakistan then struck hard in the evening session, with offspinner Sajid Khan taking four wickets to leave West Indies 103 for 6 at stumps in their second innings and 60 ahead overall. Warrican said West Indies needed to push towards 150-175 to feel comfortable, while Sajid stressed the importance of keeping any chase small on a surface he felt still rewarded batters who took their time.

Vlaeminck set for long-awaited return as Australia A name multi-format India tour squad

Tayla Vlaeminck will make her first Australia A appearance on the women’s multi-format tour of India in September, returning after a long shoulder-injury layoff that has kept her off the field since 2024. Darcie Brown is also included for the white-ball leg of the trip, with the pair named for three T20s in New Chandigarh and three 50-over matches in Mohali, but not the four-day game in Dharamshala.

Nicole Faltum will captain the T20s, Tahlia Wilson leads the 50-over matches, and Rachel Trenaman will skipper the four-day fixture. The squad includes Darcie Brown, Maitlan Brown, Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Frankie Nicklin, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Trenaman, Courtney Webb, Wilson and Vlaeminck.

In brief

  • Sunrisers Leeds piled up 241 for 2 and beat London Spirit by 37 runs in a record-setting Hundred men’s match at Headingley, with big contributions from Ryan Rickelton, Mitchell Marsh and Harry Brook.
  • Annabel Sutherland helped Sunrisers Leeds chase 137 to beat London Spirit by five wickets in the Hundred women’s competition, keeping their slim Eliminator hopes alive.
  • The PCB said former Pakistan players who took part in the unsanctioned Asian Legends League in Zambia could face disciplinary action, including a two-year NOC ban and ineligibility for PCB and PSL roles over the same period.
  • WAPDA and Sahir Associates have been removed from Pakistan’s 2026-27 departmental domestic season after failing to meet new PCB regulations, with OGDCL and Kingsmen Academy set to replace them in the President’s Trophy and President’s Cup.
  • Pakistan have appointed Michael Smith as batting coach across both red- and white-ball teams.
  • Anchor Sports AB, co-owned by Zaheer Khan, has acquired LPL franchise Jaffna Kings, who will now be rebranded as Anchor Jaffna Kings.
  • Pakistan Women finished their Sri Lanka tour with a consolation win in Dambulla, chasing 114 to beat Sri Lanka by four wickets as Ayesha Zafar top-scored.
  • Ireland and Afghanistan are set to begin a five-match ODI series in Bready, a venue that has hosted only one men’s ODI previously.
  • The Women’s Asia Cup is likely to be held in the UAE from August 28 to September 13, though the ACC has yet to formally announce the tournament.
  • Babar Azam said Mohammad Abbas’ omission from Pakistan’s XI was down to conditions, despite Abbas being their most consistent seamer and having been left out for Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ali.
  • Rajasthan Royals legspinner Yash Raj Punja has outlined his route from preparing for university in the UK to getting a chance in the IPL.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo