Gill sits out tour game with finger injury, England reshuffle for Pakistan — cricket digest 07 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Gill misses day one of India warm-up as Rahul captains amid growing injury list

Shubman Gill sat out the first day of India’s only tour match in Sri Lanka, a three-day game against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI, after picking up an impact injury to his right ring finger in training. KL Rahul led the side in his absence, with the BCCI describing the move as a precaution and saying its medical team is monitoring Gill’s progress.

India’s build-up to the two-Test series has been hit by a string of fitness issues: Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out and replaced by Auqib Nabi, while Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are sidelined with hamstring and quadriceps injuries respectively. Washington Sundar is set to miss at least the first Test with a hamstring problem, Akash Deep continues to recover from stress reactions in his back, and B Sai Sudharsan is yet to arrive after a toe injury but is expected to link up before the first Test, which begins on August 15 in Galle.

England name Cox at No. 3 and recall Lawrence, Pope, Carse and Cook for Pakistan

Jordan Cox has been handed the No. 3 role for England’s first two Tests against Pakistan after Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the three-match series with a right knee injury. Dan Lawrence returns after two years away and is set to bat at No. 6, with his offspin expected to help cover the allrounder vacancy left by Ben Stokes’ international retirement.

Ollie Pope is back in the squad as a spare wicketkeeper-batter, while Brydon Carse and Sam Cook are also recalled. Stephen Fleming was involved in the selection process, with Marcus Trescothick set to oversee the series before Fleming takes over at the end of the summer; Joe Root will lead the side as Test captain, starting at Headingley on August 19.

Turner retires at 25 after back stress fracture ends year-long absence

Hampshire fast bowler John Turner has retired from professional cricket at the age of 25, citing the back stress fracture that has kept him out since last June and an injury record that shaped his decision. Turner, who had two years left on his county contract, played four internationals for England in 2024 — two ODIs and two T20Is on the West Indies tour — taking three wickets.

An economics and finance graduate from the University of Exeter, Turner said it was the right time to pursue his next challenge away from the game. Hampshire director of cricket Giles White described him as an exceptionally talented player and said the club was saddened to see his playing career end.

Matt Kelly calls time at 31 after injuries, closing a title-laden WA and Scorchers run

Western Australia and Perth Scorchers seamer Matthew Kelly has announced his retirement at 31 after a run of recent injuries. Kelly finishes with 59 first-class matches at 27.43, alongside List A and T20 records of 32.76 and 20.85 respectively, with most of his short-format cricket coming for the Scorchers.

He was a key figure in WA’s Sheffield Shield hat-trick from 2021-22 to 2023-24 — including six wickets in the 2022-23 final against Victoria — and featured in three One-Day Cup finals. In the BBL, he played his part in title success as well, including 2 for 37 in the 2022-23 final against Brisbane Heat, and WA Cricket GM Kade Harvey praised his contribution on and off the field.

Labuschagne says longest break in seven years has reset his method ahead of Bangladesh Tests

Marnus Labuschagne believes an eight-week break — his longest from cricket in seven years — has helped him rediscover the basics he trusts to turn starts into Test hundreds again. Australia’s No. 3 has gone 21 Tests without a century, with his last coming in July 2023 at Old Trafford, and he said he is focused on process rather than chasing runs.

Labuschagne last played for Australia on June 14 in Bangladesh during the ODI series, and is now preparing for two Tests against the same opposition later this month in Darwin and Mackay.

In brief

  • Sikandar Raza’s late hitting helped MI London chase 161 to beat London Spirit by four wickets at Lord’s, with the win lifting MI to second in the men’s Hundred table.
  • Melie Kerr struck 69 not out as MI London recovered from 64 for 8 to make 122 for 9, then edged London Spirit by three runs after restricting them to 119 for 8 in the women’s Hundred.
  • India’s preparations for the Galle Test have included two spin-focused practice sessions on rough surfaces ahead of the warm-up match against an SLC XI.
  • Selector Marcus North said Sam Curran remains in the frame for a Test return later in the Pakistan series, having missed the initial squad due to fitness concerns.
  • Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali has signed a six-match County Championship deal with Lancashire, keeping him in England as potential cover during the Test series.
  • Jos Buttler passing Kieron Pollard as men’s leading T20 run-scorer reignited debate about how Hundred runs are counted in T20 career records, with Chris Gayle questioning the convention.
  • India Women’s tour of South Africa has been expanded to include three T20Is alongside three ODIs and a Test, after originally being scheduled as a tour game, three ODIs and a Test.
  • The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be played in Dubai from August 28, with all matches under lights and India set to face Pakistan on September 5 ahead of the September 13 final.
  • The 2026 CPL begins on August 7 with Jamaica Kingsmen playing Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in Kingstown, as the tournament expands to fixtures across eight nations.
  • A list of emerging CPL talent to watch includes names such as Quentin Sampson, Ackeem Auguste, Vitel Lawes and Navin Bidaisee ahead of the new season.
  • Mehidy Hasan Miraz made an unbeaten 109 for Bangladesh against a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin, after Corey Rocchiccioli took 6 for 83, leaving the CA XI 51 for 2 in reply and 212 behind.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo