India call up Sarfaraz for Sri Lanka Tests, Bangladesh gear up for Australia — cricket digest 10 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

India draft in Sarfaraz for Sri Lanka as Laxman plays down CoE ‘miscommunication’ talk

India have named Sarfaraz Khan as the replacement for B Sai Sudharsan in the squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, after Sudharsan was ruled out with a right toe stress reaction. The BCCI said Sudharsan has made “significant progress” in his recovery at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

VVS Laxman, who heads the CoE, insisted there has been no breakdown in communication between the medical set-up, team management and selectors, despite India heading into the series without Jasprit Bumrah and Sudharsan, and with Washington Sundar set to miss the first Test in Galle from August 15. Laxman also said the CoE is still without a full-time Head of Sports Science & Medicine after several candidates pulled out late in the process.

Taskin relishes Australia Tests in Darwin as Bangladesh search for readiness after tour-match setback

Taskin Ahmed said Bangladesh are “honoured” to be playing a Test series in Australia, as he prepares to open the bowling in Darwin in what will be the teams’ first Test meeting in the country since 2003. Taskin, who first visited Australia in 2012, spoke of his excitement at the chance to bowl against Australia’s leading quicks and to face Travis Head in particular.

Bangladesh’s build-up has included a heavy tour-match defeat in Darwin, where they were bowled out for 54 by Cricket Australia XI after Teague Wyllie made 130. Taskin said the loss was a poor feeling but useful preparation as they adjust to conditions, while Head cautioned against reading too much into warm-up results.

In brief

  • Shubman Gill returned from a finger issue with 44 and Yashasvi Jaiswal made a fifty as India chased 207 to beat Sri Lanka Cricket XI in a Colombo tour match, with Mohammed Siraj adding 32 not out.
  • St Lucia Kings defended 187 for 8 to beat Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by four runs in the CPL, with Johnson Charles Gous top-scoring and Matthew Forde holding his nerve in the last over.
  • Liam Livingstone’s 66 off 30, alongside an unbroken 55 from Dewald Brevis, carried London Spirit to a seven-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred men’s competition.
  • Marizanne Kapp starred with 57 not out and a key all-round contribution as London Spirit beat Birmingham Phoenix by 32 runs in the Hundred women’s competition at Lord’s.
  • Sunrisers Leeds thrashed Welsh Fire by 71 runs at Headingley in the Hundred men’s competition after posting 201 for 4, with their bowlers then squeezing Fire to 130 for 6.
  • Georgia Litchfield’s 22-ball fifty helped Sunrisers Leeds chase 122 to beat Welsh Fire by six wickets in the Hundred women’s competition, a result that eliminated Fire.
  • Ben Geddes blasted 109 off 93 balls as Middlesex beat Derbyshire by 87 runs in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup to book a knockout place.
  • Glamorgan edged Worcestershire by two wickets off the last ball in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup after Andy Gorvin held his nerve in the finish.
  • James Bracey struck 103 off 85 to steer Gloucestershire to a four-wicket Metro Bank One-Day Cup win over Nottinghamshire in a chase of 280.
  • Toby Albert hit six sixes in six balls as Hampshire made 383 for 9 and beat Sussex by 51 runs in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Hove.
  • Vaansh Jani’s career-best 88 set up Warwickshire’s two-wicket win over Lancashire after a chase of 312 in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
  • Durham beat Essex by 20 runs in a rain-shortened 38-over Metro Bank One-Day Cup game at Darlington, with Emilio Gay sitting out as a precaution.
  • Daniel Bell-Drummond made 133 not out as Kent chased 262 to beat Leicestershire by six wickets in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
  • Luke Procter’s 85, backed by Nathan McSweeney’s 69 not out, guided Northamptonshire to a seven-wicket Metro Bank One-Day Cup win over Somerset after Rob Keogh and Yuzvendra Chahal shared seven wickets.
  • Afghanistan head into the rest of their ODI series in Ireland one win away from securing qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup, having already beaten Ireland in the second match.
  • Bangladesh’s Australia tour has placed extra focus on captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, with the team looking to his batting and leadership through the Test series.
  • Australia opener Jake Weatherald has been working on changes to his set-up at the crease ahead of the Darwin Test against Bangladesh, after issues with full, straight bowling during the Ashes.
  • Australia’s fast-bowling group faces a key period with an ageing core, injury and workload concerns, and pressure on the next wave to prove itself.
  • Men’s ODI cricket reached 5000 matches, prompting a look back at how the format has evolved across 55 years.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo