Big Bash contracting crunch, Renegades appoint Twining, Bangladesh boss Darwin — cricket digest 14 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

CA targets end to Big Bash contracting embargo as pay talks and privatisation plans drag on

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said he hopes the BBL and WBBL contracting embargo can be lifted next week, conceding it should already have been resolved with the season little more than two months away. The hold-up sits alongside ongoing negotiations with the Australian Cricketers’ Association over the Memorandum of Understanding, as CA also works through plans to bring private investment into the Big Bash.

Greenberg said CA and the ACA remain at odds over the players’ long-term revenue share, with CA rejecting a proposal to increase it beyond the current 27.5%. Talks are also grappling with how to modernise contract structures and address local players’ frustration at earning well below overseas market rates, with debate around scrapping the overseas draft and redirecting more of the salary cap to established Australian players. Greenberg and CA chair Mike Baird are due to meet the NSW and Queensland boards as CA pushes for progress on privatisation, with hopes of movement by early to mid-September.

Bangladesh extend their advantage over Australia on day two in Darwin as Tanzid brings up maiden Test hundred

Bangladesh’s control of the first Test in Darwin carried into the second afternoon, with Tanzid Hasan’s first Test century the centrepiece of another productive session. At tea, Bangladesh were 286 for 3, leading Australia by 88 after Australia had been bowled out for 198.

Australia removed Mominul Haque and Tanzid on day two but struggled to apply sustained pressure as Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 79 and Mushfiqur Rahim was 26 not out. Mitchell Starc had one wicket in the innings at that point.

Renegades turn to Australia assistant Gavan Twining as WBBL head coach, with McKay to steer Spring Challenge

Melbourne Renegades have appointed Australia women’s assistant coach Gavan Twining as their WBBL head coach for the coming season. Twining will link up with the club after Australia’s October series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, then return to the national set-up after the WBBL.

He replaces Simon Helmot, who stepped down in the off-season to pursue other franchise opportunities. Renegades high-performance manager Clint McKay will take charge during the T20 Spring Challenge, while Luke Ronchi will coach the men’s Renegades in the BBL. The women’s program will operate under a temporary model overseen by Cricket Australia for 2026-27 amid ongoing debate around Big Bash privatisation, after Cricket Victoria ended its relationship with the set-up.

CA keeps Gardner as Australia vice-captain and tightens policy around leadership relationships

Cricket Australia’s board has backed Ashleigh Gardner to remain Australia women’s vice-captain, while adding extra “guard rails” around her involvement in selection-related discussions following public revelations about her relationship with team-mate Georgia Voll. CEO Todd Greenberg said the board discussed the issue and remained supportive of Gardner’s leadership role.

Greenberg said CA has updated its Respect at Work policy to manage real or perceived conflicts of interest involving personal relationships and leadership positions, including Gardner stepping back from any conversations where Voll’s selection might be discussed. Gardner also addressed the matter publicly for the first time since it emerged, describing her separation as personal while acknowledging CA needed to deal with her relationship status given her vice-captaincy.

Morkel challenges India’s inexperienced seamers to bring intensity in Sri Lanka, with Galle reverse swing in mind

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has laid out what he wants from the fast bowlers in Sri Lanka: short, high-energy spells, hard lengths, smart use of the crease and readiness for the Kookaburra ball to soften early. While spin is expected to dominate again, Morkel said seamers can still produce match-shaping bursts, particularly in Galle.

With Mohammed Siraj the most experienced quick on tour, India’s pace options also include Prasidh Krishna and uncapped pair Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi. Morkel pointed to heat, humidity and the softer Kookaburra as key challenges, and flagged reverse swing as a factor later in matches if teams can get the ball to go.

In brief

  • Sri Lanka recalled seamer Mithali Ayodhya, handed legspin allrounder Dewmi Vihanga a maiden T20I call-up and brought back Chethana Vimukthi for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai, with Chamari Athapaththu continuing as captain and Harshitha Samarawickrama her deputy.
  • Former New Zealand captain Amy Satterthwaite has been appointed head coach of Canterbury Women, while Brendon Donkers takes over as Canterbury men’s head coach and Heinrich Malan returns to coach Central Districts on a three-year deal starting this month.
  • Pakistan reached 44 without loss at stumps on day one of their three-day warm-up against the Professional County Club Select XI at Beckenham after the Select XI made 305, with Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas sharing six wickets.
  • Former India seamer Vinay Kumar has been appointed Karnataka head coach for the upcoming domestic season, with Deepak Chougule joining the support staff as fielding coach.
  • Mohammad Nabi’s four-for and Shai Hope’s unbeaten 56 guided Guyana Amazon Warriors to a six-wicket win over Jamaica Kingsmen in Kingston after the Kingsmen were bowled out for 117.
  • Steven Smith said he was ready to walk after thinking he’d edged Ebadot Hossain early in Darwin, only for DRS to show a flat line and allow him to go on to make 71 against Bangladesh.
  • Phoebe Litchfield said a promotion to open has helped spark Sunrisers Leeds’ turnaround in the Hundred, leaving her eyeing the chance to play two Lord’s finals in six weeks.
  • England batter Harry Brook spoke about stepping away from Hundred captaincy and the demands of leadership as Sunrisers Leeds chase the title.
  • Trent Rockets were highlighted as an outlier in a Hundred season shaped by private investment, with both their men’s and women’s teams reaching Sunday’s finals at Lord’s.
  • Wicketkeeper-batter Max Chu’s rise through New Zealand A and global T20 leagues has put him on the Black Caps radar as he continues to bide his time for an international debut.
  • Fatima Sana reflected on finishing the Hundred with a match-winning partnership alongside her childhood hero Ellyse Perry for Birmingham Phoenix against MI London.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo