Chandimal sent for scans in Galle, Australia change opener, Babar doubtful for Leeds — cricket digest 18 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Chandimal taken to hospital for precautionary scan after boundary dive in Galle

Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal was taken to hospital for a precautionary scan after injuring his shoulder and neck while fielding on the fourth morning of the first Test against India in Galle. He dived on the leg-side boundary to cut off a KL Rahul shot, landed heavily and tumbled awkwardly, before receiving treatment and walking off gingerly.

Pasindu Sooriyabandara came on as a substitute fielder. If the scans show a significant neck injury, Sri Lanka may use a concussion substitute for the rest of the Test; Sooriyabandara is the spare top-order batter in the squad.

Australia drop Weatherald and call up Renshaw for second Bangladesh Test; Labuschagne still under pressure

Australia have made one change to their 13-player squad for the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay, dropping opener Jake Weatherald after scores of 23 and 0 in the Darwin defeat and bringing in Matt Renshaw. Renshaw is in line for his first Test since 2023 and has been on standby after a strong Sheffield Shield season.

Coach Andrew McDonald also acknowledged Marnus Labuschagne “needs some big runs” after making 1 and 31 in Darwin, with his century drought stretching back 42 innings to July 2023. Labuschagne has kept his place for now, but McDonald conceded that progress in method still has to translate into scores.

Babar still in serious doubt for England opener as Pakistan await medical call; Masood nets for longer

Pakistan are set for a late decision on Babar Azam’s availability for the first Test against England at Headingley, with his finger injury still requiring clearance from the medical panel. Babar batted briefly in the nets in Leeds, having been struck on the left hand again during the warm-up match in Beckenham and retiring hurt as a precaution.

If Babar misses out, Saud Shakeel and Awais Zafar are likely to both feature in the middle order. The news was more positive on Shan Masood, who batted for longer in practice as he continues to recover from a fractured finger.

Sciver-Brunt rested for Ireland ODIs as Dean captains England again in ‘forward-looking’ squad

Nat Sciver-Brunt will sit out England’s three-match ODI series against Ireland as part of her injury management, with Charlie Dean again named stand-in captain. Sciver-Brunt has been managing a calf issue through the summer.

England will also be without Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell and Amy Jones for the series, which starts on September 1. Alice Capsey is set to keep wicket, while Grace Potts and Kira Chathli are the uncapped players in the 15.

USA book third straight Under-19 women’s T20 World Cup appearance via unbeaten Americas qualifier

USA qualified for the 2027 Under-19 women’s T20 World Cup after winning the Americas qualifier in the Cayman Islands, finishing unbeaten across six matches. Led by Chetna Pagydyala, they ended six points clear of Canada, beating them in the opener and again in the final match of the tournament.

Mahek Desai was named Player of the Tournament after taking 16 wickets. USA join Samoa and UAE as regional qualifiers so far, with Africa and Europe qualification still to be played later in the year.

In brief

  • Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja shared seven wickets as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 in Galle, taking a 178-run first-innings lead despite a century from Dinusha and 80 from Niroshan Dickwella.
  • A closer look at how Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja posed different problems while combining to take seven wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings against India in Galle.
  • Niroshan Dickwella’s return to Test cricket for Sri Lanka against India is assessed through the lens of a more restrained, self-denying approach.
  • Darwish Rasooli will captain a largely inexperienced Afghanistan squad at the 2026 Asian Games, with six uncapped players named in the 15.
  • Jordan Cox says the clarity around his role has helped as he looks to settle at No. 3 for England ahead of the Test series against Pakistan.
  • A preview of England v Pakistan at Headingley frames it as a rare opportunity for Pakistan, provided they avoid self-inflicted setbacks.
  • An analysis of Bangladesh’s batting turnaround against Australia in Darwin, led by Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
  • A ringside account of Bangladesh’s win over Australia in Darwin, from the build-up to the atmosphere in the stands.
  • A look at where Bangladesh’s Darwin win over Australia might sit among Test cricket’s biggest upsets.
  • Six seasons on, the Hundred’s place in the English summer is revisited amid ongoing arguments about its purpose and impact.
  • A feature on how the Hundred works to combat corruption, with the Cricket Regulator central to anti-fixing efforts in England.
  • A statistical deep-dive into bowlers’ dot-ball percentages across careers, alongside boundary-concession trends.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo