Root demands reset as England-Pakistan heads to Lord’s; Elgar to retire — cricket digest 27 Aug 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Root calls time on distractions as England chase Lord’s redemption against Pakistan

England’s focus at Lord’s has shifted from tactics to conduct, after Joe Root delivered a blunt message to the squad in the wake of another after-hours incident involving a centrally contracted player. Root, who has already spoken publicly about being “hacked off”, reminded the group what playing for England should demand and urged a cultural reset as they prepare for the second Test against Pakistan.

Josh Tongue, who has rebuilt his own reputation since being caught up in an earlier incident, said Root “set it out straight” and stressed the need to be better professionals. England are set to go without a specialist spinner at Lord’s.

Babar cleared to captain Pakistan at Lord’s after hand injury

Babar Azam says he is “90% fit” and will lead Pakistan in the second Test at Lord’s after recovering from a hand injury. Pakistan’s fast-bowling coach Umar Gul confirmed Babar has faced pace in the nets, though much of his recent work has been through throwdowns.

His return strengthens a batting line-up that collapsed twice in a three-day defeat at Headingley, where Pakistan’s last eight wickets fell for 64 in the first innings. Babar said the responsibility for the collapses sits with the whole side, and indicated Abdullah Shafique is expected to stay in his current position in the order, with Azan Awais likely to make way.

Dean Elgar to retire at end of County Championship season

Dean Elgar has announced he will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 County Championship campaign. The 39-year-old played 86 Tests for South Africa, scoring 5347 runs at 37.92 with 14 hundreds, and captained the Proteas 18 times, including his final Test in January 2024 when he stood in for the injured Temba Bavuma.

Elgar has spent the last three seasons with Essex, having previously had county stints at Surrey and Somerset, and said family commitments back home were a key factor in his decision. Essex director of cricket Chris Silverwood praised Elgar’s longevity, resilience and influence on younger players.

India Under-19 name Raichandani and Chauhan as captains; Sehwag and Dravid sons included

Lakshya Raichandani will captain India Under-19s in the home one-day series against Australia Under-19, with Yashbardhan Chauhan as his deputy, before the pair swap roles for the multi-day fixtures. The one-day squad includes Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid, sons of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, while Anvay is also one of two wicketkeepers alongside Rajat Baghel.

The three one-day matches are scheduled for September 18, 21 and 23, followed by four-day games from September 27-30 and October 5-8; all matches are in Rajkot except the second four-dayer in Ahmedabad. Raichandani arrives after a prolific Sri Lanka tour where he led the run charts in the two-match four-day series with 307 runs at 153.50, including 207 in Galle and an unbeaten 100 in Colombo.

Starc rises above Bumrah to reach No. 1 in ICC Test bowling rankings

Mitchell Starc has gone to the top of the ICC men’s Test bowling rankings for the first time in his career, moving ahead of Jasprit Bumrah after a ten-wicket match haul against Bangladesh in Mackay. Starc’s 6 for 12 and 4 for 39 helped Australia level the series with an innings win.

Pat Cummins climbed to fourth, Nathan Lyon moved into the top ten, and England’s Ollie Robinson surged to 11th after an eight-wicket comeback against Pakistan at Headingley, with Josh Tongue up to 17th. In the batting list, Harry Brook stayed No. 1, while Rishabh Pant re-entered the top ten at seventh after scores of 39 and 66 against Sri Lanka in Galle.

In brief

  • Pakistan fast bowler Aiman Anwer has retired from international cricket to begin a new role as a match referee, having recently debuted in the ongoing Under-19 women’s tournament in Karachi.
  • Sri Lanka ended day four 16 runs ahead after following on against India in Galle, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis scoring fifties in the second innings.
  • Tim Seifert’s 61-ball 105* powered St Lucia Kings to a 36-run win over Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, with Roston Chase taking three wickets in an over despite Kieron Pollard’s 26-ball 65.
  • The Blaze booked their place in the Women’s One-Day Cup knockouts by beating Warwickshire by 70 runs at Edgbaston, with Orla Prendergast and Georgia Elwiss leading the batting and Issy Wong taking a five-for in defeat.
  • Ellie Anderson took 5 for 40 as Somerset chased down 251 to beat Durham by three wickets in the Women’s One-Day Cup, with Charlie Dean and Chloe Holland steering the run-chase.
  • Kate Cross began her farewell tour with 4 for 33 as Lancashire edged Hampshire by four wickets in the Women’s One-Day Cup, after Freya Kemp’s 61 and Rhianna Norgrove’s 70* lifted Hampshire to 223.
  • Kira Chathli’s unbeaten 66* guided Surrey to a tense two-wicket win over Yorkshire after a low-scoring match at Ampleforth.
  • Nottinghamshire have signed New Zealand A allrounder Fraser Sheat as an overseas player for the final five County Championship matches of their title defence.
  • Arshdeep Singh said his body was “sore” but he enjoyed a rare red-ball outing after contributing in North Zone’s win over West Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
  • South Africa are set to field Marco Jansen’s twin brother, Duan, in the upcoming T20I tri-series in Namibia, with the left-arm seam-bowling allrounder in line for his international debut.
  • The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be staged in Dubai for the first time in 2026, with eight teams competing as Sri Lanka defend the title and India head in as favourites.
  • Big Bash organisers expect a rush of signings once the embargo lifts, with clubs poised to finalise squads for the coming BBL and WBBL seasons.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo