Australia stick with Labuschagne, England women sweep Ireland, Nigeria U-19s qualify — cricket digest 07 Sep 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Australia back Labuschagne for South Africa Tests as Connolly, Neser and Kuhnemann come in

Marnus Labuschagne has kept his place in Australia’s Test squad for the three-match tour of South Africa, despite a prolonged lean run that has put his No. 3 spot under scrutiny. Chair of selectors George Bailey said the panel still believes Labuschagne can contribute, and suggested focusing purely on red-ball cricket could help after he was left out of the ODI squads for the tours that precede the Tests.

Cooper Connolly has been added as an extra batter in a 16-man group, with Michael Neser and Matthew Kuhnemann also included. The squad otherwise retains the same core from the last Test in Mackay, with Matt Renshaw kept as opener and Josh Inglis named as the spare batter-wicketkeeper.

Dunkley’s 119 seals England’s 3-0 ODI sweep as Ireland farewell Arlene Kelly

Sophia Dunkley’s 119 laid the platform for England’s 114-run win over Ireland at Worcester, completing a 3-0 series result. Ireland, who chose to bowl, were held well short in the chase, with Cara Murray taking four wickets in England’s innings.

The match also marked Arlene Kelly’s final international appearance: the 32-year-old allrounder announced her retirement at the start of play. England rested Issy Wong after her five-for in Derby and brought Lauren Filer back in, while Ireland made two changes including Kelly’s return to the XI for her farewell.

Edwards: Capsey has put her hand up as England’s T20I wicketkeeping option; Tests to get bigger focus

Charlotte Edwards said Alice Capsey’s work behind the stumps against Ireland has put her firmly in contention to become England’s first-choice wicketkeeper in T20Is, after standing in during the ODI series. Edwards also reiterated her desire to build more red-ball preparation into England’s plans ahead of the 2027 Ashes, following lessons from this summer’s schedule.

Edwards indicated England may look to take some players out of early-season county commitments to play intra-squad red-ball matches, and suggested counties could benefit from adding a small number of longer-format fixtures.

Nigeria edge Zimbabwe by four runs to qualify for Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Nigeria sealed qualification for next year’s Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal by beating Zimbabwe by four runs in the Africa Qualifier final in Dar es Salaam. They completed an unbeaten campaign by defending 98, bowling Zimbabwe out for 94 with one ball remaining.

Captain Christabel Chukwuonye top-scored with 21 from No. 6, while Usen Peace struck early to damage Zimbabwe’s chase. Nigeria become the second African side to qualify for the tournament after South Africa, and will be returning to the event after also making the cut in 2025.

South Africa’s injury-hit XI still too strong for Zimbabwe as they lift Namibia tri-series trophy

South Africa won the Namibia T20I tri-series title with a 48-run victory over Zimbabwe, after being forced into late changes. Leading run-scorer Lhuan-dre Pretorius missed the final with a groin injury and seamer Andile Simelane was ruled out with a side strain, but Jordan Hermann’s 53 helped set up a total of 205 for 5.

Zimbabwe’s reply fell away to 157 despite Brad Evans’ unbeaten 56, with Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen and Eathan Bosch among the wicket-takers as South Africa completed the tournament with another win over the same opponents.

In brief

  • Sri Lanka chose to bowl against Bangladesh in Dubai in the Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup, bringing in Vishmi Gunaratne, while Bangladesh handed Farjana Easmin a debut and also included Sultana Khatun.
  • In the CPL, Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s 3 for 22 and Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 47 helped Barbados Tridents beat St Lucia Kings by eight wickets to snap a four-match losing run.
  • Mohammad Nabi starred with 4 for 17 as Guyana Amazon Warriors made it six wins from six by beating St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by seven wickets in the CPL.
  • Chinelle Henry struck three sixes in five balls to finish a final-over chase as Jamaica Empress beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by one wicket (DLS) in the Women’s CPL.
  • Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 111 took East Zone to 385 for 4 at stumps against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final at Chepauk.
  • Shreyas Gopal spoke about staying even-minded through form swings as he marked his 100th first-class match during the Duleep Trophy final.
  • Chepauk’s lower stands filled quickly on the first morning of the Duleep Trophy final after word spread that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would be batting.
  • Lancashire kept their Women’s One-Day Cup title defence alive by defending 169 for 8 to beat Durham by three runs, with Sophie Morris and Kate Cross sharing eight wickets.
  • The Blaze stayed top of the Women’s One-Day Cup after chasing 193 for 4 to beat Somerset by six wickets, with Sarah Bryce and Emma Jones both making unbeaten fifties.
  • Priyanaz Chatterji’s 77 and two wickets helped Surrey pile up 344 for 7 and beat Essex by 118 runs at Chelmsford in the Women’s One-Day Cup.
  • Amanda-Jade Wellington took 5 for 25 as Hampshire bowled Yorkshire out for 166 and then won by seven wickets in the Women’s One-Day Cup.
  • Middlesex captain Leus du Plooy will leave the club at the end of the season, giving up his local status in county cricket as he targets a South Africa cap.
  • Pakistan’s reshuffle in England has left the spotlight on the inexperienced Ghazi Ghori ahead of Edgbaston, following Mohammad Rizwan being sent home after the Lord’s Test.
  • A review of the Namibia T20I tri-series highlighted South Africa’s depth, Namibia’s competitiveness and Zimbabwe’s struggles across the tournament.
  • Australia’s decision to retain Labuschagne for the South Africa Test tour has sharpened debate around their No. 3 spot, with his recent returns and lack of centuries a central concern.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo