India reshuffle squads after Rana injury; Finn Allen lands record Stars deal — cricket digest 10 Sep 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Thakur called up as Rana’s fresh injury bites; Reddy and Sundar cleared for Afghanistan T20Is

India have drafted in Yash Thakur for the upcoming Afghanistan T20Is and the Asian Games after Harshit Rana suffered a rectus femoris strain during a match simulation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 7. Rana had been working his way back from a right-hamstring issue that had already sidelined him for the past two months.

There was better news on the fitness front with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar cleared to play in the Afghanistan series, which begins on September 13 in Delhi. No official update has been provided yet on Jasprit Bumrah, who had been named in the original squad subject to fitness clearance.

Melbourne Stars outbid Scorchers to sign Finn Allen in what’s set to be the BBL’s biggest deal

Finn Allen is heading to Melbourne Stars after Perth Scorchers were outbid for the New Zealand opener, in a move described as likely the most lucrative contract in BBL history. Allen was central to the Scorchers’ title win last season and has since underlined his reputation as one of franchise cricket’s most in-demand power-hitters.

With the overseas draft scrapped and salary-cap space freed up under new rules, a bidding war developed, with Stars believed to have secured Allen on a deal worth AU$600,000 in at least the first year of a three-year agreement. The signing follows Adelaide Strikers’ reported AU$500,000 deal for Ben Stokes and has intensified debate around how the new contracting rules are affecting local players’ earnings.

Santner turns down Strikers approach, citing Tests and captaincy priorities for New Zealand

Mitchell Santner says the chance to play Test cricket against India and Australia, and to continue leading New Zealand’s white-ball sides, was decisive in rejecting a lucrative offer that would have required him to give up his central contract to join the BBL. Adelaide Strikers had explored a two-year deal for Santner, who acknowledged the offer was strong but felt New Zealand’s upcoming schedule was too significant to step away from.

Santner has captained New Zealand in ODIs and T20Is since late 2024, overseeing runs to the finals of the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup. He also pointed to the difficulty of trying to captain without a central contract, with NZC’s agreement requiring availability for Super Smash in January, which overlaps with the BBL and SA20.

England edge ahead at Edgbaston as Pakistan’s top order collapses again

Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs in the third Test at Edgbaston, prompting Saud Shakeel to describe the batting as “depressing” and to lament repeated mistakes and soft dismissals in challenging conditions. He pointed to the importance of surviving the new ball and building partnerships after losing the toss under overcast skies.

England replied with 156 for 4 to take a 23-run lead, with Emilio Gay making 60 and Harry Brook finishing unbeaten on 52. Josh Tongue led England’s attack with 4 for 42, while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer took three wickets apiece.

Pakistan Under-19s mistaken for asylum seekers in Portsmouth; ECB reviews security

Pakistan’s Under-19 team were caught up in a tense situation in Portsmouth after being mistaken for a group of asylum seekers outside the Marriott Hotel. A crowd gathered following reports that asylum seekers were staying there, but dispersed once it was confirmed the hotel was hosting the touring cricket side.

The ECB has been in touch with Pakistan’s management and is reviewing security arrangements. Pakistan Under-19s recently lost a four-day match against England Under-19 by ten runs in Arundel (September 2-5), then beat England in a Youth ODI on September 9 by 177 runs.

In brief

  • Half-centuries from Emilio Gay and Harry Brook put England 23 ahead of Pakistan at Edgbaston after Pakistan were dismissed for 133, with Josh Tongue taking 4 for 42.
  • Fast bowler Razaullah provided a rare positive for Pakistan on debut after their latest batting collapse against England at Edgbaston.
  • Ollie Robinson’s rise to 100 Test wickets has made him central to England’s attack again after a long spell out of the side.
  • Guyana Amazon Warriors secured top spot in the CPL group stage by beating St Lucia Kings by four wickets, with Imran Tahir’s 5 for 17 and Quentin Sampson’s unbeaten 37 key in the chase.
  • Warwickshire thrashed Glamorgan by an innings and 257 runs inside two days, with Ed Barnard taking 5 for 13 in the second innings after earlier figures of 3 for 5.
  • Somerset tightened their grip against Leicestershire at Grace Road, leading by 372 after dismissing the hosts for 157 and reaching 166 for 3 in their second innings.
  • Yorkshire’s Dom Bess and Kuldeep Yadav combined to leave Essex 137 for 7 at Headingley, still 253 behind Yorkshire’s 390.
  • Sussex made the running against Surrey at Hove after Charlie Tear’s 89 and fifties from Oli Carter and John Simpson lifted them to 393.
  • Jake Lehmann’s unbeaten 115 kept Hampshire in the contest against Nottinghamshire, with Hampshire 267 for 7 in reply to 377.
  • Will Williams claimed a career-best 6 for 24 as Gloucestershire built a 196-run lead over Lancashire at Old Trafford despite being 118 for 8 in their second innings.
  • Durham took control against Middlesex after Brydon Carse’s 5 for 72 and Ben McKinney’s unbeaten 115 put them 253 ahead with eight second-innings wickets in hand.
  • Northamptonshire moved into a narrow advantage over Worcestershire after Saif Zaib’s 110 and Harry Conway’s 3 for 19 left Worcestershire 55 for 3 in their second innings, still 34 behind.
  • Derbyshire stayed on top against Kent, leading by 181 after Ben Aitchison’s 4 for 58 helped bowl Kent out for 219 and Derbyshire reached 100 for 1 in their second innings.
  • Essex ended a seven-match losing streak in the Women’s One-Day Cup by beating Yorkshire by eight runs at Chelmsford, with Grace Scrivens making 87 and Jodi Grewcock taking 3 for 38.
  • Somerset kept their Women’s One-Day Cup play-off hopes alive by chasing down 241 to beat Lancashire by five wickets at Taunton, led by Jess Hazell’s unbeaten 77.
  • Duleep Trophy debutant Shikhar Mohan impressed for East Zone with twin fifties and useful left-arm spin in the absence of Anukul Roy.
  • Jordan Hermann marked his ODI debut with 150 as South Africa beat Namibia by 99 runs via DLS, sharing a match-defining 190-run stand with Tony de Zorzi (72).

Sources: ESPNcricinfo