England sweep Pakistan 3-0 as Root steadies ship; Hesson weighs Test role — cricket digest 13 Sep 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

England complete Pakistan whitewash as Root points to calmer direction after turbulent summer

England wrapped up a 3-0 series win over Pakistan at Edgbaston, chasing 130 before lunch on day four to seal an eight-wicket victory. Joe Root finished 62 not out and Jordan Cox 59 not out as England completed the job despite Mohammad Abbas’ early double-strike.

Root said the sweep had helped cut through an “unusual summer” that included Ben Stokes’ retirement as Test captain after the New Zealand series, Brendon McCullum’s removal as Test head coach, and Brydon Carse being stood down following an arrest in Derby. Stephen Fleming is due to arrive in the UK within 48 hours to take over fully as head coach after Marcus Trescothick’s interim stint.

Hesson open to taking Pakistan’s Test job as Razaullah’s debut fireworks offer rare bright spot

Mike Hesson said he would be open to adding the Pakistan Test head coach role to his white-ball remit, after stepping in on an interim basis following Sarfaraz Ahmed’s sacking. Hesson spoke of the need for better “attention to detail” and a more skill-set-led approach to Test selection, while noting any longer-term decision sits with the PCB.

Pakistan did at least find a late highlight through debutant Razaullah, whose 81 off 63 with nine sixes at Edgbaston dragged them away from the brink of an innings defeat and pushed the match into a fourth day. His resistance also had knock-on effects away from the Test arena, delaying Saim Ayub’s return to the CPL by at least a day after Jamaica Kingsmen had planned travel based on a three-day finish.

Namibia bat first in ODI finale as South Africa bring in Corbin Bosch and Fortuin

Namibia chose to bat in the third ODI against South Africa, with the visitors set to chase for the first time in the series as they look to complete a 3-0 clean sweep. South Africa have made changes that include Corbin Bosch coming in as a late replacement for the injured Andile Simelane, while stand-in captain Bjorn Fortuin returns after being rested for the previous match; Tony de Zorzi sits out as South Africa go with one fewer batter.

The match also marks the first time brothers Corbin and Eathan Bosch have played together in an international, both named in South Africa’s XI. Namibia made two changes, bringing in 21-year-old Alexander Busing-Volschenk for Malan Kruger and adding seamer Max Heingo, with Jan Balt left out, as they build towards crucial World Cricket League 2 fixtures against USA and UAE that will shape their route towards next year’s ODI World Cup qualifying.

Baartman injury concern adds to South Africa’s pace questions

Ottneil Baartman suffered an injury while playing for Dolphins in the CSA 4-Day Series, bowling only five overs and not batting in the second innings of an innings-and-60-run defeat to Titans. Baartman has been named in South Africa’s ODI squad for the Australia series later this month, with an update on his condition expected on Sunday morning.

The concern comes after Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the ODIs with a hamstring issue, with CSA yet to put a timeline on his recovery ahead of the Test series starting on October 9. There were also questions around Lungi Ngidi after he left the field during Dolphins’ second innings before returning but not bowling again, while Marco Jansen logged 28 overs and took seven wickets for Titans; Ryan Rickelton hit his 19th first-class hundred for Lions against Boland in an ongoing match.

In brief

  • Joe Root (62*) and Jordan Cox (59*) guided England to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan at Edgbaston to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
  • England’s 3-0 win over Pakistan was their second Test whitewash of Pakistan, after also doing so in 2022.
  • Jordan Cox’s series-ending unbeaten 59 at No. 3 at Edgbaston added weight to his case as a long-term option in England’s top order.
  • Gudakesh Motie finished off a late-night chase as Barbados Tridents beat Jamaica Kingsmen by two wickets, with both sides still reaching the CPL playoffs.
  • Suzie Bates and Maddy Green led Barbados Tridents to a three-run win over Jamaica Empress in the WCPL, with Qiana Joseph closing out the final over under pressure.
  • Guyana Amazon Warriors handed Trinbago Knight Riders their first defeat of the WCPL season, winning by 25 runs after Shabnim Ismail and Shamilia Connell struck early.
  • Surrey snatched a one-wicket win over Somerset to book an ECB Women’s One-Day Cup eliminator against Hampshire, despite hundreds from Niamh Holland and Sophie Luff.
  • Hollie Armitage’s 107 helped Durham chase down Warwickshire’s 279 for an ECB Women’s One-Day Cup win by four wickets, with Bess Heath making 63 and Katie George scoring 101 in defeat.
  • Lancashire beat Yorkshire by seven wickets at Headingley in the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup as retiring Kate Cross and Fi Morris shared five wickets.
  • India and Sri Lanka head into the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final with spin expected to play a decisive role, and India’s attack led by Deepti Sharma having taken 26 wickets in the tournament.
  • Australia A Women beat India A by six wickets after Tess Flintoff and Milly Illingworth spearheaded a bowling effort that dismissed India for 117.
  • India face selection headaches for the first T20I against Afghanistan in Delhi, with Shreyas Iyer needing to choose two openers from Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma.
  • Abhishek Sharma looks the likeliest opener for India against Afghanistan in Delhi, but the call between Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not straightforward.
  • Naveen-ul-Haq has returned from a long injury break and is set to feature again as Afghanistan tour India.
  • Aneurin Donald is set to represent Wales against Sri Lanka after recent T20 form, as he links up from an England T20I training camp at Loughborough.
  • Nthabiseng Nini’s rapid rise has taken her from Ikageng to South Africa honours, including becoming only the second South African to take a wicket with her first ball on debut.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo