Baird quits as CA chair, England hammer Sri Lanka, India reach Asian Games semis — cricket digest 28 Sep 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Baird resigns as Cricket Australia chair after NSW withdraws backing amid BBL privatisation push

Mike Baird has resigned as Cricket Australia chair and director after New South Wales withdrew its support for him in the wake of the move to privatise the Big Bash League. Baird told the CA board he would not seek re-election at the AGM in late October, ending a tenure that began in February 2023.

David Boon will step in as interim chair at the AGM while a permanent successor is sought. Baird’s exit is not expected to change the privatisation process that the CA board approved earlier this month, with Melbourne Renegades potentially the first club sold. His departure also means he will relinquish his ICC role.

England crush Sri Lanka by 223 runs to seal ODI series as Banton, Brook and Cox star at The Oval

Tom Banton struck a maiden ODI century as England piled up 355 for 7 against Sri Lanka at The Oval, with Harry Brook adding 77 and Jordan Cox blasting 76 from 52 to power the late surge. Sri Lanka’s chase never took hold and they were dismissed for 132, handing England a 223-run win and the series.

The match also underlined England’s growing depth in the format, with fringe players such as Banton and Cox making the most of rare chances as the one-day set-up looks to broaden its options.

India progress to Asian Games semi-finals after Afghanistan quarter-final washed out before toss

India moved into the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition after persistent rain and a damp outfield in Nisshin forced the abandonment of their quarter-final against Afghanistan 16 minutes before the scheduled toss.

Shreyas Iyer had stressed the need to adapt to tricky conditions and not lean on the weather as an excuse, but there was no play at all, and India advanced under the tournament’s ranking-based washout rules.

Prasidh embraces lead-bowler role as Kuldeep strikes on ODI return and Kohli reaches 15,000-run landmark

Prasidh Krishna said clear roles and constant communication in the dressing room have helped him become a regular in India’s ODI plans in 2026, a year in which he has taken 15 wickets from eight matches. In the first ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, he led an inexperienced pace group, returning 2 for 60 and highlighting how rapport with team-mates such as Gujarat Titans colleague Gurnoor Brar helps under pressure.

Alongside him, Kuldeep Yadav marked his ODI comeback by turning the West Indies innings after they raced to 135 without loss, finishing with 4 for 40 as the visitors ended on 295 for 7 despite Justin Greaves’ maiden ODI hundred. In the chase, Virat Kohli’s 55th ODI century also took him past 15,000 ODI runs, a feat Prasidh described as “unbelievable” to watch from close quarters.

Australia captain Molineux in doubt for Bangladesh ODIs after hip injury

Australia captain Sophie Molineux is under an injury cloud ahead of next month’s ODI series against Bangladesh after suffering a hip joint issue. She was absent from Victoria’s squad for the opening round of WNCL matches, with Cricket Australia saying her involvement in the series will continue to be assessed.

Australia’s squad for the three Brisbane ODIs (October 9, 11 and 14) is due on Wednesday, with six matches scheduled in October overall, followed by three T20Is against New Zealand. Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner remain joint vice-captains.

In brief

  • David Miller’s 142 and Temba Bavuma’s 103 carried South Africa to 365 for 9 before they beat Australia by 32 runs at the Wanderers to clinch the series.
  • Zimbabwe levelled their women’s ODI series against West Indies in Harare after bowling the visitors out for 139 and then chasing 140 with four wickets in hand, led by Nyasha Gwanzura’s 4 for 33 and support from Michelle Mavunga and Kelis Ndhlovu.
  • The BCB launched a new franchise-based domestic structure, Domestic 3 (D3), with six teams playing linked first-class, List A and T20 tournaments each season from 2026-27 under three-year franchise deals.
  • Cricket South Africa reported a R440.6 million loss for 2025-26 and warned of another loss in 2026-27, citing currency effects and lower broadcast fees even with Australia and England men touring.
  • Pakistan reached the Asian Games men’s semi-finals after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was washed out without a ball bowled, sending them through as the higher-ranked side.
  • Nepal’s Asian Games T20I meeting with Sri Lanka is again under threat from heavy rain, with Sri Lanka set to progress in the event of a washout under the competition rules.
  • Australia A captain Peter Handscomb said he is determined not to be labelled only a player of spin as he leads his side on their red-ball tour of India.
  • Sai Sudharsan has returned to batting and scoring after an injury layoff as India’s domestic and A-set-ups continue to take shape ahead of Australia A’s tour.
  • Ishan Om took five wickets as India Under-19 bowled Australia Under-19 out for 217 in Rajkot despite a century from Blake Cattle in the first Youth Test.
  • Tom Abell hit 307 as Somerset racked up 731 and drew their County Championship Division One finale with Surrey.
  • Lancashire said they will conduct a review after ending a disappointing County Championship Division Two season in seventh, drawing a rain-affected final match with champions Durham at Old Trafford.
  • Essex’s rain-hit draw with Glamorgan left them looking over their shoulder in Division One, with their fate potentially tied to the outcome of Leicestershire’s appeal regarding a Grace Road sanction.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo