India defend 223 to go 2-1 up, Australia press in Durban, NZ plot Allen shift — cricket digest 12 Oct 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

India hold their nerve in Indore to take 2-1 lead over West Indies

India defended 223 in the third T20I in Indore to win by 14 runs and move 2-1 ahead in the five-match series, with the low bounce making clean hitting harder than usual. Abhishek Sharma’s 69 off 30 proved the difference, and Arshdeep Singh led the defence with 3 for 44 as West Indies finished on 209 for 7.

West Indies had bowled first after Shai Hope won the toss, expecting dew that never really arrived. India’s XI included Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prince Yadav in place of Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav, while West Indies brought in Quentin Sampson for the injured Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul for Akeal Hosein.

Australia seize control at Kingsmead, but bad light keeps the clock ticking

Australia ended day three of the first Test in Durban 139 ahead, with around 45 overs already lost across the match to fading light. After bowling South Africa out for 284, the visitors reached 33 without loss in their second innings, with Nic Maddinson and Travis Head putting on a brisk opening stand.

Pat Cummins’ attack did the damage and Steven Smith’s catching stood out, taking four in the innings to move past Joe Root for the most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper. With evenings repeatedly curtailed, both sides are weighing how quickly Australia should push the lead to keep a result in play.

New Zealand weigh Finn Allen middle-order switch for India ODIs

New Zealand are considering using Finn Allen in the middle order during the upcoming home ODI series against India, with coach Rob Walter saying the move could offer a “competitive advantage” through the middle overs. Allen hasn’t played an ODI since September 2023 and hasn’t batted outside the top order in List A cricket since 2020, but Walter backed his ability to take on spin and the fifth or sixth bowler.

If Allen is used away from the top, Devon Conway is set to open with Tim Seifert for the first three ODIs before Conway leaves the squad to prepare for the Tests. Rachin Ravindra is also in the top-order mix, while newly contracted Nick Kelly is among the opening options for the final two matches.

Australia A’s McSweeney credits Kohli clips and hard yards after India A series win

Nathan McSweeney said detailed preparation — including watching videos of Virat Kohli and Steven Smith — helped him top-score in Australia A’s 2-1 one-day series win against India A in Puducherry. McSweeney made 194 runs in three innings at 64.66, using footwork, sweeps and soft hands to disrupt India’s spinners on tricky surfaces.

Captain Todd Murphy praised the impact of Australia A’s fast bowlers, highlighting the pace and threat provided by Mahli Beardman, Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis and Riley Meredith, with Mitch Owen also using the deck effectively. McSweeney also reflected on missed chances in the preceding four-day games and said a first-innings score in India’s longer format remains a key focus for next time.

In brief

  • Pakistan sealed their series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi with an 82-run win after Maaz Sadaqat’s 96 off 51 and Sahibzada Farhan’s 73 off 44 set up 215 for 3, before Sri Lanka were restricted to 133 for 7.
  • Bangladesh stretched their advantage over Afghanistan in the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi, finishing day three 329 ahead after Najmul Hossain Shanto (82) and Mushfiqur Rahim (81) built on earlier strikes from Hasan Mahmud (5-51) and Ebadot Hossain (4-56).
  • Georgia Voll’s unbeaten 131, with Phoebe Litchfield adding 70 in a 162-run opening stand, powered Australia Women to a nine-wicket win over Bangladesh Women in Brisbane and sealed the series, despite Sobhana Mostary’s 118 in Bangladesh’s 220 for 6.
  • Sobhana Mostary said she was delighted with her maiden international hundred after her 118 off 134 against Australia in Brisbane became the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in women’s ODIs.
  • India A signed off with a 49-run consolation win over Australia A after Suryansh Shedge’s 66 helped set 275, and Gurjapneet Singh’s three-for kept Australia A to 226.
  • Hasan Mahmud’s latest five-for underlined his growing reputation, with the Bangladesh seamer now having five-wicket hauls in four different countries.
  • Pakistan’s President’s Trophy Grade 1 matches scheduled for Peshawar and Abbottabad were shifted to Sheikhupura and Lahore following a state of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
  • Abhishek Sharma again found a way to disrupt West Indies’ plans in Indore, starting cautiously before accelerating to a rapid fifty as India posted 223 against West Indies.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo