Anderson set to leave Lancashire, Smith faces neck test, Pollard pulls out of SA20 — cricket digest 26 Oct 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Lancashire decide against new deal for Anderson, ending 25-year stint at Old Trafford

Lancashire have confirmed they will not offer James Anderson a contract for 2027, bringing his 25-year playing association with the county to a close. Anderson, 44, said on social media that, had it been his choice, “it wouldn’t have ended like this”, after being told of the decision in a meeting with incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace and new chief executive Richard Kenyon, who pointed to the need to rebuild the first-team squad.

Anderson has not announced his retirement and it remains unclear whether he will continue in first-class cricket elsewhere. He was Lancashire’s Championship player of the year after taking 50 wickets at 17.68 in 2026, a season that ended with the club finishing second bottom of Division Two.

Australia weigh Smith’s neck and reshape top order for Newlands decider

Australia’s plans for the Cape Town series decider against South Africa hinge on Steven Smith proving his fitness after a neck issue restricted him in Gqeberha. Smith is due to try to get through a full net session on Monday, with selectors meeting to settle the XI ahead of the final training session at Newlands.

Nic Maddinson’s omission has been confirmed, with the opener flying home to be available for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield, and Matt Renshaw set to return to open alongside Travis Head. Sam Harper has also been released to play for Victoria, while Josh Inglis has been cleared to keep wicket if needed should Alex Carey have any issues; and if Smith can’t play, it would likely strengthen Marnus Labuschagne’s case to keep his spot amid ongoing debate about his role at No. 3.

Pollard opts out of SA20 stint with Joburg Super Kings after taking Mumbai Indians coaching role

Kieron Pollard will not play in the 2027 SA20 after informing Joburg Super Kings that he is opting out of the deal agreed at this month’s auction. JSK can now sign a replacement from outside the auction pool.

Pollard was unveiled on Saturday as Mumbai Indians’ head coach for IPL 2027, and the move removes the prospect of him turning out against an MI-owned franchise in SA20. The 39-year-old remains active on the circuit and is one run short of 15,000 T20 runs.

West Indies A name Athanaze and Carty as captains for England Lions white-ball tour

Alick Athanaze will captain West Indies A in the three T20s against England Lions in St Kitts and Nevis, with Keacy Carty set to lead the side in the five one-dayers that follow on the November 1-16 tour. Cricket West Indies said the 50-over squad has been selected with February’s World Cup Qualifier as the immediate priority, with the 2027 World Cup also in view.

CWI added that the series will help shape roles for the 2028 T20 World Cup cycle, with Ottis Gibson tasked with giving players clarity on their roles and identifying who is closest to stepping up. Mikyle Louis will join as a development attachment to work on his white-ball game.

Morkel urges Bhuvneshwar to ignore expectations as India prepare for Wellington conditions

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar to settle after a difficult start to his T20I return against New Zealand, asking the senior seamer to “block the expectation factor out” and focus on finding his rhythm. Bhuvneshwar has taken one wicket in the first two games but has gone for 49 and 50 from his four overs in Christchurch.

Morkel also said India’s change of their third seamer between Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav was tactical rather than performance-related, and noted Wellington’s wind as a fresh challenge ahead of Tuesday’s third T20I.

In brief

  • Pakistan players’ involvement in the Nepal Premier League, which runs from Oct 26 to Nov 21 in Kathmandu, is in doubt after no-objection certificates were put on hold, with several players already in Nepal and others delaying travel.
  • Pakistan chased down 242 to beat England by one wicket in Lahore, with Shadab Khan’s unbeaten century and a decisive late stand with Haris Rauf turning a thriller.
  • England were left questioning their ODI approach after a second straight heavy setback in Pakistan, with fresh concerns emerging despite recent optimism in the format.
  • Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf set a record for the highest 10th-wicket stand in a successful ODI chase during Pakistan’s one-wicket win over England in Lahore.
  • Shadab Khan said he shut out outside noise as he produced a landmark innings for Pakistan in the one-wicket ODI win over England in Lahore.
  • New Zealand will be without Lockie Ferguson for the third T20I against India, while Matt Henry will miss the rest of the series; Kyle Jamieson is set to leave after the third game and Blair Tickner will join for the final three matches.
  • New Zealand coach Rob Walter said his side haven’t been able to finish games against India so far in the T20I series, while stressing the need to manage fast-bowler workloads with more cricket ahead.
  • New Zealand will look to keep the India T20I series alive in Wellington, where India are preparing for strong winds, with the hosts set to be without Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson.
  • Devdutt Padikkal made 199 as India A reached 488 for 8 and stretched their lead over New Zealand A to 284 in the first four-day match, with useful runs also from Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod and Washington Sundar.
  • Mumbai allrounder Shardul Thakur will miss a third straight Ranji Trophy match, sitting out the home game against Haryana as he continues to recover from a finger injury.
  • The WPL 2027 auction takes place on Oct 28, with teams’ purses and the leading names in the pool in focus ahead of the reset that followed the competition’s first mega-auction.
  • Aiden Markram said his focus has shifted away from personal milestones towards winning trophies, with the WTC and World Cup among South Africa’s targets.
  • Ryan Rickelton said South Africa want to underline their quality against Australia at Newlands, with a series win offering a chance to back up their WTC title and strengthen their credentials.
  • Ryan Rickelton has embraced standing up to the stumps in Test cricket, adding a tactical option for South Africa’s seamers during the series against Australia.
  • Australia face major selection calls for the Cape Town decider against South Africa, with Cameron Green set to return and the top order under scrutiny after Nic Maddinson’s tough series.
  • Cricket in India’s northeast continues to search for a breakthrough moment, with progress made but significant gaps remaining before the region can consistently match established states.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo