Sri Lanka wrapped up a 2-0 series win over New Zealand after the third ODI was rained off in Pallekele.
Will Young (56 not out) and Henry Nicholls (46 not out) had the Black Caps trundling along nicely at 112-1 after 21 overs on Tuesday, with Tim Robinson having been dismissed for nine by Mohamed Shiraz (1-23).
But the rain closed in at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, and did not let up.
Eventually, the umpires had to call off play completely, denying New Zealand the chance to restore some pride after their opening two defeats.
Data Debrief: Rain sees the good run roll on
Sri Lanka have lost only one of their last nine ODIs (W6 T1) – an eight-wicket loss against West Indies (26 October 2024).
New Zealand's Young at least was able to celebrate a ninth ODI half-century, while Nicholls fell just short of a 17th 50 in the format.
Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 74 helped Sri Lanka clinch an ODI series win over New Zealand with a three-wicket victory in the second match.
Rain shortened the match to 47 overs a side, and Sri Lanka took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with six balls remaining.
New Zealand's innings were disrupted by the weather, with Sri Lanka's spinners taking advantage of the slowed momentum around the stoppages despite Will Young's (26) steady start.
Mark Chapman (76) and Mitchell Hay (49) gave the tourists some hope, but Maheesh Theekshana (3-31) and Jeffrey Vandersay (3-46) took three wickets apiece as they halted New Zealand at 209, with Glenn Phillips (15) the only other batter to hit double figures.
After Avishka Fernando's early dismissal, Mendis was a mainstay for Sri Lanka and ultimately proved the difference.
Michael Bracewell (4-36) did his best to rally New Zealand, but they fell just short thanks to an eighth-wicket stand of 47 off 59 balls between Mendis and Theekshana.
Data Debrief: Running it back
It is the first time since 2012 that Sri Lanka have won an ODI series against New Zealand, while it is the first time they have won back-to-back ODIs against the Black Caps since November that year.
Sri Lanka also made a welcome return to winning ways at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium - they had lost their most recent match in this format at the venue to West Indies back in October.
Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando guided Sri Lanka to a 45-run victory via the DLS Method in the first match of their ODI series against New Zealand on Wednesday.
On a rain-soaked day, the hosts ended their eight-match losing streak at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium with a dominant display from start to finish.
After electing to bat, Sri Lanka were dealt an early blow when Pathum Nissanka (12) was caught by Nathan Smith from Jacob Duffy's delivery in the second over.
However, Kusal would join Avishka at the crease and put the hosts in control, with the pair putting on a 206-run stand.
The duo's contribution formed the bulk of Sri Lanka's 324-5, with Sadeera Samarawickrama (five), Charith Asalanka (40) and Janith Liyanage (12 not out) concluding their innings.
New Zealand started well in their run chase through Will Young (35) and Tim Robinson (35) before the latter was stumped by Mendisb Theekshana in the 13th over.
That kickstarted the tourists' collapse, with the dismissals of Young, Henry Nicholls (six), Mark Chapman (two) and Glenn Phillips (nine) leaving New Zealand 110-5 after 17 overs.
Michael Bracewell's 34 from 32 deliveries steadied the ship somewhat but the damage had been done, with the tourists falling short of their target by 45 runs.
Data Debrief: It's coming home
Sri Lanka have won five of their last six multi-game bilateral men’s ODI series (L1), including each of their last two, and they got off to a perfect start in Dambulla.
The Lions' victory was their first in the format at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium since a seven-wicket win against Pakistan back in August 2014.
They were helped by Kusal's knock of 143 from 128 deliveries, which was his fourth ODI century but his first on home soil since 2020.
The Jamaica Scorpions secured their third victory of the 2024 CG United Super 50 Cup on Sunday, defeating Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) by a comprehensive 128 runs at Queen's Park Oval. Anchored by a stellar century from Carlos Brown and a strong bowling performance led by Jeavor Royal, the Scorpions dominated both innings to claim the win.
Batting first, Jamaica posted an imposing 289-8 from their 50 overs. After a shaky start that saw John Campbell and Kirk McKenzie dismissed cheaply with the score at 11-2, Brown and Jermaine Blackwood stabilized the innings with a crucial 137-run partnership for the third wicket.
Brown’s 121 off 119 balls, decorated with 12 fours and five sixes, was the standout innings. Blackwood contributed 41 before falling, and later, Javelle Glenn (52) and Odean Smith (32) formed a vital 90-run stand for the seventh wicket, helping the Scorpions reach their challenging total.
Smith was eventually run out in the final over as Jamaica finished just shy of the 300 mark.
For CCC’s bowling, Mikkel Govia was economical, taking 2-31, while Akeem Jordan (2-61) and Amari Goodridge (2-38) also chipped in with wickets, though they couldn’t contain Jamaica’s explosive batting lineup.
In response, CCC struggled against Jamaica’s disciplined bowling attack. Royal was the chief destroyer, claiming 4-29, while Kirk McKenzie added pressure with 2-20. Smith, Marquino Mindley, and Brad Barnes each took a wicket, dismantling CCC’s lineup and restricting them to 161-9. The CCC was batting one short with Kieran Powell unable to take the field.
Former West Indies batsman Shamarh Brooks top-scored for CCC with 23, followed by contributions from Mikkel Govia (22) and Akeem Jordan (21), but their efforts were insufficient to chase down the target.
With this victory, the Jamaica Scorpions continue to build momentum in the tournament, powered by standout performances from both their batsmen and bowlers.
Pakistan's dominant bowling performance paved the way for a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Australia that clinched the ODI series in Perth.
The hosts were dismantled, being bowled out in just 31.5 overs over before Pakistan easily completed the chase to claim their first ODI series win in Australia in 22 years.
Shaheen Afridi (3-32) and Naseem Shah (3-54) did the damage as Australia struggled to build any momentum despite Matt Short's opening 22.
As the wickets toppled, Sean Abbott salvaged some pride with his knock of 30, but it was not enough to bolster Australia's score as they finished on 140.
It did not take Pakistan long to hit their target, with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique getting 42 and 37 respectively, before Lance Morris (2-24) dismissed them both in the 18th over.
Babar Azam (28) and Mohammad Rizwan (30) kept the rhythm going with a flurry of boundaries to reach 143-2 and round off an impressive 2-1 series win.
Data Debrief: A rare sight
Having lost the first match of the series, Pakistan have put in two almost-perfect performances since to completely turn things on their head.
Not since 2002 had Pakistan won an ODI series on Australian soil, but Pakistan were deserving winners after overwhelming the world champions.
Australia were facing the prospect of a humiliating 10-wicket loss on home soil after the impressive display from the tourists' bowlers, at least until Morris stopped them from making an unwanted mark in the history books.
Haris Rauf’s second five wicket-haul and half-centuries by Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique led Pakistan to a nine-wicket victory over Australia in the second ODI on Friday.
Pakistan's win also levelled the three-match series with their biggest ODI win over the world champions in Australia, setting up a decider in Perth on Sunday.
The hosts started poorly with the bat, losing Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) and Matt Short (19) inside the first seven overs, with Shaheen Afridi claiming both early wickets.
Steve Smith top scored with 35 but was bowled out by Mohammad Hasnain (1-27), before Rauf ripped through Australia's middle order for the second consecutive game.
On his way to figures of 5-29, the 31-year-old claimed the wickets of Inglis (18), Marcus Labuschagne (six), Aaron Hardie (14), Glenn Maxwell (16) and Pat Cummins (13).
Shaheen Afridi secured the final wicket of Adam Zampa (18), with Pakistan handed a target of 164 runs to take the series to a decider.
And the tourists made light work of their run chase, with Ayub (83) and Abdullah Shafique (64) combining brilliantly to produce an opening stand of 137.
Zampa eventually made the breakthrough with the wicket of Ayub, but the damage had already been done. Babar Azam sealed the win with a six, with Pakistan reaching their target in just 26.3 overs.
Data Debrief: Shaheens stars play their part
Pakistan have not won an ODI series in Australia since 2002, but their showing on Friday will give them confidence of claiming a historic win.
They registered their biggest ODI win against the world champions in Australia in terms of both balls (141 balls) and wickets (nine) remaining. Previously, Pakistan's biggest ODI triumph over Australia in their own backyard had come in Sydney in 1981, winning by six wickets.
But the victory was inspired by Ayub and Shafique's 137-run stand for the first wicket, which was Pakistan’s second-best opening stand in an ODI against Australia, only behind Mohsin Khan and Mudassar Nazar (141) in 1985.
Mohammad Rizwan also played his part. His tally of six catches is the joint-most for any wicket-keeper in an ODI for Pakistan, going level with Sarfaraz Ahmed against South Africa in 2015.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has imposed a two-match suspension on West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph following an on-field incident during the third CG United ODI against England at Kensington Oval, Barbados.
The incident, which took place during the fourth over of England's innings, sparked discussion among players and fans alike. Joseph appeared visibly frustrated with a field placement decision, leading to a disagreement with captain Shai Hope. After taking the wicket of Jordan Cox, caught behind on the fourth ball, Joseph chose not to celebrate with his teammates, instead walking back to his mark without any acknowledgment of the dismissal. His frustration escalated as he left the field unannounced at the end of the over, leaving West Indies to begin the fifth over with only ten players.
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the importance of professionalism, stating, “Alzarri's behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds. Such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged."
Joseph’s actions also drew criticism from head coach Daren Sammy, who voiced his concerns in an interview with TalkSPORT. Sammy described the behavior as “unacceptable,” underscoring his commitment to fostering a positive team culture. "Behavior like that is unacceptable on my cricket field," Sammy said. "We will be friends… but in the culture I'm trying to build, that’s unacceptable. We will definitely have a chat about that.”
Reflecting on the incident, Joseph issued a public apology, expressing regret for his actions. "I recognize that my passion got the best of me. I have personally apologized to Captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management. I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans—I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused.”
CWI remains committed to promoting a culture of respect, integrity, and discipline within the West Indies cricket team, both on and off the field. Joseph’s suspension serves as a reminder of these core values and reinforces CWI's dedication to professionalism for all players representing West Indies cricket.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a landmark six-year media rights agreement with ESPN Caribbean, covering the period from 2024 to 2030. This deal grants ESPN Caribbean exclusive broadcast and digital rights to all West Indies Men's and Women's home international matches, as well as the CG United Super50 Cup for both men's and women's regional tournaments. This partnership solidifies ESPN Caribbean's position as the premier destination for West Indies cricket in the region.
Lynford Inverary, CWI's Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the significance of this agreement, saying, "This new six-year agreement with ESPN Caribbean marks the largest media rights deal CWI has ever secured in the Caribbean. It not only reflects the growing commercial value of West Indies cricket but also ensures that fans across the region will continue to enjoy comprehensive coverage of our international series and CG United Super50 Cups. ESPN is a longstanding partner, and this new deal will help CWI meet its long-term financial goals, while expanding the visibility and engagement of West Indies cricket within the region."
Scott McGlone, Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions at ESPN, expressed enthusiasm about the continued collaboration:
"We are thrilled to continue our strong relationship with CWI with this groundbreaking new deal. ESPN seeks to serve local sports fans anytime, anywhere. What better way to accomplish this goal than a long-term partnership with CWI, that represents such a rich sporting history both locally and internationally."
Under this agreement, CWI retains the right to license post-match highlights on free-to-air and digital platforms throughout the region, ensuring fans have access to additional content during each series and tournament. This partnership, brokered with the assistance of CWI’s media consultants, Pitch International, aligns with CWI’s strategic objectives to enhance the global visibility of West Indies cricket and deepen fan engagement across the Caribbean.
West Indies white-ball coach Darren Sammy has voiced his displeasure with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph’s behavior during the decisive third One Day International (ODI) against England on Wednesday night. Despite Joseph’s contribution of two wickets, his conduct on the field drew criticism from Sammy, as the West Indies clinched the series 2-1 with an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
The match, held at Kensington Oval in Barbados, saw a record-breaking second-wicket stand of 209 runs between Kaecy Carty, who scored an unbeaten 128, and Brandon King, who added 102. Their efforts helped the West Indies easily chase down England’s total of 263-8 in 50 overs.
However, it was Joseph’s behavior during the fourth over of the England innings that became a talking point. The fast bowler appeared frustrated with a field placement and had a visible disagreement with captain Shai Hope. After removing Jordan Cox caught behind on the fourth ball, Joseph did not celebrate with his teammates, instead returning to his mark without acknowledging the dismissal. At the end of the over, he left the field unannounced, forcing the West Indies to start the fifth over with only ten players.
Speaking to TalkSPORT after the match, Sammy did not mince words, labeling Joseph’s actions as unacceptable.
"Behavior like that is unacceptable on my cricket field," Sammy said. "We will be friends… but in the culture I'm trying to build, that’s unacceptable. We will definitely have a chat about that."
Joseph returned to the field for the sixth over but did not resume bowling until the 12th. After two misfields that allowed England to score through overthrows, he left the field again, returning later to bowl a few overs in the middle and his remaining three at the death. He finished the match with figures of 2 for 45 from his 10 overs, adding Dan Mousley to his list of victims.
Sammy, who took over as head coach in May 2023, is renowned for his man-management skills, having successfully persuaded several notable players, including Andre Russell and Evin Lewis, to rejoin the international squad. Known for fostering a strong team culture, Sammy emphasized his commitment to addressing issues constructively.
"I pride myself on having the difficult conversations," Sammy said. "But in a way that everybody understands what is needed to be done. To see guys going out there and slowly progressing in the right direction makes me proud. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but it’s one that I’m quite passionate about."
As the West Indies prepare for a five-match T20 series against England, Sammy hinted that seasoned players Nicholas Pooran and Akeal Hosein, who missed the recent series against Sri Lanka, may make their return.
"We’ve got a couple of senior players who were not in Sri Lanka that we expect to be back," Sammy revealed. "Our T20 team is our most successful team and our most settled team. So, yes, we incorporate some new guys to give them that exposure, but our T20 team normally picks itself."
With an eye on building a resilient and disciplined squad, Sammy’s leadership will undoubtedly focus on setting a standard for on-field behavior as the team moves forward in both formats.
Phil Salt will be wicketkeeper in England’s upcoming T20I series against West Indies as white-ball captain Jos Buttler looks to improve his captaincy.
Buttler has been ruled out with a calf strain but will return to England's squad for the five-match T20I series that begins on Saturday.
Until now, Salt has kept in just 13 of his 59 England appearances across all formats but has taken up the mantle for the ongoing ODI series against West Indies.
Buttler, on the other hand, has donned the gloves in 106 of his 108 T20Is.
Salt, though, is enjoying his new role.
"It's not something I've done a lot for England recently, but I enjoy keeping. I feel like that's where I offer most to the side," Salt said, as reported by ESPN.
"We've not had a chat about anything going forward. I'm just glad to be doing it at the moment."
While Salt is not guaranteed the gloves after this series, he will find comfort in Buttler's intent to optimise his captaincy by experimenting with a role in the field.
"I was going to give up the gloves and commit to being at mid-off and see how that felt. If it will help me with my captaincy it is something I am open to," Buttler told Sky Sports in September after being ruled out of the T20 series against Australia.
England are tied 1-1 in their ODI series against the West Indies with the decider to be played on Wednesday.
Australia rallied to overcome Pakistan by two wickets in the first of three one-day internationals between the teams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Roared on by vocal travelling support, Pakistan were in the ascendency when their pacemen dropped Australia from 113-2 to 115-7, with the hosts chasing 204 for victory.
Harif Rauf dismissed three while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain also got in on the act to decimate the hosts' middle order.
Naseem Shah had earlier scored 40 off 39 balls to salvage a score of 203 all out for the tourists, but a crucial cameo from captain Pat Cummins got Australia over the line.
Cummins calmly came up with an unbeaten 32 from 31 balls as the hosts sealed victory with 16.3 overs remaining, with even Sean Abbott's error in being run out for 13 failing to inspire a change in the momentum.
Bowler Mitchell Starc told ABC Grandstand after the match: "We probably didn't like that Patty and I had pads on, but it's a positive start to the summer.
"A win is a win no matter how you get there."
Data Debrief: Cummins leads from the front
Cummins' unbeaten 32 may not go down as his most memorable knock in ODIs, but it did equal his best innings for Australia in the format.
That proved crucial after Matthew Short (1), Jake Fraser-McGurk (16), Marnus Labuschagne (16), Aaron Hardie (10) and Glenn Maxwell (0) disappointed with the bat.
Australia, who have won both of their ODI series versus West Indies and England since lifting the World Cup in 2023, can now seal a series triumph in Adelaide on Friday.
Liam Livingstone hit a tremendous century as England beat West Indies by five wickets in Saturday’s one-day international, taking the three-match series to a decider.
Livingstone’s heroics ensured England got over the line with 15 balls to spare in Antigua despite being set a daunting target of 329 for victory.
Windies captain Shai Hope had earlier struck 117 runs from 127 balls after John Turner had Brandon King caught at backward point and Evin Lewis snared down the leg side.
Hope was finally caught by Livingstone off Jofra Archer’s delivery in the 47th over, before the stand-in England skipper took over with the bat to drive his team to victory.
He counted five fours and nine maximums in his haul as England recovered from the early losses of Will Jacks (12) and Jordan Cox (four) to complete their chase.
Phil Salt (59), Jacob Bethell (55) and Sam Curran (52) also hit half-centuries for the tourists, with Livingstone fittingly wrapping up the win by smashing 23 runs in a brilliant penultimate over.
Data Debrief: Livingstone picks up the pace
Midway through their innings, England knew they needed to up the pace in order to reach a total they had only managed when batting second 10 times in their ODI history.
Livingstone led the way. Following his first 50 balls faced, he slammed 82 runs off just 35 deliveries, the fastest acceleration by any England batter after 50 balls faced in the format's history.
England fast bowler Jofra Archer says that his body is in good shape, as he suggested the next target is a return to Test cricket.
Archer is part of England's white-ball squad touring the West Indies.
This is his first tour since he recovered from a stress fracture in his elbow, which kept him out of the 2023 Ashes series.
Although England were beaten by eight wickets on the DLS method in the first ODI against West Indies on Thursday, the series is about more than just winning for Archer.
"My body is in good stead. It’s only been one year of bowling properly as well," he told TNT Sports.
"Before you can play in an ODI, you have to be bowling [10 overs] in training to make sure your body can withstand the load.
"To be honest, I’ve not been doing anything more than [that]."
The 29-year-old returned to international cricket following his injury at the 2024 T20 World Cup and has since played in the home ODI series against Australia.
He needs just four wickets to reach 50 in ODIs, which would make him the 30th England player to hit that milestone in the format.
But he has not featured in a Test since facing India in Ahmedabad in 2021. The sight of him on England duty will likely raise questions about his potential future involvement in the longer format.
"The next phase is maybe for me to start thinking about Test cricket and doing some more loads, but for now, I’m quite happy, and the management are quite happy with everything that I’m doing," he said.
Liam Livingstone said England must quickly "get up to speed" and find their rhythm in the 50-over game after a humbling defeat to West Indies.
Evin Lewis plundered a brilliant 94 off just 69 balls as the Windies won by eight wickets by the Duckworth-Lewis Stern method in the opening, rain-affected ODI in Antigua on Thursday.
England had been bowled out for just 209, with stand-in captain Livingstone top-scoring with 48.
The tourists fielded an inexperienced line-up, but Livingstone knows there is no time to waste when it comes to learning on the job.
He said: "I think the test we have to come over the next few games is with the rhythms of 50-over cricket.
"We have to get up to speed as quickly as possible. We know someone in the top six has to get a big score.
"Fifty overs is a long time. We wanted to put the West Indies under pressure.
"Conditions change and it's up to us to read them and work out what is a good score. We didn't adapt. West Indies bowled well and we lost wickets at key stages."
Sam Curran (37) was the only other batter to make a dent for England, and Alastair Cook, who was only surpassed as the nation's all-time leading Test run scorer last month, was not impressed.
Speaking in his role as a pundit for TNT Sports, Cook said: "England's batting in general in all three formats on belting wickets – absolutely brilliant, you can't stop them scoring.
"[But] when it becomes tougher, when it becomes about adapting, I'm not sure, at the minute, this group of players are good enough.
"Take Joe Root out of it, he's a class above anyone else when it comes to adjusting to situations. Everyone else has to find a way of being able to adapt better."
West Indies have now won five of their last eight ODIs against England (L3).
England had won 17 of the previous 18 fixtures prior to that span.
Lewis' phenomenal showing with the bat, which included hitting eight sixes, was key to West Indies' victory, with Adil Rashid eventually ending the opener's stand, but it was too little, too late for England.
"Evin Lewis is experienced and has been around for a long time," said Windies captain Shai Hope.
"You can see he is a different beast. He's hungry. I'm glad about the scores he's getting now."
Gudakesh Motie, however, scooped the Player of the Match award after taking 4-41.
"I wasn't getting much turn out of the wicket so I was just trying to keep it on a straight line and keep my lengths," he said.
"Runs weren't coming at both ends easily, which helped me a lot to take four wickets.
"I figured out bowling fast in these conditions was easier [to play] so I was trying to bowl as slow as possible."
Jofra Archer (0-21) bowled well without reward. He is four wickets away from becoming the 30th player to take 50 wickets for England in men's ODIs.
Jos Buttler is eager to put his "frustrating" injury absence behind him, and the England white-ball captain has "loads of hunger" to get back on the field.
A recurring calf injury has kept Buttler sidelined since June, with the 34-year-old also set to miss the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, which begins on Thursday.
Liam Livingstone will take over as captain in the absence of Buttler, who should return for the subsequent five-match T20 series in the Caribbean.
And the keeper-batter cannot wait to appear for his country once more.
"It's been frustrating, but now it's feeling good, and I'm looking forward to getting back on the field," he told TNT Sports.
"[I've had] a couple of little setbacks along the way, which is frustrating, but I'm using it to motivate me. I'm just excited to get back on the pitch and back with the bat in hand in the middle.
"I'm OK at watching. I think it fuels that fire to get out in the middle and play. You want to be performing and part of the team, leading the side.
"I try not to have a mindset of being frustrated, but take it as a bit of an extended break out of the game. But hopefully, [I can] see it as some time away to really give me loads of hunger to get back on the field."
Buttler also offered his thoughts on Livingstone, who he believes is the safe pair of hands to take over the captaincy for the ODI series.
"Liam is one of the more experienced numbers in that group, and it gives him a chance to get some leadership experience, build that leadership group," he added.
"He's a player that's exciting as well, we know what he's capable of, and it's a really good opportunity for him to lead the team.
"I think it's really important to let them go out there and do their thing. You don't want to be asking someone to do exactly what you want to do, you're trying to give guys experience. If he needs a sounding board or anything, he can certainly ask my opinion."
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