England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould has denied reports a decision has already been made on Matthew Mott's future as white-ball coach.

Mott's future has been called into question in the aftermath of England's failure to defend their T20 World Cup crown in the United States and West Indies, losing to India in the semi-finals.

Mott also oversaw England's calamitous 50-over World Cup campaign last year, as they lost six of their nine matches in India and crashed out in the group stage.

Reports earlier this week suggested the decision had already been made to dispense with Mott's services, with Eoin Morgan a contender to succeed him, though the former limited-overs captain has since said he has no interest in the role.

Asked by BBC Test Match Special if Mott's future had already been decided, Gould said: "That's not true. That's certainly not true.

"Matthew Mott is a really good guy and coach. He's got a great track record and it is the same with [captain] Jos [Buttler].

"We are always assessing options - that is what happens in high-performance sport, you are always assessing your options.

"You never want to be drawn into being given the dreaded vote of confidence or anything like that. Competitive sport always brings scrutiny and decisions.

"We'll constantly want to assess our options but we'll always want to do the right thing by the sport, the team and individuals."

Captain Faf du Plessis once again led from the front as the Texas Super Kings secured a nine-wicket win over defending champions MI New York in the eliminator of Major League Cricket 2024 at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday.

The Super Kings, after winning the toss and electing to field first, restricted New York to 163-8 from their 20 overs.

Rashid Khan (55) and Monank Patel (48) were the top run scorers for MI against an important 2-18 off four overs from Marcus Stoinis. Aaron Hardie also took two wickets while Dwayne Bravo finished with 1-21 from 1.3 overs.

Texas then needed only 18.3 overs to reach 167-1 thanks to a 47-ball 72 from du Plessis, his third fifty of the season, including six fours and three sixes.

That knock now brings du Plessis’s run total to 375 from seven games, form that he will hope translates to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) where he will captain the St. Lucia Kings beginning August 29.

Devon Conway capitalized on some missed chances from the MI New York fielders to finish 51* while Hardie followed up his two wickets with 40* off 22 balls.

The Super Kings will now face the loser of the Qualifier between the Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns in the Challenger on Friday for a place in Sunday’s final.

Full Scores:

MI New York 163-8 off 20 overs (Rashid Khan 55, Monank Patel 48, Marcus Stoinis 2-18, Aaron Hardie 2-22)

Texas Super Kings 167-1 off 18.3 overs (Faf du Plessis 72, Devon Conway 51*, Aaron Hardie 40*)

Eoin Morgan says the timing is not right for him to take over as England's limited-overs coach if Matthew Mott departs.

Speculation has suggested Mott could leave his role following England's failure to defend their T20 World Cup crown in the United States and West Indies last month, losing to India in the semi-finals.

Morgan captained the side to glory at 2019's 50-over World Cup and retired from international cricket in 2022, having been credited with transforming England's white-ball culture.

The 37-year-old, who played 225 ODIs and 102 T20Is for England, has been tipped to coach his country in the future, but he is not tempted by the role at this moment.

"I've been asked a lot over the last couple of months about the role and whether I would take it on," he told Sky Sports.

"My answer has simply been, the timing for everything in my life at the moment is not right.

"Yes, I want to coach down the line, but I've got a young family and I spend a lot more time at home.

"I'm loving what I'm doing, watching cricket through this [punditry work].

"This news is news to me. It's not nice when a coach comes under fire and there is a lot of speculation about his future. Only time will tell what will happen."

England's T20 World Cup campaign followed a miserable defence of their ODI crown in India last year, where they lost six of their nine games and crashed out in the group stage.

On the back of a vintage display of power hitting from Captain Kieron Pollard and some responsible batting from Nicholas Pooran, defending champions MI New York booked a spot in the 2024 Major League Cricket Playoffs with a four-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Sunday.

Both teams entered Sunday’s clash knowing a win would be good enough for them to join the San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings in the playoffs.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, MI New York restricted the LA Knight Riders to 130 all out off 19.1 overs.

The hard-hitting Andre Russell did the bulk of the scoring for the Sunil Narine-led knight Riders with 35 while Jason Roy hit 27 at the top of the innings.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan was the pick of the New York bowlers with 3-22 from his four overs while Nosthush Kenjige and Trent Boult supported well with two wickets, each.

MI New York then needed only 17 overs to reach 134-6 and book their spot in the playoffs after winning just one of their first six games of the season.

Nicholas Pooran led the way with 35 off 28 balls but it was Pollard’s blistering 33* off just 12 balls that sealed victory.

Pooran’s knock included two fours and as many sixes while Pollard hit two fours and three sixes.

Dewald Brevis also chipped in with a 19-ball 27.

Narine took 2-24 from his four overs for the Knight Riders.

Full Scores:

LA Knight Riders 130 all out off 19.1 overs (Andre Russell 35, Jason Roy 27, Rashid Khan 3-22, Nosthush Kenjige 2-22, Trent Boult 2-38)

MI New York 134-6 off 17 overs (Nicholas Pooran 35, Kieron Pollard 33*, Dewald Brevis 27, Sunil Narine 2-24)

India's new head coach Gautam Gambhir says he does not want to "complicate too many things" as he prepares to take charge of the team for the first time.

India were crowned T20 World Cup champions last month, with Rahul Dravid bowing out of his time in charge on a high.

Dravid was head coach for two-and-a-half years, leading them to the finals of a world event in each of the three formats.

Gambhir's tenure begins on July 27 with India's white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, as the 42-year-old steps into his first head coaching job, having previously worked as a mentor for Indian Premier League sides, Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants.

Gambhir admitted he did not want to make too many changes given India's recent success and believes the key to that is to start by building trust.

"It is very simple," Gambhir said in his first interview as head coach, "it is important to give players freedom - that's what I believe in - and not have a relationship of a head coach and a player.

"The best relationship is one built on trust. The most important thing is they'll always have my backing.

"I don't complicate too many things. I am taking over a very, very successful team - India are T20 world champions, have been runners-up in the World Test Championship and the 50-overs World Cup."

As a player, Gambhir enjoyed a 13-year career which saw him win the World Cup in 2007 and 2011.

Despite not having a lot of coaching experience behind him, Gambhir knows what it takes to win in big moments.

"My learning has been simple - it has been all about winning," he added.

"I don't deviate from something. We are in a profession where there can be only one winner. We try and play fair, we try and play hard, and try and come back in a winning dressing room and a happy dressing room.

"A happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. Ultimately, it is the players' team. The support staff is there to try and get the maximum out of their potential.

"Sometimes international cricket can be tough, it can be insecure as well, because only 15 can be picked. It is the job of support staff to keep them happy."

India's T20I series begins on July 27 in Pallekele. 

Babar Azam is among three players denied permission by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play in the forthcoming Global T20 Canada due to workload concerns.

Fellow all-format players Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi will also be absent from the annual competition, which begins next week.

Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Nawaz have all been cleared to feature by the PCB, who refused fast bowler Naseem Shah permission to play in The Hundred.

The governing body say the players' welfare is at the forefront of their decision.

"After taking into consideration Pakistan's busy and packed cricket calendar... and following consultations with the three players as well as the national selection committee, it has been decided to decline their requests," a statement read.

"The three are all-format cricketers and their services are expected to be required in the upcoming eight months during which Pakistan will play nine tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is.

"As such, and in line with the PCB's workload management policy, it is in the best interest of Pakistan cricket and the players that they skip the upcoming event in Canada so that they are in their best mental and physical shape for the season."

Opener Andre Fletcher hit his third fifty of the season and second in the last three games to lead the Kandy Falcons to a 54-run win over the Dambulla Sixers in Lanka Premier League action at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Monday.

The Falcons posted an imposing 222-4 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Sixers.

Fletcher hit just one four and seven sixes on his way to a top score of 60 from 34 balls while Kamindu Mendis hit 51* off 24 balls including five fours and two sixes.

Angelo Mathews also finished 44* off 23 balls, hitting five sixes in the process.

Dushan Hemantha took 3-14 from his four overs for the Sixers.

Dambulla were then reduced to 168-9 from their 20 overs in reply despite 74 off 40 balls from Kusal Perera.

Captain Wanindu Hasaranga took 4-35 from his four overs for the Falcons while Dasun Shanaka took 3-29 from four overs in support.

Full Scores:

Kandy Falcons 222-4 off 20 overs (Andre Fletcher 60, Kamindu Mendis 51*, Angelo Mathews 44*, Dushan Hemantha 3-14)

Dambulla Sixers 168-9 off 20 overs (Kusal Perera 74, Mark Chapman 24, Wanindu Hasaranga 4-35, Dasun Shanaka 3-29)

Mukesh Kumar took four wickets as India beat Zimbabwe by 42 runs in the final game of their T20I five-series fixture in Harare. 

Kumar finished with figures of 4-22, taking two wickets in the 18th over to secure the win for the reigning T20 world champions. 

Having failed to take any wickets from their 92 balls in their 10-wicket defeat on Saturday, Zimbabwe needed just four deliveries to get their first on Sunday as Sikandar Raza bowled Yashasvi Jaiswal out for 12. 

The Chevrons continued their fast start as Abhishek Sharma (14) and Shubman Gill (13) fell early on, which had India at 44-3 by the end of the sixth over. 

Sanju Samson's 58 from 45 deliveries steadied the ship, but Blessing Muzarabani (2-19) starred with the ball in hand as India finished on 167-6 after 20 overs. 

Zimbabwe's chase for a second win of the series got off to the worst possible start, however, losing Wesley Madhevere for a duck after just the third ball. 

Despite Dion Myers (34) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (27) attempting to revive a comeback, Zimbabwe failed to find their rhythm at the crease. 

Faraz Akram's 16 runs from three balls in the 17th over offered slight hope, but Zimbabwe saw three wickets fall in quick succession, finishing 125 all out and confirming a 4-1 series defeat. 

Data Debrief: India continue T20 champion form

India have now won seven of their last eight men's T20Is against Zimbabwe, including each of the last four, giving them their longest winning streak against the Chevrons. 

Shivam Dube took the wicket on Sikandar Raza, India's 11th dismissal via run out in the men's T20Is they have played in 2024, better than any of the full-member sides. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill inspired India to a 10-wicket thrashing of Zimbabwe to confirm their T20I series win over the Chevrons. 

An unbeaten opening partnership between Jaiswal (93 not out) and new captain Gill (58 not out) in Harare secured the triumph for the reigning T20 world champions with one match of the series remaining. 

Having started impressively, Zimbabwe lost both Tadiwanashe Marumani (25) and Wessly Madhevere (32) in quick succession, which ultimately kickstarted their collapse.

Sikandar Raza attempted to steady the ship with a crisp 46 from 28 balls, but the wickets continued to tumble as Shivam Dube (1-11) and Khaleel Ahmed (2-32) helped restrict Zimbabwe to a manageable 152 -7. 

India wasted no time in chasing down their target, with Jaiswal and Gill reaching 61 by the end of the powerplay.

Jaiswal completed his half-century from 29 deliveries with the help of nine fours, with Gill then sealing his second consecutive 50 against Zimbabwe. 

The win was secured in the second ball of the 15th over, putting India 3-1 up in the series.

Data Debrief: India's dominance over Zimbabwe continues

India clinched the series with a third win after losing the first game, making it the third time in four bilateral men's T20I series against Zimbabwe that they have won (D1).

They have now won six of their last seven men's T20Is against Zimbabwe (L1).

Raza's knock for Zimbabwe saw him make history, becoming the first player from the nation to score 2,000 runs in T20Is. 

Sikandar Raza admitted "the wheels are coming off again" for Zimbabwe after India took the lead in their five-match T20I series.

After losing the first match, India are now 2-1 up in the series after three games having held out for a 23-run victory on Wednesday.

Shubman Gill settled straight back in after returning to the squad following their World Cup success, hitting 66 off 49 balls to set India on their way.

With Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (49) also finding their rhythm early on, India set an impressive target of 182-4.

Zimbabwe struggled in the field but also got off to a slow start with the bat until Dion Myers entered the fray, getting 65 not out to give the hosts some hope.

Washington Sundar's three wickets soon put a halt to their comeback as they fell short.

Raza was left to lament a frustrating game but was optimistic they could get back to their best.

"Think [the problem] is the fielding again," Raza said. "We are very proud of it, but the wheels are coming off again.

"We gave away 20 runs extra. We still have problems at the top [with the bat], but we are backing the boys. I know they are trying and once they do, we will come good again.

"It is time we players including me take the responsibility. I can accept some mistakes from the young side, but the seniors need to step up. But we need to back them.

"This is the best we have and this is the best that we can do. The game always rewards you, always does."

The fourth match will take place on Saturday, and a win for India would confirm their series win.

Data Debrief: India just too strong

Gll sped to his half-century in just 36 balls, earning his first 50 as India's T20I captain.

Despite their strong batting display, India were also the beneficiaries of 31 runs after Zimbabwe struggled to take their chances out on the field. The eventual win margin for India: 23. 

India have appointed Gautam Gambhir as the country's new head coach, with BCCI president Roger Binny saying the move marks "a new chapter" for the team.

Gambhir replaces Rahul Dravid, whose three-year tenure in the role ended on a high when he led India to their first T20 World Cup win since 2007 last month.

A a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, later this month, will start the Gambhir era.

His former India team-mate VVS Laxman, the director of cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, is leading the team on an interim basis in their current T20I series in Zimbabwe. That five-match series is tied at 1-1, with the third contest taking place in Harare on Wednesday.

"India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life," Gambhir said on X. 

"I'm honoured to be back, albeit wearing a different hat. But my goal is the same as it has always been, to make every Indian proud. 

"The men in blue shoulder the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians and I will do everything in my power to make these dreams come true!"

He added in an official statement: "I am honoured and excited to take on the role of head coach for India.

"I have always taken pride while donning the Indian jersey during my playing days and it is going to be no different when I take up this new role.

"Cricket has been my passion and I look forward to working closely with the BCCI, head of cricket - Mr VVS Laxman, the support staff, and, most importantly, the players, as we work towards achieving success in the upcoming tournaments."

Former opener Gambhir played in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is for India from 2003 to 2016 – helping them to win the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2011.

The 42-year-old captained Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League titles as a player before coaching them to a third crown this season.

Expectations will be high after India's recent success in all three formats and he also takes the helm at a time of significant change within the playing squad.

Veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20I cricket after the recent tournament victory, while there is speculation over how long R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami will continue to play in other formats.

"His appointment as head coach marks a new chapter for Indian cricket," said Binny.

"His experience, dedication, and vision for the game make him the ideal candidate to guide our team forward. We are confident that under his leadership, Team India will continue to excel and make the nation proud."

Gambhir will lead the team across all formats for three-and-a-half years until December 2027.

The San Francisco Unicorns opened up their 2024 Major League Cricket season with a dominant six-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Sunday.

West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell hit a whirlwind 25-ball 40* to lead the Knight Riders to 165-6 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Unicorns.

Russell’s innings included two fours and three sixes.

Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with 35 off 26 balls including six fours.

Pacers Brody Couch and Haris Rauf took 2-24 and 2-38 from four overs, respectively.

The Unicorns then needed just 15.2 overs to reach 166-4 thanks to 63 from man of the match, Finn Allen and 58 from Matthew Short.

New Zealand’s Allen faced 37 balls and hit five fours to go along with five sixes while Australia’s Short hit five sixes and three fours in his 26-ball knock.

Spencer Johnson took 3-36 from his four overs for the Knight Riders.

Full Scores:

LA Knight Riders 165-6 off 20 overs (Andre Russell 40*, Shakib Al Hasan 35, Jason Roy 26, Brody Couch 2-24, Haris Rauf 2-38)

San Francisco Unicorns 166-4 off 15.2 overs (Finn Allen 63, Matthew Short 58, Spencer Johnson 3-36)

Abhishek Sharma hammered India's joint third-fastest T20I century as the tourists smashed Zimbabwe with a 100-run victory, levelling the five-match series at 1-1.

India's opening batter fell for a duck in his first T20I international as Zimbabwe triumphed on Saturday, but Abhishek responded with a remarkable 46-ball century a day later at Harare.

Though touring captain Shubmann Gill was dismissed for only two, Abhishek set the tone before reaching three figures with three consecutive sixes.

Ruturaj Gaikwad added an unbeaten 77 from just 47 deliveries, while Rinku Singh finished not out with 48 as India posted an imposing 234-2 – the highest score conceded by Zimbabwe in this format.

Wessly Madhevere offered brief Zimbabwe hope with 43, alongside Brian Bennett's nine-ball 26, yet the hosts never looked like chasing a hefty target after losing wickets at regular intervals.

Avesh Khan led the India bowlers with 3-15, cutting through the Zimbabwe batting line-up with help from Mukesh Kumar (3-37) and Ravi Bishnoi (2-11).

Zimbabwe will hope to respond against the T20 World Cup champions when the two sides meet again on Wednesday at the same venue.

Data Debrief: Abhishek seizes opportunity

Only Rohit Sharma's 35-ball century in 2017 and Suryakumar Yadav's 45-ball ton in 2023, both against Sri Lanka, can better Abhishek's blitz in this game as quicker tons for India.

KL Rahul also had a 46-ball hundred against the West Indies in 2016, though this showing of ridiculous hitting proved a rapid rise on the international stage for India's new white-ball opener.

Abhishek scored 65 runs against the Zimbabwe spinners, the most for India in a men's T20I, off 28 balls at a strike rate of 232.14 with six sixes and four fours.

The Colombo Strikers held their nerve to secure a narrow two-run win over the Kandy Falcons in Lanka Premier League action on Saturday.

The Strikers posted 199-9 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Falcons at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

New Zealander Glenn Phillips led the way with a 43-ball 70 while Angelo Perera made 38 off 23 balls in support.

Pacer Dushmantha Chameera took 3-40 from four overs while Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and Shoriful Islam took two wickets, apiece.

Despite meaningful contributions from Mohammad Haris, Andre Fletcher, Kamindu Mendis and Angelo Mathews, the Falcons fell agonizingly short of their target finishing 197-8 from their 20 overs.

Haris led the way with 56 off 32 balls including five fours and four sixes while Fletcher hit five fours and two sixes on his way to 47 off 36 balls.

Matheesha Pathirana took 4-26 from his four overs for the Strikers.

The Falcons almost pulled it off after needing 20 runs in the final over.

Strikers captain Thisara Perera, who had only bowled one over before the 20^th, took the responsibility upon himself to bowl the final over.

After dismissing Chatarunga de Silva off the first ball and conceding a single off the second, Angelo Matthews then hit the next three balls for a six, a four and another six leaving the Falcons needing three off one.

Perera held his nerve, dismissing Mathews off the lest ball of the match for 33 and securing the win.

Full Scores:

Colombo Strikers 199-9 off 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 70, Angelo Perera 38, Dushmantha Chameera 3-40, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-37, Shoriful Islam 2-43)

Kandy Falcons 197-8 off 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 56, Andre Fletcher 47, Kamindu Mendis 36, Angelo Mathews 33, Matheesha Pathirana 4-26)

India's first match since winning the T20 World Cup last month ended in defeat, as Zimbabwe beat them by 13 runs in their first T20I test.

Zimbabwe dominated in the field, with the new-look India falling just short of their target in the final over.

The hosts made a fairly strong start, with Wesley Madhevere (21), Brian Bennett (22) and Dion Myers (23) steadily building the score, but wickets soon started to stumble.

Zimbabwe had four taken for a duck, one of those from the impressive Ravi Bishnoi (4-13), though Clive Madande salvaged some late pride to get them to 115-9 with his 29 runs (not out).

India's first choice 15 are not touring after their World Cup victory, with three debutants coming into the fold, though Abhishek Sharma's involvement was short-lived as he failed to get on the board.

Shubman Gill high scored with 31, and though it looked like Washington Sundar may beat that as he put together a late charge, he was caught on the penultimate ball as India finished 14 shy of their target in their first of five tests against Zimbabwe.

Data Debrief: India brought back down to Earth

Zimbabwe had two bowlers pick three wickets apiece, with Tendai Chatara (3-16) and Sikandar Raza (3-25). While on the other side, Bishnoi's 4-13 was a T20 career best.

The hosts' total of 115 is the lowest total ever defended against India in a T20I, and the lowest against anyone in Harare.