Cameron Ponsonby

India extend their lead over England on day three at Lord’s with Yastika Bhatia and Smriti Mandhana continuing strong batting form. Lauren Bell claims key wickets but also concedes a number of byes as England struggle to regain control. Record attendance figures and Heather Knight’s impending retirement add further significance to the match as England face a difficult task to stay competitive in the one-off Test.

Australia secured a dominant eight‑wicket win over the West Indies in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi‑final at the Oval, driven by Beth Mooney’s rapid 61 and Ashleigh Gardner’s all‑round excellence. Australia comfortably chased 126 after a disciplined bowling display that dismantled the West Indies lineup, with Gardner taking 2 for 13 and Sophie Molineux adding key wickets. The West Indies struggled throughout, hindered by early wickets and Deandra Dottin’s pre‑match health scare. Australia advance to Sunday’s final at Lord’s, awaiting the winner of England versus South Africa.

New Zealand sealed a 160‑run victory over England at Trent Bridge to win the three‑match series 2‑1, marking the end of Ben Stokes’s international career. England collapsed despite resistance from Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson, while New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith, controlled the final day. Daryl Mitchell earned player of the match for a decisive century, Nathan Smith was named player of the series, and Jofra Archer received England’s award for his strong performances. Stokes reflected on his retirement decision as New Zealand celebrated another major away series win.

England completed a 3-1 T20 series victory over West Indies, giving interim head coach Marcus Trescothick a highly successful end to the white-ball Caribbean tour. Trescothick praised the balance between winning and exposing young players, singling out Jacob Bethell and Saqib Mahmood. Bethell’s strong performances earned him selection for the Test tour of New Zealand and comparisons with Harry Brook. Jos Buttler also returned from injury in form, while he acknowledged that Ben Stokes and Joe Root are not guaranteed to return for the Champions Trophy.

England secured a 3-1 T20 series victory over West Indies after the fifth and final match in St Lucia was abandoned following only five overs because of rain. The result gave England their first away T20 series win in more than two years, with fast bowler Saqib Mahmood standing out after taking nine wickets in four matches. Captain Jos Buttler praised the team’s contributions, while coaching changes were also confirmed ahead of Brendon McCullum taking charge as England’s all-format head coach.

West Indies defeated England by five wickets in the fourth men’s T20 international in St Lucia, chasing England’s 218 for five with an over to spare. Evin Lewis and Shai Hope provided the foundation with a 136-run opening stand, scoring 68 off 31 and 54 off 24 respectively. England’s Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell had earlier made half-centuries, but Sherfane Rutherford sealed the hosts’ victory with consecutive sixes. England had already secured the series, while West Indies’ captain Rovman Powell criticized the decisive advantage given to teams winning the toss.

England defeated West Indies by three wickets in the third T20I in Saint Lucia, securing a 3–0 series victory. West Indies collapsed to 145 for eight after losing five wickets during the powerplay, although Rovman Powell’s 54 and a partnership with Romario Shepherd offered some recovery. England also struggled, falling to 37 for three, but Sam Curran’s 41 and Liam Livingstone’s 39 guided them to the target with four balls remaining. Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton each took three wickets, while several dropped chances by West Indies—including three involving Livingstone—proved costly. The victory was England’s first away T20 series win since October 2022.

England defeated West Indies by seven wickets in the second T20 international at Kensington Oval, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. After winning the toss, England restricted West Indies to 158-8 through strong new-ball bowling from Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood, despite a late surge of 32 runs from the final two overs. Jos Buttler then led a comfortable chase with 83 from 45 balls, supported by England’s favourable batting conditions under the evening dew. Both captains highlighted the major advantage enjoyed by the team batting second in the series’ 4pm starts.

England defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I at Kensington Oval, chasing 183 with 19 balls to spare. Phil Salt led the victory with 103, his third T20I century against West Indies in his last five matches, while Jacob Bethell added his first T20I half-century in a decisive hometown partnership. West Indies recovered from 18 for three through aggressive contributions from their middle and lower order, but England’s chase was ultimately comfortable. Reece Topley appeared to aggravate an injury after slipping during his interrupted spell, while Jos Buttler marked his return with a golden duck.

Jos Buttler returns as England’s white-ball captain after a four-month calf-injury absence and admits he feared losing the role following England’s disappointing 2024 T20 World Cup. He remains determined to continue, saying Rob Key backed him to lead the team forward. Buttler is enthusiastic about Brendon McCullum replacing Matthew Mott as white-ball head coach, believing McCullum can lift the team’s mood and help him make the later stage of his career especially rewarding. England begin a five-match T20 series against West Indies in Barbados, with several senior West Indies players returning for the opening matches while Alzarri Joseph serves a two-game suspension.

England interim white-ball coach Marcus Trescothick says the lack of domestic 50-over cricket is hindering the development of England’s young players. England’s inexperienced team suffered an eight-wicket defeat to West Indies in Barbados, losing the three-match ODI series 2-1 and recording a 13th ODI loss in 20 matches. The County One-Day Cup overlaps with The Hundred, leaving leading white-ball players without a consistent domestic 50-over competition. Trescothick and batter Phil Salt called for more opportunities, but changing the calendar would require balancing Test cricket, domestic T20 cricket and The Hundred.

West Indies beat England by eight wickets at Kensington Oval to win the three-match ODI series 2-1. England recovered from 24-4 to post 263-8, led by Phil Salt’s patient 74, with Sam Curran, Dan Mousley and Jofra Archer also contributing. Keacy Carty made an unbeaten 128 and Brandon King scored 102 in a 209-run partnership that carried the hosts to 267-2. England’s inexperience, a difficult toss and sharply changing conditions offered context for the defeat, but the poor series returns of Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid remained a concern.

Liam Livingstone’s unbeaten 124 led England to a five-wicket victory over West Indies while chasing 329 in Antigua, leveling the ODI series at 1-1. Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran also contributed half-centuries. England’s batting was disciplined and Livingstone delivered a decisive late assault, but the team’s performance in the field was undermined by dropped catches, sloppy mistakes and confusing bowling changes.

England suffered an eight-wicket defeat to West Indies in the first ODI after being bowled out for 209, extending their poor record to 12 losses in 18 matches. Interim head coach Marcus Trescothick argued that the result does not represent England’s full white-ball strength because several first-choice players are absent, while acknowledging the difficulties created by an inexperienced squad and a strategy focused on developing younger players. Captain Liam Livingstone said the team must adapt more quickly to 50-over cricket, as England prepare for the second match before Brendon McCullum takes over in January.

West Indies defeated a new-look England side by eight wickets in a rain-affected first ODI in Antigua. England were bowled out for 209 after losing their final six wickets for 44 runs, with Gudakesh Motie taking four wickets and Jayden Seales claiming two. Evin Lewis then struck eight sixes in a commanding 94 from 69 balls as West Indies reached their revised target of 157 in 35 overs. England captain Liam Livingstone said the visitors failed to read the conditions properly, continuing England's poor recent record in Caribbean series.

England Test captain Ben Stokes and white-ball captain Jos Buttler have signed two-year central contracts with the England and Wales Cricket Board, keeping Stokes contracted through the 2026 away Ashes. The number of centrally contracted players has risen from 26 to 29, with Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Shoaib Bashir, Phil Salt and Olly Stone receiving first-time deals. Gus Atkinson renewed his two-year contract, while Jack Leach and Reece Topley signed one-year agreements; Jacob Bethell, John Turner and Josh Hull received development contracts. Retirements by Jimmy Anderson, Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali, along with omissions including Ollie Robinson and Ben Foakes, reshaped the group.

Liam Livingstone will captain England for the first time in the ODI series against the West Indies, replacing injured captain Jos Buttler. With Brendon McCullum set to take over England’s limited-overs setup and Marcus Trescothick temporarily in charge, the inexperienced squad offers uncapped players such as Jordan Cox, John Turner and Jafer Chohan an opportunity to establish themselves. England’s recent ODI record is poor, but Livingstone believes the Caribbean tour can reveal untapped talent while also giving him a chance to prove himself as a leader and No 5 batter. The series was scheduled partly to repay Cricket West Indies for tours during the Covid pandemic and provides important economic support to Caribbean cricket.

Jordan Cox will focus solely on batting for England’s white-ball series against West Indies, with Phil Salt expected to keep wicket. Cox, who has not kept wicket for 15 months after a serious finger injury, is set to resume the role on England’s Test tour of New Zealand as Jamie Smith’s replacement. He remains confident in his recovery and sees the upcoming tours as an important opportunity to establish himself in the Test side.