Trent Boult was named in the New Zealand squad for part of the upcoming Twenty20 series against Australia on Wednesday, indicating that the veteran fast bowler is still in the frame for the World Cup in June.

Indian batter KL Rahul has been ruled out of the third test against England after failing a fitness test and has been replaced in the squad by Devdutt Padikkal, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said.

All-rounder Michael Neser was recalled to the Australia squad for two tests in New Zealand in the only notable change to the group from the home series against Pakistan and West Indies.

New Zealand have never beaten South Africa in a test series in nearly a century of trying and will rarely have a better chance to break that drought than in two matches against a severely depleted side starting on Sunday.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal produced a gladiatorial 179 not out to steer India to a commanding 336 for six on day one of the second test against England in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it will increase investment, introduce a three-tiered competition and adopt a new ownership model as part of efforts to help women’s professional cricket reach its full potential.

England quick Mark Wood said he has no complaints about his limited role in their thrilling win over India in the first test in Hyderabad despite bowling just eight overs in the second innings.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite credited injured pride for West Indies’ extraordinary upset of Australia in Brisbane on Sunday and said the Caribbean islanders needed more test cricket if they were to continue their revival.

Rachin Ravindra, who was this week named ICC Emerging Player of the Year for his World Cup heroics, was included on Friday in New Zealand’s test squad for next month’s two-match series against South Africa.

Australia captain Pat Cummins and England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt were named Cricketers of the Year by the International Cricket Council on Thursday.

India picked a three-pronged spin attack but did not completely disregard the need for speed against England in the opening test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

The Fiji Women’s Cricket Team has settled in 6th place after losing in the fifth-place playoff to the Cook Islands at the Pacific Cup.