India’s 15-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi called up to face England

  • Teenager in squad for T20s against Ireland and England

  • Set to be youngest India debutant since Tendulkar

The teenage phenomenon Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been handed his maiden India call-up for their T20 series against Ireland and England.

An array of outrageous knocks in the Indian Premier League led to the 15-year-old opener collecting the most valuable player award after amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30.

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Pakistan beat Australia by four wickets to claim ODI series 2-1

  • Hosts hold their nerve on a tricky wicket to reach target

  • Australia only set 158 despite Josh Inglis’s 65

Pakistan overcame Australian spin on a tricky wicket to win the third and final one-day international by four wickets in Lahore and clinch the series 2-1 on Thursday.

Pakistan had to fight hard on a turning wicket to reach 161-6 in 41.5 overs after Australia had crashed to their lowest ODI total in Pakistan after being dismissed for 157 in 42 overs.

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Is Ollie Robinson the chaos English cricket needs in a team stuffed with Nice Young Lads? | Jonathan Liew

With the Test team under pressure and desperately craving engagement, a returning firebrand could salvage the summer

The winged elephant swoops down Deansgate towards the ship canal, its wings glowing neon orange, a feral roar rising and falling unevenly in volume. A black taxi drives the wrong way down a rain-moistened street. A menacing urchin child with a dozen fingers stands in front of a disused steampunk factory, holding an outsized Victoriana bat.

Now there’s a bowler, who’s actually a wicketkeeper, who may actually be Jos Buttler in batting gloves. There are three batters at the crease, one of them in white and the other two in red. Aiden Markram runs up and bowls sideways. There is no ball in his hand. “Red in the dark, blue in the sea,” a haunting voiceover sings. The sun is out. The floodlights are on.

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England in thrall to franchise world before visit of tricky New Zealand

Debate over Jofra Archer’s absence after his IPL stint and at least one new face in Emilio Gay add to enticing storylines

Lord’s hosts its 150th Test match this week and, like its famous lunch menu, there are plenty of enticing options as regards storylines. England are seeking redemption and refinement, apparently, following that god-awful Ashes winter. New Zealand are both familiar opponents and a tricky first assignment.

There is at least one new face for England, with Emilio Gay confirmed to make his debut at opener after patience with Zak Crawley finally snapped. There is an old one too, with Ollie Robinson back from the cold and set to take the new ball after convincing the management that he is now a committed professional.

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