West Indies head coach Daren Sammy believes confidence is surging within his fast-bowling group after another clinical effort with the ball saw them dismiss Australia for 286 on a rain-hit opening day of the second Test at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.

It marked the third time this series that the West Indies pace attack have bowled out the world’s No.1 Test side for a sub-par total, leaving the ICC World Test Championship clash finely balanced heading into Day 2.

“I more look at it like the homework we've done and our bowlers keep challenging the top-order,” Sammy reflected at stumps. “I mean, (bowling coach) Ravi Rampaul ever since he has come in — the culture we tried to change — and it's more importantly the way the bowlers are buying into it and we could see the results out there.”

Shubman Gill slammed a majestic 269, a knock which will be talked about a lot in future, as he carried a dominant India to 587 in 151 overs of their first innings against England in the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Skipper Shubman Gill has etched his name into cricket’s record books with a remarkable display of skill, temperament, and hunger in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series at Edgbaston here on Thursday.

After his century at Headingley, where he scored 147 and rued not converting it into something bigger, Gill arrived in Birmingham with a mission. And he delivered in style, compiling the highest Test score ever by an Indian on English soil.

Batting in friendly conditions, Gill, who took over as India captain after Rohit Sharma retired from the format, combined discipline with elegance. His knock was built on minimum-risk strokes, as he caressed the ball into gaps and refused to offer England a single chance.

Sree Kanteerva Stadium is all lit up to welcome the javelin stars for the Neeraj Chopra Classic, a World Athletics Gold-level meet, scheduled to take place here on Saturday. Sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and co-organised by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and JSW Sports, the event has attracted elite talent from around the globe.

Among the headliners are Neeraj Chopra himself and 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallist Thomas Rohler, alongside a strong field of international competitors.

Skipper Shubman Gill continued to dominate by hitting an unbeaten 265 – going past 250 for the first time in Tests - as England bowlers' toil continued with India reaching 564/7 in 141 overs at tea on Day Two of second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston here on Thursday.

It was another session of relentless run-making by India as they made 145 runs in 31 overs, with Gill treating a sunny Edgbaston crowd to a masterful display of batsmanship, as he brought up his maiden double-century in Tests. He also got great support from Washington Sundar, who made 41 and was his able partner in a 144-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Shubman Gill has etched his name into the history books with a remarkable innings at Edgbaston, Birmingham, rewriting records previously held by Indian greats. On Day 2 of the second Test against England, Gill surpassed Virat Kohli’s seven-year-old record for the highest Test score by an Indian captain at the venue. Kohli’s 149, scored during the 2018 Test at Edgbaston, was regarded as one of the finest knocks by an Indian captain on English soil. But Gill, with his unbeaten 168, has now set a new benchmark.

Gill’s innings is a continuation of his outstanding form in the series. Having taken over as India’s Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format, the 25-year-old has embraced the responsibility with composure and class.

Tammy Beaumont will captain England for the first time in women’s T20Is after regular skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the third T20I against India, set to happen on Thursday, due to a left groin injury.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also said top-order batter Maia Bouchier has been called up to the T20I squad ahead of the match at The Oval as a cover. “Results of the scan will determine whether Sciver-Brunt is required to miss any more games in the series, with the fourth Vitality IT20 due to take place on Wednesday 9 July at Emirates Old Trafford,” said the ECB in its statement on Thursday.

Skipper Shubman Gill continued to be serene in his knock to be unbeaten on 168, his highest Test score, while Ravindra Jadeja supported him well with a fine 89 as India reached 419/6 in 110 overs at lunch on Day Two of the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Resuming from the overnight score of 310/5, Gill was at his calm and composed best to march forward and reach 150 for the first time in Tests. The Indian skipper ensured his side went past 400 while sharing a mammoth 203-run partnership with Jadeja for the sixth wicket. Though Jadeja fell at the stroke of lunch, Gill and Washington Sundar (one not out) will be aiming to reach at least 500, especially with rain forecasted on days four and five.

Amid the growing uncertainty over Pakistan's participation in the upcoming Men's Hockey Asia Cup in India next month, the Sports Ministry sources have confirmed that their team will be allowed to cross the border for the continental tournament.

However, they also added that final approval regarding the same will be issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"We have no objection to Pakistan coming to play in the Hockey Asia Cup in India, as it is a multi-national event. However, I must clarify that matters related to visas fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Their decision will be final," said sources from the Sports Ministry.

Kraigg Brathwaite is on the brink of a major career milestone as he prepares to play his 100th Test match for West Indies when they face Australia in the second Test of the series in Grenada starting on Thursday.

The 32-year-old opener will become only the 10th player to achieve this feat for the West Indies, joining the likes of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, and Gordon Greenidge.

Brathwaite, who has led the West Indies in 39 Tests, made his debut as a teenager against Pakistan in 2011. Since then, he has scored 5,943 runs at an average of 32.93. For Brathwaite, this landmark is not just a number, but the fulfilment of a long-held dream.