captain of england ben stokes And fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into a nightclub incident following his team’s win over New Zealand earlier this month. The pair had already been given written warnings by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for violating the team curfew and were ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand. However, both players are expected to return for the series-deciding third Test, which starts on Thursday at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. On Monday the independent cricket regulator confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against any players after completing a review of the matter. The controversy arose from events following England’s victory in the opening Test, when Stokes and Atkinson stayed out past the team’s midnight curfew and visited a London nightclub. During the same evening, a team security officer was allegedly attacked by a rugby player from Premiership club Saracens. The cricket regulator launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and said it examined a range of evidence before reaching its conclusions. “After carefully reviewing all the information currently available, the cricket regulator has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to prove that any regulatory breach has occurred,” the body said in a statement. According to the regulator, investigators conducted “a series of inquiries to gather and assess evidence” before deciding that the case did not require further action. The episode reignited debate about the culture within the England men’s set-up, particularly following criticism following the team’s unsuccessful Ashes tour of Australia, where reports of excessive drinking and unprofessional behavior had attracted widespread attention. Although the off-field issue has now been resolved, the focus will soon return to cricket. England and New Zealand will go into the third and final Test with the series tied at 1-1, leading to a decisive match at Trent Bridge.
Severe weather made its presence felt at the FIFA World Cup on Monday as the clash between France and Iraq became the first match of the tournament to be affected by adverse conditions. Concerns over the weather had emerged just hours before kick-off, with a flood watch issued at 2 p.m. Eastern time amid predictions of intense rain and thunderstorms in Philadelphia. Stadium officials temporarily barred entry of fans following rain, although conditions soon improved and the match began at 5 pm local time.
It started raining heavily about half an hour into the match, but play continued despite the deteriorating conditions. However, as storm activity approached the venue during the interval, supporters were instructed to move to designated shelter areas via the stadium’s giant screens.
France were leading 1–0 at the break, thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s third goal of the World Cup, when organizers announced that the second half would not start on time due to the threat of weather. Tournament rules require a minimum 30-minute suspension whenever lightning is detected within the designated safety zone around the stadium. The delay included the standard halftime interval, meaning players and fans faced long waits before any restart could be contemplated.
Fans are evacuated from the stadium after the storm hits Philadelphia (Courtesy: Reuters)
Weather concerns were not limited to Philadelphia. Elsewhere, forecasts of severe storms prompted officials in New York City to issue a travel advisory ahead of the evening’s Group I clash between Norway and Senegal, raising fears of further disruption at World Cup sites in the United States.
This is not the first time that football matches in America have been affected by weather. During last year’s Club World Cup, six games were stopped due to weather conditions and played for a total of eight and a half hours.
The biggest disruption was experienced in the Chelsea vs Dortmund clash, which ultimately lasted 4 hours and 38 minutes from start to finish at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. England’s warm-up match against Costa Rica was pushed back an hour due to weather delays ahead of the tournament due to lightning in the area.
weather delay protocol
U.S. thunderstorm protocol states that play must be stopped whenever lightning or any electrical activity is recorded within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. In such situations, spectators are sent to designated shelter areas inside the venue, while players and match officials leave the field and return to the dressing rooms.
To restart the match, lightning cannot be detected in that area for at least 30 consecutive minutes. Any new strike during that period starts a new 30-minute countdown.
The same protocol applies before kick-off. If lightning is detected within a specified radius during the 30 minutes before kick-off, the match may not begin until conditions are deemed safe and the mandatory waiting period is completed.
It is worth noting that FIFA is not responsible for the protocol and they cannot overrule it.
New Delhi: England have announced a 17-man squad for the five-match T20 series against India starting July 1, with 22-year-old all-rounder James Coles getting his first international call-up. Harry Brook will captain the team, while Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and Saqib Mahmood will return after missing the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Brayden Carse and Jamie Overton are unavailable through injuries.Left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Coles has impressed in domestic cricket, SA20 and England Lions. He was also the most expensive signing in the 2026 Men’s Hundred and has scored over 1,300 runs in T20 cricket, taking 53 wickets.National selector Marcus North said that the young player has earned his opportunity with his consistently good performances last year.“James Coles is an exciting player and has earned his place with the England Lions following his performances in T20 competitions here and abroad over the last 12 months,” North said.“We have selected a larger squad to accommodate the fact that this series will start immediately after the Test series against New Zealand ends which allows us to be flexible.”England will have little time to rest ahead of the India series, with Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell potentially playing in the first T20I against New Zealand less than 48 hours after the conclusion of the third Test.The five-match series will begin in Durham on July 1 before moving to Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and Southampton. Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt, Will Jacques and Adil Rashid are among the prominent names included in the squad.England Team vs India T20I: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tong, Luke Wood.
England have named a 17-player squad led by Harry Brook for the T20 series against India, with uncapped all-rounder James Coles included in the squad for the first time after strong performances for the England Lions and across all domestic T20 leagues. In 71 T20 matches, Coles has scored 1,373 runs at an average of 28.60 and has also taken 53 wickets at an economy rate of 8.27.
Earlier this month, Coles further strengthened his claim by scoring 224 not out for Sussex in a County Championship match against Glamorgan in Hove. National selector Marcus North praised Coles as a standout inclusion, highlighting his consistent performances across multiple formats and competitions over the past 12 months.
“James Coles is an exciting player and has earned his place with the England Lions following his performances in T20 competitions here and abroad over the last 12 months,” North said.
Cox, Baker, Saqib returns
The selection reflects a mix of youth and experience, with Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and Saqib Mahmood returning to the set-up after missing the Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, England will be without Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton, both ruled out through injury, leading to adjustments to the team’s balance and overall depth.
Jofra Archer and Sam Curran add firepower with ball and bat, while Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Tom Banton strengthen the wicketkeeping and top-order options. Rehaan Ahmed, Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson provide depth to the spin along with Will Jack and Jacob Bethel.
North, who is also a former Australian cricketer, said the larger team size offers greater flexibility, especially as the series against New Zealand begins soon after the conclusion of England’s Test commitments.
North said, “We have selected a larger squad to accommodate the fact that this series will start immediately after the Test series against New Zealand ends, which allows us to be flexible.”
The five-match T20 series between England and India will be played in Chester-le-Street, Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and Southampton. The series begins on July 1 and concludes on July 11 at the Utility Bowl.
England team for T20 series against India
Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler, James Cole, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jaques, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues to be praised by some of the biggest names in cricket, and the latest support comes from the legendary former West Indies captain. clive lloydWho believe that the teenage sensation has what it takes to have a bright future at the highest level.Lloyd, one of the most revered figures in cricket history and the man who led West Indies to World Cup wins in 1975 and 1979, was recently asked how the 15-year-old Indian batsman would have coped with the fearsome pace attacks that dominated world cricket during his era.The 81-year-old led a team that included some of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the game michael holding, joel garner, andy roberts And Colin Croft. Reflecting on a hypothetical contest between Suryavanshi and those legendary fast bowlers, Lloyd felt it would have been an interesting battle.“Well, he’ll be a great test (laughs), and we’ll test his character, his skills, etc. He’s got good vision. He’s a good striker of the ball. Yeah, so it will be a good test for him and a good test for our bowlers. The reason we had the bowlers we had was to understand what they were doing, because they all did different things. They didn’t do the same thing. So, it would have been a great test,” Lloyd said in an interview with RevSportz. Said in the interview.While praising the young player’s talent, Lloyd also gave important advice regarding his development. The former West Indies great believes that as he moves up the ranks, Suryavanshi’s natural approach should be preserved rather than changed.He said, “I think this guy has potential, and I’m sure if he continues to play the way he’s been playing, and they don’t try to change, you know, his style of play, I think we’ve got a young player that we’re going to be looking at for a long time.”Lloyd’s comments come hot on the heels of another standout performance from the teenager. Representing India A in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on Sunday, Suryavanshi played a breathtaking innings that rewrote the record books.The left-handed batsman scored the fastest half-century in List A cricket history and achieved the feat in just 11 balls. He was headed for an equally remarkable century and could have equaled the fastest century in List A cricket, but his innings ended on 94 runs from just 29 balls. A six off the last ball he faced would have taken him to the milestone.After his exploits in Sri Lanka, Suryavanshi is set to travel to Ireland for India’s upcoming two-match T20I series later this month. With his international debut widely expected to take place during the tour, the teenager’s rapid development is gathering pace, and Lloyd’s vote of confidence adds to the growing excitement around one of cricket’s hottest young talents.
The opening week of the FIFA World Cup was dominated by a full-blown Portuguese soap opera. after a Tremendous 1-1 draw against strong DR Congo teamCristiano Ronaldo has found himself at the center of a familiar media storm. Rumors of dressing room discord have emerged in the Portuguese camp, while critics have aggressively questioned manager Roberto Martínez’s authority and tactical will to sack his 41-year-old captain.
Ronaldo’s performance in Houston added fuel to the fire. The experienced forward cut a deeply disappointing figure, registering only 25 touches and failing to register a single shot on target. The performance extended an unwanted statistical barren patch, making it 10 consecutive matches without a goal for his country in major international tournaments. Complicating the investigation, long-time rival Lionel Messi had lashed out the previous evening With a brilliant hat-trick for Argentina In their opening match against Algeria.
Yet, at the same time as the knives were out, former Manchester United teammate Michael Owen has stepped forward to staunchly defend the legendary forward. Owen dismissed the growing wave of criticism and urged detractors not to misinterpret Ronaldo’s natural development as a footballer.
“It didn’t help Cristiano Ronaldo that Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick the night before we played Portugal, but I’m not criticizing him,” Owen told the Daily Mail.
“Portugal’s performance in the 1-1 draw with DR Congo was not good and a lot of that resulted in a problem for Ronaldo and him.
“But hasn’t he always played like this to a degree? He has never been a player, especially in recent years, who inserts himself into the game. However, he will be there for the big moments. If he is not scoring, it is very easy to blame Ronaldo. At 41, he will be questioned.”
Loading a hat-trick?
Owen is absolutely convinced that Ronaldo has the unmatched ability to rewrite the script when backed into a corner, which he hopes to take advantage of in Portugal’s next Group K match on June 23.
Owen said, “But how many times has that happened and he shut everyone out in the next game? If you’re picking Ronaldo you have to accept what he’s there for – and I wouldn’t be surprised if he responded with his hat-trick against Uzbekistan.”
Martínez’s tactical blueprint continues to deploy Ronaldo in the central focal point between Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto. While domestic pundits suggest the system compromises Portugal’s liquidity, the pressure is clear heading into Tuesday’s Group K clash with Uzbekistan.
For Ronaldo, dating debutants at the tournament provides him with the final step to do the work he has built his career on, turning huge noise into silent affirmation.
New Delhi: Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided another breathtaking reminder of his extraordinary talent as the 15-year-old Indian batting sensation smashed a record-breaking 94 off just 29 balls against Sri Lanka A in the Tri-Nation final in Dambulla on Sunday.The highlight of his explosive innings was a half-century off 11 balls – the fastest in List A cricket history – as India A defeated Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to win the title. Suryavanshi’s innings featured pure carnage from the start, his first 11 balls read: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6.His innings of 94, which included 10 fours and eight sixes, laid the foundation for India A’s mammoth score of 377/9, after which Sri Lanka A was restricted to 311 runs in 47.1 overs.
‘This is not IPL’ taunt gets viral reaction
The clash gained further intensity after a previous poor meeting between the two sides, where Sri Lanka A defeated India A in the Super Over and tensions flared up after the match.During that competition, Suryavanshi was involved in a heated exchange in which a Sri Lankan player reportedly told him, “This is not the IPL”, following India A’s Super Over defeat.On Sunday, IPL franchises were quick to revive the moment when Kishore turned the tables in spectacular fashion. Rajasthan RoyalsRoyal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals all celebrated the half-century in 11 balls on social media and prominently repeated the phrase “This is not the IPL” while praising Suryavanshi’s explosive response.The viral response turned the phrase into a symbol of liberation, with fans and franchises alike appreciating the teenager’s fearless approach on the big stage.
No pressure, just pure destruction
Despite past controversies and mixed performances in the tri-series, Suryavanshi insisted that he played without pressure and only focused on execution.“I didn’t think about anything. I just wanted to execute the plan I had made,” he said after being named player of the match.The teenager, who is set to make a possible Indian T20 debut later this month, credited his coaches for helping him rebuild after an inconsistent performance early in the series.
Record breaking talents keep on rising
Suryavanshi’s half-century in 11 balls broke the previous List A record of 12 balls held by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne from 2005, underlining the scale of his achievement.His innings also saw him miss out on the record for the fastest List A century, as he fell for 94 in the ninth over while attempting another big hit and was caught at mid-off.From dominating the IPL stages at the start of the year to now destroying bowling attacks in international youth cricket, Suryavanshi is building a reputation as one of India’s most explosive young batsmen.
For most cricket fans, 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a creature born entirely of the T20 revolution. He is the teenage prodigy who lit up the Indian Premier League 2026 season, earned India’s senior T20I call-up, and whose batting is usually evaluated through the manic lens of maximization and instant gratification.
When the presenter asked how he was adapting to the rhythm of the 50-over format after such a high-profile T20 performance, Suryavanshi did not appreciate the premise. With the confidence only a teenager can muster, he replied:
“Learned a lot in this series, but I’ve played a lot of 50-over cricket. Not sure people know that.”
The kid is right!
For a boy who still needs special dispensation to skip school for international trips, “a lot” is entirely relative. But statistically, the kid is right. While his fame rests on 34 explosive T20 performances across two IPL seasons, his core foundation is 50-over cricket. He has quietly accumulated 38 senior and youth ODIs, including 25 Youth ODIs, where he is the leading under-19 run-scorer in Indian history with 1,412 runs and four centuries.
That baseline of traditional white-ball cricket was crucial in Dambulla, especially as Suryavanshi reached the final under the cloud of a rare technical check. Slow scoring during the league stage had led to whispers about his suitability on difficult wickets.
“I didn’t think about anything,” Suryavanshi said of her mindset before the final. “I wanted to execute what I had planned in the first ten [overs] And take it further from there. no pressure. I couldn’t execute what I wanted [earlier in the series]. But after consulting the trainers, I felt it was right. The challenge was to adapt to different circumstances; It was nice to have it.”
“Doing it right” proved to be an understatement of catastrophic proportions. He reached his half-century in 11 balls before finishing six runs short of his century at a strike rate of 324.14 – a new List A world record. It was an innings that created clear echoes of his brilliant 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final last year, cementing his status as the greatest match-dealer of all time.
is already Knocked the door of India’s senior T20I team, This historic strike in the final round of 50-overs indicates that he is rapidly progressing on the path of rapid development. By publicly reminding the world of his extensive one-day lineage, Suryavanshi isn’t just doing a broadcaster right; He has been actively telling the national selectors that he is ready for the senior ODI team as well.
Chennai: Every successful Indian team has finally discovered that one all-rounder who silently solves multiple problems at once. In Harsh DubeyIndia believe that they have found another such cricketer for the future.The 23-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder is still early in his international journey, but early signs have already convinced the team management that he is a player worth investing in. The confidence being shown in him was evident from the captain’s side. Shubman Gillwho sees Dubey as an important addition to India’s pool of all-rounders.“If we look at the pool of all-rounders, especially left-arm spinning all-rounders who can bat, he is one of those players. He is very young and it is important that we show confidence in players like him. Gill said, he is someone who can bowl 10 overs for us and can also do the job with the bat if needed in a situation where you need 80 runs in the last 10 overs.These comments came ahead of the announcement of India’s squad for the England ODI series. However, despite Gill’s support and a promising debut at the international level, Dubey did not find a place in the team. Akshar Patel Returned to the team after being rested for the Afghanistan series.Nevertheless, their omission is unlikely to alter India’s long-term plans for them. with Ravichandran Ashwin Has retired and is taking charge of India Ravindra Jadeja And Axar, the team management has started grooming the next generation of spin-bowling all-rounders.The selectors named Dubey in both the Test and ODI squads against Afghanistan, indicating a long-term investment rather than a short-term experiment.This belief was further underlined in the first ODI when Dube was given preference over the more experienced Kuldeep Yadav. The youngster came under pressure in his very first over, but he responded impressively, taking 3 for 47 in five overs and ending his two-match ODI innings with four wickets. While his economy rate of 7.08 remained high, he managed to strike at crucial moments and showed the ability to bounce back under pressure.While his bowling credentials are already well established, his batting ability remains an untapped area in the series. India believe he has more to offer with the bat, especially because he has the ability to finish innings and score valuable runs lower down the order.His numbers across all formats further strengthen his case. In the IPL, he has taken eight wickets at an average of 28.50 in eight matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad. In List A cricket, he has taken 35 wickets in 32 matches and scored 296 runs in 17 innings, including two half-centuries at an average of 26.50 with the bat.His first-class record is even more impressive. In 27 matches, Dubey has taken 133 wickets at an average of 23.26, which includes nine five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls.
Goalkeepers have already emerged as some of the biggest stars of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Cape Verde’s experienced shot-stopper Vojinha frustrated Spain with a memorable clean-sheet performance, while Curao captain Eloy Room produced a record-breaking performance to deny Ecuador. On Sunday, it was Alireza Beranvand’s turn to join that growing list.
Iran’s goalkeeper made seven brilliant saves to help his team Played a 0-0 draw against Belgium after a tough fight. In Group G, while the Red Devils dominated possession and created the better chances, Bernevand repeatedly came to Iran’s rescue and frustrated Belgium’s attacking stars in Inglewood.
The results after two matches left both teams on two points each, but much of the post-match conversation centered around the goalscorer. For many fans watching football around the world, this was their introduction to one of Asia’s most accomplished goalkeepers.
Belgium had seven shots on target and were in control for long periods of the contest, yet Beranvand stood firm throughout. Their best moment came in the closing stages when Maxime De Cuyper looked certain to get the breakthrough. The Iranian goalkeeper reacted brilliantly, diving low to clear the effort away before securing the loose ball.
Earlier in the second half, he had already made one save of the tournament, stretching his arm across the turf to deny another close-range effort from De Kuyper. By the final whistle, Belgium had run out of ideas and Iran had walked away with a valuable point, largely due to the man wearing the gloves.
Who is Alireza Bayranvand?
Born in Khorramabad County, Lorestan Province, Iran, Bayranvand’s rise to the top level of football is one of the sport’s most remarkable stories.
The 33-year-old grew up in a Kurdish Lak nomadic family in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran. Away from the glamor of elite football, he spent his childhood helping his family and eventually fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional player.
That journey eventually led him to the Iran national team, where he established himself as the country’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of Asia’s most reliable players. Over the years, Biernowand has built a reputation for his reflexes, composure under pressure and his ability to produce big performances on football’s biggest stage.
All these qualities were on full display against Belgium.
Béarnvand refused to let any Belgian shots pass him. (Photo: Reuters)
He made four saves in the first half as Belgium attempted to convert their possession dominance into goals. As the pressure increased after the break, Bayernwand looked to improve. His reflex stop in the 59th minute kept Iran level, while his late save from De Cuyper ultimately preserved the clean sheet.
Iran almost got itself a winner. Mehdi Taremi thought he had put his side ahead midway through the first half when a clever set-piece routine beat Thibaut Courtois, only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside and encroachment. Taremi also forced the Belgian goalkeeper to make several saves, but neither side could make a breakthrough.
What are Bairnvand’s Guinness World Records?
Away from his heroics between the posts, Bairnvand holds a unique place in football history.
The Iranian goalkeeper holds the Guinness World Record for the longest throw ever made in football. During a match against South Korea in October 2016, he surprisingly bowled the ball a distance of 200.14 feet, which is an unmatched achievement.
As if that wasn’t enough, he also holds the record for the longest drop kick in football history at 255.95 feet.
Those achievements have made him famous among goalkeeping enthusiasts, but his throwing power against Belgium did not make the headlines. Such was their ability to frustrate one of the most talented teams in Europe.
Iran was outrebounded 608–269 and managed only 32 percent possession, yet walked away with a valuable point as Beranvand refused to be beaten. As Belgium’s stars grew increasingly frustrated, the Iranian goalkeeper made one save after another to keep his country’s World Cup hopes firmly alive.
With the decisive final match of the group stage against Egypt still pending, Iran know they will remain in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.
