A few states are now considered to be receptive to allowing private investors to take shares in BBL franchises, though not New South Wales.

Cricket Australia is considering selling stakes in a number of franchises under a broader strategy to reinvigorate the competition financially. The plans have yet to be approved by the states and the Australian Cricketers' Association.

BBL Privatisation Gets Support From More States

Victoria, WA, & Tasmania are said to be fully supportive of the scheme, while SA is in the process of providing support once further details of the proposed changes to governance have been obtained.

Queensland is also believed to be coming around to a more positive attitude as talks progress. NSW still appears publicly sceptical, but those involved in the negotiations believe it is possible the state might ultimately agree not to oppose privatisation in other states.

The changes in governance are a key area of discussion. Under the new system, directors would be restricted to three three-year terms.

The six state associations will also have a greater role in the Cricket Australia board nomination process. The states should have more control over the type of people appointed to the national board.

Another key suggestion is the establishment of a triennial gathering of state chairs and the Cricket Australia board to establish strategy and support key decisions.

This has the potential to allow the states to be more represented and to communicate more effectively with Cricket Australia and its members.

Also Read | Ricky Ponting Backs BBL Privatization, Reveals Why Cricket Australia Should Have Acted Earlier

Cricket Australia Want BBL Expansion Before New TV Deal Finishes

Cricket Australia's Todd Greenberg has also indicated that growing the BBL is still a top priority. On SEN, Greenberg revealed the BBL "has ambitions to go from its existing eight teams to 10 teams, over the next three to five years."

“Within three to five years”

Potential locations for expansion are Canberra and New Zealand, while the possibility of a second South Australian team has also been mentioned.

However, there is still another obstacle that privatisation has to overcome. Whatever support Cricket Australia gains from the states, the Australian Cricketers' Association will have to be convinced to alter its current memorandum of understanding.

The latter stage perhaps is more important for future BBL structure. As several states have become more comfortable with the concept, Cricket Australia seems to be making headway, but there is still a long way to go.

23-year-old cricketer was arrested on 11 August as per instructions from the Calcutta High Court. He was taken into police custody for three days while investigators conducted their investigations.

Following the expiry of the police remand on 14th August, Friday, Porel was produced before the Chinsurah court. In the absence of bail, Porel was remanded to Judicial custody till the completion of the investigation.

Porel has denied the allegations. The case is still pending before the court, and allegations have not been proved. He should therefore not be treated as convicted.

Why Was Abishek Porel Denied Bail?

The case was filed after a Karnataka medical student lodged a complaint at the Mogra Police Station on the 23rd of June.

As alleged in the complaint, the woman said she was in a relationship of about three-and-a-half years with Porel. She said that he had a physical relationship with her after promising to marry her.

In addition to this are the claims of physical and mental abuse, threats and the private photographs and videos being used out of context.

Later, the case was filed before the Calcutta High Court after the complainant expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the police investigation. The High Court directed the police to take action against Porel and another accused and also directed that electronic items like mobile phones, laptops, etc. should be seized.

Porel has been subsequently apprehended and investigated by the authorities. After three days of police remand, the court has now remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.

The matter is still under investigation, and the court will settle this case through the judicial process.

Also Read | Shocking! Calcutta HC Orders Abhishek Porel's Arrest in Rape Case

Can Abishek Porel Play in IPL 2027?

Porel's recent court case may cause doubts over whether he still has a place in cricket, but it is too soon to declare that he has been eliminated from the IPL 2027.

An indictment in a criminal case does not constitute a player having been convicted. If Porel is granted bail and there are no restrictions placed by the courts stopping him from travelling or playing, then the player may still be available.

Still, circumstances can alter if a court imposes certain conditions that seem to prevent him from playing cricket. A conviction, on the other hand, would generate a different legal and sporting scenario.

The BCCI has authority to inquire and impose disciplinary measures against its players independently, so it will be IPL availability of Porel in the view of both Court trial and BCCI proceedings.

At present, Porel continues to be under trial and has not been convicted in the case. Further proceedings against Porel are expected to be supervised during the ongoing investigation.

Spain reached 132/2 in 17.4 overs, with eight wickets in hand and 20 balls remaining against Finland. The win marked Spain's 21st consecutive win in international cricket.

This incredible run of success began with the victory in Cartagena, against the Isle of Man, in February 2023. Now, over three years on from that day, they have finally eclipsed one of the most celebrated winning streaks in the game's history.

Spain Go Past Ricky Ponting's Australia

Australia (Ponting's team) had held the previous record with 20 consecutive international wins from January to May 2003.

Spain's 21st successive win now moves them clear at the top.

Teams with the longest winning streaks in international cricket:

• Spain: 21 wins, Feb 2023 - Aug 2026
• Australia: 20 wins, January 2003-May 2003
• Uganda: 17 wins in the period from October 2024 to July 2025.
• Australia: 16 wins, November 2000 to February 2001

The First official Test Series in which Test teams played against each other. Australia, 16 wins, October 2006 to January 2007

The record is even more impressive as Spain have won all 21 games in the format. They haven't played an ODI yet, and were granted full T20I status in 2019.

Australia's 20-match winning streak in 2003 spanned formats. Ponting's team won six games in the final of the home VB tri-series before becoming the only team to remain undefeated in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Subsequently, they won the first three Tests in the Caribbean.

Also Read | Watch: Steve Smith Takes 'Quickest DRS' Ever Before Umpire Can Give Him Out vs Bangladesh

Spain Matched Australia's Rare T20I record

Spain have also equalled a great other record with their win.

Both were preceded by a record of 21 straight wins, against T20I and ODI opposition respectively. The 21 successive T20I wins match Australia's 21 straight ODI wins from 2003, when Ponting's team won 11 of the matches for their undefeated World Cup campaign.

The end of Australia's run finally came when the West Indies set the record chase in the fourth Test of their Caribbean series.

Meanwhile, the current run by Spain is already one of the most remarkable in international cricket, even though it has come from a team that has yet to be granted official ODI status.

The victory over Finland is therefore potentially another historic event in the swift progress of Spain on the international cricket scene. With the T20 World Cup qualification tournament still ongoing, Spain will be looking to keep climbing record numbers.

The two incidents occurred in different games and caused a bit of head-scratching amongst supporters, as the umpires in each match gave different verdicts to situations that looked to be the same. However, the MCC have provided clarification that, in fact, both umpires were right.

The clarification is in Law 20.4.2.5.

Why Nicholas Pooran Was Given A Dead Ball

London Spirit versus MI London in the Hundred. Nicholas Pooran stepped away from his crease as Liam Livingstone began his run-up.

Pooran did not seem to be on the front foot against this delivery, and the umpire on the field, Mike Burns, adjudged the ball to be dead. As the ball was not offered at by Pooran, it was not included in the over.

However, a different decision was made in the women's Hundred game between London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix.

Marizanne Kapp would have been well short if Linsey Smith had pitched that up, but she tried to play the ball to leg. So Mark Newell called it wide.

Both decisions, at first, seemed unclear, until MCC have clarified the distinction between the two incidents.

Also Read | Dale Steyn Interested in CSK Head Coach Role After Stephen Fleming's Exit

MCC Explains When The Dead Ball Rule Applies

The umpire will call Dead ball under Law 20.4.2.5 when the striker is unready, and the batter does not attempt to play the delivery, assuming she has a good reason to be unready.

This is simply being unready will not suffice. The batter must make no effort to play the ball. If the batter makes any movement to strike the ball, the Dead ball criteria have not been met.

There can be a Dead ball even if you pull the bat away without an effort to hit the ball.

The MCC further identified that a player must have a legitimate reason for not being prepared-for example, a bowler comes in suddenly, or adjusts the normal tempo of their run-up.

Simultaneously, Law 41.10.1 mentions that the striker is not allowed to willfully delay the game. Usually, the striker should be in position when the bowler starts his run-up.

Umpires can take circumstances into account and give a warning to batters if they think time is being lost. Both batters could be given one final warning, and further breaches could result in penalties under the Laws on unfair play.

The incidents involving Pooran and Kapp therefore received different verdicts because the manner in which the batters behaved was different, even though the two incidents appeared similar.

The 2027 ICC men's ODI World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November and will be the 14th edition of the men's ODI World Cup. It will mark the return to a 14-team structure after 2015.

South Africa and Zimbabwe will automatically host as two of the host nations. Namibia will also host games, but the other teams have qualified through the ICC ODI qualification process.

India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have secured their place through the qualification points table.

Afghanistan joined the other teams heading for the World Cup after a 2-1 series win over Ireland in the third ODI. This result meant Afghanistan could not be caught in the series and validated their World Cup spot.

10 Teams Have Qualified For World Cup 2027

The 10 teams that have secured qualification so far are:

• India
• Australia
• England
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh
• Afghanistan
• Zimbabwe

India will be among the top favourites for the tournament, with Australia, England, New Zealand, and Pakistan having already qualified.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have joined the list, and Afghanistan's qualification is also a significant positive for the new team in ODI cricket.

South Africa and Zimbabwe, the hosts, are certain to qualify, as the World Cup cricket is due to come to the region again in 2027.

Also Read | Watch: Mitchell Starc Loses Temper as Mehidy Hasan Miraz Runs on Danger Area in Darwin Test

West Indies Miss Direct Qualification

A major name absent from the list is West Indies. Former two-time defending champions for the 50-over format, West Indies will now have to take the route of World Cup qualifiers after failing to seal direct entry.

There are still four spots remaining in the 14-team tournament. The rest of the field will be determined through the ICC's qualification process and World Cup Qualifier.

The 2027 edition will be a special one for Namibia. This will be the first time that the country will host games at a men's ODI World Cup.

Also worth noting, the 14-team format will be revived in the tournament. While the 2019 and 2023 World Cup editions had just 10 teams competing, the last men's ODI World Cup to have 14 sides was in 2015.

Now that 10 of the teams have already been confirmed, the attention will shift to the qualification battles for the remaining four slots of the 2027 World Cup.

Hazlewood achieved this feat in an incredible six-wicket haul that allowed Australia to push back Bangladesh. The wickets he took were those of Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam and Ebadot Hossain.

The 35-year-old came into the game needing five to reach his 300 mark. He beat that by taking six and adding another impressive feat to his glorious international cricket career.

Hazlewood joins Lyon, Cummins and Starc in elite club

Hazlewood's achievement has also marked a special occasion in Test match history. He has now become part of the exclusive club of current Australian bowlers to reach 300 Test wickets.

Moreover, these four bowlers have played in the same team after all of them achieved the feat of 300 wickets in Test cricket. (a rare feat in Test cricket).

Hazlewood has been on a long journey to reach the milestone. In recent years, injuries meant he only played a handful of games, and before this Test, he had played 6 of Australia's last 14 Tests.

His position in the XI for the Bangladesh Test was argued, with Scott Boland also being involved. Yet it was not long before Hazlewood proved why Australia trusted him for the first match.

His sixth wicket, Ebadot Hossain, managed to take his career-best six wicket innings haul in nine years.

Hazlewood now has a Test bowling average of 24.02. Only Glenn McGrath, Pat Cummins and Dennis Lillee have taken 300 Test wickets for Australia and have had a lower bowling average.

Also Read | Watch: Steve Smith Takes 'Quickest DRS' Ever Before Umpire Can Give Him Out vs Bangladesh

Hazlewood reflects on 300th Test wicket

Hazlewood said he doesn't think about milestones while playing.

After his 300th wicket, Hazlewood told Kayo Sports:

“You don't really think about those sort of milestones when you're playing. I guess it's probably something you look back on at the end. But I guess just to see the other names there, and I'm playing with three of them, so yeah, it's pretty cool."

The Australian pacer commented on the fact that Bangladesh out-bowled Australia and made it tough for the bowlers. The seamers had to work hard on a wicket that offered little to the bowlers.

Hazlewood said:

"They hung in there tough. Yeah, it's pretty hard work out there on that track. We probably stuck it out; we didn't let the runs flow too quickly there at the end. It was just that Bangladesh hung in there nice and tough, and it was tough to get wickets out there, so it was a good effort."

Hazlewood's six-for has proved a big boost for Australia as they seek to take command of the Test in Darwin.

The left-hander was on 134 balls when he crossed the landmark and reached his hundred by flicking Nuwantha off his pads through mid-wicket. Padikkal took off his helmet, lifted his bat and acknowledged the crowd and his teammates while the Indian dressing room erupted in joy.

Padikkal scored his century after being promoted to the playing XI in place of Sai Sudharsan. As India searched for a consistent batter at number three, the 25-year-old delivered what was an excellent knock.

Padikkal Makes No. 3 His Own

Padikkal came in after a strange run-out that saw Yashasvi Jaiswal return for 32. KL Rahul also retired hurt for 77, meaning there was more on Padikkal's plate in the middle.

He coped very well under the pressure and formed a good partnership with the captain, Shubman Gill. Once he got to three figures, Padikkal had hit nine fours and a six.

His century finally brought to an end a long spell for India without a No. 3 Test century.

Shubman Gill was the last Indian to score a Test hundred at No. 3, who scored it against Bangladesh at Chennai in September 2024.

He is only the second Indian left-hander, after Sourav Ganguly, in the 21st century to have notched a Test century at No.3. In 2002, Ganguly scored 136 against Zimbabwe in Delhi.

An aspiring top-order star, Padikkal's recent performance can even give him hope of a permanent spot in India's Test middle order.

Also Read | Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal Falls, Gets Up and Suffers Bizarre Run Out in 1st Test vs Sri Lanka

Padikkal Celebrates Maiden Test Hundred

When Padikkal reached his ton, there was ecstasy in the air. He punched the air, and he leapt up in joy before holding the bat aloft toward the stands.

While India head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen applauding from the dressing room, captain Gill was on the field to congratulate Padikkal. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was also seen at the venue and was seen celebrating.

Padikkal entered the Test series following a prolific 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, where he averaged 60.33.

His century is a defining step in his Test career and comes at an important time for India. Padikkal, who was called into the XI as a replacement, has replied with an innings that could offer the team management a new option at No. 3.

Head was bowled by pacer Hasan Mahmud during Australia's second innings. However, instead of walking away from the crease, the Australian batter turned back to the crease and replaced the bails on the stumps before walking off.

The surprise move drew the attention of former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who was commentating at the time.

Watch: Travis Head Adjusts the Bails After Being Bowled

"I've never seen that in all my cricketing career."

Travis Head chopped on for a second time in this match, but his considerate move even caught Adam Gilchrist off guard. #AUSvBAN pic.twitter.com/LEKgbtbshq

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 15, 2026

Head tried to guide a full straight ball from Mahmud with an angled bat, only to get an inside edge that hit the stumps.

Head looked to be a little disappointed with the conclusion of his innings. Nevertheless, he turned back and gently returned the bails to the stumps.

The odd moment was soon a topic of conversation, and the video was spreading on social media.

Gilchrist was visibly shocked and said he had not seen a batter do anything like that in all his years of cricketing experience.

Gilchrist said:

"Chopped on! Hasan Mahmud gets the job done again. It's the angled bat of Travis Head. This is extraordinary; I've never seen that in all my cricketing career. A batsman so disappointed, but turns around and sets the stumps back up."

Head's departure was untimely for Australia, who were already reeling from a massive first-innings deficit imposed by Bangladesh.

Also Read | Beau Webster Still Believes Australia Can Beat Bangladesh Despite Huge Deficit

Australia Face Uphill Task After Bangladesh Lead

Bangladesh finished their first innings with 426, after Australia were dismissed at 198. Tanzid Hasan was the century maker, Najmul Hossain Shanto 84 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz 65.

Josh Hazlewood was the pick of Australia's bowlers, collecting figures of 6/89, and also brought up his 300th Test wicket- the ninth Australian fast bowler to do so.

Things did not improve for Australia in their second innings though. After Jake Weatherald was out for a duck, Head was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud.

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then came together to rebuild the innings, but their partnership lasted just a while before Mehidy and Taijul dismissed both the set batters post Tea. Australia ended Day 3 on 161/4, still 67 behind Bangladesh.

Bangladesh have put Australia under pressure. Australia will have to deliver a fighting second innings if they are to be within touch of Bangladesh.

This occurred on day 3 of Australia's 2nd innings, when Bangladesh, after taking a 228-run first-innings lead, had Australia under enormous pressure, and Smith was involved in a bizarre incident with Ebadot Hossain.

WATCH: Steve Smith Calls for DRS Before Umpire's Signal

Steve Smith was adamant on this one, but what's your take?#DRSChallenge | @westpac | #AUSvBAN pic.twitter.com/tUKmKau36p

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 15, 2026

Ebadot delivered a full one outside off stump; Smith tried to take a big drive. He got an outside edge which was caught right away by the Wicketkeeper Litton Das of Bangladesh.

As Dharmasena was about to raise his finger, Smith signalled to ask for a DRS.

The decision was finally passed up to the umpires after it went upstairs. The television replays revealed that Smith's bat had touched the ground as the ball went past the outside edge. The Snicko also detected no spike.

Smith thus managed to survive, but his rapid reflexes were what everyone kept talking about.

The incident also created some debate between former Australian players David Warner and Brendon Julian on Kayo Sports. Warner questioned whether Smith was rushing to review, whereas Julian suggested the batter realised he hadn't hit it.

"I just don't like the way that Steve's reacted there; you can't do that, " said David Warner.

"Well, Steve Smith knew he was not out before the umpire even gave it," Brendon Julian said.

"Mind you, in the first innings he was given out caught after nicking it when he was not out, and he thought he hit it, so it's a 50-50 decision. It's one of the fastest reviews I've witnessed, though."

Warner was still not convinced of Smith's response; the former Aussie said, "I just don't believe that is possible!"

Julian began to express his emotions in his own unique style, saying, "Steve Smith has gone, 'No, get your finger down. You got it wrong!'"

Also Read | Watch: Mitchell Starc Loses Temper as Mehidy Hasan Miraz Runs on Danger Area in Darwin Test

Australia under pressure against Bangladesh

Australia were down to the wire in the Test, and the bizarre DRS incident occurred when Australia were trailing against the Asian side.

Tanzid Hasan batted Bangladesh's history by scoring a century. He is the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test hundred in Australia. Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 84, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 65.

Josh Hazlewood was the best Australian bowler with 6/89; however, the Bangladesh first-innings lead presented Australia with a difficult task.

Australia then lost Jake Weatherald and Travis Head in the second innings. Both openers got out by chopping the ball onto their stumps.

Smith and Marnus Labuschagne revived the innings, bringing Australia to 51/2 at tea. However, the duo lost their wickets post-tea, reducing Australia to 122-4. The resistance seemed a tough task, but Alex Carey (19*) and Cameron Green (43*) made sure that the home side ends the day without losing any more wickets.

The Aussies will resume Day 4's play at 161-4, trailing by 67 runs. Bangladesh will look to wrap up the innings as soon as they can, while the home side will put in their efforts to add as many runs as possible to their innings before being folded.

Jaiswal was 32 off 37 balls and had hammered five fours when he was dismissed in strange circumstances. It came on the last delivery of the 11th over, with Rahul playing a floated ball from Keshara Nuwantha towards mid-on.

Jaiswal and Rahul Caught in Bizarre Mix-Up

Cricketers love ball watching instead of seeing whether their partner can run or not

In June, a similar kind of run out happened when Gill was obstructed by the bowler.

Unfortunate Run-out for Jaiswal #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/hI0CbBJhOG

— Prateek (@prateek_295) August 15, 2026

Rahul shouted single, and Jaiswal darted for the non-striker's end, but Nuwantha scooted across the cover to cut the ball off and crashed into Jaiswal as the Indian opener sped away.

The impact knocked over Jaiswal and fell on the pitch. Rahul had just got well down the pitch but then paused when he saw the ball was in the hands of the fielder at mid-on.

Jaiswal recovered and seemed to be uncertain about his next step. He finally beckoned for them to complete the run. Rahul turned to his right and ran toward the bowler's end.

But Jaiswal changed his mind again and tried to run back to his original end. Both Indian batsmen found themselves running to the same end, and Jaiswal was well short of his.

Sri Lanka were sharp to the ball. The fielder rolled the ball to the wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella. He initially decided not to remove the bails, but after a glance at captain Dhananjaya de Silva, he took the bails away.

The umpires confirmed that Sri Lanka had made a proper appeal before giving Jaiswal out.

Also Read | Sourav Ganguly Reveals New Details on Death Threats, Says Police Will Take Action

Sanjay Manjrekar Reacts to Jaiswal's Dismissal

The bizarre way it was dismissed left ex-India opener Sanjay Manjrekar stunned in the commentary box. He thought it was there for the taking for India, but Jaiswal lost his way in the process.

"That was a run; KL Rahul will run out his end comfortably. Jaiswal just looked like he was in his own world," he said.

Jaiswal was taken off after India decided to bat first after winning the toss. The Test was India's first red-ball outing in Sri Lanka in nearly a decade and the first in Galle since 2017.

The early dismissals brought an end to an encouraging beginning for Jaiswal and also provided a strange scene in the first session of the Test.