![Jofra Archer and Washington Freedom's Rachin Ravindra [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @WSHFreedom/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1752077602763_england.jpg?type=mq)
Jofra Archer and Washington Freedom's Rachin Ravindra [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @WSHFreedom/x]
The England team has named its playing XI for the upcoming third Test against India at Lord’s. The Washington Freedom franchise has qualified for the final of the MLC 2025 season after their washout against Texas Super Kings. In other news, Harry Brook dethroned Joe Root to claim the number one ranking among men’s Test batters.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Wednesday, July 9.
Jofra Archer Returns As England Name Playing XI For 3rd Test
The English team management has named England’s playing XI for the upcoming third Test match against India at Lord’s. In a major development, fast bowler Jofra Archer will be making his return to Test cricket after a gap of four years. He will be replacing Josh Tongue for the all-important match.
Having retained the rest of the team, England will now face India from Thursday, July 10 onwards. The series is currently locked at 1-1 with both teams winning a match each.
BCCI Mulls Series With SL After Cancelling BAN Tour
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in August. As reported by Newswire, the aim of the series will be to replace India’s cancelled tour of Bangladesh. The BCCI and SLC have already begun talks of organizing the series next month in Sri Lanka.
The August window is also free for both nations, considering the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2025 season has been postponed to a latter date.
Washington Freedom Qualify For MLC 2025 Final After Washout
The first qualifier match of the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season between Texas Super Kings and Washington Freedom was washed out due to rains without a ball being bowled. The unfortunate outcome at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas prompted the Freedom franchise to march into the final, considering they finished the league stage at the top of the MLC 2025 points table.
The Texas Super Kings franchise, on the other hand, will now face the loser of Eliminator in the second qualifier at the same venue on July 11.
Harry Brook Tops Joe Root, Shubman Gill Rises In ICC Rankings
England middle-order star Harry Brook dethroned teammate Joe Root from the top of the ICC Test rankings for men’s batters. Brook soared through the rankings after cracking a scintillating 158 and an attacking 99 in the ongoing Test series against India. Indian captain Shubman Gill, on the other hand, gained 15 rungs to occupy sixth position on the rankings with 807 rating points.
Being the second highest ranked Indian batter on the list behind Yashasvi Jaiswal at number four, Gill has plundered three centuries this series against England, which includes his career-best score of 269 at Edgbaston in Birmingham earlier this month.
Italy Stun Scotland In T20 World Cup Qualifiers
Italy stunned Scotland by 12 runs in match seven of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Region Final at the Sportpark Westvliet in Voorburg. Batting first, a 21-ball half-century by opener Emilio Gay and a 27-ball 44* from Grant Stewart catapulted Italy to 167-6 from 20 overs. For Scotland, Michael Leask picked up tight figures of 3-18.
Chasing 168, Scotland managed just 155-5 from 20 overs despite featuring a well-compiled 72 from opener George Munsey and an unbeaten 46* from captain Richie Berrington. Harry Manenti for Italy picked up each of the five wickets that fell in the innings to claim match-winning figures of 5-31.
.jpg?type=mq "Lord's Pitch + Weather")
