![Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Shaheen Afridi [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @CallMeSheri1_/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1767805046593_shaheen_Afridi.jpg?type=hq)
Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Shaheen Afridi [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @CallMeSheri1_/x]
Vaibhav Suryavanshi bludgeons a match-winning century for India Under-19 against hosts South Africa in Benoni. Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi has issued an open threat against arch-rivals India before the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. In other news, Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has committed to joining The Hundred 2026 season after skipping the WPL 2026 in India.
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, January 7.
Jacob Duffy included, Santner to lead NZ in T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named a spin-heavy New Zealand squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month. Fast bowler Jacob Duffy has been included in New Zealand’s 15-player group alongside fellow pacemen Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson. Captain Mitchell Santner will continue to lead the New Zealand team, and he will be assisted by several other senior pros like Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway and others.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi blasts 63-ball ton vs SA U19
India Under-19 captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi blasted 127 runs from just 74 balls against South Africa Under-19 in the third Youth ODI of their three-match series in Benoni. Clattering nine boundaries and 10 huge sixes in the innings, Suryavanshi raced to his fifty from 24 balls and to his century in 63 balls while sharing a monumental 227-run opening stand with fellow centurion Aaron George.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s heroics also helped India Under-19 wallop South Africa by 233 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep away from home.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi threatens India
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi issued an open threat against arch-rivals Team India ahead of the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Amid severing geo-political tensions between the two countries, the Pakistan ODI skipper questioned India’s “sportsmanship” after 2025 Asia Cup row, and vowed to give a befitting response to the ‘Men in Blue’ on the field.
Shaheen Afridi made the controversial statement while speaking with the reporters ahead of Pakistan’s series-opening first T20I match against Sri Lanka. However, the fast bowler himself is currently suffering from an injury he picked up in Australia during the BBL 2025-26 season a few days ago.
RCB’s Ellyse Perry retained by Phoenix for Hundred after skipping WPL 2026
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has been retained by the Birmingham Phoenix franchise for the upcoming Women’s The Hundred 2026 season in England. Notably, Phoenix retained the legendary cricketer shortly after she pulled out of the upcoming WPL 2026 season in India for the RCB franchise citing “personal reason”.
In the last two weeks, Ellyse Perry has also played a handful of T20 matches for Wellington Women in New Zealand in the 2025-26 Super Smash competition.
Jacob Bethell fights on for England with maiden Test century
Young England batter Jacob Bethell composed 142* runs from 232 balls with 15 elegant boundaries on Day 4 of the fifth Ashes 2025-26 Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The innings marked the maiden Test century for the 22-year-old, as England reached 302-8 in 75 overs by stumps to take a 119-run lead going into the final day.
Jacob Bethell shared crucial partnerships with Ben Duckett and Harry Brook to keep England in the hunt and help his side avoid an embarrassing innings defeat and a 1-4 Ashes drubbing.
