Essex signs Shardul Thakur for a seven-game County Championship spell.

Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to begin a new chapter in his career, signing with Essex for the opening phase of the County Championship. The 33-year-old will be available for seven matches in April and May this year.

This will be Thakur’s first experience in county cricket, made possible after he went unsold in the IPL auction last November. A proven performer for India, he has taken over 100 wickets across all formats, with his most recent international appearance coming during the 2023-24 tour of South Africa.

Thakur has been in impressive form on the domestic circuit, amassing over 400 runs and claiming 34 wickets at an average of 21.67, playing a key role in Mumbai’s run to the Ranji Trophy semi-finals.

India opted for Nitish Kumar Reddy as their all-rounder in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While Reddy delivered with the bat, his bowling lacked bite. A strong showing with Essex could put Thakur back in contention for Test selection, especially with India set to tour England for a five-match series in June-July.

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International games

• Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 3rd ODI

IRE 240/6 (50)

ZIM 246/1 (39.3)

Zimbabwe won by 9 wkts

New Zealand's Champions Trophy Campaign: Lockie Ferguson injured

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, New Zealand's cricket team faces a series of challenges that test their depth and adaptability. The recent foot injury to fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, sustained during a warm-up match against Afghanistan, has ruled him out of the tournament. In response, the team has called up Kyle Jamieson, who has recently returned to domestic cricket after recovering from a back injury.

Head coach Gary Stead expressed his disappointment over Ferguson's injury but remains optimistic about Jamieson's inclusion. "While it's a significant loss to be without Lockie, we're fortunate to have a bowler of Kyle's caliber to step in. His height and bounce will be advantageous in the conditions we're expecting," Stead noted. 

The Black Caps' squad is a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents. Veterans like Kane Williamson and Tom Latham provide invaluable experience, while the inclusion of young pacers Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears, and Nathan Smith showcases the team's commitment to nurturing new talent. Mitchell Santner, leading the side, brings his all-round prowess and leadership skills to the fore.

New Zealand's journey in the Champions Trophy begins on February 19 against hosts Pakistan in Karachi. The tournament's format divides teams into two groups, with New Zealand placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the final on March 9 in Lahore.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

• Gujarat Giants Women vs Mumbai Indians Women

GGTW 120 (20)

MIW 122/5 (16.1)

Mumbai Indians Women won by 5 wkts

• Vidarbha vs Mumbai, Semi Final 2

VID 383

MUM 188/7 (59)  CRR: 3.19

Day 2: Stumps - Mumbai trail by 195 runs

• Gujarat vs Kerala, Semi Final 1

KER 418/7 (177)  CRR: 2.36

Day 2: Stumps

WPL 2025: Zing Bails Spark Electrifying Rule Change

In a move that's sure to light up discussions as much as the bails themselves, the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 has introduced a pivotal rule change. Effective immediately, a wicket will be considered broken only when the bail is fully dislodged from the stumps, regardless of any premature illumination.

This decision comes on the heels of several on-field controversies where the Zing bails—known for their flashy LED lights—have been lighting up at the slightest nudge, even when securely perched atop the stumps. Such incidents have led to confusion and debates, prompting the WPL to clarify the conditions under which a wicket is deemed broken.

Historically, the illumination of the Zing bails signified that the wicket had been disturbed. However, the current batch of bails has proven to be a bit too eager, lighting up with minimal disturbance. This over-enthusiasm has necessitated the update, ensuring that only a fully dislodged bail constitutes a broken wicket.

The Zing wicket system, celebrated for adding visual excitement to the game, has faced scrutiny before. During the 2019 Cricket World Cup, there were multiple instances where the bails failed to dislodge despite being struck, leading to widespread bemusement among players and fans alike.

While the technology aims to enhance the spectator experience, these glitches highlight the challenges of integrating tech into traditional sports. As the WPL progresses, all eyes will be on the bails—both to see if they stay put and to ensure they don't jump the gun with their light show.

In the end, cricket remains a game of fine margins, and this rule adjustment seeks to preserve its integrity. After all, in a sport where inches matter, it's crucial that the bails don't get ahead of themselves.

On This Day

1986

The day Mike Gatting’s nose took a brutal detour. During the first ODI against the West Indies at Sabina Park, Gatting, wearing a helmet without a visor, misjudged a sharp bouncer from Malcolm Marshall. The ball struck him flush on the bridge of his nose before rolling onto the stumps to bowl him.Adding to the drama, Marshall later discovered a fragment of bone embedded in the ball. The incident led to a memorable moment at Heathrow Airport when a journalist, seeing Gatting’s battered face, asked, “Where exactly on the nose did it hit you?”As for the match, England never recovered after early ducks from Tim Robinson and David Gower. The West Indies cruised to victory by six wickets with 13 balls to spare.

Coming tomorrow

• ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY, 2025

Pakistan vs New Zealand

What else is happening

• Pakistan Cricket Board Addresses Flag Controversy: The Pakistan Cricket Board clarified that the absence of the Indian flag at Karachi's National Stadium is because India is not playing matches at that venue during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

• Alex Hales Goes Fully Freelance: After 17 seasons with Nottinghamshire, Alex Hales has decided to become a fully freelance player, focusing solely on global T20 circuits without any county contract. At 36, Hales aims to maximize his earnings through franchise contracts.

• England's Right-Handed Conundrum:England faces significant challenges heading into the Champions Trophy, including the possibility of fielding an entire XI of right-handed batsmen—a rarity since 1994—which poses tactical disadvantages.