The former England pacer, Stuart Broad, who will work with the Australian media this summer for the five-match Test series in the Ashes 2025-26, has hit back at the prediction of the former opener, David Warner, who felt that this Ben Stokes-led team won’t have the skill to claim the Ashes.

Warner felt that one of the games would be rained off, leading to Australia’s 4-0 series victory. However, Broad reckoned that the current Australia Test side would perhaps be the worst side to face a better England team, as the home side would have several questions on their fitness and form.

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“Don’t know what I make of it. The prediction 4-0 (with one wash-out), it is quite difficult to win in Australia for any side. Australia has to be the massive favorite. The question really was which team is under pressure, and I guess that is Australia because they have question marks over their team, their captain, and his fitness.” Broad expressed on the podcast with Jos Buttler.

Stuart Broad Calls The Current Australia Test Side Worst Since 2011 

England’s last Ashes series win down under came in 2010/11 under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss. Hard to believe, but since then England have lost 13 of the 15 red-ball games in Australia, with two games ending in a draw. That would be a horrible record, living rent-free in the heads of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, who doesn’t have sweet memories for New Zealand in those conditions.

“It is probably the worst Australian team since 2010, and it is the best England team since 2010, and those things match up. Australia has been so consistent with their plans and approach, and they don’t have that anymore. It is quite a similar situation to 2010/11, when Australia were confused.” Broad added.

England would look to be aggressive with the bat in this Ashes, as they were at home in 2023. But it will all depend on their bowlers’ performance in taking key wickets in various phases of the game. They drew their last Test series at home against India by a 2-2 margin.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar paid tribute on Tuesday following the passing of renowned umpire Harold 'Dickie' Bird. He described Bird as a “unique character” who had a deep understanding of the pressures and tensions faced by players on the field.

Bird, who passed away at the age of 92 at his home in Yorkshire, enjoyed a celebrated career in international cricket. Known for his distinctive style and calm demeanor, he officiated in 66 Test matches and 69 One Day Internationals, earning respect from players and fans alike.

Spanning over two decades from 1973 to 1996, Bird’s career left an indelible mark on the sport. Gavaskar highlighted his contributions both as an official and as a personality who brought fairness and integrity to the game.

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Sunil Gavaskar’s Tribute to Harold 'Dickie' Bird:

While talking about Harold Bird, little master said, “ That was a sad news indeed. Having played the game at the first-class level Dickie knew the tensions and pressures the players undergo and so was sympathetic to their frustrations if his decisions didn't go their way.”

The former Indian captain remarked that cricket has lost an exceptional personality, highlighting Dickie Bird’s distinctive presence, integrity, and deep understanding of the game, which made him a respected figure both on and off the field.

He further said, “ The players loved him because he was always ready to chat between overs and sometimes between deliveries too. Cricket has lost a unique character and a superb umpire. May his soul rest in peace.”

Dickie Bird also admired Sunil Gavaskar, considering him the batsman with the finest technique. The legendary umpire often praised Gavaskar’s skill, consistency, and elegance at the crease, reflecting mutual respect between two icons of the cricketing world.

He said, “ Mind you, I had the best seat in the world and watched my share of batsmen around. But Gavaskar had the finest technique of them all — against pace, against spin.”

ECB Expresses Condolences and Honors his Contributions:

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) expressed their condolences following Dickie Bird’s passing, honoring his remarkable contributions to cricket and acknowledging the lasting impact he had as one of the sport’s most respected and influential umpires.

ECB wrote, “ "Everyone at the England & Wales Cricket Board is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dickie Bird. A proud Yorkshireman and a much-loved umpire, he will be sorely missed.”

Ex-India cricketer Dinesh Karthik shared his thoughts on social media, paying tribute and expressing his condolences following the passing of the legendary umpire Dickie Bird. He wrote, “ RIP Dickie Bird. You stood in 66 Tests, 69 ODIs, and 3 World Cup Finals — remembered for your fairness, integrity, humour, and true Yorkshire spirit. A legend forever.”

Ex-England wicketkeeper Jack Russell, who shared many humorous moments with Bird on the field, commented, reflecting on their memorable interactions and paying tribute to the late umpire. He wrote, “ Dickie Bird. Unique. One off. The Greatest. RIP my friend.”

Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird was one of the most beloved umpires in cricket history. He died at the age of 92. The umpire officiated in 66 Test matches and 69 One-day international games, including three World Cup finals. He started his career with the bat for Yorkshire in the top order in 1956 and later became the president of the club in 2014.

With the bat, the right-handed batter smashed 3314 first-class runs in 170 innings at an average of just over 20, with two centuries and 14 half-centuries at the best score of 181 runs against Glamorgan. When he moved to Leicestershire in 1960, his career was cut short by injury four years later, as he decided to take up umpiring to become a household name.

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As an umpire, Dickie was known for his reluctance to raise the finger on LBW appeals, as several of those decisions would have been overturned in the DRS era. On the morning of the fifth Test between England and India at Lord’s, he arrived in the middle with tears amidst the guard of honour and gave captain Mike Atherton out in the first over of the game.

Renowned cricketing umpire Dickie Bird dies at 92

One of the other moments of Bird’s career was from the 1995 Test in Manchester against the West Indies when the play came to a halt for an excess of sunlight as it was a reflection of the greenhouse behind the bowler’s arm. In that game, Bird dropped the pocketful of marbles to count the number of deliveries of an over.

“Play was halted momentarily while Dickie scrambled around on his hands and knees looking for his counters. I've lost my marbles! I've lost my marbles! He cried. Most of us thought he had lost his marbles a long time ago.” Atherton wrote in his autobiography.

“The thoughts of everyone at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club are with Dickie's family and friends during this time. He will be truly missed by all at the Club, having spent an incredible amount of time in support of everyone here, and will be remembered as one of the greatest characters in Yorkshire's history.” Yorkshire Cricket Club released the statement to confirm the news of Bird’s death.

IRE vs ENG 3rd T20I: Ireland will take on England for the 3rd time in the series. England won the first T20I, while the second match was abandoned. Today, in the final and decisive clash, both teams will take the field aiming to secure the series. This match will be played at The Village, Malahide, Dublin, at 6:00 PM. In this article, we will explore IRE vs ENG playing 11, Pitch reports and Key players' stats.

IRE vs ENG 3rd T20I Match Details:

Ireland's Team Preview:

Ireland lost their first match of the series to England, and the second match was washed out due to rain. Now, in this third and final match, they will look to avenge their last defeat and level the series.. In the first match, Ireland’s star all-rounder Harry Tector played a brilliant knock of 61 runs on 36 balls, supported by Lorcan Tucker, who scored 55 runs.

Paul Stirling and Ross Adair provided a good start to the team, setting a competitive target of 197 runs for England. However, they could not defend them and lost the match by 4 wickets. In the bowling section, Matthew Humphreys and Graham Hume bowled well and took 2 wickets each, while Harry Tector and Gareth Delany picked 1 wicket each. 

Ireland's Key players:

England Team Preview: 

England has created a psychological dominance over Ireland by winning the first T20 match. And they will enter the field today with the intention of winning the series. England won the last T20I against Ireland by 4 wickets. In this match, Phil Salt played a crucial inning of 89 runs and was awarded Man of the Match.

Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran also played short but important innings for England and secured the victory. In the bowling section, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid bowled well and took 1 wicket each. 

England’s Key Players: 

IRE vs ENG 3rd T20I Probable Playing XI:

Ireland: Paul Stirling(c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young

England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell(c), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood

Scoring pattern at The Village, Malahide, Dublin:

In this match, wind and overcast conditions may cause the ball to swing slightly in the early overs. This ground is generally considered to be very favourable for batsmen. The pitch remains batting-friendly, especially if the batsmen get off to a good start with the necessary patience.

IRE vs ENG 3rd T20I Expert Opinion and Match Prediction:

Even though England won the first T20I match, the Irish batsmen batted well in that match as well. Since both teams are in good form, this match is expected to be very exciting. In terms of their chances of victory, England have a slightly higher chance of winning this match than Ireland, as they have more experienced players and have already won their first match.

IRE vs ENG T20I Series 2025 Squad:

Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling(c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Benjamin Calitz, Jordan Neill, Ben White

England Squad: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell(c), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood,  Tom Hartley, Jordan Cox, Saqib Mahmood, Sonny Baker

IRE vs ENG 3rd T20I FAQ

When will the IRE vs ENG 3rd T20I be played?

This match will be played at The Village, Malahide, Dublin, at 6:00 PM.

What is the series score before the 3rd T20I?

England currently leads the series

Who were the standout performers in the last T20I?

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Tector, and Lorcan Tucker

Which players are key to watch in the 3rd T20I?

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler

The veteran England pacer, Saqib Mahmood, has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and the upcoming trip to New Zealand in October, having sustained a knee injury. The 28-year-old, who featured in the second ODI against South Africa at Lord’s earlier this month, went wicketless in their five-run defeat before taking no part in the ongoing T20I series against the same opponents.

In a statement, the England Cricket Board has revealed that Mahmood would undergo minor knee surgery to get the issue addressed. He missed two years of action with a stress fracture. His place will be taken by the Hampshire seamer, Scott Currie.

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In the recent appearance of Mahmood, he picked up nine wickets at 10.55 during their T20I tour of the Caribbean in November last year, while getting a vital role in the 3-0 ODI series win over the same opponents in June. He was also part of The Hundred 2025 winning campaign of the Oval Invincibles, claiming the final wicket of the edition against the Trent Rockets.

Scott Currie replaces Saqib Mahmood for the upcoming Ireland T20I series

The 24-year-old bowler comes 18 months after he featured in the three 50-over games for Scotland in the World Cricket League Division 2 in Dubai. But the side’s failure to qualify in the winter’s T20 World Cup would appear to have ended his wish to be part of the side of his father’s birth. Currie has picked up 91 wickets in 65 T20s at an economy rate of 8.60.

“There's plenty of experience to be had out there. I've obviously got [the possibility] that you can flip between the two, and if an England cap ever came, then that would be a massive honour. But certainly, the pride of representing Scotland in those three games that I did, taking the field with my brother.” Currie revealed during a recent interaction on ESPNcricinfo.

“Everyone's favorite word at the moment is the schedule, but it's tough with the way the schedule is to find those opportunities. Unfortunately, they didn't qualify for the T20 World Cup coming this winter. But yeah, I do remain in contact with them.” He revealed in the same discussion. The T20I series will begin on September 17at Malahide.

The 28-year-old English pacer Saqib Mahmood has been ruled out of the upcoming Ireland tour, where they will play a three-match T20I series. A Scotland international player has been named as a replacement for Mahmood for the upcoming Ireland tour. 

Mahmood has played 38 international matches for England, while he featured last for the English team during the recent Lord’s ODI against South Africa, where the right-arm pacer ended with wicketless bowling figures. South Africa won that high-scoring game by five runs. 

While Mahmood last played a T20I match for England during the last India tour early this year, he will miss the Ireland tour due to a knee injury. He will undergo minor surgery, which is likely to force him to miss the New Zealand tour in October, where England will play three T20Is and three ODIs. Mahmood previously missed the game multiple times due to stress fractures in the back. 

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Scotland international Scott Currie named in English squad

The 24-year-old bowling all-rounder Scott Currie has earned an England senior team call-up for the forthcoming Ireland tour. While he served for England U19 in the ICC U19 World Cup 2020, where the right-arm pacer took seven wickets in four games, he played three ODIs for Scotland last year and took three wickets for the Scots. While Hampshire just finished as runners-up in the T20 Blast 2025, Currie was the second leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 27 wickets in 17 matches.  

Earlier, Jordan Cox was added to the English squad for the Ireland tour, while all-rounder Sam Curran was added after the release of Matthew Potts. The 21-year-old Jacob Bethell is ready to lead the England team for the first time, as he will become the youngest cricketer to lead the England team in international cricket history. 

Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin will host all three T20Is between Ireland and England on September 17, 19, and 21, respectively. 

England updated T20I squad for 2025 Ireland tour

Jacob Bethell (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood, Jordan Cox, Scott Currie

A well-known figure in English cricket has been investigated by the police for allegations of drink spiking on two women and sexually assaulting one of them in London a few months earlier. The Daily Telegraph has reported that the figure, aged 40, was questioned under caution by Scotland Yard in June after a complaint was made in South-west London.

In the SW6 area of the city, which covers Fulham and Parsons Green. The England Cricket Board (ECB) has declined to comment on the allegations. The name has not been disclosed yet, which keeps it under speculation whether the speculation is about any player or associated with the coaching management.

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“We are currently investigating allegations of spiking and sexual assault against two women that took place on Thursday, 22 May, at a pub in the SW6 area. Two women are believed to have been spiked, with one also allegedly sexually assaulted. Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.” The Metropolitan Police addressed ESPNcricinfo in a statement.

Renowned England figure under investigation for sexual harassment

Chris Haward, the managing director of the Cricket regulator, which is the independent body responsible for handling the disciplinary cases with England’s cricket, last month said that removing sexual misconduct from the game would be a priority. The regulator has twice charged the individuals following the sexual misconduct last year.

Due to the incident, a coach was suspended for nine months in August after being dismissed by the county for the side for the ‘inappropriate and sexualized’ pictures of junior female members of staff. Last November in 2024, another coach of the England cricket team was also suspended for six months for sexual and bad behavior on a county pre-season tour.

England are currently busy in the ongoing three-match T20I series at home against South Africa before they start their preparation for the upcoming away Ashes 2025/26 trip against Australia down under. They recently lost the ODI series against the Proteas by 2-1 and drew the five-match Test series against India at home by a 2-2 margin.

The former Australian opening batter, Matthew Hayden, has made a hilarious prediction on the former England batter, Joe Root, ahead of the Ashes 2025/26 against Australia down under. The opening game of the series will take place at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, as the right-handed batter will be under pressure, having not celebrated a century down under.

Joe Root is currently the second leading run-getter in the longest format with 13543 runs in 288 innings at an average of 51.29 and a strike rate of 57.49, with the help of 66 half-centuries and 39 centuries at the best score of 262 runs. However, in Australia, he has drilled only 892 runs in 14 games at an average of 35.68 with nine fifties.

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“I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t make a hundred his summer.” Hayden reckoned during a recent interaction on the ‘All over Bar The Cricket’ YouTube channel, as his daughter and presenter, Grace Hayden, requested the Yorkshire batter to notch up a red-ball century.

Matthew Hayden makes hilarious prediction on Joe Root ahead of Ashes 2025/26

In his overall record against Australia, Root has clubbed 2428 runs in the 34 red-ball encounters at an average of 40.46, scoring four centuries and 17 half-centuries. Apart from that, he has recorded over 3300 runs in 64 innings against India in Tests at an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 55, thanks to 13 centuries and 12 half-centuries.

Root has found the bowling of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood challenging. But Cummins is currently recovering from a back injury, and he could get ruled out for the first three encounters of the series. This could be a good chance for the batter, who was in excellent touch during the home red-ball series against India.

For him and a few veterans, it could be the last Ashes trip. England haven’t won a single Test, let alone a series, against Australia down under since earning the urn in 2010/11 under Andrew Strauss’ captaincy. It will be high time for them to turn the tables, and Root will be their key man with the bat.

After Pakistan’s tri-series victory against Afghanistan, their stars have risen in the ICC T20 rankings. Their left-arm spinner, Sufiyan Muqeem, has risen seven places to 15th overall on the back of his two wickets in the final at Sharjah, while Shaheen Afridi jumps four spots to 22nd. Abrar Ahmed has improved 39 spots to equal 28th after his six wickets in two games at the event.

The left-handed aggressive opening batter of the Green Brigade, Fakhar Zaman, has been the biggest winner as they climbed nine spots to 68th, thanks to his 155 runs in the series as Sri Lanka’s top-order batter, Kusal Perera, has gained three places to move to the ninth spot after his unbeaten fifty against Zimbabwe in Harare.

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Zimbabwe’s T20I captain and veteran all-rounder, Sikandar Raza, has gained three spots to fourth overall in the list of T20I all-rounder for his special show against Sri Lanka. He recently became the number one-ranked all-rounder in the 50-over format.

Jofra Archer closes in on the number one ODI bowlers’ spot in latest ICC rankings

The premier fast bowler of the Three Lions, Jofra Archer, collected eight wickets in the recent three-match series against South Africa that included a wonderful spell of 4/18 in the third and final game at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. He has been rewarded 16 spots in the rankings to move up 16 places to the third spot, only behind two spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Maheesh Theekshana.

Archer’s teammate, spinner Adil Rashid, has improved seven spots to eighth on the same list for ODI bowlers. The three batters of the England side, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell, also went up in the list of ICC ODI batters’ rankings.

England wrapped up that three-match ODI series against South Africa in a really big way. They got this huge 342-run win at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Sunday. It was kind of historic, you know. Even though they had already lost the series after dropping the first two games. Jos Buttler's team put on a show in the last one. Like, a performance for the ages, basically.

They batted first and just piled on the runs. Ended up with 414 for 5 in 50 overs. That was massive. Jacob Bethell scored a century, 110 runs. Joe Root got 100 too. Those two put together this solid partnership. Left the South African bowlers scratching their heads, no real answers there. Then the middle order came in and finished it off strong. Pushed the total over 400, you know.

Archer leads the charge as England rewrite ODI record books

South Africa had to chase that big number. People figured they'd fight back some, since they batted pretty well in the earlier matches. But nope. Jofra Archer came in hot with his bowling. Fiery spell that blew them away. He took 4 for 18. Dismantled their top order with all that pace and precision. Adil Rashid chipped in with 3 wickets as a spinner. Brydon Carse got 2 with his pace. They all supported each other well. South Africa just crumbled. All out for 72 in only 20.5 overs.

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England's 342-run win put their name in the history books. It beats everything before in ODIs by runs. They topped India's big 317-run beatdown of Sri Lanka back in 2023. Thing is, no team's ever done better than 340 runs since one-day cricket started in 1971.

South Africa got hit hard here. This loss tops their worst ever in ODIs. It went past that 276-run thrashing from Australia earlier this year. Their batsmen fell apart quick too. That innings lasted only 24.5 overs. Second shortest in ODI records.

Archer got the Player of the Match nod, and he earned it with that killer spell. He talked about it after. He said, "Even before I bowled a ball, I knew it was going to be difficult for them since we scored over 300. I just tried to hit the pitch hard and keep it straight. Playing three games in a row means a lot to me."

England lost the series 2-1 overall. But this massive win in Southampton, you know, it's going to stick in people's minds as a real landmark in ODI cricket.