Perhaps more than in any other format, a captain can significantly influence the outcome of a T20 match. Given the importance of each delivery, and with games sometimes decided by a single ball or two, decisions made by captains in the heat of the game can have huge ramifications. Then there are the softer skills of composure, body language and communication which can help players perform at their best under enormous pressure. It is why, for all the relative merits of England’s batting and bowling ahead of the T20 WC, Eoin Morgan’s impact cannot be underestimated.

New Zealand made the perfect start to the two-Test series against England with a solid opening session on Day 1 of the first Test. Debutant Devon Conway led the way with an assured unbeaten 43 after New Zealand called right at the toss, taking his side to 85 for 1 on Wednesday (June 2) as crowds – albeit a maximum capacity of 6500 – returned to Lord’s.

The Executive Board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) passed every proposal that was the brainchild of its CEO Manu Sawhney, who faces uncertainty over his future at the ICC. The proposals include the board’s mandate to bid for global events, with 2028 likely to witness two major global events – T20 WC and potential Olympic competition.

India captain Virat Kohli has once again thrown his weight behind the importance of mental health in the sport, as his side prepares to enter another lengthy period of life in bio-bubbles. India play New Zealand in the World Test Championship in Southampton from June 18, followed by a five-Test series against England from August 4 to September 14. The IPL-bound players in that squad will have to directly travel to the UAE to complete the remainder of the 2021 edition before the T20 WC kicks off in late October-November.

Ravi Shastri mooted the idea of a best-of-three format for the World Test Championship final in the future even while acknowledging that such an arrangement may not be feasible in the packed modern-day international calendar. The India head coach’s opinion is predicated on the fact that a Test series allows for ebbs and flows and that the Championship final in the long format was a culmination of a two-year cycle that is now reduced to a one-match shoot-out.

With Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor back in the pavilion cheaply, England would be the happier side going into Tea on the opening day of the first Test. Two wickets fell in the middle session as England redeemed themselves after a meek opening one with New Zealand’s solid opening act. However, they couldn’t dislodge opener Devon Conway, who stood strong, unbeaten on 71, as New Zealand ended the second session on 144 for 3 in an even session between bat and ball.

A defiant innings that mixed obduracy with opportunism saw Paul Stirling hold his Ireland together in a difficult chase, keeping Ireland in contention as wickets fell around him during the first CWC Super League ODI at Utrecht. Dutch captain Pieter Seelaar held a fantastic catch at extra cover off Timm van der Gugten to end Stirling’s innings on 69, before claiming two crucial wickets at the death as his side clung on for a final-ball victory to draw first blood in the series and claim ten crucial Super League points in so doing.