![England team and Auqib Nabi [Source: AFP, x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1780418775331_England_and_Auqib_Nabi.jpg?type=hq)
England team and Auqib Nabi [Source: AFP, x]
The ECB has unveiled a strong 12-member England squad for the first Test against New Zealand. Auqib Nabi will join Team India ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. In other news, the SLC has unveiled its Player Contract List.
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 Tuesday, June 2.
Sairaj Bahutule becomes India’s spin coach
Former Indian cricketer Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as the spin bowling coach of Team India ahead of their upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan in Chandigarh. Bahutule will also work with the Indian players in white-ball cricket going forward, starting with India’s impending ODI series against the visitors.
Also Read- Shreyas Iyer To Lead, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns- India T20I Squad vs Afghanistan Predicted
The former leg-spinner recently served the Punjab Kings franchise in the IPL 2026 season under the same capacity. He has also previously coached Rajasthan Royals and Bengal teams.
Auqib Nabi and five others join India team as net bowlers
The BCCI has named six cricketers to join Team India in Chandigarh as net bowlers. The players are Ranji Trophy star Auqib Nabi, tearaway paceman Prince Yadav, CSK speedster Gurjapneet Singh and three spinners in the form of Shivang Kumar, Saransh Jain and SRH cricketer Zeeshan Ansari.
The six bowlers will assist India batters ahead of their one-off Test match against Afghanistan. Prince Yadav is also a part of India’s ODI squad against the same opponents later this month.
Sri Lanka name Central Contracts List
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has unveiled a list of 46 cricketers who made it into Sri Lanka’s National Player Contracts for the 2026-27 season. International stars like Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka all made a cut into the list.
The board also named new inclusions in the form of Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundera, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera and Tharindu Rathnayake.
Ben Stokes to lead England in first Test vs NZ
The ECB has named a 12-player squad for England’s upcoming series-opening first Test against New Zealand. Ben Stokes will continue to lead the side, and will be accompanied by fellow senior pros like Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook among others.
The board also named two potential debutants in the form of Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker. Ollie Robinson returns to the Test side after a gap of over two years.
Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades set to merge
Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades are set to be merged ahead of this year’s BBL 2026-27 season. As reported by sports journalist Tom Morris, the two sides will form a single Victorian team in the tournament.
The staffs of the two franchises have been reportedly informed about the development by Cricket Victoria, and it is labelled to be a part of Australia’s major revamp of the BBL.
Also Read- IPL Emerging Player Of The Year Award Winners List
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