![Kusal Mendis and Travis Head [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1786120668564_Kusal_Mendis_Travis_Head.jpg?type=hq)
Kusal Mendis and Travis Head [Source: AFP]
Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against India, as per reports. Travis Head has clinched yet another Allan Border Medal, this time defeating his competition by just a few votes. In other news, South Africa will tour Namibia for a tri-series and an ODI series.
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 Friday, August 7.
Sri Lanka announces free entry for fans in India series
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced free entry for all fans for the upcoming two-match Test series against India at home. The hosts are scheduled to take on Team India between August 15 and August 27 in a WTC 2025-27 series.
Also Read- KL Rahul’s Plan Revealed To Counter Sri Lankan Spinners In Upcoming Test Series
The first Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle, before the action shifts to the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo for the decider.
Kusal Mendis out of India series, Pathum Nissanka unavailable for opener
Kusal Mendis has been reportedly ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming two-match home Test series against Team India. Pathum Nissanka will also be unavailable for selection for the first Test of the series.
Both Kusal and Nissanka are currently struggling with their respective injuries, thus landing a big blow to Sri Lanka’s prospects before the all-important World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures.
Travis Head wins Allan Border Medal
Australia’s firebrand top-order batter Travis Head won the Allan Border Medal. The cricketer defeated national teammate and legendary fast bowler Mitchell Starc by just three votes. Attacking wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, meanwhile, fell short of Head by just one vote.
The moment marks Travis Head’s second successive Allan Border Medal win after clinching the 2025 award last year.
Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to play T20I tri series
Namibia is set to host South Africa and Zimbabwe for a seven-match T20I tri-series starting later this month. The series is considered by many experts as a precursor to the planned Africa T20 Cup, which itself is akin to the Asia Cup.
All seven matches of the series will be hosted by the Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) in Windhoek. After the series, the South Africa cricket team will stay on in Namibia to play another three-match ODI series against the hosts.
Scotland vs Canada becomes 5000th ODI
The Scotland vs Canada match at the Forthill in Dundee became the 5,000th ODI match in the history of the format. The breakthrough moment occurred after Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar won the toss and opted to field first in match number 123 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
After reaching the previous milestone of 4,000 matches back in 2018, it took another eight years for the format to reach 5,000.
Also Read- England's Key Player Hit With Massive Injury Before Pakistan Tests
