Cricket

Gloucestershire's dominance in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured a resounding eight-wicket victory over Sussex in the second semi-final at Edgbaston. The triumph sets up a thrilling West Country showdown with local rivals Somerset in the final, giving Gloucestershire a chance to claim their first silverware in nearly a decade.Sussex's batting woes began early as David Payne's swing proved too much for Daniel Hughes, who was dismissed for just one run. Matt Taylor then joined the party, claiming the wickets of Harrison Ward and James Coles to leave Sussex reeling at 35 for 4 after the powerplay.Ollie Price and Tom Smith continued the onslaught, with Price dismissing Tom Clark and Fynn Hudson-Prentice. Smith then removed John Simpson and Ollie Robinson, leaving Sussex stranded on 64 for 7.Jack Carson and Ollie Robinson briefly rallied, adding 37 runs, but Smith returned to dismiss Robinson and James Bracey completed a stumping to remove Tymal Mills. Payne wrapped up the innings in the 18th over, conceding just nine runs in a stellar display.Gloucestershire's chase was far less eventful. Despite losing Miles Hammond early, Cameron Bancroft and James Bracey put on a 54-run partnership to break the back of the chase. Bracey sealed the victory with a mighty six over long-off, securing Gloucestershire's place in the final with 38 balls to spare.

West Indies have taken a slender lead over England in the final Test at Edgbaston, thanks to half-centuries from Mikyle Louis and Kavem Hodge.Resuming on a precarious 33 for 2, West Indies lost Alick Athanaze early on to Shoaib Bashir. However, Louis and Hodge steadied the innings with a 72-run stand for the fourth wicket.Louis, who resumed on 18, added 39 runs to his overnight score before being dismissed for 57. He struck two sixes and four fours in his innings.Hodge, who scored a century in the second Test at Nottingham, continued his good form with an unbeaten 52. He hit seven fours in his innings.Ben Stokes provided England with a breakthrough when he had Louis caught at second slip by Zak Crawley. Stokes also removed Jason Holder, who was trapped lbw by an inswinger from Gus Atkinson.Joshua Da Silva survived a nasty blow to his right biceps from a Stokes lifter to be 2 not out at the break.West Indies lead by 57 runs with five wickets remaining. England will need to take early wickets in the afternoon session to get back into the match.

England's batting woes continued on the second morning of the third Test against West Indies at Edgbaston, as they slumped to 54 for 5 before Joe Root and Ben Stokes steadied the ship with an unbroken 103-run partnership.Resuming on 38 for 3, England lost Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in quick succession. Pope edged a Shamar Joseph delivery onto his stumps, while Brook was caught behind off Jayden Seales.Root, who had survived an lbw appeal on 3, played a crucial role in rebuilding England's innings. He overtook Brian Lara's 11,953 Test runs to move into seventh on the all-time run-scorers' list and brought up his 63rd Test fifty.Stokes provided valuable support, hitting a series of boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. The pair's partnership has given England hope of salvaging something from the match, as they trail West Indies by 125 runs at lunch.West Indies had posted a competitive 282 in their first innings, with Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder scoring half-centuries. England's bowlers, led by Matthew Atkinson and Chris Woakes, shared the wickets.

India Champions vs Pakistan Champions: A Clash of Legends in the WCL 2024 FinalThe stage is set for an epic showdown as India Champions and Pakistan Champions prepare to face off in the grand finale of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024. The match, scheduled for Saturday, July 13, at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium, promises to be a thrilling encounter between two cricketing powerhouses.India Champions, led by the experienced Yuvraj Singh, will be eager to avenge their loss to Pakistan in the group stage. The Indian team boasts a formidable lineup, including Suresh Raina, the Pathan brothers, and other seasoned veterans. Their aggressive style of play and wealth of experience make them a formidable opponent.Pakistan Champions, on the other hand, will be looking to prove their dominance once again. Led by the legendary Younus Khan, the team also features match-winners like Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and their unwavering determination make them a force to be reckoned with.The road to the final has been challenging for both teams. India finished fourth in the group stage after defeats to Pakistan and South Africa, while Pakistan secured second place behind Australia. However, both teams showed their resilience and skill in the semi-finals, with India defeating Australia and Pakistan overcoming West Indies.The final promises to be a battle of wits and skill. India will be looking to exploit Pakistan's weakness in the middle order, while Pakistan will aim to neutralize India's explosive batting lineup. The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having a chance to lift the coveted WCL trophy.

Warwickshire's hopes of salvaging a draw against Nottinghamshire were boosted on the third day of their Vitality Championship clash at Edgbaston, as rain washed out the first two sessions and limited play to just 35 overs.Resuming on 71 for 3, Warwickshire advanced their first innings to 175 for 5, with Ed Barnard anchoring the innings with a studious 69 (142 balls). The former Worcestershire player reached his half-century in 100 balls and shared a crucial 84-run partnership with Jake Bethell (38 not out).Nottinghamshire's bowlers, led by Dillon Pennington (3 for 40), toiled hard on a placid pitch that offered little assistance. However, Barnard's resolute batting and Bethell's newfound patience frustrated their efforts to force a result.The visitors had earlier posted a formidable 400 all out, thanks to a brilliant double-century from Ben Duckett (218). Despite the excellent bowling conditions on the second afternoon, Warwickshire's bowlers were unable to replicate their success on the third day, as the cloud cover lifted and the pitch behaved well.With the follow-on target set at 251, Warwickshire need just 76 more runs to reach safety on the final morning. If they can achieve that, a draw, which has always been the most likely outcome, will become a certainty.However, Nottinghamshire still harbor a glimmer of hope. If their seamers can make early inroads tomorrow, they could put the home side under pressure and potentially force a result.