The Buzz

What's in the box...?

But that only means she got to have a ceremony for herself, officiated by another England great, Andrew Flintoff, who is the Lions' head coach.

"She's going to hate me for this, but they are also inducting a legend of the game, Sarah Taylor," Flintoff said to Taylor while surrounded by the Lions players. "I knew you were a good cricketer, Sarah, but I've had a little dive into your career. I didn't realise how good you were - three times World Cup winner with England [the 2009 and 2017 ODI World Cups and the 2009 T20 World Cup], a pioneer and trailblazer for the women's game, also inspired so many boys and girls over your career. And at the epicentre of a successful England Women's team. "She scored 36 fifties and seven hundreds in international cricket. And the one thing which I looked at which I'm staggered about - and she'll say, 'Oh that's because I stood up to the stumps' - she had over a hundred stumpings in international cricket. That to me suggests probably one of the best ever to wear the wicketkeeping gloves in any form of the game."

For his openers, he picks Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne over Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickleton. His middle order is: Aiden Markram (over Cameron Green), Steven Smith (over Temba Bavuma) and Travis Head (over Tristan Stubbs). The wicketkeeper's position goes to Alex Carey (over Kyle Verreynne). At No. 7 is Wiaan Mulder over the Aussie allrounder Beau Webster, and he picks Pat Cummins over Marco Jansen.

The choice that is the hardest for Anderson is among fast bowlers: Mitchell Starc or Kagiso Rabada. He agonises over it, saying, "Oh no, you can't do that to me," but eventually picks Rabada. His spinner of choice is offspinner Nathan Lyon (over Keshav Maharaj). And finally, the bowling attack is finished off by choosing Josh Hazlewood over Dane Paterson. That's eight Australians in an Englishman's XI - wow! Not what you expect to hear in an Ashes year.

So what were his first impressions?

"The change rooms are really small, to be honest, and they do a very good lunch," said Konstas. "I'm very grateful to be at such an iconic ground."

Offspinner Nathan Lyon is just short of becoming Australia's second-highest wicket-taker behind Shane Warne and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is the highest wicket-taker among spinners in South Africa, needing only two more to get to 200 Test wickets.

Both were mutually appreciative of the other's skills ahead of the final.

Steven Smith had a report from the nets. "A little bit fresh today, a little bit of wind, but nice to start off our preparation, get a bit of rhythm, hit quite a few balls, and, you know, looking forward to Lord's now. We've got some really fond memories of Lord's. Personally, I've got some fond memories as well, so looking forward to getting started. South Africa are a good side, so should be a belter of a game and hopefully we can get another Test Championship final under our belt."

After the trophy presentation, Kohli soaked in the win, walking into the RCB dressing room arm in arm with his former team-mate AB de Villiers. "That's the heartbreak corner - no more," exclaimed Kohli.

Pointing at captain Rajat Patidar, Kohli said: "What a turnaround. Injury replacement to IPL-winning captain," and then tossed one of his bats to Patidar.

The commentators weren't offering much sympathy for the car owner's plight either, too busy admiring the six.

He was out with the Mumbai Wheelchair cricket team at Islam Gymkhana in Marine Lines as part of the Project Mumbai Initiative, and had a go with the bat, while seated in a wheelchair. Didn't seem to affect his bat swing at all, as he slammed the ball over the covers, much to the joy of the crowd present.

Santner, who was a mainstay in CSK's side from 2019 to when he was released in 2024, joined Mumbai Indians ahead of this IPL season, where he's picked up nine wickets in 11 matches so far. Boult, currently in his third (non-consecutive) year has had a fruitful year, picking up 19 wickets and playing all 14 matches. Boult and Santner have been team-mates in the New Zealand side for a decade, and Santner has captained the white-ball side since 2020.