England shrugged aside the potential ramifications of sanctions over poppy emblems Friday with a 3-0 Wembley win over Scotland to bring a 2018 World Cup berth a step closer.

Teenage debutant Haseeb Hameed struck his maiden half-century as England took firm control on the fourth day of the first Test against India in Rajkot on Saturday.

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead India's strong reply to England's massive first innings total on the third morning of the opening Test on Friday.

Losing the toss at Rajkot dented India's chances more than three England batsmen hitting centuries in the first innings, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said.

All-rounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali both hit centuries Thursday before England were bowled out for 537 on the stroke of tea on the second day of the first Test against India.

Mehedi is still only 19-years-old, but he had already made a mark and had made a habit of punching above his weight.

England and Scotland renew the oldest rivalry in international football on Friday in a 2018 World Cup qualifier that has been dogged by a pre-match row about commemorative poppies.

Joe Root hits a sparkling century and stitches a crucial stand with Moeen Ali as England cruise to a strong 311-4 on the opening day of the first Test against India today.

India's cricket board threatened Tuesday to cancel the first Test against England, less than 24 hours before it was due to begin, unless judges end a freeze on its bank accounts.

New Zealand radio station was fined Tuesday over a "deceptive" prank in which a heated conversation with England all-rounder Ben Stokes' mother was broadcast live without her knowledge.

India's cricket board may have rediscovered a love of Test cricket but with youngsters preferring the thrills of Twenty20 the decision to host 13 Tests this season represents something of a gamble.

Alastair Cook has indicated the upcoming Test series against India could be his last as England captain.

Top-ranked India will look to settle old scores by unleashing their spinners on a fragile-looking England when the first Test of a five-match series begins in Rajkot on Wednesday.

After years of resistance against the Decision Review System, the Indian cricket board has finally agreed to employ technology for the home tests against England and if the tourists' series in Bangladesh is anything to go by, it will get plenty of use.

Revered daily The Guardian has lauded the success of the security operation in Bangladesh for England's visit and concluded

Hardik Pandya received his first call-up to India's Test squad Wednesday for next week's start of a series against England after

Is it the right time to look at the bigger picture, beyond Bangladesh's historic 108-run victory in the second Test against England in Mirpur on Sunday?

The hero worship is continuing. Mehedi Hasan Miraz is now our new cricketing hero and the 19-year old cricketer deserves the adulation that he has been receiving from all quarters since his spin mastery helped the country achieve their best success in their cricket history.

Tigers have not been given their due for the magnificent manner in which they beat England in a Test match. With a little luck, they could have claimed the series 2-0, and fixed, at least temporarily, the tone of condescension that accompanies them in world cricket.

England's defeat by Bangladesh has come as a shock to the system for cricket.