Greater Noida is ready for big cricket action as the Big Cricket League (BCL), the world’s first pro-am cricket league, prepares for its second season. Season 2 will be hosted at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium, Greater Noida.

The league will take place from 11th March to 22nd March 2026. During this time, Greater Noida will become the centre of top-level Pro-Am cricket.

After the strong response to Season 1, the league is returning bigger and stronger. Season 2 will feature well-known international cricketers along with some of India’s most talented amateur players. The aim is to build a strong performance-based cricket system where professionals and amateurs compete together.

The player auction on 16th February 2026 is expected to attract major attention. Teams will carefully select their squads by mixing international stars with talented amateur players.

Season 1 included famous international cricketers such as Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Herschelle Gibbs and Imran Tahir. Their presence added strong value and credibility to the league. Season 2 is expected to raise the level even higher, with more international cricketers joining, bringing more excitement for fans.

The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) is supporting Season 2. All preparations are currently underway to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.

Prerna Singh, ACEO, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), said,
“Greater Noida Authority actively supports initiatives that combine sporting excellence with regional advancement. Hosting Big Cricket League Season 2 at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium is a significant step toward positioning the city as a leading sports destination in the region.”

Dilip Vengsarkar, League Commissioner, Big Cricket League, said:

“We are proud to bring Season 2 of the Big Cricket League to Uttar Pradesh, with the support of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA). As the world’s first Pro–Am cricket league, BCL is committed to building a professional platform where emerging amateur talent competes alongside established international cricketers. Uttar Pradesh’s strong focus on developing world-class sports infrastructure provides the ideal environment for this vision to thrive. Through this season, we aim to further strengthen the pathway for aspiring cricketers across the state turning “Ab Sapne Banenge Haqeeqat” into a tangible opportunity on the field.”

Rudra Pratap Singh, Founder & President, Big Cricket League, said:

“Season 2 marks a defining milestone for the Big Cricket League. The support from the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), reinforces our vision of building India’s most powerful Pro–Am cricket platform. With international stars joining hands with emerging amateur talent, this season will set new benchmarks in competitive cricket.”

Puneet Singh, Chief Patron, Big Cricket League, added:

“The response to Season 1 validated our model. Season 2 is not just an expansion; it is an evolution. From the player auction on 16th February to the grand matches in March, every aspect of this season has been strategically elevated to deliver scale, quality, and impact.”

Annirudh Chauhan, CEO & Co-Founder, Big Cricket League, said:
“Season 2 represents scale, structure, and serious cricketing ambition. With support from the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), BCL is entering a new phase of growth. Our focus is not just on hosting matches, but on building a sustainable platform where global professionals and India’s rising amateur talent compete at the highest level.

Big Cricket League is the world’s first Pro–Am Cricket League, uniquely structured to bridge international professionals with emerging amateur cricketers on one competitive platform. In BCL, a doctor, engineer, shopkeeper, marketer, lawyer, entrepreneur, or farmer can compete against the world’s best cricketers, giving them a second chance to realise their unfulfilled dream of playing on a larger stage.

Also Read: Ian Bell Appointed Assistant Coach Of Delhi Capitals Ahead Of IPL 2026

Sir Alastair Cook is England’s maximum-ever run scorer after Joe Root and the sixth-most in the history of check cricket. Prepare has spent his entire profession with Essex after rising to prominence in 2005, when he scored a double hundred in opposition to the touring Australians.

He might make his test debut that iciness, wherein he promptly completed a debut ton within the 2nd innings of that healthy, towards India at Nagpur.

Retiring in 2018, preparing dinner went directly to play 161 checks, at a mean of forty-five.35, finishing his with many records, consisting of the maximum consecutive check matches (159).

The highlight of his career became away in Australia in 2010/11, where he scored 766 runs with an eye-fixed-watering average of 127. sixty-six and captured an Ashes win in Australia for the first time in 24 years.

He retired within the identical way he came onto the scene over a decade previous, with a century in his final innings in opposition to India.

For Essex, due to his retirement from the global recreation, prepare dinner has performed a pivotal position in the latest achievement; he became the membership’s main purple-ball run-scorer in both 2019 (1,063) and 2020 (563) on course to trophy wins inside the LV= Insurance County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy.

Also Read: Rare Records of the England Cricket Team’s Innings

All through the 2019 season, Cook Dinner observed his name written in the file books yet again as he and his left-passed counterpart Nick Browne published the club document commencing stand of 373.

The well-known variety 26 moved beyond 26,000, 191 runs in 2023 in opposition to Warwickshire at Edgbaston, with 12,472 coming on the worldwide stage.

Here are some key county records Alastair Cook holds:   

• Highest Partnership: In 2019, Cook and Nick Browne set the Essex record for the highest opening partnership, scoring 373 runs against Warwickshire.   
• Most Runs: Alastair Cook is one of the leading run-scorers in Essex’s history, amassing a significant number of runs across multiple seasons.
• Centuries: He has scored numerous centuries for Essex, showcasing his consistent batting prowess.   
• County Championship Wins: Alastair Cook has been a vital part of Essex’s successful County Championship campaigns, contributing significantly to their victories.   
• Bob Willis Trophy Win: He also played a key role in Essex’s triumph in the Bob Willis Trophy, a domestic competition in England.

Hayley Kristen Matthews is the 26-year-old cricketer from the West Indies. She has a rich talent in all the departments of cricket, i.e., batting, bowling, and fielding. She once led the boys cricket team in childhood, and now she’s a captain in the Women Premier League this season (2024). Hayley made the most runs in 2023 around the globe with a total of 700 runs. 

Hayley Matthews’s average was 63.63 last year, where she got to play just 14 matches and 14 innings to score 700 runs and still made it to the top along with competing with the players who even played 28 matches. She also slayed with the ball in her career, taking a total of 100 wickets. 

Let’s have a look at her recent performance in the WCPL 2024 season, where she plays for the Barbados Royals. 

Hayley Matthews brilliance in WCPL 2024 (GAW vs. BR)

Hayley Matthews plays for Barbados Royals in the Women’s Premier League, where she has the responsibility of leading the team. The first match of the WCPL was between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Royals in the Brian Lara cricket stadium. The Royals won the toss and chose to bowl first, where they restricted the Guyana Amazon Warriors to 118 runs while taking 9 wickets. 

Hayley Matthews took 2 wickets while bowling, then later on the Barbados Royals came to bat to chase a decent target of 119. Hayley opened with Georgia Redmayne, and within a couple of overs, the team lost four wickets early. Qiana Joseph came to support Hayley in chasing such an easy target, which seemed to be difficult after the fall of early wickets. 

Also Read: Best 11 Of The Hundred League

After making 24 runs out of 20 balls, Qiana got bowled by Shabnim Ismail, who was so good with the ball in that match, as she took 4 wickets in her 4 overs at an expense of just 16 runs. Hayley Matthews stuck to her plan, saving her wicket from one end and making runs for the team. 

Till the end, she played the great captain’s knock and made her team win the match while being present on the pitch, not out. Hayley made a total of 61 runs out, 58 balls not out, which included 7 fours. 

Continued Dominance of Hayley (BRvsTKR) 

The second match of the WCPL was between Barbados Royals and Trinbago Knight Riders. Barbados Royals won the toss again and stuck with the plan of bowling first. Hayley used her six bowlers against Trinbago and stopped the flow of runs at 113 runs and took nine wickets of their opposition. Hayley bowled 4 overs and picked up the last two wickets of Trinbago with an economy of 5.25. 

This time the Barbados Royals batted better than their last match and gave some support to Hayley Matthews from the other end. Qiana was promoted to 1st down but got out at 16 off 19 balls. Hayley accelerated her innings and smashed 67 runs, which included 12 fours this time with a strike rate of 119.64. 

Lancashire Legends County Cricket Club founded in 1864 is a cornerstone of English cricket, based at the historic Old Trafford. With eight County Championship titles and a rich history of producing England stars, the club boasts a stellar roster of players. Here’s a countdown of their top ten.

Neil Fairbrother

An ODI batsman for England Fairbrother’s Test career was less dramatic. His true colours shone for Lancashire Legends where he amassed over 20,000 first-class runs including a colossal 366 against Surrey. His ability to accelerate and a long career cemented his place in Lancashire lore.

Jack Iddon

A formidable all-rounder, Iddon excelled for Lancashire Legends before World War II. With over 21,000 runs and 551 wickets, he was a key figure in the club’s success. His best bowling figures 9/42 against Yorkshire nearly secured a rare ten-wicket haul. Tragically, his life was cut short in a road accident.

Glen Chapple

A versatile player Chapple holds the record for the fastest first-class century alongside Mark Pettini. His leadership led Lancashire Legends to the 2011 County Championship, and he was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2012. Despite domestic dominance, his international career was limited to one ODI.

Johnny Tyldesley

Lancashire’s second-highest run-scorer, Tyldesley was a consistent performer before World War I curtailed his career. 

With 20 consecutive seasons of 1,000+ runs, he was a pillar of the side that won Lancashire’s first County Championship in 1897. A skilled fielder he represented England in 31 Tests.

Cyril Washbrook

A stalwart of Lancashire Legends cricket Washbrook scored over 34,000 first-class runs. Known for discipline and technique he formed a formidable opening partnership with Len Hutton for England. 

Lancashire’s first professional captain he remained involved with the club long after his playing days.

Also Read: Kevin O’Brien: 8 Enticing Facts of Irish Maverick!

Johnny Briggs

Lancashire’s second-highest wicket-taker, Briggs was a spin bowling pioneer. He was the first bowler to claim 100 Test wickets. 

His ability to vary pace and flight made him a nightmare for batsmen. A versatile sportsman he also excelled in hockey and rugby.

James Anderson

England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs, James Anderson‘s impact on Lancashire has been limited due to international commitments. However his early career for the county was impressive, earning him the NBC Denis Compton Award. Renowned for swing bowling he is a modern-day great.

Clive Lloyd

West Indian legend Clive Lloyd joined Lancashire in 1969. Voted the club’s greatest player by fans, he was a dominant force in both first-class and limited-overs cricket. His leadership and experience were invaluable to the team.

Ernest Tyldesley

Lancashire’s all-time leading run-scorer Ernest Tyldesley’s career blossomed after World War I. With nearly 40,000 first-class runs and a Test average of 55 he was a master batsman. His elegant strokeplay made him a crowd favourite.

Brian Statham

Lancashire’s leading wicket-taker with 1,816 scalps, Statham was a fearsome fast bowler. His accuracy and ability to swing the ball made him a nightmare for batsmen. His 7/57 against Australia in 1958 is considered one of the greatest bowling spells ever. A popular captain and a true Lancashire Legends.

This list highlights the incredible talent that has graced Lancashire County Cricket Club over the years. Their contributions have shaped the history of English cricket.

Sam Curran was the hero for Oval Invincibles with a five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick. Oval Invincibles made it three wins from four in The Hundred with Sam Curran’s all-round heroics proving the difference between two sides fighting it out for bragging rights in the capital.

Sam Curran smashed 51 from 22 balls, single-handedly dragging the Invincibles to a strong total on a tricky surface before decimating the Spirit’s hopes of chasing 147 in an astonishing five-wicket spell that included a hat-trick.

On a Lord’s pitch offering a degree of lateral movement, Invincibles’ captain Sam Billings chose to bat first, and with Spirit’s attack making good use of the bowler-friendly surface, the visitors struggled to 46-2 at the halfway stage.

Best All Round Performance By Sam Curran In Hundred League History

Also Read: Shoaib Bashir Profile – Carrer, Achievements, Facts, And Personal Life

Olly Stone bowled Will Jacks through the gate and Liam Dawson dismissed Jordan Cox, who was fresh off his call-up to the England Men’s Test squad.

Sam Curran hits a brilliant half-century off just 21 balls for the Oval Invincibles, including three sixes in a row. Curran hit a brilliant half-century off just 21 balls for the Oval Invincibles, including three sixes in a row. Dawid Malan and Billings then struck a few hefty blows before Malan was caught on the square-leg boundary off Matt Critchley for 38 from 29.

Billings struggled to get going and retired himself out in favour of the in-form Donovan Ferreira, but it was Curran who turned the tide, reaching a half century off 21 deliveries, including three successive sixes off Nathan Ellis. His innings propelled Invincibles to a decent-looking 147-5.

In response, Spirit made it through the powerplay unscathed, Keaton Jennings and Michael Pepper guiding them to 35-0.

But thereafter Invincibles’ top-notch spin attack turned the screw, with both openers and Ollie Pope falling in quick succession; Jacks removing Jennings lbw, Adam Zampa having Pepper caught with the first ball of his spell, and Nathan Sowter crashing a leg break through Pope’s defences.

London Spirit’s Charlie Dean leaps through the air to make a sensational catch, following it up a few balls later with a big wicket against the Oval Invincibles. Spirit’s Charlie Dean leaped through the air to make a sensational catch!

Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer dragged the Spirit back into it and with 56 needed from the final 30 balls, the game was on. But before they could up the ante, Zampa, who ended with figures of 3-22, dismissed both Hetmyer (20 from 21) and Lawrence (27 from 18).

Despite Andre Russell attempting to bludgeon the hosts home, Curran made the Invincibles win a certainty by taking only the third hat-trick in the history of the The Hundred men’s competition to cap one of the tournament’s greatest individual performances.

Player of the match: Sam Curran

“I’ve had a few battles with Russ (Russell) over the years. The hat-trick ball wasn’t on my mind, it was either going to be me or him, he was going to hit me for six or I was going to get a wicket. Thankfully he edged it but most importantly we got the win,” said Curran.

“It’s never over when players like Dan (Lawrence), Hetmyer and Russell are there, so when we got him (Russell) out it was a big relief.”

England cricket team is in a bit of trouble. Their star player, Zak Crawley, hurt his finger during a match against the West Indies. It was a bad break and he might not be able to play in the upcoming games against Sri Lanka.

This is a big problem for England because Zak Crawley is a really good batsman. They need to find someone else to open the batting cage with Ben Duckett.

So who can replace Zak Crawley? There are three players who can replace Crawley:

Alex Davies

Alex Davies is a reliable player who has been around for a while. He was good at batting and keeping wickets. He has had some tough times with injuries but he was still a strong choice to fill Crawley’s spot.

Also Read: New Ball Nightmare: The Trent Boult Story

Keaton Jennings

Keaton Jennings has not played for England in a while but he has been scoring lots of runs in county cricket. He is not as exciting as some other players but he is steady and consistent. Maybe he could be the right person for the job.

Dan Lawrence

Dan Lawrence is another player who has been around the England team. He usually bats in the middle order, but he can also open if needed. He’s been scoring a lot of runs lately, so he’s definitely in the mix.

England has some tough choices to make. Whoever they pick, they need to find someone who can score runs and help the team win.

Criczone Tweeted on X:

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝒀:

Zak Crawley has been ruled out of The

 Hundred Due To His Injury While  Fielding in the third Test Match against West Indies

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝒀:

🚨 Zak Crawley has been ruled out of The
Hundred Due To His Injury 🤕 While Fielding in the third Test Match against West Indies 👀 pic.twitter.com/MbDKijYslg

— CrickZone 🇵🇰 (@Fear_0056) July 31, 2024

Matthew Mott the coach of England’s white ball cricket team, has been changed after two years. That means they need a new coach who guides the team in white-ball cricket.

So in this article 3 legends can become England’s next head coach:

Andrew Flintoff

Many believe that the team’s new coach will be former English player Andrew Flintoff. He is a capable leader who has recently been lending support to the team. For this reason, Andrew Flintoff had a strong chance of taking over as the new England team coach.

Marcus Trescothick

Another name is Marcus Trescothick himself. He was already in charge for a little bit of time and if he does well maybe he could stay. He is very close to Jos Buttler, the captain of the England team, and the other players on the squad. He also has a great understanding of the team.

Also Read: Highest Wicket-Takers In MLC 2024

Kumar Sangakkara

Maybe England should look outside the country for a new Head coach. Kumar Sangakkara is a famous player from Sri Lanka and he is also a good relation with Buttler. They work together on a team called the Rajasthan Royals in IPL and do so much success.

After these names, one name is also surrounding in the Media Jonathan Trott, another English player, who is doing a great job as a coach for Afghanistan. But some people think he’s too quiet for the exciting English team.

So, there are lots of choices for the new head coach. It was an important job, and whoever gets it had big shoes to fill.

As per Some sources some people said on X:

As per a report by The Telegraph UK, Kumar Sangakkara is a reportedly candidate for the England new head coach role.

#REPORTS

As per a report by The Telegraph UK, Kumar Sangakkara is a reportedly candidate for the England new head coach role. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿#KumarSangakkara pic.twitter.com/dINe3Px8y7

— wajith.sm (@sm_wajith) July 30, 2024

Cricket Grounds of County Cricket

County championships are the foundations of cricket history in the world. It’s where cricket was born and evolved throughout the years: England and Wales, the home of county cricket. We will have a look at the cricket grounds present in County Cricket for Test Cricket and Non Tests matches. 

Some of the famous county championships are: 

• Vitality County Championships 
• T20 Vitality Blast 
• One Day Cup 
• Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 
• Charlotte Edwards Trophy 
• The Hundred 

Top 5 Grounds:

The Brit Oval Cricket (The Oval): It is called the Kia Oval due to sponsorship reasons. Located in Kennington, South London. It’s the official home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since 1985, when it was opened. It is the first cricket ground in England to host an international Test match in September 1880. The first Test Match was played between England and Australia in 1880, whereas the last Test Match was also played between the same teams in July 2023. 

The Lord’s Cricket Ground (Lords): It is known as the “Home of Cricket”, situated in St John’s Wood, London. Lord’s was established in 1814, and the first test match was played here between Australia and England in 1884. The last Test Match was held just a week ago in July 2024 between England and West Indies, where England won the series by a clean sweep. It was also the series when James Anderson played his last Test match of his cricket career and retired with holding the record of being the highest wicket taker as a pacer at the Lords.

Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Old Trafford): This ground is located in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. It is known as Emirates Old Trafford due to a sponsorship deal with the airline company Emirates. It’s the home ground for Lancashire County Cricket Club since 1864. It’s the second oldest ground to host Test cricket after the Oval. The first Ashes Test Match was played here in 1884. This ground holds the record for hosting the most number of World Cup matches and semi-final matches. 

Also Read: Shoaib Bashir Profile – Carrer, Achievements, Facts, And Personal Life

County Cricket Ground (Headingley): It is known as Headingley Cricket Ground, located in Headingley, Leeds, England. It is the home ground for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which helped in the redevelopment of this ground as well. The first ever Test Match was played here in 1899 between England and Australia. Don Bradman’s 334 runs in innings came here in the 1930 Ashes Test and followed it up to the next match in 1934, making 304 runs in innings. 

County Cricket Club (Riverside): It is called Seat Unique Riverside due to sponsorship. This cricket venue is situated in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England. It is the home ground of Durham County Cricket Club and has also hosted several international matches. The first match hosted in this ground was Durham vs. Warwickshire on 18 May 1995. With a seating capacity of approximately 17000 people, this ground hosted its first international Test match in 2003 between England and Zimbabwe. 

Full List of Test Grounds in County Cricket:

Full List Of Non-Test Grounds of County Cricket:

This article discusses the accomplishments and personal life of England’s young spin bowler, Shoaib Bashir Carrer.

Hailing from Chertsey, Surrey England Shoaib Bashir was born on October 13, 2003. A Pakistani-origin cricketer, he embarked on his domestic cricket odyssey in 2003 before making his international debut in 2024. Renowned for his prowess in the red-ball format, Bashir has carved a niche for himself in the cricketing world.

Domestic Cricket

Bashir’s domestic cricket journey is intertwined with the Somerset County Cricket Club, where he honed his skills. His ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch, coupled with his imposing height of 6 feet 4 inches, has made him a formidable force in county cricket.

Also Read: New Zealand Bowlers With Most Wickets

International Breakthrough

The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment in Bashir’s career as he earned his maiden call-up to the England national cricket team. His Test debut against India at Visakhapatnam was a dream come true. A standout performance in the same series, where he claimed four crucial wickets, showcased his potential as a match-winner. 

A Spin Bowling Specialist

Bashir’s primary weapon is his off-spin bowling. His ability to deceive batsmen with subtle variations and extract unexpected turns has made him a challenging proposition for opposition batters. While he has yet to make his One-Day International (ODI) or Twenty20 International (T20I) debuts, his impressive Test performances have positioned him as a promising prospect for England’s limited-overs formats as well.

Personal Life

Beyond the cricket field, details about Bashir’s personal life remain relatively private. Information regarding his family, education, and other interests is limited. However, his focus and dedication to cricket are evident in his accomplishments.

As Shoaib Bashir continues to mature as a cricketer, the cricketing world eagerly awaits his future endeavours. With his talent determination and the support of his team, he is poised to make an enduring impact on English cricket.

Achievements

In the Test match against India, Shoaib Bashir became the second-youngest foreign bowler to take five wickets. He dismissed Shubhman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep to complete his first five-wicket haul.

Will Jacks’ heroic 86 propels Surrey to a commanding 13-run victory over Essex in the Vitality Blast. Surrey secures the top spot and home quarter-final.

Will Jack’s blistering 86 propelled Surrey to a commanding 13-run victory over Essex, solidifying their position at the top of the Vitality Blast South Group and securing a home quarter-final.

Will Jacks fireworks, including five colossal sixes, formed the cornerstone of a crucial sixth-wicket partnership with Jordan Clark. Their 63-run stand, a new record against Essex, revived Surrey’s innings after a mid-order slump. The hosts ultimately posted a challenging total of 189 for 9.

Essex’s spin duo, Matt Critchley (2-22) and Simon Harmer (3-44) posed a significant threat, restricting Surrey’s momentum. However, a late surge from Jacks and Clark tilted the balance in Surrey’s favour.

Adam Rossington’s valiant 78, featuring five sixes, nearly orchestrated a remarkable Essex chase. His efforts kept hopes alive until the final overs but Surrey’s bowlers, led by Cameron Steel (2-26), successfully defended their total.

Also Read: Three Players Who Played In IPL as Indians And Are Now Playing In MLC 2024 As Americans

Essex now face a must-win situation in their final group match against Hampshire to secure a quarter-final berth.

Contrasting fortunes marked Surrey’s innings. After a solid start, they suffered a collapse triggered by the spin twins, Critchley and Harmer. However, Jack’s counter-attack and the late-order contributions provided a platform for victory.

Ultimately, Jack’s explosive batting and Surrey’s disciplined bowling proved decisive in this thrilling contest.

After the victory, Will Jacks said,

It’s a tough place to come to and we were very pleased to come out with a victory. I’m really pleased with my performance. I had to stick it out while we lost a few wickets and then played to my strengths to see it out.

Surrey Cricket Reacted:

Cam Steel hits 11 from the final three balls as Surrey finish on 189/9. 

Will Jacks was the star performer with the bat, scoring a brutal 86.

Essex will require 190 runs from 120 balls. 

Cam Steel hits 11 from the final three balls as Surrey finish on 189/9.

Will Jacks was the star performer with the bat, scoring a brutal 86.

Essex will require 190 runs from 120 balls…

WATCH LIVE 📲 https://t.co/fYQ3aOCliY

🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/DLx1E0803q

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) July 14, 2024