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ICC contacts ECB over Stokes retirement video

Published

2 months ago

2026/07/9

Priyan

Before start of Day 4, Stokes informed teammates of his decision during the Trent Bridge Test [Cricbuzz]

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the governing body deemed the release of Ben Stokes’ retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand to be in breach of its Player and Match officials’ Area (PMOA) regulations.

Stokes’ decision to retire from international cricket was made public on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test, even as the match was still in progress. Before the start of play that morning, the former England captain informed his teammates of his decision in the dressing room, with that address filmed by ECB’s media team. The footage, complete with audio, was released to broadcasters and on social media shortly before the Tea interval while play was underway.

The ICC has since informed the ECB that publishing the footage before the conclusion of the Test contravened its PMOA minimum standards, which prohibit the recording and broadcast of audio and video from team dressing rooms during an ongoing international fixture. The regulations, introduced as part of the ICC’s anti-corruption framework, specifically state that no fixed or temporary recording equipment should be used inside dressing rooms for broadcast purposes.

In its correspondence, sent on Saturday, the ICC reiterated that any material captured within the PMOA must neither include audio nor be released before the end of a match. The governing body has not publicly commented on the matter, and the ECB is yet to issue a response.

Explaining the timing of the announcement after the fourth day’s play, Stokes said the rollout had been coordinated between his representatives and the ECB. “I just said, ‘You guys work with Michael Lumb and Neil Fairbrother, who work with me, and you guys just come up with a plan’,” said the all-rounder.

In a moment that added to the drama, Stokes was bowling when news of his retirement broke publicly and dismissed Zak Foulkes with the very next ball he delivered. His international career eventually came to an end on the fifth and final day of the Test.

Reacting to the news of ICC’s move, Stokes posted a sarcastic Tweet on Thursday (July 9), writing simply: “Sack him.”

Stokes’ retirement has also accelerated England’s search for a new Test captain ahead of next month’s three-Test series against Pakistan. Vice-captain Harry Brook has already said it would be an ‘honour’ to take over, although the ECB is understood to be taking its time before confirming an appointment.

England’s next Test assignment is at home against Pakistan, a three-Test series against Pakistan which will get underway at Headingley on August 19.

[Cricbuzz]

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Sun directly overhead Neriyakulam, Punewa, Kebithigollewa, Pankulam and Sinhapura at about 12.10 noon today (31)

Published

26 mins ago

2026/08/31

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (31) are Neriyakulam, Punewa, Kebithigollewa, Pankulam and Sinhapura about 12.10 noon.

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US strikes Iran’s Larak Island in first attack in weeks

Published

60 mins ago

2026/08/31

Priyan

A US official says strikes targeted launchers for rockets carrying mines aimed at the Strait of Hormuz [File Aljazeera):

The United States has struck Larak Island in southern Iran in the first attack against the country since late July, a US official has confirmed to Al Jazeera.

Tehran vowed to retaliate for Sunday’s attack. The strikes risk renewing the military confrontation as the US shifts from the bombing campaign to a financial pressure strategy as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its seventh month

The US official said the strikes targeted launchers that were set to fire rockets carrying mines towards the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Fars News Agency had reported that explosions were heard near the island. Later on Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the attack by the “American-Zionist enemy”, saying that it resulted in the killing and injuring of several soldiers.

“This act will be responded to by the sons of Islamic Iran and will result in punishment of the aggressor,” the IRGC said in a statement.

In a statement shared by the news agency, IRGC spokesperson Sardar Mohebi accused the US of making “a strategic and fatal mistake”, for which it will pay consequences “in both the economic and military arenas”.

In recent weeks, the US has been claiming control over the strategic waterway, saying that it is managing to get millions of barrels of oil through the strait under its military protection even as Iran blockades the waterway.

Still, attacks on ships in Hormuz have been reported almost daily, and Iran has maintained that the strait is closed.

Sunday’s strikes show that the US is still willing to use military force despite the focus on sanctions to pressure Iran to make concessions over its nuclear programme and claims of control over Hormuz

(Aljazeera)

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Petrol to cost less from midnight today (30)

Published

8 hours ago

2026/08/30

Priyan

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a reduction in the prices of Petrol 92 and Petrol 95, effective from midnight today (30).

The price of Petrol 92 has been reduced by Rs. 15 per litre, from Rs. 414 to Rs. 399 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, from Rs. 495 to Rs. 475

There will be no change in the prices of diesel, Super Diesel and kerosene under the latest revision.