Saturday 11 July 2026 delivered the kind of day that reshapes reputations: England swept India 4-0 in the men’s T20Is and took their No.1 ranking, while at Lord’s a 142-year wait for a women’s Test ended with India seizing near-total control.
For English supporters it was a day of two moods — Jos Buttler’s brutal best at Southampton, and a sinking feeling at Lord’s, where Kranti Gaud’s five-for left the hosts staring at a heavy defeat in the most historic fixture of their summer.
The pace of events has been relentless. England have now won 19 of their last 22 completed T20Is under Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum, India have lost six straight in the format, and the first women’s Test at Lord’s could be decided inside three days. If this is what a transitional England white-ball side looks like, what does the finished product look like?
How did England complete their 4-0 T20I sweep of India?
England went into the Southampton finale targeting the sweep and India’s No.1 ranking, and delivered emphatically. Jos Buttler smashed 131 from 64 balls as England posted 257 for 3, before Sam Curran’s 3 for 36 helped restrict India to 201 for 8 — a 56-run win that sealed the 4-0 scoreline and top spot in the ICC rankings, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Ishan Kishan (56 off 35) and Tilak Varma (53 off 25) offered India resistance, but the reigning T20 world champions fly home winless, their slump now stretching to six defeats in a row following the 2-0 loss in Ireland, according to IANS.
How big was the Buttler and Brook stand at the Rose Bowl?
Buttler’s 131 — 12 fours and eight sixes — ended a long run without a T20I fifty, while captain Harry Brook finished unbeaten on 95 from 45 balls. Their 233-run second-wicket partnership was the fourth-highest in men’s T20I history, IANS reports. Buttler said afterwards the win was a big achievement and that he was delighted with England’s rise to No.1.
Who is winning the first women’s Test at Lord’s?
India, and comprehensively. A day after Sophie Ecclestone became England Women’s leading wicket-taker with 338 international scalps, England were bowled out for 170 in reply to India’s 285, with Kranti Gaud taking 5 for 37 — a maiden Test five-for that made her the youngest Indian woman fast bowler to achieve the feat, according to IANS. India closed day two on 154 for 1, a lead of 269, with Sky Sports among the outlets noting England’s slide from celebration towards damage control.
What happened in Bangladesh’s final ODI against Zimbabwe?
In Harare, Bangladesh avoided a whitewash with a seven-wicket win in the third ODI, ESPNcricinfo reports. Shoriful Islam took 4 for 44 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 199, before Tanzid Hasan’s 94 anchored a chase completed inside 36 overs. Zimbabwe still took the series 2-1, with Brad Evans named Player of the Series — a fitting end to an ODI series Zimbabwe approached with genuine intent after Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s return had sharpened Bangladesh’s edge.
Saturday’s results at a glance
| Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 5th men’s T20I — England v India | Utilita Bowl, Southampton | England won by 56 runs (257-3 v 201-8); series 4-0 |
| Women’s Test, day two — England v India | Lord’s | India 285 & 154-1 lead England (170) by 269 |
| 3rd ODI — Zimbabwe v Bangladesh | Harare Sports Club | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets; Zimbabwe win series 2-1 |
What comes next?
The men’s tour moves to its ODI leg, where India must arrest a white-ball slide that has now consumed an entire T20I series. India’s selectors have already turned one eye to Harare, with Shreyas Iyer named to lead a youthful T20I squad in Zimbabwe from 23 July. At Lord’s, day three on Sunday 12 July gives England a fading chance to save the historic Test — and India a chance to finish a statement week.
Cricket Facts — 11 July 2026
Did England win the T20I series against India? Yes. As of 11 July 2026, England completed a 4-0 sweep with a 56-run win at Southampton and replaced India at the top of the ICC men’s T20I rankings.
Who took a five-wicket haul in the Lord’s women’s Test? Kranti Gaud, with 5 for 37 on 11 July 2026 — a maiden Test five-for that made her the youngest Indian woman fast bowler to take one, according to IANS.
Did Zimbabwe win the ODI series against Bangladesh? Yes. Zimbabwe won 2-1; Bangladesh’s seven-wicket victory in Harare on 11 July 2026 was a consolation in the final match.
Who leads the first women’s Test at Lord’s? As of stumps on 11 July 2026, India lead England by 269 runs with nine second-innings wickets in hand.
