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The LPGA’s team match-play competition, the Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown, will take place this week at New Korea Country Club in Goyang-si, South Korea.

This is the fifth edition of the eight-team, 32-player event, which begins Thursday and will be contested over four days.

Thailand is the defending champion, beating runner-up Australia two years ago at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. South Korea (2018), U.S. (2016) and Spain (2014) are the other past winners.

New this year is the addition of a World team, which will include the top four players in the Rolex Rankings not on a qualifying team – Canada’s Brooke Henderson, England’s Charley Hull, Taiwan’s Wei-Ling Hsu and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.

Here is everything you need to know about this week’s competition:

Format

The first three days will feature pool play and four-ball matches before the top two teams in each pool advance to a four-team knockout stage initially pitting the winners of each pool against the runners-up with matchups consisting of two singles matches and one foursomes match. There will be a third-place match in addition to the final on Sunday afternoon local time (South Korea is 13 hours ahead of ET).

In pool play, matchups will feature two four-ball matches; teams will receive one point for a win and a half-point for a tie.

All matches will scheduled for 18 holes with extra holes only used in knockout stage.

Tiebreakers

If two teams are tied for first after pool play, the following methods will be used, in order:
1. Head-to-head result between the two teams
2. Total number of matches won
3. Higher seed
If three or more countries are tied for first, or two or more are tied for second, a playoff will be used – for two teams: sudden-death, four-ball match play with two players per team; for more than two teams: sudden-death, four-ball stroke play with two players per team.

Pool assignments

Note that seedings were locked in on Aug. 4 before several withdrawals.
POOL A
1. U.S.
4. Australia
5. Thailand
8. China

POOL B
2. Japan
3. South Korea
6. Sweden
7. World

TV schedule

WEDNESDAY
10 p.m.-3 a.m. ET (Golf Channel)

THURSDAY
10 p.m.-3 a.m. ET (Golf Channel)

FRIDAY
10 p.m.-3 a.m. ET (Golf Channel)

SATURDAY
7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

SUNDAY
Midnight-4 a.m. ET (Golf Channel)

Match schedule

Pool play matches will start from 8:15 p.m.-10 p.m. ET.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
Pool A: U.S. vs. China
Pool A: Australia vs. Thailand
Pool B: Japan vs. World
Pool B: South Korea vs. Sweden

THURSDAY-FRIDAY
Pool A: U.S. vs. Thailand
Pool A: Australia vs. China
Pool B: Japan vs. Sweden
Pool B: South Korea vs. World

FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Pool A: U.S. vs. Australia
Pool A: Thailand vs. China
Pool B: Japan vs. South Korea
Pool B: Sweden vs. World

SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Semifinal – Pool A winner vs. Pool B runner-up, 6 p.m.-6:20 p.m.
Semifinal – Pool B winner vs. Pool A runner-up, 6 p.m.-6:20 p.m.
Final – Semifinal winners, midnight-12:20 a.m.
Third-place match – Semifinal losers, midnight-12:20 a.m. (off No. 10)

Team rosters

Here are the four-player rosters with player’s Rolex Ranking listed in parentheses.

U.S.
Angel Yin (10)
Lauren Coughlin (16)
Yealimi Noh (28)
Lilia Vu (33)

Japan
Miyu Yamashita (6)
Mao Saigo (9)
Rio Takeda (12)
Ayaka Furue (23)

South Korea
Hyo Joo Kim (8)
Haeran Ryu (14)
Hye-Jin Choi (21)
Jin Young Ko (22)

Australia
Minjee Lee (3)
Hannah Green (18)
Grace Kim (26)
Steph Kyriacou (42)

Thailand
Jeeno Thitikul (1)
Chanettee Wannasaen (45)
Pajaree Anannarukarn (85)
Jasmine Suwannapura (141)

Sweden
Maja Stark (15)
Madelene Sagstrom (40)
Ingrid Lindblad (50)
Linn Grant (52)

World
Lydia Ko (4)
Charley Hull (5)
Brooke Henderson (25)
Wei-Ling Hsu (96)

China
Ruoning Yin (7)
Weiwei Zhang
Yan Liu (104)
Ruixin Liu (120)

Withdrawals

Nelly Korda (U.S.), Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) and Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand) have all withdrawn since the initial team announcements on Aug. 4. Korda cited injury when she withdrew earlier this month. As noted previously, the team seedings did not change.

Not qualified

England, Taiwan and Spain are the previous International Crown qualifiers who did not make the eight-team field this year. England and Taiwan each competed in three of the previous four editions while Spain hasn’t made the field since winning in 2014. England and Taiwan are represented on the World team this year, though.

The highest-ranked players not qualified, aside from the WDs, are England’s Lottie Woad (11), South Korea’s Sei Young Kim (13), France’s Celine Boutier (19) and American Andrea Lee (20).

Oct 18, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

The third iteration of the Emirates NBA Cup is set to start on Halloween night, Oct. 31 — a little over a week after the 2025-26 NBA regular season tips off.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were able to win the inaugural in-season tournament trophy in 2023, with James claiming the honors of tournament MVP. Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks raised their NBA Cup banner over the eventual NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But which team will claim its stake over the hardware in Las Vegas this year, and can it continue that tournament momentum into the postseason?

Here’s what you need to know about the in-season tournament, including rule changes for this year and the schedule.

Jump to a section:
FAQ |Schedule

FAQ (by Tim Bontemps)

The NBA unveiled the six groups for the third edition of its in-season tournament — now called the Emirates NBA Cup. Here’s a look at everything you’ll need to know about the return of the competition.

What is the format?

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has had a long-standing fascination with European soccer. Establishing an in-season cup competition within the NBA schedule came from soccer leagues having both a regular-season title, won by the team with the most points over the full year, and a separate tournament (or, in some leagues, multiple tournaments) that runs concurrently with the league season. In England, for example, there are the various divisions — led by the Premier League — and also the FA Cup competition. But unlike those European leagues, which play their cup competitions outside of their league schedules, the NBA Cup is built into the regular-season slate. The 30 NBA teams are split into six five-team groups — three featuring Eastern Conference teams, and three comprising Western Conference teams — with each team then playing one game against the other four in its group. The winner of each group, plus the team with the best record among the non-group winners, will then advance to the knockout stage of the competition.

How will this impact the regular-season schedule and standings?

Typically, the NBA sends out a full 82-game schedule in mid-August. Now, the league sends out only 80 games and leaves a gap for roughly a week to fill in later, depending on how the group stage of the NBA Cup plays out.

The two teams from the East and West that lose in the quarterfinals will play their 82nd game against one another on one of four dates: Dec. 11, 12, 14 or 15. Meanwhile, the 22 teams that fail to qualify for the knockout rounds will have their final two games scheduled — one at home and one on the road — on Dec. 11 or 12 and 14 or 15 against others eliminated in the group stage.

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The teams that reach the NBA Cup’s finale will actually play 83 games — though the championship game won’t count toward the standings or any statistical markers. All four teams that make it to Las Vegas for the semifinals will have completed their 82 games, and won’t need anything else added. The additional wrinkle added to this year’s schedule is the possibility that a few dates on the calendar may move around. On Dec. 8, there are currently three games scheduled: the Sacramento Kings at the Indiana Pacers; the Phoenix Suns at the Minnesota Timberwolves; and the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Pelicans. If any of those teams are playing in the quarterfinals, taking place on Dec. 9 and 10, those games would move to Dec. 7 (a decision that would be made by Nov. 29, the day after the end of the group stage). This also would only be an issue if one of the teams were playing on Dec. 9. If they’re playing Dec. 10, nothing will change. The other scheduling quirk is that there are currently eight teams — the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards — scheduled to play on Dec. 17, the day after the championship game in Las Vegas.

Any team that makes it to the semifinals in Las Vegas would have that game moved later into the schedule to avoid back-to-back games. The NBA made this change in an effort to avoid having empty days on the calendar while attempting to minimize back-to-back games for all teams as much as possible.

Are the semifinals and finals still being played in Las Vegas?

For this season, yes. Next year, however, the semifinals — like the quarterfinals — will be played at home sites. Having teams go to Sin City for a week (and, more importantly, trying to get fans there for two games over several days on short notice) hasn’t gone the way the league initially believed that it would.

What is new about the tournament this year?

Most of the games are being shown on Amazon Prime, including the knockout rounds. The schedule is also primarily on Fridays, beginning on Halloween, rather than bouncing back and forth from Tuesday to Friday throughout November as it did during the first two years of the tournament.

Why does the NBA Cup include regular-season games?

Before its launch, one of the main questions surrounding the in-season tournament was why any team would be incentivized to compete in it. The NBA ensured teams will be motivated by making every game part of the season — and, being in-conference, potentially important from a playoff-tiebreaker standpoint. If this had been set up like the cup tournaments in European soccer, there would have been nothing stopping NBA teams from opting out, literally or figuratively — sitting their top players for extra rest.

What teams make up the groups?

To create the groups, the NBA put all 15 teams in each conference into five pots, separated by their finish in last season’s standings. Pot 1 included the teams that finished 1-3 in regular-season record, teams 4-6 went into Pot 2, teams 7-9 into Pot 3, teams 10-12 into Pot 4, and teams 13-15 into Pot 5. As a result, the following groups were drawn:

• East A: Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

• East B: Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers

• East C: New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets

• West A:Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz

• West B: Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans

• West C: Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs

Does one group stand out the most from the others?

This one is easy: West Group C. Three of the top four teams in the Western Conference — Houston, Denver and Golden State — are in the group, plus a Blazers team that excelled down the stretch last season. Oh, and don’t forget about Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, too. West Group B is also competitive, but Memphis is already dealing with injuries, Dallas is missing Kyrie Irving and the Pelicans are expected to be well outside the playoff picture.

What do players get for winning?

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In 2023, the first year the tournament was held, the players on the winning team received $500,000 each, while those on the runners-up got $200,000. The losing players of the semifinals each got $100,000, and those ousted in the quarterfinals each got $50,000. Now, in each subsequent year, the prizes will be slightly higher, as a result of negotiated raises year over year to keep pace with increases in the salary cap and basketball-related income as part of the most recent collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association.

Will anyone earn individual honors for their play in NBA Cup games?

There will be an MVP award, as well as an all-tournament team.

Will this have any impact on the playoffs?

Not beyond the games counting in the regular-season standings (and toward tiebreakers). The only playoff impact comes from the wins and losses accrued throughout the tournament. Though there was debate among league insiders about guaranteeing a playoff berth for winning the tournament, ultimately, that idea (or any other to further incentivize teams) was not enacted.

Why is it called the Emirates NBA Cup?

The league struck a sponsorship deal with Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, to sponsor the tournament after its initial run. The NBA said last year that it went with the most basic titles for both the tournament and its trophy — the “in-season tournament” and “NBA Cup” — as a way to introduce the concept to fans. However, using such nondescript names had another clear advantage: It gave the league a blank slate in case the tournament and cup became properties it ended up selling to a sponsor, and avoided the complications that could arise by naming them after someone (for example, the late NBA commissioner David Stern, one possibility that had been floated before the tournament was officially unveiled).

2025 Emirates NBA Cup schedule:

All times Eastern

Group Play

Oct. 31

• Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.

• Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:00 p.m. (Prime)

• Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.

• New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.

• Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies, 9:30 p.m. (Prime)

• Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns, 10:00 p.m.

• Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m.

• New Orleans Pelicans at LA Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Nov. 7

• Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards, 7:00 p.m.

• Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic, 7:00 p.m.

• Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m.

• Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs, 7:30 p.m. (Prime)

• Toronto Raptors at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.

• Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat, 8:00 p.m.

• Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8:00 p.m.

• Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies, 8:00 p.m.

• Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:00 p.m.

• Oklahoma City Thunder at Sacramento Kings, 10:00 p.m.

• Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets, 10:00 p.m. (Prime)

Nov. 14

• Brooklyn Nets at Orlando Magic, 7:00 p.m.

• Miami Heat at New York Knicks, 7:00 p.m. (Prime)

• Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m.

• Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:00 p.m.

• Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets, 8:00 p.m.

• Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans, 8:00 p.m.

• Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8:00 p.m.

• LA Clippers at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.

• Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs, 9:30 p.m. (Prime)

Nov. 21

• Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:00 p.m. (Prime)

• Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m.

• Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

• Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.

• New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.

• Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns, 9:00 p.m.

• Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets, 9:30 p.m. (Prime)

• Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors, 10:00 p.m.

• Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz, 10:00 p.m.

Nov. 25

• Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards, 7:00 p.m.

• Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers, 8:00 p.m. (Peacock)

• LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers, 11:00 p.m. (Peacock)

Nov. 26

• Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics, 5:00 p.m. (ESPN)

• New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets, 7:00 p.m.

• Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m.

• Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

• Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m.

• Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans, 8:00 p.m.

• Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors, 10:00 p.m. (ESPN)

• San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m.

• Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings, 10:00 p.m.

Nov. 28

• Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.

• Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets, 7:30 p.m.

• Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (Prime)

• Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m.

• Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m.

• Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers, 7:30 p.m.

• Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m.

• Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz, 9:30 p.m.

• San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets, 9:30 p.m.

• Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:00 p.m. (Prime)

• Memphis Grizzlies at LA Clippers, 10:00 p.m.

Knockout

Dec. 9 and 10: Quarterfinals

• TBD vs. TBD, (Prime)

• TBD vs. TBD, (Prime)

• TBD vs. TBD, (Prime)

• TBD vs. TBD, (Prime)

Dec. 13: Semifinals

• TBD vs. TBD, (Prime)

• TBD vs. TBD, (Prime)

Dec. 16: Championship

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Test Twenty is a recently launched cricket format that combines Twenty20 cricket with Test cricket. It was formally released on October 16, 2025, and is designed for players between the ages of 13 and 19. The first season will begin in January 2026 in India.

Both teams bat twice, just like in a Test match, and the format consists of 80 overs in a single day split into four innings of 20 overs each. The matches will be played in whites with a red ball. Six teams, including three from India and three each from Dubai, London, and the USA, will compete in the first Test Twenty season. Eight Indian and eight international cricket players will make up each team’s 16 players. The first edition will be a boys-only tournament, with a girls†version planned from the second season onward.

The concept was developed by Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of The One One Six Network. The advisory board includes cricket legends Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, AB de Villiers, and Harbhajan Singh. As of now, Test Twenty is not approved by the ICC. The International Cricket Council officially recognizes only Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Rules of Test Twenty: Cricketâ€s Newest Format

Test Twenty is an 80-over format designed to combine the traditions of Test cricket with the excitement of T20Is. Each team plays two innings of 20 overs each, and the match is finished in a single day. Since the score from the first inning is carried over, the final score is the sum of the individual scores. Like traditional tests, there are four possible outcomes: win, lose, tie, or draw. If both teams end with equal totals, a Super Over decides the winner. However, if a batting team finishes its innings with five or more wickets remaining, it may choose a draw.

In this format, each team gets one power play, lasting four overs, which the captain can call at any time; if unused, it automatically activates between overs 7 and 10 of the second innings. A follow-on can be enforced if the second team trails by 75 runs or more after their first innings. If a team is bowled out before completing 10 overs in its first innings, the opposing team receives three additional overs. Only five bowlers may be used per side, and each can bowl a maximum of eight overs across both innings.

In this format, T20 rules apply for wides and no-balls, but if a bowler concedes three or more in one over, a three-run penalty is added. A five-run penalty and loss of a timeout will be imposed in case of slow overrates. In case of a tie, the game goes into a Super Session (a one-over eliminator). If the result remains level, the team with more boundaries is declared the winner.

When will the inaugural Test Twenty begin?

The inaugural Test Twenty season will begin in January 2026. It will include six global franchises, three based in Indian cities and three international teams from Dubai, London, and the United States. Each team will have 16 players, made up of eight Indian and eight international players.

Player registration for cricketers aged 13 to 19 opened on October 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM IST on www.testwenty.com/register. The first season will be hosted in India and will feature only a boys†tournament, while a girls†edition will be introduced from the second season.

FAQs

Q. What is the Test Twenty format?
A. Test Twenty is cricketâ€s new fourth format that combines features of Test and T20 cricket. Each match has a total of 80 overs, and both teams bat twice for 20 overs each.

Q. How long does a Test Twenty match last?
A. It is completed in one day, with 80 overs played in total.

Q. How is Test Twenty different from regular T20 cricket?
A. Regular T20 has one inning of 20 overs per team, while Test Twenty has two innings of 20 overs each per side, making it a four-inning match.

Q. When will the Test Twenty format start?
A. The format is set to launch in January 2026.

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Test Twenty is cricket’s new format, which was officially introduced on October 17, 2025, as the fourth format of the game after Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. It is created to attract young fans aged 13–19 and mixes the structure of Test cricket with T20 matches. The format has 80 overs in total, with two innings of 20 overs per team, and scores are continued like in Test matches. Matches can end in a win, loss, tie, or draw.

The first edition of the Test Twenty Championship will begin in January 2026, hosted in India for the first two seasons. Entry for teenagers aged 13–19 will be free with a valid ID.

The initiative was launched by Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan Singh, Sir Clive Lloyd, AB de Villiers, and organizer Gaurav Bahirvani. Lloyd praised the format, saying it can help revive interest in Test-style cricket, especially in regions like the West Indies, where traditional Test cricket has declined. The long-term plan is to make Test Twenty a touring league, expanding to non-traditional cricket nations in future editions.

What Is Test Twenty?

Test Twenty is cricketâ€s newest format that combines parts of Test cricket and T20. It has 80 overs in a single day, divided into four innings, each team bats twice, similar to a Test match. The rules of both Test and T20 cricket apply, with some changes to make the format more exciting, short, and TV-friendly. A match may end in a draw, tie, loss, or victory.

The format focuses on players aged 13–19 and aims to discover and develop young talent globally. In this format, more advanced technologies, such as motion sensors in bats and balls and AI-powered scouting, are reported to be used to help players get better and gain a better understanding of the game.

In January 2026, India will host the inaugural Junior Test Twenty Championship (JTTC). Six franchises will take part: three in India and three international teams based in Dubai, London, and a US city. Each team will have a squad of 16 players with 8 Indian and 8 international players, and a Wildcard Pool of 204 players will allow mid-season selections.

Rules and Format of Test Twenty

Test Twenty is cricketâ€s newest format that combines features of Test cricket and T20. Each match is played in one day with 80 overs in total, divided into four innings, so each team bats twice. A match may end in a draw, tie, loss, or victory.

It follows the rules of both Test and T20 cricket, but with small adjustments to make the game faster and suitable for broadcasting. The primary goal of Test Twenty is to develop cricket talent globally by focusing on young players between the ages of 13 and 19.

The competition will include six teams, three in India and three internationally in Dubai, London, and a US city. Each team will have a 16-player squad with eight Indian and eight international players. A total of 96 players will be drafted, and an additional 204 players will make up a Wildcard Pool for mid-season picks.

FAQs

Q. What is the Test T20 format?

A. Test T20 is a new cricket format that mixes Test cricket with T20 cricket. The match has 80 overs in total, and each team bats 20 overs in two innings.

Q. What is the format of a regular T20 match?

A. In T20 cricket, each team plays one innings with a maximum of 20 overs. Each bowler can bowl up to 4 overs.

Q. What is Test Twenty?

A. Test Twenty is the worldâ€s first 80-over format. It combines Test strategy with T20 intensity, making matches faster while keeping some Test elements.

Q. What is the structure of T20?

A. T20 is a limited-overs match with two teams, each batting 20 overs (120 balls) in one innings.

Q. What will be the ball color in the new Test Twenty format?

A. Test Twenty matches will be played with the red ball, similar to traditional Test cricket.

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A fusion of Test cricketâ€s strategy and T20â€s pace, the new Test Twenty format promises 80 overs of action and a new pathway for young global talent.

Cricket has seen a steady evolution — from traditional five-day Tests to the fast-paced T20s, The Hundred, and T10. Now, the sport welcomes a new entrant: Test Twenty, officially unveiled on Thursday.

Blending the patience of Test cricket with the excitement of limited-overs play, Test Twenty keeps both traditional and modern audiences in mind. Each match features 80 overs in a single day, divided into four innings, with each team batting twice, mirroring the structure of a conventional Test match.

According to the organizers, “Each team bats twice, reviving the art of building an innings while keeping the format short, dynamic, and broadcast-friendly.â€

Matches can end in a win, loss, tie, or draw, maintaining the spirit of longer formats within a compact framework.

Aimed at discovering future stars

The innovation comes from The Fourth Format, the organization leading the initiative. Their goal is more than entertainment — they aim to build a global cricketing ecosystem that identifies and nurtures young talent between 13 and 19 years of age.

To achieve this, the project incorporates cutting-edge technology such as AI-driven scouting systems and motion sensors in bats and balls to collect performance data and enhance player development.

Gaurav Bahirvani, CEO of The Fourth Format and Executive Chairman of the One One Six Network, explained, “Weâ€re not just creating another cricket tournament; weâ€re building a global ecosystem to discover and develop future cricketing talent. Think of this as the NCAA equivalent for world cricket.â€

He added that the projectâ€s long-term goal is to provide equal opportunities regardless of gender, background, or geography.

From season two, the movement expands further to include women cricketers, ensuring inclusivity and equality at the heart of cricket’s next era.

Legends back the vision

Several cricketing greats have voiced their support for the Test Twenty initiative, including Sir Clive Lloyd, AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh, who participated in the virtual launch event.

AB de Villiers praised the balance between creativity and discipline that the new format brings, “Test Twenty gives players the freedom to express themselves while also teaching them how to survive across two innings — the best of both worlds.â€

Matthew Hayden, one of the driving forces behind the project, highlighted its developmental value, “The youth are the future. This format tests both mental and physical endurance while keeping the excitement alive. Itâ€s a modern approach to identifying and grooming talent.â€

Building bridges with cricket boards

While Test Twenty introduces a fresh concept, its creators emphasize collaboration, not competition, with existing cricket boards.

Bahirvani and Hayden underlined that their goal is to support and enhance grassroots cricket through data-driven methods and partnerships.

Hayden remarked, “In Australia, we once had a national academy that produced world-class cricketers. A system like Test Twenty can fill that gap by identifying young talent through a structured, technology-based approach.â€

Bahirvani added, “Everyone deserves more than two chances. Test Twenty is about giving every young cricketer a fair opportunity to grow. We are happy to share technology and scouting tools with organizations like the BCCI and county boards in the UK.â€

When and where will Test Twenty begin?

The inaugural edition of the Junior Test Twenty Championship (JTTC) is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with India hosting the first tournaments.

The competition will feature six franchises — three based in India and three representing Dubai, London, and a U.S. city.

Each franchise will field a 16-player squad, consisting of eight Indian and eight international players, creating a 96-player draft pool. An additional 204 players will form a Wildcard Pool for mid-season selections.

The champions of the first edition will be crowned Junior Test Twenty Champions, receiving a symbolic crown representing cricketâ€s future generation.

Rules and format

Test Twenty introduces a series of refined rules to enhance strategy and excitement:

Powerplay: One per match (4 overs), tactical decision-making required.

Follow-On: Enforced if the second batting team trails by 75+ runs after first innings.

Early Collapse Clause: Extra overs added to opponent if a team is bowled out within 10 overs.

Bowling Allocation: Max five bowlers, 8 overs each, distributed across innings strategically.

Wides and No-Balls: T20 penalties, plus cumulative penalties for repeated mistakes.

Conditional Draw: Team batting second can opt for a draw with fewer than 5 wickets down.

Tie & Super Session: Aggregate tie resolved with one-over eliminator; if still tied, boundary count decides winner.

These adjustments encourage tactical risk-taking, precision, and strategic play while remaining easy for fans to follow.

The bigger picture

In essence, Test Twenty is not just another format — it is a forward-looking project aimed at bridging the gap between grassroots development and professional cricket.

By combining tradition, innovation, and inclusivity, it seeks to reshape how the world identifies and nurtures cricketing talent — one 80-over day at a time.

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Yahooâ€s High Score format changes how we view fantasy basketball sleepers. Since only your best game of the week counts, consistency matters less, and upside matters more. You’re required to start at least three frontcourt players in your lineup. Rebounds (1 point) aren’t as valuable in High Score, but there’s no shortage of versatile forwards and centers who will run your numbers up.

[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. Create or join a league]

Below are five sleeper frontcourt players outside the top 100 in ADP who could become difference-makers in High Score.

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Dereck Lively, Dallas Mavericks

Current ADP: 119.0

High Score Impact

Lively quietly ranked in the top 25 among frontcourt players in fantasy points per minute (FPPM) last season, posting an impressive 1.19 fantasy points per minute (FPPM) in High Score. He also receives a short-term boost with Daniel Gafford missing 2-3 weeks due to an ankle sprain. Lively has a double-double with multiple-stock upside, and at 119, that’s well worth the price.

Standard Points Outlook

At 1.15 FPPM in standard points leagues, he provides solid frontcourt depth as you’re nearing the back end of drafts. The minutes will be there initially, so he’ll get plenty of rebounds and blocks to be fantasy relevant in this format.

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Category League Fit

Lively helps anchor FG percentage while generating blocks and boards. Apparently, he’s been working on his 3-ball, too, so pencil in another category that’ll boost his value. Even if he doesn’t take a step forward as a scorer, he’s healthy with his role well-defined as a rim protector who holds down the paint.

Tari Eason, Houston Rockets

Current ADP: 123.0

High Score Impact

Eason finished in the 91st percentile (1.17) in fantasy points per minute among players who played a minimum of 500 minutes last season. Even in a bench role, he provides starter-level production. Like Lively, Eason’s value went up due to injury. Dorian Finney-Smith is still recovering from ankle surgery and will likely miss opening night. Eason’s disruptive defense (97 steals, 50 blocks in 57 games) translates perfectly to this format.

Learn more about High Score

Standard Points Outlook

Finney-Smith’s injury gives me more confidence in targeting Eason in all formats. He’ll have moments of playing 28-30 minutes where he’ll go off in points, rebounds and especially in stocks. He averaged 28 fantasy points per game in standard leagues last year, so 30 per game is very attainable.

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Category League Fit

His value is best suited for 9-cat because his stocks and versatility shine through. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he’s a top-100 player in both fantasy and real life.

Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies

Current ADP: 115.0

High Score Impact

Aldama produced a respectable 1.11 High Score FPPM last season, showing his ability to chip in across the board. While not a flashy player, he can shoot, is a decent rebounder and is a low-key good at passing. Aldama had 15 games with five or more assists last year. The injuries to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke opened up a huge chance for Aldama to produce right away and fantasy managers should draft him.

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Standard Points Outlook

At 1.06 FPPM, heâ€s more than serviceable with an increased role to start the season. Aldama has a 40-50 point boom potential (he fell within that range 10 times last year).

Category League Fit

Aldama posted career highs in six of nine categories last year, was rewarded with a new contract and will get a ton of minutes due to injuries in the Grizzlies frontcourt. I’d draft him well ahead of his ADP.

Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz

Current ADP: 135.0

High Score Impact

I’m probably early on Bailey. However, his style of play screams boom-or-bust, which aligns with High Score’s brand. He gets buckets and can step into being the second option offensively. He rebounds decently well and his athleticism should net some stocks. He’s a guy I’ll draft to fill out my depth with upside.

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Standard Points Outlook

Most young, high volatility scorers perform better in points leagues. Bailey’s no different. Not having to worry about efficiency is a nice bonus when drafting rookies.

Category League Fit

I’m not as high on Bailey in 9-cat because he profiles as a player who will be too inconsistent to rely on if building a balanced squad.

Other frontcourt sleeper options:

• Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies (ADP 140.6)

• Jay Huff, Indiana Pacers (ADP 139.0)

• Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors (ADP: 130.0)

• Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics (ADP:140.8)

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Yahooâ€s High Score format changes how we view fantasy basketball sleepers. Since only your best game of the week counts, consistency matters less, and upside matters more. Guards who can spike in assists (2 points each) and steals (3 points each) with turnovers not being a factor gain significant value compared to standard points or category leagues.

[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. Create or join a league]

Below are five sleeper guards outside the top 100 in ADP who could become difference-makers in High Score.

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Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks

Current ADP: 121

High Score Impact

KPJ thrives in volatility, which is exactly what High Score rewards. Last season, he averaged 1.24 fantasy points per minute (FPPM) in High Score compared to 1.10 in standard points leagues. That’s a meaningful 13% value boost thanks to his assists, defense and the absence of turnovers. Playing 30+ minutes per game, Porter has a 40-50 fantasy-point ceiling in a given week, with a safe 30+ floor, making him a steal late in drafts.

Standard Points Outlook

I’m bullish on KPJ in standard points leagues because when he starts, he puts up numbers. In 150 career starts, KPJ averaged 17.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. The turnovers (-1 in standard points leagues) may suppress his value on occasion, but he’s an easy candidate to outperform his ADP and ball out across formats.

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Category League Fit

Porter is a strong add for points, assists and steals in punt-turnover or guard-heavy builds. He remains streaky in percentages, but the cross-category production plus high minutes and usage make him a prime late-round target.

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Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets

Current ADP: 124

High Score Impact

As a rookie, Sheppard was quietly efficient, posting 0.94 fantasy points per minute (FPPM) in High Score versus 0.85 in standard points leagues in just 12.6 minutes per game. With Fred VanVleet sidelined for the season, Sheppard’s role is expected to expand to 30 minutes per game; that would amount to nearly 30 fantasy points (FPTS) per contest in High Score. His defensive instincts, combined with the increased playmaking opportunities, make him a perfect fit for the format. Just be patient if the heavy minutes don’t come right away.

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Standard Points Outlook

There were a few instances where Sheppard showed glimpses of being a potential third or fourth scoring option for the Rockets. Still, at 0.85 FPPM, heâ€s more of a deep-league, late-round stash unless he gets a significant bump in shot volume — which initially, may be hard to come by.

Category League Fit

His mix of assists, stocks and efficiency without turnovers makes him a value buy for 9-cat builds, especially for managers punting points.

Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Current ADP: 116

High Score Impact

A broken fibula ended Ivey’s third-year breakout campaign. However, he’s back and at a depressed value that fantasy managers should act on. He averaged 1.12 FPPM in High Score last season, compared to 0.98 in standard points leagues, demonstrating how his assists and defensive flashes enhance his scoring under this metric. With 30-point scoring upside coupled with his ascension as a playmaker, he’s going to do well in this format.

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Standard Points Outlook

Ivey was on pace to have a career year before suffering a season-ending injury. He increased his scoring, rebounding and assist rate and now that he’s fully healthy, he’ll comfortably average over 30 FPPG for a burgeoning Pistons squad.

Category League Fit

Zero qualms with taking Ivey in category leagues. There is some room for improvement with his FT percentage, efficiency and turnovers, but his usage will be over 25% and he’ll be a positive asset for scoring, 3s, assists and rebounds at his position.

Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Current ADP: 128.5

High Score Impact

The NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year posted a strong 1.13 High Score FPPM vs. 1.00 in standard points leagues across 81 games last season. His production (14.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.9 SPG) fits High Score perfectly, as defensive contributions and secondary playmaking can fuel his game even on average scoring nights. De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) won’t be ready for the start of the regular season, leaving Castle with a sizable opportunity to do work once the season tips off.

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Standard Points Outlook

Castle has a more muted impact in standard points leagues since heâ€s not a high-volume scorer, but nearly 1.0 FPPM makes him a viable late-round option in deep leagues.

Category League Fit

I don’t love Castle’s category profile because of his inefficiencies from the field and charity stripe, plus a low volume of 3s. If you need steals and assists in the short term, he’ll be an asset as long as Fox is in street clothes.

Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz

Current ADP: 136.1

High Score Impact

Collierâ€s rookie year efficiency makes him one of the most intriguing second-year guards in High Score. At 1.08 FPPM, his facilitating (446 assists in 71 games) and defensive upside (66 steals) give him a well-rounded profile that benefits directly from the weighted scoring in High Score. With more experience and potentially more minutes, Collier could push toward 30 FPTS per game in Year 2, making him a strong upside pick outside the top 120.

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Standard Points Outlook

At 0.87 FPPM, Collier was less efficient in standard formats. His main drawback in fantasy is his inefficiency, which doesn’t significantly impact most point-scoring formats. With low-end double-double potential in points and assists, I’d be targeting Collier in all points leagues.

Category League Fit

Collier, like many young point guards, struggles with turnovers and efficiency. His 3-ball is also a work in progress. That said, he is an inexpensive source of assists who could finish in the top 10 in the league in that category. He also offers some value in steals and rebounding at his position. He’s undervalued in the market and can fit in a few different roster builds.

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Other High Score sleeper guards

• Kyshawn George – G/F, Washington Wizards

• Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings

• Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls

• Nickeil Alexander-Walker – G/F, Atlanta Hawks

• Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat

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With wild-card matchups set, there are a few things fans should know before the action gets underway. The first is that the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers will all have opening-round byes. Their first playoff action won’t come until Saturday, October 4.

Secondly, each league’s third division-winner and top wild-card teams will have home-field advantage throughout the wild-card round. That’s one reason why the Cleveland Guardians’ late-season surge to an AL Central title was so huge.

The Guardians, who were 15½ games back in early July, won the division via tiebreakers over the Detroit Tigers—whose collapse was nearly as epic as Cleveland’s comeback.

Detroit still had a 10-game lead in early September before a miserable month. At least, the Tigers will have a shot at redemption against their division rivals this week.

“This familiarity can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you look at it,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, per Evan Woodberry of MLive. “So we’re going to have to turn over every rock and make sure we’re prepared.”

The Guardians will now be at home for all three (if necessary) games against the Tigers in the wild-card round. The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs will also hold home-field advantage this week.

Once the divisional round begins this weekend, teams will engage in five-game series with the top division winners holding home-field advantage. Those series will follow a 2-2-1 home-field format. The ALCS, NLCS and World Series are all best-of-seven series following a 2-3-2 format.

The MLB playoff bracket does not feature reseeding, so the No. 1 seed will never face another division-winner ahead of the League Championship Series.

The Blue Jays will play the winner of the Yankees and Boston Red Sox wild-card matchup, while the Brewers will face the winner of the San Diego Padres and Cubs matchup.

The team with the better regular-season record will have home-field advantage in the ALCS, NLCS and World Series.

In last year’s playoffs, three of the top four seeds made it to the League Championship Round—along with the sixth-seeded New York Mets. Both No. 1 seeds, the Yankees and Dodgers, faced off in the World Series.

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England last won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017, when they beat India in a nailbiting final at Lord’s

The 13th edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup starts on Tuesday, 30 September, with England hoping to lift the title for a fifth time.

Only defending champions Australia (seven times) have won it more often, with New Zealand the only other country to get their hands on the prize when they triumphed 25 years ago.

Here is everything you need to know about the latest tournament, including the schedule, how to watch and follow on the BBC.

What is the Women’s World Cup?

The World Cup is regarded as the most prestigious competition in women’s cricket and is played once every four years by eight teams (though that will rise to 10 in 2029).

The eight competing nations are: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The latest edition is being hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan playing all of their matches in Colombo because of the current political situation with neighbours India.

What is the schedule and format of the Women’s World Cup?

Matches are 50 overs per side, with each team playing the other once in the initial round-robin group stage.

The top four progress to the semi-finals, with the group-stage leader playing the team which finished fourth and second and third playing against each other.

India and Sri Lanka open the tournament on 30 September in Guwahati, with England getting their campaign under way against South Africa, also in Guwahati, on 3 October.

Current holders Australia begin against New Zealand in Indore on 1 October and face hosts India in Visakhapatnam on 12 October and Ashes rivals England on 22 October in Indore.

Colombo will host Pakistan’s seven group games, including against India and England. A semi-final and the final will also take place there, if Pakistan make it that far.

When is Women’s World Cup final this year?

The final will be played on 2 November and will be held in Colombo if Pakistan qualify or Navi Mumbai in India if not. It begins at 09:30 GMT.

Who are the past winners?

1973: England

1978: Australia

1982: Australia

1988: Australia

1993: England

1997: Australia

2000: New Zealand

2005: Australia

2009: England

2013: Australia

2017: England

2022: Australia

How can I follow Women’s World Cup on the BBC?

There will be commentary of every game on Test Match Special, via BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app and on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

In addition, the BBC Sport website and app will run live text commentaries on the majority of games in the competition, with in-play clips, reports and features from on the ground.

The matches are live on Sky Sports in the UK.

The BBC Cricket Instagram, external account is a key destination for cricket fans, plus you can keep up to date with the competition via the BBC Cricket WhatsApp channel, external.

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The ACC will join the Big Ten, SEC and Big 12 and play nine conference football games in future seasons.

The league announced Monday that its athletic directors voted in favor of future regular-season schedules that include nine conference games and at least 10 games against Power 4 foes.

“This positions the ACC as one of only two leagues committed to having every team annually play a minimum of 10 games against Power 4 teams,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement.

“There will be additional discussions and more details to be determined, but today’s decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and their respective programs.”

This comes after the SEC announced last month it will implement a nine-game conference schedule starting with the 2026 campaign. It also requires its schools to play at least one additional game against a Power 4 opponent or Notre Dame.

Part of the SEC’s scheduling change will also feature three locked-in opponents for each school that can rotate every four years.

On 3’s Chris Low reported on what those locked-in games will look like in the immediate future:

It remains to be seen whether the ACC will take a similar approach, and Phillips’ statement highlighted the number of decisions that still need to be made. But moving to nine conference games was key to creating more uniformity across the various conferences with the future format of the College Football Playoff still up in the air.

The Big Ten and the Big 12 already play nine conference games and would surely want the other power conferences to do the same if there are going to be a number of at-large bids up for grabs in future CFP formats.

After all, an additional league game means half of the teams in the entire conference will have another loss. Those losses will hurt their resumes and decrease the overall strength of schedule for other teams in the league looking for at-large bids.

That could be particularly important if a 5-11 model is eventually put in place that gives five automatic bids to conference champions and 11 at-large bids.

As for the ACC, it had just two teams in the inaugural 12-team CFP last season. It likely would have only had one if SMU had defeated Clemson in the conference title game, but both teams made the field just to lose in the first round.

While the Tigers are just 1-3 this season and don’t seem like a realistic contender, the conference appears to have more CFP threats as a whole with Miami, Florida State and Georgia Tech all off to strong starts.

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