The achievement makes Kushare only the fourth Indian athlete overall to finish on the podium in a Diamond League meet. Before him, only Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, discus thrower Vikas Gowda and long jumper Murali Sreeshankar had managed the feat.

Kushare produced a composed performance against a world-class field that included several of the sport’s biggest names. His 2.26-metre effort helped him finish ahead of Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and American jumper JuVaughn Harrison.

Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk claimed the gold medal after clearing 2.32 metres, while Britain’s Jack Kimani secured silver with a jump of 2.30 metres. Kushare rounded off the podium with bronze, marking a landmark moment for Indian high jumping on the global stage.

The achievement is particularly remarkable considering Kushare’s journey to elite athletics. Hailing from a farming family in Nashik, he is the son of a small onion farmer. During his early years, he trained using makeshift facilities, often landing on improvised mattresses made from farm waste and cotton due to a lack of proper infrastructure.

His rise has accelerated significantly over the past few months. Just two weeks before the Monaco meet, Kushare set a new national record by clearing 2.31 metres at a competition in Bhubaneswar. That effort established him as Asia’s top-ranked high jumper this season and placed him among the joint fourth-best performers in the world rankings for 2026.

The Monaco result is expected to strengthen his confidence ahead of upcoming international competitions, including major championships where India will hope for another breakthrough performance.

Meanwhile, in women’s cricket, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews delivered one of the finest innings of her career, scoring an unbeaten 159 against Ireland in an international fixture.

Matthews dominated the Irish bowling attack from the start, combining power and precision to anchor the West Indies innings. Her knock featured a series of boundaries and well-timed aggressive strokes, helping her side post a commanding total.

The innings further highlighted Matthews’ importance to the West Indies setup. Already regarded as one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket, she once again demonstrated her ability to single-handedly influence the outcome of a match.

Her unbeaten 159 also ranks among the highest individual scores recorded by a West Indies women’s batter in international cricket and adds another milestone to an impressive career.

The performances of Kushare and Matthews stood out across the sporting world on the day, with one creating history for Indian athletics and the other producing a memorable batting masterclass for West Indies cricket.

New Zealand bowled Ireland out for 232 in their second innings on Friday to win the one-off Test in Belfast by an innings and 79 runs, with fast bowler Blair Tickner claiming his maiden Test five-wicket haul and Tom Blundell named Player of the Match. The result completed a dominant two-day finish after the Kiwis piled up 490 in their first innings, powered by centuries from Blundell and Rachin Ravindra.

Early breakthrough for New Zealand
Ireland resumed the third morning trailing by 246 and lost an early wicket when nightwatchman Thomas Mayes edged a delivery to the slips in the fifth over. Nathan Smith, who had earlier taken six wickets in Ireland’s first-innings collapse, provided the initial breakthrough, keeping Ireland under immediate pressure.

Tickner makes the difference
Paced into the attack with the new ball, Blair Tickner unsettled the Irish top order with a series of short-pitched deliveries. A rising delivery glanced off Harry Tector’s bat handle and was pouched in the slips, while Curtis Campher was struck on the left hand by another short ball and retired hurt on four—later taken to hospital for scans. The enforced absence was a blow to Ireland’s chances of staging a revival.

Tickner then produced the match-turning spell after lunch. He removed Stephen Doheny—who had battled to a patient 51—caught in the gully off a short delivery, and then struck again at regular intervals. The fast bowler finished with figures of 5 for—his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket—completing the job when Ruben Wilson edged through to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.

Counter-attacks fall short
Ireland showed brief resistance through Lorcan Tucker, whose half-century (51 off 69 balls) looked like it might steady the innings. Tucker’s knock included crisp drives and use of the short ball but he was dismissed immediately after reaching fifty, pulled off a bouncer and caught by Daryl Mitchell diving in from slip.

Lower down, Mark Adair offered late entertainment, blasting an unbeaten 44 off 47 with several boundaries over mid-wicket. Adair’s cameo came too late to alter the outcome, however, as Ireland could not avoid the follow-through of a heavy first-innings deficit.

Kiwis’ batting set the tone
New Zealand’s imposing first-innings total of 490 established the platform for the innings victory. Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra both converted starts into hundreds, combining responsible technique with attacking intent when the situation allowed. Blundell’s finishing touches and match awareness earned him the Player of the Match award, while Ravindra’s stroke play provided crucial momentum in the middle session.

Ground-level picture
Play on the third day featured fluctuating conditions, with spells of sun and a late cloud cover that brought extra bounce for the pacemen. Local supporters filled sections of the Belfast venue through the day, cheering Doheny’s fifty and applauding moments of aggressive batting from both sides. After Campher’s injury, the Irish dressing room was seen in concern as medical staff attended him.

Impact and what’s next
The win gives New Zealand a morale-boosting finish ahead of a much tougher assignment: a three-Test series in England starting in London in the coming days. The touring side leave Belfast on a high, with confidence in their pace battery after Tickner’s breakthrough and the batting bench proving depth beyond the top order.

Ireland, meanwhile, will turn attention to shorter formats. The team now prepares for a T20 international series against India in late June, where squad fitness—including Campher’s recovery—will be a priority. Sources within Cricket Ireland indicated assessments are ongoing, and the team management expects to announce fitness updates before their T20 preparations begin.

Bowling figures and wrap
New Zealand’s seamers combined to apply relentless pressure across both innings; Tickner’s five-wicket haul was the standout, but support from the other pacemen ensured Ireland never built sustained partnerships. The result underlines a clear gap on the day: a dominant New Zealand batting performance plus disciplined, aggressive fast bowling proved decisive in Belfast.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to discuss a major expansion of the World Test Championship (WTC), with the number of participating teams likely to increase from nine to 12 in future cycles. The proposal has been recommended by an ICC working group led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose. The move is aimed at providing more opportunities to emerging Test-playing nations including Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe.

Working Group Recommendations

According to reports, the ICC had formed the working group last year to evaluate possible structural reforms for the World Test Championship. The panel has now suggested expanding participation and making the competition more inclusive for full-member nations currently outside the regular WTC structure. At present, only nine teams compete in the championship cycle.

More Teams May Get Opportunity

If approved, the revised structure could allow teams like Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe to compete regularly in the WTC for the first time. Cricket administrators believe the change could help strengthen Test cricket globally and encourage smaller nations to invest more in the longest format of the game. The proposal is also being viewed as an effort to balance the competitive gap between established and emerging cricket nations.

ICC Meetings Scheduled

The ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) is expected to discuss the proposal during a virtual meeting scheduled for May 21. Following that, the ICC Board will hold an in-person meeting in Ahmedabad on May 30 and 31 during the IPL final weekend. The discussions are expected to focus on the future structure of Test cricket, scheduling challenges and financial implications of expansion.

Final Decision Likely in July

A final decision on the proposed WTC expansion could be taken during the ICC Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July. The AGM will take place after the conclusion of the Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England from June 12 to July 5. Sources indicated that member boards are currently evaluating the long-term impact of increasing participation in the championship.

One-Test Series Proposal

The ICC working group has also recommended including one-match Test series in the WTC points system. Under the current format, a bilateral series must consist of at least two Test matches to be counted in the World Test Championship standings. If implemented, the proposed change could help smaller cricket boards host more meaningful Test matches without the financial burden of organising longer series.

Current WTC Cycle Unchanged

Despite the recommendations, reports suggest that the ongoing WTC structure is likely to remain unchanged until the 2027–29 cycle. The fourth cycle of the World Test Championship is currently underway, and major structural reforms may only be introduced afterward. Under the present format, the nine participating teams play six bilateral series over two years — three at home and three away.

England to Host 2027 Final

The current ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) will conclude in March next year. The next World Test Championship final is scheduled to be played in England in June 2027. England has hosted all WTC finals so far, including the inaugural final won by New Zealand national cricket team.

Venue Shift for ICC Meetings

The ICC’s quarterly meetings were initially planned in Doha, Qatar. However, the venue was shifted to Ahmedabad due to regional security concerns and tensions in West Asia. The venue change has also drawn attention because of uncertainty surrounding the participation of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

PCB Chairman’s Visit Uncertain

With political relations between India and Pakistan remaining sensitive, it is still unclear whether Mohsin Naqvi will travel to India for the ICC meetings or join virtually. The matter is being closely watched by cricket administrators as the meetings are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of international Test cricket.

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