Pictures of the week: From Ben Stokes' red-ball juggernauts to Test cricket's summit clash

International cricket has picked pace since the onset of June with England kicking off their Test summer with a resounding victory against a helpless Ireland at the Lord's. Meanwhile, Australia and India have their eyes set on the 'Test Mace' with the World Test Championship Final just a few hours away.

Here are the best pictures to roundoff an entertaining week in cricket

England icon James Anderson passes the torch to Josh Tongue

Representing the national side in the longest format of the game is an achievement in itself, but Worcestershire pacer Josh Tongue's debut was made even more special when he received his maiden Test cap from bowling icon and veteran pacer James Anderson. 

Age is just a number

England's success in the longest format of the game over the last decade has been built on the immaculate bowling partnership of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. While Anderson missed the one-off Test against Ireland, Broad did not miss out on the opportunity to enhance his reputation as a bowling legend, ravaging the Irish batting order with a magnificent five-for on the opening day.

Runs in all sizes

England's Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett might not be the most aesthetically pleasing openers, but they did the job to perfection in a rollicking opening stand for the home side in their first innings. While the towering Zak Crawley departed after a brisk half-century, Ben Duckett smashed a sizzling 182 to deflate the Irish bowlers.

Ollie Pope's red-ball redemption 

The 25-year-old batter from Middlesex has rediscovered his self-belief in red-ball cricket ever since the arrival of Brendon McCullum at the helm. Pope smashed his maiden double-century at the Lord's, the second fastest by an Englishman behind his skipper Ben Stokes.

Worth the wait

Debutant Josh Tongue returned wicketless in the first innings of the Lord's Test despite toling hard on the pitch. However, his wait for a maiden international wicket ended in the fourth innings when he dismissed Peter Moor. The 25-year-old seamer went on to grab a sensational five-for to make it a historic Test debut.

Adidas ends the wait

There was a buzz in the Indian community ever since the announcement of Adidas' partnership with the Indian team was announced last month. The sportswear giants unveiled the new Indian kits with Indian skippers Rohit Sharma, and Harmanpreet Kaur donning the jersey along with stars like Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and.Smriti Mandhana.

A partnership of a lifetime

Chennai Super Kings claimed their fifth title in the recently concluded IPL 2023 season and star opener Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrated the triumph by tying the knot with his longtime girlfriend Utkarsha Pawar. 

Royalty at the Wembley

Indian batting stars Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill graced the iconic Wembley stadium during the first-ever Manchester Derby in the final of the FA Cup, England's oldest football competition. Kohli, who was invited to the summit clash along with his better half Anushka Sharma, were handed a special jersey from the Manchester City representatives.  

One step away from glory

With less than 24 hours to go for the World Test Championship Final between Test giants India and Australia, captains from both sides posed with the prize on offer, the elusive Test Mace.