Selections questions are once again on everyone’s tongue as Australia appears set to ring the changes for the deciding Test against South Africa in Cape Town, starting Tuesday night.
Australia give Steve Smith chance to prove fitness ahead of South Africa series decider
Batter aiming for Newlands return after injuring neck in second Test
Marnus Labuschagne set to keep place; Nic Maddinson dropped
Australia will give key batter Steve Smith as much time as possible to prove his fitness ahead of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands, captain Pat Cummins said.
Smith injured his neck in South Africa’s innings and 31-run victory in the second Test in Gqeberha which levelled the series at 1-1 going into the decider in Cape Town starting on Tuesday.
Continue reading...Three glaring questions in Smith’s return to Cape Town as kryptonite laid bare
As Marnus Labuschagne was dreaming about a South African homecoming that has become a nightmare, he was asked about Steve Smith during a chat at the SCG last month.
Liam Dawson reveals England are ‘gutted’ after ODI series setback against Pakistan
‘We were desperate to win’
Spinner believes defeats are useful learning experiences
Liam Dawson has revealed England’s disappointment after the two agonising defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan that have left making the ODI tri-series final is in serious doubt. “That changing room is gutted, we’re desperate to win,” he said.
To reach the final, England need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then they have to thrash Sri Lanka on Thursday, but Dawson is optimistic the losses can be help them in the World Cup in 12 months’ time in southern Africa.
Continue reading...Inside Steve Smith’s desperate race as Pat Cummins opens up on brutal selection calls
Steve Smith showed discomfort while batting for the best part of an hour in the nets on the eve of the series-deciding Test against South Africa but the Australians are confident the champion will be fit to play on Tuesday in Cape Town.
Marnus and Boland likely fates revealed, two stars sent home as BIG changes tipped
Three changes have been tipped for the Test series decider against South Africa, with Nic Maddinson, Beau Webster and Scott Boland dropped, and Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly and Nathan Lyon brought in.
‘Know the type of person I am’: Aussie star opens up for first time on marriage breakdown
Sixers skipper Ash Gardner says the past few weeks have been “challenging” and have taught her plenty, with the star all-rounder thanking the club and those close to her for sticking by her and helping her shift her focus back to cricket.
‘Even my best friend didn’t know’: Usman Khawaja reveals why he kept his rheumatoid arthritis a secret
Opener played through pain to establish himself as a Test cricketer
‘I didn’t want anyone to use it against me,’ he says
Usman Khawaja has opened up on why he kept the rheumatoid arthritis that threatened his playing future a secret for his entire Test career.
The former Test star releases his autobiography, Sabr, on 10 November, which he said he wrote “for people who do love cricket and for those who don’t”.
Continue reading...How the brutal day four Test careers ended sowed seeds of Australia’s destruction — Gerard Whateley column
South Africa has a habit of this. Knocking Australia off its axis. Inflicting wounds and inducing uncertainty.
‘Deep down, we know…’ Inside crossroads moment for world cricket’s great debate
As Marco Jansen was delivering a spirited spray to Beau Webster after snaring the “Slug from Snug” in Gqeberha last week, the visual presented was that of an aggressor on the hunt for its prey.
Three leading Test hopefuls are from the same state. A crucial Shield change might be behind it
Disgruntled rival Australian states used to joke that players selected for New South Wales were also given a baggy green cap to go with their new baggy blue.
‘If it was up to me…’: England icon breaks silence on brutal axing as Ashes foe slams ‘wasted opportunity’
England legend Jimmy Anderson has been culled by his boyhood county, Lancashire, but the 44-year-old pace bowler is yet to call it quits on his 25-year professional career.
England stunned as Pakistan star given out then recalled to snatch one-wicket thriller with ton
Shadab Khan’s maiden century rescued Pakistan from a dire situation and took them to a stunning one-wicket victory over England in the one-day international in Lahore on Sunday, booking the hosts’ spot in the final of the tri-series.
England stunned after Shadab Khan’s miraculous century delivers one-wicket win for Pakistan
England blow victory chance after hosts were 154 for nine
Shadab makes unbeaten 113 as he and Haris Rauf win thriller
Shadab Khan whipped the rug from under England’s boots with an eye-popping blitz of boundary-peppering when hope was lost, turning an English sure-thing into defeat and guaranteeing Pakistan a place in the tri-series final.
With Pakistan 154 for nine in their run-chase, 88 away from victory, queues built for the exits. But Shadab had other ideas, and with Haris Rauf, seven from 19 balls, providing adhesive company, went on the rampage. Drama doubled when he was given out lbw to a full toss on 97, and had started to walk off, hands shaken with England, before an inside edge was discovered on review.
Continue reading...Major Marnus mystery sparks big Aussie selection twist as worrying Smith sight emerges
Intrigue has deepened into Marnus Labuschagne’s hold on an Australian Test spot with the under-fire No.3 not in his usual batting rotation in the main nets training session at Newlands on Sunday.