Australia will continue to adjust its batting order where it deems fit after recording a resounding 214-run triumph over the Proteas in the opening Test of the highly anticipated Test series in South Africa.
Josh Hazlewood reminds Australia of his worth with 6-49 to see off South Africa
After every stunning Scott Boland performance of recent years, many of them in place of an injured Josh Hazlewood, a reasonable question does the rounds: why isn’t Boland the automatic pick in the Test side, and why does Hazlewood take precedence when fit? In truth, Hazlewood has given a dozen years of answers, but the fifth day of the Durban Test allowed him to provide one more reminder with a career-best 6 for 49, overcoming South African resistance to bowl them out for 206, and seal an Australian win by 214 runs.
Boland is good enough for a full-time spot, and may have been influential if picked. But in the side selected, Hazlewood was essential as South Africa blunted his colleagues. In a noticeable dip given his brilliant last few seasons, Mitchell Starc had radar issues: better around the wicket, though without the swerving reverse swing from his last visit to the ground, but over the wicket he often went too steeply across the right-handers, or down the leg side.
Continue reading...Unexpected hero part of awkward Aussie dilemma; most underrated gun’s reminder — First Test Talking Points
Josh Hazlewood delivered a bowling masterclass as Australia took a 1-0 lead over South Africa, but could history be about to repeat itself?
Aussie hero’s perfect TEN, Cummins’ classy showing as Marnus teases — Player Ratings
Matt Renshaw was undoubtedly the star of the show, but several of his teammates provided very valuable contributions as Australia won the first Test against South Africa in Durban by 214 runs.
‘Pace ace’ returns as England unveil squads for Aussie showdown… but superstar ruled out
England has announced its squads for the upcoming ODI and T20 series against Australia, with its ‘pace ace’ Jofra Archer returning to the side.
England fast-track teenage star Thomas Rew for Australia white-ball tour
Bethell returns after injury; Carse frozen out
Four-week trip includes 3 ODIs and 5 T20s
Eighteen-year-old Thomas Rew has earned his maiden call-up for England after being selected for the white-ball tour of Australia next month. Jacob Bethell is also fit to return after a knee injury but Brydon Carse remains frozen out.
Coming after the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, the four-week trip features three one-day internationals and five Twenty20s. Fast bowlers Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Sonny Baker will play in the ODIs that start on 13 November, before turning their attention to the Test tour of South Africa.
Continue reading...Even he was ‘shocked’ by Aussie call-up. It took a 3yo’s sledge to make Maddinson see the truth
Nic Maddinson was stewing, struggling to shake the disappointment that lingered for even longer than he dwelt at the crease for the painful 33-ball duck that marked his return to Test cricket in Durban this week.
The Renshaw Test! Hoff’s career-best cleans up RSA tail for unforgettable Aussie win
Josh Hazlewood bowled Australia to a 214-run victory on day five with a career-best six-wicket haul as South Africa’s tail fell like a deck of cards in the first Test in Durban.
Bazball poster boy Zak Crawley suffers fresh setback after missing out in $30m England contracts reveal
Discarded England opener Zak Crawley has received another setback in his bid to turn his international career around, missing out on a central contract as the ECB unveiled an unprecedentedly long list.
‘Don’t be scared’: Legend fires up over cricket ‘stigma’ as Test shake-up debate reignited
South African great Shaun Pollock believes cricket needs to embrace the pink ball in matches where light is likely to become a factor given the amount of time that has been lost in the Test behind held in Durban this week.
Renshaw’s heroics leave South Africa reeling as Australia close on first Test victory
What a few days it has been in the life of Matt Renshaw. His comeback to the Test team had consisted of one innings, edged to slip for eight, before he made the trip to South Africa, where his job as opener suddenly changed to batting five.
His first two days of the first Test in Durban were spent compiling his epic 190 to rescue Australia. Then came his fourth day, hammering in the nails on a declaration by top scoring again with 82. Pulling out at 316 for six, Australia set South Africa 421 to win, then took four wickets for 102 by the close; Aiden Markram on 45 will be the main obstacle to an Australian series lead on the final day.
Continue reading...‘Astute’ act inspires Aussie charge but fresh headache emerges after star’s ‘turning point’
The first Test of this highly-anticipated series between Australia and South Africa is set to go the way of the visitors following another dominant day in Durban.
Nasty bouncer blow triggers big concerns for Aussie superstar as CA provide update
Champion batsman Steve Smith is in doubt for the second Test of the prized series against South Africa after he was struck in the head with a venomous delivery by South African speedster Anrich Nortje in Durban on Monday
England split cricket coaching setups and hand out record 39 central contracts
Robinson, Duckett and Smith get one-year deals
Eric Simons hired as Test fast-bowling coach
Rob Key believes he can now “map out the next two years” for the England men’s teams, having handed out a record 39 central contracts and unveiled new split coaching setups under Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum that he hopes will produce homegrown candidates for the top roles in future.
The retirement of Ben Stokes mid-summer, plus Zak Crawley being dropped, has allowed Key, the England team director, to stretch the pot of money for player contracts further this year. Thirty main deals have been issued – up from 26 last year – while nine players have been handed development contracts that top up their county pay.
Continue reading...Aussies march towards victory after late blows, crazy Cummins cameo and star’s clinic
Australia is marching towards victory, needing six wickets on the final day to wrap up the first Test against South Africa in Durban following a dominant day four.