Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes it is “inevitable” that Jacob Bethell will feature in the Ashes series despite missing selection for this week’s series opener against India in Leeds.
What axing means for ‘scared’ Marnus as Ashes great makes stunning call on ‘dangerous’ star
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that underperforming Marnus Labuschagne could benefit from some time away from the spotlight following his Test axing, adding that Australia’s batting looks “very vulnerable” ahead of the Ashes.
Marnus Labuschagne axed as Sam Konstas returns for Australia in first West Indies Test
Konstas expected to open; Josh Inglis also comes into side
Steve Smith to miss out in Barbados due to dislocated finger
Australia’s selectors have made their biggest call in recent memory, dropping Marnus Labuschagne from the top order and replacing him with Sam Konstas. Chief selector George Bailey confirmed on Friday that Labuschagne would miss next week’s first Test against the West Indies.
Steve Smith will also miss the match as he recovers from his dislocated finger, with medical staff to assess him ahead of the second Test. Josh Inglis will come into the XI, while it is expected Konstas will open, but Australia will unveil their batting order and bowling attack closer to the start of the first Test next Wednesday.
Continue reading...Marnus dropped, Konstas back in Test bombshell as selectors deliver twin Windies recalls
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped for Australia’s first Test against the West Indies, with opener Sam Konstas and reserve wicketkeeper Josh Inglis recalled for the series opener in Barbados.
Three-letter text proves England weapon is ‘desperate’ for Ashes revenge after ‘horrific’ hiatus
England captain Ben Stokes says Jofra Archer is “absolutely desperate” to be involved in the upcoming home series against India and to revive a Test career that has been stalled for more than four years.
Ben Stokes calls on England to adapt better ‘when we’re up against the wall’
Test captain identifies weakness ahead of India series
He reveals Jofra Archer is pestering him for a Test call
Ben Stokes may have described England’s recent lack of Test action as “a bit odd” but playing just one game in the past six months has given the side space to reconsider their approach before the series against India.
Stokes has won 23 of his 33 games in charge while losing 12 and insisted: “I don’t think it’s arrogant to say that we’ve been good over the last three years.” But with England’s next 10 Tests coming against either India – starting at Headingley on Friday – or Australia they have prepared for potential adversity.
Continue reading...When India won at Headingley for the first time and left England in despair
Mike Gatting took over from David Gower as captain before the Test at Headingley. It didn’t make much difference
India will be hoping the Test at Headingley this week goes better than their last visit to the ground in 2021. Dismissed for 78 in the first innings, a defeat inevitably followed for the visitors. It was a far cry from their two previous visits – the victory in 2002 inspired by Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, and their first Test win at the ground in 1986.
England’s defeat at Headingley 39 years ago was a tough one for their fans. As the World Cup in Mexico grabbed the attention of the sporting public, and Boris Becker defended his Wimbledon crown, England’s Test team were plumbing new depths. The glory of the 1985 Ashes series seemed a lifetime ago. That victory had led some to believe that the winter series against the West Indies could be an evenly matched contest between two of the best teams in the world. File that under misplaced confidence. England were crushed 5-0, and the pressure on captain David Gower started to crank up.
Continue reading...Poms shocks as ex-No.1 pick, fan favourite cop cruel snubs — BBL Draft Winners and Losers
Pakistani cricketers and fast bowlers were in high demand during Thursday’s Big Bash League overseas player draft, with seven players from the south Asian nation set to appear in the T20 tournament this summer.
Hail the Prince: Shubman Gill’s India captaincy a prophecy fulfilled but Test doubts remain
After a run of greats at the helm, the tourists’ early promotion of their new leader is an intriguing choice to steady a listing ship
Shubman Gill was a pretty laid-back character when he played for Glamorgan three summers ago. So laid back, in fact, that early on during his time there he parked the brand new Volvo the club had arranged for him and apparently left the keys in the ignition. Sure enough, after training, he returned to find it had been pinched.
Cue panic in the finance department at Sophia Gardens, calls to the insurers and the like. But at least his new teammates had material for some lighthearted mickey-taking. Gill, just turned 23 but already an India star on the rise, had arrived for three September rounds of the County Championship in 2022. Saying hello with 92 on debut in Cardiff, and goodbye with 119 at Hove, it sounds like he fitted in well.
Continue reading...Aussies face Lord’s blockbuster against India as 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup draw revealed
Australia will face India in a blockbuster at Lord’s next June in a clash likely to be pivotal to its bid to reclaim the Women’s T20 World Cup it conceded in a rare form dip last October.
Heat land Pakistan superstar with No.1 pick; Stars cult hero returns home — Big Bash Draft wrap
The Brisbane Heat have snapped up Shaheen Shah Afridi as the No. 1 pick in the Big Bash League overseas player draft, with six compatriots joining the Pakistan superstar in the 15th edition of the T20 tournament.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews ruled out of Women’s Big Bah League
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been ruled out of the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League in a massive blow to reigning champions the Melbourne Renegades.
Australia’s looming Ashes shake-up creates Big Bash dilemma: BBL Mock Draft
There’s expected to be an influx of Pakistani cricket stars in the upcoming Big Bash League, with 74 players from the south Asian nation nominating for this year’s overseas player draft.
England opt for Ollie Pope at No 3 over Jacob Bethell for first India Test
Vice-captain gets the nod after 171 against Zimbabwe
The 21-year-old rising star featured against West Indies
Ollie Pope has retained his England place and will face India in the first Test starting on Friday, the 171 he scored against Zimbabwe last month having proved enough to hold off the emerging challenge of Jacob Bethell.
Bethell’s success in Pope’s No 3 slot during the three-match series in New Zealand over the winter, when he scored a half-century in each Test and averaged 52, appeared to have made the position his to lose.
Continue reading...Glenn Maxwell blasts 13 sixes in unbeaten century playing in Major League Cricket T20 tournament
With only T20 on his mind in the wake of his ODI retirement, Glenn Maxwell proved himself the money man in an MLC rampage, swatting a staggering 13 sixes in California to blast a sizzling 49-ball century with his parents in the stands.