As Temba Bavuma was assessing South African cricket’s finest triumph at Lord’s a year ago, he paused before noting that to walk a mile in his shoes would not be the smoothest of treks for any cricketer.
Pat Cummins unfazed by prospect of Khawaja book raising sandpaper scandal: ‘Tell your story’
Former Test opener is writing a new book released next month
Australia captain Cummins confirms conversation with Khawaja
Pat Cummins has suggested he is unfazed by the prospect of the sandpaper scandal being raised in Usman Khawaja’s autobiography, which will be the first from any Australian player who played in that 2018 Cape Town Test.
Cummins confirmed that Khawaja had called to inform him he would be writing the book, which will be released days after the end of Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since the infamous match.
Continue reading...Bancroft’s startling act after sandpaper disaster… and bombshell claim behind ugly conspiracy calls
When Australia’s Test team walks out in front of a hostile South African crowd for the first time since the infamous 2018 series, the man caught with sandpaper in his pocket — and later down his pants – will surely wonder how different things might have been.
Son of a gun’s surge exposes cruel Aus reality; NSW pitch defies CA plea – Shield Wrap
One of the Sheffield Shield’s most prolific recent batters has continued his form surge - but he won’t be able to turn it into an Australian Test call-up anytime soon.
Inside ‘bloody awful’ Smith scene Aussies will never forget… and ‘bitter’ taste that remains
It is more than eight years since a devastated dad sat with his shattered son at Sydney Airport, consoling a man who felt he had lost almost everything of importance to him after a moment of madness in South Africa.
Cricket 2026: Victoria work from the Sheffield Shield offer infuriates employers, Junction Oval deal sells out on first day, latest news
A Cricket Victoria initiative launched by an ex-Test spinner to get more fans to the Sheffield Shield has proved an instant success - but the program labelled an ‘Australian dream’ has quickly received backlash.
TV sledge exposes ‘brutal’ reality facing Aussies; selection battle no one saw coming — Talking Pts
The most anticipated Test series of the year is finally here.
‘Tell your story’: Cummins backs Uzzie’s tell-all book as revelations over Sandpaper-gate tipped
Australian captain Pat Cummins has confirmed he has chatted with Usman Khawaja about his upcoming autobiography but said he is not concerned about any revelations his former teammate will make about the infamous Sandpapergate series.
Aussies dodge big RSA threat but worrying pitch sight backed up by surprise XI call
Australia has dodged the menacing threat posed by Kagiso Rabada for the opening Test against South Africa beginning in Durban on Friday after he failed in a late bid to prove his fitness.
Just five days made Australia want to wait 1,964 more. Pat Cummins was simply unforgettable
South Africa and Australian Test debutants have been a match made in heaven in the 21st century.
Unexploded grenades remain buried from Sandpapergate. Australia has the right man to dodge them — Whateley
In its simplest form this series sells itself: reigning world Test champion meets long-term No.1 ranked nation.
Australia stick to familiar formula in South Africa as they seek to bury demons of 2018 | Geoff Lemon
The Test series shapes as one of unforced errors and modest scores with both sides unconvincing with the bat and relying on their bowling attack
Lost among the looking back to Australia’s Test tour of South Africa in 2018, there lies a similarity to the team about to take on that challenge in 2026. The previous side relied on a primo bowling quartet of Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, along with David Warner’s power as opener and the middle-order ballast of Steve Smith. The rest of the batting was makeshift: Cameron Bancroft the recently added opener, Usman Khawaja with at that stage a parlous record away from home, and the Marsh brothers an entirely unknowable quantity at five and six.
This time around, the same four bowlers have burnished their careers by a further 998 Test wickets, the proven batting still consists of one aggressive left-handed opener plus Smith, and Australia otherwise remain makeshift.
Continue reading...Axed Test opener’s brutal Shield setback as bizarre incident further sours nightmare return
Jake Weatherald’s horror return to Sheffield Shield action has gone from bad to worse, with the discarded Australian opener ruled out of South Australia’s season opener with Victoria due to concussion.
Travis Head hits back at Australia greats for firing a ‘bullet through’ current Test players
Opener said it is unfair for ex-players to criticise modern batting lineup
Australia’s vice-captain eager to open in Tests against South Africa
Travis Head has accused Australia’s golden generation of being unfair in “putting a bullet through” current players, saying the game has changed significantly since they played.
Just a day after Matthew Hayden slammed selectors and accused them of promoting “the greatest pile of mediocrity” after calling up Nic Maddinson, Head took his own stand in South Africa.
Continue reading...A hidden act had saved Australia from its deepest shame… then came a sickening snub
Australian great Allan Border held his head in his hands, in complete disbelief at what he had just seen shared on the big screen at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.