For a bloke from the bush in Bendemeer, finding solitude in Sydney can be a tricky feat, but Josh Hazlewood found an idyllic spot in the suburbs with a mate when first making his way as a talented tearaway quick.
Sandpaper made Australia the story in 2018 while South Africa’s achievement faded into irrelevance
The hosts’ stunning Test victory was overshadowed by the scale of national angst felt in Australia after the team’s ball tampering
For South African cricketers, administrators and supporters, the most surprising aspect of the Sandpaper scandal was not that it happened. After all, the ball had been suspiciously reverse-swinging during the first two Tests of that ill-fated series in 2018. The atmosphere had turned febrile after a stairwell bust-up between Quinton de Kock and David Warner in Durban and after supporters directed misogynistic abuse at Warner and his family in Gqeberha. Nathan Lyon had promised before the tour to “head-butt the line” of what was acceptable. Darren Lehmann, then Australia’s coach, came from an old school where bullying was sugar-coated with the phrase “mental disintegration”.
No, what surprised South Africans most was the scale of the fallout, and how one tiny piece of sandpaper could cause so much national angst.
Continue reading...‘Awkward’ injury ‘likely’ to force surprise Aussie change for opening Test in South Africa
Australia is “likely” to be without Cameron Green for the first Test in South Africa as the all-rounder struggles to overcome an injury.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne set for South Africa Test after first ton in 11 months
Batter makes 111 against Cricket South Africa Invitation XI
Three-match Test series starts in Durban on Friday
The indefatigable Marnus Labuschagne has responded to all the hand-wringing over whether he merits a place in Australia’s Test future by just doing what he likes doing best – scoring runs.
After a difficult year, the under-pressure 32-year-old chose the most timely moment to score his first century in any form of cricket for 11 months in Potchefstroom, just five days before Australia play their first Test in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Continue reading...‘Century he needed’: Marnus’ 11-month drought over in timely Test boost … but there’s a catch
Marnus Labuschagne has all but confirmed his place at No. 3 for the first Test against South Africa, hitting a century in Australia’s pre-series warm-up game.
Windies star blows up over shock DRS call as wounded teammate’s masterclass takes down India
Skipper Shai Hope overcame a groin injury to produce a memorable century and orchestrate a record chase as West Indies secured a consolation five-wicket victory over India in the final one-day international on Saturday.
Forgotten SA skipper stuns as Aussie tour game call confirms major injury scare
Forgotten ex-South African captain Neil Brand was the star of the day as Australia were made to toil to begin their pre-series tour match in Potchefstroom.
Why Aussie selectors rolled dice on ‘wildest’ Test call-up… 12 months after cancer battle
Nic Maddinson’s call-up to Australia’s Test squad in South Africa came from nowhere.
Shield star’s stunning haul in vain as Aus A fall agonisingly short of much-needed win
Sam Harper’s first innings century and Liam Scott’s five-wicket haul were in vain as Australia A agonisingly fell one wicket short of a series-levelling victory against India A in Puducherry.
‘Up for revenge’: Aussies dumped in blockbuster group as full 2027 World Cup draw drops
Defending champions Australia will begin their 2027 Cricket World Cup campaign with a blockbuster clash against India in Cape Town on October 7.
Aussie Test shocks as unlikely pair called up amid stars’ injury concerns
The injury curse that has struck Australia in its tour of South Africa has worsened with all-rounder Cameron Green under a cloud ahead of the first Test beginning next Friday.
‘Shouldn’t have said that’: Aussie lifts lid on THAT Ashes blow-up… and hotel ‘shock’ that lay ahead
Jake Weatherald was fishing on a boat on an idyllic day in a tropical paradise last month hoping that the sun would never set.
‘Water under the bridge’: Ashes villain ready to bury Aussie hatchet after signing $400k BBL deal
England’s Jonny Bairstow is ready to bury the hatchet with Australian cricket fans as the Ashes villain joins the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Big Bash season.
‘Pretty scary’: Fresh Aussie Test crisis laid bare; why door is open to Marsh… again — Talking Pts
The make-up of Australia’s Test top seven is once again a mystery as a trio of injuries plagued the tourists’ 2-1 ODI series loss to South Africa.
‘Breathtaking’: India pulls off absurd chase as star erupts in historic ODI beatdown
Captain Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 223 as India recorded the second-highest ODI chase of all time on Wednesday to beat the West Indies by eight wickets and clinch the series.