Ashes hero Mitchell Starc is set to make his first Big Bash League appearance in 11 years this week, with the Australian speedster preparing to don the magenta in Friday’s cross-town derby against the Sydney Thunder at the SCG.
Stunning boycott threat for T20 World Cup after fury over $1.5m India outcast, ‘hurtful’ snipe
Bangladesh’s cricket board has repeated its refusal to travel to India for next month’s T20 World Cup during talks with the International Cricket Council, with the players also threatening a boycott in response to “hurtful” comments from the board’s director.
Eight-year drought finally over as Kiwi upstages Indian star with series-levelling hundred
Daryl Mitchell struck an unbeaten 131 to lead New Zealand to a series-levelling seven-wicket win over India in the second ODI on Wednesday.
‘How on earth?’: Brisbane Heat pull off BBL miracle to keep title hopes alive after ‘impossible’ collapse
The Brisbane Heat have achieved ‘Mission Impossible’ to keep their BBL|15 finals hopes alive on Wednesday night, defeating the Hobart Hurricanes by three runs in a final-over thriller.
‘Not ideal’: More MCG pitch drama as team’s plea over ugly deja vu revealed
The Melbourne Stars have secured a BBL|15 finals berth in a somewhat underwhelming fashion on Tuesday night, beating the Adelaide Strikers by six wickets in a low-scoring affair.
‘Difficult to stop’: Aussie star makes former teammates look foolish with ‘dangerous’ knock
Australian big-hitter Grace Harris showed her former teammates what they were missing by thumping a 40-ball 85 during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s convincing nine-wicket victory over the UP Warriorz in Navi Mumbai on Monday evening.
‘Got what it takes’: Contenders to replace Healy as left-field options emerge in awkward dilemma
Former Australian captain Alex Blackwell has warned the national women’s team doesn’t need to commit to a long-term skipper following the retirement of Alyssa Healy, endorsing all-rounder Ash Gardner and young gun Phoebe Litchfield for the role.
‘Never say never’: Aussie star hasn’t shut door on T20 dream despite World Cup snub
Alex Carey hasn’t shut the door on a recall to Australia’s T20 side but concedes he has had plenty of opportunity in the format over the years to nail down a spot.
‘Our generation’s legacy’: Healy’s proudest act as Aussie captain retires with selfless final call
Australian women’s captain Alyssa Healy will retire from all forms of cricket at the end of this summer.
‘Not good enough’: $420k import hooked in stunning BBL move as season left hanging by thread
The Melbourne Renegades’ finals chances are hanging by a thread after the Sydney Thunder stole a remarkable four-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat during Monday’s rain-affected contest at ENGIE Stadium.
Ex-Aussie captain backs forgotten star to end three-year hiatus despite contract snub
Former Australian captain Alex Blackwell has encouraged national selectors to recall Nicola Carey ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup, with the all-rounder making an impressive start in her maiden Women’s Premier League campaign.
England ruthlessly privatised cricket – Australia embraces it with constant public displays of affection | Emma John
If there is one takeaway for England from this Ashes tour it should be how cricket thrives in a nation where it is readily and freely available as the dominant summer pastime
The drive to Bowral in New South Wales takes you through some of Australia’s most English countryside. Pastoral hills roll right up to the roadside and finish in grassy verges, flecked with yellow and white wildflowers. Alliums stand sentinel around vibrant lawns. Even the eucalypts are cosplaying as beech and oaks. You might be in Hampshire, if it weren’t for the dazzling sun.
Just a few roads from the high street – storefronts full of fancy cookware and country casuals – is the Bradman Oval. This small ground, with its pre-loved outfield, has become a pilgrimage stop for the Australian cricketing faithful. Head out to the middle and you’re walking across the sacred turf where Sir Don honed his skills. Stand at the crease, look past the white picket fence, and you can see the family homes where he grew from boy to man, on Shepherd Street and Glebe Street respectively.
Continue reading...Australia 4-1 England: player ratings as the hosts win the Ashes in style
Mitchell Starc and Travis Head were astoundingly good, but plenty of England players will want to look away now
Ben Stokes: 184 runs at 18.4; 15 wickets at 25.1; two catches
A body unable to match his will, a team unable to match his ambition and, surely, a screaming sense that he made mistakes when preparing for this challenging but winnable series all adds up to a horrible seven weeks for the England captain. His personal form inevitably buckled – and you have to feel a little sympathy for a man more guilty of giving too much rather than too little.
Cricket Australia boycotts player interviews with ABC after Stuart Clark criticises team setup
Former fast bowler called head of cricket James Allsopp a ‘grade coach’ and said selector George Bailey lacks gravitas
Cricket Australia has boycotted player interviews with the ABC, furious with the national broadcaster over former Test quick Stuart Clark’s criticism of selector George Bailey and head of cricket James Allsopp.
Clark created headlines on Monday when he criticised the Australian setup in his role as an ABC commentator, labelling Allsopp a “grade coach” and suggesting Bailey was just a yes-man without gravitas to stand up to players and coaches.
Continue reading...Cameron Green not guaranteed spot as Australia remain coy on XI for fifth Ashes Test
Steve Smith defends allrounder but refuses to confirm his place in side
Beau Webster and Todd Murphy in the mix to face England at the SCG
Steve Smith has launched an impassioned defence of Cameron Green but can’t guarantee the out-of-form allrounder’s place in the XI for the Ashes series finale.
Australia’s stand-in captain insists all options are on the selection table for the fifth Test, including using both allrounders Green and Beau Webster at the SCG and leaving out spin for the third time in four starts.
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