Usman Khawaja once joked that Marnus Labuschagne had “opening-itis” but suggested that his Queensland teammate may have to suck it up and get over it ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lords starting Wednesday.
Aussie great and Indian icon among new crop added to the ICC Hall of Fame
India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni and South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith were among seven new inductees into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame announced Monday.
Ashes villain’s ‘enlightening’ tips for South Africa as Aussies stare down Lord’s members’ wrath
As an English arch-enemy offered tips to South Africa on how to dethrone Australia in the World Test Championship decider, Steve Smith declared he had no concerns about whether the Aussies will cop the wrath of MCC members at Lord’s.
Pat Cummins: ‘We want to play hard and fair, and I think we’ve got it right’
The Australia captain talks about leading the side against South Africa and not getting too big for his boots – but plays a dead bat regarding the Bairstow dismissal at Lord’s
As Pat Cummins opens up at the pavilion end, while gazing across the vast empty space of Lord’s a few days before Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final, it’s clear that the unexpected opponents this week have helped to frame his remarkable career.
On Wednesday morning, while towering a foot over Temba Bavuma, his 5ft 3in South African counterpart, Cummins will lead Australia for the 34th time, in his 68th Test. The fast bowler stands at the summit of world cricket, his grizzled matinee idol charm allied to the grit which has helped him to become such a successful captain. Australia have won almost everything during his tenure of three and a half years and they are expected to retain their Test title.
Continue reading...Cummins can’t resist sly dig at Poms as Aussie fuse lit over Lord’s call
Pat Cummins has taken a sly dig at the Poms on a bizarre day where the Aussie team was booted from Lord’s just days before the World Test Championship final.
Heartache turns to hope as South Africa seek to shake ‘chokers’ tag in WTC final | Daniel Gallan
The Proteas choking when it matters most is a tale as old as the country itself as history again weighs heavy on their World Test Championship hopes
A South African cricket fan’s standout World Cup catastrophe will depend on when they were born. Baby boomers cite the time, back in 1992, when Brian McMillan was left needing 22 runs off one ball after rain in Sydney washed away any hope of a chase. Millennials are forever haunted by Alan Donald’s dropped bat in that tied semi-final in 1999. Gen Zs must still be wondering how Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller failed to get over the line with 30 needed off as many balls in last year’s T20 final.
The Proteas choking when it matters most is a tale as old as the country itself. Longer, in fact, if you consider that Nelson Mandela was elected president two years after this story began. And throughout it all, one antagonist has loomed largest.
Continue reading...England beat West Indies by four wickets: second men’s T20 – as it happened
The hosts took a decisive 2-0 lead in the T20 series by chasing down the West Indies total of 196
He’s got him first ball! A snorter of a yorker beats Lewis for pace and bangs him right in front. The batter reviews but it’s more in hope than anything. Maybe he thought he made contact with the ball as he attempted to dig it out, but there’s a gap between leather and willow. A stunning start for Wood and England.
The players are now geared up and ready to roll.
Continue reading...‘Bowling the best I have’: Josh Hazlewood stakes claim for WTC final spot
34-year-old giving selectors headaches after strong form in IPL
Australia fast bowler missed last World Test Championship decider
Buoyed by an outstanding IPL, Australia quick Josh Hazlewood feels he is bowling better than at any point in his decorated career.
Struck down by niggling injuries in recent years, Hazlewood could be forgiven for starting to taper having already taken 279 wickets from 72 Tests.
Continue reading...Bowling probably the best over my career’: Aussie quick firms case for WTC final
Australian quick Josh Hazlewood has tried to dismiss any concerns that he will not be ready for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lords, starting Wednesday.
Recalled England veteran stuns in ‘masterclass’ after three-year hiatus, Buttler falls just short of 100
Jos Buttler produced a captain’s innings in his first T20 appearance since giving up the post as he and the recalled Liam Dawson guided England to a 21-run victory over the West Indies in a series opener at Chester-le-Street.
England ease to 21-run win over West Indies in first men’s T20 cricket international – as it happened
Liam Dawson enjoyed a fairytale return to international cricket, taking 4-20 in a comfortable England victory
4th over: England 33-1 (Smith 16, Buttler 12) Jason Holder changes ends to good effect. An early wide didn’t bode well but he was in control after that and conceded only singles. Buttler, on the charge, was also beaten by a nice slower ball.
West Indies have dragged it back after conceding 16 from the first over.
Continue reading...Old-tech Bashir is trying something wild and brave amid the battle for Bethell | Barney Ronay
Jacob Bethell’s pure talent puts him in high demand, but Shoaib Bashir is the real freelancer in cricket’s deeply confusing world
Bruised skies, sun through clouds, dualism, life in death. Welcome to the bloom of another England Test Match summer, the summer, this time around, of Bethell and Bashir. But of Bethell first because he’s the easy bit.
The battle for Jacob Bethell is of course just beginning. Everyone wants a piece of England’s most thrillingly talented young cricketer. The broadcasters are frothing. The papers want to know whose shirts he wears. Actually the papers don’t really care. Maybe the Daily Telegraph wants to know this at a push. But Bethell is still kind of perfect right now, a future-bomb, all promise and new things, in a sport that is always desperate for these.
Continue reading...Sports quiz of the week: Champions League, French Open and Giro d’Italia
Have you been following the football, rugby league, cricket, horse racing, cycling, tennis, Formula One and boxing?
Continue reading...England line up Jofra Archer return for second Test against India
Fast bowler back in second XI action for Sussex
Woakes, Carse and Overton named in first-Test squad
Jofra Archer is being primed to make a comeback in the second Test against India at Edgbaston – his first appearance in whites for four years – with England’s stable of fast bowlers under strain before the start of this summer’s marquee series.
Naming a 14-man squad for the first Test at Headingley that starts on 20 June, Luke Wright, who is part of the selection panel, confirmed Gus Atkinson is ruled out with a hamstring injury. In come Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton, likewise Jacob Bethell to offer competition among the batting spots.
Continue reading...Eleven killed in terrifying scenes as wild IPL celebrations turn deadly
Packed crowds in India celebrating their cricket team’s victory ended in a deadly stampede on Wednesday with 11 mainly young fans crushed to death, the local state’s chief minister said.