Category: Cricket

Australian batting star Travis Head is confident Josh Inglis will “excel” with a prolonged run in Test cricket as the tourists prepare for an unknown wicket after rain wreaked havoc on Sunday ahead of the first clash with the West Indies.

In the immediate aftermath of Australia’s loss to South Africa in the World Test Championship at Lord’s last Saturday, skipper Pat Cummins foreshadowed a reset that is now coming to fruition.

Harry Brook fell for 99 on his home ground while the brilliant Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets on Sunday to leave the first Test between England and India at Headingley finely poised.

Sean Abbott is fully aware of his position in Australia’s pace bowling pecking order, but the New South Welshman has earmarked the chaotic 2026/27 schedule as a potential window for his long-awaited Test debut.

The cricket world is familiar with Rishabh Pant’s bravery and flamboyance with bat in-hand at Test level.

Australian opener Sam Konstas feels like his cricket has “come a long way” since his unforgettable Test debut at the MCG, but the teenager doesn’t feel the need to prove his critics wrong in the Caribbean this week.

Shubman Gill marked his first innings as India captain with a sparkling hundred after fellow young gun Yashasvi Jaiswal also scored a fine century against England at Headingley on Friday.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.