Australia has been left with more questions than answers after sinking to a humbling 2-1 ODI series defeat to Pakistan this week.
World Test Championship is wide open but England remain on outside
New Zealand’s historic series clean sweep has set up an unexpectedly exciting race to the final at Lord’s next year
A week on from New Zealand’s 3-0 triumph in India and the result feels no less seismic. The more you consider the history, the disparity in economics or player pools, India’s 12-year unbroken run of dominance in their own conditions and the absence of Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s all-time great with the bat, the harder it is to think of an away victory in modern times to rival it.
India’s fortress had to be breached at some point, not least with flecks of silver creeping into the beards of what could well be their greatest side. But New Zealand as the ones to do it? Their first Test win in India since 1988 to then trigger a cascading clean sweep?
Continue reading...Selectors’ tough love for overlooked stars, Gilchrist flags wildcard from the west: Selection Talking Points.
The auditions are over and Australia has a Test squad, but there is much to dissect from the anointed ones and those who were overlooked for the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Perth beginning next Thursday.
‘Totally outplayed’: Australia sinks to 22-year low after Pakistanis punish woeful hosts
Pakistan has secured its first ODI away series triumph over Australia in 22 years after a dazzling display from the team’s pace cartel during Sunday’s eight-wicket victory at Perth Stadium.
Adam Gilchrist backs Josh Inglis for Test opening role, poses question to selectors over in-form Australian
Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has questioned whether the national selectors backtracked on their policy of picking the country’s six best batters for the Test team, arguing Josh Inglis deserves to make his debut at Perth Stadium against India.
‘My game’s ready’: Inside rising star’s five-year surge… as Aussie superstar passes unwanted baton
Nathan McSweeney knows better than anyone that 18 months is a long time in cricket, let alone five years.
‘Couldn’t stop’: Hurricanes star plunders 12 sixes, 12 fours in record-breaking WBBL masterclass
South African Lizelle Lee has smashed the highest score in WBBL history with an astonishing 150 not out off 75 balls for the Hobart Hurricanes against the Perth Scorchers at the SCG.
Australia settle on new Test opener as Nathan McSweeney named in squad to face India
- South Australian to debut at top of batting order in first match in Perth
- In-form Josh Inglis also picked as batter in 13-player squad
Australia have settled on Nathan McSweeney to be Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for the start of the blockbuster Test series against India. After an outstanding start to the domestic season, McSweeney has beaten Marcus Harris for the vacant spot in the Australian XI.
McSweeney will become the first Australian player in 47 years to make his Test debut as an opener despite never having batted there at Sheffield Shield level. The 25-year-old top-scored in both innings of the first Australia A match in Mackay when batting at No 4. But he was unable to convert starts – 14 and 25 – in both innings as Australia A closed out a six-wicket win in the second match at the MCG.
Continue reading...BREAKING: Aussies pull selection surprise as Test squad named for India blockbuster
Nathan McSweeney has received a maiden Test call-up for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, named in Australia’s 13-player squad for the series opener against India in Perth.
Warner’s huge nod to teen prodigy; Test wildcard few saw coming: Talking Points
The auditions are over and the Australian team for the summer ahead will be announced on Sunday, with Nathan McSweeney a chance to make his Test debut against India in Perth in the Border Gavaskar Trophy beginning in Perth on Friday week.
‘Welcome to the world’: Aussie cricket star Travis Head and wife Jess make exciting baby announcement
Australian cricketer Travis Head and wife Jess have welcomed their second child this week, baby boy Harrison George Head.
Sam Konstas rescues Australia A after Test hopefuls cop golden ducks in failed audition
Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft both failed in their final Test audition against India A on Saturday afternoon, dismissed for golden ducks during Australia A’s six-wicket victory at the MCG.
England cricket great Botham hails Hughes for Aussie croc rescue after fishing trip gone wrong
England cricket great Ian Botham said he was “nearly catch of the day” after being pulled out of crocodile infested waters by his former Ashes rival Merv Hughes while on a fishing trip in Australia.
Rauf reality check for Aussies; English great raises pace concerns — Australia vs Pakistan Talking Points
A stunning nine-wicket triumph by Pakistan over Australia at Adelaide Oval on Friday night has set the scene for a decider to the one day international series in Perth on Sunday, with the reigning World Champions well below their best in two matches to date.
‘Passion got the best of me’: West Indies bowler Alzarri Joseph hit with two-match suspension
West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was hit with a two-match suspension on Thursday after storming off the field during the series-clinching ODI win over England.