Category: Cricket

Letters written by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1980s and 1990s have revealed the icon’s admiration for the late Shane Warne, identification of a young Ricky Ponting and fears of a second World Series Cricket.

The 19-year-old opener will get his chance against India but have the most fearsome introduction with Jasprit Bumrah firing on all cylinders

Before Christmas has even hit, there is more anticipation about Boxing Day than usual, in more ways than one. Australia and India sit at 1-1 with two Tests to play, the first at the MCG where India won on their last two tours. The ticketing forecast says it will be a full house, the weather forecast says it will hit 40C, and while the latter may suppress the former, it’s the first time that all tickets have been claimed since the Ashes match of 2013. Amidst all this stands a Test debut opening the batting for a 19-year-old, with Sam Konstas’ spot in the XI confirmed on Tuesday by Australia coach Andrew McDonald.

Older generations will remember Doug Walters debuting at 19, and some would remember Neil Harvey doing the same. There have been a few modern bolters at young ages, like Ashton Agar or Matthew Renshaw, and Konstas will have the benefit of a captain in Pat Cummins who debuted at 18. In terms of substantial modern batting careers, though, Konstas most brings to mind Phillip Hughes, who was playing Sheffield Shield cricket by 18, and Ricky Ponting who did the same at 17. Both were in the Test team by 20.

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England Test captain Ben Stokes faces at least three months out after tearing his left hamstring during the tour of New Zealand, team management announced on Tuesday.

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Lee still chuckles at a mistake his champion brother Brett Lee made prior to a remarkable Test debut against India in Melbourne 25 years ago.

Recently retired spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has chosen India’s 2-1 series triumph in Australia in 2020/21 as the high point from his illustrious international career as well as sharing the ‘one regret’ he holds from his 106 Test matches.

Star batter Travis Head was a rare exception among the Australian squad preparing for a potentially decisive Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy to opt out of a non-compulsory training session in Melbourne on Monday.

The Melbourne Renegades’ imports took to the “embarrassing” Marvel Stadium conditions comfortably with a trio of match-winning cameos on Monday night.

Australian squad bowler Sean Abbott has a word of advice for broadcasters should Sam Konstas earn selection as expected for the Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG.

It was in the old locker rooms at the WACA ground when the room started to spin for former Australian fast bowler Jo Angel as he went into shock after being struck by lightning.

Australia’s stranglehold over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the 50-over format has continued after the reigning world champions secured a 75-run victory at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

The latest debacle surrounding opening batters for Australia’s Test side well precedes Nathan McSweeney and this summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Tensions have continued to build ahead of the Boxing Day Test, now with the Indian media joining the furore involving their national team against the Australian contingent.

Sam Konstas completed another lap on the seemingly endless emotional rollercoaster he’s been on all summer with the teen sensation dismissed for a third-ball duck just a day after he was picked in the Australian squad, with a former Test opener upstaging his young teammate as the Sixers stole the Sydney Smash with a remarkable final-ball win.

A new BBL star was born after Hurricanes young gun Mitch Owen launched a stunning power-hitting blitzkrieg to steer his side to a bounce back win over Perth at Hobart on Saturday.