India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday insisted his recent Test struggles were just part of the “ups and downs” of a long career as he looks to rediscover his form in three one-day internationals against England.
Kusal Mendis’ lower-order fightback puts Australia’s 14-year quest under threat
Sri Lanka’s lower-order resurgence has given the hosts a glimmer of hope in the second Test of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, with Kusal Mendis’ half-century frustrating the Australians on day one in Galle.
Australia are in pursuit of perfection as Sri Lanka seek to learn from their mistakes | Geoff Lemon
After one dominant performance in Galle the tourists cannot rely on Sri Lanka bringing about their own downfall again in the second Test
What to do after an exercise in perfection? Australia’s men ran last week’s Test match in Galle as brutally as their counterpart women did in Melbourne, both teams completing a win by an innings and plenty within 90 seconds of one another last Saturday.
The ticked boxes for the men’s side can fill a page: rack up more than 600 batting first; blazing fifty for your pinch-hit opener who was picked to blaze fifties; huge hundred for your other opener who had been a long time without one; third hundred in four Tests for your resurgent talisman, the same guy who is temporary captain and pulls the reins as well as ever; ton on debut for your No 5 who was a conditions pick ahead of others already capped; comfortable not out for your keeper who might otherwise be threatened by the debutant; bowl the opposition out twice following on in barely 100 overs across the two innings; wickets for your sole quick in a ram-raid at the top; wickets for your veteran spinner conducting the middle; and nine in the match for your left-arm spinner who almost missed with a broken thumb.
Continue reading...Aussies eye shock debutant and axing for second Test as Marnus questions answered
Cooper Connolly is on the brink of an Australian Test debut with the tourists considering a surprise change for the series finale in Sri Lanka.
Ponting backs ‘out of nowhere’ Marsh replacement as Aussies to lose two superstars in key blow
World Cup winning former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has called for Big Bash final hero Mitch Owen to be parachuted into Australia’s Champions Trophy squad as a replacement for injured all-rounder Mitch Marsh, while Pat Cummins is considered “highly unlikely”.
Sam Konstas leaves Australia’s Sri Lanka tour early to play Sheffield Shield
- Batter flies home after Travis Head was preferred in first Test
- Konstas will line up for NSW against Queensland this weekend
Sam Konstas’s Sri Lanka tour is officially over with the teenage batter returning to Australia to play Sheffield Shield for NSW.
Despite an impressive first two Tests, Konstas was replaced at the top of the batting order by the more experienced Travis Head in last week’s series opener in Galle.
Continue reading...Strange Marnus training move raises questions as pressure builds on Test spot
As the pressure on Marnus Labuschagne’s Test position continues to build, a curious training move in Galle on Tuesday has done nothing to quieten the noise surrounding his position.
Konstas leaves Sri Lanka early as Aussies prepared for second Test change-up with ‘baking’ pitch
Australia expects a more traditional Galle pitch for the second and final Test in Sri Lanka, after taking full advantage of conditions to dominate the series opener.
‘Won’t pick him’: Fresh calls for Konstas to leave Test squad as Aussie set to be snubbed
Australian legend Ian Healy is the latest high-profile name calling for Sam Konstas to return home from Sri Lanka so he can get some crucial Sheffield Shield matches under his belt before the World Test Championship later this year.
Travis Head and Annabel Sutherland are named Australia’s cricketers of the year
- South Australian wins Border Medal after brilliant year
- Ashes centurion claims Belinda Clark award
Travis Head is Australian cricket’s Allan Border Medallist and Annabel Sutherland has won the Belinda Clark award as the top woman in a surprise result.
It was the first time either player had won Australian cricket’s highest individual honours.
Continue reading...‘Walks along Bondi’: Aussie Test team sledge Poms, play Ashes drinking game at awards night
With the men’s Test squad over in Sri Lanka and missing the Australian Cricket Awards, it was up to the dominant women’s players to light up the function.
‘Won it with 10 players’: Marsh’s perfect interview as ‘4yo Bumrah’ gag leaves hosts in stitches
The reign of the most popular Allan Border Medallist in recent history is over - but not without a few more brilliant gags.
Blue carpet picture special: Big names arrive for Aussie cricket’s night of nights
Some of the biggest names in Australian cricket have made their way to Melbourne’s Crown Palladium for the 2025 Australian Cricket Awards.
‘Revolutionised the game’: Aussie legend’s ultimate honour as icon forces HOF change
His last ball four to take down the West Indies in an ODI at the SCG is one of Australian cricket’s most memorable moments, and now Michael Bevan has been rewarded for the entirety of his illustrious cricket career with inclusion in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Superstar’s 25-year first as MCG history-maker also claims Aussie cricket’s top gong
Travis Head can recall the crossroads innings which kickstarted his dazzling international career and played a crucial role in his Allan Border Medal triumph on Monday night.