Teen star Sam Konstas has continued his red-hot form with an unbeaten 55 on the first day of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia.
England take control in New Zealand after Brook blasts another century
- Second Test day one: England 280; New Zealand 86-5
- Brook’s 123 leads revival from 43-4; Carse then strikes
Harry Brook stood head and shoulders above the crowd with a magnificent century in Wellington, allowing England to take charge on day one of the second Test against New Zealand.
Having ridden his luck somewhat on the way to 171 in last week’s victory in Christchurch, Brook was imperious at Basin Reserve, smashing 123 on a day when 15 wickets fell as ball dominated bat. England were reeling at 43 for four after being sent in and would have been sunk had Brook not taken charge of a precarious situation. He steered a counterattacking stand of 174 alongside the rejuvenated Ollie Pope (66), with the fifth-wicket pair guiding the tourists towards 280 all out.
Continue reading...New Zealand v England: second men’s cricket Test, day one – as it happened
Harry Brook’s spectacular 123 and a ferocious burst from Brydon Carse were the highlights of a scintillating first day in Wellington
31st over: England 158-4 (Brook 70, Pope 43) Pope jabs at Smith and edges this far short of Latham at second slip. He gets the next ball away, back cutting efficiently to the fence.
So, this medium-term No3, who should it be?
Ben Stokes Technically suited but his brain whirs far too much in the field, even when he doesn’t bowl, so he needs a rest.
Joe Root Doesn’t want to bat there, vulnerable to the new ball and especially extra bounce.
Harry Brook Still too soon, especially in Australia with the extra bounce
Ollie Pope Far better at No6
Jamie Smith Too soon even if he doesn’t keep wicket, never mind if he does.
Jacob Bethell Too soon against India and Australia, plus he’s not in the best XI at the moment.
Continue reading...Ex-Aussie player slams Indian great over ‘rubbish’ Hazlewood conspiracy theory
Former Australian bowler Ryan Harris has fired back at “rubbish” claims from Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar over Josh Hazlewood’s side strain injury, which has sidelined him from the second Test in Adelaide.
Tables turned on India as under-fire Aussies deliver after Starc’s career demolition
Mitchell Starc ripped through India’s top order before Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne tamed the swinging pink Kookaburra under lights to put Australia in a commanding position at stumps on day one of the Adelaide Test.
Bazball star fires Ashes warning to Aussies as Kiwis crumble late amid 15-wicket day
Superstar Harry Brook has put his England side in a commanding position at their second Test match against New Zealand on Friday, as 15 wickets fell in a chaotic six-and-a-half hour stretch.
Former Aussie Test opener named captain of European cricket minnows gunning for World Cup miracle
Former Australian Test opener Joe Burns made the surprise move to change his allegiance to Italy earlier this year, and now he has been made their captain.
When Marnus axe threat becomes real; Aussies’ fresh problem with scariest star: Burning Qs
Australia will be hoping to bounce back in Adelaide this week after India cruised towards a thumping 295-run victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener at Perth Stadium.
Unheralded gun’s ton keeps Sri Lanka at bay… and how it could impact Aussie’s title defence
South Africa’s pursuit of a maiden World Test Championship Final appearance has been aided by some woeful Sri Lankan fielding on day one of their second Test in Gqeberha (formally Port Elizabeth), before the tourists bounced back late.
Veteran star, debutant spearhead Aussie annihilation amid India’s 12-year low
Australia’s women have started their international summer in the perfect manner, annihilating India by five wickets with a whopping 202 balls to spare in Brisbane on Thursday.
‘Planning how he’ll score a 100’: Marnus last man in the nets as both types of dark clouds hover
Just as Australia’s captain Pat Cummins had promised, Marnus Labuschagne was the man in the middle in Adelaide on Thursday afternoon, lathering up while working hard with the bat in hand as dark clouds formed over the South Australian capital.
Cult hero returns but Aussies make bowling gamble via snub as Adelaide XI revealed
Australian captain Pat Cummins has confirmed that Scott Boland will make his long-awaited return to Test cricket this week, picked for the day-night contest against India in Adelaide.
Scott Boland returns for Australia as Mitch Marsh cleared to bowl in Adelaide
- Popular quick will play his first Test since July last year
- Marsh expected to bowl in day-night match starting on Friday
Paceman Scott Boland has been recalled to Australia’s team and allrounder Mitch Marsh is clear to bowl in the second Test against India. Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed Boland’s inclusion for his first Test since July last year, replacing Josh Hazlewood who is out because of a side strain.
Marsh will play, and is available to bowl, despite suffering soreness in the aftermath of Australia’s horror 295-run defeat to India in the series-opener in Perth. Cummins expects Marsh will be called on to bowl at some stage during the second Test starting Friday in Adelaide. But the Australian captain dismissed the notion of added pressure on his team after the crushing defeat in Perth.
Continue reading...‘We need something else’: Legend reveals radical concept to shake up Test cricket
Former England cricket Michael Vaughan wants Test cricket to be split into two divisions as part of a radical plan to revitalise the longest form of the game.
‘Changing in front of our eyes’: New CA chief opens up on seismic cricket shift facing Aussies
As incoming Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg assessed the global headwinds facing the sport, he declared his time in rugby league could hold him in good stead to embrace the challenges.