Sydney, Jan 4 (IANS) Australia’s spin bowling coach, Daniel Vettori, has defended the side’s decision to field an all-seam attack in the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) but insisted that spin bowling remains very important in the longer format.With veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon sidelined by a hamstring injury, Australia opted not to select a frontline spinner for the Test match in Sydney, the first time since 1888. It’s also the third time Australia has fielded an all…
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New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) Former Australian Test batter Damien Martyn’s wife said that the 54-year-old is showing encouraging signs of improvement as he continues his recovery after being placed in an induced coma while receiving treatment for meningitis. Martyn, who represented Australia in 67 Test matches, was taken to the hospital on the Gold Coast late last month after falling seriously unwell. He remains under medical care as his condition continues to stabilise.”Damien is progressing well …
Sydney, Jan 3 (IANS) Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith is ready to relinquish captaincy to a younger candidate in the absence of captain Pat Cummins if that is what the selectors wish to do. With Usman Khawaja hanging up his cricket boots on Sunday after the Sydney Test, Nathan Lyon has already been ruled out due to injury. Smith will now be the oldest player in the Australian XI, side by side with Scott Boland. When asked about possibly being involved in the 2027 Ashes series in England, …
Sydney, Jan 2 (IANS) Australia’s talismanic bowler Mitchell Starc will aim to cap off the Ashes 2025-26 on a high when he takes the field on January 4 for the final match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, standing just six wickets away from creating history as the most successful left-arm bowler in Test cricket.Starc is on a golden patch in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series. He has taken 26 wickets in four matches at an impressive average of 17.42. Due to his remarkable performances i…
Sydney, Jan 2 (IANS) Retiring veteran batter Usman Khawaja has hit out at racial stereotypes in Australian cricket, claiming he has been treated differently across his career because of his race and religion.Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan and was the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia, in a 50-minute press conference at the SCG while announcing his international retirement, declared he wanted to make life easier for “the next Usman Khawaja”.The veteran batter said he is still…
New Delhi, Jan 1, 2026 (IANS): Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has sounded a warning over the future of ODI cricket, expressing concern that the 50-over format could face a slow decline after the 2027 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. With the growing dominance of T20 leagues worldwide and the enduring appeal of Test cricket, Ashwin believes the relevance of ODIs is steadily diminishing, and the format’s long-term survival is under threat.In…
Melbourne, Dec 28 (IANS) Travis Head has backed his opening partner Jake Weatherald has endured a tough start to his Test career, to turn things around.Weatherald, who made his Test debut in the Ashes series opener after a stellar run of form at Sheffield Shield, managed just 146 runs from eight innings. The 31-year-old is expected to retain his spot in the final match at the SCG next week.Weatherald Test future’s is facing scrutiny following a glut of low scores, except his half century in t…
Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) England’s dramatic two-day victory over Australia in the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series has ignited fierce debate about the green pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with former skipper Michael Vaughan saying that while the result merits celebration, the quality of cricket on display will not be celebrated much by fans.“A win is a win, and England should celebrate, but NO Test cricket fans should be celebrating what we have seen for 2 days .. #Ashes,” wro…
Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) Former England captain Nasser Hussain described the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch for the fourth Test of the Ashes series as ‘farcical at times’, as he and Michael Atherton joined a chorus of fierce criticism after the match ended inside two days.The 10mm of grass left on the pitch resulted in 36 wickets falling in six sessions at the MCG, as England ended a 14-year wait for a Test match victory in Australia with a four-wicket win. England dismissed Australia …
Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) Cricket Australia chief executive officer Todd Greenberg voiced his concerns over extending the duration of a Test match from five days to two, which can lead to continued excitement due to the number of wickets taken; however, Greenberg said that wicket-laden days can lead to the long-term demise of Tests as a format. In light of the two-day test match that kicked off the Ashes series in Perth, there is now also a realistic possibility that we may see a third quick Test…