Maharaj calls for 'old-fashioned cricket' for South Africa to get job done in Gqeberha

He says South Africa just focusing on the now and not the future with the race to the WTC final hotting up

Jayasuriya: 'Overseas five-for something I had targeted for a long time'

Admits he had been worried about his wickets tally away from home after people questioned his ability to be effective overseas

Ben Sawyer reappointed New Zealand women's head coach for two years

He is set to remain with the team until December 2026, a period which includes the ODI World Cup in India and the T20 World Cup in England

Dan Ashworth leaves Manchester United as sporting director after 5 months

Dan Ashworth has left his role as Manchester United sporting director after just five months. Ashworth officially joined United on July 1 after a lengthy period of gardening leave at his former club Newcastle United.

Emon, Hakim three-fors help Bangladesh defend U-19 title

The duo helped Bangladesh defend 198 as India went down by 59 runs in Dubai

Paterson, Rabada remove openers after SA set SL 348 to win

Nissanka and Chandimal got off to good starts but hosts remain in ascendancy

England square series in style as Charlie Dean stars with hat-trick

South Africa rolled aside for 135 after dramatic collapse at Kingsmead

BGT 2024-25: Rohit's Form Could Affect His Captaincy As Well, Feels Harbhajan Singh

World Test Championship: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has raised the issue of captain Rohit Sharma's batting form and feels that it might affect his leadership skills in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a 10-wicket crushing defeat to Australia in the second Test on Sunday. Rohit, who missed the first Test of the series in Perth due to the birth of his second child, only scored 3 and 6 in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval. The 37-year-old's form in Test cricket has been a topic of debate since India's historic 0-3 home loss to New Zealand last month. In that series too, Rohit was not anywhere near to his peak performance in the red-ball format as he only accumulated 91 runs across six innings including 52 in the second innings of Bengaluru Test. The veteran cricketer highlighted that Rohit's struggle with the bat can also affect his decision-making skills while leading the team in the remainder of the series. When such a big player doesn't score runs, it will become a slight cause for concern. We know that Rohit has great ability and has scored a lot of runs for India. However, he didn't score runs in this match and the previous series as well. When the runs are not scored, the pressure comes on the batter, Harbhajan said on Star Sports. The former spinner added that Rohit should set aside the past struggles and focus on regaining his form with the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the line. We won't want the Indian captain to have the pressure of scoring his own runs, as it could affect his captaincy as well. We hope that he comes back to form. The conditions at other venues like Brisbane might suit him more. He needs to leave this match behind and think about what better can be done going forward and how the team can play better because the team is more important than his form, Harbhajan added. It was Rohit's fourth successive Test defeat as captain which made him enter the unfortunate list of Indian Test captains with most consecutive losses that includes legends like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. We won't want the Indian captain to have the pressure of scoring his own runs, as it could affect his captaincy as well. We hope that he comes back to form. The conditions at other venues like Brisbane might suit him more. He needs to leave this match behind and think about what better can be done going forward and how the team can play better because the team is more important than his form, Harbhajan added. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

He Took It Straight Out Of Their Hands: Cummins Lauds Head's Ton After 10-wicket Win In Adelaide

Adelaide Oval: After registering a mega 10-wicket win against India in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, Australia skipper Pat Cummins lauded batter Travis Head whose 140-run knock enabled them to gain a 157 first-innings lead and eventually levelling the five-match series 1-1. Coming from the 295-run defeat in Perth, Australia looked more prepared and aggressive for the day-night Test. Mitchell Starc's 6-48 wrapped India for 180 on the second day of the match after Rohit Sharma opted to bat first. In reply, Head's astonishing 140 and Marnus Labuschagne's 64 guided them to 337 in their first innings as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj clinched four scalps each. India's second innings was more disastrous than their first show with Cummins returning with the figures of 5-57 while Scott Boland and Starc bagged three and two wickets, respectively as the tourists were bowled out for 175. Great week, knew we were far away from the team we want to be in Perth. This is back to how we want to play, Cummins said in the post-match presentation. The pacer went on to praise Head for his 'momentum-shifting' knock in the clutch situation for Australia. Cummins emphasised Head's contribution and pointed out how that led to a big win for the hosts. He loves batting here, again, one of those momentum shifts; the game could have gone either way when he walked out to bat but he took it straight out of their hands. The main thing was the lead, just happened that it was a pretty good time to bowl as well. Seems to do a little bit more under lights. But the big thing was getting a big lead, the pacer said. Talking about his performance in the match, the Australian captain seemed happy with his execution and also with his fellow pacers Starc and Boland. I was happy, wasn't too upset with how I bowled in Perth, felt really good this week and good to get a few wickets. Amazing, never that much noise within the group, we know what a good unit we are. Having someone like Starc, he's amazing; he just does it time and time again. He's done it for over a decade now. Feel very lucky and privileged to have him in our team, Cummins said. Scotty just fitted in straightaway like as he does. Feels so lucky to have someone like him, he probes with every ball. Hopefully Josh's back next week but Scotty is unbelievable, he added. On spinner Nathan Lyon bowling just one over in the Test, Cummins replied: He'll jump in the ice bath, he's had a big week. Scotty just fitted in straightaway like as he does. Feels so lucky to have someone like him, he probes with every ball. Hopefully Josh's back next week but Scotty is unbelievable, he added. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Jayasuriya five-for keeps South Africa in check

South Africa's lead swelled past 300 but they lost five wickets in the morning session

PKL Season 11: 'I Want To Make Dabang Delhi KC Champions Once Again', Says Ashu Malik

Dabang Delhi KC: Every legend has a beginning, be it on a cricket field, a football ground or a kabaddi mat. For Ashu Malik, that story unfolded on school grounds and local tournaments, where a young boy's unwavering spirit would gradually reshape the expectations of his family, his community, and ultimately, the world of kabaddi. Earlier, there were so many senior players in the village who worked in the railways, and they used to play on the ground in my private school. Watching them play, I became interested in the game, Ashu reminisced about his early days in the Rise of a Star video. His passion began by watching local players, observing their moves, and gradually falling in love with the sport. The path was anything but smooth. His family initially resisted his sporting aspirations. My family would tell me to focus on studies. They were not supportive for the first 3-4 years. I would often make my family angry by going to tournaments, he recalled. But Ashu's determination was unbreakable. I want to make Dabang Delhi K.C. PKL champions once again, he said with unwavering conviction. This singular focus became his driving force. His breakthrough came with personal sacrifice. My weight was around 80 kg, and I reduced five kg, he explains, showcasing the discipline that would define his career. Joining the Pro Kabaddi League was a transformative moment. Initially unsure, he gradually found his place. Initially, I stayed quiet for a few days, not knowing how things worked, he admits. But soon, he became an integral part of the team, especially during challenging times. When Naveen Kumar was injured in PKL 10, Ashu's leadership shone through. We didn't let anyone's morale drop. I told the team, 'If he is not playing, what happened? We will win and cover his absence,' he said. His approach was simple yet powerful - focus on winning, support your teammates, and never give up. The tenth season proved to be his breakthrough. He emerged as the best raider, silencing all doubts and proving that hard work truly pays off, leading his team to the semi-finals, having scored 276 points through the season. And his form has continued in season 11 as well, with 174 points to his name. When Naveen Kumar was injured in PKL 10, Ashu's leadership shone through. We didn't let anyone's morale drop. I told the team, 'If he is not playing, what happened? We will win and cover his absence,' he said. His approach was simple yet powerful - focus on winning, support your teammates, and never give up. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Stokes Credits England's 'dominant Cricket' For Historic Test Series Win In NZ

Despite Tom Blundell: England captain Ben Stokes has credited their dominating style of cricket for securing the first Test series win in New Zealand since 2008 with an emphatic 323-run win in the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Sunday. England have taken an unassailable 2-0 series lead over New Zealand, ahead of the final Test in Hamilton. Despite Tom Blundells valiant hundred (115 off 102), the England bowlers were all over the home side on Day 3 as they got off to a poor start in the chase as Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes ripped through their top-order, leaving Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra walking back to the dugout for single digit scores. Blundell, joined by Nathan Smith forged a 96-run partnership for the seventh wicket but Englands bowling arsenal proved to be too strong, bowling out the Kiwis for 259. England skipper Ben Stokes led the way with a brilliant 3-5, accompanied by a brace each from Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir that saw them clinch victory and go 2-0 up in the series. England resumed Day 3 on 378/5 and picked up right where they left off. Joe Root made his way to his 36th Test century, before being dismissed on 106, which also saw the end of Englands innings as Stokes declared and set a mammoth 583-run target for the home side to get back on level terms. The England captain stepped in with a blazing cameo as well, which saw him remain unbeaten on 49. Earlier in the innings, Jacob Bethell (96), Ben Duckett (92) and Harry Brook (55) contributed stylish half-centuries to take England to 427/6. To play the more dominant cricket over the days we have played so far, said Stokes when asked how this first away win in New Zealand for 16 years had been achieved, Stokes said in a post-match presser. In this Test in particular, on day one we were 43 for 4 to be here on the winning side on day three is quite phenomenal. We got bowled out in fifty overs (54.5) but we had 270 runs on the board which was a good score on that day one-wicket, and then we obviously had time left with the ball to be able to make some inroads. To score 270 and take five wickets at the end of day one (New Zealand closed on 86 for 5) really set this game up. We back ourselves to be able to go out there and change games and we feel that there needs to be a bit of impetus put into the game, particularly with the bat, he added. Stokes was full of praise for Harry Brook, Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell at the post-match presser as the batters made an indelible mark on the game after England found themselves struggling at 40/4 on day 1, before Brook smashed a game-changing 123. Amazing to be standing here winning the series after being 40 for 4 on day one. The way Harry Brook and Olllie Pope played on day one set up this game for us. Jacob Bethell has certainly shown us what he's about and shown the world what he's about, Stokes said. Stokes was full of praise for Harry Brook, Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell at the post-match presser as the batters made an indelible mark on the game after England found themselves struggling at 40/4 on day 1, before Brook smashed a game-changing 123. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd ODI: Need To Go Back And Think About Bowling Plans, Says Harmanpreet Kaur

Allan Border Field: After India suffered a chastening 122-run defeat to Australia and lost the series, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said the side needs to go back to the drawing board and think a lot about their bowling plans. At a sunny Allan Border Field, India were totally listless in their bowling plans as Australia made a massive 371/8. Its now the highest ever score conceded by India in womens ODIs, going past the previous record of 338/7 which was also made by Australia earlier this year at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Barring Saima Thakors 3-62, it was an utterly forgettable day with the ball for India, who were easily taken to cleaners by centurions Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry, as well as half-centurions Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney. Leg-spinner Priya Mishra conceded 1-88 in her 10 overs, which is now the most expensive figures by an Indian bowler in womens ODIs. Chasing 372 was always going to be a daunting affair for India, who didnt have the services of Priya Punia batting due to an injury. Despite 54 by makeshift opener Richa Ghosh and 46 not out from debutant Minnu Mani, India lost wickets at regular intervals which led to them being bowled out for 249. Losing the series to Australia in a listless fashion doesnt augur well for India, especially with the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup coming on home soil. In bowling, we need to go back and think about plans. We expected some more movement but we didn't get that here. We need to bat a bit longer and bat a full 50 overs moving forward. We had a few 40s but couldn't convert it to fifty or hundred. I think we got some partnerships in between despite a big total. Still we had a positive approach, looking for boundaries. But we were short by few runs. We created a few opportunities with the ball but we couldn't take it. They batted really well, credit to them, said Harmanpreet after the match ended. Australia skipper Tahlia McGrath stated it was enjoyable to see the batters pile on big runs, as Georgia hit her first ODI hundred and Ellyse slammed 105. It was pretty nice to watch. The Volley 100 was obviously the highlight, but everyone in the top four did their job and it was pretty nice just to sit back and watch everyone show. It's the confidence in her. I thought she played some lovely drives down the ground early and just looked completely comfortable. I wasn't sure how they were going to get her out. As soon as she (Ellyse) stepped to the wicket, you could see her intent. Some serious six hitting in there as well. That's what we're about. That's what we want to be about, taking the game on and creating a platform, and our top four executed it perfectly today. She also talked about how having a plethora of bowlers makes it challenging for her to make bowling changes when on the field. It's actually a challenge. Every time I go to make a bowling change, there's seven bowlers in my mind. It is a challenge. Some serious six hitting in there as well. That's what we're about. That's what we want to be about, taking the game on and creating a platform, and our top four executed it perfectly today. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Patterson ends long Shield century drought as NSW dominate WA

NSW veteran Kurtis Patterson has scored an unbeaten 167 to lift his side to 463 for 9, leading by 252 against WA

2nd WODI: Voll, Perry Tons, Sutherlands 4-fer Give Australia Huge 122-run Win Over India

Allan Border Field: Centuries from young Georgia Voll and veteran Ellyse Perry, coupled with a four-wicket haul for Annabel Sutherland propelled Australia to take an unassailable 2-0 lead after thumping India by 122 runs at the Allan Border Field on Sunday. Under bright sunshine, Georgia, playing just her second ODI, scored 101 her maiden century in the format, while Ellyse hit 105 her third 50-over century. Half centuries from Phoebe Litchfield (60) and Beth Mooney (56) ensured Australia posted a mammoth 371/8, their third-highest score in womens ODIs, against a listless Indian bowling line-up. Chasing 372 was always going to be a daunting affair for India, who didnt have the services of Priya Punia batting due to an injury. Despite a fifty by makeshift opener Richa Ghosh and 46 not out from debutant Minnu Mani, India lost wickets at regular intervals which left them bowled out for 249. For Australia, all-rounder Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers by picking figures of 4-38. Electing to bat first, Georgia and Phoebe got off to a flying start by sharing a 130-run opening stand before the latter fell in the 20th over to pacer Saima Thakor. Georgia then teamed up with Ellyse to stitch a 92-run partnership for the second wicket, which ended when the youngster fell for 101 off 87 balls, in a knock laced with 12 fours and hit in front of her friends and family in attendance at the stadium. Ellyse and Beth took Australia past 300 through a 98-run stand coming off just 69 balls. But Ellyse being castled by Deepti Sharma in the 44th over sparked a mini collapse, as from there onwards Australia lost six wickets for 30 runs in quick succession. But stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath's unbeaten 20 off just 12 balls ensured Australia passed 350 for the fourth time in their history of playing ODIs. For India, barring Saimas 3-62, it was an utterly forgettable day with the ball, with leg-spinner Priya Mishra conceding 1-88 in her 10 overs and recording the most expensive figures by an Indian bowler in womens ODIs. In their chase, India amassed more than the 100 runs they were bundled out for in the series opener, and had starts from their batters like Richa, Minnu and Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. But none of them stayed long enough like Georgia or Ellyse to chase it down with an aggressive mindset. Smriti Mandhana was clean bowled by Kim Garth in the fourth over, while Harleen Deol fell cheaply soon after the powerplay ended to Annabel. Richa and Harmanpreet Kaur tried steadying the innings with a 66-run partnership of 66 runs, before the former was castled by Alana King. Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues added 37 more runs before the Indian skipper was caught off Megan Schutt. Jemimah made 43 off 39 balls before being dismissed by Sophie Molineux. Despite Minnu batting with the tailenders and making 46 not out to push India's total past 200, the visitors fell way short of the target and be dismissed in 44.5 overs. The third and final ODI will be played at the WACA Ground in Perth on December 11. Smriti Mandhana was clean bowled by Kim Garth in the fourth over, while Harleen Deol fell cheaply soon after the powerplay ended to Annabel. Richa and Harmanpreet Kaur tried steadying the innings with a 66-run partnership of 66 runs, before the former was castled by Alana King. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

'Little Bit Of Misunderstanding, We Move On': Head And Siraj Clear The Air After Heated Exchange In Adelaide

Travis Head: Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj have cleared the air after a heated on-pitch interaction that took place when the latter gave a fiery send-off to the left-hander after dismissing him for scintillating 140 runs on Day -2 of the second Test match on Saturday. On the fourth ball of the 82nd over, Siraj castled Head with a terrific in swinging yorker, and gave him a fiery send-off and aggressively gestured to walk back towards the direction of stands. To this, Head replied back to the pacer, before walking off to a standing ovation from his home crowd. After that, the Adelaide crowd made constant boos whenever Siraj was fielding in the deep or came on to bowl, to express their displeasure over how he behaved with Head. But, the duo was seen having a friendly chat when Siraj came to bat during the second innings of the Test on Sunday, seemingly clearing the issue. Sweet with it. He came out and just said (it was) a little bit of misunderstanding I think we'll move on. We've had a great week, so let's not let it ruin it. It was fine. He said, 'Why'd you swear?' I sort of said, 'Look, I didn't at first (but) I definitely swore at you the second time round', Head revealed in the post-match presentation as quoted by ABC News. I probably could have laughed it off and walked off and enjoyed myself. He just said it was a misunderstanding as well, and there was no issues for me. We move on. I'm sweet. It is what it is, he added. Following Australia's 10-wicket win in the Test, the duo also shared a hug. After day twos play ended, while speaking about the altercation, Head had said, Not as heated as I like it to be. I just jokingly said 'Well bowled' and then he pointed me to the shades and I had my reaction as well. Following Australia's 10-wicket win in the Test, the duo also shared a hug. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Swepson, Steketee star as Queensland pip Victoria in a thriller

Queensland have notched their first win of the Sheffield Shield season following match-winning bowling displays from Mitch Swepson and Mark Steketee

Stokes lauds England's 'more dominant cricket' for series win in NZ

NZ captain Latham concedes his side was unable to cope with pressure

WPL 2025 auction - Full list of 120 players

A maximum of 19 slots are to be filled, including five for overseas players

2nd Test: Door Very Much Open For Shami To Come And Play, Says Rohit

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: After India suffered a ten-wicket defeat to Australia in the Adelaide Test, skipper Rohit Sharma said the door is very much open for veteran fast-bowler Mohammed Shami to join the squad in Australia. But at the same time, Rohit reiterated that the team is taking a careful route over assessing Shamis match fitness. Shami has not played for India after 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, due to an Achilles injury that needed surgery this February. After suffering some setbacks during his long recovery process, Shami made his competitive comeback for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy fifth round match against Madhya Pradesh at Indore, where he took seven wickets in his teams win. At the time of his cricket comeback in Indore, Nitin Patel, the sports science and medicine head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) and senior mens selection committee member Ajay Ratra were in attendance. We are just monitoring him because while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali, he got some swelling in his knee, which hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very careful, we don't want to bring him here, he pulls up sore or something happens. We want to be more than 100% sure with him because it has been a long time. We don't want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team. There are some professionals monitoring, we will take a call based on what those guys feel. They are the ones watching him every game, how he pulls up after the game, after bowling four overs, standing for 20 overs. But the door is open for him to come and play anytime, said Rohit in the post-match press conference. Since then Shami played all seven league stage games for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Rajkot, picking eight wickets in 27.3 overs, while being watched over for his fitness levels by Patel, selection committee member SS Das and CoE strength and conditioning trainer Nishanta Bordoloi. We don't want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team. There are some professionals monitoring, we will take a call based on what those guys feel. They are the ones watching him every game, how he pulls up after the game, after bowling four overs, standing for 20 overs. But the door is open for him to come and play anytime, said Rohit in the post-match press conference. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Australia Top The WTC Standings After Adelaide Test, India Slip To Third

ICC World Test Championship: Following a comprehensive ten-wicket win over India in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval to level the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-1, Australia have moved back to the top of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship standings. The Pat Cummins-led side have their points percentage at 60.71 to go past both South Africa and India in the championship table, with the win at Adelaide their ninth victory of the ongoing cycle. On the other hand, the heavy defeat has meant Rohit Sharma-led India have dropped down to third place, and see its points percentage fall to 57.29, after being 61.11 post their 295-run win in Perth. India now needs to win its remaining three Tests against Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to have a chance at entering their third straight WTC final, to be held at Lords next year. South Africa, with points percentage of 59.26, is currently in a strong position to win their ongoing home Test against Sri Lanka at Gqeberha and could move up to the top of the standings if they emerge victorious. The day threes play in the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval saw skipper Pat Cummins lead the way for Australia by picking 5-57 in his 14 overs, his 13th five-wicket haul in Tests, to bundle out India for just 175 in their second innings. It left Australia needing just 19 runs to level the series, and they achieved it in just 3.2 overs to make a stunning comeback in the series after being thrashed comprehensively in the series opener Perth. The day threes play in the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval saw skipper Pat Cummins lead the way for Australia by picking 5-57 in his 14 overs, his 13th five-wicket haul in Tests, to bundle out India for just 175 in their second innings. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

BGT 2024-25: 'Arrived Late But With A Swagger', Ex-players React After Australia's 10-wicket Win In Adelaide

New Delhi: Former cricketers were quick to react after Australia bounced back from a huge loss in opener with a 10-wicket win on the pink-ball Test in Adelaide as Wasim Jaffer said, the hosts arrived late in the series but came with a swagger while Michael Vaughan stated that a role reversed from 0-1 down to level the five-match series 1-1. A 10-wicket victory in Adelaide has helped Australia to level the five-match series 1-1. Beginning the Day at 128/5, India could add only 47 runs to their overnight total and folded by 175 with just an 18-run lead. It did not take long for Australia openers to score the required 19 runs as the hosts secured a big 10-wicket victory, emphatically bouncing back following the humiliating defeat in Perth. Arrived late but arrived with a swagger. Well played Australia, series shaping up to be a cracker, Jaffer posted in X after Australia's win. Vaughan said 'X', Australia have been outstanding in Adelaide .. Roles reversed from Perth... 1-1 with 3 to go .. We are in for an incredible series once again amongst these 2 Teams. Ex-India allrounder Irfan Pathan said, Australia played well from the start. Their playing experience with the pink ball was evident in this match, adding that, No panic button yet for team India. Too many changes wont help team cause. Game over! Australia levelled the series, Cricket Australia shared on X. Last week, we lost a Test match, and we were apparently the worst Test team ever, Marnus Labuschagne, who scored a 126-ball 64 and supported Travis Heads 140 as Australia made 337 in their first innings, said on Fox Cricket after the win. This week, we finish on day three with the series at 1-1, he added. Game over! Australia levelled the series, Cricket Australia shared on X. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Rohit Sharma says 'door very much open' for Mohammed Shami to join Test squad in Australia

The India fast bowler has not played for India since November last year

Cummins takes five to lead Australia to thumping victory

India could add only 47 to their overnight score as Australia finished things off in under four overs with the bat

2nd Test: Failed To Grab Some Opportunities Which Cost Us The Game, Admits Rohit After Pink-ball Loss

Rohit Sharma: India skipper Rohit Sharmas return to the Test side after missing the Perth Test win didnt end on a happy note, as the visitors were handed a ten-wicket thrashing by Australia inside three days of the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval. Rohit, who made three and six with the bat after dropping down to number six, faced flak for his subdued captaincy and errors in his bowling changes. He admitted India didnt grab some opportunities in the game which ultimately cost them the match. Disappointing week for us. We didn't play well enough to win the game. Australia played better than us. There were times in the game where we could have grabbed those opportunities but we failed to do that and that has cost us the game. What we did in Perth was very special and we wanted to come out here and do that again but again, we know that every Test match has its own challenge. We knew it was going to be challenging with the pink ball. But like I said, Australia was better than us, he said in the post-match presentation ceremony. With the five-match series now at 1-1, Rohit added India are looking forward to the Gabba Test, starting on December 14. Not much time in between as well. We just want to go out there and think back to what we did right in Perth and also what we did last time we were there. We have some really good memories there. We understand the challenge of every Test match so we want to start well and play well. Australia skipper Pat Cummins, who picked 5-57 in the morning session on day three, was thrilled with getting a comprehensive win at Adelaide after losing the Perth Test by 295 runs. A great week. We knew we were far away from the team we want to be in Perth. This is back to how we want to play. The rhythm felt pretty good this week. Good to get a few wickets. He also credited Mitchell Starc for setting the tone of the win with his 6-48 on day one. There's not that much noise in the group, (but) Starc is amazing. He does it time and time again. Feel very lucky and privileged that he's in our team. Scotty (Boland) just fitted in straightaway, like he always does. He probes with every ball, top of off. Hopefully, Josh is back next week. But even then Scotty is unbelievable. He (Lyon) will jump in the ice bath, he has had a big week. Cummins further said the main thing about the commanding ten-wicket victory was getting the 152-run lead and lauded Travis Head for taking the match out of India's reach with his superb 140. Scotty (Boland) just fitted in straightaway, like he always does. He probes with every ball, top of off. Hopefully, Josh is back next week. But even then Scotty is unbelievable. He (Lyon) will jump in the ice bath, he has had a big week. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Cummins Picks 5-57 As Australia Secure 10-wicket Win Over India

Skipper Pat Cummins: Skipper Pat Cummins used short balls to good effect and pick 5-57 in his 14 overs to set the base for Australia securing a commanding ten-wicket win over India on day three of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. The result also means Australia have squared the five-match series 1-1. Resuming from 128/5, India could add only 47 runs before their second innings was brought to a swift end in 36.5 overs by Australia, with Nitish Kumar Reddy continuing to be impressive by top-scoring with 42. Cummins led solidly from the front to get his second five-wicket haul against India in Tests, while Scott Boland picked up three scalps and Mitchell Starc took two wickets, as India gave Australia a target of just 19. Openers Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja were unbeaten on 10 and nine, respectively, as Australia completed the chase in just 3.2 overs to stage a stunning comeback with a thumping win in Adelaide after suffering a crushing 295-run defeat in Perth. It also means Australia maintains its clean slate of winning day-night Tests in Adelaide. Indias hopes of going out of trouble met a swift end on day three as Starc got a full ball to just straighten off the seam and take Rishabh Pants outside edge to second slip to dismiss him for 28. Cummins bouncer plan worked when he found the glove edge of Ravichandran Ashwins attempted hook and was easily caught behind by Alex Carey. Even as Reddy looked solid in defence, the bouncer ploy worked again for Cummins when he prised out the shoulder edge of a tangled Harshit Rana and was caught easily by gully, just an over after Starc hit him on the helmet with a pacy lifter. Reddy pushed India into a slender lead when he hammered Scott Boland over long-on for a one-bounce four, and hooked a bumper from Cummins over backward square leg for six. But Cummins had the last laugh as Reddy arched back to ramp over slips, but was caught by third man. Boland ended Indias innings by having Mohammed Siraj mistime to Travis Head at mid-wicket, who backpedalled and tumbled on his back to complete the catch. With Australia taking the winning honours over India in Adelaide, both teams have now got two more days of rest before meeting in the third game at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 14. Reddy pushed India into a slender lead when he hammered Scott Boland over long-on for a one-bounce four, and hooked a bumper from Cummins over backward square leg for six. But Cummins had the last laugh as Reddy arched back to ramp over slips, but was caught by third man. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Siraj: It's a lie that Head only said 'well bowled' to me

India fast bowler contradicts Australian batters comments from press conference

2nd Test: Its A Lie That Head Only Said well Bowled To Me, Claims Siraj

Mohammed Siraj: India fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj has claimed that Australia left-handed batter Travis Head lied in the press conference that he only said well-bowled to him during day two of the ongoing Adelaide Test. On the fourth ball of the 82nd over, Siraj castled Head with a terrific in swinging yorker, and gave the him a fiery send-off and aggressively gestured to walk back towards the direction of stands. To this, Head replied back to the pacer, before walking off to a standing ovation from his home crowd. After that, the Adelaide crowd made constant boos whenever Siraj was fielding in the deep or came on to bowl, to express their displeasure over how he behaved with Head. After day twos play ended, Head had expressed his disappointment to broadcasters Fox Sports over how things transpired and added if this is how the visitors want to represent themselves, then so be it. Now, speaking to former India spinner Harbhajan Singh ahead of day threes play for broadcasters Star Sports, Siraj presented his side of the story. It was a great battle going on (with Head) and he batted really well. When you get hit for a six on a good ball, it fires you up differently. when I got him bowled, I only celebrated and he abused me and you saw that on TV too. I only celebrated at the start, I didnt say anything to him. What he said in the press conference wasnt right, its a lie that he only said well bowled to me. Its there for everyone to see that thats not what he said to me. We respect everyone, its not like we disrespect other players. I respect everybody because cricket is a gentlemans game, but what he did wasnt right. I didnt like it at all, said Siraj. After day twos play, India bowling coach Morne Morkel had come in Sirajs defence over his altercation with Head and felt the two players would be on good terms in future. Siraj is the type of player who gives 100 per cent. That is the character he brings to the bowling unit. He'll always run in all day. Its there for everyone to see that thats not what he said to me. We respect everyone, its not like we disrespect other players. I respect everybody because cricket is a gentlemans game, but what he did wasnt right. I didnt like it at all, said Siraj. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

England Thrash New Zealand By 323 Runs In 2nd Test To Win Series

An aggressive England dominated from start to finish to thrash New Zealand by 323 runs on Sunday in the second Test and emphatically win the series with a match to go. Joe Root scored a century before England's bowlers knocked over New Zealand for 259 in the final session of day three, clinching a series on New Zealand soil for the first time since 2008. As with their eight-wicket loss in Christchurch, New Zealand were outplayed for long periods, although Tom Blundell showed some late resistance with a century as he fought bravely in the unlikely pursuit of a winning target of 583. The wicketkeeper was dismissed for 115 soon after tea, caught brilliantly by slip Ben Duckett off spinner Shoaib Bashir to spark a tail-order collapse. Nathan Smith (42) and Matt Henry (4) both fell to Ben Stokes (3-5) before the England skipper removed Tim Southee (8), caught in the deep in the game's final act. Former skipper Root set the tone by posting his 36th century in a flashy start to the day before being dismissed for 106, prompting a declaration half an hour after the resumption with England 427-6. New Zealand limped to 59-4 at lunch in response but their innings gained some respectability in the middle session through the efforts of Blundell, Smith and Daryl Mitchell (32). Despite his team's plight Blundell was prepared to play shots, compiling 13 fours and five sixes as he achieved a fifth century to end a lean run of form with the bat. Earlier, the blustery conditions didn't bother England's new-ball attack, with veteran Chris Woakes (2-20) thriving into a strong wind. He clean-bowled out-of-form opener Devon Conway without scoring before claiming the prized scalp of Kane Williamson for four, caught behind. Brydon Carse (2-53) dismissed Tom Latham for 24 with a sharp, one-handed caught and bowled, before enticing Rachin Ravindra (6) into a loose shot which was snicked. Before that, Stokes was 49 not out when he made his declaration, having put on 100 for the sixth wicket with Root off just 13.2 overs. They added 49 to their overnight score, allowing time for Root to complete a classy ton. Root, who resumed on 73, reached three figures with a spectacular reverse lap shot which flew over Blundell's head off paceman Will O'Rourke. The 33-year-old was dismissed later in the same over, edging a catch to Blundell. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers The third and final Test starts in Hamilton on Saturday.

2nd Test: 'Just Went Back To What I Know', Says Labuschagne On Making 64 In Adelaide

Adelaide Oval: Before the ongoing day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval, Australia top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne was going through a horrid run of form. The right-handed batter, who once held the top position in mens Test batters rankings, had amassed just 658 runs in his last 13 Tests at an average of 27.41, with only one century and five fifties to show. But on day twos play, Labuschagne looked more assured and presented his vintage self by hitting a 126-ball 64 and supporting Travis Heads 140 as Australia made 337 in their first innings and take a 152-run lead over India. Labuschagne said him making 64 was made possible by him going to what he knew about his game and yielded him good results in the past. I obviously got a lot of messages from different people, a lot of support, and a lot of people with different advice. I sort of sat back and I just thought, how have I got to this position? How have I got to playing for Australia? What are the things that I've done? What are the foundations of that? It got back to going away from the game isn't going to make me a better player, never has and I'm not sure it will. So I reverted back to what I know best is go back, draw on board, look at footage, look at what I need to get done, where are the positions I want to be in, the things that are important to me. I hit every day up to the Test from when we finished. So, just went back to what I know. Like I said, try to work out through each day of training, where I wanted to get to by the first Test, spoke to some different people about some small technical things that I felt like I had to get right to like we were going to speak about getting into the ball a little bit better, kind of being able to get a little bit more, not forward, but just into the ball on that good length and being able to look to score and being in a position to put the bowler under pressure if they miss, he said to broadcasters Channel Seven ahead of day threes play. He also felt making small technical changes, like meeting the ball more forward, also got him back to his run-scoring self. It's certainly not a conscious decision but I think obviously the wicket changed. So, coming from Perth to Adelaide, the bounce of the wicket tends to be - you're playing at a lot more of these balls compared to in Perth. You're probably letting more of these balls go. So, probably just that and then probably a few tactical things to make sure that we get on top of that really good area that Jasprit bowled in Perth and finding a way that we can combat that. So, the learnings from the first game but absolutely, this is the product of probably the small technical change that was made and me being able to get back into the ball much better which then resulted into when I did get some rhythm, I was able to then put the bowlers under pressure, Labuschagne said. In his knock, Labuschagne brought his wrists into play, and employing his trademark flick shot against stump-to-stump deliveries with great effect. He attributed it to the Indian bowlers giving him more run-making opportunities on day two. I certainly felt like the morning coming back, I mean, I actually felt like that night session, Nathan and I batted really well. The things that I value making sure that making those good decisions around that off stump, getting into the ball, defending, presenting a good face when the ball does move, playing and missing because I'm holding the line nicely. In his knock, Labuschagne brought his wrists into play, and employing his trademark flick shot against stump-to-stump deliveries with great effect. He attributed it to the Indian bowlers giving him more run-making opportunities on day two. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Australia bat first; India hand debut to Minnu Manni

Sophie Molineux replaces Georgia Wareham in the only change for Australia

TPL Season 6: Nagal Powers Gujarat Panthers Into Top Four, Joins Eagles, Strikers, Rangers In Semis (Ld)

Tennis Premier League Season: Sumit Nagal, India's top singles player, was in great form as he powered Gujarat Panthers into the semifinals of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) Season 6 at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai on Saturday They were the last team to secure their place in the semifinals. The TPL moved into the business end of the tournament, with the qualifying spots confirmed after the final round of league games on Saturday. Yash Mumbai Eagles, Hyderabad Strikers, Rajasthan Rangers and Gujarat Panthers will be playing for the title. In the final match of the day, the Gujarat Panthers faced the Chennai Smashers with all to play for. In the Womens Singles category, Conny Perrin gave her side the ideal start with a 16-9 win against Ekaterina Kazionova. The Mens Singles game saw Sumit Nagal securing a 15-10 win against Hugo Gaston. The Gujarat Panthers pairing of Ekaterina Kazionova and Vijay Sundar Prashanth faced Conny Perrin and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, with the former winning that encounter 15-10. With all to play for in the Mens Doubles category, Sumit Nagal and Vijay Sundar Prashanth won a humdinger of a contest by 13-12 against Hugo Gaston and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli. With a 52-48 win, the Gujarat Panthers confirmed their qualification spot for the final day. Earlier, the fifth day witnessed some edge-of-the-seat action as the teams left no stone unturned to try and cement their spot for the final day. In the opening match, the Punjab Patriots faced Hyderabad Strikers. The Women's Singles category saw Harriet Dart of Hyderabad Strikers carry on her impressive run, winning against Elina Avanesyan of Punjab Patriots 16-9. Punjab Patriots fought back as Mukund Sasikumar got the better of Benjamin Lock, triumphing 18-7 in the Men's Singles category. In the Mixed Doubles category, Hyderabad Strikers Harriet Dart and Vishnu Vardhan defeated Elina Avanesyan and Saketh Myneni of Punjab Patriots with a score of 14-11. With only one point separating the two teams, it was all to play for in the Men's Doubles category. Mukund Sasikumar and Saketh Myneni of Punjab Patriots managed to clinch a 13-12 win over Vishnu Vardhan and Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad Strikers. Punjab Patriots eventually prevailed with a score of 51-49 against Hyderabad Strikers. In the second match of the day, Rajasthan Rangers took on Bengaluru SG Pipers. Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers defeated Cristina Dinu 14-11 in a cracking contest in the Women's Singles category. Arthur Fery of Rajasthan Rangers won a nail-biter against Bernabe Zapata Miralles, securing a 13-12 victory in the Men's Singles category. In the Mixed Doubles category, Anirudh Chandrasekar and Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers defeated Rohan Bopanna and Cristina Dinu of Rajasthan Rangers 13-12. In the Men's Doubles category, the duo of Rohan Bopanna and Arthur Fery fought tooth and nail to win against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Anirudh Chandrasekhar 14-11. The match ended in a deadlock as both sides finished with 50 points apiece, giving the Tennis Premier League its first tie of the season. The third match was another thriller between Bengal Wizards and Yash Mumbai Eagles. Zeynep Sonmez delivered a classy display to overcome Kamilla Rakhimova 15-10 in the Womens Singles category. Karan Singh and Sriram Balaji played out another hard-fought contest in the Mens Singles category, with the latter getting over the line 13-12. Zeynep Sonmez and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan clinched another tight contest against Kamilla Rakhimova and Siddhant Banthia, with the Yash Mumbai Eagles duo winning 13-12 in the Mixed Doubles. In the Mens Doubles category, Siddhant Banthia and Sriram Balaji got a 15-10 win against Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Karan Singh, resulting in the second tie of the day with both teams at 50 points each. The third match was another thriller between Bengal Wizards and Yash Mumbai Eagles. Zeynep Sonmez delivered a classy display to overcome Kamilla Rakhimova 15-10 in the Womens Singles category. Karan Singh and Sriram Balaji played out another hard-fought contest in the Mens Singles category, with the latter getting over the line 13-12. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Roger Binny Appoints Devajit Saikia As Acting Secretary OfBCCI:Sources

International Cricket Council: Assam's Devajit Saikia, the incumbent joint-secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been appointed as the acting secretary to discharge the duties till the post vacated by Jay Shah, who has assumed charge as Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC), is filled up. BCCI president Roger Binny appointed Devajit Saikia as acting secretary of the board, sources told IANS. Sources said Binny wrote an email to Saikia on Saturday to inform him that as the post has got vacant because Jay Shah has been elected as the Chairperson of ICC, the election to the ICC has left the post of Hon. Secretary vacant. Saikia has been appointed acting secretary in accordance with Rule 7 (1) (d) of the BCCI Rules and Regulations. Rule 7 (1) (d) says, The President shall, in the event of a vacancy or indisposition of an office-bearer, delegate the function to another office-bearer until the vacancy is duly filled up or the indisposition ceases. Accordingly, Binny delegated the functions of the secretary to Saikia till the post was duly filled up as per the processes laid down in the BCCI Rules and Regulations. While appointing Saikia as action secretary, Binny extended his best wishes to him and expressed confidence that Saikia would perform the functions to the best of his ability and with aplomb. Meanwhile, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) extended its warmest congratulations to Devajit Saikia, BCCI Joint Secretary, on assuming charge as a Board Director, ICC, representing the BCCI. This remarkable achievement is a reflection of his unwavering passion for cricket and his tireless efforts to promote the sport globally. His expertise and vision will undoubtedly elevate the sport to new heights. Meanwhile, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) extended its warmest congratulations to Devajit Saikia, BCCI Joint Secretary, on assuming charge as a Board Director, ICC, representing the BCCI. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Dottin, Knight, Rana among big attractions at WPL 2025 auction

The five teams have 19 slots to fill, and have 120 players to choose from on December 15 in Bengaluru

WPL 2025: Knight, Dotting Get Rs 50 Lakh Reserve Price; Sneh, Poonam Opt For 30 Lakh As 120 Players Set For Player Auction

Nadine De Klerk: Experienced England player Heather Knight, Lizelle Lee of South Africa and Deandra Dottin of the West Indies will be in the top bracket with a reserve price of Rs 50 lakh when 120 players, including 91 Indians and 29 overseas cricketers including 3 from Associate Nations will go under the hammer in the Player Auction for the 2025 Womens Premier League (WPL). Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana, Shubha Satheesh, Poonam Yadav, England's Lauren Bell, Nadine De Klerk of South Africa, Maia Bouchier of England and Kim Garth of Australia will be among the 28 capped players with a reserve price of Rs 30 lakh each for the auction which will take place in Bengaluru on December 15. According to the WPL 2025 Player Auction List announced on Saturday, 120 players will be in the fray for the 19 slots, which are up for grabs, with five slots reserved for overseas players. The list includes nine capped Indian players and 21 capped overseas players, informed Roger Binny, BCCI President & Chairperson, WPL Committee in a release on Saturday. Also facing the hammer will be 82 uncapped Indians and eight uncapped overseas players. The five franchises each have a budget of INR 15 crore to build their squads for the 2025 season, an increase from INR 13.5 crore in the previous auction. IANS had reported on November 28 that the 2025 Womens Premier League (WPL) player auction will be held in Bengaluru on December 15, with the third edition of the five-team tournament likely to begin from the first week of February 2025. The five franchises each have a budget of INR 15 crore to build their squads for the 2025 season, an increase from INR 13.5 crore in the previous auction. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

He Looks At Everything As A Scoring Opportunity: Gavaskar Reveals What Makes Travis Head Dangerous

Nitish Kumar Reddy: In the ongoing pink-ball Test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval here, Travis Heads scintillating knock of 140 off 141 balls has drawn high praise from cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden. Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar highlighted the unique attitude that sets Head apart. I think it's a difference in attitude. Where you look at every ball as a scoring opportunity, which is what he does. Which is what Rishabh Pant also does. He looks at every ball as a scoring opportunity. Travis Head, why is he so popular? Why is he so dangerous? Its because he looks at everything as a scoring opportunity. And he's successful more often than not. Particularly against India, said the former India captain. Heads innings, featuring 17 fours and four sixes, was a masterclass in attacking cricket. The left-handers ability to mix powerful pulls and cuts with elegant drives left the Indian bowling attack searching for answers. Coming in during a precarious situation for Australia, Head not only steadied the innings but also turned the momentum decisively in his teams favour. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also lauded Head for his courage and consistency. I think he made a promise to himself very early doors in his test match cricket. And some people aren't brave enough until they reach maybe 30 or even 40 test matches for their country. But he promised himself very early doors that he was going to play the way Travis Head wanted to play. And I admire that courage. Because it's not always easy. Especially when you think back to the way that he's dominated India. When you think back to that world test championship, he would have got great confidence out of that. Because it was under some circumstances that he reached the crease at the Oval. And suddenly the game just seemed to open up. And it's amazing how quickly sides that have got this momentum going forward end up sort of reeling back. And that's his resolve and his commitment to himself. He's promised to himself that I'm going to do it my way, said Hayden on Star Sports. Heads innings came on the back of a solid partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, who contributed an assured 64. Together, they helped Australia recover from early setbacks and post a formidable first-innings total of 337. Heads knock not only showcased his aggressive flair but also underlined his ability to thrive in challenging conditions under the lights. Especially when you think back to the way that he's dominated India. When you think back to that world test championship, he would have got great confidence out of that. Because it was under some circumstances that he reached the crease at the Oval. And suddenly the game just seemed to open up. And it's amazing how quickly sides that have got this momentum going forward end up sort of reeling back. And that's his resolve and his commitment to himself. He's promised to himself that I'm going to do it my way, said Hayden on Star Sports. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

TPL Season 6: Mukund Sasikumar Shines For Punjab Patriots; Rajasthan Rangers, Bengaluru SG Pipers Play Out A Tie

Tennis Premier LeTennis Premier League: Mukund Sasikumar got the better of Benjamin Lock to help Punjab Patriots get the better of Hyderabad Strikers and moved into the top four in the Tennis Premier LeTennis Premier League (TPL) Season 6ague (TPL) Season 6, which moved into the business end with the qualifying spots to be decided here on Saturday. Rajasthan Rangers and Bengaluru SG Pipers played a hard-fought tie in the second match of the day, which meant that all eight teams are gunning for qualification spots in the tournament taking place at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai. In the opening match of the day, the Punjab Patriots got off disappointing start against Hyderabad Strikers, losing the Women's Singles as Harriet Dart carried on her impressive run, winning against Elina Avanesyan 16-9. Punjab Patriots fought back as Mukund Sasikumar got the better of Benjamin Lock, triumphing 18-7 in the Men's Singles category. In the Mixed Doubles category, Hyderabad Strikers Harriet Dart and Vishnu Vardhan defeated Elina Avanesyan and Saketh Myneni of Punjab Patriots 14-11. With only one point separating the two teams, it was all to play for in the Men's Doubles category. Mukund Sasikumar and Saketh Myneni of Punjab Patriots managed to clinch a 13-12 win over Vishnu Vardhan and Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad Strikers. Punjab Patriots eventually prevailed with a score of 51-49 against Hyderabad Strikers. In the second match of the day, Rajasthan Rangers took on Bengaluru SG Pipers. Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers defeated Cristina Dinu 14-11 in a cracking contest in the Women's Singles category. Arthur Fery of Rajasthan Rangers won a nail-biter against Bernabe Zapata Miralles, securing a 13-12 victory in the Men's Singles category. In the Mixed Doubles category, Anirudh Chandrasekar and Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers defeated Rohan Bopanna and Cristina Dinu of Rajasthan Rangers 13-12. In the Men's Doubles category, the duo of Rohan Bopanna and Arthur Fery fought tooth and nail to win against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Anirudh Chandrasekhar 14-11. The match ended in a deadlock as both sides finished with 50 points apiece, giving the Tennis Premier League its first tie of the season. Halfway through Day Five, Hyderabad Strikers have moved back to the top of the table with 260 points and have solidified their chances of securing a qualification spot. Rajasthan Rangers are in second place with 255 points, while Punjab Patriots have snuck into third place with 249 points. Bengaluru SG Pipers are in the top four with 248 points. In the Mixed Doubles category, Anirudh Chandrasekar and Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers defeated Rohan Bopanna and Cristina Dinu of Rajasthan Rangers 13-12. In the Men's Doubles category, the duo of Rohan Bopanna and Arthur Fery fought tooth and nail to win against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Anirudh Chandrasekhar 14-11. The match ended in a deadlock as both sides finished with 50 points apiece, giving the Tennis Premier League its first tie of the season. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Head on Siraj send-off: 'I jokingly said 'well bowled', then he pointed me in the sheds'

The Australia batter said there had been 'no confrontation' in the lead-up to the moment

2nd Test: Head & Bowlers Put Australia In Total Control As India Land In Big Trouble (ld)

With Rishabh Pant: Australia's fast bowlers scythed through India's top order in the third session to leave them at 128/5 in 24 overs to be 29 runs behind the hosts at stumps on day two of the second Test at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. With Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy unbeaten on 28 and 15 respectively, the onus will be on the duo to pull India out of trouble and save them from a likely defeat. The foundation for Australias dominating day was laid by Travis Head smashing a blistering 140 off 141 balls on his home ground, as the hosts made 337 to take a 152-run lead. It was a tremendous attacking innings from Head, who mixed his usual free-flowing cuts and pulls with some sumptuous drives while hitting 17 fours and four sixes to put Australia firmly in the box seat to square the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series via his third hundred in day-night Tests. After getting his fifty in 63 balls, Head took only 48 more balls to reach his eighth Test hundred in front of 51,642 fans at his home ground. He was well-supported by Marnus Labuschagne coming out of the poor run of form to hit an assured 64. The morning session on Day Two was an hour of two halves. India initially had the upper hand, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah taking two quick wickets. But an assured Labuschagne came out of his poor run to hit 64 and share a 67-run stand with a free-striking Head. Nathan McSweeney added just one run to his overnight total of 38 before being undone by a lovely ball from Bumrah that swung in a touch and took his outside edge to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. The fast-bowling spearhead struck again when he had Steve Smith caught down the leg side for just two. But from there, Labuschagne hit his groove to feast on straighter lines from the Indian bowlers. He used his wrists to glance Harshit Rana for two boundaries while driving Siraj through extra cover for another four, and surviving an lbw appeal off him. From the other end, Head was quick into entering run-making action by driving Bumrah for four, before smashing a half-volley from Ravichandran Ashwin over mid-off for six. After Labuschagne got his 21st half-century in Test cricket off 114 balls, he and Head took a wayward Rana for 17 runs in the 51st over. After Head slashed him through backward point for four, Labuschagne glided, dabbed and pulled Rana to collect three quick boundaries. But Labuschagne fell for 64 when he dabbed at a short and wide ball from Reddy and was caught by gully. There was no stopping Head as he swept Ashwin for six, before flicking Siraj for four and got his fifty off 63 balls by punching him through cover for a boundary till dinner break came. The second session saw Head and Mitchell Marsh taking a four each off Bumrah before the latter tried to defend off a sliding off-break from Ashwin, but nicked it behind Pant and walked off even before umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger. Replays later showed a flat line on Snicko, which meant Marsh had never nicked it in the first place. After swivelling Bumrah for four, Head danced down the pitch to hammer over his head for six. He again tried to hit big off Ashwin over mid-on, but toe-ended it and Mohammed Siraj dropped a difficult catch. Boundaries continued to flow for Head, as he hit four delightful boundaries off Harshit Rana, one of which flew between the keeper and a wide first slip. Head brought up his century in just 111 balls by taking a single to square leg, and celebrated it by pumping his fist, doing the rock-the-baby celebration, as well as holding the bat handle inside the helmet, with the sellout crowd making a tremendous roar in joy of the local boy making another memorable hundred at the venue. Head continued to tear into Rana by lofting, driving and thumping him for three boundaries, before slashing Siraj for another four. Though Siraj had Alex Carey nick behind a drive to Pant for 15, Head continued to march forward by clipping and flicking elegantly to hit three fours and a six off Siraj and Bumrah, who needed medical attention for a cramp in the adductor region in his left leg. But Siraj responded by castling Head with a terrific in-swinging yorker and gave him a fiery send-off, which saw Head replying to the pacer, before walking off to a standing ovation from the crowd. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins hit four boundaries between themselves before Bumrah castled the latter with a lovely inswinger at the stroke of tea. Siraj came back after tea to have Mitchell Starc chip to mid-off and then castle Scott Boland in successive overs to end with 4-98 and end Australias innings just 2.3 overs into the final session. Indias second innings began with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul taking a four each off Mitchell Starc. But Cummins struck by getting a short ball to nip back into Rahul and cramp him for room. By then, Rahul looked to hook the ball away late, and could just glove it behind to Carey and fell for seven. Jaiswal got three boundaries off drive and slashes, before edging off a fourth stump delivery coming from over the wicket to Carey off Boland. Boland then proceeded to test Virat Kohli relentlessly in the channel outside off stump and finally managed to get the batter to lunge forward and take the outside edge to Carey. But Pant came out all guns blazing -- charging down the ground to thump Boland over mid-off, before bringing out an outrageous reverse lap sweep going over the slips for another boundary. Despite being beaten by Boland, Pant took a liking to his pace slamming him through extra cover for a boundary, before unfurling the falling hook shot going to fine leg fence for another four. But from the other end, India continued to be in trouble - Starc got a beautiful full inswinger right to knock down Shubman Gills middle stump, while Rohit Sharma, who survived previously due to a no-ball from Starc, played all around Cummins length ball on off-stump straightening after pitching and could only see his top of off stump being rattled. Reddy faced an early stern examination from Starc, including edging off him for four and even survived an lbw appeal off Cummins, as Australia burnt their review. But he unfurled a gorgeous cover drive off Cummins, and after Pant sliced Boland for a boundary, Reddy ended an eventful day two with the inner edge off a smash going for four. Brief scores: Reddy faced an early stern examination from Starc, including edging off him for four and even survived an lbw appeal off Cummins, as Australia burnt their review. But he unfurled a gorgeous cover drive off Cummins, and after Pant sliced Boland for a boundary, Reddy ended an eventful day two with the inner edge off a smash going for four. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Slightly Disappointed With The Way That Transpired, Says Head On Sirajs Send-off

Travis Head: Australia batter Travis Head, who hit a blistering 140 off 141 balls to put the hosts in total control of ongoing Adelaide Test, said he was disappointed with how India pacer Mohammed Sirajs send-off to him transpired on day twos play. On the fourth ball of the 82nd over, Siraj castled Head with a terrific in swinging yorker, and gave him a fiery send-off. The pacer aggressively gestured Head to walk back towards the direction of stands and both players were involved in a heated conversation. After that, the Adelaide crowd made constant boos whenever Siraj was fielding in the deep or came on to bowl, to express their displeasure over how he behaved with Head. Well I said, 'Well bowled', and he thought otherwise when he pointed me to the sheds and he got a little bite back from me. Slightly disappointed with the way that transpired with a couple of the past innings, but it is what it is. If they want to rep like that and that's how they want to represent themselves then so be it, said Head to broadcasters Fox Sports at the end of day twos play. Former Australia pacer Stuart Clark reckoned Siraj could cop a fine for his poor behaviour after taking Heads wicket. I dare say Mohammed Siraj is in a little bit of trouble for what appears to be giving Travis Head an old-fashioned send-off. Arms waving. Oh no, you can't do that. I don't know what the rules are. I'm pretty sure he can't do that anymore, said Clark on ABC Radio. Talking about his knock of 140, his eighth Test hundred laced with 17 fours and four sixes, Head said, Nice to get a few runs. Batting has been going nicely for the last few weeks and it was good to get some runs. I took my chances, they bowled well, it was a tough wicket and have put the guys in a good position. I could if we did the right things, both sides came in thinking they could dominate, not saying we are dominating just yet but we are in a great position. With the quality of quicks they have, got to take chances, with the field up I was going to take my chances. Played really well in some moments. Head brought up his century in just 111 balls by taking a single to square leg, and celebrated it by pumping his fist, doing the rock-the-baby celebration, as well as holding the bat handle inside the helmet. I could if we did the right things, both sides came in thinking they could dominate, not saying we are dominating just yet but we are in a great position. With the quality of quicks they have, got to take chances, with the field up I was going to take my chances. Played really well in some moments. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Australia scorch India after Head ton and Boland-Cummins spells

Head's innings of 140 was scored at a strike-rate of 99.29 and flattened India by the time they came out to bat in the final session

2nd Test: Bowlers Put Australia In Total Control After Scything Through Indian Top-order

With Rishabh Pant: Australia's fast bowlers scythed through India's top order in the third session to leave the visitors at 128/5 in 24 overs to be 29 runs behind the hosts at stumps on Day Two of the second Test at Adelaide Oval here on Saturday. With Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy unbeaten on 28 and 15 respectively, the onus will be on the duo to pull India out of trouble and save them from a likely defeat. The foundation for Australias dominating day was laid by middle-order batter Travis Head smashing a blistering 140 off 141 balls on his home ground, as the hosts made 337 to take a 152-run lead. It was a tremendous attacking innings from Head, who mixed his usual free-flowing cuts and pulls with some sumptuous drives while hitting 17 fours and four sixes to put Australia firmly in the box seat to square the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series via his third hundred in day-night Tests. After getting his fifty in 63 balls, Head took only 48 more balls to reach his eighth Test hundred in front of 51,642 fans at his home ground. He was well-supported by Marnus Labuschagne coming out of the poor run of form to hit an assured 64, while opener Nathan McSweeney gave a good account of himself through his knock of 39. Indias second innings began with Jaiswal and Rahul taking a four each off Mitchell Starc. But captain Pat Cummins struck by getting a short ball to nip back into Rahul, and cramp him for room. By then, Rahul looked to hook the ball away late, and could just glove it behind to Carey and fall for seven. Jaiswal got three boundaries off drive and slashes, before edging off a fourth stump delivery coming from over the wicket to Carey off Scott Boland. Boland then proceeded to test Virat Kohli relentlessly in the channel outside the off stump and finally managed to get the batter to lunge forward and take the outside edge to Carey. But Pant came out all guns blazing - charging down the ground to thump Boland over mid-off, before bringing out an outrageous reverse lap sweep going over the slips for another boundary. Despite being beaten by Boland, Pant took a liking to his pace slamming him through extra cover for a boundary, before unfurling the falling hook shot going to fine leg fence for another four. But from the other end, India continued to be in trouble - Starc got a beautiful full inswinger right to knock down Shubman Gills middle stump, while Rohit Sharma, who survived previously due to a no-ball from Starc, played all around Cummins length ball on off-stump straightening after pitching and could only see his top of off stump being rattled. Reddy faced an early stern examination from Starc, including edging off him for four and even survived an lbw appeal off Cummins, as Australia burnt their review. But he unfurled a gorgeous cover drive off Cummins, and after Pant sliced Boland for a boundary, Reddy ended an eventful day two with the inner edge off a smash going for four. Brief scores: Reddy faced an early stern examination from Starc, including edging off him for four and even survived an lbw appeal off Cummins, as Australia burnt their review. But he unfurled a gorgeous cover drive off Cummins, and after Pant sliced Boland for a boundary, Reddy ended an eventful day two with the inner edge off a smash going for four. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Sunil Gavaskar Calls Mohammed Sirajs Fiery Send-off To Travis Head 'unnecessary'

Sunil Gavaskar: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has described as unnecessary the fiery send-off Mohammed Siraj gave to Australian batter Travis Head after the pacer dismissed him for 140 on Day 2 of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports, expressed his disapproval of Sirajs actions, emphasising the context of Head's innings. The legendary batter highlighted that Head had played a magnificent knock, becoming a local hero with his eighth Test century and second against India, and Sirajs over-the-top celebration was unwarranted. Unnecessary, if you ask me. The mans got 140, he hasnt got out for one or two. You dont give a send-off to someone whos batted brilliantly and won the crowd over. Instead of becoming a hero for dismissing him, Siraj has become the villain, said Gavaskar. He suggested that Sirajs actions cost him an opportunity to win the respect of the local crowd. If Siraj had simply applauded Head after that dismissal, he would have been a hero for everyone in the stadium. Instead, he got the stick from the crowd, and understandably so. Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden also weighed in, attributing Sirajs actions to emotions running high in the heat of the contest. While Hayden defended Sirajs intensity as a bowler, he pointed out the need for grace in such situations. It was probably just a little bit of emotion and passion from Siraj, who bowled his heart out. But when youre facing a local hero whos just made 140, you need to show some humility, Hayden remarked. Hayden praised Heads innings, calling it a masterclass of controlled aggression, and suggested Siraj missed an opportunity to showcase sportsmanship on a big stage. Travis Heads innings was the backbone of Australias first innings total of 337. The left-hander smashed 17 fours and four sixes in his 140 off 141 balls, entertaining the Adelaide crowd with a breathtaking display of counterattacking cricket. Hayden praised Heads innings, calling it a masterclass of controlled aggression, and suggested Siraj missed an opportunity to showcase sportsmanship on a big stage. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Fraser-McGurk fireworks, McAndrew strikes put SA on top

McAndrew and Scott picked up two wickets each as Tasmania slumped to 96 for 4, after Fraser-McGurk smashed 43 off 37 to help SA declare at 398 for 6 on a rain affected day

Konstas helps Blues survive after wet day at SCG

Teen prodigy Sam Konstas has a chance to score his third century of the summer, after helping NSW navigate a wet day at the SCG

Paterson's three wickets in one over derails Sri Lanka

But contributions from a number of their top-order batters have taken Sri Lanka to within 40 runs of South Africa's first-innings total by lunch on day three

2nd Test: Siraj, Bumrah Take Four Each After Head's 140 As Australia Lead By 157

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Travis Head smashed a brilliant 140 his eighth hundred in the format third on his home ground, as Australia took a lead of 157 runs over India after being bowled out for 337 in 87.3 overs on day two of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. It was a tremendous attacking innings from Head, who mixed his usual free-flowing cuts and pulls with some sumptuous drives while hitting 17 fours and four sixes to Australia firmly in the box seat of the match via his third hundred in day-night Tests. He was well-supported by Marnus Labuschagne coming out of poor run of form to hit an assured 64, while opener Nathan McSweeney gave a good account of himself through his knock of 39. For India, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who was subjected to boos from crowd after giving Head an almighty send-off, picked four wickets each, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Nitish Kumar Reddy took a wicket each, with Harshit Rana struggling to hit the right areas and conceded 86 runs. Siraj came back after tea to have Mitchell Starc chip to mid-off and then castle number eleven Scott Boland in successive overs to end with 4-98. With the floodlights coming on in the final session, Australia will have two hours of bowl under it against an Indian batting line-up, who made 180 in first innings. Previously, the second session saw Head and Mitchell Marsh taking a four each off Bumrah, before the latter tried to defend off a sliding off-break from Ravichandran Ashwin, but nicked it behind to Pant and walked off even before umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger. Replays later showed a flat line on snicko, which meant Marsh had never nicked it in the first place. After swivelling Bumrah for four, Head danced down the pitch to hammer over his head for six. He again tried to hit big off Ashwin over mid-on, but toe-ended it and Mohammed Siraj dropped a difficult catch. Boundaries continued to flow for Head, as he hit four delightful boundaries off Harshit Rana, one of which flew between the keeper and a wide first slip. Head brought up his century in just 111 balls by taking a single to square leg, and celebrated it by pumping his fist and doing the rock-the-baby celebration, as well as holding the bat handle inside the helmet, with the sellout crowd making a tremendous roar in joy of the local boy making another memorable hundred at the venue. Head continued to tear into Rana by lofting, driving and thumping him for three boundaries, before slashing Siraj for another four. Though Siraj had Alex Carey nick behind a drive to Pant for 15, Head continued to march forward by clipping and flicking elegantly to hit three fours and a six off Siraj and Bumrah, who needed medical attention for a cramp in the adductor region in his left leg. But Siraj responded back by castling Head with a terrific in swinging yorker, and gave the him a fiery send-off, which saw Head replying back to the pacer, before walking off to a standing ovation from the crowd. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins hit four boundaries between themselves before Bumrah castled the latter with a lovely inswinger at the stroke of tea. Post that, it took only India 2.3 overs to end Australias innings headlined by a superb Head. Head continued to tear into Rana by lofting, driving and thumping him for three boundaries, before slashing Siraj for another four. Though Siraj had Alex Carey nick behind a drive to Pant for 15, Head continued to march forward by clipping and flicking elegantly to hit three fours and a six off Siraj and Bumrah, who needed medical attention for a cramp in the adductor region in his left leg. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Travis Head Smashes Terrific 140 As Australias Lead Swells To 152 Runs

Travis Head: Travis Head smashed a brilliant 140 his eighth hundred in the format third on his home ground, as Australia swelled its lead to 152 runs after reaching 332/8 in 85 overs at tea on day two of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. It was a tremendous innings from Head, who mixed his usual free-flowing cuts and pulls with some sumptuous drives while hitting 17 fours and four sixes to Australia firmly in the box seat of the match via his third hundred in day-night Tests. With Australia having two wickets in hand, their innings might wrap up quickly before their bowlers have a go at Indian batters in the twilight session. The second session began with Head and Mitchell Marsh taking a four each off Bumrah, before the latter tried to defend off a sliding off-break from Ravichandran Ashwin, but nicked it behind to Pant and walked off even before umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger. Replays later showed a flat line on snicko, which meant Marsh had never nicked it in the first place. After swivelling Bumrah for four, Head danced down the pitch to hammer over his head for six. He again tried to hit big off Ashwin over mid-on, but toe-ended it and Mohammed Siraj dropped a difficult catch. Boundaries continued to flow for Head, as he hit four delightful boundaries off Harshit Rana, one of which flew between the keeper and a wide first slip. Head brought up his century in just 111 balls by taking a single to square leg, and celebrated it by pumping his fist and doing the rock-the-baby celebration, as well as holding the bat handle inside the helmet, with the sellout crowd making a tremendous roar in joy of the local boy making another memorable hundred at the venue. Head continued to tear into Rana by lofting, driving and thumping him for three boundaries, before slashing Siraj for another four. Though Siraj had Alex Carey nick behind a drive to Pant for 15, Head continued to march forward by clipping and flicking elegantly to hit three fours and a six off Siraj and Bumrah, who needed medical attention for a cramp in the adductor region in his left leg. But Siraj responded back by castling Head with a terrific in swinging yorker, and gave the him a fiery send-off, which saw Head replying back to the pacer, before walking off to a standing ovation from the crowd. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins hit four boundaries between themselves before Bumrah castled the latter with a lovely inswinger at the stroke of tea. Head continued to tear into Rana by lofting, driving and thumping him for three boundaries, before slashing Siraj for another four. Though Siraj had Alex Carey nick behind a drive to Pant for 15, Head continued to march forward by clipping and flicking elegantly to hit three fours and a six off Siraj and Bumrah, who needed medical attention for a cramp in the adductor region in his left leg. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

BGT 2024-25: Shami Likely For Melbourne And Sydney, Brisbane Might Be A Little Too Early, Says Shastri

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Former India head coach and commentator Ravi Shastri believes that experienced pacer Mohammed Shami is likely to play in the last two Tests of the Border-Gasvaskar Trophy in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively. Shastri said Shami's addition to India's squad will bolster the visitors' pace attack that currently relies on the shoulder of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj with youngster Harshit Rana playing as the third seamer ahead of Akash Deep in the first two Tests. After making his impressive debut in Perth where India registered a dominating 295-run win, Rana proved to be a weak cog in India's pace bowling as he leaked too many runs in Australia's ongoing first innings at Adelaide Oval. The youngster bagged four wickets in his debut Test as he returned with the figures of 3-48 in the first innings while adding one more in the second innings. The quicker he (Shami) reaches here, the better, Shastri said while commentating on Star Sports. Shami has been out of the Indian team since the last year's ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad. However, the pacer returned to competitive cricket for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy last month and is currently playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to prove his fitness before getting a clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. As per the Cricbuzz report, Shami has not yet received fitness clearance, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still undecided when he can be sent to Australia. The Sports Science wing at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has yet to provide the BCCI with a comprehensive all-clear report. I think Brisbane might be a little too early, maybe Melbourne and Sydney, Shastri said. Shami showcased his prowess in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, claiming eight wickets in seven matches for Bengal. More importantly, the 34-year-old pacer, returning after a year-long injury break, left a strong impression with his performances. However, the key evaluation remains whether he can endure the rigours of Test cricket. Despite his absence being felt in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, Shami is unlikely to fly to Australia immediately. There is speculation about his availability for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG starting December 26, though sources suggest this is optimistic, and he might not join the squad at all. Currently, Shami is with Bengal, preparing for their knockout clash against Chandigarh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy pre-quarterfinals at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on November 9. Despite his absence being felt in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, Shami is unlikely to fly to Australia immediately. There is speculation about his availability for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG starting December 26, though sources suggest this is optimistic, and he might not join the squad at all. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Travis Head Crunches 140 To Put Australia In Control Of 2nd India Test

Travis Head blazed a sparkling 140 as Australia seized control of the day-night second Test against India on Saturday, building a 152-run lead by tea on day two at the Adelaide Oval. It was a typically flamboyant knock from the 30-year-old on his home ground and in front of a big crowd urging him on. Batting at five, he scored at almost a run a ball, slamming 17 fours and four sixes to propel Australia to 332-8 in reply to India's 180. Mitchell Starc was not-out 18 with skipper Pat Cummins gone for 12 on the cusp of tea, after Marnus Labuschagne roared back to form with a gritty 64. Australia are looking to level the five-match series after a crushing 295-run defeat in the opener in Perth. Four wickets fell in the second session with Mitchell Marsh the first to surrender, feathering to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant on nine off the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin. Alex Carey made 15 as a bystander to Head before he too got a faint edge to Pant, this time off Mohammed Siraj. Jasprit Bumrah bowled Cummins. Head adopted his usual aggressive posture from the start, blasting two sixes off Ashwin as he reached his half-century from 63 balls. He then stepped up the attack, racing to his second 50 off just 48 deliveries to clock an eighth Test ton, riding his luck along the way after being dropped on 76 by Siraj. With 150 in sight, Head finally succumbed, bowled by a rampaging Siraj with the pair exchanging angry barbs in the aftermath. The hosts had resumed on 86-1 after weathering a torrid two hours on Friday for the loss of Usman Khawaja. Three wickets fell in an action-packed opening session, two to Bumrah and one to Nitish Kumar Reddy. India got an early breakthrough with Nathan McSweeney throwing away the hard work he had put in under lights on Friday, adding just one to his overnight 38 before being beaten by Bumrah's sheer pace, nicking to Pant. It was the third consecutive time he has fallen to Bumrah after suffering the same fate in Perth last week on debut. Bumrah and Pant combined to remove Steve Smith (2) four overs later, with the former Australia skipper shaking his head in disbelief after falling into a similar trap. At the other end, Labuschagne kept his focus, stroking successive boundaries off Harshit Rana as he rediscovered the magic that has eluded him for some time. He came into the game under pressure and with calls mounting for him to be dropped. But the tenacious number three, who resumed on 20, silenced the doubters by reaching his 21st Test 50 off a patient 114 balls. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers With the landmark behind him he began playing more freely before a brilliant catch from Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully ended his reign and Head took charge.

Peirson, Bartlett put Queensland's first Shield win in sight

Peirson made 82 and Steketee added 48 not out after Bartlett took 5 for 32 as Victoria crumbled with the bat

Gus Atkinson 'greedy for more' after hat-trick floors NZ

I fully went for the bluff, England quick says of his hat-trick ball to Tim Southee, trapping him lbw

2nd Test: I Hope So, Ticked A Few Boxes Already, Says Hazlewood On Brisbane Game Availability

Josh Hazlewood: Australia fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood said he hopes to play in upcoming Brisbane Test against India, saying he has ticked a few boxes already and has some more to tick. Hazlewood missed the ongoing day-night Adelaide Test due to a side strain, which led to Scott Boland replacing him in the playing eleven. The body is feeling pretty good. I mean, its a long gap between the Tests, so its given me few more days to try and recover. I have ticked off a few boxes in this week so far, and looking to tick off a big one on day four bowl a few spells throughout the day and see how it pulls up. So, fingers crossed for that day. I had a little bowl on one of the main training days, and was sort of just 70% then. So, yesterday I ticked off 80 to 90% at the nets and just keep building on that. I hope so, I hope so. The sides been a bit of a niggle for me for a few years now. This is such a minor strain; ticked a few boxes already and a few more to tick, so fingers crossed, said Hazlewood to broadcasters Channel Seven during dinner break. Hazlewood also insisted the current Australian set-up is among the tightest hes ever been a part of after his comments after day three of the Perth Test sparked concerns of a divide in the dressing room. This is probably the tightest team Ive been a part of in my whole career. We know each other inside out. I think (my quotes) were taken a little bit out of context. Its probably like asking an opening batter about trying to take 10 wickets the next day. Hazlewood also insisted the current Australian set-up is among the tightest hes ever been a part of after his comments after day three of the Perth Test sparked concerns of a divide in the dressing room. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Australia to play three Tests during 2025 tour of West Indies

The two boards have agreed to add an extra match to the original schedule

Never Thought Of Getting A Hat-trick, Says Atkinson After Taking 4-41 Against NZ On Day 2

Although Zak Crawley: England pacer Gus Atkinson bagged a hat-trick against New Zealand on Day 2 of the second Test at Basin Reserve to bowl out hosts for paltry 125. England finished the day with a daunting 533 runs lead with Ben Duckett (92), Jacob Bethell (96), Harry Brook (55) and Joe Root (73 not out) scoring half-centuries to post 378/5 in 76 overs at stumps on Saturday. Atkinson, who returned with the figures of 4-41, said he wasn't thinking of a hat-trick adding that he stuck to the team's plan of bowling short-pitch deliveries followed by yorkers. It (our plans) worked out well in the morning and the batters batted pretty well. Never thought of getting a hat-trick, but it was nice to get it. We wanted to set them up with the shorter balls and then go for the yorker. Yesterday, I didn't feel great, but I felt nice today, the pacer said after the end of the play. New Zealand began the day at 86/5 but collapsed quickly, being dismissed for 125 within 10 overs. Brydon Carse struck early with a brilliant delivery that bowled Tom Blundell, reminiscent of his Day 1 delivery to Kane Williamson, which had been nullified by a no-ball. William O'Rourke was trapped LBW in the same over for a duck. Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith added quick runs to push the score past 100, but Atkinson wrapped up the innings decisively. Smith inside-edged onto his stumps, Matt Henry edged a short ball to Ben Duckett at gully and Tim Southee fell LBW to a full, skidding delivery, completing Atkinsons hat trick. England, with a 155-run first-innings lead, started their second innings aggressively. Although Zak Crawley fell early to Matt Henry, Bethell and Duckett launched a counterattack, piling pressure on New Zealand. Duckett was given a lifeline when Tom Latham dropped a tough catch, and Southee wasted a review on Bethell. Bethell and Duckett struck breezy fifties and looked on course for centuries before Tim Southee dismissed both in quick succession. Bethell edged to Latham, while Duckett dragged one onto his stumps. Despite these breakthroughs, New Zealand couldnt stem Englands dominance as Joe Root and Harry Brook combined in the final session to extend the lead beyond 400. A blossoming partnership left New Zealand without answers, with a failed review on Root adding to their frustrations. Brook continued his free-flowing form, pulling short balls and driving overpitched deliveries with ease. Glenn Phillips, bowling a lengthy spell, finally dismissed Brook, who mistimed a lofted shot to long-off. Brooks departure came after a stellar knock, while Root reached his 65th Test fifty, also marking his 100th 50-plus score in Tests. As England approached a 500-run lead, Ollie Pope fell to Matt Henry, but captain Ben Stokes decided against declaring. Stokes hammered an unbeaten 36 off 26 balls, supporting Root, who remained unbeaten on 73, setting himself up for a potential 36th Test century on Day 3. Atkinson didn't reveal England's plan for Day 3 and emphasised to continue their approach to target batters. As England approached a 500-run lead, Ollie Pope fell to Matt Henry, but captain Ben Stokes decided against declaring. Stokes hammered an unbeaten 36 off 26 balls, supporting Root, who remained unbeaten on 73, setting himself up for a potential 36th Test century on Day 3. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Australia To Play Three-match Test Series In The West Indies Next Year, Says Nick Hockley

West Indies Cricket Board: Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley said the Test team will play three matches in the West Indies in June-July next year, as opposed to two games. As per the new World Test Championship cycle, Australia is supposed to play two Tests in West Indies. But Hockley mentioned CA and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have decided to host three games instead. In January this year, Australia and West Indies drew the two-Test series one-all. Australia will be touring West Indies for Tests for the first time after 2015, where they had won both games in Dominica and Jamaica. I am really glad that is going to manifest. We're still waiting for an official announcement from the West Indies Cricket Board around precise dates and precise locations but it will be a three Test series which is obviously big and is as it should be. It's another great opportunity. The World Test Championship prescribed that we needed to play two, at least two. But really, for the fans and for the players, you don't want to be stuck in the position when it's one-one and everyone is feeling unsatisfied, said Hockley on SEN Radio during day two of Adelaide Test. Asked about the likelihood of one Test match between Australia and the West Indies being a pink ball day-night Test fixture, Hockley said, Im not sure on that. Thatll be confirmed in due course. Talking about the lights going out twice in the final sessions play on Friday, Hockley stated, All we know really is that it was a switching issue. Weve got really good reassurance that its not going to happen again. I was actually standing next to Charlie (Hodgson), hes the chief of the SACA and its their ground. In those situations, you know that the venue managers and the experts are on the case, and I was pretty confident theyd pop back up pretty quickly. Quizzed on the future of 2025 Mens Champions Trophy, whose schedule and venues are in limbo for quite some time due to India not traveling to Pakistan, Hockley revealed there hadnt been formal talks, but a hybrid model for staging the tournament would make sense if situation is dire. I was actually standing next to Charlie (Hodgson), hes the chief of the SACA and its their ground. In those situations, you know that the venue managers and the experts are on the case, and I was pretty confident theyd pop back up pretty quickly. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Labuschagne And Head Slam Fifties As Australia Take The Lead Over India

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head slammed their respective fifties each as Australia lead by 11 runs over India after reaching 191/4 in 59 overs at dinner on day two of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. It was a session of two halves, as India initially had the upper hand, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah taking two quick wickets. But an assured Labuschagne came out of his poor run to hit 64 and share a 67-run stand with a free-striking Head, who is 53 not out at his home ground. With Head and Mitchell Marsh, who is unbeaten on two, Australia will be looking to extend the lead to as much as possible against an Indian bowling line-up, which looked off the boil via their change bowlers, before the second new ball and the twilight session arrives. The first session saw Nathan McSweeney add just one run to his overnight total of 38 before being undone by a lovely ball from Bumrah that swung in a touch and took his outside edge to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. The fast-bowling spearhead struck again when he had Steve Smith caught down the leg side for just two. But from there, Labuschagne hit his groove to feast on straighter lines from the Indian bowlers. He used his wrists to glance Harshit Rana for two boundaries while driving Siraj through extra cover for another four, and surviving an lbw appeal off him. From the other end, Head was quick into entering run-making action by driving Bumrah for four, before smashing a half-volley from Ravichandran Ashwin over mid-off for six. After Labuschagne got his 21st half-century in Test cricket off 114 balls, he and Head took a wayward Rana for 17 runs in the 51st over. After Head slashed him through backward point for four, Labuschagne glided, dabbed and pulled Rana to collect three quick boundaries. But Labuschagne fell for 64 when he dabbed at a short and wide ball from Nitish Kumar Reddy and was caught by gully. But there was no stopping Head as he swept Ashwin for six, before flicking Siraj for four and got his 18th Test fifty off 63 balls by punching him through cover for a boundary to bring curtains on a session which has further strengthened Australias hold on the match. After Head slashed him through backward point for four, Labuschagne glided, dabbed and pulled Rana to collect three quick boundaries. But Labuschagne fell for 64 when he dabbed at a short and wide ball from Nitish Kumar Reddy and was caught by gully. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

U19 Asia Cup: Ruthless India To Face Dominant Bangladesh In Final

Dubai International Cricket Stadium: It will be the clash between the defending champions and the country with the most titles as Bangladesh take on India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday in the final of the ACC Mens U19 Asia Cup 2024. India, after losing their first match against Pakistan, have been on a roll, beating all their opponents by large margins, including Fridays semi-final match against Sri Lanka, where they won easily by seven wickets with 28 overs to spare. On the other hand, Bangladesh has been equally impressive, losing only one match to Sri Lanka in the group stage and defeating Pakistan by seven wickets in the second semi-final of the day. For India, the opening pair of Ayush Mhatre and 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi have done the bulk of the scoring, with 175 and 167 runs, respectively, from the four matches they have played. For Bangladesh, it has been their bowling attack that has proven lethal, with Md. Al Fahad currently leading the wicket-takers' tally with 10 scalps, followed by Md. Iqbal Hasan Emon, who has the same number of wickets. India and Bangladesh will go head-to-head in a repeat encounter of the 2023 semi-final. It will be a clash between Indias exciting batting order and Bangladeshs robust bowling line-up, with Bangladesh having outdone India in the last edition of the tournament. For Bangladesh, it has been their bowling attack that has proven lethal, with Md. Al Fahad currently leading the wicket-takers' tally with 10 scalps, followed by Md. Iqbal Hasan Emon, who has the same number of wickets. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head Propel Australia Into Lead Over India In 2nd Test

Marnus Labuschagne roared back to form with a gritty 64 and Travis Head slammed an unbeaten 53 as Australia edged into the lead in the day-night second Test against India on Saturday. In front of a big Adelaide Oval crowd, the hosts resumed on 86-1 in reply to India's 180 after weathering a torrid two hours on Friday for the loss of Usman Khawaja (13). By the break on day two they had reached 191-4 with the dangerous Head accompanied by Mitchell Marsh on two. Three wickets fell in an action-packed opening session, two to Jasprit Bumrah and one to Nitish Kumar Reddy. India got an early breakthrough with Nathan McSweeney throwing away the hard work he had put in under lights on Friday. Playing on his home ground, he added just one to his overnight 38 before being beaten by Bumrah's sheer pace, nicking to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. It was the third consecutive time he has fallen to Bumrah after suffering the same fate in Perth last week on debut. Bumrah and Pant combined to remove Steve Smith (2) four overs later, with the former Australia skipper shaking his head in disbelief after falling into a similar trap. At the other end, Labuschagne kept his focus, stroking successive boundaries off Harshit Rana as he rediscovered the magic that has eluded him for some time. He came into the game under pressure and with calls mounting for him to be dropped. But the tenacious number three, who resumed on 20, silenced the doubters by reaching his 21st Test 50 off a patient 114 balls. With the landmark behind him he began playing more freely, slamming 17 off one Rana over before a brilliant catch from Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully ended his reign. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Head adopted his usual aggressive posture, blasting two sixes off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as he raced to an 18th Test half-century from 63 balls.

2nd Test: Dominant England Power 533 Runs Ahead Of New Zealand After Gus Atkinson Hat-Trick

Gus Atkinson claimed a hat-trick before England's batsmen let loose to power the visitors 533 runs ahead of New Zealand on Saturday and in full control of the second Test. The home side will need to chase an enormous score in the fourth innings after England went to stumps at 378-5 in Wellington on day two. Captain Ben Stokes resisted any urge to declare, instead cementing England's position of power as four batters posted half-centuries to build on their first-innings advantage of 155. Joe Root was at the crease on 73 while Stokes struck a whirlwind 35 not out against a tiring attack, after Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett were both dismissed in the 90s. The fast-moving nature of the Test means the Black Caps should have ample time to reach any target, as they bid to square the three-match series after losing the opener in Christchurch by eight wickets. However, history is firmly against them. The highest successful fourth-innings chase at the Basin Reserve is 274, achieved by Pakistan against the hosts in 2003. New Zealand's hopes of getting back into the Test were scuppered in the opening 40 minutes of play when they lost their last five wickets to be all out 125. Atkinson (4-31) removed the last three with successive deliveries to become the first Englishman to claim a Test hat-trick since Moeen Ali against South Africa seven years ago. The seamer was all smiles after bowling Nathan Smith for 14, then having Matt Henry caught in the gully and trapping Tim Southee lbw. - Bethell crestfallen - England made batting look a lot easier, most notably when Bethell (96) and Duckett (92) combined for an untroubled 187-run second-wicket stand. Bethell fell agonisingly short of a maiden Test ton when edging Southee to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. The 21-year-old looked crestfallen as he exited after a 118-ball knock which featured 10 fours and three sixes. Opener Duckett was closing on his fifth Test ton when he played-on off Southee (2-72), ending an innings of 112 balls. First-Test centurion Harry Brook reached 55 before being caught in the deep off spinner Glenn Phillips while Root put some modest recent form behind him to post another batting milestone. Root became only the fourth player to reach 50 runs in 100 different Test innings. Ollie Pope fell for 10 off seamer Matt Henry (2-76), who earlier dismissed Zak Crawley for eight, continuing a lean series for the opener. In 19 Test innings against the Black Caps, Crawley has scored just 193 runs at an average of 10.15. In-form England seamer Brydon Carse shapes as a key figure for the remainder of the Test, finishing with 4-46 in New Zealand's first innings, including both overnight batters after they had resumed at 86-5. Blundell was bowled for 16 before nightwatchman Will O'Rourke was out lbw for a 26-ball duck. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers New Zealand added 39 runs off 8.5 overs in the morning, with Phillips not out on 16

Joe Root Becomes First England Batter To Score Century Of 50+ Scores In Test Cricket

Joe Root: England batter Joe Root became the first English batter and only the fourth in the world to record 100 scores of fifty or more in Test cricket. Root achieved this remarkable feat during the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve. Playing in his 151st Test match, Root reached the milestone with his 65th half-century in 76 deliveries during the third session of the second days play. The 33-year-old, who is currently ranked as World No. 1 Test batter, now boasts a record of 35 centuries and 65 fifties in 276 innings, accumulating a staggering total of over 13,000 Test runs. Roots achievement places him alongside cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting in the elusive list of batters who have crossed the 100 50+ scores in Test cricket. Tendulkar holds the record for the most 50+ scores in Test cricket with 119, including 51 centuries and 68 fifties. Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting are tied at 103 each. Roots historic knock came after a lean patch in recent months. Following an impressive performance against Pakistan in Multan earlier this year, where he scored 262 runs, Root endured a seven-innings drought without crossing the 50-run mark. In the first innings of the second Test, Root played a crucial role with a composed century, helping England to a commanding position. In the second innings, he further demonstrated his resilience, reaching his half-century and forging a crucial 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket with the in-form Harry Brook. Roots knock steadied the English innings as they looked to set a daunting target for the hosts. Roots stellar innings in Wellington also brought him closer to yet another significant milestone. With 1,417 Test runs in 2024, he needs just 83 more to become the second player in cricket history to score 1,500 Test runs in a calendar year on multiple occasions. In the first innings of the second Test, Root played a crucial role with a composed century, helping England to a commanding position. In the second innings, he further demonstrated his resilience, reaching his half-century and forging a crucial 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket with the in-form Harry Brook. Roots knock steadied the English innings as they looked to set a daunting target for the hosts. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

'Internal Switching Issue': CA Clarifies On Brief Blackout At Adelaide Oval

South Australian Labor MP Tom: After the opening day of the pink-ball Test between Australia and India at the iconic Adelaide Oval was twice disrupted due to a rare floodlight failure, the Cricket Australia issued a statement clarifying the reason of the failure as switching issue. The new LED lighting system, installed in late 2023 at a cost of over $5 million, went out not once but twice, leaving players, commentators, and the crowd of 50,186 in stunned disbelief. In the wake of the controversy, Cricket Australia issued a statement acknowledging the issue: We had a brief internal switching issue that was quickly identified and rectified. The light failure, initially seen as a technical glitch, was later revealed to be the result of human error. According to reports from The Age, the incident stemmed from the Australian team's request for net lights to be turned on for an evening training session. As Australias top order faced a disciplined Indian bowling attack, ground staff mistakenly switched off the stadiums four main light towers instead of activating the net lights. The first stoppage occurred during the 18th over of Australias innings, causing a 25-second delay. However, within moments of play resuming, the error was repeated, this time leading to an extended break of 86 seconds. The double mishap left players visibly frustrated and commentators questioning the efficiency of the newly installed lighting system. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, bowler Harshit Rana, and Australian batters Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne were among those left waiting on the field during the unexpected blackout. The second incident, occurring shortly after the first, exacerbated the situation, leaving players and spectators in limbo for more than a minute. The confusion in the ground control room, located atop the Western Stand, was highlighted by sources who disclosed that when the computerised light settings were adjusted to turn on the net lights for a throwdown session, the stadium lights inadvertently went out instead. They went out to turn on the net lights so the night watchman could have a couple of throwdowns, and somehow either turned them to the wrong thing or something tripped, said an insider. The light failure became an immediate topic of discussion in the commentary box, with former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh and Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle exchanging humorous quips. Oh hello. Theyve run out of electricity in Adelaide. Pretty hot today. Plenty of air conditioners on, Waugh remarked on Fox Cricket. Bhogle added, Someones fallen asleep, so we have to wait. Its a first for me, a Test match being stopped because the lights are gone. Is anyone there? Waugh quickly responded, I dont think Ive seen this in Australia. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who had earlier delivered a scintillating performance by taking six wickets, also addressed the unusual situation. It was quite unusual for it to go out twice in a short space of time, Starc said after the end of days play. Meanwhile, South Australian Labor MP Tom Koutsantonis took to social media to clarify that the incident was not related to a power supply problem from the state grid. Whatever caused the light towers at Adelaide Oval to turn off was not related to a lack of power supply from the grid, he tweeted, adding to the narrative surrounding the incident. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who had earlier delivered a scintillating performance by taking six wickets, also addressed the unusual situation. It was quite unusual for it to go out twice in a short space of time, Starc said after the end of days play. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

South Africa Vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: Day 2 Report

South Africa Vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: Day 2 Report:Pathum Nissanka made 89 to lead a strong Sri Lankan batting effort on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Friday. Sri Lanka were 242-3 at the close in reply to South Africa's first innings of 358. SCORECARD Opening batsman Nissanka seemed set for his third Test century before he charged down the wicket against left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, missed an attempted big hit and was bowled. Until then, Nissanka's only blemish was a missed chance to David Bedingham at first slip off Kagiso Rabada when the batsman had 22. Nissanka faced 157 balls and hit 11 fours and a six. Pathum was so good to watch but he will blame himself for the manner he got out, said Sri Lankan batting coach Thilina Kandamby. The bowlers were tired, the wicket was flat and he missed out. Even I could not believe it, but clearly there was a lapse of concentration. Pathum works very hard on his game. He has improved his strike rate in white ball cricket and when he came back to the Test side he wanted to know what to do to play long innings. He did well today but that last shot was a disappointment. Nissanka shared stands of 41 with Dimuth Karunaratne (20), 109 with Dinesh Chandimal (44) and 49 with Angelo Mathews, who finished the day on 40 not out. Kamindu Mendis joined Mathews after Nissanka was dismissed and batted brightly to make 30 not out in an unbeaten partnership of 43. Friday's performance was in stark contrast to Sri Lanka's collapse to a record low of 42 all out in the first Test in Durban, which South Africa won by 233 runs. We all knew where we went wrong in Durban in the first innings. We went after a lot of balls wide outside off stump. These things happen in Test cricket. The boys were up for the challenge, said Kandamby. Kandamby added that the match was evenly poised but that Sri Lanka had an opportunity to take charge by securing a big first innings lead. South Africa earlier added 89 for the loss of their last three wickets after resuming on 269-7. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne needed just 49 balls to go from his overnight 48 not out to 105 not out. Verreynne and Rabada (23) put on 56 for the ninth wicket and last man Dane Paterson (9) helped Verreynne add 33 before he was last man out, caught off an attempted slog against Lahiru Kumara. It's very even at the moment, said Verreynne. After what happened in the first Test it was easy to think that we could have potentially blown them away after the way we batted. But they have come out and played really nicely and the pitch looks like it's getting better and better to bat on. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers If we can get two or three early wickets in the morning I think it will be in our favour. But I think both teams will think tonight that they've got a fair shout.

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TPL Season 6: Mumbai Eagles Take Top Spot; Hyderabad Strikers In 2nd As Battle For Top Four Heats Up

Tennis Premier League Season: Yash Mumbai Eagles and Hyderabad Strikers took the top two positions by winning their respective matches on another enthralling day of action in the Tennis Premier League Season 6 at the Cricket Club of India here on Friday. Yash Mumbai Eagles moved to the top of the table after completing a clean sweep against Chennai Smashers on Friday. With the battle for the qualification spots heating up, Bengal Wizards and Gujarat Panthers faced off in the first game. The day started with a thrilling match between Ekaterina Kazionova and Kamilla Rakhimova with the former clinching a 13-12 win in the Womens Singles category. Sumit Nagal got the better of Niki Poonacha in the Mens Singles category, winning by a scoreline of 16-9. In the Mixed Doubles category, the Bengal Wizards duo of Kamilla Rakhimova and Sriram Balaji won 1510 against Ekaterina Kazionova and Siddhant Banthia. To conclude the action in the first match, Sriram Balaji and Niki Poonacha won a thrilling game against Sumit Nagal and Siddhant Banthia with a scoreline of 13-12. However, the Gujarat Panthers emerged victorious in the match, winning 51-49. Chennai Smashers and Yash Mumbai Eagles headlined the second match of the day. Zeynep Sonmez outclassed her opponent Conny Perrin in the Womens Singles, winning 16-9 to give Yash Mumbai Eagles a head start. Karan Singh also won his game against Hugo Gaston 14-11. The Mixed Doubles encounter was a nail-biter that saw the Mumbai Eagles win the game courtesy of Zeynep Sonmez and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, who got the better of Conny Perrin and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli 13-12. Karan Singh and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan defeated Hugo Gaston and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli 15-10 in the Mens Doubles category, to complete the clean sweep for Yash Mumbai Eagles, giving them a dominant 58-42 win. The third match saw Punjab Patriots take on Rajasthan Rangers in the second half of the day. In the Womens Singles category, Punjab Patriots Elina Avanesyan defeated Rajasthan Rangers Christina Dinu 15-10. Arthur Fery of Rajasthan Rangers dominated against Mukund Sasikumar of Punjab Patriots, winning the Mens Singles category 16-9. In the Mixed Doubles, Punjab Patriots Elina Avanesyan and Saketh Myneni won a tightly contested game against Christina Dinu and Rohan Bopanna 13-12. The Mens Doubles category game saw Rohan Bopanna and Arthur Fery of Rajasthan Rangers prevail over Mukund Sasikumar and Saketh Myneni of Punjab Patriots 13-12 for a narrow win, helping Rajasthan Rangers claim victory with a final scoreline of 51-49. In the last match of the day, Bengaluru SG Pipers locked horns with the Hyderabad Strikers. To open the proceedings in the Womens Singles, Gabriela Knutson of Bengaluru SG Pipers won against the in-form Harriet Dart 13-12. Bernabe Zapata Miralles built on the momentum for Bengaluru SG Pipers as he defeated Benjamin Lock of Hyderabad Strikers 15-10 in the Mens Singles Category. Gabriela Knutson and Anirudh Chandrasekar of Bengaluru SG Pipers edged out a 13-12 win over Hyderabad Strikers Harriet Dart and Vishnu Vardhan in the Mixed Doubles category. In the Mens Doubles, Benjamin Lock and Vishnu Vardhan got over the line in another tight contest against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Anirudh Chandrasekar, winning 13-12. Bengaluru SG Pipers won the match 53-47, closing the curtains on an exciting day of action. At the end of day four, Yash Mumbai Eagles top the points table with 215 points. Hyderabad Strikers are hot on their heels in second place with 211 points. Rajasthan Rangers sit in third place, followed by Gujarat Panthers in fourth place with 205 and 201 points respectively. Gabriela Knutson and Anirudh Chandrasekar of Bengaluru SG Pipers edged out a 13-12 win over Hyderabad Strikers Harriet Dart and Vishnu Vardhan in the Mixed Doubles category. In the Mens Doubles, Benjamin Lock and Vishnu Vardhan got over the line in another tight contest against Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Anirudh Chandrasekar, winning 13-12. Bengaluru SG Pipers won the match 53-47, closing the curtains on an exciting day of action. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

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BGT 2024-25: Starc Is A Magician With The Pink Ball, Says Hayden After The Pacer's 6-48 In 2nd Test

Mitchell Starc: Mitchell Starcs rampant bowling on the first day of the second Test saw Australia crash through the Indian batting line-up at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. His brilliant bowling effort prompted former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden to label the left-arm pacer as a magician with the pink ball'. He has that scrambled seam delivery that goes across the right-hander, but when he does have that abilitywhich he didI must admit I was a little surprised. Ive never really seen the pink ball swing into the sort of 40th over and so aggressively swing as well. By that stage, he used a really important word, and its a bit of an underrated word as well, and thats momentum, Hayden told Star Sports at the end of the day's play in Adelaide. It was all in favour of India. A difficult position to come back from in life and sport is those opportunities to wrestle back momentum, and Mitchell Starc did that in only the way he canwhen the lights are like the way they are and with that beautiful-coloured ball in his hand. Hes just a magician with the Pink Ball, he said. Under overcast skies, Starc picked his best-ever Test figures of 6-48, including dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal with the very first ball of the game in front of a record 50,186 supporters. After that, India built their innings on the base of a 69-run partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. But Starc struck again with his double strike, removing Rahul and then Virat Kohli just before the end of the first session to hand the hosts the advantage. After a disappointing first innings, India came out to bowl under the evening sky at Adelaide and went on to get Usman Khawajas wicket for 13 runs, after he was caught by Rohit Sharma off Bumrahs delivery. At stumps, Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne, unbeaten on 38 and 20 respectively, blunted Indias bowlers in a solid show of discipline and defence in a tricky phase to stitch an unbroken 62-run stand for the second wicket and helped Australia reach 86/1 in 33 overs and trail the visitors by 94 runs. After a disappointing first innings, India came out to bowl under the evening sky at Adelaide and went on to get Usman Khawajas wicket for 13 runs, after he was caught by Rohit Sharma off Bumrahs delivery. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

TPL Season 6: Mumbai Eagles Move To Top Spot With Win; Nagals Gujarat Panthers In 2nd Place

Tennis Premier League Season: Yash Mumbai Eagles and Gujarat Panthers scored dominant wins to move up to the top two positions on another enthralling day in the Tennis Premier League Season 6 at the Cricket Club of India here on Friday. In the first match of the day, Sumit Nagals Gujarat Panthers took on Bengal Wizards while Yash Mumbai Eagles, who took the court for the second match of the day, moved to the top of the table after a half-day of action. With the battle for the qualification spots heating up, Bengal Wizards and Gujarat Panthers faced off in the first match. The day started with a thrilling match between Ekaterina Kazionova and Kamilla Rakhimova with the former clinching a 13-12 win in the Womens Singles category. Sumit Nagal got the better of Niki Poonacha in the Mens Singles category, winning 16-9. In the Mixed Doubles category, Bengal Wizards' Kamilla Rakhimova and Sriram Balaji won 1510 against Ekaterina Kazionova and Siddhant Banthia. To conclude the action in the first game, Sriram Balaji and Niki Poonacha won a thrilling game against Nagal and Siddhant Banthia 13-12. However, the Gujarat Panthers emerged victorious in the match, winning 51-49. Chennai Smashers and Yash Mumbai Eagles headlined the second match of the day. Zeynep Sonmez outclassed her opponent Conny Perrin in the Womens Singles, winning 16-9 to give Yash Mumbai Eagles a head start. Karan Singh also won his game against Hugo Gaston 14-11. The Mixed Doubles encounter was a nail-biter. Yash Mumbai Eagles won that game too, courtesy of Zeynep Sonmez and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan getting the better of Conny Perrin and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli 13-12. Karan Singh and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan beat Hugo Gaston and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, 15-10 to complete the clean sweep for Yash Mumbai Eagles, giving them a dominant 58-42 win. Chennai Smashers and Yash Mumbai Eagles headlined the second match of the day. Zeynep Sonmez outclassed her opponent Conny Perrin in the Womens Singles, winning 16-9 to give Yash Mumbai Eagles a head start. Karan Singh also won his game against Hugo Gaston 14-11. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Starc Dazzles With A Six-fer, Batters Stay Solid To Put Australia On Top (ld)

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Mitchell Starc dazzled in operating with the pink ball yet again as his six-wicket haul blew away India, as the visitors were bowled out for 180 on Day One of the second Test at Adelaide Oval here on Friday. At stumps, Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne, unbeaten on 38 and 20 respectively, blunted Indias bowlers in a solid show of discipline and defence in a tricky phase to stitch an unbroken 62-run stand for the second wicket and helped Australia reach 86/1 in 33 overs and trail the visitors by 94 runs. Under overcast skies, Starc picked his best-ever Test figures of 6-48, including dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal with the very first ball of the game in front of a record 50,186 supporters. After that, India built their innings on the base provided by a 69-run partnership between K.L. Rahul and Shubman Gill. But Starc got into action again with his double strike, removing Rahul and then Virat Kohli, before Scott Boland trapped Shubman Gill lbw, as India went from 69/1 to 81/4 in the first session. Starc then used his in-swinging yorkers to scythe through India's lower order and take out Nitish Kumar Reddy, Indias top run-scorer with 42, to bag his first Test five-for against India. In the final session, the pink ball did a lot of movement for India's seamers, who didnt attack the stumps much to cause trouble and took only one wicket. Jasprit Bumrahs mastery on display saw him squaring up McSweeney and finding his outside edge. Rishabh Pant dived to his right to take the catch but only managed to get his fingertips on the ball. Rohit Sharma couldnt grab the catch on the rebound as the ball hit his right wrist, giving McSweeney a life on three. Bumrah finally had a wicket when Usman Khawaja just fended at a length ball that bounced and took the outside edge to slip. The under-pressure Labuschagne took 19 balls to get off the mark before flicking off Siraj to get his first boundary. On the other hand, McSweeney began to be comfortable in pulling and punching for his boundaries, before hitting Nitish Kumar Reddy for back-to-back fours. Despite floodlights going off twice, McSweeney and Labuschagne hit a couple of boundaries to ensure Australia ended the opening day of the day-night match in their favour. Previously, India won the toss and elected to bat first, with Australia sporting black armbands in memory of Phil Hughes and Ian Redpath. Starc gave Australia a dream start by getting a down-leg delivery to swing back in and trap Jaiswal lbw for a golden duck. Gill, coming back after missing the Perth Test due to a left thumb injury, got straightaway into the act with his late slashes and gorgeous drives giving him four boundaries off Starc. Rahul showed patience outside off and looked solid in defence until he fended at Boland's first ball and everyone thought he was caught behind for an 18-ball duck. But Rahul earned a reprieve as Boland had overstepped his crease and the snicko showed there was no edge off the bat. Five balls later, Rahul got another reprieve as Khawaja dropped his catch at slip. From there on, Rahul and Gill pounced on Australias mistakes to bowl more outside the off-stump and stitched a stand of 69 runs for the second wicket. Just when it seemed the session would end in Indias favour, Starc returned to enforce a dramatic turnaround in the script. He first had Rahul fending at a back-of-the-length ball to diving gully, before having Kohli caught in two minds on whether to play or leave, and have him eventually caught in the slips. Boland, playing in his first Test after 18 months, trapped a lazily-flicking Gill plumb lbw for 31, and ensured Australia ended the session on a high by picking the last three Indian wickets for 12 runs in 16 balls. After the dinner break, Boland struck by getting a fuller ball to catch Rohit in the crease and go past his inside edge to trap him lbw. India could have been six down had McSweeney held onto a catch offered by Pant when he was on five. Pant would add 16 more runs before a rising delivery from Cummins kicked up and took the shoulder edge of the bat and was caught at gully. Ravichandran Ashwin played some eye-catching boundaries off Marsh and Cummins, but Starc trapped him lbw with a top in-swinging yorker and castled Harshit Rana with another inswinger. With wickets falling from one end, Reddy launched a stunning counter-attack. After middling an off-drive off Cummins for four, Reddy thumped Boland through mid-off for another boundary. Post lofting Starc over deep extra cover for six, Reddy tore into Boland by reverse-scooping, flicking and pulling him for two sixes and a four. But Australia continued to chip in, as Cummins got Jasprit Bumrah to edge to the first slip before Starc wrapped up the proceedings by having Reddy hole out to mid-off. Brief scores: Post lofting Starc over deep extra cover for six, Reddy tore into Boland by reverse-scooping, flicking and pulling him for two sixes and a four. But Australia continued to chip in, as Cummins got Jasprit Bumrah to edge to the first slip before Starc wrapped up the proceedings by having Reddy hole out to mid-off. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

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Opportunity To Play In HIL And Earn Money Doesn't Happen Every Day, Says David Harte

Hockey India League: Irish hockey legend David Harte is gearing up for an intense six weeks of action in the revived Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 season, starting on December 28. Harte was bought by Tamil Nadu Dragons for Rs 32 lakh at last month's auction and will play a key role in the team's journey in the tournament. I'm currently in the car here outside my own hockey club SV Kampong in six degrees and storm-like winds ready to go and have a goalkeeper session with my trainer Martijn Drijver. So trying to do as much as I can, even though our season only finished up, I think about 10 days ago, took a bit of time off. 2024 has been a heavy season, of course, for a lot of players. So now it's trying to find the right balance between, you know, being fresh, but also trying to get to the peak performances in the HIL as well, Harte told IANS on his preparations for the HIL. The 36-year-old is excited to be part of the HIL again, after playing for Mumbai Magicians and Dabang Mumbai from 2014 to 2017 in the previous version, and sees it as a financial opportunity to secure his family's future. I think obviously most hockey players have realised that the possibilities and the opportunities to go to the HIL and to earn money for the seven, eight weeks that you're there doesn't happen every day of your life. And especially not as a hockey player while they're quite minimal compared to the cricket or the IPL level of earnings, you can always say that that type of money can make a difference in your life. It can be a down payment or a deposit for a new house or a mortgage. It can help also perhaps with tuition fees for your daughters or your kids' futures, he added. When asked about his short-term goal in the HIL, Harte emphasised bonding with fellow teammates and adjusting to the team environment initially before aiming for the title. Short-term goal, I think, would be looking straight away to try and get the team to blend. I have played in many different leagues across Europe and also Asia. I played also in the Malaysian Hockey League and the Hockey India League as you rightly said. It's always tricky at the beginning to try and get the group to gel together, the Irish goalkeeper said. The different backgrounds, cultures, languages, even trying to figure out each other's names in such a short space of time is obviously quite tricky. And that will go for all of the eight teams of the different franchises. So that'll be the short-term goal. And of course, the long-term goal will be building over the common years. With the Hockey Indian team, of course, every franchise wants to win. And that's certainly something we also want to do as Tamil Nadu Dragons. Harte, who has played in different European and Asian leagues around the world, pointed out that HIL is more intense due to its shorter period than others. I think obviously the different formats would be that the likes of the leagues here in Europe are for a more sustained period of time. So you have perhaps your first half of the season might be close to three months long. You have a winter break and then you finish and conclude with another three months before heading towards the playoffs and having played in the Hockey India League and Malaysia a lot shorter. Maybe the guts of eight, nine weeks at most when the previous editions were a bit longer, he said. I think when you're trying to get the most out of those times there is well, in the Netherlands here or the European leagues you have a bit more time and opportunity to develop yourself individually. But as a group in leagues like the Hockey India League, that's one of the biggest challenges. How can you go from A to B as quickly as possible? Realising that it's not always going to be in a straight line. There'll be some dip moments, there'll be some high moments and ultimately continuing to try to bring the group towards the goals that you want to achieve together. So that probably would be the major difference, the former Irish hockey captain said. Harte is eager to play with Netherlands' Yip Jansen and India's Amit Rohidas in Tamil Nadu Dragons. He also added that HIL is a great platform for local talents to demonstrate their skills and secure their futures. I'm really excited to get over to see what it actually is like. And I think if I remember back so fondly, the good memories that I have from competing in the previous editions of the Hockey India League. I think that's the magic of the league. You get to go in. Of course, you'll know some of the international players from maybe some of them are your own club teammates like Yip Jansen or players from other countries that you played against for many, many years. But then on the same side, knowing you have the Indian stronghold players like Amit. And then at the same time, those unknown kind of undiscovered players who have this podium, the Hockey India League, to really show what they can do. And I think that's one of the most exciting phases for them to be in and for me to be a part of to see these players who you might not have ever heard of. But you know that potentially over years to come, they will be also going to the Olympics. They will also be competing on the highest level, he added. Reflecting on his previous appearance in the HIL with the Mumbai Magicians (now defunct), Harte shared his interesting interaction with Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak that turned true earlier this year at the Paris Olympics. And then at the same time, those unknown kind of undiscovered players who have this podium, the Hockey India League, to really show what they can do. And I think that's one of the most exciting phases for them to be in and for me to be a part of to see these players who you might not have ever heard of. But you know that potentially over years to come, they will be also going to the Olympics. They will also be competing on the highest level, he added. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

McSweeney, Labuschagne blunt India after Starc sizzles on Australia's day

Starc's career-best figures of 6 for 48 saw India fold for 180 before the batters kept Bumrah and Co at bay

Verreynne seals Nottinghamshire return ahead of potential WTC final

County Championship could provide tune-up if South Africa reach June's final at Lord's

Mourinho Fires Back At Guardiola, Says I Don't Want To Win By Dealing With 150 Lawsuits

The Special One: Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho, who is well known for his exploits in England, has shot back at Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard stated he had won more titles than the Portuguese in a recent press conference. After the loss against Liverpool, the Anfield crowd was chanting Youre getting sacked in the morning towards the Manchester City manager to which he replied by showing the number six to the crowd, calling upon the number of titles he has won in the league. The incident drew comparison from when Jose Mourinho did the same gesture while he was the Manchester United head coach, when asked about the comparison, Guardiola replied, I hope thats not the case for me. But in the end, we are similar in some ways. However, he won three Premier Leagues, and Ive won six. So, its not quite the same, is it? 'The Special One' certainly did not take that too well and stated that the allegations pending against the club has put an asterisk next to the titles won by Guardiola. Guardiola said something to me yesterday. He won six trophies and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly. If I lost, I want to congratulate my opponent because he was better than me. I don't want to win by dealing with 150 lawsuits, said Jose Mourinho to MailSport. 'The Special One' certainly did not take that too well and stated that the allegations pending against the club has put an asterisk next to the titles won by Guardiola. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

U19 Asia Cup: Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Blistering 67 Guides India To Final

U19 Asia Cup: Thirteen-year-old cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi continued to make headlines in the U19 Asia Cup, showcasing his immense talent in the second semi-final as they defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets with 170 balls to spare to reach the final. The left-handed batter played a blistering knock of 67 runs off just 36 balls. Suryavanshi became the youngest-ever player to be signed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being picked by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore. India's bowlers set the tone in the semi-final by restricting Sri Lanka to a modest 173 in 47 overs. Chetan Sharma led the attack with three wickets, while Kiran Chormale and Ayush Mhatre chipped in with two wickets apiece. Chasing 174, Suryavanshi wasted no time in dismantling Sri Lankas bowling attack. The young opener reached his half-century in just 24 balls, punishing the bowlers with six boundaries and five towering sixes. His fearless intent was evident as India smashed 31 runs in the second over, setting the stage for an emphatic chase. Contributions from Ayush Mhatre (34), Mohammed Amaan (26*), and KP Karthikeya (11*) sealed Indias spot in the final in just 23.2 overs. Suryavanshis Asia Cup journey began on a quiet note, with scores of 1 and 23 against Pakistan and Japan in the group stages. However, he bounced back in style with an unbeaten 76 in the final group-stage match against UAE, a performance that carried over into his match-winning innings against Sri Lanka. India will now face defending champions Bangladesh in the final in the hope of clinching their ninth title. Suryavanshis Asia Cup journey began on a quiet note, with scores of 1 and 23 against Pakistan and Japan in the group stages. However, he bounced back in style with an unbeaten 76 in the final group-stage match against UAE, a performance that carried over into his match-winning innings against Sri Lanka. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Every Point Is Important In This Format, Says Bopanna On TPL Debut

Tennis Premier League: In a career spanning more than two decades, Rohan Bopanna has played tennis in many formats but is finding the Tennis Premier League exciting as it keeps the players on their toes. This is Bopannas debut season in the TPL Season 6, and he shared his excitement for the fast-paced 25-point format. It's an exciting format and it keeps everybody on their toes since every point is crucial. I am having a lot of fun playing TPL, he said. The Indian tennis legend is one of the marquee players in TPL Season 6 and represents the Rajasthan Rangers, competing in the Mixed Doubles and Mens Doubles categories. After three days of tennis action at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai, his team is third on the points table with 154 points and is right in contention for a qualification spot for the finals. The two-time Grand Slam champion also shared his thoughts on playing in Mumbai after a long time, revisiting the court that has been very special in his career. 2007 was the last time I played in Mumbai, and I love playing here. I've made two ATP Finals on that very special court right there, an elated Bopanna added. At Rajasthan Rangers, the 44-year-old Bopanna is reunited with his former doubles partner, Leander Paes, who is a mentor for the side. When asked about having the opportunity to work with Paes again, Bopanna said, He's been my teammate for such a long period of time. It has been 30 years of playing this sport, I've gained a lot of experience, and he brings extra experience. So, it's really a fun team to be with. The TPL has a pool of talented young players playing this season, and Bopanna is delighted to see them on the big stage. The 21-year-old Karan Singh of Hyderabad Strikers has caught Bopannas eye. I've been watching Karan, and I think he's a great talent. We need a lot of encouragement not only from private sponsors but also from the federation to support a talent like that. It's nice to see youngsters come out and play on the big stage. Reflecting on the journey of the league through the last five seasons and how it has grown in stature even further in its sixth season. The 21-year-old Karan Singh of Hyderabad Strikers has caught Bopannas eye. I've been watching Karan, and I think he's a great talent. We need a lot of encouragement not only from private sponsors but also from the federation to support a talent like that. It's nice to see youngsters come out and play on the big stage. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

SLC Head Shammi Silva Assumes Charge As New President Of Asian Cricket Council

Asian Cricket Council: Shammi Silva, the President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), has officially assumed charge as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President. Silva takes up the top job after Jay Shah, his predecessor, became the new Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from December 1. It is a great honour to lead the Asian Cricket Council. Cricket is the heartbeat of Asia, and I look forward to working closely with all member nations to elevate the game, provide opportunities for emerging talent, and strengthen the bonds that unite us through this beautiful sport, said Silva in a statement. Silva, who was re-elected as SLC President for a third consecutive term in May 2023, had previously served as the Chairman of the ACC Finance & Marketing Committee for several years. He also serves as a member of the ICC Audit Committee. Silva, who played cricket for the Colombo Cricket Club in 1983/84 and was a member, manager and coach of the Sri Lanka squash national team, assumes the ACC presidency at a pivotal time for Asian cricket, where he has to build on the work done for the betterment of cricket in Asia under Shahs tenure. Under Shah, who was in his third term till he moved to becoming the ICC Chairman, the ACC achieved its highest value for its commercial rights of Asia Cup tournaments for 202431, as well as led the introduction of a new pathway events structure, and the continued development and growth of cricket across its member nations. Silva, who played cricket for the Colombo Cricket Club in 1983/84 and was a member, manager and coach of the Sri Lanka squash national team, assumes the ACC presidency at a pivotal time for Asian cricket, where he has to build on the work done for the betterment of cricket in Asia under Shahs tenure. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

BGT 2024-25: Bumrah Becomes Third Indian Pacer To Take 50 Test Wickets In A Calendar Year

T20 World Cup: India's Jasprit Bumrah celebrated his 31st birthday in style, becoming the first pacer to notch 50 Test wickets in 2024. The milestone was achieved during the first day of the pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide on Friday when Bumrah dismissed opener Usman Khawaja. With this feat, Bumrah joins the elite company of Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan as the only Indian pacers to take 50 Test wickets in a calendar year. Bumrah reached the landmark in his 11th Test of 2024. Kapil Dev remains the highest wicket-taker for Indian pacers in a year, with 75 Test wickets in 1983, followed by his 74 in 1979. Zaheer Khan stands third with 51 scalps in 2002. Bumrah's achievement comes on the heels of a stellar year across formats. He now leads the all-format wickets chart for 2024, with 65 dismissals in 19 matches. His contributions have been pivotal, not only in Tests but also in limited-overs cricket, where he played a crucial role in Indias T20 World Cup triumph in June, bagging 15 wickets in eight matches to finish third on the tournaments wicket-takers list. Bowling with the pink ball under lights, he delivered a steep bouncer on a good length outside the off-stump. Khawaja, unable to resist, poked at the ball, only to edge it to Rohit Sharma at first slip. Earlier, Bumrah led India to victory in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, where his 8/72 were the best figures by a visiting fast-bowling captain in Test history. Bowling with the pink ball under lights, he delivered a steep bouncer on a good length outside the off-stump. Khawaja, unable to resist, poked at the ball, only to edge it to Rohit Sharma at first slip. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Verreynne's brisk 105* gives SA 358; SL openers steady in pursuit

Lahiru Kumara finished with a four-wicket haul while Asitha Fernando claimed three scalps

2nd Test: Feel Like The Ball Has Been Coming Out Well, Says Starc After Grabbing Six-fer

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starcs affinity of taking wickets with the pink Kookaburra ball in day-night Tests continued when his career-best haul of 6-48 in 14.1 overs helped Australia bowl out India for 180 on day one of the Adelaide Test. On a pitch with six mm grass, Starc trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw with the very first delivery of the game, with many made to recall the way he castled Rory Burns at the Gabba in 2021. He then made a double strike to dismiss KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, before taking out Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy to end with his first Test five-for against India. I don't know. I can't tell. Feel like the ball has been coming out well; we did not play that bad; they played better than us in Perth. Not that much to be honest (on if he visualised getting swing first-ball to Jaiswal). Nothing really changes game by game, was a nice start, said Starc to broadcasters during dinner break. His lethal spell blowing India away meant Starc consolidated his position as the leading wicket-taker in pink-ball Tests, and has the most five-wicket hauls in this form of playing Test cricket. He also said he had cramps towards the end of his spell due to humid weather in Adelaide. I don't know. I can't tell. Feel like the ball has been coming out well; we did not play that bad; they played better than us in Perth. Not that much to be honest (on if he visualised getting swing first-ball to Jaiswal). Nothing really changes game by game, was a nice start, said Starc to broadcasters during dinner break. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Rohit's Front Foot Was Stuck, Says Gilchrist On Indian Captain's Lbw Dismissal

Former Australia: Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist feels that India captain Rohit Sharma's front foot was stuck which led to his lbw dismissal off Scott Boland in the opening day of the pink-ball Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval. Rohit, who missed the Boarder-Gavaskar Trophy series opener in Perth, returned to the middle order after six years but failed to make an impact in India's shattered first innings. With Hazlewood ruled out of the second Test due to injury, Boland was the sole change in Australia's playing XI. Hazlewood was Australia's best bowler in Perth but having Boland playing here as his replacement is not bad. Boland is tall, but you wonder if the ball would have hit the stump if it had been Hazlewood. Boland has the ability to skid the ball through. It did so here. Rohit Sharma's front foot was stuck and that's a good night, Gilchrist said on commentary. India were struggling at 82/4 in 23 overs at Dinner break with Rohit and Rishabh Pant on the crease. Post dinner break, Boland struck by getting a fuller ball to catch Rohit in the crease and go past his inside edge to trap him lbw. India could have been six down had Nathan McSweeney held onto a catch offered by Pant when he was on five. Pant added 16 more runs before a rising delivery from Pat Cummins kicked up and took the shoulder edge of the bat and was caught by gully. Ravichandran Ashwin played some eye-catching boundaries off Marsh and Cummins, but Starc trapped him lbw with a top inswinging yorker and castled Harshit Rana with another inswinger. With wickets falling from one end, Reddy launched a stunning counter-attacking act. After middling an off-drive off Cummins for four, Reddy thumped Boland through mid-off for another boundary. Post lofting Starc over deep extra cover for six, Reddy tore into Boland by reverse-scooping, flicking and pulling him for two sixes and a four. But Australia continued to chip in, as Cummins got Jasprit Bumrah to edge to first slip, before Starc wrapped up the proceedings by having Reddy hole out to mid-off. Pant added 16 more runs before a rising delivery from Pat Cummins kicked up and took the shoulder edge of the bat and was caught by gully. Ravichandran Ashwin played some eye-catching boundaries off Marsh and Cummins, but Starc trapped him lbw with a top inswinging yorker and castled Harshit Rana with another inswinger. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Konstas makes another statement with more runs for NSW

Test hopeful Sam Konstas has gone to stumps unbeaten on 55, after Jack Edwards' five-for put NSW on top again WA at the SCG

2nd Test: Mitchell Starc Picks 6-48 As Australia Bundle Out India For 180

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc shined by picking 6-48, his 15th five-for in Tests, as Australia bundled out India for just 180 in 44.1 overs at tea on day one of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. Under overcast skies, Starc trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw with the very first delivery of the game to mark a riveting start of the day-night Test. After that, India were building their innings, thanks to a 69-run partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. But Starc struck again with his double strike, removing Rahul and then Virat Kohli, before Scott Boland trapped Shubman Gill lbw, as India went from 69/1 to 81/4 in the first session. Post dinner break, Starc used his inswinging yorkers to scythe through India's lower order and take out Nitish Kumar Reddy, Indias top run-scorer with 42, to bag his career-best Test figures and complete an excellent phase of the game for Australia. The first session saw India win the toss and elect to bat first, with Australia sporting black armbands in memory of Phil Hughes and Ian Redpath. Starc gave Australia a dream start by getting a down leg delivery to swing back in and trap Jaiswal lbw for a golden duck. Gill, coming back after missing Perth Test due to a left thumb injury, got straightaway into the act with his late slashes and gorgeous drives giving him four boundaries off Starc. Rahul showed patience outside off and looked solid in defence until he fended at Boland's first ball and everyone thought he was caught behind for an 18-ball duck. But replays showed Rahul earned a reprieve, as Boland overstepped his crease and the snicko showed there was no edge off the bat. Five balls later, Rahul got another reprieve as Usman Khawaja dropped his catch at slip. From there, Rahul and Gill pounced on Australias mistakes to bowl more outside the off-stump and stitch a stand of 69 runs for the second wicket. Just when it seemed the session would end in Indias favour, Starc returned to enforce a dramatic turnaround in the script. He first had Rahul fending a back of the length ball to diving gully, before forcing Kohli to be caught in two minds on whether to play or leave, and have him caught in the slips. Boland, playing in his first Test after 18 months, trapping a lazily flicking Gill plumb lbw for 31, and ensure Australia ended the session on a high by picking last three Indian wickets for 12 runs in 16 balls. Post dinner break, Boland struck by getting a fuller ball to catch Rohit Sharma in the crease and go past his inside edge to trap him lbw. India could have been six down had Nathan McSweeney held onto a catch offered by Rishabh Pant when he was on five. Pant would add 16 more runs before a rising delivery from Cummins kicked up and took shoulder edge of the bat and was caught by gully. Ravichandran Ashwin played some eye-catching boundaries off Marsh and Cummins, but Starc trapped him lbw with a top inswinging yorker and castled Harshit Rana with another inswinger. With wickets falling from one end, Reddy launched a stunning counter-attacking act. After middling an off-drive off Cummins for four, Reddy thumped Boland through mid-off for another boundary. Post lofting Starc over deep extra cover for six, Reddy tore into Boland by reverse-scooping, flicking and pulling him for two sixes and a four. But Australia continued to chip in, as Cummins got Jasprit Bumrah to edge to first slip, before Starc wrapped up the proceedings by having Reddy hole out to mid-off. With wickets falling from one end, Reddy launched a stunning counter-attacking act. After middling an off-drive off Cummins for four, Reddy thumped Boland through mid-off for another boundary. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Mitchell Starc Takes 6 As India All Out For 180 In Second Australia Test

Irrepressible Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc laid siege to India's batting Friday with the visitors crumbling under the onslaught to be all out for 180 on day one of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. After captain Rohit Sharma won the toss on an overcast day, the visitors were dismissed on the cusp of tea. The menacing Starc, who gave Australia a dream start by removing Yashasvi Jaiswal with the first ball of the match, took 6-48. Scott Boland and Pat Cummins both grabbed two each. Six wickets went down in the second session, including Rohit for three and the flamboyant Rishabh Pant for 21. Pant should have gone for five, but Nathan McSweeney spilled a sharp chance in the gully after the dangerous Boland, in the side for the injured Josh Hazlewood, drew an edge. But the 35-year-old seamer got his reward four balls later, beating Rohit's bat to trap him lbw. A big innings was needed from Pant, but he was unable to deliver with a vicious climbing ball from Cummins bouncing off the shoulder of his bat and into the hands of Marnus Labuschagne. Starc was brought back for another spell and was hostile once again, taking care of Ravichandran Ashwin (22) and Harshit Rana (0) in the space of four balls. With India in trouble, Nitish Kumar Reddy decided to take charge, clobbering two big sixes in one Boland over to reach his highest Test score of 42 before he and Jasprit Bumrah fell to Starc and Cummins respectively. India came into the clash riding high after a 295-run victory at the first Test in Perth, but Australia have a formidable record in Adelaide, winning all seven pink-ball Tests they have played at the venue. The visitors chose to retain Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers in preference to Rohit, who missed the first Test on paternity leave and came in at six. But the plan backfired as Starc sensationally trapped Jaiswal lbw from a swinging first ball, with the left-armer's pumped-up celebration showing how much it meant. Jaiswal scored 161 in his last innings. The returning Shubman Gill, who was absent from Perth with a thumb injury, then stroked two boundaries in an eventful first over. But the runs dried up and Rahul was at the crease for 40 minutes without scoring when he was given out, caught behind off Boland. Rahul was walking off, but a no-ball was called and he survived. Five balls later and he had another life, dropped by Usman Khawaja at slip. Undeterred, the pair battled on, before Starc wove his magic again to remove Rahul for 37 with McSweeney holding a catch low at gully. Virat Kohli roared back to form in Perth with an unbeaten second-innings century but he was no match for Starc this time, out for seven when Steve Smith collected a catch in the slips. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Gill was impressive in weathering the storm, but his luck ran out just before the first break when he fell lbw on 31 to the relentless Boland.

Hunt and Sangha star with centuries for South Australia

Henry Hunt and Jason Sangha put Tasmania to the sword with a 300-run opening day partnership for South Australia

RCB's Hazlewood & Bhuvneshwar Terms 'first-ever IPL Outing At Chinnaswamy' A Special Homecoming

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who will be returning to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for the second time after being picked in the IPL 2025 auction, feel it's more than just a professional opportunity but a heartfelt homecoming. Interestingly, both the players have worn the RCB jersey before but never shouldered the bowling responsibilities at the Chinnaswamy in any of the past seasons of IPL. Both are eager to change this piece of history and aim to create new memories in Bangaluru's beloved cricket fortress. Bhuvneshwar, who began his IPL journey with RCB in 2009, is looking forward to don the RCB colours and shoulder bowling responsibilities for Bengaluru-based franchise for the first time since he started playing in the league and create unique experiences. Really happy to be part of RCB, its where I started in 2009. I want to thank RCB management for considering me and a big shout out to the RCB fans for showing so much love. Looking forward to a great season, said Bhuvneshwar. The Chinnaswamy Stadium which over the years has been more than just a cricket ground; it is the beating heart of Bangalurua symbol of passion, pride, and unwavering support from fans who turn every match into a festival and brings that unreliable, fearless spirit while the player takes guard at Chinnaswamy. Echoing these sentiments, former RCB star Chris Gayle highlighted the magic of Chinnaswamy and reminisced about the bond he created with fans. In a RCB Bold Diary video Gayle said, The fans, the roar, the chants, its fantastic, and I get goosebumps. The environment was always fantasticwin or lose, we stayed together. Its one of the best venues Ive played at. For Hazlewood, his previous stint with RCB was during the pandemic, when matches were not played in Bangaluru. Despite this, he left a lasting impression, taking 23 wickets in 15 games at an economy of 8.26. Reflecting on his return, Hazlewood said, Excited to be back at RCB this year. Weve got the best fans in the competition; every game feels like a home game. So, I cant wait. Big thanks to the management for getting me back onboard this year. For Hazlewood, his previous stint with RCB was during the pandemic, when matches were not played in Bangaluru. Despite this, he left a lasting impression, taking 23 wickets in 15 games at an economy of 8.26. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

O'Neill and Perry take five each for Victoria

Duo snared five wickets apiece to skittle Queensland for 172 at the MCG while Matt Renshaw made 59

Harry Brook rates innings-turning hundred as 'favourite so far'

Aggressive 91-ball century saves England from early collapse as NZ wobble in reply