Author: A Sports

ADELAIDE: Controversy erupted as Australia wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey wrongfully survived a caught behind England review on the opening day of the third Ashes Test here on Wednesday.

Carey hit 106 off 143 balls on his home ground, which kept Australia afloat at stumps as the scorecard read 326-8.

His knock hauled Australia out of trouble after losing two quick wickets in the first over after lunch. However, he could have been out way too early from his landmark.

The left-handed batter survived a caught behind review when he was batting on 72, and the scoreboard read 245-6.

During the second ball of the 62nd over, England appealed for a caught behind and reviewed it straight away, which was eventually turned down by umpire Ahsan Raza.

There was an evident noise as the ball went past Carey’s outside edge, whereas a large spike was also seen on Snicko technology.

However, TV umpire Chris Gaffaney swiftly ruled the not-out decision should be upheld because the Snicko spike showed up before the ball had reached the bat.

Later on, the operator of the Snicko technology, BBG Sports, admitted the mistake that led to Carey’s wrongful survival of an England review.

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Carey, who went on to make 106 having been on 72 at the time of the review, admitted during a press conference after the close that he thought he had edged the delivery.

Later on Wednesday, BBG Sports, the company that owns Snicko, accepted culpability for the mistake.

Notably, the sound used for the review was taken from the stump microphone at the bowlers’ end rather than the striker’s end, which caused a discrepancy between the pictures and the sound wave shown to TV umpire Chris Gaffaney.

“Given that Alex Carey admitted he had hit the ball in question, the only conclusion that can be drawn from this, is that the Snicko operator at the time must have selected the incorrect stump mic for audio processing,” BBG Sports said.

“In light of this, BBG Sports takes full responsibility for the error,” it added.

For the unversed, the decision review system (DRS) technology, which is mandatory in ICC World Test Championship matches, is provided by the host TV broadcaster for the home team.

READ: BBL 15: Adelaide Strikers outplay Babar Azam’s Sydney Sixers

Italy have confirmed a major selection call ahead of their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup appearance, with former Australia opener Joe Burns left out of the squad for the 2026 tournament.

The Italian Cricket Federation (Federazione Cricket Italia) has announced that Derbyshire stalwart Wayne Madsen will lead the side at the global event, scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.

Burns, who moved to Italy in 2024 and went on to captain the national side in three of the eight T20 internationals he played, will not be part of Italy’s first-ever World Cup campaign.

The decision comes despite Burns playing a key role in Italy’s qualification journey through the European pathway.

In an official statement released late on Tuesday, the country’s cricket federation clarified that the omission followed unsuccessful discussions between the board and the player.

“The Federation can confirm that Joe Burns will not be selected as part of Italy’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the statement read.

“Although preliminary exchanges of availability took place in recent weeks, a full agreement was never reached and, consequently, a formal contract was not signed.”

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The board added that internal technical and organisational assessments led to Madsen’s appointment as captain, stressing the importance of stability and continuity ahead of what it termed a “historic event” for Italian cricket.

“At the same time, internal technical and organizational evaluations led to the selection of Wayne Madsen as captain,” the statement said.

Madsen, who was appointed captain in late November, will lead Italy in their bilateral series against Ireland in January and at the T20 World Cup itself.

Notably, Italy are yet to formally submit their final squad list for the tournament, which will mark their first appearance at any ICC global event at the senior level.

Joe Burns, who played 23 Tests and six ODIs for Australia between 2014 and 2020, became eligible for Italy through his mother’s heritage and relocated there in 2024 as a tribute to his late brother.

He featured prominently in Italy’s T20 World Cup qualifying campaign, captaining the side at the Europe Region Final and helping secure qualification for the 2026 edition.

READ: Alex Carey pays tribute to late father after home Ashes century

SYDNEY: Luke Wood’s all-round show propelled Adelaide Strikers to a three-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers in the fourth fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 here at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Adelaide Strikers chased down a stiff 160 on the second ball of the final over, losing seven wickets in the process.

Liam Scott remained the top-scorer with 51 from 32, striking three sixers and three fours. Jamie Overton remained the other notable contributor with 30 off 20, while Luke Wood stayed till the end to ensure that his side crossed the finishing line.

Wood remained unbeaten on 18 from 14 with the help of a boundary.

Openers Chris Lynn and Matthew Short were off the blocks quickly, adding 27 in 2.3 overs before the former was caught after scoring five.

Soon after, skipper Short fell with 15 to his name from 11, which left Strikers 34-2 in 3.4 overs.

With the required run rate relatively easy to achieve, Jason Sangha and Liam Scott took their time at the crease to stitch a brief 22-run partnership.

Sangha departed after scoring 12 from 15, while Scott continued on and held the Strikers’ innings together with vital contributions.

He was involved in brief stands with Alex Ross and Jamie Overton, which took the score over the 100-run mark.

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Eventually, Adelaide Strikers reached the target, thanks to Overton and Wood’s calculated knocks in the last five overs.

With 37 required from 30 balls, Overton did the bulk of the scoring until his dismissal in the final over, which brought the equation to five from six balls.

However, Hasan Ali sneaked three on the first ball, which was followed by a double run from Wood, sealing the victory for the Strikers in their opening game.

For Sydney Sixers, Jack Edwards picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs.

Earlier, put into bat first, Sydney Sixers were limited to 159-9 at the end of their 20 overs.

Josh Philippe top-scored with 46 from 28, striking eight fours and a six, which helped the home side reach a respectable total.

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Despite losing Babar Azam early in the second over for nine, Sixers were cruising till the 11th over with 94 on the board.

But it was Lloyd Pope’s double-wicket 12th over that sparked a mini collapse and derailed the Sixers innings.

Jack Edwards was the other notable batter who hit 32 from 21 with the help of three fours and a six.

For Adelaide Strikers, Luke Wood scalped three wickets while Jamie Overton and Lloyd Pope picked up two wickets.

READ: Alex Carey pays tribute to late father after home Ashes century

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 will be played under a new format, with the expanded eight-team tournament set to unfold in two phases, according to reports.

Scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026, PSL 11 will comprise 44 matches across a 39-day window.

According to the details, the redesigned structure moves away from the traditional league system to accommodate the expanded field without significantly extending the tournament’s duration.

Under the new format, the opening phase will be played on a single-league basis, with each of the eight teams facing every other side once. This stage will ensure uniform competition before the league progresses to its next phase.

The second phase will adopt a Super Four-style structure, splitting the eight teams into two groups of four.

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Each team will play three matches in this round, resulting in 12 fixtures and shaping the final standings ahead of the knockout stage.

The top two teams from the Super Four phase will advance to the playoffs. As in previous editions, four playoff matches, including the final, will be held to determine the PSL 11 champions.

Despite the revised format and increase in the number of teams, each side will still be guaranteed a minimum of 10 matches, maintaining parity with earlier seasons of the league.

Matches will be staged in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, while Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad is set to make its PSL debut as a host venue.

READ: Alex Carey slams ton as Australia seize upper hand on day one

Pakistan Test pacer Mohammad Abbas has agreed a two-year deal with Derbyshire, signing on as one of the county’s overseas players for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Abbas arrives at Derbyshire with a formidable reputation in English red-ball cricket, having previously represented Leicestershire, Hampshire and most recently Nottinghamshire.

The experienced seamer played a pivotal role in Nottinghamshire’s County Championship triumph last summer, claiming 32 first-class wickets in nine matches at an impressive average of 21.46.

The move will see Abbas reunite with Mickey Arthur, who handed him his Test debut for Pakistan and is now leading Derbyshire’s ambitions from the dugout.

Arthur believes the addition of Abbas could be a defining moment in the club’s push for promotion.

“This is a statement signing for us,” Arthur said. “We’ve beaten a number of Division One counties to sign one of the finest red-ball bowlers around, and we’re absolutely delighted to have Mohammad on board for 2026 and 2027.”

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“He’s an exceptional bowler who bowls maidens, builds pressure and takes wickets at a really impressive average. Beyond his skill, his experience will be invaluable for our young players to learn from.”

Since first arriving in 2018, Mohammad Abbas has taken 291 County Championship wickets at a remarkable average of 19.89, establishing himself as one of the most reliable overseas bowlers on the circuit.

His most recent Test appearance for Pakistan came earlier this year, in January.

Expressing his excitement at the move, Abbas said the opportunity to work with Arthur again played a major role in his decision.

“It’s exciting for me to join Derbyshire and work with Mickey Arthur again,” Abbas said. “He’s a fantastic coach, and after hearing his plans for the club, it’s clear we share the same ambition, to be in Division One.

“The team only just missed out on promotion in 2025, so I’m hoping I can contribute with performances that help win a few more games and give our supporters a trophy to celebrate.”

READ: Pakistan players set to play entire BBL season, confirms Cricket Australia CEO

Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive officer Todd Greenberg has confirmed that Pakistan players will remain available for the full duration of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

The BBL 15 has attracted several first-choice Pakistan cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali.

However, there had been uncertainty over their availability due to Pakistan’s scheduled T20I tour of Sri Lanka in early January.

Speaking to reporters on the morning of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, Greenberg said Cricket Australia had received clear assurances regarding the availability of Pakistan players throughout the competition.

“We’ve been told that if they’ve been signed by the BBL, they’ll play [the whole BBL],” Greenberg said.

He also confirmed that plans for Australia’s T20I tour of Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 are moving forward.

According to Greenberg, CA, along with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, has already sent representatives to Pakistan to conduct a pre-tour security assessment.

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“We’ve just sent a couple of people to Pakistan to do a pre-tour for the T20I games in February,” he said.

“We’re going to have some conversations with the players after the Ashes series and explain to them how that will work with security. But I went there with them in 2022, and it was an amazing experience.”

Todd Greenberg added that the three-match ODI leg of Australia’s tour of Pakistan, which forms part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP), will be shifted to June.

The move will allow the series to be played after the conclusion of both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The rescheduled window will also align with Australia’s limited-overs tour of Bangladesh, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is in the same month.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s tour of Australia later in the year will mark a historic return of Test cricket to the Top End. Scheduled for August, the series will see Mackay host its first-ever Test match, and the region’s first since 2004.

READ: Australia’s Steve Smith ruled out of third Ashes Test

ABU DHABI: Australia all-rounder Cameron Green on Tuesday became the most expensive overseas player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, surpassing the previous record held by his compatriots Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

Green was sold to the three-time IPL winner, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), for a whopping INR 25.2 crores.

Consequently, he shattered the record for being the most expensive overseas IPL player. Previously, Starc was also sold to KKR for INR 24.75 crores, while Cummins was roped in by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for INR 20.50 crores.

Notably, the 26-year-old is also the third-highest-paid player with Rishabh Pant (INR 27 crores) and Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 crores), who were brought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in last year’s mega auction.

Overall, he has amassed 707 runs in 29 IPL matches for the five-time winners Mumbai Indians and the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

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Green missed the last edition of the IPL due to a back injury but is currently featuring in the Ashes series against England.

The second-highest buy was also by the KKR, which acquired Pathirana for INR 18 crore, about US$ 550,000 more than the amount he had received last year.

Interestingly, Pathirana did not have the best of outings in the 2025 edition, going for 10.13 an over in 12 games.

His performance led the Chennai Super Kings to release him ahead of the 2026 auction.

Meanwhile, England’s Liam Livingstone went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 13 crores in the second round after he went unsold in the first phase.

READ: Shoaib Akhtar wants THIS Bangladesh pacer to break his speed record

GQEBERHA: Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus hit sparkling centuries to power South Africa women to a series victory over Ireland women here at the St George’s Park, Gqeberha on Tuesday.

Chasing a daunting 376, Ireland were bowled out for 301 in 47.5 overs.

Ireland started poorly in the chase as opener Sarah Forbes went without scoring. As a result, skipper Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter added 77 for the second wicket to put the chase back on track.

Lewis scored 45 off 52 with the help of eight fours. Following her wicket, Orla Prendergast and Amy Hunter kept Ireland in the hunt with a 93-run partnership.

The duo’s batting brought the scoring to 170 in 29.3 before Hunter’s removal dented the chase. Hunter managed to score 64 from 66 balls.

With the asking rate rising, it was already an uphill task for Irish batters despite Prendergast remaining battling out till the 40th over.

She was eventually dismissed for a well-made 97 from 86 balls, laced with 10 fours and two sixes.

For South Africa, Leah Jones remained the standout bowler, taking three wickets while Nondumiso Shangase and Miane Smit scalped two apiece.

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Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa were 59-2 after the first 10 overs before a mammoth 179-run stand between Wolvaardt and Luss brought the score to 238 in 36.5 overs.

The partnership was eventually broken with Wolvaardt’s wicket, who made 124 from 119 balls laced with 19 fours.

Meanwhile, Luss forged another 117 with Dane van Niekerk, which propelled the score over the 350-run mark.

Sune Luss made 114 from 113, striking 13 fours and a six, while Niekerk unleashed a boundary barrage with a quick-fire 88 off just 47 balls. She hit 13 fours and three sixes in her power-packed knock.

For Ireland, Jane Maguire managed to scalp three wickets.

The third ODI will be played on 19 December in Johannesburg.

READ: Shoaib Akhtar wants THIS Bangladesh pacer to break his speed record

DHAKA: Legendary Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has backed Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed to break his long-standing record for the fastest delivery in international cricket.

Akhtar recorded the fastest ball ever during the 2003 World Cup against England, clocking 161.3kmph.

The 50-year-old is currently in Bangladesh for his maiden stint as a mentor with Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

“I’ve never been part of the BPL before, but I’ve heard that it’s doing great,” Akhtar remarked.

“Finally, I had the opportunity to come here and be a part of it. I want to pass on whatever I’ve learned, especially about fast bowling, motivate the players, give them a few tricks to win matches and elevate their mindset,” he continued.

Notably, Taskin will play for Dhaka Capitals as a direct signing, allowing Akhtar to mentor one of Bangladesh’s promising fast bowlers.

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“I want Taskin [Ahmed] to break my speed record,” Akhtar said.

He also hailed Nahid Raha, who is one of Bangladesh’s fastest bowlers.

“I have so far seen that in Taskin. And he is looking very good, he is looking sharp, he’s looking focused. And so is Nahid Rana,” Akhtar said.

“I think if he keeps on going along with a great training session and when it comes to training properly… I’ll give him an advice at the same time, if I ever see him. I’ll tell him the trades and secrets of training.

If he gets that, I think he will go far. But the most important is the attitude that you have towards life, and that reflects on the field,” he concluded.

For the unversed, the 12th edition of the BPL will commence on December 26, with Sylhet Titans taking on Rajshahi Warriors at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

READ: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 trophy tour kicks off

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday launched the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 trophy tour over Adam’s Bridge — a symbolic gateway linking the two co-hosts, India and Sri Lanka.

The trophy tour was launched in an animated way, with a two-seater paramotor lifting the trophy against the dramatic backdrop of India’s southern coastline.

“Adam’s Bridge is culturally revered as Ram Setu in India, while also serving as a symbolic gateway linking the two co-hosts, India and Sri Lanka,” ICC wrote in a press release.

The silverware will travel across Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, Nepal, Bahrain, and Mongolia, allowing the fans to get a closer look with campus visits, fan meets, public activations, and cricket carnivals.

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“In a unique initiative, the trophy will also be taken to schools and colleges associated with players set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, offering young fans an inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime connection to the global stage,” the press release added.

Moreover, the trophy will be displayed at major T20 leagues as well as selective bilateral series, an initiative aimed at building up the tournament across formats and geographies.

Following the announcement, ICC chairman Jay Shah shared his views and the symbolic history of the place.

“Launching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World above the Ram Setu, a site steeped in history, symbolism and shared cultural identity, sets an inspiring tone as we build towards this landmark event,” he said.

“This tour represents far more than the physical movement of a trophy. It is a unifying journey that brings continents, cultures, and cricketing communities together, igniting passion among fans worldwide and strengthening the shared spirit that defines our game,” Jay Shah added.

For those unaware, the 10th edition of the mega event will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the tournament slated to run from February 7 to March 8 next year.

The event will feature 20 teams, divided into four groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Eight stage.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opener will be played between Pakistan and the Netherlands, with hosts and the reigning champions India taking on the USA later in the day in Mumbai.

READ: Azhar Mahmood’s coaching stint with Pakistan Test Team comes to an end