Category: Top Picks

BRISBANE: Australia skipper Steve Smith and England fast bowler Jofra Archer were involved in a heated altercation during the second Ashes Test here at the Gabba on Sunday.

Smith propelled Australia over the line with an unbeaten 23 off just nine balls, which was laced with two sixes and two fours, including two boundaries and a maximum in Archer’s over.

With this, Australia took a 2-0 lead in the Ashes, defeating England by eight wickets in a commanding all-round display.

However, things got heated. Smith took on Archer, who was bowling at 150km/h. The right-hander hit a four off the first off Archer and missed the next ball in a bid to hit an uppercut.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)

After this, both exchanged words with the pacer, asking Smith why he was playing shots when there was nothing on the scoreboard.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Why play your shots when there’s no rush on the scoreboard?” Archer had asked Smith.

The ace batter gave a cheeky reply, “You bowl fast when there’s nothing going on, champion.”

Archer did not bowl another over, as Smith launched Gus Atkinson over deep square leg for six before an animated celebration with Weatherald.

After the match, Smith commented on the spat and explained the reason behind his aggressive approach.

“I heard there’s a bit of a storm coming around. We obviously had a few behind us. It was a chance to just play a few shots,” he said.

“The adrenaline was pumping at the end there. Obviously, we didn’t need too many to win, and Jof was bowling pretty quick.

I had a short boundary behind me, and I thought, ‘Why not just try to get up and under a few, and put a few in the stands?’ Fortunately, it hit the middle of the bat on a couple of occasions,” Smith explained.

READ: Former Pakistan coach joins Namibia men’s team as consultant

WINDHOEK: Cricket Namibia have named former Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten as men’s cricket team consultant ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Kirsten, a former South Africa player, has a wealth of coaching experience under his belt, having previously coached India during their 2011 World Cup triumph, South Africa, and most recently Pakistan.

“Cricket Namibia is proud to announce the appointment of Gary Kirsten as Consultant for the Namibian National Men’s Cricket Teams,” the board wrote in a statement.

Following the announcement, Kirsten expressed his joy at joining Cricket Namibia for the mega event.

“It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia,” Kirsten said in a statement from the board.

“I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment,” he continued.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He mentioned Namibia’s upgraded cricket facilities while highlighting the men’s team’s performance for the T20 World Cup.

“Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to making sure their national teams are competing with the best cricket countries in the world.

Their senior men’s national team is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February next year,” Kirsten remarked.

The 58-year-old Kirsten will work closely with Namibia’s men’s head coach Craig Williams during his consultancy stint.

For the unversed, Namibia has secured qualification for the 20-team World Cup after reaching the final of the ICC Africa qualifiers in Harare earlier this year, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the event since 2021.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, running from February 7 to March 8.

Namibia are placed alongside the defending champions India, Pakistan, USA, and the Netherlands in Group A.

T20 World Cup Groups:

Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

READ: Agha opens up on ‘major changes’ ahead of T20 World Cup

Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha has ruled out any significant changes in the team ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast, Salman shed light on his cricketing career and team combination ahead of the mega event.

“I don’t think there will be any major changes before the World Cup. This is the combination we will continue with. The roles that we wanted for our playing XI and squad are clear, and I think you could see players in different roles,” he said.

The skipper emphasized the team’s combination over the past months, highlighting recent victories in the T20I format.

“We cannot make major changes in the next six matches because we were preparing for the past six, seven months, keeping the World Cup in mind.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

We have played with this group for six months, and the results have started to come,” he explained.

“Senior players understand Sri Lankan conditions very well, including me, because we have played a lot of cricket there. This will be an essential series for the new players. The series will be important for us, and we will take it seriously,” Salman said.

Salman Ali Agha admitted that, despite the momentum and victories, there is still room for getting better, noting that their goal is to take Pakistan to a level people hope for.

“The team is on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. We want Pakistan to reach the level where everyone hopes to see it,” he concluded.

For the unversed, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. The Green Shirts will play all of its matches in Sri Lanka as per the hybrid model.

Ahead of the mega event, Pakistan will also play Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series, starting January 8 in Dambulla.

READ: Steve Smith equals Rahul Dravid’s record in Test cricket

BRISBANE: Australia’s stand-in skipper Steve Smith took three catches on day four of the second Ashes Test to equal former India great Rahul Dravid’s record for most catches in Test cricket.

Steve not only demonstrates his prowess with the bat but is also an excellent fielder.

Earlier today, Smith grabbed three catches, which helped Australia bowl out England for 241. Smith first took a blinder at slips of Will Jacks to break the threatening stand.

Later on, he took Gus Atkinson’s catch at mid-wicket, followed by the final catch of Brydon Carse, which wrapped up the Three Lions innings.

With this, the 36-year-old equalled Rahul Dravid’s record of 210 catches in Test cricket, and he is now only trailing behind England ace Joe Root.

Most catches for a fielder in Tests

213 – Joe Root

210 – Steve Smith

210 – Rahul Dravid

205 – Mahela Jayawardene

Additionally, Smith also surpassed Greg Chappell’s long-standing record of taking the most catches at home against a single opponent.

Most catches at home against an opponent in Tests

39 – Steve Smith vs ENG in Australia

38 – Greg Chappell vs ENG in Australia

32 – Rahul Dravid vs AUS in India

31 – Alastair Cook vs IND in England

For the unversed, All-round Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser’s five-wicket haul helped Australia romp to an eight-wicket victory in the second Test to go 2-0 up in the Ashes series against England here at the Gabba on Sunday.

Australia comprehensively chased down a mere target of 65 runs in 10 overs with skipper Steve Smith remaining unbeaten on 23 from nine balls laced with two sixes and two fours.

The home side outplayed the visitors in every department of the game and took a 2-0 lead. On the contrary, the only silver lining for England was Joe Root, who hit an unbeaten 138 in the first innings.

READ: All-round Starc powers Australia to 2-0 lead over England in Ashes

BRISBANE: All-round Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser’s five-wicket haul helped Australia romp to an eight-wicket victory in the second Test to go 2-0 up in the Ashes series against England here at the Gabba on Sunday.

The hosts chased down the paltry target of 65 in just 10 overs, captain Steve Smith pulling Gus Atkinson for a huge six over square leg for the winning runs.

Although not as humiliating as the two-day loss in the first Test in Perth, England were comprehensively outplayed in Brisbane in every department.

Their batting, apart from Joe Root and Zak Crawley in the first innings and captain Ben Stokes and Will Jacks in the second, was just as rash as in Perth.

They gave their wickets away with poor strokes on the bouncy Gabba surface.

They also bowled poorly, pitching too short on the Gabba wicket and wasting the new pink ball, in stark contrast to an Australian attack missing spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

To make matters worse, England dropped five catches in the first innings, whereas Australia’s fielders caught everything that came their way.

Josh Inglis’s brilliant run-out of Stokes in the first innings changed the course of the match.

Australia now have a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series and are overwhelming favourites to retain the Ashes with matches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney to follow.

England were behind the game once they let Australia’s tail help the home side post 511 on Saturday, an overall lead of 177.

They then lost six second-innings wickets under lights to end the third day 134-6, still 43 runs behind the Australian total.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

While many expected England to surrender meekly on Sunday, Stokes and all-rounder Jacks led a fighting rearguard action to ensure Australia had to bat a second time.

Stokes and Jacks defied the Australian pace attack on a fiercely hot day to edge their way past the initial deficit target and begin to set Australia something to chase.

England batting coach Marcus Trescothick said Saturday his batsmen would not change their aggressive approach, despite a clatter of wickets from poor shots.

But Stokes and Jacks did the exact opposite during the first session Sunday.

They left balls they didn’t need to play and seemed happy to take their runs in singles rather than expansive boundary shots.

They scored just 28 runs in the first hour and passed the 43-run deficit 96 minutes into the session, scoring only 59 runs in the two hours.

The Australian bowlers, who ran rampant under lights on Saturday with the pink ball, were far more ineffective on Sunday, despite the wicket beginning to play some tricks.

The English offered only one chance when Scott Boland squared up Stokes, who got a thick edge over the slips cordon.

They continued to frustrate the Australians in the second session until just before the drinks break, Jacks got an edge to Michael Neser and Smith snared a breath-taking catch at slip, diving full length to his left and catching it low to the ground.

Neser struck again in the next over when Stokes nibbled at a ball outside the off-stump and got a fine edge to keeper Alex Carey to leave England 227-8, a lead of exactly 50.

Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer offered no real resistance as Neser recorded career-best figures of 5-42 and Smith equalled Rahul Dravid on 210 outfield catches, three behind current record-holder Root.

Sixty-five was never going to be enough and although Australia lost Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne in the chase, Smith and Jake Weatherald guided the home side to an easy win in style.

READ: Ashes 2025: Pat Cummins provides fitness update for Adelaide Test

Australia captain Pat Cummins has declared himself ready for a long-awaited comeback, confirming on Saturday that he expects to be fit for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after more than three months on the sidelines.

Cummins, 32, has been out of action since sustaining a lower-back injury during Australia’s series against the West Indies earlier this year.

The setback ruled him out of the Ashes opener in Perth, which Australia wrapped up inside two days, and the ongoing day-night clash at the Gabba.

Speaking to Fox Sports, Cummins provided the clearest indication yet that his return is imminent.

“I’ll have one more bowl tomorrow in the nets, and then we’ll go to Adelaide and have a bowl there. So barring any hiccups, I’ll be good to go,” he said. “The body feels great.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In his absence, Steve Smith has taken over leadership duties, while Scott Boland has filled the vacancy in the fast bowling attack.

With Josh Hazlewood also unlikely to be available for Adelaide, Cummins’ return would most likely see either Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser make way.

Pat Cummins revealed that selectors came close to naming him for the Gabba Test but ultimately opted for caution.

“It just felt a bit too acute at the end and didn’t really feel fair on the other bowlers,” he explained. “It didn’t feel like the right Test match to take that risk, so kick it down the road for a week.”

READ: John Cena to face Gunther in career finale at Saturday Night’s Main Event

The 17-time WWE world champion, John Cena, will bid farewell to in-ring competition on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he will take on Gunther.

Gunther booked his place in Cena’s retirement bout by defeating LA Knight in the final of “The Last Time is Now” tournament on the December 5 episode of SmackDown.

The month-long, 16-man competition was designed to determine Cena’s last opponent, and the “Ring General” entered as the overwhelming favourite.

With his reputation as one of WWE’s most technically gifted performers, his emergence as the winner felt almost inevitable.

The Austrian powerhouse also carries the aura of a legend-ender. Earlier this year, he handed Goldberg a memorable final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July.

Adding Cena to that list would further cement his status as one of the defining figures of the modern era.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For Cena, this marks the final chapter of a storied two-decade career, one filled with championships, era-defining rivalries, and unmatched longevity at the top.

Whether he chooses to go out with a classic victory or puts Gunther over on his way out, the match is set to be an emotional farewell.

In the tournament final, Gunther and LA Knight delivered a contest worthy of its high stakes, fighting with the urgency of a championship bout.

With Cena’s retirement on the line, neither man held back. Gunther eventually clamped Knight in a Rear-Naked Choke, only for Knight to claw his way out.

The “Ring General” quickly responded with a brutal Modified STF, forcing Knight to submit and sending a clear warning to Cena ahead of December 13.

READ: Lille’s Mbappe nets winner to deny Marseille top spot

Ethan Mbappe, the younger brother of France and Real Madrid star Kylian, scored the only goal of the game as Lille prevented Marseille from going top of Ligue 1 on Friday.

Mbappe, who also scored in a 1-1 draw with champions Paris Saint-Germain in October, netted the winner with the first clear chance of the game.

Latching onto a ball over the top from Nabil Bentaleb, Mbappe capitalised after Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s rash dash to the edge of his box after just 10 minutes.

Lille had the better of the opening stages but were indebted to goalkeeper Berke Ozer for a pair of stunning saves in the second half to deny English forward Mason Greenwood and Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi was dumbfounded by his team’s poor performance.

“I am really annoyed, I wasn’t expecting a match like that,” he said. “We lost all of the second balls, we couldn’t string three passes together, we never got to the ball first.

“Our dribbling didn’t work… we weren’t as aggressive as we usually are. From the first minute to the last, we played passively.”

The defeat left Marseille third, ahead of Lille on goal difference and two points behind leaders Lens, who travel to Nantes on Saturday, when European champions PSG, in second, host Rennes.

READ: FIFA unveils groups for the World Cup 2026

South Africa faced a significant setback in their campaign in India as Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi were both ruled out of the decisive third ODI in Visakhapatnam on Saturday due to injuries.

Burger, who impressed earlier in the series, pulled up with a hamstring issue during the second ODI in Raipur and could not complete his spell.

De Zorzi, meanwhile, strained his right hamstring late in South Africa’s chase, retiring hurt on 17 after the 45th over.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that scans revealed injuries serious enough to sideline both players from the series finale.

Adding to their concerns, CSA further announced that de Zorzi will miss the upcoming five-match T20I series against India as well.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He will return home immediately, with no replacement named.

There was another setback for the visitors as young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka was withdrawn from the T20I squad after failing to progress as expected in the final stages of his rehabilitation from a left hamstring injury.

Lutho Sipamla has been drafted in as his replacement.

Despite the disruptions, South Africa will hope their reshuffled squad can regroup quickly as they head into a crucial phase of the tour.

South Africa’s updated T20I squad

Aiden Markram (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs.

READ: ‘It doesn’t make sense’: Trump wants to rename American football

Spurred on by World Cup 2026 fever, US President Donald Trump said Friday that American football should be renamed as the game played with a round ball, soccer, was the one true football.

“We have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football, but when you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called … football, there is no question,” Trump said at the World Cup draw.

“We have to come up with another name for the NFL (National Football League). It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For Americans, the word “football” refers to American football, a sport primarily played with the hands, unlike what the rest of the world calls football.

Almost the entire country tunes in each year to the NFL championship final, the Super Bowl, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino made sure to emphasise on Friday to Americans that the World Cup 2026 would be the equivalent of 104 Super Bowls.

An all-round sports enthusiast, Trump has developed a particular affection for soccer that continues to grow as the World Cup 2026, which will take place next summer in the United States of America (USA), Mexico, and Canada, approaches.

READ: FIFA unveils groups for the World Cup 2026