Tag: australia

Australia captain Pat Cummins is in a race against time to be fit ahead of the opening match of the highly anticipated Ashes 2025-26, slated to commence on November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Cummins underwent scans on Monday morning.

According to the report, Cricket Australia’s (CA) chief medical officer, alongside the team doctor and physio, will take time to discuss the scan results.

Moreover, Pat Cummins’s back trouble could rule him out of all the white-ball fixtures that will be played before the first Ashes Test. The star pacer is also unlikely for the T20 squad against New Zealand.

“Depending on the seriousness of Cummins’ back trouble, he may miss all the white ball games that precede the first Ashes Test in Perth in late November and could also need to avoid playing a Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales,” the report said.

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“As it is, he will be missing from the Twenty20 squad that will be named on Tuesday to tour New Zealand,” it added.

Subsequently, Cummins is likely to be fit for the start of the Ashes, having previously undergone similar scans last summer before the Border-Gavaskar series.

Pat Cummins’ injury concerns arose during the West Indies tour, where he played all three Test matches. Overall, the right-arm pacer has bowled 85 overs across four Tests, including the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa.

After his absence, ace batter Steve Smith could be in line for captaincy due to his vast experience under his belt.

For context, Pat Cummins has a longstanding problem with back injuries during the early stages of his career.

After making his Test debut in 2011, Cummins missed six years of cricket. However, in recent times, the fast bowler has been pivotal in Australia’s success.

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Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has revealed that he has undergone another surgery for skin cancer, reigniting concern about the widespread health issue in the country.

The 44-year-old shared the update on his social media accounts, posting a photo from a hospital bed with a bandage on his nose. In his message, Clarke stressed the importance of regular health check-ups.

“Skin cancer is real! Especially in Australia. Another one cut out of my nose today. A friendly reminder to get your skin checked,” he wrote.

“Prevention is better than cure but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection is key.”

He also expressed gratitude to his Sydney-based specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon. “So grateful that Dr. Bish Soliman got it early,” he added.

Michael Clarke was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 and has since undergone multiple treatments.

He has often used his platform to raise awareness, reminding fans about the significance of prevention and early detection.

In 2023, he admitted that his skin cancer scares had left him fearful about not being around for his daughter, Kelsey Lee.

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“It does scare me. I am a dad – I don’t want to go anywhere,” Clarke told the Daily Telegraph at the time. “The most important thing in the world is making sure I help my seven-year-old daughter and set a good example for her.”

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest batters, Clarke represented his country in 394 international matches between 2004 and 2015, amassing 17,112 runs across formats.

He captained Australia in 74 Tests, winning 47 and losing 16, while also leading in 139 ODIs. Under his leadership, Australia reclaimed the Ashes 5-0 in 2013-14 and lifted the ICC World Cup in 2015.

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MACKAY: Records tumbled in Australia vs South Africa third One Day International (ODI) as Cameron Green hit the second-fastest century for the hosts here at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, Australia amassed 431 runs in total, losing just two wickets in the process, within their allocated 50 overs, which shattered multiple records.

The total in the Australia vs South Africa match was the hosts’ highest at home and overall second-highest in ODIs, falling just three runs short of their remarkable 437 against the Proteas in Johannesburg in 2006.

With Cameron Green (118*), Travis Head (142), and Mitchell Marsh (100), all three batters scoring centuries, this marked the second time a team’s three batters have achieved tons.

The first instance was between South Africa and the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015.

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Cameron Green, who hit 118* off 55 balls, entered the record books by smashing the fastest ODI century against South Africa and the second fastest for his country in the format.

Green surpassed Matthew Hayden’s record of a 66-ball century against the Proteas.

Glenn Maxwell’s 40-ball effort against the Netherlands in Delhi in the 2023 ODI World Cup holds the record for the fastest century for Australia.

Australia is playing in a dead rubber, since South Africa has already won the series 2-0. However, their openers Marsh and Head came out firing all cylinders with a mammoth 250-run partnership.

The duo’s partnership was the fifth highest for Australia, with the previous double century stand for Aussies forged between Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins for the eighth wicket in Mumbai in 2023.

At the time of filing this story, Australia were in command of the match with South Africa reeling at 135-7 in only 19.2 overs.

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MACKAY: Lundi Ngidi took five wickets after Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs’s half-centuries to steer South Africa to a dominant 84-run victory over Australia in the second ODI here on Friday.

South Africa showcased an impressive bowling performance at Great Barrier Reef Arena, dismissing Australia for 193 runs in 37.4 overs after their batsmen scored 277 runs.

Josh Inglis waged a lone battle for Australia with an 87-run knock, but could not find much support from the other end.

Lungi Ngidi led the bowling attack for South Africa, returning figures of 5-42. He was supported by Nandre Burger and Senuran Muthusamy, who took two wickets each, while Wiaan Mulder bagged one.

Earlier, Matthew Breetzke slammed a superb 88 and Tristan Stubbs 74 to help their team post a challenging 277.

Breetzke crunched eight fours and two sixes to continue his impressive form since making his debut this year. In his first four ODIs, he has posted a century and three half-centuries.

Stubbs was also impressive in an 87-ball stay before the visitors were dismissed in the final over.

Adam Zampa (3-63) was the pick of the bowlers while Cameron Green held four catches.

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South Africa started tentatively with Australia pacer Xavier Bartlett bagging both openers inside the first six overs.

The paceman had Aiden Markram, standing in as skipper with Temba Bavuma rested, caught by Travis Head at mid-wicket without scoring.

He then tempted Ryan Rickelton (8) to poke at a seaming ball with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis taking a fine diving catch.

But Breetzke relieved the pressure when Aaron Hardie came on, slamming the quick for two sixes and a four in an over to steer them to 56-2 after the 10-over powerplay.

He then built a breezy 67-run stand with Tony de Zorzi (38) and shared another 89-run partnership with Stubbs, before skying Nathan Ellis to Alex Carey in the deep.

Stubbs stuck around as wickets fell around him before Zampa tempted him into a slog down the ground with Green getting underneath it, before a late flurry from the tail.

The third ODI between Australia and South Africa will be played at the same venue on 24 August.

WATCH: Wiaan Mulder survives injury scare while bowling in second Australia ODI

MACKAY: South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder endured a frightening moment during the second ODI against Australia here on Friday but managed to walk away unscathed before making an immediate impact with the ball.

The incident unfolded in the second innings when Mulder came on to bowl the 10th over after South Africa had posted 277 in their first innings.

On his very first delivery, Mulder lost his footing at the popping crease and collapsed awkwardly, sparking concern among teammates and spectators.

It appeared that his back foot slipped while landing, leaving him unable to balance his bodyweight through the delivery stride.

Fortunately, Wiaan Mulder managed to fall safely and avoided what could have been a serious knee or back injury.

The 27-year-old was quickly back on his feet and started his spell. Remarkably, he struck on the second ball of his spell, removing Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh (18).

The right-hander attempted a pull shot off a short delivery, only to mistime it into the mid-wicket region, gifting South Africa a crucial breakthrough.

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Earlier in the match, Wiaan Mulder contributed a valuable 26 off 21 balls with the bat, rounding off a strong all-round performance.

Notably, Australia were bundled for 193 in 37.4 overs while chasing a target of 278, losing the second ODI and the three-match series.

Josh Inglis waged a lone battle for Australia with an 87-run knock but could not find much support from the other end.

Lungi Ngidi led the bowling attack for South Africa, returning figures of 5-42. He was supported by Nandre Burger and Senuran Muthusamy, who took two wickets each.

The third ODI of the series will be played at the same venue on 24 August.

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South African off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen was on Thursday ruled out of the second ODI against Australia after being reported for a suspect bowling action.

The 31-year-old made his 50-over debut in the Proteas’ thumping 98-run victory in the first ODI at Cairns on Tuesday, taking 1-46 including the key wicket of Travis Head.

But in the match officials’ report, concerns were raised about the legality of his bowling action.

“The bowler will undergo an independent assessment of his bowling action at an ICC-accredited testing facility,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

Under cricket rules, a bowler is allowed 15 degrees of flex in their bowling arm, but anything more is deemed illegal.

Subrayen remains available for selection while awaiting his assessment, but South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said he would sit out the second game of the three-match series on Friday in Mackay.

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“We just felt, together with ‘Subs’ (Subrayen), that less noise, get him away and out of the public eye (and) just make sure that he’s ok,” Conrad told cricket.com.au.

“That’s why his name’s not going to be on the teamsheet tomorrow.

“We will obviously rally around him and make sure that he’s in the best space,” he added.

It is another setback for South Africa, who are already without injured pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada.

Australia spinner Adam Zampa meanwhile, escaped with one demerit point as punishment for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct in the same match after he was caught swearing by a stump microphone.

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Aiden Markram hit 82 before left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj tore through the home side’s new-look batting order in the first Australia vs South Africa ODI in Cairns on Tuesday.

South Africa defeated Australia by 98 runs, thanks to the brilliance of Markram and Maharaj in the opening game of a three-match series.

Sent in to bat, Markram — opening for the first time in ODIs since 2021 — crunched nine boundaries in his 81-ball knock to power South Africa to a formidable 296-8.

Skipper Temba Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57) also helped set the tone for the three-match ODI series.

In reply, openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head flattened South Africa pacemen as Australia raced to 60-0 after seven overs.

But the match flipped after the introduction of spin, with Maharaj conjuring rampant turn, and he picked up four wickets in his first 15 balls.

He finished with career-best figures of 5-33 from 10 overs as Australia were dismissed for 198 in the 41st over.

It was a strong bounce back from South Africa after their 2-1 defeat against Australia in the Twenty20 series between the teams.

Marsh played a lone hand with 88 off 96 balls in a disappointing batting effort from Australia, transitioning after the recent retirements of veterans Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell from ODI cricket.

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South Africa had been rocked by the news that quick Kagiso Rabada would miss the series with an ankle injury.

An unruffled Markram appeared to be cruising to his fourth ODI century before he was caught behind off left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis in the 24th over.

A sluggish Bavuma was overtaken by Breetzke, playing his third ODI.

But South Africa lost three wickets for just seven runs with the fall of Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs (duck), and Dewald Brevis (six), before Bavuma kicked on.

After a breakout T20 series, ODI debutant Brevis hit a first-ball six — but then holed out to Head, who finished with 4-57.

Head’s excellent match continued with the bat until he was stumped for 27, providing debutant offspinner Prenelan Subrayen with his first ODI wicket.

Making his return since being axed from Australia’s Test team, Marnus Labuschagne (one) fell on his sixth delivery after unsuccessfully reviewing an lbw decision off Maharaj.

Cameron Green (three) and Josh Inglis (five) were clean bowled by a pumped-up Maharaj, who also had Alex Carey lbw for a golden duck.

Maharaj was unable to complete the hat-trick, but claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket when he knocked over Aaron Hardie (four).

The second Australia vs South Africa ODI will be played in the northern Queensland city of Mackay on Friday.

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South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia because of inflammation in his ankle.

Rabada played all three T20I matches in the preceding series between the teams but underwent a scan on Monday after feeling discomfort.

South Africa announced Rabada’s withdrawal just one hour before the ongoing first ODI against Australia in Cairns.

Left-arm 19-year-old quick Kwena Maphaka, who claimed a leading nine wickets in the T20I series, has been added to the squad but was overlooked for the series-opener.

Veteran quick Lungi Ngidi leads the South African attack in the series opener, featuring off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, who makes his ODI debut.

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It’s worth noting that Kagiso Rabada will remain on the Australia tour, where he will undergo rehabilitation.

With Rabada unavailable and Marco Jansen still recovering from thumb surgery, the fast bowling options in the squad include Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, and Maphaka.

Additionally, seam-bowling all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder are also part of the tour.

For spin options, the team has Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, and Prenelan Subrayen.

Following the first match, the teams will move to Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena for the next two matches. Meanwhile, Australia won the hard-fought T20I series 2-1.

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Australia star batter Steve Smith has warned England of a challenging  Ashes series, which is set to begin in November 2025.

The five-Test Ashes series will begin in Perth in late-November, before a day-night match in Brisbane.

The third Ashes 2025 Test will be played in Adelaide, with the traditional Melbourne and Sydney Tests scheduled for December and January.

In an interview with a British media outlet, Steve Smith commented on the much-anticipated series after England’s home series against India.

“I watched a lot of the series against India and it was one of the best Test series I’ve seen in a long time. The cricket that was played by both teams was outstanding,” he said.

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“England have a good side at the moment. They are obviously playing a really aggressive brand of cricket,” he added.

The 36-year-old stated that Australian  wickets are challenging for batters.

“It’s going to be a big challenge. The wickets in the last three-four years have been really tricky,” Steve Smith said.

The veteran batter expressed confidence in his team’s bowling lineup, saying that experienced bowlers would make things difficult for England in the Ashes 2025

“I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a great series,” Smith said.

Steve Smith also discussed the recent form of England’s Joe Root and lauded him ahead of the Ashes 2025.

“I think not just in that series (against India) but probably the last two years, he’s been incredible. His ability to make big scores – to go from 50 to 100 – which was one thing he got caught in that spot for a while,” Smith said.

“He [Joe Root] hasn’t scored a hundred in Australia. I think that’s been talked about quite a lot. I’m sure that’s something he wants to tick off his bucket list as well,” he concluded.

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England’s star batter Joe Root has responded to Former Australia opener David Warner ahead of the much-anticipated Ashes 2025-26, which is set to commence in November.

A few weeks ago, David Warner, currently playing in ‘The Hundred’ in England, highlighted flaws in Joe Root’s batting.

“The big anchor there is Rooty, who is yet to score a hundred in Australia. “Hazlewood tends to have his number quite a lot. He will have to take the surfboard off his front leg,” he said.

Joe Root has responded while speaking on a British News outlet, stating that he is unfazed by the remarks.

“Just that. I have no control over how people perceive the game or discuss it in an interview. Nothing new, is it? You know there are going to be storylines and people wanting to hype up a big series,” he said.

Does not really change anything. It is sort of irrelevant to me. What can I do about it? Just make sure it is not a talking point in six months or 100 days’ time,” he added.

He further stated about his calm demeanor and helping his team get a good start.

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“When you get out there, you have to got to try and impact the game and help your team get off to a good star,” Joe Root explained.

Business as usual as far as I am concerned. I guess it is all part of the fun. We will see what happens out there [with Warner at Lord’s during The Hundred, where they are playing for Trent Rockets and London Spirit respectively]. It is not really in my nature to get too verbal,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that Joe Root, now the second-highest scorer in Test cricket, has yet to score a Test century in Australia.

Overall, England batting maestro Root has scored only 892 runs in Australia at a modest average of 35.68, which falls short of his standards.

Notably, since the start of 2022, he has notched up 15 centuries at a stellar average of 64.64.

The Ashes 2025-26 is set to begin in Perth on November 21, followed by a day-night match in Brisbane, the third Test in Adelaide, and the traditional Melbourne and Sydney Tests in December and January.

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