Tag: australia

AUCKLAND: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in Pakistan, with India playing their matches in Dubai.

Seasoned players Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson were recalled to form an experienced New Zealand squad to contest the Champions Trophy.

The aforementioned three players were unavailable for the recently concluded home ODI series against Sri Lanka because of offshore T20 commitments.

Batters Williamson and Conway have been playing in South Africa’s T20 league while pace bowler Ferguson is involved in Australia’s Big Bash competition.

Ben Sears was also selected for the ICC tournament co-hosted by Pakistan and UAE, having missed the 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka with a knee injury.

It will be the first senior ICC event for Sears and fellow pace bowlers Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith.

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Coach Gary Stead will oversee a squad he said also boasted experience and depth.

“We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions,” Stead said.

Spin bowler Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand at a major event for the first time, after being named full-time white ball captain in December.

Santner, former skipper Williamson and wicketkeeper Tom Latham were all part of the New Zealand squad for the last edition of the Champions Trophy, in England and Wales in 2017.

New Zealand will contest the tournament’s opening match against Pakistan in Karachi on February 19, followed by pool games against Bangladesh and India.

New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke

READ: Shakib Al Hasan dropped as Bangladesh announce squad for Champions Trophy

DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, with veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan missing out.

The all-rounder was recently banned from bowling in competitions governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This decision came on the heels of an independent re-assessment of his bowling action revealing concerns over the legality of his deliveries.

Although Shakib Al Hasan remained eligible to participate as a specialist batter, the Bangladeshi selectors opted to exclude him.

Moreover, Bangladesh will also be lacking the services of another veteran player, Tamim Iqbal, who recently retired from international cricket, despite having been approached by the team’s white-ball captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, along with other key figures within the squad, urging him to reconsider.

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However, experienced players such as wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim and all-rounder Mahmudullah have secured their places in the contingent, bringing their wealth of knowledge and skill to the mix.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Bangladesh are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand. They will play their opening game in the tournament against India in Dubai on February 20.

Bangladesh squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

READ: Tamim Iqbal retires from international cricket again

Australia recalled opener Nathan McSweeney and called up all-rounder Cooper Connolly on Thursday for the first time in a spin-heavy Test squad under the captaincy of Steve Smith for the tour of Sri Lanka.

Regular skipper Pat Cummins stays home for the birth of his second child while fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is rested after picking up a calf injury.

Meanwhile, out-of-form all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who was dropped from the fifth Test against India, remained out of favour for the series.

McSweeney was axed after just three matches for the fourth India Test after failing to justify his inclusion at the top of the order and replaced by fearless 19-year-old Sam Konstas.

Both opening batters are included in the Australia squad for the two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle beginning on January 29.

Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy have been included to join Test regular Nathan Lyon as specialist spinners.

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Connolly, 21, is in line to make his Test debut, with selectors prizing his ability to bowl left-arm offspin, an asset on Sri Lanka’s turning pitches.

“Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions players may be presented with,” selector George Bailey said. “This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets we may encounter in each match.”

After an impressive debut in the final Test against India in Sydney, all-rounder Beau Webster retains his place over the out-of-favour Marsh, as selectors looked to inject some youth into the touring party.

“We are excited about the opportunity ahead for the squad members who are at the start of their Test careers to continue to grow their games in subcontinent conditions, where we have a number of important tours in coming years,” Bailey said.

Australia have recently defeated India 3-1 in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home.

Australia Test squad for Sri Lanka Tour

Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

READ: Martin Guptill announces retirement from international cricket

Former India coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday advocated for a two-tier structure in Test cricket with relegation and promotion to ensure the survival of the red-ball game.

His comments follow the blockbuster fourth Test between India and Australia that drew a record 373,691 spectators to the Melbourne Cricket Ground over five enthralling days.

That beat the previous record of 350,534 at the same ground during the 1936-37 Ashes series against England, when Donald Bradman ruled the sport and Tests were played over six days.

Shastri, now a commentator, said he could not remember “a bigger advertisement for Test cricket” and said it proved the five-day game continued to hold its own in the face of ever-increasing T20 franchise cricket.

But the 62-year-old said it also reinforced his view that for Test cricket to survive, the biggest teams needed to be playing each other more often.

“To break crowd records that have stood for nearly a century… is testimony to the fact that when the best teams play, the toughest and best format of the game is still alive and thriving,” he said in a column for The Australian newspaper.

“It was also a sound reminder to the ICC (International Cricket Council) that the best should play the best for Test cricket to survive. I will say that there’s too much of a clutter otherwise.

“This match further emphasises why we need a two-tier system with the top 6-8 teams and then include promotion and demotion. You will not get these kinds of crowds if you don’t have two proper teams playing.”

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The ICC has been contemplating a two-tier system for years to keep the format competitive but the plans have never got off the ground.

A proposal for a de facto premier league featuring the top seven sides was on the agenda of the world governing body in 2016. It was scrapped after the powerful Indian board led a backlash.

While India stand to gain from playing more matches against teams such as England and Australia, the BCCI said at the time the cost to smaller cricketing nations was too great.

Ravi Shastri also said the Melbourne game proved that Tests should remain five days, amid chatter that they should be reduced to four to help streamline schedules.

“The theatre in the end on (day five) Monday was further proof of why we need five days for a classic Test match,” he said.

“However, if you don’t create a two-tier system, you’ll continue to have unmatched teams up against each other and then it’s very unlikely they’ll be able to take a game into the fifth day.

“Then there’ll always be talk of four-day Tests.”

Australia won the Test by 184 runs deep into day five and lead the series 2-1 heading into the final clash in Sydney this week.

READ: ‘He is some player,’ Harsha Bhogle heaps high praise on THIS Pakistani all-rounder

MELBOURNE: India suffered a major blow to their chances of qualifying for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) after suffering a thumping defeat in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia here on Monday.

India bundled for 155 with just 12.5 overs left in the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as Australia claimed a thrilling 184-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Despite the heavy defeat, India are still in contention for a spot in the WTC final next year at Lord’s. Currently ranked No. 3 on the points table, India holds a Percentage of Points (PCT%) of 52.78, leaving them with a glimmer of hope.

To secure their qualification, India must triumph over Australia in the crucial fifth Test match, which is set to commence on January 3, 2025, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

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However, India will also need Sri Lanka to achieve victory over Australia in their two-match Test series, scheduled to begin on January 29, 2025, in Galle. A series win for Sri Lanka by either 2-0 or 1-0 would be essential for India’s chances.

If everything falls into place, India could conclude the WTC 2023-25 cycle with a PCT% of 55.26. In this scenario, Australia’s maximum PCT% could rise to 53.51, while Sri Lanka could finish with a maximum of 53.85 PCT%.

However, if India fails to secure a win in the fifth Test against Australia, they would be out of the race for the WTC final, even in case of a draw.

Furthermore, if India manages to overcome Australia in Sydney yet Australia still manages to win at least one Test in their series against Sri Lanka, India would still fall short of qualification.

Meanwhile, South Africa have made history on Sunday by clinching their first-ever place in the WTC final. This achievement came after a thrilling victory over Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test of their two-match series in Centurion.

READ: Mohammad Abbas achieves historic feat after heroics in first South Africa Test

DUBAI: India batter Virat Kohli has been penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his on-field altercation with young Australia batter Sam Konstas during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Indian veteran made forceful contact with the 19-year-old debutant, who kicked off his international career in style, at the conclusion of the 10th over.

As the over came to a close, Kohli, clearly displaying his frustration, strode past Konstas and intentionally collided with him shoulder to shoulder, which was followed by a heated exchange of words between the two players.

Usman Khawaja, Konstas’ fellow opener, and umpire Michael Gough quickly stepped in to defuse the tension and restore order on the field.

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The incident was categorized as a violation of the ICC Code of Conduct, leading to Virat Kohli being fined 20% of his match fee and receiving a demerit point for his conduct during the match.

Sam Konstas, undeterred by the incident, belted Indian bowlers around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on his way to a blistering 60 off 65 balls.

During the post-match news conference, Konstas played down the incident, calling it a part of the game.

“I was just doing my gloves and I think he accidentally bumped me. But that’s just cricket, the tension,” said the teenager, Australia’s youngest-ever opener.

READ: Australia’s top order fires to take charge of Boxing Day Test against India

India captain Rohit Sharma has discussed the possibility of calling up pace bowler Mohammed Shami for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Shami was not selected for the tour of Australia because of an ankle surgery that sidelined him for nearly a year.

He underwent the surgery in February and was on track to return to the national team. However, he aggravated a knee issue during his rehabilitation, which further delayed his comeback.

The right-handed pacer achieved match fitness last month and returned to action for his domestic team Bengal, under the monitoring of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

During the post-match press conference after the drawn third Test, Rohit Sharma was asked if Shami could make a comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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However, the Indian captain emphasized that the team management would consider Mohammed Shami only after receiving full assurance from the NCA.

“About Shami, I think it’s high time somebody from NCA talks about him, where he is rehabbing,” Rohit said. “Those guys are the ones who need to come up and give us some kind of update.”

“I understand he’s playing a lot of cricket back home, but there have been some complaints about his knee as well.

“So, look, the last thing you want is the player coming here and then pulling out in the middle of the game. You know what happens when that kind of thing happens.

“So, there is no way we want to take that chance unless we are like, not 100%, 200% sure, we’re not going to take any risk.

“But yeah, as I said in the last press conference, the door is open if those guys at the NCA feel that he is okay to go and recover and play, we’ll be happy to have him.”

READ: South Africa name two uncapped players in squad for Pakistan Tests

Australia pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss the rest of the Test series against India after injuring his right calf during his warm-up before play in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Hazlewood, who missed the second Test in Adelaide with a side strain, bowled just one over before leaving the field on the fourth day of the third Test at the Gabba.

With the series locked at 1-1 and the Test seemingly on course for a draw, the 33-year-old’s latest injury is a major blow to the hosts.

“Josh Hazlewood has sustained a right-sided calf strain which will prevent him from playing any further part in the Test match against India in Brisbane,” a Cricket Australia (CA) statement said.

“He sustained the injury during the warm-up this morning and after bowling one over was unable to continue.

“He is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series. A squad replacement will be made in due course.”

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Australia’s bowling coach Daniel Vettori said Hazlewood was despondent after suffering the injury.

“He felt it this morning in warm-ups and gave it a good crack,” Vettori said.

“It’s just unfortunate for him to come back, put so much effort in after another injury from the side strain in the last Test and to pick up a calf strain, particularly in these circumstances, was tough on him.

“He’s one of the best bowlers in the world and it obviously affects the whole team.”

The fourth Test begins in Melbourne on December 26 with the fifth and final Test in Sydney from January 3.

Vettori said that while he wasn’t a selector, the obvious choice to replace Josh Hazlewood in Melbourne was Scott Boland.

The 35-year-old Boland stepped in for Hazlewood in the pink-ball second Test, which Australia won by 10 wickets to level the series. Boland took five wickets in the match.

READ: Jason Gillespie opens up on his experience of coaching Babar Azam

Brisbane’s weather came to save India as most of Monday’s play was lost because of rain on the third day of the third Test of the Boder-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Gabba.

A rattled India limped to 51-4 at stumps on a day when Australia were only able to bowl 17 overs at the visitors and players left the field seven times due to downpours.

KL Rahul was on 33 at the end of a wet day along with skipper Rohit Sharma, who was yet to score.

Needing 245 to avoid the follow-on, India lost three early wickets in the first session, after earlier bowling Australia out for 445.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli all fell to Australia’s opening bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

They then lost Rishabh Pant just before tea, which was called early because of another downpour that then kept the players off the field for over two hours.

When they did return, bad light saw the Australians throw the ball to off-spinner Nathan Lyon and part-timer Travis Head.

But after only 2.5 overs, umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth decided that the light was not good enough and called an end to play.

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With most of the first day also lost to rain Saturday, Head and Steve Smith’s second-day centuries ensured that India could not realistically win the Test.

More rain is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, raising India’s hopes of salvaging a draw and heading to Melbourne with the series locked at 1-1.

Australia resumed the third day on 405-7 and were eventually bowled out for 445, wicketkeeper Alex Carey the last man out after an enterprising 70.

India’s first target was to avoid the follow-on and so raise their chances of holding out for a draw. But their reply got off to a terrible start when Jaiswal, who edged Starc’s first ball for four runs through gully, chipped the next ball straight to Mitchell Marsh at square leg.

Fellow opener Rahul got a nasty hit on the wrist from a Hazlewood ball that rose sharply off a good length, but after treatment, he was able to continue.

In Starc’s next over, Gill edged to gully and Marsh took a brilliant catch, diving high to his left to leave India in tatters at 6-2.

Kohli was next to go, caught behind by Carey after playing at a full ball from Hazlewood that he could have left alone but instead got a faint edge through to the wicketkeeper. To add insult to injury, as Kohli was walking off the rain started falling and early lunch was called.

There were more rain delays after lunch as Rahul and Pant tried to rescue the situation, but with the score on 44, Pant got a thin edge off Pat Cummins to Carey.

READ: Rashid Khan returns to Afghanistan squad for Zimbabwe Tests

BRISBANE: Rain played spoilsport as play was abandoned on the first day of the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India at the Gabba here on Saturday.

Australia finished the day on 28-0 with Usman Khawaja 19 not out and Nathan McSweeney on four after India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field.

Only 13.2 overs were bowled during the first session and there was no further play, much to the disappointment of the big crowd that had filed into the Gabba.

At one stage the outfield resembled a lake but as the weather eased the water drained away quickly, leaving only a few small areas still affected.

However, the rain persisted throughout the day and the umpires eventually called off play midway through the final session.

Play will begin 30 minutes earlier for the remaining four days with a minimum of 98 overs to be bowled each day. However, while the forecast is better for Sunday, there is more rain predicted early next week.

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After a week of downpours in Brisbane, Rohit would have expected plenty of movement from his opening bowlers, but they struggled to find their length. Jasprit Bumrah appeared down on pace early and Mohammed Siraj was equally unthreatening.

The forecasted rain first came 25 minutes into the day’s play, causing a half-hour delay, and when the players returned Akash Deep at last found the perfect length with movement in the air and off the wicket.

He troubled McSweeney in particular, but 35 minutes later much heavier rain sent the players from the field for the second time.

The five-match series is evenly poised with India thrashing Australia in the first Test in Perth and Australia recording an equally impressive victory in Adelaide.

The Australians, as expected, brought back Josh Hazlewood for Scott Boland after he recovered from a side strain.

India dropped spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and fast bowler Harshit Rana, replacing them with Ravindra Jadeja and Deep.

READ: Saim Ayub opens up after missing maiden T20I century against South Africa