Tag: Cricket Australia

MELBOURNE: A significant rise in South Asian representation was witnessed in Cricket Australia (CA) as “Singh” surpassed “Smith” as the most registered surname.

According to the statistics shared by the cricketing body, Singh was the most registered surname with 4262 entries while 2364 Smiths were registered.

Further indicating the growth, South Asian surnames such as Khan, Patel, Sharma and Kumar are among the Top 16 out of 494 registered players’ surnames on CA’s players registration portal “Play HQ”.

The development comes at a time when the CA is actively pursuing strategies to integrate diverse communities into their cricket structure.

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Australian Cricket’s Multicultural Action Plan, launched in December by Usman Khawaja and Lisa Sthalekar, is a significant element of their commitment to fostering inclusivity within the sport.

James Quarmby, CA’s Head of Participation said: “The continuing growth of registrations from multicultural communities is a testament to the progress being made toward our goal of being a Sport for All.

“We want people from multicultural communities to play a major role in all parts of the game at community and elite level, whether that is as players, coaches, officials, administrators or fans.

“With Pakistan coming for a white ball series and India’s men’s and women’s teams both in Australia next summer, we hope the surge in registrations from multicultural communities will be reflected in even bigger attendances at those matches.”

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SYDNEY: Australian batters will have to wear neck guards on their helmets when facing fast or medium-pace bowlers for the 2023/24 season, Cricket Australia announced Thursday.

The governing body has recommended neck guards be used since Australian batsman Phillip Hughes’ death after a bouncer hit him in the neck during a game in Sydney in 2014.

Stars such as Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and David Warner had resisted wearing them but neck guards will be mandatory in men’s and women’s matches when the new season starts in early October, Cricket Australia said.

“Protecting the head and neck is extremely important in our sport,” Cricket Australia’s head of operations Peter Roach said in a statement.

He said the decision was based on “a lot of advice and consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders”.

The decision comes a week after Australian all-rounder Cameron Green had to leave the field with a concussion after a bouncer hit the side of his helmet during his team’s win over South Africa in a one-day international match.

Other changes announced included the scrapping of six runs being awarded automatically during Big Bash League matches to batters who hit the roof of Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium.

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MELBOURNE: Australia’s women cricketers secured a huge pay increase Monday, with the top contracted player on course to earn more than Aus$1 million (US$666,000) a year.

Payments for professional women will rise 66 percent under a new five-year deal between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

They will share in a pool worth Aus$133 million, up from Aus$80 million in the previous agreement, rewarding not only members of Australia’s world champion team but significantly increasing the value of Big Bash League and state contracts.

According to the deal, the top CA contract holder who also has a WBBL contract — believed to be national captain Meg Lanning — could now earn more than Aus$800,000 a year.

That could break the Aus$1 million mark with further earnings in India’s Women’s Premier League and The Hundred in England.

The next six contracted players will earn an average Aus$500,000.

Those who do not play for Australia, but compete in the Women’s National Cricket League and WBBL, will be paid more than Aus$151,000 annually.

“I am particularly pleased this MOU (memorandum of understanding) represents another major step forward in the rise of women’s cricket,” said CA chief Nick Hockley.

“(There are) significant increases in remuneration for the inspirational role models of the world champion Australian women’s team and the WBBL who are driving substantial growth in female participation.

“Cricket now clearly offers the best earning opportunities of any team sport for elite female sportspeople.”

The deal will also see the number of CA men’s contracts increase from 17-20 to 20-24, recognising the number of players now selected across various formats.

The value of those contracts will increase 7.5 percent in the first year and two percent thereafter to an average Aus$951,000 plus match payments in 2023-24.

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MELBOURNE: Pakistan-born Australian Cricketer Usman Khuwaja on Monday expressed solidarity with the affectees of the devastating floods in Pakistan and launched a campaign to raise donations for the victims.

Taking to Twitter, Khawaja made an appeal to the people of Australia to donate to the UNICEF efforts in meeting the needs of children and their families affected by the emergency.

“Anyone, who can donate please do. Even a tiny bit of your generosity can make a huge difference,” said Khawaja in a video message shared from his official Twitter account.

“Devastating floods in Pakistan. Over 1300 people have passed away so far. Families lives have changed forever. Many whom will never be able to rebuild again. Please donate if you can. As little or as much as possible. It will make a world of difference” he wrote.

Devastating floods in Pakistan. Over 1300 people have passed away so far. Families lives have changed forever. Many whom will never be able to rebuild again. Please donate if you can. As little or as much as possible. It will make a world of difference 🙏🏾 https://t.co/VMPtjsZLbP pic.twitter.com/I8586wRMay

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) September 12, 2022

 

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) also joined the Khawaja’s efforts to raise donations for flood affectees and urged its followers to contribute to the UNICEF relief activities.

“It’s been devastating to see the effects of torrential rains in Pakistan, with one-third of the country under water and more than 33 million people affected,” tweeted CA.

It's been devastating to see the effects of torrential rains in Pakistan, with one-third of the country under water and more than 33 million people affected.

If you can, please consider donating at https://t.co/0dOFFQU4sf@unicefaustralia | @Uz_Khawaja pic.twitter.com/CRAN4hV1Oi

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) September 12, 2022

UNICEF teams have been working on the ground in the flood-hit areas of Pakistan to deliver urgently needed medicine, vaccines, water and sanitation supplies.

Reportedly, 33 million people have been affected after massive floods in the country with more than half a million being displaced. About 1,400 people, one-third of whom are children, have lost their lives so far.

MELBOURNE: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has confirmed his unavailability for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season as he aimed to prioritize his fitness for national duty over league cricket.

Starc announced that he would not be available for this year’s edition of BBL because of the Australian cricket team’s busy schedule for the next 18 months, as reported by cricket.com.au.

The 32-year-old speedster claimed that he always prioritized Australia Cricket over any franchise league.

“My approach to the IPL, BBL, I have looked at the Australian schedule and wanting to be as fit and well-performed for that as I can,” he said.

“I will always keep Australian cricket front of mind, and then franchise cricket (second),” he added.

Meanwhile, the Australian side has a tight schedule for the next few months before the T20 World Cup at home, scheduled in October-November. The team is currently on their tour of Sri Lanka, and will then engage in bilateral limited-over series against Zimbabwe, New Zealand, India, England, and West Indies.

It is pertinent to mention here that pacer Starc has recently faced a finger injury ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka and was subsequently ruled out of the series.

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COLOMBO: Australian Cricket Team faced one more blow as wicket-keeper batter Travis Head pull off a hamstring injury and was subsequently ruled out of the dead rubber fifth ODI against Sri Lanka.

Cricket Australia (CA)  has confirmed on its website that a third member of the Aussies Test squad, Head, has also been injured ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka after Mitchell Starc and Steve Simth had earlier sustained injuries during the ongoing tour.

Head, who has sustained a strain on a minor end during the fourth ODI match, will be rested in the final ODI whereas his participation in the first Test, scheduled next week is also under doubt.

“I’m not sure what he’ll be like for the Tests but he’s definitely not available for tomorrow,” said captain Arron Finch as reported by cricket.com.au.

As Head’s replacement, Josh Inglis might be set to make his ODI debut, or Australia might decide to alter the composition of their playing XI and deploy an additional bowler for the final ODI.

Meanwhile, Steven Smith, who has been dealing with a quad strain, is unlikely to be risked before the Tests while Mitchell Starc, who sustained stitching after cutting his finger on the spike of his boot in the first T20I, has still not recovered completely.

During the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka, Australia have witnessed a hefty number of injured players. Before the matches began, Sean Abbott was ruled out, followed by Marsh, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Starc, and Smith.

Head’s injury could also allow one of the Australia A squad members, who are currently in Hambantota for a final four-dayer against Sri Lanka A, to continue as a backup for the Tests, with Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw, and Nic Maddinson being the top contenders.

Meanwhile, it might also leave room for white-ball star Glenn Maxwell to make a Test return after three years.

It is pertinent to mention here that Australia have already lost the five-match ODI series 3-1 against Sri Lanka after winning T20I series 2-1. Both the teams are now set to lock horns in two-match Test series with the first Test scheduled from June 29 to July 3.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent the biomechanics test report regarding Muhammad Hasnain’s remodelled bowling action to Cricket Australia, hoping that the 22-years old pacer will be cleared.

PCB has sent a report regarding the remodelled action of pacer Muhammad Hasnain to Australia. The result of the remodelled action is expected to be announced next week.

Hasnain’s action was reported in January while representing Melbourne Stars in Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.

According to sources Hussnain’s reports result would be announced next week.

Pakistan paceman Mohammad Hasnain was suspended from bowling at the international level after biomechanical testing confirmed his action was illegal.

In a press release, the PCB had said the assessment on Hasnain “stated his elbow extension for his good length delivery, full-length delivery, slow bouncer and bouncer exceeded the 15-degree limits.”

Under the International Cricket Council rules, an illegal bowling action is one in which the bowler’s elbow extension exceeds 15 degrees.

Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques accused Muhammad Hasnain of “chucking” during a Big Bash match, telling him “nice throw, mate” at one stage.

The umpires reported his action, which was later assessed in Lahore.

The PCB confirmed that it would appoint a specialist to work with Hasnain to rectify his action.

The board further announced that Hasnain would not be allowed to feature in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, and would instead work on modifying his action.

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MELBOURNE: Australia’s interim head coach for the Pakistan tour Andrew McDonald has been appointed as the full-time coach for the national men’s side by Cricket Australia (CA) for four years, here on Wednesday.

The 40-years-old all-rounder, who represented Australia in four Tests, replaced Justin Langer on an interim basis ahead of the historic tour to Pakistan, has now been named as the full-time head coach by CA.

According to CA, McDonald became the top favourite to secure the role following Australia’s triumph in the historic Test series against Pakistan, defeating the home side 1-0 in a three-match series.

With taking the charge, a busy international calendar awaits the newly appointed head coach McDonald as Australia is due to tour Sri Lanka in June before preparing to defend the T20 World Cup on home soil.

The side, next year, will then tour India for a Test series, an away Ashes series, and the ODI World Cup in India.

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