 Sydney: Australian team celebrates with the Ashes trophy following the final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney on Thursday, January 8, 2026. (Photo: IANS/X/@ICC) Sydney, (IANS) Australia claimed a 4-1 Ashes series win after securing a five-wicket victory in the fifth Test at the SCG, as Usman Khawaja bowed out as a winner in his farewell Test. After bowling England out for 342 early on day five, Australia set themselves a 160-run target to win. Chasing 160, the hosts made a brisk start, with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald putting on a 62-run opening partnership to set up Australia’s run chase. The tourists, however, spoiled Usman Khawaja’s hopes of a fairytale finish, as Josh Tongue had him chopping on to his stumps for six. Then a steady 40-run stand between Alex Carey (16 not out) and Cameron Green (22 not out) got the hosts over the line despite a brief stutter on an up-and-down fifth-day pitch. Earlier, Mitchell Starc struck with the second new ball to bring an end to England’s second innings, removing Jacob Bethell shortly after the left-hander brought up his 150. The 22-year-old Bethell shown admirable composure while batting with the tail, but Player of the Series Starc eventually found the edge on 154, with Alex Carey completing a straightforward catch behind the stumps. Several Australian batters made starts in the chase, but Travis Head (29) and Jake Weatherald (34) were both undone by Josh Tongue. A mix-up cost Marnus Labuschagne his wicket on 37, and Steve Smith (12) was beaten by a Will Jacks peach before Tongue forced Khawaja into a mistake. Carey and Green took the sting out of the final English push, with a boundary by the former through cover, finishing off the match. The victory boosts Australia's lead at the top of the World Test Championship 2025-2027 standings, now with 87.50 per cent of possible points. New Zealand's series success against the West Indies means the Black Caps sit in second place.Brief Scores: England 384 (Joe Root 160; Michael Neser 4-60) & 342 (Jacob Bethell 154; Beau Webster 3-64) lost to Australia 567 (Travis Head 163; Josh Tongue 3-97) & 161/5 (Marnus Labuschagne 37; Josh Tongue 3-42) by 5 wickets Australia clinch Ashes 4-1 after winning SCG Test by 5 wickets | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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‘Where is cricket going? The younger generation want more satisfaction’ (2026-01-07T12:25:00+05:30)
Former Australia cricketer Mark Taylor embraces day-night Test match idea
Sydney: Pink-ball day-night Test matches, which make their debut this week in Adelaide, should only be the beginning of a cricket revolution, former Australian captain Mark Taylor said on Monday. Taylor, a Cricket Australia board member, is advocating the introduction of four-day, 100-over Test matches and a clearly defined Test championship. He wants all Tests to begin on Thursdays, allowing them to build to a Sunday evening climax. "As someone said to me years ago, why are we surprised when people go to one-day cricket and T20 cricket more than they do a Test match, when we put all the one-dayers and T20s on in school holidays and at night," he told the Sydney Daily Telegraph. "And we put Test matches on during the week outside of school holidays." Taylor said he had discussed his ideas at an International Cricket Council level and they were now gathering some momentum with different options being brought forward. "You've got to look at the game as a whole. Where is cricket going? The younger generation generally want more instant gratification and I think over five days to keep them interested in the game is not so easy," he said. "People are more about who is the best in the world at the moment. They like watching World Cup finals if you're always working towards who is the best Test team in the world, that can only help the game." Taylor said a Test championship would likely include a similar scoring system to football, where three points are awarded for a victory and one given for a draw. Australia face New Zealand in the first-ever day-night Test in Adelaide from Friday and Cricket Australia has reportedly already contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board about securing a similar game in Australia for the next southern summer. The chief of the Federation of International Cricketers' Association, Tony Irish, warned against significant changes happening too quickly. He said that while players should be given credit for allowing this week's Adelaide Test to go ahead, it should be seen as an experiment. "This match needs to be seen strictly as an experiment. If there's one thing that everyone agrees on, it's that the pink ball in Test cricket is a big unknown," Irish told Fairfax Media. "The views of the players following the Test match have to be central to any future decisions."‘Source: The Asian Age, Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org
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I want to see both Rohit and Kohli playing for the longest time: Irfan Pathan (2026-01-05T14:10:00+05:30)
 Ranchi: India's Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the first ODI cricket match between India and South Africa at JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, Sunday, November 30, 2025. (Photo: IANS) New Delhi, (IANS): India will kick off their 2026 campaign with a home white-ball series against New Zealand, beginning with a three-match ODI series that will see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to action in India colours. With an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan urged the senior duo to remain actively involved in domestic cricket whenever they are not on international duty. Speaking on JioStar, Pathan emphasised the importance of sustained match practice for Rohit and Kohli, particularly given that they’re active only in ODIs, as India begin planning for the next World Cup cycle. “You definitely want to think about the ICC 2027 ODI World Cup. It is far away, but I just want to see both Rohit and Kohli playing for the longest time, for India and when not playing international cricket, in domestic cricket. They are playing just one format and nothing else, so the more they play, the better it is,” Pathan said. Pathan also reflected on the growing responsibilities facing Shubman Gill, who has taken on leadership roles in both Test and ODI cricket, and the challenges that come with captaining the national side at a young age. "When I was picked for the first time, at 19 years of age, the great Rahul Dravid said, “Irfan, it's good that you have reached this level, but things will only get difficult from here on.” Upon asking him, What should I do if things do get difficult? He replied, “You will get used to handling it…” and the same will happen with Shubman Gill. One good thing that happened on the England tour for Shubman was that his Test average improved, and his authority over the team also increased. Now he also has the responsibility in ODIs and it is a huge opportunity for him to grow.“ Addressing comparisons between Gill and Kohli, Pathan noted that such expectations are a natural by-product of elite talent and past greatness, while backing the young captain’s ability to live up to them. "He is immensely talented, there is no question about that, and comparisons are inevitable. Virat Kohli was constantly compared to Sachin Tendulkar and was expected to perform at that level. Now that Kohli has reached those heights, Gill is being compared to him. There's expectations that he must match those standards and score close to 25,000–30,000 runs and he certainly has the ability to do so.”--IANS I want to see both Rohit and Kohli playing for the longest time: Irfan Pathan | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Why the UAE is the Ideal Destination for International Cricket (2026-01-02T13:45:00+05:30)
 Every cricket fan globally follows the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy event with great excitement. Teams across the world are working on their plans to win the championship glory. These top nations maintain their dominance with Australia while India and England keep their positions while Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa attempt to join them. Players from both the new and experienced generations will face challenging battles at this event. Despite intense competition worldwide the United Arab Emirates stands out by becoming the main center of cricket today. UAE: The Ideal Cricketing Destination The UAE has several modern cricket venues that bring energizing cricket action to sports lovers like Dubai International, Sheikh Zayed, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Top-quality venues at these locations enable players and spectators to enjoy cricket in its best form. The facilities host many spectators using modern lighting and surface treatments to create top-level views for all audiences. The UAE has successfully attracted major international cricket events through their network of new and updated stadiums while investing in cricket facilities. The UAE gains a key location benefit by being between major football world regions. Its location between Europe, Asia, and Africa enables visitors and competitors to arrive by multiple routes from every corner of the world. The UAE’s excellent hospitality services along with its well-connected transport systems and top-notch entertainment draws many people to its major cricket competitions. The UAE has hosted both the IPL and PSL events while being selected as a safe country for international tournaments. Weather and Infrastructure The UAE has an ideal weather that benefits cricket because of its sunshine and low rainfall. Many matches run smoothly in the UAE because there is little rainfall and sunny days almost every month of the year. The UAE maintains steady weather conditions throughout the year making other regions’ seasonal problems irrelevant to match postponements. High-quality playing spaces and improved training centers support effective cricket performance at this location.Alongside cricket the United Arab Emirates supports various infrastructure features that enhance this sport. The UAE offers top-quality lodging and exceptional hotels alongside event areas to delight players and spectators alike. Cricket tourism ranks high in Dubai because cricket fans love to attend games while exploring the sights of the city. The UAE keeps growing its cricket leadership position as the government partners with international cricket bodies and supports sports promotions. Why the UAE is the Ideal Destination for International Cricket |
Why do cricket balls have to be so hard? (2026-01-02T13:44:00+05:30)
John Arnold, University of South Australia and Tom Wycherley, University of South AustraliaThe game of cricket is believed to have originated in rural England sometime in the 16th or 17th century. The earliest versions of cricket balls had no standard size, weight or stitching: they were handmade by locals and consisted of a round leather case filled with materials such as cork or wool. As there were no set requirements or construction methods, each ball was different, and this affected how it bounced, moved and rebounded off the bat. However, cricket spiked in popularity in the first half of the 18th century, which prompted consistency in the rules and equipment to ensure fairness and facilitate further growth of the game. The modern cricket ballModern balls consist of four main components: a cork and twine (string) core, a leather casing, a raised middle section (the seam) with stitching on either side and a wax or lacquer coating. Balls are either red (for long formats such as international Test matches), white (for shorter formats such as One Day Internationals or Twenty20 games) or pink (for day-night Tests and first-class games). The laws of cricket state that when new, the ball should weigh between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces (155.9–163 grams) and have a circumference of 22.4–22.9 centimetres. For women’s cricket, the ball can weight slightly less (140–151g) and for junior cricket (under 13) even less again (133–144g). A set of technical standards was formalised in 1994 which stipulate the mechanical requirements for factors such as hardness, to help different manufacturers produce balls with more consistency and ensure fairness across the globe. So why are balls so hard?Cricket balls are the product of centuries of tradition and the extreme physical demands of the game. They must be robust and hard-wearing, able to withstand repeated high-force impacts from both the bat and the pitch over the course of a match. Consider the forces involved when a ball is struck by a bat. Reasonable estimates of peak forces when the ball is struck by the bat are about 17 kilonewtons (the weight of 1,700 kilograms) – enough to lift a 1.7 tonne car off the ground. The ball also repeatedly impacts the pitch at high speeds, experiencing shear forces that gradually wear its surface. On deteriorating pitches, this wear is even more pronounced. In Test cricket, a single ball can be bowled up to 480 times (80 overs) before the fielding team is allowed to request a replacement. While cricket ball construction has evolved over the past 300 years, its main elements have remained largely consistent. The introduction of the seam – the raised stitching that runs around the ball’s circumference – and the practice of shining one side of the ball to create swing are fundamental aspects of match play. These features allow bowlers to generate movement in the air – challenging batters and shaping the strategy of the game. The materials, construction and physical characteristics of the ball – including size, mass and density – determine its mechanical properties and influence how it bounces, spins and interacts with different surfaces and equipment. These properties are central to cricket’s nature and style – changing them would fundamentally alter the way the game is played. Tradition and the physical requirements of the game have ensured this construction is tried, tested and fit for purpose, creating the ball we know today. Is the ball dangerous?Bowlers vary their deliveries to deceive the batter and gain a tactical advantage. This can include changing the speed or where they aim the ball. A specific strategy fast bowlers may use is to aim to bounce the ball directly at a batter’s upper body or head (referred to as a “bouncer)”. This can be used to intimidate the batter and/or force them to make a mistake. Perhaps the most infamous example of this was the 1932–33 Ashes series, in which the English cricket team controversially used a consistent “bodyline” delivery approach to contain Australian batting legend Don Bradman. Various rule changes since the 1990s have limited the number of bouncers that bowlers can deliver, making the game safer. At the elite level, cricket balls are commonly bowled at speeds of 130–150 kilometres per hour. Occasionally, fast bowlers can exceed 160km/h. At amateur and recreational levels, bowlers commonly still reach 100km/h. When a person is struck – whether it be a batter, fielder or umpire – the ball hardly rebounds and the momentum is absorbed by the body. The force is also concentrated in a small area, making serious or even fatal injury possible – particularly if contact is made directly to the head. The exact force depends on the timing, location and angle of impact. But there’s no doubt the combination of a small, dense ball moving at high speed and stopping almost instantly makes cricket-ball injuries potentially deadly. There have been fatal incidents, albeit rare. The most high-profile such incident was the death of Phillip Hughes in 2014, who was hit on the neck in a Sheffield Shield match and died two days later from a vertebral artery injury. The number of deaths has declined significantly in the past 30 years, most likely due to widespread use of enhanced safety equipment, especially helmets, by batters and close-in fielders. So while a layperson may view cricket as a non-contact sport, the truth is batting and fielding require great courage, considering the hardness of the ball and the speeds it can reach. John Arnold, Senior Lecturer, Sport & Exercise Biomechanics, University of South Australia and Tom Wycherley, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Exercise Science, University of South Australia This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. |
Like night and day: why Test cricket changes so much under lights (2026-01-01T10:30:00+05:30)
Vaughan Cruickshank, University of Tasmania; Brendon Hyndman, Charles Sturt University, and Tom Hartley, University of TasmaniaCricket’s first Test match was played between Australia and England in 1877. The next Ashes match, starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday, will be Test number 2,611. It will also be the 25th day-night Test. Many people criticised the introduction of day-night Tests – including challenges posted by the pink ball (not red, as used in day clashes), visibility issues during twilight, and concerns that cricket is putting commercial interests ahead of the sport’s integrity. But just how are day-night Tests different from traditional day matches? History of day-night TestsAustralia and New Zealand played the first official day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval in 2015. Day-night matches were introduced to increase the popularity of Test cricket and to play it at a time when it could attract larger crowds and a greater primetime audience on television. From a commercial angle, the move has worked. Evening sessions draw larger crowds and television audiences. Australia has embraced day-night Tests more than any other country, playing in 14 of the 24 completed day-night Tests. England is next with seven. Australia has also hosted 13 of the day-night Tests, eight of them in Adelaide. India is next with three. Cricket Australia and various state governments negotiate summer schedules and venues, with only Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart hosting day-night Tests so far. Australian dominanceThe Australian team’s familiarity with day-night cricket may partly explain its outstanding record of 13 wins and one loss. In contrast, England has only won two of its seven day-night Tests, losing all three against Australia. Familiarity and more opportunities have contributed to Australian dominance of day-night Tests. The top four leading wicket-takers in day-night Tests are Australian. Mitchell Starc leads (81 wickets in 14 Tests) while the best by an English player is the now-retired James Anderson with 24 wickets in seven Tests. Australia also has the top five run scorers in day-night Tests. Marnus Labuschagne (958 runs in nine Tests) is the current leader and has the chance to be the first player to score 1,000 runs in day-night encounters. Joe Root (501 runs in seven games) is the top Englishman at sixth on the list. How things change under lightsDay-night games have several key differences to day Tests, such as the ball, the conditions and tactics used. To make day-night Tests work, manufacturers had to develop a ball that’s visible under floodlights, yet durable enough for Test conditions. Traditional red balls are too difficult to see at night, whereas white balls (used in shorter cricket formats) become dirty and discoloured too quickly. After years of experimentation with orange and yellow versions, the pink ball emerged as the best compromise. It was trialled in domestic competitions and one-day internationals before being used in Tests. Batting and bowling under lights is very different from daytime play because the pink ball behaves differently. Its thicker coating keeps it shiny for longer, which gives fast bowlers more swing and seam movement. This is most obvious when the ball is new and also during the twilight session, when dew can add extra moisture to the pitch. Additionally, more grass is often left on the pitch to help reduce damage to the ball. This all makes life more difficult for batters. Spinners, though, often struggle because the ball’s harder coating and extra dew reduce grip and turn. Players have also spoken about the difficulty of adjusting their eyes as daylight fades and floodlights take over. Fielders can also lose sight of the ball against the dusky sky. In day Tests, the average runs per wicket increases slightly from session one to session three, with scoring rates also increasing slightly across the day. This pattern suggests batting becomes easier as the ball softens and the pitch flattens, while bowlers tire and conditions remain stable across daylight hours. In contrast, session two is the easiest to bat in during day-night Tests. Batting is much harder in session one (when the ball is often new) and in session three under lights. Pink ball scoring rates are similar to daytime matches but bowlers strike more often. What about tactics?Teams have learned to plan around the evening session (session three), when the fading light and cooling air can make batting harder. Captains often time their declarations or new-ball spells to coincide with the twilight period and choose to bat first. Fast bowlers in particular relish the chance to attack under lights and many batters say adapting footwork and timing against the moving pink ball is more difficult. Comparing resultsIn short, day-night Tests are harder for batters. Fewer runs are scored, wickets fall more quickly, and games generally finish earlier. When comparing all Tests from the past ten years, teams in day-night matches score about 150 fewer runs per game and bowlers need ten fewer balls to take each wicket. Day-night Tests also tend to end with a result sooner, with matches on average being around 50 overs shorter. Notably, none of the 24 day-night Tests played so far has ended in a draw, compared with 14% of day Tests. Thursday’s second Ashes Test at the Gabba will be the fourth day-night Test at the Queensland ground. The Australians lost the previous day-night Gabba Test, to the West Indies last summer, which will give England some hope after their disastrous loss in the opening Ashes clash in Perth. Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania; Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University, and Tom Hartley, Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. |
NZ rise to second in WTC rankings after 323-run win against WI (2025-12-23T11:54:00+05:30)
 IANS Photo New Delhi, (IANS): New Zealand climbed to second on the ICC World Test Championship table after completing a dominant 323-run win over the West Indies in the third and final Test at Mount Maunganui. The comprehensive victory lifted New Zealand above South Africa, with only Australia ahead of them in the WTC standings. New Zealand's next assignment is a three-match World Test Championship series against England, scheduled for the middle of next year. The West Indies, meanwhile, remain ninth on the table and will return to action at home next year in a series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The Black Caps sealed the result midway through the final session at Bay Oval, with left-arm seamer Jacob Duffy claiming the final wicket to bring the match to a close. The performance also capped off an outstanding series for Duffy, earning him the Player of the Series award. Duffy was the standout bowler in the West Indies’ second innings, returning figures of 5/42 as the visitors were bowled out for 138 while chasing a daunting target of 462. He finished the series with 23 wickets, playing a central role in New Zealand’s 2-0 series win and a strong start to their World Test Championship campaign. In the process, the left-armer surpassed a long-standing national milestone, breaking Richard Hadlee’s record for the most wickets by a New Zealander in a calendar year. His third five-wicket haul of the series took his tally beyond Hadlee’s previous mark of 80. "I saw that list (most wickets in a calendar year) at lunch time, and there were some cool names on there, so to be up there on any sort of list with those sort of names was special," Duffy admitted. New Zealand’s bowlers were backed up by a monumental effort with the bat, led by openers Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham. The pair created history by becoming the first opening combination in Test cricket to each register two centuries in the same match. Conway’s contributions were particularly notable, as his scores of 227 and 100 made him the first New Zealander, and just the 10th player overall, to record both a double century and a century in a single Test. He was rewarded with the Player of the Match accolade."I don't think it's sunk in yet. It will take some time for me to get my head around what happened in this Test match. But I'm really glad we got the win," Conway said. NZ rise to second in WTC rankings after 323-run win against WI | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Ashes: Cummins, Starc and Lyon star as Australia win Adelaide Test; retain title (2025-12-22T12:48:00+05:30)
 Australia already have an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series after just 11 days of cricket, matching the fastest time frame in which the Ashes have been won in the past century, following easy victories in Perth and Brisbane. However, it was a tough fight from England’s lower order, particularly from wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith and all-rounder Brydon Carse. Their efforts raised hopes of a miracle, but a disciplined bowling attack kept the hosts in control and they continued to hold the urn. Smith (60), Will Jacks (47), and Brydon Carse (38 not out) offered hope to Ben Stokes’ team after England reached 207-6 on Sunday. Nonetheless, Mitchell Starc (3-62) brought Australia close to victory before Scott Boland dismissed Josh Tongue, ending the tourists’ innings at 352 in pursuit of a record 435 to win. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed three wickets on day four of the third Test, has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury and is uncertain for the rest of the series. Earlier, Cummins and Lyon spearheaded the bowling attack on Day 4, bringing Australia close to victory by reducing England to 207/6 in their chase of 435. On the final day, the visitors needed 228 runs to win, while the hosts only needed four wickets to secure the series. Starc was the standout bowler, coming from behind to dismiss the tailenders with figures of (3/62) in the second innings. Boland created the match-winning moment by forcing England’s No. 11, Josh Tongue, to edge the ball to first slip, where Marnus Labuschagne made an impressive catch for his fourth grab of the game. Brydon Carse remained not out on 39, but his effort was in vain. Australia’s dominance was clear on day two when they took an 85-run lead, dismissing the visitors for 286. Travis Head’s remarkable 170 and first innings centurion Alex Carey’s 72 contributed to Australia’s second innings total of 349, giving the hosts just over five sessions to bowl out England. Lyon took three quick wickets on Saturday, reducing the opposition to 17 runs and nearly ending the match. However, England battled to reach 177-3, keeping alive hopes of a miracle in the Christmas Test. Australia will look to whitewash England when they face the visitors in the fourth and Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, starting in December 26, before the fifth and final Test starting on January 4 at SCG.Brief scores: Australia 371 (Alex Carey 106, Usman Khawaja 82; Jofra Archer 5-53) & 349 (Travis Head 170, Alex Carey 72; Josh Tongue 4-70) beat England 286 (Ben Stokes 83, Jofra Archer 51; Scott Boland 3-45, Pat Cummins 3-69) & 352 (Zak Crawley 85, Jamie Smith 60; Pat Cummins 3-48, Mitchell Starc 3-62) by 82 runs. Ashes: Cummins, Starc and Lyon star as Australia win Adelaide Test; retain title | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Ashes: Lyon overtakes McGrath to become Australia second-highest Test wicket-taker (2025-12-19T11:16:00+05:30)
 Credit: ICC Adelaide, (IANS) Australia veteran spinner Nathan Lyon achieved a significant milestone on Thursday as he moved past former fast-bowling great Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Lyon jumped into second place – behind Shane Warne on the list of all-time Australian Test wicket-takers during the first session of the third Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval. After being left out of the XI for the second Test in Brisbane, Lyon had a point to prove in Adelaide, making an instant impact by removing Ollie Pope (3) to go level with McGrath on 563 wickets. Just moments later, Lyon produced a perfect off-spinner from around the wicket to beat Ben Duckett lunging forward, with the finger spinner hitting the top of off-stump. It was Lyon’s 564th Test wicket, passing McGrath on 563. Only Warne (708) has claimed more scalps as an Australian than Lyon, who’s now moved into outright sixth place on the all-time Test wicket-taker’s list. Lyon's 564 wickets also put him in outright sixth place on the all-time Test wicket-taker's list, with Warne (708) the only Australian above the off-spinner. Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralidaran (800), England's James Anderson (704) and Stuart Broad (604) and India's Anil Kumble (619) are the only other bowlers in the format's history with more wickets than the 38-year-old Lyon. Lyon achieved the feat at Adelaide Oval – the ground where he was a curator before becoming a full-time cricketer. “You think all those years ago when he was sitting on the roller here at Adelaide Oval – and now he’s gone past the great Glenn McGrath for Test wickets for Australia. What an achievement,” former Australia quick Brett Lee said on Kayo Sports.The efforts of Lyon spoilt what looked to be a steady reply from England, who bowled Australia out for 371, as the visitors are reeling at 124/4. Ashes: Lyon overtakes McGrath to become Australia second-highest Test wicket-taker | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
U19 Asia Cup: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 171 sets up India’s huge win over UAE (2025-12-17T11:37:00+05:30)
 IANS Photo Dubai, (IANS) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s blistering 171 off 95 balls powered India U19 to a commanding 234‑run victory over UAE U19 in their Asia Cup opener at the ICC Academy on Friday. Apart from Suryavanshi’s spectacular knock, Aaron George (69) and Vihaan Malhotra (69) contributed with crucial half-centuries. Vedant Trivedi (38), Abhigyan Kundu (32) and Kanishk Chouhan (28) provided the finishing touches to India U19 posting a massive 433/6, the highest score in tournament’s history. It’s also India’s highest total in U19 ODIs and the third‑highest ever score in men’s U19 one‑day cricket. Suryavanshi's knock was laced with nine fours and 14 sixes coming at a strike rate of 180. He brought up his half-century in 30 balls, before getting his century in just 56 deliveries and reaching his 150 in 84 balls. His 14 sixes are the most by any batter in the tournament’s history, going past Afghanistan’s Darwish Rasooli who struck 10 against UAE in 2017. In reply, UAE made 199/7 in 50 overs, with Uddish Suri’s unbeaten 78 and Prithvi Madhu’s fifty being the lone resistance acts for the hosts. India U19 will next face Pakistan U19 in their group stage clash on Sunday. Meanwhile, Pakistan U19 launched their campaign with a crushing 297‑run win over Malaysia at The Sevens Stadium. Centuries from Ahmed Hussain and debutant Sameer Minhas powered the side to 345/3 before the bowlers bundled Malaysia out for just 48 in 19.4 overs. Minhas was the star of the show with an unbeaten 177 off 148 balls, striking 11 fours and eight sixes to claim the Player of the Match honour. He shared a mammoth 293‑run stand with Hussain, who made 132 off 114 deliveries, and ensured Pakistan’s dominance from the outset. Malaysia never recovered from early blows in the chase, as Ali Raza struck with the new ball to finish with 3-11, while Mohammad Sayyam also took three wickets and Daniyal Ali Khan and Niqab Shafiq chipped in to complete a resounding win for Pakistan U19. Brief Scores: India U19 433/6 in 50 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 171, Vihaan Malhotra 69; Yug Sharma 2-75, Uddish Suri 2-77) beat UAE U19 199/7 in 50 overs (Uddish Suri 78 not out, Prithvi Madhu 50; Deepesh Devendran 2/21, Henil Patel 1/31) by 234 runsPakistan 345/3 in 50 overs (Sameer Minhas 177 not out, Ahmed Hussain 132; Nagineswaran Sathnakumaran 2-91) beat Malaysia 48 all out in 19.4 overs (Deaaz Patro 9; Ali Raza 3-11, Mohammad Sayyam 3-27) by 297 runs U19 Asia Cup: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 171 sets up India’s huge win over UAE | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
PNM: Is someone interested in Brian Lara Cricket Academy? (2025-12-12T11:21:00+05:30)
 Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba. - File photoOpposition Leader Pennelope Beckles said the party is waiting patiently to see if a foreign entity would shortly express interest in the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA). She questioned the timing of the decision to ban fetes at the venue. Speaking at a media conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Charles Street, Port of Spain, on November 13, Beckles referenced a statement by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo in the 2025/2026 budget debate regarding the creation of a state-sponsored real estate investment trust (REIT). Tancoo said the measure was a landmark initiative to democratise state-owned assets, strengthen and diversify TT’s capital market and broaden public participation in national wealth creation. He said high-value income-generating properties such as land, office buildings and commercial infrastructure will be transferred into the professionally managed REIT. He said shares would be listed on the TT Stock Exchange, allowing both ordinary and institutional investors to earn regular dividends from real estate. Beckles questioned whether the BLCA was one of the high-value income-generating properties the minister was speaking of. “Let us see whether or not this is one of the projects that is going to fall under this REIT and whether we will soon see some organisation, institution, coming from abroad with an interest in cricket or an interest in something else for which the government has already discussed. Let us wait and see.” Beckles said the issue of noise pollution is not exclusive to BLCA. Beckles said there was no member of the TT public who was not concerned with noise pollution. “It doesn’t have to be Carnival or the BLCA. I’m sure if I take a poll here, there are people who may be living on streets with bars and activities who have to deal with this. Noise pollution is not just a matter here but in almost every part of the world. Some countries have dealt with it differently.” She said an app had been developed while she was planning and environment minister to monitor noise levels in Woodbrook, with the involvement of the police and residents. She said the plan had been to share the results and data with other communities. Beckles said the impression is being given that the area at BLCA that is used for cricket is being used and destroyed. “We know the area used is the carpark. If you look at the contract document for anyone who uses the stadium, it is very specific as it relates to restoring the facility to basically how it was met when you initially got the facility. There is a fee you would have to pay and if you don’t meet those requirements, then they withhold that fee.” She said several promoters would have made downpayments for state-controlled venues. “If I remember specifically, according to the document from Udecott, it is not only going to be BLCA, but also other facilities for which Udecott has responsibility. So we have to assume that the Hyatt, Invader’s Bay and any other facility managed by Udecott will no longer have any fetes.” Beckles noted the issue was not raised earlier in the year when Culture and Community Development Minister Michelle Benjamin met with promoters to discuss the way forward. She questioned why the Prime Minister was not willing to consult with the promoters on use of these state-run facilities. “These are facilities owned by the state, basically owned by the public. Yes you feel strongly about it, but why would the Prime Minister say that she will not have a meeting with the promoters? I quote ‘There will be no meeting between myself and the TTPA. The decision stands and will not be reversed.’ “That is democracy for you, that as a Prime Minister, you’re not even willing to have consultations, even if you feel very strongly about the position, because BLCA is not the personal property of the Prime Minister. But we will wait very patiently to see whether or not there is somebody who has an interest in the stadium.” Beckles said in 2023, Udecott would have said that the BLCA was not exclusively for cricket. Asked whether she thought Carnival 2026 might be in jeopardy, especially after the cancellation of the Independence Day parade, she said, “Well it must be a concern, because you are seeing this gradually... if you link these to the state of emergency (SoE) that has been extended and will end I think two weeks before Carnival. The concern is if you go back to Independence, the link was there was a concern about a security issue in relation to ministers, in relation to conspiracies, targeting members of the judiciary. If you extend the SoE and say crime is down and you know the SoE is going to end two weeks before Carnival, clearly there must be a concern. “I don’t say they might stop the two-day festival, but think about what promoters are saying at this time. BLCA is the facility where any number of fetes are held, and there was no consultation and you have stopped. You say absolutely no meeting, no alternative, no discussion.” Beckles said there were concerns about whether there could be a loss of revenue. “We all know for the average member of the public, Carnival is revenue-generating, although I’m seeing people saying it doesn't earn revenue, but that is not so. The UWI has done studies on this.” Former rural development and local government minister Faris Al-Rawi said other policies recently instituted by the government had left some stakeholders in difficulty. “Fete promoters are bawling, Carnival bands that launched their tickets in pre-sale with drinks included, the drinks have doubled in price.”Former foreign and Caricom affairs minister Dr Amery Browne said people outside TT, especially those in the diaspora and regionally, were paying attention to what was going on in TT, especially rumours of war and the split with Caricom, and so might not be inclined to attend Carnival in TT. PNM: Is someone interested in Brian Lara Cricket Academy? - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |
Ashes 2025-26: England should still stick with Brendon McCullum as coach, says O’Keefe (2025-12-11T11:11:00+05:30)
 London: England's captain Ben Stokes with head coach Brendon McCullum during a training session ahead of the fifth Test cricket match between India and England, in London, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Photo: IANS/Pankaj Nangia) Sydney, (IANS) Former Australia off-spinner Steve O’Keefe believes England should still stick with Brendon McCullum as their head coach despite mounting pressure on him following successive defeats in the ongoing five-game Ashes series. England’s aggressive tactics have come under immense scrutiny after losses in Perth and Brisbane, with critics questioning the side’s reluctance to adapt. With McCullum’s over-training comments post the Brisbane loss getting a lot of backlash, calls for change have grown louder. O’Keefe, however, believes England should persist with the former New Zealand captain, pointing to the transformation he has overseen since taking charge of the side in 2022. “Look, I'd say sitting back and taking the emotion out of it (he should remain coach). Look at the coaching rate under him.” “At the end of the Joe Root and Chris Silverwood era, they won one out of 17, and they're shooting at 58 percent with McCullum. No England team has come over and done well in Australia since 2010/11. Does he survive? I think there are a lot of people saying that he wouldn't. But personally, I'd stick with him,” said O’Keefe on SEN Radio. McCullum’s contract runs till the end of the 2027 season in the UK, including when Australia come for the next Ashes series. O’Keefe further said McCullum must adapt to lessons from the Ashes so far and address the issues ahead of future tours. “He brings a bold new approach that this England team has got. Do they have to change their ways? Yes. Does he start having to listen a little bit more, adapt, and correct? Yes. 100 years of Test cricket will tell you that you just can't come up with the same plan and expect to have different results when you're getting thumped.” “You are going to have to change things. So, admitting that and trying to move forward will help. This attitude of saying training we’re too hard and we need more time off when you're not playing tour games…the numbers are there, they’ve had 11 training days and six days of Test cricket. That has to stop,” he added. The third Ashes game will take place at the Adelaide Oval on December 17, before further clashes happen at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground. |