 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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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 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. |
3rd ODI: Yashasvi, Rohit, Virat explode into action after fine bowling as India thrash SA, win series 2-1 (2025-12-08T13:43:00+05:30)
 Visakhapatnam: India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli walk off the field after India won the third ODI match against South Africa at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo: IANS) Visakhapatnam, December 6 (IANS) Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden century in 50-over cricket while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hammered half-centuries as India established their batting might by handing South Africa a nine-wicket defeat with around 10 overs to spare in the series-deciding third and final ODI at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. After Kuldeep Yadav (4-41) and Prasidh Krishna (4-66) claimed four wickets apiece to help India bundle out South Africa for 270 built mainly on a 106 by Quinton de Kock and 48 by Temba Bavuma, Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 116 off 121 balls, Rohit Sharma blazed to 75 off 73 balls while Kohli hammered 65 not out off 45 balls as India raced to 271/1 off 39.1 overs in a majestic display of batting to seal a dominant nine-wicket victory. With this, India won the three-match ODI series 2-1, making a grand comeback with the white ball after being swept aside 0-2 in the Test series. This is India's 10th successive ODI series triumph at home. Chasing a modest target of 271, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who became the sixth Indian batter and youngest at that to score a century in all three formats of the game, and Rohit Sharma made a cautious start before unleashing some superb shots all around the park. Rohit was quite aggressive at the start as he raced to his fifty 50 off 54 balls as they laid the foundation for victory with a 155-run partnership for the opening wicket. Rohit, who was adjudged Player of the Match, pulled and drove with aplomb as he scored his second half-century of the series, following the half-century in Ranchi. He struck seven boundaries and three brilliant sixes as he showed that he can smash any attack on his day, even at 38 years old. He looked good for a century but fell to Keshav Maharaj, caught by Matthew Breetzke off an attempted sweep shot. Jaiswal, who built his innings with patience, reached his fifty off 75 balls as Rohit blasted shots from the other end. He changed gears after scoring his maiden half-century, unleashing his full potential of shot-making. He reached his first century in ODI format off 111 balls, studded with 10 fours and 1 six. But it was Virat Kohli, who stole the show with a majestic display of power-hitting, driving, slicing, pulling with ease as he unleashed a torrent of shots, as he blazed to his half-century off 40 balls (4x4, 1x6). The best of his shots was a no-look six off Corbin Bosch that left the capacity crowd mesmerised. He finished the three-match series with 301 runs with two centuries and one fifty. Jaiswal and Kohli, who had smashed centuries in the first two ODIs of the series, shared a 116-run partnership for the second wicket to seal a well-deserved and dominant victory. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 116 off 121 balls with Kohli 65 not out off 45 balls. Earlier, asked to bat first after the Indian captain won the toss after 20 consecutive losses, South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton (0) in the first over to Arshdeep Singh, but Quinton de Kock struck a superb hundred and, with help from skipper Temba Bavuma (48) and Matthew Breetzke (24), helped the visitors reach a strong position at 168/2. Together with captain Temba Bavuma, de Kock scored 113 runs for the second wicket partnership and then, with Matthew Breetzke, shared a 54-run stand to reach his century off 80 balls in the 30th over of SA's innings. De Kock now shares the top position with compatriot AB de Villiers, who has seven centuries under his name ahead of West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who has scored six centuries in India. De Kock has amassed 23 ODI hundreds while serving as a designated wicketkeeper. As a designated keeper, he has tied with Kumar Sangakkara, who also hit 23 centuries. Currently, this is the designated keepers' joint-highest total of hundreds. But Prasidh Krishna, who was taken to cleaners in 0-27 in two overs in his first spell, redeemed himself a bit by trapping Breetzke for a run-a-ball 24 (2x6) to trigger a collapse, as South Africa lost three quick wickets to have half of their batters in the dugout for 199 runs. Prasidh Krishna, in his second spell, continued his fightback by having Aiden Markram, who scored a hundred in the previous match, lob a slower one to Virat Kohli for one, and then got the massive wicket of Quinton de Kock, the South African opener playing all over a fast and full delivery and seeing his middle-stump sent cartwheeling. Dewald Brevis (29) and Marco Jansen (17) added 35 runs for the sixth wicket, but Kuldeep changed the complexion of the game by getting both batters in the space of three balls to turn things in India's favour. He got Brevis with a wrong'un pitched outside the off-stump, and the South African spooned it up to Rohit Sharma at midwicket. A ball later, Kuldeep, bowling with a dry ball for the first time in this series, had another one as Jansen tried to hit out a well-tossed up delivery with a cross-batted shot, only to be caught by Ravindra Jadeja at deep midwicket. Keshav Maharaj struck a couple of fours in his unbeaten 20, but Kuldeep added Corbin Bosch (9) and Lungi Ngidi to his victims, and Prasidh Krishna returned for his third spell and bowled Ottneil Baartman (3) to leave India needing 271 runs to win the match and seal a 2-1 series win. The Indian bowlers initially got the stick but came back strongly in the middle-overs to wrap up the South African innings with two overs to spare and laid the foundation for victory. Brief scores:South Africa 270 all out in 47.5 overs (Quinton de Kock 106, Temba Bavuma 48, Dewald Brevis 29; Kuldeep Yadav 4-41, Prasidh Krishna 4-66) lost to India 2271/1 in 39.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 116 not out, Rohit Sharma 75, Virat Kohli 65; Keshav Maharaj 1-44) by nine wickets 3rd ODI: Yashasvi, Rohit, Virat explode into action after fine bowling as India thrash SA, win series 2-1 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Australia’s reluctance to rest its fast bowlers could prove disastrous during the Ashes (2025-12-05T13:07:00+05:30)
Brendon Hyndman, Charles Sturt University; Simon Board, Charles Sturt University, and Vaughan Cruickshank, University of TasmaniaAustralia faces a huge challenge before the Ashes even begin. Captain Pat Cummins’ lower-back stress injury has ruled him out of the opening Test, with Steve Smith confirmed to captain in his absence. That means the team is missing both its on-field leader and the bowler who usually sets the standard for accuracy, control and intensity. That challenge deepened on Wednesday when star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott left a Sheffield Shield match with hamstring concerns. Abbott was picked in the Ashes Test squad as backup fast bowler, and has now been ruled out, further challenging Australia’s bowling depth and team morale. The injuries highlight one of modern cricket’s key debates: pick the best team every game, or strategically rest important players to minimise the chances of them breaking down? What makes Cummins and Hazlewood so important?Cummins has taken 309 Test wickets – eighth most by an Australian. On average, he gives away only 22 runs for every wicket he takes. This is a measure called a bowling average. Cummins’ average is better than teammates Mitchell Starc (average 27), Hazlewood (24) and Nathan Lyon (30). Against England, his average improves to around 21 runs per wicket and he has dismissed England’s best batter Joe Root 11 times. Cummins also takes a wicket about every 46 deliveries – the lowest (best) of Australia’s top 40 Test wicket takers. Hazlewood is normally the steady hand beside Cummins, a reliable fast bowler who builds pressure through accuracy and consistency. Between them they’ve taken more than 600 Test wickets, setting the standard for control and discipline. If both are sidelined, Australia loses not just speed but the rhythm and stability that have anchored its attack for years. Since becoming Test captain in late 2021, Cummins has led Australia to 20 wins in 33 matches, a win rate of more than 60% – an elite percentage. It’s clear his influence goes beyond bowling. He is the team’s calm decision-maker and a respected leader whose voice carries weight on and off the field. Replacing them will not be easyReplacing Cummins means finding more than just another fast bowler. It also means finding a leader who can inspire under pressure. Cummins has built a reputation for staying calm, listening to his players and making brave tactical calls. His even temperament has also reshaped Australian cricket’s public image after several rocky years. Stand-in skipper Smith has captaincy experience and a strong winning rate as captain at 51%. However, even small shifts in leadership style can affect team rhythm. Research on team performance shows when leaders change, communication patterns and trust often take time to rebuild. What is a lumbar stress injury?Cummins’ lumbar stress injury means tiny cracks have developed in the bones of his lower spine. These can appear when an athlete repeats the same powerful movement again and again without enough recovery. Over time, the small cracks can worsen, leading to pain and stiffness. The injury is especially common among young fast bowlers but it can recur later in a career if workloads aren’t carefully managed. Cummins has battled similar back injuries before, missing several years early in his career. Hazlewood’s hamstring concern is also common among fast bowlers, although it appears he may still play in next week’s first Test. Hazlewood has previously experienced a variety of Achilles, side and hamstring issues. Fast bowling is one of the hardest actions in sport. Each delivery involves sprinting, landing on a braced front leg and twisting the hips and back at high speed. Sports science research shows the force through the lower spine in that moment can exceed several times a bowler’s body weight. The risks and rewards of rotationCummins’ and Hazlewood’s concerns reignite a long-running question in cricket: should teams rest their best players to protect them, or always play their strongest side?
This idea, known as rotation, has long been an unpopular policy in Australian Test cricket. Arguments for rotation include reducing the risk of overload and injuries, improved player mental and physical wellbeing, better performance and possibly even longer careers. Retired New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond previously declared:
Another key argument for rotation is increased opportunities for other players. But critics – such as former Australian fast bowlers Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath and Cummins himself – believe the best team should always take the field. Some players have also voiced concerns about losing their spot in the team if their replacement performs well. Australia has favoured consistency rather than rotation for its premier fast bowlers in recent years. However, this may start to change as Cummins (32), Mitchell Starc (35) and Hazlewood (34) enter the final years of their careers. Along with Nathan Lyon (38 on November 20) the “fab four” are one of the best bowling combinations in Test history, having claimed 1568 wickets between them since debuting in 2010/2011. However, that durability is now being tested. Cummins’ replacement Scott Boland has been outstanding in his limited opportunities but at 36 he is also not a long-term replacement. Future planningAustralia has an extremely busy international schedule in the next 18 months, including playing the most Tests (22) of any country in the current World Test Championship. Ten of these are scheduled in a three-month window next summer (December 2026-March 2027). With three leading fast bowlers now carrying injury concerns, Australia’s habit of rarely resting its quick bowlers is again under scrutiny. This means Australians will likely have to adjust to seeing some new faces in their Test bowling attack. Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University; Simon Board, Associate Lecturer in PDHPE, Charles Sturt University, and Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior 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. |
2nd ODI: South Africa wary of Rohit-Kohli storm after whirlwind series opener (2025-12-03T12:40:00+05:30)
 Ranchi: India's Rohit Sharma, VIrat Kohli and others during a practice session ahead of the first ODI match against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Friday, November 28, 2025. (Photo: IANS) Raipur, December 2 (IANS) With both teams gaining several positives from the series opener in Ranchi, the forthcoming games will be mouth-watering affairs to watch, and it will start with India and South Africa squaring off in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma ended the Australia series with a superb century, while Virat Kohli bounced back from two ducks with a solid fifty. In the opening match of the ODI series against South Africa, the duo rose to the occasion again with another memorable partnership, much to the crowd’s delight. The hosts defeated South Africa by 17 runs in a thrilling first ODI in Ranchi to take a 1-0 series lead. Batting first, India posted a strong 349/8, powered by Virat Kohli’s sublime 135, his 52nd ODI hundred, and well-crafted fifties from Rohit Sharma (57) and KL Rahul (60). Rohit and Kohli rebuilt after an early loss with a 136-run stand, while contributions from Rahul and Jadeja in the middle-order pushed India to a formidable total despite a late collapse triggered by Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch. South Africa’s chase faltered early as Harshit Rana struck twice in two deliveries, removing Rickelton and de Kock. Arshdeep Singh added to the pressure by dismissing skipper Markram, leaving the visitors reeling at the top. Middle-order resistance came through Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, and Dewald Brevis, who built key partnerships, but Kuldeep Yadav repeatedly broke South Africa’s momentum, finishing with four crucial wickets. Jansen’s explosive innings revived the Proteas' hopes, and Bosch’s fighting fifty took the game to the last over with 19 needed. However, Prasidh Krishna removed Bosch to seal India’s hard-fought win. Strong partnerships, timely wickets, and disciplined death bowling helped India edge out the Proteas in a close contest. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to dominate attention every time India play an ODI. As two of the most prominent figures in modern cricket, and now focusing solely on this format, their performances naturally take centre stage. For many spectators, such moments will feel even more special since Raipur rarely hosts international games, and there is no telling when they might see the pair in action again. With both stalwarts hoping to extend their international careers for a couple more years, fans are savouring every opportunity to watch them, especially after their recent run of strong scores. India, though, will expect more from younger batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who didn’t quite make an impact on their return to ODIs. While Jaiswal opened the game alongside Rohit, Gaikwad found a place in India’s XI, ahead of Rishabh Pant, for the first time in almost two years. And while India let South Africa claw back into the chase after picking four wickets early in the game, credit must go to Breetzke, Jansen, and Bosch for showing real fight. Had they held firm in the final overs, the chase of 350 could have been theirs. Though the Men in Blue secured a victory, they were left pondering several questions about their batting in the death overs and their bowling in the middle overs. With the first ODI completed, South Africa’s next challenge is clear — put a halt to the Rohit-Kohli partnership if they aim to win the series. When: Wednesday, December 3, 1:30 PM IST Where: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur Where to watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming Squads: India: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen 2nd ODI: South Africa wary of Rohit-Kohli storm after whirlwind series opener | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Australia’s reluctance to rest its fast bowlers could prove disastrous during the Ashes (2025-11-21T11:55:00+05:30)
Brendon Hyndman, Charles Sturt University; Simon Board, Charles Sturt University, and Vaughan Cruickshank, University of TasmaniaAustralia faces a huge challenge before the Ashes even begin. Captain Pat Cummins’ lower-back stress injury has ruled him out of the opening Test, with Steve Smith confirmed to captain in his absence. That means the team is missing both its on-field leader and the bowler who usually sets the standard for accuracy, control and intensity. That challenge deepened on Wednesday when star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott left a Sheffield Shield match with hamstring concerns. Abbott was picked in the Ashes Test squad as backup fast bowler, and has now been ruled out, further challenging Australia’s bowling depth and team morale. The injuries highlight one of modern cricket’s key debates: pick the best team every game, or strategically rest important players to minimise the chances of them breaking down? What makes Cummins and Hazlewood so important?Cummins has taken 309 Test wickets – eighth most by an Australian. On average, he gives away only 22 runs for every wicket he takes. This is a measure called a bowling average. Cummins’ average is better than teammates Mitchell Starc (average 27), Hazlewood (24) and Nathan Lyon (30). Against England, his average improves to around 21 runs per wicket and he has dismissed England’s best batter Joe Root 11 times. Cummins also takes a wicket about every 46 deliveries – the lowest (best) of Australia’s top 40 Test wicket takers. Hazlewood is normally the steady hand beside Cummins, a reliable fast bowler who builds pressure through accuracy and consistency. Between them they’ve taken more than 600 Test wickets, setting the standard for control and discipline. If both are sidelined, Australia loses not just speed but the rhythm and stability that have anchored its attack for years. Since becoming Test captain in late 2021, Cummins has led Australia to 20 wins in 33 matches, a win rate of more than 60% – an elite percentage. It’s clear his influence goes beyond bowling. He is the team’s calm decision-maker and a respected leader whose voice carries weight on and off the field. Replacing them will not be easyReplacing Cummins means finding more than just another fast bowler. It also means finding a leader who can inspire under pressure. Cummins has built a reputation for staying calm, listening to his players and making brave tactical calls. His even temperament has also reshaped Australian cricket’s public image after several rocky years. Stand-in skipper Smith has captaincy experience and a strong winning rate as captain at 51%. However, even small shifts in leadership style can affect team rhythm. Research on team performance shows when leaders change, communication patterns and trust often take time to rebuild. What is a lumbar stress injury?Cummins’ lumbar stress injury means tiny cracks have developed in the bones of his lower spine. These can appear when an athlete repeats the same powerful movement again and again without enough recovery. Over time, the small cracks can worsen, leading to pain and stiffness. The injury is especially common among young fast bowlers but it can recur later in a career if workloads aren’t carefully managed. Cummins has battled similar back injuries before, missing several years early in his career. Hazlewood’s hamstring concern is also common among fast bowlers, although it appears he may still play in next week’s first Test. Hazlewood has previously experienced a variety of Achilles, side and hamstring issues. Fast bowling is one of the hardest actions in sport. Each delivery involves sprinting, landing on a braced front leg and twisting the hips and back at high speed. Sports science research shows the force through the lower spine in that moment can exceed several times a bowler’s body weight. The risks and rewards of rotationCummins’ and Hazlewood’s concerns reignite a long-running question in cricket: should teams rest their best players to protect them, or always play their strongest side? This idea, known as rotation, has long been an unpopular policy in Australian Test cricket. Arguments for rotation include reducing the risk of overload and injuries, improved player mental and physical wellbeing, better performance and possibly even longer careers. Retired New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond previously declared:
Another key argument for rotation is increased opportunities for other players. But critics – such as former Australian fast bowlers Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath and Cummins himself – believe the best team should always take the field. Some players have also voiced concerns about losing their spot in the team if their replacement performs well. Australia has favoured consistency rather than rotation for its premier fast bowlers in recent years. However, this may start to change as Cummins (32), Mitchell Starc (35) and Hazlewood (34) enter the final years of their careers. Along with Nathan Lyon (38 on November 20) the “fab four” are one of the best bowling combinations in Test history, having claimed 1568 wickets between them since debuting in 2010/2011. However, that durability is now being tested. Cummins’ replacement Scott Boland has been outstanding in his limited opportunities but at 36 he is also not a long-term replacement. Future planningAustralia has an extremely busy international schedule in the next 18 months, including playing the most Tests (22) of any country in the current World Test Championship. Ten of these are scheduled in a three-month window next summer (December 2026-March 2027). With three leading fast bowlers now carrying injury concerns, Australia’s habit of rarely resting its quick bowlers is again under scrutiny. This means Australians will likely have to adjust to seeing some new faces in their Test bowling attack. Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University; Simon Board, Associate Lecturer in PDHPE, Charles Sturt University, and Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior 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. |
Speechless; World Test champions for a reason: Cricket fraternity reacts to South Africa’s 'sensational win' over India (2025-11-19T11:45:00+05:30)
 Kolkata: South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma and India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj walk off the field after South Africa defeated India by 30 runs on Day 3 of the first Test match between India and South Africa, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Photo: IANS) New Delhi, (IANS) Members of the cricket fraternity have reacted to South Africa’s remarkable 30-run win over India at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens as the visitors secured a 1-0 lead in the two-game series on Sunday, calling it a "sensational and crazy victory" for the Proteas. The two sides reached a result on just the third day of the Test, as the bowlers dominated the proceedings throughout the eight sessions. On what was a difficult pitch to bat on, the Proteas put on a terrific fight, both with bat and ball, and proved why they were the reigning World Test Champions. Several ex-cricketers shared their thoughts on X after the Temba Bavuma-led side claimed their first win in India in 15 years. Reacting to the win, former South African legend AB de Villiers wrote, “Crazy good win that! Well done Proteas. I’m speechless.” Former India cricketer Sreevats Goswami said, “And this is why South Africa are world test champion for a reason ! India and the jam packed stadium at the Eden gardens will be extremely disappointed. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin praised the visitors’ efforts, saying, “Huge result for SA. Great game and well played to the proteas.” “INCREDIBLE!! CRAZY EVEN!!!,” wrote Mpumelelo Mbangwa. Former India player Irfan Pathan was critical of India’s batting, opining that their ability had gone down, but praised the World Test Champions’ game. He also lauded skipper Temba Bavuma’s fighting knock and said, “Skills to play spin on turning tracks around the world have definitely gone down, but this kind of batting from India shows how much our own ability has dropped too. Soft hands, wrist work,all of it has declined drastically. Brilliant win from the WTC South Africa. Temba Bavuma’s batting in the second innings was the highlight of the match.” Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad said, “While we have been excellent in white- ball cricket. We can’t call ourselves a top Test side with such planning. Selections without clarity and over-tactical thinking are backfiring. Poor results over a year in tests barring a drawn series in England.” Wasim Jaffer was critical of the hosts’ performance and believed that they had not learned anything from their series loss to New Zealand as he wrote, “Looks like we haven’t learned our lesson from NZ series loss. The gap between our spinners and opposition spinners reduces on pitches like this. We need to go back to classic Indian pitches, like the ones in 2016-17 season when Virat was captain and Eng and NZ toured.” Tabraiz Shamsi, elated with the result, wrote, “Wowwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! We've suffered for so many years in test cricket in India. This is massive!” Former Protea legend Graeme Smith, meanwhile, wrote, “That’s a sensational win from our men in India one to celebrate.” Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis had a one word reaction as he penned, “PROTEAS !!!!” Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif praised South Africa’s team selection as he wrote, “South Africa showed if you bowl well two spinners are enough to win a test match in india.”The two teams will next face each other in Guwahati for the second Test, starting on Saturday at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Speechless; World Test champions for a reason: Cricket fraternity reacts to South Africa’s 'sensational win' over India | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Windies to play Afghanistan in three T20s before T20 World Cup (2025-11-18T12:02:00+05:30)
 West Indies left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (L) and teammates Brandon King, Akeal Hosein and Rovman Powell celebrate a wicket against Afghanistan. - Photo courtesy CWI MediaTO continue their preparations for the 2026 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, the West Indies will play a three-match T20 series against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE from January 19 to 22. The series was announced via a media release from Cricket West Indies (CWI), on November 10. The release said the clash is expected to provide both teams with invaluable game time as they fine-tune preparations for the World Cup. The Windies are ranked sixth by the ICC in T20s, while Afghanistan is ranked tenth. The Daren Sammy-coached West Indies team are currently in the midst of a five-match T20 series away to New Zealand, which they trail 2-1 after four matches. The fifth and final T20 will be played from 8.15 pm TT time on November 12. CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said playing in Sharjah will be great for the team to get used to the types of conditions they expect to face at the World Cup. "This series provides an ideal platform for our preparation. Facing strong opposition in subcontinental conditions will help us sharpen our combinations and approach, and it also gives our players a chance to build confidence on surfaces similar to those we'll encounter in India and Sri Lanka," Bascombe said. Afghan Cricket Board CEO Naseeb Khan also saw the upside of the upcoming tour. "Competing against the West Indies on the brink of a global event presents an excellent opportunity for our team to finalise their lineup and enhance their preparations for the upcoming mega event in India and Sri Lanka," Khan said. "We have been closely monitoring the team's preparation process, and facing a quality West Indies side offers an ideal platform for their buildup." Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe 3-0 in their most recent T20 series, which ended on November 2, but suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bangladesh in their preceding T20 series. The first match of West Indies' series with Afghanistan bowls off on January 19, with the second and third T20s scheduled for January 21 and 22, respectively.The teams were grouped together for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was jointly hosted by the Caribbean and the US, with West Indies topping the group with four consecutive wins, including a thumping 104-run victory over the Afghans. West Indies were ousted at the Super Eight phase of the tournament, with Afghanistan getting to the semifinals before being blown away by South Africa at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Windies to play Afghanistan in three T20s before T20 World Cup - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |