Cummins is not a selector, but has had a handful of informal conversations about what the future looks like at the top of the order. On Friday, Smith became the first incumbent player to confirm he wants to move up to fill Warner’s position; but it would appear he has a lot persuading to do if that’s to be the case. “I’m pretty happy with [Smith’s] output at No. 4,”…
Toss Sri Lanka opt to bat vs ZImbabwe Looking to change their ODI fortunes around, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis chose to bat first in Khettarama against a Zimbabwe side that is also searching for a way to turn their tide. There were three debutants across both sides. Batting allrounder Janith Liyanage was carded at No. 4 for the hosts, while Faraz Akram and offspinner Tapiwa Mufudza earned their maiden…
The beginning of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy brought crowds in big numbers to Patna’s Moin-ul-Haq Stadium – a venue that once hosted World Cup fixtures in 1996 – and hosts Bihar gave the people plenty of reasons to cheer. Mumbai, the 41-time champions, had been reduced to 235 for 9 on the opening day of their Elite Group B fixture. However, unknown to the crowd, a massive controversy had been…
Team director Mohammad Hafeez has defended Pakistan’s decision to line up without spearhead fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in the third Test, saying he had a duty of care to the Pakistan players that extended beyond individual games and series. He also said it was the team management – and not the player – that had made the final call. Speaking after Pakistan’s eight-wicket defeat against Australia at the SCG,,…
Shan Masood‘s communication skills have garnered plenty of praise throughout his career, but this afternoon in Sydney, it seemed no one could quite understand him. After Australia were set 130 to win the final Test, Pakistan didn’t turn to the series’ joint-leading wicket-taker Aamer Jamal all morning. It was only after lunch that, with Australia needing 33 to win with nine wickets in hand and all jeopardy squeezed out of…
David Warner got a guard of honour from the Pakistan team • Getty Images David Warner ended a glittering Test career on Saturday at his home ground after 112 Tests with an eight-wicket win against Pakistan that culminated in a 3-0 series sweep. An emotional Warner spoke to the host broadcaster after the game in a farewell interview, on his Test career, watching the Australia Tests on the TV going ahead, the…
Pakistan 313 & 115 (Ayub 33, Hazlewood 4-16, Lyon 3-36) lead Australia 299 by 129 runs Australia thwarted Mohammad Rizwan and Aamer Jamal’s rearguard early on day four of the third Test as Pakistan lead by just 129 runs with the stage set for retiring opener David Warner to enjoy a fairytale farewell at the SCG. Pakistan resumed their second innings at 68 for 7, with a lead of only…
Jonny Bairstow is yet to learn whether he will retain his role as England’s wicketkeeper in their five-Test series in India, with Ben Foakes recalled to the 16-man squad that will fly to the UAE next week ahead of the first Test in Hyderabad on January 25. Bairstow kept wicket in all six Tests that England played in the 2023 home summer – one against Ireland, five against Australia –…
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the ODI series against Zimbabwe, with a suspected case of dengue. If his illness does turn out to be dengue, he will likely be out of the three-match T20I series that follows the ODIs as well. A board release said that Nissanka has been admitted to hospital for treatment. Shevon Daniel, a 19-year-old who has played one T20I but no…
Hilton Moreeng will stay on as head coach of the South Africa women’s team until the end of the 2023-24 season as the recruitment process to replace him remains ongoing. That means Moreeng will take charge of South Africa’s tour to Australia later this month, which includes a one-off Test, and a home series against Sri Lanka that starts in late March. Moreeng’s tenure is now in its 12th year…