Author: WebDesk

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of the second Ashes Test, which starts on December 4, as Cricket Australia have named an unchanged squad for the day–night affair. Both pacers, who are nursing injuries, were unable to prove their fitness. While the chances of Hazlewood playing the second Test were bleak, Cummins had been tipped to play after his intense training session at the SCG on Friday. The incumbent captain will now have two weeks to prepare for the third Test, scheduled to be played at the Adelaide Oval. Usman Khawaja has retained his place in the…

Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal on Thursday confirmed that an Indian player will lead the franchise in next year’s WPL. His remark came after DC picked South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt from the marquee set at the auction for Rs 1.10 crore. DC retained five players from last season, and this did not include Meg Lanning, who led them to three successive finals and was also their highest run-scorer. Wolvaardt has led South Africa to two ICC finals in the last two years. After securing her services, she was seen as a possible captaincy option for DC. However, Parth clarified…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch on which the shortest Ashes Test in 137 years was played at Perth Stadium as ‘very good’. Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee, gave the pitch its rating. According to the ICC’s four-tier pitch rating system, ‘very good’ is the highest rating. This rating is awarded when the pitch meets the following criteria: good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce throughout the game. The first Test of the ongoing five-match Ashes series saw the match conclude in just two days, with a total of nineteen wickets falling on the first day…

Australian bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen has reportedly pulled out of the WPL auction due to an injury concern. During the pre-auction briefing, this information was conveyed to franchises by the organisers on Wednesday. According to a report from ESPN Cricinfo, Jonassen is understood to be recovering from a shoulder issue she has been managing for some time and will not be available for selection. The 33-year-old Australian cricketer was among the 13 players released by DC ahead of the auction. She was bought at her base price of Rs 50 lakh by Delhi Capitals at the 2023 auction. Since then,…

Bangladesh T20I skipper Litton Das has called out the selectors for a lack of communication after Shamim Hossain was dropped for the first two T20Is against Ireland. While announcing the squad, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said that they were dropping Shamim to give Mahidul Islam Ankon a chance in the middle order. “I think it would have been better if [Shamim] had been in the team. But this is not my call; it is totally the selectors’ call,” Litton said. “I don’t know why, but the selector dropped Shamim without giving us any notice. I…

After playing a major part in the team’s historic series win over India, South Africa spinner Simon Harmer said that the team’s milestones mean more to him than his personal records, as he walked away with the Player of the Series award in India. A 25-year wait for the Proteas came to an end as they secured their first Test series win in India since 2000, and their second overall. With 17 wickets to his name in two matches, Harmer finished the series as the highest wicket-taker. The veteran off-spinner was one of the architects of the famous win. He…

South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma did not defend head coach Shukri Conrad’s “grovel” comments, but he fired shots at the Indian team by saying that “certain guys crossed the line” after winning the second Test and sealing the 2–0 series victory. Bavuma’s remark was aimed at Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and a few other Indian players who mocked Bavuma’s height by calling him “Bauna” during the first Test at Eden Gardens. It is pertinent to note that bauna is generally used to describe a shorter person and can be considered offensive. Conrad also caused a stir after using the…

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad explained the decision to delay the declaration on the penultimate day of the ongoing second Test in Guwahati, saying the Proteas wanted to make the tired Indian players bat before stumps under dimming light. The Proteas declared their second innings at 260/5 in the final session after batting for two sessions earlier in the day. After being in the field for almost 79 overs, the exhausted opening pair Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul walked out, only to lose their wickets inside the first ten overs at the fag end of the day. “We wanted…

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have appointed Carl Crowe as their new spin-bowling coach. The franchise confirmed the appointment of the Leicestershiremen on Tuesday, November 25, through an announcement on their official X handle. The former England cricketer was with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, when they won their third title. Since retiring from professional cricket, Crowe has built a strong reputation across franchise competitions such as the Big Bash League, the T20 Blast and the Global T20 Canada. Crowe is the second former KKR coach to join LSG. Earlier, Bharat Arun was named bowling coach of the Lucknow-based franchise,…

England pacer Mark Wood admitted that the visitors were blindsided by Australia’s decision to open the batting with Travis Head, who “smacked everything” in the run chase of 205 to propel his team over the victory line in the first Ashes Test. In the absence of Usman Khawaja, the tourists had expected Marnus Labuschagne to move up, as he had in the first innings, but against their expectations Head walked out with Jake Weatherald. Khawaja’s back spasm proved a blessing in disguise, as it led to the hosts unleashing Head at the top. The southpaw smashed a quickfire hundred to…