Author: WebDesk

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has downplayed talk of retirement from international cricket after the T20 World Cup, which will be staged in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. Ahead of the mega event, New Zealand will lock horns with the co-hosts, India, in a five-match T20I series. The Kiwis are scheduled to play all their group matches in India. A bilateral series before the World Cup will be the perfect preparation for the team, reckons Ferguson. “It’s literally perfect prep,” Ferguson told reporters before departing for India. “I know they’re not necessarily the grounds we’ll play on, but…

New Zealand have added Kristian Clarke to the squad for the first three matches of the five-match T20I series against India, which begins in Nagpur on January 21. Michael Bracewell is doubtful for the series after picking up a calf injury in Indore during the third ODI. Head coach Rob Walter confirmed that Bracewell will be assessed before a decision is taken on his availability. Bracewell has travelled with the team to Nagpur after New Zealand won the ODI series 2–1. “He (Bracewell) is currently being assessed to determine the management of the injury,” a statement from NZC said. “We’ve…

Australia batter Steve Smith has revealed that he wanted to take part in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but has accepted his fate after being overlooked by the selectors for the marquee event. After scoring a 40-ball hundred against Sydney Thunder, Smith followed it up with another fifty against Brisbane Heat to continue his red-hot form. However, Smith has been out of Australia’s T20 plans since he last played in 2024. “I always want to play for Australia in big tournaments,” Smith said after the BBL game between the Sixers and the Heat. “But I think that ship…

In a major coup, London Spirit have made eight international signings — four men and four women — ahead of the 2026 season of The Hundred, with the player auction set to take place in March. Dewald Brevis, Adam Zampa, Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton are the headline signings in the men’s category. Marizanne Kapp, Mahika Gaur, Charlie Dean and Grace Harris will represent London Spirit Women. “I’m excited to start working with Dewald and Adam, and to renew my working relationships with Liam and Jamie,” said men’s head coach Andy Flower. “Each player brings phenomenal experience in franchise cricket,…

In-form Steve Smith has been left out as Australia named a 17-member squad for the Pakistan tour, which includes uncapped players such as Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards. Senior players including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis have been rested for the three-match series, which will be played in Lahore. Smith has scored a hundred and a fifty in his last two innings in the BBL while opening the batting for the Sydney Sixers. Despite being in red-hot form, the former Australian captain has been left out once again. Captain Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and…

India ODI captain Shubman Gill has come out in defence of Rohit Sharma following poor returns with the bat in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which the home team lost 2–1. Rohit scored 61 runs across the three innings at an average of 20.33 and a strike rate of 76.25. In the series decider, played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Rohit was given an early reprieve in his innings but could not make the most of the missed opportunity. The India opener was dismissed for 11 while his team was chasing 338. Despite Virat Kohli’s century and…

New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips credited Daryl Mitchell for instilling confidence in him and taking the pressure off at the start of his innings, which helped him score his first hundred against India at Indore’s Holkar Stadium. Batting at number five, Phillips made full use of the ideal batting conditions to smash his second ODI century, which came off just 83 balls. Phillips revealed that there was a passage in the game when he was edgy and that Mitchell helped him get through that tough phase. “There was a certain stage around the 30th overs where I was a bit…

India U19 captain Ayush Mhatre praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for playing a mature innings of 72, which contributed to the team’s win against Bangladesh U19 on Saturday, January 17. In their second U19 World Cup match, India were in a spot of bother after losing two quick wickets, including Mhatre. Sooryavanshi, soaking up the pressure, played a sensible innings without changing his style of play. Mhatre was impressed with the way his opening partner performed under pressure. “(Sooryavanshi) showed the maturity that he’s got and batted really brilliantly,” Mhatre said, as quoted by the ICC. “He showed patience as well; the…

After fighting through serious health concerns, Damien Martyn has shared a heartfelt note, thanking everyone who prayed for him and stood by him during difficult times. The ex-Australia batter was struck down by meningitis and spent eight days in an induced coma at a Gold Coast hospital last December. In a social media post, he acknowledged the outpouring of support and revealed that doctors had rated his chances of survival at just fifty per cent, only to be taken aback by how quickly he recovered. “This post is a BIG thank you to ALL my family, friends and so many…

Zimbabwe Cricket have roped in West Indies legend Courtney Walsh as the team’s bowling consultant for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7. In order to bolster their preparations for the World Cup, Walsh has been added to Zimbabwe’s coaching staff. The first pacer to take 500 Test wickets, Walsh will work alongside bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and the rest of the coaching group: Justin Sammons (Head Coach), Dion Ebrahim (Assistant Coach) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (Fielding Coach). “I think we have a very good chance once we execute well, work together as a team and…