Author: WebDesk

Despite the odds being stacked against his side, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma believes his team has a genuine chance of defeating defending champions Australia to secure their maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title. The final is set to begin on 11 June at Lord’s. With players like Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in their ranks, Australia boasts a team full of seasoned superstars. In contrast, South Africa have far fewer household names. “We don’t have the superstars or the wealth of experience that Australia have, but we’ve got a group of guys…

India’s Test team vice-captain Rishabh Pant was struck on the left hand, just below the elbow, while batting during a practice session in Beckenham ahead of the start of the five-match Test series at Headingley, Leeds. India began preparations with a high-intensity training session. Pant was batting in the nets when he was hit on his left hand. He appeared to be in visible discomfort immediately, prompting the medical team to rush in. After a thorough examination, an ice pack was applied to his arm, and shortly afterwards, his left hand was heavily taped. The wicketkeeper-batter then remained on the…

Australian all-rounder Beau Webster is focused on remaining in contention for national selection and is hopeful of earning a place in the playing XI for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa at Lord’s. “I’d be hugely proud to represent the country in such a big game,” Webster told ICC Digital. “The boys look forward to this fixture and the two-year cycles means there is a lot of cricket to get to this point and being a part of that I’m really proud of. I’ll be doing everything I can to try and play and show everyone what…

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes he’s currently delivering the best bowling of his career as he prepares for the World Test Championship final against South Africa, set to begin on June 11 at Lord’s. The seasoned seamer was sidelined towards the end of the Australian home season and missed the Sri Lanka tour due to a calf injury sustained in Brisbane. However, he made a strong return during IPL 2025, emerging as the leading wicket-taker for his team and finishing third overall in the tournament — playing a key role in their title triumph. “I feel much better physically…

Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun believes that if current Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant can adopt some of the traits of his idol MS Dhoni, he has the potential to become an excellent captain. India are set to face England in a challenging five-match Test series starting 20 June. The series marks the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket, with Shubman Gill taking over as captain and Pant stepping in as his deputy. While Pant has led in the IPL, he is yet to be part of the leadership group in the national team. As he embarks on…

Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has thrown his support behind the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which begins on 20 June at Headingley, Leeds. Kuldeep, who missed the recent Australia tour, returns to the Test squad and stands out as the only specialist spinner among the selected players. He will be joined in the spin department by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. India have opted for a pace-heavy squad, with Jadeja expected to start as the spin-bowling all-rounder, given his experience and previous success in English conditions. But…

In the wake of the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory celebration at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives, two senior officials from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have stepped down. A. Shankar (KSCA Secretary) and E.S. Jairam (KSCA Treasurer) resigned from their respective positions on Saturday, 7 June 2025. KSCA President Raghuram Bhat has accepted their resignations. In a joint statement issued by the association and signed by the outgoing officials, they said: “This is to inform that due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in…

South African fast bowler Dane Paterson is confident his side won’t be entering the World Test Championship (WTC) final as underdogs, and believes they have what it takes to defeat Australia at Lord’s and claim the sport’s most prestigious prize in Test cricket. Despite Australia’s impressive record at the historic venue—just two losses in nearly a century and recent Ashes victories including a 43-run win in 2023—Paterson is optimistic about South Africa’s chances. From 40 Tests at Lord’s, Australia have won 18, giving them a win percentage of 45—better than England’s 40.68% from 145 matches and South Africa’s 33.33% from…

Rob Walter, formerly the head coach of South Africa’s white-ball teams, has been named New Zealand’s new head coach across all formats. He will lead the Black Caps until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in November 2028. Walter stepped down from his role with South Africa despite having over two years remaining on his contract with Cricket South Africa. His departure made way for Shukri Conrad to take full charge of the national side. Walter was widely regarded as a strong contender for the New Zealand role due to his proven international and domestic track record. During his…

England speedster Jofra Archer could make a long-awaited return to Test cricket if he proves his fitness in time for the second match of the England-India series at Edgbaston. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selector Luke Wright confirmed that Archer’s progress will be closely observed when he turns out for Sussex in their County Championship fixture against Durham at Chester-le-Street, beginning June 22. Archer, who last played a Test in February 2021 against India in Ahmedabad, was initially set to feature for England Lions in their unofficial Test against India A. However, a thumb ligament injury—sustained during fielding…