Cricket

Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne has thrown down a playful challenge to Indian captain Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming Test series between the two nations. Labuschagne, known for his exceptional batting skills, has hinted that he may surprise Kohli with his bowling prowess.In an interview with Australian channel Channel 7, Labuschagne revealed that he believes he can bowl bouncers up to 135 kmph. While he admitted to never reaching that mark, he claimed to have come close."I'd love to hit a little 135 bouncer. I've got that in me, I reckon," Labuschagne said jokingly. "My highest recorded is 132. So 3 kmph."Labuschagne's playful banter has sparked curiosity among cricket fans, who are eager to see if he can back up his words against one of the world's best batsmen. Kohli, who has struggled in recent Test matches, will be keen to prove his mettle against Australia, especially after missing three of the four Tests Down Under in the previous series.Labuschagne's bowling aspirations may seem surprising, given that he has primarily focused on his batting throughout his career. However, he has occasionally bowled legbreaks in Test matches, claiming 13 wickets in 50 games.The upcoming Test series between Australia and India promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Labuschagne is expected to play a crucial role in Australia's middle order, while Kohli will be determined to lead India to victory.

Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins has identified Rishabh Pant as India's "X-factor" in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Cummins acknowledged Pant's exceptional performance in Australia during the previous series, highlighting his unpredictable nature and ability to entertain with his on-field antics.Cummins expressed his determination to rectify Australia's recent setbacks against India, having lost four consecutive Test series. He emphasized the team's high expectations when playing at home and their desire to make amends for the disappointing results in the past.The Australian captain also praised the young Indian talents Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, acknowledging their impressive performances in various formats. However, he admitted that the team had not yet devised specific plans to counter them.Cummins lamented the absence of Cameron Green, a key all-rounder who will miss the series due to a lower back stress fracture. He described Green as a significant loss, not only for his batting but also for his exceptional fielding and bowling abilities.Prior to the Test series, Australia will face Pakistan in a white-ball series. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will commence on November 22 in Perth, marking the first five-match Test series between Australia and India since 1992.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins is determined to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from India in the upcoming five-match Test series, which begins on November 22 in Perth. Cummins acknowledges that Australia has struggled against India in recent Test series, but he is confident that his team can turn things around on home soil."We haven't had a lot of luck against India over the last few Test series, but we always pride ourselves on playing well here in Australia," Cummins said. "We have really high expectations when we play Test cricket in Australia, so anytime we don't win down here, of course, you look at those series a bit more closely."The last Test series between Australia and India in Australia was a particularly tough one for the hosts, with India winning 2-1. Rishabh Pant's heroics in the final Test at the Gabba sealed a historic three-wicket win for India."The last series, in particular, was a really tough one," Cummins said. "It went right down to that last session at the Gabba, and unfortunately, we couldn't pull it off. A lot of the guys in the team are the same as those who played in that series, and we're here to make amends."Cummins identified Pant as India's "X-factor," but stressed that his team is focused on rectifying the setbacks from four consecutive series defeats to India."Rishabh had a great series here in Australia last time," Cummins said. "He's always a bit of that X-factor in the middle order. You never quite know what you're going to get, which is exciting, even as the opposition."Australia will face Pakistan in a white-ball series before the much-anticipated Test series against India. It will be the first Test series between India and Australia comprising five matches since 1992.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is back in action after undergoing heel surgery earlier this year. The 34-year-old has been pain-free since the procedure and is eager to regain his sharpness ahead of the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia.Shami has not played for the national team since the 2019 World Cup final against Australia. He had almost returned to full fitness before being ruled out of the ongoing three-test series against New Zealand due to a separate knee injury.With the Border Gavaskar Trophy approaching, India is keen to have Shami back in their ranks. The pace bowler has been bowling during practice and is confident of being ready for the five-test series in Australia next month."I'm 100% pain-free," Shami said. "It felt great yesterday because I had been bowling with half a run-up on and off since I can't put too much stress on my body."Shami is aware of the importance of the upcoming series and is determined to be at his best. "I know what kind of an attack we want for that test series (against Australia), so it's better I spend some more time on the ground before going," he said.The fast bowler is also considering playing a couple of domestic matches to improve his sharpness. "If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to 10 days, then it's better I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia," he added.India's tour of Australia begins in Perth on November 22. Shami's return to the team will be a major boost for India's chances of success in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Mitchell Starc, Australia's premier fast bowler, made a triumphant return to first-class cricket on Monday, claiming six wickets for New South Wales against Victoria in Melbourne. Starc's impressive performance marks his successful re-entry into the game after a brief hiatus and bodes well for Australian cricket.During the second innings, Starc showcased his exceptional bowling skills, capturing six wickets for 81 runs in 17.5 overs. His victims included Ashley Chandrasinghe, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Elliott, Fergus O'Neill, and Todd Murphy.Starc's return to form is particularly significant as he prepares to face India's formidable batting lineup in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. The left-arm pacer is currently the third leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with 48 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.37.In the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle, Starc has taken four four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, making him the joint third-highest wicket-taker alongside Pat Cummins. The leading bowlers in this WTC cycle are Ravichandran Ashwin with 59 wickets and Josh Hazlewood with 51 wickets.Starc's performance against Victoria is a testament to his unwavering determination and skill. He is now eyeing significant milestones in the upcoming Border Gavaskar series, including reaching 400 Test wickets and 700 international wickets. So far, he has claimed 358 wickets in 89 Test matches and a total of 678 wickets in 279 international matches.Starc's return to form is a major boost for Australia as they prepare to face India in a highly anticipated Test series. The Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22, will be a crucial test for both teams as they aim to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

The 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is nearing its conclusion, with India and Australia emerging as the frontrunners for a rematch of the previous WTC final, which Australia won. Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali believes that the final will once again feature India and Australia, but he has a suggestion for the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding future WTC cycles.Ali suggests that the ICC consider hosting India-Pakistan Test matches at neutral venues such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi to include these two teams in the WTC cycle. He emphasizes that India and Pakistan should be part of the competition, as they are the only teams that do not play bilateral series against each other."The Indian government always says no, but they play in ICC events like the World Cup," Ali said. "If PCB gives a suggestion, then they (ICC and BCCI) don't take it seriously, which is wrong."Currently, India leads the WTC table, followed by Australia and Sri Lanka. New Zealand's recent victory over India in the first Test of their series in Bengaluru has kept their hopes of finishing in the top two alive. India will face Australia in a five-Test series after their three-Test series against New Zealand.Ali believes that the WTC final will likely be between India and Australia, given their current form. "Four teams are in the top half (of WTC table) -- India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. But according to me, there are only three -- India, Australia, and Sri Lanka. But the kind of cricket India and Australia are playing, the WTC final should be between these two teams," he said.

India's dominance in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has been shaken after their loss to New Zealand in the first Test in Bengaluru. The defeat has cost India crucial percentage points, bringing Australia closer to them in the race for the WTC Final.Before the Bengaluru Test, India held a comfortable lead with a point percentage of 74.24. However, the loss has dropped their percentage to 68.06, while Australia (62.50 PCT) has closed the gap. Both teams have identical records of 8 wins and 3 losses in 12 games, but Australia's lower percentage points keep them behind India.The loss has major implications for India's hopes of reaching the WTC Final. Sri Lanka, currently third in the standings, is also a contender with 5 wins and 4 losses in 9 games. New Zealand's historic victory has propelled them to fourth place, with 4 wins and 5 losses in 9 matches.New Zealand's victory has given them a chance to qualify for the WTC Final. They have two more matches against India, followed by a three-match series against England. England, currently fifth in the standings, is also in contention with 9 wins and 8 defeats in 18 matches.India has two more Tests against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai before embarking on a challenging five-match series in Australia later this year. The results of these matches will be crucial in determining India's fate in the WTC.

Alyssa Healy's absence from Australia's T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa was a major blow to the team's hopes of retaining their title. The captain revealed that she had suffered a ruptured plantar fascia in her foot, an injury that prevented her from taking the field.Healy sustained the injury while running between the wickets during Australia's penultimate group-stage game against Pakistan. Despite the pain, she attempted to play through the discomfort, but the decision was ultimately made to rest her for the semi-final."It's a bit sore," Healy said after the match. "I ruptured my plantar fascia. I completely ruptured one and partially ruptured the other."The injury is a significant setback for Healy, who is one of Australia's most experienced and successful players. Her absence was keenly felt in the semi-final, as South Africa cruised to an eight-wicket victory.Healy's availability for the upcoming WBBL season and India's tour of Australia remains uncertain. She admitted that she is unsure how long she will be sidelined."I don't know yet," she said. "We'll assess that when we get back. WBBL starts next Sunday so we'll reassess that as we go."Despite the disappointment of missing the semi-final, Healy praised her teammates for their efforts throughout the tournament."It was hard to watch, knowing that you can't really go out there and help," she said. "But it was good to see so many positives throughout the tournament. It hasn't ended the way we wanted, but I think we've played some amazing cricket."Healy also expressed her confidence in stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath, who led Australia to victory in their final group game against India."T-Mac's had the opportunity to captain in my absence before and done it outstandingly well," she said. "I can't fault the side at all in their optimism in taking on the challenge."

South Africa's women's cricket team has reached the final of the T20 World Cup after a convincing eight-wicket victory over Australia in the semi-final on Thursday.The Proteas, who lost to Australia in the final of the previous edition of the tournament, avenged that defeat with a dominant performance in Cape Town.South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and elected to field first. Australia's innings got off to a shaky start as they lost Grace Harris and Georgia Wareham cheaply. Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath then steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership, but McGrath was dismissed for 27 by Nonkululeko Mlaba.Ellyse Perry came to the crease in the 13th over and played a crucial role in helping Australia reach a respectable total of 134 for 5. Mooney top-scored for Australia with 44 off 42 balls.In reply, South Africa got off to a solid start with Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits putting on 41 for the first wicket. Wolvaardt was dismissed for 42 off 37 balls, but Anneke Bosch took over the mantle and played a superb innings of 74 not out off 48 balls to guide her team to victory.Bosch hit nine fours and two sixes in her match-winning knock, and she was ably supported by Chloe Tryon, who made 25 not out off 18 balls.South Africa reached their target with 16 balls to spare, setting up a final clash with either England or India.