Cricket

In a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup final, South Africa elected to bowl first after winning the toss against Australia in the first semi-final of the 2024 edition. The match, played at a pitch with minimal grass cover, marked the absence of Australian captain Alyssa Healy, who continues to recover from an injury.South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, explained her decision to bowl first by stating that the ball "comes on better in the second half." The Proteas fielded an unchanged lineup from their previous match, while Australia retained the same team that narrowly defeated India in their last league game.Australia's batting lineup featured explosive opener Grace Harris and wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament. South Africa's bowling attack, led by experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and pace bowler Ayabonga Khaka, will be tasked with containing the Australian batters.The pitch, which has hosted two matches in the tournament, is expected to offer assistance to both batters and fast bowlers. The square boundaries are relatively short, measuring 57 and 63 meters, while the straight boundary is 73 meters.South Africa will be aiming to repeat their historic T20I victory over Australia earlier this year, while Australia will be determined to avenge their loss in the previous World Cup final. The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the top teams in women's cricket.

With Cameron Green's back injury and Steven Smith's return to the middle order, Australia's Test selection plans for the summer have undergone significant changes. Several players are vying for a spot in the squad, with a combination of Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches providing opportunities to impress.Top-Order Contenders:Marcus Harris, despite a strong start to the season, faces competition from Cameron Bancroft, who has consistently performed in the Shield. Sam Konstas, a promising 19-year-old, has also emerged as a potential candidate. Matt Renshaw, a former Test player, remains in contention despite being overlooked for the Australia A squad.Allrounder Options:With Green's absence, the search for a like-for-like replacement is unlikely. Beau Webster, a Tasmanian allrounder, has impressive batting and bowling numbers. Aaron Hardie, another emerging allrounder, will have opportunities to showcase his skills in the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.Reserve Batter:Nathan McSweeney, the South Australia captain, is highly regarded for his run-scoring and leadership. He could be considered as a reserve batter, potentially opening up the possibility of an incumbent moving up the order.Bowlers:Scott Boland and Michael Neser are the frontrunners to provide backup to the established pace trio. Sean Abbott, who has previous Test experience, could also be in contention due to his batting depth.Upcoming Matches:The Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches will provide crucial opportunities for players to stake their claim. Harris will face a stern test against New South Wales, while Konstas will take on Scott Boland at the MCG. Webster and Hardie will feature in the Australia A series, where strong performances could enhance their chances of a Test call-up.

Australia's hopes of retaining their T20 World Cup title hinge on the fitness of captain Alyssa Healy, who is battling a foot injury ahead of their semi-final clash against South Africa. Healy sustained the injury during Australia's victory over Pakistan and has been using crutches and a moon boot since.Despite her absence from training, Australia remains optimistic about Healy's availability for the crucial match. "We're going to give her every opportunity and possibility of playing tomorrow night," said Ellyse Perry, who deputized as captain in Healy's absence.Perry emphasized the importance of Healy's leadership and the team's unwavering support for her. "Midge is such an important leader in our group and is still contributing just as much," she said.Australia's preparations for the semi-final were tested in their final group-stage match against India, which was played in front of a hostile pro-India crowd in Sharjah. Perry believes the experience will serve them well in the knockout stages."It was a situation we've been in before but probably hadn't been exposed to in this World Cup so far," she said. "I thought the way we rose to that and just adapted to the challenge was awesome."South Africa, meanwhile, are buoyed by their recent victory over Australia in a T20I in Canberra. Captain Laura Wolvaardt believes that win has instilled confidence in her team."It brings back a little bit of déjà vu, just a year ago having to face them in the final," Wolvaardt said. "A lot has happened since then, though obviously we had the two wins against them earlier this year, so I think that just gives a bit of a positive energy in the camp."South Africa has also grown as a team since their World Cup final defeat last year, with the addition of allrounder Annerie Dercksen and the experience gained through a challenging year."It's been a bit of an up and down year for us," Wolvaardt said. "But I feel like we have really hit our stride in this World Cup."The semi-final between Australia and South Africa promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams determined to reach the final. Healy's fitness will be a key factor, but Australia will be confident in their ability to overcome adversity and defend their title.

Australia and South Africa Set for T20 World Cup Semifinal ShowdownDubai, 6pm local timeAustralia and South Africa will face off in a highly anticipated semifinal clash at the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Both teams have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, with Australia unbeaten and South Africa boasting a 3-1 record.Australia's Unbeaten RunAustralia has been the dominant force in the tournament, winning all four of their group matches. They overcame a spirited challenge from India in their last group game, securing a nine-run victory. Captain Alyssa Healy, who missed the India match due to a foot injury, is expected to return for the semifinal.South Africa's ResurgenceSouth Africa has also impressed, winning three of their four group matches. Their only defeat came against England, but they bounced back with victories over Bangladesh and New Zealand. They will be looking to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 T20 World Cup final.Key Players to WatchMegan Schutt has been a standout performer for Australia, with her miserly spells proving crucial in all four of their wins. Tazmin Brits has been equally impressive for South Africa, providing solid starts at the top of the order.Venue and ConditionsThe semifinal will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where Australia has played just one match so far. The average first-innings score at the venue is 126, suggesting that a low-scoring affair could be on the cards.Head-to-Head RecordSouth Africa has a poor record against Australia in T20Is, having won just one of their 10 previous encounters. However, they will be hoping to break that trend and reach the final for the second time in a row.

Former India captain Anil Kumble has opined that KL Rahul should open the batting for India in the first Test of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia if Rohit Sharma is unavailable due to personal reasons. Kumble believes that Rahul's adaptability and experience make him the ideal candidate for the role, while Shubman Gill should continue to excel at the No. 3 position.Kumble suggests that Yashasvi Jaiswal could partner Rahul at the top of the order, maintaining a balanced batting lineup. He emphasizes Gill's versatility and ability to adapt to different batting positions, including his successful stint as an opener in the past.Kumble acknowledges that Gill's batting style differs from traditional No. 3 stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, but believes that his dynamic strokeplay and adaptability could provide India with an edge in challenging Australian conditions.The former India head coach notes that the No. 3 batsman often faces the new ball and must control the first session of play. He believes that Gill has the ability to fulfill this role effectively, ensuring that the middle-order batsmen can come in later and score runs comfortably.Kumble emphasizes that Gill may need to adjust his approach based on the conditions in Australia, but he has the ability to do so. He believes that India can benefit from Gill's adaptability and versatility in the upcoming series.

Mitchell Marsh, the versatile Australian all-rounder, is set to return to bowling in the upcoming Sheffield Shield round as he prepares to fill the void left by Cameron Green's absence during the India Test series.Green's season-ending stress fracture has heightened the significance of Marsh's fitness and bowling capabilities. Since suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL, Marsh has bowled only four overs, raising concerns about his ability to withstand the rigors of bowling.However, Marsh has expressed confidence in his physical condition and is gradually increasing his bowling workload. He will bowl for Western Australia against Tasmania in the Shield fixture starting on Sunday at the WACA."I won't bowl too much for WA, it's all part of the building process to get ready for that first Test," Marsh said. "It's been a slow build. I've been really well looked after by Cricket Australia, Ronnie [Australia coach Andrew McDonald] and Patty [Pat Cummins], with our planning and when I bowl."With Australia's frontline pace attack unchanged last summer and Tests played on bowler-friendly surfaces, Marsh was not heavily relied upon with the ball. However, the expectation is that the five-Test series against India will be more grueling, making Marsh's ability to provide support crucial.While some have suggested that Marsh could move to the top of the order as an opener, he has dismissed that notion, emphasizing his focus on contributing as an allrounder."I see the allrounder role as being really important, especially for when our bowlers need a bit of a break," Marsh said. "I think if you look back at the last few seasons, our allrounders have bowled maybe 10 to 13 overs a game, which is not really a lot.""But those 10 to 13 overs can be really important. So for me, it's about preparing to bowl as much as I can, as much as Patty needs me to."Marsh expressed his disappointment for Green, who is expected to be sidelined for six months."From all reports he's pretty good, initially there is always a shock. It all happened pretty quickly," he said. "Certainly with stress fractures they can be quite a gradual thing, but this one came pretty quickly.""Someone like Cam with his attitude towards the game, he loves it. The thought of missing that much cricket is probably a little daunting for him, but he's accepted it now and as an athlete you go through these things.""It's an opportunity for him to come back better and I have no doubt that he will."

Steven Smith's brief stint as an opener in Australia's Test team has come to an end, with the former captain expressing a desire to return to his previous position at No. 4. While the move to open was initially met with criticism, it has sparked a debate about the potential consequences of denying Smith's request.Smith's decision to open the batting was driven by a desire for a fresh challenge and a belief that he could contribute more to the team in that role. Despite initial resistance from the captain and coach, Smith's persistence led to the team hierarchy agreeing to accommodate his request.However, Smith's performance as an opener has been mixed. While he made a match-winning 174 not out in New Zealand, his overall average of 28.50 across eight innings was below his usual standards. This has led to questions about whether the move was a success or a failure.Despite his modest average, Smith's performance as an opener was comparable to that of other openers in the same conditions. Usman Khawaja, Tom Latham, and Will Young all averaged less than 35 in the same four Tests. Additionally, Smith's move to open allowed Cameron Green to bat at No. 4, where he made a significant impact.The decision to move Smith back to No. 4 has potential implications for the team leadership. The new opener will feel pressure to prove themselves, knowing that they were not the first choice. A bolt from the blue like Sam Konstas could provide a clean slate, but it would also raise questions about Green's future in the team.Ultimately, Smith's time as a Test opener will likely be a footnote in his storied career. However, it has raised important questions about the role of player input in team selection and the consequences of denying a player's request for a change.

Australia's pace attack, comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, has been a formidable force in recent Test matches. However, with the upcoming five-match series against India looming, selectors are considering their options in light of allrounder Cameron Green's absence due to injury.Last summer, the trio played in all nine Tests, aided by bowler-friendly conditions. However, India's formidable batting lineup poses a different challenge, raising concerns about whether Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood can maintain their workload throughout the grueling series.Australia's pace depth has been tested, with several fringe bowlers recovering from injuries. Lance Morris, a regular squad member, recently suffered a quad strain but is expected to return before the end of the month. Scott Boland and Michael Neser have overcome niggles and will participate in Australia A's upcoming red-ball series against India A.Selectors acknowledge that last summer's unchanged pace attack may have been an outlier and are prepared to make adjustments if necessary. The triumvirate's workload could increase with Green's absence, but Mitchell Marsh may be required to fill the void despite limited bowling since his hamstring injury.If selectors opt for a like-for-like replacement, Aaron Hardie and Beau Webster are potential candidates. Hardie is set to return from injury for Western Australia's next match, while Webster has impressed with his all-round abilities.Selectors emphasize that having an allrounder is a luxury rather than a necessity, as the current pace trio has performed well without one. However, they will continue to prepare Marsh to bowl some overs.Australia's hierarchy has carefully managed the workloads of their quicks ahead of the India series, with Cummins missing the white-ball England tour to rest. Cummins is unlikely to play a Shield game before the series, while Hazlewood and Starc are expected to feature in at least one match.

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc: A Rivalry Renewed in the Border-Gavaskar TrophyThe upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with one of the key battles being the clash between Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli and Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.In their 19 Test innings together, Kohli has dominated Starc, dismissing him once and scoring numerous runs against him. However, Starc remains unfazed and relishes the challenge of facing the Indian star."I enjoy my battles with Virat Kohli," Starc said. "We've played a lot of cricket against one another, and I always have some good battles. I've managed to get him out once or twice, and he's no doubt scored a fair few runs against me, so it's always a good contest and one we both enjoy."Starc also praised India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for his tactical acumen and team-oriented approach."He's a fantastic thinker of the game," Starc said of Gambhir. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack. It's not just individual players; it's always about the team focus."Gambhir's leadership will be crucial for India as they aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil. The series begins on November 22 in Perth, and Starc believes Gambhir's influence will be evident."The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic," Starc said. "In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things."With Kohli and Starc set to face off once again, and Gambhir guiding India's fortunes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an unforgettable cricketing experience.