Cricket

Five-time Women's T20 World Cup champion Jess Jonassen believes India is the frontrunner for the upcoming tournament due to their depth, versatility, and familiarity with the spin-friendly UAE pitches. Jonassen, who missed out on Australia's squad for this edition, also highlighted England and Sri Lanka as favorites to make the top four.Despite Australia's dominance in the tournament, Jonassen acknowledges the challenges they face in defending their title due to their lack of experience in UAE conditions. However, she emphasizes that Australia's big-tournament experience and adaptability should not be underestimated.Jonassen also addressed concerns about India's bowling depth, stating that the team has versatile players like Jemimah Rodrigues who can contribute with the ball. She believes that spin will play a crucial role in the tournament, and teams that adapt best to the conditions will have an advantage.Despite her disappointment at missing out on the squad, Jonassen expressed pride in her efforts and acknowledged that she gave her all to earn selection. She will be watching the tournament closely and supporting her teammates from afar.

England's hopes of an Ashes-style comeback in the ODI series against Australia received a boost with their victory at Chester-le-Street. After losing the first two matches, Harry Brook's team secured a crucial win, setting the stage for a potential turnaround.Brook, the stand-in skipper, led the charge with a maiden ODI century, guiding England to a comfortable chase of 305. His 156-run partnership with Will Jacks showcased their ability to adapt to the format's demands.Despite missing key players like Travis Head and Adam Zampa, Australia remained competitive. Steven Smith's half-century and Aaron Hardie's late cameo highlighted the depth of their squad. However, the end of their 14-game winning streak will not be a major concern.Will Jacks and Alex Carey emerged as key performers for their respective teams. Jacks' 84 from 82 balls was his best international performance to date, while Carey's consistent batting and assured presence behind the stumps have created a "good problem" for Australia.England are expected to field an unchanged team for the third ODI at Lord's, with Jofra Archer set to play back-to-back games. Australia, on the other hand, have a clean bill of health, including Zampa, who was absent in Durham.The pitch at Lord's is not known for its high-scoring nature, but recent rain could make it seamer-friendly. The weather forecast, however, remains a concern, with showers predicted for the morning and early afternoon.Statistically, Mitchell Starc overtook Mitchell Johnson as Australia's fourth-highest ODI wicket-taker, while Brook's century was only his second in the format. Australia have a strong record at Lord's, winning six of their last seven ODIs against England at the ground.

Will Jacks' scintillating 84 against Australia in the third ODI at Chester-le-Street has cemented his status as a rising star in English cricket. Despite having only four half-centuries in 31 international innings, Jacks' knock against a formidable Australian attack stands out as his most impressive performance to date.Arriving at the crease with England reeling at 11 for 2, Jacks forged a match-winning partnership of 156 with Harry Brook, guiding the hosts to a comfortable position before rain intervened. Jacks' innings was characterized by its rapid pace, reaching his half-century off just 55 balls and accelerating thereafter.Jacks' performance highlights the importance of regular 50-over cricket for England players. With the decline of bilateral ODI series and the relegation of the domestic One-Day Cup, opportunities to gain experience in the format are limited. Jacks acknowledges this challenge but welcomes the opportunity to learn on the job.Despite being part of England's white-ball setup for two years, Jacks has yet to fully establish himself as a regular. A hectic schedule and a series of injuries have hindered his progress. However, his recent performances for England and in various franchise leagues have demonstrated his immense talent.The ECB is expected to rectify the omission of Jacks from its central contract list in the next round of offers. His value has skyrocketed since last year, and his performances have shown that he is worth the investment.

The Australian women's cricket team has established an unparalleled dominance in the Women's T20 World Cup, capturing the coveted trophy six times out of the seven tournaments held since 2010. Their remarkable success has cemented their status as the undisputed queens of the shortest format of the game.The inaugural Women's T20 World Cup in 2009 saw England emerge victorious. However, it was in 2010 that Australia's reign began, with a dramatic victory over New Zealand in the final. The match was poised on a knife's edge when New Zealand's Sophie Devine threatened to snatch victory with a flurry of boundaries.With just five runs needed off the final delivery, Ellyse Perry, a young all-rounder, stepped up to bowl. Devine connected with a powerful shot, but Perry, with her exceptional athleticism, deflected the ball with her boot towards mid-on. New Zealand's hopes were dashed as they fell short by four runs, handing Australia their first T20 World Cup title.Perry's heroics extended beyond the final, as she emerged as Australia's leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Her all-round brilliance earned her the 'Player of the Match' award in the final.In 2012, Australia successfully defended their title, defeating England in the final. They repeated their triumph in 2014, overcoming the West Indies in a thrilling encounter. The 2016 tournament saw a brief interruption in Australia's dominance, as the West Indies emerged victorious on home soil. However, Australia reclaimed the trophy in 2018 and 2020, extending their reign to six titles.The Australian women's team's success in the T20 World Cup is a testament to their exceptional talent, teamwork, and unwavering determination. They have set a benchmark for excellence in women's cricket, inspiring generations of young players around the world.

Australia's dominance over New Zealand continued as they secured a 3-0 series sweep in the final T20I in Brisbane. Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner played pivotal roles in the victory, showcasing their all-round abilities.Wareham's legspin restricted New Zealand to 146 for 6, claiming two wickets for 21 runs. Her promotion to No. 3 in the batting order proved effective, as she smashed 26 off 16 balls to ease the run-rate pressure.Ellyse Perry and Gardner then combined for a 61-run stand, with Perry contributing 36 and Gardner 33. Despite late dismissals, their partnership put Australia on the brink of victory.New Zealand's innings was anchored by Georgia Plimmer's maiden T20I half-century (53). However, their hopes of a strong finish were dashed by a late collapse, losing five wickets for 28 runs. Annabel Sutherland picked up two wickets in an over, while Wareham and Gardner also contributed with crucial dismissals.Wareham's performance at No. 3 offers Australia options ahead of the T20 World Cup. Her ability to strike the ball powerfully and play comfortably against both pace and spin could prove valuable in the tournament.Gardner's all-round display earned her the Player of the Series award. Her 1 for 27 with the ball and 33 runs with the bat highlighted her versatility.

England and Australia faced off in the third ODI at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, with England winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Australia, seeking a win to clinch the five-match series, sent Matthew Short and Mitchell Marsh to open the batting.Jofra Archer, recalled to the English side, opened the bowling and immediately made an impact. His short-ball strategy paid off as he dismissed Short for 21, caught by Adil Rashid at deep backward square leg. Archer continued to trouble the Australian batsmen, hitting Marsh on the thigh pad and getting the ball to nip back into Steven Smith's pads.Matthew Potts, bowling from the other end, also impressed. He beat Marsh's outside edge with a delivery that nipped away and forced Smith to fend off an awkward bouncer. Potts also conceded a boundary to Short, who cracked a drive through point.Marsh, who had been promoted to open in the absence of Travis Head, looked solid and scored a single off Potts. Cameron Green, who came in at number three, also got off the mark with a single.As the innings progressed, Australia began to build a partnership. Marsh and Green played cautiously, rotating the strike and avoiding any unnecessary risks. They managed to take Australia to 21/1 after the first four overs.However, the match was interrupted by rain, forcing the players off the field. The rain delay lasted for over an hour, and when play resumed, England had a new bowler in Brydon Carse.Carse continued to put pressure on the Australian batsmen, hitting Marsh on the chest with a shorter delivery and getting the ball to seam away from Smith. Marsh and Green remained resolute, though, and managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Pat Cummins Highlights Rishabh Pant's Game-Changing Ability Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyAustralian captain Pat Cummins has identified Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as a key player to contain in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-match Test series, beginning on November 22 in Perth, promises to be a highly competitive affair between two in-form teams.Pant has emerged as a crucial player for India, particularly known for his aggressive batting style. He has been particularly effective against Australia, scoring a match-winning 109 in the second innings of the Dhaka Test in December 2022, helping India secure a 280-run victory.Cummins compared Pant's playing style to that of Australia's own Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, who are also known for their aggressive approach. "Every team has one or two players who can take the game on," Cummins said. "We have Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. With those guys, you know they're going to be aggressive. You miss your area a little bit and they can take the game on."Cummins acknowledged Pant's skill in playing unconventional shots, such as the reverse lap, which has become a trademark of his batting. "Someone like Rishabh Pant might play a reverse lap, and it's an incredible shot," Cummins said. "That's just a part of who he is. We've become accustomed to it nowadays because some of those ridiculous shots are a bit more common."The Australian captain also emphasized Pant's influence in previous series against Australia, saying, "He is someone who has had a big influence on a couple of series. Got to try to keep him quiet."With both teams in good form and preparing diligently, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an intense and captivating series. Pant's aggressive batting and game-changing ability will undoubtedly be a major factor in the outcome.

Australia's dominance over England in the ongoing ODI series has highlighted the stark contrast between the two teams' current form and aspirations. While Australia has played with the poise and confidence of world champions, England has struggled to find their footing as they embark on a rebuilding phase.In both matches, England has squandered promising starts. At Trent Bridge, they collapsed from 213 for 2 to 280 all out, while at Headingley, they were on the verge of victory at 221 for 9 before Alex Carey's blistering 74 turned the tide.Australia's success has been built on key contributions from unexpected sources. Marnus Labuschagne's three wickets in the first match and Carey's match-winning innings in the second have been crucial. With Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Glenn Maxwell returning to the lineup at Headingley, Australia's bowling attack has also been formidable.England, on the other hand, has shown glimpses of potential but lacks consistency. Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith have been in good form, while Brydon Carse has impressed with his pace. However, their batting has been fragile, with Harry Brook's aggressive approach yet to yield the desired results.The series has also highlighted the challenges facing England as they attempt to rebuild their team. They have some talented players, but they need to find a way to combine their individual strengths into a cohesive unit. The return of Jofra Archer could provide a boost, but it remains to be seen how he will fit into the team's plans.Australia, meanwhile, is looking ahead to the upcoming Test series against India. Steven Smith's batting position is a key topic of debate, with the veteran batsman likely to play a crucial role in the Ashes.The third ODI at Chester-le-Street will be a crucial test for both teams. England needs to find a way to break Australia's winning streak and keep the series alive, while Australia will be looking to secure a clean sweep and further cement their status as the world's top ODI team.

Australian batsman Steve Smith has heaped praise on Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, acknowledging his exceptional skills across all formats of the game. Smith, who has faced Bumrah in 109 Tests, 160 ODIs, and 67 T20Is, described him as "arguably the best fast bowler across all three formats."Bumrah's versatility and ability to adapt to different conditions have impressed Smith. "He's a fantastic bowler, whether I'm up against him with the new ball, a slightly older ball, or even the old one," Smith said. "His skills with all types of deliveries are exceptional."The Indian team is set to embark on a challenging tour of Australia for a five-match Test series starting in November. The series kicks off with the first Test in Perth on November 22, followed by matches in Adelaide from December 6, Brisbane from December 14, the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne from December 26, and concluding in Sydney on January 3.India's historic back-to-back victories in the Border-Gavaskar Series in Australia during 2018-19 and 2020-21 highlighted their resilience and dominance in Test cricket. The 2018-19 series win, led by Virat Kohli, marked India's first Test series triumph on Australian soil.The 2020-21 series was even more impressive, as a young and injury-plagued Indian team, captained by Ajinkya Rahane, staged a remarkable comeback after being bowled out for just 36 in Adelaide. India clinched the series 2-1 with a thrilling victory at the Gabba, ending Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at that venue.Now, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, Team India aims for a hat-trick of Border-Gavaskar Trophy wins in Australia. The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's top cricketing nations.