Cricket

Australia XI, led by Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and elected to field first against Scotland XI in the second T20I in Edinburgh. The Scottish openers, George Munsey and Ollie Hairs, got off to a solid start, putting on 30 runs for the first wicket before Munsey was dismissed by Sean Abbott for 15.Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington then steadied the Scottish innings, adding 45 runs for the second wicket. McMullen played a particularly aggressive innings, hitting two sixes and two fours in his 32-ball 40. Berrington, on the other hand, was more circumspect, scoring 24 off 28 balls.However, Scotland's progress was halted by the introduction of Cameron Green into the attack. Green bowled a superb spell, taking 2/19 in his three overs, including the crucial wicket of Berrington. Matthew Cross (16) and Michael Leask (10*) also made useful contributions, but Scotland were eventually restricted to 103/4 in their 20 overs.In reply, Australia XI lost Jake Fraser-McGurk (1) early on, but Travis Head (26) and Mitchell Marsh (24) put on 49 runs for the second wicket to put their team in control. Josh Inglis (18*) and Cameron Green (16*) then finished off the chase with ease, guiding Australia XI to a comfortable six-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare.

Nathan Lyon Praises Ravichandran Ashwin Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyAustralian spinner Nathan Lyon has heaped praise on his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin as the two prepare to face off in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Lyon hailed Ashwin as a "master of the craft," acknowledging his exceptional skills and expertise in the art of spin bowling.The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series is set to commence on November 22, with the opening Test match taking place in Perth. This series will witness a thrilling clash between two cricketing giants, India and Australia.In an interview with Star Sports, Lyon expressed his admiration for Ashwin and his eagerness to compete against the best. "I know Ashwin, and we debuted around similar times, and we have competed against each other in a number of series now, and between me and Ashwin, I have got nothing but respect for him," Lyon said."I feel like I love watching him bowl, he is an absolute master in the craft of off-spin bowling, and it has been an absolute privilege to play against him and learn from him. Pretty exciting, it is obviously a massive summer for us out here, so we cannot wait to have the Indian guys out here," he added.The second Test, set for December 6 to 10 at the Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium lights. Following that, attention will shift to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, scheduled from December 14 to 18.The iconic Boxing Day Test will take place from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the penultimate stage of the series. The fifth and final Test, from January 3 to 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, promises a dramatic conclusion to the contest.In 27 Tests against India, Nathan Lyon has claimed 121 wickets at an average of 31.56, with best bowling figures of 8/50. He has also recorded nine five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls in matches against India.

Scotland, seeking redemption after a crushing defeat in the first T20I, opted to bowl first after winning a delayed toss at The Grange. Foggy conditions forced the toss to be postponed by 30 minutes.In response to their 62-run loss on Wednesday, Scotland made five significant changes to their lineup. Ollie Hairs, Matt Cross, Jack Jarvis, Charlie Cassell, and Jasper Davidson were all omitted.Michael Jones, Charlie Tear, Chris Sole, Brad Currie, and Chris Greaves were brought in to replace them. Jones and Currie were unavailable for the first T20I due to their commitments in the T20 Blast quarter-finals.Australia, on the other hand, made only one change, replacing fast bowler Riley Meredith with seam-bowling allrounder Aaron Hardie.Scotland's batting lineup features George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington, Charlie Tear, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves, Chris Sole, Brad Currie, and Brad Wheal.Australia's batting order consists of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, and Adam Zampa.Scotland will be eager to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the first match, while Australia will aim to continue their winning streak. The match promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams.

Team India is poised to embark on a highly anticipated five-match Test series against Australia later this year. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy holds immense significance, as Australia has historically held an edge over India in Test bilaterals. However, India has emerged victorious in the last four Test series between the two nations, including back-to-back wins on Australian soil.Former Team India chief selector Chetan Sharma believes that the Rohit Sharma-led side has the potential to dominate Australia in their own backyard. Sharma, who was the chief selector during India's last tour of Australia, feels that the visitors will have the upper hand, having consistently outplayed the Pat Cummins-led side in recent times."We have built a reputation as the No.1-ranked team in the world," Sharma said. "We will not only give them a tough fight but we will make them run in their own backyard. I have a lot of confidence in the players."Sharma also highlighted the strength of India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah. "Bowlers will win you Test matches," he said. "Right now, Team India has the best bowling attack in the world. We have seen it in recent times that we have bowlers to bowl the opposition out for even 150. Our bowlers are our trump card."This will be the first time since the early 1990s that India will play a five-match Test series in Australia. India won the last two tours of Australia with an identical scoreline of 2-1. In 2018-19, the Virat Kohli-led side won the final and decisive Test in Sydney. On the other hand, Kohli only played one match of the last tour as Ajinkya Rahane guided the team to victory in his absence.

Australia Shatters T20 Powerplay Record with Jaw-Dropping 113/1In a breathtaking display of power hitting, Australia has set a new world record for the highest-ever Powerplay score in T20 Internationals. Chasing Scotland's total of 154/9 at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh, Australia unleashed an aggressive onslaught, amassing an astonishing 113/1 in just six overs.Travis Head was the architect of this explosive innings, smashing a 17-ball fifty, the joint-fastest by an Australian in T20Is. Head's brutal assault left the Scottish bowlers shell-shocked, as he raced to 80 off just 25 deliveries, striking boundaries at will. His onslaught included five fours and one six in a single over bowled by Brad Wheal, propelling Australia to this incredible milestone.Mitchell Marsh, the Australian skipper, provided excellent support, contributing 39 off 12 balls. The pair's ruthless partnership took full advantage of Scotland's inexperienced bowling attack, leaving them with no answers as the ball frequently disappeared into the stands.Australia's record-breaking Powerplay overshadowed the earlier efforts of Scotland's batters, who had posted a competitive total thanks to George Munsey and Matthew Cross's contributions. However, the Scottish bowlers were unable to contain the carnage unleashed by the Australian top order.Australia's total of 113/1 in just six overs is a testament to their fearless approach and relentless aggression, setting a new standard in the shortest format of the game. The match ended with Australia comfortably chasing down the target in just 9.4 overs, winning by seven wickets. This record-breaking Powerplay is sure to be remembered as one of the most dominant batting performances in T20 history.

Scotland vs Australia: T20I Series Preview and Team NewsScotland will host Australia in a three-match T20I series, with the first match taking place at the Grange in Edinburgh. This will be the first time that Australia and Scotland have played a bilateral T20I series.Australia will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record against Scotland in T20Is. The two teams have met twice before, with Australia winning both matches.Australia will be without several key players for this series, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. This will give an opportunity for some of Australia's younger players to shine, such as Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Riley Meredith.Scotland, on the other hand, will be relying on their star trio of captain Richie Berrington, Michael Leask, and George Munsey.Team NewsAustralia:* Travis Head* Jake Fraser-McGurk* Mitchell Marsh (capt)* Josh Inglis (wk)* Marcus Stoinis* Tim David* Cameron Green* Sean Abbott* Xavier Bartlett* Adam Zampa* Riley MeredithScotland:* George Munsey* Ollie Hairs* Brandon McMullen* Richie Berrington (capt)* Matthew Cross (wk)* Michael Leask* Mark Watt* Jack Jarvis* Charlie Cassell* Jasper Davidson* Brad WhealPreviewThe first T20I between Scotland and Australia is expected to be a close contest. Scotland will be looking to make the most of their home advantage, while Australia will be keen to maintain their unbeaten record against them.The key battle in this match will be between Scotland's batting lineup and Australia's bowling attack. Scotland will need to score runs quickly and consistently, while Australia will need to take wickets regularly.The match is scheduled to start at 6pm BST on Wednesday, June 22.

Australia, under the leadership of Mitchell Marsh, opted to field first after winning the toss against Scotland in the opening match of their T20I series. The decision was influenced by the expected high-scoring conditions and the absence of experienced pace bowler Nathan Ellis, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.Jake Fraser-McGurk made his T20I debut for Australia, while Scotland handed out two new caps to Charlie Cassell and Jasper Davidson. Michael Jones, who played in the T20 Blast quarter-final for Durham, missed the match due to scheduling conflicts.Australia's inexperienced pace attack included Riley Meredith, who returned to the T20I side after a year's absence. Josh Inglis replaced Matthew Wade as the wicket-keeper and was slated to bat at No. 4, with Cameron Green coming in as a finisher at No. 7.Scotland's captain, Richie Berrington, also expressed his preference for bowling first. He acknowledged the significance of the match for Scottish cricket and praised the team's preparation.Meanwhile, Ellis's recovery from a hamstring injury is being closely monitored by Cricket Australia's medical staff. His availability for the remaining matches of the series will depend on his progress through rehabilitation.

Australia's T20 squad, rejuvenated after a disappointing World Cup exit, embarks on a three-match series against Scotland and England with an eye towards the 2026 event. The absence of David Warner and other senior players presents an opportunity for fresh faces to make their mark.Jake Fraser-McGurk, the IPL sensation, is expected to make his T20I debut, but the opening batting position remains fluid. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head could also be considered, while Cameron Green has experience at the top of the order.Nathan Ellis, Australia's most experienced quick on tour, has a chance to establish himself as a leader in the bowling attack. His death bowling prowess is well-known, but he may also be utilized in the powerplay, an area where Australia has struggled in recent World Cups.Josh Inglis takes over as wicketkeeper, replacing Matthew Wade. His versatility allows him to bat anywhere in the top five, but he may slot into Wade's role as a finisher. Marcus Stoinis and Tim David are other options for the crucial middle order.Fielding was a major concern for Australia in the Caribbean. The inclusion of Fraser-McGurk and Cooper Connolly, along with the athleticism of Green, Hardie, and Abbott, should improve their fielding performance.As Australia builds towards the next T20 World Cup, this series provides a platform for experimentation and evaluation. The team will look to identify the best combinations and strategies to challenge the world's top teams.

Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins is eager to redeem his team's recent losses against India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-match series, commencing on November 22 in Perth, presents an opportunity for Australia to break India's four-series winning streak.Cummins acknowledges the competitive nature of the rivalry, stating that the series is "always fiercely competitive" and "always feels like it's 50-50." He draws confidence from Australia's victory over India in the World Test Championship Final last year.Senior batter Steve Smith echoes Cummins' sentiments, emphasizing the strength of the Indian team. He anticipates a "big summer" for Australia, recognizing India's well-balanced squad and their impressive performances both in Australia and India.Pacer Mitchell Starc highlights the significance of the India-Australia rivalry, comparing it to the Ashes. He believes the five-Test format enhances the intensity and quality of the matches.All-rounder Glenn Maxwell emphasizes the global appeal of India-Australia contests, regardless of the format. He notes that both teams consistently rank among the world's best and provide captivating matches for fans worldwide.Australia's players are determined to make amends for their previous defeats and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They recognize the challenge posed by India but remain confident in their abilities. The series promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the fierce rivalry between two cricketing powerhouses.