Cricket

Australia's Test team will remain unchanged for the fourth consecutive match, with the bowling quartet also set to stay intact for the seventh time this summer. Back-up quick Scott Boland is likely to be released to play Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria on Monday.Captain Pat Cummins confirmed the expected lineup for the second Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, starting Friday. Australia aims to secure a 2-0 series victory after their triumph in Wellington.The final round of Shield matches begins Monday, and Victoria has a chance to qualify for a third straight final by hosting Western Australia at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. Boland and Michael Neser are the two reserve quicks on tour, while Matt Renshaw is the only spare batter in the 14-man squad.Australia must retain at least one spare batter and one spare bowler in case of a concussion but could release one of the quicks to play in the Shield. Queensland is out of contention for the final and would not require Neser's return.Boland is expected to be released after Friday's toss to prepare for Victoria's match against Western Australia. "There was talk of maybe sending Scotty back for Victoria but holding Nes back from Queensland just to annoy Marnus [Labuschagne] and Usman [Khawaja]," Cummins said.Boland has had a frustrating summer. He starred in Australia's World Test Championship final victory last June and kept Mitchell Starc out of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. However, England targeted him in the two Tests he played in the Ashes, and Australia reverted to their "big three" for the final two Tests.Boland was rested for specific Shield matches at the start of the summer at the request of Australia's selectors to be fresh for the Tests. However, the trio of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have remained fit, and Boland has played only five first-class matches this season."I think I said at the start of the summer I'd be surprised we played all seven just because it's rare that something doesn't pop up," Cummins said. "But thankfully we've all kind of managed all the little niggles that pop up pretty well."While Australia is settled, there is caution heading into the second Test. In 2022 against Sri Lanka and last month against the West Indies, Australia squandered 1-0 leads with poor performances in the second match of each series.Concerns surround the batting group, with frank discussions held internally during the week about being more ruthless and accountable to individual plans. "I think it's just decision-making around plans, and having really clear plans," Cummins said. "It doesn't mean you need to have 12 shot options. It might only be two or three."

New Zealand's bowling attack will undergo a significant change for the second Test against Australia in Christchurch, with fast bowler Ben Sears set to make his debut. The 26-year-old replaces Will O'Rourke, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first Test in Wellington.Sears has impressed with his pace in recent T20I matches against Australia and has a solid first-class record, having taken 58 wickets at an average of 27.03 in 19 matches. His inclusion adds an extra dimension to the New Zealand bowling attack, which has been heavily reliant on pace in the first two Tests.However, the final decision on the team's composition rests with captain Tim Southee, who will play his 100th Test in Christchurch. Southee has hinted that a choice between pace bowler Scott Kuggeleijn and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner could be made, with the latter potentially coming into the side to provide more variety.Kuggeleijn, playing his second Test, struggled in Wellington, claiming only two wickets and scoring 0 and 26 with the bat. Santner, on the other hand, has a proven track record in Test cricket and could be a valuable asset on a pitch that is expected to offer more spin than the previous two venues.Head coach Gary Stead has acknowledged that New Zealand made a mistake in leaving out Santner in the first two Tests, with the pitches in Hamilton and Wellington providing more assistance to spinners than anticipated. Glenn Phillips took five wickets in Australia's second innings of the first Test, while Nathan Lyon claimed ten in the match.Hagley Oval, the venue for the second Test, has the highest spin-bowling average of any ground in New Zealand, with wickets taken at 55.79. This could sway the decision in favor of Santner, who has the ability to extract turn and bounce from the surface.Australia, meanwhile, is expected to name an unchanged XI, meaning their frontline bowling attack will have played all seven Tests during the season against Pakistan, West Indies, and New Zealand. The tourists will be looking to maintain their dominance and secure a series victory in Christchurch.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has opened up about the emotional turmoil he endured during the India tour last year, as he grappled with the impending loss of his mother to cancer.Cummins, who was in India for a Test series, made the difficult decision to return home to be by his mother's side as she received palliative care. "Flying away... That's the hardest time of my life, easily," Cummins said in an interview for the Imperfects podcast.The captaincy weighed heavily on Cummins' mind during that period. "I remember my manager and a couple of other people around me who I normally listen to were calling me and being like, 'I think we need to give a little bit of a reason why you've gone home', and I'm like, 'Nah, don't care'," he recalled.Cummins' mother, Maria, passed away last year. The cricketer said he tried to keep her final days as private as possible and didn't explain to her why he flew home after playing in two Tests in India."But that time in particular – because we knew roughly the timeline, and knowing Mum and Dad as well; how much joy they get, sitting together, watching me play – that gave me enough confidence to go and play, and they were desperate for me to go and play, and I knew I could hop on a flight at any time and come back," Cummins said.Despite his determination to play, Cummins admitted that his mind was not fully on the game. "But for those couple of weeks I was in India, especially now I look back on it, my mind was not in India, it was back home the whole time," he said.Cummins even considered quitting as Australia captain at one point, as his desire to be with his mother intensified. "I honestly do not care what people think," he said. "After about six or seven days when I knew I wasn't going to come back to India, we said Mum's in palliative care. But I literally could not have cared less what people were saying about me."Cummins' decision to prioritize his family over cricket was met with understanding and support from his teammates and Cricket Australia. The captain's resilience and determination to balance his personal and professional life serves as an inspiration to many.

New Zealand's pace attack faces a setback as Will O'Rourke's hamstring injury casts doubt on his availability for the second Test against Australia. Captain Tim Southee hinted at a potential recall for veteran Neil Wagner, who retired last week but remains in the squad.Southee ruled out Trent Boult due to his recent focus on white-ball cricket. However, he left the door open for Wagner, saying, "We'll see how Will scrubs up and we'll go from there."Australia's Pat Cummins expressed readiness for Wagner's return, calling it "the world's shortest retirement." He praised the energy and short-ball prowess of the 37-year-old.Cummins lauded Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green for their match-winning performances in the first Test. Lyon's six-wicket haul on day four sealed Australia's 172-run victory. Green's career-high 174 on day one set up a decisive first-innings lead.New Zealand's Glenn Phillips impressed with his all-round contributions, scoring 71 in the first innings and taking 5-45 in the second. Southee and Kane Williamson will reach the milestone of 100 Tests in the second match at Hagley Oval.The final morning of the first Test saw New Zealand collapse from 111-3 to 196 all out. Lyon's spin proved too much for the hosts, while Green's short-ball tactics also paid dividends.

India has ascended to the pinnacle of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, as per the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday. This elevation follows Australia's triumph over New Zealand in the Wellington Test.India's dominance is reflected in their impressive points percentage of 64.58, propelling them to the top spot. New Zealand, the previous table-toppers, now occupy the second position with a points percentage of 60.00. Australia has slipped to third place, boasting a points percentage of 59.09.India's commanding position in the ongoing five-Test home series against England, where they hold an unassailable 3-1 lead, provides them with an opportunity to further cement their status at the summit of the WTC table. A victory in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, commencing on March 7, would solidify their dominance.The WTC, inaugurated in 2019, is a two-year tournament that pits the world's top Test-playing nations against each other in a league format. The top two teams at the conclusion of the league stage will qualify for the final, scheduled to be held in June 2023 at The Oval in London.India's rise to the top of the WTC standings is a testament to their consistent performances in Test cricket. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team has achieved notable victories both at home and abroad. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has been a key factor in their success.As the WTC progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with all teams vying for a place in the final. India's position at the top of the table provides them with a significant advantage, but they will need to maintain their momentum and continue to perform at a high level to secure their place in the championship match.

Australia's dominance over New Zealand continued as they secured a resounding 172-run victory in the first Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve. Nathan Lyon's exceptional bowling performance, coupled with Cameron Green's match-defining innings, proved too much for the Black Caps.Lyon, Australia's premier spinner, wreaked havoc on the New Zealand batting lineup, claiming six wickets for 65 runs in the second innings. His victims included Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, and Glenn Phillips, as he completed his 24th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.New Zealand began the day with a daunting target of 369, but Lyon's early strikes put them on the back foot. Daryl Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn offered some resistance, but Cameron Green's dismissal of Kuggeleijn for 26 extinguished their hopes.Despite a blow to the helmet from Green, Mitchell continued to fight, scoring 38. However, he ran out of partners as Lyon and the Australian attack quickly wrapped up the New Zealand tail.Australia captain Pat Cummins praised Lyon's performance, stating, "Thankfully it spun which, with Nathan in our side, is always a pretty good thing."This loss leaves New Zealand with only one victory in their last 24 Tests against Australia. They will now prepare for the second and final match of the series in Christchurch, starting on Friday.New Zealand skipper Tim Southee acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, "Like every game, we'll reflect and look at ways that we can be better in the next one."While Lyon's performance was exceptional, it was Cameron Green's brilliant innings that truly made the difference. His partnership of 116 runs with Josh Hazlewood for the tenth wicket set the foundation for Australia's victory.Cummins praised Green, saying, "He was amazing, he was really the difference in the end." Green's unbeaten knock of 170 put pressure on the bowlers and helped Australia post a total of 383 in their first innings, giving them a significant lead.Although New Zealand fought back on day three with Glenn Phillips taking 5-45, Lyon's experience and skill proved too much for the Black Caps on a challenging pitch.It was Hazlewood who delivered the final blow, dismissing Mitchell with a well-directed delivery that was easily caught and bowled. This sealed Australia's emphatic victory.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's seasoned spinner, has revealed that his primary weapon is the bounce he generates from the surface, following his impressive performance with both bat and ball in the first Test against New Zealand.Lyon's heroics began with a crucial knock of 41 as a nightwatchman. His resilient batting propelled Australia's score to 164, helping them set a total of 369. He then showcased his prowess with the ball, claiming the vital wickets of Tom Latham (8) and Kane Williamson (9) to reduce the Kiwis to 111/3 at the end of Day 3 in Basin Reserve.On his second ball on Day 3, Lyon dismissed Latham with a short and wide delivery. After the day's play, he discussed his strategy for dealing with the opposition batters."My biggest weapon, and it's no secret, is my bounce all around the world. So I'll continue to try and put some over spin on the ball and try and get the bounce and try and hit the stickers on the bat and challenge the guys' defense on the crease. I've got a fair understanding of what their plan is going to be. So it's a good opportunity for me tonight to reset some goals and reset some plans and we'll go from there," Lyon said.Apart from his exceptional bowling skills, Lyon also displayed his resilience with the bat earlier in the day, scoring 41 off 46 deliveries, including six boundaries. While his knock boosted Australia's scoreboard, the rest of the batters failed to make a significant impact in the second innings. Glenn Phillips dismissed five of Australia's first seven batters.Lyon acknowledged that the batters might be frustrated with the manner in which they lost their wickets."I dare say so. But I'll never criticize our batters the way they go about it because they've been exceptional for a number of years now. But then you've got to give credit to the bowlers and this is my big thing. Bowlers are actually there to bowl good balls. And it's not always the batters' fault getting out and bowlers are allowed to come up with plans and execute and take wickets. No doubt there will be some frustration in there," Lyon added.

Australia's dominance continued on day two of the first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve, as they extended their lead to 217 runs. Despite losing Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply towards the end of the day, Australia's bowlers had earlier dismantled New Zealand's batting lineup for a mere 179 runs.Cameron Green, who had remained unbeaten on 174 in Australia's first innings, continued his heroics with the ball, claiming 5-70. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh also chipped in with wickets, while Nathan Lyon's 4-43 saw him surpass Courtney Walsh's tally of 519 Test wickets.New Zealand's top order crumbled under the pressure of Australia's relentless bowling attack. Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra were all dismissed cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 29 for 5. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips attempted to rebuild the innings with an 84-run partnership, but Lyon's introduction proved decisive.Phillips, who top-scored for New Zealand with 71, and Matt Henry, who contributed 42, provided some resistance, but Australia's bowlers remained relentless. Lyon's sharp turn and probing deliveries outside off stump proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen.In response, Australia's openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner, faced a tough eight overs before stumps. Captain Tim Southee provided a glimmer of hope for New Zealand by dismissing Smith and Labuschagne, but Lyon and Khawaja survived to keep Australia in a commanding position.Green's marathon innings and record-breaking partnership with Josh Hazlewood had earlier given Australia a significant advantage. The pair added 116 runs for the tenth wicket, the highest of the innings and the highest last-wicket stand for Australia against New Zealand.New Zealand's bowlers, who had initially looked promising, struggled to maintain their discipline, conceding 41 extras. Henry eventually dismissed Hazlewood to claim his five-wicket haul, but Green's dominance had already put Australia in a commanding position.

In a thrilling encounter at Wellington's Sky Stadium, Australia snatched a nail-biting six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 international. Chasing a challenging target of 216, the Aussies rode on Mitchell Marsh's blistering 72 and Tim David's last-ball heroics to seal a dramatic triumph.New Zealand, batting first, posted an imposing 215-3, powered by Rachin Ravindra's maiden T20I half-century (68 off 35 balls). The hosts' innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay, with Glenn Phillips (43) and Mark Chapman (32) providing valuable contributions.Australia's chase got off to a solid start, with openers Travis Head (24) and David Warner (32) putting on a 46-run partnership. However, the introduction of spin stifled their momentum, as Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell picked up quick wickets to leave the visitors reeling at 68-3.Enter Mitchell Marsh, who took the New Zealand attack head-on. The Australian skipper unleashed a flurry of boundaries, smashing seven sixes and two fours in his 44-ball 72. He forged a crucial 42-run stand with Glenn Maxwell (25) before Josh Inglis (20) joined him in a 51-run partnership.With the match slipping away, Tim David stepped up to the plate. The hard-hitting all-rounder remained composed under pressure, striking a six and a boundary off the final two deliveries to seal a remarkable victory for Australia.New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the power of the Australian batting lineup, admitting that their inability to take wickets proved costly. The series now moves to Auckland for the remaining two T20Is, followed by a two-Test series.