Cricket

Rohit Sharma's Devastating Assault on Mitchell Starc in T20 World CupIn a Super 8 encounter during the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma unleashed a blistering assault on Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, leaving spectators in awe of his extraordinary batting prowess.Facing Starc's left-arm pace, Rohit made a mockery of the Australian pace spearhead, amassing an astonishing 29 runs in a single over. The over witnessed Rohit's effortless boundary-clearing ability, as he smashed four towering sixes and a boundary. The over also included a wide and a dot ball.Recalling the match on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Starc admitted, "I have played against him (Rohit) a lot. He had a really good tournament, especially the back end. I think he targeted the wind in St. Lucia as well. There was that one end where we conceded a lot more than others. And I was bowling from that very end (laughs). I had 5 bad balls and he hit all for sixes (four 6s and one 4s)."Despite Starc eventually dismissing Rohit with a yorker-length ball that shattered his stumps, the damage had already been done. Rohit had amassed an impressive 92 runs from just 41 deliveries, setting the stage for India's eventual victory in the T20 World Cup.Starc's over against Rohit became a defining moment in the tournament, showcasing the Indian skipper's exceptional batting skills and the Australian team's struggles in the competition. The match sparked discussions about team selection and the challenges faced by Australia in the tournament.

David Warner, the former Australian opener, has hinted at a potential return to international cricket for the Champions Trophy next year, despite announcing his retirement from all formats over the past year.Warner retired from Test cricket in January 2023, followed by his ODI retirement after the 2023 World Cup. However, he has consistently expressed his willingness to play in the Champions Trophy if selected.In a recent Instagram post, Warner reiterated his availability for the tournament, which will be held in Pakistan from February to March 2024. "I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for [Australia] in the Champions Trophy if selected," he wrote.Despite Warner's desire to return, it remains unlikely given his absence from Australia's upcoming matches leading up to the tournament. The team will tour England for ODIs in September and face Pakistan in November, where Jake Fraser-McGurk is expected to be a frontrunner for the opening spot.Australian captain Pat Cummins has previously expressed reservations about Warner's return for the Champions Trophy, suggesting that it would be an "emergency option." However, he acknowledged Warner's continued ability to score runs and left the door open for a potential recall.Warner's ODI career ended with an impressive tally of 6932 runs at an average of 45.30, including 22 centuries. He is second only to Ricky Ponting in Australia's all-time ODI run-scoring list.In his Instagram post, Warner expressed gratitude for his international career and the support of his family and fans. "It's been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period," he wrote. "Australia was my team. The majority of my career was at the international level. It's been an honour to be able to do this."Warner's future plans include playing in Canada's GT20 and a T10 tournament in the Cayman Islands. He is also expected to return to the Sydney Thunder for the BBL and has a deal with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20.

Kent County Cricket Club has bolstered its bowling attack for the crucial second half of the Vitality T20 Blast group stage by signing experienced Australian seamer Tom Rogers. The 30-year-old joins the Spitfires from Melbourne Renegades, where he has been a key performer in the Big Bash League.Rogers brings a wealth of T20 experience to Kent, having claimed 60 wickets in 72 matches at an impressive average of 24.78 and an economical rate of 8.38. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace will be a valuable asset to the Spitfires, who have struggled with injuries to their bowling department.Kent's director of cricket, Simon Cook, expressed his delight at securing Rogers' services. "We're pleased to have got Tom on board to sure-up our bowling options going into the 'business end' of this South Group stage," Cook said. "He has a lot of experience and has skills that will be useful to us with both the ball and the bat, too."Rogers will join a Kent bowling attack that has been depleted by the absence of Xavier Bartlett, who is only available for the first eight group games, and Wes Agar, who has returned to Australia due to a shoulder injury. The Spitfires are currently second from bottom in the South Group, but they still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.Rogers is eager to make an impact for Kent and help the team achieve its goals. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to play in the Vitality Blast and I'm excited to be joining Kent," Rogers said. "We know that every game is vital for us now, and I want to do my part in getting results as a Spitfire in the near future."

David Warner, the veteran Australian opener, has passed the torch to 22-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk, expressing confidence in his ability to fill Warner's shoes in both white-ball formats and potentially even the Test team.Warner has taken Fraser-McGurk under his wing, mentoring him during their time together at the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and at the recent T20 World Cup, where Fraser-McGurk served as a traveling reserve. With Warner's international career coming to an end, a new era is dawning at the top of the order for Australia in limited-overs cricket."All yours now champion," Warner captioned an Instagram post of himself and Fraser-McGurk sharing a drink.Speaking to reporters after Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup, Warner endorsed Fraser-McGurk's credentials as an opener in T20s and ODIs."Every time I put something out there I become a selector [but] I think he's definitely got the ability to definitely do that," Warner said. "He can lock it in. And a bit like myself, you [have to learn] how to play…50-over cricket. That's one thing that I learnt from Twenty20. I got dropped after seven games because I didn't really understand how to play the game of one-day cricket."Fraser-McGurk, who has played two ODIs for Australia and scored a world-record 29-ball one-day century in the Marsh Cup earlier this season, is likely to be included in Australia's upcoming tours of Scotland and England.However, Fraser-McGurk has downplayed the prospect of following Warner as a red-ball opener, having found an experiment at the top of the order for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield unsuited to his style.Warner acknowledged the competing demands that Fraser-McGurk will face from the franchise scene but expressed encouragement at his desire to pursue first-class cricket."Will he play Test cricket? I think he'll have to have a breakout year in the next 12-18 months to prove himself," Warner said. "I think we've all had to score hundreds to get your name up there [to] warrant that.""Hopefully when it comes to Shield cricket this year, he sticks at that. There's going to be a lot of money thrown around to him for these Twenty20 leagues and it's upon him and his management to keep him focused and aligned with what he wants to do. But I hope he does - I know he's thinking like that. He wants to play red-ball cricket."

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hailed the illustrious career of David Warner, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket. Ponting praised Warner's exceptional impact across all three formats, highlighting the difficulty in finding a suitable replacement.Warner's 15-year international career culminated in Australia's elimination from the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage. Ponting, who played alongside and coached Warner, expressed his admiration for the opener's achievements."I put my arm around him and said, '...just take a moment tonight to sit back by yourself and reflect on what's been an unbelievable career across all three formats for Australia,'" Ponting said. "We know he retired in the summer from Test cricket, but you'll struggle to find a guy that's had as big an impact on all three forms in Australian cricket than David Warner has."Warner's retirement leaves a significant void in the Australian team. Pacer Josh Hazlewood acknowledged the challenge of filling Warner's absence in the dressing room."We'll definitely miss him around the group, out in the field and off-field. (An) amazing all-format career," Hazlewood said. "It's sort of been a slow burn with Test cricket, and ODI cricket and now T20. So, life without him, we've sort of gotten used to it a little bit … it's always different when you lose a player that's been there for so long.”Despite his retirement from international cricket, Warner has indicated a willingness to consider a return to the Australian ODI team for the Champions Trophy early next year, contingent on his continued strong performance.

Marnus Labuschagne, the prolific Australian batsman, has been appointed as the new captain of Queensland for the upcoming 2024-25 season. This appointment marks a significant step in Labuschagne's leadership journey, potentially paving the way for his future role as Australia's captain.Labuschagne, who has previously captained Queensland in limited overs matches, will take over the reins from Usman Khawaja, who will continue to lead the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. The duo will collaborate with new Queensland and Heat coach Johan Botha to guide the team to success.Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson expressed confidence in Labuschagne's leadership abilities, stating that this appointment provides him with an ideal opportunity to showcase his skills and gain valuable experience at the first-class and one-day levels.However, Labuschagne's availability for Queensland's season remains uncertain beyond the initial month in October. Australia's international commitments, including an ODI series against Pakistan and Tests against India, may limit his involvement.Despite the potential for limited availability, Labuschagne expressed his honor and excitement at being appointed Queensland captain. He acknowledged the significance of the Bulls to the state's fans and emphasized his commitment to helping the team reach its full potential.Labuschagne's appointment as Queensland captain raises questions about the future leadership of the Australian cricket team. While Pat Cummins remains the current captain, he has indicated that he may not hold the role for an extended period. This has led to speculation about potential successors, with Labuschagne and Travis Head emerging as possible candidates.The appointment of Labuschagne as Queensland captain provides him with a platform to develop his leadership skills and demonstrate his ability to guide a team. His success in this role could further enhance his credentials as a future captain of Australia.

David Warner, the veteran Australian opener, has acknowledged that the infamous "Sandpaper-gate" incident of 2018 will forever tarnish his legacy as he contemplates retirement from international cricket.Warner, 37, has expressed his desire to conclude his career on a high note by winning the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies, where Australia has advanced to the Super Eight round. However, he recognizes that his achievements on the field will always be overshadowed by the ball-tampering scandal that occurred in South Africa six years ago."I think it's going to be inevitable that when people talk about me in 20 or 30 years' time, there will always be that sandpaper scandal," Warner said, according to Cricket Australia.Warner, Australia's leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, has announced that his international playing career will end at the World Cup. He believes he has been unfairly singled out for the affair, as his time at the top was coming to an end."Whether it's people who don't like the Australian cricket team or don't like me, I've always been that person who has copped it," Warner said. "It's fine if they want to do that, but I always feel like I've taken a lot of pressure off a lot of guys as well and I think understandably I've been that person to be able to absorb that."Warner's involvement in the third Test scandal in Cape Town, where Cameron Bancroft used sandpaper to scuff the ball before clumsily attempting to hide the evidence down his pants, earned him a one-year ban, along with that of then-skipper Steve Smith. Cricket Australia demoted Warner from vice captaincy as he was the main conspirator.The batsman expressed his eagerness to retire from international cricket, stating, "One can only absorb (so much)." "For me, it's great to go out knowing I'm not going to cop it anymore."

David Warner, the seasoned Australian cricketer, recently shared his heartfelt experiences in an episode of the Delhi Capitals Podcast. The three-time World Cup winner, who recently became Australia's leading run-scorer in T20Is, spoke candidly about his time with the Delhi-based franchise, his love for India, and his last World Cup for Australia.Warner expressed his gratitude towards Delhi Capitals for giving him opportunities at both the beginning and end of his career. He recalled the guidance he received from legendary players like AB de Villiers, Glenn McGrath, and Daniel Vettori during his early days with the franchise.Reflecting on his last World Cup for Australia, Warner acknowledged the need for young talent to emerge and strengthen the team's future. He emphasized the importance of passing on his experience and knowledge to the younger generation.Warner's love for India is evident in his social media presence, where he often shares videos of himself dancing to Indian music and speaking in Hindi. He expressed his admiration for Indian culture, describing it as "organized chaos."Warner's passion for Indian cinema is also apparent. When asked to choose his favorite Indian film, he struggled to pick just one, citing the exceptional performances of actors in films like Baahubali, Pushpa, and KGF.Warner's commitment to the Delhi Capitals and his love for India have made him a fan favorite. His contributions on and off the field have left a lasting impact on the franchise and the country he has come to embrace.

David Warner's impending retirement from international cricket will leave a significant void in the Australian team beyond his prolific run-scoring, according to former captain Ricky Ponting. Warner's final international appearance will be at the T20 World Cup 2024, marking the culmination of his phased retirement from Australia duty.Despite a challenging IPL season with Delhi Capitals, where Ponting served as head coach, Warner's experience and winning mentality make him an invaluable asset to the team, especially in major tournaments like the World Cup. Ponting believes that Warner's absence will be felt not only in terms of runs but also in his leadership and competitive spirit.Replacing Warner will be a daunting task, but Ponting is confident that the "extreme talent" of Jake Fraser-McGurk will eventually fill the void at the top of the order. Fraser-McGurk, who will serve as a traveling reserve during the World Cup, has already made his debut for Australia in ODIs and impressed with his performances for Delhi Capitals.Ponting also highlighted the potential of the current Australian team to achieve something "very special" by winning trophies across all formats. With a strong group of players and experienced leaders like Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins, Australia has a chance to unite the World Test Championship, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup.