Cricket

Australia's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in late January holds significant implications for both teams' aspirations in the World Test Championship and the Champions Trophy. The two-Test series in Galle could prove pivotal in determining who reaches the final of the World Test Championship at Lord's in June.The Tests, scheduled for January 29-February 2 and February 6-10, will be crucial for both Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia, currently ranked third in the World Test Championship standings, needs to perform well in this series to enhance their chances of reaching the final. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is placed seventh and will be eager to make a statement against a formidable opponent.The tour also includes an ODI on February 13, which will serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Australia will be keen to fine-tune their limited-overs skills ahead of the tournament.Australia's last visit to Sri Lanka in 2022 resulted in a 1-1 Test series draw. The visitors won the first Test in dramatic fashion, but Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya claimed 12 wickets on debut to level the series in the second Test.Australia may be without captain Pat Cummins for all or part of the tour due to the birth of his second child. Head coach Andrew McDonald has indicated that they will respect Cummins' decision if he chooses to miss a Test for family reasons.The selectors are expected to prioritize red-ball preparation for the spinners selected to support Nathan Lyon. Glenn Maxwell is in contention for a return, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann could be an option to supplement Lyon. Former Australia spinner Steve O'Keefe has urged the selectors to focus on developing the spinners' skills in Sri Lankan conditions.

Evin Lewis's scintillating 94-run knock propelled West Indies to a resounding eight-wicket victory over England in the rain-affected opening ODI of the three-match series in Antigua.Chasing a revised target of 157 from 35 overs, Lewis unleashed a barrage of boundaries, smashing five fours and eight towering sixes in his 69-ball innings. He forged a crucial 118-run partnership with Brandon King (30) to lay the foundation for the West Indies' triumph.Lewis's pursuit of his sixth ODI century was halted by Jacob Bethell, who caught him off Adil Rashid's bowling with just 13 runs needed for victory. However, Keacy Carty (19) and captain Shai Hope (6) guided the West Indies home with 55 balls to spare.England, fielding four ODI debutants, were dismissed for 209 runs in 49.4 overs. Stand-in captain Liam Livingstone top-scored with 48, while Sam Curran contributed 37.Gudakesh Motie was the star of the West Indies bowling attack, claiming 4 for 41, while Jayden Seales took 2 for 22.The victory gives West Indies a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second match scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.

West Indies captain Shai Hope elected to bowl first after winning the toss in the opening ODI against England in Antigua. The match marked the international debuts of John Turner and Dan Mousley for England, along with 50-over debuts for Jamie Overton and Jordan Cox.Liam Livingstone, standing in for the injured Jos Buttler, made his captaincy debut for England. Despite missing key players like Harry Brook due to upcoming Test tours, Livingstone expressed excitement for the young team's opportunities.Turner's selection came after impressing in the 2023 Men's Hundred, while Mousley's inclusion provided England with four allrounder spin options alongside Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, and Livingstone. Cox was slated to bat at No. 3, while Overton would be available to bowl after playing as a batter in his T20I debut against Australia.West Indies, returning from their Sri Lanka tour, made one change to their lineup, with Shimron Hetmyer replacing Jewel Andrew in the middle order.

South Africa's relentless bowling attack, led by Keshav Maharaj's five-wicket haul, propelled them to a historic Test victory over Bangladesh in Chattogram. The Proteas secured an innings and 273-run triumph, their largest ever in Test cricket, completing a 2-0 series sweep.Bangladesh's batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a paltry 143 in their second innings, failing to overcome a massive 416-run deficit. Maharaj's left-arm spin proved lethal, claiming 5-59, while Kagiso Rabada's pace had earlier decimated the hosts with 5-37 in the first innings.The Proteas' dominance was evident from the outset, with Rabada striking twice in quick succession to reduce Bangladesh to 48-8. Mominul Haque's valiant 82 provided a brief respite, but Maharaj's dismissal of the opener for a duck in the second innings extinguished any hopes of a comeback.Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh's experienced campaigners, failed to deliver, falling cheaply to Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, respectively. Najmul Hossain Shanto's dismissal by Muthusamy left the hosts reeling at 78-7.Hasan Mahmud's late resistance, including four sixes, delayed the inevitable, but Maharaj sealed the match by dismissing Nahid Rana for a duck. Muthusamy also impressed with 4-45 in the second innings, completing a comprehensive bowling performance for South Africa."We had some special performances that got us into strong positions," said stand-in captain Aiden Markram. "It's a proud moment for us, and one we'll reflect on as a special team."Bangladesh skipper Najmul acknowledged their batting struggles, stating, "If the top order doesn't contribute well, this is the kind of result we'll get."South Africa's victory was built on the foundation of three maiden Test centuries in their first innings: Tony De Zorzi (177), Tristan Stubbs (106), and Wiaan Mulder (105 not out). The Proteas' dominance extended to the bowling department, with Rabada and Maharaj leading the charge.Bangladesh's inability to match South Africa's batting and bowling prowess resulted in their 16th consecutive Test defeat against the Proteas. The series sweep highlights the gulf in quality between the two sides and serves as a wake-up call for Bangladesh to address their batting deficiencies.

India faces a daunting challenge as they prepare to host New Zealand in the third and decisive Test match, starting Friday. After losing the first two Tests, India is desperate to salvage pride and avoid a humiliating home series defeat.The pressure is mounting on India's batting lineup, which has struggled against both pace and spin in the first two matches. The team's famed spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, have also been outplayed by New Zealand's spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel.In a bid to turn the tide, India has opted for a rank turner at the Wankhede Stadium, where the ball is expected to turn sharply from the first hour. The team has also called in 20 slow bowlers for net practice and drawn white lines on the pitch to gauge the length and lines.However, India's desperation could lead to recklessness, as they attempt to force a win on a pitch that may favor the bowlers. The team's recent performances have raised questions about their ability to negotiate quality spin attacks, and a three-day finish is on the cards.Despite their struggles, India's senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ashwin, and Jadeja, will be expected to lead the fightback. However, they may need to share the workload with younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.New Zealand, on the other hand, has been meticulous in their preparation and execution, exposing India's weaknesses with both pace and spin. The visitors will be confident of completing a series sweep and further dent India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has defended his spinners despite their poor performance in Pune, but his own approach and form will be under scrutiny. Kohli, too, is under pressure to deliver big runs as India faces a transition period in Test cricket.Amidst the odds stacked against them, India's batters will face a stern challenge on a pitch that is expected to favor the spinners. Ashwin and Jadeja have not looked menacing even on home soil, and Axar Patel may be brought into the team for his ability to bowl on turning tracks.The team management has rested Jasprit Bumrah for the match, keeping in mind the upcoming tour of Australia. While the Wankhede pitch may provide some early assistance to the fast bowlers, it is expected to play in favor of the spinners sooner rather than later.India will be hoping to replicate their success against Australia in 2004, when Murali Kartik wreaked havoc on a similar pitch. However, New Zealand will be determined to prevent a repeat of that result and secure a historic series victory in India.

Hardik Pandya's leadership of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been extended for the 2025 season, despite the team's dismal performance under his guidance in 2024.Pandya's reappointment was met with mixed reactions. Some fans and experts believe that he deserves another chance to prove himself as a captain, while others question his ability to lead a team to success.Pandya himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue leading MI. "I have received a lot of love back, (it) means the world to me. My journey started here and you know everything that I have achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians," he said.Referring to MI's five retained players, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, Pandya stated, "We are five fingers but one fist, that's how I look at it."However, the question remains whether Pandya can transform the five fingers into a cohesive unit on the field. In IPL 2024, MI finished at the bottom of the table, appearing disjointed and lacking direction.The upcoming season will be a crucial test for Pandya's leadership skills. With Rohit Sharma, India's Test and ODI captain, Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, and Jasprit Bumrah, India's Test vice-captain, in the team, Pandya will need to find a way to manage their egos and create a harmonious environment.MI owner Akash Ambani expressed confidence in his team's abilities. "We have always believed that the strength of a family lies in its core and this belief has been reinforced during the course of recent events," Ambani said."...This unified effort reinstates MI's commitment to building strong trust and ownership amongst our core group, our fans, and other stakeholders. We will strive to continue playing the passionate brand of cricket everyone expects from us."

Sydney Sixers have received a significant boost with the return of Australian captain Alyssa Healy, who has recovered from the injury that forced her to miss the latter stages of the T20 World Cup. Healy, who suffered a ruptured plantar fascia in her right foot during Australia's match against Pakistan, is now available for the WBBL and will make her comeback in Friday's clash against Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval.Healy's return is a major boost for the Sixers, who have struggled in her absence. They lost their opening match of the tournament to defending champions Adelaide Strikers and will be looking to bounce back against the Stars. Healy's experience and leadership will be invaluable to the Sixers, who are aiming to win their third WBBL title.Speaking after Australia's semi-final loss to South Africa, Healy admitted that she had wrestled with the decision over whether to try and play in the World Cup. "It was a really hard decision to make last night as to whether or not we're going to give it a punt or not," she said. "I tried to make the 'team decision' and sat myself down, instead of taking the risk."Healy's return to fitness is a timely boost for the Sixers, who are also missing New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr. Kerr is doubtful for the entire competition after picking up an injury in India. However, the Sixers have been impressed by the performances of Scotland's Sarah Bryce, who has been in excellent form with the bat.The Sixers will be hoping that Healy can make a quick return to form and help them challenge for the WBBL title. They have a tough match against the Stars on Friday, but Healy's presence will give them a major boost.

Cricket Fraternity Extends Diwali Wishes, Emphasizing Light, Joy, and ProsperityAs the festival of Diwali illuminates homes and hearts across India and the world, the cricket fraternity has joined in the celebrations, extending heartfelt wishes for happiness, peace, and prosperity.Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant took to social media to express his joy, writing, "Wishing everyone a Diwali full of light, happiness, and joy. May this festival bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you and your family."India pacer Mohammed Shami echoed Pant's sentiments, saying, "May the divine light of Diwali bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to your life. Shine on and have a joyous Diwali."KL Rahul, another prominent Indian batter, sent his fans a message of warmth and blessings, writing, "Wishing you warmth, light, and endless blessings. Happy Diwali."Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag expressed his hope for joy and happiness, saying, "Wish u a sparkling and a cracker of a Deepawali. May this Deepawali bring lots of joy and happiness in your life."Irfan Pathan, another former India cricketer, emphasized the triumph of light over darkness, writing, "Wishing everyone a Diwali filled with light, love, and endless blessings. May this festival of lights bring joy to your heart, peace to your home, and success to your path. Let's celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and spread happiness far and wide."The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also extended its greetings, writing, "Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali."Diwali, the Festival of Lights, holds immense significance in India and beyond. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Celebrations typically include prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, sharing sweets and snacks, exchanging gifts, and lighting fireworks.The cricket fraternity's Diwali wishes reflect the spirit of the festival, emphasizing the importance of light, joy, and prosperity. As the world celebrates Diwali, the cricketers' messages serve as a reminder of the values that unite us all.

Despite India's consecutive Test losses against New Zealand, visiting captain Tom Latham maintains that the Indian squad remains formidable without any significant weaknesses. New Zealand achieved a remarkable milestone by securing their first Test series victory in India, winning the opening match in Bengaluru by eight wickets and following it up with a decisive 113-run victory in Pune.While India faces comprehensive challenges across all departments in the current series, the New Zealand team, which has performed flawlessly throughout their tour, offered encouraging remarks about their opponents. "India are a quality side, things obviously haven't gone the way they wanted over the last couple of weeks but it doesn't make them a bad team overnight," Latham told reporters before New Zealand's training session at the Wankhede Stadium."They've got superstars from (Nos) 1 to 15 in their squad and we expect them to be in their best tomorrow and again a new challenge for both teams, a new surface." Latham added, "I'm sure a surface that they know well and a ground that they know well, so I certainly don't think they have any chinks - they're a quality team and it's going to be another great battle."With New Zealand leading 2-0, a clean sweep over India is possible, though Latham remained reserved about that prospect. "We've obviously done a lot of good stuff over the last couple of weeks but for us, every Test match you go (in with) the focus of trying to win key moments and not necessarily focusing on the result..." Obviously that's the byproduct of putting things together back-to-back, good sessions back-to-back so yeah, a different pitch, different conditions, it's obviously a lot hotter out there than what we've faced in the last couple of weeks," he said.Latham, who assumed New Zealand's captaincy before this tour, expressed satisfaction with his team's two wins, which have bolstered the inaugural World Test Champions' hopes of reaching another final. Prior to this tour, New Zealand's chances of a second WTC final appearance were slim, but they now need to secure victories in all four remaining Tests to stay in the race. Besides the upcoming third Test against India, New Zealand will face England in a three-Test home series.But once again, Latham opted to downplay the significance of their achievement and said, "The beauty of this team is we're a reasonably levelled team in terms of I guess when results don't go so well but also when you know results do go well." We try to keep things as level as we can and there's no bigger carrot in terms of what's coming up, if you know, if we are successful throughout this game." We always focus on the process around what that looks like from the start of the game and adapt throughout the game in terms of the game situation and what will be needed," he said.Latham stated that New Zealand's focus remains on the task ahead, rather than celebrating being the first Kiwi team in nearly 70 years to defeat India on their home soil. "The guys celebrated what was you know a fantastic last week and came here yesterday. We're a bit shocked by the heat, it was pretty hot out there, but yeah, again, another challenge and you know we'll certainly be looking forward to what's presented to us this week," he said.When asked whether overseas Test and series victories should hold more weight in the WTC points system, Latham expressed his contentment with the current setup. "I haven't necessarily thought about that as such. The introduction of the World Test Championship over the last five (to) six years has been fantastic and the context that it has put on Test cricket, rather than bilateral series, has been fantastic," he said."We've probably seen a few more results in terms of games that have been played certainly over the last period of time, so the context that's now given Test cricket is awesome." Being in the position with the first one (winning team) and being successful gives you a taste of what that success feels like and once you do it, you want to do it again," he added.