Cricket

Cricket Australia (CA) has extended its ban on former Sri Lankan Test player Dulip Samaraweera for an additional 10 years, bringing his total suspension to 30 years. The latest ban stems from allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a second player while Samaraweera was coaching.Samaraweera was initially suspended for 20 years in September 2022 after an investigation found him guilty of inappropriate behavior towards a female player. The second allegation relates to his time as a private coach while employed by Cricket Victoria.Samaraweera has denied the latest claim but declined to participate in the investigation. As a result, he has been banned for 10 years for breaching the sport's code of conduct. The ban will run concurrently with his initial 20-year suspension, meaning he will not be eligible to return to any coaching role in Australia until 2044.Neither complainant has pursued criminal charges at this time. Samaraweera had been involved in Cricket Victoria's women's program for nearly 16 years, including as an assistant coach for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. He resigned from his position in May 2023.Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins condemned Samaraweera's conduct as "utterly reprehensible" and "a betrayal of everything we stand for." He praised the victim for her courage in speaking out and pledged ongoing support.Samaraweera, who played seven Tests for Sri Lanka, has been an assistant coach with the Stars since the inaugural WBBL season in 2015. He also served as Victoria's interim head coach for most of the 2022-23 summer.Samaraweera was set to take over the head coach role full-time but resigned in May 2023 due to a conflict of interest policy that prevented him from hiring his brother, Thilan, to the coaching staff.

Cricket Australia (CA) has partnered with UNICEF Australia to promote gender equality through the 'Until Every Girl Can Play' campaign. This partnership raises questions about the future of bilateral cricket matches between Australia and Afghanistan.CA has been vocal in its stance against scheduling men's bilateral cricket against Afghanistan outside of World Cups due to the Taliban government's restrictions on women's rights. The organization has canceled three bilateral series with Afghanistan in recent years.Despite this, CA continues to support a group of Afghan female cricketers who reside and play in Australia. These players have requested assistance from the ICC in establishing a refugee team based in Australia.CA CEO Nick Hockley emphasized the organization's ongoing support for these players. "They've been extremely well supported by every level of the cricketing community," he said. "We are working behind the scenes on ways we can continue to support."UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart acknowledged the complex political situation but emphasized the importance of participation. "We encourage participation wherever we are in the world," he said. "I'm pleased to see so many Afghan women in Australia, and I hope they get the opportunity to participate in the game in the future."The Future Tours Programme indicates that Australia is scheduled to host Afghanistan in a men's Test and three T20Is in July 2026. However, it remains uncertain whether this series will proceed given CA's stance on women's rights.

Cricket Australia (CA) has defended its decision to rest key players for the series-deciding ODI against Pakistan, citing the need to prioritize player fitness and performance in the upcoming Test series. However, CA CEO Nick Hockley acknowledged that the organization is reviewing the travel schedule for next summer's white-ball series against India to ensure Australia can field its strongest XI more consistently.The decision to rest Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne from the third ODI in Perth drew criticism, as Australia suffered a series loss to Pakistan. However, CA explained that the plan to rest the fast bowlers had been in place since the schedule was announced, considering the demanding summer schedule that includes seven Tests and the Champions Trophy.Medical and strength and conditioning data indicate that fast bowlers are at a high risk of injury when given only a one-day break with a long flight, as was the case with the third ODI in Perth. Australia's recent experience in the UK, where they lost six fast bowlers to injury, reinforced this concern.Hockley emphasized the extensive planning and preparation involved in squad selection and player management. He stated that the decision to rest the Test players was made to ensure their fitness for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series and the Champions Trophy.However, Hockley acknowledged the lessons learned from the ODI series loss and indicated that CA will review the schedule for next summer's white-ball series against India, which precedes the Ashes. The goal is to optimize the travel schedule to minimize player fatigue and maximize the availability of the best possible XI.The challenge lies in balancing commercial needs with player welfare. Ideally, Australia would prefer to field its full-strength XI in all three games of an ODI series, but such a scenario would conflict with optimal broadcast and attendance schedules.Pakistan, on the other hand, played the same XI in all three ODIs, demonstrating the challenges all countries face in fielding full-strength teams for every international game. Hockley emphasized that CA has been criticized in the past for not providing opportunities to new players, and the ODI series loss provided a chance to expose young talent to the pressures of international cricket.

The recent India A vs Australia A warm-up match has been marred by allegations of ball tampering against the visiting team. During the match, the umpires informed India A players that the ball had been changed due to tampering. Umpire Shawn Craig brought the development to Indian players' notice during the first unofficial Test.In a statement, Cricket Australia said that the ball had to be changed "due to deterioration", while both the managers and the captains were informed of the decision before the start of the day's play.Now, Fox Cricket has released a video of the exact stump mic conversation. Here's how it went:Shawn Craig: When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion. Let's play. This is not a discussion.Ishan Kishan: So we are going to play with this ball?Craig: You're playing with that ball.Ishan: That's a very stupid decision.Craig: Excuse me. You will be on report for dissent. That is inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball.Kishan: Thank you!Following that, a discussion took place in the Fox Cricket panel. The panel agreed that the way the Indian players showed dissent proved the 'might and force of India' in world cricket. David Warner's wife, Candice, was also part of the discussion. She said, "It just goes to show the power of India and how strong they are. A lot of these umpires want to be part of the IPL."One of the panelists then added: “India run the game. Every dollar that is raised in cricket, is raised by India. This change over the last few decades has been extraordinary.”According to a report in The Indian Express, a player, requesting anonymity, denied tampering allegations, suggesting a "nail from the sideboards may have brushed the ball."According to Cricket Australia's code of conduct, players involved in the ball tampering incident could be handed bans if the team is found to have intentionally changed the condition of the ball."Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as unfair," Cricket Australia's code of conduct reads.After the controversy spiralled up, Cricket Australia issued a statement saying, the ball change happened "due to deterioration."

David Warner has urged Cricket Australia (CA) to provide a thorough explanation regarding the controversial ball change incident that occurred during the final day of the Australia A-India A match in Mackay. The incident sparked outrage among Indian players, particularly wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, who vehemently protested the umpires' decision to replace the ball.Audio captured by the stump microphone revealed umpire Shawn Craig informing Kishan that the previous ball had scratches and that he would be reported for calling the decision "stupid." Craig stated, "You scratch it, we change the ball. There will be no more discussion, let's play."Hours after the match concluded, CA released a statement claiming that the ball had "deteriorated" and that no further action would be taken. The statement added that both teams' captains and managers had been informed of the decision before play resumed.Warner, who admitted to not having witnessed the entire incident but had observed the on-field exchanges, suggested that the issue had been swiftly addressed ahead of India's impending arrival for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He emphasized the need for CA to provide a comprehensive explanation, stating, "The ultimate decision is with CA isn't it? I think they have obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer."Warner also expressed his belief that the match referee should address the umpires' actions and stand by their decisions. He added, "I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff which are the umpires. And if they're sticking by the umpire's decisions, you have to stand up for that."It is understood that no footage exists of any untoward behavior involving the ball. According to the laws of the game, a five-run penalty is imposed if the umpires determine that the ball has been unfairly altered. However, CA's playing conditions include an additional clause that allows the umpires to change the ball without imposing penalty runs if the cause of the damage is unclear.Warner's comments came on the same day he was announced as the captain of the Sydney Thunder following the overturning of his lifetime leadership ban imposed for his involvement in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018. He acknowledged the severity of his punishment and expressed his acceptance of it, stating, "The punishment that was handed down was there for a reason and I thoroughly accept that."Warner emphasized his desire to share his knowledge and experience with the Thunder's younger players, hoping to inspire them to become future leaders in the sport.

Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, has secured a contract extension until the end of 2027. This extension will see him lead the team through the defense of their ODI World Cup title in 2027 and the next cycle of the World Test Championship.McDonald's initial appointment in 2022 was for a four-year term, which would have taken him to early 2026. The extension adds two more years to his tenure, ensuring his guidance through a crucial period for Australian cricket.During his tenure, McDonald has overseen significant success for the men's team, including the 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship titles. The extension provides him with the opportunity to achieve further milestones, such as Test series victories in India and England, which have proven elusive in recent years.McDonald's leadership has been instrumental in fostering a positive and inclusive culture within the team. He has praised the professionalism and commitment of his fellow coaches and staff, crediting them for creating a successful and unified environment."I am very fortunate to have an exceptional group of leaders, players, coaches, and staff who are fully invested in the ongoing well-being, success, and development of this group," McDonald said.Australia is currently vying for a spot in next year's WTC final at Lord's. The upcoming India series will be pivotal in their qualification prospects. Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has expressed his willingness to extend his tenure, potentially allowing him to continue working alongside McDonald until 2027.Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley lauded McDonald's contributions, stating, "Andrew has proven to be an outstanding men's head coach who as well as delivering exceptional results has built a strong coaching team, methodology, and an excellent environment for the team to perform at its best."

With the Sri Lanka Test tour looming in January, Cricket Australia (CA) faces a dilemma regarding the preparation of its spin candidates. Former Test spinner Steve O'Keefe believes that pulling spin bowlers out of the Big Bash League (BBL) early is crucial for their success on the subcontinent.O'Keefe cites his own experience in India in 2017, where he opted out of the BBL to focus on red-ball preparation. This decision paid dividends, as he bagged 12 wickets in the first Test in Pune. He argues that the BBL's focus on cross-seam bowling and yorkers is not ideal for spinners preparing for the challenges of subcontinent pitches.CA had initially planned for a clear window for Test players to feature in the BBL between the India series and the Sri Lanka tour. However, concerns have emerged about the workload and physical preparation of Test players, especially given the grueling nature of the India series.The selectors are particularly keen on finding a left-arm orthodox spinner for the Sri Lanka tour, as such bowlers have been highly successful in subcontinent conditions. However, there are currently few domestic players who specialize in this skill.O'Keefe recommends that CA pull spin candidates out of the BBL as early as possible, allowing them to focus on red-ball bowling and adjust to the specific challenges of subcontinent pitches. He believes that a month of preparation is ideal, with a couple of weeks spent bowling consistently in the subcontinent.The selectors have not yet picked a specialist left-arm orthodox spinner for the Australia A matches against India A, but Cooper Connolly will play as an allrounder. CA's chair of selectors, George Bailey, has emphasized the importance of finding players with this skill set for future subcontinent tours.

Matthew Wade, the former Australian wicketkeeper-batter, has bid farewell to international cricket and will embark on a new chapter as a coach with the national team. Wade's retirement comes after a distinguished career spanning over a decade, during which he represented Australia in 36 Tests, 97 ODIs, and 92 T20Is.Wade's international journey began in 2011, and he quickly established himself as a versatile player, capable of contributing with both bat and gloves. He played a pivotal role in Australia's T20 World Cup triumph in 2021, showcasing his prowess as a finisher with a match-winning knock in the semi-final against Pakistan.In recent years, Wade has transitioned to a more specialized role as a batter, and he enjoyed a successful return to the Test side in 2019, scoring two centuries in the Ashes series. However, his Test career came to an end in 2021, and he also retired from red-ball cricket at the domestic level in March 2023.While Wade's international career has come to a close, he will continue to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Hobart Hurricanes and participate in franchise tournaments around the world. He will also bring his experience and expertise to the Australian T20I squad as a coach, working alongside head coach Andre Borovec.Wade's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket, as he was one of the last remaining members of the team that won the 2015 World Cup. His contributions to the national team have been immense, and he will be remembered as a skilled and versatile player who always gave his all on the field.

David Warner's six-year leadership ban has been overturned by Cricket Australia (CA), allowing him to captain Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL). The decision follows a review by CA's Conduct Commission, which unanimously agreed that Warner had met the necessary criteria for the ban to be lifted.Warner had been banned from holding any leadership position in Australian cricket since the infamous sandpaper incident in Cape Town in 2018. He had initially accepted a year-long playing ban for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal but had unsuccessfully attempted to have the leadership ban overturned in 2022.However, changes to the code of conduct in 2022 allowed Warner to reapply for a review of his ban. The Conduct Commission panel was impressed by Warner's "respectful and contrite tone" and his "sincere and genuine" acknowledgment of his responsibility for the incident.The panel also considered Warner's contributions to cricket, particularly his role in fostering interest in the sport among the South Asian community in Australia. CA CEO Nick Hockley welcomed the decision, stating that it was a "fair and rigorous process" that allowed players to have long-term sanctions reviewed.Warner's return to leadership is a significant development for Australian cricket. He has been a key figure in the national team for over a decade and is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. His experience and leadership skills will be invaluable to Sydney Thunder in the upcoming BBL season.The lifting of Warner's ban also raises questions about the future of Steven Smith, who was also banned for his involvement in the sandpaper incident. Smith has since returned to captain both the Australian Test and ODI teams, but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to hold a leadership position in the BBL.