Cricket

New South Wales' hopes of victory in their Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria dwindled on day three as they were left chasing an improbable 383 runs with just four wickets in hand. Despite a valiant six-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc, the Blues were left reeling at 185 for 6 at stumps, still 197 runs adrift of their target.Sam Konstas, who had been touted as a potential Test debutant, failed to capitalize on his opportunity, scoring 43 before being dismissed by Todd Murphy. Steven Smith also fell cheaply, trapped lbw by Scott Boland for a duck.Josh Philippe provided some resistance with an unbeaten half-century, but the Blues' chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost four wickets for just 35 runs. Boland was the chief destroyer, claiming the scalps of Nic Maddinson, Smith, and Ollie Davies.Earlier in the day, Victoria had set the Blues a daunting target thanks to half-centuries from Sam Harper and Tom Rogers. Harper made 72 before holing out to wide fine leg, while Rogers scored 59 in his maiden first-class half-century.Starc was the standout performer for the Blues, finishing with figures of 6 for 81 from 17.5 overs. He dismissed both O'Neill and Murphy to complete his six-wicket haul, but the damage had already been done.With just one day remaining in the match, Victoria are firm favorites to secure victory. The Blues will need to produce a remarkable batting performance to pull off an unlikely win.

Mitchell Starc, Australia's premier fast bowler, made a triumphant return to first-class cricket on Monday, claiming six wickets for New South Wales against Victoria in Melbourne. Starc's impressive performance marks his successful re-entry into the game after a brief hiatus and bodes well for Australian cricket.During the second innings, Starc showcased his exceptional bowling skills, capturing six wickets for 81 runs in 17.5 overs. His victims included Ashley Chandrasinghe, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Elliott, Fergus O'Neill, and Todd Murphy.Starc's return to form is particularly significant as he prepares to face India's formidable batting lineup in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. The left-arm pacer is currently the third leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with 48 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.37.In the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle, Starc has taken four four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, making him the joint third-highest wicket-taker alongside Pat Cummins. The leading bowlers in this WTC cycle are Ravichandran Ashwin with 59 wickets and Josh Hazlewood with 51 wickets.Starc's performance against Victoria is a testament to his unwavering determination and skill. He is now eyeing significant milestones in the upcoming Border Gavaskar series, including reaching 400 Test wickets and 700 international wickets. So far, he has claimed 358 wickets in 89 Test matches and a total of 678 wickets in 279 international matches.Starc's return to form is a major boost for Australia as they prepare to face India in a highly anticipated Test series. The Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22, will be a crucial test for both teams as they aim to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Victoria's batting lineup faced a stern test on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash against New South Wales at the MCG, with Sean Abbott's exceptional bowling performance putting the Blues in a commanding position.Abbott, who is vying for a spot in Australia's Test squad, claimed four wickets for 50 runs, including a devastating spell after tea that yielded three wickets in 15 balls. His sustained fast bowling kept the Victorian batsmen on edge throughout the day.Peter Handscomb and Campbell Kellaway provided some resistance for Victoria, scoring half-centuries in challenging conditions. However, Mitchell Starc's impressive morning spell, which included a nasty blow to Marcus Harris's arm, set the tone for NSW's dominance.Harris, who batted the entire first session, was unable to capitalize on his start and was eventually dismissed by Starc for 26. The left-armer's extra pace and bounce proved too much for Harris, who was caught down the leg side.Kellaway and Handscomb shared a century stand, but their partnership was broken by Jackson Bird's off-cutter, which dismissed Kellaway for 55. Abbott then returned to wreak havoc, removing Handscomb, Sam Harper, and Will Sutherland in quick succession.Victoria's collapse continued as Nathan Lyon had Sam Elliott caught at short leg, leaving the home side reeling at 185 for 7. Tom Rogers and Fergus O'Neill mounted a brief rearguard, but O'Neill's dismissal late in the day left Victoria in a precarious position.Jack Nisbet picked up a second wicket when he had Todd Murphy caught behind, leaving Victoria on 259 for 9 at stumps. Abbott's outstanding performance has put NSW in a strong position heading into day two, while Victoria will need to find a way to rebuild their innings and avoid a heavy defeat.

Mitchell Starc's absence from Australia's Test team due to back surgery has raised concerns about the team's bowling depth and workload management. Starc acknowledged that Green's all-round abilities would be missed, potentially increasing the burden on the pace attack.With Green unavailable, Australia's selectors face a dilemma in finding a suitable replacement. The absence of an all-rounder could lead to increased bowling responsibilities for the likes of Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood.Starc emphasized the importance of having a genuine all-rounder in the team, as it provides an extra bowling option and allows for workload management. He noted that Australia has previously played series without an all-rounder, but it requires the bowlers to take on additional responsibilities.Starc will begin his red-ball summer against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield, alongside Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon. Hazlewood will then play in the Blues' following match against Queensland, while Starc will be rested.Australia's bowlers have adopted an extended-squad approach, recognizing the potential for workload management issues. Starc highlighted the importance of considering factors such as the length of the series, the duration of matches, and the conditions of the wickets.Despite the challenges posed by Green's absence, Starc expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt. He praised the talent and work ethic of NSW prodigy Sam Konstas, suggesting that he could potentially handle the demands of Test cricket if called upon.

Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc will make their long-awaited returns to the Sheffield Shield this weekend as New South Wales takes on Victoria at the MCG. The match, starting Sunday, will serve as a crucial preparation for the upcoming international summer.Smith, who has been sidelined with a concussion since the Ashes, will be eager to prove his fitness ahead of the Test series against India. The former Australian captain last played a Shield match in February 2021.Starc, on the other hand, has not featured in the Shield since the 2020-21 final. The left-arm quick will be looking to regain his rhythm and build up his workload before the ODI series against Pakistan.Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will not play in the Shield match but are expected to feature in the One-Day Cup fixture against Victoria on October 25. Cummins is unlikely to play any red-ball cricket before the Test series against India, while Hazlewood's availability for the third round of Shield may be affected by the ODI series against Pakistan.Sean Abbott will also return for NSW after missing the opening round due to a minor injury. Nathan Lyon, who took eight wickets against South Australia, will again be a key figure for the Blues.Victoria is expected to include Scott Boland in their squad, setting up a fascinating contest with 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas. Konstas was called up to the Australia A squad earlier this week after scoring twin centuries against South Australia.Matthew Gilkes, Ryan Hadley, and Liam Hatcher have been dropped from the NSW squad that drew with South Australia in the opening round.

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has heaped praise on India coach Gautam Gambhir, describing him as a brilliant strategist who prioritizes the team's needs and seeks to gain an edge through tactical adjustments. Starc's admiration stems from his experience working with Gambhir as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR enjoyed a dominant season, culminating in their first IPL title in a decade. Starc was impressed by Gambhir's ability to analyze opponents and devise strategies to exploit their weaknesses. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack," Starc said.Gambhir's focus extends beyond individual players, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and identifying subtle adjustments that can provide an advantage. "It's not just individual players, it's always about the team focus and how to get on top of little things that he might see in techniques or in a field placement or anything like that," Starc added.KKR acquired Starc for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history. Despite a modest league stage performance, Starc proved his worth with match-winning spells in the knockout rounds. "The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic. In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things," Starc said.However, the two will find themselves on opposite sides when Australia hosts India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth next month. Starc acknowledged that Gambhir's tactical acumen will pose a significant challenge for the Australian team.

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc: A Rivalry Renewed in the Border-Gavaskar TrophyThe upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with one of the key battles being the clash between Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli and Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.In their 19 Test innings together, Kohli has dominated Starc, dismissing him once and scoring numerous runs against him. However, Starc remains unfazed and relishes the challenge of facing the Indian star."I enjoy my battles with Virat Kohli," Starc said. "We've played a lot of cricket against one another, and I always have some good battles. I've managed to get him out once or twice, and he's no doubt scored a fair few runs against me, so it's always a good contest and one we both enjoy."Starc also praised India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for his tactical acumen and team-oriented approach."He's a fantastic thinker of the game," Starc said of Gambhir. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack. It's not just individual players; it's always about the team focus."Gambhir's leadership will be crucial for India as they aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil. The series begins on November 22 in Perth, and Starc believes Gambhir's influence will be evident."The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic," Starc said. "In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things."With Kohli and Starc set to face off once again, and Gambhir guiding India's fortunes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an unforgettable cricketing experience.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced significant changes to its retention rules, allowing franchises to retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction. This strategic move will enable teams to secure top international players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who have proven their worth as world-class pacers.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are expected to benefit from these rule changes. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has been vocal about his desire to retain eight players, while SRH co-owner Kavya Maran has advocated for removing the cap on retaining foreign players.Under the new rules, franchises can retain a maximum of five capped players and up to two uncapped players. This flexibility allows teams to tailor their retentions to their specific needs. SRH, for instance, can now retain overseas players like Cummins, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram. KKR, on the other hand, can focus on retaining domestic stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Sunil Narine.Starc, who was acquired by KKR for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the 2024 auction, is a prime example of the value that top international players bring to IPL teams. Despite an inconsistent season, he delivered a standout performance in the final, earning him the Player of the Match award.The updated retention rules give franchises greater flexibility and strategic options. They can now retain a core group of players while also targeting specific players in the auction. This will likely lead to more competitive bidding and a more dynamic IPL landscape.

Mitchell Starc's nightmare at Lord's on Friday was a chilling reminder of the brutal onslaught he endured at the hands of Rohit Sharma during the T20 World Cup earlier this year. In the fourth ODI between Australia and England, Starc was subjected to a relentless assault by Liam Livingstone, who smashed 29 runs off his over, equaling the costliest over by an Australian bowler in ODIs.Starc's torment began in the final over of England's innings, with the home team needing 15 runs to win. Livingstone, who had already struck a blistering 67 off 27 balls, took aim at the Australian left-arm pacer, hitting four sixes in a row. The over, which read 6, 0, 6, 6, 6, 4, brought back haunting memories of Rohit's sensational knock in the T20 World Cup match.In that match, Rohit played arguably the best innings of the tournament, smashing eight sixes and seven fours in his 41-ball 92. The highlight of his innings was the third over bowled by Starc, in which the Indian captain plundered four sixes and a four off the pacer, making it a 29-run over.Starc's struggles against Livingstone and Rohit have exposed a vulnerability in his bowling that opposition batters are eager to exploit. The Australian pacer, who has been one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket, is now facing questions about his ability to handle the pressure in high-stakes matches.After the match, Starc admitted that he had bowled five bad balls and that Livingstone had punished him for them. "I've played a lot against him. He had a good tournament, especially in our game. I think he targeted that wind in St. Lucia as well. If you look at the runs from each end, one end went for a lot more than the other. I bowled from that end," Starc said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.Starc's struggles are a concern for Australia, who are looking to regain their dominance in ODI cricket. The team has lost two of the first four matches in the series against England, and Starc's inability to contain the opposition's batters is a major factor.