Cricket

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Preview, Team News, and Live UpdatesSri Lanka and New Zealand will lock horns in the first ODI of their three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts will be eager to avenge their recent T20I series defeat against the Kiwis, while the visitors will aim to continue their winning momentum.Team News:New Zealand have suffered a major blow with the absence of star pacer Lockie Ferguson, who has been ruled out due to a leg injury. Adam Milne has been called up as his replacement. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will miss the services of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who is out with a hamstring strain. Dushan Hemantha has been drafted into the squad, but Jeffrey Vandersay is expected to lead the spin attack.Key Players:For Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on captain Dasun Shanaka, who has been in impressive form with the bat in recent times. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will also be crucial to the team's batting success. In the bowling department, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera will be the key threats.New Zealand will rely heavily on their experienced batting lineup, led by captain Kane Williamson. Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips will be the ones to watch out for. With Ferguson out, Trent Boult and Tim Southee will shoulder the responsibility of leading the bowling attack.Match Preview:The first ODI is expected to be a closely contested affair. Sri Lanka will be playing on home soil and will be determined to make a statement. However, New Zealand have a strong team and will be confident of securing a victory. The weather conditions are expected to be favorable for both teams, with no rain forecast.Live Updates:The match will begin at 2:30 PM local time (10:00 AM GMT). Live updates will be available on the official websites and social media channels of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket.

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.

Pakistan's stunning victory over Australia in the ODI series has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side, despite recent struggles, outplayed the hosts in a historic triumph.Australia's surrender of the series marks the first time in 22 years that they have lost an ODI series to Pakistan at home. The defeat was compounded by an unprecedented record: not a single Australian batter managed to score a half-century throughout the bilateral series.The absence of Australia's top players, who were rested ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, played a significant role in Pakistan's success. While the Australian team was being hammered in Perth, captain Pat Cummins was enjoying a Coldplay concert in Sydney.Cummins' decision to attend the concert while his team was struggling drew criticism from the Australian media. The Sydney Morning Herald questioned why Cummins was "at Coldplay while Australia were smashed," while The Australian labeled his absence a "cold start to summer."Former Australian captain Michael Clarke expressed concerns over the team management's decision to rest key players in the third ODI. He questioned why the team prioritized rest over a chance to secure the series win."I'm just a bit confused. With 11 days between now and the first Test, why can't the Aussie boys who are part of this Test series play in the one-dayer?" Clarke said.Pakistan's victory is a testament to their resilience and determination. They seized the opportunity presented by Australia's weakened team and played with unwavering focus and intensity. The series win is a major boost for Pakistan's confidence ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia.

South Africa's women's cricket team is set to host England in a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series, with the aim of expanding their player pool and building on their performance at the recent T20 World Cup.For the T20I series, South Africa have rested experienced players Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka to give opportunities to other players. Medium-pacer Eliz-Mari Marx, who was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the CSA Women's Pro20 series, and allrounder Nondumiso Shangase have been recalled to the squad.Wicketkeeper-batter Mieke de Ridder and Seshnie Naidu have also been omitted from the T20I squad. De Ridder has been replaced by Faye Tunnicliffe, while Naidu is completing her final school exams and will then prepare for the Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia in January.The T20I squad includes three players currently playing in the WBBL: captain Laura Wolvaardt, allrounder Nadine de Klerk, and Chloe Tryon. Bowlers Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune, who were part of the T20 World Cup squad but did not play a game, may get an opportunity at home, where conditions are expected to suit them better.Interim coach Dillon du Preez said he hopes the team can build on their performance at the T20 World Cup, where they reached a second successive final. "We would like to have the same approach that we did in the last T20 World Cup. Although the next T20 World Cup is in two years' time, we would still like to grow as a team and continue to work on our T20 playing philosophy," du Preez said.For the ODI series, South Africa have added additional resources to the squad, including batter Lara Goodall and experienced seamer Masabata Klaas. Hlubi is also in line for an ODI debut. The matches are part of the Women's Championship, which forms the qualification pathway for next year's ODI World Cup in India.South Africa are currently in fourth place in the Women's Championship, with 23 points, five behind Australia and England. The top five teams along with hosts India will automatically advance to the event, which means Australia and England have already qualified. South Africa have also gone through, even if they are overtaken by Bangladesh or West Indies, both of whom have six matches left to play (including three against each other).The tour also includes a one-off Test in Bloemfontein from December 15 to 18, for which South Africa will name the squad at a later date. The T20 games are on November 24, 27, and 30, followed by the ODIs on December 4, 8, and 11.

Bangladesh's stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz elected to bat first after winning the toss against Afghanistan in the third and decisive ODI in Sharjah. Miraz took over the captaincy duties from Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was ruled out due to a groin injury.In a significant change, Bangladesh rested senior pacer Taskin Ahmed for the series decider. Zakir Hasan and debutant fast bowler Nahid Rana were brought in as replacements for Shanto and Taskin, respectively. Rana, a 22-year-old right-arm pacer, has impressed selectors with his ability to consistently bowl at 140kph.Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to field the same playing XI that lost the second ODI by 68 runs. The Afghans had won the first game by 92 runs, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.Afghanistan:1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)2. Sediqullah Atal3. Rahmat Shah4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)5. Azmatullah Omarzai6. Mohammad Nabi7. Gulbadin Naib8. Rashid Khan9. AM Ghazanfar10. Nangeyalia Kharote11. Fazalhaq FarooqiBangladesh:1. Soumya Sarkar2. Tanzid Hasan Tamim3. Zakir Hasan4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt)5. Towhid Hridoy6. Mahmudullah7. Jaker Ali (wk)8. Nasum Ahmed9. Nahid Rana10. Shoriful Islam11. Mustafizur RahmanThe match is crucial for both teams, as Afghanistan seeks to clinch the series victory while Bangladesh aims to level the series and force a decider.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has expressed frustration with the heavy criticism aimed at Australia's ODI team following their recent 1-2 series defeat to Pakistan. Despite a promising start with a win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Aussies stumbled in the subsequent matches, suffering comprehensive nine-wicket and eight-wicket losses at the Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium, respectively. These defeats have sparked discussions over the state of Australia's ODI squad, with some commentators labelling the series loss as a "disaster."Speaking on SEN Tassie, Paine voiced his discontent with what he sees as an exaggerated reaction, particularly from established cricket analysts. "That annoyed me. People were saying, 'Oh, I can't believe how bad the Australian cricket team are,' and these are cricket commentators—world-class commentators—saying, 'I can't believe what I'm watching; this is the World Cup holders.' But it's not. The World Cup holders are sitting on the couch getting ready for a Test series."Paine explained that the absence of key players, including Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood, who missed the series entirely, along with Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Starc, who only played in parts of the series, made a significant difference. These absences were due to the players' need to prepare for the upcoming Test summer and other critical red-ball engagements, including an important series against India. Paine highlighted that the team on the field wasn't representative of the World Cup-winning unit but was instead filled with emerging talents learning to play at the top level."We're blooding some youth to give them experience at the international level whilst the big boys get ready for two hugely important series — one in Test cricket and one in white-ball. Relax. It's okay," he said.The World Cup-winning side's absence was deeply felt, as Australia managed scores of only 163 and 140 while batting first in the second and third ODIs, respectively.Paine's comments highlight the challenges facing Australia's ODI team as they transition from a golden generation to a new era. While the recent series loss is disappointing, it's important to remember that the team is in a rebuilding phase and that the absence of key players played a significant role in the outcome. With the return of experienced players and the continued development of young talent, Australia's ODI team has the potential to regain its status as one of the world's best.

South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, acknowledged the team's batting struggles after their three-wicket victory over India in the second ODI. He emphasized the importance of sticking to their game plan despite setbacks.In the post-match presentation, Markram praised the team's bowling performance, highlighting the execution of their plans. However, he acknowledged the batting's shortcomings, stating, "Sometimes it does not work out and we need to take it on the chin."Markram expressed pride in the contributions of Andile Simlalane and Nqabayomzi Peter, who played crucial roles in the victory. He emphasized the need to focus on each game individually, saying, "We won this game to level the series."The four-match series is now tied at 1-1. South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first, restricting India to 124/6 in 20 overs. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee were instrumental in containing the Indian batters, each taking one wicket in their four-over spells.In the run-chase, India initially dominated, reducing South Africa to 87/6. However, Tristan Stubbs and Coetzee launched a counter-attack, guiding the team to victory with an over and three wickets remaining. Stubbs was named 'Player of the Match' for his unbeaten 47.Markram emphasized the team's commitment to their brand of cricket, despite the batting challenges. He said, "We are going to stick to our brand of cricket."

Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi Suffers Thumb Injury, Babar Azam Provides First AidPakistan's star pacer Shaheen Afridi endured a painful blow to his left thumb during the third and final ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday. The incident occurred in the 26th over when Sean Abbott's shot to deep mid-wicket resulted in a hard, flat throw on the bounce. As Afridi attempted to stop the ball at the non-striker's end, it grazed his thumb, causing visible discomfort.Captain Babar Azam swiftly intervened, pulling Afridi's thumb to alleviate the pain. Commentators initially feared a dislocation, but Azam's prompt action prevented further damage. The physio arrived shortly after, ruling out dislocation and administering magic spray to ease the pain.Despite the discomfort, Afridi resumed bowling, much to the relief of Pakistan fans. His resilience proved crucial as Pakistan's pacers dominated the Australian batting lineup, restricting the hosts to a mere 140 runs. Afridi and Naseem Shah claimed three wickets each, while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain also contributed to the bowling effort.The injury scare added to the drama of the series-deciding match. Australia had won the series opener by two wickets, but Pakistan responded with a resounding nine-wicket victory in Adelaide to force a decider. The final ODI in Perth was a tense affair, with Pakistan ultimately emerging victorious by 11 runs.Afridi's injury is a concern for Pakistan, who are scheduled to face New Zealand in a two-match Test series starting on December 26. The extent of his injury remains unclear, but his determination to continue bowling despite the pain is a testament to his commitment to the team.

Bangladesh, seeking to level the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, won the toss and elected to bat first in the second ODI in Sharjah. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made two changes to the side that lost the first game, with one being a forced move.Mushfiqur Rahim, ruled out of the series due to a finger fracture, was replaced by debutant Jaker Ali. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed came in for legspinner Rishad Hossain in the other change.Afghanistan, on the other hand, fielded the same team that gave them a 1-0 lead in the series.Jaker Ali, despite making his ODI debut, has extensive experience in T20Is and Tests for Bangladesh. He has played 93 List A games, averaging 35.75 with two centuries and 12 half-centuries.Afghanistan won the first ODI by a comfortable margin of 92 runs, putting Bangladesh in a must-win situation in the second game to keep the series alive.