Cricket

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has been appointed head coach of the Prime Minister's XI for their two-day pink-ball warm-up match against India A, ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Paine will be joined by assistant coaches Erin Osborne and Justin McNally.The match will take place from November 30 to December 1 in Canberra, providing India with crucial preparation for the second Test in Adelaide, which will be a day-night encounter. The warm-up fixture is part of India's larger effort to acclimatize to Australian conditions, as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 0-3 home series defeat against New Zealand.India need a strong performance in the five-match series to stay in contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India's main squad is set to arrive in Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11, while the India A team, featuring several Test squad members, is already playing unofficial matches against Australia A to adjust to local conditions.The pink-ball Test in Adelaide, scheduled as the second match of the Border-Gavaskar series, will be a key challenge for India, and this warm-up game against Paine's team will be vital preparation. India A's two-day match will provide their batters and bowlers valuable experience under lights, ahead of what is expected to be a tough Test series.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 in Perth, and India will need to win the series to keep their hopes alive for a place in the WTC final, making this tour one of their most important in recent years.

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the introduction of three day-night Sheffield Shield matches this season to provide domestic players with valuable experience in pink-ball conditions. This move aligns with the increasing prevalence of day-night Tests in the Australian summer.The matches will be strategically held at Adelaide Oval, the Gabba, and Bellerive Oval, which have been the preferred venues for pink-ball Tests in recent years. However, the timing of the matches means that none of Australia's current Test team will participate in any of them.The first day-night match will feature South Australia and Western Australia at Adelaide Oval on November 23, just two weeks before the pink-ball Test between Australia and India at the same venue. However, this match will not involve any current Australian Test players due to a clash with the first Test in Perth.Queensland and Victoria will face off at the Gabba on November 24, a match that could potentially feature Michael Neser and Scott Boland, who have both played pink-ball Test cricket and could be in contention for Australia's Test team this summer.The final day-night match will be played between Tasmania and New South Wales at Bellerive Oval in Hobart starting on March 15. While Australia's ODI players are unlikely to be available due to their return from the Champions Trophy, Nathan Lyon could potentially participate depending on his recovery from the Test series against India and Sri Lanka.CA's head of national teams, Ben Oliver, emphasized the importance of providing domestic players with opportunities to enhance their skills and prepare them for the challenges of international cricket. He stated that playing first-class matches at Test venues and exposing players to day-night conditions are crucial for their development.CA previously scheduled day-night Shield rounds consistently between 2013-14 and 2017-18. However, pink-ball games have since been reserved for Australia A, Prime Minister's XI, or CA XI matches against touring teams. The reintroduction of day-night Sheffield Shield matches is seen as a positive step in preparing the next generation of Australian cricketers for the demands of international cricket.

India's upcoming tour of Australia will feature a crucial two-day pink-ball warm-up match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. This fixture, scheduled for November 30 and December 1 at Manuka Oval, will serve as a vital preparation for the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide.In recent years, the Prime Minister's XI match has been a four-day contest, but it has been shortened to two days for India's visit. This change reflects the importance of the day-night Test in Adelaide, where India suffered a humiliating defeat in 2020-21. However, the team famously rallied to win the series 2-1, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.India's previous experience with day-night Tests is limited to four matches, including a recent encounter against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. Australia, on the other hand, has played 12 day-night Tests, all on home soil. Despite their experience, Australia suffered their first defeat with the pink ball last season against West Indies in Brisbane.The Prime Minister's XI has emerged as a formidable side in recent seasons, effectively serving as an Australia A team. Matt Renshaw has been particularly impressive in the last two fixtures, scoring three centuries. However, the pitch at Manuka Oval has drawn criticism for being slow and low, raising concerns about its suitability for Test preparation.Before facing the Prime Minister's XI, India will engage in an intra-squad warm-up at the WACA from November 15-18. They will arrive in Australia after completing a three-match home Test series against New Zealand. Additionally, an India A squad will tour Australia from late October, playing two four-day matches in Mackay and Melbourne.

Australia will host England in a historic four-day pink-ball women's Ashes Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in January 2025. This match will mark the 90th anniversary of the first women's Test series between the two nations.The multi-format women's Ashes series will kick off Australia's home summer, which also includes a T20I series against New Zealand, a three-match ODI series against India, and the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.The MCG Test will be the first women's Test played at the venue since 1948-49 and will also be the first women's international match since the 2020 T20 World Cup final.Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry expressed her excitement about the fixture, recognizing its historical significance and the potential it holds for the growth of women's cricket.However, the debate continues over whether four-day or five-day cricket is the optimal format for women's Tests. Perry believes more quantifiable data is needed to determine the most effective approach.Cricket Australia (CA) remains committed to four-day games, citing the need to improve Test cricket and attract more fans. CA's head of scheduling, Peter Roach, emphasized the importance of finding the right balance and outcome for women's cricket.Despite Australia's preference for the WACA ground, the MCG's similar pace and bounce in recent men's Tests made it an ideal choice for this historic occasion.Perry highlighted the team's connection to past players and the importance of recognizing the history of women's cricket. She mentioned the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1973 women's World Cup team and the presence of former players at the 2020 World Cup final.