Cricket

The second round of the Sheffield Shield provided insights into the race for Test selection and the form of players ahead of the upcoming series against India.Openers Struggle:Australia's specialist openers continue to underperform. Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft have failed to impress, while Matt Renshaw and Sam Konstas have shown glimpses of promise but lack consistency.Smith's Lean Outing:Steven Smith, who is expected to move back to No. 4 in the Test batting order, had a disappointing outing at the MCG. He was dismissed cheaply in both innings, raising concerns about his form.McSweeney's Strong Start:Nathan McSweeney has emerged as a potential Test candidate with his impressive start to the season. His consistent performances have put him in contention for a spot in the squad, even if he is not selected as an opener.Keepers in Fine Form:Alex Carey and Josh Inglis have been in exceptional form, scoring multiple centuries. Their performances have raised the possibility of Australia playing two wicketkeepers in the Test side.Starc's Encouraging Return:Mitchell Starc looked sharp in his first red-ball outing since March. He found swing and pace, taking six wickets in the second innings. His performance bodes well for Australia's bowling attack against India.Others in the Mix:While most of Australia's Test squad is likely set, there are still some players vying for selection. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne had quiet weeks, while Mitchell Marsh struggled with the bat. Nathan Lyon and Michael Neser continue to impress, while Sean Abbott and Nathan McAndrew are also in contention.Upcoming Fixtures:Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will feature for NSW in the One-Day Cup match against Victoria on Friday. The focus then shifts to the first Australia A vs India A match in Mackay, which begins on October 31. The next round of Shield matches will also take place concurrently.

Australia A to Host India A in Four-Day Series Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyIn preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia A will face India A in a two-match four-day series. The matches will serve as a crucial opportunity for players from both sides to showcase their skills and stake their claim for Test selection.The series will commence at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from October 31 to November 3, followed by a second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7 to 10. Following the A series, the entire Indian squad will engage in an internal warm-up fixture at the WACA from November 15 to 17 before the opening Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22.For Australia, the A matches will coincide with the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. Selectors will need to determine if any players involved in the white-ball teams could potentially feature for the A side. The A matches may also clash with Sheffield Shield fixtures.The T20Is against Pakistan are unlikely to involve any of Australia's Test players due to their proximity to the India series. While Steven Smith is expected to remain as an opener, the structure of Australia's batting order remains a topic of debate. The A matches could provide an opportunity for Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw to impress.In the past, Pakistan faced the Prime Minister's XI, effectively an Australia A team, in Canberra ahead of the Test series. During India's previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, they played two warm-up matches against Australia A before the Test series, which India won 2-1.The India women's team will also tour Australia for three ODIs in early December, which will be played around the second men's Test in Adelaide.

The Indian cricket board's (BCCI) recent decision to withhold central contracts from Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan for skipping the Ranji Trophy has sparked a debate about the relative importance of the domestic tournament and the Indian Premier League (IPL).While the IPL undoubtedly offers greater financial rewards and media attention, former India opener Devang Gandhi, who served on the senior selection committee until 2020, argues that Ranji Trophy performances remain paramount for Test team selection. He cites examples of Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj, who all played significant red-ball cricket before earning national call-ups.However, there have been exceptions, such as Ajinkya Rahane's selection for the World Test Championship final after a strong IPL season. Gandhi suggests that this was due to Rahane's proven track record in England, rather than solely his IPL performances.Rajasthan Royals star Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut recently, also has an impressive first-class average of 50.78. Other recent Test debutants, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep, have all excelled in the Ranji Trophy.Sunil Subramaniam, R Ashwin's former coach, believes the IPL is a valuable indicator of a player's temperament on the big stage. However, he acknowledges a problem in the system, with the significant pay disparity between IPL and domestic cricket leading many young players to prioritize the former.Subramaniam suggests that top players should set an example by playing Ranji Trophy whenever possible, but acknowledges that workload management for pace bowlers is a concern. He believes the BCCI's recent diktat has come too late and that a systemic change is needed, starting with the very top players.