Cricket

Australia Stuns India to Clinch Record-Extending Sixth ODI World Cup TitleOn a fateful night in November 2023, the Australian cricket team defied all odds to defeat India in their own backyard and claim a record-extending sixth ODI World Cup title. The iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, adorned with a sea of blue and over 100,000 fervent Indian supporters, fell silent as Pat Cummins and his team shattered the dreams of a billion fans.India, who had remained unbeaten throughout the tournament under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, faced a formidable challenge in the final. Batting first, they got off to a decent start but lost wickets at crucial intervals. Despite a valiant 66 from KL Rahul, India could only muster a modest total of 240.Australia's chase began disastrously, with three wickets falling within the first seven overs. However, opener Travis Head emerged as an unlikely hero, playing the innings of his life. His magnificent 137 off 120 deliveries, coupled with a solid 58 from Marnus Labuschagne, propelled Australia to a stunning six-wicket victory.The match showcased the incredible grit and determination of both teams, but it was Australia who held their nerve under immense pressure. Their victory not only extended their record as the most successful ODI World Cup team but also shattered the hearts of a nation that had pinned its hopes on a home triumph.

Australian cricketer Travis Head anticipates a formidable performance from Indian star batsman Virat Kohli throughout the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Head acknowledges Kohli's world-class batting abilities and emphasizes the importance of respecting his talent.Despite Kohli's recent dip in form, Head believes he will have his moments in the series. "He's a world-class player. Over the course of five Tests, he is going to play well at some stage. We have to understand and respect that," Head said.Head also expressed his understanding and support for Rohit Sharma's decision to prioritize family over the first Test match. "Hundred per cent, I support Rohit's decision. I would have done the same in the same situation," Head said.Despite Rohit's absence, Head cautioned against underestimating the Indian team. "If you look at our history, you would not rule out any Indian team. In the last two trips, they've had injuries and doubts, and people questioned them, but they pulled off incredible performances," Head said.Nathan Lyon, Australia's leading off-spinner, emphasized that the Australian bowling attack has strategies in place for every Indian batsman, not just Kohli. "We have got plans for each one of their guys. They have a side full of superstars, the batting lineup which is exciting, it is a massive challenge for us," Lyon said.Lyon expressed confidence in Australia's preparations and their anticipation for the series. "We are looking forward to that, we have some plans in store. Let's get cracking on Friday," Lyon said.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India is set to commence on February 9th in Nagpur. The series will consist of four Test matches, with the second Test to be played in Delhi, the third in Dharamsala, and the fourth in Ahmedabad.

Australia's Travis Head has sparked a friendly rivalry ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) by playfully assessing the attractiveness and cricketing prowess of India's players.When asked about the hottest Indian player, Head毫不犹豫地选择了印度队长Rohit Sharma。Head赞扬了Rohit的风格和能力，称他无论在场上还是场下都是完美的组合。"我认为他并不是那么英俊。也许[他需要做一些工作]。我认为有更性感的。我喜欢Rohit的工作，我很喜欢他的爸爸形象，我认为他在他们所有人中是最有风格的。他站在最前面，接受挑战，在比赛中双步走。两者[身体吸引力和板球技巧]，"Head在7 Cricket上说道。"我认为人们会[觉得他很有吸引力]。是的，我只是喜欢他做事的方式，是的，在棚子里。我很满意，我很满意他的设置。Jasprit，需要做一些工作。也许，在测试比赛之后[你传达了这一点]，"他补充道。备受期待的印度和澳大利亚之间的边境-加瓦斯卡奖杯将于11月22日拉开帷幕，第一场测试赛将在珀斯举行。第二场测试赛采用日夜赛形式，将于12月6日至10日在阿德莱德椭圆球场举行。随后，球迷们将把注意力转向12月14日至18日在布里斯班举行的第三场测试赛。传统的Boxing Day测试赛将于12月26日至30日在墨尔本标志性的墨尔本板球场举行，标志着该系列赛的倒数第二阶段。第五场也是最后一场测试赛将于1月3日至7日在悉尼板球场举行，为备受期待的系列赛带来激动人心的高潮。

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has finalized its core group for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season by retaining Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy as their final two capped players.Head, the Australian batter, is set to receive a hefty INR 14 crore, while Reddy, the Indian all-rounder, will earn INR 6 crore. These signings complete SRH's quota of five capped retained players, joining Heinrich Klaasen (INR 23 crore), Pat Cummins (INR 18 crore), and Abhishek Sharma (INR 14 crore).SRH's decision to retain Head is a testament to his impressive performance in the 2024 IPL season. The left-hander smashed 567 runs at a strike rate of 191.55, establishing himself as a key player at the top of the order. Head's ability to perform under pressure, as evidenced by his centuries in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals, makes him a valuable asset for SRH.Reddy, on the other hand, has seen a significant increase in his value since joining SRH in 2023. The 21-year-old was named the Emerging Player of the Year in IPL 2024 for his all-round contributions. He scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 143 and took three wickets with his seam bowling. Reddy's international debut for India in October further enhances his value.With these retentions, SRH has secured the core group that led them to the IPL 2024 final. The franchise will now have INR 45 crore remaining in their auction purse, which they can use to acquire additional players.

SRH's Retention Conundrum: Moody's Picks for IPL 2025Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody has identified four key players he believes the franchise should retain: captain Pat Cummins, openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, and wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen.Moody, who guided SRH to the 2024 IPL final, emphasized the importance of retaining the team's core players. Head, Abhishek, and Klaasen were instrumental in SRH's success last season, finishing as the top three run-getters.Head, the Australian batter, amassed 567 runs, including a century and four fifties. Abhishek, the Indian opener, contributed 484 runs with three half-centuries. Klaasen, the South African wicketkeeper, accumulated 479 runs, including four half-centuries."SRH has a tough job during this retention period," Moody said. "At the top, I'd look to secure captain Pat Cummins, followed by Travis Head and then Abhishek Sharma."Moody also suggested considering all-rounders Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad for retention. Reddy was the fourth-highest run-getter for SRH in 2024, while Samad impressed with his power-hitting, scoring 182 runs at a strike rate of 168.51."I'd extend it even further to retain Heinrich Klaasen," Moody added. "Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad are also worth considering."IPL franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. The auction purse for IPL 2025 has been set at Rs 120 crore. The deadline for franchises to finalize their retention list is October 31.

Travis Head, Australia's versatile all-format player, has signed a one-year deal to return to the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, his hectic international schedule will limit his availability to a maximum of three games.Head, 30, captained the Strikers to the BBL title in 2017-18 but has not played for the club since the 2022-23 season. His return is a significant boost for the Strikers, who are looking to improve on their disappointing performance last season.However, Head's availability will be limited due to his commitments to the Australian Test team. The upcoming five-match Test series against India, followed by a Test tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy, means he will only be available for three matches on January 11, 15, and 18.The BBL had hoped that Australia's Test stars would be available to give the competition a boost at the back end of this summer's tournament. However, there are concerns over player workload coming out of a gruelling Test series against India and with so little time to prepare for an overseas Test tour in spinning conditions in Sri Lanka.Head's workload has become a key consideration for Australia's selectors and coaching staff since he became an all-format player in the last 12 months. There were concerns over his decision to play in the recent Major League Cricket tournament in July, which came on the back of a busy period of playing that included the ODI World Cup, five home Tests, a T20I and Test tour of New Zealand, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup.Head is being rested from the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, partly due to the upcoming birth of his second child. But his decision to add some BBL cricket in January means his next decent break will likely have to wait until after the Champions Trophy in February and March.New Strikers coach Tim Paine is aware of Head's workload but was keen to have him play some BBL matches. "We understand Trav has a hectic international schedule," Paine said. "But we also know how much he loves getting back in the blue whenever the chance arises and we look forward to our fans being treated to more of his magic this summer."

Travis Head's all-round brilliance propelled Australia to a 49-run victory over England in the rain-affected fifth and final ODI at Bristol, securing a 3-2 series triumph for the world champions.England, chasing a formidable target, were cruising at 202-2 thanks to a century from Ben Duckett (107) and a half-century from Harry Brook (72). However, Australia's slow bowlers turned the tide, with Head claiming an ODI-best 4-28 as England collapsed to 309 all out.Australia's chase got off to a blistering start, with Matthew Short (58) and Head (31) putting on 78 for the first wicket in just over seven overs. Rain intervened with Australia well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) target, and the umpires eventually called off the game with Australia on 165-2 after 20.4 overs.Head's performance was particularly impressive, as he not only took four wickets but also made a valuable contribution with the bat. His 31 off 24 balls helped set the tone for Australia's chase, while his bowling proved decisive in England's collapse.Duckett's century was his second in ODIs, and he played a key role in England's strong start. Brook continued his impressive form with another half-century, but England's middle and lower order failed to provide the necessary support.The victory marked a successful end to Australia's tour of England, which also included a 2-0 Test series win. It was a particularly satisfying result for Head, who has emerged as a key player for Australia in recent months.

ENG vs AUS 2nd ODI: Australia Aims for 2-0 Lead After Crushing WinIn the wake of their emphatic victory in the first ODI, Australia is poised to extend their dominance over England in the ongoing five-match series. The second ODI, scheduled to take place at Old Trafford, presents a crucial opportunity for the Aussies to secure a commanding 2-0 lead.The first ODI witnessed a scintillating performance from Travis Head, who smashed a blistering 154 off 129 deliveries. His innings, coupled with Marnus Labuschagne's 77 off 61 balls, propelled Australia to a formidable total of 315. England's chase fell short despite a valiant effort from Jos Buttler (62) and Ben Stokes (52).While England's batting has shown promise, their bowling has been a cause for concern. The English bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batsmen in the first ODI, conceding 315 runs in just 44 overs. They will be eager to rectify their mistakes and put up a more competitive performance on home soil.Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their momentum and capitalize on England's bowling woes. The return of Mitchell Starc, who missed the first ODI due to injury, will bolster their bowling attack. Starc's pace and swing could prove to be a major threat to the English batsmen.The second ODI promises to be an intriguing contest between two evenly matched teams. England will be desperate to level the series, while Australia will be determined to extend their lead. The match is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams possessing explosive batting lineups.

Travis Head's magnificent unbeaten 154 propelled Australia to a commanding seven-wicket victory over England in the series opener at Trent Bridge. Chasing a formidable 316, Australia reached the target with 36 balls to spare, extending their winning streak to 13 consecutive ODIs.Head's innings was a masterclass in batting, showcasing his exceptional strokeplay and composure. He reached his half-century in just 50 balls and went on to surpass his previous highest ODI score of 152. His 129-ball knock included 20 fours and five sixes.Marnus Labuschagne emerged as an unlikely bowling hero for Australia, claiming 3 for 39. His part-time leg-spin proved effective, dismissing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in quick succession. Adam Zampa also impressed with figures of 3 for 49.England's innings had started promisingly, with Duckett and Will Jacks scoring brisk half-centuries. However, Labuschagne's double strike triggered a collapse, as England lost their last six wickets for just 59 runs.Despite missing several key players due to illness and injury, Australia's depleted team showed great resilience and determination. Head's match-winning innings and Labuschagne's unexpected bowling heroics were the highlights of a memorable victory.