Cricket

Captain Pat Cummins has downplayed the significance of the "bat off" for the final spot in Australia's Test team, but acknowledges its value as a "final piece of information." The four contenders for the vacant opening spot, Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Cameron Bancroft, have been showcasing their skills in the Australia A game against India A.While McSweeney has emerged as the standout performer, Cummins emphasizes that the Australia A games are not the sole determinant for selection. He notes that some players have limited Shield cricket experience, while others have played for over a decade. The quartet is expected to get another chance to impress in the second four-day game at the MCG.Cummins is not concerned about making a late decision, as the current selection panel and leadership group prioritize giving players certainty. He believes that whoever is selected will have gained valuable experience and be well-prepared for the pressure of a Test debut.Regarding the batting order, Cummins suggests that Marnus Labuschagne could potentially open the batting to accommodate McSweeney at No. 3, his usual position in first-class cricket. However, he emphasizes that the batting order will be determined based on the overall functionality of the team.Cummins feels physically refreshed after skipping the UK tour to focus on training. He explains that he opted out of a Shield game to prioritize gym work and build up his fitness. He believes the ODIs against Pakistan will provide him with a good lead-in to the first Test.It remains uncertain whether Cummins will play all three ODIs against Pakistan. He has confirmed his participation in the first two, but may miss the final game in Perth to avoid unnecessary travel. If he does miss the Perth match, Australia will need to find a captain, with Mitchell Marsh unavailable due to paternity leave.

Pakistan's remarkable comeback series victory against England was marred by a post-match controversy involving legendary commentator Ramiz Raja and skipper Shan Masood. Raja's interview with Masood drew criticism on social media, prompting a strong reaction from pacer Mohammad Amir.After Pakistan's opening Test defeat to England, they rallied to win the next two matches and secure a 2-1 series triumph. However, Raja's post-match interview with Masood raised eyebrows."There are two things that you will see. One is how to play on seaming conditions and the other thing is if it is a one-off. How did you achieve this, six losses in a row?" Raja asked Masood.Masood responded: "Ramiz bhai, we needed this win. The nation needed this win and I am really happy for Pakistan."The interview sparked outrage on social media, with many fans criticizing Raja's tone and questioning his motives. Amir also took to Twitter to express his displeasure, calling Raja's comments "unprofessional."Raja later issued a clarification, stating that his intention was not to belittle Masood but to highlight the team's struggles in recent months.Masood, breaking his silence on the matter, said he holds no grudges against Raja. "There are no hard feelings from my side," he told BBC Stumped. "I've always been an open book in front of the media and tried to conduct myself in the best possible way."Masood also addressed the absence of Babar Azam from the second and third Tests against England. He expressed hope that the break would benefit Azam in the upcoming white-ball series against Australia.

Mohammed Shami's much-anticipated return to competitive cricket has been further delayed, as the Bengal pacer's name was conspicuously absent from the squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy matches against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.The 34-year-old has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an Achilles heel injury that required surgery in February. Despite months of rehabilitation, Shami's fitness remains a concern, prompting the BCCI to recommend that he play for Bengal first to assess his condition.Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla had expressed optimism about Shami's availability for the away matches, but the pacer's absence has raised doubts about his readiness for international duty.Shami himself had indicated a desire to play domestic matches before joining the Indian team for the Australia tour. "It's better that I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia," he had said. "I don't know when I can play next, but the day I feel comfortable bowling 20-30 overs and get the nod from the doctors, I'll make a run to play a match."However, it appears that Shami has not yet reached the desired level of fitness. The pacer's absence from the Bengal squad suggests that he may not be ready for the rigors of international cricket just yet.The delay in Shami's return is a setback for both the player and the Indian team. Shami is a key member of the Indian pace attack, and his experience and skill would be invaluable in the upcoming Test series against Australia.The BCCI will continue to monitor Shami's progress and make a decision on his availability for the Australia tour at a later date. In the meantime, the pacer will focus on regaining full fitness and proving his readiness for international duty.

Australia A emerged victorious in the four-day match against India A in Mackay, despite a controversial ball-change incident that marred the start of the final day.India A were left fuming after umpire Shawn Craig announced that the ball had been replaced due to scratches, a decision that wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan labeled as "stupid." Craig explained that the ball had been changed to prevent further damage, but Kishan's dissent earned him a report for inappropriate behavior.Despite the controversy, Australia A resumed their chase with Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster at the crease. McSweeney, who is vying for a spot in Australia's Test squad, played a composed innings, finishing unbeaten on 88. Webster provided solid support, scoring 61 not out as the pair put on an unbroken 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket.India A's bowlers struggled to make inroads on the final morning, with Sai Sudharsan's six overs of spin proving particularly ineffective. The match ended with Australia A securing a comfortable victory, having bowled out India A for 107 and 312 in their two innings.The ball-change incident has raised questions about the umpiring decisions in the match. According to Law 41.3.4, umpires are required to award five penalty runs to the opposing side if they believe the ball has been unfairly changed. However, no such penalty was imposed in this case.Cricket Australia has been contacted for comment on the incident, which has added an unexpected layer of drama to the closing stages of the match.

Ajaz Patel, New Zealand's premier spinner, has rediscovered his form in the ongoing Test series against India. After a disappointing start to the series, Patel has emerged as a key figure for the Black Caps, claiming 5/103 in the first innings of the third Test in Mumbai.Patel's performance in Mumbai was a reminder of his heroics at the same venue in 2021, where he became only the third bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings. His latest five-wicket haul has helped New Zealand restrict India to a manageable total of 263, giving them a glimmer of hope in the series.Patel's resurgence has been a welcome boost for New Zealand, who have struggled to contain India's batting lineup in the first two Tests. The left-arm spinner has credited his improved performance to a change in mindset and a renewed focus on his strengths."I've been working hard on my game and trying to stay positive," Patel said after the day's play. "I knew that if I kept putting in the effort, the wickets would eventually come."Patel's performance has also been praised by his teammates, who have hailed his resilience and determination."Ajaz is a world-class spinner," said New Zealand captain Tim Southee. "He's shown great character to bounce back from a tough start to the series. His wickets today were crucial for us."With the series still in the balance, Patel will be looking to continue his good form in the remaining two Tests. If he can maintain his current level of performance, he could play a pivotal role in helping New Zealand salvage a draw or even an unlikely victory.

Shubman Gill's resurgence in Test cricket has been a testament to his resilience and adaptability. After a challenging start to the year, where his place in the team was under scrutiny, Gill has rediscovered his form with a string of impressive performances.In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, Gill has been a key figure in India's batting lineup. His 90-run knock in the first innings of the second Test in Mumbai was a masterclass in patience and determination. Facing a formidable New Zealand spin attack, Gill played with a calm and composed approach, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.Gill's innings was particularly crucial as it helped India recover from a precarious position. After losing early wickets, Gill and Rishabh Pant forged a 96-run partnership that gave India a slender first-innings lead. Gill's ability to anchor the innings and provide stability was a key factor in India's eventual victory.Speaking after his innings, Gill revealed that he had drawn inspiration from his successful Test series against England earlier this year. "I was trying to just go out there and have another opportunity to bat for the maximum (time) I could and not put pressure on myself by thinking about how many runs I must score," he said.Gill's return to form is a welcome boost for India, who are looking to consolidate their position at the top of the ICC Test rankings. His ability to play spin effectively and his growing maturity as a batsman make him a valuable asset to the team.As India prepares for the third and final Test of the series, Gill will be hoping to continue his impressive run of form and help his team secure a series victory.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has set its sights on retaining a strong core of players from last year's squad in the upcoming mega auction. Head coach Justin Langer revealed that the team's objective is to bring back as many players as possible who contributed to their success in the previous season.LSG has already retained five players, including four Indians and two uncapped players. The retained Indian players are Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan. West Indian batter Nicholas Pooran is the only overseas player retained by the franchise."We are really pleased with announcing the four of the most talented Indian players in the country at the moment," Langer said. "We are setting a base for those strong Indian players... I'm excited about that."Pooran, known for his explosive batting, is a valuable addition to the LSG lineup. "Nicholas Pooran is a dynamic player in world cricket and we can't wait to see him in action again," Langer said.LSG released former captain KL Rahul before the retention deadline, leaving the team with a purse of Rs 69 crore for the mega auction. Rahul, who led LSG for three seasons, will now enter the auction pool."The retention for next year's IPL was really tough," Langer admitted. "There were lots of very careful deliberations, strong considerations to come up with the list of retentions."Pooran was retained for a whopping Rs 21 crore, making him one of the highest-paid players in the IPL. Bishnoi, Mayank, Mohsin, and Badoni were retained for Rs 11 crore each.LSG's focus on retaining a strong core of Indian players aligns with the franchise's long-term strategy. By building a solid foundation of talented domestic players, LSG aims to establish a competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title in the years to come.

Despite New Zealand's slim lead of 143 runs with only one wicket remaining in their second innings, spinner Ajaz Patel believes India will face a challenging chase on a deteriorating Wankhede pitch.Patel, who claimed five wickets in India's first innings, highlighted the unpredictable nature of the pitch as a key factor in the match's outcome. He noted that the pitch has historically exhibited less turn and bounce in the morning sessions compared to the afternoons, making it crucial to understand how it will play in the crucial morning session."It's turning quite sharply, it's inconsistent in terms of how much it does turn and bounce, but as a spinner it's encouraging as well that you're going to get something out of the surface and for batting it's quite challenging," Patel said. "It is certainly turning from both ends, it's just the bounce is a little bit variable, so from a batting perspective that can be a challenge as well."Patel acknowledged Rishabh Pant's counter-attacking 60 as a pivotal moment in the match. "I felt like I bowled really well but Rishabh batted exceptionally, he's been phenomenal throughout this tour and he's kind of the player that's put pressure back on us, regardless of the situation," He said. "As long as you're putting the ball in good areas and you have a good plan and a good set field, then it's about him taking the option and he is being very, very good and taking the right options."Despite his own success and the commendable performance of New Zealand's spin attack, Patel refrained from claiming superiority over their Indian counterparts. "I don't necessarily believe we've out-bowled the Indian spinners, the class of the Indian bowling attack is quite phenomenal," the spinner said. "For us as a spin bowling group, we've grown a lot and we can continue to show that everyone is quite capable, there's a lot of communication between us and we make sure that we're all aware of what the plan is at a certain given time."As the match enters its final stages, the focus will be on how the pitch plays and how both teams adapt to the challenging conditions. India will need to navigate the deteriorating surface and chase down the target without losing too many wickets, while New Zealand will aim to exploit the pitch's inconsistencies and defend their lead.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, will miss Bengal's upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka due to an ongoing ankle injury. The Bengal squad, announced on Saturday, did not include Shami's name.However, there is a strong possibility that Shami will return to action in Bengal's subsequent match against Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to begin on November 13 in Indore. Sources close to the team have indicated that Shami is unlikely to be rushed back into action and will make his competitive return at his own pace.Shami, who has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests, has been recovering from an ankle injury since the conclusion of the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup. He underwent surgery in February and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.Despite his absence, Bengal remains in a strong position in Elite Group C of the Ranji Trophy, holding fourth place with five points after three matches. Coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla will be hoping that Shami's return will provide a significant boost to the team's title aspirations.Shami's last competitive match was the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup final against Australia, where he emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps. He played a pivotal role in India's historic Test series win in Australia in 2018/19, claiming 16 wickets in four matches.If Shami recovers in time, he could be available for the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Brisbane, starting on December 14. His return would be a major boost for India, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after their triumph in 2020/21.