Cricket
WA Seizes Control in Sheffield Shield Clash with Tasmania
Western Australia's Hilton Cartwright survived a controversial caught-behind decision to guide his team to a commanding position in their Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania at Bellerive Oval.After Sam Fanning laid a solid foundation with a patient 68, Jayden Goodwin (73 not out) and Cartwright (48 not out) combined for an unbeaten 91-run third-wicket stand, lifting WA to 220 for 2 at stumps on Saturday. The visitors trail Tasmania's 317 by just 87 runs.Cartwright's survival proved crucial for WA. With the home side's bowlers toiling hard, Mitchell Owen drew a thick edge from Cartwright, who was on 38. Wicketkeeper Jake Doran took a clean catch, but the umpires surprisingly confirmed the original not-out decision.The decision sparked shock among the Tasmanian players and gave WA a significant advantage. Goodwin and Cartwright capitalized on the reprieve, accelerating their scoring rate and putting WA in a strong position to chase down the deficit and build a match-winning lead."We've got two guys who are set at the crease, so I think we're in a strong position," said Fanning. "If we want to move the game forward, I think it's in our hands. We're set nicely."Tasmania's lower order struggled to add runs, adding just 15 runs in 17.3 overs before WA crawled to 23 without loss at lunch in reply. The opening session yielded a meager 38 runs from 28.3 overs.Lawrence Neil-Smith made a slow six off 77 balls, while Kieran Elliott's 77-ball stay ended on 21 thanks to a brilliant one-handed slips catch from Cameron Gannon. Teague Wyllie (22) was the only WA batter to fall before tea, trapped lbw by Matthew Kuhnemann.Fanning dominated the 70-run first-wicket union with Wyllie and moved to his highest first-class score before chasing a wide half-volley from Bradley Hope, which he feathered to Doran."I see a pathway for us to victory - four overs to go before the new ball," said Kuhnemann. "If we can take some wickets early tomorrow and put some pressure on, day three is moving day."
Ravi Bopara Hits Six Consecutive Sixes in Hong Kong Sixes
Ravi Bopara, the former England all-rounder, has set the Hong Kong Sixes tournament ablaze with an astonishing feat. In a match against Robin Uthappa's India, Bopara unleashed a barrage of sixes, hitting six consecutive maximums in an over.Uthappa, the Indian skipper, bore the brunt of Bopara's onslaught, conceding a staggering 37 runs in the over. Bopara's six-hitting spree included a wide on the sixth delivery, but he made up for it with another six on the seventh.Bopara's pyrotechnics continued as he faced Shahbaz Nadeem, hitting another six to make it seven consecutive maximums. The former England star retired after scoring 53 runs off just 14 balls, with eight sixes to his name.Samit Patel provided excellent support to Bopara, scoring 51 runs off 18 balls with four fours and five sixes. England's total of 120/1 in 6 overs proved too much for India, despite cameos from Bharat Chipli, Shreevats Goswami, and Kedar Jadhav. India fell short by 15 runs, managing only 105/6 in 6 overs.Bopara's six-hitting spree has sent shockwaves through the tournament, with fans and experts alike marveling at his power and precision. The England skipper has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the Hong Kong Sixes, and his performance is sure to inspire his team to greater heights.
Nathan McSweeney Impresses, Earns Ponting's Endorsement for Test Opening Role
Australia A, chasing 225, are on the cusp of victory against India A, needing just 86 more runs with seven wickets in hand. Nathan McSweeney, batting at No. 4, has impressed with an unbeaten 47, bolstering his case for a Test debut.Ricky Ponting, Australia's former captain, has endorsed McSweeney for the vacant opening spot in the Test line-up, citing his experience and adaptability. McSweeney has faced over 200 deliveries in the ongoing match, showcasing his ability to handle challenging conditions.Despite starts from Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris, none could convert them into substantial scores. Konstas was dismissed for 15, while Bancroft and Harris fell for 18 and 36, respectively.India A's innings ended on 312, with Sai Sudharsan scoring a century and Devdutt Padikkal contributing 88. Todd Murphy was the standout bowler for Australia A, claiming three wickets, including Sudharsan and Padikkal.Fergus O'Neill also impressed with three wickets, while Beau Webster and Murphy picked up one each. India A lost their last eight wickets for 86 runs, handing Australia A the advantage.With the second match of the series set to take place in Melbourne next week, the performance of McSweeney and the other opening contenders will be closely scrutinized as Australia seeks to finalize their Test squad.
India's Batting Woes Continue in Third Test, Sarfaraz Khan's Demotion Sparks Debate
India's batting woes continued in the third Test against New Zealand, with a series of questionable decisions and underperforming stars leaving pundits perplexed.On Day 1, Virat Kohli's reckless run-out set the tone for a topsy-turvy innings. The decision to send Sarfaraz Khan, who has been in scintillating form, down to No. 8 in the batting order sparked outrage among fans and former cricketers.Sanjay Manjrekar, a former India cricketer, questioned the team management's logic, stating that Sarfaraz's demotion made no sense given his recent performances. "A guy in form, has 3 fifties in his first 3 Tests, gets 150 in the Bangalore Test, a good player of spin, pushed back in the order to keep left & right combination?? Makes no sense," Manjrekar tweeted.Sarfaraz's brief stay at the crease ended in a 4-ball duck, adding to the frustration of fans who had witnessed his remarkable run at the Wankhede Stadium. In his last six innings at the venue, Sarfaraz has amassed 601 runs at an astonishing average of 150.25.The decision to send Mohammed Siraj (nightwatchman) and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Sarfaraz raised eyebrows, especially considering their poor batting performances. Siraj and Jadeja were dismissed for 0 and 14 respectively.The Indian team's batting woes have been a recurring theme throughout the series. Despite Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant's heroics on Saturday, the team's overall performance has been inconsistent and error-prone.The team management's decisions have come under scrutiny, with many questioning the logic behind Sarfaraz's demotion and the batting order in general. As the series progresses, India will need to find a way to address their batting issues and regain their dominance on home soil.
Nathan McSweeney Backed to Open for Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australian cricketers Ricky Ponting and Ian Healy have endorsed Nathan McSweeney as the ideal candidate to fill the vacant opening slot in the national team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. With David Warner's retirement and Steve Smith's return to his preferred number 4 position, Australia is seeking a reliable opening partner for Usman Khawaja.McSweeney, the captain of Australia A, has impressed with his recent performances, scoring 291 runs in his last four innings, including a century in the Sheffield Shield and the One-Day Cup. Ponting believes McSweeney's experience and leadership qualities make him the most suitable choice."He's got the most out of any of those guys from the 'A' game in Australia at the moment," Ponting said. "And he's more experienced. He has captained Australia A in the past, and he's captaining them now. So, I'm leaning towards McSweeney now for that opening role at the start of the Australian summer."Healy echoed Ponting's sentiments, praising McSweeney's batting ability and maturity. "I was glad people could see how Nathan McSweeney can bat yesterday," Healy said. "He showed that at 25 years of age, he's the most ready of the four."Ponting also suggested that Australia's decision to experiment with Smith as an opener indicated their willingness to consider younger players. "Another thing that I'd said then was that I don't think they'd go back to a Bancroft or Harris because if they're willing to do that they would've done it the last year," Ponting added.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy set to commence on November 22, the Australian selectors face a crucial decision in choosing the opening partner for Khawaja. McSweeney's impressive form and leadership qualities have made him the frontrunner for the role, and his selection would signal a new era for Australian cricket.
Pant Smashes Fastest Test Fifty by Indian Against New Zealand
Rishabh Pant Blazes to Record-Breaking Test Fifty Against New ZealandIndian star batter Rishabh Pant etched his name into the record books on Saturday, smashing the fastest Test fifty by an Indian against New Zealand. On Day 2 of the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Pant reached his half-century in a blistering 36 balls, eclipsing Yashasvi Jaiswal's previous mark of 41 balls set in the Pune Test.Pant's whirlwind innings came at a crucial juncture for India, who had suffered a mini-collapse late on Day 1. Joining Shubman Gill at the crease, Pant played with characteristic aggression, helping India recover from the loss of key wickets, including Virat Kohli and Jaiswal.The left-hander's quickfire 60, adorned with eight boundaries and two towering sixes, shifted the momentum back in India's favor. Pant's fearless approach kept the New Zealand bowlers on their toes, forcing them to adjust their tactics.However, Pant's luck ran out when he was trapped lbw by Ish Sodhi. Despite his dismissal, Pant's 60 off 59 balls, including two sixes and eight fours, left an indelible mark on India's innings.Pant's record-breaking fifty is a testament to his exceptional talent and ability to play match-winning knocks under pressure. It also highlights the growing maturity and consistency of the young Indian batter, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in world cricket.
Shreyas Iyer's IPL Future Uncertain as Bidding War Looms
Shreyas Iyer, the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, has opted to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, setting the stage for a bidding war for his services. Iyer's decision to leave KKR, where he led the team to the IPL title in 2024, has sparked speculation about his potential destination.According to reports, Iyer's former franchise, Delhi Capitals (DC), is keen on bringing him back. DC, who released Rishabh Pant ahead of the auction, is reportedly offering Iyer the captaincy role. With a purse of Rs 73 crore, DC has the financial muscle to make a significant bid for Iyer.Iyer's departure from KKR was amicable, according to CEO Venky Mysore. "There won't be too many teams that would want Iyer the T20 batter, but just to ensure DC spends a bomb on a player, they might engage in a bidding war for Iyer," said an IPL franchise official.Meanwhile, other teams are also eyeing potential acquisitions. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is reportedly considering KL Rahul, who was released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Rahul could be a potential captaincy option for RCB.Punjab Kings is expected to retain Arshdeep Singh via the Right to Match (RTM) card if his value stays below Rs 20 crore. LSG is reportedly interested in wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan as a replacement for Rahul.The IPL auction is set to be a major event, with several high-profile players available. Iyer's availability is likely to be one of the most sought-after acquisitions, as teams look to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.
Khawaja's Half-Century Guides Queensland in Rain-Hit Shield Clash
Queensland Trails New South Wales in Rain-Hit Sheffield Shield ClashUsman Khawaja's resilient half-century provided a beacon of hope for Queensland on a rain-marred second day of their Sheffield Shield encounter against New South Wales at Cricket Central in Sydney.Despite the inclement weather, Khawaja, a Test opener, showcased his unwavering form, guiding Queensland's response to New South Wales' first-innings total of 239. However, the match was severely disrupted by persistent rain, with only one delivery bowled across the final two sessions.By the time play was abandoned late on Saturday, Queensland had reached 96 for 2, trailing by 143 runs. Khawaja's contribution of 58 runs, including two towering sixes, was the highlight of the day's play.However, Khawaja's innings was not without controversy. New South Wales' Ryan Hadley believed he had caught Khawaja at fine leg off Tanveer Sangha's bowling, but the umpires ruled in favor of the batsman after consulting with each other. Khawaja had also survived an lbw appeal from Josh Hazlewood earlier in his innings.Hazlewood and Jack Edwards combined to bowl six consecutive maiden overs at the start of the day, but Matt Renshaw finally broke the shackles with a thick edge to the boundary. However, Renshaw's bid to reclaim his Test spot was cut short when he was trapped lbw by Sangha for 25.The wet conditions forced the second session to be delayed, and only one ball was bowled before rain halted play once again. That crucial delivery saw Khawaja edge Edwards to Ollie Davies in the slips, leaving Queensland with a mountain to climb in the remaining days of the match.
Pant, Gill Power India to Strong Position in Kanpur Test
India's batting duo of Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill put on a dominant display on the second morning of the Kanpur Test against New Zealand, guiding their team to a strong position at lunch.Resuming on 19 for 1, Pant and Gill added a quickfire 96 runs for the second wicket, bringing India within striking distance of New Zealand's first innings total of 235. Pant was particularly aggressive, scoring his half-century in just 36 balls, the fastest by an Indian against New Zealand.Pant's attacking mindset forced New Zealand to adjust their field placements, but he continued to find the boundaries with ease. He hit two sixes off Ajaz Patel and looked set for a big score before being dismissed lbw for 60 by Ish Sodhi.Gill, who was dropped on 45, played a more cautious innings but still managed to reach 70 off 106 balls at lunch. He and Ravindra Jadeja, who was promoted to maintain the left-right combination, saw India through to the break with a 15-run stand.New Zealand's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, with Patel and Sodhi being the only ones to take wickets. Patel finished with figures of 2 for 76, while Sodhi claimed 1 for 42.India will be looking to build on their strong start in the afternoon session and take a first-innings lead. New Zealand, on the other hand, will need to find a way to break the partnership between Gill and Jadeja and restrict India's scoring rate.
