Cricket

Cricket Victoria and the St Kilda Cricket Club have paid tribute to the legendary Shane Warne by renaming a heritage-listed grandstand at the Junction Oval in Melbourne after him. The stand, which has stood since 1925, was previously named after Australian rules footballer Kevin Murray, who has supported the change. Murray's name now adorns a stand at Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy.The process of renaming the stand began well before Warne's untimely passing in March 2022. The MCG had already named its southern stand after Warne at his state funeral, but the process to rename the heritage-listed stand on the western side of Junction Oval took longer.Warne's father, Keith, and his daughters, Summer and Brooke, attended the unveiling ceremony, which took place before Victoria took on New South Wales in a One-Day Cup match at the Junction Oval. Australia Test captain Pat Cummins and a host of Australian players, including Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, also attended the ceremony.Cricket Victoria has also unveiled a Shane Warne exhibition in the foyer of their administration and high performance center at the northern end of the ground. The exhibition features memorabilia from Warne's illustrious career, much of it supplied by his father, and is free to visit.Keith Warne expressed his gratitude at the unveiling, saying, "Today marks a very special and proud day for the Warne family. To have a stand named after Shane here at the Junction Oval is a wonderful tribute to him. He would be honored to be chosen for such an accolade."Warne made his first-class debut for Victoria against Western Australia at the Junction Oval in February 1991. He enjoyed some of his most memorable early cricketing years playing for his beloved St Kilda, especially when matches were played at the Junction Oval."As proud as Shane would be to know a stand at the Junction Oval bears his name, he would also be thrilled to know that he will now be forever linked with St Kilda Cricket Club and the Junction Oval," Keith Warne added. "On behalf of our family, I'd like to thank Cricket Victoria and St Kilda Cricket Club for their support in honoring Shane with such a wonderful tribute, further enhancing his incredible legacy."

David Warner's six-year leadership ban has been overturned by Cricket Australia (CA), allowing him to captain Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL). The decision follows a review by CA's Conduct Commission, which unanimously agreed that Warner had met the necessary criteria for the ban to be lifted.Warner had been banned from holding any leadership position in Australian cricket since the infamous sandpaper incident in Cape Town in 2018. He had initially accepted a year-long playing ban for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal but had unsuccessfully attempted to have the leadership ban overturned in 2022.However, changes to the code of conduct in 2022 allowed Warner to reapply for a review of his ban. The Conduct Commission panel was impressed by Warner's "respectful and contrite tone" and his "sincere and genuine" acknowledgment of his responsibility for the incident.The panel also considered Warner's contributions to cricket, particularly his role in fostering interest in the sport among the South Asian community in Australia. CA CEO Nick Hockley welcomed the decision, stating that it was a "fair and rigorous process" that allowed players to have long-term sanctions reviewed.Warner's return to leadership is a significant development for Australian cricket. He has been a key figure in the national team for over a decade and is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. His experience and leadership skills will be invaluable to Sydney Thunder in the upcoming BBL season.The lifting of Warner's ban also raises questions about the future of Steven Smith, who was also banned for his involvement in the sandpaper incident. Smith has since returned to captain both the Australian Test and ODI teams, but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to hold a leadership position in the BBL.

Phoebe Litchfield, the rising star of Australian cricket, has been appointed as the captain of Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season. At just 21 years old, Litchfield becomes the youngest full-time captain in WBBL history.Litchfield's appointment comes after the departure of England captain Heather Knight, who led Thunder last season but will miss the latter stages of this year's competition due to injury. Litchfield has been a key player for Thunder since making her debut at the age of 16, scoring over 1200 runs in 67 matches.In the past season, Litchfield has shown significant improvement in her batting, increasing her strike rate and scoring 309 runs at an impressive 130.37. Her maturity and leadership qualities have also been evident, making her a natural choice for the captaincy role.Thunder general manager Trent Copeland praised Litchfield's appointment, saying, "She's young, but her experience in the game makes this a natural progression. Phoebe has always been mature beyond her years, and her leadership qualities have been evident from the moment she joined Thunder."Litchfield will have the support of an experienced squad, including Chamari Athapaththu, Hannah Darlington, Shabnim Ismail, and Sammy-Jo Johnson, as well as coach Lisa Keightley. Thunder will begin their WBBL campaign against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28.

Pakistan's red-ball format head coach, Jason Gillespie, has expressed his concern over the negative impact of unwarranted criticism from former cricketers on the national team. Gillespie believes that such comments, often made on TV shows and YouTube channels, can deeply affect the players' morale and create a hostile environment.Gillespie emphasized the importance of creating a safe and supportive space for the players, where they can focus on their performance without the added pressure of external criticism. He urged former players to be more judicious in their opinions, especially on social media, as their words can have a significant impact on the players' confidence.Gillespie also acknowledged his frustration over his reduced role as head coach after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stripped him and Test skipper Shan Masood of their places in the selection committee and removed their say in pitch preparation. He admitted that this was not what he had signed up for, but emphasized his commitment to helping the Pakistan team succeed.Gillespie highlighted the challenges of working in a different environment, where things are done differently. He said that he had to adapt to the changing circumstances and focus on his primary goal of improving the team's performance.Despite the challenges, Gillespie remains optimistic about the future of Pakistan cricket. He believes that the team has the potential to achieve great things if they can create a positive and supportive environment. He urged all stakeholders, including former players, to work together to support the team and help them reach their full potential.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has urged India to consider Mayank Yadav as a potential replacement for Mohammed Shami in their squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Lee believes Yadav's raw pace and potential on bouncy wickets make him a valuable asset for India.Shami's fitness remains a concern, and Lee believes Yadav could step up in his absence. "He looks like someone who is a complete package," Lee said. "If Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets."Lee, who has witnessed Yadav's impressive performances in the IPL, highlighted his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. "He hit 157 kmph first up in his first game," Lee said. "I don't care who it is, no one wants to face that."India's bowling attack boasts world-class talent, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Lee believes the combination of these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner is crucial for India's success in Australia."On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it's the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner," Lee said. "You need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win."Lee also praised India's overall strength as a team, describing them as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down." He cautioned Australia against underestimating India's ability to win on any given day."They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis," Lee said. "They know they can beat anyone on any given day."Lee's comments come after India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test. He believes India may have been influenced by the aggressive approach of 'Bazball,' leading to some loose shots."Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," Lee noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots."India will play two more Tests against New Zealand before leaving for Australia. Lee believes the team needs to better assess conditions and weigh the risk factor when making decisions.

India's women's cricket team commenced their three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding 59-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Chasing a modest target of 228, New Zealand's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of India's bowling attack. Radha Yadav emerged as the star performer, claiming three crucial wickets for just 35 runs. Debutant pacer Saima Thakor also made an immediate impact, dismissing New Zealand opener Suzie Bates with her third delivery.New Zealand's innings was plagued by a series of unfortunate dismissals. Skipper Sophie Devine was caught short of her crease, while Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green's promising partnership was broken by Thakor. Despite a brief fightback, New Zealand's batting order failed to recover, eventually folding for 168 runs.Earlier, India had posted a total of 227 after opting to bat first. The Kerr sisters, Amelia and Jess, led the New Zealand bowling attack with four and three wickets respectively. India's batters struggled to convert their starts into substantial scores, with Deepti Sharma (41), Tejal Hasabnis (42), Shafali Verma (33), Yastika (37), and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) all failing to capitalize on their promising starts.Despite their batting struggles, India's bowlers stepped up to the challenge. Yadav's three wickets and Thakor's early strike proved decisive, while Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad also contributed with two wickets each.The victory marks a positive start for India in the ODI series. They will look to continue their winning ways in the remaining two matches, scheduled for February 12 and 15.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled an ambitious plan to reinvigorate cricket participation in state-sector education, aiming to train secondary-school teachers as cricket coaches. This initiative is part of the ECB's Inspiring Generations strategy, which seeks to address the disparity in cricket participation between private and state-educated pupils.The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report highlighted that privately educated pupils are 13 times more likely to play professional cricket than their state-educated counterparts. To address this, the ECB plans to support cricket provision in 500 state secondary schools by 2030, with up to £26 million earmarked for improving facilities in 16 towns and cities.The ECB also aims to provide free cricket for 3.5 million primary-school pupils over the next six years, reinforcing the link between primary and secondary education. Additionally, the talent pathway will be restructured to improve the flow of state-school players into county age-group programs.The ECB has pledged to support 70 players per year at the South Asian Cricket Academy and 21,000 young people over the next three years at the African Caribbean Engagement (ACE) program. These initiatives aim to increase diversity and inclusion in cricket.The strategy document covers planning up to the end of 2028, including the ECB's hosting of the Women's World Cup in 2026, men's and women's home Ashes series in 2027, and the return of cricket to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould emphasized the importance of the strategy, stating that it is the roadmap for the future of cricket. Deputy Chair Clare Connor highlighted that the aim of becoming the most inclusive sport in the country has been in train even before the ICEC report.The ECB has accelerated many of its measures in response to the ICEC report's criticisms of racism, classism, and sexism in English cricket. However, the board has pushed back on the ICEC's recommendation to equalize domestic pay across the sexes by 2029 and 2030 at international level.The ECB's plans could face a snag if they do not receive the £35 million investment into grassroots cricket promised by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The board remains hopeful that the prospect of the Women's World Cup will encourage the government to carry through with this investment.

With the IPL 2025 auction fast approaching, the retention lists of all 10 franchises are set to be finalized. Amidst the speculation surrounding the availability of big names like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, another IPL-winning captain may be entering the auction pool: Shreyas Iyer.According to ESPN Cricinfo, it is an open secret that Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper Iyer is considering a move after receiving a lucrative offer from a rival franchise. The deadline for submitting retention lists is October 31st, ahead of the mega auction expected to take place in the last week of November.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to announce the official date and venue for the auction. However, two contradictory reports have emerged. Times of India suggests the auction will be held in Dubai on November 30th, while Sportstar claims it will be a two-day event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 24th and 25th.Riyadh is reportedly the frontrunner due to its favorable time zone. The BCCI and IPL officials are finalizing the venue that can accommodate the large entourage of franchise delegations, Jio, and Disney Star representatives over three days.Iyer's potential availability in the auction pool would create a significant buzz. The 28-year-old led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their second IPL title in 2021 and has established himself as one of the most consistent batters in the league. His departure from KKR would open up a leadership vacancy and spark intense competition among franchises seeking a proven captain.The IPL 2025 auction promises to be a thrilling event, with several big names potentially up for grabs. Iyer's availability would add another layer of intrigue and could significantly impact the dynamics of the league.

Virat Kohli's Practice Session Electrifies Pune Crowd After Day 1 of India-New Zealand TestAfter a thrilling first day of the second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune, a significant portion of the crowd remained at the stadium to witness Virat Kohli's extended practice session. The atmosphere crackled with excitement as fans eagerly observed Kohli's meticulous technique and fine-tuning of his skills in the nets.Kohli's dedication and focus captivated the spectators, who cheered him on enthusiastically. The routine practice transformed into a memorable experience for those present, especially after Kohli's recent struggles with the bat. In the two-match Test series against Bangladesh and the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he had failed to make a significant impact. However, in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, he bounced back with a solid 70, hinting at a return to form.Earlier in the day, Washington Sundar delivered a career-best performance, claiming seven wickets to dismantle New Zealand's batting lineup. Spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with three wickets, bowling out the visitors for 259. India ended the day at 16 for 1, losing captain Rohit Sharma early to a Tim Southee delivery. Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 10, while Yashasvi Jaiswal was not out on six at stumps.Sundar's inclusion in the side proved to be a masterstroke, as he justified his selection by ripping through New Zealand's middle and lower order. His impressive figures of 7 for 59 played a crucial role in India's strong position at the end of Day 1.