Cricket

Australia and Pakistan will clash in the third and final T20I of their three-match series on Monday, November 18, at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The hosts, Australia, have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, but Pakistan will be determined to salvage a consolation victory.In the second T20I on Saturday, Australia's Spencer Johnson starred with a brilliant 5-26, helping his team to a narrow 13-run victory. Pakistan, chasing a modest target of 148, were bowled out for 134 in the final over despite a valiant 52 from Usman Khan.Australia made a strong start to the second T20I, removing Pakistan captain Babar Azam for just 3 runs in the second over. Johnson then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan and Iftikhar Ahmed to leave Pakistan reeling at 15-3.Usman Khan and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to rebuild the innings, but Johnson returned to claim the wicket of Rizwan for 23. Khan continued to fight, hitting 52 off 41 balls, but Pakistan's chase was derailed by the loss of wickets at regular intervals.Australia's bowlers maintained their discipline throughout the innings, with Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, and Xavier Bartlett all chipping in with wickets. In the end, Pakistan fell short by 13 runs, handing Australia a comfortable series victory.As the series moves to Hobart for the third and final T20I, Pakistan will be desperate to avoid a whitewash. They will need their top-order batsmen to fire and their bowlers to be more economical. Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their dominance and complete a clean sweep of the series.

A verbal clash has erupted between Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir and Australian legend Ricky Ponting, igniting a war of words that has drawn reactions from former cricketers.The controversy began when Ponting criticized Virat Kohli's recent form and questioned his place in the Test team. Gambhir, in a press conference, reacted strongly, urging Ponting to focus on his own team.However, Gambhir's comments have sparked criticism from some former players, including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan. Vaughan, in a podcast discussion, labeled Gambhir as a "spicy" coach and expressed disagreement with his stance on barring foreign pundits from commenting on the Indian team.Vaughan argued that punditry should not be restricted to former players of a particular team. He pointed out that many foreign pundits have valuable insights and perspectives to offer."I don't quite agree with Gautam," Vaughan said. "But I do like a bit of spice and I like the fact that he is going to be very prickly."Vaughan also predicted that Gambhir's prickly nature could lead to challenges for the Indian team as they face setbacks in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.As the series progresses, more verbal battles are expected between Gambhir and retired cricketers working as pundits. The clash highlights the growing tension between coaches and pundits, with coaches seeking to protect their teams from external criticism.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed concerns over India's decision to forgo a warm-up match ahead of the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Vaughan believes that the lack of match practice could hinder India's ability to get into a "competitive mindset" and adapt to the Australian conditions.India has opted to focus on center-wicket training at the WACA in Perth instead of playing an intra-squad game or a match against an Australian domestic side. The Indian think tank believes that the bounce of the WACA center strip closely mirrors that of the Perth Stadium pitch, making it more beneficial for the top-order batters to spend time in the middle.However, Vaughan argues that match practice is essential for players to get into the rhythm of competitive cricket. He points out that Australia has also skipped warm-up matches in recent Test tours, but their players have a different mindset and are accustomed to playing 12 months of the year.Vaughan believes that the modern player may not prioritize tour matches, relying instead on the volume of cricket they play throughout the year. However, he emphasizes the importance of winning and setting a marker in the first match of a series.India's decision to forgo a warm-up match has raised questions about their preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While the Indian think tank believes that center-wicket training is sufficient, Vaughan's concerns highlight the importance of match practice in getting players ready for the rigors of Test cricket.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has hailed Mohammad Rizwan's appointment as Pakistan's white-ball captain, comparing his leadership style to that of legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni.Rizwan's tenure began with a historic series victory in Australia, where Pakistan overcame a loss in the opener to win the subsequent two ODIs and seal the series 2-1. Haider believes Rizwan's 360-degree view of the field as a wicketkeeper-captain gives him an advantage in setting fields and guiding bowlers."A wicketkeeper-captain is a big help for a team," Haider said. "Rizwan is doing the same. He is an effective batter, a good wicketkeeper, and now, a captain. This can help the team immensely."Haider also noted the positive impact on Babar Azam's batting since relinquishing the captaincy. "Babar Azam was overburdened," Haider said. "The moment he gave up captaincy, his batting improved. Now we can see him playing freely, without any burden."The series also showcased the brilliance of pacer Haris Rauf, who claimed 10 wickets and was named Player of the Series. Haider attributed Rauf's growth to his experience bowling against Virat Kohli in the 2022 T20 World Cup."Bowling to Virat has made Haris Rauf a more mature bowler," Haider said. "That was a huge learning curve in his career, and I am certain he took many lessons from that match."Haider also expressed his desire for India to tour Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. "India should come to Pakistan," he said. "Let's forget everything and start afresh. Fans love India vs Pakistan cricket matches more than anything else in this world. Let's love the game, not politics."

India and Australia are set to clash in the highly anticipated opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth on November 22. The Indian team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, is aiming for a historic third consecutive triumph on Australian soil.India has enjoyed recent success in Australia, securing back-to-back series wins in 2018-19 and 2020-21. To qualify directly for the World Test Championship final in 2025, India needs to win four Tests in this series.Australia, on the other hand, has not defeated India in a home Test series since 2014-15. The two teams also faced off in the World Test Championship final and the 50-over World Cup final last year, with Australia emerging victorious in both.This series marks the first five-Test encounter between India and Australia in over 30 years. The weather forecast for Perth on November 22 predicts pleasant conditions with a partly sunny sky and a minimal chance of rain.India's squad includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja. Australia's squad features Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Nathan Lyon.The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's top Test teams. India will be looking to continue their dominance in Australia, while the hosts will be eager to regain their home advantage.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has strongly advocated for the inclusion of seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth. Ganguly believes that Ashwin's experience and skill make him the best choice for the role, despite his recent struggles in home conditions.Ashwin has been a subject of debate among cricket experts and fans, with some questioning his place in the team after being sidelined in crucial matches, including the World Test Championship final in 2023. However, Ganguly maintains that Ashwin remains India's premier spinner and should be an automatic selection."There is no debate. Ashwin must play. Your best spinner must play. In Test cricket, play specialists," Ganguly said. "Also, against the number of left-handers in the Australian line-up, Ashwin is certain to have an impact."Ganguly acknowledges the presence of other talented spinners in the Indian squad, such as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, but believes that Ashwin's experience and ability to bowl to left-handers give him the edge."Yes, there is [Ravindra] Jadeja and Washington [Sundar] and both bat well, but you must go in with your best spinner in the first Test. Play with specialist batsmen and bowlers, and that's where Ashwin is my choice," he added.Ashwin's recent form in home Tests against New Zealand has been underwhelming, with the off-spinner failing to take a single wicket in two innings. However, Ganguly believes that Ashwin's overall record and his ability to adapt to different conditions make him the best choice for the Perth Test."He's a world-class spinner. He's got a lot of experience. He's bowled well in Australia before. So, I think he's the best choice for the first Test," Ganguly said.The Indian team management will have a tough decision to make in selecting the playing XI for the Perth Test, with several players vying for spots in the batting and bowling departments. However, Ganguly's strong endorsement of Ashwin suggests that the veteran spinner is likely to be given the nod ahead of his younger rivals.

India Intensifies Preparations for Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Morkel Praises SirajWith the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy just around the corner, the Indian cricket team has been engaged in rigorous training sessions to fine-tune their skills. Last week, the team underwent an intense training regimen at the WACA in Perth, Australia.In addition to net practice and drills, the players participated in simulation matches to simulate the challenges they will face in the upcoming series. The training sessions were not without their lighter moments, as bowling coach Morne Morkel was captured on camera showering praise and affection on premier pacer Mohammed Siraj.During a training session, Siraj playfully interrupted a conversation between Morkel and another player. Morkel, recognizing Siraj's presence, immediately engaged him in the discussion. He heaped praise on Siraj's bowling abilities, highlighting his aggressive mindset and leadership qualities."This man (Siraj) is a legend," Morkel exclaimed. "He's got a big heart, aggressive mindset, one of the leaders of the attack, and I am very excited to see how he goes in this tour. Last tour, he was the go-to man in tough situations, and we're excited to see more of that senior role coming out in him on a very important tour."However, the Indian team suffered a setback during practice when top-order batter Shubman Gill sustained a fracture while fielding. Gill has been ruled out of the first Test in Perth. The team received some positive news when injured opener KL Rahul, who had been sidelined with an elbow injury, returned to the nets on Sunday and is expected to play in the first Test.Regular skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test due to a thumb injury but is expected to join the team ahead of the second game in Adelaide.

Victoria's dominance in the Sheffield Shield continued as they crushed Western Australia by eight wickets at Junction Oval. Despite a rare hat-trick from WA spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, Victoria chased down the modest target of 120 with ease.Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb led the charge for Victoria, putting on an unbroken 103-run partnership for the third wicket. Rocchiccioli's hat-trick had given WA a glimmer of hope, but Handscomb's aggressive approach and Harris's steady support ensured a comfortable victory.Earlier, WA had been dismissed for 325 before lunch. Joel Curtis's unbeaten 119 was the highlight of their innings, while Sam Elliott claimed four wickets for Victoria.In the first innings, Victoria had posted a formidable 373, with Will Rogers, Matt Crone, and Handscomb all contributing half-centuries. WA's bowlers struggled to contain Victoria's batting lineup, with Fergus O'Neill and Todd Murphy taking six and four wickets respectively.Rocchiccioli's hat-trick was a rare moment of brilliance for WA. He became the first WA bowler to achieve the feat in Shield cricket and only the second in the competition's history. However, it was not enough to prevent Victoria from securing a convincing victory.Victoria's win extends their unbeaten streak in the Shield to four matches. They now sit atop the standings with 22 points, while WA remains in fifth place with 10 points.

Virat Kohli, the prolific Indian batsman, stands on the cusp of another significant milestone in his illustrious career. As India prepares to face Australia in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth on November 22, Kohli has the opportunity to surpass Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid in terms of runs scored against the Aussies.Kohli has amassed 2,042 runs against Australia in 25 Tests, averaging 47.48. He requires just 102 more runs to overtake Dravid, who scored 2,143 runs in 32 Tests against the Aussies. Kohli's record against Australia includes eight centuries and five half-centuries, showcasing his dominance against one of the world's top cricketing nations.Currently ranked fifth among Indian batters with the most runs against Australia, Kohli has the potential to move up the ladder and cement his place among the all-time greats. Cheteshwar Pujara, who is not part of India's squad for the upcoming series, occupies the fourth spot with 2,074 runs in 25 Tests.Former star VVS Laxman sits second on the list with 2,434 runs in 29 Tests at an average of 49.67. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with a staggering 3,630 runs in 39 Tests at an average of 55. Tendulkar's record includes 11 centuries and 16 fifties, highlighting his exceptional dominance against Australia.Kohli's pursuit of Dravid's record is a testament to his consistency and longevity at the highest level. The Indian captain has been a cornerstone of the team's success in recent years, and his ability to perform against Australia, one of the most formidable opponents in world cricket, is a testament to his class.As India embarks on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli will be eager to add to his tally against Australia and etch his name further into the annals of Indian cricket history.