Cricket

Lizelle Lee's consecutive centuries have propelled the Hobart Hurricanes to the top of the WBBL ladder, as they defeated the Adelaide Strikers by 28 runs.Lee, who retired from international cricket last year, has become the first player to score hundreds in back-to-back WBBL matches. Her blistering 103 off 59 deliveries, featuring 13 fours and four sixes, laid the foundation for the Hurricanes' imposing total of 191 for 2.The South African opener's knock came just three days after she smashed an unbeaten 150 against the Perth Scorchers, setting a new WBBL record. Lee's dominance has been remarkable, with her 253 runs from 134 balls in the past two matches including 25 fours and 16 sixes.Nicola Carey provided valuable support with an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls, while skipper Elyse Villani contributed 23 not out from 14 deliveries.The Strikers' chase got off to a promising start thanks to Smriti Mandhana's quickfire innings. However, the Indian star's dismissal in the eighth over proved to be a turning point.Young legspinner Amy Smith stifled the Strikers' momentum in the middle overs, finishing with an impressive 1 for 16 from four overs. South African import Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 63 off 40 balls, but it was not enough to prevent the Hurricanes from securing a comfortable victory.Lee's consecutive centuries have not only propelled the Hurricanes to the top of the standings but have also cemented her status as one of the most destructive batters in the WBBL. Her ability to clear the boundary with ease and her consistency at the crease make her a formidable opponent.The Hurricanes will be hoping that Lee can continue her remarkable form as they aim to secure a berth in the finals. With three matches in hand, they are well-positioned to challenge for the WBBL title.

Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI bowler rankings, while Babar Azam continues to dominate as the world's leading ODI batter. Afridi's impressive performances against Australia, where he claimed eight wickets at an average of 12.62, propelled him past Kuldeep Yadav, Rashid Khan, and Keshav Maharaj. This marks the second time Afridi has reached the summit of the ODI bowling rankings, having briefly held the position during the 2023 ODI World Cup.Afridi's seam-bowling partner, Haris Rauf, also made significant progress, moving up 14 places to 13th after bagging 10 wickets in the ODI series against Australia. Naseem Shah also climbed 14 spots to a career-best 55th.In the ODI batting rankings, Babar Azam extended his lead with scores of 37, 15*, and 28* against Australia. He remains well ahead of the Indian trio of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, who occupy the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively.The ODI all-rounder rankings saw significant movement following the ODI series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Player of the Series Mohammad Nabi retained his top spot, while Rashid Khan moved up to third. Azmatullah Omarzai's strong showing pushed him two places up to No. 9, giving Afghanistan three players in the top 10. Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz jumped four places to No. 4 after taking three wickets and scoring 66 in the third ODI.In T20Is, Wanindu Hasaranga's series haul of 6 for 37 against New Zealand lifted him four places to second spot among the bowlers, behind only England's Adil Rashid. Akeal Hosein's economical performance against England earned him third place, while Ravi Bishnoi's four scalps in two games against South Africa moved him up one spot to No. 7.Among batters, the England pair of Phil Salt (second) and Jos Buttler (sixth), alongside West Indies' Nicholas Pooran (10th), all moved up one place each in the batting rankings after two games in the five-match series in the Caribbean. From the ongoing South Africa vs India T20I series, Sanju Samson continued his rise in the batting ranks. A second successive T20I century for the India opener, this time a 50-ball 107 in the first game, saw him leapfrog 27 positions to 39th. The South African duo of Reeza Hendricks (up two places to 12th) and Tristan Stubbs (up 12 spots to 26th) also made headway on the T20I batting charts that is still led by Travis Head. Salt and Suryakumar Yadav round off the top three.

Australia's hopes of having Michael Neser available as a backup seamer for the Adelaide or Brisbane Tests have been dashed due to a severe hamstring injury. However, there is a glimmer of hope that Jhye Richardson could be considered as an option later in the series if his return to first-class cricket progresses smoothly.Neser, 34, suffered the injury during the opening day of the Australia A match against India A at the MCG. He is expected to be sidelined until the start of the Brisbane Heat's BBL season on December 18. Even without the injury, Neser was unlikely to be selected as Australia's first-choice backup seamer for the Perth Test, with Scott Boland in line behind Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.Barring an injury in Perth, Australia is unlikely to need Boland for Adelaide given the nine-day break between the first and second Tests. However, there is concern about the three-day turnaround between Adelaide and Brisbane, followed by a seven-day break to Boxing Day and then a three-day gap to Sydney. The quicks themselves and the team management have publicly stated that playing all five Tests without a change, as they did last year, is highly unlikely.If two of the quicks were to go down, as they did in the 2021-22 Ashes and 2022-23 summer, then Australia would need another fast bowler beyond Boland. Neser's unavailability brings the likes of Nathan McAndrew and Sean Abbott into the frame.However, there is hope that Richardson, 28, could be fit enough to be considered as he continues his careful buildback from injury and other physical issues. Richardson took 1 for 19 from five overs at the MCG on Wednesday in his fourth List A game so far this summer to go with two second XI matches. He will not play in Western Australia's upcoming Sheffield Shield game against Victoria at the Junction Oval starting on Friday.But speaking after WA's One-Day Cup loss, Richardson said he was hopeful he could play in WA's day-night Shield game against South Australia at Adelaide Oval, starting November 23, which could also be Lance Morris' first Shield game of the summer.Richardson's last Test match was a pink-ball game in Adelaide in 2021 when he took his maiden Test five-wicket haul against England. But he has endured a horror run with injuries since, including further shoulder and hamstring surgeries. On top of that, he has publicly acknowledged that a mental health battle has affected his physical conditioning.He has been bowling without interruption since his return in IPL 2024 but as a Cricket Australia contracted player, a decision was made during the off-season that his build towards a first-class return would be gradual. There was a period as late as September where it was thought he may not play any red-ball cricket before the BBL.But since then he has strung together four List A games, taking 5 for 63, 3 for 36, 0 for 25, and 1 for 19 and two four-day second XI games for WA.Richardson is still unable to throw from deep in the outfield due to the shoulder issue but he said it was manageable, while acknowledging fielding was an important part of contributing to the team.He was asked whether he thought he could handle playing back-to-back Shield games in late November and early December, before the BBL break. "I hope so," he said. "I think I could."Richardson confirmed he would go in the IPL auction but he did not have a target in mind in terms of his international return.

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Rashid Latif has expressed strong views on the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan in cricket. He believes that Pakistan should consider suspending all cricket matches against India and that the ICC should withhold hosting rights from both countries until their issues are resolved.Latif's comments come in the wake of the BCCI's refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The PCB has written to the ICC seeking written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India's inability to travel to Pakistan.Latif believes that Pakistan should take a strong stance against India's refusal to play in Pakistan. "If I would have been there, I would have taken this decision, and fought against the BCCI," he said.He also suggested that the ICC should stop giving major tournaments to both India and Pakistan until their issues are resolved. "In my opinion, ICC should withhold the hosting rights for both countries until these issues between them are resolved; until their problems are settled," he said.Latif criticized the BCCI's stance regarding security concerns for the Indian team in Pakistan, saying that the ICC's security team had assessed the country and deemed it safe. "This is the first time, I would say, the BCCI is at fault. The reason they are stating is very weak. It has to be in writing that the BCCI and the Indian cricket team is feeling threatened," he said.Latif expressed confidence that Pakistan cricket would not be hampered by a lack of matches with India. "We didn't play at home for 12 long years. What could be more painful than that? Pakistan will get the 34 million dollars in every eight-year time (from ICC), whether they play India or not. The boards that are rich will suffer losses, not a board like PCB that doesn't have the money," he said.

Mohammed Shami's exceptional performance in the second Test against Australia in Perth in December 2018 remains a testament to his lethal bowling prowess in pace-friendly conditions. His remarkable 6/56, not only his best bowling figures, but also the fourth best by an Indian bowler in Australia at the time, played a pivotal role in India's eventual Test series triumph.Shami's absence of wickets in the first innings was more than compensated by his devastating spell in the second. With India opting for a four-pronged pace attack, Shami emerged as the standout performer, ripping through Australia's lower middle-order. His hat-trick attempt, dismissed by Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, showcased his relentless aggression.Shami's success stemmed from his ability to exploit the Perth pitch's pace and bounce. His consistent pace and movement off the seam troubled the Australian batsmen, forcing them into errors. Targeting the stumps with precision, Shami's high-paced deliveries proved too potent for the opposition.Despite Shami's heroics, India's lack of a balanced bowling attack ultimately cost them the match. The inability to chase down the 287-run target resulted in a 146-run defeat. However, Shami's performance underlined his status as one of India's premier pace bowlers, particularly on overseas tours.Shami's 6/56 in Perth showcased his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and deliver match-winning performances. His skill in extracting the best from pace-friendly pitches, combined with his relentless pace and accuracy, makes him a formidable force in the international arena.

Pakistan's white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has extended a warm invitation to the Indian cricket team to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2025. Rizwan's remarks come amidst ongoing uncertainties surrounding the tournament, with reports suggesting that India may refuse to tour Pakistan due to security concerns."KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav are welcome. Everyone who comes will be welcomed. And this isn't our decision; it's the PCB's decision. I hope that when they come, they will be welcomed," Rizwan stated ahead of Pakistan's T20I series against Australia.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing a formal query for the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking clarification on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) stance. The ICC has yet to make a decision, but alternate options, including neutral venues in South Africa and the UAE, are reportedly being considered if India declines to play in Pakistan.The lack of bilateral series between India and Pakistan since 2012 has intensified the stakes around ICC events, which have been the only stage where the two teams meet. Last year's Asia Cup, which was supposed to be hosted solely by Pakistan, was split into a hybrid model, with India's matches held in Sri Lanka.This arrangement allowed India to avoid travelling to Pakistan, while Pakistan maintained partial hosting rights. The Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, would mark the return of the tournament to the ICC calendar after seven years and remains a potentially historic occasion for cricket in Pakistan.The PCB is determined to host the tournament successfully and has expressed confidence in its ability to provide a safe and secure environment for all participating teams. However, the BCCI's decision will ultimately determine whether the Champions Trophy can be held in Pakistan as planned.

Rohit Sharma's Test Participation Uncertain, Trains Rigorously in MumbaiIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's participation in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia remains uncertain. However, the 37-year-old is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations, training diligently in Mumbai while awaiting the birth of his second child.Sharma has been utilizing both Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) facilities and Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) for his training sessions. Sources indicate that he is keen on maximizing his time in India to ensure he is fully prepared for the challenges Down Under.As for his travel to Australia, Sharma will make a decision after the birth of his child. "There is no clarity yet on his departure. It all depends on how things unfold on the personal front," said a source. "He is doing what any father would at this stage, which is to stay with his wife and family. But at the same time, he is ensuring to be well-tuned for the Test series and will be batting at every possible opportunity in Mumbai."The Indian team has already departed for Perth in two batches, with the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul among those who have arrived in Australia. Coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will lead the team in Rohit's absence, while Abhimanyu Easwaran and Rahul are the contenders for the opening slot.The high-profile series gets underway in Perth on November 22 and culminates with the Sydney Test on January 3. The second Test in Adelaide will be a Day-Night fixture, and the visitors will play a two-day game in Canberra before that match.

Sri Lanka's captain, Charith Asalanka, opted to bat first in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Dambulla. Asalanka anticipated the pitch to deteriorate for batting as the match progressed. New Zealand's skipper, Mitchell Santner, expressed indifference towards bowling first, citing the potential for rain and a wet outfield later in the evening.New Zealand introduced three debutants into their lineup: opening batter Tim Robinson, wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay, and seam-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith. Adam Milne, who replaced the injured Lockie Ferguson, was unavailable for selection due to his late arrival in the country. Jacob Duffy and the spin quartet of Ish Sodhi, Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips provided the bowling options.Sri Lanka welcomed back left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka. However, they suffered an injury setback with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out. Jeffrey Vandersay took his place in the XI. The top seven Sri Lankan batsmen offer additional bowling depth, with Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage capable of contributing overs.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Preview, Team News, and Live UpdatesSri Lanka and New Zealand will lock horns in the first ODI of their three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts will be eager to avenge their recent T20I series defeat against the Kiwis, while the visitors will aim to continue their winning momentum.Team News:New Zealand have suffered a major blow with the absence of star pacer Lockie Ferguson, who has been ruled out due to a leg injury. Adam Milne has been called up as his replacement. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will miss the services of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who is out with a hamstring strain. Dushan Hemantha has been drafted into the squad, but Jeffrey Vandersay is expected to lead the spin attack.Key Players:For Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on captain Dasun Shanaka, who has been in impressive form with the bat in recent times. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will also be crucial to the team's batting success. In the bowling department, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera will be the key threats.New Zealand will rely heavily on their experienced batting lineup, led by captain Kane Williamson. Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips will be the ones to watch out for. With Ferguson out, Trent Boult and Tim Southee will shoulder the responsibility of leading the bowling attack.Match Preview:The first ODI is expected to be a closely contested affair. Sri Lanka will be playing on home soil and will be determined to make a statement. However, New Zealand have a strong team and will be confident of securing a victory. The weather conditions are expected to be favorable for both teams, with no rain forecast.Live Updates:The match will begin at 2:30 PM local time (10:00 AM GMT). Live updates will be available on the official websites and social media channels of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket.