Young Rishabh Pant has become the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to claim 50 dismissals in Test cricket, surpassing former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
'The Ashes are on the line here, if that is not motivation, I don't know what is.'
India and Pakistan meet in their opening World Cup match at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Ahead of what promises to be a thrilling contest here's a fact-file on the teams.
Nine months on from the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal, fans will turn up to Adelaide Oval as always, some having ducked out early from their workplaces in a city that loves the sport like few others.
'Australia vice-captain Travis Head on Thursday backed the idea of playing the entire Test series behind closed doors at Adelaide Oval, where an on-site hotel is under construction, to ensure it goes ahead amid restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.'
The 50-year-old former Australia batsman opined that India have a potent bowling attack and if their batsmen cope with the bounce well, then the tourists could stage a comeback in the series.
'I just can't see how they can bounce back (after) Australia whitewashed them on the third day. So 'no' is the answer -- four-nil to Australia'
It was the summer of 42 revisited all over again as Virat Kohli and the Indian team crashed to the lowest score in Test cricket in 65 years.
The selection committee of the Cricket Board (BCCI) will meet in New Delhi on Saturday to pick the Indian team for the upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia, starting January 12.
New Zealand are keen to build on the momentum of the inaugural day-night Test with their own 'pink ball' match, possibly against the touring South Africans, next season.
New Zealand's pacemen struck back with two late wickets under the floodlights at Adelaide Oval but Australia's bowlers basked in the sun as the inaugural day-night Test opened on Friday.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali is a doubt for the second Ashes Test against Australia as he struggles to recover from a cut on his index finger, captain Joe Root said.
Saha has hamstring tear, confirms Warner.
Calls have been growing for spilt captaincy in the Indian team since Rohit led Mumbai Indians to a fifth title in the IPL.
'This will always remain a very important milestone in our journey as a Test side.'
Vice-captain Brad Haddin is hopeful of Michael Clarke leading the Australian outfit in the first Test against India starting December 9 after the hamstrung skipper reported to training at the Adelaide Oval.
Rookie opener Sarel Erwee savoured a maiden century as South Africa dominated day one of the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch to be 238 for three at the close on Friday.
David Warner has become the fourth Australian to have recorded at least 10 centuries after 33 Tests, joining an elite company that includes the likes of Sir Don Bradman and Neil Harvey from the famed 'Invincibles' squad of 1948.
Australia romped into the semi-finals of the cricket World Cup, trouncing Pakistan by six wickets in the third quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. They will meet defending champions India, who beat Bangladesh, in the second semi-final slated for March 26.
'We've shown throughout the two games in periods we can outperform Australia, just not over five days'
Rishabh Pant's disappointing outing against Zimbabwe isn't a cause of concern for head coach Rahul Dravid, who hinted that the flamboyant left-hander could start in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at Adelaide on Thursday.
'The actual three quicks of India out-bowled the three quicks of Australia. They were outstanding. It's a big, big risk that Australia are taking'
A slight kink in India opener Prithvi Shaw's backlift technique is responsible for his struggles in the Test series in Australia, says batting great Sachin Tendulkar.
Paine, who has played 32 Tests and averages 33.40, scored an unbeaten 73 in the first innings besides grabbing those catches to be awarded the Man of the Match in Adelaide, which Australia won by eight wickets.
Zaheer went on and lauded spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for his 4/55 in the first innings at the Adelaide Oval.
Indian openers Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal looked clueless against the Australian attack in both the innings.
'When you face bowling of that quality, with that line and length, it's very difficult to score runs and that's what happened to the Indians today.'
Ashwin doesn't have the best record overseas -- in Australia alone he's got 27 wickets from 7 matches at an average of 48 and a best of 4 for 105.
Australia and India are currently gearing up for the four-match Test series. The first Test will get underway on Thursday at the Adelaide Oval and it will be a day-night contest.
Steve Smith is not expected to return to training until at least Wednesday.
Australia captain Steven Smith has no qualms about playing another day-night Test at Adelaide Oval but is wary of how the pink ball will perform in the humid conditions expected at Brisbane later this year.
Pakistani bowlers failed to put pressure on the hosts and failed to pick wickets.
India were bundled out for 36 -- their lowest innings score in 88 years of Test cricket -- in the second innings of the Adelaide Test.
India wants to host a day-night Test against Australia early next year, according to a report, as the world's richest cricket board continues its backing of the concept which seems to be taking root in the subcontinent.
Burns made his debut in the 2014 Boxing Day Test when Lehmann was Australia's head coach. The right-handed batsman has been Australia's first choice as opening batsman alongside David Warner.
It took nearly a year longer than Australia hoped but Nathan Lyon ended his agonising wait for a 400th Test victim in style on Saturday during a match-winning four-wicket haul that sent England crashing to a stinging Ashes defeat at the Gabba.
This year's lucrative Indian Premier League has been postponed indefinitely while a cloud also hangs over the men's Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in October-November.
Australia has recorded more than 7,000 coronavirus infections and 102 deaths.
Images from the opening day of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Australia captain Michael Clarke retired hurt on 60 with a lower back injury on day one, but after a sleep-deprived night of treatment and pain-killing injections, the 33-year-old's courageous 128 helped drive the hosts to 517 for seven by stumps against India in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances