England batter Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia due to a setback in his recovery from a knee injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Wednesday. He had surgery in September but a recent scan confirmed he cannot participate.
The 2018 'Sandpapergate' ball-tampering controversy has resurfaced following claims by former Australia batter Usman Khawaja in his autobiography. Khawaja alleges that the entire Australian team was aware of ball-tampering practices, including lifting the quarter seam during the 2017-18 Ashes and using sandpaper before the Cape Town Test. England Test captain Joe Root has declined to speculate on the revelations, while Australia batter Peter Handscomb also refused to comment, emphasizing the need to move on from off-field discussions.
Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg has dismissed calls for a new investigation into the 2018 'Sandpapergate' scandal, despite recent claims from Usman Khawaja and David Warner that knowledge of the ball-tampering plot was widespread. Greenberg stated that while Khawaja's autobiography contradicts previous accounts, CA remains comfortable with its original investigation's findings and sees no reason to reopen the case.
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia's squad for the upcoming four-Test home series against New Zealand following a prolonged slump in form, confirmed selector George Bailey.
Former Australian batter Michael Hussey has been appointed as a coaching consultant for Australia's 2027 Ashes and ODI World Cup campaigns, and will also serve as a T20 advisor for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the T20 World Cup.
Usman Khawaja has cancelled book promotion events following an interview where he refused to confirm if Australia's bowlers knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plot, reigniting pressure on Cricket Australia to reopen the 'Sandpapergate' investigation.
Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia's One-Day International and T20 International squads against England, with most frontline Test players rested after their recent South Africa series. The move aims to manage player workload ahead of the upcoming New Zealand Test series.
Nathan Lyon's late dismissal of South Africa captain Temba Bavuma significantly strengthened Australia's position on Day 3 of the third ICC World Test Championship Test. South Africa ended the day at 140/4, holding a 40-run lead, with Australia's Josh Inglis confident in his team's control. Despite a strong bowling performance from South Africa earlier in the day, Australia's late breakthroughs have shifted momentum.
South Africa face an uphill task after slipping to 140 for four in their second innings, holding a slender 40-run lead over Australia at stumps on Day 3 of the decisive third Test at Newlands on Thursday.
Spinner Simon Harmer made history by becoming only the second South African spinner and the first since the team's re-admission to take a ten-wicket haul on home soil, securing a 2-1 series win over Australia in Cape Town.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald has defended his team against a 'flood of criticism' following their 2-1 Test series loss to South Africa, acknowledging underachievement but backing the squad's core players. He addressed concerns about player performance and the team's future, particularly regarding Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
Australia faces a challenging target of 288 runs against South Africa on a deteriorating Newlands wicket, with the home side's pace attack and spinner Simon Harmer expected to exploit the conditions to clinch the three-match Test series.
Pat Cummins admitted Australia must answer tough questions and consider changes after consecutive heavy defeats against South Africa cost them the series and their No. 1 Test ranking.
South Africa spinner Simon Harmer took a career-best 6-16 and Kagiso Rabada became the fastest by balls bowled to reach 350 test wickets as the hosts thumped Australia by 176 runs to clinch their three-test series 2-1 at Newlands on Saturday.
Rickelton and Mulder struck centuries to set Australia a challenging 288-run target at Newlands, with the series decider also offering the winner the No. 1 spot in Test rankings.
Australian umpire Ben Treloar will officiate in two Ranji Trophy matches in India, while India's Parashar Joshi will travel to Australia to stand in two Sheffield Shield matches and one One Day Cup fixture as part of an exchange programme between Cricket Australia and the BCCI.
Australia were bowled out for 99 in their first innings, trailing South Africa by 326 runs.
South Africa have recalled Gerald Coetzee for injured Anrich Nortje in the series-deciding Newlands Test, targeting a series victory, the world's top ranking and stronger World Test Championship prospects.
Alex Carey says Australia must focus on preparation ahead of the South Africa Test, with their No. 1 ranking and World Test Championship hopes at stake.
Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith is battling a neck injury, raising concerns about his ability to bat on the final day of the second Test against South Africa, as Australia fights to salvage a draw after being forced to follow on.
South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the decisive third Test against Australia due to a groin injury sustained during the second Test victory.
Australia return to Newlands for the series-deciding Test against South Africa, confronting Sandpapergate memories from 2018, as Steve Smith seeks redemption and Nortje's injury reshapes hosts' bowling options.
South Africa crushed Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha to level the series 1-1, with Bavuma's 179 and Rabada's four wickets proving decisive.
Matt Renshaw's outstanding performance in Australia's Test victory over South Africa has solidified his middle-order spot, but the team still faces uncertainty regarding its opening batting combination. Travis Head's suitability at the top of the order is questioned, while Nic Maddinson's inconsistent debut adds to the dilemma. The article also highlights strong bowling performances from Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and the team's challenging schedule ahead.
Josh Inglis' unbeaten 85 and Alex Carey's 51 not out powered Australia to 330/4, securing a first-innings lead over South Africa and strengthening their grip on the decisive Test.
Australia's cricket coach Andrew McDonald indicated that selectors remain open to further changes in the batting order for the second Test against South Africa, depending on the pitch conditions in Gqeberha. This follows a successful, albeit surprising, lineup in the first Test where Nic Maddinson opened and Matt Renshaw excelled at number five. While former captain Steve Waugh urged consistency, McDonald emphasised the panel's flexible approach. The team is also monitoring the fitness of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis.
Australia's assistant coach Matthew Wade has warned his team to expect a more dangerous and aggressive South African attack with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada poised to return for the second Test in Gqeberha, following his absence from the first match due to a hamstring injury.
Australia's cricket team is facing significant selection challenges and tough decisions regarding their line-up for the series-deciding third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, following a heavy innings defeat in the second match.
Australia 'A' batter Nathan McSweeney attributed his success in the recent one-day series against India A to studying Virat Kohli's technique against spinners on YouTube. McSweeney was named player of the series after scoring 194 runs, helping Australia A win the series 2-1. He highlighted the importance of adapting to Indian conditions and executing strategies learned from top players.
Australia captain Pat Cummins will give Steve Smith every chance to recover from a neck injury before the decisive third Test against South Africa at Newlands, with team selection pending.
India A defeated Australia A by 49 runs in the third and final one-day match in Puducherry on Sunday, though Australia A secured the series 2-1. Suryansh Shedge's quick 66 and Vipraj Nigam's 40 helped India A post 275, while Gurjapneet Singh's three wickets ensured Australia A were bowled out for 226.
Nikhil Chaudhary, who once dreamt of an IPL contract and playing for Punjab, made his international debut for Australia in a T20I against Bangladesh in June, a turn of events he describes as his "life's biggest moment" after being stranded in Australia during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.
Australia and South Africa are set to begin a three-match Test series in Durban, with both teams looking for a boost after recent setbacks. The pitch at Kingsmead is expected to favour spinners, a departure from South Africa's usual seamer-friendly conditions, potentially influencing team selections.
Pat Cummins hailed Australia's grit and ruthlessness in their 214-run win over South Africa, praising Matt Renshaw's rescue act, Josh Hazlewood's six-wicket haul and the selectors' decisions.
South Africa's Anrich Nortje, returning to first-class cricket after nearly four years, took two quick wickets to leave Australia struggling at 149-6 at tea on the opening day of the first Test. Nortje's fiery spell after lunch justified his recall, as he dismissed Alex Carey and Beau Webster in quick succession.
Temba Bavuma's career-best 179 powered South Africa to 425 for nine declared, with record partnerships alongside Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer before Kagiso Rabada struck early against Australia.
Pat Cummins says Australia must learn to grind out Test results as they prepare for a tricky South Africa challenge at Kingsmead.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook emphasised cricket's pivotal role in enhancing India-Australia relations, fostering business development, economic ties, and trade. He highlighted the upcoming Big Bash League match in Chennai and the opening of the University of Western Australia campus in Mumbai as key initiatives strengthening bilateral cooperation and cultural exchange.
Temba Bavuma blamed South Africa's lack of fight and mental lapses for their 214-run defeat to Australia, rejecting rustiness as an excuse ahead of the second Test.
Scott Boland struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce South Africa to 20 for two on a rain-hit opening day, giving Australia the early advantage in the second Test.
