The ICC has announced the schedule for the men's World Cup, detailing India's opening match against Australia, a crucial clash with Pakistan, and other group stage fixtures, along with the dates and venues for the semi-finals and final.
Matthew Breetzke's century led South Africa to a 67-run victory over Australia in the first ODI in Durban. Despite a strong start, Australia's chase faltered due to poor shot selection, losing nine wickets for 101 runs. South Africa posted 297/8, with Breetzke scoring 112 and Marco Jansen adding 75. Australian captain Mitch Marsh expressed disappointment over the team's inability to form partnerships.
South Africa has announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match home Test series against Australia, including fast bowler Kagiso Rabada despite his current hamstring injury. Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman also earned a call-up.
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has been ruled out of the remaining two One-Day Internationals against South Africa due to a fractured right index finger. The injury occurred during the first ODI, and he now faces a race against time to be fit for the upcoming three-match Test series in South Africa. Alex Carey is expected to replace him behind the stumps for the ODIs.
India A, led by skipper Devdutt Padikkal's fifty and Kumar Kushagra's unbeaten 46, set Australia A a challenging target of 363 runs on day three of their four-day match in Puducherry. Australia A ended the day at 55/2, needing 308 more runs to win.
The Indian Women's A team lost a close encounter to their Australian counterparts in the second unofficial ODI, despite a magnificent century from Yastika Bhatia. Australia successfully chased down a formidable target of 339, levelling the series 1-1.
Marnus Labuschagne remains confident he is Australia's best No. 3 Test option, despite facing criticism for a prolonged century drought and a recent average of 25.43 since the 2023 Ashes.
Mitch Marsh will captain Australia in the first ODI against South Africa, despite Pat Cummins' arrival. Cummins is focusing on the upcoming Test series, allowing Marsh to continue leading the ODI side after a successful series in Zimbabwe. Cummins might return for later matches in the series, which serves as preparation for next year's World Cup.
Zimbabwe have named Sikandar Raza captain for their Australia ODI series, recalling veterans Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer while injuries rule out Richard Ngarava, Clive Madande and Tanaka Chivanga.
Kumar Kushagra's composed century and Shams Mulani's four-wicket haul propelled India A to a commanding 163-run lead over Australia A on day two of their four-day match in Puducherry. Kushagra scored 113, helping India A reach 334, while Mulani's spell dismantled Australia A's batting, bowling them out for 171.
Tejal Hasabnis and Anushka Sharma's aggressive half-centuries, coupled with Nikki Prasad's all-round performance, led India A Women to a four-wicket victory over Australia A in the first women's one-day match in Mullanpur.
As India A face Australia A in a crucial four-day match, attention centers on left-handers Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan competing for top-order positions ahead of major Test series.
India U-19 secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Australia U-19 in the third and final Youth ODI, completing a 3-0 series sweep. Skipper Lakshya Raichandani led the chase with an unbeaten 110, while Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan starred with the ball. The teams will now prepare for a two-match Youth Test series.
Australia have strengthened their ODI squad for South Africa with returns for Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, while Jack Edwards could debut amid Cameron Green's shoulder concern.
Seven former Australian cricket captains, including Greg Chappell and Steve Waugh, have urged Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to address the welfare of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Their appeal focuses on humanitarian treatment and due process, not the legal or political aspects of his case, citing concerns about his deteriorating health.
Australia secured an unassailable 2-0 ODI series lead against Zimbabwe after Travis Head's century powered them to a record total, backed by Adam Zampa's 200th wicket in an 84-run victory.
Josh Inglis scored a century and Nathan Ellis hit an unbeaten 36, including a six off the first ball of the final over, to guide Australia to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, securing a 3-0 series whitewash.
India U-19 defeated Australia U-19 by 103 runs in the second Youth ODI, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Yashbardhan Chauhan scored 122 and VK Vineeth added 87, helping India post 341/7. Australia were bowled out for 238, with Chigurupati Venkata taking three wickets.
India A recovered from a precarious position of 97 for five to reach 257 for five against Australia A on the opening day of their four-day match, thanks to resilient fifties from Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, and Tanush Kotian. Kotian and Kushagra forged a crucial 138-run partnership for the sixth wicket, stabilising the innings after early setbacks.
David Warner has been appointed captain of the Australia Champions team for the third season of the World Championship of Legends. The team is now owned by cricket legend Ricky Ponting and Puneet Singh, who have also unveiled a new team identity. Warner expressed excitement about playing alongside greats, while Ponting and Singh highlighted the leadership and experience Warner brings.
Australia Women 'A' defeated India 'A' by 30 runs in Mullanpur, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match unofficial T20I series, largely thanks to Katie Mack's unbeaten 83.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the use of pink balls in day-time Test matches on a trial basis, aiming to mitigate the frequent loss of overs due to fading light in the final session. This decision, applicable to series starting from October 1, allows for mutual agreement between teams to use the pink ball for the entire duration of a Test.
Temba Bavuma will lead South Africa against Australia, with Gerald Coetzee recalled, Kagiso Rabada injured, and Dewald Brevis omitted as the Proteas strengthen World Cup preparations.
Australia A has announced a 14-member squad for their upcoming series against India A in Puducherry. The tour, featuring both four-day and one-day matches, is crucial for exposing players to subcontinental conditions and preparing them for future senior team tours to India, including a Test series next year. The squad includes several players with prior international experience.
Out-of-form batter Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia's One-Day International squad for upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Josh Hazlewood returning to the side.
Jasprit Bumrah ranked third in Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad's top 10 bowlers of the 21st century, ahead of Glenn McGrath and Muttiah Muralitharan, behind Warne and Anderson.
South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Australia due to a right hamstring strain and faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the subsequent three-match Test series.
Australia's veteran bowling attack, featuring Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, delivered a decisive performance in the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Their combined effort led Australia to a 214-run victory, with Hazlewood taking career-best figures. Captain Cummins lauded the bowlers' rigorous preparation and team-first approach, highlighting their continued effectiveness despite their age.
Australia's Matt Renshaw has broken Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored while batting with lower-order batters and tail-enders (numbers 8 to 11) in a single Test innings, achieving 174 runs during his 190-run knock against South Africa in Durban.
Leading Australian women cricketers and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) are urging Cricket Australia (CA) to schedule more matches during the peak summer months, arguing the current calendar is hindering the team's growth and missing opportunities to build on the sport's development.
Australia has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of South Africa, with top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne retaining his place despite recent poor form.
Shukri Conrad has demanded sharper batting and greater mental toughness from South Africa after their 214-run defeat to Australia, urging composure over knee-jerk changes ahead of Sunday's second Test.
Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test win on Australian soil and stunning the No. 1-ranked Test side.
Australia's nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in Darwin has been described as one of the country's biggest test humiliations, prompting uncomfortable questions about the top-ranked team's future and sparking calls for regeneration.
Australia secured a thumping innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh in Mackay, levelling the two-match series 1-1. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were instrumental, with Starc taking 10-51 in the match.
Steve Smith surpassed Steve Waugh's Test run tally in 42 fewer matches, moving behind only Ricky Ponting and Allan Border among Australia's leading run-scorers.
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has cautioned his team to expect a strong comeback from Australia in the second Test after their surprising nine-wicket victory in the series opener. Simmons emphasised the need for continued high performance, while Australia's captain Pat Cummins acknowledged their poor performance in the first match and confirmed team changes for the upcoming game in Mackay.
Australia is under pressure to secure a decisive victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay to level the two-match series, following an embarrassing nine-wicket loss in Darwin. The team has made personnel changes, including recalling Matt Renshaw, and is looking for a strong bounce-back performance. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, buoyed by their historic win and a successful shift to a pace-centred bowling attack, is confident of continuing their strong form and potentially sweeping the series.
England white-ball star Jos Buttler begins his recovery after hamstring surgery. He is ruled out of the Pakistan tri-series and his participation in the Australia tour is in doubt.
Former England all-rounder Samit Patel lauded Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, highlighting Kohli's mastery in run chases and Rohit's explosive batting and leadership. Patel also shared his 'Fab Four' picks and predicted semi-finalists for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
