Proteas captain Faf du Plessis tells Harish Kotian/Rediff.com why they had to take the big call of dropping the experienced Steyn against minnows Afghanistan.
Alviro Petersen scored 182, his highest in a Test match, to steer South Africa to a commanding 419 all out on day two of the second Test at Headingley on Friday. England safely reached 48 without loss when bad light and rain ended play with 22 overs still to be bowled.
'Marco has been out of cricket for a while and to run in with that energy and set the tone was very important for us.'
Five of the Australian goals were field efforts while three were from the penalty corners. Australia earned eight PCs as against five of the South Africans.
For India, a win against the West Indies will guarantee a semifinal spot, with four points making net run rate a non-issue.
With limited opportunities coming his way in the ODI format, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal said his focus was on making his starts count as he smashed a fine unbeaten century to guide India to a nine-wicket win in the third match against Afghanistan in Chennai on Saturday.
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar says Indian team's recent success at home and an in-form captain Virat Kohli gives him confidence that they will enjoy success during next year's overseas tours.
England ended a well contested first day of the fourth and final Test against South Africa on 260 for six with the late loss of Ben Stokes giving heart to the tourists.
South Africa have included off-form opening batsman Hashim Amla in their squad for the Cricket World Cup in England and Wales starting next month, but there is no place for all-rounder Chris Morris.
Pakistan's men's hockey team, led by Captain Ammad Shakeel Butt, is preparing to face India in the upcoming FIH Pro League and the 2026 Hockey World Cup. Butt acknowledges India's strength but asserts Pakistan's readiness for a tough competition, focusing on rectifying past mistakes and enhancing key areas like attack and fitness.
Choke is a word which has haunted South African cricket for three decades but rather than shy away from it, departing coach Gary Kirsten has embraced the term in a bid to end their semi-final hoodoo.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) is investigating potentially fraudulent activities by an international syndicate attempting to corrupt the domestic game, it said in a statement on Friday.
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc remains driven by the competitive nature of cricket and hopes to extend his 16-year international career for a few more years, he said on Saturday, keeping the door open for a potential appearance at the 2027 World Cup.
India retains its top position in the ICC T20I rankings, followed by England and Australia. The rankings consider matches played since May 2025 at 100 per cent and the previous two years at 50 per cent.
For the first time in a decade, South Africa have been forced to acknowledge they are on the decline following back-to-back series losses to India and England that have knocked them off the top of the Test rankings.
Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is close to breaking Chris Gayle's record for most sixes in an IPL season.
Under pressure to revive their campaign after back-to-back defeats, India will have to consider adding a sixth bowler to bring more balance to their attack when they face England in a crucial Women's ODI World Cup match, in Indore, on Sunday.
ICC have announced the list of officials for the Super 8s, starting with New Zealand-Pakistan duel in Group 2 on Saturday, February 21.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma downplayed Shukri Conrad's controversial remarks that he wanted India to "really grovel".
Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock will return for South Africa in the last Test against England after recovering from a knee strain suffered while walking his dogs, Cricket South Africa said on Wednesday. Dane Vilas, who substituted in last week's third Test defeat in Johannesburg, was released to play for his provincial team after De Kock passed a fitness test. The fourth Test, at Centurion Park, begins on Friday and England have an unassailable 2-0 lead.
South Africa's two heaviest defeats have transpired when they fielded first and were accompanied by a lack of discipline as well as dropped chances.
Dale Steyn grabbed five wickets to lead South Africa to a convincing 204 run-victory over New Zealand in the second test at Centurion on Tuesday that sealed a 1-0 win in the series. Set an unlikely target of 400 to win the match, New Zealand were bowled out for 195 with a day to spare as South Africa kept in tact their record of never losing a series against the Kiwis.
Gupta highlighted that a packed Lord's during the previous edition's final between Australia and South Africa, despite the absence of India and hosts England, was a landmark moment for the global governing body.
His return to form will be welcome news for Australia whose top-order batsmen have failed to fire in two successive defeats by England in the five-Test Ashes series.
A look at the key batters to watch at the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, highlighting their recent form and potential impact on the tournament.
David Miller smashed a brilliant half-century while Marco Jansen picked up four wickets as South Africa thrashed India by 76 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup Super 8s match.
South Africa seem to possess just too many weapons for Tuesday's Group B match against an Irish team which look exhausted after pulling off the first upset of the World Cup.
Openers AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla broke the backs of English bowlers, blasting a 125-run opening stand to beat England by 9 wickets in the 2nd T20 International at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.
South Africa were 140 for six wickets in their first innings when rain brought an early close to play on the second day of the first test at SuperSport Park on Thursday. Mitchell Johnson had figures of 4 for 51.
Chris Morris again proved the scourge of England's bowlers after smashing 14 off the final over to power South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket win in the first Twenty20 at Newlands.
T20 World Cup 2026 could turn into a batter's paradise, as small grounds, flat pitches and fearless hitting bring the once-unthinkable 300-run mark within reach, leaving captains bracing their bowlers for a tough ride
South Africa left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso has been cleared to play at the World Twenty20 tournament in India after an independent reassessment of his bowling action found it to be legal, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Tuesday.
Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has voiced his support for Cameron Green, affirming his place in the Test squad despite a less-than-stellar Ashes series. McDonald cites Green's strong domestic record and potential for growth as reasons for his continued selection.
Besides preparing for the 16-team World Twenty20 2016, India and South Africa will also aim to improve their positions on the ICC T20I Team Rankings.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Test played at Newlands in Cape Town on Monday
India will look to seal the ODI series against Afghanistan while continuing to test combinations for the 2027 World Cup, with Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal among those pushing for opportunities in the second match.
South Africa raised concerns about the condition of the ball during the third day of the third Test against England on Tuesday. Television pictures showed England bowler Stuart Broad stopping the ball with his foot and the issue was brought to the attention of match referee Roshan Mahanama.
South Africa returned to the top of the ICC ODI Team Rankings.
'Whichever team starts well, they will have always the advantage because it will be tough for the other team to bounce back in a three-match series.'
