India face what must rank as the poorest opposition they have played in a tour game in any country in many years as they take on a virtual Queensland academy side in their last practice match before the first Test.
The Aussie registered the highest score in Test history posting 380 runs against Zimbabwe.
Sent in to bat on a grassy MCG pitch on Sunday, England were skittled for 185
Pakistan showcased resilience with Rizwan contributing a powerful 88 runs
"We played a lot of dot balls because our set batsmen got out and it was not easy for a new batter coming in. They needed two to three balls to settle and that forced us onto the back foot,"
Andrew Symonds led the way with the bat and Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee claimed three wickets each in an 18-run victory.
Melbourne Cricket Club's chief executive officer Stuart Fox said though he wants Sydney to retain the hosting rights of the third Test, the situation is "extremely complicated" in the wake of a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 cases there.
Harshit Rana could pose a strong challenge to senior teammate Prasidh Krishna as they battle it out for the third pacer's slot in the India playing XI for the opening Test against Australia in Perth.
Hazlewood's inclusion is the only change to the home side who will look to take a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar spoke on who has the edge between Pakistan and England, he said, "I will probably back Pakistan because bowlers win tournaments and that is where Pakistan, with the kind of bowling attack that they have, I mean four quality quicks and they have the wrist spin, and if they require they also have the option of a left-arm spinner,"
When you are defending to save a game, a loose delivery comes along and you suddenly opt to play an attacking shot, you are unlikely to hit as well as if you were playing your naturally aggressive game all along. First Pant, then Jaiswal, found that out the costly way, observes Prem Panicker.
Plucked from obscurity when called up by selectors on Christmas Eve, the 32-year-old Victoria paceman finished with outrageous innings figures of 6-7 in four overs, sending his home crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground into delirium.
Virat Kohli has 3794 runs in T20 Internationals, 927 of those have come in T20 World Cups, the third-highest by a batter in the competition.
Team management was always clear that once Rohit is fit and able to join the squad, he will be Rahane's deputy.
Former Australia captain Richie Benaud is more interested in the fitness of Shane Warne after the enforced year off than his five-wicket haul.
New Zealand's left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori has said that he will hang his boots after the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Rohit Sharma's sizzling century went in vain as Australia survived a few anxious moments before pulling off a tense four-wicket win over India in a cricket tri-series ODI match in Melbourne.
A quick look at the records of the two combatants ahead of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
Australia captain Steve Smith will seek an explanation from match referee Chris Broad over a Decision Review System malfunction during his team's march to victory over West Indies in the second Test on Tuesday.
Officials said they were projecting a crowd in excess of 78,000 on the opening day of the traditional Boxing Day fixture, the largest attendance at the ground for a non-Ashes Test.
India fast bowler Umesh Yadav hobbled off the field after suffering an injury during the third day of the second Test against Australia, in Melbourne, on Monday.
Sealing their second T20 World Cup, England are now the first nation to hold both global white-ball trophies, having won the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019.
South Africa in trouble at 58-4 in 'Boxing Day' Test
We give ourselves a 50-50 chance in the final, says McCullum.
There are still many questions over Australia's opening partnership for the second Test against India but one thing is all but certain -- Joe Burns will face the new ball at the Melbourne Cricket Ground later this week.
Captain Steve Smith raised a composed century to push Australia to a 22-run first innings lead in the second Test against Pakistan but the home side's hopes of pushing their advantage were washed away by rain on day four on Thursday.
Peter Siddle has been brought into Australia's squad while uncapped fast bowler Kyle Jamieson has been called into the New Zealand squad.
Pace legend Waqar Younis is backing Pakistan to win the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year, saying the pitches Down Under could favour their potent bowling attack.
Australia, who have already won the first three Tests of the five-match series by big margins, bowled England out for 270 in reply to the home side's 551 for six declared.
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Paul Wilson and fourth umpire Gerard Abood.
The Australian vice-captain injured himself while batting in Sundays 89-run victory over England at the MCG.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances