Injury-hit Australia are considering including veteran Steve Smith to strengthen their batting line-up for the crucial T20 World Cup Group B match against Sri Lanka. Australia needs to win to secure a spot in the Super Eights after a defeat to Zimbabwe.
Steve Smith said the decision to drop Nathan Lyonwas taken to strengthen the pace-bowling department.
Cricket Australia has announced its contracted player list for 2026/27, with some notable changes including the omission of Glenn Maxwell and Sam Konstas, and the inclusion of Brendan Doggett.
Steve Smith returns to action in the Boxing Day Test against England as Australia opted to include four fast bowlers in their 12-man squad.
Spinner Todd Murphy has been called into the Australia squad in place of the injured Nathan Lyon for this week's fourth Ashes Test, while captain Pat Cummins will skip the rest of the series as his back issue is managed.
The five-Test away series against India next year is set to be a decisive phase in an unprecedented and taxing schedule for Pat Cummins' ageing side.
Australia's T20 World Cup campaign hangs by a thread after shock defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, with injury setbacks and controversial selection decisions -- including Steve Smith's omission -- drawing sharp criticism.
Australia, dealing with injury concerns surrounding captain Mitchell Marsh, will face a potentially tricky Zimbabwe side in their upcoming T20 World Cup Group B match. The Aussies are aiming for a Super Eights spot, but Zimbabwe's bowling attack and experienced players could pose a challenge.
Shai Hope's unbeaten hundred steered West Indies to 212/4 in a mammoth chase of 531 on day four of the opening Test against New Zealand.
Australia's title bid will be tested by injuries and Asian conditions at the T20 World Cup.
West Indies pace puts New Zealand on the ropes in Christchurch
Australia host the next T20 World Cup in 2028 but will be eyeing a bigger prize a few months before that when cricket is reintroduced to the Olympics in LA.
Kane Williamson was included in the New Zealand squad for December's three-Test series against West Indies.
Justin Greaves produced a nine-and-a-half-hour batting masterclass before walking into Caribbean lore after his maiden Test double hundred secured an unlikely draw for West Indies.
Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a back injury, with left-armer Ben Dwarshuis named as his replacement.
New Zealand will pin their hopes on a rookie attack and field a new wicketkeeper when they take on the West Indies in the second Test in Wellington starting on Wednesday following a slew of injuries.
Kane Williamson is unavailable for ODI selection due to his commitments in the SA20 league.
Australia will aim to salvage pride against Oman in their final T20 World Cup match after a disappointing campaign marked by injuries and poor form.
Images from Day 2 of the 3rd Ashes Test in Adelaide on Thursday
Justin Greaves struck an epic unbeaten 202 against a depleted New Zealand attack to help the West Indies snatch a memorable draw in the opening Test at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Saturday.
England captain Harry Brook smashes records with blistering 135 against New Zealand
'We could play a couple of all-rounders. Could play a spinner. Could play no spinner. We'll figure it out.'
'With ETPL, we hope we can bring the magic of cricket euphoria to mainland Europe.'
Kane Williamson has decided to skip the three-match ODI series to focus on the Test series against the West Indies next month.
'They're those little moments as a squad that I think have got us across the line to four wins this series.'
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin hailed New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell as a "brainy cricketer" who is capable of making the best out of his limits as a player and someone who can give a franchise 400-500 runs batting at number three or four during a tournament.
Chasing a world record 435 runs to win, England were reduced to 207 for six at stumps on Day 4 of the third Test, still 228 runs short of victory
t Pat Cummins' side firmly on top of the WTC standings, with a perfect record after six matches in the current cycle.
Opening batter Jake Weatherald and pace bowler Brendan Doggett will make their Test debuts for Australia in the first Ashes Test against England in Perth on Friday.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
Uncapped left-arm seamer Ben Lister is likely to make his debut in the 2nd Test
Australia captain Steve Smith has declined to rule out a surprise return for fast bowler Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test against England.
England opener Zak Crawley said Australia had shown why they were favourites coming into the Ashes after a tough day four at Adelaide Oval left the tourists staring down the barrel of a series defeat on Saturday.
'I think it's a huge credit to (head coach) Andrew McDonald, the coaching staff and the medical staff that we feel like we've got a big squad that we can draw on.'
Australia stormed to an eight-wicket victory in the second Ashes Test on Sunday to take a 2-0 series lead as England succumbed on day four to a pace blitz from unlikely hero Michael Neser.
New Zealand resumed overnight on 92-0 and eased past Zimbabwe's first innings total of 149 before their innings ended on 307-9, with all-rounder Nathan Smith retiring hurt with an abdominal strain.
England recovered from a disastrous start as captain Brook bludgeoned 135 from 101 balls and Jamie Overton made 46 to help their side finish on 223 all out in 35.2 overs for a fighting chance in the contest.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
Regular captain Pat Cummins was named in the Australia squad on Wednesday for the third Ashes Test against England, a strong indication that the inspirational fast bowler will see his first action of the series in Adelaide next week.
IMAGES from Day 5 of the 3rd Ashes Test in Adelaide on Sunday.
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