The Perth Stadium pitch that saw Australia complete a thumping eight-wicket Ashes win inside two days over England has earned the ICC's (ICC) highest rating.
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The Perth Stadium curator has promised the wicket will be green, fast and bouncy but Stokes offered no thoughts on whether England would attack with four quicks or pick the specialist spinner, Shoaib Bashir, in their 11.
The two greats showed their class with some brilliant shots during the practice session.
Pat Cummins captured the sentiment perfectly, calling this potentially the 'last chance' for fans Down Under to witness these legends in action. With both stalwarts set to be 39 and 40 respectively by the 2027 World Cup, every appearance carries added significance. Ro-Ko have been the heartbeat of Indian cricket for over 15 years. Their return brings an emotional lift to the team and raises expectations for the series against the world champions.
Australia's board had hoped the 60,000-seat venue in Burswood would be ready to host the third Ashes Test between the sides from December 14-18 but construction delays ruled that out, with Perth's traditional WACA ground staging it instead.
Australia will also welcome Matt Short back into the side at No.3, forming part of a refreshed middle order alongside Renshaw, Owen, Cooper Connolly, and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, who replaces the injured Josh Inglis (calf).
Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer has compared the Ekana pitch to the Perth track, admitting that the home team has been unable to adapt to the pace and bounce on offer. LSG have lost all three matches at home.
Australia's stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh continued his fine run of form on Sunday, scoring 46 not out and leading his side to a seven-wicket triumph over India in the weather-affected first one-day international at Perth Stadium.
India face Hong Kong in their final AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier, with Ryan Williams set to make his debut. Both teams aim to gain FIFA ranking points and build for the future.
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Taking his 17th Test five-wicket haul, he finished with 7 for 58 off 12.5 overs.
India will face Hong Kong in their final AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match, with Australian-born winger Ryan Williams set to make his debut. Both teams aim to gain FIFA ranking points and build for future assignments.
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.
Even as the rain poured, the mood in the stands never did. Ponchos, cheers and chants filled the arena as fans danced through the drizzle, refusing to let the weather wash away their excitement.
Cummins has been sidelined with a lumbar stress injury since Australia swept West Indies in the Caribbean in July.
This happened following India's practice session that saw both India's senior batters hit the nets at the Optus Stadium.
The Indian women's football team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Vietnam in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup, conceding a late goal in injury time.
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad said the second Ashes Test starting Thursday next week will be a lottery and the toss is a key factor in Brisbane with the pink ball.
Annabel Sutherland scored 129 to become the first woman to hit centuries in three consecutive Test innings as Ellyse Perry set a new Australia women's Test run record.
The stand-in Australia captain was asked about Panesar's recent comments that England should shame Smith over his involvement in "Sandpapergate" to get a psychological edge in the series, which starts in Perth on Friday.
With skipper Pat Cummins already out of the series opener because of a back injury, Australia are expected to send out Hazlewood with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as their pace attack.
David Miller's explosive innings not only showcased his exceptional finishing skills but also equaled David Warner's record for the most runs scored against India in T20 World Cups.
'My body feels great right now, I am very confident of getting through all five (Tests) without any dramas.'
Captain Shubman Gill acknowledged losing early wickets was one of the big reasons for India's loss in the rain-hit first ODI against Australia.
Kuldeep was instrumental to India's success at the Asia Cup, topping the wicket-taking chart with 17 wickets. Chopra explained the rationale behind dropping the left-arm wrist spinner, attributing it to batting depth.
Ravichandran Ashwin hails Travis Head after his 69-ball century, the second-fastest in Ashes history, helped Australia easily chase down 205 runs on Day 2 of first Ashes Test.
The cricketing ecosystem has learned to survive the prolonged absence of Kohli and Rohit -- at least in two formats -- in this interim period.
Khawaja pulled no punches, taking aim at former players and sections of the media over what he described as blatant double standards
Reeling from injuries to captain Pat Cummins and paceman Josh Hazlewood, Australia have received a boost ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth starting Friday, with Cameron Green telling reporters he is ready to bowl free of any restrictions.
Their last eight Tests in Perth have all been defeats, with the most recent setback a bitter innings and 41-run capitulation in 2017 that saw Joe Root's team surrender the urn.
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England pacer Mark Wood feels Australia will start as favourites in the upcoming Ashes series, but insists that there is a "quiet confidence" within the English camp about doing well in the marquee contest, starting later this month.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 1st Ashes Test played in Perth on Friday.
McDonald also said the selectors would consider a Test recall for Mitch Marsh, even if Australia's white-ball captain said last week he would be watching the Ashes series beer in hand.
Cricket Australia were left millions of dollars out of pocket, having to refund tickets for a confirmed sell-out crowd on day three at the 100,000-seat stadium and for another large crowd for day four.
No fewer than 36 wickets fell during two chaotic days in the fourth Ashes Test, leaving the captains of both Australia and England unimpressed with the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch.
While ever more hostage to Twenty20's global carve-up, cricket will take a breath from next week to indulge its most time-honoured rivalry as Australia and England battle in the Ashes.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 1st Ashes Test in Perth on Saturday.
Cricket fever gripped Perth as fans thronged the Optus stadium on Day 4 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
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