World Fitness Blog : Leading Global Bloggers

December 31, 2021

Cricket world in stitches over South African duo’s height difference TOPSHOT – South Africa’s Marco Jansen (L) bumps fists with South Africa’s Temba Bavuma (R) during the fifth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 30, 2021. (Photo by Christiaan Kotze / AFP)

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 5:54 am

A South African batting partnership has given cricket fans a delightful chuckle due to the pair’s startling 40cm height differential.

Fans were left in stitches as a South African batting partnership had a massive 40-centimetre difference.

The Proteas took on India in the first Test of their three-match series at Centurion Park in South Africa this week.

Catch every moment of The Ashes live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

On the fifth and final day, the 162cm Temba Bavuma was patiently plugging away trying to hold on for a draw.

But as his teammates fell, the South African vice-captain was joined in the middle by debutant Marco Jansen.

The giant left-arm pace bowler stands at a whopping 203cm, according to The Sun.

It made for comical viewing as the pair came together out in the middle.

TV camera operators struggled to even get them in the same shot in they chatted at the end of overs.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Irfan is widely accepted to be the tallest first-class cricket player of all time, with the bowler measuring up at 215cm.

But plenty of witty fans took to social media on Thursday during the Bavuma-Jansen partnership, with some hilarious memes shared on Twitter.

The camera angle as they walked off for lunch together highlighted the stark difference in height.

But after the break, Jansen nicked behind for 13 before two further quick wickets — Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi both got ducks — wrapped up a 113-run win for India.

Bavuma finished unbeaten on 35 from 80 balls.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been reposted with permission.

Source

December 15, 2021

‘Seriously scary’: Huge tick for Ashes call-up ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 14: Jhye Richardson of Australia bowls during an Australian Ashes Squad nets session at Adelaide Oval on December 14, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 4:35 am

Australian captain Pat Cummins has confirmed the replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the second Test and whether opener David Warner will play.

Rocking Test batter Marnus Labuschagne with a body blow in the Adelaide nets on Tuesday was more evidence of the “seriously scary” stuff fast bowler Jhye Richardson could dish out after being called up for the second Ashes Test.

Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed Richardson would replace fast bowler Josh Hazlewood in the day-night clash with England after he was ruled out with a side strain.

West Australian quick Richardson has made a stunning return to red-ball cricket after two years of serious shoulder issues, taking 23 wickets at just 13.43 in four Sheffield Shield matches this summer.

But he was the only change to the Australian team, with Cummins backing opener David Warner to fight through the pain of a rib injury that he sustained in the opening clash in Brisbane.

Warner didn’t face any bowlers in a 30-minute net session on Tuesday night in Adelaide, but Cummins said he’d fight through the pain to play.

“He’ll be right, he had a bat yesterday, batted with some discomfort, but knowing Davey, he’s not going to miss this one,” Cummins said on Wednesday afternoon

“He’ll be fine when the adrenaline kicks in.

“It’s one thing batting in the nets, different thing with a packed crowd.

“He didn’t have painkillers, he’s played close to 90 Tests. I’m sure a lot of them have been played with discomfort or things going into the game.”

Cummins said Richardson was “better” than when he made his Test debut in 2019 despite battling debilitating shoulder injuries that limited his output over the past two seasons, costing him a shot at the 2019 one-day World Cup and Ashes series in England.

“He was on the verge of an Ashes series and a World Cup before he had his shoulder injury. He’s worked incredibly hard, had a great start to his year for WA. We think he’s firing,” Cummins said.

“He’s taken his time, even last year he battled in the field but was one of the main bowlers in the Big Bash. I think he’s better, he’s got more control, all the skills, and is a little bit older.

“He can swing the ball both ways, he’s faster than you think. He’s really consistent. In Shield cricket he’s bowled 20 overs for 20 runs in some matches.

“We feel really confident Jhye is going to step straight in.”

His WA teammate Cameron Green, who stepped up to the bowling plate himself in the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane, gave Richardson the ultimate endorsement too.

Green said Richardson was “a level above” state cricket and should add to his two-Test career.

“He’s been unreal for WA back at Shield level,” Green told the Unplayable Podcast.

“He’s been so relentless with his line and length and everyone can see the skill that he’s got.

“He’s been going at about one an over in the games he’s been playing for us and taking a lot of wickets as well. It feels like he’s a level above state cricket and he’s ready for Test cricket again.

“He’s a level above with that accuracy that he’s got.

“Out and out ‘Richo’ with pace is seriously scary. But he’s probably brought that (pace) a little bit back to be consistent. With all the skills he’s got as well he doesn’t really need it.

“In saying that, Richo dialling it back is still probably 140(km/h). I can’t wait to see him if he plays.”

Richardson, 25, has bulked up since he weighed just 75kg on Test debut nearly three years ago against Sri Lanka.

Read related topics:Adelaide

Source

December 13, 2021

Jhye Richardson the ‘obvious choice’ to replace injured Josh Hazlewood for Adelaide Test Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser.

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 4:33 am

After Australian stalwart Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Ashes Test, two candidates have emerge to replace the star quick.

Former Australian paceman Brett Lee believes West Australian seamer Jhye Richardson is the “obvious choice” to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood for the second Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.

On Monday morning, Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood would be unavailable for this week’s pink-ball Test in Adelaide due to a side strain he sustained in Brisbane.

The 30-year-old was feeling “a little bit sore” after the Gabba victory, during which he claimed match figures of 3/74 from 27 overs.

Sport‘s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

“Hazlewood returned to Sydney yesterday afternoon for further assessment and rehabilitation with a decision on his fitness for the Boxing Day Test to be made in due course,” CA said in a statement.

The Bendemeer Bullet will be sorely missed in Adelaide – he has taken 32 wickets at 19.90 in day-night Test matches since 2015. Hazelwood has dismissed England captain Joe Root on eight occasions in Test cricket, more than any other bowler.

Queensland’s Michael Neser and Richardson are the two leading candidates to replace Hazlewood in the starting XI for the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, which gets underway on Thursday.

Richardson claimed six wickets during his only two Test matches against Sri Lanka in January 2019, while Neser is still waiting for a coveted Baggy Green.

Lee, who claimed 310 wickets in 76 Test matches for Australia, says the national selectors should back Richardson to make his Ashes debut this week.

“The obvious choice is for Jhye to come in,” Lee told news.com.au, speaking on behalf of Foxtel’s Ton of Cricket.

“He’ll get that pink ball to talk. He’s a guy that’s got beautiful shape, he shapes the ball out to the right-handed batsman.

“It has to be Richo, I think he’ll compliment the side very well.”

Neser has been on the verge of a Test debut for three years, serving as Australia’s 12th man on 16 occasions in the game’s longest format, and would be considered the closest like-for-like replacement for Hazlewood.

“If you’re looking like-for-like, Michael Neser’s probably a little more like Hazlewood, and you’d probably say that Jhye Richardson’s a bit more like a Pat Cummins,” former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor told Wide World of Sports.

“If it were Starc or Cummins who were out, I think Richardson would be straight in, particularly as he was the 12th man for this Test. But with Neser taking five wickets (for Australia A), and he’s a bit more of that stump-to-stump, slight outswing bowler, he’ll come into consideration.”

Neser has been one the most consistent seamers in Australian domestic cricket over the past few years, taking 87 Sheffield Shield wickets at 21.62 since September 2018.

The 31-year-old reminded national selectors of his worth with a classy performance in the Australia A fixture against the England Lions, where he claimed match figures of 7/65 from 29.3 overs.

But Richardson is coming off a stellar run of form leading into the Ashes – he has taken 23 wickets at 13.43 in the Sheffield Shield this summer, more than any other pace bowler in the first-class competition.

Most wickets in 2021/22 Sheffield Shield

25 at 26.56 – Matthew Kuhnemann (QLD)

23 at 13.43 – Jhye Richardson (WA)

21 at 17.76 – Mark Steketee (QLD)

18 at 25.55 – Nathan McAndrew (SA)

15 at 10.80 – Scott Boland (VIC)

“Neser’s definitely in the mix, but I think they’ll go with Richo just because he was next cap off the rank,” Lee said.

“Hazlewood is more of a McGrath-like impeccable line and length – gets a bit of shape on the ball, does a bit off the seamer – whereas Jhye’s more of a skiddy, quicker bowler that will shape the ball away.

“But if they go with Michael, obviously that’s a good replacement as well.”

The second Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at Adelaide on Thursday, with the first ball scheduled for 3pm AEDT.

Read related topics:Adelaide

Source

December 11, 2021

Ashes stopped by ‘farcical’ TV breakdown Channel 7 commenators on Day 4 of the first Test. Photo: Channel 7.

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 4:16 am

Australia is an international laughing stock in cricket circles after the entire world was cut off from watching the Ashes on Saturday.

An extraordinary tech failure has resulted in millions of viewers around the world being denied a chance to watch the Ashes.

The first Test in Brisbane turned into a farce when Fox Cricket and Channel 7 both began to experience audio and visual failures on day 4.

Fox was forced to switch to its aerial camera for several minutes before the only camera option left was the shot of the commentators inside the Fox Cricket studio.

Channel 7 was also undone by the same technical failure and had been unable to access the majority of camera angles used by the world feed.

Seven has since clarified the network, as the unilateral broadcaster, was able to continue to broadcast the contest following the initial outage by relying on the four additional cameras it had available at the Gabba that are independent of the world feed breakdown.

Catch every moment of The Ashes live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. Join now for just $5 for 2-months Kayo Basic. New customers only, ends 13th Dec.

The world feed is captured by the host broadcaster and broadcast to international audiences around the world.

Play continued at the Gabba for more than 30 minutes while TV audiences were unable to watch any of the action.

Cricket Australia released a statement to respond to the extraordinary scenes.

“There has been a power issue affecting the broadcast compound at the Gabba, resulting in the world feed going down and all resulting technology not working,” the statement claimed.

“The issue is being worked on with the aim to get everything working as soon as possible.”

It was also confirmed that the DRS technology was not available at the time.

It was a nightmare for the TV commentators who were forced to call some of the action blind while trying to update the audience on the work being done to fix the problem.

The Brisbane Test has been plagued by technical issues all week.

The technology that allows the video umpire to review no-balls every delivery is not in place this test, as exposed by Ben Stokes bowling four consecutive no-balls on Day 2.

Some commentators declared on Twitter, the test should never have been held in Queensland as a result of the state’s border restrictions and biosecurity rules.

The Guardian’s Ali Martin described it as a “shambles”.

The Telegraph’s Nick Hoult posted: “Seven cameras gone down now. Commentators are covering the game off the tv because of quarantine rules so nobody knows what’s happening. Test should never have been played in Queensland”.

English cricket reporter Chris Stocks said it is “hugely embarrassing for Cricket Australia”.

“Decision to play this Test on this date somewhere where the world’s media and many TV tech staff were shut out is a disgrace. It’s a farce,” he posted on Twitter.

Channel 7 also saw the lighter side of the situation.

The DRS was back available for the test several minutes later, but Channel 7 and Fox Cricket were still being forced to call the action from limited cameras an hour after the glitches first appeared.

Read related topics:Brisbane

Source

December 10, 2021

First Ashes Test, day 3 live updates Rory Burns survives. Photo: Kayo.

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 4:04 am

A rattled opening batter has been called out over a rare sight at the start of England’s innings with suggestions he is gone in the head.

Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of the third day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

England is on the ropes after their misery continued on day 3 with Australia reaching 425 in their first innings — a lead of 278.

Australia put on another 78 runs after resuming at 7/347 overnight.

In response, England nervously reached 0/23 at the lunch break before rattled opener Rory Burns failed again in the first over of the second session of play.

The Aussies were led by Travis Head, who went past 150 for just the second time in his test career before he was clean bowled by Mark Wood on 152.

Catch every moment of The Ashes live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. Join now for just $5 for 2-months Kayo Basic. New customers only, ends 13th Dec.

Earlier it got ugly for the English — especially for maligned spinner Jack Leach, who finished with 1/95 from just 11 overs at the end of the second day.

He finished the innings with 1/102 from 13 overs.

The third day looms as one of the most critical days of the entire series with England needing to show some backbone as their batters arrive at the crease.

Starc gets key breakthrough as second wicket falls

Mitchell Starc has dismissed Haseeb Hameed to leave England 2/61.

Hameed had fought stubbornly to reach 27 from 58 balls before he got tempted to flick at a shortish ball from Starc.

Starc sent the Kookaburra to the leg side in a delivery that crept up towards Hameed’s ribs. The ball collected some glove and bat as it sailed through to keeper Alex Carey.

Burns busted in cowardly Ashes move

Rory Burns was gone in the first over after lunch after coming under fire for a peculiar move at the start of England’s innings.

He was dismissed by Pat Cummins on 13 when he edged through to keeper Alex Carey.

The Aussie attack has been smelling blood in the water around the English opener since Mitchell Starc knocked him over with the first delivery of the series on Wednesday.

There are suggestions the Aussies are living rent free in Burns’ head after he took the rare decision to start the innings at the non-striker’s end.

The sight of Burns walking to the non-striker’s end at the start of England’s innings caused a stir when commentators pointed out that it is just the fourth time in his 264-innings in first-class cricket that he has not taken the first ball when batting at the top of the order.

News.com.au’s Nic Savage also revealed it is just the third time Burns has not faced the first ball of an innings in his test career.

Burns has batted 53 times in test cricket.

Aussie test legend Matthew Hayden said on Channel 7 Burns may have had a word with opening partner Haseeb Hameed, asking him to take the first ball this innings.

Hayden said he would not blame Burns if he was scared about a king pair.

Just three balls into his innings, Burns was given out LBW only for the decision to be overturned on review.

Mitchell Starc’s delivery hit high on Burns’ pad, but umpire Paul Reiffel did not hesitate to raise his finger.

Burns immediately reviewed and the DRS verdict went his way when ball-tracking indicated the ball was going on to sail over the top of the stumps.

Burns was also dropped off the bowling of Pat Cummins when Jhye Richardson dropped a tough chance diving to his right.

Richardson’s reach for the catch with his opposite hand was described as “weird” by Aussie test great Michael Hussey.

Isabelle Westbury, a Former England cricketer turned columnist for London’s The Telegraph, posted on Twitter Burns made the decision knowing Australian players will sledge him.

“I’ve underestimated Rory Burns,” she wrote on Twitter.

“Any man that decides not to face the first ball in the innings after his first-ball debacle, and can withstand the chat he’s gonna get around Australia from hereon in, must have a thicker skin than I had thought.”

Head robbed in cruel end to Aussie innings

Travis Head was dismissed trying to score quick runs after Josh Hazlewood arrived at the crease as the final Aussie batter.

The No. 5 batter’s career-high score of 161 was in reach before his sudden decision to put the foot down on the accelerator again after watching his partners fall around him.

The falling wickets robbed him of a chance to score his highest total.

He scored 161 against Sri Lanka in Hobart in 2019.

He brought up his 150 on Friday from just 143 balls.

Despite his impressive knock, Head said after his innings he was “disappointed” not to have added more runs at the end.

Aussie test great Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket: “That’s a brilliant innings from Travis Head. He’s looking to keep the scoreboard flowing. He’s not worried about getting out. He’s happy with his 150 and why wouldn’t you be.”

Justin Langer’s contemptuous slight

Aussie coach Justin Langer has landed a sly slap on English bowler Jack Leach with the under-fire spinner’s series already at crisis point.

Leach finished the opening day with the most expensive figures in Ashes history going at 8.63 runs per over.

Langer continued to stick the boot in on Friday morning.

He admitted the tactic of being aggressive against Leach was part of a strategy to give England selection headaches.

“One of the things where we have a massive competitive advantage is we have a world class spinner,” he said in an interview on Channel 7.

“Jack Leach and Dom Bess, they’re still quite young spinners. We want to put them under pressure. And then get England thinking about what their selection strategy is going to be. We know how important a spinner is in Australia.”

Code Sport journalist Daniel Cherny described Langer’s quotes as “mental disintegration”.

Ben Stokes condition revealed

English star Ben Stokes’ physical condition has finally been confirmed by the English camp after he was seen struggling to move on the second day of play.

Stokes at different times grabbed at his shoulder and winced in pain several times.

He was also seen running into bowl in discomfort after appearing to injure his left leg while chasing a ball in the out-field.

England confirmed Friday morning Stokes jarred his left knee as he pulled up near the boundary rope.

He was restricted to just nine overs on day 2 and finished with 0/50.

Leach suffers one of the most brutal reviews in Ashes history

Travis Head blasted English spinner Jack Leach into the history books for all the wrong reasons on his way to the third quickest hundred ever scored in Ashes cricket.

Leach finished with 1/95 from just 11 overs — sending stats gurus to reach for the record books.

His figures are the most expensive ever returned in Ashes cricket (with a minimum of five overs), conceding 8.63 runs per over.

His bowling figures are the worst economy rate ever seen at the Gabba, smashing the previous unwanted record held by Eddie Barlow since 1964 with a spell of 1/71 from 12 overs.

It also took Leach’s career record against left-handed batters to 60.9. Australia’s top order includes four left-handers.

It has exposed the truth that England has no spin options to challenge Australia’s batters. Joe Root simply has no slow bowlers up his sleeve and is facing the prospect of selecting four quicks for the second Test, and bowling himself as a part-time tweaker.

The Telegraph’s Tim Wigmore said Leach’s series may be over by the end of the first Test, suggesting Australia had “contempt” for his finger spin.

The Times described it as “a barbaric mauling”.

Code Sport reporter Daniel Cherny described the Aussie attack on Leach as “sheer, unadulterated contempt for Jack Leach” in a post on Twitter.

English cricket scribe Chris Stocks wrote on inews.co.uk Leach’s performance was worse than anything Graeme Swann produced in the infamous 2013-14 Ashes series which saw him retire in the middle of the series.

Stocks says the trust has been broken inside the dressing room.

“Leach is clearly not trusted by captain Joe Root, who opted against picking him for any of last summer’s six home Tests,” he wrote.

“He’s virtually unselectable for the rest of the series.”

The Daily Mail’s Paul Newman wrote: “It was brutal. It was pre-meditated. And it was a calculated attack that looks likely to knock Jack Leach out of this Ashes and quite possibly beyond.”

BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew said: “I feel sorry for him.”

Travis Head caught out by stump mic

Travis Head had more problems with the stump microphones than he did from the English attack on day 2.

He raced to the quickest Ashes hundred scored since Adam Gilchrist’s iconic knock in the 2005-06 series.

When he was on 86, the 73rd ball he faced saw Head’s eyes light up as he lined up a short length ball outside off-stump, only for a big swing and a miss.

“Oh you c***,” came through in the stump mic, and the commentators on Fox Cricket just continued on their way and ignored the gaffe.

WARNING: Explicit language

It didn’t escape the attention of social media as many people has to clear out their ears.

Terrifying moment Australian centurion Travis Head hits the deck

Travis Head’s teammates would have felt just as anxious as when Steve Smith went down in scary fashion in the Ashes two years ago when a wayward beamer knocked over the No. 5 batter.

In the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings at the Gabba, an exhausted Mark Wood delivered a 136km/h chest-high full toss at the unsuspecting left-hander, who had no time to evade the flying Kookaburra.

The ball struck Head on the glove before ricocheting into his chin — he yelped before collapsing onto the Gabba deck.

“Deary me!” former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist cried on Fox Cricket. “I think he’s in real trouble here, Travis Head.”

Former Australian Test captain Allan Border muttered: “That is so nasty.”

Head returned to his feet, red-faced and rubbing his jaw, but saw out the end of the day’s play and was unbeaten.

Read related topics:BrisbaneCricket Live Scores

Source

December 9, 2021

First Ashes Test, day 2 live updates Ben Stokes bowls four consecutive no-balls. Photo: Kayo, Channel 7.

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 4:04 am

England is in complete disarray on the back of a series of mind-blowing moments where their Ashes turned into an instant nightmare.

Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of the second day of play in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.

The misery has continued for England with Australia reaching the end of the first session at 1/113 after England suffered the humiliation of being rolled for just 147 inside two sessions on the opening day of the series.

Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

There was hope for the tourists early on the morning of Day 2 with Ollie Robinson removing Marcus Harris for just three runs.

It left the Aussies 1/10 in the sixth over and it could have been 2/30 with David Warner clean bowled by Ben Stokes on a no-ball.

Instead Australia moved to the commanding position of 1/113 at lunch — trailing England by just 34 runs with nine wickets still in the sheds.

It has only gotten worse since then.

Rain is again expected to play a part on the second day of play with Brisbane expecting a top of 32C and up to 15mm of rain.

‘Everything is going wrong’: England falling apart

David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne have pushed Australia to 150 after England butchered three chances to remove the Aussie opener.

Warner has been bowled on a no-ball, dropped in the slips and let-off when stranded out of his crease.

The three blunders have left England on the brink of complete collapse.

Warner was dropped in the slips just moments before he brought up his half-century.

Having already been bowled on a no-ball by Ben Stokes when he was on just 17 runs, Warner has moved past 50 after Rory Burns dropped a regulation catch moving to his left at second slip.

Former Aussie test captain Alan Border said Burns had to take the catch to revive England.

“It’s a dolly too,” Border told Fox Cricket.

“That’s as easy and comfortable as you want them.”

In a nightmare for England, Warner was given a third life when Haseeb Hameed could have dismissed him with a genuine run-out opportunity.

Warner slipped after paddling the ball to short-leg and was short of his ground when Hameed’s throw skidded wide of the stumps.

Fox Cricket commentators feared England may already be beaten in the First Test.

“Everything is going wrong when everything needs to be going right to get England back into the test match,” Adam Gilchrist said.

Former test captain Alan Border said: “They’re the moments that turn captains grumpy. That just kills you”.

Labuschagne beats Warner to 50

Marnus Labuschagne has brought up his fifty from just 71 deliveries.

He reached the milestone just a few minutes before the lunch break.

Unbeaten David Warner was restricted to 48 at the end of the first session of play.

The pair also brought up their 100-run partnership in the final over before the break.

Technical failure is real reason behind ‘pathetic’ moment

The real reason for the extraordinary umpiring breakdown leading up to David warner being bowled on a no-ball has been revealed.

Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting earlier described it as a pathetic” performance from the officials after England quick Ben Stokes got away with bowling three consecutive no-balls — with none of them being recorded or called.

Channel 7 commentator Alison Mitchell has now reported the reason for the umpire failure is a technical breakdown of the system used by the ICC.

“From the start of 2020 no-balls have been looked at through technology which enables the third umpire to assess every delivery and inform the on-field umpire by signal that a no-ball has been bowled,” Mitchell said on Seven.

“Before this test match the technology provided to the ICC to enable that went down. This test match is being played under the conditions previous two 2020 where the only deliveries reviewed are wicket-taking moments.

“Hence why that ball when Warner was supposedly out was tracked. When we look back and saw they were deliveries prior to that not spotted, that is the responsibility of the on-field umpire.”

It was only his fourth no-ball which knocked Warner over resulted in Stokes being called out.Warner was given a second life after Stokes clean bowled him in his first over of the Test match, on a no-ball delivery.

Warner was brought undone defending forward to a delivery that sailed between his bat and pad and edged onto his off stump.

Stokes was subdued in his celebrations and the umpire immediately had a word with him to let him know the video umpire was checking for a front foot no-ball.

Replays showed Stokes had clearly overstepped the crease.

“Can you believe that,” Aussie Test legend Adam Gilchrist told Fox Cricket.

“We thought we saw some drama yesterday. How big a moment is that going to be?”

Warner was on 17 at the time and his dismissal would have left Australia 2/31.

That was just the beginning of the drama as Channel 7 analyst Trent Copeland exposed Stokes’ no-ball spree.

The English all-rounder was seen bowling four consecutive no-balls to start his first over of the Test with none of them being called by the third umpire.

It was only the wicket delivery, Stokes’ fourth ball. that was reviewed and found to have been a no-ball.

It led to outcry from cricket commentators about the on-field and video umpires failing to police the front foot.

Copeland suggested the on-field umpire should have been communicating with Stokes to let him know he was getting close over-stepping the crease.

Aussie Test legend Ricky Ponting was much more scathing.

“By the sounds of things now they are not actually even looking at the front line because it is left to someone off-field to do the calling,” he said on Channel 7.

“If someone upstairs is meant to be checking these, and they haven’t decided that any of those are a no ball, it is pathetic officiating as far as I’m concerned. We saw what happened late in the over… it was a wicket… If it he’d have been called for the no ball the first one he bowled there, then of course he’s going to drag his foot back.

“I’m not sure what’s going on.”

Ugly Harris is worst in history

Marcus Harris’ summer is off to a shocker after he was sent packing on the back of an average poke at a good bouncing delivery from Ollie Robinson.

Harris never looked comfortable as he crept to three runs from 17 balls with David Warner repeatedly walking down the pitch to speak to his partner as he made a rattled start to the innings.

Warner’s words weren’t enough to help Harris, who is ow under renewed pressure to keep his spot in the Aussie XI.

Dawid Malan had to take a nice catch moving forward at third slip after Harris’ prod took a thick edge.

It took Harris’ Ashes record to the unfortunate position of being the worst opener in the history of Ashes cricket.

As first pointed out by news.com.au’s Nic Savage, Harris’ failure on Thursday means he is now averaging 8.71 runs, the worst average for a batsman to have featured in at least four test matches.

In seven innings opening against England, Harris has a top score of 19 and has scored just 61 runs.

‘Speechless’: Conspiracy theory explains England bombshell

Aussie Test great Stuart Clark says the likelihood of the fifth Test being switched to a pink-ball Test could be behind England’s decision to overlook key quicks Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

Meanwhile, former Aussie Test captain Michael Clarke has predicted England’s Ashes campaign is already over, declaring there is no way back for the tourists, despite the series being just one day into a five-Test battle.

England dropped a second selection bombshell on Wednesday morning when Broad and Anderson weren’t picked — the first time in five years England has played with neither bowler.

England are going with Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes as their quicks, alongside spinner Jack Leach.

Clark on Thursday morning suggested there is chatter England left its two senior bowlers out as a plan to keep them fresh for the two pink-ball Tests as well as Sydney’s traditional New Year’s Test and Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test.

“They’re as speechless as the rest of us. Nobody can understand that decision,” he said of his discussions behind the scenes in an interview with RSN Breakfast.

“The only thing they could give me yesterday is that the pink ball Test, they’ll both play in that. With the last Test now looking like it will be a pink ball Test. That’s what their plan would have to be.”

The two swing bowlers have previously been lethal under lights with the pink ball.

Police ‘launch investigation’ into England’s humiliation

It was not only the Australian bowlers who tore into England’s cricket team on the first day of the Ashes on Wednesday — the local police also got in on the act.

Queensland Police did not pass up the chance to poke fun at the demoralised England team, tweeting: “Queensland Police are launching an investigation into a group impersonating a Test batting order at the Gabba.”

England made a disastrous start to the hotly anticipated series, bowled out for 147 at the Gabba ground in Brisbane.

The police force had already shown that it was keenly watching the Test match, name-checking several of the Australian team when it provided a “traffic update” in Brisbane, capital of Queensland state.

“A large crowd for the first Test so plan your Cummins and goings,” it tweeted, a reference to Australian skipper Pat Cummins.

“We’d be Lyon if we said there’ll be nothing but Green lights near the Gabba. Don’t say we didn’t Warner.”

— AFP

Warne reveals phone call with Steve Smith

Australian cricket great Shane Warne has revealed Test vice-captain Steve Smith confronted him over the phone following “harsh” remarks about his recent appointment as vice-captain.

Smith captained the Australian Test team for three years before the infamous ball-tampering saga in Cape Town, following which he was banned from any leadership positions for 24 months.

Warne argued before the first Test Smith should not have been named Australian vice-captain, questioning why David Warner was the only player banned from a leadership position for life.

The Spin King revealed on Wednesday he and Smith have since spoken about his critical comments.

“I spoke to Steve Smith,” Warne revealed. “He messaged me and said, ‘Jeez, you’re a bit harsh on me aren’t you,’ and we talked it out. That’s what respect does.

“Just because someone doesn’t like your opinion doesn’t mean you have to get nasty and personal about it. Everyone’s allowed to have their opinion. Just because you don’t agree with it.

“I was happy Steve Smith contacted me because I consider him a friend. We’ve worked together at the Rajasthan Royals, I used to work with him when he was bowling, was he a leg-spinner a long-time ago? So we’ve got a respect for each other and it was nice of him to actually ring me and say, ‘Mate, why did you think that?’

“I told him my point of view and he said, ‘I understand it and I’m sure a lot of people have that point of view too.’

“But it doesn’t mean we don’t like each other, so we respect each other and I like Steve Smith.”

— Nic Savage

Read related topics:Cricket Live Scores

Source

December 5, 2021

England bowler Ollie Robinson prepared for Australia’s ‘horrendous’ sledging Ollie Robinson and David Warner.

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 3:33 am

England bowler Ollie Robinson says he is more than prepared for whatever the Australians throw his way during the Ashes.

England paceman Ollie Robinson has warned he will not stand down from any on-field altercations, claiming he will try and “unsettle” the Australians however he can during the upcoming Ashes series.

The Australian Test side was renowned for its aggressive sledging before the infamous ball-tampering saga of 2018, with the Cape Town scandal forcing an overhaul of the team’s “win at all costs” mentality.

The verbal tirades – a strategy that was designed to distract and irritate opponents – were at times relentless, occasionally bordering on abusive.

Sport‘s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

“Get ready for a broken f***ing arm,” Australian captain Michael Clarke infamously told England tailender James Anderson during the 2013/14 Ashes.

Cricket Australia underwent a thorough cultural review following sandpapergate, with the national men’s side drastically rebranding its image under the direction of coach Justin Langer and captain Tim Paine.

“There’s a difference between banter and abuse,” Langer told reporters in June 2018. “Abuse is no good – it doesn’t matter if you’re off the field or on the field, there’s no room for it ever.

“But there’s plenty of room for banter, or what we call sledging. It’s a fun part of the game.”

Australia’s new “banter” policy came to fruition in the 2018/10 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Paine was praised for his harmless PG-13 remarks behind the stumps, most memorably with Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

“Do you babysit?” Paine asked the young gloveman in Melbourne. “I’ll take the wife to the movies one night, you look after the kids?”

But the Australian skipper fell back on old habits two years later, with stump mics capturing his ugly comments to Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin during this year’s New Year’s Test at the SCG.

“At least my teammates like me, d***head,” Paine chirped.

“I’ve got a lot more Indian friends than you do. Even your teammates think you’re a goose. Don’t they. Every one.”

Paine later apologised for his remarks, accepting that he took things too far in the heat of the battle – but the incident was a harsh reminder of how the Australians conducted themselves pre-2018.

Robinson, touring Australia for his first Ashes series this summer, is more than prepared for whatever Pat Cummins’ men throw his way.

“The Aussie chat is pretty horrendous if I’m honest,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

“I don’t think me as a person could keep my head down if I tried. I’m definitely going to be trying to get under their skins and try and unsettle them as it were, batters and bowlers really.

“If I can get them off their rhythm then we’re winning, so it’s something you’ll definitely see, and hopefully we will come out on top.”

England and Australia have been plagued by off-field scandals leading into the highly-anticipated Ashes series – Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of systemic racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club have overshadowed England’s preparations, while Paine has stepped away from the sport after a series of lewd text messages between the gloveman and a former Cricket Tasmania staff member from 2017 surfaced.

But England seamer Chris Woakes has insisted the recent off-field sagas will be off-limits when it comes to sledging out in the middle over the coming seven weeks.

“What’s happened around both camps, a lot of those issues are personal,” he told reporters on Thursday. “Cricket is played best when that sort of stuff is left to the side and you let your skills do the talking.

“An Ashes series always raises that rivalry between England and Australia. In my experience of playing in three Ashes series, I don’t think it’s overstepped the line once when I’ve been around. I don’t see it being any different. The cricket is always hard-fought, and hopefully it’s a great series to watch.”

Robinson was a revelation for England over the winter, claiming 28 wickets in five Test matches at a stellar average of 19.60.

The 28-year-old missed the second Test against New Zealand after racist and sexist tweets from nine years ago resurfaced, but after returning from a brief suspension, he was England’s most consistent bowler during the thrilling series against India.

After serving their mandatory two-week quarantine, England’s Test squad has been frustrated by Queensland’s wet weather – their first of two internal warm-up matches in Brisbane was a complete washout.

“It’s obviously not ideal preparation but, as a group, we feel we’ve made do with what we’ve been given,” Robinson said.

“We feel in a good place, and we feel ahead of the Aussies which is the main thing. They were at the World Cup and in quarantine, so they are probably a few weeks behind us. We feel like we have some good work in us since being here, and hopefully that will give us the edge in the first Test.”

Robinson may not feature in the series opener in Brisbane, but he’ll almost certainly be named in the starting XI for next week’s pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, where he can take full advantage of the twilight conditions under lights.

The first Ashes Test gets underway at the Gabba on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 11am AEDT.

Source

November 30, 2021

‘I didn‘t really understand’: Moises Henriques baffled by Test axing SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 23: Moises Henriques of New South Wales shows his frustration during day four of the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria at Sydney Cricket Ground, on November 23, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 2:54 am

Through no fault of his own, New South Wales veteran Moises Henriques suddenly finds himself well out of contention for a Test recall.

Moises Henriques was on track for a long-awaited return to Test cricket earlier this year, but the New South Wales veteran suddenly finds himself well out of contention through no fault of his own.

Henriques was part of the Australian Test squad for last summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but was not selected during the four-match series against India.

The all-rounder was also named in the Australian squad scheduled to tour South Africa in February, but the Test series was postponed due to Covid-19 concerns.

Sport‘s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Matthew Wade had been omitted from the squad, and several pundits believed Henriques would have replaced the Tasmanian at No. 5 in the South Africa tour went ahead.

But earlier this month, the 34-year-old was not named in either of the Australian squads that travelled to Queensland ahead of the Ashes.

Henriques did not play any first-class cricket between March and November due to Indian Premier League commitments, and that lack of red-ball cricket at least partly contributed to his axing.

“I have a different view to what the selectors do,” Henriques said.

“To be picked on one Test tour and be told that I was there and thereabouts to be playing on that tour, then the next Test tour rolls around and you‘re not in the best 25.

“It‘s a huge fall, considering I hadn’t played any other four-day games or (Sheffield) Shield games in that break.

“I didn‘t agree with the process of it all.

“I didn‘t really understand the logic.

“But it‘s not my job to understand the logic either.

“It‘s just my job to go out and keep playing as well as I can.”

Henriques has been one of the most consistent performers in the Sheffield Shield over the past 24 months – since September 2019, he has amassed 1145 runs at 60.26 in the first-class competition, scoring five centuries and three fifties in that time.

Last year, he was named joint Sheffield Shield Player of the Season alongside Victorian batter Nic Maddinson.

Speaking to reporters earlier this month, national selector George Bailey said it was “unfortunate” that Henriques had not had an opportunity to push his case for selection since returning from the second leg of the IPL.

Henriques delayed his return from the United Arab Emirates to avoid hotel quarantine and subsequently missed the Blues’ first two Sheffield Shield matches of the summer.

When he finally joined the New South Wales side ahead of last week’s first-class match against Victoria at the MCG, the Australia and Australia A squads had already been announced.

T20 World Cup hero Mitchell Marsh and Queensland batter Matt Renshaw were included in the Australia A squad, with both seemingly leapfrogging Henriques in the pecking order.

“Unfortunate for him, that we haven’t been able to see him play any cricket up until this point,” Bailey said.

“I‘ve been in good contact with Mo and he knows that not being here, certainly as part of the A squad, is not necessarily the end for him.

“We know he‘s a quality player and he’s been particularly consistent, but I guess it’s a slight difference of our Ashes focus of trying to win the here and now versus the balance of the Australia A game.”

Henriques made his Test debut back in 2013, but has only represented Australia in the game’s longest format on four occasions – his last appearance in the Baggy Green came more than five years ago.

Regardless, Henriques is adamant he can make a long-awaited return to the Test side if he continues piling on the runs at domestic level.

“I still believe if I score enough runs, keep banging the door down and keep doing what I know I can do well, then I‘ll still play another Test match for Australia,” he said.

Henriques will lead the Sydney Sixers in the eleventh edition of the Big Bash League this summer, with the men in pink hunting for a third consecutive title.

The Sixers will face the Melbourne Stars for their tournament opener at the SCG on Sunday, with the first ball scheduled for 7.15pm AEDT.

Australia and Australia A will play a three-day internal match in Brisbane starting on Wednesday, but Queensland’s dreary weather threatens to interrupt the squad’s Ashes preparations.

The first Test between Australia and England gets underway on Wednesday, December 8 at the Gabba.

Read related topics:Sydney

Source

November 28, 2021

Australia’s T20 nemesis is coming to Sydney SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 06: Chris Jordan of England unsuccessfully appeals for the LBW of Rassie van der Dussen of South Africa during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match between England and SA at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 06, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 2:43 am

Chris Jordan, the chief architect of Australia’s only loss of the T20 World Cup, is heading to Sydney for the Big Bash.

Chris Jordan, the superstar English pace bowler who terrorised Australia at the T20 World Cup, is joining the Sydney Sixers for BBL|11.

News that fan favourite Carlos Brathwaite would not recover from shoulder surgery in time for BBL|11 prompted the Sixers to sign Jordan to a five-game contract, which begins with the tournament opener on December 5.

Watch every game of the KFC Big Bash League Live & On-Demand on Kayo or catch up for FREE with minis on Kayo Freebies. Join Kayo Now >

Jordan, 33, has represented England at all three levels of the game but is generally regarded as a T20 specialist, most recently taking six wickets from six appearances at the T20 World Cup.

He returned game-high figures of 3/17 and was named player of the match as England thrashed Australia in the Super 12 stage of the tournament. The game ended up being the Aussies’ only loss of the tournament.

Jordan’s 71 appearances for the national side make him the most-capped specialist bowler in English T20I history, and the third most-capped English T20I player overall.

The Barbadian-born quick is no stranger to the Big Bash, either, having previously been contracted with the Adelaide Strikers, the Perth Scorchers and the Sixers’ cross-town rivals, the Sydney Thunder.

His cricket CV also boasts stints with IPL sides Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings.

Cricket NSW’s head of male cricket Michael Klinger said he was thrilled to welcome Jordan into the Sixers’ ranks.

“It’s disappointing for Carlos and the group that he has succumbed to injury but Chris is a world class T20 cricketer and will provide the Sixers with fantastic versatility and high quality skills in all three aspects of the game,” said Klinger.

“His death bowling and change ups, as well as being one of the world’s best fielders, will be a huge asset for the Sixers early in the BBL.

“He is experienced in playing in the BBL and has been previously successful in this tournament.

“I know (Sixers Head Coach) Greg Shipperd and the rest of the coaching staff are very excited to have Chris on board.”

Read related topics:Sydney

Source

November 26, 2021

Warne, Ponting’s thoughts on captaincy call BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 24: Pat Cummins and Steve Smith of Australia walk out to field during day four of the 1st Domain Test between Australia and Pakistan at The Gabba on November 24, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Filed under: Outdoors — Tags: — admin @ 2:25 am

Australia has made a call on who will replace Tim Paine as Test captain after a week of uncertainty around the important role.

Pat Cummins has become the first fast bowler to captain Australia since Ray Lindwall more than 60 years ago as he has been officially unveiled as Australia’s 47th Test match skipper today.

Cummins has been elevated from the vice-captaincy after Tim Paine sensationally quit as captain when his sexting scandal became public last week.

Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Former skipper Steve Smith has also been named vice-captain, completing his redemption story after he was suspended for a year as a result of the Cape Town ball tampering scandal.

The Daily Telegraph reports the Cricket Australia board met on Thursday night and notified Cummins and Smith of the decision after the pair were the only two players to interview for the vacant captaincy position.

The heat has been on both Paine and Cricket Australia all week and the wicketkeeper dropped a bombshell on Friday morning by stepping down from all cricket, putting his Test future in doubt.

Earlier this week, news.com.au readers made their voices clear in a poll, with 45 per cent of over 100,000 readers believing Smith should take the reins, compared to 34 per cent in favour of Cummins.

But while the news broke slightly early, Cricket Australia confirmed the news early on Friday afternoon.

“I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer,” Cummins said in a statement.

“I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years.

“With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly knit group.

“This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to.”

Cummins becomes the first bowler to hold the role since Richie Benaud — although he also batted in the top seven during his career, hit three Test centries and averaged 24.45 throughout his 63 Test career.

After Cape Town, Smith was banned from holding a leadership position for two years, a term which expired in March.

He added he was also eager to return to the leadership position.

“I look forward to helping and assisting Pat in any way I can,” Smith said in a statement.

“Pat and I have played together for a long time, so we know our respective styles well.

“We are also great friends, as is the whole group. As a team, we want to play good, positive cricket and also really enjoy each other’s company.

“There are exciting times ahead as we focus on the Ashes and beyond.”

Although he was taking a more light-hearted tone on Channel 7’s The Front Bar, former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting backed Cummins to be the man to break from tradition.

“I’ve got no doubt Pat Cummins can do it,” Ponting said on Thursday night. “If any fast bowler who’s played for Australia in the last 20 years can do it, it’s probably him.

“Some of the ones I played with…nah. Can you imagine Brett Lee or Glenn McGrath thinking about what’s going to happen in the next over? If Glenn McGrath was ever captain, he would have bowled himself 45 overs straight.

“I think the most important thing about this about Pat and the captaincy to be honest is he’s grown a lot. I heard everything around how he dealt with the Justin Langer stuff before they went way for the World Cup was outstanding. His leadership has grown.

“And I think if they put the right vice-captain beside him, someone who can be really honest with him when he needs to be and tell him when he needs to bowl and when he needs to stop bowling, I think that’s going to be the biggest challenge for him.”

‘Out the window’: Warne savages Smith appointment

The return of Smith to a leadership position after his role in the ball tampering saga has the potential to be a lightning rod for criticism.

Aussie cricket legend Shane Warne has slammed the fact Smith can return to a leadership position while David Warner remains suspended from ever captaining or vice-captaining his country after being made the scapegoat for what happened in South Africa back in 2018.

“We all love Steve Smith and are proud that he’s the best Test batsmen in the world again,” Warne wrote in an exclusive column for the Herald Sun. “But he should not be the Australian vice-captain.

“Everyone makes mistakes, we know that and we’ve all moved on from sandpaper-gate. But that happened under Steve Smith’s captaincy, he allowed that to happen on his watch.

“I think the punishment he was given was way too severe, which I said at the time. He paid a huge price for his mistake.

“But his second chance is getting to play for Australia again and in my opinion announcing him as vice-captain opens up CA for ridicule and criticism, and they should throw the code of conduct out the window.”

The Spin King added Warner has “the best cricket brain in the team” and called for Marnus Labuschagne to be named vice-captain.

On Thursday former captain Michael Clarke said Smith would have to avoid looking like he was taking the reins of the team on the field, if he was selected as Cummins’ deputy.

“He’s got to be careful Smithy, because he copped some criticism for doing that when Tim Paine took over the captaincy as well,” Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“That he was standing in slip waving his hands, moving the field. If he is vice-captain or even if he is not, he has got to be very careful. There can only be one captain on the field.

“That is what leadership is about as well, owning that. If it is Pat Cummins, he can take advice and guidance but then it’s up to him to be making the decisions.”

Smith was slammed by former skipper Ian Chappell of “white-anting” Paine in 2019 when he appeared to make fielding adjustments without speaking to the wicketkeeper.

Clarke added Smith won’t be able to hide from the spotlight, as evidenced by the wave of condemnation that erupted over his crease-scuffing controversy last summer.

Smith was accused of “cheating” after shadow batting at the crease while Australia was in the field before re-marking centre, during the final Test against India in Sydney.

The former Aussie skipper was stunned by the reaction and questions about his integrity, admitting he could barely sleep after the game.

Clarke said the scrutiny would be so much worse if he was in a leadership position.

“I don’t think Steve Smith understands how extreme it is going to be,” Clarke said

“He got a tiny glimpse of it last summer against India when he scuffed the pitch and was called the biggest cheat on the planet. I don’t think he understands how heavy it is going to be on him.”

Source

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress