Australia’s Batting Highlights

After being sent in to bat by England captain Heather Knight, Ellyse Perry looked in great form, building partnerships with Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney. However, a controversial LBW decision overturned by DRS cut Perry’s innings short.

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Following Perry’s dismissal, Aus suffered a dramatic collapse, losing 8-49 and being bowled out for 180. Spinners Alice Capsey and Sophie Ecclestone led the charge for England, dismantling Australia’s middle and lower order.

England’s Chase Stumbles

In reply, England faced early trouble as Kim Garth dismissed Maia Bouchier (17) and Tammy Beaumont (3) during the powerplay. Captain Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt tried to stabilize the innings, but Australia’s bowlers, led by King and Gardner, regained control.

Alana King shone with key breakthroughs, including consecutive dismissals of Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone, leaving England at 8-125. A mix-up led to Lauren Filer’s run-out, further sinking England’s hopes.

Although Amy Jones and Lauren Bell provided late resistance, Megan Schutt claimed her first wicket of the series, sealing the win for Australia by bowling out England for 159 in the 49th over.

Series Update

With this victory, Australia leads the multi-format Women’s Ashes series 4-0. The third and final ODI is scheduled in Hobart on Friday.

The 19-year-old opener, the youngest male Test debutant for Australia since 1953, hammered 60 runs off 65 balls, including six boundaries and two towering sixes. His fiery knock included a dramatic moment when he clashed shoulders with India’s Virat Kohli during an over. Konstas eventually fell lbw to Ravindra Jadeja, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

Usman Khawaja, Konstas’s partner, rediscovered his touch with a steady 57, marking his first half-century in 12 innings, before departing after lunch. Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Steve Smith (45) then built a strong 83-run partnership for the fourth wicket, putting Australia in control during the evening.

India fought back late in the day. Jasprit Bumrah claimed two key wickets, dismissing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in quick succession. Akash Deep also struck with the new ball, sending Alex Carey back for 31. This collapse saw Australia lose three wickets for just nine runs before ending the day at 311-6.

The traditional Boxing Day Test drew over 87,000 fans to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, despite the sweltering 39-degree heat under cloudy skies.

With the series tied 1-1, both teams are pushing for a decisive 3-1 win to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final, adding extra intensity to an already gripping contest.

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Fearless Konstas lights up MCG

Sam Konstas continued his meteoric rise, scoring a fearless 60 in his Test debut against India at the MCG. The 19-year-old, with only 11 first-class matches to his name, was thrust into action after skipper Pat Cummins chose to bat.

Facing Jasprit Bumrah early on, Konstas endured a testing spell but responded with audacious strokes, including ramp shots and bold charges against Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. His fiery exchanges with Virat Kohli and Siraj added drama, but Konstas stayed composed, reaching his fifty in just 49 balls.

An entertaining 90-minute knock ended when Ravindra Jadeja trapped him lbw, but he left to a standing ovation.

Usman Khawaja (57) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) also hit form, while Steve Smith remains unbeaten on 68. However, Alex Carey’s late dismissal has left the Australian tail exposed, setting up a crucial second day.

Kohli-Clash Headlines Eventful Day as India Fights Back

A heated moment unfolded at the MCG when Virat Kohli, 36, appeared to barge into debutant Sam Konstas after the teenager had dominated India’s bowlers. Konstas was walking to consult Usman Khawaja when Kohli seemingly changed direction to make contact.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suggested Kohli could face scrutiny, telling Seven Network, “The batsman owns the wicket. Kohli might have a few questions to answer.” While the ICC can penalize inappropriate physical contact, it remains unclear if action will be taken.

Despite a frustrating start for India, Jasprit Bumrah’s late heroics revived their hopes. Labuschagne fell for 72, misjudging Washington Sundar and finding Kohli at mid-off. Bumrah then bowled Travis Head for a duck and dismissed Mitchell Marsh, who edged behind.

Akash Deep capped the day by nicking off Alex Carey with a sharp delivery. India’s fightback left Australia at 311-6, setting up a gripping day two.

The top-order batsman from Sydney replaces opener Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped after averaging just 14.40 with the bat across the first three Tests of the series.

Sam Konstas: Promising Domestic Career

Konstas has played 11 first-class matches for New South Wales, amassing 718 runs at an average of 42.23. His domestic record includes two centuries and three half-centuries, showcasing his potential as a reliable batter.

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Recent MCG Performance

Konstas’s last outing at the MCG was for Australia A against India A last month, where he scored three runs in the first innings and an unbeaten 73 in the second.

Series Update

The ongoing series between Australia and India is currently tied at 1-1, with the third Test in Brisbane ending in a draw due to rain.

India finished their Group A games with two wins and two losses, earning four points.

In the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, India lost their final Group A match to Australia by 9 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 54 not out from 47 balls, but India ended up at 142/9, falling short of the 152-run target. Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma added 29 and 20 runs.

Australia remained unbeaten in the group stage and qualified for the semi-finals. Renuka Singh Thakur (2/24) and Deepti Sharma (2/28) helped India with early wickets, but Australia still managed to post a challenging total. Renuka took two quick wickets, while Deepti got the important wickets of Grace Harris (40) and Ellyse Perry (32).

Australia’s stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath won the toss and chose to bat. Alyssa Healy missed the game due to a knee injury. Pooja Vastrakar returned to India’s squad.

India’s tournament started poorly with a big loss to New Zealand, but the team bounced back, winning against Pakistan with good bowling, though the batting struggled. They later performed well against Sri Lanka, with half-centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.

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Australia dominated the group stage, winning all their matches and securing six points. India, New Zealand, and Pakistan fought for the remaining semifinal spot. Alyssa Healy and fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck were injured during Australia’s win over Pakistan.

India had a big 82-run win over Sri Lanka, their largest in T20 World Cup history, which improved their net run rate. This victory put India second in Group A behind Australia, but to stay in the competition, they needed more wins. New Zealand still had a chance to qualify, depending on their net run rate and results against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Shafali Verma mentioned the team was aware of the importance of net run rate in the tournament.

Key highlights of the India vs Australia Women’s T20 World Cup match

Australia (151/8) beat India (142/9) by 9 runs in Sharjah.

• Harmanpreet Kaur hit a half-century, but it wasn’t enough for India.
• Shafali Verma (20) and Smriti Mandhana (6) got out early during India’s chase of 152.
• Australia scored 151/8 with Grace Harris making 40 and Ellyse Perry adding 32. Renuka Thakur took 2/24.
• Deepti Sharma also picked up two wickets in her four overs.
• Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath had a 62-run partnership for the third wicket.
• Renuka Thakur took two quick wickets during the powerplay, putting Australia under pressure early on.

Dulip Samaraweera, who used to play for Sri Lanka, left his job in May 2024, only two weeks after starting a two-year contract. His departure came after a disagreement about hiring staff, which Cricket Victoria didn’t allow due to their policies. Before this, he had been working as a temporary head coach since November 2023.

Cricket Australia’s investigation found that Dulip Samaraweera broke the rules by behaving in a way that was controlling and inappropriate.

Although the exact details of his actions were not fully shared, it was clear that his behavior was not acceptable. Cricket Victoria’s CEO, Nick Cummins, praised the female player for her bravery in speaking out and promised that she would receive ongoing support.

Cummins stated, “The victim has shown incredible courage. We will continue to support her both on and off the field.”

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Cricket Australia reinforced that they are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone in the sport. They encourage anyone who faces similar issues to report it, either directly to Cricket Australia or through their hotline.

Dulip Samaraweera, who played for Sri Lanka in seven Test matches and five One Day Internationals (ODIs) in the early 1990s, will not be allowed to work in any role within Australian cricket for the next 20 years. This is one of the strictest penalties given in Australian cricket, as the sport works to stop such behaviors and promote respect.

All-rounder Jacob Bethell and wicketkeeper Jordon Cox will make their T20 international debuts for England when they face Australia in the first of a three-game series on Wednesday, September 11, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

On Tuesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the playing XI for the match, revealing that Phil Salt would captain the team in place of Jos Buttler, who is out due to injury.

Jamie Overton, who made his Test debut for England in 2022, has also been chosen to play his first Twenty20 International. Despite his reputation as an all-rounder, Overton will bat this time, especially since he has not bowled in recent domestic tournaments such as The Hundred and the T20 Blast.

The European Cricket Board tweeted, “Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton will all make their England IT20 debut.”

Cox has previously been named to England’s Test squad for series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, but Bethell is making his debut. Bethell rose to prominence during the 2022 U-19 World Cup, in which England advanced to the final.

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England Playing 11 against Australia

Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jordan Cox, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, and Reece Topley

“It’s a positive step for cricket. I’ve been part of various committees over the past 15 or 20 years, and getting cricket back into the Olympics has always been a top priority. Now it’s finally happening,” Ponting said on The ICC Review. “With the Olympics just four years away, this is also a chance for cricket to grow at the grassroots level in the US.”

Cricket is coming back to the Olympics after 128 years; the last time it was included was in 1900, with just two teams—Great Britain and France—competing, and Great Britain winning the gold.

Ricky Ponting added, “The Olympic Games aren’t just about the host nation. They bring in a global audience. With so many people around the world watching, cricket will reach new audiences, which is fantastic for a sport that’s already growing rapidly. This can only be a good thing.”

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He also mentioned that there are still things to work out, like infrastructure and how teams will qualify, but the sport is heading in the right direction. “Facilities and infrastructure are going to be crucial, as well as deciding how many teams will participate. They’re talking about six or seven teams, so qualifying for the Olympics will be tough.”

Despite these challenges, Ponting is excited about the future of cricket and its growth in new markets.

Cricket at LA28 will be played in the T20 format, with both men’s and women’s teams participating.

Earlier this year, cricket also gained attention in the USA when the country co-hosted the men’s T20 World Cup with the West Indies.

The Australian leg-spinner made a strong impression during his first Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2016 with the now-closed Rising Pune Supergiant team. He quickly showed his skills in the world’s top T20 league.

Zampa’s standout moment was when he took 6 wickets for just 19 runs against SunRisers Hyderabad, one of the best performances in IPL history. This boosted his confidence. Looking back, Zampa talked about the excitement of playing against big-name players like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers during his debut season.

Adam Zampa reflects on his rollercoaster IPL journey

Zampa had early success in the Indian Premier League, including getting Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) top players, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, out. This made him believe his IPL career would take off. But even with a strong start, the season turned out to be tough.

His six-wicket performance against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) initially raised his hopes, but Zampa didn’t land the big contract he was hoping for. He went through a mix of emotions, from excitement about playing in the IPL to frustration over not getting many chances.

In his debut season in 2016, Zampa played five matches, but he had a hard time being consistent and spent a lot of time on the bench, which was frustrating for him. Despite these challenges, he still saw the IPL as a valuable experience.

Just get me home. I am not playing: Adam Zampa on Indian Premier League debut

Adam Zampa shared on The Final Word Cricket Podcast: “I made my debut, bowled to Virat Kohli for the first time, got AB de Villiers out twice in two balls, and then had the six-wicket game right after. I thought for sure they’d keep picking me because of that performance. But then, I went back, had a rough season, and never got the big payday from the IPL.”

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He added, “I had some international experience before my IPL debut and always wanted to be part of it. I went through a lot of emotions, from how amazing it was to be there to feeling frustrated and just wanting to go home because I wasn’t playing.”

Have a look at Zampa’s IPL career

Adam Zampa, the leg-spinner, has played in 20 matches across three Indian Premier League seasons, taking 29 wickets with an average of 19.24 and an economy rate of 7.99. His best moment was when he took 6 wickets for just 19 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in his debut season with Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) under Steve Smith’s captaincy.

In his last season, Zampa took 8 wickets for Rajasthan Royals (RR) with an average of 23.50 and an economy rate of 8.54. However, he decided not to play in the IPL 2024 due to personal reasons.

RR had retained Zampa before the IPL auction last year with a contract worth INR 1.5 crore. Zampa has also played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the now-defunct RPS in the IPL.

The MCC, which runs the Melbourne Cricket Ground, reported a net profit of $32.1 million for the year ending in March 2024. This good financial performance helped the club pay off its debt from the Northern Stand project two years early. Now, they are thinking about future improvements to the stadium. According to MCC Chief Executive Stuart Fox, the success was due to high attendance at AFL games.

“These shows, 18 months in the making, delivered beyond expectations,” Fox told WA Today.

With their finances in good shape, the MCC is considering updates, including redeveloping the older Shane Warne Stand. They have done a feasibility study, but no decisions have been made yet.

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The Melbourne Cricket stadium is an ageing asset, we must continue to reinvest: Fred Oldfield

Redoing the Shane Warne Stand is a big project that needs the MCC, the Victorian government, and major sports groups like the AFL and Cricket Australia to work together. MCC President Fred Oldfield talked about the club’s financial health.

“The stadium is getting old, so we need to keep investing in it to make sure the MCG stays a top venue. We have worked with the state government and the Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust to create a plan to look at different options for the Shane Warne Stand. Because of our good financial situation, we can now think about more improvements and possibly redoing the stand,” Oldfield said.

Pat Cummins said that playing in Major League Cricket (MLC) was an easy decision. “They asked if I wanted to come to the US for a few weeks in summer, hang out with friends, play some golf, and play cricket in a new country,” he told ESPNcricinfo from Dallas. “I jumped at it.”

Pat Cummins’ four-year contract with the San Francisco Unicorns marks a big change in the cricket world. Before this, he had only played in one overseas T20 league, the IPL. His interest was sparked by the Unicorns’ owners, Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, India-born venture capitalists in California.

Having faced several injuries early in his career, Cummins understands that professional sports are temporary. He studied business at the University of Technology Sydney during his recovery, serves on the Australian Cricketers’ Association board, and advocates for climate change action.

The owners’ Silicon Valley background appealed to Cummins. “I’m really interested in the venture-capital world,” he said. “I see this as something I might want to do after cricket, so this is a way to connect with those guys and learn from them.”

Playing in MLC gives Cummins a chance to network. He has already discussed potential opportunities informally since arriving in the US. “If I enjoy it, I might explore it more towards the end of my career and possibly move into that field after cricket.”

Cummins’ contract with the Unicorns runs until 2027, when he will be 34 and nearing the end of his international career. “I want this to be a long-term partnership,” he said. “Playing for Australia will sometimes clash with MLC, but I want to make MLC a priority when I can.”

MLC is still new, with only 25 matches at two venues. But its high salaries, short season, and the novelty of playing in the US have attracted many players. “I hadn’t thought of the Hundred,” Pat Cummins admitted.

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As the Test and ODI captain, Cummins prioritizes playing for Australia. Cricket Australia only let him play five of the seven MLC group games this year to manage his workload after the T20 World Cup. His availability for the 2025 edition will depend on a potential clash with a Test series in the Caribbean.

Pat Cummins has been rested for Australia’s white-ball tour to Scotland and England in September, giving him a break before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. “People are more realistic about schedules now,” he said. “We spend over ten months a year on the road, so some tours are more important than others. For those of us who play all formats, it’s about peaking for major events, and we’ve had a lot of them in the past 18 months.”

Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are part of September’s tour, but Cummins planned to miss it. “That time has always been set aside for rest and a full pre-season,” he explained. “Once the MLC opportunity came up, it didn’t change much. I’ll still get a good break and then start training a bit later for the summer.”

Pat Cummins has taken only one wicket in three MLC games but helped the Unicorns finish in the top two, securing a win over MI New York. “The standard is really high,” he said. “For a competition in its second season, it’s well-organized and competitive. I couldn’t speak more highly of it.”

During the T20 World Cup, Cummins watched the US games with interest: “That Pakistan-India game looked amazing. Everyone talks about baseball, basketball, and NFL, but there are thousands of cricketers here who now have a platform.”

The Unicorns aim to bring MLC to California, with plans for a stadium in San Jose. “Hopefully, it will be ready in a few years, and I’ll be coming back to San Fran a lot,” Cummins said. That statement alone shows that cricket has changed for good.