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Joined February 2019
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As Australia’s depth gets tested in this hectic international schedule during a global pandemic, the Australian selectors will be looking to select their best possible squad to face a full-strength New Zealand for a five-match T20 series.
As the Australian selectors face the damning reality that Australia have lost their fifth Test series on home soil since 2010, the trio of Justin Langer, George Bailey and Trevor Hohns are designated with choosing a squad to face South Africa for two Tests.
As the Indian diaspora outside of India and households in India celebrate their cricket team conquering Australia, here’s my best XI of the series.
This wasn’t written in the script. Or at least, India refused to follow it.
January 6th, 2021 will forever be remembered in the eyes of Blackcaps fans as the New Zealand Test team reached the number 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings for the first time in their history.
Friday, 27 November 2015, was a historic day in international cricket as fans around the world witnessed the first day-night Test, with Australia and New Zealand locking horns at the Adelaide Oval.
When the Sheffield Shield began in an Adelaide hub earlier this year, the question among many was who’d be putting their hand up for Test selection.
December 19 2020 was a dark day in Indian cricket.
On the day of Christmas (oh and Boxing Day Test Eve), India named their playing XI for the second Test at MCG.
When Devon Conway became eligible to play for New Zealand in August 2020, it would create a selection headache for the Blackcaps selectors.
After India’s humiliating batting performance on Day 3 of the first Test in Adelaide, unsurprisingly, some heads were going to roll. One of the players who are most likely to be in India’s squad is KL Rahul.
Four games into the tenth season of the Big Bash and the interest of the tournament has gone for me.
As the Border-Gavaskar series starts next week, I was thinking about the unfortunate cricketers who didn’t get to play as many Tests as they deserved from India and Australia this century.
This headline isn’t a reactionary article following India’s loss to Australia at the SCG.
After weeks of speculation, Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of India’s first two Tests against Australia next month.
The Big Bash League has been a brilliant platform for players to showcase their skills and be named in their nation’s T20 international squads. As the BBL enters its tenth season, here are my all-time Aussie and foreign XIs.
As the Big Bash enters its tenth season, the competition has had its fair share of international stars.
Rugby league in Australia has officially come to an end this year. Following a tumultuous year that has been 2020, a State of Origin series was the best way to end a challenging season for everyone involved in the NRL.
In the final part of this three-part series comes Mohammad Siraj.
After Shubman Gill comes Navdeep Saini in this series.
Love Bumrah and he did an excellent job. But the way Siraj stepped up in the decider while leading the Indian pace attack in just his third test was brilliant.
My Border-Gavaskar XI of the series
Thakur made his Test debut vs Windies in 2018 before getting injured 10 balls into his maiden spell.
Will Pucovski ruled out of Gabba Test as Australia confirm XI
Ashwins wife (who’s in Australia with the Indian squad alongside their daughter) tweeted how Ashwin was struggling with back problems. Back was worse after he smashed Lyon over long on/midwicket. Couldn’t sit during the tea break or else his back would’ve given up. This India side refusing to follow the script or give up despite so many injuries.
https://twitter.com/prithinarayanan/status/1348542761134301185?s=20 – Ashwins wife tweet
The 131-over rearguard that propelled this series into an instant classic
Never has a toss been so crucial leading up to a Test. If India win the toss, they can inflict some damage against a tiring attack unless one of Neser or Pattinson comes in. Regarding Paine, I got a feeling he’s pushing the panic button with the impromptu PC. Could’ve said this yesterday in the post match PC. Now the Indians will go hard at him. We are in for a cracker on Friday. With Ashwin batting performance yesterday, I see Shardul Thakur playing as the fourth seamer. Got a decent FC average with bat and has over 200 FC wickets mostly bowling on roads at Mumbai.
Why Tim Paine's sledging leaves such a bitter taste
Great idea. But will the big three accept common sense? Only time will tell
New Zealand deserve the no.1 Test ranking
Jameson’s batting skills will make him a solid number 7 or 8 and the bounce he’ll get in SA, Aus, England and Windies will benefit him
New Zealand deserve the no.1 Test ranking
Agree with Paul here. Spinners have had decent success at Lords and having an attacking spinner like Patel will benefit NZ should they play the final at Lord’s. Exciting times ahead for Blackcaps if they get their selection right for away tours
New Zealand deserve the no.1 Test ranking
Yeah I saw him play vs Bangladesh u19 this year in the wc semis. Heard he’s been doing well in Auckland grade cricket. Regarding subcontinent these are the five bowlers I go with – CDG, Ravindra/Jamieson (depending on the pitch) Somerville, Wagner, Patel
New Zealand's obsession with Santner for Tests needs to stop
Patel can play both roles well for the Blackcaps – hold up an end at home and be an attacking spinner outside of New Zealand. Same for Somerville. The duo may be in their 30s but it’s better to let these two play as New Zealand’s spinners while someone like Rachin Ravindra (touted as a future superstar) is allowed to play more FC cricket and be mature enough to play Tests rather than be rushed into Test cricket.
New Zealand's obsession with Santner for Tests needs to stop
Ravindra probably a year or two away from that role tbh. Seems a solid bat. The way Jamieson been batting he can bat at 7 when CDG is injured and Southee is a handy 8. You choose a bowler to win you games with the ball, not for their batting. Gary Stead screwed up by not taking Patel to Australia and showing too much loyalty to Santner. Santner was terrible and that should’ve been the end of his Test career. Once again when Patel got injured Stead showed loyalty to Santner again instead of calling up Somerville. New Zealand will slide down the rankings the longer they keep Santner in the side.
New Zealand's obsession with Santner for Tests needs to stop
Crazy to think Gill only 21. He bats like a veteran.
Five takeaways from the Boxing Day Test
The big question is how many runs are they scoring in county. Are they scoring these on green top early season wickets or only when the wickets are flat?
The solution to Australia’s Test batting woes
Still questioning how Santner and Astle were in the squad but no Ajaz Patel a spinner who’s known to attack opposition batsmen. And then not playing Jamieson on these wickets while 130km swing bowlers in southee and henry did
The solution to Australia’s Test batting woes
Funny thing about Burns and Sibley is that they don’t play many T20s. Both have played quite a lot of FC cricket in challenging conditions
The solution to Australia’s Test batting woes
Told so many mates that the 2018 series loss was an eye opener to how weak the Sheffield Shield is if they couldn’t win a series at home just bc they lost two star batsmen. If Kohli and Pujara were to miss a home series, India would still beat opponents at home that’s how solid the batting depth is for home tests
The solution to Australia’s Test batting woes
Love Patterson but after his injury, hasn’t made much runs for NSW. But, he is someone whom i feel could still tour with Australia A in the future should he start scoring runs consistently at shield level again
The solution to Australia’s Test batting woes
Geez that’s seriously worrying. I get kids wanting to have fun but this ain’t the right way. Teaching kids the basic fundamentals will let them have fun
The solution to Australia’s Test batting woes
Gill looked dodgy in the first 20 mins of his first innings which is normal for any debutant. He’ll continue to play his shots which is fine as long as he knows when to leave the ball as well, something i rarely seen Shaw do
India passes test of character with flying colours
County cricket helped him. I think he’s had two stints and it’s taught him patience. Since then Ashwin has been more effective outside of Asia and WI where he’s taken wickets for fun
Home pitch bully no more, Ashwin is an all-conditions star
Pant kept well behind the wickets last time he toured Australia. Not expecting MCG pitch to spin much and with no Kohli, Pant brings the X factor India needs now
Takeaways from India’s XI for the Boxing Day Test
Regarding Gill, the Indian selectors need to be clear where they want him rather than saying he’s a middle order option and then making him open on debut.
Sharma – been in quarantine with no batting practice at all leading up to third test. Too risky to play him in third test with no match practice since IPL final. Vihari deserves to play the whole series. He hasn’t had the luxury like the other Indian batsmen to boost his average at home as he’s only played one home Test. Vihari was asked to open in his third test. He deserves a long run and 4 will suit him.
Bumrah – he’s known for bowling long spells in Ranji Trophy so I don’t think he’ll get tired that some may expect if he bowls long spells in this test. Addition of Jadeja also ensures the bowling workload will most likely be shared rather than burdened on the quicks
Takeaways from India’s XI for the Boxing Day Test
Taylor’s form in T20 internationals has been poor for quite some time. I genuinely cannot remember the last time he played a crucial part for NZ winning a T20 international. He got dropped vs Pakistan on form – wasn’t rested. If Taylor misses out on the 5 match T20 series vs Australia in February, that’ll probably show his time in t20 internationals is up, especially if Conway does well against the Aussies. Taylor is 36 and he wants to be playing in Tests and ODI’s for a few more years. Conway is 30 and is the best bat in NZ domestic cricket. He’s gotta be a regular in one format and for me right now – that’s t20s
Is Ross Taylor’s T20I career finished?
Conway has been bossing every format in NZ domestic cricket over the past two seasons. Taylor wasn’t rested vs Pakistan in the T20s, he was dropped as selector Gavin Larsen said to the media. Taylor has been batting at five for the past few years in T20 internationals, but has struggled to accelerate when required. If Taylor isn’t recalled vs Australia and Conway does well in the 5 match t20 series, that’s Taylor’s T20I career done. Add to the fact that he still wants to play Tests and ODI’s till 2023 WC (he’ll be 39 by then), it’s highly unlikely Taylor will be playing in all three formats by end of next year.
Is Ross Taylor’s T20I career finished?
Exactly. Nicholls keeps his spot in the Test side after that 100 vs Windies. If Taylor has a poor series vs Pakistan, jury could be out on him in Tests as well. But Conway has to be playing all formats soon. He’s too good to be ignored for any format
Is Ross Taylor’s T20I career finished?
Loved this. Kohli will remain captain though imo. He took a sinking ship that Dhoni created and ditched from no.7 to 1 in Tests. Made his quicks fitter and more accurate compared to the pies they dished under Dhoni’s captaincy. Nowadays we see 3 seamers in Indian conditions. Who woulda thought of that before? Rahane did an outstanding job but needs more runs under his belt
The A to Z of the Border-Gavaskar series