Cricket

As Australia’s World Cup travails dominate the headlines, jockeying for selection amid an expected Test transition this summer is playing out in the sedate surroundings of the Sheffield Shield. With Perth stringing together hot weather, hinting that peak cricket season is nearing, opener Cameron Bancroft last week started his case for a long-awaited Test recall

Australia captain Alyssa Healy has backed Alana King to play a significant role in the upcoming tour of India after the legspinner’s sparkling return to the national team. Having been left out of the T20I series and opening one-dayer against the West Indies, King took career-best figures in the latter form, claiming 3 for 16

“The most important knee in New Zealand”, as Katey Martin, the former New Zealand wicketkeeper and current commentator put it in the lead-up to the World Cup, is finally ready to withstand the load of international cricket. After netting up for almost an hour last evening – and just before hitting Chepauk’s outdoor nets again

The India captain began his innings on 551 sixes, two behind Gayle. He claimed the record just 31 balls into his innings with his signature front-foot pull off Naveen-ul-Haq. Speaking to bcci.tv after India’s eight-wicket win, Rohit said that he had taken inspiration from Gayle himself during his six-hitting journey. “Universe Boss is Universe Boss,”

The strategies involved in structuring a spell in ODIs still present Pat Cummins with a conundrum he is keen to conquer, 12 years after making his debut in the format. That may seem a strange takeaway from an engagement with an Australian captain under some pressure after his team’s defeat to India and their struggles

Big picture: Australia seek to arrest their slide Is there a more storied World Cup rivalry than South Africa versus Australia? It’s hard to argue against. In ESPNCricinfo’s top 20 Greatest ODIs, two of the top three matches were played between South Africa and Australia. Admittedly, one was not in a World Cup, but the

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is “looking good” to make a comeback from injury in their game against Bangladesh in Chennai on Friday, head coach Gary Stead said in a press conference, while also confirming the availability of experienced fast bowler Tim Southee. “He’s been progressing very very well. He’s had a great last five

In his first press conference at this World Cup, Hashmatullah Shahidi spoke glowingly about the ability within his Afghanistan team. Even outside of it, the talent at their disposal is incredible. There’s a 23-year-old in Kunar who, but for the great Bill Ponsford, would hold the title of the fastest cricketer to 1000 first-class runs.

Pakistan 345 for 4 (Rizwan 131*, Shafique 113, Madushanka 2-60) beat Sri Lanka 344 for 9 (Mendis 122, Samarawickrama 108, Hasan Ali 4-71) by six wickets Sri Lanka were served a harsh lesson in the realities of modern ODI cricket, as Pakistan hunted down a target of 345 – the highest-ever chase in a World

England 364 for 9 (Malan 140, Root 82, Mahedi 4-71) beat Bangladesh 227 (Litton 76, Topley 4-43) by 137 runs Defending champions England produced an emphatic response to defeat in their opening World Cup match, crushing Bangladesh by 137 runs in Dharamsala to get their tournament up and running. A total of 364 for 9