Kuldeep Yadav could be a key bowler for India during England tour: Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden feels that Kuldeep Yadav could turn out to be a key player for India during their five-match Test series against England, starting from June 20. Kuldeep is expected to be India's second main spinner behind Ravindra Jadeja in the new era, as R Ashwin has retired. Kuldeep hasn't played a lot of matches outside India, and has played just one game in England before the start of the upcoming series. advertisementSpeaking at the launch of the Australian Summer of Cricket 2025-26, Hayden said that he is curious to see what India brings to England. The former Aussie opener said that the five Tests will be a tough and character testing series for the young side. Also Read: Kuldeep Yadav gets engaged to childhood friend Vanshika in private ceremony
Hayden feels that Kuldeep will need to be a 20-wicket bowler for India in the series. The former Aussie opener pointed to how Australia have a stable spinner in the form of Nathan Lyon and feels each team needs to have a reliable spinner in their ranks. 'Looking ahead, I'm really curious about what India brings to England. Five Tests — that's a tough, character-testing series. We discussed it earlier — someone like Kuldeep Yadav could be a key 20-wicket bowler for them. We've had the advantage of Lyon's consistency, and his absence in the last Ashes showed the impact of losing a reliable spinner. The best teams, through every era, have always had one thing in common — stability,' said Hayden. advertisementSpeaking about Australia's chances in the WTC Final, Hayden said that they still have got the core group, but it has started to shift around a bit. However, he feels that Australia has been a very dominant team during this cycle. 'We've still got a core group in the side, but it's starting to shift in some ways. How long is Steve Smith going to play or Usman Khawaja going to continue? These are the characters sitting in that space — one that Stephen (Steve Waugh) and I have been in, and Virat's been in as well.""We've all faced that challenge where you realise maybe it's time to move on. But for this cycle, Australia has been a very dominant team. I base that largely on the fact that you need to take 20 wickets to win a Test — and this team has a world-class pace trio, much like in Stephen's (Steve Waugh's) era. They also have a world-class spinner, and I'm sure we all appreciate the skill of Nathan Lyon. That's been such a key part of how Australian teams are built,' said Hayden.Must Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Australia vs South Africa: Steve Smith goes past Don Bradman for this 100-year-old record at Lord's
Steve Smith on Wednesday etched his name in cricketing history by surpassing the legendary Don Bradman during the opening day of the Australia vs South Africa WTC Final clash at the Lord's. Smith rescued Australia from a precarious position of 4/67 after being asked to bat first, crafting a gritty 66 off 112 balls to steer his side to a total of 212. His composed knock provided much-needed stability amid a top-order collapse. In response, South Africa struggled with the bat, slumping to 43/4 by stumps and still trailing by 169 runs. In the process, the 36-year-old batter surpassed Bradman's tally of 551 runs at Lord's. With his 51st run, he also became the most successful overseas batter at the iconic north London venue, overtaking fellow Australian Warren Bardsley 's long-standing record of 575 runs — a mark that had remained unchallenged for nearly 100 years. — cricketcomau (@cricketcomau) This remarkable feat solidifies Smith's reputation as one of the modern greats of Test cricket. Live Events Known for his unorthodox technique and consistency, Smith has been a thorn in the side of many bowling attacks worldwide. His latest milestone at the 'Home of Cricket' is a testament to his class, resilience, and ability to deliver on the biggest stages. South African pacers Kagiso Rabada and Jansen decimated Australia's revamped opening line-up while Smith continued his remarkable performance, achieving his 18th fifty or more runs on English grounds - establishing a new Test record for overseas batters. The experienced right-handed batter conjured a crucial 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside all-rounder Beau Webster , who played a fine innings of 72 runs. The duo accelerated their scoring rate after lunch, accumulating 50 runs in 78 deliveries, effectively regaining control of the innings following an uncertain beginning. Smith, who looked well set for a century, was dismissed by Aiden Markram after edging a fuller delivery to Marco Jansen at slip. Reflecting on the dismissal and Australia's approach for the second innings, Smith offered a wry piece of advice. When asked about any key takeaways from the day's play, he said bluntly, 'Don't nick the part-time off-spinner,' summing up the frustration of falling to a part-time bowler despite being in fine touch.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Pooran appointed as MI New York skipper, Maxwell to lead Washington Freedom
Former West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran, who announced his retirement from all international formats on Tuesday, has been appointed as the captain of MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC), taking over from Kieron Pollard. Pooran surprised the world on Tuesday by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the age of 29. Since bursting onto the international scene in 2016, Pooran featured in 106 T20Is and 61 ODIs, garnering more than 4,258 runs across both formats. He mustered up 2,275 in the shortest format of cricket, averaging 26.14 at 136.39. While in the 50-over cricket, he tallied 1,983 runs at 39.66 while maintaining a strike rate of 99.15, laced with three centuries and 11 fifties. The official X handle of the franchise announced, '#NYC Fam, there's a new commander in town - Captain Nicholas Pooran! #OneFamily #MINewYork #MLC2025.' Pooran's association with the MI family goes a long way back, having been signed by MI in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the 2017 edition, but did not get a game in the only season with them. He has also been with their team in International League T20 (ILT20), MI Emirates as well, as per ESPNCricinfo. In his debut season in MLC with the franchise, he made 388 runs in eight matches for the team at an average of 64.66, with a strike rate of 167.24. He has scored a century and two fifties, with his best score being 137*. He finished as the top run-getter in that title-winning season. He followed it with a 180 run season in seven matches, with a fifty. They made it to the semifinals last season. Also, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who retired from ODI cricket as well recently to focus on international and franchise T20 cricket commitments, was appointed as the captain of Washington Freedom franchise, replacing Steve Smith, who won the title last season with head coach Ricky Ponting. Maxwell bowed out of the ODI format with 3,990 runs in 149 matches and 136 innings at an average of 33.81, with four centuries and 23 fifties, and 77 wickets along with two World Cup title wins in 2015 and 2023. 'Captain Maxwell is here to rewrite the script. Glenn Maxwell will lead the Freedom squad in Cognizant Major League Cricket 2025. Steve Smith will captain the side in the two games he plays during the season. #FreedomExpress #MLC2025,' announced the franchise on X. In his sole season with the franchise in 2024, he scored 153 runs in five innings at an average of 38.25, a strike rate of 164.51, with a fifty. He also took 10 wickets at an average of 17.00.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Adam Scott at another US Open and headed for century mark in the majors
OAKMONT, Pa. — Adam Scott is one year away from an impressive streak that the Australian considers to be a classic glass half-full moment in golf. The U.S. Open is his 96th consecutive major championship appearance dating to the 2001 British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. 'It sounds like a lot to have won one,' Scott said with a laugh, referring to his lone major title in the 2013 Masters. 'It would be twice as good if there was one more.' Still, he realizes he is approaching a big milestone. The PGA Championship next year, assuming he qualifies or gets an invitation, will be his 100th career major. He could make it 100 in a row if he makes it to Shinnecock Hills for next year's U.S. Open. A streak like that requires eligibility and good health. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson only had eligibility in their favor. Woods played 46 straight majors until knee surgery after he won the 2008 U.S. Open. Mickelson played 61 in a row before he sat out the 2009 British Open as his wife was being treated for breast cancer. The record is among the most untouchable in golf — Jack Nicklaus played 146 in a row from the 1962 U.S. Open through the 2008 U.S. Open. 'Probably whenever it ends, whether it's 100 or more or less, I think it will be hard for guys to get to that number going forward,' Scott said. 'I think it's getting harder. And I think I have been a consistent player over a 25-year career. I could probably pick three troughs where my game was looking pretty ordinary and I fell outside the top 50 and I was really struggling. But over 25 years, I'd expect that of almost any player.' Scott had a few close calls in the U.S. Open. He made it through 36-hole qualifying with one shot to spare in 2018. He failed to make it through qualifying last year but became exempt at No. 61 in the world. Grayson Murray, who took his life in May 2024, was still ahead of him in the world ranking and the USGA went down one spot. Scott said Mickelson and Rory McIlroy are among the few who never went through bad spells or serious injury 'and we're talking about two of the greatest of their generation.' McIlroy's streak was interrupted when he injured his left ankle and couldn't play the 2015 British Open. Oakmont is his 39th consecutive major. For the first time since 2021, the U.S. Open is not increasing its prize money. It will be $21.5 million for the second straight year, with $4.3 million going to the winner. It remains the biggest purse of the four majors. The Masters was $21 million this year, while the PGA Championship was at $19 million. The British Open hasn't announced its total purse for next month at Royal Portrush. It was at $17 million last year. The U.S. Open purse was $12.5 million in 2020 and 2021 before making a big leap to $17.5 million in 2022 at Brookline. 'I feel comfortable that we've been a leader in moving fast and bigger,' USGA CEO Mike Whan said Wednesday. The Players Championship has a $25 million purse. The USGA and R&A get the bulk of their revenue from their Opens. They also use that money to invest back in the game, including the Women's Opens and amateur events such as the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup that several of the top stars once played. 'But at the same time, we understand. We want to be relevant,' Whan said. 'We know that this probably isn't really about the money for the person who puts it there, but at the same time, we want the money to be commensurate with the achievement. ... It's part of creating what we want to be the greatest championship in the game.' Xander Schauffele couldn't contain his laughter when he said both his drivers were tested this week and both passed the USGA limits of trampoline effect. It was no joking matter for Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship when word got out that his driver didn't pass the test from too much use. Turns out Scottie Scheffler's driver didn't pass for the same reason, and they had to get new drivers. The results are supposed to be confidential. The post on McIlroy's driver was published without any context — the random testing at every major, and the service being done for players who otherwise would be unaware when the faces of the drivers become too thin from constant strikes. Whan said he felt stronger than ever to keep results private 'In terms of what happened at the PGA Championship, it made us more committed to not wanting to have this be the topic of the town,' Whan said "Because I think when you talked about a rules violation or somebody who's playing with a hot driver, that gets so much more sensational than the reality. 'I can tell you as a rules body, if we had concern about this incredible advantage, we would change the degree in which we test,' he said 'But we think the testing that we're doing now is commensurate with the size of both the issue and the size of the reality of the issue.' The Pittsburgh area had one of the wettest Mays in history, not ideal for a U.S. Open that would prefer Oakmont to be firm, fast and scary. But it's not just the golf course. It can turn into a sloppy mess outside the ropes, and for some of the lots the U.S. Open is using for parking. That's why Whan was quick to celebrate Thomas Construction, a local company that has supplied gravel to create paths in walkways and parking lots. 'He no longer has gravel — true story — and he's only had one customer in the last 60 days — us,' Whan said. 'Suffice it to say, he told us there's more gravel here than in the quarry right now. And I apologize to all you members. Good news is it's outside of the rope lines.' golf: /hub/golf
