Players face decisions as IPL to resume after ceasefire
The Indian Premier League is to resume this weekend leaving the many Australians involved with decisions to make.
Cricket's richest competition, which was suspended on Friday May 9 amid fighting between India and Pakistan, will resume on Saturday May 17 (local time) following the announcement of a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
A number of Australians are involved as players, coaching staff and commentators and most have left India, returning home over the weekend.
Now they must decide whether they are able, and wish to, return. Many were shaken by events leading to the postponement and several have other commitments.
Most notable of these is the the World Test Championship final against South Africa, which starts at Lord's on June 11, barely a week after the rescheduled IPL final on June 3.
The IPL still has 13 group matches left, including the fixture between Ricky Ponting's Punjab Kings and Mitch Starc's Delhi Capitals, which was called off during in the first innings on May 8 as air-raid sirens wailed nearby.
The match that will resume the tournament will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 17 in Bengaluru.
Josh Hazlewood plays for RCB, but has been nursing a shoulder injury and missed their most recent match. He is expected to be fit for Lord's.
Besides Hazlewood and Starc four other possible Australian WTC players are in IPL teams: skipper Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Mitch Starc.
Cummins and Head play for Sunrisers Hyderabad who are out of play-off contention even though they have three matches remaining but Inglis' Punjab, Starc's Delhi, and Marsh's Lucknow Super Giants remain in the frame.
Other high-profile Australians involved include Justin Langer, coach at Lucknow, Ponting's assistant Brad Haddin, Chennai batting coach Mike Hussey, and commentators Matthew Hayden and Mel Jones.
Ponting and Haddin are understood to have remained in India.
"After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season," India's cricket board (BCCI) said in a statement.
The Pakistan Super League, which includes David Warner among the participants, is also expected to announce a resumption imminently, though many of the overseas players are reported to be unlikely to return, in part due to other commitments.
India and Pakistan have clashed since India struck multiple locations in Pakistan that it said were "terrorist camps" in retaliation for the deadly attack in its troubled region of Kashmir last month, in which it said Islamabad was involved.
with agencies
The Indian Premier League is to resume this weekend leaving the many Australians involved with decisions to make.
Cricket's richest competition, which was suspended on Friday May 9 amid fighting between India and Pakistan, will resume on Saturday May 17 (local time) following the announcement of a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
A number of Australians are involved as players, coaching staff and commentators and most have left India, returning home over the weekend.
Now they must decide whether they are able, and wish to, return. Many were shaken by events leading to the postponement and several have other commitments.
Most notable of these is the the World Test Championship final against South Africa, which starts at Lord's on June 11, barely a week after the rescheduled IPL final on June 3.
The IPL still has 13 group matches left, including the fixture between Ricky Ponting's Punjab Kings and Mitch Starc's Delhi Capitals, which was called off during in the first innings on May 8 as air-raid sirens wailed nearby.
The match that will resume the tournament will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 17 in Bengaluru.
Josh Hazlewood plays for RCB, but has been nursing a shoulder injury and missed their most recent match. He is expected to be fit for Lord's.
Besides Hazlewood and Starc four other possible Australian WTC players are in IPL teams: skipper Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Mitch Starc.
Cummins and Head play for Sunrisers Hyderabad who are out of play-off contention even though they have three matches remaining but Inglis' Punjab, Starc's Delhi, and Marsh's Lucknow Super Giants remain in the frame.
Other high-profile Australians involved include Justin Langer, coach at Lucknow, Ponting's assistant Brad Haddin, Chennai batting coach Mike Hussey, and commentators Matthew Hayden and Mel Jones.
Ponting and Haddin are understood to have remained in India.
"After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season," India's cricket board (BCCI) said in a statement.
The Pakistan Super League, which includes David Warner among the participants, is also expected to announce a resumption imminently, though many of the overseas players are reported to be unlikely to return, in part due to other commitments.
India and Pakistan have clashed since India struck multiple locations in Pakistan that it said were "terrorist camps" in retaliation for the deadly attack in its troubled region of Kashmir last month, in which it said Islamabad was involved.
with agencies
The Indian Premier League is to resume this weekend leaving the many Australians involved with decisions to make.
Cricket's richest competition, which was suspended on Friday May 9 amid fighting between India and Pakistan, will resume on Saturday May 17 (local time) following the announcement of a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
A number of Australians are involved as players, coaching staff and commentators and most have left India, returning home over the weekend.
Now they must decide whether they are able, and wish to, return. Many were shaken by events leading to the postponement and several have other commitments.
Most notable of these is the the World Test Championship final against South Africa, which starts at Lord's on June 11, barely a week after the rescheduled IPL final on June 3.
The IPL still has 13 group matches left, including the fixture between Ricky Ponting's Punjab Kings and Mitch Starc's Delhi Capitals, which was called off during in the first innings on May 8 as air-raid sirens wailed nearby.
The match that will resume the tournament will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 17 in Bengaluru.
Josh Hazlewood plays for RCB, but has been nursing a shoulder injury and missed their most recent match. He is expected to be fit for Lord's.
Besides Hazlewood and Starc four other possible Australian WTC players are in IPL teams: skipper Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Mitch Starc.
Cummins and Head play for Sunrisers Hyderabad who are out of play-off contention even though they have three matches remaining but Inglis' Punjab, Starc's Delhi, and Marsh's Lucknow Super Giants remain in the frame.
Other high-profile Australians involved include Justin Langer, coach at Lucknow, Ponting's assistant Brad Haddin, Chennai batting coach Mike Hussey, and commentators Matthew Hayden and Mel Jones.
Ponting and Haddin are understood to have remained in India.
"After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season," India's cricket board (BCCI) said in a statement.
The Pakistan Super League, which includes David Warner among the participants, is also expected to announce a resumption imminently, though many of the overseas players are reported to be unlikely to return, in part due to other commitments.
India and Pakistan have clashed since India struck multiple locations in Pakistan that it said were "terrorist camps" in retaliation for the deadly attack in its troubled region of Kashmir last month, in which it said Islamabad was involved.
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Daily Telegraph
4 hours ago
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Australian Test cricket crisis laid bare as major shake-up looms, World Test Championship final, South Africa, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, latest team news, updates
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But what does not appear to have changed is the selectors' stubbornness in selecting the best six Australian batsmen irrespective of where they usually bat, their age or whether or not they are in form. However, sooner rather than later they will need to look beyond just a single Test series as the reality is they have somewhat screwed themselves by sticking solid with the same group of veterans. The reality is the Australian squad is ageing out and the next generation has been badly devoid of opportunities. The two youngsters blooded last summer, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas were both dropped despite the former being played in an unfamiliar role as opener and the latter being overlooked for non-openers Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. That was despite the fact he rattled the world's best bowler in the world Jasprit Bumrah and clearly has immense raw untapped ability. Make that make sense. Australia need to make changes and fast. 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'It's probably more for the selectors and for me to sit down and map it ahead.' Cummins also suggested the likes of Konstas and Inglis could find themselves in the team come the first Test against the Windies. 'Coming to this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland and Josh Inglis, all those guys were right on the fringes,' he said. 'So I think again, after this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation.' Australia's three-Test series against West Indies in Barbados kicks off on June 25. Predicted Australian XI to face the West Indies 1. Sam Konstas 2. Josh Inglis 3. Steve Smith (or Nathan McSweeney) 4. Cam Green 5. Travis Head 6. Beau Webster 7. Alex Carey 8. Pat Cummins 9. Mitchell Starc 10. Nathan Lyon 11. Josh Hazlewood Originally published as 'Screwed themselves': Aussie crisis laid bare as major Test shake-up looms
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5 hours ago
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Australian Test cricket crisis laid bare as major shake-up looms, World Test Championship final, South Africa, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, latest team news, updates
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. COMMENT As Australia licks its wounds from an embarrassing five-wicket World Test Championship final defeat at the hands of South Africa, changes are already being discussed both internally and externally. But there isn't long for Australian selectors to get their ducks in a row, with the next two-year Test cricket cycle beginning later this month with a three-Test series against the West Indies. There are many things for selectors to mull over, such as who should open the batting, and if it is worth bringing in a second specialist tweaker such as Matt Kuhnemann, with subcontinental conditions usually favouring the tweakers. West Indies vs. Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. But what does not appear to have changed is the selectors' stubbornness in selecting the best six Australian batsmen irrespective of where they usually bat, their age or whether or not they are in form. However, sooner rather than later they will need to look beyond just a single Test series as the reality is they have somewhat screwed themselves by sticking solid with the same group of veterans. The reality is the Australian squad is ageing out and the next generation has been badly devoid of opportunities. The two youngsters blooded last summer, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas were both dropped despite the former being played in an unfamiliar role as opener and the latter being overlooked for non-openers Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. That was despite the fact he rattled the world's best bowler in the world Jasprit Bumrah and clearly has immense raw untapped ability. Make that make sense. Australia need to make changes and fast. Image: Getty Aussie fans have been blessed with a strong generation of cricketers, which has resulted in the side taking out major tournament after major tournament until now. The WTC final defeat will be a tough pill to swallow but for Aussie fans, it could be about to get much worse, with years of selection decisions set to come back to bite in the long run. In the World Test Championship, Cam Green was the only Aussie under the age of 30 in the team. And when injuries have presented selectors with the chance to blood youth, instead they routinely turn to the likes of Scott Boland and Michael Neser and others deep into their 30s. It has seen many other fast bowlers come and go as nothing more than Sheffield Shield journeymen and it is even more grim for the batsman. That is why the likes of Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and before them David Warner were almost undroppable. Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw have all come and gone, dropped at the first sign of struggle, while others hold onto their spots regardless of their output. The reality is that come the next WTC final, it would be fair to assume half of the Australian side that lined up this week will be retired, so major changes need to happen sooner rather than later. Josh Inglis could solve Australia's opener woes. (Photo by) Who should Australia select for the West Indies series? Let's start with the openers. It's time to go Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. Khawaja returned scores of 0 and 6 in the WTC final and has had a very grim few years with the bat, barring one series against Sri Lanka. At 38 years of age, his time has come and gone and luckily for Australia, there is a ready-made replacement in Konstas. The teenager has a lot of work to do granted but there is no shortage of raw talent and competitiveness ready to be moulded into a potentially generational batsman. While fellow WTC final opener Labuschagne is badly out of touch and a stint back in Sheffield Shield could do him the world of good. He is averaging just 25.63 in Tests during the 2024/25 season and looked devoid of all confidence against South Africa. In his place, I would go with Josh Inglis. His rapid-fire century on Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year reinforced his credentials as a red ball player and is someone who Australia needs to find a spot for. So why not at opener? Steve Smith is a No. 3 whether he likes it or not. That move would also allow for Cam Green to slot in at his preferred four. However, it is worth noting Smith dislocated his finger in the loss to the Proteas. If he isn't fit I could advocate for Nathan McSweeney to come in. At 26 years old, the batsman's best years are ahead of him and after two strong Sheffield Shield seasons he deserves a proper crack in the Test fold, where he isn't thrown to the wolves facing the new ball. From there I would keep it fairly similar to the side who were beaten by South Africa with Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey rounding out the middle order. From there, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all nearly undroppable as is Nathan Lyon. But I could entertain a rotation of one pace bowler getting a rest so tweaker Matt Kuhnemann could make up a two-pronged spin attack with Lyon. Sam Konstas deserves another crack at opener. (Photo by) Nathan McSweeney has been strong at Sheffield Shield level in the past few seasons. (Photo by) Pat Cummins suggests changes are on the cards With the 2027 WTC cycle kicking off when Australia travel to the West Indies, Australian skipper Cummins hinted that changes could be on the cards. 'We've got a couple of weeks before the first Test in the Windies, so we'll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game,' he said. 'But for me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset. 'It's probably more for the selectors and for me to sit down and map it ahead.' Cummins also suggested the likes of Konstas and Inglis could find themselves in the team come the first Test against the Windies. 'Coming to this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland and Josh Inglis, all those guys were right on the fringes,' he said. 'So I think again, after this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation.' Australia's three-Test series against West Indies in Barbados kicks off on June 25. Predicted Australian XI to face the West Indies 1. Sam Konstas 2. Josh Inglis 3. Steve Smith (or Nathan McSweeney) 4. Cam Green 5. Travis Head 6. Beau Webster 7. Alex Carey 8. Pat Cummins 9. Mitchell Starc 10. Nathan Lyon 11. Josh Hazlewood Originally published as 'Screwed themselves': Aussie crisis laid bare as major Test shake-up looms
Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
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‘Pretty ill': Smith reveals how he suffered sickening finger injury
Steve Smith has revealed how he misjudged the Temba Bavuma edge that left him with a compound dislocation of his finger and in doubt for the West Indies Test series starting later this month. With his right little finger encased in a protective splint and bandage, Smith said he felt "pretty ill" when he saw the angle at which the finger had been bent, the result of being unsighted by Bavuma's edge. The catch was really Australia's last chance to win the World Test Championship final at Lord's as Bavuma and Aiden Markram went on to a match-winning partnership. 'I was obviously standing pretty close with the helmet on there,' Smith said on the Lord's outfield. 'As we'd seen throughout the game, a lot of nicks went short of first and second slip, so the plan was to stand pretty close and I lost sight of it with the angle Mitchell Starc was bowling and it went inside Bavuma's hip. 'So I actually didn't quite see it until really late and it kind of dipped on me a little bit late as well. It was tricky – it obviously didn't go in my hand very well and, fortunately, there's no break there – it just split the skin and dislocated it which made me feel pretty ill at that stage. Loading 'But I think in a splint for eight weeks now and maybe able to play with it in a couple of weeks. It'll depend on my functionality and what I'm able to do, but it's probably the best result I could have hoped for.' Asked where the game was lost for Australia, Smith argued that they should have made more runs in the first innings; he was still puzzled by how he managed to get out to Markram's part-time spin in a game where Nathan Lyon finished wicketless. "In the first innings, it would have been nice to score a few more then," he said.
