Latest news with #GeorgeBailey
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Final destination: Punjab face Bengaluru test in IPL Playoffs
NEW CHANDIGARH: As one edged closer to the New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mullanpur on a hot Wednesday afternoon, the buzz on the road was evident. Scores of police officials were present inside and around the ground, fans were swarming the two counters open for tickets, and inside the ground, the Mumbai Indians could be seen grinding it out in their first training session. They, however, are not the ones to take centre stage immediately as MI will play Gujarat Titans in the eliminator on Friday. At the break of dusk — one of the protagonists who will be in action on Thursday, table-toppers and a side that can call the venue home — Punjab Kings entered the ground. They are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 on Thursday. It is only their second playoff appearance in 18 years. Their last playoff appearance came eleven years ago when Punjab, led by George Bailey, topped the table. RCB, on the other hand, have made multiple playoffs but never been able to go all the way. PBKS and RCB — along with Delhi Capitals – are the only three teams from the original eight franchises to not have an IPL trophy. Over the years, there have been several occasions where memes were made out of this. This year, however, has been different. All three did extremely well, but DC sort of lost their way in the second half. Punjab and Bengaluru, meanwhile, sustained and now have a chance of making it to the finals. If they do, it will be Punjab's second final in 18 years. For RCB, it will be their fourth. On all six occasions, their opponents had the final say. The ongoing season poses an opportunity where one of these two teams can actually end their long and tiring quest for a trophy. That storyline is for later. Thursday will be all about how the two teams that, more often than not, were made fun of, came to this point through contrasting journeys. Take a look at Punjab. They are a team who have historically struggled to hold on to their core and show consistency on the field. Not in 2025. Under Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, they have flourished like never before. Riding on the back of several uncapped Indian players — Shreyas surely has led the way — Punjab have been a force to reckon with. And they have their 'Sarpanch' to thank for it.
CNA
14-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Australia opening spot for world test final still up for grabs
SYDNEY :Australia's opening partnership has been the subject of much debate since David Warner retired and remains unresolved less than a month before the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Since Warner played his last test match in January 2024, Usman Khawaja has had no fewer than four opening partners in 11 matches and the 38-year-old could have yet another with the world title on the line at Lord's in mid-June. "I do think that it's a role that more people could do than we would probably give credit to," head selector George Bailey said on Tuesday after announcing the squad for the final and the tour of West Indies that follows. "There is a prevailing thought (that) it's a specialised role, but I think in certain conditions there's opportunities at different times where other guys could do it." Of Khawaja's recent partners, Steve Smith has moved back down the batting order, Nathan McSweeney has been dropped while Travis Head and Sam Konstas remain options after being named in the squad. Head has an impressive record in the middle order in English conditions, however, and teenager Konstas enjoyed a stunning debut against India late last year but was dropped for the tour of Sri Lanka in January and February. "It's pretty clear that he's not the finished product," Bailey said of Konstas. "He's on a journey. He's a highly talented player. But again, that's not to discount his ability to play in the World Test Championship, should he be required." With all-rounder Cameron Green returning after back surgery, albeit only as a batsman initially, Marnus Labuschagne has been floated as a candidate to move to the top of the order to make space for him. "I think Marnus could open the batting," said Bailey. "A number of guys could open the batting, but certainly that's not to say that they will." Australia will defend their world test title against the Proteas in a one-off clash at Lord's from June 11 to 15 before playing a three-test series in the Caribbean in June and July.
Reuters
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Australia opening spot for world test final still up for grabs
SYDNEY, May 14 (Reuters) - Australia's opening partnership has been the subject of much debate since David Warner retired and remains unresolved less than a month before the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Since Warner played his last test match in January 2024, Usman Khawaja has had no fewer than four opening partners in 11 matches and the 38-year-old could have yet another with the world title on the line at Lord's in mid-June. "I do think that it's a role that more people could do than we would probably give credit to," head selector George Bailey said on Tuesday after announcing the squad for the final and the tour of West Indies that follows. "There is a prevailing thought (that) it's a specialised role, but I think in certain conditions there's opportunities at different times where other guys could do it." Of Khawaja's recent partners, Steve Smith has moved back down the batting order, Nathan McSweeney has been dropped while Travis Head and Sam Konstas remain options after being named in the squad. Head has an impressive record in the middle order in English conditions, however, and teenager Konstas enjoyed a stunning debut against India late last year but was dropped for the tour of Sri Lanka in January and February. "It's pretty clear that he's not the finished product," Bailey said of Konstas. "He's on a journey. He's a highly talented player. But again, that's not to discount his ability to play in the World Test Championship, should he be required." With all-rounder Cameron Green returning after back surgery, albeit only as a batsman initially, Marnus Labuschagne has been floated as a candidate to move to the top of the order to make space for him. "I think Marnus could open the batting," said Bailey. "A number of guys could open the batting, but certainly that's not to say that they will." Australia will defend their world test title against the Proteas in a one-off clash at Lord's from June 11 to 15 before playing a three-test series in the Caribbean in June and July.
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Australian selector George Bailey on Sam Konstas and World Test Championship final
Australia is willing to play the long game with rapidly emerging yet unfinished product Sam Konstas. Konstas and Usman Khawaja are the only recognised opening batters in the Aussies' 16-man squad set for South Africa in next month's World Test Championship final. But the opening spot is still up for grabs, with Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis options to face Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada. Chairman of selectors George Bailey said if the Aussies veered away from Konstas at the top of the order again, the young star would still find a way to advance his game. 'I think it's pretty clear that he's not a finished product, he's on a journey, he's a highly talented player,' he said. 'The things we like: He's a quick learner, he's really keen to learn, he's shown an amazing ability to adapt and change the way he plays. 'Any opportunity that he does get around this team, whether that's in the XI or around the squad, I think he's going to continue to improve.' Bailey reinforced his stance on the opening spot not being a specialist role, declaring 'more people could do it than we probably give credit to'. 'I think (Labuschagne) could do it, I think we've got a number of guys who could open the batting, that's not to say that they will,' he said. 'I do think it's a role that more people could do it than we probably give credit to. I know there's a prevailing thought that it's a specialised role. 'I think in certain conditions, there's opportunities where other guys could do it, whether that's England for Josh (Inglis) or a middle order role where he's had success already. 'I am not trying to be cryptic about it and we're sitting on the XI, (where) we know it and we're just not announcing it, I just think there's quite a bit to work through. 'The Test is another month away, there's guys still playing cricket in India, guys in England playing and some guys starting their preparation here as well.' The Aussies have Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott as reserve bowlers but will likely lean on Scott Boland first if one of the mainstay quicks fall short. 'That'll become clearer once we get to the UK and probably get eyes on particularly those fast bowlers who have been playing in India,' Bailey said.
The Age
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Aussie selector coy on Test XI
George Bailey speaks about the potential for Sam Konstas to play in the World Test Championship final.
