Latest news with #KensingtonOval
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Another Israel vs Palestine scandal hits Aussie cricket as star Usman Khawaja stuns with shock boycott
Aussie cricket star Usman Khawaja has turned heads after sensationally boycotting a post-game interview in the Caribbean with major media outlet SEN following day one of the first Test against the West Indies. It comes after the 24/7 sports business controversially sacked journalist Peter Lalor earlier this year. Respected cricket reporter Lalor posted a series of tweets and retweets about the war in Gaza when Australia were touring Sri Lanka in February - and the freelancer was promptly shown the door by SEN during a Test match in Galle. The decision followed Lalor's social media activity, which included reposts of news articles about Israeli airstrikes as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners. On Thursday morning AEDT, Khawaja - who scored a dogged 47 in Australia 's disappointing first innings of 180 in Bridgetown - reportedly rejected a request to chat to SEN commentators after stumps at Kensington Oval. It is understood the veteran opening batsman spotted an SEN microphone and then informed reporters Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan he wouldn't be doing an interview. Lalor, who is also covering the three-Test series, said in a statement: 'Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate.' In late 2023, Khawaja - who is a practising Muslim - attracted headlines after his human rights protest ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the MCG. The cricket star also donned a black armband during the first Test in Perth to show support for civilians in Gaza. And much to his dismay before the first Test, Khawaja was banned by Cricket Australia and the ICC from wearing shoes bearing the messages 'freedom is a human right' and 'all lives matter'. At the time, Khawaja said he felt frustrated after he was forced to cover the messages on his shoes with tape. 'It's just a little bit disappointing. I don't really see the controversy of [saying] all lives matter and saying freedom is a human right,' he said. 'I don't see where it becomes political ... I find it hard to accept where people find what I said distasteful. 'It makes me feel a little bit uneasy that people find those words uneasy. 'It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for, I guess... I'll always stand up for what I believe in, even if people don't agree with me or don't like me saying it. 'I want to look back on my career and say, look, I stood up for my values, I respect what I did on the field, but I also respect myself for what I did off the field... that means more to me.'
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Lame effort from Australia's new-look top four in West Indies worrying ahead of blockbuster Ashes showdown
The day before Australia began the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados two things happened. England's fearless batting outfit blasted its way to a mammoth fourth innings run chase of 371 against India, with more than 10 overs to spare on day five at Headingley. Then Australian captain Pat Cummins declared Cameron Green was a viable 'long-term option' at No.3 despite two failures in the position at Lord's during the World Test Championship final, albeit in his first Test since March 2024. Green was inserted to replace Marnus Labuschagne after a significant decline in returns from the former No.1 batter in the world, with teen tyro Sam Konstas given his head as opening partner to Usman Khawaja, who at 38 has vowed to go on as long as needed, including the Ashes. The absence of Steve Smith earnt Josh Inglis a recall on the back of a debut Test hundred in Sri Lanka. But when Australia fell to 3-22 at Kensington Oval, with Konstas (4), Green (3) and Inglis (5) back in the sheds on the way to being all out for 180, the alarm bells started ringing, loudly, and England's players, revelling in their epic win, would have been smiling from ear to ear. 'I think Konstas got a good ball,' former Australia batter Greg Blewett said in commentary. It was the 14th the 19-year-old faced, out LBW to Shamar Joseph, who warned all the Australians pre-game that the man who bowled the West Indies to victory at the Gabba was ready for them and took 4-46. Konstas was all smiles in pre-game pictures, shirtless on the beach, lapping up the Caribbean vibes. But his 20 minutes at the crease was less enjoyable. Green now has scores of 4, 0 and 3 in his first three goes at No.3 to go with scores of 25 and 5 in his last Test before a significant back surgery. That's 37 run in his past five Test innings, spread over nearly 15 months. Australia's blushes were saved by an 89-run stand between Khawaja (47) and Travis Head (59) and then the bowlers, again, who took four final session wickets to take the day one tally to a staggering 14 on a wicket expected to slow down and take spin, putting a possible three-day Test on the cards. The West Indies went to stumps at 4-57, which could mean the likes of Konstas and Green may be back at the crease on day two, another chance to prove the value the selectors see in them and give England something to think about.
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
West Indies unleash Caribbean storm as Australia crumble in Barbados
June 25 (Reuters) - In a performance reminiscent of West Indies' fearsome bowling attacks of old, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph tore through Australia on Wednesday, toppling them for a meagre 180 on day one of the first test on a lively pitch at Kensington Oval. Mitchell Starc, skipper Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood saved Australia's blushes, taking four wickets between them to send the West Indies in at stumps at 57 for four, trailing the tourists by 123 runs to leave the match delicately poised. With Seales claiming a magnificent five-wicket haul and Joseph unleashing thunderbolts that left Australia's batsmen floundering, the visitors never recovered from a catastrophic start that saw them reeling at 22 for three. "This one was pretty special for me," Seales said. "I have played against (Australia) once, and was injured. To play against them and get five on the first day was pretty special. "With the new ball, the plan was to bowl fuller. We knew the batters would come hard if we gave them width, and the plan was to bowl full and as much at the stumps as possible. "A little slower than what the Australians would have expected, and that made them play a lot more. "Shamar was special today ... He has a love for Australia. He got through the top order and made it easy for us in the middle and at the end." Australia, already vulnerable with Steve Smith sidelined by injury and Marnus Labuschagne axed, watched in dismay as their re-jigged top order wilted under relentless pressure from the Caribbean quicks. Joseph got the Bridgetown carnival started in the fourth over when he trapped teenage debutant Sam Konstas leg before wicket after a review. The 25-year-old then delivered a scorching delivery that all-rounder Cameron Green could only edge to Justin Greaves at second slip. Seales then joined the party, coaxing a thick top edge from Josh Inglis that sent him trudging back to the pavilion for five, completing Australia's horror start. Veteran Usman Khawaja and Travis Head briefly stemmed the tide with an 89-run partnership, but Joseph struck again at the perfect moment, removing Khawaja for 47 – agonisingly short of his half-century – and extinguishing Australian hopes of a recovery. The middle order offered little resistance, with Beau Webster (11) and Alex Carey (8) falling cheaply before Greaves claimed the prize scalp of Head for 59, caught behind. Captain Pat Cummins (28) provided the only lower-order resistance before Seales returned to sweep through the tail, completing his five-wicket masterclass and leaving Australia to contemplate the wreckage of their innings. West Indies would have fancied their chances at that point, but Starc had other plans, snapping up the wickets of Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell in an action-packed opening spell. Cummins then had Keacy Carty caught behind on 20 before Hazlewood bowled nightwatchman Jomel Warrican out for a duck, as the Barbadian sun set on an exhilarating day of test cricket dominated by pace.
Al Arabiya
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Wickets Tumble as Australia Routed for 180 by West Indies in Barbados Test
The West Indies dismissed Australia for 180 and then discovered how tricky the Kensington Oval pitch was by losing four wickets on day one Wednesday of the test series opener. The home side was 57–4 at stumps with Brandon King 23 not out on debut trying to make up for his three dropped catches in the field. Teammate Jayden Seales took 5–60, his third test five-for, all at home, but Shamarh Brooks was the more impressive bowler with 4–46. In nine tests he has 34 wickets, 17 of them Australians. He owned the morning session. Australia was all out inside 57 overs for its lowest total in the West Indies after batting first. Only three batters got into double figures: Usman Khawaja (47), Travis Head (59), and captain Pat Cummins (28). There was some deja vu for Australia from the World Test Championship final against South Africa less than two weeks ago at Lord's. Australia was out for 212 on the first day when 14 wickets were also taken. Cummins followed tradition in Bridgetown when he won the toss and chose to bat first. What looked like a bat-first pitch–mainly bare and dry–was revealed as a trap gifting the pacers seam swing and the odd shooter. Of the day's 14 wickets, 10 came from edges. After an hour Australia was 22–3. Sam Konstas, replacing the dropped Marnus Labuschagne, was out for 3 in the fourth over, lbw on the back leg to Shamarh Brooks. Cameron Green came in and was dropped in the same over at gully by King. Green was still bagged by Shamarh Brooks on 3 after nicking to second slip. Josh Inglis, covering for an injured Steve Smith at No. 4, pulled Seales but top-edged high up for wicketkeeper Shai Hope playing his first test in four years. It was the first of Hope's four catches. Khawaja had been hunkering down, but when Head arrived they counter-punched. They continued after lunch when Khawaja was dropped again by King on 45. Head passed Khawaja to 50 off 57 balls, but Khawaja was out for 47 off 128 after nicking Shamarh Brooks. Their 89-run partnership was the longest of the day. When Beau Webster was castled, Shamarh Brooks had 4–25 off 12 overs. Shamarh Brooks also appeared to then claim Head, who under-edged behind. But the third umpire said video was inconclusive that the ball carried to Hope. Seales got his second wicket after Alex Carey edged to first slip on 8 right on tea. Head was out straight after tea on 59 off 78 balls, including nine boundaries. He edged Justin Greaves behind. Seales mopped up the last three wickets. Kraigg Brathwaite couldn't get through the fifth over of the West Indies reply, nicking Mitchell Starc on 4. Starc also got the edge of the other opener John Campbell on 7. Cummins prised out Keacy Carty for 20, and Josh Hazlewood joined the party by removing nightwatchman Jomel Warrican for a duck. That forced new captain Roston Chase to join King, and they survived the day's last 3.1 overs. Chase, playing his first test since March 2023, had 1.
ABC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Five quick hits: Shamar Joseph shines, Travis Head's controversial reprieve on day one of the first Test against the West Indies
Travis Head gets a life, Usman Khawaja leads a charmed existence and Shamar Joseph rips through Australia once again, with the Aussies dismissed for 180 before taking 4-57 in the West Indies's first innings. Here are five quick hits from day one of Australia's first Test in the West Indies in a decade. The home fans were in no doubt. Neither was Shamar Joseph. Wicketkeeper Shai Hope was not certain though, looking to square leg umpire Nitin Menon with a question on his face as to whether the ball, bottom-edged by Travis Head, had carried into his gloves behind the stumps. It turns out, third umpire Adrian Holdstock wasn't entirely sure either. The South African said there was "no clear evidence," to give Head out, despite footage appearing to show a slither of material between the ball and turf. The "NOT OUT" sign on the big screen was greeted with relieved cheers from the Aussies and bemusement from the home supporters. Joseph could only laugh, incredulous along with the majority of the crowd who felt their man had been robbed of a fifth wicket of the innings. Head was on 53 at the time. He was the architect of that famous Gabba victory in 2024, and once again, Joseph was all over Australia on day one at Kensington Oval. His first job was to ensure Sam Konstas's return to the Test match crease was a short one. There were no sparkles or scoops in the 19-year-old's nervous three from 14 deliveries, which was over when he was caught plumb in front by an excellent Joseph delivery in the fourth over. After dismissing Konstas, the skiddy right arm pacer could have had both Cameron Green and Usman Khawaja in consecutive overs had it not been for some poor catching from his teammates. However, Green never looked comfortable against Joseph, and he was eventually dismissed for an indecisive three from 21 balls. Josh Inglis — the third new face in Australia's new look top four — didn't fair any better. He was out for five after horribly mistiming one off Jayden Seales. But Joseph's finest moment came midway through the second session. Beau Webster played back to a good length ball that gathered pace and moved away from him off the pitch. The big Tasmanian's bat got nowhere near it and the ball kissed the top of off. The perfect ball to cap a near-perfect day of bowling. As bad as things were for Australia in the opening hour, it could have been worse. Green may have only made three runs, but he was dropped on zero by debutant Brandon King at gully. Khawaja's recovery effort with Head was vital, but the veteran, too, should have been back in the sheds in that first session, dropped on six by Roston Chase at first slip. Both chances came off the bowling of Joseph. It would be charitable to say that both catches were easy. It's far more accurate to say they were absolute sitters. Khawaja was later dropped on 45 too, this time off the bowling of Jayden Seales but by King again at gully, the Jamaican's dream debut turning desperately sour. Sometimes, it's just your day. After being put down, Khawaja continued to ride his luck for the entirety of his innings steadying knock. He threaded an edge through the slips, built a catalogue of plays and misses and almost deflected one off his thigh pad onto the stumps. But the most inexplicable moment of the lot came in the third over after lunch. Trying to work away a straight Justin Greaves delivery, Khawaja lost sight of the ball as it bobbled up off his pad and dropped at his feet. He then proceeded to backheel the ball towards the stumps, before turning around and wildly swiping at it with his bat. He missed the ball by some distance, and thankfully for Khawaja, just about missed his stumps as well. The ball, almost forgotten in the melee, trickled harmlessly wide of the sticks. However, the 38-year-old wasn't able to make the most of his charmed existence, eventually being removed for 47 by the irrepressible Joseph. As he so often does, it was Mitchell Starc who delivered late on for Australia. Bowled out for 180, the tourists desperately needed something in the final hour and a half of play. The experienced Kraigg Braithwaite edged to a tumbling Webster at second slip to get the ball rolling, before he had John Campbell edging behind to Alex Carey. That left the West Indies 2-16 and under pressure.
