Latest news with #PatCummins
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Aussie cricket stars warn climate change could KILL the sport
A new report has revealed global climate conditions could end cricket as a sport, with players at risk due to extreme heat - and some Aussie stars are taking the warning to heart. The Hit for Six: The Danger Zone report, commissioned by FrontRunners, The British Association for Sustainability in Sport, Climate Central and The Next Test, highlights how players - from grassroots to international cricket stars - are potentially gambling with their lives by competing in conditions exceeding 37 degrees. The report revealed that in 2024 alone, Pakistan saw at least 83 days where cricket was played as the mercury soared past 37 degrees, which is the threshold beyond which outdoor activity becomes unsafe. India saw dangerous game-day temperatures on 52 days, while in Australia the figure was 46 days. The effects of increased temperatures include nausea, fatigue, breathlessness and cramps. In this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) - which features the likes of Aussies Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood - more than half of the 65 matches were played in conditions classified as either Extreme Caution or Danger on the Heat Index, a measure which combines air temperature and humidity to assess heat-related risk. The Hit for Six: The Danger Zone report also revealed many IPL games this year were played in dangerous conditions, with air pollution also a concern (pictured left, Aussie paceman Josh Hazlewood playing for Royal Challengers) 'We are witnessing a clear trend towards more frequent and more intense heat conditions for key cricketing nations,' Dr Mike Tipton, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology at the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth, outlined in the report. 'Players are now being asked to perform in environments that are not just uncomfortable, but potentially dangerous, with rising temperatures and humidity levels pushing human physiology toward its upper limits. 'This isn't just about performance — it's increasingly a question of player safety.' Air pollution is also a major factor in India, with research conducted by The Next Test revealing none of the 75 IPL matches this year had 'good' air quality. Australian all-rounder Ashton Turner has seen enough and called for change. 'I've seen the impact our changing climate can have on our game, from the debilitating air pollution in Delhi to the extreme temperatures we experience in our Australian summers,' he told the ABC. 'Ever-increasing temperatures are putting the game at risk and it's affecting everyone from players to coaches to umpires to spectators. 'We've seen elite athletes at the pinnacle of the sport be struck down from heat exhaustion, [so] how are the under-10's boys and girls meant to cope on hot days? Former Test star Simon Katich is on the same page, stating he is 'very concerned about the future of the game and younger generations being affected by extreme weather.' The report also recommended that national federations join Cricket Australia in implementing new heat policy guidelines. It comes after a cricketer in his 40s died during a match that was played in extreme heat in Adelaide earlier this year. Junaid Zafar Khan could not be revived after collapsing on the field during the game at Concordia College Oval, which went ahead with the mercury hitting 41.7 degrees.
India.com
2 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
World Test Championship To Stay In England: ICC Awards Hosting Rights For 2027, 2029, 2031
In a significant development that will shape the future of Test cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that England will continue to host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) Finals — in 2027, 2029, and 2031. This decision was announced following the ICC Annual Conference held in Singapore and solidifies England's position as the spiritual and strategic home of the marquee Test event. Despite mounting interest from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring the final to Indian soil, the ICC has chosen to stay with the tried-and-tested formula, citing England's 'proven track record' and 'logistical advantages.' Why England? A Proven Track Record and Global Appeal The ECB's consistent success in organizing the WTC Finals in 2021 (Southampton), 2023 (The Oval), and 2025 (Lord's) heavily influenced the ICC's decision. Each of these finals drew strong international viewership and filled stadiums — even in England's absence as a finalist. The recent 2025 final at Lord's saw South Africa break their ICC title drought in front of a packed crowd, adding a compelling narrative to the historic venue. With New Zealand and Australia defeating India in the first two finals, and South Africa besting Australia in the latest, the event has already begun crafting a legacy that appeals to fans worldwide. Richard Gould, ECB CEO, said, 'We are absolutely delighted to have been entrusted with hosting the next three WTC Finals. The passion of English fans for Test cricket and the global audience's enthusiasm have made these finals a celebration of the game's purest format.' India Misses Out: Political and Logistical Concerns While India has the infrastructure and the appetite for big-ticket matches, the ICC appears to have weighed concerns over neutral venue advantages, political tensions, and uncertain crowd dynamics in case of India's absence from the final. Sources indicate that discussions during the ICC Chief Executives' meeting in Zimbabwe earlier this year saw BCCI lobby for India to host a future WTC final. However, ongoing subcontinental tensions — particularly involving India and Pakistan — and fears of half-empty stadiums if India fails to qualify likely tipped the scales against the move. Notably, Australian skipper Pat Cummins had earlier suggested that the defending champion should host the final — a proposal that, for now, remains unadopted. ICC's Broader Vision: Inclusion, Reform, and Global Expansion The Annual Conference wasn't just about venues. The ICC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting displaced Afghan women cricketers, in collaboration with the BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia. This initiative will see structured high-performance training and opportunities in major women's tournaments like the 2025 ODI World Cup in India and the 2026 T20 World Cup in England. Additionally, the ICC has issued a three-month ultimatum to USA Cricket to implement governance reforms or face consequences. Meanwhile, France, Hong Kong, and Canada now have representatives on the ICC Chief Executives Committee, reflecting the governing body's push for wider inclusion. In another milestone, the ICC welcomed Timor Leste and Zambia as new Associate Members, bringing the total membership to 110 — a testament to cricket's growing global footprint.
The Australian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Cricket: Scott Boland ranked sixth best bowler in the world
He only plays one Test at a time but Scott Boland has vaulted into the top 10 on the ICC rankings on the back of his West Indian hat-trick. Boland, who took 3-2 in the final Test in Jamaica after being overlooked for the first two, is now the sixth ranked bowler in the world, ahead of man-of-the series Mitch Starc, who is 10th. The entire first-choice Australian attack all sit comfortably in the top 10, with captain Pat Cummins at three, Josh Hazlewood at four and spin star Nathan Lyon, who was left out for Boland in the West Indies, at number eight. It's a staggering feat for Boland, who has resigned himself to being a horses-for-courses selection, behind Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc despite performing whenever called upon. Australia's Scott Boland celebrates after his hat-trick. Picture: AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan The 36-year-old Victorian took three wickets in both innings of the final Test, a day-night affair at Sabina Park, taking his career haul to 62 from just 14 games, with regular spells out of the Australian team. His bowling average of 16.53 puts him among the most effective in the game's history. Speaking after his brilliant turn in Jamaica, Boland said he's comfortable knowing his role was to do a job when called upon behind some of the best fast bowlers the game has ever seen. 'I'm playing with three of the best fast bowlers Australia has ever had, so I'm happy to be in behind them,' Boland said. 'It's going to extend all of our careers if we can all stay on the park and keep bowling really well, so I'm happy with that. 'I know I'm not going to play every game, so I can be really specific with my training, and then when I get to a Test match I'm going to play, I'm ready to go.' Confirmation of the brilliance of the Australian bowling attack comes through in the rankings. What a team - Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland with the Frank Worrell Trophy. Picture: Supplied It's the first time since 1958 a team has had six bowlers ranked in the world's top 10. Lyon dropped a spot after being omitted to allow Boland to play in Jamaica, while Starc remained in 10th spot despite his haul of 6-9 in the second innings in his 100th Test, which took him past 400 career wickets.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Scott Boland jumps to sixth best bowler in world after West Indies hat-trick
He only plays one Test at a time but Scott Boland has vaulted into the top 10 on the ICC rankings on the back of his West Indian hat-trick. Boland, who took 3-2 in the final Test in Jamaica after being overlooked for the first two, is now the sixth ranked bowler in the world, ahead of man-of-the series Mitch Starc, who is 10th. The entire first-choice Australian attack all sit comfortably in the top 10, with captain Pat Cummins at three, Josh Hazlewood at four and spin star Nathan Lyon, who was left out for Boland in the West Indies, at number eight. It's a staggering feat for Boland, who has resigned himself to being a horses-for-courses selection, behind Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc despite performing whenever called upon. The 36-year-old Victorian took three wickets in both innings of the final Test, a day-night affair at Sabina Park, taking his career haul to 62 from just 14 games, with regular spells out of the Australian team. His bowling average of 16.53 puts him among the most effective in the game's history. Speaking after his brilliant turn in Jamaica, Boland said he's comfortable knowing his role was to do a job when called upon behind some of the best fast bowlers the game has ever seen. 'I'm playing with three of the best fast bowlers Australia has ever had, so I'm happy to be in behind them,' Boland said. 'It's going to extend all of our careers if we can all stay on the park and keep bowling really well, so I'm happy with that. 'I know I'm not going to play every game, so I can be really specific with my training, and then when I get to a Test match I'm going to play, I'm ready to go.' Confirmation of the brilliance of the Australian bowling attack comes through in the rankings. It's the first time since 1958 a team has had six bowlers ranked in the world's top 10. Lyon dropped a spot after being omitted to allow Boland to play in Jamaica, while Starc remained in 10th spot despite his haul of 6-9 in the second innings in his 100th Test, which took him past 400 career wickets.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aussie bowlers command Test rankings after Windies rout
The Australian bowlers' destruction of West Indies in Kingston has resulted in five of their record-breaking attack now flourishing in the top 10 of the ICC's Test bowling rankings. Scott Boland's three wickets in each innings at Sabina Park, including a hat-trick as Australia sealed their whitewash three-Test triumph by, incredibly, bowling out the home side for 27, has ensured the veteran paceman moves up six places into a career-best sixth place in the rankings. The late-blooming 36-year-old, who never lets Australia down whenever he gets the chance with his 62 wickets at 16.53 apiece, has joined captain Pat Cummins (third), Josh Hazlewood (fourth), Nathan Lyon (eighth) and Mitchell Starc (10th) in a rare single-country domination of the bowling table. The ICC said you would have to go back to 1958 to find a similar domination of the table. A historical rating showed that England had half-a-dozen bowlers in the top 12 back in 1958, including the likes of Jim Laker, Tony Lock, Freddie Trueman and Brian Statham. Still, though, top of the current pile remains the uniquely brilliant Indian quick, Jasprit Bumrah, whose seven wickets during their defeat by England at Lord's this week enabled him to stay 50 points ahead of Australia's World Test final tormentor, South African Kagiso Rabada. Meanwhile, Joe Root's knocks of 104 and 40 in the enthralling third-Test win have ensured he goes back to the top of the batting rankings, a week after his fellow Yorkshire star Harry Brook had gone to No.1. Noteworthy performers from the #ENGvIND and #WIvAUS Tests soar in the latest ICC Men's Player Rankings 👏More ➡️ — ICC (@ICC) July 16, 2025 It's the eighth time Root has taken top spot and, at 34, he's the oldest No.1 batter since Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara was leading the way back in December 2014 at the age of 37. It's not looking so healthy for the Australian batters on the world stage, after some of their top-order struggles in the Caribbean, with only fourth-placed veteran Steve Smith in the top 10 with a ranking of 816 compared to Root's 888. Travis Head is the next best Aussie in 11th place on 740.
