Latest news with #TestChampionshipFinal
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
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Cameron Green in startling County scenes as Marnus Labuschagne handed Test blow
Cameron Green has made a statement upon his cricket return having scored a century in the second division of County cricket as Marnus Labuschagne's position in the Test team comes under more pressure. Green missed the 3-1 India series victory after going down injured with a troublesome back problem ahead of the summer. The allrounder has struggled with his back throughout his career and underwent surgery on his lower spine. Green was expected to miss six months of action, before recovering to prepare for the Ashes this November. The 25-year-old did make a a public appearance at the Allan Border Medal, but was unable to find fitness for the end of the Sheffield Shield season. Although time away from the pitch has not impacted his form with Green returning to County cricket for Gloucestershire in the second division and recorded 100 not out, before retiring injured due to cramps. While it appears the retirement was due to a lack of match fitness, as Green struggled to run between the wickets, the allrounder was thrilled to be finding his feet again on the pitch after months away from the game. "One hundred per cent I'm proud," he said after the century, which saw him become the 10th player to score a first-class hundred on debut for Gloucestershire. "It's been eight long months on the sidelines so to get back out here was very special and it's always a good way to start your tenure." And Green's century comes with a warning to teammate Labuschagne ahead of the Test Championship Final. The Queenslander has been hanging on to his Test position after struggling for runs across the last two years. While Green hasn't played much cricket, he was among is a number of candidates in line to replace Labuschagne if Aussie selectors decide to axe the struggling No.3. Labuschagne only averaged 25.36 with the bat across the summer after a largely disappointing series against India and then again in Sri Lanka. That came after an equally disappointing previous year for Labuschagne, where he averaged just 27.08 across the summer of 2023/24. And despite returning to the Sheffield Shield to find form, the batter didn't light up the competition. Labuschagne scored 23, 0 and 61 in his three innings as Queensland went down to South Australia in the final. With Green's immediate form back over in English conditions, calls will once again grow for him to come in and replace Labuchagne for the Test Championship Final against South Africa. Pretty extraordinary for Cameron Green. Score a hundred on county debut for @Gloscricket whilst seemingly cramping up, get there with a sprinted single and have to retire hurt.#bbccricket — Ed Seabourne (@edcricket6) April 18, 2025 Despite his return, Labucschagne appears set to retain his position with it unlikely selectors will unsettle the order in the one-off test match. Regardless, Labuschagne will be keeping a close eye on Green's results with the 25-year-old already making it hard to leave him out of the team. The Australian came to the crease for the first time in eight months with his team reeling at reeling at 3-41 against Kent. Fellow Aussie Cameron Bancroft had already been dismissed for two runs. But Green came to the crease and looked confident from the outset as he made a statement only months out from test selection. Green's arrival at Gloucestershire came about in mysterious circumstances. He signed a five-match deal to play thanks to a "significant donation" from one of the English club's members. Cricket Australia (CA) may not want Green to play in five-straight county games before the WTC final though, considering he hadn't played a competitive match in eight months before his century. Retiring due to cramp could also see CA call for the allrounder to take it easy if they want to select him. If Green were to force his way back into Australia's Test XI, it would likely be at No.3 for Labuschagne or at No.6 for all-rounder Beau Webster. The latter would be very harsh on Webster after his impressive Test debut in the series-clinching fifth match against India at the SCG. The towering all-rounder didn't get much of an opportunity to impress in Sri Lanka but his quality in the field is also another massive notch on his belt.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Sport
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Sam Konstas defies critics after 'manic' move as push for Test selection ends
Sam Konstas scored 68 runs on day four against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield as the Aussie opener shelved his 'manic' approach, but his state's collapse means the opener won't get another innings in Australia before Test selection. The Blues needed 529 to win in their second innings against Tasmania to advance to the final with openers Konstas and Blake Nikitaras starting at 0-71 on day four at Bellerive. Nikitaras then fell for 51 runs to break the 112-run partnership. Kurtis Patterson was out early for a duck after just three balls. The one constant that remained in the fourth innings was Konstas. The 19-year-old has returned to Sheffield Shield cricket in an attempt to get some runs on the board. He produced a 50 in his previous Sheffield Shield match and was looking to march NSW into the final. Konstas has copped plenty of backlash for his aggressive approach to batting since making his debut for Australia against India. But the young opener has followed the advice from his coach and played a controlled innings as he reached his half-century. Konstas put the aggressive approach back in the kit bag for at least 101 balls as he reached 61 to put NSW in with an opportunity to chase down the runs. Although Konstas was always going to attempt one aggressive shot and ramped the bowler for four after facing 101 balls. And not long after it all fell apart for the opener. Against his national teammate, Konstas attempted to slog Matthew Kuhnemann for six. Unfortunately, he picked out the one leg-side fielder on the boundary as he departed for 68 runs. While it was a solid innings from Konstas who finished on 68 off 117 balls, it was the timing of the shot that drew criticism with NSW losing three wickets to start the day. "Nice knock from Sam Konstas, but not what NSW needed to set up a platform for a chase later on in the day," the commentator said. "It does make it tough to set the game up from here." The pressure then mounted on NSW as Kuhnemann took another wicket as he sat pretty with 2-18 on day four. Riley Meredith then took the wicket of Matthew Gilkes to see NSW lose 5-28 to start play. The Tigers' were charging to victory on Tuesday and it means Konstas won't have another chance to impress selectors on Aussie soil before the national side is selected for Test Championship Final. He may potentially fit in a short stint in the County Championship if a deal can be struck with an English club, but that is appearing unlikely. Nice 50* from Sam Konstas, off 79 balls. Only one manic charge that I can remember (which went for four over cover off RMeredith last night). Showing sensible judgement today. — Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) March 18, 2025 It's taken 110 balls, but we've seen a Konstas ramp. #four — Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) March 18, 2025 Konstas' relatively reserved approach comes after veteran NSW coach Greg Shipperd said there had been conversations with the opener after admitting his questionable approach against Scott Boland last match was not a tactic they'd discussed. "I'm not sure he planned that (aggressive approach to Boland), I think it just unfolded in that particular moment," Shipperd said about the 19-year-old. "With discussions and reconsideration of what a batting plan looks like, he's made some adjustments. That means to me he's listening and he's learning, and that's very important for him at this stage of his career. He's still working the game out. I'd be very surprised if the Australian selectors weren't considering him strongly for that opening position (for the WTC final). Most recently, former Aussie captain Mark Taylor told Channel 9 someone had to speak to Konstas about reining in his approach. "He's not sure where he should play or how he should play. I'd be saying to Sam Konstas, 'how did you get to the Australian cricket side?' He got there playing orthodox cricket. Go back and play like that. "Die by the way and live by the way that you play. He doesn't play like he did in Boxing Day last summer. That's not how he plays. He's a much better player than that." In the Queensland-South Australia clash, Labuschagne only made 23 off 43 balls as the match finished in a draw. The low score marked another costly blow for Labuschagne, who's in danger of losing his spot in the Test team. He hasn't made a Test century in two years, and is facing pressure from the likes of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis ahead of the WTC final against South Africa. Alex Carey made a wonderful century (104) for SA, while Conor McInerney (142), Jake Lehmann (130 not out) and Jason Sangha (103 not out) also reached triple figures. Carey continued some stellar form with 56 in the second innings.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Sport
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Marnus Labuschagne facing fresh pressure after unlikely Cameron Green development
Cameron Green is making a late push to play for Australia in the Test Championship Final with Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster facing pressure to hold their position in the XI. Green missed the 3-1 India series victory after going down injured with a troublesome back problem ahead of the summer. The allrounder has struggled with his back throughout his young career and underwent surgery on his lower spine. Green was expected to miss six months of action and rest up so he could prepare for the Ashes this November. The 25-year-old did make an appearance at the Allan Border on Monday and picked up the Community Impact Award. And in a surprise bid, Green is looking to play County Cricket in England to build match fitness so he can put himself in the frame to play the ICC Test Championship Final in June. This is big news for the Australians with Green living up to the hype around his talent before his injury. Green averaged more than 50 last summer having moved up to the No.4 position in place of Steve Smith. Unfortunately, Green's push to return for the final against South Africa spells trouble for Labuschagne and Webster. Labuschagne is facing pressure to remain in the starting XI after a lean run of form. The No.3 batter averaged 25.8 at home against India and once again flopped in the first innings against Sri Lanka. While there were question marks on whether the 30-year-old would play the second Test in Galle, Labuscahgne appears a certainty to line-up. Although fans are questioning whether Green's return could spell the end of Labuschagne with selectors already axing Mitchell Marsh this summer for a poor run of form. While Labuschagne is currently under the most pressure to score runs, the other player who could face the brutal call is recent. additions Webster. The pressure is building on Marnus Labuschagne with the selectors not happy with his Green closing in, his spot is now under threat, can be replaced any time. — Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) February 4, 2025 Aussie fans were thrilled for Webster after his Test debut at the SCG against India with the allrounder producing a vital 57 in the first innings. He then followed this up with a 37 not out in the second innings to secure a brilliant debut for Australia. Webster scored 23 runs in the first innings against Sri Lanka and appeared a certainty to line-up for Australia against South Africa in June. Although Green's emergence could place his position in some doubt. Webster's ability to bowl overs and bat in the middle order should be deemed vital for the Aussie line-up. The towering allrounder replaced Marsh in the middle order and offers flexibility. And Green is unlikely to come back and bowl. Webster should be considered a lock for the June Test, but if Australia feel they don't need a fifth bowling option in English conditions, Webster could make way for Green. Although this would be a brutal blow for the 31-year-old allrounder who only just made his mark in the team. Cameron Green is back on the field as he continues his recovery from a serious back injury. #CameronGreen #CricketAustralia #CricketTwitter — InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) January 8, 2025 The pressure is building on Marnus Labuschagne with the selectors not happy with his Green closing in, his spot is now under threat, can be replaced any time. — Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) February 4, 2025 Ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, chief selector George Bailey suggested he was ready for Green to return as a specialist batter ahead of the South Africa showdown. 'Very hopeful that he'll be available as a batsman for the World Test Championship final,' he said. Green was dropped for Marsh during the 2023 Ashes series having struggled to find form at No.6. However, he returned to the side back in Australia having taken Smith's position at No.4 in the order after David Warner's retirement. His latest setback was a blow to his momentum, but many feel the 25-year-old will slot right back in to the starting side. Green last played for Australia in an ODI against England on September 24.
