Test Cricket Archives

Mitchell Starc announced he will retire from T20Is.

Posted on September 2, 2025 by [email protected]

Mitchell Starc wishes to play Test cricket. Particularly as Australia is packed with work from the latter part of 2019 and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Starc debuted in T20I in 2012 and has appeared in 65 matches until now. Mitchell Starc was a member of the Australian team that won the 2021 T20 World Cup. His recent T20I was in 2024, and he retired six months prior to the following T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. He is now ranked second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is for Australia. With his best being 4 wickets for 20 against the West Indies in 2022.

Starc declared, “My primary priority has always been and will remain Test cricket.”.

I’ve enjoyed all the games I’ve played, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not for winning, but for the team and the wonderful experience we shared.

Australia is set to have a lot of Test matches lined up from mid-2026.

These are a home series against Bangladesh, a tour of South Africa, a four-game series against New Zealand, five Tests in India in January 2027, a special match against England at the MCG for its 150th anniversary, and the Ashes series towards the end of 2027.

During October and November 2027, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will stage the ODI World Cup, and Australia will be the champions.

Starc feels quitting T20Is is the best decision for his health and being ready to his potential for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the Ashes, and the Indian Tests.

It also provides the bowling unit with time to prepare.

Mitchell Starc was famous for his yorker and new-ball swing.

Though Australia have won 14 of their previous 17 games since Starc last appeared in a T20I, his pace is not easily replaceable as the team heads to the forthcoming World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

George Bailey commented, “I don’t think we’ll find someone swinging the new ball at 145 kph.”.

A like-for-like substitute may not necessarily be available. He has worked with the new ball and bowled vital overs when it really counted.

So, have we demonstrated the sort of players who can replace him?

Nathan Ellis has been a regular in the T20 side. Ben Dwarshuis is great. Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott have also gotten their chance. It could be just a matter of a slight position adjustment.

I believe his record stands for itself.

I’m happiest that he’ll be playing one-day and Test cricket for a long period of time.

When Australia named their most recent T20I squad for the three-match series against New Zealand early last month in October, Starc made the revelation.

Cameron Green can become a returnee to bowling by missing out on the trip to feature for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Nathan Ellis will be absent when his first child with his wife, Connie, is born.

Matt Short, who was absent from the last two series against the West Indies and South Africa with a side injury, has returned. Mitchell Owen, concussed in Darwin last month, also returns. Marcus Stoinis, who played in the Hundred and was not picked for the last two series. Returns having come to terms with the selectors regarding his availability.

Australia T20I team vs New Zealand:

Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.

In men’s Test cricket, Mitchell Starc records the fastest five-wicket haul history.

Posted on July 15, 2025 by [email protected]

In dramatic fashion, Mitchell Starc reached the 400-wicket club on the third day at Sabina Park. Taking the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history. In just 15 balls after destroying the top order of the West Indies with a triple-wicket opening over.

Mitchell Starc produced one of the best opening overs in his 100th Test match. When the left-hander edged a superb outswinger to replacement wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who was filling in for the injured Alex Carey. He removed John Campbell first ball, marking the fourth time in his career that he had done so with the first delivery of an innings.

Debutant Kevlon Anderson reviewed the plumbest of lbws despite shouldering arms four balls later as the ball spun around to hit his leg in front of the middle stump. The stumps were destroyed by another delivery that bent back to take Brandon King’s inside edge. It was the sixth time a team had gone 0 for 3 in Test history.

Mikyle Louis was the fourth Australian bowler to reach the 400th wicket, following Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon. He survived the hat-trick ball at the beginning of Starc’s second over. But he duly took his 400th wicket with another of his signature inswingers, trapping Louis leg before wicket.

Two balls later, he added Shai Hope leg before wicket to reach a five-wicket total in just 15 deliveries, breaking the previous record. Which was shared by Ernie Toshack, Stuart Broad, and Scott Boland, by four deliveries. The incredible sights continued.

Starc used to rule the pink-ball cricket format in Australia. Confirming his position as the sport’s king. This is the team’s first abroad day-night test.

Shanto leads Bangladesh, but there is a greater chance of a draw.

Posted on June 21, 2025June 21, 2025 by [email protected]

There was a lot of doubt at the start of the day about how Bangladesh would bat and how long they would give themselves to bowl Sri Lanka out. As it turned out, they were essentially powerless to make the decision because lunch was called ten minutes sooner than planned. It started to rain a little more than an hour into the morning session.

We will hopefully witness 94 overs of play during the day because the break was too short to allow for any over loss. However, with Bangladesh’s advantage at 247. Which is probably enough for a sporting declaration, the most likely outcome currently appears to be a draw.

When the rain started, Mushfiqur Rahim was running out after a stand of 109 with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was undefeated at 89. To reach his fifty, Mushfiqur was looking for a tight single. But he was just a hair short of the crease after a direct hit from mid-on.

Shanto

Only one additional stop happened during this Test. On the second afternoon, despite the fact that rain was a constant threat. However, given the constant risk of rain. It was odd that neither Shanto nor Mushfiqur showed any hurry in the hour and a little play.

Both sides had shown an intention to fight for a result the previous afternoon. But Bangladesh were happy to grind around at a session run rate of just 3.15. Clearly ready to bat through lunch or maybe beyond.

Traditional wisdom would have suggested that it would take at least two sessions to bowl Sri Lanka out. Since Bangladesh certainly wanted a lead of at least 300 likely close to 350 a run rate of five or more seemed to be the norm. However, since Sri Lanka was also content to set defensive fields, Bangladesh. Who had recently experienced a very poor run rate in Test matches. Had no intention of sacrificing important World Test Championship points.

When Shanto smoked his first delivery faced today and Mushfiqur hammered one down the ground off the fifth ball of the morning. There was first some optimism that Bangladesh might advance the match. Both batters were happy to dead-bat the spinners. But generally dot balls won.

The only delivery that went wrong for the Sri Lankan spinners was the occasional one. They were unable to obtain the same purchase off the ground that Nayeem Hasan had so brilliantly used on the fourth afternoon.

Overall, it looks like a day that started out with the possibility of a sprint finish will end in an easy draw.

Mehidy will return to Colombo for the second Test.

Posted on June 20, 2025 by [email protected]

Test vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to be available for selection in the second match of the current two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Colombo. So Bangladesh can exhale with relief.

Mehidy was rested for the premiere of the series after missing the two-day training session. Before the first Test in Galle because of an illness.

There were some questions about his availability for the second Test as he had been absent from the ground for the first two days of the Galle Test. Mehidy, however, removed every doubt on Thursday, June 19, by attending the training.

The all-rounder is reportedly making a full recovery from the fever and will probably be eligible for selection.

A top-order batter Haque Anamul In the first Test. Bijoy took Mehidy’s place but was ineffective, scoring a duck in the first innings.

Mehidy surely will improve the team as one of Bangladesh’s leading run scorers in Test cricket, particularly as the Colombo pitch is predicted to help spinners. June 25 is when the second Test is expected to start.

Mushtaq Ahmed, a spin bowling consultant, left Galle on June 17 in advance of the current Test match, according to a BCB official. He is anticipated to return during the ODI series. Which starts in early July.

In preparation for the Test series, Mushtaq had trained intensively with the spinners in Galle and Dhaka.

“The contract between BCB and Mushtaq is based on the quantity of working days. He arrived during the preparatory stage and departed once his given duties were finished. On July 6, he will be back,” Nafees continued.

Jansen and Rabada each score twice.

Posted on June 11, 2025 by [email protected]

Temba Bavuma chose to bowl on a cloudy morning, and South Africa’s pacers were spot on. He struck frequently to put Australia in a position in the opening session of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Australia entered the lunch break on Day 1 at 63/4. Steve Smith not out at 26. Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the attack with well while Marco Jansen provided good support. Jansen and Rabada, South Africa’s new-ball duo, bowled three consecutive maidens while maintaining discipline with the line and lengths.

Even as Rabada delivered a hat-trick of maidens to Usman Khawaja, Labuschagne got Australia moving with three pairs off Jansen. He eventually got his reward when he had the left-hander edging to first slip to dismiss him for a 20-ball duck.

The batter fell to Rabada, who was beautifully taken by Aiden Markram at second slip. Ending Cameron Green’s attempt at number three. They subsequently got through the first hour without suffering any further damage as Smith and Labuschagne hit a couple of boundaries to defeat an outstanding spell from Rabada (6-4-9-2). They also defeated Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder.

On the first ball of the second hour, Smith looked at a loose ball from Ngidi for a boundary. The bowler also caught the edge of his bat, but the ball went to the boundary. Mulder attempted to worry Labuschagne a few times without success, while Smith also hit a drive past point off Ngidi. Thirty minutes into the second hour, Jansen came back into the attack and got Labuschagne to edge to the ‘keeper, breaking a 30-run stand. This was Jansen’s breakthrough.

Smith and Travis Head each hit a boundary off Jansen to begin the recovery process anew. The umpire’s call spared Smith after he was slapped on the pad after crossing too far to an oncoming Jansen delivery. After that, Jansen struck hard just before lunch, catching Head down the legside on the final ball before the break.

Ashwin supports Bumrah and Jadeja for the position of Test captain in India

Posted on May 16, 2025May 16, 2025 by [email protected]

R Ashwin believes that other seasoned candidates like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are still valid choices for the position. Even though Shubman Gill is the clear favorite to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s next Test captain.

The lineup for India’s Five-Test series against England. Which begins on June 20, may be chosen in the last week of May. The selection process is dominated by discussions over a potential new captain.

“First of all, Gill is regarded as the captain by everyone. They’re all heading that way. But why do we overlook Ravindra Jadeja? Jasprit Bumrah is a noisy alternative,” Ashwin stated in a YouTube video interview with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan. I would suggest that if you are open to hiring a new captain. Why not assign Gill as an experienced man’s understudy for two years before giving him a full-time position?

With 3370 runs and 323 wickets from 80 Test matches, Jadeja is the most seasoned player in the Indian squad following the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit from the game. However, Bumrah has only captained India in three Test matches, most recently in the opening and final Tests of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has no prior experience as a Test cricket captain.

R. Ashwin

“Why don’t we gather all three or four candidates, have them give a presentation, and ask them to explain the team’s vision?” Ashwin said. “It takes place in nations like Australia. Why don’t we take that route?

Following the third BGT Test late last year, Ashwin announced his retirement from all cricket-related activities. He stated that Bumrah should also be given serious consideration and that his recent back issue shouldn’t be a barrier.

“Look at Pat Cummins, who is currently captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs after having a back stress fracture as well,” Ashwin said. In that sense, Bumrah is a national treasure and need to be discussed.

He needs to be questioned about his ability to play five Test matches. Can you serve as captain full-time? Although he had a stress fracture, I’m sure he’ll give it some thought. The cap bearing his name ought to be at the top of that ring, in my opinion.

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood Likely to Miss India Test Series Due To Injury

Posted on December 17, 2024 by [email protected]

A right calf injury that he suffered during the current third Test at the Gabba is likely to keep Australia’s pacer Josh Hazlewood out of the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against India.

Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday that Josh Hazlewood. A bowler for Australia, is expected to miss the rest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against India. Because of a strain to his right calf that he suffered during the current third Test at the Gabba. Hazlewood’s absence from the Brisbane Test because of the niggle has hurt Australia’s bowling assault.

In an official statement, Cricket Australia stated that Josh Hazlewood will not be able to play any more in the Test match against India in Brisbane due to a strained right side calf. “He probably won’t be able to play the rest of the Test series.” After speaking with team physio Nick Jones, veteran cricketer Steven Smith, and captain Pat Cummins. The New South Wales player bowled just one over on Tuesday before leaving the field. Later, Hazlewood had scans to determine the extent of the damage.

On Monday, the third day of the competition, the 33-year-old knocked out India’s top batsman Virat Kohli with a brilliant delivery outside the off-stump.

After missing the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide because of a side strain, Hazlewood returned to the team for the third Test.

He was added to the Australia eleven for the current Brisbane Test. Taking the place of fellow pacer Scot Boland, who participated in the day-night Adelaide Test.

The captaincy of Rohit Sharma is under fire after the “Jasprit Bumrah Decision.”

Posted on December 10, 2024 by [email protected]

In the pink-ball Test match against Australia, Rohit Sharma is under flak for his captaincy. Following the team’s loss to Australia in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, India captain Rohit Sharma faces some difficult issues. After India easily trounced Australia in the first game at Perth, Rohit took Jasprit Bumrah spot as the team’s captain.

However, India lost by a humiliating 10 wickets in the day-night Test, and Rohit’s leadership was unimpressive. Aakash Chopra, a former batter for India, is still perplexed by Rohit’s use of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the match as analysts ask him pointed questions.

Chopra responds to some fan inquiries in a video posted on his YouTube page. Chopra was eager to point out how poor the Hitman’s decision-making was in Adelaide when a fan inquired about Rohit’s captaincy during the game.

“My friend, you are entirely correct. Did we give Head bouncers? Bouncers must be bowled on Head’s head. He doesn’t go until we do that, and he will continue to bother us. He has already done that and is doing it now. He did that in both the World Cup and WTC finals,” he remarked.

Jasprit Bumrah

“After bowling four overs, Jasprit Bumrah had already claimed a wicket. Why, then, did he bowl just four overs and then not bowl again? Throughout the entire session, he did not bowl. When you suggest that you missed a trick in captaincy, you are absolutely correct. Let’s be honest about Rohit’s captaincy. We witnessed defensive leadership. “He let the match drift,” he continued.

“I’ve also included a list of the Indian captains who have suffered the most straight defeats. In 1967, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi suffered six straight defeats. Following that, Sachin Tendulkar in 1999, MS Dhoni twice lost four straight games in the 21st century, Virat Kohli lost four straight games in 2020–21, and Rohit Sharma has already lost four straight games,” he said.

“In the Perth game, he wasn’t the captain. Therefore, he does not count that victory. If we exclude the previous century, it would be Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit. Three straight home defeats are the most worrisome thing, which may not be the case with anyone else. He continued, “The captaincy has been a little lackluster.”

England star to make test debut against New Zealand after being sold to RCB in IPL auction

Posted on November 26, 2024 by [email protected]

England announced their lineup for the series opener against New Zealand in Christchurch on Tuesday, and Jacob Bethell will bat at number three in his Test debut.

In his Test debut, Jacob Bethell will bat at number three. England announced their lineup for the series opener against New Zealand in Christchurch on Tuesday. During a net practice, wicketkeeper Jordan Cox broke his right thumb, forcing the 21-year-old into the starting lineup for the game starting Thursday. With captain Ben Stokes at number seven in the batting order, regular number three Ollie Pope takes Cox’s place in the gloves and bats down at number six.

Only two months ago, Bethell made his debut for his country in white ball matches against Australia and the West Indies. He has never batted higher than number four in first-class cricket, where he averages 25.44.

Despite scoring 262 when batting third in the first Test in Pakistan last month, Joe Root remains at number four.

On a Hagley Oval field that typically gives a greenish wicket favoring the seamers, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and all-rounder Stokes make up the pace attack. The only spinner is Shoaib Bashir.

Kane Williamson, the top batsman, has returned after missing the recent 3-0 Test series victory in India due to injury, but New Zealand has not yet announced their starting lineup.

England’s players include Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (capt.), Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, and Zak Crawley.

New Zealand: Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (captain), and Tom Blundell.

Mohammed Siraj helps India in asserting its dominance in spite of Head 50.

Posted on November 25, 2024 by [email protected]

India continued to advance toward victory on Day 4 of the first Test in Perth as Mohammed Siraj claimed two crucial wickets of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. Although Australia managed to collect 92 runs in the session thanks to a valiant 63* from Travis Head, the outcome seemed to be going only one way with 430 runs remaining and just five wickets remaining.

Smith got off his king pair a couple of balls later with a cover drive through the offside, but Jasprit Bumrah was right on the money right away when he smacked him on the pads with the first ball. On the opposite end, Khawaja top-edged a draw to the ‘keeper Rishabh Pant, and Siraj received a back of a length delivery to shoot up. For the first time since 1969, the home team lost four wickets while scoring fewer than 20 runs.

Mohammed Siraj

Both players, as well as first-change Harshit Rana, repeatedly thudded the pads and pounded their bat, demonstrating the relentlessness of the Indian bowlers. When the ball was determined to be just about clipping the stumps, Siraj had Head smacked on the pads and went into a celebratory appeal. But the umpire decided not to throw the batter out because Head barely survived the DRS appeal on the umpire’s call. Toward the conclusion of the first hour, Head scored a couple of boundaries to relieve some of his own burden.

The hosts scored 22 runs off the first four overs after the interval thanks to the left-hander Head’s continuous punishment of weak deliveries down the leg-side or if width was available. On the other end, Smith was gradually returning to his most fluid appearance. He also modified his approach from the first innings, waiting for the ball to come to him instead than making an extravagant shuffle across off-stump. But Siraj’s innings ended when he angled in and hit the batter’s outside edge to Pant, forcing him to straighten.

After Siraj’s brilliant volley over the ‘keeper for four, Head reached his fifty, and there was a cheer as he reached the 100-mark for Australia. Mitchell Marsh, on the other hand, gazed out to sea. He got beaten on the outside edge as well as the glove a couple occasions when the back of the length deliveries kicked off to him. Marsh needed 16 deliveries before he made a streaky three. At lunch, Australia is at 104 for 5.

Brief Scores:

India 150 and 487/6 – declared (Yashasvi Jaiswal 161, Virat Kohli 100*, KL Rahul 77; Nathan Lyon 2-96) lead Australia 104 and 104/5 (Travis Head 63*, Steve Smith 17; Mohammed Siraj 3-34, Jasprit Bumrah 2-26, ) by 430 runs

Tag: Test Cricket