The most-read sports stories of the year
Not sure there has ever been a year like 2024 in the history of Irish sport.
South Africa Sport News
Underfire Babar Azam On Cusp Of Scripting Historic 1st In Boxing Day Test vs South Africa
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is set to make his Test comeback, with the team set to take on South Africa in the first Test of a two-match series, starting Boxing Day. Babar was dropped from the Test team for the last two Tests against England at home, following a string of poor scores. Babar has not scored a century in any format since August last year. During that phase, he played 43 innings across formats. However, Babar will be eyeing a big milestone when the Boxing Day Test gets underway in Centurion.
Zimbabwe To Give Free Entry To Spectators For Country's First Boxing Day Test In 28 Years
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced free entry for spectators to the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for the upcoming two-match Test series against Afghanistan, starting with the Boxing Day game on Thursday. In a statement, ZC said the decision comes in the wake of its efforts to celebrate the country's first Boxing Day Test at home in 28 years. It is followed by Zimbabwe's inaugural New Year's Test, scheduled for January 2-6, 2025.
"First Preference To...": Ex-India Star Has Final Say On Rohit Sharma-KL Rahul Opening Debate
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif said he would give preference to Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as the opening pair ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia, starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday. Though Jaiswal has blown hot and cold in the series, barring a majestic 161 at Perth, Rahul has been India's leading run-getter in the ongoing tour, scoring 235 runs from six innings at an impressive average of 47, including hitting two half-centuries.
Star, Who Last Played In 2021, Returns As Pakistan Name Playing XI For Boxing Day Test vs South Africa
Pakistan have named the 34-year-old pacer Mohammad Abbas in the playing XI for the opening Test of the two-match series against South Africa, starting December 26 at SuperSport Park. Abbas, a stalwart of Pakistan's Test setup with 90 wickets in 25 matches, last donned the whites in August 2021 against the West Indies in Kingston. Pakistan's batting lineup for the Centurion Test has undergone significant reshuffling. Abdullah Shafique, who scored 132 runs in the home Test series against England last October, has been left out.
Shubman Gill Receives Big Advice From Australia Great Amid Dismal Run: "Away From Home..."
Australia great Ricky Ponting believes the Indian opener Shubman Gill's overseas record is not as strong as his performances at home, but the ex-Aussie skipper feels the right-hander can improve his fortunes in Australia with minor changes to his approach. Gill averages 23.8 across nine Tests in England, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and Australia. In the same period, he has accumulated 1177 runs and scored four hundreds across 17 Tests at an average of 42.03 at home. "I love watching him play. When you're watching him bat and bat well, he looks as good as anyone in world cricket. But the numbers don't really stack up, do they, away from home?" Ponting said on The ICC Review.
Boxing Day Test Weather Forecast: Rain Drama Likely On These Days
India are likely to ring a few changes when they take on Australia in the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Reports have claimed that India captain Rohit Sharma will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, while KL Rahul will drop a slot down to no. 3. India could possibly line-up with two spinners -- Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja -- with either Shubman Gill or Nitish Kumar Reddy likely to face the axe. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep will keep their place in the pace bowling department.
URC make contact with Connacht over Mack Hansen criticisms
The URC has contacted Connacht about Mack Hansen’s comments in the wake of the province’s defeat to Leinster when the Ireland winger let rip at officiating decisions made on the night and over a period of recent years.