Cummins to lead Australia's big guns at Champions Trophy
MELBOURNE : Pat Cummins will captain Australia at the Champions Trophy after being named in a preliminary 15-man squad also featuring fellow quick Josh Hazlewood on Tuesday.
George Bailey Sport News
Huge Pat Cummins Surprise As Australia Announce ICC Champions Trophy Squad
Pat Cummins returns for Australia's ICC Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan next month after skipping their Sri Lanka Test tour, with injured paceman Josh Hazlewood also in the squad announced Monday. Australian captain Cummins opted out of the Sri Lanka series starting later this month for the birth of his second child. He is also reportedly carrying a knee injury. Hazlewood was included in the two-time tournament winners' preliminary 15-man line-up after calf and side strains restricted him to just two Tests against India over the summer.
Travis Head To Open Against Sri Lanka In Tests? Here's What Australia Chief Selector Says
Australian big-hitter Travis Head could open in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka where "quick learner" Sam Konstas is also likely to get more opportunities to showcase his audacious skills, chairman of selectors George Bailey has said. Head, who wreaked havoc with the bat during the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar series against India in the middle order, has been tested in the opener's role in the sub-continent. He had come in for an injured David Warner during the 2023 tour of India and scored 223 runs at 55.75 in five innings at the top of the order.
Massive Changes In Australia Squad After BGT Win, No Pat Cummins For Sri Lanka Test Series
Australia recalled opener Nathan McSweeney and called up all-rounder Cooper Connolly on Thursday for the first time in a spin-heavy Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Steve Smith captain. Regular skipper Pat Cummins stays home for the birth of his second child while fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is rested after picking up a calf injury. There is no place for the dropped Mitch Marsh in the 16-man squad. McSweeney was axed after just three matches for the fourth India Test after failing to justify his inclusion at the top of the order and replaced by fearless 19-year-old Sam Konstas.
"What An Occasion To Make Debut": Australia Great On Sam Konstas' Call Up For India Test
The Australian 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas gears up for a potential Test debut in the iconic Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His call-up, hailed as an “exciting” opportunity by cricket legend Mike Hussey, comes at the expense of Nathan McSweeney, who has been dropped after just three Tests—a decision that has sparked mixed reactions from players and pundits alike. McSweeney's omission follows a string of underwhelming performances since his debut last month, where he failed to surpass 10 runs in five out of six innings.
Star 'Devastated' After 'Career-Ending' Axing From Squad For Australia vs India Series
Rookie Australia opener Nathan McSweeney admitted feeling "devastated" after being dropped for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India but vowed to work hard to reclaim his spot in the national team. McSweeney was on Friday dropped by the national selectors, who handed a maiden call-up to teenage sensation Sam Kontas.
Australia Star's First Reaction Revealed After Exclusion From Remaining India Tests
Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey revealed on Friday that he had "deliberated a lot" before deciding to drop opener Nathan McSweeney for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a decision based on how the series had unfolded. Teenage sensation Sam Konstas received his maiden call-up following a string of disappointing performances from the Australian top order in the first three Tests, particularly from McSweeney.
"As If We Weren't Suffering Enough": Australian PM Pokes Virat Kohli, Gets Epic Reply
The Indian men's cricket team met Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of the 2-day practice match in Canberra. India's returning skipper Rohit Sharma introduced Mr. Albanese to the entire Indian team. Though it was only for a brief period that the Australian PM met members of the Indian team, he did have some 'spicy' talks with Virat Kohli. In a video that has surfaced on social media, Mr. Albanese was seen having a cheeky conversation with Virat, where he lauded the Indian cricket icon's performance at Perth in the first Test.