LIVE | Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Test - Day 1
Australia skipper Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat in the opening match of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Pat Cummins Sport News
Sri Lanka vs Australia Live Score Updates 1st Test Day 1
SL vs AUS Live Score 1st Test Day 1: Australia have won the toss and opted to bat against Sri Lanka in the first Test of a two-match series in Galle. Josh Inglis is making his debut for Australia, who have recalled spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy into the playing XI. Beau Webster, who impressed on his debut against India in Sydney earlier this month, also makes the cut with regular skipper Pat Cummins not part of the squad. (Live Scorecard)
Injured Pathum Nissanka Unlikely To Play First Test Against Australia
Injured Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka is unlikely to play the first Test against Australia in Galle, starting on Wednesday. Nissanka is undergoing rehabilitation in Colombo for the groin strain he sustained during the third T20I against New Zealand earlier this month. He has not joined the rest of the squad in Galle, team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed to ESPNcricinfo. Sri Lanka's team management is hopeful of his availability for the second Test starting on February 6.
Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah's T20 World Cup Exploits Crowned Top Performances Of 2024
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's knock of 92 against Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup last year and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's brilliant four-over spell during the title clash of the same tournament against South Africa were crowned as the top performances in T20I cricket of 2024 by Wisden. Wisden on Wednesday revealed the top 10 T20I batting and bowling performances of 2024, which included several Indian stars. Among the batters, holding the top spot was skipper Rohit's 41-ball 92 against Australia during the Super Eight stage of ICC T20 WC last year during the match held at Gros Islet.
Pakistan's Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali Make Big Gains ICC's Men's Test Rankings
Pakistan's Saud Shakeel, and bowler Noman Ali on Wednesday made significant gains in the latest International Cricket Council's (ICC) Men's Test rankings. The pair set up Pakistan's 127-run win over the West Indies, which has the hosts ahead 1-0 in the two-Test series, as stated in a release from ICC. Saud Shakeel (753 rating points) scored 84 in the first innings, climbing three Rankings spots to 8th on the batting list, moving above Steve Smith (746, 9th) and Rishabh Pant (739, 10th). England duo of Joe Root (895) and Harry Brook (876) remain the world's top two Test batters, ahead of New Zealand veteran Kane Williamson (867).
Jasprit Bumrah Remains ICC's No. 1 Test Bowler, This 38-Year-Old Star Breaks Into Top 10
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah continued to remain the undisputed No. 1 Test bowler, while Ravindra Jadeja maintained his top spot in the all-rounders' category, in the latest ICC rankings released on Wednesday. Bumrah, who had made history ahead of the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Test against Australia in January by recording the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler at 907 points, is currently on a career-best points tally of 908. Australia's Pat Cummins (841) and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada (837) are placed second and third respectively.
Australia Boosted By Positive Steve Smith Update Ahead Of Sri Lanka Series, Champions Trophy
In an encouraging update ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series, Cricket Australia revealed that star batter Steve Smith's elbow injury is not as bad as it seemed and has been cleared to join the Test squad. The Australian squad are preparing for a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka starting from January 29, which will be swiftly followed by the ICC Champions Trophy. The 35-year-old, who was named Test captain for the Sri Lanka series in the absence of Pat Cummins, picked up a right elbow injury whilst attempting a throw during a Big Bash League fixture on Friday.
David Warner Backs This Star As Australia Captain For Tests vs Sri Lanka
Former opener David Warner has backed Travis Head to be Australia's new Test captain if Steve Smith isn't fit for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka due to an elbow injury suffered in the Big Bash League (BBL). Smith was named as Australia's Test captain for the Sri Lanka tour after Pat Cummins was unavailable due to left ankle soreness and the birth of his second child. But Cricket Australia (CA) said on Sunday that Smith sustained an injury to his right elbow whilst throwing in the field for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League on Friday.