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Australia eased to a six-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the fourth Twenty20 international in Melbourne on Friday, barely needing to shift out of first gear as they heaped misery on the tourists who have yet to register a win in the five-game series.
Former all-rounder Shane Watson said he is "super excited" for the Australian side with Pat Cummins leading the team after Tim Paine's departure. Cummins in November last year was named Australian men's Test cricket team captain following the announcement of Paine taking an indefinite break from all cricket. "For me, he is the ultimate. He was in a no-win situation leading up to Justin Langer handing in his resignation because if he commented either way it was not going to look good," Watson said on 'The ICC Review'.
Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq has thanked Australia for touring the nation for a historic series. Australia are due to arrive in Pakistan on Feb. 27 after 24 years to play three Test matches, three ODIs and a one-off Twenty20. "I want to thank Australia too that they are coming to Pakistan after 24 years. I am sure players and fans are also excited that they are going to witness a very good series. "The whole of Pakistan is with cricket and everyone wants the teams to come and play here. We welcome the whole world with open hearts," Mushtaq told reporters on Thursday.
Cricket Australia's (CA) new chairman Lachlan Henderson said on Thursday the board would reflect on its handling of Justin Langer's contract after the head coach's resignation in acrimony this month. Langer had hoped for a long contract extension after Australia won the Twenty20 World Cup and thrashed England in the Ashes but the former Test opener was offered only six months.
Aaron Finch's move away from opening might become more frequent but do not expect Australia's white-ball captain to displace Mitch Marsh at No.3.
Michael Neser is set to miss the upcoming tour of Pakistan next month after suffering a side strain and will be replaced by uncapped pacer Mark Steketee, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday. Australia is set to tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998 for three Test matches, starting in Rawalpindi on March 4, followed by three ODIs and one-off T20I. "Steketee replaces Michael Neser who was today ruled out with a side strain. He'll play this week's #SheffieldShield game against Victoria before joining the Australian squad. Brendan Doggett will also join the squad next week as cover #PAKvAUS," Cricket Australia tweeted.
Australia will have to do without Glenn Maxwell for the upcoming tour of Pakistan, the all-rounder confirmed on Tuesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders lived up to the saying by setting up their house quite nicely in a late flourish at the IPL player's auction in Bengaluru on Sunday. At the end of two long days of bidding, the city-based franchise ended up building up a squad of 25 players that includes eight foreigners. The team management went about in a strategic manner without going very big for any of the players, but at the same time ending up with a balanced side with at least one for all position. KKR entered the accelerated auction phase with the highest remaining purse and made full use of it to shape up their squad. IPL AUCTION: AS IT HAPPENEDInterestingly the team formed a very good leadership group in Shreyas Iyer, Pat Cummins and Ajinkya Rahane, picking up the last mentioned on Sunday at his base price of Rs 1 crore. While it looks like KKR would opt for Rahane to open with retained player Venkatesh Iyer, getting England's Alex Hales late in the day provides them with another good opening option. The side's wicket-keeping slot, which was a bit vulnerable with only Sheldon Jackson and Baba Indrajith, looks bright now with the acquisition of England's Sam Billings. They also did well to pick New Zealand pacer Tim Southee, who can act as a back-up for Cummins, from the accelerated list.