Sri Lanka sweep would push Australia closer to greatness: Lyon
MELBOURNE : Australia are not yet a great team but completing a series sweep in Sri Lanka would push them closer, according to spin bowler Nathan Lyon.
Ricky Ponting Sport News
Ricky Ponting Predicts Champions Trophy Finalists, Also Points To One 'Unpredictable' Team
ICC Hall of Famer and former World Cup-winner Ricky Ponting predicted India and Australia as the two finalists of the upcoming mega event, ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 which is scheduled to kick start from February 19 in Pakistan. Ponting also predicted the other two semifinalists of the competition. The former Australian skipper stated that the other two semi-finalists of the tournament will be England and South Africa. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was also present at the latest The ICC Review episode, and he agreed with Ponting's predictions at the episode.
Ricky Ponting Settles Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli Debate, Names "Best Player Of His Generation"
For former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, it is hard to argue against Steve Smith deserving to be considered the finest player of his generation on numbers alone. On the opening day of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, Smith soared to new heights in Test format with a flick of mid-on from spinner Prabath Jayasuriya minutes before lunch. He broke off in a sprint to complete a single and 10,000 Test runs, joining the exclusive ranks featuring Australian elites Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh to complete the feat.
Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja Slam Unbeaten Tons, Australia On Top vs Sri Lanka
Steve Smith stood unbeaten on 104 after crossing 10,000 Test runs and helped Australia pummel Sri Lanka alongside fellow centurion Usman Khawaja on day one of the opening Test on Wednesday. Australia reached 330-2 in 81.1 overs when rain stopped play for the day after the tourists elected to bat first in Galle at the start of the two-match series. Left-handed opener Khawaja, on 147, and skipper Smith put on an unbeaten stand of 195 to thwart the opposition attack in two wicketless afternoon sessions.
Steve Smith's First Reaction After Breaching 10,000 Test-Run Mark: "Nice To..."
After becoming only the fourth Australian to cross the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket on day one of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka, Steve Smith felt “nice to tick that off” with a flick wide of mid-on off Prabath Jayasuriya. Smith joined legends Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh in this elite club, achieving the milestone in just 205 innings – the fifth-fastest in Test history. “Nice to tick that off,” Smith told official broadcaster Channel Seven at the stroke of lunch.
"Leg-Spinner, Skilled At No. 8 Or 9": Ex-Australia Captain Admits Judgment Error About Steve Smith
Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has shared his thoughts on Steve Smith's debut and rapid ascent to becoming one of the nation's greatest cricketers, ahead of Smith's milestone of 10,000 runs. Paine also believes Smith still has much more to contribute to the sport. Paine made his Australian debut alongside Smith in 2010 at Lord's against Pakistan. Smith, initially chosen as a bowling all-rounder, scored 1 and 12 in his debut Test, batting at number 8. Paine said everyone expected him to be just a leg spinner with the ability to bat competently at number 8 or 9, but no one thought he would define a generation of cricket.
Steve Smith Joins Elite List Featuring India's Legendary Sachin Tendulkar
Veteran batter Steve Smith completed his 10,000 Test run with his first scoring shot on day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka here at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday. The stand-in skipper became the fourth Australian man to reach a rare milestone and the overall 15th man to achieve the feat. The 35-year-old joined Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting as Australians to get to 10,000 Test runs. Interestingly, all three were captains of the Test team when they made their 10,000th run.
Punjab Kings' Announcement Makes Shreyas Iyer 1st Indian Captain In IPL History To...
India top-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their IPL title triumph earlier this year, was named captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday ahead of the upcoming season set to begin in March. Iyer, a proven leader and one of the most sought-after players in the IPL, was roped in by PBKS for a record-breaking Rs 26.75 crore, making him the second-most expensive player during the November auction. At PBKS, Iyer will reunite with head coach Ricky Ponting, with whom he shared a successful stint at Delhi Capitals, guiding the team to the 2020 IPL final.