David Warner endorses Travis Head as the potential next Test captain for Australia if Steve Smith is unable to play the Sri Lanka tour due to an elbow injury. Smith's injury, sustained during the Big Bash League, casts doubt on his participation, potentially leading to Head's captaincy debut.
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The sparsely attended ICC 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Dubai and Karachi have raised concerns about the declining interest in ODI cricket. With fan engagement dropping, questions are emerging about the relevance and future of the format, as compared to the more popular T20 leagues.
Nathan McSweeney, after a challenging debut against India, is pleased to be recalled for Australia's Test series in Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the difficulty of facing spin bowling in Lanka but is prepared and confident. The series, starting January 29, will be a crucial opportunity for McSweeney to prove his abilities.
Pratika Rawal, a 24-year-old psychology graduate, marked her international cricket debut against West Indies, becoming the 150th player to represent India Women. Her journey showcases consistent growth, from a remarkable 161-run knock in domestic cricket to amassing nearly 1000 List-A runs in recent years, culminating in her national team selection.
Fomer cricketer Suresh Raina highlights the significance of skipper MS Dhoni's tactical brilliance and the formation of the successful Rohit Sharma-Shikhar Dhawan opening partnership in India's victorious 2013 ICC Champions Trophy campaign. Raina also elaborates on his own contributions as a part-time bowler in crucial moments that played a key role in their success.
Harshit Rana's ODI debut in Nagpur included a powerful 3-53 performance, helping India beat England under 250. Despite a challenging start, he recovered by taking key wickets. Rana justified his controversial inclusion as a concussion substitute, saying he is focused on delivering for his country. His performance ensured India's emphatic win in the first ODI.
The Desert Vipers secured a comprehensive five-wicket win over the Gulf Giants to confirm a top-two finish for themselves. Max Holden's 70 runs off 54 balls led the Vipers to victory in 19 overs, after an effective bowling display, headed by Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Curran, restricted the Giants to a below-par total.
Prolific all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to join Essex for seven County Championship matches starting 2025. Thakur, with outstanding recent performances including a First-Class century and a hat-trick, aims to showcase his skills in county cricket. Essex's director praises his all-round abilities, anticipating a valuable addition to the squad, especially ahead of India's Test series in England.
In the Champions Trophy match in Dubai, Pakistan faced an early setback against India. They lost both openers, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, due to sharp fielding and bowling by Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya. Pakistan needs to win to stay in the tournament. India, meanwhile, can qualify for the semi-finals if they win.
Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues secured her first international century, propelling her to 19th in the ICC Women's ODI rankings. Her 102 runs helped India achieve their highest total of 370 in the second ODI against Ireland, leading to a series win. Smriti Mandhana maintained her third place ranking, with Alyssa Healy advancing to fifth.
England's vice-captain cites smog in Kolkata as a significant challenge in reading Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who played a key role in their defeat by taking three wickets. He expects clearer conditions in Chennai for the second T20I, hoping that England can throw a punch back to level the five-match series.