England must defeat Afghanistan in their crucial Champions Trophy match to stay in the tournament. Following a disappointing loss to Australia, England's inconsistent batting and weak bowling performance need improvement. Afghanistan's strong spin attack poses a challenge. Both teams are at risk of elimination, making this a high-stakes match.
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The Indian cricket team has arrived in Brisbane for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting December 14th at the Gabba. The series is currently tied 1-1. The Gabba pitch is expected to offer its traditional pace and bounce, but its fresher pre-Christmas condition might play a different role compared to India's 2021 victory there in January.
Desert Vipers defeated Gulf Giants by five wickets in ILT20 Season 3 at Dubai International Stadium. Max Holden scored 70 off 54 balls. Despite Tom Curran's 64 off 34 balls, Gulf Giants managed only 129/8. Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Curran took three wickets each. Vipers secured a top-two finish in the league.
England and Australia face off in the Champions Trophy opener, with both teams looking to recover from recent ODI setbacks. Key players are missing for Australia, while England aims to leverage their pace attack and proven batsmen for a strong start in the tournament.
Sunil Narine's exceptional all-round performance propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. Narine's mesmerizing spell of 3 for 13 restricted CSK to a paltry 103/9, their lowest-ever IPL total at home. He then blazed 44 off 18 balls, ensuring a comfortable chase, overshadowing MS Dhoni's return as captain.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar anticipates Indian captain Rohit Sharma to adopt a conservative approach in the upcoming ODI series against England, aiming to regain his form. Bangar highlights the potential of Yashasvi Jaiswal as a backup player, favouring Shubman Gill alongside Sharma and Kohli as the top three.
Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal criticized the absence of a Pakistani representative during the ICC Champions Trophy prize distribution, attributing it to the team's subpar performance. The PCB lodged a complaint with the ICC, but officials defended the protocol, stating that it did not require the presence of the tournament director on stage.
New Zealand pacer Matt Henry acknowledged that India's familiarity with Dubai's conditions enabled them to field an effective spin quartet in their 44-run win. Varun Chakravarthy's impressive 5/42 helped India secure a semifinal spot against Australia.
Australia's struggling opener Nathan McSweeney has been dropped for the Boxing Day Test against India after a string of low scores. Nineteen-year-old Sam Konstas has joined the squad, potentially opening alongside Usman Khawaja, whose form is also under scrutiny. Selectors might reshuffle the batting order given inconsistencies from other players. Scott Boland will replace the injured Josh Hazlewood.
The RPSG group is buying a majority stake in the Manchester Originals franchise in The Hundred, promising financial relief for Lancashire County Cricket Club. This investment helps in debt servicing and growth. Both RPSG and Originals officials highlight its potential to enhance the cricketing experience and promote expansion.
Will Smeed, a top-order English batter, expresses enthusiasm about joining the Pretoria Capitals for the SA20 league. Smeed eagerly anticipates playing in front of South African fans, integrating with his new teammates, and working with coach Jonathan Trott, aiming to entertain and contribute to victories.