Page 32 - Test Cricket

Coach and selector were not onboard with my call to miss Sydney Test: Rohit

Rohit revealed that the choice to sit out of the Sydney Test was made after he honestly assessed his own form

ICC considering changes in ODI and Test rules in four-day meet in Zimbabwe

ICC is considering major changes in cricketing rules, including the two new ball rules in ODIs, which have been criticised by many former cricketers and experts

Why are international cricket windows and tweaks in WTC needed?

ICC's cricket committee is expected to discuss proposed changes to the WTC format during its upcoming meeting in Zimbabwe

England's Joe Root admits "No Hiding Place" against India's Test challenge

Charismatic England batter Joe Root has advocated for consistency to counter India in the upcoming five-Test series, saying "there's no hiding place" when it comes to facing such an indomitable opponent. India will commence their their 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle in England with the opening match scheduled at Headingley from June 20. Root, who surpassed Alastair Cook as England's all-time highest Test run-getter last year, is gearing up for the challenge following an impressive showing in the Champions Trophy recently. "We are good in our own conditions but with India coming over for a five-match series there's no hiding place. It's a long old slog, you've got to be consistent. You've got to put in those match-winning performances time and time again," the former England skipper told Sky Sports. Root, 34, led the England Test team from 2017 to 2022, recording 27 victories in 64 matches -- the most by any captain from the country. However, a difficult period in 2021, wher

Bonus point system to be pondered by over by ICC for WTC 2025-27 cycle

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to ponder over a new bonus points system during its board meeting in April which could give more weightage to bigger victories, especially overseas, during the next World Test Championship cycle. The 2025-27 WTC cycle will begin with India's five-match away Test series against England in June. As per the prevailing rules, the team winning by the smallest margin or by an innings gets 12 points, six points for a tie and four points for a draw. But this could see a change as the global governing body, as per a report in Telegraph, is considering awarding bonus points for innings victories or for a win above a certain big margin such as 100 runs. "In fact, issues such as giving bonus points for innings wins etc has been in continuous discussion from the beginning of the WTC, as many teams felt that due weight is not getting for wins against big teams," a source close to the development told PTI. "So, such topics have been a part of ...

Finding the Edge: A masterful tale of Jimmy Anderson's cricketing journey

The story begins at its ending-an ageing but still formidable Anderson-offered a final chance to bow out on his own terms

MCG to celebrate 150-year anniversary with D/N Test between Aus and Eng

The two teams that started the journey of Test cricket at MCG will face each other once again at the same venue after 150 years

Test cricket still ultimate for me, hunger to make comeback alive: Rahane

Out-of-favour India batter Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday reaffirmed his love for Test cricket and said his hunger to make a comeback to the national team remains intact. The 36-year-old last played a Test for India in July 2023, during the West Indies tour, but his form in domestic cricket has been exceptional across formats this season. "I am batting well now. Mushtaq Ali went very well. I have scored runs in earlier matches. I am happy with my batting," Rahane said following Mumbai's entry into the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy with victory over Haryana here. Leading Mumbai from the front, Rahane scored a brilliant second-innings century to script a stunning comeback, sealing a 152-run win. Rahane, who was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL auction, has been in red-hot form in his last 10 innings, registering three 90-plus scores, one 80-plus knock, and now a century in the quarterfinal. "Domestic cricket has given me everything and because of that I still have that passion

'Concussed' Shanaka in trouble as Sri Lanka initiate inquiry against him

All-rounder Dasun Shanaka landed in trouble after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decided to initiate an inquiry against him for allegedly faking concussion to skip a domestic match to play for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20. Shanaka, a former white ball formats captain of Sri Lanka, left Sinhalese Sports Club's three-day match against Moors Sports Club in the Major League Tournament after playing the first two days. It has now been alleged that match referee Wendell Labrooy had been led to believe that Shanaka had a concussion to get a substitute approved. "SSC (Shanaka's first-class club) would probably be conducting their own inquiry as well," SLC CEO Ashely De Silva told ESPNCricinfo. He was one of the three players who were recalled by SSC for the match against Moors, as they were trying to avoid relegation. The 33-year-old played the first two days against Moors, bowling 21 overs and then made an unbeaten 39 at the end of day two. Before he left the field on Day 3, Shanaka had reached

Shardul Thakur eyeing India comeback with series of domestic heroics

The out-of-favour Mumbai-based all-rounder has been in superb form in domestic cricket and is proving to be a match-winner with both bat and ball

Ireland beat Zimbabwe on final day to secure third straight Test win

Ireland won a third straight cricket Test match after beating Zimbabwe by 63 runs on Monday in their one-off meeting in Bulawayo. The Irish gained full member status with the ICC in 2017, allowing them to play test cricket. They lost their first seven matches at Test level. However, they beat Afghanistan in March last year and now have back-to-back wins over Zimbabwe, with left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys claiming a six-wicket haul to help seal victory on the fifth and final day. Zimbabwe was set a target of 292 but fell short despite Wessly Madhevere making 84. Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said he was unaware when the team's next test match will be. "We are desperate to play," Balbirnie said in quotes carried by espncricinfo.com.

WTC points table: Australia finish marginally behind table-toppers SA

Australia finished marginally behind table-toppers South Africa on the World Test Championship (2023-25) chart following their clean sweep of the two-match series against Sri Lanka on Sunday. South Africa, on 69.44 percentage points, were the first team to secure a place in the WTC final, while Australia, who finished their engagements on 67.54 percentage points, had cemented the other spot following their 3-1 drubbing of India in the five-match Border-Gavaskar series at home. The two teams will meet in the WTC Final at Lord's from June 11. "Australia's triumph in the Border-Gavaskar series against India helped them make their second consecutive World Test Championship Final, and a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka helped them solidify the No.2 position on the table," said ICC in a release. Australia thrashed Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle by an innings and 242 runs, and inflicted another crushing nine-wicket defeat in the second match at the same venue on Sunday. India, who

Australia end 14 year-long wait for Test series victory in Sri Lanka

Australia wrapped up a comprehensive 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, sealing the second test with a commanding nine-wicket win in Galle on Sunday. Top order batter Marnus Labuschagne flicked a delivery from retiring Sri Lankan player Dimuth Karunaratne to mid-wicket to complete the triumph, just 15 minutes before lunch on the fourth day. It's Australia's first test series win on Sri Lankan soil since 2011. Their last success here came under Ricky Ponting's captaincy, a 1-0 victory in 2011. However, they suffered a 3-0 whitewash in 2016 under Steve Smith's leadership, and the 2022 series ended in a 1-1 draw. This time, with Smith standing in as captain for Pat Cummins, the victory was a welcome redemption. Australia approached the series with meticulous planning including a training camp in Dubai and executed their strategies with precision. Their batters laid the foundation with big hundreds, allowing the bowlers to dictate terms with attacking fields. Meanwhile, the spinners

Australia on the brink of series sweep after dominant third day vs SL

Australia put on a clinical display on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, leaving the hosts teetering at 211-8 and holding a slender lead of just 54 runs on Saturday. The visitors will try to wrap up the Sri Lankan innings early on the fourth morning and chase down the target in a bid to complete a 2-0 series sweep. At 81-4, Sri Lanka seemed destined for yet another crushing innings defeat inside three days. However, Angelo Mathews dug deep, forging a 48-run stand with Dhananjaya de Silva and a further 70-run partnership with Kusal Mendis. Mathews played a gutsy knock of 76, his first half-century of the series, offering a glimmer of hope. Sri Lanka had pinned their hopes on him to set Australia a respectable target, but his defiance ended just before stumps when he attempted a sweep off Nathan Lyon, only to be brilliantly caught by Beau Webster at fine leg. Australia continued to tighten the screws, picking up two more wickets before stumps. Left-arm spinner Matth

SL vs AUS: Steve Smith hits 36th Test century as Australia dominate hosts

Steve Smith hit his 36th century and shared an unbeaten 239-run partnership with Alex Carey as Australia powered to 330-3 at stumps on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Friday. With a lead of 73 runs and seven first-innings wickets in hand, the tourists are in control. Smith anchored the innings with a sublime 120 not out off 239 balls, while Carey took the attack to Sri Lanka with a fluent 139 not out off 156. It was Smith's second ton of the series, while Carey notched up only his second Test hundred in style. Australia had slumped to 37-2 before Smith and Usman Khawaja (36) steadied the innings with a crucial 54-run stand for the third wicket. Khawaja, who got a double hundred in Australia's huge win in the first test of the two-match series, looked solid against spin. However, an ill-judged pull shot saw him trapped leg before wicket to off-spinner Nishan Peiris, (2-70 off 21 overs) cutting short his promising start. Smith, too, took time to settle and ha

SL vs AUS, 2nd Test Day 1: Aussies dominate proceedings; SL 229/9 at stumps

Australia was firmly in control against Sri Lanka in the second test after reducing the host to 229-9 by stumps on day one Thursday. Half-centuries from Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis kept Sri Lanka in the game, but their hopes of a big first-innings total after winning the toss did not materialize. Australia bowled with discipline, sticking to its plans and backing it up with excellent fielding despite extreme heat and humidity. Sri Lanka lost opener Pathum Nissanka early, but a 70-run stand for the second wicket between Dimuth Karunaratne and Chandimal steadied the innings. Spinner Nathan Lyon broke through when Karunaratne was late in bringing his bat down and was bowled off an inside edge. Sri Lanka slumped to 127-5 as the lower middle order struggled against disciplined bowling. Their approach was so careless that even part-time spinner Travis Head found himself among the wickets in his first over. Kamindu Mendis, attempting to cut a delivery too close to his body, was ca

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 becomes India's most-watched Test series

Despite the challenges posed by time-zone differences, the series became the second most-watched Test series on Indian television

Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test playing 11, live match time, streaming

With the series on the line, Australia will aim to maintain their momentum, while Sri Lanka will look to recover and make a strong statement in front of their home crowd.

ICC to introduce two-tier Test format following WTC final in June: Report

The five-match Test series between India and England is likely to be the first Test series under the new format

How has Gautam Gambhir fared as Indian cricket team's head coach so far?

Gambhir started his head coach tenure for the Indian team with the T20 series against Sri Lanka, which India won with ease by 3-0