Latest news with #Barbados
The Independent
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Australia star dropped in test squad shake-up
Australia has dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the first Test against West Indies in Barbados. Steve Smith will also miss the match due to a dislocated finger sustained while fielding at Lord's. Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have been brought into the batting line-up to replace Labuschagne and Smith. Labuschagne had recently opened the batting in the World Test Championship final, contributing scores of 17 and 22. Marnus Labuschagne axed by Australia after World Test Championship final defeat
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Marnus Labuschagne axed by Australia after World Test Championship final defeat
Australia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for next week's first Test against West Indies in Barbados with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis coming into the batting line-up for the erstwhile opener and Steve Smith, who is injured. Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship final, contributing scores of 17 and 22 to Australia's cause as the defending champions lost to South Africa by five wickets. Smith dislocated his finger while fielding at Lord's, leaving a vacancy at the top of the batting order for the first match in the three-Test series in the Caribbean. "Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," head selector George Bailey said in a Cricket Australia statement. "We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers." Both Konstas and Inglis have played two Tests, the former opening the batting against India in Melbourne and Sydney last season and the latter batting in the middle order in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Bailey said Labuschagne's Test career could be revived if he could rediscover the form that took him to the top of the world batting rankings in 2023. "Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," he said. "We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively." The batting order for the first Test, which starts next Wednesday, will be determined closer to the game, Cricket Australia said. Australia also face West Indies in Grenada and Jamaica on the tour.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ciara breaks silence on rumored Rihanna rift
Ciara says her bad blood with Rihanna is water under the bridge - or off the singer's umbrella. The 39-year-old vocalist, appearing Thursday on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, revealed that past tension with the Barbados-born beauty has disappeared since a testy tweet exchange 14 years ago. 'CiCi got a lot of love for RiRi,' said the Austin, Texas-born beauty, who is married to New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson. The feud between the stunning singers started in February of 2011, when Ciara admitted she and Rihanna hadn't been on the best of terms while appearing on the E! series Fashion Police. 'I ran into her recently at a party and she wasn't the nicest and it's crazy because I've always loved and respected what she's done with fashion,' said the Ride singer. 'I've ran into her before, but this time it wasn't the most pleasant run-in.' The Oh singer said that she and Rihanna have both matured and traded their youthful rivalries for parental responsibilities. Ciara is parents to four kids: son Future Zahir 11, with rapper Future; and with Wilson, daughter Sienna Princess, eight, son Win Harrison, four, and Amora Princess, one. Rihanna is mom to two kids with ASAP Rocky - sons RZA Athelston Mayers, two, and Riot Rose Mayers, one - and expecting her third. 'Oh my gosh, we were babies - now we're mamas doing our thing - it's all love,' the 1, 2 Step singer said. Ciara said that she recently crossed paths with Rihanna at the Met Gala last month. The skilled singer-dancer made clear she's on good terms with Rihanna, as they 'got to have a good conversation. 'She's now having her third baby, which is so cool - so shout out to mamas out here doing everything!' After Ciara was critical of the S&M singer on the E! series, Rihanna replied to the onscreen snub tweeting, 'My bad ci, did I 4get to tip u? #howrudeofme.' Ciara replied, 'Trust me Rhianna u dont want to see me on or off the stage.'
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Australia drops Labuschagne, Smith out injured for cricket test series opener in the West Indies
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped and injured Steve Smith has been ruled out of the Australia lineup for next week's series-opening cricket test against the West Indies. Cricket Australia on Friday said Smith would miss the opening match of the three-test seies because of a finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last weekend at Lord's. He is expected to be fit for the second test against the West Indies.
Associated Press
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Australia drops Labuschagne, Smith out injured for cricket test series opener in the West Indies
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped and injured Steve Smith has been ruled out of the Australia lineup for next week's series-opening cricket test against the West Indies. Cricket Australia on Friday said Smith would miss the opening match of the three-test seies because of a finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last weekend at Lord's. He is expected to be fit for the second test against the West Indies. Chief selector George Bailey said teenage opener Sam Konstas and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis would replace Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. He said Smith needed more time for a wound to heal and he'd be reassessed after an another week. 'We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,' Bailey said. 'We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling test careers.' The 19-year-old Konstas has only played two tests, bursting onto the scene with an almost run-a-ball 60 against India in the Boxing Day test in Melbourne last December. The 30-year-old Inglis has played mostly short-form cricket for Australia, playing his only two test matches to date in the series win in Sri Lanka in February, where he scored a century on debut. 'In his only opportunity in test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition,' Bailey said. Labuschange averages 46.19 in 104 test innings, including 11 centuries and 23 half-centuries, but has struggled for form in recent series. He hasn't scored a test hundred since the 2023 Ashes series in Manchester and hasn't scored above 26 in his most recent four test matches. Moved up to open in the WTC final against South Africa, he got starts but was out for 17 and 22. 'Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects,' Bailey said. 'We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover.' The batting order and starting XI will be determined closer to the start of the test next Wednedsay. The second test is scheduled to start July 3. ___ AP cricket:
