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The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
WI vs AUS: Labuschagne dropped, Smith ruled out due to injury for first Test against West Indies
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped and injured Steve Smith has been ruled out of the Australia lineup for next week's series-opening Test against 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 (WTC) final loss to South Africa last weekend at Lord's. He is expected to be fit for the second Test against West Indies. Chief selector George Bailey said teenage opener Sam Konstas and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis would replace Smith and Labuschagne. He said Smith needed more time for a wound to heal and he'd be reassessed after 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. Labuschagne 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 on July 3.
India Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
WI vs AUS 1st Test: Marnus Labuschagne dropped, Steve Smith out with injury
Australia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the opening Test against the West Indies in Barbados, starting on 25 June, while Steve Smith has been ruled out with a finger injury sustained during the World Test Championship Final at Lord's. In a significant shake-up to the batting line-up, Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have been drafted in to replace the underperforming Labuschagne and the injured who opened the batting in the recent World Test Championship final, managed scores of 17 and 22 in a losing cause against South Africa. His prolonged dip in form-averaging just 16.25 in four Tests this year—has led to his omission from the side."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," Selection chair George Bailey said in a statement. "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." Smith, meanwhile, suffered a dislocated finger while fielding at Lord's. Although the former captain has travelled with the squad to the Caribbean, he has been advised to wear a splint for up to eight weeks and will be reassessed ahead of the second Test in needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey said. "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."Konstas impressed on debut against India in the Boxing Day Test last year and is expected to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order. Inglis, who scored a debut century in Sri Lanka earlier this year, is likely to slot into the middle order in Smith's absence. However, Cricket Australia has said the final batting order will be confirmed closer to the first Test in Barbados will be followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica, with Australia aiming to bounce back strongly after their WTC Final Watch
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'Questionable Choice Of Shots...': Ashwin Takes Subtle Dig At Star India Batter
Last Updated: Ravichandran Ashwin believes Rishabh Pant can excel as a pure batter despite his shot choices. Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has said that Rishabh Pant can play as a pure batter without wicketkeeping duties, because of the sheer batting talent he holds, but his choice of shots is sometimes questionable, with the vice-captain expected to play a big part in the upcoming five-Test series against England. Pant has evolved to be a match-winner for India in Tests with his capability to turn the situation around in the middle-order. Pant had copped immense criticism, most from Sunil Gavaskar, for his dismissal in the Boxing Day Test against Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 'I think Rishabh is a high-quality Test batter. He can just walk into that team as a pedigree Test batter, even if he does not have to hold on to the gloves. Fantastic Test batter with a questionable choice of shots sometimes, but I guess he comes with it, and he gives you match-winning knocks," Ashwin said while speaking to RevSportz. 'It's only a matter of time before he finds out the formula and rectifies it to become more consistent. He should be walking in at No. 5, as No. 6 for him would be a bit too late in my view," Ashwin added. Pant heads into the England tour after a dismal IPL 2025 campaign while leading the Lucknow Super Giants. According to an update by BCCI, captain Shubman Gill and senior cricketer KL Rahul scored fifties, while Shardul Thakur was among the wickets on the first day of the intra-squad game. No updates were provided on Pant. Along with the star India wicketkeeper-batter, Test skipper Gill heads into the tour with huge responsibility on his shoulders as well. 'About Shubman Gill, I think he is already too overwhelmed by the attention and responsibility he has got. If I were in his place with such a high-pressure job, I would want to have a very good start as a batter," Ashwin said. 'As a batter, he will have his share of questions on his place, as England can be a very tough place to bat. But if he makes runs, runs will give confidence, and that would in turn rub off on to captaincy," Ashwin added. First Published: June 14, 2025, 15:45 IST
United News of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Time to step aside for new talent: Angelo Mathews
Galle, June 16 (UNI) Angelo Mathews, one of Sri Lanka's modern Test greats, brought his 16-year-long red-ball career to a poignant close at the same venue where it all began — the Galle International Stadium, choosing to step aside not for personal reasons, but to open the door for the next generation. "We all come and go. Many greats came before us, and we came in as youngsters. Now it's time for us to leave as seniors," said Mathews, speaking on the eve of the first Test against Bangladesh. "We've got so many youngsters knocking on the door. I felt this was the right time to step aside." The 37-year-old, who debuted in 2009 at this very ground, said he made the decision after assessing both his own recent form and Sri Lanka's future schedule. "My performances in the last 7-8 games weren't what I expected of myself. I didn't want to be a burden to the team," Mathews said. "Also, we don't have any Test games for over a year after this series. It would be unfair for the youngster replacing me to wait that long for another opportunity." He confirmed he would not play in the second Test of the ongoing series, allowing his successor a chance to gain valuable experience. Reflecting on his career, Mathews cited several highlights: the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne (2010), the historic Test series win in England in 2014, Sri Lanka's ICC World T20 title in 2014, and back-to-back Asia Cup wins in 2014 and 2016 — the triumphing over Australia in Bangladesh. "Winning in Bangladesh was special," he added, acknowledging his fondness for the country and the camaraderie he shares with most of its players. When asked about his equation with Shakib Al Hasan following the controversial timed-out incident during the 2023 World Cup, Mathews responded with dignity: "It was an unfortunate incident. I hope it never happens again. But I hold no grudges. Everyone's a good friend, and I wish them well." Looking ahead, Mathews expressed confidence in the current setup under selectors like Sanath Jayasuriya and the leadership of retired Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis. "Communication has been excellent. Whether you're a junior or senior, they keep you in the loop. That sort of clarity creates a healthy environment, and performance follows. We've seen that across formats in the past two years." Ending where he began, Mathews reflected on the symbolism of Galle. "It's poetic. I made my debut here, played my 100th Test here, and now I say goodbye here. It feels right." As Sri Lanka embarks on a transitional phase, Mathews' exit marks the end of an era — not with fanfare, but with humility and foresight. UNI BDN SSP
IOL News
7 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
COMMENT: It's nothing new, they've done it before
PROTEAS celebrate the wicket of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne on day two of the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's. | BackpagePix MANY may look at South Africa's batting performance at Lord's on Friday and be surprised, and some may even be shocked that this batting unit, one that is heavily criticised, has been able to get the team within 69 runs of the country's first world title. However, for those who pay close attention to detail, they will be able to remember that this unit has done this before in the recent past. When India toured South Africa four years ago, after thumping the Proteas by 113 runs during the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, where they bowled the Proteas out for under 200 runs in both innings, the Proteas bounced back in style to win the series 2-1. It all started at the Bullring where Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma chased down 240 runs to level the series and concluded at the picturesque Newlands in Cape Town where Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen helped South Africa chase down another 200 plus target to seal the 2-1 series victory over a team that was ranked number in Tests at the time. Elgar, Petersen and Van der Dussen might not be a part of this group at Lord's; however, it was still a Proteas batting unit that was labelled as 'inexperienced' and as the 'weak links' in a team that had a bowling unit filled with superstars, including Kagiso Rabada. Despite all the labels, the side was able to clinch a series victory, a victory that forced world cricket to sit up and take note of the Proteas test side.
