Latest news with #MitchellStarc
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
Former skipper Tim Paine appointed Australia 'A' coach
Australia could lose as many as half a dozen test regulars to retirement after this year's Ashes series with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja all in their mid to late 30s.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
South Africa on top of the cricketing world with World Test Championship win
Temba Bavuma of South Africa lifts the ICC World Test Championship Mace with teammates following his team's victory on Day Four of the ICC World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia. Getty Images South Africa has finally shed that dreaded word 'chokers' and replaced it with 'champions.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Proteas claimed the new, welcome label after stunning Australia in the World Test Championship at the home of the game, Lord's. The chokers tag haunted South Africa for some 27 years and the victory over the high-flying Australians has now buried it forever. Few, if any, gave South Africa a chance as the Aussies paraded their high-powered pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and skipper Pat Cummins, who had never lost a final when they played together. They, in fact, did star at Lord's, but Temba Bavuma and man-of-the-match Aiden Markham turned the tide against the Baggy Greens. The Proteas also had a lot of firepower of their own as they unleashed Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen to subdue the overwhelming favourites. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'While we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that word: Choke,' said Bavuma, the South Africa captain. 'We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. Here's an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite.' That's so true. The apartheid rulers of that country used sport to drive a wedge among the different communities. But it backfired internationally by 1990 when the country was expelled by every major sports federation. The Olympic movement had put the boot to the country in 1970, but what rocked the country came in 1968, when a cricket tour by England was cancelled because it had included a coloured all-rounder Basil d'Oliveira in its lineup. In fact, certain sections of the Marylebone Cricket Club tried to get the selectors to drop d'Oliveira, but that wasn't going to happen as the English press went to town on this affair and MCC was forced to back down. Much to the chagrin of South Africa president John Vorster, he was forced to step in and cancel the tour. That resulted in South Africa being banned from Test cricket for 22 years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dolly, as he was popularly known, could have walked into the South African team, but this brilliant all-rounder had to settle for captaining a non-white South African team as well as the soccer team. This superb player left for England in 1960 and, within no time, he starred for his county club Worcestershire and was capped 44 times by his new country. I had the opportunity of watching the great d'Oliveira in action when he led a star-studded non-racial international team to Nairobi in 1965 and it included West Indies great Rohan Kanhai, who carved out a century versus Kenya. D'Oliveira was one of dozens to fall victim to the apartheid system. The one incident that stunned me and the world was the treatment Makhaya Ntini — the first black to represent his country — had to endure while representing his country from 1988 to 2011. He carried on despite being treated with disdain by his very own teammates. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ntini detailed how his teammates would never sit next to him when the squad gathered for lunch, dinner or breakfast. Ntini also mentioned he would hand his bag to the bus driver on the way to the stadium and then run all the way. The same on the way back. 'People never understood why I was doing that and I would never say to them this is why I am doing this — to avoid A,B,C, D.' Read More This was a pathetic way to treat one of the country's greatest players, but Ntini like many others endured this humiliation. Hopefully, Bavuma can put the past to rest in a country where segregation still exists despite gaining its independence. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. South Africa ended the long drought by claiming an emphatic five-wicket victory inside five days. Australia 212 (Beau Webster 72, Steven Smith 66, Rabada five for 51, Jansen three for 49) and 207 (Starc 58 not out, Rabada four for 59, Ngidi three for 38). South Africa 138 (Cummins six for 28) and 282 for five (Markham 136, Bavuma 66). CANADA FLYING HIGH Canada is well on its way to qualifying for the World Twenty20 Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. Canada defeated the Cayman Islands by 59 runs for its second win in as many matches in the Americas qualifier being played at King City. Canada opened its account by thrashing Bermuda by 110 runs on Sunday. It next faces the Bahamas on Wednesday in the eight-day double-round-robin format and, on current form, appears unbeatable. Kanwarpal Tathgur scored an unbeaten 53 as Canada defeated the Cayman Islands to lead the home team to 162 for five and then restrict the visitors to 103 for nine. Opener Yuvraj Samra (28) and captain Nicholas Kirton (42) put on a 47-run partnership. Shivam Sharma led the Canadian bowlers with three wickets. Canada faces the Bahamas on Wednesday, Cayman Islands on Thursday, Bahamas on Saturday and Bermuda next Sunday. In the opener Samra made 65 to help Canada hoist 205 for five and Bermuda was shot out for 95. Samra hit five fours and four sixes in his 35-ball knock before Harsh Thaker weighed in with an unbeaten 49. 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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
The unbeatable magic of Test cricket at Lord's
The World Test Championship final was great because it had compelling cricket, serious bat versus ball stuff, not the mindless bat-bat slaughter of T20s. Bowlers called the shots, and this time the batsmen, asked 'out of syllabus' questions, were running scared. Openers from both sides made zeroes while Mitchell Starc the No.9 scored an unbeaten 58 — lasting 136 balls, longer than the top five batsmen put together. This was red-ball cricket gold, not fake white-ball slog contests we are used to. The languid subtlety of cricket in the WTC final highlighted the crudity of the shorter format. After the first four overs no runs were scored, and the tense inactivity was far more thrilling than watching 75 smashed in a 6-over Powerplay. Batsmen got in line instead of staying leg side to flay a length ball. Respectful defensive shots instead of savage assaults to balls in the slot. Test cricket at Lord's on a sun drenched day, unfolding in an unhurried manner is unbeatable. The 214-year-old home of cricket is an iconic venue that has history, nostalgia and loads of tradition. Its celebrated slope poses a unique challenge as fast bowlers coming down from the pavilion end can find the splice of the bat rather than the middle. And a spinner's delivery, seemingly harmless, could spit off a length and loop to close-in catchers. But is Lord's really special, a venue on the bucket list of every cricketer? Or, has clever marketing enlarged its image to create an aspirational brand? Bit of both but the overwhelming opinion supports what Sachin Tendulkar, a king-size brand himself, said: 'This is the ground where all players dream of getting a hundred…It's extremely special to be in the middle here'. Cricket is notoriously uncertain and frustratingly unforgiving, so don't miss the irony of what Sachin, modern cricket's biggest star, had to say. The master played 200 Tests, scored 100 international hundreds and his name is inscribed in practically every batting record book — yet that one century at Lord's eluded him. Not just for players, Lord's offers an outstanding stadium experience (the current buzzword) to all stakeholders, especially fans for whom everything is, to use a government expression, 'taken care'. Spectators are allowed to bring food, even booze, but with a gentle warning – 'only a reasonable amount'. A dress code applies, casual clothes are fine provided they are 'reasonably smart'. Team support jerseys, track pants, flip flops not allowed. Also, no flags, no horns, no hooters. Yet, despite its somewhat starchy position of maintaining old fashioned decorum and decency Lord's is incredibly friendly. During lunch when everyone is walking around the narrow passage near the Harris Garden and the Grand Stand, helpful ushers guide spectators, telling them to keep left, like traffic police in the rush hour. Lord's also presents a modern face by going digital. There are boards saying Lord's is cashless. The Lord's Test is a major social, cultural event in the England summer – together with Wimbledon, Silverstone, The Open and Ascot. Not to be missed events, which is why they are invariably sold out and tickets are scarce. The WTC final, and Lord's, delivered all that a big sporting event should. The game drew a full house, some obviously planned this in advance, hoping India would be playing. First two days when the ball moved, batsmen froze, prodding tentatively at balls, playing and missing. Sunil Gavaskar, watching the proceedings with his customary sharp eye, pointed out this was a tough test of technique and temperament. Batsmen have to grind, show respect, show patience, play time and look to seize moments that impact the outcome. Test match batting is more than intent and going out to express yourself. It is layered and nuanced and, often, defensive batting is tactical, dictated by the match situation. Blocking is not passive surrender but active non-cooperation. India has had a proud history of success at Lord's, both in terms of team success and individual player brilliance. Next month India will be back at Lord's for a Test, a team in transition under a new captain, missing top players Kohli and Rohit. But as players descend the stairs from the visitors' dressing room they will see portraits of Tiger Pataudi and Sachin and Dilip Vengsarkar. And as Shubman Gill takes the final few steps through the famous Long Room, legends Bishan Bedi and Kapil Dev will be looking at him.
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Australian top-order under scrutiny after WTC defeat at Lord's
Australia could shake up their batting after crashing to South Africa in the World Test Championship final, with captain Pat Cummins saying a "reset" was needed ahead of three Tests in the West Indies and a home Ashes series. The five-wicket defeat at Lord's on Saturday, after posting a 74-run first-innings lead, has renewed focus on Australia's top order which has struggled since opener David Warner retired 17 months ago. The elevation of out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne as Usman Khawaja's fifth opening partner since Warner bowed out did not work, while the experiment of Cameron Green at three flopped. The 38-year-old Khawaja is also under the microscope, scoring nought and six as his lean spell against pace continued. Green made four in the first innings and lasted only two balls before departing for a duck in the second as the new-look top three managed a total of 49 runs in the match. Australia's batting woes were laid bare, particularly in the second innings, when only a plucky unbeaten fifty from fast-bowler Mitchell Starc and 43 from wicketkeeper Alex Carey gave the Proteas a tough chase. "There's probably quite a few people in the line-up that wish they could have done a little bit more," Cummins told reporters. "The top three was an obvious one in this game." With the 2027 WTC cycle kicking off when Australia travel to the West Indies for a three-Test series beginning in Barbados on June 25, the skipper admitted "it does feel like a little bit of a fresh start". "We've got a couple of weeks before the first Test in the Windies, so we'll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game," he said. "But for me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset. "It's probably more for the selectors and for me to sit down and map it ahead." Compounding Australia's woes, veteran Steve Smith, who hit a majestic first innings' 66, is doubtful for the first West Indies Test after dislocating his finger. If he is ruled out, gung-ho teenager Sam Konstas, who played two Tests against India last summer before being dropped, could slot back in alongside Khawaja. That would allow Labuschagne to drop back to three, should he survive the axe after averaging just 25.63 in Tests during the 2024/25 season. There is also the option of Josh Inglis, who was in the WTC squad, as an opener. Australian media made it clear that change was needed, with The Australian newspaper calling the defeat a "wake-up call" with the five-Test Ashes series against England beginning in November. "Father Time is undefeated and selectors must now be decisive over key calls for the future," it said. Cummins acknowledged all cards were on the table with only five months to go until the first Ashes Test in Perth beginning on November 20. "Coming to this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland and Josh Inglis, all those guys were right on the fringes," he said. "So I think again, after this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation."
7NEWS
14-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Aussies show class to South African hero Aiden Markram despite falling short in WTC final
South Africa have beaten Australia by five ix wickets to claim the World Test Championship at Lord's on Saturday. Needing eight wickets to claim a miracle win, the Aussies started Day 4 brightly with two wickets in the opening session, but opening batter Aiden Markram (136) led the Proteas to victory. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins struck early to remove opposing captain Temba Bavuma in a major early boost. Mitchell Starc clean bowled Tristan Stubbs to leave the South Africans at 4-241, still 41 short of victory. But Markram was rock solid and looked on track to hit the winning runs until he picked out Travis Head and mid-wicket with just six runs required. Recognising the magnitude of Markram's innings, every single Australian on the field went up to the batter to congratulate him on the match-winning knock in a classy move. He received a standing ovation from the Lord's crowd as he left the field. David Bedingham (20 not out) and Kyle Verreynne (seven not out) were there at the end with the latter hiting the winning runs, but Markram was the hero for South Africa. The turnaround for the Proteas has been remarkable. This defining moment comes less than 18 months after they sent a heavily depleted squad to New Zealand so their stars could stay home and play in the country's T20 league instead. South Africa were predictably thrashed 2-0 by the Black Caps, but then went on to complete eight wins in a row to claim an unexpected Test title. It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title. Since then, Australia have won two ODI World Cups (2015, 2023), a T20 trophy (2021), and the 2023 WTC decider against India at The Oval. Their record in global finals goes to 8-4, dating back to the first ODI World Cup back in 1975. Australia have been the cause of much of South Africa's pain, beating them in ODI World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023. South Africa's run chase was the second-highest successful pursuit in fourth-innings in a Test at Lord's, equal with England's 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. In a final that exceeded the hype, South Africa boldly took it up to the Australians from the moment Bavuma decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) carried Australia on the first day, rolled for 212 after Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada fired with 5-51 in his first Test since receiving a one-man ban for testing positive to cocaine. But Australia's pace artillery struck back in typical fashion, running through the Proteas for only 138 thanks to Pat Cummins' 6-28. During one of his greatest spells, the star quick became the eighth Australian take 300 Test wickets, joining teammates Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc. But the first-innings lead of 74 quickly seemed like nowhere near enough when Australia suffered a collapse of 5-29 in just 45 minutes late on day two. Starc (58 not out) and Alex Carey (43) steered them out of dire trouble, but batting became significantly easier at the start of day three to give South Africa's batters confidence they could complete the chase. Smith in doubt for West Indies series Star batter Steve Smith has avoided surgery after suffering a 'gruesome' compound dislocation of his finger at Lord's. In a major blow for Australia's immediate and long-term prospects, Smith hurt his right little finger in a crucial moment of the World Test Championship final on Friday. The 36-year-old left hospital to return to the team hotel on Friday night and was back at Lord's on Saturday watching on. His finger was washed and disinfected at hospital, later placed in a splint. The wound should heal in two weeks, and he will be able to play if he can tolerate wearing a splint while batting. Smith will be required to keep his finger in a splint for up to eight weeks. Australia's first Test against the West Indies begins in Barbados on June 25, followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica. One of the greatest red-ball batters of all time, Smith's possible absence will be a major blow after scoring four centuries from his past six Tests in a stunning late-career resurgence. But Smith's misfortune could give out-of-form teammate Marnus Labuschagne a reprieve. The 30-year-old Labuschagne averaged less than 30 in this WTC cycle over the past two years, with his last century coming back in July 2023. A long-term No.3, Labuschagne moved up to open for the first time in his Test career for this match. But the promotion failed to snap him out of his lean spell, making 17 and 22. Teenage tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Boxing Day, is set to be given an opportunity as opener for Australia's first tour of the Caribbean in 10 years. If Smith can't play, Konstas could slot back in to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would likely drop down to No.3. But even Khawaja, who turns 39 this year, is under pressure to keep his Test career going after scores of 0 and 7 in this Test. Wearing a helmet while standing closer in slips than normal, former Australia captain Smith put down a regulation chance off Mitchell Starc that would have dismissed Proteas captain Temba Bavuma for only two. Smith immediately left the field in immense pain after spilling the catch that would have put Australia in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles. Instead, Bavuma combined with Aiden Markram for an unbeaten 143-run stand to put South Africa in reach of a famous victory by stumps on day three.
