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India Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
WTC 2025-27: Australia play most Tests, Sri Lanka least
The new cycle of the World Test Championship has already begun, just days after South Africa were crowned as the champions of the third edition of the tournament. South Africa's win was seen as a story of incredible grit and perseverance, given they had given up hope on the competition midway through the by Aiden Markram's sensational 4th innings hundred and two gritty knocks from captain Temba Bavuma, South Africa beat the mighty Australians, who were favourites to clinch the victory was seen as refreshing from a neutral perspective, as fans saw the result as a win for Test cricket, as the South African team came together for a sensational run in the red-ball format, eventually breaking their 27-year wait for an ICC title. However, there was one thing that laser-eyed fans could not ignore. It was the number of Test matches that South Africa played in their WTC Africa reached the summit clash of the WTC 2025 by playing just 12 Test matches. This was the lowest among all teams in the tournament. In comparison, England played 22, Australia and India 19, and New Zealand and Pakistan did not sit well with many fans that South Africa did not play Australia and England en route to the finals and only played 2 matches at home against India. The argument was that India, Australia, and England play 5 matches against each other, meaning that they compete against tougher opposition more that note, here's the complete breakdown of matches that teams will be playing in the WTC cycle. It needs to be noted that these fixtures were already agreed in advance with the FTP — ICC's Future Tours Tests by TeamAustralia – 22England – 21India – 18New Zealand – 16South Africa – 14West Indies – 14Pakistan – 13Bangladesh – 12Sri Lanka – 12Home Tests by TeamAustralia – 11England – 11India – 9South Africa – 8New Zealand – 7Bangladesh – 6Sri Lanka – 6West Indies – 7Pakistan – 6Away Tests by TeamAustralia – 11England – 10India – 9New Zealand – 9West Indies – 7Pakistan – 7South Africa – 6Bangladesh – 6Sri Lanka – 6WTC 2025–27: Complete Breakdown of SeriesAustralia – Total Tests: 22Home:vs ENG – 5vs BAN – 2vs NZ – 4Away:vs WI – 3vs SA – 3vs IND – 5Bangladesh – Total Tests: 12Home:vs PAK – 2vs WI – 2vs ENG – 2Away:vs SL – 2vs AUS – 2vs SA – 2England – Total Tests: 21Home:vs IND – 5vs NZ – 3vs PAK – 3Away:vs AUS – 5vs SA – 3vs BAN – 2India – Total Tests: 18Home:vs WI – 2vs SA – 2vs AUS – 5advertisementAway:vs ENG – 5vs SL – 2vs NZ – 2New Zealand – Total Tests: 16Home:vs WI – 3vs IND – 2vs SL – 2Away:vs ENG – 3vs AUS – 4vs PAK – 2Pakistan – Total Tests: 13Home:vs SA – 2vs SL – 2vs NZ – 2Away:vs BAN – 2vs WI – 2vs ENG – 3South Africa – Total Tests: 14Home:vs AUS – 3vs BAN – 2vs ENG – 3Away:vs PAK – 2vs IND – 2vs SL – 2Sri Lanka – Total Tests: 12Home:vs BAN – 2vs IND – 2vs SA – 2Away:vs WI – 2vs PAK – 2vs NZ – 2West Indies – Total Tests: 14Home:vs AUS – 3vs SL – 2vs PAK – 2Away:vs IND – 2vs NZ – 3vs BAN – 2Must Watch
NDTV
6 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"Hard To...": Ex-Australia Captain Gives Final Verdict On Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne's Future
Former Australian skipper Tim Paine has backed under-fire top-order batters Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, saying that players like them cannot be "dumped" after one bad Test, and he sees them doing well during the tour of West Indies starting from June 25 onwards. During the WTC final, both Khawaja (0 and 6) and Labuschagne (17 and 20) failed to score big as Australia faced a crushing defeat to South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. Labuschagne was promoted to the opening spot, with Cameron Green taking up the number three spot and Steve Smith batting at four. This new-look top three's failure played a huge role in the Aussies' defeat and has sparked selection debates ahead of the WI tour of three Tests, with teen opener Sam Konstas on the fringes after an outrageous debut fifty against India. While Khawaja's failure was a rare one, as he finished as the side's top run-getter in the WTC cycle 2023-25 with 1,428 runs in 20 matches, along with two tons and six fifties, Marnus' performance in the competition was horrendous, scoring 974 runs in 20 matches with a century and eight fifties at an average of just 27.82, causing his overall batting average to decline to 46.19. Khawaja, at 38, does not have age on his side as during December this year, he will be turning 39 during the home Ashes series. Despite the shambolic performance by the top order, Paine is not disturbed, saying, as quoted by SEN, "They are good players, they are world class. . "Steve Smith's (finger) injury means he would not play in the Windies first Test, so Konstas comes in and Marnus drops back. We have heard them say that when they have the spin pitches, Travis Head would slide up and Marnus down." "I see them going to the Windies and playing well and getting ready for a huge Ashes series. Usman and Marnus will play really, really important roles in the Ashes. We are very quick in this country to move on players, we always want to see if the grass is greener."' Paine said that over the last 18 months, it has been realised that quality players are extremely hard to replace, using the now-retired David Warner as an example. "Look at Dave Warner - one of our best cricketers - six months before he retired, people said he has got to go (and now) two years down the track, we still have not replaced him. You do not just have a bad Test in England and dump people like Uz and Marnus. They are a huge part of the team for the next year at least. With England coming out here, these high-quality players don't grow on trees. Great players are hard to replace," he concluded.
News18
14-06-2025
- Climate
- News18
Ireland Vs West Indies Highlights, 2nd T20I: Match Abandoned Without Toss
Last Updated: IRE vs WI 2nd T20I Highlights (Ireland national cricket team vs West Indies national cricket team): The second contest has also been abandoned due to rain. Ireland Vs West Indies, 2nd T20I: In their final leg of UK tour, West Indies are facing Ireland in a three-match T20I series. The first two matches have been abandoned due to rain. IRE Vs WI T20I Squads Ireland: Paul Stirling (captain), Lorcan Tucker (wicketkeeper), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Ross Adair, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Benjamin White, Joshua Little, Liam McCarthy West Indies: Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde, Keacy Carty, Jyd Goolie Jun 14, 2025 21:01 IST Rain and a damp outfield have forced the abandonment of the 2nd T20I between Ireland and the West Indies. The umpires' inspection confirmed the conditions were unfit for play. The series now hinges on the final match, scheduled to take place at the same venue in less than 24 hours, effectively making it a one-match decider. Jun 14, 2025 20:40 IST UPDATE – 15.11 GMT – The match officials are strolling around and having a look at the pitch and the conditions as the covers still remain in place while the water is being mopped off it. It has got a bit brighter, but the drizzle persists. Jun 14, 2025 20:19 IST UPDATE – 14.49 GMT – It looks like another frustrating waiting game is in store. But not so far away in the other part of the UK, South Africa registered a historic WTC Final win, beating Australia by five wickets. Their years of agony and heartbreak have finally come to an end. It's their first-ever ICC title win since 1998 as well. Kudos to the Proteas team. Jun 14, 2025 19:49 IST UPDATE – 14.19 GMT – It's a steady drizzle now with the pitch and the square firmly under the covers. The umpires will have another inspection at 15.00 GMT. Jun 14, 2025 19:35 IST UPDATE – 14.03 GMT – The rain seems to have eased off a bit with the groundsmen doing their bit to remove water from the covers. It still looks pretty damp. The pitch inspection is around the corner, but we might be in for a longer delay. Stay tuned. Jun 14, 2025 19:06 IST UPDATE – 13.33 GMT -The toss has been delayed due to wet weather conditions, but let's hope that the conditions improve and we get some action. Jun 14, 2025 18:32 IST Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second T20I in the three-match series between Ireland and the West Indies, from the Bready Cricket Club. With the opening game washed out due to rain, all eyes will be on the weather once again as both teams gear up for a crucial clash in the shortest format. Jun 14, 2025 18:31 IST On the other hand, the West Indies arrive with something to prove. Despite a recent T20I whitewash at the hands of England, they impressed in the ODIs against Ireland last month and have retained much of that squad. Power-hitters like Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, and Evin Lewis bring firepower with the bat, while the bowling attack featuring Akeal Hosein, Jason Holder, and Alzarri Joseph has the pace and variety to trouble any lineup. So, can Ireland upset the odds and take the lead, or will the Men in Maroon bounce back and dominate the series? Stick tuned. Toss and team news coming up shortly! Jun 14, 2025 18:31 IST Ireland, led by Paul Stirling, have named a well-balanced squad. The experienced core of Mark Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and George Dockrell will be key, while emerging talents like Liam McCarthy, Ross Adair, and Matthew Humphreys will be eager to make an impact when given the opportunity. The hosts will be hoping to land a blow and tilt the momentum in what's now a shortened series. Jun 13, 2025 19:20 IST With the frustrations of a washed-out series opener behind them, Ireland and the West Indies will shift their focus to the Bready Cricket Club in Bready for the second T20I. The abandonment of the first match at the same venue without a ball being bowled has effectively turned this three-match contest into a two-game shootout, raising the stakes for both sides as they seek to gain a crucial advantage. The weather will once again be a key talking point, with the forecast in Bready being closely monitored. Both teams will be desperate to get onto the park and showcase their skills after the damp squib of the first T20I. For Ireland, the series presents a significant opportunity to test their mettle against a full-member nation on home soil. However, their preparations have been hampered by the absence of several key players. The hosts will be without the services of experienced pacer Craig Young, and all-rounders Curtis Campher and Gareth Delany. In a further blow, star left-arm fast bowler Josh Little has been ruled out of the series with a niggle and has been replaced by Graham Hume. These absences will undoubtedly test the depth of the Irish squad, placing more responsibility on the shoulders of captain Paul Stirling, the explosive George Dockrell, and the ever-reliable Harry Tector. The West Indies, on the other hand, arrived in Ireland on the back of a tough tour of England, where they suffered defeats in both the ODI and T20I series. They will be eager to bounce back and assert their dominance over the Irish. The return of the dynamic left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer to the T20I squad adds significant firepower to their middle order. Hetmyer's ability to clear the ropes with ease could be a game-changer. The Windies will be looking for a more clinical performance, with the likes of Johnson Charles, Sherfane Rutherford, and the all-round prowess of Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd expected to play pivotal roles. The head-to-head record between the two sides in T20Is is surprisingly even, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest. In the nine matches played between them, both Ireland and the West Indies have registered three wins apiece, with the other three encounters ending in no results. This parity suggests that on their day, Ireland is more than capable of springing a surprise on the two-time T20 World Cup champions.
India.com
14-06-2025
- Sport
- India.com
We Have Gone Through Heartache, Disappointments...: South Africa Skipper Temba Bavuma Reacts After Winning Prestigious WTC Mace
Temba Bavuma became the second South Africa captain to win an ICC Trophy after Hansie Cronje in 1998. Temba brought glory for the nation by winning the World Test Championship Final against Australia, after a long wait of 27 years. He was overwhelmed in joy as he walked for the post-match interview on Saturday. The Lords crowd cheered him loud but Bavuma was calm as ice as if he knew and believed this moment would come anyway. After the historic win he shared his reactions while talking in the post match presentation. "It has been a special couple of days, felt like we were back home in South Africa with the support we have had. Special moment for us as a team, special moment back home, will take a couple of days to sink in. The energy was there, we have been wanting this as a team, we have been knocking on the door, we have gone through the heartache, the disappointments, seen it with the past players and the sun is on us. Hopefully this is one of many," Bavuma said. Bavuma became the first captain to win a World Test Championship undefeated as a captain. Temba Bavuma As Test Captain Won v WI at Centurion Won v WI at Johannesburg Won v IND at Centurion Draw v WI at Port of Spain Won v WI at Providence Won v SL at Durban Won v SL at Gqeberha Won v PAK at Centurion Won v PAK at Capetown Won v AUS at Lord's* Apart from Markram, another star that gave his all for this win was none other than Kagiso Rabada. Bavuma hailed Rabada's 9 wicket haul in the game, constantly backing him as one of the finest modern day great bowlers. "KG is a massive player, in a couple of years he will be in the ICC Hall of Fame. He was under controversy but he did what he does. Markram was unbelievable, stats are important but character is what we look at and Aiden has that. Another massive player for us," the 35-year-old said. This win is special but as Bavuma said the team was always knocking the doors for something special like it . South Africa In Recent Events -Semi final in ODI WC 2023. - Final in T20I WC 2024. - Semi final in CT 2025. - Champions in WTC 2025.
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"It is concerning little time with World Cup next year": Ian Bishop on West Indies' performance in T20Is
Southampton [UK], June 11 (ANI): Former West Indies pacer and commentator Ian Bishop has said that the team needs a reset ahead of next year's T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bishop's comments came after the side's loss to England in the UK in the three-match T20I series, losing the final T20I by 37 runs at Southampton on Tuesday. This loss becomes even more painful as the side is up for a transition. Leading T20I batter, Nicholas Pooran announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on Tuesday. Announcing his retirement at just 29 years of age, Pooran mustered 2,275 in the shortest format of cricket, averaging 26.14 at 136.39. While in the 50-over cricket, he tallied 1,983 runs at 39.66 while maintaining a strike rate of 99.15, laced with three centuries and 11 fifties. Speaking as per a video by Sky Sports Cricket, Bishop said, 'I think they are going to have to have a little bit of a reset. Pooran has been their real star performer for the last couple of years, and they have not gone as deep, even with him, as they would have hoped in the last few global events. Johnson Charles at the top is not giving them the firing power really that they need, and Brandon King has fallen out of a little bit of form in T20 internationals.' Since 2024, Charles has scored just 418 runs in 18 T20Is at an average of 23.22, with two fifties and a strike rate of 133.55. This year, he has made 74 runs in three matches, with his strike rate dipping to just over 112. King has not played a T20I since last year, having ended the year with 407 runs in 18 innings at an average of 23.94, with a strike rate of over 140 and three fifties. In the previous T20 World Cup held at home and the US, WI crashed out in the Super Eight stage, despite Pooran top-scoring with 228 runs in seven matches, averaging 38.00 at a strike rate of above 146, with a half-century to his name. Since the last T20 WC, West Indies has had a poor run of form, with just five wins, 11 losses and a no result in 17 matches. Bishop said that the team would hope that their skipper Shai Hope scores more, having made 451 runs in 16 matches since last year at an average of 34.69, with three fifties and a SR of 156.60. 'Rovman Powell and Jason Holder, good to see them back. I do not know whether Andre Russell can sort of refine some health and some form. And then the bowling concerns me more than anything else. It has for a while that it is not holding its own, and the identity of the team is still one where they will chase in order to try to win, or they need to set huge totals as England have done. So it is a concerning little time with a World Cup next year,' the legend said. (ANI)
