Latest news with #Border-Gavaskar
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Smith backs coaches call for patience over new top order
Steve Smith is certain both Sam Konstas and Cam Green can find success at the top of the order, despite their poor returns in the first Test against the West Indies. Konstas returned to open for the first time since the Border-Gavaskar series but fell for single-digit scores in both innings, while Green has failed to justify his selection at number three with a highest score of 15 from his last four innings. More concerning is the pattern of his dismissals caught in the slips all four times as he struggled to find a method to combat the newer ball. As Smith prepares to return to the Australian XI after recovering from a broken finger, he believes both players will settle into their roles. 'I think for them it's just about being patient,' Smith said on SEN. 'Cam's done it before in Test cricket, he scored runs, so he's not foreign to that. Maybe batting at number three, but I've always said it, even when I went up to open the batting, it's just a number. 'Sometimes you feel more comfortable in a certain position, but it's also just a number. You can come in at any time when the ball's new or whatever, when you lose a few early wickets. Australia's Sam Konstas is bowled by West Indies' Shamar Joseph. Credit: Ricardo Mazalan / AP 'I think we've just got to be patient with them, they're talented players, they've got good skills, and I'm sure they'll come good.' It echoes similar sentiments expressed by coach Andrew McDonald, who hinted players would be given an extended run. 'We've had some conversations around, 'potentially if you're in that situation again, what does that look like?' and that's what experience is,' McDonald told reporters in Barbados. 'It's learning from previous events and trying to implement a way through that. It's really that balance and tempo ... that's a step up to Test cricket.' It means Marnus Labuschagne will have to break his way back into the best XI, having been dropped for the first time in 53 Test matches after a poor run of form. However, Smith believes his Test career is not over. 'He's actually in a pretty good place. I think I said it after the last game - I thought he batted really well in the World Test Championship Final without going on to make a big score,' Smith said. 'I thought his movements, the positions he was getting himself into and the way he was in particular clipping the ball through mid-wicket (was great). 'He's obviously not played the last Test match, and he's got an opportunity to work on a few things that he probably wants to work on without the pressures of playing in the game as well. 'At his best, he's as good as anyone in the world and I've no doubt he'll get back there.'
India.com
5 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Pat Cummins Breaks Richie Benaud's Long-Standing 63-Year-Old Record As Test Captain During WI vs AUS 1st Test
Australia skipper Pat Cummins has made history by surpassing Richie Benaud's long-standing record for the most Test wickets by an Australian captain. During the first Test against the West Indies, Cummins dismissed Keacy Carty on Day 1, leveling Benaud's tally of 138 wickets, before overtaking it with the wicket of Brandon King on Day 2, despite controversy surrounding the decision. Most wickets for the Australia Test captain: 1 - Pat Cummins: 139 wickets 2 - Richie Benaud: 138 wickets 3 - Bob Simpson: 41 wickets 4 - Ian Johnson: 39 wickets 5 - Monty Noble: 31 wickets Pat Cummins As Skipper Cummins has led Australia by example in the last few years with two ICC titles under his belt. Apart from the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship Match in 2023, Cummins has also been in charge of Australia's Ashes retention and the Border-Gavaskar series win at home. Why This Matters Benaud's record had stood since the early 1960s, cementing him as one of Australia's greatest all-round leaders. Now, Cummins has eclipsed this feat, underscoring both his leadership and bowling excellence across varied conditions and formats. What Comes Next Pat Cummins isn't just breaking records, he's rewriting captaincy standards for fast bowlers. With a growing haul, it'll be fascinating to see how far he can extend this tally, especially with Australia touring challenging venues like South Africa and India ahead. Meanwhile, Cummins is now the second-highest wicket-taking captain in Test cricket. He has 139 scalps to his name as skipper and is only behind Imran Khan, who had taken 187 wickets as captain.
Hans India
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Sai: I have looked up to Washington for inspiration
Beckenham: Washington Sundar's meteoric rise from age-group to international cricket in a quick span of time was an inspiration for his younger state-mate B Sai Sudharsan, who is all set to make his Test debut against England at Leeds on June 20. In 2016, Washington was playing more as a specialist batter for India U-19 in the junior World Cup and within a year and half, he was playing his first ODI as an 18-year-old. In 2021, he made his Test debut as a 20-year-old and was one of the heroes of the Border-Gavaskar triumph. Sai Sudharsan, who is two years junior to Washington, spoke about how his 'senior's' journey goaded him to work harder in order to achieve his goal of donning India colours. 'I had played a few games against him (junior level). So, it's always special. We have looked up to him a lot and the way he went up and played for the country, it was real quick, I had that in my mind,' Sai Sudharsan told on sidelines of the intra-squad warm-up game with a beaming Washington by his side. 'He (Washington) did well in the IPL. Then he played for the country, so it was great motivation for me, that someone from Chennai (is playing for India). Knowing him and playing with him since we were young, it made me feel I also want to do it the same way. He was an inspiration,' the stylish southpaw's admiration for Washington was there to be seen. Washington, who has played 9 Tests, 23 ODIs and 54 T20Is for India, also spoke about the time when Sai Sudharsan was coming through the ranks as this talented cricketer from Chennai. 'Lot of my coaches and friends as well, constantly spoke about his (Sai Sudharsan's) growth in his cricketing career, always grown, only managed to get better,' Washington said. 'Every time I watched him (Sudharsan) on TV, there was a lot to take from his skill-set, kind of work ethic, which definitely inspired a lot of kids,' he said.
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Business Standard
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Rahul to Gill: Indian players eyeing multiple records during ENG Tests
India's 2025 tour of England promises more than just high-quality Test cricket; it brings with it a series of personal milestones for some of the country's top players. With legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test cricket, the spotlight now shifts to a new generation eager to stamp its mark on one of the toughest away tours. From Shubman Gill's run tally to KL Rahul's international landmark and Rishabh Pant's comeback journey, the five-match Test series, spread across historic venues such as Lord's, The Oval and Old Trafford, will be a defining stretch for many. Coaches and teammates alike believe that while the absence of senior stalwarts will be felt, the hunger for legacy-building among the current crop is stronger than ever. Gill, Jaiswal nearing major Test landmarks New captain Shubman Gill needs just 107 runs to cross 2,000 Test runs. Though his average reads 35.05 across 32 matches, his form in English conditions has drawn concern, with only 88 runs in three Tests. Yet, team insiders reportedly back Gill to "turn it around" under pressure. His deputy in the youth brigade, Yashasvi Jaiswal, is just 202 runs away from reaching the same landmark, boasting a much healthier average of 52.88. He also has recent confidence from scoring 712 runs against England in India last year. KL Rahul closes in on 9,000 international runs India's most experienced batter now, KL Rahul, is 435 runs short of the 9,000-run milestone in international cricket. After an encouraging outing in the practice match—where he struck 116 and 51—coaches believe he is set for a 'career-defining' series. With 17 international centuries to his name, Rahul aims to anchor a fragile middle order. Pant, Jadeja, Siraj ready for milestones Rishabh Pant, now vice-captain, is eyeing 3,000 Test runs, needing just 52 more. Despite a poor IPL and a modest Border-Gavaskar series, team sources feel Pant's 'natural game is essential' in English conditions. Ravindra Jadeja, with 6,691 international runs, could breach the 7,000-run mark with consistent contributions. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj, one of India's most improved pacers, is just 15 wickets away from 200 international scalps—a feat expected to come in English conditions, where he has already impressed previously.
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Business Standard
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
I wanted to replicate what Sundar did for the national team: Sai Sudharsan
B Sai Sudharsan, the elegant left-hander from Tamil Nadu, is set to achieve a long-cherished dream when he makes his Test debut for India in the upcoming series against England at Leeds on June 20. As he prepares for this milestone moment, Sudharsan credits a large part of his motivation and ambition to fellow Chennai cricketer Washington Sundar, whose rapid rise from age-group cricket to the senior Indian team left a lasting impression on him. Watching someone from his own city succeed at the international level gave Sudharsan the belief that he, too, could follow the same path with enough dedication and hard work. Washington's rise sparked belief in Chennai cricket circles Back in 2016, Washington Sundar represented India in the U-19 World Cup primarily as a batter. Within a year and a half, he was playing international cricket as a teenager. His Test debut in 2021, during the iconic Border-Gavaskar series, and his match-winning performances at just 20 years of age served as a turning point in Sudharsan's mindset. The left-hander, who is two years younger than Sundar, recalled watching his senior's rapid ascent and feeling deeply inspired. Sudharsan said he had played against Washington in age-group matches and admired the pace at which he moved up the ladder. Seeing someone he had shared the field with wear the India jersey sparked a strong desire to walk the same road. Motivation born from familiarity and friendship The fact that both cricketers hail from Chennai only deepened the connection. According to Sudharsan, knowing Washington personally and observing his journey up close made the goal of representing India seem tangible. He often visualised himself replicating that journey, striving to emulate the same path to the top. Sundar impressed by Sudharsan's growth Washington, now an experienced international with nine Tests, 23 ODIs and 54 T20Is under his belt, acknowledged that Sudharsan's steady rise had become a talking point in Chennai's cricketing circles. He revealed that coaches and peers often spoke about Sudharsan's consistent improvement, and he himself saw plenty to admire in the youngster's technique and work ethic. Sundar noted that every time he watched Sudharsan on television, it was clear the youngster's game had evolved. His dedication and discipline, Sundar said, served as inspiration not just for him but also for many upcoming cricketers in the region. Chennai's cricketing legacy finds new light As India's next generation takes shape, the camaraderie between Washington Sundar and B Sai Sudharsan highlights a new chapter in Tamil Nadu cricket. For Sudharsan, the journey that began with watching Sundar make it to the national team is now coming full circle—with his own debut just days away.
