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Int'l Cricket Council
a day ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Cummins hails match-winners as Australia get going in WTC27 ICC World Test Championship
In a match that ebbed and flowed, it was Australia who emerged victorious against West Indies in the opening Test of the three-match series in Bridgetown. While the win may not erase the heartbreak of Lord's just two weeks ago, it marks a positive start to their World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with their first points now on the board. There was little to separate the sides after the first two innings – just 10 runs, in fact. Jayden Seales' five-wicket haul helped bowl Australia out for 180, before a disciplined all-round effort from the Australian bowlers restricted West Indies to 190, giving the hosts a slender lead. Australia found themselves in trouble at 65/4 after another top-order collapse, but the middle-order trio of Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey steadied the ship with crucial half-centuries. Head and Webster put together a 102-run stand, with Head playing the aggressor. After Head's dismissal, Carey took charge, highlighted by two brilliant straight sixes off Seales and Justin Greaves. "I thought those three were brilliant," Australia skipper Pat Cummins said at the post-match press conference. "They kept the scoreboard ticking over. I thought they took really good options. They were always looking to score. 'Really, that was the difference. [You are] turning up today thinking that if we didn't get a big lead it was 50-50, really. Those guys took the game away from West Indies." Cummins was particularly impressed by Beau Webster, who, despite having played just five Tests, has already built a reputation for digging Australia out of tough spots with grit and composure on challenging surfaces. On debut against India, the 31-year-old made an instant impact, scoring a half-century on a spicy Sydney pitch in the first innings and following it up with a brisk unbeaten 39 in their victorious chase. In the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, Webster stood tall with a counter-attacking 72 off 92 balls, the top score in Australia's first-innings total of 212. Against West Indies, he once again proved pivotal, anchoring two key partnerships in the second innings with a composed 63 off 120 balls that turned the tide in Australia's favour. He also made an impact with the ball, claiming two wickets in the first innings. Beau Webster helps Australia's cause with half-century | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final Beau Webster marked his first Lord's Test with a half century in the World Test Championship Final. "I think it's pretty much the same as what he does for Tasmania," Cummins said on Webster. "He seems to always contribute in some way. He's kind of knocked down the door with his performances over the years in Shield cricket. It's great when you've got someone like that coming to the team. 'They know their craft so well and you saw that today, even on a tricky wicket, he knew where his areas to score were. He's been a fantastic asset to the team over the last six months." After setting West Indies a target of 301, Australia needed just one session and under 34 overs to seal the win, dismantling the hosts for 141. Leading the charge was the ever-reliable Josh Hazlewood, who delivered a brilliant five-wicket haul to cap off the dominant performance. Hazlewood cleans up Stubbs with a jaffa | WTC25 Final Josh Hazlewood also got himself among the wickets by nipping one in to get rid of Tristan Stubbs. 'Give Josh a wicket with any little bit in it, and he finds it,' Cummins added on his pace bowling partner Hazlewood. 'Just hits the right area, ball after ball, presents good seam. I thought he was great at Lord's as well last week, without perhaps the returns that he was deserved. 'It's a huge asset to have him on our side as well. He's been keeping Scotty Boland out of the side and we know how good Scotty is. Really pumped for Josh this week.' The series now moves to St George's for the second Test, which gets underway on 3 July. ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsAustraliaWest Indies
Int'l Cricket Council
3 days ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Four uncapped players in Proteas squad for tri-series
Rassie van der Dussen, who has 50 T20I caps, will take charge of the South Africa squad that features four uncapped players for the upcoming shortest-format outings. Corbin Bosch, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Rubin Hermann and Senuran Muthusamy have all received maiden call-ups after strong domestic performances. Pretorius was the standout performer in the 2025 edition of the SA20, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 397 runs at a strike rate of 166. South Africa squad: Rassie van der Dussen (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane Best of Rassie van der Dussen | CWC23 Wicket-keeper-batter Rubin Hermann was also impressive, scoring 333 runs at an average of 41.43. Bosch, who has already featured for the Proteas in ODIs and Tests, played a key role in MI Cape Town's title win in the SA20 earlier this year, while Muthusamy adds to South Africa's depth as a spin-bowling all-rounder. The squad also features the return of Dewald Brevis, fast bowlers Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee following their respective injury layoffs. The trio bolsters a strong bowling unit that also includes Lungi Ngidi, who was part of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 triumph and emerging pacer Kwena Maphaka. Head coach Shukri Conrad, who takes charge of his first T20I assignment since being appointed to the all-format role, said the series marks the beginning of South Africa's preparations for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord's. 'With several senior players rested as part of their workload management, it creates opportunities for others to step in and show what they can offer,' said Conrad. 'This is a chance for us to build depth and see how these players cope with international demands.' The squad will assemble in Pretoria on 9 July for a two-day preparatory camp before departing for Harare on 11 July. The tri-series begins with South Africa facing hosts Zimbabwe on 14 July. Tri-series fixtures: July 14 - Zimbabwe v South Africa July 16 - South Africa v New Zealand July 18 - Zimbabwe v New Zealand July 20 - Zimbabwe v South Africa July 22 - New Zealand v South Africa July 24 - Zimbabwe v New Zealand July 26 - Final * All games will be played at the Harare Sports Club.
Int'l Cricket Council
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
New inclusions as Smith injured, Labuschagne dropped for Australia
Australia will feature a new-look batting line-up for the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados next week, with Steve Smith forced out of the side through injury, and an out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne dropped. Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas will come in for the pair for the Test that begins on June 25, the first match for both sides in the World Test Championship 2027 cycle. Steve Smith with a resilient half-century | WTC25 Final Australia talisman Steve Smith helps his side bounce back from early wickets with a fine half-century in the World Test Championship Final at Lord's. Smith's finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship Final keeps him out of the team, though there are hopes of a return for the second Test in Grenada from July 3. After a barren two-year run in Test cricket, Labuschagne was moved to up to open in the Lord's Final, though made just 17 and 22 in the defeat to South Africa. Chair of Selectors George Bailey confirmed the news of the changes on Friday morning. 'Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey began. '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." South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord's. The incoming pair have impressed in their early outings, with Konstas turning heads in taking on World No.1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah and compiling a half-century on Boxing Day in Melbourne, and Inglis scoring a century on Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year. With the pair given the chance to feature, Bailey also backed Labuschagne who remains a presence in the squad despite making way. '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. '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.' Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster West Indies Test squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales World Test ChampionshipNews
Int'l Cricket Council
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Uncapped pacer in Zimbabwe squad to face the Proteas
Zimbabwe have named their squad of 16 players to face World Test Championship 2025 winners, South Africa in a two-match Test series at home, beginning later this month. The sides previously met in a warm-up match for the Proteas ahead of the World Test Championship final. They will be led by long-standing skipper, Craig Ervine, while leg spinner, Vincent Masekesa has also been recalled. Zimbabwe are bolstered by the return of pacer Trevor Gwandu, who was injured on the tour of England. Uncapped pacer Kundai Matigimu earns his maiden Test call-up, while Prince Masvaure and Takudzwanashe Kaitano return to strengthen the top-order alongside Brian Bennett. Blessing Muzarabani leads the pace attack, with Sean Williams stabilising the middle-order in the two-Test series. South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord's. Zimbabwe Squad v South Africa: Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams First Test: June 28 to July 2 Second Test: July 6 to July 10 Both Tests are set to be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Int'l Cricket Council
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Proteas heroes rewarded for WTC25 Final heroics in latest rankings
Newly crowned ICC World Test Champions South Africa are basking in their glory, with multiple members of their stellar cast at the WTC Final rising in the new ICC Men's Test Player Rankings. Leading the way is their Player of the Match from the final at Lord's, Aiden Markram. The prolific batter has risen seven places to just outside the top-10 in the Men's Test Batting Rankings, with only two points separating the Protea from New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell (725) in 10th. Markram's splendid ton guides Proteas to historic win | Aramco POTM Highlights | WTC25 Final Aiden Markram lead the Proteas push to the ICC World Test Championship triumph with a century for the ages at Lord's. Markram amassed an impressive 136 runs off 207 balls in a masterful display of Test batting to take South Africa across the line in the WTC Final. The 30-year-old, who also nabbed a couple of crucial wickets for South Africa, has also been rewarded in the Test All-Rounders Rankings, rising a whopping 44 places. David Bedingham, who closed the famous win for South Africa, also made a move of note in the Batting Rankings, climbing 17 places to 40 alongside Cameron Green. Carnage to Ecstasy | Relive South Africa's triumph in the WTC25 Final Epic Montage Carnage. More carnage. And then ecstasy. Relive the story of South Africa's monumental triumph with the #WTC25 epic montage. Meanwhile, South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who produced an inspirational spell with the ball during Australia's second innings, has also soared in the Bowling Rankings. The right-arm quick climbs seven spots to share the 37th place with fellow quicks Lahiru Kumara and Naseem Shah. Kagiso Rabada, who was South Africa's pick of the bowlers, maintained his second place among the bowlers, next to India's Jasprit Bumrah. For Australia, seasoned speedster Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Beau Webster benefited from valiant displays through the summit clash. Starc produces gritty half-century | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final Mitchell Starc put on a resilient display against an in-form Proteas pace-bowling unit to help the defending champions to a 281-run lead. Starc, who took five wickets through the Test and scored a fighting half-century in the second innings, climbed to 10th spot in the Men's Test Bowling and All-Rounders Rankings. Webster meanwhile, who was Australia's top scorer in the first innings, ascended 13 places in the Batting Rankings. In the ODI Player Rankings, key performers from the Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 action have boasted impressive climbs. Netherlands top-order batter Michael Levitt, who was also handy with the ball, has soared 22 places in the Batting Rankings to go with a climb of 21 among the bowlers and another 27 in the all-rounders charts. Levitt also leapt 11 places in the T20I batting charts to the 30th spot in the tri-series after League 2 play, just below Pakistan's Mohammad Haris. His teammate Noah Croes also jumped 20 places in the Men's ODI Batting Rankings after making a vital fifty from the four-wicket win against Scotland. Nepal's Aarif Sheikh, who top-scored with the bat in the 16-run win over the Dutch, climbs 13 places in the batting charts. Nepal v Netherlands | Match Highlights | ICC Men's CWCL2 2023-27 A second consecutive win for Nepal in their UK League 2 tri-series NewsMen's RankingsAiden MarkramLungi Ngidi
