Latest news with #WTCFinal
India Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
WI vs AUS: Steve Smith likely to play 2nd Test, reveals head coach Andrew McDonald
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has backed star batter Steve Smith to return from injury and play the second Test against the West Indies, set to begin from July 3. Smith missed the series opener after suffering a finger injury during the World Test Championship Final (WTC) final 2025 vs South Africa at Lord' Smith has made rapid progress in his journey and is already back to batting practice in New York, as revealed by captain Pat Cummins. Recently, Andrew McDonald also shared an update on Smith's road to recovery and said that he's likely to play the second really about functionality around the finger rather than anything else. There'll be no risk to the long-term health of that finger. He'll return, and I think it's likely he'll play. Leading into the next game, he'll have the main session two days out," Andrew McDonald said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. Furthermore, McDonald mentioned that Smith will continue to bat at number four and the rest of the batting order will move around him."In terms of why we see him as No. 4, I think we've settled on that. We could slide him up higher if we wanted to. He's been excellent at number three. But I think if you look at the last 12 months at No. 4 and his ability to stabilise that position, two down, arguably our greatest batter, we want to keep him at four and build around that rather than potentially risking too many moves in the order," he Smith's absence, Josh Inglis batted at number four in the first Test but failed to leave a mark as he registered scores of 5 and 12 across two innings. Australia also benched Marnus Labuschagne in the series opener after his failure as an opener in the WTC Final vs South Smith gets fit for the second Test, Inglis is likely to make way for the veteran batter as Australia will aim to take an unassailable lead in the series at National Cricket Stadium, St Georges, Grenada.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pat Cummins' baggy green vanishes mysteriously right after Australia skipper ditches deep-rooted 'cap' tradition
Australia captain Pat Cummins has found himself in an unusual off-field predicament during the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. In what appears to be a case of unfortunate timing and baffling mystery, Cummins' brand-new Baggy Green cap, a cherished emblem of Australian Test cricket, reportedly went missing just hours before the series opener in Barbados. Australia's Pat Cummins reacts during the WTC Final earlier this month(Action Images via Reuters) Cummins had arrived for a pre-series photoshoot alongside West Indies captain Roston Chase, sporting the new cap, which he had chosen to debut instead of repairing his original one from 2011. That original cap, issued to him ahead of his Test debut against South Africa, had endured years of wear and weather, prompting the skipper to seek a fresh start with a new Albion-made version, one of the last manufactured before the cap-making rights shifted to Kookaburra in 2016. Cummins' act of getting a new baggy green was also seen as a break of tradition in Australian cricket. Several former greats, including Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and David Warner, chose to wear their original Baggy Green caps throughout their careers, embracing the wear and tear as a mark of pride. However, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph, Cummins' new cap vanished sometime between the team photo session and the toss. With no trace of it found, the Aussie skipper was left with no option but to pull out his old, worn-out Baggy Green, the same cap he had decided to retire, for the opening Test. It was this weathered cap that sat atop his head as he led Australia to a commanding 159-run victory at Kensington Oval. Cummins' performances intact Wardrobe hiccup aside, Cummins continued to deliver on the field. The pacer claimed three wickets in the match, supporting Josh Hazlewood, who bagged a five-wicket haul in the second innings to dismantle the West Indies lineup. Interestingly, Cummins isn't the only Australian player to experience such a loss. David Warner had previously made a public plea on social media when his own Baggy Green went missing last year after his luggage was stolen. Similarly, cricketing great Greg Chappell once appealed to the public after his cap vanished from a Brisbane storage unit.
India.com
4 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Ravi Shastri On Future Of WTC Final: Time To Move Onto 90,000+ Seater Stadiums Like MCG And Ahmedabads Narendra Modi Stadium
WTC Final: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that England is the perfect host for the early years of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final but has backed massive stadiums in India and Australia as future venues as the format gains more popularity. WTC Finals Have All Been Held in England So Far Since its launch in 2019, the WTC Final has been held in England across three different venues: 2021: Rose Bowl, Southampton (India vs New Zealand) 2023: The Oval, London (India vs Australia) 2025: Lord's, London (Australia vs South Africa) The recent 2025 final saw South Africa end their 27-year ICC trophy drought under Temba Bavuma's captaincy, defeating defending champions Australia at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground. Lord's Draws Neutral Fans, But Bigger Stadiums Could Be Future Hosts Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Podcast, Shastri praised England for drawing crowds even for neutral Tests, especially at a venue like Lord's. However, he pointed out that as the WTC Final grows in importance and fan following, larger venues such as the MCG in Australia or the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad could be ideal hosts. 'It's good if it's here (Lord's) actually. Once it gets the popularity and eyebrows it deserves, then it can start shifting,' said Shastri. 'The MCG can be a great place for a WTC Final. Ahmedabad too. Basically, places where you can draw a crowd.' Shastri also noted that Lord's has limited seating (approximately 30,000) compared to the MCG (over 90,000) and Narendra Modi Stadium (over 100,000), which could offer a more electrifying atmosphere for a global final. England Likely to Continue Hosting WTC Finals Despite Shastri's suggestion, reports indicate that England could continue hosting WTC finals through the 2029 and 2031 cycles as per the ICC's Future Tours Programme. The 2027 final has already been confirmed at Lord's, and a BCCI bid to host the match in India was recently turned down. The ICC is reportedly favouring England due to its strong track record of organizing successful neutral Tests, especially in the traditional format.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Lords is great but…': Ravi Shastri makes bold pitch for WTC final in India
Former player and now commentator Ravi Shastri (Photo by) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has endorsed England as the ideal venue for the World Test Championship finals while suggesting that the prestigious event could potentially move to larger stadiums in India and Australia in the future once it gains more global popularity. The statement comes as England continues to host WTC finals, with three successive championships being played across different stadiums in the country over the past six years. The inaugural World Test Championship final was hosted at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, featuring India and New Zealand. The subsequent final saw Australia emerge victorious against India at the Oval, claiming the WTC championship title from the Kiwis. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The most recent WTC final took place at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, where South Africa secured victory against Australia. This triumph marked the end of South Africa's 27-year drought for an ICC trophy under Temba Bavuma's leadership. "I think to start off initially, it's good if it's here (Lord's) actually. Once it gets the popularity and eyebrows it deserves, then it can start shifting. But I think the MCG can be a great place for a World Test Championship Final. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kilcarty: Waterproof Your Home [Discover] Waterproofing Services Learn More Undo Ahmedabad can be a great place for the WTC Final. Basically, the places where you can draw a crowd. Because Lord's is not a 100,000-seater stadium. So, irrespective of which team is playing, you know you will get a good crowd," Shastri expressed during a Wisden Cricket podcast. India's Day 2 at the Nets in Edgbaston | IND vs ENG Test Series The discussion about venue selection has gained prominence as England is expected to continue hosting the WTC finals for the next two cycles. According to the International Cricket Council's Future Tours Program, the 2027 WTC Final is scheduled to be held at Lord's, with subsequent finals planned for 2029 and 2031. The Board of Control for Cricket in India's recent bid to host the 2027 WTC final was unsuccessful. The decision favored England due to its consistent support for neutral Test matches. London venues have demonstrated their ability to attract neutral cricket enthusiasts who appreciate the longest format of the game. However, Shastri's suggestion points to the potential of hosting future championships at larger venues like the Narendra Modi Stadium in India and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? These proposed alternative venues offer significantly larger seating capacities compared to traditional English cricket grounds. This capacity difference could potentially accommodate more spectators once the World Test Championship establishes a stronger following among global cricket audiences. The progression of WTC final venues reflects the evolving nature of Test cricket's premier championship event. While maintaining its current base in England, the tournament shows potential for geographical expansion as it continues to develop its global appeal and fan following. The ongoing discussion about venue selection highlights the balance between tradition and growth in Test cricket's flagship event. England's role as the current host nation has established a foundation for the championship, while future possibilities remain open for expansion to other major cricket venues worldwide. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Lord's is good but not a 100,000-seater': Ravi Shastri says Ahmedabad stadium ‘great venue' for WTC Final in future
For a sporting occasion like the World Test Championship final, still in its early stages of gaining global popularity, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said England remains an ideal venue for growth. However but says the tournament could cut through to India and Australia once the For three successive finals in the last six years, the WTC final has been played across three different stadiums in England. The Rose Bowl in Southampton hosted India and New Zealand in the inaugural final. Australia then took over from the Kiwis as the WTC champions with a win over India in the WTC 2023 final at the Oval. The trophy return to London earlier this month, with the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground overseeing a spectacular match between Australia and South Africa, with the Proteas ending a 27-year ICC trophy drought under Temba Bavuma's captaincy. While the London venue continues to draw in the neutral cricket-loving crowds for the longest format, Shastri feels the championship final can move to bigger stadiums in India and Australia after gaining an adequate following in the future. 'I think to start off initially, it's good if it's here (Lord's) actually. Once it gets the popularity and eyebrows it deserves, then it can start shifting. But I think the MCG can be a great place for a World Test Championship Final. Ahmedabad can be a great place for the WTC Final. Basically, the places where you can draw a crowd. Because Lord's is not a 100,000-seater stadium. So, irrespective of which team is playing, you know you will get a good crowd,' Shastri told in a Wisden Cricket podcast. Recent reports have suggested that England could be home for the WTC finals across the next two cycles as well, with finals slated in 2029 and 2031. According to the ICC's Future Tours Program, the 2027 WTC Final has also been scheduled to be held at Lord's. The BCCI's bid to host the 2027 WTC was recently dismissed with England being favoured for the continual support shown to neutral Tests.
