Steve Smith's activity in the Australian cricket team's dressing room became the talk of the day on Day 1 of the third Test against India at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. With play halted early due to rain, the camera turned to Smith, who was caught deep in concentration, solving a crossword puzzle. Pen in hand, the experienced Australian cricketer was observed pondering over the clues, while commentators revealed he was working through the day's crossword. This quirky moment quickly captured the attention of social media users, with images of Smith’s crossword session going viral shortly after. Crossword puzzle time for Steve Smith during the rain-break!📸: Disney+Hotstar#AUSvIND #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/ukcryGhqJk — SBM Cricket (@Sbettingmarkets) December 14, 2024 Australia finished the day on 28-0 with Usman Khawaja 19 not out and Nathan McSweeney on four after India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field. Only 13.2 overs were bowled during the first session and there was no further play, much to the disappointment of the big crowd that had filed into the Gabba. At one stage the outfield resembled a lake but as the weather eased the water drained away quickly, leaving only a few small areas still affected. However, the rain persisted throughout the day and the umpires eventually called off play midway through the final session. Also Read: Tea: No play possible as rain persists at the Gabba Play will begin 30 minutes earlier for the remaining four days with a minimum of 98 overs to be bowled each day. However, while the forecast is better for Sunday, there is more rain predicted early next week. After a week of downpours in Brisbane, Rohit would have expected plenty of movement from his opening bowlers, but they struggled to find their length. Spearhead Jasprit Bumrah appeared down on pace early and Mohammed Siraj was equally unthreatening. The forecasted rain first came 25 minutes into the day's play, causing a half-hour delay, and when the players returned Akash Deep at last found the perfect length with movement in the air and off the wicket. He troubled McSweeney in particular, but 35 minutes later much heavier rain sent the players from the field for the second time. The five-match series is evenly poised with India thrashing Australia in the first Test in Perth and Australia recording an equally impressive victory in Adelaide. The Australians, as expected, brought back Josh Hazlewood for Scott Boland after he recovered from a side strain. India dropped spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and fast bowler Harshit Rana, replacing them with Ravindra Jadeja and Deep. (With inputs from agencies)
14 December,2024 02:14 PM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentA day after Imad Wasim announced his decision to re-retire from international cricket, Pakistan's experienced pacer Mohammad Amir announced his decision to retire from international cricket on Saturday. The 32-year-old seamer took to social media to announce his 'inevitable' decision after 'careful consideration'. Amir wrote that he felt it was the right time to pass the baton to the next generation to elevate Pakistan's cricket. "After careful consideration, I have taken the difficult decision to retire from international cricket. These decisions are never easy but are inevitable. I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan Cricket to new heights!" Amir wrote on X. Announcement of my retirement from international cricket 🏏. pic.twitter.com/CsPfOTGY6O — Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) December 14, 2024 "Representing my country has been and always will be the greatest honour of my life. I would sincerely like to thank the PCB, my family and friends and, above all, my fans for their continuous love and support," he concluded. Also Read: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir back for ‘unfinished work’ at T20 World Cup Amir retired from all forms of international cricket in 2021 but reversed his decision earlier this year. He reversed his decision and made himself available for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The experienced quick's career was filled with controversies, especially when he was banned for five years between 2010 and 2015 due to spot-fixing charges. During his career, Amir played 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is. In red-ball cricket, Amir scythed 119 scalps, averaging 30.47. In the 50-over format, the left-armer bagged 81 wickets at an average of 29.62. In the shortest format of cricket, Amir managed to pick up 71 wickets while averaging 21.94. Overall, Amir picked up 271 international wickets in 159 matches across all formats. Amir made his last appearance for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup during Men in Green's final game of the group stage against Ireland. He ended the tournament with seven wickets in four matches. Notably, before Amir, his compatriot Imad Wasim also retired from international cricket. Imad took to social media to bid farewell to international cricket and wrote, "After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket." "While this chapter comes to an end, I look forward to continuing my journey in cricket through domestic and franchise cricket, and I hope to keep entertaining you all in new ways," he added. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed thanked the duo for their services. "On behalf of the PCB, I extend sincere gratitude to Amir and Imad for their services to Pakistan cricket and wish them the very best in their future endeavours," Syed said in a press release issued by the board.
14 December,2024 01:29 PM IST | Karachi | mid-day online correspondentOn the periphery, it looks like a cakewalk for in-form Mumbai but they will be quietly worried over Madhya Pradesh's ability to be the disruptor when they meet in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final on Sunday. Mumbai's tag of favourites is printed largely on the back of their awesome batting unit, capable of setting or chasing tall targets with consummate ease. In a line-up that has skipper Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube and Prithvi Shaw, a reborn Ajinkya Rahane is leading their charge with the bat. Rahane is the top run-getter in this edition of the SMAT with 432 runs from eight matches at a strike-rate of 170 with five fifties. Shreyas, at No.3, has ensured that the frenetic start that Rahane has often given is not wasted with brisk knocks of his own. The right-hander has so far amassed 329 runs from eight matches while striking at 189. Their efforts have masked the rather underwhelming outings of Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav. While their batting is in a far more secured space, Mumbai's inconsistent frontline bowlers will have to be on the money against Madhya Pradesh. Even while restricting Baroda to a below-par 158 for seven in the semifinal, Mohit Avasthi, Shardul Thakur and Dube were profligate. Spinners Tanush Kotian, Suryansh Shedge and Atharva Ankolekar kept the opposition on a tight leash. Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah's frustration with lack of swing caught on stump mic: WATCH That Madhya Pradesh under captain Rajat Patidar can exploit that weakness will be a point of worry for Mumbai, looking to add a second title after 2022. Patidar too was confident about his team's chances. ¿I think it's important to know our strengths. We are not thinking that we are playing against a form team like Mumbai. "We are treating it as any other cricket match, and whoever will play their best will win," said Patidar after beating Delhi in the semifinal here Friday. Patidar himself is the third highest run-getter in this tournament with 347 runs with four fifties, while maintaining a strike-rate of 183. He will have to play the lead role for MP to land their maiden SMAT title, as their best effort remains a final appearance in the 2010-11 season. The Rs 23.75 crore worth all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer too has given MP stability in the lower middle-order (210 runs, SR: 162) with handy knocks and taking six crucial wickets with his utility medium pace. The other Madhya Pradesh bowlers like pacers Avesh Khan (10 wickets), Tripuresh Singh (7) and spinner Kumar Kartikeya (16) have been in fine fettle in this event, and they can seriously challenge Mumbai's batting machine. (With agency inputs)
14 December,2024 01:15 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentFast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was heard expressing frustration over the lack of swing on Day 1 of the third Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. Despite the overcast conditions and just 13.2 overs of play being possible in the first session due to rain, the fast bowlers found little to no movement in the air. Bumrah, in particular, was caught on the stump mic voicing his concerns. During the fifth over of the match, Bumrah attempted to adjust his length in search of more movement off the pitch. However, he quickly realized that there was no swing to be had. "Nahi ho raha swing, kahin bhi kar (There is no swing, no matter where you bowl)," Bumrah was heard saying as he returned to his mark. Ah, oh! 😮💨What will #TeamIndia pull out of their armory for the first breakthrough? 🙊#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 3rd Test, Day 1, LIVE NOW only on Star Sports! #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/kAX2Suh557 — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 14, 2024 Play was abandoned shortly after tea with Australia finishing the day on 28-0 with Usman Khawaja 19 not out and Nathan McSweeney on four after India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field. Only 13.2 overs were bowled during the first session and there was no further play, much to the disappointment of the big crowd that had filed into the Gabba. At one stage the outfield resembled a lake but as the weather eased the water drained away quickly, leaving only a few small areas still affected. However, the rain persisted throughout the day and the umpires eventually called off play midway through the final session. Also Read: Persistent rain cuts short play in Brisbane, Australia at 28-0 Play will begin 30 minutes earlier for the remaining four days with a minimum of 98 overs to be bowled each day. However, while the forecast is better for Sunday, there is more rain predicted early next week. After a week of downpours in Brisbane, Rohit would have expected plenty of movement from his opening bowlers, but they struggled to find their length. Spearhead Jasprit Bumrah appeared down on pace early and Mohammed Siraj was equally unthreatening. The forecasted rain first came 25 minutes into the day's play, causing a half-hour delay, and when the players returned Akash Deep at last found the perfect length with movement in the air and off the wicket. He troubled McSweeney in particular, but 35 minutes later much heavier rain sent the players from the field for the second time. The five-match series is evenly poised with India thrashing Australia in the first Test in Perth and Australia recording an equally impressive victory in Adelaide. The Australians, as expected, brought back Josh Hazlewood for Scott Boland after he recovered from a side strain. India dropped spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and fast bowler Harshit Rana, replacing them with Ravindra Jadeja and Deep. (With agency inputs)
14 December,2024 12:18 PM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentPlay was abandoned on the first day of the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba in Brisbane after rain fell for much of Saturday. Australia finished the day on 28-0 with Usman Khawaja 19 not out and Nathan McSweeney on four after India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field. Only 13.2 overs were bowled during the first session and there was no further play, much to the disappointment of the big crowd that had filed into the Gabba. At one stage the outfield resembled a lake but as the weather eased the water drained away quickly, leaving only a few small areas still affected. However, the rain persisted throughout the day and the umpires eventually called off play midway through the final session. Also Read: Tea: No play possible as rain persists at the Gabba Play will begin 30 minutes earlier for the remaining four days with a minimum of 98 overs to be bowled each day. However, while the forecast is better for Sunday, there is more rain predicted early next week. After a week of downpours in Brisbane, Rohit would have expected plenty of movement from his opening bowlers, but they struggled to find their length. Spearhead Jasprit Bumrah appeared down on pace early and Mohammed Siraj was equally unthreatening. The forecasted rain first came 25 minutes into the day's play, causing a half-hour delay, and when the players returned Akash Deep at last found the perfect length with movement in the air and off the wicket. He troubled McSweeney in particular, but 35 minutes later much heavier rain sent the players from the field for the second time. The five-match series is evenly poised with India thrashing Australia in the first Test in Perth and Australia recording an equally impressive victory in Adelaide. The Australians, as expected, brought back Josh Hazlewood for Scott Boland after he recovered from a side strain. India dropped spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and fast bowler Harshit Rana, replacing them with Ravindra Jadeja and Deep. (With inputs from agencies)
14 December,2024 12:08 PM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentDuring the previous tour of Australia, the Indian cricket team achieved a historic victory at the Gabba in Brisbane. In the current critical third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian team has opted to bat first following a successful toss. Although rain disrupted play during the first session of the opening day, several former players were present at the Gabba to lend their support to the Indian team. Former Test bowler Munaf Patel has indicated that the Indian team is a formidable contender for victory in this Test match. Munaf, who serves as a bowling coach for the Delhi Capitals (DC), was in attendance at the Gabba alongside his DC colleagues Hemang Badani & Venugopal Rao. In a conversation with Mid-Day, Munaf stated, “The decision to bowl on this ground is sound; however, the Indian bowlers must focus on delivering fuller lengths. Proper utilization of the good-length area on this pitch can exert pressure on the Australian batsmen. It is imperative for the Indian team to adopt an aggressive bowling approach.” Also Read: Tea: No play possible as rain persists at the Gabba Regarding the inclusion of Akashdeep in the Gabba Test, Munaf commented, “I am unaware of the team's thought process. It is essential to determine the appropriate combination for the team. Nevertheless, Akashdeep is a competent bowler with experience in Test matches. Had he participated in Adelaide, it would have conferred additional advantages to the Indian team. Both Harshit Rana and Akashdeep are well-suited for this venue. One must remain vigilant to prevent the Australian batsmen from establishing a rhythm. I was particularly impressed with Mohammad Siraj's bowling, especially his ability to trouble Usman Khawaja prior to the rain; that was remarkable.”
14 December,2024 11:24 AM IST | Brisbane | Amit ShahRain continued to spoilsport as no play was possible in the second session on the opening day of the third Test between India and Australia on Saturday. Australia remained at 28 for no loss from 13.2 overs as the tea session was washed out. Invited to bat, Usman Khawaja (19 batting) and Nathan McSweeney (4 batting) negotiated the new ball well as the first session was marred by rain. A steady drizzle had stopped play earlier in the sixth over as well. Also Read: Siraj endures hostile Gabba welcome over feud with Head: WATCH Pacers Jasprit Bumrah (0/8 in 6 overs), Mohammed Siraj (0/13 in 4 overs)and Akash Deep (0/2 in 3.2 overs) operated for India. With not many probing questions asked, the first 25 minutes before the steady drizzle stopped proceedings for some time saw Australia reach 19 for no loss. While Nathan McSweeney (4 batting, 33 balls) defended dourly, Khawaja did pull Mohammed Siraj for a boundary before the break and added one more after play resumed. Siraj was removed after a three-over first spell and it was Akash Deep (0/2 in 3.2 overs), who looked good first up, keeping the ball on the off-stump channel with his stock delivery that would dart in to put batters in uncomfortable positions. Also Read: Khawaja shows guts as Australia reach 28 for no loss at lunch But where Australia won the session was how Khawaja dealt with Bumrah. He defended well by dropping his bottom hand and trying to play as late as possible. The balls that went past Khawaja's outside edge weren't about being beaten; rather, he kept the bat close to his body, allowing the ball to deviate past the willow. He only played deliveries that were bowled into his body. He knew that if they can manage Bumrah's first spell which is generally between six to eight overs, they can dominate other bowlers. The second rain break came due to a sharper spell of showers, just as Akash and, especially, Siraj in his second spell began pitching the ball further up and started using angles well. The five-match series stands tied at 1-1. Brief Scores: Australia 28 for no loss in 13.2 overs (Usman Khawaja 19 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 0/8).
14 December,2024 11:10 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentFast bowler Mohammed Siraj was met with a chorus of boos from a section of the crowd at The Gabba in Brisbane on Day 1 of the third Test against Australia on Saturday. As Siraj prepared to bowl the second over of the Australian innings, audible jeers rang out from different corners of the stadium. This reaction stemmed from the ongoing controversy involving Siraj and his confrontation with Travis Head during the second Test in Adelaide. Big boo for siraj from the crowd#AUSvIND #TheGabba pic.twitter.com/rQp5ekoIak — ٭𝙉𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙎𝙃٭ (@nitiszhhhh) December 14, 2024 The two players had been involved in a heated exchange, which led to both being penalized. Siraj was fined 20 percent of his match fee, while Head received a demerit point as part of the disciplinary sanctions. With not many probing questions asked, the first 25 minutes before the steady drizzle stopped proceedings for some time saw Australia reach 19 for no loss. While Nathan McSweeney (4 batting, 33 balls) defended dourly, Khawaja did pull Siraj for a boundary before the break and added one more after play resumed. Also Read: Khawaja shows guts as Australia reach 28 for no loss at lunch Siraj was removed after a three-over first spell and it was Akash Deep (0/2 in 3.2 overs), who looked good first up, keeping the ball on the off-stump channel with his stock delivery that would dart in to put batters in uncomfortable positions. But where Australia won the session was how Khawaja dealt with Bumrah. He defended well by dropping his bottom hand and trying to play as late as possible. The balls that went past Khawaja's outside edge weren't about being beaten; rather, he kept the bat close to his body, allowing the ball to deviate past the willow. He only played deliveries that were bowled into his body. He knew that if they can manage Bumrah's first spell which is generally between six to eight overs, they can dominate other bowlers. The second rain break came due to a sharper spell of showers, just as Akash and, especially, Siraj in his second spell began pitching the ball further up and started using angles well. The five-match series is locked in at 1-1. Teams: Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
14 December,2024 10:37 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentPakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim announced his retirement from international cricket for the second time on Friday. The 35-year-old has expressed his desire to continue playing domestic and franchise cricket around the world. Imad, earlier had announced his retirement from international cricket in 2023 too but his stellar performance in the Pakistan Super League, where he was named player of the match in all three playoff games for eventual champions Islamabad United, prompted a return to international cricket in the T20 format. He went on to play for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. However, Pakistan made an early exit from the tournament after losing to the USA and India in the group stage. His last international match came against Ireland in the T20 World Cup in June this year. He was unable to get his place back in the team. Also Read: Khawaja shows guts as Australia reach 28 for no loss at lunch Imad played 75 T20Is and 55 ODIs for Pakistan and accumulated 1,540 runs and scalped 117 wickets in the white-ball format. He didn't play Test cricket for Pakistan. "To all fans & supporters: After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket. Representing Pakistan on the world stage has been the greatest honor of my life, and every moment wearing the green jersey has been unforgettable," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Your unwavering support, love, and passion have always been my biggest strength. From the highs to the lows, your encouragement has pushed me to give my best for our beloved country. While this chapter comes to an end, I look forward to continuing my journey in cricket through domestic and franchise cricket, and I hope to keep entertaining you all in new ways. Thank you for everything. Pakistan," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 December,2024 09:08 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSStar Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned from bowling in all competitions organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after his action was deemed illegal during independent testing, according to a report. The 37-year-old, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, was reported for his bowling action by on-field umpires Steve O'Shaughnessy and David Millns during a one-off appearance for Surrey in the County Championship in September. Following this, an independent test at Loughborough University earlier this month confirmed his action was illegal, and he will need to undergo a reassessment to lift the suspension, the report said. For the reassessment, Shakib's elbow extension must be below the 15-degree threshold set by the regulations. "The suspension is officially dated from December 10, the date when the ECB received the results of the assessment from Loughborough University," according to the ESPNcricinfo report. Shakib had a standout performance in that match against Somerset in September, taking nine wickets for Surrey in Taunton. This was his first County Championship appearance since a brief stint with Worcestershire in 2010-11. Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan says not returning to Bangladesh over 'security issue': Media Shakib has not played any international cricket since deciding not to return to Bangladesh for what would have been his farewell Test against South Africa in Mirpur, following protests in Dhaka. Shakib, who has scored 4609 runs and taken 246 wickets in 71 Tests, 7570 runs and 317 scalps in 247 ODIs, and another 2551 runs and 149 wickets in 129 T20Is for Bangladesh, has not returned to his home country since the ousting of the Awami League government. He is currently based in the USA with his family. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 December,2024 09:07 AM IST | London | PTIWith his maiden T20I ton, Reeza Hendricks lifted South Africa to its first T20I bilateral series win since August 2022, as the Proteas celebrated a 7-wicket win in the second match against Pakistan at the SuperSport Park. South Africa needed something special from its players after Pakistan hammered 206/5 on the board. With David Miller out of the fray, all eyes were on South Africa's playing XI, contemplating who could rise to fill in his role. The question remained unanswered until Hendricks walked in to decide the fate of the game. His exploits with the bat handed Rob Walter his first T20I series win since taking over the white-ball coaching role in March 2023. After being invited to field first, the inexperienced South African line-up conceded the fifth-highest first-innings total at SuperSport Park, but they chased it down with three balls to spare. Also Read: Khawaja shows guts as Australia reach 28 for no loss at lunch The spine of South Africa's record-breaking chase was forged by the 157-run partnership between Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen. While Hendricks went berserk and fired sixes for fun, Van der Dussen scored his seventh T20I half-century to make Pakistan's star-studded bowling line-up look ordinary. While chasing a testing total of 207, South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton (2) and Matthew Breetzke (12) in the powerplay. With the asking rate starting to mount up, Hendricks upped the ante and went about his business without breaking a sweat. The duo navigated South Africa towards victory as Pakistan's over-reliance on the slower deliveries started to hurt their cause. Hendricks eventually holed it to Irfan Khan towards the end before Dussen settled the series in style, smoking the ball into the stands. Earlier in the match, Pakistan lost its skipper Mohammad Rizwan early forcing Babar Azam and Saim Ayub to go after the South African bowling unit. The duo took Pakistan to 101/1 after 11 overs but South Africa found a way back into the mix, courtesy of debutant Dayyaan Galiem and spinner George Linde. The duo bowled in tandem as Pakistan were reduced to 136/4 in 16 overs. Ayub and Irfan Khan combined to rack up 73 from 32 balls for the fifth wicket, propelling the visitors total to 206/5. With an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, Pakistan and South Africa will face in the final match of the T20I-leg on Saturday. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 December,2024 09:01 AM IST | Centurion | ANIADVERTISEMENT
