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In the opening Test match, Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs, providing Sri Lanka with its biggest loss in Test cricket history. After having to follow on earlier in the day, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 247 runs in their second innings, ending the match on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Australian spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who finished with a match total of nine wickets after taking four in the second innings, was instrumental in the victory. With hundreds from Usman Khawaja and Josh Inglis, the rookie, the Australian team amassed a commanding 654 runs in the first innings. Khawaja was the first Australian to reach the double century mark in Sri Lanka, which made it very remarkable. Sri Lanka's batting order was unable to sustain the strain from Australia's bowlers, and they suffered throughout the game. This loss emphasizes Sri Lanka's difficulties as they attempt to bounce back against a formidable Australian team in the current series.

R Ashwin believes that other seasoned candidates like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are still valid choices for the position. Even though Shubman Gill is the clear favorite to replace Rohit Sharma as India's next Test captain. The lineup for India's Five-Test series against England. Which begins on June 20, may be chosen in the last week of May. The selection process is dominated by discussions over a potential new captain. "First of all, Gill is regarded as the captain by everyone. They're all heading that way. But why do we overlook Ravindra Jadeja? Jasprit Bumrah is a noisy alternative," Ashwin stated in a YouTube video interview with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan. I would suggest that if you are open to hiring a new captain. Why not assign Gill as an experienced man's understudy for two years before giving him a full-time position? With 3370 runs and 323 wickets from 80 Test matches, Jadeja is the most seasoned player in the Indian squad following the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit from the game. However, Bumrah has only captained India in three Test matches, most recently in the opening and final Tests of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has no prior experience as a Test cricket captain. R. Ashwin "Why don't we gather all three or four candidates, have them give a presentation, and ask them to explain the team's vision?" Ashwin said. "It takes place in nations like Australia. Why don't we take that route? Following the third BGT Test late last year, Ashwin announced his retirement from all cricket-related activities. He stated that Bumrah should also be given serious consideration and that his recent back issue shouldn't be a barrier. "Look at Pat Cummins, who is currently captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs after having a back stress fracture as well," Ashwin said. In that sense, Bumrah is a national treasure and need to be discussed. He needs to be questioned about his ability to play five Test matches. Can you s

Temba Bavuma chose to bowl on a cloudy morning, and South Africa's pacers were spot on. He struck frequently to put Australia in a position in the opening session of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia entered the lunch break on Day 1 at 63/4. Steve Smith not out at 26. Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the attack with well while Marco Jansen provided good support. Jansen and Rabada, South Africa's new-ball duo, bowled three consecutive maidens while maintaining discipline with the line and lengths. Even as Rabada delivered a hat-trick of maidens to Usman Khawaja, Labuschagne got Australia moving with three pairs off Jansen. He eventually got his reward when he had the left-hander edging to first slip to dismiss him for a 20-ball duck. The batter fell to Rabada, who was beautifully taken by Aiden Markram at second slip. Ending Cameron Green's attempt at number three. They subsequently got through the first hour without suffering any further damage as Smith and Labuschagne hit a couple of boundaries to defeat an outstanding spell from Rabada (6-4-9-2). They also defeated Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder. On the first ball of the second hour, Smith looked at a loose ball from Ngidi for a boundary. The bowler also caught the edge of his bat, but the ball went to the boundary. Mulder attempted to worry Labuschagne a few times without success, while Smith also hit a drive past point off Ngidi. Thirty minutes into the second hour, Jansen came back into the attack and got Labuschagne to edge to the 'keeper, breaking a 30-run stand. This was Jansen's breakthrough. Smith and Travis Head each hit a boundary off Jansen to begin the recovery process anew. The umpire's call spared Smith after he was slapped on the pad after crossing too far to an oncoming Jansen delivery. After that, Jansen struck hard just before lunch, catching Head down the legside on the final ball before the break.

Test vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to be available for selection in the second match of the current two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Colombo. So Bangladesh can exhale with relief. Mehidy was rested for the premiere of the series after missing the two-day training session. Before the first Test in Galle because of an illness. There were some questions about his availability for the second Test as he had been absent from the ground for the first two days of the Galle Test. Mehidy, however, removed every doubt on Thursday, June 19, by attending the training. The all-rounder is reportedly making a full recovery from the fever and will probably be eligible for selection. A top-order batter Haque Anamul In the first Test. Bijoy took Mehidy's place but was ineffective, scoring a duck in the first innings. Mehidy surely will improve the team as one of Bangladesh's leading run scorers in Test cricket, particularly as the Colombo pitch is predicted to help spinners. June 25 is when the second Test is expected to start. Mushtaq Ahmed, a spin bowling consultant, left Galle on June 17 in advance of the current Test match, according to a BCB official. He is anticipated to return during the ODI series. Which starts in early July. In preparation for the Test series, Mushtaq had trained intensively with the spinners in Galle and Dhaka. "The contract between BCB and Mushtaq is based on the quantity of working days. He arrived during the preparatory stage and departed once his given duties were finished. On July 6, he will be back," Nafees continued.

In the first Test in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's only fighting spark was still Sean Williams' sixth Test century. A large 167-run lead was secured by the South Africans' combination bowling effort. Which was led by Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, and Codi Yusuf. South Africa's lead has increased to 216 runs by the end of Day 2. After announcing their overnight total of 418 for 9. South Africa called Zimbabwe to bat first thing in the morning. Takudzwanashe Kaitano chipped one to mid-wicket, and Codi Yusuf took his first Test wicket off his fifth delivery, putting the tourists right on the money right away. As he quickly took two wickets, Yusuf then got Nick Welch to push one behind to the 'keeper. Brian Bennett, who just scored a century against England last month, sandwiched this by hitting three quick boundaries to maintain a strong scoring rate. However, Bennett's innings was ended when his helmet was struck by a bouncer from Kwena Maphaka. Due to a concussion, the right-hander was taken out. For the home team, it brought in the seasoned combo of Craig Ervine and Williams. Who stitched a partnership of 96 runs. Ervine approached with greater steadiness, but the latter got things started with two flat batted shots to the Maphaka barrier. Corbin Bosch and Yusuf battered the two hitters repeatedly. But they persevered before punishing the loose sounds. It gave the hosts a chance to recover a little before lunch. Sean Williams Keshav Maharaj put Williams down after lunch before he reached his fiftieth birthday, bringing the ship into balance for Zimbabwe. The left-arm spinner claimed his 200th Test wicket. When Ervine was stumped off Maharaj in the following over. After getting lucky with a streaking boundary over the slip trap. Wessley Madhevere, a new batsman, showed initiative by hitting threes early on and slog sweeping Maharaj for six. Williams, who rocketed into the 80s, too relished playing the left-arm spinner with two boundaries as Zimbabwe reached the 150. The

In the tea break, Shubman Gill reached his first Test double-hundred and walked off unbroken on 265 after driving England into the ground with the highest-ever total by an Indian captain. Joe Root removed Washington Sundar for 42 as England's bowling attack grew weary. Allowing them to take just one wicket for the second straight session. India sped beyond 500 after lunch after cruising past 400 on the second morning at Edgbaston. Their strategy of filling their batting lineup with all-rounders following their lower-order collapses at Headingley drew a lot of opposition. But it has so far paid off handsomely, as they have partnerships of 203 and 144 for the sixth and seventh wickets. At number four, Gill was all class as he batted through a third straight session with little hope for England. Picking gaps with accuracy and finding reward for playing late. He persistently milked Shoaib Bashir, who had bowled 21 overs without reward on the second day, for singles and struck boundaries all over the park. After cleaning Washington up just before the tea break with an offbreak that turned past the outside edge. Root celebrated his dismissal with remarkable vigor. Curiously, Ben Stokes underbowled him, attempting every other possible way to get a wicket, including Harry Brook's less well-known medium pace. After the half, Washington took on Josh Tongue, hooking him over the long leg for six. After being concerned by his bouncer ploy before lunch. While Shubman Gill glided past several benchmarks, notably the best score by an Indian on English soil (previously 221) and the highest score by an Indian captain (previously 254*). He otherwise gave excellent support. India is well-positioned to achieve the highest total against England in the Stokes-McCullum era. Which stands at 579 (by Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022). There were no clear indications of a coming declaration at the tea break. England has won the last three times they have let up more over 550 runs while Sto

In dramatic fashion, Mitchell Starc reached the 400-wicket club on the third day at Sabina Park. Taking the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history. In just 15 balls after destroying the top order of the West Indies with a triple-wicket opening over. Mitchell Starc produced one of the best opening overs in his 100th Test match. When the left-hander edged a superb outswinger to replacement wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who was filling in for the injured Alex Carey. He removed John Campbell first ball, marking the fourth time in his career that he had done so with the first delivery of an innings. Debutant Kevlon Anderson reviewed the plumbest of lbws despite shouldering arms four balls later as the ball spun around to hit his leg in front of the middle stump. The stumps were destroyed by another delivery that bent back to take Brandon King's inside edge. It was the sixth time a team had gone 0 for 3 in Test history. Mikyle Louis was the fourth Australian bowler to reach the 400th wicket, following Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Nathan Lyon. He survived the hat-trick ball at the beginning of Starc's second over. But he duly took his 400th wicket with another of his signature inswingers, trapping Louis leg before wicket. Two balls later, he added Shai Hope leg before wicket to reach a five-wicket total in just 15 deliveries, breaking the previous record. Which was shared by Ernie Toshack, Stuart Broad, and Scott Boland, by four deliveries. The incredible sights continued. Starc used to rule the pink-ball cricket format in Australia. Confirming his position as the sport's king. This is the team's first abroad day-night test.

England have made just one change to their squad for the decisive fifth Test of the 2025 series against India. All‑rounder Jamie Overton has been brought back into the 15‑member side for the match starting July 31 at The Oval. This is Overton's first involvement in Test cricket since June 2022. When he played his only Test for England at Headingley scoring a magnificent 97 and taking two wickets during that lone appearance. Standing at 6′5″, the Surrey paceman provides both batting depth and seam‑bowling options, making him an ideal candidate to help balance the injury‑stretched England seam attack. Skipper Ben Stokes had flagged the urgent need for fresh legs after the front‑line bowlers grinded through a gruelling 257 overs in the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford. Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and returning pace spearhead Jofra Archer have carried a heavy workload through the series to date. Woakes alone has bowled 167 overs, while Archer just returning from a four‑year break has compiled his heaviest outing ever at Old Trafford with 49.1 overs. Stokes acknowledged that after their exertions, rotation or reinforcement may be essential ahead of the turnaround to Oval. Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue already in the squad but unused at Old Trafford are the likely competition for places. Atkinson recently returned from hamstring injury with a strong outing in Surrey's Second XI. While Tongue has taken 11 wickets in the series so far but has struggled with consistency. The Oval Test Overton's inclusion is not only about workload management. As a local Surrey player, he brings familiarity with the conditions at The Oval. He rejoined Surrey permanently in 2021. After a loan spell, and has seen strong county form throughout the current season - and even featured for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. Selectors have retained all 14 members from the squad that fielded at Old Trafford, with Overton being the single addition to the group. This inclusion r

Ben Stokes, the captain of England and their best all-round player, will not play in the final Test match against India due to a shoulder injury. In the third and fourth Test matches of this series, the in-form player's all-around performance earned him Player of the Match. Ollie Pope will captain the team in place of him when they play India at The Oval in London on Thursday, July 31. The pacers Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and spinner Liam Dawson were also left off of the eleven that drew with India in Manchester. In addition to Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, and Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell has been added to the team and is slated to start at number six. England's XI: Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope ©, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue When India batted for 143 overs over five sessions in the final innings to draw the Test, Ben Stokes had a lengthy bowling stint. During the session, Stokes was clearly gripping his right shoulder and had bowled 35 overs in both innings. The depth of Stokes' injuries and the challenging decision-making process were disclosed. During the news conference held on the eve of the fifth Test. "I don't know how to phrase it; therefore, I can't state that I have a good rip in one of my muscles. We took as much time as possible to decide on that. When you discover what you've done, there is undoubtedly some emotion involved. To give myself every chance, I came down here this morning. As soon as we received the scan findings. Bowling was obviously ruled out for the sake of playing as a hitter. Ben Stokes However, I believe that in order to really understand the decision we made. You need to spend that time talking with the medical staff and Baz [Brendon McCullum]. Before spending nearly twenty minutes alone outside in the middle of the morning. Yes, it's one of those situations where you have to balance the risks and rewards. The risk was simply too great to