CRICKET
Ashes Preview: Australia have the edge
One of the most exciting Test series of the year, Ashes 2021-22 is starting on Wednesday.
The opening match of the series will be played from 8th December to 12th December 2021.
Ashes is one of the popular and famous series in the history of test cricket.
This will be the 73rd edition of the Ashes.
Out of those 72 series, Australia has won 33 times, while England has managed to win on 32 occasions.
Australian squad
Australia will play this series under the leadership of a new captain, Pat Cummins.
Cummins was named as Australia’s new red-ball skipper because Tim Paine has resigned from the captaincy role.
The hosts have already named their playing XI for the first Test match against England.
Warner is key
David Warner, who had terrible Ashes last time, is set to open the innings for his side alongside Marcus Harris, who has shown great form in domestic cricket.
David Warner has played only 2 Tests in the last 23 months.
He was totally out of form in the past 12 months.
However, Warner has regained his form and he was also the Player of the Tournament in the T20 world cup that was played last month.
He will be the key player for Australia in this series
Things become a lot easier for the middle-order if Warner score runs with the bat in the top position.
Lot depends on Steve Smith
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will be the biggest assets for team Australia in the middle-order.
Steve Smith was simply outstanding in the last Ashes.
He played some unbelievable cricket in the 2019-20 Ashes.
He was also the leading run scorer in that series scoring 774 runs at an average of 110.57 in the 7 innings of the 4 matches including 3 hundreds (out of which 1 was a double hundred)and 3 fifties.
Marnus Labuschagne was the second-star performer with the bat for Australia in the last Ashes as he scores 353 runs in 7 innings at an average of 50.42.
The Australian team would be hoping that these two replicate similar performances in this Ashes as well.
Alex Carey will be the wicketkeeper for Australia in the absence of Tim Paine.
Strong pace attack
Australia will go into the Ashes with their same relentless pace attack, including Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and the number-ranked Test bowler and their skipper Pat Cummins.
Nathan Lyon will be their front-line spinner and he has 399 wickets at the moment in Test cricket.
One more scalp will help him to reach the magical 400-wicket landmark in Test cricket.
England squad
England have a very tough task in their hands.
They will face the brutal pace attack of the Australian side in Australian conditions and to be honest, England isn’t the best batting line-up in the longest format right now.
England has a brilliant batting lineup in white-ball cricket but in Test cricket, the English batters are struggling to score big runs in the last couple of years.
There will be a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of the skipper Joe Root, who has been in the form of his life.
Root is the leading run-scorer in Test cricket in 2021, he has scored 1455 runs at an average of 66.13, including 6 centuries and 1 half-century.
Though these stats are enough to describe his form right now in Test cricket, he is yet to score a Test century in Australia.
With the form he is in, Root will be hoping to improve his record in Australia this time.
Root will be the key player for England in this series and if England wants to win the Ashes, Root will have to perform brilliantly.
Stokes returns
The return of the star all-rounder Ben Stokes will be the biggest encouragement for England.
Australia wouldn’t have forgotten what Ben Stokes did in the last Ashes series. His presence in the team will give a lot of courage and confidence to the side.
England has rested the experienced James Anderson in the first Test match in order to have him fully fit for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
The likes of Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson will form the seam attack.
It will be very exciting and interesting to see if England go with the five-specialist fast bowlers or will Jack Leach makes his place in the playing 11 for the first test match.
BIG NEWS
Nepal Premier League Becomes a Watershed Moment for Nepali Cricket
The NPL has become a watershed moment for Nepali cricket, elevating the sport to new heights. With its success, the league has brought national and international attention to Nepali cricket, attracting a broader fan base and better sponsorships.
This landmark event showcases the immense talent present in Nepal and provides a platform for local players to shine. The league has paved the way for a new generation of cricketers to gain recognition and advance their careers in the sport.
The NPL has also given Nepali cricket more global exposure. International players joining the league help raise the level of competition, further inspiring the local players. The league’s popularity continues to grow as it evolves and promises to be a cornerstone of Nepali cricket in the years to come.
As the league progresses, it is expected to inspire future stars and increase the overall development of cricket in Nepal. Fans eagerly follow every match, enjoying the thrilling action and supporting their favorite players and teams.
In conclusion, the Nepal Premier League has transformed Nepali cricket, setting the stage for future growth. This momentous development will surely lead to even greater success for Nepali cricket on the international stage.
The NPL has also sparked interest in domestic leagues across emerging cricket nations. It serves as a model for other countries to develop their cricketing infrastructure and provide young talent. As the NPL continues to grow, it is expected to play a vital role in shaping the future of Nepali cricket.
Fans have embraced the tournament, creating a sense of national pride. The NPL’s rise reflects the growing global interest in domestic cricket leagues and their role in nurturing future talent. It’s a significant milestone for Nepali cricket, ensuring that the sport will continue to evolve in the coming years.
BGT
Simon Katich Criticizes George Bailey’s Call to Axe Nathan McSweeney from Australian Team
Simon Katich has sharply criticized George Bailey’s decision to drop Nathan McSweeney from the Australian team. Simon Katich believes this call was a poor decision, especially after McSweeney’s consistent performance. Bailey’s choice has sparked discussions about the selection process and the reasoning behind it.
McSweeney’s exclusion has raised eyebrows, with many questioning why a player with such promise was dropped. Katich, in particular, feels that Bailey’s decision to axe McSweeney is questionable, especially when compared to the struggles of other top-order batters. Both teams in the recent series have faced challenges with their top-order batting, but the Australian selectors decided to make this change.
Katich’s comments reflect growing concerns about the selection strategy and the impact of dropping McSweeney. He pointed out that many players have struggled with their form, yet McSweeney was chosen to be left out. This, Katich argues, highlights the inconsistency in the decision-making process.
Top-order batters in both teams have faced difficulties, with neither side managing to produce consistent runs. Despite these struggles, the decision to remove McSweeney has left fans and experts questioning the rationale behind the move. Some believe that dropping McSweeney might have been premature, given the form of other players.
Katich’s criticism brings attention to the broader issue of player selections in international cricket. As teams prepare for future series, these decisions are likely to influence the direction of Australian cricket. The focus now shifts to how Bailey and the selectors will handle similar challenges in upcoming matches.
The debate continues, with many calling for more transparent and consistent decision-making regarding player selections in international cricket.
BGT
Steve Smith and Travis Head Address BCCI’s Influence in Cricket
Steve Smith recently commented on BCCI’s influence in cricket, sparking debates about its significant role in global governance. During a media interaction, Smith remarked that the International Cricket Council (ICC) appears less powerful than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This statement drew attention, prompting Smith to clarify his intentions quickly.
Smith acknowledged that the BCCI holds a dominant position in cricket due to its financial and organizational contributions. He pointed out how the Indian board influences key decisions that shape the sport. However, Smith softened his tone, emphasizing that his comments were not meant as criticism of either the ICC or the BCCI.
Travis Head, Smith’s Australian teammate, also addressed BCCI’s influence in cricket. Head humorously referred to the Indian board as “rulers,” recognizing its ability to set global standards in cricket. He highlighted the board’s pivotal role in defining policies and establishing benchmarks for the sport.
These remarks have reignited discussions about power dynamics in international cricket. Critics argue that the BCCI’s financial clout often overshadows smaller cricketing nations. They believe this imbalance can hinder fair representation in decision-making. On the other hand, supporters emphasize the BCCI’s critical role in expanding cricket’s global reach and popularity.
As India hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup, the spotlight remains on the BCCI’s influence in cricket. The board’s central role in shaping schedules, policies, and trends continues to drive conversations about equity in the sport. Smith and Head’s remarks reflect ongoing concerns about maintaining fairness and inclusivity in global cricket governance.
Their comments underscore the need for balanced representation to ensure a fair future for cricket.
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