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The Ashes starts in Perth on Friday as the phoney war of pre-series jibes is parked and the on-field action takes centre stage.That is not to say the phoney war of pre-series jibes has not been entertaining. Far from it. Ex-players and, chiefly, the West Australian newspaper have dropped some absolute crackers. So, ahead of the serious business at Optus Stadium, let’s look at the cheekiness. Digs, mischievous headlines, surfboard references, whitewash predictions and more…Former Australia opener David Warner was first to pipe up (how unlike him…), doing so even before England’s home summer assignment against India was complete. Twitter…
Germany and Netherlands went on goal sprees as they wrapped up World Cup qualification with resounding wins in their last European group matches on Monday. “Every player played well today and worked like a dog,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann told German broadcaster ZDF. Both European giants needed only to draw to be sure of reaching the global footballing showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Instead, both went on the attack. Germany took early control as they beat Slovakia 6-0 in Leipzig. The Netherlands took longer to pull away before overcoming Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam. Slovakia finished second in…
Sutherland responds to ‘GOAT’ claim on The Surge Will Annabel Sutherland go on to be the greatest Australian woman cricketer of all-time? Former New Zealand international turned cricket commentator, Katey Martin, made that bold prediction on Channel Seven’s broadcast before Sunday’s Melbourne derby. “It’s nice. Doesn’t really bother me,” said the 24-year-old allrounder, politely deflecting the high praise. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on iHeart Radio Sutherland is now in her second season as the Melbourne Stars’ full-time captain and is trying to turn the side’s fortunes around. Kirby Short, Cricket Victoria’s head of female cricket and The Surge…
And despite the bevy of quality quicks at England’s disposal, Anderson believes Australia still enters the series as slight favourites. “There are question marks there, and definitely there are cracks that England could potentially expose. There’s a great chance for England to get on top early,” Anderson told TNT Sports. “But I don’t think England are quite favourites. I’d say Australia are still favourites, in Australia. “There’s still a lot of quality in their batting line-up, there’s still a lot of quality with their bowlers as well, even if Cummins is missing. “It’s a tough one to call, so I’d…
Brendan Doggett reckons he has lived two lives; the first as an apprentice carpenter, the second as a professional cricketer. If he makes his Test debut this week, it could well be the start of a third. The transition between Doggett’s first two lives was swift. In 2018, only three years removed from playing second grade in Brisbane club cricket, the then 24-year-old was an out-of-the-blue call-up for Australia’s series against Pakistan in the UAE, Justin Langer’s first Test assignment as coach. The squad arrived in Dubai for an intense fitness camp in the desert heat. “I thought I was…
The ‘Cane train is humming nicely early in WBBL|11 as plans years in the making begin to come to fruition The Hobart Hurricanes have made their hottest start to a WBBL season in a decade, but captain Elyse Villani is refusing to get carried away with the hype. One week into WBBL|11, the Hurricanes are the tournament’s sole undefeated team, with three wins from has many matches, all coming on the road.It is the club’s best start to a campaign since WBBL|01, where they won their opening five games, and seven of their first eight, in a season where they…
Dismissed by England after a disappointing 2023 Ashes, Australia quick Scott Boland admits he has a point to prove this time around With England believing they have his measure, Australia quick Scott Boland admits he has a point to prove after being taken down during the 2023 Ashes. After his stunning Boxing Day Test demolition of England on Test debut in 2021, Boland’s reputation outside Australia took a battering 18 months later. The Victorian ace finished with figures of 2-231 across the two Tests he played in the last Ashes series. Despite a stunning Test average of 16.53, Boland’s certain…
England’s Joe Root is yet to score an Ashes hundred in Australia, something the local media were quick to remind him of as he landed in the country for this winter’s series.Ahead of the first Test in Perth from Friday, Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain looks at why Root is in a great position to break that duck, why a century in Australia may have eluded him so far, and what is really fuelling the batter ahead of his fourth Ashes tour… Root seems in a really good place at the moment, clearly enjoying playing with and for his great mate…
From a ‘caged lion’ eager to justify his selection to becoming the leader of the attack, Mitch Starc’s lead-in to the opening Test of a home Ashes series could not be more different from the last one four years ago. With Australia’s fast bowling attack to take on a decidedly new look for the first NRMA Insurance Ashes Test on Friday, Starc is the only constant who remains.Starc will be taking the field without long-time partners in crime Pat Cummins (back) and Josh Hazlewood (hamstring), both of whom have been ruled out with injury. Instead, Starc will be joined by…
Three weeks ago, Andrew McDonald made an optimistic prediction about the physical state he expected Pat Cummins to be in leading into the first Ashes Test. “You’ll see him and it’ll almost be a question of, ‘Why isn’t he playing in Perth?'” the Australia coach said after Cummins had been ruled out of the series opener with a back stress injury. “That’s where we think he’ll be placed by that that stage.” The sight of Cummins repeatedly whizzing balls off the Perth Stadium’s lively practice wickets, past his teammates’ outside-edges and thumping into the blue advertising fabric on the nets…