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The 19-year-old is the favourite to come in at the top of the order for the Boxing Day Test

AAP22-Dec-2024Sam Konstas won’t overload on watching videos of Jasprit Bumrah ahead of his likely Boxing Day Test debut, as he prepares to face India’s pace maestro for the first time.Konstas blasted 107 from 97 balls against India three weeks ago, helping open the door for his call-up to Australia’s Test squad in place of Nathan McSweeney. India’s attack in Canberra resembled the closest thing Konstas has seen to a Test squad, with Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja all playing.Related

• Konstas' MCG debut confirmed, Head faces a fitness test

• Will Konstas put an end to Australia's musical chairs at the top?

• McSweeney 'devastated' by Test omission

• Bumrah at one end, Ilford Seconds at the other?

But the one tourist missing from that match was Bumrah, the man who has caused Australia the most pain this summer. While Konstas has carried all before him in domestic cricket this summer, Bumrah is officially the most damaging tourist to hit Australia’s shores.He now holds the best bowling average for any overseas player in the country who’s taken more than 50 wickets, with Bumrah now having claimed 53 at 17.15 across three tours.It means Konstas could have the toughest possible initiation into Test cricket, against Bumrah in front of a sold-out crowd and on an MCG pitch with plenty of life this summer. But the 19-year-old said he would not overthink the situation.”I won’t watch too much [of him],” Konstas said. “I have already seen him a lot. But I am excited to challenge myself and face him. Usually, our analysts do a little feedback on each bowler. I might read that, maybe.”Konstas said he would also take a lot of confidence from his century against India for the Prime Minister’s XI, when India’s slips were caught laughing at his shots.”I’m super confident,” he said. “Just backing my skills, I have done all the hard work. Just another game, I guess, and trying to keep it simple. As a kid you have always dreamt of the moment, and it is very rare, getting your baggy green. So it’s a huge honour if I do get in.”Told by chief selector George Bailey on Friday he was in the team, Konstas heard from Pat Cummins and Andrew McDonald on Saturday.Axed opener McSweeney was also among the first to congratulate him, along with New South Wales team-mate Steven Smith.Konstas celebrated his inclusion with a family dinner on Friday night, before being brought back down to earth with a duck in the Big Bash on Saturday.The teenager flew to Melbourne on Sunday morning, ahead of his maiden training session with the Test team on Monday.”It was all a bit unexpected, but very privileged to get the opportunity,” Konstas said. “I just had dinner with the family [to celebrate], pretty chilled. It was emotional, mum was crying … Everything has happened so fast.”Mum and dad and my brothers, all their sacrifices, taking me to training, throwing me balls, experiencing the journey through highs and lows. Just to give something back to them was very special. I can’t wait to have them in Melbourne for support.”

The left-arm spinner was reported by the match officials after the first ODI against India on January 10

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2025Ireland left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect after her action was deemed to be illegal.Maguire, 18, was reported for a suspect bowling action during the first ODI against India in Rajkot on January 10, where she picked up 3 for 57 from eight overs.She subsequently got her action tested at the ICC-accredited testing centre in Loughborough on January 21, where it emerged that the amount of elbow extension in her bowling action exceeded the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations.”As a result, in accordance with clause 6.1 of the regulations, Aimee is immediately suspended from bowling in international cricket,” an ICC release said. “Her suspension will remain in effect until she undergoes a re-assessment of her bowling action which confirms that she can bowl with a legal action.”Maguire was initially named in Ireland’s squad for the recent Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia. Since the assessment window fell in the middle of the tournament, she had to be withdrawn.Maguire made her international debut in 2023. So far, she has played 11 ODIs and nine T20Is, taking 25 wickets in all with a best of 5 for 19 against England in an ODI last year.

Sharma and Cornwell made the key inroads as visitors win with a day to spare

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Jul-2025Middlesex 534 (Geddes 137, Green 3-54) beat Leicestershire 205 (Patel 51, Sharma 4-43) and 202 (Cornwell 3-60) by an innings and 127 runsDivision Two leaders Leicestershire crashed to their first Rothesay County Championship defeat of the season by an emphatic innings and 127 runs as Middlesex handsomely avenged their opponents’ victory at Lord’s in May.Following on after being dismissed for 205 in their first innings in reply to Middlesex’s 534, Leicestershire were bowled out for 202 in their second innings, beaten with more than a day to spare.Rookie fast bowlers Naavya Sharma and Noah Cornwell played key roles in a Middlesex attack lacking skipper and leading wicket-taker Toby Roland-Jones after centuries for Sam Robson and Ben Geddes against a depleted Leicestershire attack had set up the match for the visitors. Geddes, dropped on 11, went on to score 137.Sharma’s six wickets in the contest included a career-best first-innings four for 43, while left-armer Cornwell’s four included three for 60 in the second innings, another career-best, although both were playing in only their third first-class matches.Leicestershire’s 33-point lead at the start of this round will limit the damage inflicted by this loss. Middlesex’s third win gives them a chance to finish among the promotion contenders.Only a rearguard effort in the morning that saw them almost double their overnight score had kept Leicestershire from being made to follow on sooner after slipping to 99 for eight before Monday’s close.Roman Walker made 40 not out and rookie fast bowler Sam Wood 33 in forcing Middlesex to bowl 37 more overs to pick up the last two wickets. Tom Helm, who missed the early Championship rounds through injury, finished with three for 30.In addition to a career-best three for 73 with the ball, Walker shared partnerships of 42 for the ninth wicket with Chris Wright and 64 for the tenth with 20-year-old seamer Wood, who bowls right arm but bats left-handed.Helm moved one away to have Wright caught behind and Wood, who looked no mug with the bat as he drove Zafar for six over long-on, nicked off to Ryan Higgins, wicketkeeper Joe Cracknell holding his fifth catch of the innings.Middlesex might have chosen not to enforce the follow-on with a view to adding a few more to their 329-run lead before giving the home side at least some incentive to pitch their ambitions higher than salvaging a draw.In the event, perhaps mindful of getting their fingers burned when they set Northamptonshire a target at Wantage Road last week, they stuck with convention and sent their chastened opponents out again.And what a good decision it was. Having been 82 for two before the collapse came on Monday, Leicestershire had lost their first six wickets for 80 by tea.It seemed the resilience shown by the tail earlier in the day had counted for nothing as Sol Budinger edged Helm to second slip before Higgins came on as first change at the pavilion end and induced a tame return catch from Rishi Patel with his second ball.Cornwell then struck in consecutive overs, bowling Liam Trevaskis, Leicestershire’s stop-gap No 3, with one that nipped back before making one climb to have Peter Handscomb caught off the splice by short leg Ben Geddes.Ben Green was dropped by Geddes in Cornwell’s next over but added only one more run before he drove at Higgins to be caught behind for 10. Higgins then took a catch at slip as left-armer Zafar found some bounce and the edge of Lewis Hill’s bat to leave Leicestershire 80 for six.Ben Cox and Logan Van Beek at last showed some grit, adding 58 in just under 16 overs before the dismissal of Cox, caught at leg gully at the second attempt fending off Sharma, who dismissed Walker with another short ball fended to short leg.Wright flung the bat for 26 off 20 balls before a top-edge saw him caught at mid-on, Wood had some fun with two towering sixes in his 27 before another top-edge had him caught behind, and Van Beek finished with a defiant unbeaten 36 but Leicestershire’s fate was all but sealed by that point.

Raza’s fifty went in vain for Zimbabwe, who lost their sixth successive T20I against SA

Firdose Moonda14-Jul-2025It’s just not getting any easier for Zimbabwe. After suffering two heavy defeats to South Africa in the Tests, they opened their T20I triangular series, which also includes New Zealand, with a loss. It was Zimbabwe’s sixth successive T20I defeat to South Africa, against whom they are yet to register a win after two other games between the sides produced no results.South Africa, playing in their first T20I this year – and first under Shukri Conrad since he was named all-format coach – will be pleased with their early outing. Chasing 142, they wobbled at 38 for 3, but debutant Rubin Hermann top-scored with 45, and shared in a 72-run fourth-wicket stand with Dewald Brevis, who contributed 41 off just 17 balls. Corbin Bosch finished things off with an unbeaten 23 off 15 deliveries.The Hermann-Brevis partnership will make headlines, but South Africa will be equally satisfied with their bowlers – in particular with the return of Lungi Ngidi. After missing their last seven T20I matches, Ngidi came back with impressive accuracy, and finished with 1 for 15 from four overs. Overall, George Linde (3 for 10) was the standout with the lowest economy (3.33) and most wickets.South Africa’s victorious chase, completed inside 16 overs, overshadowed Sikandar Raza’s 15th T20I fifty, and his first against South Africa. Raza also went past Craig Ervine as Zimbabwe’s most capped T20I captain, with 39 matches. His knock lifted Zimbabwe from 39 for 2 to a total over 140, though they needed far more to be competitive.Sikandar Raza hit his 15th T20I fifty•Zimbabwe Cricket

Zimbabwe equal best start against SA

It may hardly sound like much, but Zimbabwe’s 34 runs in the first six overs was their joint-highest in a T20I against South Africa, and better, in wicket terms, than the 34 for 2 they had got in 2018. With only Wessly Madhevere dismissed – and he has only got past 20 once in his last 11 innings – Zimbabwe would have felt they hadd built a solid base, especially with the way Brian Bennett was playing.His first boundary came when he flayed Ngidi through a vacant slip area, his second when he upper cut Burger to deep third, and his third and fourth off glorious drives over and through the covers off Bosch. What Bennett lacked was a partner as industrious as Zimbabwe’s scoring rate of under six an over needed a massive boost.

Raza, Burl provide the runs

At 53 for 2 at the halfway stage, Zimbabwe were going nowhere, but Raza and Ryan Burl gave their innings some urgency. The pair ran well between the wickets, with Burl providing the early aggression. He took advantage of the only bad ball Ngidi bowled, down leg, to help its way for four, and then made Nqakaba Peter pay for poor length. The short ball was swung over fine leg, and the full one hit over long-on for the innings’ first six.Raza began the final onslaught when he picked up a slower ball from Andile Simelane, and hit it back over his head for six. He was dropped on 33 by Brevis at deep cover, and then slammed Simelane for six more in an over that cost 19. The partnership between Raza and Burl was worth 66 from 38 balls when Burl holed out to long-off to give Nandre Burger, on comeback after ten months, his first wicket. Zimbabwe scored 88 runs in the last ten overs to stage a decent fightback.File photo: Richard Ngarava is now Zimbabwe’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is•AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena

Left-arm spinner Linde makes his case

It is always going to be difficult for Linde to get past Keshav Maharaj in the South Africa side. But if they ever consider twin left-arm spin, Linde has done his bit to be the other half. Against Zimbabwe on Monday, Linde was brought on immediately after the powerplay, and bowled a tight first over. He then had Bennet out in his second over, and was tasked with the last over. where he took two wickets in two balls.Tashinga Musekiwa tried to force Linde over mid-off but was caught, before Tony Muyonga was caught off a low full toss. Linde almost had a hat-trick, before finishing with figures three wickets. However, there will be questions over why he did not bowl his full quota of overs.

Ngarava roars back

Richard Ngarava hurt his back during Zimbabwe’s Test in England, and missed the Tests against South Africa. But he showed why he is so crucial to Zimbabwe’s side with an explosive opening spell. Ngarava’s first legitimate ball stuck in the turf, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius toe-ended it back to him for a simple return catch.In his next over, a similar delivery took Reeza Hendricks’ inside edge as he drove loosely, and went on to rock middle stump. South Africa were 17 for 2 in the third over, and Ngarava had given Zimbabwe a solid chance. With Hendricks’ wicket, Ngarava went past Raza as Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with 82 to his name. Ngarava returned to bowl the 15th over, and added to the tally by getting rid of Hermann with a delivery that kept low and skidded on to take out off stump.

Hermann’s hat-trick of fours, and Brevis goes big

Hermann announced himself by scoring his first international runs with a six when he stepped inside the line to send Ngarava over fine leg. He very nearly didn’t add to his score when he popped Blessing Muzarabani to cover point, but the ball fell safe. Then Hermann took control of the chase when he thumped back-to-back-to-back fours off Wellington Masakadza to bring the required run rate down to under seven an over.Hermann played the sweep, and showed his power-hitting and ability to use his feet in the three fours he struck. Not to be outdone, Brevis, who only had five runs in his previous two T20Is, then went one better. Two overs after Hermann’s blitz, Brevis sent Burl down the ground three times for a hat-trick of sixes. Burl was guilty of going too short, and Brevis was happy to make room and swing away. He took 24 runs off Burl’s opening over, which cost 25, and effectively ended the contest.South Africa were 103 for 3 after 11 overs, and needed 39 runs from the next nine overs to win. Eventually, they got those runs in less than five overs.

New Zealand’s sixth-wicket pair helps put a strong total which proved to be 21 too many for South Africa

Firdose Moonda16-Jul-2025New Zealand’s new coach Rob Walter – who is also South Africa’s old white-ball coach – began his tenure with a win but his previous team made his current one work for it.Chasing 174, South Africa were 111 for 7 in the 14th over before George Linde struck 30 from 20 balls and shared a 37-run stand with Gerald Coetzee. South Africa needed 31 runs from the last three overs but Linde holed out against Jacob Duffy who ended the contest with two wickets in two balls.That meant New Zealand’s joint second-highest score against South Africa of 173 proved to be enough on a surface where short balls proved to be the most challenging. Three of New Zealand’s top five were undone by back of a length deliveries and they were wobbling on 70 for 5 in the 10th over before Tim Robinson and South African-born debutant Bevon Jacobs put on 103 – New Zealand’s second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20Is. Their stand, which included 43 runs off the last three overs, is also only the eighth century stand in a men’s T20I for the sixth-wicket or lower.South Africa did not have a partnership anywhere close to that. Their highest was 39 between Dewald Brevis and Linde, also for the sixth wicket, in a shortened line-up. With Senuran Muthusamy in at No.4 and the all-rounders starting from Linde at No.7, South Africa may want to tinker with their combination ahead of Sunday’s clash against Zimbabwe.New Zealand, who were without Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra as they were involved in the MLC final, will be pleased with Matt Henry’s return to the side after injuring his shoulder at the Champions Trophy. He finished with 3 for 34.Gerald Coetzee played his first international game since November 2024•Zimbabwe Cricket

Jury’s out as Coetzee hits the comeback trail

Coetzee last played for South Africa in a Test against Sri Lanka in Durban in November last year, where he injured his groin. He made a brief comeback in the SA20 but hurt his hamstring and spent more time on the sidelines. After returning to fitness at the IPL, a lack of long-form bowling meant he was not considered for June’s World Test Championship final but the plan was always to bring him back in white-ball cricket.He made his comeback after nine months and was given the ball in the final over of the powerplay. His first three balls were pacy (without Hawk-Eye it was not possible to tell exactly what speed) and on a good length before he went fuller and then to his signature back-of-a-length. He only gave away a wide in the first over. Robinson pulled the second ball of his second over in front of square but when Daryll Mitchell tried to repeat the dose two balls later, he top-edged and Kwena Maphaka, at deep square leg, did the rest.Coetzee was too short in his third over which cost 13 runs and then lost his lengths in his final over to finish with figures of 1 for 39, which was South Africa’s most expensive.Tim Robinson launches a six•Zimbabwe Cricket

Robinson’s career best powers New Zealand over 170

Robinson announced himself when he advanced down the track to meet the last ball of Linde’s first over and launch it over his head and the sightscreen for the innings’ first six. His first three partners – Mitchell, Mitchell Hay and James Neesham – were dismissed in single figures (Neesham for a duck), but when debutant Bevon Jacobs joined him, runs came easier. The pair saw off Muthusamy and took on the seamers. They were particularly severe on Coetzee, against whom Robinson reached fifty with the shot of the innings. Coetzee banged it in short, Robinson backed away and hit him over backward point for six off the 42nd ball he faced. He was equally adept at taking on the full delivery and sent two Corbin Bosch yorkers for four before finishing with a flourish and pulling Coetzee over square leg for his third six.

Pretorius comes out swinging

After a golden duck in the series opener, Lhuan-dre Pretorius came out with good intent in his second T20I, determined to get some runs. He creamed Henry’s second ball – too full and too wide – through the covers for four and gave the next one, which was much better in line and length, the same treatment. Duffy’s overpitched and Pretorius hit him back over his head for four and then finally went leg-side when he pulled Duffy for his fourth four. Pretorius faced 13 of the first 14 balls in the innings and scored 21 runs from them, including five boundaries. He managed one more when he drove Henry aerially toward mid-on, where Duffy parried it away for four, but then guided a Henry delivery that angled away straight into Tom Seifert’s gloves to end an energetic knock.Mitchell Santner celebrates a wicket with his team-mates•Zimbabwe Cricket

New Zealand’s fielding to the fore

New Zealand threatened to find a South African batter short of the crease when Reeza Hendricks, on 13, only just made it in as a direct hit came in. Three overs later, Rassie van der Dussen was not quite as lucky. He was on 6 when he nudged Mitchell Santner into the leg side and Brevis called him through for a single. Van der Dussen hesitated while Seifert ran around to throw the ball to the stumps at the bowler’s end and missed. Santner had to clean up and was still on the ground when targeted the stumps again and hit. New Zealand did not think they had reacted quickly enough to get a wicket but replays showed van der Dussen was short of his ground. South Africa were 62 for 5 in the ninth over and needed 112 runs from 68 balls to win. Brevis’ 35 and Linde’s 30 took them close but South Africa were bowled out for 152 inside 19 overs to lose by 21 runs.

Caleb Jewell hundred helps Derbyshire post 315 but late collapse lets Rapids back in

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay15-Aug-2025Worcestershire 316 for 6 (D’Oliveira 138, Libby 69) beat Derby 315 (Jewell 113, Montgomery 92) by four wicketsBrett D’Oliveira’s List A best 138 led Worcestershire Rapids to a four-wicket victory over Derbyshire Falcons in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup Group A match at Repton School.Rapids skipper Jake Libby made 69 before 19-year-old Dan Lategan scored an unbeaten 42 off 39 balls on his first-team debut to take the Rapids to their target of 316 with 11 balls to spare.Caleb Jewell made 113 off 107 balls and Matt Montgomery 92 before the Falcons lost their last five wickets for 25 to be bowled out for 315. The Rapids were in trouble at 11 for 2 but D’Oliveira and Libby revived them before Lategan saw them over the line.There was a sell-out crowd as first team cricket returned to Repton School for the first time since 1988 and the Falcons made a solid start after they were put in.Jewell and Harry Came took the score to 46 before Came pulled Kurram Shahzad into the hands of leg slip. But that was the Rapids last success for 24 overs as Jewell and Montgomery took full advantage of a good batting pitch.After reaching 50 from 57 balls, Jewell pulled Ben Allison for six and swept D’Oliveira for another maximum with 15 coming from his first over. Jewell surged towards his century, which came off 96 balls, by driving and sweeping D’Oliveira for two more fours before pulling Ethan Brookes over the ropes.Montgomery drove Brookes down the ground for four to go to his first 50 for the Falcons and the stand was worth 150 when Jewell skied a cut at Brookes into the covers.Brooke Guest missed a cut at Fateh Singh and the left-arm spinner ended Montomery’s fine innings by having him caught behind.Amrit Basra drove Allison to mid-on and the Falcons hopes of a total above 350 crumbled as the last five wickets fell in six overs. After Martin Andersson was lbw to Singh, Allison had Ross Whiteley caught at short midwicket and bowled Zak Chappell before Shahzad cleaned up.Even so, a target of 316 was a challenging one and it looked even tougher when the Rapids lost two wickets in the first four overs. Isaac Mohammed was dropped at second slip without a run on the board but failed to take advantage, slicing Ben Aitchison to third man.Rory Haydon beat Kashif Ali’s drive but D’Oliveira and Libby regrouped before asserting themselves on the bowlers.D’Oliveira cut and drove Haydon for sixes on his way to a run a ball 50 and with Libby easing the ball into the gaps, the momentum swung towards the Rapids.D’Oliveira took three fours from a Chappell over as he accelerated to an 84 ball hundred but Haydon returned to give the game another twist. He bowled Libby to end a stand of 183 in 28 overs and then deceived Brookes who chipped to short midwicket.Lategan pulled Haydon for six and with 67 needed from the last 10 overs, drove Jack Morley for another maximum. When he went for a repeat, Aitchison took the catch at long-on only to step on the rope but Morley hit back by bowling D’Oliveira.Henry Cullen sliced to cover but Lategan showed nerve and skill to settle an absorbing contest.

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in their group-stage game and then did Bangladesh a favour by beating Afghanistan, and go into this game with momentum on their side

Mohammad Isam19-Sep-20252:22

Maharoof: Mendis a nightmare for spinners once he gets going

Big picture: A twist to the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka tale

Bangladesh cricket fans had to put on hold their antagonistic feelings towards Sri Lanka for a couple of days – they needed Sri Lanka to beat Afghanistan to stay alive in the Asia Cup, after all. That’s how it panned out, leaving Bangladesh fans thrilled. Social media in Bangladesh has been buzzing with self-deprecating memes, all with photos of the Sri Lankan flag or Bangladeshis wearing the Sri Lanka jersey.The rivalry that has developed over the last seven years has often been full of cringe-worthy elements, but it’s also true that the players have been able to move up an extra gear whenever they’ve been in contest with each other. So there is a lot of interest in Saturday’s match, the first of the Super Four stage.Related

• Pathum Nissanka is raising his bar one notch at a time

• With goals reset, Kusal Mendis finally finds his niche

• Nasum Ahmed's bouncebackability on show again

Charith Asalanka’s side has been the more dominant in the Asia Cup. They won all three of their group games, including against Bangladesh. Curiously, Hong Kong pushed them harder than Bangladesh or Afghanistan could.Importantly for them, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis commandeered the 170-run chase against Afghanistan relieving the pressure that’s been on Pathum Nissanka. The opener has been in good form and has been crying out for support. Sri Lanka were finally able to give that to him and will take confidence from that going into the pointy end of this tournament.2:18

Maharoof: Nissanka among the best all-format openers

Bangladesh have an opportunity for course correction. Some of it is already underway, with Parvez Hossain Emon losing his place in the team. Saif Hassan, who took his spot, has looked competent but Sri Lanka will be a major test for the comeback man. Bangladesh suffered back-to-back wicket maidens to start the game when the teams last met. The balance of their bowling is another puzzle they must solve. Their fifth-bowler combination (Saif and Shamim Hossain) didn’t work in the previous game.This promises to be a closer contest than the earlier game. The stakes are higher, with the first set of points crucial. Asalanka and Litton Das will also be leading two sets of players eager to one-up each other after a brief bit of peace.

Form guide

Bangladesh WLWWW
Sri Lanka WWWWLMustafizur Rahman has been effective, but not always frugal•Associated Press

In the spotlight: Mustafizur Rahman and Kusal Mendis

Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets to help Bangladesh against Afghanistan, but the left-arm quick has been quite expensive in the Asia Cup. Especially in the group match against Sri Lanka, Mustafizur bowled his most expensive spell of the year (3-0-35-1). Bangladesh will hope the left-arm quick returns to his stingy best. Mustafizur will have the added motivation of completing 150 wickets in T20Is – he is four short of the milestone – and also overtaking Shakib Al Hasan, who has 149.Kusal Mendis carried Sri Lanka to their six-wicket win against Afghanistan with a sparkling, unbeaten 74. Mendis is also very good against Bangladesh. He is already Sri Lanka’s second-highest run-getter with four centuries across formats against them. He is undoubtedly the key wicket in the Super Four opener.2:27

Abhinav lauds Bangladesh’s spin-choke tactic

Team news: Wellalage available to play

Bangladesh could bring in either of the allrounders Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin to fill their fifth-bowler gap.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Litton Das (capt, wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Nurul Hasan, 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Nasum Ahmed, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur RahmanDunith Wellalage, who flew back home following the death of his father, is set to rejoin the Sri Lankan team on the morning of the match and is available for selection.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dunith Wellalage, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Thushara

Pitch and conditions: Struggle for runs in Dubai

Batters have only gone at a strike rate of 109.26 in Dubai at this Asia Cup. Abu Dhabi, for comparison, has been slightly better – 119.50. The slow nature of Dubai’s pitches have certainly helped the spinners. The weather forecast is for a typical hot evening.

Stats and trivia: Litton on top

• With 513 runs, Litton is currently this year’s top run-getter in T20Is among Full Member sides.
• Thushara’s 4 for 18 against Afghanistan is Sri Lanka’s best figures in the Asia Cup’s T20I version.
• Jaker has shown in the last 12 months that he has a few tricks up his sleeve but in this series, his 53 runs have required 48 balls and include only three fours.

Cricket NSW says the player has been “suspended indefinitely from involvement in all cricket related matters”

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Dec-2025A New South Wales cricketer has been banned from playing at all levels indefinitely after a serious complaint was made about alleged misconduct involving young players.First reported in the , a player who has appeared for NSW and a T20 side has had his registration cancelled following an emergency board meeting.It is understood the matter is of a sensitive nature and being investigated by police but no charges have yet been laid.A Cricket New South Wales spokesperson released a statement advising that the player have been de-registered.”After being made aware of a serious complaint the Cricket NSW Board determined to permanently cancel a player’s registration effective immediately.” the statement said”As a result, he is suspended indefinitely from involvement in all cricket related matters. We cannot comment further on this matter while investigations are ongoing.”The reported that the complaint had come from the player’s Sydney grade club and had only been made recently.

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Spurs came back from one down to emerge 2-1 victors over Watford on Wednesday night thanks to goals from the returning Heung-min Son and Fernando Llorente, after the Hornets took the lead before half-time through Craig Cathcart.

Llorente had blocked Adrian Mariappa’s effort and the resulting corner was whipped in by Jose Holebas, missed by Spurs ‘keeper Lloris and duly nodded home as the visitors capitalised on what was far from the Frenchman’s first mistake between the sticks.

He may be a World Cup winner but Lloris’ decision making and positional sense can be questionable and the 32-year-old should count himself lucky that the Lilywhites attack was on song to secure the three points in the end.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video above to see for yourself…

Despite the occasional mistake, Lloris’ ownership of the number 1 shirt has hardly been challenged since his arrival at White Hart Lane in 2012, although, in his compatriot Paulo Gazzaniga, Mauricio Pochettino now has a viable replacement for the captain should he continue to mess up.

Former Southampton man Gazzaniga has impressed in Lloris’ stead – mostly in cup clashes – and it may not be too long before the 27-year-old snatches the gloves.

Here’s how Spurs fans reacted to Lloris’ performance on Twitter…

A new gem has been unearthed from the EFL Championship.

Indeed, Birmingham City’s Che Adams’ name is doing the rounds for his fantastic goal-scoring form for Birmingham City, where he’s almost single-handedly guiding them into securing a playoffs spot. Adams has been almost unstoppable and attracting surmounting transfer interest due to his heroics in the Second City.

Last month, almost 12 Premier League clubs had scouted Adams( via the Mirror) and the likes of Southampton (via Sky Sports) and Burnley (via the Mirror) even made an approach for him. While The Blues fought valiantly towards retaining their hitman, repeating the same in the summer will be difficult. Adams is coming up as an emerging youngster in English football and has the talent to prove it.

The 22-year-old forward’s scored 19 goals for Garry Monk’s side, which included a sensational hat-trick in the weekend in a thrilling 3-4 win over QPR. The youngster’s been practically unplayable at times, with his clinical touch in front of goal reaping him rewards this season.

Adams possesses a superb striker’s instincts and his unpredictable movement in an around the final third has troubled almost everyone he’s faced so far. He’s been able to create chances for himself with his clever positioning and hit some clean strikes this season. A wily forward with a powerful striking ability, he can also operate as an attacking midfielder due to his excellent link-up play, which has garnered him 2 assists as well.

The youngster’s entirely focused on gaining Premier League promotion with Birmingham City. However, regardless of whether he can do that or not, Adams is destined for top-flight football next season.