Tag Archives: Australia

ICC pitch rating explained: MCG labelled ‘unsatisfactory’ | Ashes 2025-26

ICC pitch rating explained: MCG labelled ‘unsatisfactory’ | Ashes 2025-26

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been handed an ‘unsatisfactory’ pitch rating by the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee following the fourth Ashes Test of the 2025-26 series, a game that ended inside two days with a staggering 36 wickets falling. The verdict represents a rare black mark against one of cricket’s most storied venues and has triggered internal …

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Ashes 2025-26: Sunil Gavaskar takes swipe at ICC over pitch ratings after Melbourne Test ends in two days

Ashes 2025-26: Sunil Gavaskar takes swipe at ICC over pitch ratings after Melbourne Test ends in two days

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has once again stirred debate around pitch assessments by openly questioning the International Cricket Council (ICC). The batting great has highlighted what he believes are double standards in the way pitch ratings are awarded, using the recently concluded fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a prime example. A two-day Test raises questions …

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Ashes 2025-26: Brett Lee explains why Sydney Test could be a fitting farewell for Usman Khawaja

Ashes 2025-26: Brett Lee explains why Sydney Test could be a fitting farewell for Usman Khawaja

With the Ashes 2025-26 series nearing its conclusion, conversations around legacies and farewells have begun to surface. Former Australian speedster Brett Lee has added fuel to the debate by suggesting that the final Test in Sydney could be the perfect stage for Usman Khawaja to bid goodbye to international cricket. As Australia eye a dominant series finish, Lee believes a …

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“I was in a state of shock”: MCG curator breaks silence after farce of two-day Boxing Day Test – Ashes 2025-26

“I was in a state of shock”: MCG curator breaks silence after farce of two-day Boxing Day Test – Ashes 2025-26

MCG head curator Matt Page has admitted to being in a “state of shock” following the dramatic conclusion of the Boxing Day Test, which saw England secure a four-wicket victory over Australia in just two days of play. The match, which traditionally serves as the crown jewel of the Australian summer, became a chaotic “bowlers’ paradise” that has left Cricket …

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PHOTOS: Grace Hayden parties with father Matthew Hayden after returning from ILT20

PHOTOS: Grace Hayden parties with father Matthew Hayden after returning from ILT20

Grace Hayden, one of cricket broadcasting’s fastest-rising faces, marked her return from ILT20 duties with a warm, festive family gathering alongside her father, Australian great Matthew Hayden. Social media quickly lit up with images of the joyful reunion, blending holiday cheer with a touch of cricketing heritage. Sports presenter Grace Hayden reunites with her father after UAE stint The pictures …

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Virat Kohli goes past Australian legend Michael Bevan in List A cricket records

Virat Kohli goes past Australian legend Michael Bevan in List A cricket records

Virat Kohli delivered a match-defining 77-run innings for Delhi against Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at Bengaluru’s BCCI Centre of Excellence, anchoring the first innings and silencing doubters about his 50-over form. This fluent knock, featuring 13 fours and a six off 61 balls, propelled Delhi to a competitive total after early setbacks.​ Virat Kohli breaks Michael Bevan’s long-standing …

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From Mitchell Starc to Dale Steyn: Top 5 bowlers with best strike-rates in a calendar year in Tests

From Mitchell Starc to Dale Steyn: Top 5 bowlers with best strike-rates in a calendar year in Tests

Mitchell Starc has etched his name in Test cricket history by claiming the best strike-rate in a calendar year among bowlers with at least 50 wickets. The Australian left-armer’s dominant 2025 performance, with 55 wickets at a staggering strike-rate of 28.3 balls per wicket, tops the elite list ahead of legends like Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn. Mitchell Starc’s record-breaking …

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Records and stats: Least balls faced by Australia across both innings in Tests since 1900

Records and stats: Least balls faced by Australia across both innings in Tests since 1900

The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium (MCG) has turned into a statistical embarrassment for Australia, with the hosts registering one of their worst collective batting performances in more than a century of Test cricket. On a pitch that proved brutally difficult for batting, Australia managed scores of just 152 and 132 against England, producing their third-lowest match …

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