Australia

July 3, 2025 12:34 PM

Australian govt confirms $2.2 billion funding for 2032 Brisbane Games venues

The Australian government has confirmed it will contribute A$3.435 billion ($2.25 billion) towards the A$7.1 billion cost of building the venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, clearing the way for the start of construction. Queensland taxpayers and private finance will provide the balance of the money for the 17 new and upgraded venues for the Summer Games under the funding deal announced by state and federal governments on Thursday. "The Sydney 2000 Games left an incredible legacy and many A...

July 2, 2025 12:35 PM

Australia’s fit-again Steve Smith set to play second test vs West Indies

Australia are set to be reinforced by Steve Smith's return to their top order but may miss his reassuring presence in the slip cordon in the second test against West Indies in Grenada this week. Smith missed Australia's victory in the series opener in Bridgetown with a dislocated finger in his right hand, an injury suffered during the World Test Championship final against South Africa last month. The 36-year-old has reunited with the squad at the National Cricket Stadium and is likely to repla...

June 30, 2025 10:28 PM

QUAD nations launch historic ‘At Sea Observer Mission’ to enhance maritime security

In a landmark initiative to bolster maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have launched the first-ever 'QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission.' The cross-embarkation mission, conducted under the Wilmington Declaration, sees two officers—including women officers—from each nation aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, currently en route to Guam. This pioneering mission marks a significant step in operational coordination a...

June 26, 2025 11:35 AM

West Indies unleash Caribbean storm as Australia crumble in Barbados

In a performance reminiscent of West Indies' fearsome bowling attacks of old, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph tore through Australia on Wednesday, toppling them for a meagre 180 on day one of the first test on a lively pitch at Kensington Oval. Mitchell Starc, skipper Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood saved Australia's blushes, taking four wickets between them to send the West Indies in at stumps at 57 for four, trailing the tourists by 123 runs to leave the match delicately poised. With Seales ...

June 25, 2025 1:08 PM

Roston Chase ready to lead much-changed West Indies as Australia look to the future

Change will be a key theme for both the West Indies and Australia in their upcoming three-test series in the Caribbean with the visitors set to field a remodelled batting line-up and the hosts being led out for the first time by Roston Chase. Pat Cummins suggested Australia were due a top-order reset after their loss to South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final earlier this month and the skipper said their line-up to face West Indies shows they are looking to the future. Australi...

June 18, 2025 4:32 PM

2026 Women’s T20 WC: India drawn alongside Pakistan, Australia, SA

Hosts England will kick off their 2026 Women's T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12 while holders New Zealand begin their title defence against the West Indies a day later, the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday. Group 1 includes record six-times champions Australia, two-times runners-up South Africa, 2020 finalists India and Pakistan, as well as two teams from the Global Qualifier tournament. New Zealand, 2009 champions England, Sri Lanka, 2016 winners...

June 16, 2025 12:34 PM

Steve Smith in doubt for Australia’s tour of West Indies

Steve Smith will miss Australia’s first test against the West Indies in Barbados later this month and could sit out the entire three-test series with a finger injury, captain Pat Cummins said. Smith, one of the mainstays of the Australian team, suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger fielding on the third day of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on Friday, missing the rest of the match. He was taken to hospital for x-rays but no surgery was...

June 11, 2025 4:57 PM

West Indies recall Hope, drop Roach for home series vs Australia

West Indies batter Shai Hope is in line to play his first test in almost four years after being recalled to the squad for their home series against Australia, but veteran pacer Kemah Roach has been dropped. The three-test series, which begins in Barbados on June 25, marks the start of the team's new World Test Championship cycle. Limited-overs captain Hope has played 38 tests, the last of which came in Sri Lanka in late 2021. Kevlon Anderson earned a first test call-up while Brandon King was ...

February 28, 2025 11:36 AM

China will not apologise for military drills off Australia’s east, ambassador says

China's ambassador to Australia said on Friday his country had no reason to apologise for the military drills it conducted in international waters between Australia and New Zealand that forced at least 49 flights to change path. Both Australia and New Zealand have raised concerns with Beijing on the rare live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea last week, saying they did not receive adequate notice from China's navy. Ambassador Xiao Qian said China's navy conducted drills that complied with internat...

February 21, 2025 8:03 PM

Airlines warned as Chinese navy holds live-fire exercises off Australia

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised concerns with her Chinese counterpart on Friday over inadequate notice given by the Chinese navy of a rare live-fire exercise in international waters between Australia and New Zealand that forced airlines to divert flights. Airlines including Qantas, Emirates and Air New Zealand modified flight paths between Australia and New Zealand on Friday after China broadcast a message that its navy would hold live-fire exercises off Australia's New South Wal...