Cricket | DD News

December 9, 2025 1:59 PM

England’s Mark Wood, Australia’s Josh Hazlewood ruled out of rest of Ashes

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes following a recurrence of a left knee injury sustained during the first Test in Perth. Wood will return home later this week to work on his rehabilitation and recovery, the team said on Tuesday. The 35-year-old's absence is a blow to an inexperienced England attack who were well handled by Australia's batters at the Gabba, where the hosts won by eight wickets. Wood was ruled out on the same day Australia confirmed ...

December 9, 2025 1:57 PM

Time to move on? Australia balance rebuild with Ashes ambitions

Australia head to Adelaide in good spirits after a perfect start to the Ashes but selectors will have to deal with gnawing questions over the management of senior players. Usman Khawaja missed the Gabba test after suffering back spasms in Perth and the opener is not guaranteed to return to the top of the order. While his replacement Travis Head was unable to produce another knock to rival his match-winning century against England in Perth, his work with rookie opener Jake Weatherald has been a...

December 9, 2025 1:55 PM

Golf, beaches and nap-time: Beaten England take mini-break before Adelaide Test

Though 2-0 down in the Ashes after less than six days' cricket, England will put away their playing kit to take a mini-break in the south Queensland resort town of Noosa before turning their focus to the do-or-die test in Adelaide next week. England's laid-back buildup to the tour and shunning of practice matches has been viewed dimly by old-school players who queried whether the team was ready for a pink ball match before their eight-wicket thrashing by Australia at the Gabba. Head coach Bren...

December 9, 2025 1:52 PM

Depleted New Zealand to meet upbeat West Indies in Wellington

New Zealand will pin their hopes on a rookie attack and field a new wicketkeeper when they take on the West Indies in the second test in Wellington starting on Wednesday following a slew of injuries. The Black Caps lost the services of pacers Nathan Smith and Matt Henry during the drawn series-opener in Christchurch, all but crushing their victory hopes. With Kyle Jamieson also unavailable for the Basin Reserve, the hosts have dug deep into their pace reserves to bring the uncapped duo of Mich...

December 9, 2025 1:50 PM

Bangladesh’s Shakib wants home farewell series before ending career

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan wants to return home to play a match in all three formats before ending his international career, the 38-year-old said. Considered the greatest cricketer ever produced by Bangladesh, Shakib left the country after the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina-led government last year. The all-rounder had been a member of parliament for the Awami League led by Hasina, whose 15-year rule as prime minister ended with her fleeing to India following deadly protests. "I...

December 9, 2025 12:26 PM

India captain Suryakumar Yadav declares Gill and Pandya fit for T20 series opener vs South Africa

Top-order batter Shubman Gill and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are fit and available for Tuesday's T20 series opener against South Africa, India captain Suryakumar Yadav said on the eve of the match. Gill, who had been thrown out of action with a neck injury sustained during the opening test against the Proteas, was included in the T20 squad for the five-match series subject to his fitness. Pandya, who has been active in domestic cricket, is set to return to action after suffering a quadriceps in...

December 8, 2025 4:07 PM

England not standing up under pressure in Ashes: Ben Stokes

England's Ben Stokes lamented his team's failure to stand up in pressure moments after defeat by Australia in the second test at the Gabba on Sunday but the captain refused to concede the battle for the urn is over. England trail 2-0 in the five-test series after being outplayed with bat, ball and in the field during the eight-wicket loss in the day-night match in Brisbane. "We weren't able to execute with bat and ball and will be having some conversations in the dressing room," Stokes said. ...

December 8, 2025 4:08 PM

‘We trained too much’: McCullum blames England’s training overdose for Ashes loss

England's preparation for their second Ashes test may have been a case of too much training and not enough freshness, head coach Brendon McCullum said after his side slumped to another demoralising eight-wicket loss to Australia on Sunday. The tourists went 2-0 down in the series after Australia made light work of a 65-run target at the Gabba, with local hero Michael Neser's five-wicket haul setting up the victory that has left England staring at familiar heartbreak Down Under. McCullum reveal...

December 8, 2025 4:00 PM

Ashes: Australia captain Steve Smith laughs off fiery exchange with Jofra Archer

Australia captain Steve Smith downplayed his fiery exchange with Jofra Archer at the Gabba as "good banter" after letting his bat deliver the final riposte in the first major flashpoint of the Ashes on Sunday. Australia cruised to an eight‑wicket victory to take a 2-0 lead in the series, but a frustrated Archer added spice to the final session with a verbal clash with the man he floored at Lord's with a short ball two years ago. After Smith missed an attempted ramp-shot at the Gabba, Archer ...

December 8, 2025 3:55 PM

Australia’s Michael Neser hails special Ashes spell at Gabba after long absence

Australia quick Michael Neser said he will cherish his bowling performance at his home ground in Brisbane after he picked a five-wicket haul in the second Ashes test, helping the hosts to a comprehensive eight-wicket win on Sunday. Neser, competing in his first test in three years, broke the 96-run partnership between Ben Stokes and Will Jacks, dismissing both in his consecutive overs. The right-arm pacer finished with five for 42 as Australia bowled out the opposition for 241 with a lead of 6...