India captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Friday said the Women in Blue achieved their objective of raising their standards and adopting a more aggressive approach during the series win over Sri Lanka, keeping an eye on next year’s T20 World Cup. India defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the third WT20I to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Having already clinched their maiden ODI World Cup last month, India have now shifted focus to the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5 next year. “It was a great series for all of us. That’s what we discussed after the World Cup that we have to raise our standard and be more aggressive in T20s because the World Cup is coming up so very happy with our overall performances.” Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation. The skipper singled out the bowling unit for praise, crediting them for consistently restricting Sri Lanka to modest totals throughout the series. “I think the contribution from our bowlers (has been a highlight) because in T20 cricket, the bowling is very important. Today we are in this position because of our bowlers so credit goes to them.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:59 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | PTIFormidable India will be eager to register a dominance-extending fourth victory on the bounce in the fourth Women’s T20I against Sri Lanka here on Sunday. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team has not even given a chance to its Lankan counterparts to compete in this five-match series, which currently stands 3-0 in favour of the hosts. It is evident in the fact that India, who chased in all three preceding matches, have not batted more than 14.4 overs, have not lost more than three wickets, and have never faced a target in excess of 129. The primary credit-holders for that overwhelming success are Indian bowlers. Seasoned spinner Deepti Sharma took four wickets across two matches, and Renuka Singh equalled that feat in a single match at the Greenfield Stadium here on Friday. The toss also might have played a small part as Harmanpreet called it right on all three occasions and elected to field, giving her bowlers a chance to operate in conditions with lesser dew. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:56 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | PTIAyush Mhatre was on Saturday named captain of the 15-member Indian side for the U-19 World Cup to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6 next year. However, along with Vihaan Malhotra, Mhatre will miss the preceding assignment to South Africa — a three-match ODI series — due to their respective wrist injuries. In their absence, batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will captain India on the tour of South Africa where all the three ODIs will be played at Benoni on January 3, 5 and 7. Aaron George will be the vice-captain. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:52 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIThe overwhelmingly bowler-friendly Melbourne pitch on which 20 wickets fell on Day One of the Boxing Day Test has prompted Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Karthik to point out the selective criticism of Indian tracks when spinners get wickets in a heap. “India always gets hammered when wickets fall like crazy on Day One of a Test and so I hope that Australia gets the same scrutiny! Fair is fair!,” wrote former England skipper Pietersen on his X account. The decision to leave 10mm grass on the MCG deck generated massive sideways movement, making batting a lottery. In all, 36 wickets tumbled in six sessions at Melbourne as the fourth Test ended inside two days with England winning by four wickets. “MCG have produced an ordinary pitch here. Can’t believe two out of the four Ashes Tests could end in two days. For all the hype, four Ashes Tests have happened in just 13 days,” voiced former India batter Karthik. Their observations were based on the heavy criticism Indian spinners and pitches often have to encounter when such things happen in the sub-continent.Even Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg admitted that the Melbourne pitch was not a great advertisement for Test cricket, a format that already faces several other challenges. “As mesmerising and fascinating and enjoyable as it was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to go for longer. I didn’t sleep well last night, put it that way. “A simple phrase I’d use is short Tests are bad for business,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:49 AM IST | Melbourne | PTIBen Stokes and Steve Smith agreed on Saturday a Test match ending in two days was “not want you want”. “When you go out there and you’re faced with those conditions, you’ve got to crack on and deal with it,” said England skipper Stokes. Australian captain Smith said the 10mm depth of grass made it difficult for batting with too much sideways movement off the seam for the bowlers. “It was tricky. No one could really get in. I think when you see 36 wickets across two days, that’s probably too much,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:45 AM IST | Melbourne | AFPCaptain Steve Smith said on Saturday that Australia had left themselves 60 runs short and could have taken a more aggressive batting approach, after they lost the fourth Test against England for a first home Ashes defeat in 15 years. England came out on top of a seesawing contest at the Melbourne Cricket Ground played on a grassy bowler-friendly deck that made batting treacherous and was all over inside two days. After being dismissed for 152 in their first innings, Australia managed only 132 in their second to leave England with 175 to chase for victory. They got over the line with four wickets to spare. “Obviously, a very quick game,” Smith said. “I think if we got 50 or 60 more runs across both innings, we might have been there at the end, but, credit to England. Steve Smith “They came out today and fought really well this [Saturday] morning, didn’t let us get away.” Ben Duckett and Harry Brook, in particular, reverted to the ultra-attacking “Bazball” style pioneered by coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Stokes. Smith said it was something Australia would review in the wash-up. “I think the guy with the most success on that wicket was probably Harry Brook, running down the wicket, playing some kind of rogue shots I suppose, and trying to get the bowlers off their lengths that way,” he said. “You know, whether we could have been a bit more proactive potentially, and played a few more of those. That’s something we’ll talk about. “But in the end, it’s also tricky to do that. You want to try and dig in for your team sometimes. “You have to weigh up whether you should have gone harder, or you should have reined it in. And everyone’s different the way they go about it as well,” he added. Australia had already retained the Ashes after eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane and an 82-victory at Adelaide. 284No. of runs scored by Australia in Melbourne — their lowest Test aggregate at home against England since 1928 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:42 AM IST | Melbourne | AFPEngland pacer Josh Tongue said to get a match-winning five-wicket haul and have his name registered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a very special feeling, as the side got a Test match win in Australia after 15 years. Tongue claimed Player of the Match honours for picking figures of 5-45 and 2-44, as England beat Australia by four wickets inside two days. “It’s what dreams are made of. Obviously, waking up on Boxing Day, a few nerves. But to get a fifer and get my name on the honours board, it’s a very special feeling. It was with 95,000 people yesterday [Friday]. “The Barmy Army have been unbelievable these past four games. And especially here as well, in front of 95,000 people, it’s amazing being in the moment for them. 100%,” Tongue said at the conclusion of the game. He also opened up about his injury struggles that had threatened to end his career prematurely. “I was in a tough situation with my body and stuff [on his past injuries]. I was potentially retiring, but I’m glad that I put in the hard work to get myself back playing cricket. And now playing for England, it’s all that I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:38 AM IST | Melbourne | IANSA fighting England won their first Test on Australian soil in 15 years on Saturday, restoring their battered pride with a gutsy four-wicket victory to clinch a chaotic fourth Ashes clash that was all over inside two days. The pumped-up tourists dismissed Australia for 132 soon after lunch in front of a bumper 92,045 crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, following the 20 wickets that tumbled on Day One. It left them chasing 175 to win, with Harry Brook unbeaten on 18 and Jamie Smith on three seeing them home for the loss of six wickets to huge roars from their travelling “Barmy Army” of fans. Jacob Bethell contributed 40 and Zak Crawley 37. A relieved Ben Stokes hailed his team’s “courage and bravery”, calling it “really special”. England were not only coming off three defeats, but heavy scrutiny over their preparation for the tour and behaviour during a mid-series beach break. “It’s been a massive effort from everyone, and to come out on the right side of the result feels really special,” said Stokes. “There was a fair bit going on in the build-up to this match, a lot being thrown our way. For the lads to come out, stay focused, and perform the way they did says a lot about the character in this team. “Huge credit to the players, support staff, and management for keeping everyone locked in on what mattered — playing good cricket. I’m very proud. The cricket was short and sharp, very tricky, heavily favoured to the bowlers, but today we went about it exactly the right way. “We showed bravery and were courageous,” he added. Earlier, Australia resumed on 4-0 in their second innings. Travis Head was in good touch before being bowled on 46 by a peach of a delivery from pacer Brydon Carse (4-34) that beat the outside edge, and when Khawaja (0) and Alex Carey (4) departed in the space of nine balls, the momentum was back with England. 852No. of balls bowled at the MCG, making it the fourth-shortest completed Ashes Test ZeroNo. of players to score half-centuries in Melbourne — only the fifth time in Australia and 17th overall ZeroNo. of overs bowled by spinners at the MCG — the first time in a Test in Australia This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2025 08:31 AM IST | Melbourne | AFPIndia's star all-rounder Deepti Sharma went on a record-breaking spree during the third T20I against Sri Lanka, as she surpassed Australian legend Ellyse Perry to become the third-highest wicket-taker in all of women's international cricket. Deepti's spell of 3/18 at Thiruvananthapuram helped her break three records, overtaking Ellyse Perry (331 scalps in 271 international matches) with 333 scalps. In T20Is, she became the first-ever Indian across men's and women's cricket to get to the 150-wicket mark and also equalled Australia's Megan Schutt to become the leading wicket-taker in the format, with 151 scalps in 131 matches at an average of 18.73, with best figures of 4/10. In women's ODIs, Deepti is the eighth-leading wicket-taker and India's second-best after Jhulan Goswami (255 wickets), with 162 scalps in 121 matches at an average of 27.32, with best figures of 6/20 and three four-fers and four five-fors to his name. In five Tests, she has taken 20 wickets at an average of 18.10, with a four-fer and five-for to his name. Above her in women's international wicket-taking charts are England's Katherine Sciver Brunt (335 wickets in 275 matches) and Indian icon Jhulan (355 wickets in 291 matches). In another record, Deepti etched her name in history books, becoming the first-ever cricketer across the men's and women's game to register 1000 runs and 150 wickets in T20 Internationals. Besides her 151 T20I wickets, she has also scored 1,100 runs in 131 matches at an average of 23.40 and a strike rate of 104.26, with two half-centuries in 81 innings. Coming to the match, India won the toss and put Sri Lanka to bat first. Imesha Dulani (27 in 32 balls, with four boundaries), Hasini Perera (25 in 18 balls, with five fours), and Kavisha Dilhari (20 in 13 balls, with two fours and a six) put the only scores touching/crossing the 20-run mark as they posted 112/7 in 20 overs. Pacer Renuka Singh (4/21) emerged as the pick of the bowlers for India. In the run-chase, a ballistic Shafali Verma (79* in 42 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes) and skipper Harmanpreet (21 in 18 balls, with two fours) led India to an eight-wicket win in 13.2 overs, with Shafali getting her second successive fifty. In eight T20Is this year, she has made 333 runs in eight matches and innings at an average of 55.50, with a strike rate of over 173, with three half-centuries and a best score of 79*. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
27 December,2025 02:29 PM IST | Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) | ANIEngland opener Ben Duckett completed 3,000 Test runs on Saturday. Duckett, the 31-year-old left-handed opener, achieved the milestone during England's fourth Ashes Test, a Boxing Day affair at Melbourne. In a run-chase of a modest 175 runs, Duckett crossed the 30-run mark for the first time in the series, scoring a 26-ball 34, with four boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 130.77. Now in 42 Tests, he has scored 3,005 runs at an average of 40.06 and a strike rate of 86.44, including six centuries and 16 fifties in 78 innings and a best score of 182. In the ongoing Ashes series, Duckett has been less than sub-par, having made just 133 runs across eight innings in four Tests at an average of 16.62, with a best score of 34. His off-field controversies has not helped him either as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is investigating the verification of a video showing him apparently drunk and struggling to find his way back to the team hotel during the team's break to Noosa following a thumping loss in the second Test at Brisbane. Coming to the match, England won the toss and opted to bowl first. Josh Tongue (5/45) took England's first-ever Boxing Day Test five-wicket haul at MCG, as Australia were skittled out for 152 runs in 45.2 overs, with Michael Neser (35 in 49 balls, with seven fours) and Usman Khawaja (29 in 52 balls, with two fours) being the top scorers for Australia. Neser also shared a half-century stand with Cameron Green (17) before a run out triggered another collapse ending in an all-out. England was bundled out for 110 in 29.5 overs in their first innings, with Harry Brook (41 in 34 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Gus Atkinson (28 in 35 balls, with three fours and a six). A mix of England's 'Bazball' approach failing yet again and the pitch being absolutely unplayable for batters gave Neser (4/45) and hometown hero Scott Boland (3/30) easy wickets. England trailed by 42 runs. In their second innings, Australia failed to make an impact, once again pointing to the pitch's venomous and treacherous nature. Only Travis Head (46 in 67 balls, with four boundaries) and Steve Smith (24* in 39 balls, with a four) crossed the 20-run mark as England bundled them out for just 132 runs in 34.3 overs. Aussies led by 174 runs, setting an easy 175 to win for England. Brydon Carse (4/34) and skipper Ben Stokes (3/24) were the top bowlers for England. England ended the second session at 77/2, needing 98 to win. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
27 December,2025 12:29 PM IST | Melbourne [Australia] | ANIStar India all-rounder Deepti Sharma on Friday became the joint highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals along side Megan Schutt of Australia after returning impressive figures of 3 for 18 in the third game against Sri Lanka, taking her tally to 151. Deepti has taken 131 matches to get to 151 at an average of 18.73 and strike rate of 18.43 while Schutt took eight matches less to reach the figure at an average of 17.70 and strike rate of 16.57. Deepti reached the milestone by dismissing Malsha Shehani in her final over. With that breakthrough, the right-arm spinner also became the third-highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2025 10:38 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
-1766825897408_d.png "Deepti Sharma. File Photo")
-1766818669165_d.png "England opener Ben Duckett. File Pic")
