After the triumph over England, Australia's Steve Smith said that he is unsure about playing in the rivalry in 2027 in England, as he will be turning 38 years old by then. Speaking about it, the right-handed batsman said, "I'm sure everyone's excited to go there and try and win the Ashes". Smith also said that he would like to tick off winning an Ashes series in England, and also said that the Australian squad in the previous four to five years has been amazing. "It's something that I certainly haven't done in my career, and something I'd like to tick off, whether I get there or not, it's a different question. The squad we've had over the last four or five years has been amazing. So hopefully we can keep growing, getting better," said the 36-year-old cricketer. The stand-in skipper also heaped praise on wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey by saying that he was unbelievable behind the stumps and also contributed with the willow. "He was unbelievable with both bat and gloves, I think. Just the way he was able to go up to the stumps, in particular to the quicks. Those guys are bowling late 130s [kph] almost hitting 140s at times. And he's just taken them easy. He works incredibly hard on it. And against this opposition, we thought that was a real threat, being able to keep them stuck on their crease and not allow them to dance at our bowlers. And he just did that so well, and the guys bowling to it just reciprocated and put the ball in the right areas," said Smith. Usman Khawaja's statistics Australia's traditional opening batsman, Usman Khawaja, also made his final appearance for the side. The 39-year-old veteran scored 6206 runs in 87 Test matches and 157 innings at an average of 43.39. Khawaja notched up 16 hundreds and 28 half-centuries in the longest format. In ODIs, the left-handed batter made 1554 runs in 40 matches and 39 innings at an average of 42, including two centuries and 12 fifties. In T20Is, the veteran scored 241 runs in nine outings with the help of one half-century. (With ANI Inputs)
08 January,2026 06:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the T20 World Cup 2026, Pretoria Capitals' spinner Roston Chase is hopeful of getting some form heading into the tournament. In the SA20 match against Durban's Super Giants, Chase bagged one wicket by conceding 34 runs in 3.4 overs. The West Indies have not announced their squad for the global showpiece, but Chase is looking forward to delivering top performances for the side. "I'm happy that I can play some good competitive cricket leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Hopefully, I can get some form and carry it straight into the World Cup, and perform well for the West Indies as well," he said. Speaking about the SA20, the spinner said that he loves South Africa and labelled the tournament as an exciting and fast-paced event. "Most of the other times, I was unavailable. And last year, when I was available, I was selected for the ILT20, which clashed with this league. So I never had the chance to really come here. But this was a last-minute option for me. And I love South Africa. I always love watching the tournament. I think it's an exciting, fast-paced tournament. So I wanted to come and play. So I didn't turn it down. And I am glad that I'm experiencing the tournament right now," stated the 33-year-old cricketer. Meanwhile, in the SA20 match against Durban's Super Giants, Pretoria Capitals notched up 201/4 in 20 overs, after batting first. Opener Shai Hope slammed 118 runs off 69 deliveries, along with nine fours and as many sixes. With the ball, Kwena Maphaka, David Wiese, and Gerald Coetzee took one wicket apiece for Durban Super Giants. In response, Jos Buttler's unbeaten 97-run knock went in vain as Durban Super Giants were bundled out for 186 runs in 19.4 overs, losing the contest by 15 runs. Lungi Ngidi and Gideon Peters took three wickets each for the Capitals. The T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to kick off from February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The West Indies have been placed in Group C along with Bangladesh, England, Italy, and Nepal. The West Indies' tournament opening match is scheduled to be played against Bangladesh on February 7 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They will meet Italy in their last group stage match on February 19 at the same venue. (With ANI Inputs)
08 January,2026 05:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPretoria Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj has opened up about his approach for the T20 World Cup 2026. He will be leading South Africa's spin attack in the global showpiece. Recently, his team defeated Durban's Super Giants in the ongoing SA20 tournament. Speaking about the tournament, he said that it is a wonderful opportunity to get match practice ahead of the marquee tournament. "Not to think too far ahead, but it's a wonderful opportunity for us to get match practice under our belt. We've only played one series in India now. So, it's a wonderful opportunity building up towards that," Maharaj stated. When asked about the nature of the shortest format of the game, the spinner believes in trusting the process and working hard. "Look at T20 cricket, sometimes you go for runs, sometimes you pick up wickets, sometimes you are economical. You keep trusting your processes and keep working hard. Sometimes the wheel does turn, sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately, that is life, but I was always in a positive frame of mind," said the 35-year-old cricketer. In the SA20 match against Durban’s Super Giants, Pretoria Capitals notched up 201/4 in 20 overs after batting first. Opener Shai Hope slammed 118 runs off 69 deliveries, along with nine fours and as many sixes. With the ball, Kwena Maphaka, David Wiese, and Gerald Coetzee took one wicket apiece for Durban Super Giants. In response, Jos Buttler's unbeaten 97-run knock went in vain as Durban Super Giants were bundled out for 186 runs in 19.4 overs, losing the contest by 15 runs. Lungi Ngidi and Gideon Peters took three wickets each for the Capitals. The T20 World Cup 2026 will kick off from Februray 7, with the opening clash scheduled to be played between Pakistan and the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka. Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa have been placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. They will begin their campaign against Canada on February 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Proteas will play their last group stage match against the United Arab Emirates on February 18 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. (With ANI inputs)
08 January,2026 04:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India batsman Tilak Varma has undergone surgery for a groin issue, which has now triggered acute pain. Following the injury, he will not participate in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. With this, his availability for the initial matches of the T20 World Cup 2026 lingers in doubt. Varma was rushed to the hospital after he complained about the acute pain he experienced. He is with the Hyderabad team for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The five-match T20I series between Team India and New Zealand is set to kick off from January 21 in Nagpur. "Tilak Varma reported acute Testicular Pain in Rajkot where he is part of the Hyderabad team for the Vijay Hazare tournament. He was taken to Gokul Hospital and on scan was diagnosed with Testicular Torsion (sudden, intense pain) and was advised immediate surgery," a BCCI official told PTI. "We got an opinion from our specialists who agreed with the same. Tilak Underwent successful surgery and is doing well now. We will update you as soon as we have more information on his recovery and expected time-frame for his return to play post discussion with the medical panel," he added. It is reliably learnt that Varma is certain to be out of the series against New Zealand. Team India's schedule for T20 World Cup 2026 The T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka. The marquee event is scheduled to kick start from February 7. The defending champions, Team India, will open their global showpiece campaign by playing a match against the United States of America (USA) on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The "Men in Blue" will lock horns against Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The high-octane match between arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, is scheduled to be played on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India will conclude their group stage matches by playing a clash against the Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK). (With PTI Inputs)
08 January,2026 02:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAustralia secured a victory by five wickets in the fifth and final Test match of the Ashes series against England. With this, the hosts also sealed the series by 4-1. Usman Khawaja, who made his final appearance for the side, said that he found it difficult to control his emotions while playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Speaking about his retirement, the veteran batsman said, "It means a lot. So much has gone into it. The only thing I wanted was a win, as much as I wanted to hit the winning runs. The whole Test match, I found it hard to control my emotions. I found it hard to concentrate in the middle. I'm grateful I've had the career I've had. I have full gratitude. It definitely got a bit too tight. You never count your chickens. We got the job done though". The 39-year-old veteran scored 6206 runs in 87 Test matches and 157 innings at an average of 43.39. Khawaja notched up 16 hundreds and 28 half-centuries in the longest format. In ODIs, the left-handed batter made 1554 runs in 40 matches and 39 innings at an average of 42, including two centuries and 12 fifties. In T20Is, the veteran scored 241 runs in nine outings with the help of one half-century. Mitchell Starc's record On the other hand, Australia's lead pacer Mitchell Starc joined an elite list of players who have picked 30 or more wickets in the Ashes this century. The pacer claimed five wickets across both innings in Sydney. With this, he completed a tally of 31 wickets in 10 innings of the just-concluded Ashes series. He had an average of 19.93 and two five-wicket hauls. Starc has now joined the elite list of players who have picked up 30 or more wickets in an Ashes series this century. The 35-year-old pacer has joined the likes of Shane Warne (40 wickets in 2005 series), Mitchell Johnson (37 wickets in 2013-14), Glenn McGrath (32 wickets in 2001), and Warne (31 wickets in 2001), who picked 30 or more wickets in an Ashes series this century. (With ANI Inputs)
08 January,2026 01:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHaving led India to its maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium just a couple of months back, Harmanpreet Kaur is keen to carry that trophy-winning form into the Women’s Premier League (WPL) which begins in Navi Mumbai on Friday. The two-time WPL-winning Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper insists her team is aiming for their third WPL crown. “Whenever I go on the field, I tell my team that I want to win the trophy. This new year [2026] starts with the WPL and I have the same energy and excitement going into the tournament. We have the same mindset. We have won two [WPL] trophies in the last three seasons. And we want to play well this season and win the trophy again,” Harmanpreet said during MI’s pre-season press conference at a city hotel on Wednesday. Champs face RCB at Nerul Defending champions MI begin their campaign against Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Interestingly, Punjab-born Harmanpreet, who used to work for Western Railway in the city around 10 years ago, reckoned Mumbai holds a special place due to its positive vibes. “My first job [WR] was in Mumbai, so it’s a very special city for me because whenever I get a chance to play here, I always get positive results. I’m sure this season is also going to be very special. I’m really happy that last season and last year turned out to be very good overall for women’s cricket. I hope this year also starts the same way,” she added, going on to praise the MI team management instilling a winning mindset in the team. “Wherever I go, I want to think about winning because participation [in World Cups] we’ve been doing for so many years, so that doesn’t change anything. But if you go in with a winning mindset and work towards that, it can bring a lot of things to you and to your country. WPL brought about many changes in me, especially in the thinking aspect because before that, there would always be some limitations, but when I came here and worked with MI, things changed. MI [men’s team] have been winning the IPL for so many years and that winning mindset came in me when I began sitting with them [MI team management]. They’re always thinking about what best we can do to beat any team or to win the title. That’s what has changed for me,” Harmanpreet added. All-women support staff Meanwhile, MI head coach and Australia’s two-time World Cup-winner Lisa Keightley is mighty pleased to be working with an all-female support staff. The MI support staff comprises former India pacer Jhulan Goswami (mentor and bowling coach), ex-India cricketer Devika Palshikar (batting coach), ex-Australia batter Nicole Bolton (fielding coach) and ex-Australia leg-spinner Kristen Beams (spin bowling coach). “To have a full female coaching panel is really exciting and something different for me. We’re giving an opportunity to females across the world to actually see females in the coaching space so that’s nice,” said Keightley. 20-9Mumbai Indians’s win-loss record in the WPL under Harmanpreet
08 January,2026 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureNew Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell said he will draw on his experience from the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India to counter the Men in Blue’s spinners on the slower subcontinent surfaces which will greet the Kiwis in the upcoming series against India, which features three ODIs and five T20 Internationals beginning from January 11. “It’s a great challenge when you come into these parts. As a New Zealander, you don’t grow up on surfaces like this. So I’ll be able to draw on experiences that I’ve had in the last few years and take on the positives such as the ODI World Cup in 2023,” said Mitchell. India’s spin contingent in the ODI squad includes Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, while their T20I squad also features Varun Chakravarthy. Mitchell had a memorable ODI World Cup in 2023, scoring 552 runs, including a 134 against India in the semi-final. 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
08 January,2026 08:40 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesThe Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday said the ICC is “willing to work closely” with it to address “security concerns” around the team’s participation in the T20 World Cup in India even though its demand for a change of venue has not yet been accepted. “The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be considered as part of the security planning for the event,” BCB said in a statement. Bangladesh are due to play four games in Kolkata and Mumbai. 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
08 January,2026 08:35 AM IST | Dhaka | PTIVaibhav Sooryavanshi extended his jaw dropping run with a sizzling hundred while Aaron George too struck a fine century as India U-19 thrashed South Africa by 233 runs in the third youth ODI to sweep the three-match series here on Wednesday. After being sent in to bat, skipper Sooryavanshi went on a six-hitting spree, hammering 10 maximums and nine boundaries in a 74-ball 127. This was his third Youth ODI ton. He has also struck four fifties in 18 matches, amassing 973 runs at an average of 54.05 and a strike rate of 164.08. The 14-year-old was ably supported by George (118 off 106) , as they laid the platform for a huge total with a 227-run opening stand. India piled up a mammoth 393 for 7, as Ntando Soni (3-61) and Jason Rowles (2-59) shared five wickets between them. In reply, South Africa were dismissed for a measly 160 (35 overs). Kishan Singh (3-15) and Mohammed Enaan (2-36) were the pick of India’s bowlers. For the Proteas, Paul James top scored with 41. 03No. of tons scored by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 18 Youth ODI games 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
08 January,2026 08:27 AM IST | Benoni (South Africa) | PTIJacob Bethell posted his first test century Wednesday and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time for England, ensuring the fifth and last Ashes Test will be decided on Day 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Stand of 81 with Duckett The 22-year-old, Barbados-born all-rounder went to the crease in the first over of England’s second innings when Mitchell Starc trapped Zac Crawley lbw on the fifth ball. He shared an 81-run second-wicket stand with Ben Duckett (42), 32 with Joe Root (6), 102 with Harry Brook (42) and 45 with Jamie Smith (26) to help England reach 302-8 at stumps on Day 4, a lead of 119 runs. Bethell finished 142 not out from 232 balls, helping England erase the 183-run first-innings deficit and maintain a chance of winning back-to-back tests Down Under. Australia’s Beau Webster celebrates a wicket on Wednesday “It was special to get the milestone,” Bethell said in a TV interview. “To have the family over ... [and] to top it off with a hundred here is very special.”In just his sixth test, and second of this series, Bethell found a way to survive while wickets tumbled around him as allrounder Beau Webster (3-51) emerged as the unlikely star for Australia by taking three wickets with his occasional off-spin. Webster took two wickets in three deliveries to swing momentum. He removed Brook, trapped lbw to a ball that turned sharply out of the rough, and Will Jacks, inexcusably hitting out and caught in the deep by Cameron Green for a second-ball duck, as England slumped to 219-5. A chaotic run out, first ball after the drinks break in the evening session, saw Jamie Smith (26) sent back by Bethell and well out of his ground when Jake Weatherald threw to Marnus Labuschagne to whip off the bails at the bowler’s end. Webster’s wickets may have a positive spinoff on a turning pitch for England, which has Bethell, Jacks and possibly Root as spin options and could make chasing 170 or more a tricky prospect. Webster shocked by spin “Certainly didn’t think it would be with spin today,” Webster said of the crucial wickets in his Ashes debut. The 32 year-old allrounder said the Australians were “very well placed, obviously” to win. “We’d like to mop up these last two as quickly as we can, hopefully with the new ball around the corner as well, ... and [England]hopefully not too many ahead, and let the top-order boys get the job done,” he added. 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
08 January,2026 08:23 AM IST | Sydney | AP | PTIKapil Dev (India) Kapil Dev during his 175 not out vs Zimbabwe in Tunbridge Wells 1st List A ton (175 not out) vs Zimbabwe (Tunbridge Wells, 1983): This World Cup innings was Kapil’s only ODI ton and remains one of India’s most iconic knocks. After opting to bat, India were tottering at 9-4 when Kapil walked in. He blasted 16 fours and six sixes during his 138-ball knock as India posted 266-8. Zim were bowled out for 235. 1st first-class ton (126 not out) vs West Indies (Delhi, 1979): Kapil’s maiden Test ton followed centuries from Sunil Gavaskar (120) and Dilip Vengsarkar (109) as India declared at 566-8. Kapil smashed 11 fours and a six at an impressive strike rate of 101.61. The match ended in a draw despite India inflicting a follow-on. Marlon Samuels (West Indies) Marlon Samuels during his 108* vs India at Vijayawada in 2002 1st List A ton (108 not out) vs India (Vijayawada, 2002): In the decider of a series that ended 4-3 in favour of WI, Samuels struck at a whopping strike rate of 144.00, with 11 fours and five sixes to take WI to 315-6. In response, Yuvraj Singh (68) played well but India folded for 180 in 36.5 overs. 1st first-class ton (104) vs India (Kolkata, 2002): India made 358 first up. In reply, WI posted 497 all out as Wavell Hinds (100), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (140) scored tons too. Samuels’s 182-ball innings included 18 fours. However, the match ended in a draw as India went on to make 471-8 thanks to massive hundreds from Sachin Tendulkar (176) and VVS Laxman (154 not out). Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh) Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1st List A ton (100 not out) vs India (Mirpur, 2022): Miraz’s 83-ball knock, laced with eight fours and four sixes, rescued Bangladesh from 69-6 to post 271-7. Miraz then claimed two scalps too (2-46) as India managed just 266-9 in their 50 overs, losing by five runs. 1st first-class ton (103) vs West Indies (Chattogram, 2021): Batting first, Bangladesh made 430 thanks to Miraz’s 103. They then bundled out WI for 259 and declared at 223-8 in the second effort. However, Kyle Mayers’s brilliant double century (210 not out) ensured WI chased the 395-run target with three wickets in hand. Curtis Campher (Ireland) Curtis Campher 1st List A ton (120) vs Scotland (Bulawayo, 2023): Campher’s 108-ball innings helped Ireland post 286-8. However, in a close chase, Scotland pulled through on the last ball thanks to Michael Leask’s unbeaten 91 and Christopher McBride’s 56. 1st first-class ton (111) vs Sri Lanka (Galle, 2023): Campher and Paul Stirling (103) helped Ireland post 492. SL then declared at 704-3 as Nishan Madushka (205), Kusal Mendis (245), Dimuth Karunaratne (115), and Angelo Mathews (100 not out) scored big. Ireland were all out for 202, losing by an innings and 10 runs. Bethell’s maiden List A century (110 off 82 balls) came in an ODI vs SA in Southampton in 2025
08 January,2026 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Karan ShankarADVERTISEMENT
