England 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 | AgenciesIndia batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara celebrated the first Christmas at her recently-opened Pilates studio at Andheri in grand fashion. The studio, named Pilates Academy, was inaugurated by her in August with Sachin and his wife Anjali in town. Sachin Tendulkar Sara, 28, who is also a model and social media star besides holding a degree in nutrition, sported a pretty white dress and wore reindeer antlers while posing with her guests. The studio was decorated with balloons and ribbons and featured a well-decorated Christmas tree. There was a wide spread of food as well as other activities, including a manifestation board for the new year which was visible in the pictures she posted on Instagram.
27 December,2025 10:27 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesRenuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma dazzled with the ball before Shafali Verma’s pyrotechnics powered India to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, clinching the five-match series in the third women’s T20I here on Friday. With the win, India have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, underlining their complete dominance over the visitors. The contest followed a familiar script, with India first restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total before overhauling the target with consummate ease. Renuka (4-21) marked her return to the side in scintillating fashion, while Deepti became the joint-highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is as India limited Sri Lanka to a paltry 112-7. Shafali, who blazed away to an unbeaten 79 off 42 balls, was at her imperious best as she single-handedly dismantled the chase, powering India home with 40 balls to spare. Playing her first T20I since December last year, Renuka did what she does best with the new ball, rattling the Sri Lankan top order and swinging the momentum decisively in India’s favour. 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 10:17 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | PTIFormer England pacer Stuart Broad was not impressed with the condition of the MCG pitch on Day One of the Boxing Day Test, as the ex-England pacer said that “the amount of movement that this pitch has shown” has indicated that there is “something really wrong”. Following the sensational bowling performance from English fast bowler Josh Tongue, who picked up superb figures of 5-45 during Australia’s first innings of 152, with the hosts responding in style to skittle England for just 110 on an action-packed opening day’s play in the fourth Test that saw a total of 20 wickets fall. I t was the first time in 74 years that 20 wickets had fallen on Day One of a Test match Down Under. “The amount of movement that this pitch has shown has indicated to me that there is something really wrong. Test match bowlers do not require this level of movement to bowl effectively in a Test match. Good Test match pitches will have good bounce but not excessive sideways movements,” Broad said on Sen 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 10:08 AM IST | Melbourne | IANSMumbai opener Rohit Sharma was out for a duck off the very first ball of the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group ‘C’ encounter against Uttarakhand in Jaipur on Friday. However, his mere presence still helped the Mumbai team. On one-on-one interaction on the eve of the game with Hardik Tamore (93 not out off 82 balls) helped the wicketkeeper-batsman overcome his bad patch and guide Mumbai to a 51-run win. Batting first, Mumbai’s Khan brothers, opener Musheer (56-ball 55) and Test discard one-drop Sarfaraz (49-ball 55) shared a 107-run stand off 90 balls. After Tamore came to the crease following Sarfaraz’s dismissal at 133-4 in the 22nd over, he continued the good work, shouldering the responsibility well, stitching a 95-run partnership with No. 8 Shams Mulani (35-ball 48) as Mumbai posted 331-7 in the allotted 50 overs. Guidance pays off Tamore, who hit seven fours and two sixes, revealed how Rohit’s guidance made the difference. “Yesterday [Thursday] evening, I spent around one-and-a-half hour in Rohit bhai’s room, picking his brain on what my mindset should be while batting at different positions — top-order or at No. 6 — in a 50-over game. He said that I should plan exactly when I want to attack and against which bowler. He explained how I should plan my innings while taking some risks in between. He shared a lot of things with me. I tried to apply some of it today and it helped. I benefited greatly from his advice,” Tamore told mid-day over the phone from Jaipur on Friday, when asked to describe his match-winning knock. Rohit Sharma Tamore, 28, had scored just 62 in four innings of the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. When probed further about how he thought of approaching the India stalwart for help to regain form, Tamore said: “Actually, Dhawal bhai [Kulkarni, Mumbai bowling coach] took me to his [Rohit] room. I told him my issues and he gave me the remedy. It was a very good meeting, which gave me a lot of confidence. After my innings today, he [Rohit] came up to me and appreciated my batting intent.” Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who got injured while taking a catch is stable, revealed MCA Secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar: “Angkrish is stable and is back at the team hotel from hospital on Friday evening. We are awaiting his reports.” Kohli shines in Bengaluru Elsewhere, star batter Virat Kohli (77 off 61 balls) and Rishabh Pant (70 off 79 balls) scored half-centuries in Delhi’s thrilling seven-run win over Gujarat in Bengaluru.
27 December,2025 10:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureUttarakhand pacer Devendra Singh Bora (3-74), who dismissed Rohit for the first time and off the very first ball on Friday, revealed the planning that went into bowling to the India ODI opener. “On the eve of the match, our coach Manish Jha, captain Kunal Chandela and myself discussed how I should bowl to him [Rohit]. Our plan was to bowl a bouncer first up; if he hits a six, it’s alright, but he can also get out and that would be a big plus, so we took that chance. And that’s exactly what happened; he gave a catch [to Jagmohan Nagarkoti near the deep square leg fence]. He is a big player, and getting him out gives you a boost and a lot of belief in your ability,” Bora told mid-day after the match on Friday.
27 December,2025 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure25 wickets1902: Melbourne Result: Australia won by 229 runs Twenty-five wickets on Day One of the second Ashes Test in 1902 remains the world record for the most scalps on the opening day of any Test. The New Year’s Test at the MCG was played under challenging conditions, with Australia being bundled out for a mere 112, thanks to six and four-wicket hauls by pacer Sydney Barnes and spinner Colin Blythe, respectively. England’s response was even worse as they collapsed for just 61, with spinner Monty Noble claiming 7-17. Four visiting batters were dismissed for ducks. It was the same old story for the hosts’ batters as they were reduced to 48-5 on Day One. 20 wickets1894-95: Melbourne Result: England won by 94 runs The second Test of the series in Melbourne, played from December 29 to January 3, produced a masterclass from the Australian bowlers on Day One with England skittling out for just 75, thanks to 5-32 by pacer Charlie Turner. The Australian response was equally shocking, with the hosts losing the first three wickets for just 14 and the last seven wickets for 70 to get bowled out for 123, as right-arm pacer Tom Richardson claimed a five-wicket haul. 22 wickets1890: The OvalResult: England won by 2 wickets Hosts England were high on confidence after winning the opening Test at Lord’s convincingly by seven wickets. Australia, batting first after winning the toss, were dismantled for 92 after pacer Fred Martin made a dream debut with figures of 6-50. England’s WG Grace-led batting line-up couldn’t do much as Australia fought back to dismiss the hosts for just 100. England, in reply, lost two quick wickets to end the day at 5-2. 20 wickets1909: Old TraffordResult: Match drawn The fourth Test of the 1909 series produced a dramatic day in Manchester. Australia, batting first, were dismissed for 147. However, the total seemed respectable as the pitch offered considerable assistance to the bowlers, with right-arm pacer Sydney Barnes and spinner Colin Blythe claiming five-wicket hauls. England batters, in reply, struggled as the hosts tumbled for 119, with pacer Frank Laver claiming career-best figures of 8-31, as the opening ended with 20 wickets falling. 20 wickets1882: The OvalResult: Australia won by seven runs This is arguably the most famous England vs Australia Test in history, giving birth to The Ashes. The opening day saw Australia being dismissed for a mere 63 in just 80 overs (four-ball overs), with England pacer Dick Barlow taking 5-19. England, in response, were well placed at 57-2, but then collapsed like a pack of cards, losing the next eight wickets for just 44 to be bundled out for 101. Right-arm pacer Fred Spofforth was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 7-46 as 20 wickets fell on Day One.
27 December,2025 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan KoliADVERTISEMENT
-1766825897408_d.png "Deepti Sharma. File Photo")
-1766818669165_d.png "England opener Ben Duckett. File Pic")
