Cricket

LISA STHALEKAR: Cricketers pour fuel on border tensions by entering the political sphere.

The transformation of a once gritty opener is near complete after his ascension into the national one-day squad.

Queensland No.3 Marnus Labuschagne has top-scored with 160, making a big statement in his bid for a Test recall, while NSW's Sam Konstas fell cheaply again.

LISA STHALEKAR: They start every tournament as the favourites, but nothing is guaranteed with the world’s best female cricketers facing an uphill battle this time around.

With star WA allrounder Cam Green to return to the bowling crease this weekend, Test captain Pat Cummins has shared his thoughts on whether Cam is still the man to be Australia’s long-term No.3

A WA product has earned a last-gasp call-up to Australia’s squad for their T20 series against New Zealand after Glenn Maxwell was felled in a nasty incident in the nets.

The presence of one man on the podium was enough for the cricket giants to reject the silverware.

England’s selectors have gone for aggression. But it’s one thing to unleash a 150kmh rocket in Perth on day one; it’s another to be doing it in Sydney six weeks later when the series is still alive.

Sydney Thunder have landed the first-ever Indian men’s international cricketer to play in the Big Bash, signing megastar spinner Ravi Ashwin in a massive coup for the franchise and competition.

England will come to Australia with a battery of pace bowlers spearheading their attempt to regain the Ashes, but with questions over their batting line-up and the fitness of several players.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Backing the teenager for a fierce home Ashes series is the wrong call. This is the guy we should be calling up to bat with Usman Khawaja in Perth.

With Australia’s Test top order still a mystery, Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne have made hot starts to the domestic summer to give themselves an early leg up in the Ashes bat-off.

‘Leave the ball alone! That’s what the fieldsmen are there for.’

Sam Konstas is making the most of his opportunity with Australia A in India, scoring a ton on the opening day of their match with India A.

India’s captain issued a defiant response to claims of poor sportsmanship after the high-stakes clash.