Australia named a 13-member squad for the upcoming 3-match One-day International series against West Indies. The major news included that Steve Smith would lead the side in the absence of Pat Cummins. Pat Cummins has been rested keeping his workload during the 3-match Test series against Pakistan and will play 2 more Test matches against West Indies starting from 17^th January 2024.

The pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins has been rested due to the heavy workload that they did during the 3 test matches against Pakistan and the upcoming 2 test matches against the West Indies.

“It is a little over 12 months until the Champions Trophy and further opportunities for the likes of Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson, and Nathan Ellis will be valuable both to our ongoing improvement as a team and also further their personal experiences in ODI cricket,” national selector George Bailey said.

Marcus Stoinis has been rested for the series. The batting unit looks strong with the likes of Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Matthew Short. Short has been selected due to his performance in BBL 13.

The pace bowling department comprises of Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis. Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner in the squad while Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short would be part-time spinners.

Australia has been in dominating form against the West Indies during the One-day international format. They have won the last 12 matches out of 14. Aussies would look to continue their winning form in the 3-match ODI series.

The first One-day international will be played on 2^nd February at Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG, followed by the 2^nd ODI match at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG on 4^th February. The third and final ODI match will take place on 6^th February at Maunka Oval, Canberra. It promises to be an exciting series as Australia will see the youngsters perform and stake a claim in the squad for upcoming tournaments.

Australia ODI squad Against West Indies

Steve Smith, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.

The post AUS vs WI: Australia Announce Squad For ODI Series, Steve Smith To Lead appeared first on Cricfit.

Steve Smith’s swashbuckling Big Bash League cameo has earned him a spot on the league’s official tournament team. At the end of the regular season, the eight BBL coaches voted for the best players, who were then compiled into a team that was announced on Wednesday morning.

The team had no overseas players, with the majority of the best-visiting talent departing early to compete in the UAE’s International League T20 or the new SAT20 tournament. Smith joined the Sydney Sixers after the home Test summer ended, but he only appeared in five of a possible 14 games.

BBL Team of the tournament:

Squad goals

A huge congratulations to all players selected in the #BBL12 Team of the Tournament – as voted by the coaches!

What do you think? Did the coaches get it right? Who was stiff to miss out? pic.twitter.com/2EFeBA9hWn

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 31, 2023

During that time, he averaged 86.5 runs per game, became the first Sixers player to hit a century (he ended up with two), and finished the regular season with the most sixes of any player in the tournament.

Smith was one of four players nominated by all eight coaches, along with Sixers fast bowler Sean Abbott, tournament MVP Matt Short, and Perth Scorchers batter Aaron Hardie.

Abbott became the first player in BBL history to reach 150 wickets this summer, while Short found success opening the bowling for the Adelaide Strikers and scored the most runs of any player by the end of the regular season.

Hardie, a future Australian representative, had a breakout season for the Scorchers, scoring four half-centuries.

The Scorchers, who hosted the grand final, contributed the most players to the team (three), while the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder were the only teams not represented.

Aaron Finch was named captain after leading the Melbourne Renegades back to the BBL finals after finishing last for three years.

BBL team of the tournament

1 Matthew Short (Adelaide Strikers) – 8 votes
2 Steve Smith (Sydney Sixers) – 8 votes
3 Aaron Hardie (Perth Scorchers) – 8 votes
4 Aaron Finch (capt, Melbourne Renegades) – 6 votes
5 Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers) – 7 votes
6 Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes) – 5 votes
7 Michael Neser (Brisbane Heat) – 5 votes
8 Sean Abbott (Sydney Sixers) – 8 votes
9 Andrew Tye (Perth Scorchers) – 5 votes
10 Tom Rogers (Melbourne Renegades) – 6 votes
11 Paddy Dooley (Hobart Hurricanes) – 5 votes
12 Chris Lynn (Adelaide Strikers) – 3 votes

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.

The post Following His Sixers Cameo, Steve Smith Enters The BBL Team Of The Tournament appeared first on Cricfit.

Aaron Hardie, the Scorchers’ young gun, went from incredible to terrible in the Qualifier final against the Sydney Sixers, leaving cricket commentators stunned.

Hardie had the Perth Stadium crowd on their feet when he leapt high and reeled in a one-handed screamer.

In the third over, Hardie was Perth’s hero, taking a ripping one-handed catch at mid-on to dismiss Kurtis Patterson and leave the Sixers struggling at 2-16.

Aaron Hardie takes a stunner:

WHAT. A. CATCH.

Aaron Hardie, take a bow!

WATCH #BBL12 on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/f2as0D7oW0
BLOG https://t.co/6WloLmkKGr
MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/BqNmDCiS89 pic.twitter.com/LDuUEJjIwm

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 28, 2023

However, his brilliance on the field was quickly tainted when he missed a simple chance when danger man Steve Smith was on 12 seconds later.

The Hardie drop stunned Gilchrist to the point where his jaw dropped in the commentary box.

“How big a play is that!’ Fox Cricket’s Adam Gilchrist said. “That’s an absolute sitter,” he added.

"Hardie has done the incredible and then he's done the terrible."

Huge drop from Aaron Hardie…

WATCH #BBL12 on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/f2as0D7oW0
BLOG https://t.co/6WloLmkKGr
MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/BqNmDCiS89 pic.twitter.com/UuubrCpmxY

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 28, 2023

The Perth Scorchers beat the Sydney Sixers by seven wickets on Saturday, advancing directly to the Big Bash League (BBL) final despite an in-form Steve Smith.

The four-time champions held the Sixers to 151-8 before answering with 154-3 in 18.3 overs. Ashton Turner led from the front with a commanding 84 not out from 47 balls.

Turner and opener Cameron Bancroft then partnered wisely in the middle overs, frequently working singles and looking for boundaries.

They did, however, take some risks, and Bancroft (53 not out) survived one strange scare when he skied a ball that neither the keeper nor the point fielder chased, both expecting the other to move into position.

Turner accelerated towards the finish line, bludgeoning nine fours and a six as he scripted a victory that delighted the 41,116-strong crowd. To play in the Feb. 4 decider, the Sydney Sixers must win a knockout final on Thursday against either the Brisbane Heat or the Melbourne Renegades.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.

The post [WATCH] Aaron Hardie Makes A ‘Perfect’ Screamer Look Easy And Then Leaves A Sitter appeared first on Cricfit.

Prior to the last Test match in Sydney against South Africa, Australia’s injury list is getting longer and longer. Cameron Green is the most recent player to sustain an injury. He is the second Australian victim; Mitchell Starc, a new-ball bowler, is probably going to suffer the same fate.

The second day of the ongoing Boxing Day Test between Green and Anrich Nortje saw Green suffer an injury to his index finger while batting. The 23-year-old was reportedly forced to retire on Day 2 due to injury and has a small fracture.

Cameron Green ruled out of the 3rd Test against South Africa due to a fractured finger.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 28, 2022

Cameron Green ruled out of BBL

In the present Boxing Day Test, Australia has the all-rounder available to bat should he be able to. He can’t bowl, though, because the fracture in his index finger will make it difficult for him to grip and release the ball.

Due to the injury, the young player will not participate in the Big Bash League (BBL). However, it is anticipated that he will be well for the four-test tour of India in February.

Australia’s loss of bowling options as a result of Cameron Green’s injury is a major setback given that they now have a commanding lead in the game. According to reports, Mitchell Starc tore a ligament in his middle finger.

Aaron Hardie could be included in Australia’s starting lineup for the third Test against South Africa because Cameron Green has been ruled out and Mitchell Marsh is still recovering from ankle surgery.

Since his breakthrough performance in the Sheffield Shield final of the previous year, when he scored 174 points for Western Australia at No. 7, the all-rounder has been a contender. During Australia A’s winter trip to Sri Lanka, he also did well.

Australia may also think about moving Alex Carey to No. 6 and placing Michael Neser at No. 7. As a bowling all-rounder, Neser has previously batted in that position for Queensland.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.

The post Cameron Green To Miss The 3rd Test Match Against South Africa appeared first on Cricfit.