‘It’s a little more than a guess’:Bailey defends McSweeney selection as concerning stats revealed

‘It’s a little more than a guess’:Bailey defends McSweeney selection as concerning stats revealed

Nathan McSweeney averages 20 when he comes to the crease inside the first three overs of an innings but George Bailey is adamant he’s ready to open for Australia.

  • byTom Decent

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Five flights in 10 days:Inglis the poster child for cricket’s crazy calendar

Five flights in 10 days:Inglis the poster child for cricket’s crazy calendar

Josh Inglis’ demanding travel itinerary and multi-format duties make him highly unlikely to play next week’s first Test against India.

  • byDaniel Brettig andJon Pierik
Harshly dropped:How Australia’s selectors ended up with a battle of the openers

Harshly dropped:How Australia’s selectors ended up with a battle of the openers

Matt Renshaw averaged nearly 37 from his first 10 Tests as a 20-year-old. His 2017 omission started the road to the fight for a top-order spot this year.

  • byDaniel Brettig
Watch:Harris rocked for a duck,McSweeney falls cheaply again as selection call reaches boiling point

Watch:Harris rocked for a duck,McSweeney falls cheaply again as selection call reaches boiling point

Two Test top-order batsmen stunningly fell without scoring in Australia A’s second innings at the MCG on Saturday.

  • byJon Pierik andRoy Ward
Line-ball call looms on Harris,McSweeney. But top order is not the selectors’ only worry

Line-ball call looms on Harris,McSweeney. But top order is not the selectors’ only worry

Cricket Australia will name a 13-player Test squad,possibly as early as Saturday,though the identity of Usman Khawaja’s opening partner may not be known for a while longer.

  • byAndrew Wu
How three great batsmen can rediscover the glory of their youth

How three great batsmen can rediscover the glory of their youth

Having dominated the game in their prime,Steve Smith,Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma now face the unique challenges that come with age in a young man’s sport.

  • byGreg Chappell
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Pant’s joy of life,Kohli’s five-year downturn and Bumrah or bust? India’s key players this summer
Analysis
Test cricket

Pant’s joy of life,Kohli’s five-year downturn and Bumrah or bust? India’s key players this summer

India have accounted for Australia in their last two trips here,in 2018-19 and 2020-21. But this time they’re under pressure. We run the rule over the five key men who stand between Australia and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

  • byAndrew Wu
McSweeney mistake leads to late twist in battle for Australia’s last Test spot

McSweeney mistake leads to late twist in battle for Australia’s last Test spot

Nathan McSweeney’s failure to see out the new ball in his first try as an opener has left the door ajar for Marcus Harris to launch an unlikely late charge for a Test berth.

  • byAndrew Wu
Ageing stars,injuries and a Kiwi smashing:What’s gone wrong for India?
Analysis
Test cricket

Ageing stars,injuries and a Kiwi smashing:What’s gone wrong for India?

A surprise 3-0 loss at home to New Zealand has put India on the back foot before they even get to Australia for a five-Test series. What’s gone wrong?

  • byDaniel Brettig
A ball-tampering conspiracy was born in Mackay. Here’s what actually happened

A ball-tampering conspiracy was born in Mackay. Here’s what actually happened

The scenes flashed around the world,as stump microphones captured the increasingly terse exchanges between the umpire and India A players.

  • byDaniel Brettig andTom Decent
Test stars pulled out of ODIs,as selectors show hand with batting switch

Test stars pulled out of ODIs,as selectors show hand with batting switch

Several of Australia’s Test stars will all miss the third one-day international in Perth to focus on Test preparations,as Nathan McSweeney firms for a baggy green against India.

  • byAndrew Wu andDaniel Brettig