Smith says England speed kings could struggle in Ashes
Steve Smith believes England may have picked the wrong bowlers for the Ashes, suggesting Australian wickets will be better suited to seam and swing than an all-out pace attack.
Steve Smith believes England may have picked the wrong bowlers for the Ashes, suggesting Australian wickets will be better suited to seam and swing than an all-out pace attack.
Pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood was cleared to continue his preparations for the first Ashes Test against England after sending a scare through the Australian camp on Wednesday when he went for a hamstring scan.
Skipper Ben Stokes hailed Joe Root as England's greatest batsman Wednesday and backed him to fire in the Ashes against Australia, while hyping up his team's vaunted pace attack.
Injured Australia captain Pat Cummins hinted on Thursday at a comeback for the second Ashes Test, a day after the side unveiled its squad ahead of this month's opener.
Uncapped opener Jake Weatherald was named Wednesday in Australia's squad for the first Ashes Test against England, with Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott included as back-up fast bowlers.
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne slammed a fifth century in eight innings, firing an ominous warning shot ahead of the Ashes with some of the richest form of his life.
Australia batter Travis Head has been released from the ongoing T20I series against India to represent South Australia in the next round of the Sheffield Shield, as selectors balance workloads and priorities ahead of the upcoming Ashes series later this month.
Blair Tickner and Zakary Foulkes made decisive contributions with bat and ball to secure a tense two-wicket win for New Zealand over England on Saturday and a clean sweep of the three-match ODI series.
Injured Australia captain Pat Cummins bowled for the first time since July on Wednesday as he races the clock to be fit for the second Ashes Test against England.
New Zealand defeated England by five wickets in the second ODI in Hamilton on Wednesday, with the return of Jofra Archer unable to ignite the visitors' full-throttle style of cricket.
Injured Australia captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test against England in Perth next month, head coach Andrew McDonald said on Monday.
Captain Harry Brook's brilliant century wasn't enough to rescue England as hosts New Zealand eased to a four-wicket win in the first one-day international on Sunday.