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[PICTURES/VIDEOS] West Indies tour of Australia (2024)

Uzzie says he’s ‘fine’ after scary incident, still needs to pass concussion test to be cleared for Gabba clash

Usman Khawaja is in some doubt to be fit for Australia’s second Test against the West Indies at the Gabba beginning January 25 after copping a nasty bouncer on the chin from Shamar Joseph on Friday.

Khawaja was forced to retire hurt during Australia’s second innings of the first Test after the incident, which left him bleeding.

Cricket Australia issued a statement which confirmed Khawaja hadn’t suffered a fractured jaw, but has to be monitored before being passed fit to play in the Gabba Test.

“Usman Khawaja has been cleared of a fractured jaw and will be monitored for any delayed concussion symptoms leading into the second NRMA Insurance Test match against the West Indies in Brisbane,” the CA statement read.

“Khawaja was not diagnosed with concussion on his initial post-match assessment.”

Khawaja will have to pass another concussion test on Saturday in order to line up for the final Test of the summer on home soil.

He posted on Instagram that he was OK after the scary incident.

“Thanks for all the well wishes. I’m fine, just wanted Marnus to have a hit.”

While it appears Khawaja will take his place, if he wasn’t able to, it would force the Aussies to make another change at the top of the order after Steve Smith was promoted to opener after David Warner’s retirement.

Matt Renshaw would likely be the man to come into the side if Khawaja couldn’t go.
​
SOURCE: FOX SPORTS
 
Two big performers during BBL|13 have been rewarded for their efforts with maiden international call-ups

Two breakout KFC BBL stars, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Xavier Bartlett, have earnt maiden international call-ups after Glenn Maxwell and Jhye Richardson were ruled out of the upcoming Dettol ODI series against West Indies.

Fraser-McGurk and Bartlett are both in line to make their international debuts in the three-game ODI campaign being played from February 2, with games in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

Maxwell has been 'managed' by Australia after the BBL season with the Melbourne Stars but is expected to play the ensuing T20s from February 9. He joins fellow first-choice players Pat Cummins, Mitch Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to miss the ODIs.

Richardson hurt his left side while playing for the Perth Scorchers last month, continuing a frustrating run of physical issues for the tearaway paceman.

Fraser-McGurk fittingly gets his chance thanks to Maxwell sitting out the series, with the veteran allrounder a noted admirer of his former Victorian teammate who he has dubbed "easily the most talented young batter in the country".

The 21-year-old made headlines around the world in October when he smashed the fastest ever List A century (off just 29 balls) playing for his new state South Australia.

He brought that explosive hitting into the BBL with the Melbourne Renegades, earning a spot in the team of the tournament after scoring 257 runs at a strike-rate of 158.64.

That has helped attract interest from overseas. Fraser-McGurk touched down in the UAE recently to play for David Warner's ILT20 team, Dubai Capitals, and made a match-winning 54 off 25 balls on debut.

But his involvement in that tournament now looks set to be cut short.

Bartlett meanwhile has had a steadier rise, culminating in an impressive campaign with the Brisbane Heat in which he has been the leading wicket-taker in BBL13 with 17 victims at 14.82.

The right-arm quick has been a weapon with the new ball, while he has also been effective at the death and in the power surge for the tournament's standout team.

Steve Smith is captaining the 50-over side in Cummins' absence.

Lance Morris could also make his ODI debut in the series, while fellow newcomers like Matt Short and Aaron Hardie will feature.

www.cricket.com.au

Fraser-McGurk, Bartlett called into Australia ODI squad | cricket.com.au

Two big performers during BBL|13 have been rewarded for their efforts with maiden international…
www.cricket.com.au www.cricket.com.au
 
Expect West Indies to do better in the ODI series. They were rather good when England toured the Caribbean

They'll be missing Pooran and Mayers and ideally would've wanted Sherfane Rutherford for continuity but it's a good side they are building .

Need to add Shamar to the ODI squad as well.

There was no chance of competing in Tests.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Expect West Indies to do better in the ODI series. They were rather good when England toured the Caribbean

They'll be missing Pooran and Mayers and ideally would've wanted Sherfane Rutherford for continuity but it's a good side they are building .

Need to add Shamar to the ODI squad as well.

There was no chance of competing in Tests.
Click to expand...
No point playing Tests. ICC should officially take away their test status. I would be a happy man when this decision is taken.
 
greatest said:
No point playing Tests. ICC should officially take away their test status. I would be a happy man when this decision is taken.
Click to expand...

The problem is that ICC is very discriminatory in that teams with Test status have full voting rights.

So, it's always seen as something aspirational for associate nations.

It's highly undemocratic. Why should Netherlands be considered any less than a Test nation ? They have played both World T20 and the World Cup

The only reason Test cricket is even somewhat relevant outside of the Big 3 is because the other nations want to retain their Test status .

SA, WI, BD, SL, ZIM, PAK, AFG - none of them will voluntarily play a lot of Test cricket if they didn't have the embedded threat of losing both voting rights and larger shares of ICC revenues (ironically coming from white ball ICC tournaments :facepalm
 
Nikhil_cric said:
The problem is that ICC is very discriminatory in that teams with Test status have full voting rights.

So, it's always seen as something aspirational for associate nations.

It's highly undemocratic. Why should Netherlands be considered any less than a Test nation ? They have played both World T20 and the World Cup

The only reason Test cricket is even somewhat relevant outside of the Big 3 is because the other nations want to retain their Test status .

SA, WI, BD, SL, ZIM, PAK, AFG - none of them will voluntarily play a lot of Test cricket if they didn't have the embedded threat of losing both voting rights and larger shares of ICC revenues (ironically coming from white ball ICC tournaments :facepalm
Click to expand...
A very valid point!
I have to say the game is in a sorry state. Money indeed corrupts!
 
Khwaja is good - Head has Covid & is in isolation but could still play .
Bad news is a cyclone could significantly impact the Brisbane Test this week from day three onwards. Draw looms if AUS bat first with day 3 & 4 certain to be washed out !
 
Human786 said:
Khwaja is good - Head has Covid & is in isolation but could still play .
Bad news is a cyclone could significantly impact the Brisbane Test this week from day three onwards. Draw looms if AUS bat first with day 3 & 4 certain to be washed out !
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter, because Australia will definitely thrash them in the 2nd Test too. And a 2-Test match series doesn't make any sense.
 
Windies did okay in 1st Test.

It should give them confidence for 2nd Test but Aussies are favorites to win 2-0.
 
Australian Men's Squad named for Dettol T20I Series

The National Selection Panel (NSP) has named the following men’s 14-player squad for the Dettol T20 Series against the West Indies.

Australia:

Mitchell Marsh (Perth Scorchers/Fremantle Cricket Club) (c)

Sean Abbott (Sydney Sixers/Parramatta District Cricket Club)

Jason Behrendorff (Perth Scorchers/ Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)

Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes/Claremont-Nedlands Cricket Club)

Nathan Ellis (Hobart Hurricanes/ Lindisfarne Cricket Club)

Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)

Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)

Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers/Joondalup Cricket Club)

Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)

Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers/Northcote Cricket Club)

Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)

Matthew Wade (Hobart Hurricanes/Clarence Cricket Club)

David Warner (Sydney Thunder/Randwick Petersham Cricket Club)

Adam Zampa (Melbourne Renegades/Sutherland Cricket Club)

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are being managed for this series to prepare for the tour to New Zealand. Cummins, Starc and Steve Smith are likely to return for the T20 Series in New Zealand.

David Warner and Josh Hazlewood return along with Mitch Marsh as captain of the squad.

NSP Chair of Selectors George Bailey said: “We see these matches as an opportunity to narrow down on those who may be part of the T20 World Cup squad later this year.

“There are a further three T20 internationals in New Zealand following this West Indies Series where we will continue to build towards the T20WC as required.

“It is likely we will use the block of six games to provide opportunity to players in some different roles and positions.

“We will then be keeping a close eye on the IPL before choosing a World Cup squad.”

CA​
 
Aussies’ Gabba preparation takes another Covid hit as second Test side locked in

All rounder Cameron Green and Test coach Andrew McDonald have tested positive to Covid, just a few days after Travis Head’s diagnosis at the end of the Adelaide Test against the West Indies.

Like Head, Green is expected to play.

Head didn’t train with the squad after arriving to Brisbane on Tuesday, two days after the rest of his teammates did but Cricket Australia confirmed he was now negatve,

“Travis Head has tested negative to COVID yesterday and this morning, clearing him to take part in tomorrow’s match with no restrictions,” they said in a statement.

“Cameron Green and Andrew McDonald, however, have since been diagnosed with COVID and will be separated from the group until they return a negative test.

“It will not hinder Green taking part in or McDonald attending the match in line with CA protocols; should they not test negative in the next 24 hours.

The Australians, meanwhile, will name an unchanged side for the second Test beginning in Brisbane on Thursday.

FIRST LOOK AT GREEN GABBA MONSTER

The first look of the Gabba wicket two days out from the second Test between Australia and West Indies has revealed a very green strip that will have bowlers licking their lips.

Cricket writer Bharat Sundaresan posted a picture to X on Tuesday that showed the strip with a healthy coverage of green grass.

While the photo was taken 48 hours before ball one, with the pitch expected to dry out to some degree, the batters could still be in for a rough ride.

“Yeah it’s two days out from the Test but surely there’s only that much green that can be taken out when it’s that green in the first place,” Sundaresan posted.

“Especially at the Gabba. Good for the series though. Makes it a more even contest.”

The Gabba curators are already under pressure to produce a good Test strip after the first Test between Australia and South Africa last summer ended in two days.

That led to the Gabba pitch being given a ‘below average’ rating by the ICC, earning the venue its first demerit point.

The point will stay on the ground’s record for five years — with five points seeing the venue banned from hosting international cricket.

Teams will be hoping for plenty of play across the first two days of the Test with things looking worrying from day three onwards.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is forecasting only a five per cent chance of rain on Thursday and a top temperature of 32.

That is followed by only a 50 per cent chance of some showers in the afternoon and evening on Friday.

From Saturday though, monsoonal conditions could hit the Queensland capital.

Days three, four and five all have a “very high” chance of rain, with falls potentially hitting up to 30 millimetres each day, according to BOM.

CAREY’S SPECIAL AWARD AFTER RUN-OUT FURORE

After producing one of the most talked about sporting moments of 2023, Test keeper Alex Carey was a surprise selection among five Australians named in the ICC Test team of the year.

The list includes Aussie skipper Pat Cummins, who was named captain.

The World Test Championship winners made up nearly half the team, with run machines Usman Khawaja and Travis Head also picked along with veteran fast bowler Mitchell Starc.

Head’s brilliant 2023 was also recognised with inclusion in the ODI team of the year, but only he and spin star Adam Zampa were included despite Australia’s World Cup triumph, with the team they conquered, India, having five representatives.

In the women’s ODI team of the year, however, Australians dominated selection with five named, including next-gen stars Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland as well as veteran gun Ellyse Perry, who also made the T20 team of the year.

Carey’s run-out of English rival Jonny Bairstow during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s sparked outrage among the locals and initiated debate around the world over the merits of his actions, which garnered the full support of his teammates and a host of former players.

Amid suggestions the fallout played a part in his dumping from the ODI side during the World Cup, Carey returned to the Test team for the Australian summer, posting two half-centuries in three Tests against Pakistan.

Khawaja earned his spot in the team for the second year in a row after being the only player to pass 1000 Test runs in 2023, making 1210 runs at an average of 52.60 and three centuries.

Head’s ODI selection comes after a player-of-the match performance in Australia’s World Cup triumph, making a 120-ball 137, while Zampa was his team’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

Litchfield and Sutherland are the breakthrough stars in the Australia’s women’s team.

Having not played an ODI before 2023, 20-year-old opener Litchfield had a huge impact in her first 13 matches, scoring 485 runs at an average of 53.88 and she is a strong contender for the ICC Emerging Women’s Player of the Year award.

Sutherland, regarded by some as a future Australian captain, made impact with bat and ball and is now a mainstay of the white-ball teams.

Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner made both the ODI and T20 teams of the year.
​
SOURCE: FOX SPORTS
 
FearlessRoar said:
Doesn't matter, because Australia will definitely thrash them in the 2nd Test too. And a 2-Test match series doesn't make any sense.
Click to expand...
Still need 240 overs to get result & WI to bat first . Brisbane pitch for this Day-Night Test does not have as much grass as expected according to reports . Looking at the weather forecast , they should have ensured 8 mm of live grass & slightly wettish kind of pitch for day 1 . If Aus bat first , would love to see them play it like an ODI , get 280-300 in 50 overs , declare & bowl in last session under lights !
 
TOSS UPDATE:

West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first

Teams:

Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva(w), Kevin Sinclair, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph
 
Kevin Sinclair is making a debut while Gudakesh Motie sits out for this test match.
 
Hope this is over by tomorrow .

Absolute garbage Test series that nobody even wants to watch.

Waste of money , time and energy.
 
Excellent partnership of 71(149) between Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva.
 
Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva saved their team from a collapse. Windies still not looking in a good shape atm.

1706173251333.png
 
149 runs for 6th wicket - 224/6 & bad weather from tomorrow - can this be a Draw ?
 
West Indies is putting up good fight against this strong Australian Test side.
 
2nd Test: Australia vs West Indies

WI 266/8 (89.4) CRR: 2.97
Day 1: Stumps

West Indies impressed with their resilience against a strong Australian bowling lineup

20240125_164403.jpg
 
Alzarri Joseph (32 off just 21 balls) and debutant Kevin Sinclair (16no from 37) put on 41 in just 32 balls to close out an eventful end to proceedings.

Mitchell Starc, who looked to have a bit to say to Joseph in his final over before stumps, will be pleased his pace partner Josh Hazlewood got the big-hitting tail-ender out before the close of play.

That was thanks to Steve Smith's third catch of the innings and 10th of the series. Seven of the eight wickets to fall today were to catches behind the wicket off pace bowlers.

Starc finished as the day's standout bowler with figures of 4-68 from 20 overs having earlier passed the 350-wicket milestone.

So the Windies will resume day two on 8-266. The fact they are still batting in this Test is almost entirely down to Kavem Hodge and Joshua da Silva. Their 149-run partnership after the Aussie quicks ran through the Windies in the opening session showed plenty of heart. The visitors will fancy their chances if they can push their total up towards 300 tomorrow afternoon.

www.cricket.com.au

Australia Men v West Indies Men, Australia v West Indies Tests - Men | cricket.com.au

Live cricket coverage, live streaming, cricket highlights, live scores, breaking news, video, analysis and expert opinion.
www.cricket.com.au www.cricket.com.au
 
Another touring side WIcket keeper has provided counter punch. High time teams play more wicket keepers when they play in Australia.
 
West Indies need 400-450 to challenge the Aussies.

I don't think 300-350 would trouble Aussies much.
 
Joshua Da Silva and Kavem Hodge produced a strong partnership on day one of the day-night Test against Australia at the Gabba to lift West Indies.

Reduced to 64/5 on day one of the Gabba Test, West Indies showed remarkable resilience and fight to end the day at 266/8.

Led by Joshua Da Silva and Kavem Hodge's record stand of 149, West Indies put up an encouraging fight that denied Australia control on the first day of the day-night Test match.

"Nobody would have expected, for sure, from five down for 64 when I came in that we'd be 266, so that's 200-plus runs for three wickets, so we are pretty happy," Da Silva said

"We just wanted to show that we can fight, that we can put a foot forward. At least we can show people we are here to fight, here to play cricket. It's about showing people, West Indies, we're still here and we deserve to be here."

Da Silva and Hodge lasted more than fifty overs in Brisbane, stitching together a partnership of 149, the highest for West Indies in Australia in a Test match since 2005.

It's also the highest partnership against Australia in a day-night Test match.

Pat Cummins - ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year | ICC Awards 2023
The Australian captain was excellent in all formats across 2023

Da Silva, who had been troubled by the bouncer in the first Test in Adelaide, said that he expected the Aussies to go for short balls again at him.

“It was a bit challenging at times," Da Silva conceded, adding that he came prepared for the short balls with a chest guard.

"I knew after they bumped me out at Adelaide they would come at me a lot, so put on a chest pad this time and decided to duck from a few and ride a few.

"It wasn't going well so needed to change and thankfully it worked a little bit."

Men's Test Batting Rankings

The West Indies wicketkeeper added that ideally the team would have wanted one of him or Hodge to make a century to end the day on a better note, but was happy with the fight they showed.

“It was a pretty crucial partnership between Hodgey and myself. We would have liked to finish the day a bit better, maybe with one of us getting a hundred, or both of us in that case, but it wasn’t meant to be today.”

Source: ICC
 
I still don't understand why Windies don't play Shai Hope.

Joshua should be the keeper-batter. Shai can play as a batter.
 
sweep_shot said:
I still don't understand why Windies don't play Shai Hope.

Joshua should be the keeper-batter. Shai can play as a batter.
Click to expand...
He ruled himself out of contention before the series due to T20 commitments.
 
The pink kookaburra becomes dramatically easier to play after about 20 odd overs. Much more so than the red ball

Windies lost 5 wickets in 25 overs and that really damaged their chance to put on a big total.

Nevertheless, they fought back well.
 
Day 2 has started and West Indies is holding on. What a comeback this is from Windies. out of the nothing, they managed to cross 270+ Superb.
 
Pity they selected Sinclair for his batting ability over Motie ! Cummins has had a very ordinary Test so far ! Green drops a easy one .
 
The Windies did well to get that score. Worked hard for it and that partnership probably saved them from an innings defeat.
 
WI have scored 232 runs in 79 overs for loss of 3 wickets after being 64/5 at Lunch !
 
Kemar Roach is Run out. After battling so hard, they'll be gutted to give it away like this.
 
Sinclair has his mouth wide open when facing a delivery - very peculiar . 300 up ! DRAW looms .
 
Good comeback by windies consedering they were down and out. Joshua and kevin sinclair stepped up to save the day.

1706247001880.png
 
Windies are doing what Australia did to them earlier. 11/2 now. Both Smth and Lbu are back to the dug put. Superb stuff
 
What an excellent comeback from the windies.

The aus test team has looked weaker than they are ever since the wtc final and depended on some luck
 
If WI can bowl out Aus cheaply then it will be fun.
 
Go West indies. Rooting for you. Don't let it slip. Golden chance. Pink ball test you can kill Australai in one innings.
 
Once again, pink ball is tough for first 20-25 overs.

After that, it's actually easier to bat against than red ball.
 
MenInG said:
I cannot see how Windies will not end up with a good lead here
Click to expand...
WI have made an art out of letting good positions slip over the years.

Marsh has played some excellent counterattacking innings in these situations. Get him out and they should have a lead.
 
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