McGrath’s key fear for Test cricket amid T20 avalanche
Glenn McGrath is worried Test cricket could fade into obscurity then oblivion. The iconic fast bowler great chats to DANIEL CHERNY about the future of the sport and what needs to be done.
Expert Opinion
Inside the messy battle to stop Pucovski being a one-Test wonder
A panel of concussion experts will convene next month to rule on Will Pucovski’s cricket future. It’s possible he may never play again, but that’s just the start of explaining his complicated battle.
The sad truth behind GOAT’s Test cricket plea amid rise of T20
Nathan Lyon’s push for more Test cricket is admirable – but actions speak louder than words. And T20 leagues continue to take over the world. Daniel Cherny investigates the solutions.
RIP backyard cricket: Why Australia’s great pastime is dying
The best ball in cricket was perfected by a player in a home hallway, while backyards and streets have shaped the playing styles of generations of players. ROBERT CRADDOCK asks, what happens when there are no backyards play in?
Grow up: Why Maxwell’s latest hiccup threatens teammates
At first glance Glenn Maxwell’s Adelaide incident was another example of him shooting himself in the foot. But in reality his actions have impacted his teammates and he needs to make changes, writes BEN HORNE.
Crash: Women’s cricket lesson that can save Windies
Cricket should copy a format used in the women’s game and make the Frank Worrell Trophy series a multi-format event to keep the West Indies alive, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Umpire’s call farce: When will cricket actually back technology?
The West Indies could have had an unlikely shot at victory in Adelaide had cricket’s jumbled rule book not pulled the carpet out from underneath them, writes BEN HORNE.
Crash: The ‘stinging bottom line’ which will haunt Bancroft
Cameron Bancroft is evidently – at best – the fifth best candidate to open the batting for Australia in Test cricket. ROBERT CRADDOCK writes it might be as high as he ever gets again.
Expert verdict: ‘Bold’ move Aussies must make to replace Warner
We’ve looked at all the stats that matter, and the consensus is in from our experts on who replace David Warner – but the fans don’t agree!
The habit ‘petulant’ Smith and Labuschagne need to quit
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are like two peas in a pod: they’re quirky at the crease, iconic in their leaves, and score mountain of runs. But there’s one habit they share which both need to ditch, JULIAN LINDEN writes.
Crash: Australia must stagger retirements from ageing Test side
Australia struggled when it farewelled Lillee, Chappell and Marsh in the SCG Test 40 years ago, and did the same when Langer, Warne and McGrath declared time 16 years ago. Selectors must avoid a repeat with the current ageing Test side, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK
Crash’s Test team of the year: Irish bolter shocks cricket world
Australia won the World Test Championships in 2023, producing a dominant year across 13 Test matches and securing four spots in ROBERT CRADDOCK’S Test team of the year. But an unknown Irishman has also forced his way in.
Green or Bancroft? Fans, greats divided on Warner successor
Fans have overwhelmingly backed Cameron Bancroft to succeed David Warner at the top of the Australian order. As ROBERT CRADDOCK reports, former greats of the game don’t agree.
Two simple questions for Khawaja as ICC stands firm
Usman Khawaja’s two weeks of tumult have come down to two simple questions, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK. And the Australian opener has a big decision to make.
Million-dollar IPL payday gives those on cricket’s fringes hope
Spencer Johnson picked up a million dollar payday in the IPL auction on Tuesday night which, ROBERT CRADDOCK writes, is a sign of the times.
Crash: The forgotten victim of cricket’s Sandpapergate mess
Former Test captain Mark Taylor’s administrative career became collateral damage in the wake of Sandpapergate – but the door is quietly opening again, writes Robert Craddock.
Crash: Australia fighting to stay relevant on home soil
Had it not been for Usman Khawaja’s shoe dramas, many Australians would not have known the Test summer starts against Pakistan. This, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK, is Australia’s toughest battle.
Marsh or Renshaw? The call that could define a Test generation
When David Warner’s career ends, Australia has a decision to make – go with a traditional Test opener like Matt Renshaw or embrace the Bazball era and give Mitch Marsh a shot.
Nine new faces: The future of Australian cricket
With a host of two-time World Cup winners set to retire before Australia’s title defence, a generational change is required. Here are the new faces who can be the next world champions.
Remembering Warnie: The ‘fitting’ family tribute one year on
On the one year anniversary of Shane Warne’s death, brother Jason opens up on the past 12 months, the ‘Warnie moments’ and how he will spend the day.
Zampa Mankad ‘ambiguity’ forces rule clarification
The writers of cricket’s rulebook, the historic Marylebone Cricket Club, has been forced to clarify the Mankad rule after the ‘ambiguity’ created by Adam Zampa in the BBL.
Starc set for big role despite painful injury
There is growing optimism Mitchell Starc can still play a crucial role on next month’s Test tour of India, even if he is forced to miss the first Test.
Sydney scrapper fulfils childhood promise to mum
As the MCG erupted on David Warner’s double century, his mother drifted back in time 22 years to the day when a cheeky kid made a promise.
Cricket’s civil war: Langer’s ally in push to fight the system
After the ‘cowards’ outburst, former coach John Buchanan has reached out to Justin Langer, urging his protégé to stand his ground. Here’s why.
Aussie selector says Finch critics were ‘confused’
It was wrong to judge Aaron Finch on his batting alone, according to one Australian selector who says the captain’s role in the T20 World Cup team was misunderstood.
Queensland Bulls top 50, last 45 years: Today No. 21-35
Queensland cricketers have been powerhouse contributors to Test and domestic cricket for decades. Today Andrew Dawson presents players No. 21-35 in his list of our greatest 50 since 1975.
Queensland Bulls top 50, last 50 years: Today No. 36-50
Queensland cricketers have been powerhouse contributors to Test and domestic cricket for decades. Today Andrew Dawson, who covered the Bulls first five Sheffield Shield title wins, rates his top 50 players since 1975.
Crash: Why the glory days are over as cricket hits crisis point
The golden era of cricket on the TV is over. As Channel 7 looks to bail out of its deal with Cricket Australia, the questions becomes which free-to-air station would want to bid for the product, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Players still feel dudded despite Roberts exit
While some might not have been able to cop him, it didn’t mean Kevin Roberts didn’t have a genuine relationship with others, and on that count some feel the blanket statement that he was detested by players is a misrepresentation.
So tough even Lillee backed off: why Matthews can fix CA
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews is the kind of fearless, fair and authentic operator CA needs if it’s to change its damaged reputation and win back the trust of players and states. Just ask Dennis Lillee …
Cricket’s crisis: Clubs now key to development
The alarming financial predicament of Cricket Australia will ironically send club cricket Back to the Future and return it to the No. 1 development ground of future state and Test players. Read about the impact on junior Pathway players.
Chappell: Time to silence Bradman calls
Marnus Labuschagne is setting new records but Australia’s other run machine is struggling for fluency. And Ian Chappell writes it’s time to cut references linking Steve Smith to the game’s greatest batsman.
Wagner v Smith: a game within a game
Neil Wagner has already claimed Steve Smith’s wicket four times this series, and as the pair squared up again at the SCG, a fascinating battle ensued.
Who makes way in full-strength pace attack?
Once he returns to full fitness, paceman Josh Hazlewood’s Test record demands instant reinstatement. But that will present a fascinating decision for Australian selectors – because four into three simply won’t work.
Time for third umpire to get a software update?
Once considered the cushiest job in cricket, the demands of technology now mean the third umpire must be part mathematician and part computer geek as well as being an expert in the laws of the game.
Craddock: Burns deserves to make it sixth-time lucky
Joe Burns has been dropped from the Test side five times and fought his way back to partner David Warner. Robert Craddock writes the gritty Aussie opener deserves a change of luck which may have finally arrived in Perth.
Starc destruction signals arrival of pink-ball cricket
Mitchell Starc is a red-ball traditionalist who excels with the pink ball. His destruction of New Zealand’s top order in Perth was one of the greatest endorsements for the pink ball, writes Robert Craddock.
Chappell: Starc rejig reaps rich rewards
Selected for just one Ashes Test, Mitchell Starc has honed his bowling technique and the Kiwis have paid the price. Plus, should Marnus Labuschagne be considered for the captaincy?
MCG has been ‘letting down cricket for 40 years’
Cricket Australia actively uses the pretence of ‘tradition’ to institutionally disadvantage Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Hobart in international fixture allocation, writes Richard Earle.
Why Tim Paine is the captain we had to have
He might not earn the headlines of Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Steve Waugh or Ricky Ponting but Australian cricket’s latest captain is the right man for the job, writes MIKE COLMAN.
Lack of imagination hands Warner free pass to finding form
Fortune favoured David Warner as he rediscovered his touch at the Gabba. The same couldn’t be said of the opener when he was stuck in a Stuart Broad stranglehold during the Ashes, says Ian Chappell.
Warne: Test selectors ‘rewarding failure’
The right decision was made to drop Usman Khawaja but the same can’t be said of Cameron Bancroft’s inclusion, writes Shane Warne, who adds selectors have missed a golden opportunity to expose some young talent to the Test squad.
Craddock: Why Aussies can never feel safe
It’s five years since Rod Marsh aired his concerns about Australian cricket and still, the problem remains. Robert Craddock outlines why fans are in for an up-and-down ride this summer.
Why Australian cricket needs Pucovski – and needs him now
The science of Test selection goes beyond the immediate numbers. Will Pucovski offers rejuvenation and an injection of much needed excitement. The case for his inclusion is now beyond compelling.
Why high expectations translate as hate for Marsh
It’s a sad thought that Mitch Marsh believes most Australians hate him, because they don’t. They just have almost unreasonable expectations, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Why dropping Head is short sighted
Most countries would throw their arms around a young batsman averaging over 50 and ranked third in the world for runs in 2019. Not Australia it seems after dropping Travis Head for the second time in 12 months.
Cricket’s greatest contest ruined by game’s worst rule
The World Cup final proved there’s still plenty of life in the game’s often derided middle son. Yet the most dramatic game of cricket ever played has somehow left a sour taste, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Farcical finish an injustice to players, game
The ICC must ensure the nature of England’s incredible World Cup victory over New Zealand can never be repeated, writes JON ANDERSON.
Craddock: When the Barmy Army barks, don’t bite
Australian players, particularly Steve Smith and David Warner, are sure to cop it from English crowds as the World Cup, but the secret to coping is to go with the flow, writes Robert Craddock.
Chappelli: Why Tim Paine should lead WC charge
Australia’s selectors must make some tough calls ahead of the World Cup, and Ian Chappell wants a new captain and change at the top of the order.
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