The devastating danger Sam Konstas must conquer
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most lethal bowlers to visit Australian shores. Sam Konstas will need to survive the Indian maestro’s biggest weapon – which could well be the teenager’s kryptonite.
Cricket
‘Selectors’ fault’: Cummins reveals why pressure is off Konstas
As one of only a handful of Australians to have played a Test even younger than Sam Konstas, Aussie skipper Pat Cummins has alleviated some pressure from the teen debutant, while also revealing a positive injury update for his side.
Poms galore, but only one Aussie in Crash’s Test team of the year
An all-time great, and matchwinning spinner, and a man lucky to be alive … and only one Australian. See who’s made ROBERT CRADDOCK’s Test team of the year for 2024.
The most extraordinary Test debut in 50 years
If Sam Konstas’ debut was noteworthy merely for him being a teenager, or it being on Boxing Day, or in a massive live series, it would be a big deal. All three puts his first game beyond anything we’ve seen for 50 years.
‘So composed’: Aussies laud Konstas ahead of Test debut
Sam Konstas will become one of Australia’s youngest Test debutants when he steps out in front of a packed MCG on Boxing Day — and the Aussies are confident he’s more than ready.
‘Shocking’: Gades great slams Marvel Stadium’s under-fire surface
Former Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch has questioned how serious Marvel Stadium is about cricket and offered an alternate venue the franchise should consider making its home.
Smashing school kids to smashing Test bowlers: Inside the rise of Konstas
Ed Cowan has kept a close watch on Sam Konstas since first spotting him four years ago, and explains why the ‘rare talent’ has the temperament to thrive in Test cricket.
WATCH: Harvey, Duckett’s all-time BBL stunners
The BBL season isn’t even 10 days old and already we’ve seen two of the catches of the summer. Relive Ben Duckett and Mackenzie Harvey’s efforts and have your say on which was better.
Blow for India as star bowler ruled out of remaining Tests
India’s hopes of taking some of the workload off superstar Jasprit Bumrah have nosedived after Mohammed Shami failed to pass his medical exam ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Voges slams ‘substandard’ conditions as Gades down Scorchers
The surface was slammed as “an absolute joke”, there was a catch of the year contender, the roof was hit … and the Renegades came out on top against the Scorchers. WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS
Leg Buys: BBL boss poised to become a major deal in the USA
The man who has revolutionised the Big Bash in Australia is now in the running to lead cricket’s push into the United States sporting landscape.
India’s cunning plan to stop Lyon’s roar
He hasn’t needed to fire many shots yet this series, but India has a plan to take down Australia’s spinning talisman. Robert Craddock unpacks the tourists’ tricks to taming the GOAT.
15 in a row! Aussies cruise to dominant win over NZ
Australia’s stranglehold over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the 50-over format has continued after the reigning world champions secured a 75-run victory.
BBL
Cricket storm erupts over ‘absolute joke’
Commentators were left astonished by a Big Bash sight, with the surface at the Melbourne ground slammed as an “absolute joke”
Heat confident of ending Perth drought
Belief is high in the Brisbane Heat camp ahead of the team’s BBL Boxing Day battle against the Perth Scorchers.
McSweeney’s epic act after Test dumping
Nathan McSweeney starred for the Brisbane Heat on his return to the BBL in the perfect response to being dropped from the Test side.
BBL Agenda: Dismal Stars already fading as Pope is reborn
Melbourne Stars’ BBL campaign could be over before January after a lacklustre start to BBL14. Plus, the biggest talking points of the opening week analysed in the BBL Agenda.
SuperCoach News
McSweeney stars in Heat win
Nathan McSweeney didn’t let the disappointment of being dropped from the Test team stop him from starring for the Brisbane Heat on his return to the BBL.
SuperCoach BBL: Must-have trade targets for round 3
We’re set for a bumper third round of SuperCoach, with three sides on the double. Expert TIM MICHELL runs through his biggest trade-in options.
BBL late mail: Richo curveball sends SuperCoaches scrambling
SuperCoaches have been sent scrambling after Australian selectors pulled a Boxing Day stunner by naming popular pick Jhye Richardson in the Test squad.
SuperCoach BBL: Must-have trade targets for round 2
Round 2 of SuperCoach BBL this summer is all about the Scorchers and Strikers. See who your top targets should be — and projected prices — here.
Women's Cricket
Aussie star’s warning shot to Ashes foe
An Australian star has come into superb batting touch at just the right time as the champion side played its final game before the Ashes.
‘Fine line’: Aussie cricket star’s secret weapon
She already holds the position of Australian women’s cricket team captain, but Alyssa Healy says watching the game has taught her just as much as playing it.
Captain question answered for Aussies
Australia will play three ODIs against New Zealand over just five days and may not have the captain for all of them.
Gun rookie’s star rises even more
After making a century in just her second ODI, the good news keeps coming for a rising Australian batting star.
Curator bats away anti-India conspiracy talk
The MCG head curator had to respond to an unexpected line of questioning from the visiting media ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
‘He’s ready’: Aussie greats call for teen freak’s Boxing Day Test debut
Two of Australia’s greatest batsmen, who debuted as teenagers, have backed Sam Konstas to be thrown into the Boxing Day Test furnace, with one declaring “you cannot tell me he is too young”.
‘Turn the mics up’: Alert for Test hopeful
Cricket fans have been told to look out for a very specific quirk of a possible Australian debutant in the Boxing Day Test.
The inside story of India’s media furore
Media dramas involving Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja this week have riled up sections of the Australian media, but DANIEL CHERNY has the details on what really happened.
Six-figure pay rise softens Test discard’s axing
Nathan McSweeney is understandably devastated to have been axed for the Boxing Day Test, but the rookie opener will pocket a handy chunk of change after padding up at the Gabba.
Revealed: Shock text message after McSweeney Test pain
Nathan McSweeeney has revealed the shock text he received from a former Australian captain as he spoke of his pain at being axed from the Test side three games into his career.
Storms brewing: Crash Craddock’s warning to Aussie cricket
After the decision to axe a future server of the Australian Test team over veterans prompted backlash, ROBERT CRADDOCK has warned it is just the beginning of what promises to be a tumultuous period in Australian cricket.
Watch: How Sixers snatched final-ball thriller against Thunder
Sam Konstas came back to earth a day after his Australian squad call-up as the Sixers stole the Sydney Smash with a remarkable final-ball win. WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS
‘Dream come true’: Young gun smashes ton as new BBL star is born
Mitch Owen launched a stunning power-hitting blitzkrieg to steer Hobart to a bounce back win over Perth, later revealing he had “dreamt of this” moment. WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS
Ousted McSweeney’s message to Konstas
Sam Konstas says he’s ready for the challenge of facing Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah and revealed the message he received from axed batter Nathan McSweeney after being named in the Test squad.
Paine: Selectors’ jobs are on the line too
Selection crises and controversies are the talk of the town heading into the Boxing Day Test but as TIM PAINE writes if the team isn’t winning, the selectors’ jobs are on the line, too.
Watson: Why Konstas is ready for cricket’s hottest cauldron
Shane Watson has mentored Sam Konstas for years on the batting prodigy’s rise to Test cricket. Now, the former Aussie all-rounder says now is the perfect time for the teenager to debut.
Meet Sam Konstas, teen from the ‘burbs destined for Test debut
Sam Konstas is a seemingly overnight cricket sensation, but the teen has been building to this moment long before the eyes of a nation turned to him ahead of a looming Boxing Day baptism of fire.
Don’t forget me: KP’s road back from cricket’s rock bottom
Kurtis Patterson knows how Nathan McSweeney must be feeling. The forgotten man of Australian cricket is quietly forging his way back to the top from rock bottom, writes BEN HORNE.
Win tickets to the Boxing Day Test at the MCG!
It’s the biggest sporting event on the calendar and you can be there to witness it. Find out how to win tickets to the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the MCG.
Legend calls out Australia’s glaring weakness
Australia simply has to win a “massive” Boxing Day Test match, with a “brittle” team desperate to avoid handing India a slice of history.
Aussie Test bombshell as rumours swirl
Australian coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed a teen sensation will make his debut, but doubt still lingers over one star.
Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/cricket