The self-doubt that haunted Mitchell Starc
With the veteran closing in on 100 Tests, he reveals that for years he was unsure whether he was good enough for Test cricket.
Cricket
New Aussie spin King takes a stand
In the great VIP section in the sky, you imagine Shane Warne nudging Rod Marsh and Richie Benaud and telling them: ‘Take a look at this.’
Why sack Konstas in Sri Lanka? You wouldn’t run Winx in the Melbourne Cup
Cricketers are getting used to the selectors’ policy of horses for courses. It’s about time fans did too.
Head tipped to collect Australian cricket’s highest honour
Travis Head is the raging hot favourite to cement his match-winning reputation with his first Allan Border Medal at next week’s Australian Cricket Awards.
BBL free agency: Renshaw’s Heat future decided, Webster a Cane
Matt Renshaw has made a call on his BBL future after being courted by several of Brisbane Heat’s rivals. See every club’s signings and free agents here.
Storms threaten crushing win as Aussies seek decisive plan
More storms are forecast on Saturday as Galle’s fickle weather threatens to prevent a crushing Australian victory in the first Test.
There’s no place like home? Not anymore for dominant Australia
Remember the hysteria and call for heads after the Perth Test? Well it seems the Aussies can still bat a bit, just as long as they bring their passports, writes Daniel Cherny.
Sri Lanka top order decimated after Khawaja heroics
Sri Lanka’s top order was decimated as Australia tightened its first Test grip on a record-breaking day at Galle International Stadium.
Game of groans: King rules dismal England as whitewash looms
Alana King owned the opening day of the historic women’s Test at the MCG, taking four wickets to have Australia dreaming of a historic Ashes whitewash. RECAP THE KEY MOMENTS
Khawaja hasn’t spotted the finish line yet
Ever since he got the second chance to don the baggy green after it all looked done and dusted in the middle of 2019. He’s never stopped talking about embracing being his own man, either. In keeping him grounded.
Spin King skittles an England team looking as bad as Joe Root’s
Ricky Ponting took a dim view of the England men’s side that lost the 2021/22 Ashes series 4-0. When Australia needed only 12 days to win the first three Tests against Joe Root’s bumbling tourists, Ponting said: “I don’t think I’ve seen a worse-performing team in Australia.” A quick question, have you seen this lot?
‘Such a joy’: Pioneer elevated to Hall of Fame
Australia has its latest induction to the cricket hall of fame, with Christina Matthews completing her rise from sewn-on baggy green to the highest accolade in Australian Cricket.
Khawaja reveals shock plea, hits back at ‘retirement’ calls
Usman Khawaja has revealed a shock plea for the veteran to keep playing until this tour as the opener took a veiled swipe at those who had been telling him to retire over the summer.
Why Sam is keeping it simple
At a time when most of Australia couldn’t have been keener to see him play, Sam Konstas just took his demotion in his stride.
Tons of class as Khawaja, Smith put Australia in command
Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith made Sri Lanka pay for missed chances, with the veteran pair both posting centuries as Australia dominated a landmark opening day at Galle.
‘Good as he’s ever been’: Marnus hails another Smith golden age
Marnus Labuschagne has backed Steve Smith to bring about another golden era of batting, as the stand-in skipper joined cricket’s most illustrious batting club in Sri Lanka.
Crash: For Ashes sake, please show something England
When England toured Australia three years ago, the Ashes produced a Test match which had two nations of the edge of their seats. Now, as ROBERT CRADDOCK writes, all we want it England to show a semblance of fight.
Healy returns for an Ashes Test where nobody has anything to lose
What an Australian side this is. History will regard it fondly. The best nicknames in cricket are taken, with Don Bradman’s era The Invincibles and Steve Waugh’s sides The Irrepressibles, but an unprecedented run through the Ashes will warrant a moniker of suitable gravitas. Need to give that some thought. Suggestions?
Captain Smith finds that elusive single run that got away
Steve Smith needed one run. It took him one ball. Was he relieved to join the 10,000-run club? No. Emotional? Not even close. Doing cartwheels from one end of Galle to the other? No chance.
Selectors make right call to drop Konstas
Sam Konstas’ dropping in Sri Lanka went against the public wishes of former Australian captains and plenty of fans, but that doesn’t mean it was the wrong decision, writes Daniel Cherny.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/page/2