Sanju Samson displayed his true potential sending the South African attack on a leather-hunt with a splendid century before the hosts clawed their way back to restrict India to a manageable 202 for 8 in the opening T20I on Friday. Often panned for not realizing the minefield of talent that he is, the Kerala man has now become the first Indian batter to hit back-to-back centuries in T20 Internationals as his 50-ball-107 had as many as 10 sixes apart from seven hits to the fence. Once Samson was dismissed, India could manage only 35 runs in the last five overs, which could cost them dearly in the long run. On a breezy Durban evening with crosswinds blowing across the Kingsmead, Sanju showed Samson-like strength apart from silken grace that one can associate with Rohit Sharma's halcyon days. Also Read: Sanju Samson’s century streak leaves records in ruins There were pulled sixes off short balls from leg-spinner Nqabyomzi Peter and to length deliveries from pacers, he would just make room and tonk them down the ground. The best shot which would be etched in the memory for the longest time would be a lofted six over extra cover off seamer Andile Semilane where the batter holding the pose post execution was sight to behold. He added 66 runs in just 5.5 overs with Suryakumar Yadav (21) and another 77 with Tilak Varma (33) in just 5.4 overs. His performance raised visions of a score of close to 250 but pacers Gerald Coetzee (3/37 in 4 overs) and Marco Jansen (1/24 in 4 overs) bowled brilliantly at the death to not only get wickets but also slip in a generous number of dot balls to curtail the damage inflicted by Samson during the first 15 overs. (With inputs from agencies)
08 November,2024 10:39 PM IST | Durban | mid-day online correspondentSanju Samson made history on Friday, becoming the first-ever cricketer to hit back-to-back T20I centuries for India in the opening T20I against South Africa in Durban, following up his scintillating 111 off 47 balls in the previous match against Bangladesh. Samson brought up his century in just 47 balls, blasting 7 fours and 9 sixes, and also set a new record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian against South Africa. With this achievement, he became the third cricketer from a Test-playing nation and the fourth overall to do so, joining the ranks of England's Phil Salt, South Africa's Rilee Rossouw, and France's Gustav McKeon—the first player to accomplish the feat. The 29-year-old's consistent performances in the shortest format have earned him a prominent spot in India's T20I lineup, especially following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, which opened up key positions in the top order. Samson has seized this opportunity with both hands, solidifying his place as one of India's premier T20I batters. Also Read: PCB's Naqvi stirs up venue feud with BCCI, denies receiving any official note In addition to his international success, Samson's leadership of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been commendable. The franchise retained him for Rs 18 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction, after guiding them to two playoffs in the last three seasons. Earlier in the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to field first against India. Teams: South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Patrick Kruger, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan.
08 November,2024 10:20 PM IST | Durban | mid-day online correspondentPakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, on Friday, categorically denied receiving any formal communication from Indian cricket board on its national team not travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. On Thursday, PCB sources claimed that India have opted for 'Hybrid Model' where all their matches will be held in Dubai. The 'Hybrid Model' was followed during 2023 Asia Cup where Pakistan played its matches at home but India played its matches in Sri Lanka. On Friday morning, BCCI sources claimed that India have already officially intimated to PCB that they won't travel to Pakistan but in the evening, Naqvi held a press meet at Gaddafi Stadium to issue a denial. "Till today, no one has discussed any 'Hybrid Model' with us nor are we willing to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years and no one should expect us to do it all the time," Naqvi told reporters. He said if and when any such proposal was tabled to the PCB in writing, he would take it to the government. "I will take anything writing to the government and whatever decision they take we have to follow them," Naqvi added. When PTI contacted a senior BCCI source, he replied: "The status quo remains. It is never BCCI's call whether to travel to Pakistan but Indian government's. Nothing changes on that front. We are not travelling to Pakistan as things stand." Also Read: Unveiled in glory, Sachin Tendulkar’s life-size statue now losing its letters Asked about Indian media reports quoting a BCCI official as saying that they (BCCI) had informed the PCB they wouldn't be sending their team to Pakistan for security reasons, Naqvi said no one had told them anything. "As far as we are concerned, the tournament is being held in Pakistan on schedule and all teams will play here. All the other boards are looking forward to playing in Pakistan," he said. Naqvi who is also the federal interior minister further said that talks are held all the time with other boards and nothing has changed. "If we get anything in writing on India not coming or coming to Pakistan I will first share it with the government and media," he added. "As things stand we are preparing to host all teams and matches." Also Read: Pakistan 'have a chance' to beat India in Tests? Wasim Akram makes striking claim The PCB had proposed to BCCI that India can set up base in Delhi or Chandigarh and just fly to Lahore on match days and return on the very day after proceedings but it was rejected. The last time India travelled to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup but since 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in that same year, the national team hasn't toured the neighbouring country. The ICC's stand has always been that they don't interfere in a particular country's government policy. From December 1, BCCI's outgoing secretary Jay Shah will be the head of the global body. (With agency inputs)
08 November,2024 09:57 PM IST | Lahore/New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentSouth Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to field against India in the first T20 International on Friday. Hosts South Africa have handed a debut to 21-year-old all-rounder Andile Simelane. As India firmly embraces a transition phase, a clutch of second line stars such as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will be hoping for a breakaway series in the four T20Is against South Africa. It is imperative for them to shed the tag of sidekicks and establish themselves as the first-choice players in this format. The recent home T20I series against Bangladesh was a precursor. Samson received a chance to open consistently against the neighbours, and he made most of it slamming a 47-ball 111. Also Read: Unveiled in glory, Sachin Tendulkar’s life-size statue now losing its letters In the post-Rohit Sharma era in T20Is, Samson would like to further buttress his claim for a regular opening slot with a few fruitful outings against the Proteas. This is an important series for Abhishek as well. The dashing left-hander showed his impressive skills while hammering a 47-ball hundred against Zimbabwe at Harare in July, but his other six international innings have produced - 0, 10, 14, 16, 15, 4. Abhishek will be keen to be more consistent to safeguard his place, and he will also be looking to be more penetrative with his left-arm spin. Tilak Varma offers a similar case. The left-hander has somewhat fallen off the radar after making a solid beginning to his T20I career against the West Indies in August 2023. Teams: India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Varun Chakravarthy. South Africa: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Partrick Kruger,Marco Jansen,Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter. (With agency inputs)
08 November,2024 08:23 PM IST | Durban | mid-day online correspondentA statue of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, unveiled with much fanfare last year, has become the subject of unexpected attention due to a concerning issue with its inscription. The statue, which was meant to honour the batting great, now stands with several letters missing from its nameplate. Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Life-size statue of Sachin Tendulkar to be sculpted at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai During the India vs Australia Test match on November 1, Mid-Day photographer Atul Kamble captured an image showing that the letters in Tendulkar’s first, second, and surname had begun to drop off. This was during India's third and final Test against New Zealand, which, despite its early conclusion on Day 3, drew attention not only for the match but also for the condition of the statue. Snippet from our story published on November 2 A week after the Test, another Mid-Day photographer Kirti Surve Parade returned to the statue to find that the missing letters had not been fixed. The damaged inscription now reads as a shadow of the full name it was intended to represent, diminishing the statue’s intended grandeur. While no official statement has been made regarding the issue, the delay in repairs has raised questions about the upkeep of monuments dedicated to national heroes. Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar's masterstroke that led Sachin Tendulkar to Yorkshire for his 1992 County stint The statue, a tribute to Tendulkar's unmatched contribution to Indian cricket, was unveiled with much ceremony. However, the fading letters have prompted some to wonder whether the care given to the statue matches the reverence it was meant to embody. As of now, the statue remains in its incomplete state, leaving fans and observers alike puzzled over why such a minor issue hasn’t been addressed promptly. Last year, before the unveiling of his life-size statue, Tendulkar spoke to reporters following his visit to the Wankhede Stadium. He described the decision to erect a statue in his honor as a 'pleasant surprise' and acknowledged that it was a significant moment in his life. "1998 is when it all started at the Wankhede. The journey started here for me. Played my first Ranji match here. Long ago, Achrekar sir reprimanded me here and from thereon I became a serious cricketer. I played my last match at this very venue. Life has come full circle for me here. I have wonderful memories of this place, some memorable and some not-so-good. It's a big moment for me," he said. He added: "I am still a 25-year-old with 25 years of experience I would say. It's good and I would like to thank the MCA for this really great gesture. It's a very special place for me and a lot of things happened in my career because of the MCA. The amount of time that I have spent here is second to none and I have enjoyed being here and playing here. A special place for me."
08 November,2024 07:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKL Rahul's horror run with the bat continued as he got out bizarrely to leave India A at a shaky 73 for five on the second day of the second unofficial Test against Australia A on Friday. Seeking to open the batting for India in case skipper Rohit Sharma skips the first Test against Australia in Perth, Rahul endured a disastrous outing in the tune-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and managed just 14 runs across two innings, having got out for 10 in India A's second innings. The 32-year-old made a complete hash of the situation, inadvertently directing the ball onto the stumps in an utterly bizarre manner. "Don't know what he was thinking!"Oops... that's an astonishing leave by KL Rahul 😱 #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/e4uDPH1dzz — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024 While Rahul's inconsistent form has been a long-standing concern for the Indian team, his commitment and application have also come under intense scrutiny. The Karnataka batsman was dropped in favor of Sarfaraz Khan for both the second and third Tests against New Zealand. Subsequently, the BCCI selection committee opted to include him in the India A squad for their series in Australia, hoping that the exposure would help him rediscover his rhythm and return to peak form. Also Read: Sir Ian Botham saved from death’s door by former rival Merv Hughes Coming back to the match, Abhimanyu Easwaran's struggles against the moving ball also did not help India A's cause as they led by only 11 runs with half the side back in the dressing room in their second innings. After bowling out India A for 161 on the opening day, Australia A managed 223, not a total the home team had hoped for, but it still gave them a substantial first-innings lead of 62 runs. Coming out to bat for the second time in the game, the Indian top-order disappointed again as the Australian bowlers struck some vital blows to help their team inch closer to a series sweep. Australia A won the opening match by seven wickets. Also Read: KL Rahul's form and batting number in focus as India A get the 'G' experience Looking completely out of sorts, Rahul was bowled in a bizarre fashion after facing 44 balls at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Rahul misjudged a tossed up delivery and offered no shot as the ball ricocheted off his pads to hit the stumps, leaving the batter embarrassed while he walked back to the dressing room. Getting bowled between the legs has compounded his woes ahead of the blockbuster series. Abhimanyu, who was picked as a backup opener for the upcoming five-match rubber Down Under, also failed to deliver, following his first-innings duck with a 17 from 31 balls. The Indian top-order struggled against quality spin and pace, leaving them at 56/5 early in the second innings. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (19 batting) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (9 batting) ensured there was no further setback by negotiating the remaining overs before the stumps were drawn for the day. Also Read: The future of KL Rahul Earlier, India A's pace attack, spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna's four-wicket burst and Mukesh Kumar's three-wicket haul, dominated the Australian batting, dismissing them for 223 in 62.1 overs. Marcus Harris was the standout batter for Australia A, scoring a gritty 74 off 138 balls, while lower-order batter Rocchiccioli provided late fireworks, hitting 35 off 28 balls, including two sixes and three fours. In response, India A lost openers Abhimanyu and Sai Sudharsan cheaply to disciplined bowling from Nathan McAndrew and Beau Webster. Abhimanyu's misreading of McAndrew's pace led to his dismissal at gully, adding to the team's concerns. Devdutt Padikkal (1) also fell cheaply, as both Webster (2/14) and McAndrew (2/22) tore through India's batting lineup. However, Jurel and Reddy then held firm. Resuming the day on 53/2, Harris translated his overnight score of 26 into a well-constructed innings, showing resilience against a sharp Indian pace attack. (With agency inputs)
08 November,2024 05:46 PM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentEngland cricket legend Sir Ian Botham found himself in a perilous situation recently when he was rescued by former Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes after falling into a river teeming with sharks and crocodiles. The 68-year-old retired all-rounder was on a leisurely fishing trip near Darwin in northern Australia when disaster struck. Botham, affectionately known as 'Beefy', was crossing from one boat to another on the Moyle River when his flip-flops became ensnared in some roping, causing him to tumble headfirst into the water. "My catch of the day was the barra [fish] while I was nearly catch of the day for all the crocs and bull sharks..."Thanks boys for getting me out," he wrote on Instagram on Friday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IanBotham (@sirianbotham) The fall was anything but graceful, as Sir Ian collided violently with the side of the boat on his way down, suffering significant bruising to his torso. However, his luck was in, as Hughes and a group of fellow fishermen reacted swiftly, hauling him from the river’s treacherous waters. The Moyle River, infamous for its dangerous wildlife, is home to crocodiles, while a family of bull sharks was also reported to have been circling beneath the boat at the time of the incident. Recalling the harrowing experience with his signature humor, Botham jokingly referenced the iconic Australian film Crocodile Dundee, telling Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper, "At the end of the day, Crocodile Beefy survived." "I was out of the water quicker than I went in it. Quite a few sets of eyes were having a peep at me. Luckily I had no time to think about what was in the water." The cricket commentator added: "The guys were brilliant, it was just one of those accidents. It was all very quick and I'm okay now." Also Read: Kim Hughes, Imran Khan, Ian Botham and the rest in '79-80 Despite the close call, Botham narrowly avoided what could have been a far worse fate. The river’s reputation for harboring some of the country’s most dangerous predators made the situation all the more alarming. The incident took place last week during a four-day fishing expedition to catch barramundi. Botham and Hughes, former rivals on the cricket field during the fierce England-Australia clashes of the 1980s, have since forged a close friendship in retirement. The two were reportedly preparing to commentate together on a series of upcoming cricket matches, including the highly anticipated first Test between Australia and India. Botham, who was knighted in 2020 for his services to cricket and charity, is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest cricketers. Throughout his illustrious career, he amassed over 5,200 runs and claimed 383 wickets in Test matches. His adventurous spirit and ability to survive a brush with danger in the crocodile-infested waters of northern Australia are yet another testament to his indomitable will—both on and off the field.
08 November,2024 05:25 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondentFormer captain Tim Paine will coach the Australian Prime Minister's XI for the two-day practice match, to be played with the pink ball against India later this month. The 39-year-old Paine was Australia's captain during India's last two tours Down Under in which the visitors recorded identical 2-1 wins in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Also Read: Australia skipper Tim Paine's wife Bonnie calls Rishabh Pant 'best babysitter' Paine, who played 35 Tests, 35 ODIs, and 12 T20Is for Australia, made his last international appearance against India at Brisbane in the final Test of the 2020-21 series in which the hosts were beaten by three wickets at the Gabba. He last played a First-Class game in March 2023 for Tasmania and has also been involved as a coach of Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. "I think for a young coach like myself, any chance that you get to lead a team is a great opportunity, so I am looking forward to that," Paine was quoted as saying by Cricket ACT. "I'm looking forward to working with some of our most talented young cricketers around Australia as well so, it will be good fun," he added. Also Read: Virat Kohli does not beat Tim Paine when it comes to handling emotions India will play five Tests on this tour for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the two-day tour match will be a training exercise for the pink-ball Test, the second game in the itinerary, to be played at Adelaide from December 6-10. The opening Test will get underway on November 22 in Perth. "Hopefully, they (India) will approach it with some of their best players, and they have got some of the best players in the world. "They had a tough time when they played against the pink ball in the Adelaide Test (2020-21) so hopefully for the game's sake and Canberra cricket fans' sake, that we get to see some of the best players in the world like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, some of their best players will be on display." (With agency inputs)
08 November,2024 04:28 PM IST | Canberra | mid-day online correspondentFormer India cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy on Friday opened up on what could be Mumbai Indians' plans for the WPL 2025 auctions. The list of retained players by all the franchises ahead of the next Women's Premier League (WPL) season was announced on Thursday. Across the five franchises, 71 players, including 25 overseas stars, have been retained, securing each team's core lineup for the upcoming season. The former right-hand batter said that the Mumbai franchise is saving its purse to go behind overseas all-rounders in the WPL 2025 auctions. "MI might be saving a significant portion of their purse to go after an overseas all-rounder, either fast-bowling or spin-bowling. Even in the first edition, they seemed a player short after Amelia Kerr's dismissal. Last year, Humaira was in the eleven but wasn't utilized as a batter, though she contributed with the ball. I feel there's a vacant spot that MI will look to address in this auction. Their mistake in last year's eliminator was failing to finish the game, so I think they'll focus on filling that gap," she said on Jio Cinema. Retained Players: Amandeep Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Jintimani Kalita, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Natalie Sciver Brunt, Pooja Vastrakar, S. Sajana, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail, and Yastika Bhatia. Released Players: Fatima Jaffer, Humairaa Kaazi, Isabelle Wong, and Priyanka Bala. In the last season, the 2023 champions were eliminated by the eventual champions RCB. Also Read: WPL will set a template for other sports, revolutionise way we look at women's cricket: BCCI secretary Jay Shah List of other players retained and released ahead of the WPL 2025 auctions Delhi Capitals (DC) Retained Players: Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Meg Lanning, Minnu Mani, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniyaa Bhatia, and Titas Sadhu. Released Players: Aparna Mondal, Ashwani Kumari, Laura Harris*, and Poonam Yadav. DC reached the finals of the previous season, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by eight wickets. Gujarat Giants (GG) Retained Players: Ashleigh Gardner*, Beth Mooney*, Bharti Fulmali, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, Laura Wolvaardt*, Mannat Kashyap, Meghna Singh, Phoebe Litchfield*, Priya Mishra, Sayali Satghare, Shabnam Shakil, and Tanuja Kanwer. Released Players: Kathryn Bryce*, Lauren Cheatle*, Lea Tahuhu*, Sneh Rana, Tarannum Pathan, Trisha Poojitha, and Veda Krishnamurthy. GG finished at the bottom of the points table last season, with two wins and six losses. Also Read: 'WPL is an example for girls in all kinds of sports': MI team owner Nita Ambani Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Retained Players: Asha Shobana, Dani Wyatt, Ekta Bisht, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Kate Cross, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, S. Meghana, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, and Sophie Molineux. Released Players: Disha Kasat, Indrani Roy, Shraddha Pokarkar, Shubha Satheesh, and Simran Bahadur. RCB emerged as the champions of the WPL 2024, beating DC by eight wickets in the final. UP Warriorz (UPW) Retained Players: Alyssa Healy, Anjali Sarvani, Chamari Athapaththu, Deepti Sharma, Gouher Sultana, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Poonam Khemnar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone*, Tahlia McGrath, Uma Chetry, and Vrinda Dinesh. Released Players: Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, S. Yashasri, and Lauren Bell*. In the previous season, UP Warriorz missed out on the playoffs, finishing fourth with three wins and five losses. (With agency inputs)
08 November,2024 04:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer New Zealand cricket Ian Smith stated the national team to put Will Young in to number three position following his exceptional performance in the recently concluded series. Will Young played a crucial role in New Zealand's Test series whitewash against Team India in India. Featuring in all three matches, he accumulated 244 runs with an average of 48.80 and was also honoured as the "Player of the Series." The three consecutive wins against India have kept New Zealand's hopes held high for next year's World Test Championship final at Lord's. They will now host a three-match series against England at home starting later this month that will be crucial to their hopes. The return of Kane Williamson for that series will put pressure, but Smith wants to see Will Young receiving the opportunity to feature going forward. Also Read: IN PHOTOS: Travis Head and wife Jess welcomes second child "Will Young has to have a place in the top six - probably at No.3. Seldom have I seen a more organised New Zealand batter in those trying conditions. He does not deserve to be left out and neither should he be," Smith said on New Zealand radio station SENZ as quoted by the ICC. While Will Young failed to make a century from his six innings and was perhaps overshadowed by superb individual performances with the ball from Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, Smith said the 31-year-old was a clear standout when deciding who should be adjudged the Player of the Series. "The TV commentary team I was a part of were given the responsibility of deciding on the match and series awards and I can assure you, Young was a unanimous choice. To leave him out (of the XI against England) would be testament to leaving out someone who's just got 10 wickets in an innings. So, I'm not saying it won't happen. But it shouldn't," Smith revealed. "When India great Sunil Gavaskar says Young is his choice, that's good enough for me. 'That kid looks so organised. I think he's a player for the future.' That'll do me. (Tom) Latham, (Kane) Williamson, Young, (Rachin) Ravindra - they're four of your top six. You can pick the rest. That's the way I see it," Smith added. Smith has only just returned to New Zealand after a stint as commentator during New Zealand's victorious series whitewash against India and the former Black Caps wicket-keeper said it was a great feeling seeing the famous triumph with his own eyes. "There was nothing quite like being on the spot in India to watch that whitewash. Yes, the whitewash. Perhaps the greatest achievement in men's cricket in this country ever, and right up there in all sport. It's such a damn hard thing to do," Smith concluded. (With ANI Inputs)
08 November,2024 02:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAustralis's gritty and swashbuckling batsman Travis Head and his wife Jess have been blessed with a second child. They have named the baby boy as "Harrison George Head." Travis Head took to his official social media to make the announcement of his newborn baby. "Welcome to the world Harrison George Head. 💙", read the post. Taking to Instagram: View this post on Instagram A post shared by JESSICA DAVIES (@jess_head) In the year 2022, the couple was blessed with a baby girl named Milla Paige Head. Also Read: IND vs SA 1st T20I | "Always look forward to series against India": Aiden Markram Travis Head was part of the Australian team which won the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. In the final match held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat, the left-hander played a crucial run in the side's title win. In the run chase of 241 runs, opening the innings Travis Head smashed a match-winning century in 120 balls. His 120-ball knock ended with a score of 137 runs which was laced with 15 fours and 4 sixes. The veteran was also part of the Australian side which defeated Team India in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023. Travis Head played glorious knocks of 163 and 18 runs in both innings, respectively. Following his contribution, he was honoured by the "Player of the Match" award. Travis Head has not participated in the ongoing ODI series between Australia and Pakistan. Currently, the "Aussies" are leading the three-match ODI series by 1-0 against the "Green Shirts." Travis Head's upcoming task will be against Team India yet again as he will be one of the mainstays of the Australian batting lineup for the iconic "Border-Gavaskar Trophy." This time it will be a five-match Test series between the cricketing giants.
08 November,2024 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
