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Tag: MCG

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WATCH: Mitchell Starc fulfills his promise, gives signed shoes to young fan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Star speedster Mitchell Starc won several hearts following Australia's 79-run win over Pakistan in the second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.At the end of lunch on Day 5, Starc had promised a young fan that he would gift him his shoes and sign it if Australia manage to take all the wickets by the end of the day.After Australia won the match, Starc fulfilled his promise and gifted his shoes to the young fan.He also signed them and clicked photos with him. WATCH: Australia signed off 2023 year on a high. They won the ICC World Test Championship final vs India, retained the Ashes, the ODI World Cup final vs India, and won the Test series against Pakistan.A fired-up Pat Cummins bagged five wickets and 10 in the match to earn Australia a nail-biting win (by 7...
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Watch: Third umpire emerges after getting stuck in a lift during Boxing Day Test at MCG | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: During Thursday's Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan, the start of the post-lunch session was postponed due to an incident involving third umpire Richard Illingworth, which resulted in humorous scenes on the field at the renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).On day three of the second Test, after lunch, the players walked out, and play was stopped for a few minutes.Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, the on-field umpires, were notified that Illingworth had not arrived at his MCG station. The cameras were panned toward his vacant seat by the announcers as well."The game is delayed because the third umpire...is stuck in the lift," Cricket Australia's social media arm posted on X, formerly Twitter.While making his way back to his assigned seat from the eating area, the ...
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‘A crocodile jaw trying to catch, get him out of there’: Mark Waugh slams Abdullah Shafique who dropped Mitch Marsh at first slip

Australia were tottering at 46 for 4 in 15 overs in the second Test against Pakistan when Abdullah Shafique dropped a sitter at first slip to reprieve Mitch Marsh. On air was possibly the greatest slip fielder of all time Mark Waugh, and he couldn’t hold himself back. First he went after Shafique. “Like a crocodile jaw trying to take a catch. Get him out of there.”  Then when he saw the replays that showed that the second slipper Agha Salman had a rather easy chance to grab the catch on rebound but he wasn’t ready. His hands weren’t even cupped and he had turned around rather slowly and the ball popped right in front of him, almost through his hands.  Mark Waugh chirped up again, even as co-commentator Isa Guha would remark that Salman was “pretty relaxed there”.  “I wouldn’t be relaxed...
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Watch: Pat Cummins’ peach of a delivery to dismiss Babar Azam in Boxing Day Test at MCG | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia captain Pat Cummins sure well knows how to lead from the front. One of the best fast bowlers in the world, Cummins has already led the Aussies to the World Test Championship title, the ODI World Cup title and an Ashes triumph against old foes England.The second day of Australia's Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was no different when Cummins took two wickets in two overs to reduce Pakistan to 131/3 in their first innings on Wednesday.On the last ball of the 35th over, Cummins took an excellent return catch to dismiss Abdullah Shafique for 62.Cummins bowled a full length delivery, Shafique went forward to drive and ended up hitting straighter. Cummins showed great reflexes in his follow-through, diving to his left, held onto the ball w...
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Boxing Day Test: Marnus Labuschagne immovable as Australia frustrate Pakistan at MCG | Cricket News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: A stubborn Marnus Labuschagne weathered a storm to help steer Australia to 187-3 on a rain-disrupted opening day of the second Test in Melbourne Tuesday against a probing and resilient Pakistan attack.At stumps, he was unbeaten on a glacial 44 off 120 balls and Travis Head was not out on nine after nearly three hours' play were lost to rain.Pakistan's bowlers found plenty of movement in the overcast conditions and were rewarded with the wickets of David Warner (38), Usman Khawaja (42) and Steve Smith (26).But a patient Labuschagne was immovable as the hosts look to seal the three-Test series after thumping the visitors by 360 runs in Perth."It was a good day as a bowling unit, a bit unlucky that we haven't got more wickets," said Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali, who removed Khawaj...
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Watch: Marnus Labuschagne chases away pigeons at the MCG | Cricket News – Times of India

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories...
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Virat Kohli’s Boxing Day Tests statistics over the years | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: One month following a heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final against Australia, star India batter Virat Kohli is set to grace the cricket field in whites during the upcoming Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion on Tuesday.As has been the norm with Virat throughout the years, the weight of expectations, the resounding cheers of fans, and the anticipation of witnessing a century or record-breaking performance will be at its pinnacle as he steps onto the field.Virat boasts impressive Test statistics against South Africa, having amassed 1,236 runs at an average of 56.18 in 14 Tests against the Proteas, including three centuries and four fifties in 24 innings. His highest score stands at an impressive 254*.In the South African conditions, Virat has notched up 719 r...
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Legendary Greg Chappell facing financial struggle; friends launch fundraising campaign | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Cricket icon Greg Chappell has disclosed that he's been facing financial challenges, and his friends have come together to establish an online fundraising platform aimed at "improving his quality of life in his later years," as reported.The 75-year-old former Australian captain, who had a notably controversial tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team from 2005 to 2007, acknowledged that he's managing, but he's by no means living a luxurious life due to his cricketing career."I'm not on the bones of my a**e," Chappell told News Corp."I certainly don't want it to sound like we're in desperate straits, because we're not - but we're not living in luxury either. I think most people assume that, because we played cricket, that we are all living in the lap of luxury. Whil...
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Australia eye WTC final and series sweep against South Africa

A relaxed and confident Australia head into the third and final test against South Africa in Sydney eyeing a series sweep and a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final to cap a dominant home summer. Pat Cummins’s team, who sealed the series with an innings victory in Melbourne last week, can book their place in the WTC decider at The Oval in June with victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Even with pace stalwart Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Cameron Green sidelined by finger injuries, Australia have ample depth and the freedom to experiment leading in to next month’s four-test tour of India. In recent years, the SCG has not lived up to its spin-friendly billing but ground staff say the pitch should offer turn. That could mean a role for Ashton Agar in Australia’s 11 and a firs...
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WATCH: Mitchell Starc threatens Theunis de Bruyn with ‘Mankad’ dismissal after batsman crosses the line | Cricket News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: Mitchell Starc threatened South Africa number three Theunis de Bruyn with a 'Mankad' dismissal on Thursday after the batsman wandered way outside his crease at the non-striker's end during the second Test in Melbourne.The run-out dismissal, named after former India all-rounder Vinoo Mankad, is legal but has long generated debate as to whether it is in the spirit of the game.On day four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as Australia wrapped up a thumping innings and 182-run victory, paceman Starc aborted a ball during his run-up after seeing De Bruyn leave his crease early."Just stay in your crease, it’s not that hard," Starc barked at him."The line's there for a reason, mate."If I was De Bruyn, I will keep doing itBecause it's practically impossible for a fast bowler to mankad...
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2nd Test: Australia thrash South Africa by innings and 182 runs to seal series | Cricket News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: A depleted Australian attack secured an innings and 182-run victory over South Africa in the second Test on Thursday, wrapping up the series with a match to spare after the visitors' batting woes were rudely exposed once more.Needing 386 runs to make Australia bat again after the hosts had declared on a mammoth 575 for eight, the Proteas were bowled out for 204, with two farcical run-outs hastening their demise before tea on day four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Australia's win, their fourth in successive Tests in the home summer, shored up top spot in the World Test Championship, while underlining their number one ranking in the format.With all-rounder Cameron Green unable to bowl and Mitchell Starc with an injured middle finger on his bowling hand, Australia showed plent...
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Melbourne Cricket Ground looks into hosting India vs Pakistan Test

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is looking into the possibility of hosting a Test match between India and Pakistan, who have not played each other in the longest format of the game since 2007 with bilateral cricket between the neighbours suspended. Since India hosted Pakistan in a bilateral limited overs series in 2013 the pair have only competed against each other at 20- and 50-overs World Cups and the Asia Cup. The last time they met was at the Twenty20 World Cup in October, where more than 90,000 fans piled into the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch India win a last-ball thriller. MCC Chief Executive Stuart Fox said the atmosphere at that match showed there would be no problem filling the venue for a test series between the two. “The atmosphere for that game, I’ve never felt anythin...
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Australia vs South Africa, 2nd Test: Dean Elgar’s tactics and decision-making were terrible, says Simon Katich | Cricket News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: Former Australia captain Simon Katich has termed South Africa skipper Dean Elgar's tactics and decision-making in the second Test against Australia as "terrible" and added that the field he set on day two at the MCG defied logic.Beginning day three on 386 for three, Australia declared their first innings at 575 for eight, leaving the Proteas with a mountain of runs to score to save the Boxing Day Test.South Africa, who were bowled out for 189 in the first innings, began their second innings 386 runs in arrears following the declaration on Wednesday.Katich, who played 56 Tests and scored more than 4,000 runs, said had pace bowler Anrich Nortje received a little more support, things could have been different for the visitors."I thought Elgar was terrible yesterday (Tuesday) wit...
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Australia vs South Africa, 2nd Test: David Warner’s double century powers Australia to 386/3 on Day 2 | More sports News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: Opener David Warner battled through searing heat to hit an epic unbeaten 200 in his 100th Test on Tuesday before retiring in pain as Australia consolidated their advantage against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.On a scorching day, the hosts were 386-3 at stumps on day two of the second Test, leading by 197 after the Proteas were dismissed in their first innings for 189.Travis Head was not out 48 with Alex Carey on nine.Steve Smith (85) and Marnus Labuschagne (14) were the only wickets to fall. But worryingly for Australia, Cameron Green, who took 5-27 in South Africa's first innings, also retired hurt after a nasty rap on the finger from Anrich Nortje.Smith and Warner's 239-run partnership took the game further away from South Africa, whose bowlers toiled in tem...
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Emotional David Warner grabs ton in 100th test

David Warner raised a brilliant century in his 100th test as he combined with Steve Smith to frustrate South Africa and push Australia to a 42-run lead by tea on day two of the second test on Tuesday. Australia were 231 for two in reply to South Africa’s first innings 189 with Warner 135 not out and Steve Smith on 60 on a hot afternoon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the pair having built a 156-run partnership. Trailing 1-0 in the three-match series after losing the Brisbane opener by six wickets, South Africa’s hopes faded through a barren session after Warner and Smith resumed on 136 for two after lunch. Having come into the match under pressure and out of runs, Warner pulled pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada to the fine leg fence to raise his 25th test century and first in nearly three y...
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David Warner hits century in 100th Test | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia's veteran opener David Warner roared back to form by slamming a century in his 100th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The left-handed batsman, who ended his almost three-year century drought, achieved the milestone on Day 2 of the second Test against South Africa.In the process, the 36-year-old also became the eighth Australian to complete 8,000 Test runs.David Warner celebrates his 100th Test with a brilliant century 🙌Watch #AUSvSA LIVE on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v (i… https://t.co/fZd7R4ixbQ— ICC (@ICC) 1672109192000It was his first Test century since January 2020 as he proved the doubters wrong with an aggressive 144-ball knock, hitting eight fours.He brought up his 25th century with a boundary, punching the air in celebration.He had insisted before...
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David Warner becomes second batter to score a double hundred in 100th Test | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia's veteran opener David Warner created history by becoming the second batter after Joe Root to make a double century in his 100th Test. He achieved the milestone on Day 2 of the second Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.But his joy of bringing up third double century of his career ended immediately after he retired hurt due to cramp.David Warner becomes only the second batter to score a double hundred in their 100th Test 🙌Watch #AUSvSA LIVE on… https://t.co/h5qmLSkgWe— ICC (@ICC) 1672119713000Earlier, the left-handed batsman roared back to form as he ended his almost three-year century drought. In the process, the 36-year-old also became the eighth Australian to complete 8,000 Test runs.With this, Warner has become the 10th player to...
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Steve Smith backs David Warner to regain form | Cricket News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: Australia batter Steve Smith on Wednesday backed under-fire David Warner to find Test form, saying the opener has a tendency of doing well when his "back's up against the wall".Warner has been struggling in the longest format of the game. His last Test century came almost three years ago.The opener could manage only three runs, which included a golden duck, in the first Test against South Africa, which the hosts won by six wickets inside two days.Prior to the first Test against the Proteas, he had scores of 5, 48, 21, 28 in the four innings this summer."You only have to look back a (few) weeks ago (to) a one-day game out here (at the MCG) against England, he scored 100 on what was a pretty tough wicket," Smith was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press (AAP)."We've s...
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MCG under pressure to deliver contest after Gabba let-down | Cricket News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: The Melbourne Cricket Ground is under pressure to produce a pitch that delivers a fairer contest between bat and ball in the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa after the series-opener at the Gabba was over within two days.Australia won the Brisbane Test by six wickets as batters struggled on a green-top pitch that was criticised by South Africa captain Dean Elgar and earned a "below average" rating by the International Cricket Council.Along with fans denied action lasting up to five days, broadcasters also lost out on advertising revenue.Cricket Australia operations chief Peter Roach said the governing body had no control over MCG curator Matt Page and his work on the pitch but would engage with him in the lead-up to the Test starting Monday."We expect our cur...