Cricket

WTC Points Table Update After Australia Seal Ashes 4–1 With Sydney Test Win

Published

3 months ago

January 7, 2026

Australia wrapped up the Ashes series in emphatic fashion, defeating England in the fifth and final Test at Sydney to clinch the contest 4–1. Chasing a modest target of 160 runs, the hosts completed the task with five wickets in hand, underlining their dominance throughout the series.

The victory further strengthened Australia’s position at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 points table, as Pat Cummins’ side registered their seventh win in eight matches in the current cycle. With a Points Percentage (PCT) of 87.5, Australia now sit comfortably ahead of the rest of the field and have taken a significant step towards qualification for the WTC final in 2027.

Australia Tighten Grip on WTC Final Spot

Australia’s consistency across conditions has been the hallmark of their WTC campaign so far. Winning seven of their first eight matches gives them a substantial buffer, meaning they would need a dramatic slump in form for their final berth to come under serious threat. Their bowling attack has remained relentless, while their batting has delivered when it matters most—traits that continue to make them the benchmark Test side.

England’s WTC Struggles Continue

For England, the loss compounded an already difficult WTC cycle. The defeat marked their sixth loss in ten matches, leaving them stranded in seventh place on the table with a PCT of 31.66. Despite flashes of individual brilliance, England’s inconsistency—particularly away from home—has once again hurt their championship aspirations.

So far in the 2025–27 cycle, England have managed just three Test victories: two against India and one against Australia. Their margin for error is now extremely slim if they hope to remain competitive in the WTC race.

Mid-Table Battle Intensifies

Behind Australia, the race for the remaining WTC final spot is heating up:

New Zealand sit second with a PCT of 77.78, benefitting from a strong start despite playing only three matches so far.
South Africa occupy third place with a PCT of 75, remaining well in contention.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan are positioned mid-table, with limited matches played but promising starts.
India, led by Shubman Gill, find themselves in sixth place, having won four and lost four of their nine Tests. With a PCT of 48.15, India will need a strong run in upcoming series to re-enter the top-two conversation.

Updated WTC Points Table (After Sydney Ashes Test)

Rank	Team	Matches	Wins	Losses	Draws	Points	PCT
1	Australia	8	7	1	0	84	87.5
2	New Zealand	3	2	0	1	28	77.78
3	South Africa	4	3	1	0	36	75
4	Sri Lanka	2	1	0	1	16	66.67
5	Pakistan	2	1	1	0	12	50
6	India	9	4	4	1	52	48.15
7	England	10	3	6	1	38	31.66
8	Bangladesh	2	0	1	1	4	16.67
9	West Indies	8	0	7	1	4	4.17

Jacob Bethell’s Lone Resistance

Earlier on the final morning, Jacob Bethell provided England with a rare bright spot, scoring a valiant 154 runs in the second innings. His effort helped England stretch their lead to 159 runs before Mitchell Starc brought his innings to an end. England were eventually bowled out for 342, but the target proved insufficient on a surface that, while offering turn, remained largely batting-friendly.

England also felt the absence of specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir, as Australia’s batters handled the spin threat with composure. Despite some assistance for bowlers, conditions never became challenging enough to seriously threaten Australia’s chase.

Series Verdict

Australia were the superior side throughout the Ashes, excelling in both discipline and execution. The final 4–1 scoreline accurately reflects their dominance and further cements their status as frontrunners in the ongoing WTC cycle.

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Cricket

IND-W vs SA-W 3rd T20I: When & Where to Watch India Women’s Cricket Team vs South Africa Women’s Cricket Team Live

Published

11 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

The India Women’s Cricket Team will face the South Africa Women’s Cricket Team in the third T20I of the five-match series today at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. The match is scheduled to begin at 9:30 PM IST.

With the series slipping away, this is a must-win game for India to stay alive.

📺 Live Telecast & Streaming Details

TV Broadcast (India): Star Sports 3
Live Streaming: JioHotstar
Match Time: 9:30 PM IST

(Main Star Sports channels are currently occupied with IPL broadcasts.)

🔥 Series Situation & Stakes

India trail 0-2 in the five-match series, making this clash crucial:

A loss would hand South Africa the series
A win keeps India’s hopes alive

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup approaching, every match is vital for preparation.

🇮🇳 India’s Challenges So Far

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India have struggled in both departments:

Failed to cross 160 runs batting first
Bowlers have taken only 6 wickets in 2 matches
Lack of momentum in both powerplay and death overs

Key players who need to step up:

Smriti Mandhana
Shafali Verma
Deepti Sharma

🇿🇦 South Africa Eye Series Win

The South Africa Women’s Cricket Team, led by Laura Wolvaardt, have been dominant:

Successfully chased 158 and 148 in previous matches
Strong batting depth and disciplined bowling

A win today would seal the series, allowing them to experiment in the remaining games.

🧠 What to Expect

A high-pressure contest for India
Possible tactical changes in batting order
South Africa may test batting first if they win the toss

🏏 Squads

India Women

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Renuka Singh Thakur, Shreyanka Patil, and others.

South Africa Women

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, and others.

📊 Why This Match Matters

With limited T20Is left before the World Cup, this series is crucial for:

Finalizing combinations
Building match momentum
Identifying key performers under pressure

Cricket

“Unplayable” Pitch Forces Abandonment as Jeremiah Louis Hospitalised in West Indies Championship Clash

Published

11 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

A first-class match in the West Indies Championship between Trinidad and Tobago and Leeward Islands was dramatically abandoned after a dangerous pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium left a batter hospitalised, raising serious concerns over player safety.

⚠️ The Incident That Stopped Play

The turning point came on Day 3 when Jeremiah Louis was struck on the helmet by a sharply rising delivery from Jayden Seales.

The ball reared dangerously from a good length
Louis was visibly shaken and required immediate medical attention
He was stretchered off and taken to hospital by ambulance

In frustration, Louis reacted emotionally—highlighting the severity of the situation and the unpredictable nature of the pitch.

🛑 Match Abandoned After Safety Concerns

Following a lengthy delay:

Umpires Leslie Reifer and Zahid Bassarath
Match referee Johnathan Blades
Team captains

…held extensive discussions before deciding the pitch was unsafe for continuation.

The match was officially declared a draw, prioritizing player safety over competition.

🏥 Health Update on Jeremiah Louis

Leeward Islands coach Wilden Cornwall described the incident as “devastating” and expressed concern:

Later, Cricket West Indies confirmed that Louis was in stable condition, providing some relief to fans and teammates.

🧱 Questions Over Pitch Preparation

The incident has sparked debate about pitch standards:

A total of 27 wickets fell in just 147 overs
The surface reportedly showed uneven bounce throughout
Players had already faced difficult batting conditions across sessions

Coach Cornwall criticised the preparation, suggesting the pitch was not suitable for a four-day match.

📢 Official Statement

Cricket West Indies stated:

🧠 Bigger Concerns for Cricket

This incident highlights ongoing concerns in first-class cricket:

Player safety vs competitive play
Importance of proper pitch preparation
Need for stricter match referee interventions

Dangerous pitches not only affect match results but also put careers and lives at risk.

🏏 Final Takeaway

What began as a routine domestic fixture turned into a serious safety issue, reminding the cricketing world that conditions must always meet minimum safety standards.

The focus now remains on:

Jeremiah Louis’ recovery
Accountability for pitch preparation
Preventing similar incidents in the future

Cricket

MS Dhoni Nears Return in IPL 2026? Net Session Boosts Chennai Super Kings Ahead of Clash vs Mumbai Indians

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

Chennai Super Kings may soon receive a major boost as their talisman MS Dhoni edges closer to a return in the Indian Premier League 2026 season. After missing all matches so far due to a calf injury, Dhoni’s latest net session has sparked optimism ahead of CSK’s high-voltage clash against Mumbai Indians.

🟡 Positive Signs from Training Session

Fresh visuals from CSK’s practice sessions show MS Dhoni actively participating in:

Wicketkeeping drills
Movement and reflex exercises behind the stumps
Light, playful interactions with teammates

In one moment, Dhoni was seen attempting a quick stumping during practice, indicating improving mobility and confidence in his fitness.

🏏 CSK Eye Turnaround Amid Struggles

The five-time champions have endured a difficult start:

2 wins in 6 matches
Inconsistent performances with both bat and ball

While Dhoni’s return may not single-handedly change results, his presence is expected to:

Lift team morale
Bring tactical calmness on the field
Energize fans, especially in big matches

🔥 Big Clash at Wankhede Stadium

CSK are set to face arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in what is often dubbed the “El Clásico” of the IPL.

With Dhoni now:

Travelling with the squad
Attending away fixtures (Hyderabad, Mumbai)
Training regularly

…his return could come sooner rather than later, possibly even in this marquee encounter.

⏳ Return Date Still Uncertain

Despite encouraging signs, there is no official confirmation on Dhoni’s comeback timeline.

CSK batting coach Michael Hussey said:

However, he stopped short of giving a clear return date, suggesting the team is being cautious.

🗣️ Debate Around Dhoni’s Role

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar recently sparked debate by criticising:

CSK’s handling of Dhoni’s role
The “sycophancy culture” around the veteran

He also questioned Dhoni’s limited batting role in previous seasons, calling short cameos overhyped.

🧠 What to Expect Next

Dhoni is close to match fitness, but final clearance is pending
CSK may take a strategic call depending on match importance
Even if not as a full-time player, Dhoni’s presence could influence game decisions and dressing room confidence

📊 Why This Matters

For Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni’s return is about more than runs or dismissals—it’s about leadership, composure, and belief during a challenging season phase.