Litton Das returns as captain, while Hasan Mahmud makes a comeback; Nahid Rana misses out as he continues rehabilitation from a side strain. Bangladesh have handed an ODI call-up to uncapped mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam for the upcoming tri-series in the United Arab Emirates, featuring Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The 29-year-old spinner has played just one T20 International for Bangladesh, representing the country at the Asian Games in Japan earlier this month. Aliss has earned his maiden ODI selection following impressive performances in domestic cricket. Known for his ability to bowl with the new ball, the spinner has claimed 35 wickets in 19 List A matches at an average of 17.05 and an economy rate of 4.05. Litton Das has also returned to the ODI squad and will lead the side after being appointed captain in July, replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Litton has impressed in his recent outings as Bangladesh's T20I captain, earning the opportunity to take charge of the 50-over side. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) intends to give Mehidy a break from captaincy to allow him to concentrate on his all-round responsibilities. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud has also returned to the ODI squad, while Nahid Rana has been left out as he continues his rehabilitation from a side strain. Rana last featured in competitive cricket in July 2026 and has since missed the Test series in Australia, the Asian Games in Japan and the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan. With Bangladesh scheduled to tour South Africa for an all-format series next month, the selectors are taking a cautious approach to Rana's recovery to ensure he is fit for the upcoming assignments. Bangladesh will begin their ODI tri-series campaign against Zimbabwe on October 17 in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan are the third team participating in the competition. Bangladesh ODI Squad for UAE Tri-Series Litton Das (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Aliss Al Islam. Players included: Litton Das (captain), Hasan Mahmud and Aliss Al Islam. Players excluded: Parvez Hossain Emon and Nahid Rana.

Tasmania battled hard to keep their hopes alive after NSW declared their first innings at 500 for 9 on Saturday, building a commanding lead of 255 runs. In response, Tasmania scored at a cautious rate, finishing the day with their second innings progressing steadily at Cricket Central. Tim Ward remained unbeaten on 49 from 169 deliveries, while Teague Wyllie was 33 not out off 80 balls. The pair added an unbeaten 47-run partnership to guide Tasmania to stumps after the loss of two wickets, keeping their side in contention heading into the final day. Earlier, NSW pacer Sean Abbott delivered a crucial breakthrough by bowling opener Caleb Jewell for 88 with an excellent delivery from around the wicket. Jewell's dismissal left Tasmania at 156 for 2, but Ward and Wyllie ensured there were no further setbacks before the close of play. Jack Edwards Reaches Fourth Sheffield Shield Century NSW resumed their first innings at 441 for 6 after rain interrupted the morning session. Jack Edwards continued his impressive innings, adding six more runs before Marcus Bean had him caught by Jake Doran for 115 off 182 deliveries. His innings included 14 boundaries and marked his fourth century in the Sheffield Shield. Bean enjoyed an outstanding debut at the first-class level, finishing with figures of 5 for 111 to claim a five-wicket haul. Ollie Davies had earlier dominated the NSW innings with an explosive 253, setting the foundation for the home side's imposing total. Tailender Reiley Mark also contributed a quickfire 24 off 22 balls, striking two fours and two sixes. Gabe Bell then claimed two wickets before NSW declared at 500 for 9, establishing a first-innings lead of 255 runs. Tasmania Face a Tough Final-Day Challenge Tasmania's innings suffered an early setback when captain Jordan Silk, who had struggled in the first innings, chopped the ball onto his stumps and was bowled by Edwards for 16. However, the NSW bowling attack found it difficult to make further inroads as the conditions became hotter during the late afternoon. Ward and Wyllie dug in, showing patience and discipline to frustrate the home side's bowlers. With Tasmania still needing another 52 runs to make NSW bat again, the final day's play promises to be crucial. NSW will be searching for early wickets to force a result, while Tasmania will look to continue their determined resistance and avoid defeat. Unless NSW can produce a dramatic batting collapse, a result may not emerge until late on the final day, leaving the contest finely poised.

Zimbabwe will begin a busy UAE tour with an ODI tri-series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, starting October 17, before facing Afghanistan in three T20 Internationals and two Test matches. Raza will continue to lead the side in one-day cricket in the absence of injured pacer Ngarava. The Zimbabwe squads for both white-ball formats feature two potential international debutants: wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga and legspinner Vincent Masekesa. The selections reflect the team's willingness to give opportunities to players who have impressed in domestic cricket. Tsiga, 32, has enjoyed a productive year in first-class cricket, scoring three centuries. He has also represented Zimbabwe in Test cricket and will be looking to make his mark in the limited-overs formats. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Masekesa has earned his place after an impressive run in domestic competitions. He finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker for the Mountaineers in the Logan Cup, claiming 25 wickets at an average of 29.92. He also strengthened his credentials with a nine-wicket haul against Bangladesh Emerging Team in Sylhet. Cremer Dropped from ODI Squad Zimbabwe have made changes to their ODI squad, with Graeme Cremer left out after featuring in just one of the three matches against Australia last month. That appearance marked his first ODI in eight and a half years. Innocent Kaia, meanwhile, has not been included in the ODI squad as he continues to recover from a thigh injury sustained during the final match of the Australia series. He is expected to return for Zimbabwe's T20I series against Afghanistan, which begins on October 27. Experienced Core to Lead Zimbabwe Zimbabwe will rely on the experience of Raza, Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor to provide stability in the batting department. In the bowling attack, Blessing Muzarabani is expected to lead the pace unit, with Brad Evans offering support across most of the white-ball fixtures. Evans will miss the third T20I against Afghanistan, with Kundai Matigimu named as his replacement for that match. Zimbabwe will hope their experienced players can guide the side through a demanding schedule while the potential debutants make the most of their opportunities on the international stage. Zimbabwe ODI Squad Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere. Zimbabwe T20I Squad Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere.

South Australia delivered an emphatic performance against Victoria in the opening match of the Sheffield Shield season, securing an innings-and-40-run victory at Junction Oval. While the defending champions made a strong statement with both bat and ball, Jake Weatherald's injury scare became a major talking point following his return to the competition. Weatherald endured a difficult outing after being struck by a delayed concussion. The opener had collided with the boundary fence while fielding on the opening day, sliding into it and hitting his head. He later scored a six-ball duck before being substituted at the start of the second day after experiencing concussion symptoms. South Australia captain Ben Manenti and coach Ryan Harris confirmed that Weatherald had reported no issues before coming out to bat. Despite the unfortunate incident, Manenti expressed confidence in Weatherald's ability to make a significant contribution this season, highlighting his recent form and determination to return to the Australian Test side. "He was pretty unlucky — he kept sliding and next thing you know, he clipped the fence," Manenti told AAP. "But Weathers has been batting really well, he's been great to have back around the group. We know what a class player he is and also how hungry he is to try to get back to that Test level." Manenti added that strong performances for South Australia could help Weatherald earn another opportunity at the highest level. Manenti and McFadyen Lead South Australia's Batting Charge South Australia established control of the match after Victoria posted 244 in their first innings. The defending champions responded with a commanding total of 508, building a substantial lead and putting their opponents under considerable pressure. Captain Ben Manenti played a crucial role, scoring 128, while debutant Noah McFadyen produced an outstanding performance with 134. Both batters registered their maiden first-class centuries, helping South Australia strengthen their position in the contest. McFadyen also contributed with the ball, claiming the final wicket of the match to complete a memorable debut. Reflecting on his century, Manenti said it was satisfying to convert an opportunity after missing out on previous occasions, while praising McFadyen's impressive innings. South Australia's disciplined bowling then ensured there was no comeback from Victoria. After ending the third day at 175 for 7, the hosts were dismissed for 224 before lunch on the final day, handing South Australia a comprehensive victory. Manenti praised his team's response after acknowledging that their bowling had fallen short of expectations on the opening day. "We judge ourselves pretty harshly and hold ourselves to really high standards," he said. "We felt we missed the mark a little bit with the ball on day one, but then we countered that and did really well in Victoria's second innings." He added that South Australia had been ruthless with their line, length and bowling plans in the second innings. Harry Hoekstra Shines Despite Victoria's Defeat Although Victoria suffered a heavy defeat, debutant Harry Hoekstra emerged as one of the team's brightest prospects. The young player claimed six wickets for 103 runs and also contributed 45 runs with the bat in the first innings. Hoekstra dismissed Weatherald, making the opener's wicket one of the highlights of his debut performance. Victoria captain Peter Handscomb acknowledged the disappointment of the result but praised Hoekstra for making the most of his opportunity in both departments. "Not ideal, but there's a positive in what we found out of Harry Hoekstra — he gets the opportunity and shows what he can do, both with bat and ball," Handscomb said. He also acknowledged South Australia's standing as the benchmark in domestic cricket after winning consecutive Sheffield Shield titles. "SA are back-to-back champions, they're the benchmark at the moment, so to come up against them, first round, is tough," Handscomb said. "But we know how close we are to it, to playing the way we want to play." Fergus O'Neill top-scored for Victoria in the second innings with 62, while Nathan McAndrew and Henry Thornton claimed three wickets each to help South Australia wrap up the contest. Weatherald Remains Determined to Return to Test Cricket Weatherald's difficult start to the Sheffield Shield campaign comes after he was dropped from Australia's Test side two months ago following the team's unexpected defeat against Bangladesh in Darwin. The opener had begun his domestic season positively, scoring 92 in South Australia's one-day victory over Tasmania last month. His latest setback, however, has interrupted his return to red-ball cricket. With South Australia targeting a third consecutive Sheffield Shield title, Weatherald will be keen to recover fully and return to action as soon as it is safe to do so. Manenti's backing underlines the team's confidence in the opener's ability, both as a senior batter and as a player with ambitions of returning to international cricket. If he can regain his rhythm and produce consistent runs, Weatherald could become an important figure in South Australia's title defence and strengthen his case for another opportunity with Australia.

New Zealand have suffered a setback ahead of their home series against India, with fast bowler Will O'Rourke set to miss the entire tour as he continues his rehabilitation from injuries to his left hamstring and calf. The 25-year-old pacer has been advised to take additional time to recover fully and gradually rebuild his bowling workload. New Zealand are prioritising his long-term fitness, with the team scheduled to tour Australia for a four-Test series in December and January. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment at O'Rourke's absence from the high-profile home series but said the decision was taken in the best interests of the player and the team. "It's obviously disappointing for Will to have to miss such a marquee tour at home against India," Walter said. "He was set to feature in both the ODI and Test series, but following subsequent discussions, we all agreed it was best for him to take some more time to rehabilitate both injuries and safely build up his bowling loads." Walter also stressed the importance of managing the workload of New Zealand's fast bowlers over the coming months, adding that O'Rourke would not return until he was fully fit. "Our pace bowling resources will be critical over the next few months, so we're taking a conservative approach to Will's return to ensure he's fully fit before he takes the field again," he said. Injury Concerns Continue to Disrupt O'Rourke's Career O'Rourke has endured a frustrating period due to recurring injuries. He returned to competitive cricket in April during New Zealand's white-ball tour of Bangladesh after spending seven months on the sidelines with a back stress fracture. The right-arm fast bowler subsequently featured in all three Tests during New Zealand's tour of England in June. However, he suffered a hamstring tear on the final day of the third Test in Nottingham, forcing him out of action once again. His recovery was further delayed in August after he sustained a calf strain during training. As a result, he has not played competitive cricket since the England tour. The New Zealand management is now focused on ensuring that O'Rourke makes a complete recovery rather than rushing him back into international cricket. Walter indicated that the pacer could return for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield in late December, provided his rehabilitation progresses as planned. The ideal scenario would be for O'Rourke to be available for the opening Test against Australia in Perth on December 9. New Zealand Prepare for Lengthy India Tour New Zealand are expected to announce their squad for the India series on Sunday, with O'Rourke's absence likely to require adjustments to their pace-bowling resources. The upcoming tour will feature all three formats, beginning with a five-match T20I series before moving into five ODIs and two Test matches. The T20I series is scheduled to run from October 22 to November 1, followed by the ODI series from November 4 to 15. The two-Test series will begin in Wellington from November 19 to 23, with the second Test scheduled in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. With a demanding international schedule ahead, New Zealand will be keen to manage their fast bowlers carefully while maintaining a competitive squad across formats. For O'Rourke, the immediate priority remains completing his rehabilitation and regaining full fitness, with a potential return against Australia representing the key target in his recovery plan.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has once again raised concerns over batting-friendly pitches in white-ball cricket, warning that bowlers' careers are at stake when conditions offer little assistance to them. His remarks came after India suffered a defeat against West Indies in the second T20 International in Ranchi, where the visitors chased down a target of 251 with nine balls to spare. The match witnessed a run-fest, with both teams scoring a combined 501 runs and hitting 33 sixes in 38.3 overs. Flat pitch conditions, dew and the relatively small boundaries made life difficult for the bowlers throughout the contest. Gambhir had expressed similar concerns earlier in Guwahati after India chased down 406 runs in the second ODI with 39 balls remaining. He reiterated his demand for a fair contest between batters and bowlers, stressing that bowlers deserve conditions in which their skills can make a difference. "You don't want a good bat-and-ball competition? What you want to see, that's also what we want to see. We also want to see an even contest," Gambhir said. "These bowlers are our bowlers, not someone else's bowlers. Their careers are at stake. They have worked hard to sit in this dressing room. If it's an even competition, we'll see a better game of cricket." West Indies Overcome Early Setbacks to Chase Down 251 India made an excellent start with the ball, reducing West Indies to 5 for 2 in the opening over before the visitors slipped to 58 for 3 inside the powerplay. However, Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turned the match around with an outstanding fourth-wicket partnership. Hope remained unbeaten on 102 off just 45 deliveries, while Rutherford smashed 84 off 37 balls. Their partnership of 120 runs helped West Indies regain control before Romario Shepherd's unbeaten 34 off 13 balls guided the visitors to a comfortable victory. The win marked West Indies' highest successful chase in T20 Internationals and levelled the five-match series at 1-1. Despite the challenging bowling conditions, Gambhir insisted that India would analyse the defeat rather than use the pitch and dew as excuses. "You don't shrug off any defeat. If you want to keep improving, you don't want to put anything under the carpet," he said. Gambhir acknowledged the difficulties of bowling on a flat surface under heavy dew but emphasised that India must find ways to defend big totals. He also praised the West Indies batters for maintaining an aggressive scoring rate despite losing three wickets early in the innings. Gambhir Praises Mayank Yadav's Express Pace Fast bowler Mayank Yadav emerged as one of the positives for India, claiming three wickets for 36 runs in his three overs. Bowling regularly at around 145 kmph, he touched 149.5 kmph while dismissing West Indies captain Rovman Powell. Mayank also troubled Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer with his pace, dismissing both in the opening over. His performance earned praise from Gambhir, who urged the young fast bowler to rely on his natural strength. "He is a fast bowler, he should bowl like a fast bowler. He isn't a slower bowler. If you can bowl 150kph, bowl at 150kph, if you bowl at 120kph, bowl at 120kph," Gambhir said. The India coach added that Mayank's responsibility as a fast bowler was to attack with pace, and he was pleased to see the youngster achieve success by doing so. However, India could not maintain the pressure after the early breakthroughs, allowing Hope and Rutherford to dominate the middle overs before Shepherd completed the chase. Gambhir Defends Shivam Dube's Promotion to No. 4 India's batting innings also featured a slowdown between overs 12 and 16, when the team managed only 39 runs. The passage coincided with Shivam Dube's promotion to No. 4 ahead of Shreyas Iyer. Gambhir defended the decision, explaining that Dube had previously performed well in the role and that India would continue to maintain flexibility in their batting order. "We've used him like this for a long period of time, even at the World Cup and before that. It was not just a one-off today," Gambhir said. He acknowledged that India had lost momentum during that phase but pointed out that Dube had also helped the team accelerate in previous matches. Gambhir reiterated that India would continue experimenting with batting positions in T20 cricket, with only the opening positions considered fixed. India Look to Bounce Back in Indore Gambhir admitted that India had considerable work to do, particularly when facing a dangerous opponent after losing the toss in conditions that favour batting. "The bottom line is we couldn't defend 250. They batted extremely well. They deserved to win and we still need a lot of work to be done when you're playing against a dangerous team, especially when you lose the toss," he said. India and West Indies will now travel to Indore for the third T20I, which is scheduled to take place in less than 48 hours. With the series level at 1-1, India will look to address their bowling concerns and regain the lead, while West Indies will aim to carry forward the momentum from their remarkable run chase.

Ireland to play five ODIs in Namibia before Ireland Wolves travel to Zimbabwe for two four-day matches and five one-day games in November. Ireland have announced a busy international schedule as they step up preparations for next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The senior men's team will tour Namibia for a five-match ODI series later this month, followed by an Ireland Wolves tour of Zimbabwe featuring two four-day matches and five one-day games in November. Ireland have failed to qualify for the last two men's 50-over World Cups and will be determined to secure a place at the 2027 edition. They are scheduled to travel to South Africa and Namibia in February and March next year for the 10-team World Cup Qualifier, where four qualification spots will be available. The upcoming tours will give Ireland's players valuable opportunities to gain experience in conditions similar to those they could encounter during the qualification campaign. Paul Stirling to Lead Ireland in Namibia ODIs Ireland will play all five ODIs against Namibia in Windhoek, with Paul Stirling named captain and Lorcan Tucker appointed vice-captain and wicketkeeper. The series will be particularly significant as Ireland have never previously played a men's ODI against Namibia. Their most recent meeting in a full men's international took place at the 2021 T20 World Cup in Sharjah. Ireland's selectors have retained a squad largely similar to the one that suffered a 4-0 ODI series defeat at home against Afghanistan in August. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys is the only addition to the squad, having earned his place following impressive performances in T20 cricket despite not featuring in an ODI since February 2025. Ireland Wolves to Tour Zimbabwe in November Following the Namibia series, Ireland Wolves will travel to Zimbabwe for an extensive programme of red-ball and white-ball cricket. The squad includes several members of the senior team, along with emerging players aiming to strengthen their claims for international selection. Matthew Humphreys will captain the Wolves throughout the tour. Josh Little has also been included for the one-day matches, providing him with an opportunity to regain rhythm after recent struggles with form and fitness. Mark Adair will feature in the red-ball matches, while several players have been designated specifically for either the red-ball or white-ball fixtures. The tour will also require some coordination with the ILT20, which begins on November 21. Six Irish players—Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Ross Adair, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher and George Dockrell—were recently selected at the tournament's auction following an agreement between Cricket Ireland and the Emirates Cricket Board. Most of the Namibia ODI squad will continue to Zimbabwe for the Wolves tour, with Andy Balbirnie and Andy McBrine among those not travelling. The five other Irish players selected for the ILT20 will have a short break before heading to the UAE. Cricket Ireland Emphasises Importance of Overseas Preparation Cricket Ireland high-performance director Graeme West highlighted the importance of the tours in preparing players for next year's World Cup Qualifier. “The tours provide great opportunities for our players to familiarise themselves with the conditions and some of their potential opponents,” West said. He also welcomed the opportunity for a large group of established and emerging players to spend time playing outdoor cricket during the winter months. West added that the squads selected for the senior men's and Wolves tours featured the best of Ireland's current and emerging talent, describing the opportunity to play on grass in warmer conditions as a valuable part of their preparation. Ireland Men's Tour of Namibia: ODI Fixtures October 22: First ODI October 24: Second ODI October 27: Third ODI October 30: Fourth ODI November 1: Fifth ODI Venue: Windhoek, Namibia Ireland Squad Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Jordan Neill, Paul Stirling (captain), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (vice-captain and wicketkeeper). Ireland Wolves Tour of Zimbabwe: Fixtures November 6–9: First four-day match November 13–16: Second four-day match November 19: First one-day match November 21: Second one-day match November 23: Third one-day match November 26: Fourth one-day match November 28: Fifth one-day match Venues: To be confirmed Ireland Wolves Squad Mark Adair (red-ball only), Ben Calitz, Cade Carmichael, David Delany (white-ball only), Gareth Delany (white-ball only), Chris Defreitas, Stephen Doheny, Jake Egan (red-ball only), Matthew Hollard, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys (captain), Josh Little (white-ball only), Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Jordan Neill, Tim Tector, Reuben Wilson (red-ball only). With two overseas tours scheduled before the World Cup Qualifier, Ireland will look to build consistency, assess emerging talent and improve their adaptability across different conditions. The matches in Namibia and Zimbabwe could prove crucial as the team seeks to return to the biggest stage in men's ODI cricket in 2027.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the opening match of the three-match T20 International series in Rawalpindi. The match marks the beginning of Sahibzada Farhan’s tenure as Pakistan’s new T20I captain. Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis opted to bat first, following a similar strategy to the one that proved successful during Sri Lanka’s 3-0 T20I series victory over Pakistan in 2019. Mendis expressed confidence in his team’s young players, despite the absence of star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who is sidelined with an injury. “Compared to England, these conditions are a little bit different,” Mendis said. He added that the new players had performed well in domestic cricket and that he had considerable confidence in the younger members of the squad. Pakistan’s newly appointed captain, Sahibzada Farhan, said his team would have chosen to bowl first even if they had won the toss. He explained that bowling first would help Pakistan understand the playing conditions and assess the pitch before their batting innings. Pakistan have included two debutants in their playing XI for the series opener. Fast bowler Razaullah, who attracted attention for his impressive performances with bat and ball in Birmingham, is set to make his T20I debut alongside medium-fast bowler Mohammad Imran. The hosts will rely on a combination of experienced players and emerging talent as they look to start the series on a positive note. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah are among the key names in Pakistan’s lineup. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will look to put up a competitive total through a batting unit led by Kusal Mendis, with support from Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis and other young players. Playing XIs Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Imran, Razaullah, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed. Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain and wicketkeeper), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara. With Sri Lanka opting to bat first and Pakistan keen to assess the conditions early, the opening T20I promises an intriguing contest as both sides aim to gain an early advantage in the series.

Australia are keeping their final playing XI under wraps ahead of the first Test against South Africa in Durban, with Cooper Connolly and Nic Maddinson competing for a place in the middle order following Cameron Green's injury. Connolly attracted attention after leaving Australia's final training session in a separate vehicle from his teammates while wearing a mask, having reported symptoms of a head cold. The young all-rounder had trained normally earlier in the afternoon, and it remains unclear whether the illness will affect his chances of featuring in the opening Test. Speaking ahead of the match, captain Pat Cummins confirmed that Australia had a combination in mind but wanted to assess the Kingsmead pitch once more before making a final decision. Connolly, who has played just one Test, against Sri Lanka in early 2025, is among the leading candidates to replace Green. Maddinson, meanwhile, has earned a surprise call-up despite not having played first-class cricket since March 2025. Connolly's Spin Could Give Him the Edge Connolly's left-arm spin could prove valuable as the Durban surface is expected to offer increasing assistance to spinners as the match progresses. However, Australia could also consider selecting both Connolly and Maddinson, potentially leaving Beau Webster out of the playing XI. "We're just trying to work out what we think is the best batting line-up for those conditions, obviously Cam Green's out," Cummins said. "Everyone brings something a little bit different to it, and it's just trying to work out what the combo is." South Africa, in contrast, have already confirmed their playing XI, opting for two frontline spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. Cummins Wants Australia to Adapt to Slower Conditions Beyond the selection dilemma, Cummins has stressed the importance of Australia adapting to different match conditions, particularly if the Durban Test develops into a slower contest. Australia have played three two-day Tests over the past 10 months, including two against England and one against Bangladesh. Those matches have often been characterised by aggressive batting and quick bursts of wickets rather than prolonged periods of patient cricket. However, Cummins believes his side must be prepared to grind out results when conditions demand a more measured approach. He had raised similar concerns following Australia's defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin, where the batters struggled to adjust to a slower, flatter surface. "We haven't played too many of those [slower] Test matches in the last few years, particularly in Australia, they've been quite fast-paced," Cummins said. "I think a lot of our success has come off these big moments, with a Travis Head hundred or Starcy running through the top order, but I think we've got to get a little bit better at getting to the grind." The Australia captain emphasised that his team must be comfortable scoring patiently and building pressure over long periods rather than relying exclusively on attacking bursts. "It might not be the glamorous stuff, but it's that grinding out of session, going for two runs an over, not these major falls or not these whirlwind innings at times," he added. Labuschagne Under Pressure to Deliver Marnus Labuschagne will also be under scrutiny as Australia prepare for the series. The batter has gone nearly three years without a Test century, increasing the pressure on him to justify the selectors' continued faith. With Green, Australia's leading run-scorer against Bangladesh, unavailable for at least the Durban Test, and Matt Renshaw still finding his feet after returning to Test cricket, Labuschagne's contribution could be crucial. The right-hander scored a rapid century in Australia's warm-up match against the CSA Invitational XI in Potchefstroom. He had also produced strong performances in domestic cricket before earning a recall for the previous Ashes series. Cummins maintained that Labuschagne was approaching his best form but acknowledged that good performances in practice do not always translate into success in international cricket. He urged the batter to simplify his approach and focus on his scoring areas rather than overthinking his technique. "For someone like Marn, who is so skilled, it's actually zeroing in… you don't need to go too wide with all your different shots and all your different thoughts, you can always think about it too much," Cummins said. He added that Labuschagne needed to focus on surviving difficult periods, rotating the strike and building an innings rather than attempting to find the perfect batting formula. Cummins Confident Ahead of South Africa Series Meanwhile, Cummins has expressed confidence in his fitness after returning to international cricket against Bangladesh following a back stress fracture that restricted him to just one Test during the previous Ashes campaign. The Australia captain has been carefully managed ahead of the South Africa series, bowling only five overs in the final ODI and eight overs during the two-day warm-up match. Despite the limited workload, Cummins said he was feeling physically fresh and was satisfied with his preparation. "Physically I feel really fresh, I feel great," he said, adding that the warm-up match had helped him regain confidence and rhythm. He also stressed that he was no longer concerned about his back or his bowling workload and was ready to focus on the challenge ahead. With the final team combination still undecided, Australia's selection call between Connolly and Maddinson remains one of the key talking points before the Durban Test. The decision will depend on the balance of the batting line-up, the conditions at Kingsmead and Connolly's fitness ahead of the series opener.

New Zealand's promising power-hitter Bevon Jacobs is set to make his Big Bash League (BBL) debut after signing a short-term deal with Brisbane Heat for the upcoming season. Jacobs will join compatriot Tim Robinson at the franchise, replacing English all-rounder Tom Curran, who will miss the start of the competition due to family commitments. Jacobs is scheduled to feature in Brisbane Heat's opening match against Sydney Sixers at home on December 15, followed by away fixtures on December 17 and December 21. Curran is expected to join the squad ahead of the Boxing Day clash against his former team, the Sydney Sixers. The BBL commitments will overlap with New Zealand's domestic red-ball competition, the Plunket Shield, forcing Jacobs to miss Auckland's four-day match against Central Districts, which begins on December 15 in Napier. He will return to Auckland duties after completing his stint in Australia. Tim Robinson Opts for Casual Contract While Jacobs will join Brisbane Heat for a limited period, Tim Robinson has committed to the franchise for the entire BBL season after giving up his domestic contract with Wellington to sign a casual deal. Robinson's decision means he will miss the entire Super Smash season, New Zealand's domestic T20 competition, as well as one Plunket Shield fixture. Following Robinson's departure from his full-time contract, Wellington have handed a permanent deal for the 2026-27 season to 20-year-old fast bowler Ryan Tsourgas. The youngster represented New Zealand at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup and has been part of Wellington's wider squad over the past two domestic seasons. Jacobs Brings Extensive Franchise Cricket Experience Although Jacobs is yet to feature in the BBL, he has already built an impressive record in franchise cricket around the world. His experience includes stints with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), MI Emirates in the ILT20, Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the Caribbean Premier League and Desert Vipers in the Global Super League. The right-handed batter also enjoyed a remarkable run during the previous Super Smash season, scoring five consecutive half-centuries. The achievement saw him equal Devon Conway's record for the most successive fifties by a New Zealand batter in domestic cricket. Jacobs has also demonstrated his ability to perform in Australian conditions. During the 2024 T20 Max competition, he smashed a century off just 40 balls, attracting the attention of the Mumbai Indians' scouting network. More recently, he toured Australia with New Zealand A for the Top End T20s in Darwin in August. Jacobs scored 58 off 30 deliveries against a Hobart Hurricanes Academy attack featuring fast bowler Billy Stanlake and ambidextrous spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan, helping New Zealand A secure victory. Brisbane Heat Excited to Welcome Jacobs Queensland Cricket's general manager of high performance, Bennett King, expressed excitement about Jacobs joining the franchise, highlighting the batter's power-hitting ability and versatility. "Bevon has been on our recruiting lists since he showed his power and skill in the KFC T20 Max a few seasons ago and it's been exciting to see him earn his first international caps since then," King said in a statement. He added that Jacobs had demonstrated his ability to contribute both at the top of the order and as a finisher, expressing confidence that he would make a valuable contribution to Brisbane Heat. India T20Is First on Jacobs' Agenda Before heading to Australia for the BBL, Jacobs will turn his attention to international cricket. He is part of New Zealand's squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, which begins in Christchurch on October 22. The series will provide Jacobs with another opportunity to strengthen his credentials in the shortest format before taking on his new assignment in the BBL. Brisbane Heat Squad Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Tom Curran, Lachlan Hearne, Bevon Jacobs, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Michael Neser, Nathan McSweeney, Matt Renshaw, Tim Robinson, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen and Jack Wildermuth.