Shafali Verma, only Indian among ICC Player of the Month for December nominees
Shafali’s inclusion comes after a sensational run against Sri Lanka, where the 20-year-old set the tone at the top of the order with fearless strokeplay.
Shafali’s inclusion comes after a sensational run against Sri Lanka, where the 20-year-old set the tone at the top of the order with fearless strokeplay.
On the final morning, Khawaja led the Australian team onto the field on Day 5 as his teammates instinctively held back, allowing him to take in the occasion.
With Usman Khawaja set to retire after the Sydney Test and Nathan Lyon already sidelined through injury, Smith is set to become the oldest player in the Australian XI alongside Scott Boland in the Ashes 2025–26 finale.
Spin has largely been a peripheral factor across the first four Tests, with England opting not to play frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir and Australia’s veteran Nathan Lyon restricted before being ruled out through injury.
Australia currently lead the series 3-1 and have already retained the urn, sealing their fifth consecutive Ashes triumph.
England opener Ben Duckett completed 3,000 Test runs on Saturday.
At the end of the session, England was 77/2, with Crawley (22*) and Jacob Bethell (9*) unbeaten, and the Three Lions left with 98 runs to chase down.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted that, despite Green’s growing experience at the highest level, assessing his overall impact in Test cricket remains a challenge.
Left-handed batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell has been drafted into the side and will slot in at No.3, while fast bowler Gus Atkinson returns after missing the previous Test.
Australia resumed the morning on 271 for 4, with Travis Head and Alex Carey continuing the work that had defined Day 3.
