Get the appCaptains Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma have spoken ahead of the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, which is level at 1-1. Cummins said life has changed a lot since he was 12th man at the 2011 Cape Town Test, when Australia were bowled out for 47. Bavuma, who grew up in the Langa township, said he had felt doubts during his early years and that South Africa are motivated to right the result of their last series in Australia.
Steve Smith abruptly left a training session in Cape Town after a neck issue continued to trouble him. Captain Pat Cummins said Australia had yet to settle on its XI for the series decider, describing Smith's fitness as the last piece of the puzzle. Smith was seen grimacing and stretching his neck during nets, and he spoke with coach Andrew McDonald and selection chair George Bailey before leaving. The 37-year-old has battled several ailments during the series. Cummins said the team remained open to all options.
Australia is set to make at least three changes to the side beaten by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha for the series decider in Cape Town. Channel 7 reports that Beau Webster and Scott Boland will be replaced, while Nic Maddinson has already been dropped. Nathan Lyon, Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly are set to come in. Matthew Renshaw is expected to open alongside Travis Head. Steve Smith must pass a final fitness test on his neck but is expected to play.
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Get the appGerald Coetzee will make his Test return for South Africa in the third match against Australia at Newlands. The 26-year-old replaces Anrich Nortje, who injured his groin after bowling only 3.3 overs in the second Test. Captain Temba Bavuma said Coetzee's consistent pace above 140kph earned him the spot. It will be Coetzee's first Test in almost two years. Keshav Maharaj misses out again, with Simon Harmer retained as the spinner.
Australia are weighing several changes for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, with the batting order under close scrutiny. Steve Smith has had a restricted preparation because of a neck issue that flared up in Gqeberha, and he has passed 30 only once in the series. Selectors must also decide on Marnus Labuschagne at No.3 and on Scott Boland, who impressed in the second Test. Lyon could return if the pitch is flatter, though Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood look difficult to drop.
Cameron Green is almost certain to be picked for the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, after missing the first two matches. The all-rounder has been cleared to play as a specialist batter only, as he is still unable to bowl. He suffered a lower abdominal tear during the final one-day match in Potchefstroom on 30 September. Green said he was surprised by how quickly the injury had healed. Selectors must still decide whether he bats at number five or whether Matthew Renshaw moves up to open alongside Travis Head. The series is tied 1-1.
Australia and South Africa meet in the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town, with the series tied 1-1. South Africa won the second Test by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha, after Australia had won the first in Durban. The match begins on Tuesday 27 October and is available live on Kayo Sports, with no ads, and on Fox Cricket. It is not being shown on free-to-air television in Australia. Play starts at 10:30 am local time, which is 7:30 pm in Eastern Daylight Time.
NSW batter Sam Konstas hit 149 off 131 balls to lead his side to a 78-run One-Day Cup win over Western Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth on Saturday. NSW posted 8-371, with Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards and Lachlan Shaw also contributing. Sam Whiteman made 116 for WA, but the home side were bowled out for 293 in 46.3 overs. The result left WA with a 0-3 record and NSW in second spot with a 3-1 record. Konstas has now scored two centuries in four days.
South Africa and Australia are level at 1-1 in their Test series, with the decider set for Newlands in Cape Town from October 27 to 31. Play starts at 10:30am local time, or 7:30pm AEDT. All matches are broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket, with radio coverage from ABC and SEN. South Africa are expected to keep most of their winning side after their second Test win, though Anrich Nortje is out with a groin injury. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are fit again for Australia.
Travis Head says Steve Smith will be fine ahead of the deciding third Test at Newlands in Cape Town. Smith has struggled through the first two Tests against South Africa, with a neck injury and a concussion scare. His batting has yet to pass 30 in the series. Head pointed to Smith's record in big matches, including his strong return at Edgbaston in 2019. The third Test starts on October 27.
Sri Lanka beat England by two wickets in their one-day tri-series match in Pakistan, chasing down a huge total. Harry Brook scored 202 off 114 deliveries, the first double century by an England batter in one-day internationals. England had posted 4-429. Pavan Rathnayake scored 130 for Sri Lanka, and Janith Liyanage hit a six off the penultimate ball to seal the win. England now face a must-win situation for a place in next weekend's final in Lahore.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma says his best win in charge may still come in the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town. His innings of 179 helped the Proteas beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha. Bavuma said the team now has to protect its momentum after a 214-run loss in Durban was a wake-up call. The third Test begins next Tuesday, and South Africa is seeking to extend its unbeaten run in home series dating back to 2020.
Scott Boland's strong performance has left Australia's selectors weighing a difficult choice for the third Test in Cape Town. Boland took five wickets in the second Test in Gqeberha and batted through two nightwatch sessions. Captain Pat Cummins praised his efforts and said he could not have done more. Selectors must now decide whether to play four seamers or return to three quicks and Nathan Lyon, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc the likely players to make way. Newlands has favoured seamers in the past, which could also keep Lyon on the bench.
Australia slumped to an innings defeat against South Africa in Gqeberha, leaving the series tied 1-1 ahead of the Third Test in Cape Town. Rain delays cost 145 overs across the match. Travis Head scored a century and was one of few bright spots for the Australian batters. Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw struggled, and selectors face questions over several places in the side. Scott Boland was the team's most effective bowler, taking five wickets and batting for more than three hours in the second innings.
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha, levelling the two-Test series. Australia lost 19 wickets over the final two days at St George's Park. Travis Head scored 121 off 190 balls, the only batter to offer sustained resistance on the final day. Kagiso Rabada took four wickets and Wiaan Mulder took three. The series now moves to the third Test in Cape Town next week.
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Get the appAustralia have won the women's T20 series 2-0 against New Zealand after the third match in Sydney was abandoned without a ball being bowled past the powerplay. Rain ended play at North Sydney Oval, with New Zealand at 2-11 when the players left the field. Australia retain the Rose Bowl trophy, which they have held for more than 26 years. The two sides meet again in a three-game one-day series in Canberra and Melbourne in March.
Injured Joel Paris and wicketkeeper Joel Curtis batted through 28 overs to save a draw for Western Australia against NSW at the WACA Ground. Chasing 364 for victory, WA had slumped to 9-205 before the pair refused to take easy runs. Paris, batting at No.11 with a runner after hurting his hamstring, finished on 25 not out, while Curtis was unbeaten on 19. NSW dominated the match but could not dismiss the final batter. Sam Konstas was named player of the match for his knocks of 71 and 151 not out.
Sophie Molineux and new coach Gavan Twining want the Renegades to play an aggressive, bold style of T20 cricket in the WBBL. The club's list includes Georgia Wareham, West Indies stars Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin, and South African Chloe Tryon. Tayla Vlaeminck returns after not playing a match for the club since 2018. The Renegades are expected to be sold by next season, so this is their last campaign in their current form.
Tasmania beat Victoria by four runs to win a Sheffield Shield match in Hobart. Gabe Bell took six second innings wickets, including the final two, to seal the Tigers' first win of the season. Victoria were bowled out for 266, just short of their 271-run target. It is the narrowest winning margin by runs in the competition's 134-year history. Ben McDermott was named player of the match for his first-innings century.
Smith required medical treatment on his neck and stayed in the sheds during Australia's follow-on but is expected to bat if needed on day five