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.
Australia has released Nic Maddinson and back-up wicketkeeper Sam Harper from the Test squad ahead of the Cape Town series decider against South Africa. Matthew Renshaw now looks likely to open the batting after Maddinson passed double figures only once in four innings. Steve Smith faces a fitness test on his neck, while Marnus Labuschagne must hold his No.3 spot as Cameron Green and Josh Inglis return from injury. Selectors meet on Monday to finalise the team, with Nathan Lyon a strong contender to return to the side.
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Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters says picking between fullbacks James Tedesco and Reece Walsh is a blessing rather than a headache. Tedesco starred in Australia's 36-22 win over Fiji in Brisbane, while Walsh was a standout in the opening win over New Zealand. Walters praised both players and says a decision will be made before the next match. Australia will face either Samoa or Tonga in the World Cup semi-finals in Sydney on Sunday 8 November.
Josh Inglis is in contention to play as a batter in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, despite recovering from a broken finger. The 31-year-old, Australia's first-choice limited-overs wicketkeeper, has had a stop-start Test career, playing only five of the last 20 Tests. Inglis hopes to replicate Matthew Renshaw's successful middle-order return if selected. He has been adaptable, batting in various positions, and aims to secure a consistent role in the team.
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 lost the second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs on day five, after collapsing with the bat. The defeat leaves the series level and sets up a decider in Cape Town. Steve Smith's aggressive shot in the second session gave South Africa the breakthrough, and the writer says his form is now a concern. Questions are also raised about the team's selection, including whether Beau Webster should make way for Cameron Green if Green is fit.
James Tedesco will be made Kangaroos captain when he takes the field against Fiji on Sunday night at Lang Park in Brisbane. It is his first Test appearance for the Kangaroos since the 2023 Pacific Championship final. Coach Kevin Walters has named four debutants in the 23-man squad, including halfback Sam Walker and centre Bradman Best. Tedesco is set to play at fullback. Reece Walsh, who returned from injury, is among the players on the bench and in the extended squad.
Nelson Bay FC juniors Elke Moltzen and Zoe Wild have been selected for the Newcastle Football Player Development Program. The 10-year-olds impressed selectors with their natural ability at two-day trials in Tarro. Both play for the Nelson Bay under-10 Blizzards under coach Shayne Foster, who said the pair have amazing talent. The girls now train twice a week with the program. Foster's daughter Malia was also selected but declined to focus on dance and athletics.
Australia dropped spinner Nathan Lyon for the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. The selectors have a record of making tough calls, and this one leaves Australia without a frontline spinner in conditions that usually favour spin. Pace bowler Scott Boland took an early wicket by removing Aiden Markram on the first day. Former players have criticised several recent selections, but coach Andrew McDonald says the team's logic is sound and the group is strong enough to handle the criticism.
Kagiso Rabada looks set to play his first competitive match in four-and-a-half months in the second Test against Australia. Captain Temba Bavuma said the fast bowler was available for selection after being released by the fitness team. Rabada missed the first Test with a hamstring strain. South Africa are also weighing changes to their attack, with spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer competing for one spot. Anrich Nortje is also available, and Marques Ackerman and Matthew Breetzke are likely to bat.
Australia are considering playing Scott Boland in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, possibly in place of Nathan Lyon. Thunderstorms and heavy winds are forecast for the first two days of the match at St George's Park. Captain Pat Cummins said the selectors were still working out how to include Boland. Josh Inglis may also come into the team as a specialist batter. Cummins said the weather could affect the pitch and the team's tactics.
Phoebe Litchfield trained at North Sydney Oval on Saturday and will be assessed further before Sunday's first T20 international against New Zealand. The batter is recovering from a hip muscle strain that kept her out of the final one-day match against Bangladesh. Her absence could open a spot for Tahlia McGrath or Alana King. Lucy Hamilton has rejoined the squad after a quad injury, and Megan Schutt is back in contention after a strong one-day series. Coach Shelley Nitschke said Australia hopes Litchfield will be available.
Sophie Molineux has declared herself fit to captain Australia in Sunday's Rose Bowl T20I against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval. She missed the Bangladesh one-dayers with a hip injury. Phoebe Litchfield, who strained a hip muscle, is doubtful and did not attend training on Friday. Lucy Hamilton is also in contention after playing for the Governor-General's XI. Molineux said selection decisions will be difficult given the depth of the squad. The three-match series runs from Sunday to Thursday.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad says his batters were beaten mentally in the 214-run Test loss to Australia in Durban. He said batters threw their wickets away and urged them to learn from Aiden Markram's patient 75 in the fourth innings. Kagiso Rabada is expected back from a hamstring tear for the second Test in Gqeberha on Sunday. Opener Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne could face changes after their dismissals. Conrad said the side needs to get better without reacting in a knee-jerk way.
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Megan Schutt's bowling form has led teammate Tahlia McGrath to back her for a return to the T20 side. Schutt took 10 wickets across three one-day internationals against Bangladesh, which Australia won each time. In the third match she bowled 10 overs straight, taking 4-16. McGrath said Schutt would play a strong role if selected against New Zealand. The first T20 international against the White Ferns is on Sunday, October 18, at North Sydney Oval.
Australia's selectors face a difficult choice before the second Test in Gqeberha, with Cameron Green and Josh Inglis pushing for comebacks. Matthew Renshaw's big Durban Test, including 190 and 82, has left the batting order open. Coach Andrew McDonald said Renshaw and Nic Maddinson could bat anywhere from one to six. Green is progressing from an abdominal strain but cannot bowl, while Inglis is recovering from a broken finger. Captain Pat Cummins and key bowlers are being monitored after heavy workloads.
Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test in Durban, finishing the match on day five. Josh Hazlewood took 6-49 from 16.5 overs, his best figures in Tests, after South Africa had pushed the contest into the second session. Matt Renshaw was named player of the match for his 272 runs and two wickets. South Africa now faces questions over its batting and team selection ahead of the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on Sunday.
Former Liverpool player and pundit Jamie Carragher has called for the club to drop Florian Wirtz, citing poor form in attack. The German forward has scored five Premier League goals since his €125 million move about a year ago and has yet to score this season. Wirtz had two shots and two chances created in 66 minutes against Manchester City, a 3-0 defeat, before being substituted. Carragher said Liverpool needs more goals and chances, and that Ryan Gravenberch should be in the midfield. He also said Wirtz is unlikely to meet the expectations placed on him.
Sydney Roosters players James Tedesco and Sam Walker are widely expected to be left out of Australia's starting lineup for the Rugby League World Cup opener against New Zealand. Coach Kevin Walters is likely to name them on the bench, with Reece Walsh and Mitchell Moses preferred. Australian captain Isaah Yeo said the Roosters players were getting an extra week of rest after a busy NRL finals campaign, and that everyone would get an opportunity. The teams meet on Thursday night at Allianz Stadium, with kick-off at 8:05pm.
