England captain Ben Stokes has urged his side to “show a bit of dog” as they prepare for a must-win third Ashes Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, with the five-match series hanging delicately in the balance. Trailing 0-2 after heavy defeats in Perth and Brisbane, England face a familiar yet daunting challenge, one that Stokes believes his team is mentally equipped to handle.

Drawing parallels with the 2023 Ashes in England, where his side bounced back from a similar deficit, Stokes insisted that the clarity of the task remains unchanged. “We’ve been in this position before,” he said on the eve of the Test. “Everyone knows what needs to happen. If anything, it makes things simpler and clearer.”

Rather than viewing the situation as pressure-filled, Stokes believes the deficit has sharpened England’s focus. He dismissed any suggestion that the players now owe him or the management a response for their backing, stressing trust over obligation. “These are the moments where the players you back are trusted to deliver,” he said. “I would never say you owe me. Go out, back yourself, and do what needs to be done.”

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If any team can do it, this team can.

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 16, 2025

Backing you to have a BIG week, JT! 👊🔥

Hear from Ben Stokes on our preparation, fight, belief, the Oval pitch and much more ahead of the 3rd Test 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 16, 2025

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Show a bit of dog Stokes challenges England ahead of Adelaide Test

Stokes pointed to England’s Lord’s Test win against India earlier this year as an example of how intensity and confrontation can spark a response. “That’s fight to me,” he explained. “Looking your opposition in the eye and showing a bit of dog gives you the best chance.”

England have made just one change for Adelaide, recalling Josh Tongue in place of Gus Atkinson, while sticking with Will Jacks as the spinning all-round option ahead of Shoaib Bashir. Despite questions around selection, Stokes made it clear that mindset matters more than personnel. 

“We’ve had proper, meaningful conversations,” he said. “All the talking is done now. What matters is what gets shown on the field.” With England winless in Australia for 15 years and the series on the line, Stokes’ message is clear: resilience, fight, and belief must now translate into performance.

Few young cricketers have experienced a career arc quite like Jake Fraser-McGurk. At just 23, the explosive Australian opener has already tasted dizzying highs and humbling lows across the world’s biggest T20 leagues. Speaking on The Surge: Big Bash Podcast, Fraser-McGurk reflected candidly on how the pressure to deliver instant fireworks in the IPL affected his game and shaped his outlook ahead of a fresh chapter.

Fraser-McGurk burst onto the global stage during IPL 2024 with Delhi Capitals, smashing 330 runs in nine innings at a staggering strike rate of 234. Four half-centuries and fearless strokeplay made him an overnight sensation. But the following season told a different story. In IPL 2025, the right-hander managed just 55 runs from six matches, eventually losing his place in the side.

Looking back, Fraser-McGurk admitted that expectations, both internal and external, played a major role. With packed stadiums in Delhi and fans demanding a six from ball one, he felt trapped by his own reputation. Trying harder only made things worse. The key lesson, he says, was learning to “cool your jets”, trust the process and accept that success doesn’t repeat itself automatically.

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Lessons learned drive Fraser-McGurk’s push for consistency before IPL 2026

That realisation comes at a crucial time. Released by Delhi Capitals, Fraser-McGurk will enter the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi with a base price of INR 2 crore. While recent numbers across T20 leagues have been modest, his raw power and X-factor still make him an attractive prospect for franchises seeking an aggressive top-order option.

Before the auction spotlight returns, Fraser-McGurk’s immediate focus is the Big Bash League. Preparing for his sixth BBL season with the Melbourne Renegades, he believes the squad has the balance and depth to challenge for the title. More importantly, it offers him a platform to rediscover rhythm without the weight of expectation.

Wiser from experience, Fraser-McGurk now understands that longevity at the top isn’t built on constant sixes, but on adaptability, patience and growth, lessons learned the hard way, but learned early.

While Australia have a scheduled plan to host Pakistan for a T20I series before the beginning of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Cricket Australia (CA) is rethinking the tour and is looking for safety first before taking a final decision on the tour, which is expected to be played in January 2026. 

Islamabad blast shook Pakistan once again

About a month ago, when Sri Lanka were on a busy tour in Pakistan, a suicide bombing in Islamabad shook the world once again, significantly the Lankan team. That incident killed at least 12 people and injured at least 25 people. It was the time of the ODI series, which was held before the T20I tri-series between the hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

Some Sri Lankan players were considering returning home soon after that incident, where the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had to intervene strongly to avoid any series cancellation. 

Although the ODI series and later T20I tri-series ended successfully, the security was very tight. Even a later video revealed how security was so tight during the Sri Lankan team's travel to the hotel from the practice session, which seemed like top-tier security. Rawalpindi hosted the ODI series and the T20I tri-series. 

As the Islamabad blast happened, Cricket Australia (CA) is monitoring the present situation. Australia have a plan to tour Pakistan for a T20I series in January 2026, and later they will tour again in Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in March 2026, after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. 

While India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from February 7 and March 8, 2026, the T20I series will be an important preparation for both Pakistan and Australia. 

Watch: Aakash Chopra makes fun of Sahibzada Farhan's recently released documentary during IND vs SA 1st T20I

Cricket Australia sent delegation to assess Lahore situation

Although the final official fixture is yet to be published, Lahore is likely to host the upcoming T20I series against Australia. The CA has sent a delegation to assess the present situation in Lahore. It seems like the final decision on the Australia tour of Pakistan can be taken after the delegation report, which has an independent security advisor, a representative from the Australian Cricketers’ Association, and officials from the Australian High Commission.

The delegation will reportedly visit Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground, along with the team hotel and commute routes.

Reports suggest that Australia’s star batter Mitchell Marsh is preparing to retire from the Sheffield Shield, marking the end of his domestic red-ball career. The 34-year-old, who is currently playing in the ongoing season, has struggled for runs and is expected to hang up his boots once the season concludes. Nine newspapers reported the news first and added that Marsh is still open to playing international cricket if opportunities arise.

Despite plans for domestic retirement, Marsh has shown interest in returning to the Test side. He has not featured in a Test match since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024, but selectors reportedly considered him as an option when Australia were searching for openers ahead of the second Test. This indicates that Marsh is still on the radar for national duties.

However, his poor run in the current Sheffield Shield season raises doubts about his Test comeback. With only 13 runs across two innings for Western Australia, Marsh has had a tough campaign. His form, combined with his decision to retire from the Shield, suggests that a return to Test cricket may be unlikely.

Marsh Struggles for Runs as Red-Ball Future Remains Uncertain

Mitchell Marsh has played just two innings in this season’s Sheffield Shield, scoring a total of 13 runs. He is expected to next represent Western Australia in February against Tasmania at 8:00 AM IST, although by then the remaining Ashes matches will already be completed. This timeline further reduces his chances of a test recall.

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With his domestic red-ball retirement reportedly imminent, Marsh may also soon make an official announcement. While he remains open to an Ashes return, his current form and limited opportunities indicate that his Test comeback hopes may not materialize.

Under the pink-ball glow at Manuka Oval, 20-year-old Sam Konstas delivered one of the funniest moments of the Australian summer. The New South Wales opener- handed the ball for the very first time in professional cricket during the Prime Minister’s XI warm-up match against England, sent down a waist-high full toss with his debut delivery. England opener Emilio Gay wasted no invitation, swatting it to the boundary as teammate Doug Warren attempted a desperate, sliding stop that only added to the comedy.

Konstas, who earlier crafted a steady 36 off 53 balls, hadn’t bowled since his junior days as a leg-spinner. Now a top-order dasher with only part-time off-spin in his locker, his sudden introduction with the ball was unexpected, and the outcome even more so. The clip, posted by cricket.com.au, quickly went viral, drawing over 170k views and a mix of sympathy and playful mockery online. As one commentator joked, “That’s one way to announce yourself!”

watch the video:

Sam Konstas' first ball in professional cricket went as you'd expect 🫣 #PMXIvENG pic.twitter.com/kdQRwDWxOG

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 30, 2025

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From Sheffield Shield prodigy to bowling blooper, Konstas delivers a moment to remember

Despite the mishap, Konstas is no stranger to pressure. Born in Kogarah and mentored by Shane Watson, he has risen rapidly over the past 18 months. In October 2024, he became the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to score twin Sheffield Shield centuries, before blasting 107 off 97 balls against India in last year’s PM’s XI. His fearless Test debut on Boxing Day 2024 - 60 off 52 against Jasprit Bumrah, cemented him as one of Australia’s brightest batting prospects.

The two-day fixture, England’s lone tune-up before the Gabba Test, saw the PM’s XI declare at 308-8, thanks to Campbell Kellaway’s 82, Nathan McSweeney’s 63, and Ollie Peake’s 54. England closed the day on 30-0, trailing by 278.

For Konstas, the over that went for 10 runs will likely remain nothing more than a light-hearted footnote. Australia’s selectors still view him as a long-term attacking option at the top, proof that in cricket, even a comical first ball doesn’t derail a rising career. After all, every great story starts with a wobble.

Cricket's pinnacle and ultimate format - 'The Test' - is stunning. It has several dimensions associated with it that make it second to none, and glorify its aesthetics. From the tough grind of five days, braving variable conditions and the ebbs and flows, to the sheer intensity of battles, the format is synonymous with life. It examines the players on their skills, tenacity, patience and perseverance. The real growth in a player occurs when the performance at the elite level is matched with consistency, and the red ball game is a great teacher of that subject. 

One such beautiful aspect of the longest format of the game is 'Pace Bowling'. Speed, thrill, goosebumps, fieriness, aggression, lethality, impact, etc, are some of the superlatives that describe it. Further, proverbs like 'Smell the Leather', 'Perfume Ball', 'Chin Music', among others, have been used as colloquial sayings in Test Cricket. They are all its indispensable parts.

A bowler, adorning the whites, marking his run-up, striding ahead with firm steps, the ball like a red cherry in his hands, arriving at the wicket and the popping crease, extending his levers, snapping his wrist, releasing the ball with immense pace to kiss the surface, and then that ball reaching the batter like a tracer-bullet, is a sight to behold.

Add to that the crowd rooting for him, and the entire scenario becomes a spectacle and a piece of art. It would be perfect to call it 'Poetry in Motion', after all, it's merely about rhythm, flow, momentum and resonance. The better these are, the higher the chances of the ball obeying the bowler's commands, making the batters dance accordingly with them. 

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This leads us to an intriguing question - 'Which has been the best pace bowling trio in the history of Test Cricket?' and how do numbers complement those players who are part of the said set. The eras that were decorated by their immaculate and fearful bowling, the comparison between them and their contemporary counterparts, and the legacy they had built for the current generations to take a cue from - all these shall aid in ranking the trios and provide an enriching insight into the folklore of bowling in Test Cricket. 

It is vital to mention that pace pairs are more common in a Test side. To support this assertion, one must look at the incisive swing bowling duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis of Pakistan, and the English pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Finding and getting three such bowlers involved in the same team is a rarity. This includes only pure quicks and excludes fast bowling all-rounders.

However, in the 1970s-80s, the West Indies team were blessed and privileged to have a deadly bowling arsenal which was a pentad - a set of five. It was made up of the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, and Colin Croft. They featured regularly and bowled in tandem. Back then, there used to be no respite from any end. The batters did not get any discounts, and each one of those who faced them was like a deer in the headlights. 

Marshall, Garner, Holding

The trio of Marshall, Garner and Holding played 26 Test matches together and amassed 331 wickets at a frightening average of 22.51. They operated as a group for a span of 7-8 years during the 1980s. Their fast bowling exploits brought glory to the West Indies, and consequently, the team ruled the game by a handsome margin over others. 

Ambrose, Bishop, Walsh

During the 1990s, the Caribbean Test Cricket team boasted a potent trio of fast bowlers in Ambrose, Bishop, and Walsh. They shared their 412 wickets almost identically and democratically. They are, in fact, believed to be more lethal than their predecessors. 

McGrath, Gillespie, Lee

At the start of the century, Australia dominated World Cricket with elegance and pride. At the heart of the matter were the trio of McGrath, Gillespie, and Lee. In 22 matches, they scalped 243 wickets at an average of 28.47, as a unit. Moreover, among those 22 games, they won 15 and lost just three. 

Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison

Going neck and neck with their arch-rivals, Australia, England put across an impressive pace trio of Flintoff, Hoggard, and Harmison. During the same period and in 33 matches together, they struck 383 times. At home, they were almost unbeatable as they recorded 11 wins, 3 draws and just one loss. This included the famous Ashes series win in 2005. 

Steyn, Morkel, Philander

In the phase between 2011 and 2018, South Africa's red-ball bowling was spearheaded by three of the best quicks of this generation. Steyn breathed fire with his impeccable 'seam and swing' skills, Philander was consistently sharp, incisive and immaculate with his line and lengths, and Morkel extracted steep bounce courtesy of his height. As a combination, they were a nightmare for the opposition batters and were responsible for the Proteas holding the Test Mace during this period. Additionally, they ensured a perfect away record, winning 13 tests together, outside South Africa.  

Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood

Australia's current big three in Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood have become the epitome of pace bowling and are recognised as ambassadors of Test Cricket. They bear a knack for searching for different yet successful ways to challenge the batters. Their presence has made their home, Down Under, a fortress and difficult to breach. Each one of them has bagged more than 150 wickets in 38 matches together, so far. Cumulatively, they have hunted down 466 batters by victimising them at an effectively paltry average of 24.50. 

Boult, Southee, Wagner

The New Zealand trio of Boult, Southee, and Wagner are statistically head and shoulders above everyone else. Playing together, in 40 matches, the Kiwis relished and dismissed the opposition batters an astounding 535 times, making them perish at an average of 25.98. They also possess symmetrical bowling numbers. Further, their mean of 13.38 wickets, together, per game makes them, hands down, way ahead of all the other names mentioned. 

Australian bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen has pulled out of the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega-auction owing to a shoulder injury that has troubled her for several months. Franchises were formally informed of her withdrawal during the WPL’s pre-auction briefing held on Wednesday, November 26.

Jonassen has been a vital presence for the Delhi Capitals Women across the first three seasons of the league, delivering consistently with both ball and bat. Over her WPL career, she has collected 33 wickets, the most by any DC player, and earned five Player of the Match awards, second only to Harmanpreet Kaur. With more than 10 wickets in each of her first two seasons and nine in the third, alongside 295 runs at a strike rate of 138.49, her absence is a significant setback for the auction pool. She was listed at a base price of INR 30 lakh for the 2026 mega-auction.

Injuries and fitness updates shape team strategies for the WPL 2026 mega-auction

The WPL also notified franchises about the fitness concerns of three Indian players: batter Pratika Rawal, wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia and seamer VJ Joshitha. Although all three remain in the auction list, they cannot be counted toward the mandatory 15-player squad requirement, and teams picking them will not be allowed replacements. Rawal has set a base price of INR 50 lakh, Bhatia at INR 30 lakh, and Joshitha at INR 10 lakh.

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India pacer Pooja Vastrakar, listed at a base price of INR 50 lakh, has been deemed not fully fit but will still take part in the auction. Meanwhile, promising quick Kashvee Gautam, priced at INR 30 lakh, has been declared fully fit and available.

The WPL 2026 mega-auction marks a significant milestone for the league, with 277 players registering for 73 available slots, 50 for Indian players and 23 for overseas signings. Each franchise can assemble a squad of up to 18 players, including a maximum of six overseas cricketers. The auction will open with a marquee set featuring global stars such as Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Amelia Kerr, Laura Wolvaardt, and India’s own Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh, before moving into the accelerated rounds.

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have made significant progress in their recoveries, returning to bowling ahead of the second Ashes Test, which starts on December 4. Both fast bowlers had missed the opening Test in Perth, which Australia won by eight wickets. Their return to training has boosted hopes of a stronger pace attack for the upcoming matches.

The duo was seen bowling at Cricket Central in Sydney while New South Wales were facing Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield game. Hazlewood is working his way back from a hamstring injury, while Cummins has been recovering from a back issue. During the training session, Hazlewood used the red ball and Cummins bowled with the pink ball, signalling preparation for different match conditions.

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald shared updates on both players. He confirmed that Hazlewood will definitely feature at some point in the series. Regarding Cummins, McDonald said he is progressing well but the team will be careful not to rush him. The coach stressed that they want to avoid pushing Cummins too quickly and risking further injury.

McDonald Shares Injury Timeline and Selection Possibilities

"I know that he'll be available at some point during the series. We've got a little bit of that early rehab to go through to formulate where he may plug into the series, but we expect him to take some part in the series. It looked like a player that was nearing the completion of his rehabilitation. The intensity was there, the ball speed was there. There's a lot of positives, but now it's just really building that resilience within the soft tissue and making sure that we're not putting him in harm's way in terms of accelerating it too much," stated McDonald, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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While Cummins has a chance of returning for the pink-ball Test, Hazlewood is expected to be fully available from the third Test onward. If both return, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett are likely to make way despite their strong performances in Perth. Mitchell Starc was the standout bowler in the first Test, taking a 10-wicket match haul and earning Player of the Match for his exceptional effort.

Travis Head has a reputation for changing the tempo of a match within a handful of overs. But on a fiery Perth surface in the opening Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series, he unleashed arguably the most destructive knock of his career. Facing a tricky target of 205 after Australia were rattled by Ben Stokes’ spell earlier in the match, Head walked out to open and simply tore England apart.

The left-hander smashed 123 runs from just 83 balls, peppering the boundaries with 16 fours and four sixes, and turned what could have been a tense chase into a statement victory. Australia romped home by eight wickets inside two days, a rare instance of Ashes carnage finishing before the weekend truly began.

Along the way, Head not only thrilled the Perth crowd but also rewrote several chapters of cricket’s record books. Here are the five milestone achievements from his unforgettable century.

1 Second-fastest century in Ashes history

Head needed only 69 balls to reach his hundred, placing him among the absolute best in 147 years of Ashes rivalry. The only name ahead of him? The legendary Adam Gilchrist, who smashed a 57-ball hundred at the very same venue back in 2006.

Gilchrist ended unbeaten on 102 from 59 deliveries that day, a knock that still lives in Ashes folklore. Head’s innings now joins that elite stratosphere, highlighting the modern Australian approach of fearless, counterattacking cricket when the pressure is on.

2 Fastest fourth-innings hundred in Test cricket

Chasing in Test matches is a mental test, the scoreboard pressure, fielders around the bat, every mistake magnified. But Head made the fourth innings look like a Saturday afternoon net session.

He broke a 122-year-old record, surpassing Gilbert Jessop, whose 76-ball hundred at The Oval in 1902 had stood untouched for generations. Head’s strike-first intent turned a competitive chase into a sprint and left England with no time to react or reset their plans.

3 Joint-fastest Test hundred by an opening batter

Head’s attacking instincts have transformed him into a dynamic Test opener. With his 69-ball ton, he now shares the fastest century by a Test opener with another Australian power-hitter: David Warner - 69 balls vs India, Perth, 2012

Warner went big in that innings with 180. Head matched the speed and nearly matched the punch, proof that Perth continues to be a playground for Aussie stroke makers.

ALSO SEE: Taijul Islam breaks Shakib Al Hasan's all-time Test record for Bangladesh

4 Highest strike rate ever in a successful Test run chase

Head played like he was chasing a T20 total, not one set by arch-rivals England in the Ashes. His 123 off 83 balls came at a staggering 148.19 strike rate, now the all-time highest while successfully chasing in Tests.

He overtook England’s Jonny Bairstow, who set the previous record with a 147.82 strike rate while hunting down 299 against New Zealand in 2022. This was pure domination, England bowled short, full, wide, straight… but nothing slowed him down.

5 Joint third-fastest century by an Australian in Test cricket

Australia has produced some of the most aggressive batters in Test history - Gilchrist, Warner, Hayden… and now Head comfortably sits among those giants.

Fastest hundreds by Australians in Tests:

1. Adam Gilchrist - 57 balls (2006 vs England)
2. JM Gregory - 67 balls (1921 vs South Africa)
3. Travis Head - 69 balls (2025 vs England)
   David Warner - 69 balls (2012 vs India)

For Head to be tied on that list shows just how much of a game-breaker he has become.

A knock that defines a modern Ashes era

This innings wasn’t just about records, it was a statement:

• England had sniffed a famous win after Stokes’ fiery spell
• The pitch was lively and the match finely poised
• Head turned pressure into fireworks

In less than 29 overs, Australia sealed an eight-wicket win in a Test that lasted barely two days, a rarity in Ashes history.

The Travis Head effect

Head has made a habit of producing match-turning centuries at high tempo, his Ashes hundred at Brisbane in 2021 being another example. But this one felt definitive, a declaration that in this rivalry, Australia have a new tone-setter. If this is how the series has begun, England’s bowlers could be in for a long, or perhaps very short, few weeks.

On this day (November 21, 2017), the women's team of Australia retained their title through a multiple-format Ashes series. The day-night test at the North Sydney Oval remained drawn, while the Aussies emerged as the winner in two ODIs and one T20I match.

In the Test match, which ended in a draw, Ellyse Perry turned her maiden Test century into a double hundred. During the three-match T20I series, it was opener Beth Mooney who turned most of the limelight on her as she scored 220 runs from three matches.

In the third T20I in Canberra, which was the final match of the series as well, Mooney registered 117 not out against 70 balls. In reply, England Women's team star Danni Wyatt played a match-winning knock (100 off 57). It was the first ton by an English batter in Women's T20. With the two hundreds, a hundred each from both teams, resulted in a high-scoring encounter, which was also a record for women's T20Is.

Read More: Watch: Uncapped Indian chinaman spinner in Mumbai Indians trials ahead of IPL 2026

England fought well but Australia took the title home

Despite England's heroic performance in the 3rd T20I, Australia won the contest, as they won the previous two matches in a row. Despite driving over some rough patches, Australia crossed the finish line safely and claimed the title, which matters the most.

After the match, Rachael Haynes, captain of the Australian women's team, said, "It's a huge privilege to be asked to captain the country; I have been well-supported by the team. We've had a couple of hiccups, but there have been plenty of positives as a group. Irrespective of what happens today, some exciting times."