In a major twist before the Ashes, Australia has released Travis Head from its T20I squad against India to get ready for the Test series. The explosive left-handed batsman will miss the last two T20Is to play South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Hobart next week, his first first-class match since the tour of the West Indies in July. 

The decision apparently was left to Head, who decided to have productive practice in red-ball format heading into the Ashes. The 31-year-old has a key spot in Australia's T20I setup, but chose preparation in long format instead of limited overs cricket. The No. 5 spot in Australia's Test setup is critical and he will be a major player with his counter-attacking style in the middle order when the Ashes start.

Head is a player who is going through a lean period in white-ball cricket, as he has only scored a top score of 31 runs after hitting a brilliant 142 against South Africa during the month of August. On the ongoing tour to India, he has scored just 34 runs at an average of 17 in T20Is and 65 runs in three ODIs. He is likely to be replaced by either Matthew Short or Josh Philippe as an opening partner for Mitchell Marsh in the other two matches. 

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Hazlewood, Abbott, and Sangha Released for Domestic Duties as Australia Eye Strong Finish to T20I Series

Meanwhile, in the past day, senior players have been released from the squad to focus on their domestic commitments. Fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott will feature for New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the SCG. Hazlewood had already finished his two-match T20I involvement, but Abbott's exit will allow left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis to return to the squad after recovering from a calf injury.

Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has also been given permission to play for NSW in the One-Day Cup before rejoining the national team for the fourth T20I on the Gold Coast. The T20I series is now tied at 1-1 after India claimed a five-wicket victory in Hobart, setting up an exciting conclusion to the last two games. 

Australia T20I Squad (for remaining matches): Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Wade, Tim David, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short/Josh Philippe, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Jason Behrendorff.

Umpires do make mistakes while making decisions, but they rarely accept the mistake and go a step ahead to overturn the decision. Such an incident took place during the Sheffield Shield 2025-26 from the WACA ground in Perth for the red-ball domestic clash between New South Wales and Western Australia. There was an extraordinary couple of minutes that stunned the entire crowd and the commentators.

Matthew Kelly went for a short ball as Chris Green wasn’t able to keep the ball down, having failed to duck the short ball. The Australia batter fell on the ground as the umpire raised his finger. Green complained of something slowly making its way outside the ground. However, the umpires met in the middle to go through a discussion.

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The replays showed that the ball actually didn’t come off the gloves but off the helmet. That was when the umpire asked Green to stop and went to the WA side, perhaps to admit his mistake, and asked if they would be comfortable if he overturned his decision.

Watch: Umpire overturns his decision to bring back Chris Green during Sheffield Shield 2025-26

The home side’s captain and other players had a couple of minutes’ discussion before the umpire changed his decision and recalled the batter. The crowd clapped, but it was a never-scene moment. Green later got dismissed for 28 runs in 45 balls at a strike rate of 62.22, with the help of two boundaries and one six.

The umpire overturned his own decision ⁉️
Chris Green wasn't happy after being signalled out caught behind (twice)... until the eventually changed his mind. Was the correct call made in the end?#cricket #sheffieldshield pic.twitter.com/oLU4IknkSU

— Kayo Sports (@kayosports) October 6, 2025

New South Wales got bowled out for 170 runs in the first innings, with Willam Salzmann ending with the highest individual score of 43 runs in 72 balls with the help of six boundaries. WA fell short of the score by 11 runs as Ryan Hadley picked up five wickets.

Batting continues to get tough in the second innings as New South Wales lost six wickets even before crossing 150 runs. Salzmann made 40 runs in 94 balls at a strike rate of 42.55, shouldering on six boundaries as the current stand crossed 60 runs for the seventh wicket with Charles Stobo.

Australia all-rounder Beau Webster is eager to keep himself in Ashes contention by continuing to pile on performances at home, starting with the Sheffield Shield.

The 30-year-old has made a positive start to his Test career, scoring four half-centuries in seven Tests played on difficult surfaces. However, Webster knows there's no certainty at the top level of the game. "When you're at the top level, you're scrapping just to hang on to your spot," Webster said on Hobart after returning from a county stint following the West Indies Tests.

The Tasmanian all-rounder is aware of the competition, especially with Cameron Green. The tall right-hander believes Green's return to full bowling duties this summer could put the spotlight back on him, fighting for a spot in Australia's middle-order. "With all the wonderful cricketers around the country, and especially a guy like Cameron Green... he's obviously going to be back bowling this summer, which will put a little bit more pressure on my spot at No. 6 as the all-rounder. But I welcome it."

Runs in the Shield will be key for the all-rounder’s Ashes ambitions

Selectors will also need to navigate the balance of Marnus Labuschagne’s role, with the seasoned batter prepared to bounce around the order to fit in the XI. That flexibility, along with Green's return, means that Webster could perhaps be the most debated position of the Australian setup as they prepare for a five-Test Ashes series kick-starting in Perth on November 21.

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For Webster, it is about taking on the domestic red-ball scene in the meantime. This has given Webster hope with four Shield matches to play and an enormous opportunity to enhance his credentials. "I feel like I've been in this position many times in my career, where I've needed to score runs to either get to the next level or maintain my position on the team. It's certainly not new. I'm really looking forward to showing what I can do again at Shield level and hopefully lining up in the first Ashes Test in Perth.”

The all-rounder has a realistic mindset about his record to date. While he has produced gutsy contributions, he still does not have a maiden Test hundred. He thinks a hundred would be a good head of selection. "I feel like I have scored some tough runs. But I don't have a hundred next to my name, which I would have preferred. I feel like I was batting as well as I have in a number of those innings. I feel like I have the tools to be successful this summer in the Ashes with what England will probably throw at me."

Mitchell Starc had already celebrated his milestone 100th Test and 400th wicket this year – which Ricky Ponting deemed a legacy for Australian cricket – but the focus now shifts to the next evolution of cricketers, who are trying to seize their own moment in the spotlight. 

For Webster, the formula to be selected is evident: runs, consistency, and fighting spirit in the Shield to get the selectors to pick him. If he does do that, the Ashes would be a career-high point for Webster to really prove himself.

The former Sri Lankan Test player turned coach Dulip Samaraweera finds himself embroiled in a soup as Cricket Australia has slapped yet another ban on him following his allegations of offensive behavior towards another player while coaching.  Samaraweera, who was previously handed a 20-year ban from the governing body due to his inappropriate conduct towards a female player faces another allegation this time around.

Unmasking the details of his second offense as a coach

The second offense that was supposedly committed by him was as a private coach while he was employed by Cricket Victoria. Although Samaraweera dismissed all the claims but refrained from partaking in the investigation. Hence, as a result, a decision was made by Cricket Australia to ban the Sri Lankan coach for another 10 years for violating the game's code of conduct.

The 10-year ban will be cumulatively added to his already-persisting 20-year ban which will effectively exclude Samaraweera from the domestic coaching circuit till 2044 when he will be 72. Australian Associated Press (AAP) acknowledges that neither complainant has chosen to take the matter further and pursue criminal charges at this time.

However, Samaraweera's news on player misconduct drew a strong response from Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins who deemed his actions "utterly reprehensible" and "a betrayal of everything we stand for". His comments came once Cricket Australia concluded the findings of its initial investigation in September. Cummins stressed that the safety and the psychological well-being of every member at Cricket Victoria is of primary importance. to him.

He further admitted that his administration is committed to helping the affected player in every possible manner and will go to all lengths to help the victim materialize her dreams both on and off the field. 

"From an organization perspective, the safety and well-being of everyone at Cricket Victoria is paramount. We will not tolerate any behavior which compromises that position, or our people, and will always support our culture of speaking up. The victim in this case has demonstrated incredible strength of character and courage in speaking up. She will continue to receive our ongoing support to allow her to achieve her goals on and off the field."

A look into Samaraweera's professional cricketing career

Samaraweera was born in the capital city of Colombo and represented Sri Lanka in seven Tests between 1993 and 1995 before transitioning into coaching. The seven-time Test representative, dedicated nearly 16 years to Cricket Victoria's women's program, serving as a longstanding assistant coach for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL, prior to her resignation in May. The 42-year-old served as the assistant coach for the Starts from the inaugural WBBL season in 2015 and subsequently went on to serve as Victoria's interim head coach for most of last summer.

Samaraweera was poised to take up a full-time coaching role for Cricket Victoria but resigned in May as the current policies in place barred him from hiring his brother Thilan to the coaching staff.

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South Australia 314 (Hunt 136, McInerney 51, Whitney 5-57) and 0 for 1 lead Queensland 308 (Peirson 94, McDermott 52) by six runs

Young Pacer Tom Whitney etched his name in Queensland's Sheffield Shield record books, before helping them with the bat in their 1st innings.

Whitney became the first Queenslander in 38 years to claim a five-wicket haul on debut with his 5 for 60 and created history. South Australia were dismissed for 314 on Day Two in Brisbane, Whitney also contributed with the bat to help Queensland score 308 in reply.

South Australia lost the opener and first-inning century scorer Henry Hunt on the first ball of the second innings to Michael Neser.

Late drama! After scoring 94, Pierson takes a stunning catch from a Neser outswinger to dismiss Hunt on the first ball of the innings! #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/VTd8HmA25o

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 21, 2024

Jimmy Peirson's counter-attacking 94 with the bat helped Queensland reach a total of 308. It was Whitney's day as he came in to bat at 271 for 9 and scored an unbeaten 24 runs off 11 balls which included five boundaries.

Whitney picked up wickets of Nathan McAndrew and Wes Agar on Monday morning, after picking up three wickets on Sunday. These five wickets make this 21-year-old Queenslander in history to take a five-wicket haul on debut, and the first since former police officer Mick Polzin in 1986-87.

Michael Neser picked up 3 for 61, which includes the crucial wicket of Henry Hunt after the opener was about to carry his bat in the innings. In reply, Queensland's Top order failed to make their mark as the Test opener Usman Khawaja failed for a duck to Nathan McAndrew. His partner Matt Renshaw was also dismissed by LBW to Jordan Buckingham for the score of 2. Skipper Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for 26 off 57 by Jordan Buckingham.

From 80 for 5 Queensland recovered themselves as Ben McDermott scored 52 off 99, and the 97-run partnership between Michael Neser and Jimmy Peirson for the seventh wicket. The wicketkeeper batter failed to score a century, as he was run out by hesitating for a second run with Michael Swepson.

During a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Tasmania on Sunday (March 3), Australian cricketer Will Pucovski suffered a head blow from a Riley Meredith bouncer, leading to his retirement from the game due to injury. This is not the first time Pucovski has faced such an incident, having previously endured head injuries.

The unfortunate event occurred during Victoria’s pursuit of 442 in their second innings, with Pucovski batting at No. 3. Facing only the second delivery from Meredith, the bouncer struck the left side of Pucovski’s helmet, causing him to retire hurt with a score of 0.

Pucovski’s Health Under Scrutiny After Head Injury

Prior to this incident, Pucovski had suffered a head injury during a second XI match in January. Despite his resilient return, scoring 131 in a subsequent Shield match against New South Wales, concerns linger regarding his condition as further medical updates are awaited.

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The distressing sight of Pucovski kneeling on the pitch prompted swift medical attention, and although he walked off the field rubbing his eyes, Cricket Victoria assured that he is under the care of medical professionals, with updates pending.

Following concussion protocols, reserve batter Campbell Kellaway substituted for Pucovski. The 26 Year-old cricketer, who has played one Test match against India in January 2021, not only battles physical injuries but also candidly discusses his struggles with mental health, acknowledging its greater challenge in recent interviews.

After four years away, Glenn Maxwell made just nine deliveries for Victoria in their match against South Australia in his return to the Sheffield Shield.

Maxwell scored 61 runs in the Victorian Premier League before being selected for the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s most prestigious first-class competition.

Maxwell, who is getting back in the saddle to serious cricket interestingly since breaking his leg last November, was excused LBW by Jordan Buckingham subsequent to scoring only five runs.

For the first time in 1218 days, Glenn Maxwell was participating in a Sheffield Shield match

His most recent appearance in the tournament was in October 2019.

The dynamic all-rounder played club cricket on Saturday and scored a stunning 61 to demonstrate that he was prepared to play for Victoria. He said he had put in “a lot of hard work” to get back into the game after suffering the injury in November of last year.

Maxwell was out for just five at the Junction Oval, indicating that his enthusiasm could not translate into a significant score. Just the most in-form Australian hitter not in India, Matt Short, put on a one-man act against South Australia.

Short, the Big Bash player of the year who also scored his first one-day hundred for the Vics last week, scored 70 as the home team only managed 169 runs.

Wes Agar, the younger brother of spinner Ashton, who was twice overlooked for Test selection and could be returning home from India, performed admirably for the visitors, scoring 5-54.

However, his excellent use of the ball was undone when the Rebacks, chasing a third victory in a row, were reduced to 5-75 at stumps, still 94 runs behind.

Maxwell wants to play in Australia’s March ODI series against India. However, he acknowledged that he was not yet fully primed.

“I think probably 80 per cent. I have a fair bit to go until I am fully fit for a one-day game, which is what I’m working towards. I won’t bowl, I’m still building up my loads and getting that natural body movement muscle memory going.” 

he said.

After the Test series in India, Australia will play an ODI series to prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Their performance in India has been subpar. With his return to competitive cricket, Maxwell might be eligible for the ODI portion of the tour.

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The 34-year-old could even be in line for a surprise Test return in India if he had managed a few runs. In the first Test, which was played in Nagpur, the hosts prevailed by 132 runs and six wickets, respectively.