Australia
T20WC Final: Australia bowl first in quest for maiden title
Australia have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2021 final in Dubai on Sunday.
It is only the second time Australia marched to the final of the T20 World Cup while it’s the first final appearance for New Zealand.
Read:ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Final: Which Players would make it to an Australia-New Zealand Combined T20I XI?
The two neighbouring countries have previously faced each other in the final of the World Cup 2015 when Australia outplayed New Zealand with nearly no resistance from the Blackcaps.
To qualify for the final, New Zealand beat England, and Australia won against Pakistan riding on late surges to win almost identical thrilling encounters.
In most of the matches of this World Cup which has taken place in Dubai, the team who fielded first came up victorious (11 out of 12).
David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Adam Zampa were the best players for Australia during the Super 12s and semifinal stages while Martin Guptill, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi helped New Zealand to march to their first T20 World Cup final.
Read:T20 World Cup: Finalists eye maiden title in shortest format
New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson(c), Tim Seifert(w), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Tigers directly qualify for Super 12s of next T20 World Cup
Bangladesh have directly qualified for the Super 12s of the next T20 World Cup, which will take place in Australia, despite failing to win a single match in this year's edition of the stage.
In their last match in this year's T20 World Cup, the West Indies lost by eight wickets to Australia. As the Caribbean side slipped to ninth place in the ranking, Bangladesh jumped to number eight.
The defending champions West Indies will now have to play Round 1 of the next year's T20 World Cup.
And for the first time in the tournament's history, Bangladesh will not have to play the qualifying round.
Along with the West Indies, three more teams – Sri Lanka, Scotland and Namibia who played in the Super 12s this year – will have to play the qualification round for the next T20 World Cup.
According to the ICC rules, the top eight teams in the ICC ranking – which will be updated on November 15 – will directly qualify for the Super 12s in next year's T20 World Cup.
Since there are not many matches left for the West Indies to earn rating points in this short time to top Bangladesh, they will not be able to secure a place among the top eight teams in the next ranking update.
Warner leads Australia to win in poignant game for WIndies
David Warner smashed 89 not out to lead Australia to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies at the T20 World Cup on Saturday, with Dwayne Bravo — definitely — and Chris Gayle — probably — playing their last games for West Indies.
Put in to bat, West Indies did well to reach 157-7, led by captain Kieron Pollard's 31-ball 44 and Andre Russell's explosive finish. Australia replied with 161-2 in 16.2 overs in what proved to be a comfortable chase.
West Indies started with a rapid 30 runs before collapsing to 35-3, including the wicket of 42-year-old Chris Gayle. He was out for 15, including two inevitable sixes, in what looked like the cricket great's last innings for West Indies.
Gayle's teammate, Bravo, had already announced his retirement from international cricket. All-rounder Bravo scored 10 in his last innings Saturday with bowling figures of 0-36 in four overs. Like Gayle, the 38-year-old Bravo won the T20 World Cup with West Indies in 2012 and 2016.
READ: T20 World Cup Upset: BCB may take big decisions for the Pakistan series
Gayle was out in trademark fashion, attempting to smash pacer Pat Cummins and sending an inside edge on to leg stump. He raised his bat and both hands as he left the field, hugged Bravo and received applause from teammates. His apparent retirement, which has not been officially confirmed, took many observers by surprise.
Gayle is the most prolific scorer in the format, with the left-handed batter the first to score 14,000 T20 runs for clubs and country in all competitions. He also played 103 tests for West Indies with an average of 42.
Mitchell Starc (1-33) had a finish to forget, being smashed for six off the last two balls of West Indies' innings by Russell (18 not out). Josh Hazlewood was the most successful bowler for Australia with 4-39 off four overs, while Adam Zampa was economical with 1-20, also in four overs.
Australia also started well by reaching 33-0 after three overs, with Warner supplying most of the runs, before his opening partner Aaron Finch (9) was bowled by Akeal Hosein (1-29) in the next over. Warner's 56-ball innings included nine fours and four sixes. Mitchell Marsh hit a 32-ball 53 as Australia cruised to victory.
Gayle made a final mark on the game by claiming Marsh's wicket with 1-7 from his single over.
Australia needed to win convincingly to maximize its chances ahead of the final Group 1 match later Saturday between leader England and South Africa in Sharjah.
England and second-place Australia have eight points, two more than South Africa, with Australia and South Africa keeping a close eye on net run rate. Two teams from the group advance to the semifinals.
READ: India crushes Scotland to keep alive T20 semis hopes
Australia kept the same team from its eight-wicket rout of Bangladesh on Thursday. Two-time champion West Indies made one change from its 20-run defeat to Sri Lanka on Thursday, replacing Ravi Rampaul with spinner Hayden Walsh.
T20 World Cup: Bangladesh sent bat first against Australia
In their last match of the T20 World Cup 2021, Bangladesh lost the toss and were sent to bat first by Australia on Thursday.
Bangladesh have lost all four matches they have played in the Super 12s stage.
Before the Super 12s, the Tigers won two matches against Oman and Papua New Guinea to qualify for the Super 12s.
Read:India get first points, beat Afghanistan at T20 World Cup
While Bangladesh are waiting to be exited from the World Cup, Australia are looking to register another win to ease their way to the Super 12s.
Bangladesh made one change to the playing XI removing Nasum Ahmed to pave a way for Mustafizur Rahman.
Read:T20 World Cup 2021: AFG vs. NZ Match will determine the second semifinalist in Group 2
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Mohammad Naim, Liton Das(w), Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad(c), Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
T20 World Cup: Tigers in desperate search for consolation win
Defeat in four consecutive matches has ended Bangladesh’s hope to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup. Still, the Tigers have a good chance to register a consolation win when they take on Australia on Thursday in Dubai.
Australia have played three matches so far and won two of them. They currently are in third place on the points table. The top two teams of the Group 1 of the Super 12s will qualify for the semi-finals. England and South Africa are leading the table with eight and six points respectively from four and three wins.
Also Read: ICC Ranking Update: Nabi catches up Shakib
Right before the World Cup, Bangladesh won two T20Is series on the trot against Australia and New Zealand, which had boosted Bangladesh’s confidence to do well in the World Cup. But they stumbled in the tournament as the wickets of the UAE are not similar to the pitches of Dhaka where they beat Australi and New Zealand.
“We have another chance to win against Australia tomorrow. The guys will analyse what they have done, and what they have to do. I am sure they will come back strongly tomorrow,” Rangana Herath, Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach told the media on Wednesday.
“As a professional team, we need to come back strongly. We have another game to go. We need to maintain that winning mindset and build winning confidence. We have to think about Bangladesh cricket’s way forward,” he added.
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Bangladesh vs. Australia Match Preview
Bangladesh are going to miss the service of Shakib Al Hasan once again as the allrounder has been ruled out of the event with a hamstring blow. The Bangladesh team management did not call up any replacement which came as a big surprise to the fans. It seems that the team management accepted defeat in the last match even before it took to the field.
Aminul Islam Biplob, the legspinner, was part of the Bangladesh team as a standby player. But right before the World Cup began, he was sent home citing that his service won’t be required.
“We had three spinners so the management thought that it was the best combination. I am sure for the next tour against Pakistan or for the next few series Biplob will join the team,” Herath told about Aminul.
“Lot of wrist spinners are doing well in this tournament. I am sure Biplob will join in the next two tours. He will hopefully get the opportunity to play for Bangladesh,” he added.
Herath also said that the Bangladeshi players need to be more professional and understand their roles in the team and perform accordingly.
“As a cricketer, playing for your country is a matter of pride and responsibility. We should all understand the responsibilities and roles whether you are playing for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
If you can identify that role, and then improve day by day,” Herat, who was an integral part of the Sri Lankan side for years, also added.
Right after the World Cup, Bangladesh are set to take on Pakistan in a full series which will take place in Dhaka and Chattogram.
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Bangladesh, India can still qualify for Semifinals if …
Australia to keep supporting Bangladesh in combating climate change: Envoy
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has said Australia and Bangladesh will work together to combat climate change.
“Australia's support to Bangladesh in the field of low carbon technology transfer, renewable energy, clean energy, climate adaptation and mitigation activities will continue,” he said.
Jeremy Bruer said this in a meeting at the Environment Ministry on Tuesday between Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin and an Australian delegation led by the High Commissioner.
Also read: COP26 president-designate visited Bangladesh to see climate crisis firsthand
The High Commissioner appreciated various initiatives taken by Bangladesh to fight climate change, according to an official release.Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md. Mustafa Kamal, Additional Secretary (Admin) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Development) Ahmad Shamim Al Razi, Additional Secretary (Climate Change) Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik were also present in the meeting.
Also read: 'Turn pledges into action': Hasina's clarion call to combat climate change
The Environment Minister said that as the President of CVF and V20, Bangladesh is playing an important role in international arena to tackle climate change.
He said Bangladesh submitted enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and announced Mujib Climate Prospect Plan and the work of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is underway.
The Environment Minister expressed hope that the world leaders will reach the consensus of providing 100 billion US dollars for climate vulnerable countries.
Australia wants Facebook to seek parental consent for kids
Australia plans to crack down on online advertisers targeting children by making social media platforms seek parental consent for users younger than 16 years old to join or face fines of 10 million Australian dollars ($7.5 million) under a draft law released Monday.
The landmark legislation would protect Australians online and ensure that Australia’s privacy laws are appropriate in the digital age, a government statement said.
Social media platforms would be required to take all reasonable steps to verify their users’ ages under a binding code for social media services, data brokers and other large online platforms operating in Australia.
Read:Facebook dithered in curbing divisive user content in India
The platforms would also have to give primary consideration to the best interests of children when handling their personal information, the draft legislation states.
The code would also require platforms to obtain parental consent for users under the age of 16.
The proposed legal changes come after former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen this month asserted that whenever there was a conflict between the public good and what benefited the company, the social media giant would choose its own interests.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman said the new code would lead the world in protecting children from social media companies.
“In Australia, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a consistent increase in signs of distress and mental ill health among young people. While the reasons for this are varied and complex, we know that social media is part of the problem,” Coleman said in a statement.
Read: Amid the Capitol riot, Facebook faced its own insurrection
Facebook regional director of public policy Mia Garlick said her platform had been calling for Australia’s privacy laws to evolve with new technology.
“We have supported the development of international codes around young people’s data, like the U.K. Age Appropriate Design Code,” Garlick said in a statement, referring to British legislation introduced this year that requires platforms to verify users’ ages if content risks the moral, physical or mental well-being of children.
“We’re reviewing the draft bill and discussion paper released today, and look forward to working with the Australian government on this further,” she added.
Australia has been a prominent voice in calling for international regulation of the internet.
It passed laws this year that oblige Google and Facebook to pay for journalism. Australia also defied the tech companies by creating a law that could imprison social media executives if their platforms stream violent images.
Australia keen to assist Bangladesh with energy resources, renewable to expedite growth: Envoy
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has said his country will drive a clean-energy supply-chain initiative for the Indo-Pacific region and can assist countries like Bangladesh with energy resources, including renewable, to help fuel Bangladesh’s growth.
He said Australia released the first “Low Emissions Technology Statement” under the technology investment roadmap and they are keen to cooperate with Bangladesh in this area.
“The prosperity of our region depends on Australia remaining a reliable and responsible energy partner of choice in the clean-energy global economy,” said the High Commissioner, adding that they will consider a sizable financial contribution to ensure it delivers.
The Australian envoy made the remarks while delivering his keynote speech at a virtual dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Australia Relations: Prognosis for the Future.”
Read:Australian envoy sees potentials for future bilateral cooperation “golden”
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue as part of its ongoing Ambassadors’ Lecture Series.
The opening remarks were delivered by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan. The session was chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, a renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government.
Former Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Distinguished Fellow at Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Professor at International Relations Department of Dhaka University Imtiaz Ahmed, Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan and Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation Ambassador (retd) Tariq A Karim comprised the panel of discussants.
Australian envoy sees potentials for future bilateral cooperation “golden”
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has said his country "wants to work energetically" to enhance trade and investment with Bangladesh, noting that the future is “golden” for the two countries to collaborate in broader areas and take the ties to new heights.
“If you ask me for my prognosis for the future of Bangladesh-Australia relations - I say again, the future is golden,” he said, highlighting the opportunities that the recently signed Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) offer.
The High Commissioner, however, said he does not deny that there are significant challenges globally that they need to be met, taking advantage of that golden future and working together in a way that helps meet those challenges “constructively” and supports welfare of the countries.
The Australian envoy made the remarks while delivering his keynote speech at a virtual dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Australia Relations: Prognosis for the Future”.
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue as part of its ongoing Ambassadors' Lecture Series.
Read: Cosmos Dialogue on Dhaka-Washington ties premieres Saturday on Facebook
The opening remarks were delivered by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan. The session was chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, a renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government.
Former Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Distinguished Fellow at Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Professor at International Relations Department of Dhaka University Imtiaz Ahmed, Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan and Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation Ambassador (retd) Tariq A Karim comprised the panel of discussants.
Enayetullah Khan said the conclusion of the Australia-Bangladesh TIFA on September 15 was timely and could provide the necessary boost towards a more significant economic relationship.
While TIFAs are seen as mostly symbolic, Khan said, they do signal an injection of commitment and ambition, which is what the next phase of the relationship between Bangladesh and Australia actually needs. “So, we’re on the right track.”
He said it is true that India would be Australia’s principal partner in this region but Australia does not look at South Asia only through an Indian lens. “The ever-burgeoning Bangladesh-Australia cooperation, I hope, can become a testimony to that.”
Highlighting Australia’s tremendous moral and material support towards Bangladesh, Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury shared how the focus of aid at that time shifted to trade and commerce which seem to have grown “exponentially” leading to the signing of TIFA.
“We’re also looking for expanded collaboration in the whole range of activities -- e-commerce, infrastructure, power and energy, water, sanitation, hygiene; and tapping potential in the blue economy – our maritime resources,” he said, noting that the two countries will be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations next year.
The foreign affairs expert said market access is important as Bangladesh is set to graduate from LDC to a developing country.
Dr Iftekhar said Bangladesh-Australia partnership on a global level is also reflected in many common positions as the two countries adopt in multilateral fora such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“As I’m positive, Australia also understands our need for a sharp development orientation and foreign policy; and our preference for conflict avoidance,” he said.
Australia's Queensland state to open to vaccinated travelers
Australia’s Queensland state announced plans Monday to open up to vaccinated travelers, ending the status it has enjoyed throughout the pandemic of remaining virtually free of COVID-19.
Queensland and Western Australia have been among the states most successful in keeping COVID-19 out, and they also were among the most reluctant to relax their strict border controls after the highly contagious delta variant took hold in New South Wales state in June and spread through Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
Queensland authorities warned infection rates would rise and remain high for months.
Read:Australia official urges against AstraZeneca
“For almost 600 days for nearly two years we have kept the virus out of Queensland,” Treasurer Cameron Dick said. “Those days will soon come to an end. This will be the end of the zero COVID for Queensland."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said fully vaccinated travelers would be allowed into the state without quarantining when 80% of the state’s population aged 16 and older was vaccinated. That benchmark is expected to be achieved by Dec. 17.
Travelers would also need to test negative to COVID-19 within three days before entering the state.
Read:Australia battles several clusters in new pandemic phase
Vaccinated travelers will be allowed into Queensland when 70% of the target population is vaccinated, a target expected to be reached by Nov. 19, but will face restrictions including 14 days of quarantine on arrival.
“I think Queenslanders will acknowledge that that is a sensible and cautious approach to ensure that families can be reunited but the people coming into Queensland will have to be fully vaccinated,” Palaszczuk said. “The faster we are vaccinated, the faster these deadlines will be achieved.”