United News of Bangladesh

Steve Smith is on track to return to Australia’s playing XI for the second Test of the ongoing series against the West Indies. To make way for him, Australia may rest Josh Inglish, who failed to impress in the first Test. Smith missed the first Test in Barbados due to a finger injury sustained during the World Test Championship Final earlier this month. Pakistan appoints its former pacer Azhar Mahmood as head coach With the stitches now removed and movement improving, the veteran batter joined the squad in Grenada and is expected to take part in full practice on Tuesday. “It's not too bad,” Smith said, as reported by ICC. “I’ve got a lot of movement now, and hitting the ball feels completely fine. The only adjustment will be fielding — I won’t be at slip but likely at mid-on or fine leg.” Australia won the opening Test by 159 runs, but their top order looked shaky. Inglis, filling in at No.4, managed just 5 and 12 in the two innings. With Smith returning to the middle order, Inglis is the most likely to make room. The second Test begins Thursday in Grenada as Australia look to seal the three-match series.

Australia’s star batter Steve Smith will travel with the team to the Caribbean for their upcoming three-match Test series against the West Indies, despite suffering a serious finger injury during the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Saturday that Smith won’t require surgery for the compound dislocation to his right pinkie, sustained during the final at Lord’s. However, his availability for the first Test, scheduled to begin on June 25 in Barbados, remains uncertain. “I’d say the first Test is probably unlikely, and we’ll assess from there,” Cummins said, adding that it’s still too early to make a definitive call. Smith sustained the injury while fielding at first slip during a key moment in the final against South Africa. Positioned closer to the stumps than usual, he was struck on the finger by an edge off the bat of South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma. Smith dropped the catch, allowing Bavuma — then on 2 — to go on and score 66 runs, forming a match-winning partnership with Aiden Markram, who made 136. ICC Women's World Cup 2025 fixtures announced Although Smith is expected to recover from the injury in about two weeks, he will have to wear a splint for up to eight weeks — the duration of the Test series — meaning his participation depends on how well he can manage with it on. The upcoming series marks the beginning of Australia’s 2025-27 WTC campaign. Following the disappointing five-wicket defeat to South Africa inside four days, Cummins said the team is eager to bounce back. “It’s good we get to dust ourselves off and turn around in a couple of weeks and start focusing on the next challenge,” Cummins said. “That’s one of the good aspects of the WTC — every series, every Test, holds weight.” Cummins emphasized the need to strike a balance between introducing fresh talent and maintaining a winning team, especially with an Ashes home series approaching in November. He hinted that some senior players may consider retirement afterward. “This feels like a bit of a fresh start,” he noted. “We’re already thinking a couple of years ahead — if we make the next final, who will be part of the team? Should we start giving game time to new players now? Or stick with the current squad?” Despite a strong personal performance — taking seven wickets and reaching 300 career Test wickets — Cummins admitted the team missed a golden chance to win back-to-back WTC titles. He pointed to Australia’s 74-run first-innings lead as a missed opportunity to build a bigger advantage. Mathews set for farewell as Bangladesh begin WTC campaign “There were plenty of turning points,” Cummins said. “We had a lead, but we should have batted South Africa out of the game with a score well above 300. Unfortunately, we gave them a chance to come back, and now we’re left with a sense of missed opportunity.”

Steve Smith has retired from one-day international cricket in the wake of Australia’s Champions Trophy semifinal loss to India. Cricket Australia issued a statement Wednesday to confirm the former skipper’s retirement from the 50-over version of the game. Smith will continue to play test cricket for Australia and remains available for selection in the Twenty20 format. The decision means the 35-year-old batter won’t be available for Australia’s World Cup defense in 2027 despite standing in for Pat Cummins as captain for the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan. In his last ODI innings, Smith top-scored for Australia with 76 runs from 96 deliveries but his team lost by four wickets to India at Dubai on Tuesday night and narrowly missed out on reaching the tournament final. Smith was part of victorious ODI World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2023, and said those were career highlights in the format. “It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said in a statement. “Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup, so it feels like the right time to make way.” Champions Trophy: New Zealand secure final spot with 50-run win over South Africa In the test format, where matches are played across five days, Smith has scored 10,271 runs in 116 tests, including 36 centuries and 41 half-centuries, and averages 56.74 per innings. His next assignment will be in Australia's attempt to defend the World Test Championship in June's final against South Africa at Lord's and in the subsequent test tour to the Caribbean. Australia hosts the Ashes against England starting in November. “Test cricket remains a priority and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies (tour) and then England at home," Smith said. "I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.” After making his international debut against the West Indies in 2010 as a leg-spinning allrounder, Smith played 170 ODIs and tallied 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries. Smith was Australia's ODI player of the year in 2015 and 2021 and was part of the International Cricket Council's ODI team of the year in 2015. Australia's selection committee chairman George Bailey said Smith remained "fully committed to test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team.” “Steve has said on many occasions he is approaching the remainder of his playing career on a series-by-series basis, a position which hasn’t changed and one Cricket Australia supports," Bailey said. “To leave the format as a two-time World Cup winner cements his legacy as one of the great Australian ODI players.”

Steve Smith hit his 36th test century and shared an unbeaten 239-run partnership with Alex Carey as Australia powered to 330-3 at stumps on day two of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Friday. With a lead of 73 runs and seven first-innings wickets in hand, the tourists are in control. Smith anchored the innings with a sublime 120 not out off 239 balls, while Carey took the attack to Sri Lanka with a fluent 139 not out off 156. It was Smith's second ton of the series, while Carey notched up only his second test hundred in style. Australia had slumped to 37-2 before Smith and Usman Khawaja (36) steadied the innings with a crucial 54-run stand for the third wicket. Khawaja, who got a double hundred in Australia's huge win in the first test of the two-match series, looked solid against spin. However, an ill-judged pull shot saw him trapped leg before wicket to off-spinner Nishan Peiris, (2-70 off 21 overs) cutting short his promising start. BPL final: Fortune Barishal need 195 to win 2nd title Smith, too, took time to settle and had a nervy moment on 24, given out lbw before successfully overturning the decision on review. Once past that, he shifted gears and put the Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure. Carey remained a picture of confidence, stroking elegant shots on both sides of the wicket. His sweeps were particularly effective, while Smith, in contrast, relied on his trademark pulls and drives. Smith reached his century with a controlled pull to mid-wicket, while Carey brought up his ton with yet another assured sweep shot. Though Carey outscored Smith and looked the more fluent batter, Smith was ready to grind it out for the long haul. Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar tops the most test tons list with 51. Smith moved into a three-way tie for fifth with England's Joe Root and India's Rahul Dravid. “We know that Steve Smith is someone who has scored runs all over the world,” said Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis. “His numbers in Asia are unbelievable.” Carey was pushed up to No. 5 as Josh Inglis was unable to bat, having spent time off the field unwell. The wicketkeeper-batter seized the opportunity, smashing 13 fours and two sixes in his knock, while Smith’s patient effort included nine boundaries and a six. Earlier, Sri Lanka had been dismissed for 257 after opting to bat first, a total that looked below par on a decent surface. Kusal Mendis hit a fighting 85 not out. With the new ball due in the morning, Sri Lanka’s bowlers will be fresh and desperate Saturday to make an early breakthrough. “The new ball is around the corner and we need to nullify that and then go on and get as much as possible,” Carey said. “The quality of a player like Steve Smith is that he is a problem solver. He played some risky shots and executed them well.”

Steve Smith’s stylish century, his 34th, powered Australia to a strong position against India at lunch Friday on the second day of the fourth test of the five-match series. Australia resumed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 311-6 and reached 454-7 at lunch, thanks to a 112-run stand between Smith (139 not out) and tailender Pat Cummins (49). Debutant teenager Sam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Smith all made half-centuries in front of a crowd of over 87,242 on Thursday’s first day’s play. Smith, who was 68 overnight, moved into the 90s in spectacular fashion with a six over fine leg off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah in the 11th over of the day. The 35-year-old Smith climbed to equal-seventh in test cricket with 34 centuries, reaching his hundred off 167 deliveries with a glorious cover drive to the boundary. Smith, who began the series with scores of 0, 17 and 2 in the first two tests, also hit 101 in the third in Brisbane. Cummins and Smith crushed India’s hopes of an early breakthrough Friday with a century stand for the seventh wicket. Cummins was caught at deep cover off the bowling of spinner Ravindra Jadeja at 411-7. Read: Kohli and Australia teen Konstas provide a fiery start to the 4th cricket test Smith’s unbeaten knock has included 13 fours and three sixes. Mitchell Starc is 15 not out as India’s bowlers struggle to contain Australia’s batters. In an explosive start to the fourth test Thursday, the audacious batting of 19-year-old Konstas, including reverse-scooping India’s pace spearhead Bumrah over slips to the boundary, infuriated India batting great Virat Kohli. At the completion of the 10th over of the match, ex-skipper Kohli collided shoulder to shoulder with Konstas, who had his head down adjusting his batting gloves. Kohli pleaded guilty after play to making “inappropriate physical contact” with Konstas. Match referee Andy Pycroft fined 36-year-old Kohli 20% of his match fee. Kohli also received one demerit point. The five-match series is level at 1-1 after a rainy draw at Brisbane, The fifth and final test is scheduled to start on Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Usman Khawaja made his highest test score, Steve Smith scored a milestone century and Australia reached a commanding 475-4 when rain forced an early end to the second day of the third and final test against South Africa. Khawaja made an unbeaten 195 off 368 balls, with 19 boundaries and a six, and had earlier Thursday shared an epic 209-run partnership with Steve Smith, who made his 30th test century and also became Australia fourth-highest run scorer in tests in front of his home Sydney Cricket Ground fans. Marnus Labuschagne (79) and Travis Head (70) both scored half-centuries as Australia dominated a placid South Africa attack and placed themselves in a strong position to still force a result in a game that has had frequent bad light and rain delays. Khawaja raised his third consecutive SCG hundred before lunch Thursday and then pushed past his previous highest test score of 174 — against New Zealand at Brisbane in 2015 — to close in on his maiden double-century. “It was a great innings, I thought he played exceptionally well from ball one," Smith said on Khawaja's landmark innings. "He was nice and patient when he needed to be and played the spin well. Hopefully he can get two or even three hundred tomorrow potentially.” Khawaja was given a life on 119 when he offered a sharp shin-height chance which Anrich Nortje missed at gully after losing sight of the ball. Read more: Australia crushes South Africa inside 2 days in 1st test Earlier, Smith made 104 to join former Australia opening batter Matt Hayden on 30 test centuries. Only Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32) have more among Australian men’s test players. It was Smith’s fourth century at his home ground and came from 190 balls, with 11 boundaries and two sixes with the former captain receiving a prolonged standing ovation from the 27,663 SCG crowd. “I didn't feel great my first 60-70 balls but after that things started to click and I started felt a lot better," Smith said about his cautious start Thursday. ”Pleased I was able to get through that initial period and give myself a chance." Next over Smith chipped a simple return catch to Keshav Maharaj (1-108) in what was the only blemish in an otherwise flawless four-hour innings. “It was a sign of relief more than anything else," said Maharaj about his first wicket in a tough series for the spinner. "Everyone wants wickets when you're a bowler, it's like a batter who always wants runs, so to get the wicket was a nice sort of relief for me.” On the way to his latest ton Smith passed Hayden (8,625 runs) and Michael Clarke (8,643) for career runs and is now the fourth-highest Australian test run scorer with 8,647 runs, behind Ponting (13,378), Allan Border (11,174) and Waugh (10,927). Smith averages over 60 runs an innings across his 92 tests. “I don't play for that kind of stuff but it was cool to look up and see my name amongst those great players, so it was pretty special.” After twin centuries in a triumphant return to test cricket against England last year, Khawaja had earlier completed his 13th hundred off 206 balls, with nine boundaries as he and Smith serenely accumulated runs after resuming the day at 147-2. Khawaja made 137 and 101 not out against England in the test here last year to firmly re-establish himself in Australia’s batting lineup after being dropped during the 2019 Ashes series. Khawaja and Head combined for a brisk 112 run partnership before Head holed out in the deep off Rabada (1-119). Read more: South Africa Clinch Test Series with a Dominant Victory Over India in the Third Test Shortly after play commenced Wednesday, Australia team management advised that batter Matt Renshaw — in the team for the injured Cameron Green — had reported feeling unwell shortly before the match and had subsequently returned a positive test for COVID-19 but would still take part in the match. Renshaw, in his first test since 2018, was separated from the remainder of his teammates and moved into another changing room at the SCG. He batted as expected at No. 6 and was five not out at the end of the day's play. International Cricket Council regulations state Renshaw is permitted to play in the match as long he feels well enough, with the option for a like-for-like substitute if he was unable to play. Australia has already won the series after two crushing defeats in the first two tests at Brisbane and Melbourne. A win for Australia in this third test would confirm its place in the world test championship final to be played at Lord’s in England in June this year.

A battered and bruised India lineup survived the full fifth day to force a draw in the third cricket Test against Australia and leave the series hinging on the final Test in Brisbane.

Steve Smith scored his first century since the 2019 Ashes series and helped cushion Australia from another batting collapse as it was all out for 338 before India reached 26 without loss at tea on the second day of the third cricket test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Former Australia captain Steve Smith was named Wednesday to lead the Welsh Fire in the inaugural season of The Hundred cricket league in Britain, another step on his road back following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Travis Head's determination paid off as the middle-order batsman scored an unbeaten 98 on Friday to steer Australia to 431-5 at tea on day two of the second test against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.