Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Australian IPL players return home after Maldives stop-over

Australian IPL players return home after Maldives stop-over

AUSTRALIA'S IPL players, including Pat Cummins and Steve Smith, arrived in Sydney on Monday (17) after a stop-over at Maldives due to travel ban from Covid-hit India, almost two weeks after the T20 league was suspended due to the health crisis.

Most of the 38 members of the Australian contingent, including players, officials and commentators who participated at the non-suspended league, landed at the Sydney airport this morning after spending 10 days at Maldives.


IPL was indefinitely suspended on May 5 after four players and two coaches from four different teams tested positive inside the bio-bubble.

Australian players, however, couldn't head home immediately as the country had imposed a travel ban from India, which is battling a deadly second wave of the coronavirus.

They will be spending two weeks in a Sydney hotel for the mandatory quarantine.

According to national broadcaster ABC, Smith, Cummins, batsman David Warner and Ricky Ponting, who coached Delhi Capitals, were among the people on the Air Seychelles flight.

Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey also headed home on Sunday via Doha after testing negative for Covid-19 on Friday (14). He had tested positive on May 4 and was brought to Chennai from Delhi in an air ambulance.

Prime minister Scott Morrison on Sunday (16) said the players and officials were not given any special dispensation.

"They are happy, for them to come in over the cap. That is something we insisted upon and they were to agree with that, Morrison was quoted as saying by ABC.

"They will come back under their own steam, upon their own ticket, and they won't be taking the spot in quarantine of any other Australian who is returning home under the NSW caps."

More For You

Litton-Hridoy-Getty

Bangladesh lost two early wickets in their chase, but Litton built a 95-run stand with Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35, to take the team to 144-3 in 17.4 overs. (Photo: c

Getty Images

Litton, Towhid steer Bangladesh past Hong Kong in Asia Cup

CAPTAIN Litton Das scored 59 to guide Bangladesh to a seven-wicket win over Hong Kong in their opening Asia Cup match on Thursday.

Invited to bat first in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong made 143-7 with Nizakat Khan top-scoring on 42.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep picked three wickets in one over with his left-arm wrist spin as India bowled out UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs after choosing to field.

Getty Images

Kuldeep takes four as India thrash UAE in Asia Cup opener

KULDEEP YADAV took 4-7 as India began their Asia Cup campaign with a nine-wicket win over hosts United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Wednesday.

Kuldeep picked three wickets in one over with his left-arm wrist spin as India bowled out UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs after choosing to field.

Keep ReadingShow less
Djed Spence

England manager Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to England's Djed Spence before he comes on as a substitute.

Reuters

Djed Spence becomes first Muslim to play for England

TOTTENHAM Hotspur defender Djed Spence made his England debut on Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim to play for the national team.

The 25-year-old came on as a substitute in the 69th minute, replacing Chelsea’s Reece James during England’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win in Belgrade.

Keep ReadingShow less
India-Asia-Cup-Getty

Indian team during a practice session at the International Cricket Council Academy (ICCA) in Dubai on September 8, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Asia Cup 2025: India’s depth makes them favourites

Highlights:

  • India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, enter as clear favourites with strong squad depth.
  • Pakistan drop Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, signalling a new phase.
  • Afghanistan’s spin trio seen as potential challengers to India’s dominance.
  • Associate nations like UAE, Oman and Hong Kong aim to showcase progress.

INDIA, led by Suryakumar Yadav, go into the Asia Cup T20 starting Tuesday as the clear favourites, with a significant gap in strength between them and the seven other teams, including Pakistan.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alcaraz US Open

Alcaraz has now won seven of the last eight meetings with Sinner, leading their rivalry 10-5 overall.

Getty Images

Alcaraz beats Sinner to win second US Open, capture sixth Grand Slam title

CARLOS ALCARAZ defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets on Sunday to win the US Open final, which was delayed by the arrival of President Donald Trump.

Alcaraz, 22, won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam overall. The Spaniard avenged his loss to Sinner in the Wimbledon final in July, which was his only defeat in a major final.

Keep ReadingShow less