Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

IPL return will be hard to justify for players who skip international tours: Finch

IPL return will be hard to justify for players who skip international tours: Finch

AUSTRALIA’S limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch said he was “surprised" to see some of his teammates withdraw from the country's upcoming white-ball tours and they will have a “hard time” to justify their participation in the second half of the postponed IPL 2021.

Top Australian cricketers David Warner, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis and Daniel Sams have pulled out of the upcoming West Indies series for varied reasons and also said that they won't be visiting Bangladesh if that tour is confirmed.


While it had been a "long term plan" for Warner and Cummins to miss the winter tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh (if confirmed), Finch said he understands his teammates’ decision.

"The other guys, I was a little bit surprised," Finch was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on SEN Radio. “I wish that they were there."

Asked about his teammates who requested not to be considered for the tours, Finch said: "I think they would find it hard to justify going back and playing that second half of the IPL."

Star batsman Steve Smith was also not included in the squad as he is yet to fully recover from an elbow injury that flared up during the IPL.

Earlier this week, Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns made it clear that he expects the country's IPL players to forgo the high-profile T20 league resuming mid-September if a tri-series involving the West Indies and Afghanistan is scheduled at the same time.

The absence of the top players means veteran Dan Christian, Big Bash League stars Ben McDermott, Wes Agar and Riley Meredith will get an opportunity to prove themselves at the international level.

"The guys who aren't there have probably left the door slightly ajar. What that looks like when the T20 World Cup comes around, we'll have to wait and see," Finch said.

"But if you can get on the international stage against a very good West Indies side and Bangladesh team (and perform well), it carries a lot of weight."

More For You

Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh becomes most followed musician on Spotify

Getty Images

Arijit Singh overtakes Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become most followed artist on Spotify

Quick highlights:

• Arijit Singh makes global music history with 151 million Spotify followers

• Surpasses Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in follower count

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher arrives for the special screening of Oasis documentary "Supersonic"

Getty Images

Liam Gallagher apologises for racial slur after backlash as Oasis reunion tour kicks off

Quick highlights:

  • Liam Gallagher issued an apology after using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post.
  • The offensive post appeared just days before Oasis kicked off their reunion tour in Cardiff.
  • Fans criticised the singer on X, prompting him to clarify it was unintentional.
  • Oasis will perform over 40 shows globally, starting 5 July in Wales.

Liam Gallagher has apologised for using a racial slur in a post on X, as Oasis reunites for their first tour in 15 years. The singer shared a one-word reply on Monday that included a derogatory term aimed at East Asian people. Though he quickly deleted it, screenshots circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.

In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Gallagher wrote: “Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. Peace and love LG x.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less