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Browsing: Australia
The highly anticipated WWE Crown Jewel 2025 premium live event is set for Saturday, 11 October 2025 in Perth, Australia. While the main show will draw the most attention on the day itself, fans around the world will also want to tune in early for the preshow, scheduled to begin at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).
WWE Crown Jewel 2025 Preshow Start Time in the United States (Eastern, Central, Pacific)
If the preshow kicks off at 6:00 a.m. ET, hereâ€s how that translates across U.S. time zones:
- Eastern Time (ET): 6:00 a.m.
- Central Time (CT): 5:00 a.m.
- Mountain Time (MT): 4:00 a.m.
- Pacific Time (PT): 3:00 a.m.
So fans in New York should be ready by dawn, and those on the west coast will need to rise extra early to catch the preshow live.
WWE Crown Jewel 2025 Preshow Start Time in the United Kingdom
The U.K. is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time (during British Summer Time). Therefore:
- United Kingdom (BST): 11:00 a.m.
So U.K. fans can catch the preshow late in the morning before moving on to the main card later in the day.
Preshow Start Time in Australia (Perth / AWST & Other Zones)
Australia has multiple time zones, so hereâ€s how it works out for different areas:
- Perth, Western Australia (AWST): 7:00 p.m.
- Sydney, Melbourne (AEST / AEDT time zones): 9:00 p.m.
- Adelaide (ACST / ACDT): 8:30 p.m.
- Darwin (ACST): 8:30 p.m.
- Brisbane (AEST): 9:00 p.m.
Thus, for fans in Australia, the preshow is an evening event, perfect for settling in just before the main show.
Preshow Start Time in Canada and Other Regions
Here are a few other key times around the globe, relative to the 6:00 a.m. ET preshow:
- Canada (Eastern): 6:00 a.m.
- Canada (Pacific): 3:00 a.m.
- Europe (Central European Time / CEST): 12:00 p.m.
- India (IST): 3:30 p.m.
- Japan (JST): 7:00 p.m.
- New Zealand (NZST): Midnight (12:00 a.m. next day)
Region / CityTime ZonePreshow Start TimeNew York (US East)Eastern Time (ET)6:00 a.m.Chicago (US Central)Central Time (CT)5:00 a.m.Denver (US Mountain)Mountain Time (MT)4:00 a.m.Los Angeles (US West)Pacific Time (PT)3:00 a.m.LondonBritish Summer Time (BST)11:00 a.m.PerthAustralian Western Standard Time (AWST)7:00 p.m.Sydney / MelbourneAustralian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)9:00 p.m.AdelaideAustralian Central Daylight Time (ACDT)8:30 p.m.DarwinAustralian Central Standard Time (ACST)8:30 p.m.BrisbaneAustralian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)9:00 p.m.Toronto (Canada East)Eastern Time (ET)6:00 a.m.Vancouver (Canada West)Pacific Time (PT)3:00 a.m.Berlin / Paris / MadridCentral European Summer Time (CEST)12:00 p.m.New DelhiIndia Standard Time (IST)3:30 p.m.TokyoJapan Standard Time (JST)7:00 p.m.AucklandNew Zealand Standard Time (NZST)12:00 a.m. (Oct 12)
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Beth Mooney’s masterful century rescued Australia from one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history and set up an ultimately resounding 107-run victory over Pakistan.
The defending champions were floundering at 76-7 against Pakistan’s spinners but the unflappable Mooney hit 109 to drag her side to 221-9, turning a day that could have been about exposed Australian frailties into a clear example of why they are huge favourites to secure an eighth title.
The left-hander was the latest member of Australia’s vaunted batting line-up to step up, repelling Pakistan as they sensed the most significant victory in their history.
Mooney initially halted the tumble of wickets in a patient partnership of 39 from 75 balls with bowler Kim Garth in the Colombo heat and then put on 106 from 97 balls with number 10 Alana King.
King made 51 not out – her first international fifty – as the pair steered Australia away from danger and then struck a flurry of boundaries to take 59 runs from the last five overs.
Faced with a target far greater than they had at one time expected and one always likely to be beyond their limited line-up, Pakistan crumbled to 49-6 before resisting for 36.3 overs to be 114 all out.
They now have three defeats from three at this World Cup while Australia go top of the standings with a second win to go with a washout.
England and India have also made unbeaten starts to this tournament but it appears one of Australia’s world-class talents will always deliver when needed.
Root has spoken about previously wanting his first ton in Australia “too much”.
He has a respectable average of 35.68 in 14 Tests in Australia – he has nine fifties – but his high score is stuck in double digits at 89.
This time he travels without the burden of captaincy, something he had on the two previous tours, while he will also be part of a batting line-up and wider squad whose chances of succeeding appear higher than of the past three to have made the trip.
Neither Root nor captain Ben Stokes have won a Test on Australian shores.
“I go there in a completely different capacity to last time, different circumstances, a lot more experience now and I feel like I have a really good understanding of my game and how I want to manage it in the conditions,” Root said.
“Clearly you have got to put that into practice and be good enough when it really counts, but I am really comfortable with where everything is at and looking forward to the opportunity and challenge that lies ahead.
“More than anything as a senior player it is about not just performing in terms of the runs but everything else that comes with it.”
After two hours of cricket drills with youngsters at a Chance to Shine event in Leeds, Root has to correct himself when asked if he agrees this is England’s best chance to win an away Ashes during his time in the team.
“It definitely does, if I am being brutally honest,” he said, upgrading an initial assessment of “probably”.
“The thing that I’m most excited about is going there with a completely different approach as a playing group.
“We’re going to be able to hit them with something quite different in terms of our bowling attack, and the opportunity to potentially play three or four bowlers that bowl 90mph-plus for a sustained period of time.
“It’s not like we are going to go there with the same formula and expect different results.
“We are going to go there and try and do it a slightly different way which is really exciting.”
It’s hard to overplay what a huge blow it would be to Australia if Pat Cummins misses some or all of the Ashes, similar to England being without Ben Stokes.
Cummins leads from the front in every sense. It was the skipper who got Australia over the line in the thrilling first Test at Edgbaston in 2023, when England seemed on course for victory.
From a captaincy point of view, Steve Smith stepping up to lead would not be a problem – he is arguably a better tactician than Cummins. Scott Boland waits as the reserve seamer and has a prolific record in Australia, but Cummins is one of the premier fast bowlers in the world.
Indeed, the topic of fast bowling will dominate the build-up to the series. England have named their most hostile group of pace bowlers to tour Australia since 1970 and will keep everything crossed that the bowlers can arrive fit and firing. Australia are now sweating over Cummins.
If Cummins is out, Australia’s resources are suddenly looking thin. Josh Hazlewood has his own recent fitness problems and the rapid Lance Morris is out for a year. The uncapped Brendan Doggett would possibly be in line for a call-up, while the likes of Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott could come into contention.
It is worth remembering England have their own doubts over Stokes, who has not completed any of their past four series.
It could be that the eventual destination of the urn is decided by which captain makes it on to the field most often.
In recent times, England batsman Joe Root has taken giant strides towards the summit of Test cricket: Root has scored 13543 runs in Test cricket, sitting only 2378 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar.
Aged 34 and in the prime of his career for the last five years—since the start of 2020, Root has amassed 6184 runs at an average of 55—Root has a very plausible chance of eclipsing Tendulkar to go to the top of the runs chart in Test cricket and become the first batsman to reach 16000 Test runs.
Having made his Test debut in 2012, Joe Root has performed exceedingly against all oppositions: he averages over 40 and has at least two centuries against the teams heâ€s played a minimum of five Test matches.
At home, in England, Root averages 55, and his away average of 47 is also remarkable given batting in Test cricket has been challenging across the world since the ICC World Test Championship began in 2019.
In fact, Root has been outstanding in all countries away from home, except one: Australia. He averages between 45 and 66 in India, Pakistan, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, the UAE, South Africa, and New Zealand.
However, his record in the away Ashes in Australia is ordinary, belying his immense talent and reputation as Englandâ€s greatest Test batsman.
England are riding on the Bazball wave since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum joined hands in 2022, and they have infused a breath of fresh air into Rootâ€s career as well.
Therefore, the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series, which will begin in Perth on November 21, is as significant for Joe Root as it is for Stokes†England team, who, for the first time since 2010/11, have a real chance at winning an Ashes series in Australia.
Has Joe Root Hit Century In Australia In Test Cricket?
No, despite playing 14 Tests (22 innings), Joe Root has not managed a single Test century in Australia. Rootâ€s highest score in Australia is 89, which he made in Brisbane in the 2021/22 Ashes.
Ashes 2025/26: Joe Rootâ€s stats in Australia in Test:
Root has an ordinary Ashes record in Australia. In 22 innings of 14 Tests down under, Root has scored 892 runs at an average of 35, far below his career average of 51. Heâ€s managed 9 fifties but failed to convert any of them into a hundred.
Root is 34, and will turn 35 on December 30, which is the scheduled day 5 of the fourth Ashes Test. By the time the next away Ashes rolls over, Root will be around the age of 38 and approaching his 39th birthday and is unlikely to be playing at the highest level.
It means that the Ashes 2025/26 is almost certain to be the last Ashes series in Australia for Root. And he would desperately want to improve his stats in Australia in Test cricket, especially one major blip on his career: zero Test centuries in Australia.
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The 2025-26 edition of the Ashes series is one of the most anticipated England tours of Australia in a long time. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullumâ€s Bazballing England unit has been revolutionizing Englandâ€s Test team and recorded some memorable victories both at home and away in the past three years.
Under Stokes and McCullum, England have not lost a single home Test series. In this period, they hosted Australia and India once for a five-Test series each and drew both of them 2-2. Such competitive and closely fought series were both that they could have gone either teamâ€s way.
The Ashes 2023 was as captivating an Ashes series as any over the past dozen years. Two years ago at home against Pat Cummins†World Test Champion side, England lost the first two Tests, but rocked back to secure wins in the third and fifth Test matches; the fourth Test in Manchester was a rain-hit draw, and with England holding a commanding position, the hosts had a great chance of winning that game if not for rain.
When was the last time England won the Ashes series?
The last time England won an Ashes series against Australia was in 2015 at home. Alastair Cookâ€s team beat Michael Clarkeâ€s Australia by a 3-2 scoreline to win back the Ashes urn.
However, itâ€s Australia who have held the Ashes urn for the last four Ashes. They won the 2017/18 and 2021/22 Ashes at home and drew the away Ashes in 2019 and 2023, hence retaining the prestigious Ashes urn.
The upcoming Ashes 2025-26 is a great chance for Stokes†England to reclaim the Ashes trophy after eight years, as the Australian team is struggling with the form and personnel of their batsmen. Apart from Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Alex Carey, the positions of the other batsmen in the top 7 are either uncertain or nigh-untenable, with no clarity yet over Usman Khawajaâ€s opening partner.
This series presents England with a rare opportunity to win the Ashes series in Australia, something they have failed to do for the past 14 years.
When Was The Last Time England Won An Ashes Series In Australia?
The last time England won the Ashes in Australia was in 2010/11, when Andrew Strauss led England to a 3-1 series win.
That remains Englandâ€s only Test series win in Australia in the 21st century, and it was their first on Australian soil since 1986-87.
All three of Englandâ€s wins in the 2010/11 Ashes were by an innings; rarely have Australia suffered such an abject defeat at home.
Such an emphatic series win for England was made possible by heroics from Alastair Cook (766 runs), Jonathan Trott (445 runs), James Anderson (24 wickets), Chris Tremlett (17 wickets), Graeme Swann (15 wickets), and Steven Finn (14 wickets), and other vital individual contributions from the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Strauss, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Matt Prior, etc.
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India vs Australia in 2025 will feature three ODIs and five T20Is, from October 19 to November 8. Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney will host the three ODIs. All matches will begin at 3:30 GMT, with local times varying from 11:30 AM in Perth to 2:30 PM in Sydney.
The T20I series begins on October 29 in Canberra at 08:15 GMT (7:15 PM local) and continues across Melbourne, Hobart, Gold Coast, and Brisbane, all starting at 08:15 GMT with local timings between 6:15 PM and 7:15 PM.
India vs Australia ODI Series: Full Indian squad analysis
Indiaâ€s ODI squad for the Australia tour has been announced. In the India vs Australia ODI matches, Shubman Gill has been appointed captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma, while Shreyas Iyer is the vice-captain. Rohit and Virat Kohli have returned to the ODI setup after retiring from Tests and T20Is. KL Rahul will be back as the wicket-keeper. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar provide spin-bowling all-round options. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Yashasvi Jaiswal are back in the squad, likely as backup batters.Â
The pace attack includes Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna. Dhruv Jurel is a backup wicketkeeper and middle-order option. Jasprit Bumrah is rested, Hardik Pandya is injured, and Ravindra Jadeja has been left out to balance the spin all-rounders. Two players, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy, are yet to make their ODI debut.
India vs Australia T20 Series: Full Indian squad analysis
Indiaâ€s T20 squad for the Australia tour has Suryakumar Yadav leading as captain and Gill as vice-captain. Hardik Pandya misses out due to injury, and Nitish Kumar Reddy replaces him. Washington Sundar is included after being a standby in the Asia Cup.Â
The batting lineup features top-ranked players Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, along with names like Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are included as wicket-keepers. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah are in charge of the pace attack. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav handle spin responsibilities, while Axar Patel offers an all-around spin-bowling option.
India vs Australia ODI Series: Hits and Misses of the Indian squad
Indiaâ€s ODI squad for the 2025 Australia tour has Shubman Gill as captain, which is one of the clear hits. Rohit Sharma and Kohli returning adds experience and stability at the top of the order. They also have the pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh, with spin players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
Sanju Samson not being included in the squad despite strong Asia Cup form is a big miss for the team. Mohammed Shami is also missing from the squad due to an injury. He was not considered for the recent ODI or T20I series against Australia. Hardik Pandyaâ€s injury removes an experienced all-rounder, which forces the team to rely on young talents like Nitish Reddy.
India vs Australia T20I Series: Hits and Misses of the Indian squad
For T20Is, a hit is the retention of almost the entire Asia Cup-winning squad. Suryakumar Yadav, leading as captain with Gill as vice-captain, keeps leadership settled. The pace duo of Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh is strong, and the spin is led by Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.Â
Hardik Pandya’s injury is the primary reason for the T20I misses, which reduces the number of all-round options. There isn’t a big batting gap, but with Australia’s hectic schedule, the team will need to carefully manage workload.
India vs Australia Series: A Look at the Indian Squad
The Indian ODI squad includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The Indian T20I squad includes: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, and Washington Sundar.
FAQs
Q. Is India touring Australia in 2025?
A. The Indian cricket team is scheduled to tour Australia in October and November 2025 to play against the Australian cricket team.
Q. Who has won more matches in IND vs AUS?
A. Out of 296 matches between Ind and Aus across all formats, India has won 111.
Q. How many IND vs AUS Test series are there?
A. There have been 17 Border–Gavaskar Trophy Test series. India has won 10, Australia 6, and one series ended in a draw.
Q. Who is the ODI captain of India in 2025?
A. Shubman Gill is the ODI captain of India in 2025, replacing Rohit Sharma.
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Australia vs New Zealand meet in the third and final T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on October 4, 2025, with the series still alive after Australiaâ€s opening win and the second match being washed out. The match will begin at 11:45 AM IST and will decide the trophy.Â
The two teams have met 21 times in T20 internationals, with Australia holding the advantage through 14 victories, New Zealand winning 5, one game tied, and one abandoned. The Bay Oval is well-known for having one of the flattest and highest-scoring T20 fields, with average scores of 180+. Bowlers can also find help on this pitch under the lights, but chasing teams typically have the upper hand, so another high-scoring match is anticipated.
Among the standout performers, Mitchell Marsh has scored 367 runs against New Zealand in 11 innings, while Devon Conway has 348 runs in 8 innings at an average of 58.00. Marcus Stoinis has contributed 155 runs in his outings against the Australians. On the bowling side, Adam Zampa leads with 12 wickets in 13 innings, Hazlewood has 7 in 5 matches with excellent economy, and Marsh has added 3 wickets in 4 innings. Tim Robinsonâ€s form at Bay Oval is exceptional, with 158 runs in three innings, while Jacob Duffy has taken 11 wickets in four matches at the venue.
Australia vs New Zealand: Head to Head
New Zealand and Australia have faced each other 20 times in T20 internationals. Out of these matches, New Zealand has won 5, while Australia has claimed 14 victories, with 1 match ending without a result. The rivalry began on February 17, 2005, when they played their first-ever T20I, and the most recent meeting came on October 1, 2025.
Matches Played20NZ Won5AUS Won14Tied / No Results1First-ever FixtureFebruary 17, 2005Most-recent FixtureOctober 1, 2025
Australia vs New Zealand: Predicted Playing 11
The series is on the line for the New Zealand vs Australia third T20I at Bay Oval. The likely New Zealand playing XI will include Tim Seifert as wicketkeeper, Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, captain Michael Bracewell, Bevon Jacobs, Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, and Jacob Duffy.
Australiaâ€s predicted XI features Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh at the top, followed by Matthew Short, Tim David, wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood.
The full New Zealand squad also lists Ish Sodhi, James Neesham, and Ben Sears in addition to the expected XI. Australiaâ€s squad includes Ben Dwarshuis, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Josh Philippe as extra options alongside the main XI.
New Zealand’s Playing XIAustraliaâ€s Playing XITim Seifert (wk)Mitchell Marsh (c)Devon ConwayTravis HeadTim RobinsonMatthew ShortDaryl MitchellTim DavidMark ChapmanAlex Carey (wk)Bevon JacobsMarcus StoinisMichael Bracewell (c)Mitchell OwenZakary FoulkesSean AbbottKyle JamiesonXavier BartlettMatt HenryAdam ZampaJacob DuffyJosh Hazlewood
Australia vs New Zealand: Predicted Player of the Match
In the build-up to the decider for Australia vs New Zealand at Bay Oval, Travis Head stands out as the predicted top batter for Australia. The left-handed opener scored 31 from 18 balls in the series opener. If he maintains that momentum, he could provide the platform for a big score, which will put the game entirely in favor of the Australian team, which will ultimately make him the player of the match for the T20I series finale.
Australia vs New Zealand: Pitch condition
The pitch at Bay Oval for Australia vs New Zealand has been good for batting, as seen in the first match, and is expected to behave similarly in the third game. However, conditions are also favorable for fast bowlers early on due to the breeze and swing on offer, making the opening overs challenging for batters. Spinners may not find much help from the surface, but they can make use of the strong winds to their advantage, as Adam Zampa did in the opening T20I. Batters will need to negotiate the first few overs with caution, after which scoring on this pitch becomes easier.
Australia vs New Zealand: Weather report
The weather forecast for the New Zealand vs Australia third T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, predicts a 71% chance of rain on Friday, with the temperature ranging between 16°C and 17°C. This could cause interruptions in play. For the third T20I, the toss will be crucial, with the side winning it likely to prefer bowling first and restricting the opposition to around 180–190. For the team New Zealand, it is a must win match to tie the series, while Australia will look to seal the series with back-to-back wins.
Australia vs New Zealand: Where to watch
The third and final match of the New Zealand vs Australia series will be played on Saturday, 4 October 2025, at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The toss is scheduled for 11:15 AM IST, and the first ball will be bowled at 11:45 AM IST. In India, the live telecast of the match will be shown on the Sony Sports Network, while live streaming will be available through the SonyLIV app and website.
Australia vs New Zealand: Records that can be broken
Several milestones are within reach in the New Zealand vs Australia match. Tim David needs 54 runs to complete 1,000 T20I runs; Tim Seifert is 51 runs short of 500 T20I runs in 2025, and Marsh is six sixes away from completing 100 in the format. Stoinis requires five more wickets to reach 50, while James Neesham is close to a double milestone of 1,000 runs and 50 wickets in T20 internationals.
Australia vs New Zealand match prediction: Who Will Emerge As the Winner?
For the third and final match of New Zealand vs Australia, based on the recent performances of both teams, the Australian team is likely to win their last T20I match against New Zealand. However, the toss will likely decide the outcome. A New Zealand toss win could tilt the match their way, but if Australia wins the toss, they remain favorites to win and seal the series.
At Bay Oval, history favors the side batting first, with 11 wins out of 15 matches. However, teams winning the toss have usually preferred to bowl first in recent games.
If New Zealand wins the toss and chooses to bowl, Australia is expected to post around 175–185, and in that case, New Zealand has the edge to chase successfully. If Australia wins the toss and bowls, New Zealand may end up around 170–180, which makes Australia the stronger side to clinch the game.
FAQs.
Q. Where in India can I watch the New Zealand vs. Australia T20 match?
A. In India, the SonyLIV app and website will stream the game live.
Q. Where will the Australia vs. New Zealand cricket be played in 2025?
A. The Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, New Zealand, is the venue for all games.
Q. Is Australia eligible to compete in WTC 2025?
A. Yes, Australia’s 3-1 victory over India in the Border-Gavaskar series earned them a spot in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final.
Q. In 2025, who will be the top batsman for New Zealand?
A. In 2025, Kane Williamson is the best batsman for New Zealand.
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With Steve Smith at number four and Travis Head at five, Australia look to have a solid and stable engine room.
However, they are yet to find an established number three who can soak up pressure or build on a dominant foundation.
After a run-laden start to his career, Labuschagne, 31, appears to have dropped out of favour, though a good start to the domestic season could change his fortunes.
McSweeney, who made his Test debut as an opener against India last winter before being replaced by Konstas, appears the man the selectors fancy given he batted there in the recent India A series.
The 26-year-old right-hander impressed in the second of the two-match series, which India won 1-0, with scores of 74 and 85 not out.
He could, of course, be considered as an opener too. That would open the door for the likes of Marcus Harris, who scored more than 1,000 runs for Lancashire in the second division of the County Championship this summer at an average of 60.
Perhaps the most likely candidate to step up is all-rounder Cameron Green, which would allow Australia to also play Beau Webster at six – boosting their seam-bowling options and taking some of the pressure off the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who may all be playing their final Ashes series.
Green, 26, averaged more than 50 in 2024 and is approaching his best years with 32 caps to his name.
“I think Cameron Green is an amazing cricketer,” said Campbell. “Once he starts bowling again, he adds another dimension for Australia.”
Green batted at first drop in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s, and then in three Tests against West Indies this summer.
On difficult pitches, he impressed in the Caribbean, passing 40 in three of his five innings.
If we look at individual batting records in the Sheffield Shield last summer on Test grounds in Australia (Adelaide Oval, Gabba, MCG and SCG), 32-year-old Kurtis Patterson (383 runs at 63.8) stands out for runs scored, with the highest average belonging to Queensland’s uncapped left-hander Jack Clayton (285 runs at 71.3).
It all adds up to an intriguing few weeks in Australian domestic cricket, and when Australia’s white-ball team face New Zealand and India. Follow the action via BBC Sport’s scorecard service here.
Ashleigh Gardner played a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten century, as the defending champions thrashed New Zealand by 89 runs (PTI Photo) Australiaâ€s seasoned all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner played a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten century, as the defending champions thrashed New Zealand by 89 runs in their ICC Womenâ€s World Cup opener on Wednesday. Gardnerâ€s 115-run knock came off just 77 balls and marked her second ODI century, rescuing Australia from a middle-order wobble and helping them post a formidable 326 all out in 49.3 overs after electing to bat first.The Australian bowling attack, led by Annabel Sutherland (3/26) and supported by the spin duo of Alana King (2/44) and Sophie Molineux (3/25), then restricted New Zealand to 237 in 43.2 overs, securing a comprehensive win.New Zealand captain Sophie Devine fought valiantly, scoring 111 off 112 balls, featuring 12 fours and three sixes, but the chase of 327 proved beyond the White Ferns. The visitors suffered an early collapse, losing two wickets without scoring in the first 1.3 overs, including a run-out mix-up between Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates.Despite some resistance from Devine and Brooke Halliday (28), who added 52 for the fourth wicket, New Zealand struggled to keep pace with the required run rate. By the 35th over, they were 164/5, needing over 10 runs per over. Devineâ€s partnership with Isabella Gaze offered glimpses of hope, but the effort fell short as Devine was dismissed in the 43rd over.Australiaâ€s innings had begun brightly, with Alyssa Healy (19) and Phoebe Litchfield (45) providing a brisk start, though early wickets brought the team to 113/4 by the 19th over. Gardner then took control, building crucial partnerships of 64 with Tahlia McGrath (26) and 69 with Kim Garth (38), steering Australia to a strong total.From 252/7 after 40 overs, Australia added 74 more runs, eventually being bowled out in the 50th over. Jess Kerr claimed three late wickets for New Zealand, but the target had long been out of reach.Gardnerâ€s commanding innings and a disciplined bowling performance ensured Australia began their World Cup title defense in emphatic fashion, sending a strong message to the competition.