ICC Men's Test Rankings: Anderson dethrones Cummins to become No.1 ranked bowler
Anderson is the oldest bowler to hold the top ranking since Australian great Clarrie Grimmett did so back in 1936…reports Asian Lite News
Veteran England pacer James Anderson displaced Australia captain Pat Cummins to become the No.1 ranked bowler in the latest ICC Men’s Test Rankings, released on Wednesday after finishing with seven wickets in the first Test against New Zealand that helped his side win by 267 runs, last week.
Anderson, who has grabbed the top spot in the Men’s Test Player Rankings for the sixth time in his career, first became No. 1 in May 2016 and was last at the top in November 2018 before being overtaken by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada.
Anderson’s rise to the top at the spritely age of 40 years and 207 days also means he is the oldest bowler to hold the top ranking since Australian great Clarrie Grimmett did so back in 1936.
However, his lead at the top is very slender, with Ashwin remaining in second place on a total of 864 rating points and just two rating points behind the England pacer.
Meanwhile, Cummins, who had been at the top since February 2019, drops to third on 858 rating points, but could still regain top billing with some strong performances during Australia’s ongoing Test series against India.
While the shakeup at the top of the Test bowler charts is the highlight of a big week of change on the rankings, there are also plenty of players on the move in other categories.
England batters Ollie Pope (up six places to 23rd), Harry Brook (up 12 places to 31st) and Ben Duckett (up 13 places to 38th) have achieved career-best rankings, as have New Zealand’s Tom Blundell and Devon Conway. Blundell’s first innings knock of 138 has lifted him four places to 11th while Conway’s 77 has helped him move up five places to 17th.
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has progressed seven places to ninth after his 10-wicket match haul in the second Test in Delhi, the first time that he is in the top 10 since September 2019.
His spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin has moved to second place while other India spinner Axar Patel who is the second leading run-scorer for the series thus far with 158 runs – is also rewarded by moving up two places to fifth overall on the latest Test all-rounder rankings.
Australia’s Nathan Lyon has gained two places to reach 15th after finishing with seven wickets in the match, which his team lost by six wickets.
There are some movements in the ODI rankings too after matches of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. Scotland’s George Munsey has gained seven spots to reach 39th position among batters while Nepal’s RK Paudel has progressed from 76th to 67th. In the bowling rankings, Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane is up 12 places to 31st while Scotland seam bowler Safyaan Sharif is up from 51st to 45th.
In the Men’s T20I Rankings, updated after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) versus Afghanistan series, Muhammad Waseem of the UAE is up six places to seventh position even as Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is back to No. 1 with Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan slipping behind him.
The revised cap will help international students to support themselves through their studies, while maintaining study as the primary purpose of their visa…reports Asian Lite News
The allowable work hours cap for international students will be increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight, along with a two year work visa extension, beginning July 1, 2023, the Australian government announced.
The revised cap will help international students to support themselves through their studies, while maintaining study as the primary purpose of their visa.
Student visa work restrictions were relaxed throughout the pandemic, and they were completely removed in January 2022 to allow primary and secondary student visa holders to work over their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight to address workforce shortages.
This will end on June 30, and the fresh cap will apply to all international students, no matter when they began studying.
The government also announced that a two-year extension of post-study work rights is available for international graduates with select degrees that are in areas of verified skill shortage.
This extension will give eligible international higher education graduates an additional two years on their Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). The extension is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live, and work in regional areas.
Australia to up work hour cap for international students in July
For select Bachelor degrees, post-study work rights will be increased from two to four years, three to five years for select Masters degrees, and four to six years for all doctoral qualifications.
“Enabling students that gain an education in Australia to stay longer and contribute to our economy benefits us all,” Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil said.
“After a lost decade on immigration and skills we are looking for ways to utilise skilled migrants via enhanced training and better targeted, less exploitative programs for temporary visa workers and students,” she added.
There are 1,00,009 Indian students studying across various Australian universities, according to a report released by the Indian External Affairs Ministry for the year 2022.
Down 0-2 after two matches, Australia have already failed to regain the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy series and need to win both the remaining matches to at least salvage some pride…reports Asian Lite News
The touring Australia team management in India is facing a big question on the continuation of another key player on the current tour as opener David Warner is still doubtful for the third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and for the rest of the series.
Warner had suffered a concussion and was substituted by Matt Renshaw and it was later revealed a hairline fracture in his left elbow, which puts him in doubt for the rest of the series.
With Australia’s batters collapsing in a heap for an embarrassing six-wicket defeat in the second Test in New Delhi within three days, they have nine days to not only recover from the psychological fallout of the defeat but also put together a potent squad for the third Test to be held at Indore from March 1.
Down 0-2 after two matches, Australia have already failed to regain the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy series and need to win both the remaining matches to at least salvage some pride.
IND v AUS: Opener David Warner ruled out of last two Tests due to elbow fracture.
They have also missed out on the services of three other members of the original touring party after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the last two Tests due to a hamstring injury. Hazlewood along with Cameroon Green missed the first two Tests while Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Swepson were available for only one of the two matches. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was added to the original 18-member squad and played the Delhi match, which means 19 different players have been part of the squad over the first three weeks of the tour.
Skipper Pat Cummins has rushed home to Sydney to deal with a family medical concern and it is hoped he will return for the third Test in Indore but there is uncertainty over the situation, meaning vice-captain Steve Smith is on standby to lead.
With Warner still struggling to recover from the two injuries suffered within a few minutes during their first innings in Delhi after being hit twice by Mohammed Siraj, Australia have to take some drastic decisions before the third match.
“He’s still sore at the moment,” McDonald was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “We’re in no rush to make any decisions at this point around Davey � There’s a bit of unknown there.”
Even otherwise, Warner has not set the field on fire during his three innings in India in the 2023 series — scoring 1 and 10 in the first Test at Nagpur and 15 runs in the first innings of the Delhi Test before being substituted for concussion.
There is a belief in the Australian camp that Travis Head could be a better option than Warner in these conditions and in case Green is declared fit to play in the Third Test, His availability will give options in batting but also in bowling, which means they can work out various combinations.
coach McDonald will have to take some big decisions in case Cummings is not able to return to India after attending to the health issue in his family.
Till then, all the Aussies can do is wait for some news from the team doctor.
Albanese is set to arrive in India this March to lock the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement deal…reports Asian Lite News
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to visit India “in just a few weeks’ time.” PM Albanese announced last year that he will visit India in March 2023 to lock India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) deal and upgrade the relationship. In a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, where PM Albanese discussed Australia’s relationship with India, he said, “Minister, can I welcome you, very much, back to Australia. You’re a regular visitor here. And I, of course, am looking forward to being in India in just a few weeks’ time now for the bilateral visit. And I thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi for the invitation.”
Albanese is set to arrive in India this March to lock the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) deal and upgrade the relationship between the two countries.
The two sides will carry out discussions on a variety of issues like clean energy, tech, digital trade and procurements.
Speaking about the Quad Leaders meeting which will be hosted in the first half of this year, Albanese said, “And then, of course, I will welcome the Quad Leaders meeting, including Prime Minister Modi, that we will be hosting here in just a short period of time in the first half of the year.”
The Australian PM also talked about another visit for the G20 in the second half of this year.
“And then, of course, there will be another visit for the G20 in the year’s second half. And I know that my Treasurer is there, I think, next week for a series of meetings that will be hosted in India for the G20. It will be an important period,” said Albanese.
He also reiterated that the Australia-India relationship “goes from strength to strength” and highlighted that “economic relationship is important.”
“Our relationship goes from strength to strength. I’ve already had a number of meetings with your Prime Minister. And our economic relationship is important. I think we have complementary economies,” said Albanese.
The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) entered force on December 29, 2022. Under the pact, Australia is offering zero-duty access to India for about 96.4 per cent of exports (by value) from the day the agreement is enforced.
India will benefit from preferential market access provided by Australia on 100 per cent of its tariff lines, including all the labour-intensive sectors of export interest to India, such as Gems and Jewellery, Textiles, leather, footwear, furniture, food, and agricultural products, engineering products, medical devices and automobiles.
On the other hand, India will be offering preferential access to Australia on over 70 per cent of its tariff lines, including lines of export interest to Australia, which are primarily raw materials and intermediaries such as coal, mineral ores and wines.
The Australian PM also underscored the importance of defence partnership with India.
“I look forward to strengthening that as well, as well as on security issues. Operation Malabar, of course, will occur in the coming period, which we are hosting. We have much to talk about today,” added Albanese.
Malabar, which began as a bilateral exercise, is now one of the cornerstones of military interoperability of the Quad forces.
The Exercise Malabar is a Naval Exercise between India’s, the United States, and Japan’s navies. In recent years, Australia has also participated in the exercise, dubbed the ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).’
The exercise takes place in the Indian Ocean. Depending on the complexity and missions involved, the exercise lasts anywhere from 6 to 14 sea days. (ANI)
‘Australia strongest supporter of India’s G20 presidency’
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction of Australia, Chris Bowen on Saturday said that there is no stronger supporter of India’s G20 chairmanship than Australia and that the country will support India in every possible way.
“There is no stronger supporter of G20 chairmanship by India than Australia. We will support you in every way possible,” Bowen said at the Raisina @ Sydney/Keynote speech and conversation in Australia. Bowen during the joint keynote with Jaishankar said, “This is an excellent year for India to chair the G20 and from my point of view, chair also the Clean Energy Ministerial, an important partnership of the world’s key economies working together to accelerate the global energy transformation. A total of 1000 delegates usually attend the meeting, it’ll be a very big meeting.”
The Raisina @ Sydney/Keynote speech and conversation in Australia was organized jointly by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and India’s Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community, according to ORF.
The Australian Minister siad the theme of India’s G20 presidency “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family. One Future”, shows the importance India is going to place on interconnected sustainability. “I want to acknowledge the enormous effort that India is putting into the meeting of the first energy transition working group,” he said.
“My officials just returned from India and they have reported to me how much effort India is putting into its role as the G20 host. I am looking forward to attending not only the clean energy ministerial and G20 energy minister’s meeting in Goa, but also the G20 environment ministers meeting in Chennai a little while afterwards,” the minister said.
Bowen further said that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks forward to his bilateral visit to India in March. “I predict discussion on climate and energy will figure prominently in discussion between Prime Minister Modi and the Australian Prime Minister,” he said.
While talking about Jaishankar, Bowen said, “Jaishankar you are not only the foreign minister of an important friend but you should be acknowledged as one of the most thoughtful and impactful thinkers in matters related to our complicated region.”
“The fact that it is your second visit to Australia in just six months underlines the importance you place on the relationship which we deeply respect and deeply acknowledge,” Bowen said.
He further said that there are some disagreements among statisticians about if India has just become the world’s most populous nation or if it is about to become the world’s most populous nation in the next month or so. “But either way, India is taking its place at the top of the global population mountain,” he said.
Raisina@Sydney Conference, which began today with ‘Business Breakfast’, will involve ministerial and high-level government representations as well as participation from industry and civil society.
This mega event will also include panel and keynote addresses by leading regional think tanks on issues ranging from geopolitics to technology and economics. (ANI)
IND v AUS Series: Third Test moved from Dharamshala to Indore, to start on March 1 (Ld)
The third Test is slated to take place from March 1 to March 5…reports Asian Lite News
The third Test between India and Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has been shifted from Dharamshala’s HPCA Stadium to Holkar Stadium in Indore, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday.
The third Test is slated to take place from March 1 to March 5.
“Owing to harsh winter conditions in the region, the outfield lacks sufficient grass density and will need some time to develop fully,” the BCCI said in a statement on Monday.
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) had relaid the entire outfield, including the pitch. The issues with the relaid pitch at the HPCA Stadium have forced the game to be moved.
Dharamshala hosted its only Test in 2017. Incidentally, that game too was played between India and Australia.
The Holkar Cricket Stadium has previously hosted two Tests against New Zealand and Bangladesh in 2016 and 2019 with India winning both by huge margins.
India have a formidable record at Indore’s Holkar Stadium. The home side hammered Bangladesh by 321 runs in 2016 before thrashing New Zealand by innings and 130 runs in 2019.
India is leading in the present series 1-0 after an emphatic win over Australia in Nagpur.
The first Test in Nagpur had ended within three days as the Australian batters failed to find a way to handle the spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin — the duo together claimed 15 of the 20 wickets.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, the visitors managed to score 177 in the first innings. After stretching their lead to over 200 runs, India bowled out Australia for 91 91 in the second innings inside a single session to win the Test by an innings and 132 runs.
Jadeja was declared the Player of the Match for bowling figures of 7-81 and scoring 70 runs with the willow.
After a huge loss in the first Test, Australia will be looking to hit back in Delhi for the second match, to be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, starting on Friday.
Australia is currently on top of the ICC World Test Championship standings and need to avoid a 4-0 whitewash to India to ensure they reach June’s final at The Oval.
The schedule for the remaining three Tests is as below:
Hanimaadhoo (Maldives), Jan 19 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project, on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)
India and Australia have maintained a steady bilateral relationship that has been characterized by growing interaction in the fields of politics, economy, security, and culture…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Fiji from February 15-17 to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference. The conference is being co-hosted by the governments of India and Fiji in Nadi.
EAM Jaishankar and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will inaugurate the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi in Fiji on February 15. The conference is expected to draw representatives from 50 countries.
This will be EAM Jaishankar’s first visit to Fiji. The visit will also be the first incoming ministerial delegation to Fiji after the formation of the new government in December 2022, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.
In addition to attending the World Hindi Conference, EAM Jaishankar is also scheduled to have bilateral meetings with the new leadership of Fiji. This visit follows closely after the recent high-level visit to India by Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad earlier this month.
India and Fiji have built strong collaboration in a number of areas, including commerce, culture, and education, throughout the years, which has helped to enhance their bilateral ties. The forthcoming 12-day World Hindi Conference, which will begin on February 15, is another cooperative endeavor between India and Fiji to strengthen their relationship.
After Fiji, EAM Jaishankar will head to Sydney, Australia, on February 18. This will be his third visit to the country as External Affairs Minister since February 2022. He will hold meetings with the Australian leadership and attend the Raisina@Sydney Conference, which will be held for the first time in Australia, the MEA said.
For many years, India and Australia have maintained a steady bilateral relationship that has been characterized by growing interaction in the fields of politics, economy, security, and culture.
Both nations have made efforts in recent years to strengthen their ties, and in 2020 the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This has created new chances for collaboration in several fields including commerce and investment, education and research, and security and defence.
EAM Jaishankar’s visit to Fiji and Australia highlights India’s commitment to strengthening its ties with nations in the region and beyond.
Australia lost their last four wickets for 15 runs as India cleaned up the tail in quick time. Jadeja completed his five-wicket haul when he claimed Todd Murphy (0) lbw. Only four Australian batters made it to double figures as the Indian bowlers dominated…writes B Shrikant
Skipper Rohit Sharma struck a breezy half-century after Ravindra Jadeja claimed a fifer in his first Test after a five-month injury break as India bowled out Australia for 177 in their first innings and shaved off 77 runs from that on the opening day of the first Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, here on Thursday.
With the focus on the pitch described by the Australians as tailor-made for the Indian spinners, Jadeja put India on top by claiming 5-47 and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 3/43 as India dominated the visitors.
Rohit slammed his half-century off 66 deliveries and shared a 76-run partnership with K,L Rahul as India set themselves up for a big total. But they let slip some of that advantage when Rahul (20 off 71 balls) was caught and bowled by debutant off-spinner Todd Murphy off the penultimate over of the day. At stumps, Rohit was batting on 56 off 69 balls, nine fours and 1 six, with Ravichandran Ashwin yet to score a run as India trailed Australia by 100 runs with nine wickets in hand.
Earlier, Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch with low bounce which offered occasional spin and were soon down to 2-2 in the third over. Their struggles on the opening day were interspersed by two half-century partnerships — an 82-run stand between Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) for the third wicket and a 53-run stand for the sixth wicket between Peter Handscomb (29 batting) and Alex Carey (36). Though the pitch was difficult to bat on, Labuschagne and Smith showed that one can score runs on it as they carried Australia to 76/2 at lunch.
Jadeja made the breakthrough for India in the fourth over after lunch was taken with Australia 76/2, as he broke the 82-run partnership for the third wicket between Labuschagne and Smith. He enticed Labuschagne out of his crease and the ball spun away from the good length spot to avoid the bat. Bharat did a superb job to stump the Aussie batter smartly, getting out one run short of his half-century.
A delivery later, Australia were down to 84/4 when Matt Renshaw was caught plumb by Hadeja with a delivery that turned big and went past the edge to hit the front pad. Australia crossed the 100-run mark off 40.3 overs.
And when Jadeja claimed Steve Smith as his third victim of the afternoon session, Australia had half of their side inside the pavilion with 109 runs on the board. Jadeja got Smith out with a beautiful delivery that spun a little and straightened to rattle the off-stump as the Aussie batter played for a big turn and missed it completely.
Peter Handscomb and Alex Carey denied India the next success as they raised a 53-run partnership for the sixth wicket, upping the pace of scoring as they attacked the bowlers.Their partnership was in total contrast to the one by Smith and Labuschagne as it came in 63 balls while the one for the third wicket came off 128 balls.
Carey was the more aggressive of the two as he struck seven boundaries in Ashwin for his 450th victim in Test cricket as the Aussie keeper bottom-edged into the stumps. This was another delivery that stayed low and Australia were down to 162/6 in the 54th over.
Australia lost their last four wickets for 15 runs as India cleaned up the tail in quick time. Jadeja completed his five-wicket haul when he claimed Todd Murphy (0) lbw. Only four Australian batters made it to double figures as the Indian bowlers dominated.
Before spinners’ show, pacers Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj set the ball rolling by reducing Australia to 2/2 in the third over — sending back Usman Khawaja and David Warner for one run each, both openers caught on the crease.
Smith and Labuschagne buckled down for a partnership and took Australia past the 50-run mark. They were severely tested by the Indian bowlers — especially the spinners on a pitch of variable bounce as some deliveries were skidding and jumping while others were keeping low. Both the pacers bowled superbly as they provided the breakthrough, though the spinners could not get a wicket in the morning session despite all three being pressed into action.
Axar Patel could have got the third wicket but Virat Kohli dropped a sharp chance to his right off Smith when the batsman was on six runs. Patel went wicketless in the first innings.
The duo survived more than a few unplayable deliveries with the ball skidding on occasions. Labuschagne struck Siraj for two fours in the fourth over, one off a half-volley and another, a deliberate edge past the keeper along the ground. Siraj beat him all ends up off the last ball of the over, with an outswinger from wide off the crease.
He struck five more boundaries in the first session, the pick of them being a drive off Shami wide off mid-on. He was nearly out when a delivery from Axar Patel skid off the patch near the good length spot and Labuschagne just managed to keep it out. Australia went for lunch at 76/2 in 32 overs with Labuschagne batting on 47 and Smith on 19. Things went downhill once Labusagne was out.
His departure triggered a collapse from which Australia recovered thanks to the partnership between Peter Handscomb and Alex Carey only to lose wickets in a heap again, losing the advantage of the brave decision to bat first on the wicket.
Brief scores: Australia 177 all out in 63.5 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 49, Steve Smith 37, Alex Carey 36, Peter Handscomb 31; Ravindra Jadeja 5-47, Ashwin 3-42) lead India 77/1 in 24 overs (Rohit Shama batting 56; Kl Rahul 20, Murphy 1-13) by by 100 runs.
“We had a game in Sri Lanka where we all backed ourselves and trusted our instincts and, and our game plans. And I think that will hold us in a good state coming into the series,” says Warner
Attacking opener David Warner believes that the current Australian team is better equipped and conditioned than the 2017 squad and it will hold the Aussies in a good state in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, here on Thursday.
India is currently placed second on the World Test Championship (WTC) table and will need to win the series to qualify for the final.
In an exclusive interaction with host broadcaster Star Sports, Warner talked about the fierce India-Australia rivalry, who will win the trophy and more.
Is India the fiercest and toughest in world cricket for Australia?
A. It’s the fact that both teams have won in both countries. We haven’t won here for a long time. India beat us in Australia. There is that sense of will to win, and both teams think they’ve got the team that is gonna win the series. So, I think that’s where the great rivalry you always think about.
I think we’ve got the team, I wanna say better than 2017, better equipped, we’re better conditioned. We had a game in Sri Lanka where we all backed ourselves and trusted our instincts and, and our game plans. And I think that will hold us in a good state coming into the series.
The fact that India beat Australia the last two times they traveled down under. Is it fair to say that adds a fair bit of spice to this?
Yeah, it can. I think we let a lot of things slip in those games. Obviously, 2018, myself and Steve weren’t there and the last time I think India just got better of us. The first two tests were a challenge as well. At The MCG wicket, the ball was turning from day one, which is very rare but India played well. Rishabh took down Nathan. You look at the way that the Indian batters batted, they batted along. the bowl bowled. Fantastic. And there were key moments in the games, which we lost.
Where do you think this India team is most destructive?
A. Both teams are well-experienced too. There’s a lot of plays in their thirties and there’s, and there’s some good youth in both teams as well. I think the experience of having guys like Ashwin, Axar, and Jadeja, they’re, you know, their three quality spinners and Kuldeep is out there as well.
I think that’s their core. They’re gonna have to bat long periods of time as well, which they’ve done in the past. The last time we toured here, I think our average first innings total was more than India. So, it just shows you that, probably both teams are relying on the spinners.
You’re gonna get spinning conditions. So, I always find that whoever can outlast the longest when it comes to bat and whoever has obviously the best line and length control with the spin, will win the series.
Is it a cliche to say that this tour will be a trial by spin and it will dictate the eventual winner of the BGT?
A. It always seems to be like that, but I also think you can’t rub out the fact that both teams are at quality bowling, fast bowling as well in these conditions. Reverse swing, new ball, new ball when the ball is hard it seams, and can swing. So, as bad as we have to negate that and we have to identify periods of the game where that reverse swing comes.
It’s not that freedom. Once the spinner comes off, you can start scoring. It actually knuckles down another end, and you have to try and look at the score and push the scoreboard forward. So, it’s gonna be a challenge. And I think you can’t discredit the fast-bowling lineups.
Do you have a border Gavaskar moment that you personally cherish?
I think the last series was so close, we lost two key moments, in Bangalore were two one-hour sessions that cost us the series. I think all in all, the way that we fight out there, the determination that we all have. I don’t really have a significant moment. I think it’s just the way that we always come out with our chest out. Both teams always do, and that’s the competitive nature of both teams. So, that’s probably what I look forward to most as well, about the BGT.
Swati Dave named Chair of Centre for Australia-India Relations(*PHOTO COURTESY: SWATI DAVE/TWITTER)*
The Maitri Scholars Programme will attract and support high achieving Indian students to study at Australian universities…reports Asian Lite News
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong on Tuesday announced the appointment of Swati Dave as inaugural Chair of the Advisory Board to the Centre for Australia-India Relations.
Dave currently serves as Deputy Chair of Asia Society Australia and as a member of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations’ Advisory Board. She is also an Investment Committee member for QIC Global Infrastructure.
In her new role, Dave will promote stronger business and cultural understanding between India and Australia, while working in close coordination with the diaspora.
“Ms Dave brings valuable strategic, leadership and business experience to the role from her extensive senior executive and non-executive director roles across the public and private sectors,” Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with Ms Dave on this important initiative as we seek to deepen our engagement with India, one of our most important regional partners,” Wong added.
Dave was most recently Managing Director and CEO of Export Finance Australia, and has held senior positions at National Australia Bank, Deutsche Bank, AMP Henderson Global Investors, Bankers Trust and Westpac.
The Centre for Australia-India Relations will open this year and serve as a national platform to further strengthen relationship with India. It will also administer over $20 million in Maitri (friendship) initiatives, including a scholars programme, a grant and fellowship programme and a cultural partnership.
The Maitri Scholars Programme will attract and support high achieving Indian students to study at Australian universities.
According to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and trade, three per cent of Australians have Indian heritage, and in 2020, the Indian-born population became Australia’s second-largest group of overseas-born residents.
Renowned for his power at the top of the order, Finch’s 172 off 76 balls against Zimbabwe in 2018 remains the highest individual score in T20 Internationals….reports Asian Lite News
Aaron Finch, who led Australia to their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2021, called time on his international cricket career on Tuesday.
Finch, Australian Men’s T20 Captain, announced his retirement from all international cricket, 12 years after making his debut.
Having retired from One-Day Internationals in September 2022 after playing 146 matches, Finch has now decided to step away from T20 Internationals after playing 103 matches, where he averaged 34.28 at a strike rate of 142.5. He also played five Test matches in 2018.
“Realising that I won’t be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment to step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event,” Finch told reporters at the MCG. “I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career.”
Finch, 36, first represented Australia in the U19 World Cup in 2006 — alongside current internationals Usman Khawaja, Matthew Wade and David Warner.
Renowned for his power at the top of the order, Finch’s 172 off 76 balls against Zimbabwe in 2018 remains the highest individual score in T20 Internationals. At the time, this innings broke his own record of 156 of 63 balls against England in 2013.
Finch captained Australia in 76 T20 Internationals, more than any other men’s player, leading the team to a maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2021. He finishes his career as a two-time World Cup winner having been a part of the squad that claimed the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup title on home soil in 2015, cricket Australia informed in a release on Tuesday.
In what turned out to be Finch’s final match in the green and gold, he finished with a player-of-the-match performance against Ireland at the most recent T20 World Cup.
Finch will continue to play in T20 domestic competitions, including the KFC Big Bash League.
Speaking at the MCG to announce his retirement, Aaron Finch said: “Realising that I won’t be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment to step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event.
Finch termed the World Cup triumphs as the most memorable moments of his career.
“Team success is what you play the game for and the maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021 and lifting the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be the two memories I cherish the most.
“To be able to represent Australia for 12 years and play with and against some of the greatest players of all time has been an incredible honour,” he added.
Cricket Australia Chair, Dr Lachlan Henderson said: “On behalf of Cricket Australia, I’d like to congratulate Aaron on an exceptional international career, where he finishes as one of our finest white-ball players. In full flight, there were few batters more powerful than Aaron, illustrated by the fact he holds two of the three highest-ever scores in T20 International cricket.
“While he was a tough competitor on the field, Aaron always played the game with a smile on his face and in the right spirit. This earned him the respect of his teammates, opposition players and fans from around the world,” he was quoted as saying in the release.
“As one of only four men’s players to captain Australia to a World Cup victory, Aaron will always have a special place in Australian Cricket’s history.
“Playing at the highest level for over a decade requires incredible determination and dedication, so we thank Aaron for his enormous contribution and wish him all the best in the next phase of his career,” Henderson said.
Australian great Healy questions skipper Finch’s place in T20 team.
At the domestic level, Finch played for Victoria (2007/08 to present) and Melbourne Renegades (2011/12 to present) in the Big Bash League.
He was a big star in franchise T20 cricket and played for various teams in the Indian Premier League since he was first picked by Rajasthan Royals in the 2010 auction. In the IPL, he represented Delhi Daredevils (2011-12), Pune Warriors India (2013), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2014), Mumbai Indians (2015), Gujarat Lions (2016-17), Kings XI Punjab (2018), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2020) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2022).
He also played for Yorkshire (2014-15) and Surrey (2016-19) in England, Auckland Aces (2012-13) in New Zealand and Ruhuna Royals in the Sri Lanka Premier League (2012), scoring 11,382 runs in 381 T20 matches in all, hitting eight centuries and 77 fifties.
