Bashir is ‘England’s No 1 spinner’ despite exclusion from Ashes Test, says Stokes

Shoaib Bashir has been reassured that he remains England’s first-pick spinner, despite Will Jacks being selected for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. On the eve of the game Ben Stokes said the decision had been made because of the unique challenges of a day-night match at the Gabba and Jacks’s greater quality with the bat“We tried to look at how we thought spin was going to be used, and there was a bit of a tactical element to it,” Stokes said. “Jacksy’s ability with the bat, to have that down the order for us is useful as well. But if it ever comes down to picking our best, No 1 spinner, selection will go the other way.“We thought this was the best XI for the conditions and the circumstances of the game, but he knows that if it comes down to picking our best spinner, he’s the man

Pat Cummins poised to return for Australia in second Ashes Test at Gabba

The challenge for England could be set to increase amid a growing belief that Pat Cummins will be given the green light to return for Australia this week in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.Cummins, 32, was absent from the series opener in Perth as he underwent the final stages of rehabilitation from a lower back stress injury that was first detected back in July. Steve Smith stepped up to captain as the hosts secured a 1-0 lead with an eight-wicket victory inside two days.But despite being left out of Australia’s initial squad for the day-night second Test in Brisbane, Cummins still travelled with the team and appears to have ticked every box in training since. Australia, however, have since said they will not name an XI until the toss at 1

Challenges lie ahead in day-night Test but England have what it takes to shock Australia | Mark Ramprakash

There has been a lot of discussion over the past week about day-night Tests, how to approach them and whether they produce quality cricket. Stuart Broad described them as a lottery but Australia’s outstanding record would suggest that actually the best team normally prevails, and skill should win the day. The question for England is whether they have it in them to dominate in relatively unfamiliar conditions, to win key battles at key moments and to take control.I remember the day-night Test in Adelaide in 2017, when I was with the England team as batting coach. I personally enjoyed the spectacle and felt it was a good challenge for the players

Flailing Usman Khawaja’s Test future now lies out of his own hands | Geoff Lemon

As far as surprises go, a 38.95-year-old with a back problem continuing to have a back problem is not up there with the end of The Sixth Sense. The only twists in this story are the ones that Usman Khawaja can’t currently do. With the second Ashes Test in Brisbane coming up on 4 December, the capricious nature of such injuries made it odd that the batter was included in the first place in Australia’s squad on 30 November, and less odd that he was ruled out again on 2 December. But here we are, still engaged in the dance that Australia’s selectors have been doing through a reluctance to part with Khawaja at the top of the order

Tasmania’s $1.13bn AFL stadium likely to be given green light at parliamentary vote

A controversial $1.13bn stadium on the Hobart waterfront is likely to go ahead after three crossbenchers expressed their support for the project, ahead of the decisive parliamentary vote on Thursday.Bec Thomas, an independent member of the Tasmanian legislative council, revealed in a statement on Wednesday morning additional conditions provided by the government means she will vote in favour of the Macquarie Point proposal.Fellow independents Casey Hiscutt and Tanya Rattray also backed the project during Wednesday’s debate in the upper house, clearing a path for the project which has been pursued since 2019.Their support now means, barring an 11th-hour backflip from a member of Tasmania’s upper house, the project will go ahead, enabling the Devils to enter the AFL in 2028

Fearless Robin Smith and his square cuts gave hope to England in grim era | Tanya Aldred

A Robin Smith square cut was more than a whip‑crack snap of the bat. For English cricket fans of the late 80s and early 90s, it was a nudge in the ribs that, underneath the pastings, the dismal collapses and Rentaghost selections, the national team would fight another day.Smith’s cut, alongside a David Gower cover drive, gave hope where there was little left in the bucket. Those famous forearms – half oak, half baobab – the white shirt unbuttoned past the clavicle, the chain glinting through his chest hair, smelt enticingly like bravery, and old spice and one last throw of the dice.The sight of Smith marching out to bat – as an opener (in four Tests), No 3 (six), No 4 (30), No 5 (19), No 6 (14) or No 7 (twice) – those charmingly indecisive selectors never could quite place him – was a high point in a largely post-Botham era, a clear-the-bars alarm for those in the ground and a stay‑your‑ground sign to those on the sofa