The Ashes | Ollie Robinson tries a hand at spin bowling; watch video

The Ashes: Adelaide Test impacted by Covid-19 after member of broadcast crew returns positive result

The second Ashes Test in Adelaide was once again impacted by the Covid-19 after a member of the broadcast crew returned a positive result as part of the regular testing. There was no impact on the game as the clash between the two sides began as scheduled on Day 4. In a statement, the venue said, "SA Health are aware and we have begun to trace and notify this person’s close contact. In accordance with our pre-planning we undertaking a deep clean of the relevant areas and are facilitating alternative facilities for relevant officials as required.” Talking about the match, Australia were in command at the start of the penultimate day after bundling out the opposition for 236 in reply to 473/9 (D) in the first innings on the third day. Australia were 45/1, leading by 282 at the start of the fourth day but Stuart Broad and James Anderson struck early to remove Marcus Harris and Michael Nesser in the first session, reducing the home side to 48/3. Harris was sent back in the hut for 23 while Nesser was undone for 3. The visitors had earlier suffered another batting collapse as only Joe Root and Dawid Malan showed some resistance. Both the batsmen struck individual fifties during the course of the first innings. Australia are presently leading the five-match series 1-0.

The Ashes | Root misses start of Day 4 after being struck in abdomen during throwdowns

England captain Joe Root didn’t take the field at the start of Day 4 of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide. The right-handed batter was struck in the abdomen during throwdowns during warm-up and was being assessed by the medical team. It has not been a good outing for the visitors in their tour Down Under as they were once again on the back foot after the conclusion of the third day. Australia were batting at 45/1, leading by 282 at stumps, on course to put up a mammoth total for England to defend. Earlier, on the third day, the English batting order was rattled by the Australian bowling unit after they suffered a middle-order collapse yet again. Only Root and Dawid Malan showed some resistance as the two struck individual fifties during the course of the first innings while Ben Stokes chipped in with 34 before the team was bundled out for 236 in reply to Australia’s 473/9 (D). Mitchell Start returned with a four-wicket haul while Nathan Lyon picked up three to guide Australia in the absence of senior pros like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Cameron Green once again had a good time in the office picking up a couple of wickets to his name. The home side is presently leading the five-match series 1-0.

Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings | Ninth Match Preview, Predictions, Fantasy XI

The Wellington Firebirds will face-off against the Canterbury Kings in the 9th Match of the 2021-22 edition of the Super Smash. The match is to be played in the Basin Reserve, Wellington, the home ground of the Firebirds. Currently, both the Firebirds and the Kings are poised at fourth and fifth position in the points table respectively. Both have four points each, but the Kings are ahead because of their net run rate. In their last encounter, the Firebirds came on top as they won that match by 27-runs. For the Firebirds, it was their superstar keeper-batter Finn Allen who scored a brisk 57 from just 30 balls which contained 4 fours and as many sixes. The total of 177/7 proved too much to chase for the Kings as they ended up scoring 150/9. Michael Bracewell put the mockers on the Kings batters as he took three wickets. The Firebirds recently played the Central Stags and were defeated by a score of 14 runs. Won the toss and chose to bowl, their bowlers started well but couldn't maintain the same tempo until the end, costing them the match. They had no answer for Tom Bruce’s and Josh Clarkson’s batting abilities. Chasing 191, they lost wickets at regular intervals and finished with a total of 176/7. If their bowling all- rounder Van Beek hadn’t scored a quick fifty, the situation would have been much worse. He collaborated with Troy Johnson to keep the deficit to 14 runs. On the other hand, the Kings also met the Stags in their previous encounters. Here the Kings won it comfortably by a margin of 47-runs. The Kings won the toss and opting to bat scored 172/8 which was above par on that Hagley Oval pitch. Cole McConchie played a brilliant captain’s knock of 84 in just 54 balls. Matt Henry thwarted the Stag’s chase by taking three wickets and conceding only 11 runs in his four overs. They were skittled out for 125 runs. The Wellington will try to complete a double against the Kings, while Canterbury will seek vengeance for their defeat in the reverse fixture. As a result, it will be a tantalizing fixture. Match Details Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings – 9 th Match Date and Time: December 19, 2021, 6:10 AM IST Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington Broadcast: Fan Code Pitch Report The Basin Reserve pitch typically helps the batters but always offers a little bit of help to the seamers. The captain wins the toss usually bowls first. The average score batting first is around 160-170. Weather Conditions According to the forecasts, it will remain sunny throughout the match and there will be no rain. Probable Playing XI Wellington Firebirds Fin Allen (wk), Luke Georgeson, Michael Bracewell (c), Troy Johnson, Hamish Bennett, Tim Robinson, Logan van Beek, Ben Sears, Peter Younghusband, Nathan Smith, Jamie Gibson. Canterbury Kings Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Cole McConchie (c), Cam Fletcher (wk), Matt Henry, Todd Astle, Ed Nuttall, Leo Carter, Henry Shipley, Will Williams, Mitchell Hay. CE Fantasy XI Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Troy Johnson, Hamish Bennett, Todd Astle, Ed Nuttall, Logan van Beek, Ken McClure, Henry Shipley. Captain- Fin Allen Vice-Captain- Cole McConchie

The Ashes | Malan gutted to squander yet another century opportunity

Dawid Malan squandered yet another chance of getting to a century in his career as he was once again out in the eighties after having done all the hard work. The left-hander was disappointed to have missed out on what could have been a great away Ashes ton. “We talk about getting 20 wickets or what have you, but in Australia, there are big runs to be had and big hundreds win you Test matches. In the last match, both Rooty and myself were in a position to score hundreds and we didn’t do it, and we were in the same position here and both times we’ve been found short as a batting unit compared to the Australian batting unit,” Malan said in a press conference after the end of third day’s play in the second Ashes Test going on in Adelaide. In the last Test in Brisbane, both skipper Joe Root and Malan had a tremendous partnership of over 200 runs together in England’s second innings. When they were together at the crease, it seemed like England could at least try and challenge Australia, but it wasn’t to be after Root got out for 89 and Malan for 82 in the second session of the fourth day. Similarly in this Test, having added 138 for the third wicket and having seen off the new ball threat and the entire afternoon session, both betters once again lost concentration, getting out within the first hour of play of the second session. This time around Root scored 62 while Malan made 80. Addressing the issue of missing out on big scores, Malan said, “That’s something we must do better from this next innings onwards, that if someone gets in, to make sure that we get that big 100. We’ve only had three innings so far, a couple of the boys have had some scores, but it’s once we’re in, it’s about making the big scores.” Much like the last Test, once the pairing of Malna and Root was disturbed, the entire team crumbled and from 150-2, England were all out at 236 in their first innings, giving Australia a lead of 237 runs. The Aussies have built upon it and were 45-1 at the end of the third day’s play, leading the English by 282 runs.