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

The Ashes | 2nd Test | Day 4: England pick early wickets before Labuschagne, Head provide resistance

England bowlers had a brilliant start to the proceedings on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide as they scalped early wickets in the first session. Beginning the day at 45/1, the home side was in cruise control after having a lead of 282 but the England bowling unit and especially James Anderson and Stuart Broad troubled the batsmen early. Anderson provided the visitors with the first breakthrough of the day after he cleaned up Michael Nesser for 3 and Broad joined the party with the wicket of Marcus Harris in the very next over. Harris was undone for 23 after Jos Buttler held on to a fine catch. Later, Marnus Labuschagne and stand-in captain Steve Smith tried to steady the ship as the two batters almost played 10 overs before Ollie Robinson bagged the priced wicket of Smith for just 6 runs. The right-hander was caught by Buttler, leaving Australia at 55/4. Labuschagne was then joined by Travis Head in the middle and the two batsmen provided the much-needed resistance to the side. At the time of writing, they had already stitched a stand of over 50 runs for the fifth wicket.

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