All posts tagged: McDonald

Ashes 2025-26 | Usman Khawaja confirmed for Sydney Test: Australia coach McDonald 

Ashes 2025-26 | Usman Khawaja confirmed for Sydney Test: Australia coach McDonald 

Published by Webster

Australia head coach and selector Andrew McDonald has confirmed Usman Khawaja will play in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid media speculation it could be his last international. The oldest player in an ageing squad, the 39-year-old lefthander’s spot in the line-up is under scrutiny following his demotion down the batting order and as selectors look to the future. With the promoted Travis Head taking his opening spot, Khawaja batted at number four in the third Adelaide Test ‍and ⁠number five in the fourth match in Melbourne. While some reports in Australian media have suggested Sydney could be Khawaja’s last international, McDonald said he had not had any conversations with him about his future. “There’s no indication at my end that he’s calling it in Sydney,” McDonald told reporters in Melbourne on ​Monday. “But his performance in this calendar year has been good ‌enough to warrant selection so I’d say he’ll be there marking centre in Sydney.” Khawaja has not spoken publicly of his plans and returned home to …

Andrew McDonald Dismiss Khawaja’s Retirement Talks Ahead of Sydney Test

Andrew McDonald Dismiss Khawaja’s Retirement Talks Ahead of Sydney Test

Published by Webster

The Australian head coach, Andrew McDonald, has provided a major hint about Usman Khawaja’s retirement after the fifth and final test of the Ashes 2025/26. He said that the selectors have given no indication from Usman Khawaja about his playing future, but have guaranteed his selection in Sydney while acknowledging the batting unit is not functioning at full capacity. He added that Cameron Green batting in five different positionin his last five tests is a result of him having to fit around others due to not being able to bed down a role with a weight of runs and he confirmed that Beau Webster would be considered for Sydney. Australia do not play another test for eight months following the Ashes. Khawaja started the series as Australia’s long-time incumbent opener but has not opened in the series due to suffering back spasms in Perth. He missed the Brisbane Test due to spasms and then was initially left out of the side for Adelaide before being recalled at bat at No.4 just 45 minutes before the …

Australia head coach McDonald responds to Lyon’s ‘filthy’ omission in Brisbane Test

Australia head coach McDonald responds to Lyon’s ‘filthy’ omission in Brisbane Test

Published by Webster

After the star Australian spinner Nathan Lyon expressed his disappointment over his non-selection in the playing XI for the Pink-Ball Test against England at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald reasoned Lyon’s snub and said the team still do “value spin”. “I’ll make this a headline: We still do value spin,” McDonald told reporters on Tuesday. “The surfaces have pushed us in different directions. That’s the first game that Nathan’s missed in Australia for a long time. Has his impact been as great as previous seasons with the surfaces that we’re playing on? Potentially not,” he added. Earlier, Lyon minced no words and displayed his disappointment, saying he had not yet been able to bring himself to speak to selectors about the decision. When asked for his opinion, he summed up his feelings bluntly: “Absolutely filthy,” he told the official broadcaster Channel 7, using local slang for anger. “But yeah, can’t do anything about it. So, I hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and …

Josh Hazlewood Set to Miss Brisbane Test; Andrew McDonald Provides Major Update

Josh Hazlewood Set to Miss Brisbane Test; Andrew McDonald Provides Major Update

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The Australian head coach, Andrew McDonald, has provided a huge update on Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins ahead of the second test of the Ashes 2025/26. The stage is set for the second test of the ongoing Ashes 2025/26. Australia and England will lock horns in the second Test at the Brisbane Cricket Ground starting on December 04. Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the first Ashes Test due to a hamstring strain and is also set to miss the second test of the series. Addressing the duo’s availability, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald came forward and provided the injury update on 34 year 34-year-old Josh Hazlewood, saying that Hazlewood will surely play some part in the series, and is expected to feature in the third test. “He’s working through the first week of his rehab. I’m not sure that we need to give an update on that. Once he gets further down the track and [we] have some rough timelines, then we’ll be in a position to communicate that,” said McDonald. “I know that …

“Done an incredible job”, Andrew McDonald praises SCG ground staff

“Done an incredible job”, Andrew McDonald praises SCG ground staff

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Australia head coach Andrew McDonald praised Sydney Cricket Ground ground staff for preparing an extraordinary pitch for the final test. The traditional SCG wicket is usually a batting paradise and also helps the spinners towards the end but the ongoing Test has unfolded on a green top with variable bounce on offer. During Day 2, the Sydney Cricket Ground saw a total of 15 wickets from the fast bowlers. “The ground staff have done an incredible job in terms of, creating a wicket with something in it. Traditionally here it’s quite benign and we’ve had a lot of draws, so a lot of people have been talking about the draws, so you’re damned if you do it and damned if you don’t. So this game’s sped up. I think he’s trying to produce an even contest between bat and ball. There’s no doubt about that. It’s made for interesting cricket,” Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said. Speaking of the fifth test at Sydney, India opted to bat first after winning the toss. But India’s opening …

“It’s not surprising”, Andrew McDonald on Pant’s knock in second inning at Sydney

“It’s not surprising”, Andrew McDonald on Pant’s knock in second inning at Sydney

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Australia head coach Andrew McDonald praises Rishabh Pant following his impressive second innings knock at the Sydney says “It’s not surprising“. Rishabh Pant who scored 40 runs in the first inning was seen in a different phase in the second innings. Rishabh Pant secured his maiden fifty of the BGT 2024-25 in just 29 balls that too with a six off Mitchell Starc’s delivery. His outstanding knock made him surpass Kapil Dev’s record for scoring the fastest fifty for India in tests in away conditions. Soon after the drinks break, Pat Cummins dismissed Rishabh for 61 and took control over the Indian batting. Pant’s aggressive knock in the second inning received praise from many even Australian head coach Andrew McDonald threw his view over the Indian wicketkeeper’s knock. “First of all, it’s not surprising, the way he plays. We were in fact a little bit surprised in the first innings, the way he went about his work. He’s got an incredible ability to put pressure back on to bowlers. We’re planning for that though, we’ll …

Rishabh Pant’s Subdued First Innings Was Surprising: Andrew Mcdonald

Rishabh Pant’s Subdued First Innings Was Surprising: Andrew Mcdonald

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It was not at all surprising that Rishabh Pant bulldozed the Australian attack with his stroke-play in the second innings but his ultra-defensive approach on the opening day indeed was, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said on Saturday. Pant had laboured to 40 off 98 balls, taking multiple blows on his body during his 149-minute stay on the wicket. Pant had said that he was not in a frame of mind to attack. Pant, though, changed the gears effortlessly in the second innings, hitting Mitchell Starc for two massive sixes. Scott Boland and Beau Webster were not spared either as they too were lofted for a six each. “First of all, it’s not surprising, the way he plays. We were in fact a little bit surprised in the first innings, the way he went about his work. He’s got an incredible ability to put pressure back on to bowlers,” McDonald said, doffing his hat to India’s biggest match-winner in Test cricket in recent years. However, Australia didn’t allow Pant to completely walk away …

‘Clearly it’s acceptable behaviour because there were no fines’: Andrew McDonald on Indian players charging towards Sam Konstas after Usman Khawaja’s wicket | Cricket News

‘Clearly it’s acceptable behaviour because there were no fines’: Andrew McDonald on Indian players charging towards Sam Konstas after Usman Khawaja’s wicket | Cricket News

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Tempers raised at the end of Day 1 when Sam Konstas and jasprit Bumrah were involved in a heated altecreation. In what happened to be the final over the day’s play in Sydney of the fifth Test Bumrah got agitated and was when Usman Khawaja was not ready to face the delivery as the clock was ticking to close of the play. Meanwhile Konstas intervened from the non-striker end. Bumrah in spur of the moment was seen walking towards Konstas and both players were stopped by the umpires. Later in the over of the final ball of the day Bumrah picked up Khawaja when all the players ran towards Konstas to celebrate the wicket. Speaking of the incident at the end of Day 2, Australian coach Andrew McDonald said “My conversation with Sam was about checking in with him. Clearly the Indian celebration was intimidating , with all of them Swarming in. So just wanted to make sure he’s okay. Considering there has been no charges on Indian team, clearly it’s acceptable behaviour because there …

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Injured Mitchell Starc skips nets, Mitch Marsh’s spot for Sydney Test under scanner | Cricket News

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Injured Mitchell Starc skips nets, Mitch Marsh’s spot for Sydney Test under scanner | Cricket News

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Heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy finale on Friday, Australia are contemplating changes to the Melbourne Test-winning team with the spots of Mitch Marsh — enduring poor form — and, crucially, Mitchell Starc — nursing an injury — under scrutiny. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald conceded that Marsh ‘hasn’t been scoring as many runs as selectors would like against India’ and Beau Webster, who is in the squad, could be given a look-in. The report also added that McDonald was confident that ‘Sean Abbott or Jhye Richardson could step up if Mitchell Starc was to be ruled out of the SCG Test due to injury.’ After beating India in Melbourne to go 2-1 up in the series, Australia reached Sydney on Tuesday and had a training session on Wednesday, where Starc did not bowl in the nets. The pacer, however, said he ‘expected to play on Friday’. The report quoted a team spokesperson saying that the injury ‘is more a case of general soreness that tended to get better the …