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Pat Cummins has indicated he may not captain Australia in every one-day international leading into the World Cup in India later this year.For the multi-format players involved in the Ashes there will be a three-week break after the final Test, but it won’t be long before attention shifts to white-ball cricket.A T20I and ODI tour of South Africa begins in late August, for which the squad is expected to be announced shortly after the final Test in England, with three one-dayers in India following off the back of that then straight into the World Cup.Related

• Hayden banks on 'wingman' Smith to aid Cummins at the World Cup

• Andrew McDonald fires back at Pat Cummins' harshest Ashes critics

• Warner quashes Oval retirement rumour, eyes Ashes victory

• Cummins: 'To go home winning the urn will be phenomenal – it's a final thing to tick off'

Cummins was appointed ODI captain last October following the retirement of Aaron Finch. Since then Australia have only had six matches in the format, but Cummins has played just two of them. Josh Hazlewood stood in as captain for one game against England then Steven Smith did so for the series in India when Cummins was absent following the death of his mother.With Cummins having a poor game at Old Trafford, as a bowler and a captain, questions have been raised about whether the workload is manageable, but he is comfortable about how the role will pan out over the next few months as the focus shifts formats.”I know the selectors have been really clear that I’m a bowler first in that team,” he said. “So if we need to manage some of those games leading into the World Cup that takes precedence over the continuity of being captain every single game.”We’ll manage that, but there’s a great team around us of players and staff so while I’m the captain and it’s a bigger workload it’s manageable.”It was an outlook flagged by national selector George Bailey when Cummins was named captain. “In our one-day team, we do feel like we’ve got some strong leaders, some really experienced members of the team, and some developing leaders,” Bailey said. “So regardless of Pat being there, I think we are moving away from this concept of a captain taking over and their leadership being all-encompassing.”It is expected that Cummins’ ODI captaincy stint will only continue until the end of the World Cup with a potential that the selectors will look to unify the white-ball leadership under one person.There has yet to be a successor named for Finch as T20 captain and it is possible that whoever leads the side for the three matches against South Africa is only an interim appointment before a permanent structure is put in place later in the year to lead into the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and the USA.Meanwhile, in Test cricket Cummins is approaching the two-year point of his captaincy and when he was announced in late 2021 he indicated he may not keep the role for as long as some. However, if he continues for another couple of years at least, it will likely coincide with the start of the regeneration of the side as senior players begin to retire with the chance a significant number could depart in swift succession.David Warner has given his departure date early next year, but Cummins is in no rush to hasten others to the finishing line although is confident that replacements will be readily available when needed.”I certainly don’t want to rush anyone out the door,” he said. “I think this is about the fourth Ashes series where Jimmy Anderson says it’s going to be his last one. You never know. It’s just an age. Some of these guys might be around here in four years, and still at the top level. We’ll see.”It’s always a conversation. In cricket, we’re lucky you’ve got white-ball cricket where you can kind of have a soft entry for a lot of the guys, give them exposure to international cricket. It’s something the selectors talk about, but really you try and pick your best XI each week.”A replacement for Warner will be the first significant order of business for the series against West Indies in mid-January unless the selectors decide to draw a line ahead of the three Tests against Pakistan starting in December.Marcus Harris could be first in line having been the spare batter throughout the last Australia home summer and this Ashes tour, although Warner gave a strong endorsement to Matt Renshaw.”I’ve always said Matt Renshaw is a very good player,” Warner said. “He can play both formats quite easily. He’s tall. He’s exactly like Haydos [Matt Hayden]. We spoke about him in the early part of his career.”I’ve always felt and held him in high regard as a very good player. He’s worked on his technique. He’s been in and out of the squads, and I think he’ll be a great replacement.”

All the stats and records from West Indies’ forgettable night in Dubai.

Sampath Bandarupalli23-Oct-202155 West Indies’ total against England is the third-lowest for any side in the men’s T20 World Cup. Netherlands recorded the top-two lowest totals – 39 all out in 2014 and 44 all out on Friday, both against Sri Lanka. West Indies did not have a sub-100 total at the men’s T20 World Cup before this game.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 The 55 all-out score is the second-lowest T20I total ever by West Indies. Their lowest was 45 all out, also coming against England, in 2019. West Indies have made consecutive T20I totals of 55, 71 and 45 against England, the top three lowest T20I totals against England.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 England have beaten West Indies for the first time at the men’s T20 World Cup. West Indies were victorious in their previous five meetings, including twice in the 2016 edition.

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Sign up for ESPN+ and catch the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the US. Match highlights of England vs West Indies is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

4 for 2 Adil Rashid’s bowling figures during West Indies’ innings, the best in men’s T20Is for England. The previous best was 4 for 6 by Chris Jordan, also against West Indies, in 2019. Only one player before Adil had a four-wicket haul for England at the men’s T20 World Cup – 4 for 28 by Jordan against Sri Lanka in 2016.ESPNcricinfo Ltd70 Balls to spare when England reached the target of 56 runs, the first time England won a T20I with ten or more overs to spare. It is also the first time West Indies lost by such a margin. England chased a target of 72 against West Indies in 2019 with 57 balls to spare, the previous biggest T20I win in terms of balls to spare for England, also the biggest defeat for West Indies previously.2 Runs conceded by Adil Rashid for his four wickets against West Indies, the cheapest four-wicket haul in men’s T20I cricket. Steve Tikolo also took four wickets for two runs, in 1.2 overs against Scotland in 2013.2 West Indies’ 55 all out is also the second-lowest T20 total ever recorded in the UAE, behind Netherlands’ 44 all out on Friday against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. The previous lowest T20 total in Dubai was 59 all out by Lahore Qalandars against Peshawar Zalmi in 2017.

Wicketkeeper insists team will continue to ‘inspire and entertain’ despite insipid Ashes showing

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2025Amy Jones has insisted there’s still a “lot of love” for Alex Hartley within the England Women’s squad, as she sought to play down the row over Hartley’s claims that she has been “given the cold shoulder” by certain players during her duties as an Ashes broadcaster.England go into Thursday’s second T20I in Canberra needing nothing less than a win to maintain their hopes of salvaging a drawn series after four consecutive losses. But their on-field struggles have been overshadowed by the team’s alleged response to Hartley’s criticism of their fitness levels, which began with their T20 World Cup exit in October.Speaking on a BBC podcast on Monday, after Australia’s 57-run win had confirmed that they will maintain their decade-long hold on the Ashes, Hartley claimed that Sophie Ecclestone had refused to do a TV interview with her, and that other members of the squad were no longer talking to her on the boundary edge.”The reason I said that they were not as fit as Australia is because I want them to compete with Australia,” Hartley had added. “I want them to be better than Australia, and I want them to win Ashes and World Cups. I’m giving my opinion, and I’ve been given the cold shoulder from the England team ever since.”Replying to the row, Jones acknowledged that the squad had fallen well short of its own expectations during the Ashes, but denied that the players had taken Hartley’s comments personally.”I don’t think it is the case,” Jones said. “I think we all respect that commentators have their own opinions and it’s Alex’s job to say how she feels. And I think we all respect that. Hartley’s a great personality, and we have a lot of love for her within the group. So, I definitely don’t think that’s the case.”Jones herself has been a qualified success in a misfiring batting line-up, making three 30-plus scores in four innings to date, including an unbeaten 47 in a low-scoring ODI in Melbourne.Related

• Hartley: Ecclestone 'refused TV interview' after Ashes loss

• Mooney and King help clinical Australia retain Ashes

• Mooney: Voll has taken to international cricket 'like a duck to water'

• Healy in doubt for rest of Ashes series as she misses first T20I

• Australia show off their depth in dominant Sydney display

However, England’s missed opportunities in this series were epitomised by Jones’ glaring lack of game awareness at the culmination of that Melbourne innings, when she failed to run on a free hit that could have kept her on strike going into the penultimate over of the innings. No.11 Lauren Bell was bowled one ball later to condemn England to a 21-run loss.”That one in particular was hard to take, for many reasons,” Jones said. “I felt emotionally drained afterwards [because], with the obvious mistake at the end, you definitely feel responsible for the loss. But the support from all the girls and the staff emphasised that long games don’t often come down to one specific moment, so I guess that definitely helped.”I’ve obviously made contributions along the way, but as a player, you definitely judge yourself on matchwinning contributions. I’ve been lucky to be in a position where I could have really helped influence a few of those games, especially in the ODIs, and I’m disappointed not to be able to get the team over the line. There’s a lot of learnings in there.”Alex Hartley claims she has been given the ‘cold shoulder’ by England players•Getty Images

Even with the series all but lost, Jones says that the squad will be sticking to the same mantras and methods that have been in place since the start of Jon Lewis’ tenure as head coach, in particular their desire to “inspire and entertain” – traits that have arguably been in scarce supply in a dispiriting campaign.”We’re still working hard at training and in team meetings to try and put our best foot forward,” Jones said. “We’ll be very excited to come out play tomorrow, and hopefully get some points on the board.”There was a bit of reconnection after the second ODI about how we want to play, making sure we’re still trying to inspire and entertain,” she added. “That’s worked really well for us in the past, and it’s something that all of us connect to really well.”It brings out more of a fearless playing style, which suits us. I think we’ve lifted a bit away from that, and so reconnecting to that is important for us. We play our best when we take the game on, put their bowlers under pressure with the bat, and have a wicket-taking mindset with the ball. In the field, it’s around energy and enjoyment. When all those things come together, we’re obviously a very good side.”

Liverpool did a great job of fending off competition from rivals to win the Premier League title last term and could now look to repeat the trick on the transfer market.

Liverpool chase more arrivals after Florian Wirtz confirmation

Arne Slot has brought success since arriving at Anfield and looks to have made ann early play in the transfer market as his side aim to stay at the top of the English pyramid.

Jeremie Frimpong has already arrived and Florian Wirtz is set to soon officially become a Liverpool player once the formalities from his move are ticked off, so who could be next on the summer conveyor belt?

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez could be next in line at Anfield, claiming his trademark ‘Here We Go’ statement is imminent regarding the Hungary international.

He stated: “I maintain my position, Milos Kerkez will be a Liverpool player. In this case, there are some small details to clarify with Bournemouth, but I maintain my position. I see Milos Kerkez going to Liverpool this summer.

“Then they still have to close these details. This is why, in this case, there is still no here we go, but it’s coming. I have told you several times, here we go soon. Here we go, it’s coming.”

Huijsen 2.0: Liverpool holding final talks to sign "revelation" after Wirtz

Liverpool’s hectic start to the summer transfer window only looks set to continue – and we aren’t even halfway through June

1 ByRobbie Walls Jun 12, 2025

Not resting on their laurels, Liverpool appear to have several priority positions ready to strengthen and money is expected to be spent in the pursuit of further silverware.

Achieving a steady stream of success both domestically and in Europe will be difficult, but the Reds now have a top defender lined up to further their chances of staying at the summit.

Liverpool ready to beat competition to sign Goncalo Inacio

According to A Bola, Liverpool are ready to move for Sporting Clube de Portugal defender Goncalo Inacio, even if Manchester United ad Newcastle United will provide stiff competition for his signature.

Labelled “complete” by scout Jacek Kulig, it is mooted that he will cost in excess of £51 million. However, the reigning Portuguese champions may be willing to sell the Portugal international for less despite his recent part in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumph.

Five similar players to Goncalo Inacio (FBRef)

Olivier Boscagli

PSV Eindhoven

Leo Ortiz

Flamengo

Ryan Flamingo

PSV Eindhoven

Nehuen Perez

Porto

David Hancko

Feyenoord

Enjoying a superb campaign, Inacio registered an impressive six goals and three assists in 42 appearances across all competitions last term featuring for the most part in central defence.

Ibrahima Konate has yet to sign a new deal at Liverpool and could be available to sign a pre-contract elsewhere in January, paving the way for the Reds to court potential replacements.

Liverpool have shown already this window that they have an elite talent radar, and Inacio arriving at the club would certainly fit the bill as another striking addition.

Hundred players won’t be involved with Lancashire sticking by core from group stage

Paul Edwards16-Sep-2022It probably reveals something about the skewed priorities currently afflicting English cricket that the ECB’s designation of the Royal London Cup as “a development competition” was generally regarded as a downgrading, if not a plain admission of second-class status. What other sport would look down on the process of helping young players refine their skills?But of course, the media, whether established, social or anti-social, followed their leader. The 2021 Royal London would be a “second-team” competition and no one would watch the matches.Then the cricket got under way and supporters of the 18 counties began to turn up in decent numbers. Nothing to rival the Hundred, of course, but many members were more interested in seeing their youngsters for the first time than in watching well-known names play an unloved format for teams with which they could not identify. The result was that last season’s Royal London was something of an unexpected success and Glamorgan’s victory in the final, which was achieved without their Hundred players, was widely welcomed. This year’s competition has achieved something similar – matches at outgrounds have been especially popular – so much so that anyone wanting to play the group matches at the start of next season should consider what will be lost in terms of spectacle and opportunity.Certainly Keaton Jennings, who will lead Lancashire in Saturday’s final at Trent Bridge, has enjoyed both his fresh responsibilities and the company of players for whom every game is still a journey into a new world.Related

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Lancashire channel their inner Lightning as Wells onslaught revives Roses prospects

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Evison braced for his accession as Kent prepare to bid Stevens farewell

“I’ve loved the captaincy, it’s been good fun and it would be lovely if we could bring home some silverware,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the younger players as a group and we’ve talked about somebody sticking their hand up to win a game. And when you look at our record this season, someone has generally done that, whether it was George Lavelle with that unbeaten 61 against Northamptonshire at Blackpool or George Balderson taking two vital wickets at Hove.”You can be critical of the way George Lavelle has got out at times but the way he has played has changed the momentum of games. Our young players are changing the direction of matches, not always with centuries or with five-wicket returns, but with vital contributions nevertheless. That exposure has been absolutely brilliant for them and there will soon come a first-class game, maybe a Roses match, in which that exposure will help them.”Many of the young Lancastrians got their opportunities because several players – Phil Salt, Luke Wood, Richard Gleeson, Liam Livingstone, Tom Hartley, Matt Parkinson – were playing in the Hundred. However, none of the newly disenfranchised six will play against Kent, although three of them are with England anyway and Livingstone is injured. But Lancashire’s coaching staff also had to be changed when Glen Chapple and Carl Crowe were seconded to the Manchester Originals. Graham Onions, Karl Krikken and Craig White all took on new roles and will also be involved at Nottingham.

“He is really a disruptive technology because his skills are just as applicable to these times as they were to the last years of the 20th century. To watch him go about his business with such pleasure is amazing”Keaton Jennings on Darren Stevens

Other faces will be more familiar to Jennings, most notably, perhaps, Luke Wells, whose century in the second innings of the Roses match was a perfect example of what happens when a T20 mentality is grafted on to the pure technique of an intelligent cricketer. Wells’ 124 off 82 balls included 11 fours and half a dozen sixes, three of the latter being struck in the fourth, sixth and seventh overs of the innings off Ben Coad and Jordan Thompson. A repeat against Kent would do Wells’ skipper very well indeed but his century was really only the latest manifestation of the change in the batting allrounder’s cricket since he left Sussex in 2020. And Jennings’ enjoyment of the innings was enhanced by the fact that he was sitting on his bat 22 yards away watching the show.”I haven’t seen a first-class innings like that for a long time,” Jennings said. “It was controlled, it was calculated and it was executed beautifully. Luke just said ‘I’m just going to play and I’ll see what happens.’ My role was to face as few balls as possible and get him on strike.”Luke was already a good player at Sussex and now he’s a really good player who has gone from strength to strength. The change has been good in that he’s challenged himself to be the best he can be very single day. You can see in his gym work that he’s different gravy to what he was two or three seasons ago and he’s maybe added a few years onto his career.”But another player who has added something like a decade onto his career – and, if he is to be believed, isn’t finished yet – will be strolling out for Kent having already ensured that Lancashire are being viewed as the red meanies in this year’s Royal London Cup. Perhaps 90% of those watching the final will be hoping 46-year-old Darren Stevens ends up on the winning side, and were the circumstances different, you get the feeling that Jennings would be amongst them.”I’ve played against Stevo quite a bit and he’s got me out quite a few times as well,” he said. “For me, his biggest attribute is his ability to change over time and adapt his skillset to learn, grow and get better. He’s done that over three generations of cricketers across a 25-year career and that shows a level of skill, a hunger and a drive to get better.”He’s really a disruptive technology because his skills are just as applicable to these times as they were to the last years of the 20th century. To watch a guy go about his business with such pleasure is amazing.”

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to loan out Raheem Sterling after struggling to sell him permanently.

Chelsea keen to offload SterlingOpen to loaning out wingerBlues trying to sell 8 othersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Telegraph states that Chelsea are prepared to loan out the 30-year-old again, following an underwhelming stint at Arsenal last season. The Blues are reportedly trying to sell eight more players before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

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Sterling's career appears to be heading in the wrong direction after falling out of favour at Chelsea and failing to impress on loan at Arsenal last season. The England international, who scored one goal and added five assists in 28 appearances for the Gunners in 2024-25, has been linked with Fulham but is also open to the right opportunities outside of London.

DID YOU KNOW?

The report adds that Chelsea are trying to arrange permanent exits or loans for Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, and potentially Tyrique George and Aaron Anselmino.

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

Former Manchester City man Sterling, who has scored 19 goals and added 15 assists in 81 games for Chelsea, is said to be on wages in excess of £300,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, and that is proving a difficult hurdle when it comes to moving him on. Incidentally, his contract runs until 2027.

Eberechi Eze’s future at Crystal Palace is once again in the spotlight, with Tottenham Hotspur keen on a move for the England international. However, the transfer could face delays after manager Oliver Glasner revealed the midfielder’s release clause has expired, meaning Palace now have full control over whether their star man leaves before the end of the window.

Eze’s Crystal Palace release clause has officially expiredGlasner insists the midfielder remains committed to PalaceSpurs must negotiate directly with Palace for transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tottenham have been strongly linked with a move for Eze this summer, but Crystal Palace are standing firm after his release clause expired. The midfielder impressed in Palace’s 0-0 Premier League opener against Chelsea, though his goal was ruled out in accordance with a rarely-enforced law. For now, the Eagles still see Eze as central to their plans, with two weeks left in the transfer window.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT GLASNER SAID

Glasner moved to play down speculation and stressed Eze’s commitment to Palace. He told reporters, “I expect him to be back playing for us against Fredrikstad.

“I’m sorry, it's nothing personal with all of you, but I said it's good advice to the kids, don't always believe what you read, especially on the internet and here's the same. Who knows that this is the truth, what is written? There are rumours and so many rumours and everybody tells somebody something for his own advantage, maybe.”

Glasner continued: “And again, if everything or most of the things that are written about them is true, they couldn't perform like this. The team couldn't be together like this. The team couldn't be committed to each other like they are. It's just not possible. So again, I'm quite calm. But I also know we have two weeks to go [of the transfer window] and I know Eb’s [release] clause is gone, so it's the club's decision, and we will see what happens.”

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Eze’s release clause, previously set at around £60 million, has now expired, giving Crystal Palace full control over his future. Tottenham remain keen, but Palace are under no obligation to sell unless they receive an offer that they see as worthy. With the transfer window closing in two weeks, his situation could drag on until deadline day.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR EZE?

The England international is expected to play for Crystal Palace on Thursday in their Europa Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad. Spurs are likely to continue pushing for a deal, but will need to test Palace’s resolve without the advantage of a release clause. For now, the midfielder remains firmly in Glasner’s plans at Selhurst Park.

Temba Bavuma is in doubt for South Africa’s Test series against Bangladesh, which starts on October 21, after being ruled out of the third ODI against Ireland with an elbow injury. Bavuma retired hurt during the second match on Friday, on 35, and was unable to field thereafter. He will consult a specialist on his return to South Africa.Rassie van der Dussen will captain South Africa in Bavuma’s absence, with T20I captain Aiden Markam rested for this series.The injury is on the same elbow Bavuma hurt in 2022 on a T20 tour of India. It ruled him out of South Africa’s tour of England later that year. He made a comeback ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he captained South Africa to a group-stage exit. Bavuma was removed from the T20 captaincy thereafter, but remained in the ODI role and was moved to Test job as well.Since then, he has been beset by injuries including a right hamstring niggle – which threatened to keep him out of the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final – and a left hamstring injury sustained during the Boxing Day Test against India last year – which ruled him out of the rest of that series. Bavuma did not travel to New Zealand for the Tests in February as he was recovering and then contracted to the SA20, which means the only series in this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle he has played fully was the two-Test tour of the West Indies in August this year.South Africa have six Tests left in the cycle; two against Bangladesh away and two each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan at home. They would need to win at least five of those matches to be in with a chance of making the WTC final next June.For now, for the white-ball series against Ireland, they are also without allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who has left the tour for personal reasons. They play the third and last ODI of this series on Monday, already having a 2-0 lead. The preceding T20I series finished level at 1-1.

All the statistical highlights from Pakistan’s highest successful chase against hosts South Africa

Sampath Bandarupalli02-Apr-2021274 Target chased by Pakistan in the first ODI in Centurion, their highest successful chase against South Africa in South Africa in this format. Pakistan’s previous highest chase against the home team in South Africa was 267 in Port Elizabeth during their 2018-19 tour. The 274 chase is also Pakistan’s second-highest in the country and their third-biggest against the hosts.Related

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van der Dussen: 'A hundred overs can come down to one moment'

6 Instances of Pakistan winning an ODI on the last ball while chasing. Only South Africa – in seven instances overall – have won more ODI chases on the final ball than Pakistan. The latest win was the first of its kind for Pakistan since April 2005 in Ahmedabad, where they defeated India while chasing 316.The Centurion ODI was only the third instance of South Africa losing an ODI on the final ball. Their other such defeats came in 2000 and 2001 respectively, against Zimbabwe and West Indies.76 Innings required by Babar Azam to score his 13th century in ODIs, the fastest to this feat in men’s cricket. Australia women’s captain Meg Lanning, too, took 76 innings to reach her 13th ODI hundred. Hashim Amla was the previous quickest to 13 tons in men’s ODIs, needing 83 innings.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 Centuries as captain in ODI cricket for Babar. The 26-year-old scored 125 against Zimbabwe in his previous innings, making him the first Pakistan captain with successive ODI tons. Babar’s 103 is also the highest individual score by a Pakistan captain in a successful ODI chase.177 Partnership runs for the second wicket between Imam-ul-Haq and Babar, the second-highest for Pakistan against South Africa in ODI cricket. The highest is 257 between Saleem Elahi and Abdul Razzaq in 2002, also for the second wicket.1 Player with more centuries while chasing in ODIs for Pakistan than Babar. The hundred against South Africa on Friday was his fourth across 40 ODI chases. Saeed Anwar leads the list with ten centuries from 105 chases in ODIs.0 Players older than Rassie van der Dussen (32 years and 54 days) at the time of their maiden ODI century for South Africa. Mike Rindel was the previous oldest player to a maiden ODI ton for South Africa as he was 31 years and 337 days old when he scored 106 in 1995, also against Pakistan. Former allrounder Shaun Pollock was 33 years and 325 days of age during his maiden ODI ton in 2007, but he was representing Africa XI in that game.

Also, when is the best time to score runs in Adelaide? Do spinners have an advantage with the pink ball?

Varun Shetty15-Dec-20202:00

Rahane: ‘Batting in twilight period will be challenging’

Day-night Tests – veterans vs newbies
Australia are both pioneers as well as the most dominant team in this format. No team has played as much day-night Test cricket as Australia, who were the first hosts in the format too. They have played seven of the 14 day-night Test matches that have been held since November 2015, and have never lost. The only rider is that all those matches have been at home. But so is this one.India trialled day-night first-class cricket in 2016 and it was in their domestic schedule until 2018. But the only pink-ball cricket India as a team had played – before last week’s practice match – was during the Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata last year, which they won by an innings.ESPNcricinfo LtdHow do visiting teams do under lights in Australia?
Not very well. Australia won the last day-night Test, against New Zealand last year, by 296 runs, and both matches before that were innings wins. In fact, since they hung on for a three-wicket win in the inaugural match in 2015, Australia have only ever been troubled by Pakistan, when Asad Shafiq nearly chased down 490 with the lower order in 2016.Related

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No visiting batting line-up has averaged more than 30 per wicket in these matches in Australia, and South Africa’s declaration when they were nine down in 2016 is the only innings in which an opposition hasn’t been bowled out.Who are Australia’s best in the format?
The batting threats facing India are fairly obvious names, but David Warner, the best of them, is unavailable for the first Test. Warner is the highest run-scorer in day-night matches for Australia with 596 runs in 11 innings, although 335 of those came in one innings. Steven Smith has made 500 in 11 innings, and Marnus Labuschagne has a fifty-plus score in each of his four day-night innings; he has made 436 runs in four innings.All four of Australia’s frontline bowlers have stellar numbers in day-night Test cricket too. Mitchell Starc has 42 wickets in seven games, a fair distance ahead of the next-best, Nathan Lyon, who has 28 wickets. Josh Hazlewood has 26 wickets in six matches. Add Pat Cummins’ 19 wickets in four games and you get a relentless attack that has taken quickly to pink-ball cricket.ESPNcricinfo LtdPace, spin… what works best under lights in Adelaide?
The stats of Australian bowlers mentioned above might suggest parity between pace and spin in day-night matches, but that is not remotely the case. Fast bowlers have taken 101 wickets at 26.76 in Adelaide, while spinners have gone at 49.83 for their 24 wickets. Pink-ball cricket in general, regardless of venue, has been skewed in favour of fast bowlers, but these particular numbers offer an insight into how good Lyon has been.He is an outlier in these conditions, whether in red-ball cricket or pink-ball. Kuldeep Yadav is the only other spinner since the start of 2015 to have taken at least one five-wicket haul in Australia; Lyon has five in that period. The only other elite-tier spinner to bowl under lights in Australia is Yasir Shah, who averages 123.66 and goes at 4.35 for this three wickets in three innings. At Adelaide Oval, Mark Craig, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali and Tabraiz Shamsi have all played two Tests each without taking more than two wickets.So, apart from dealing with fast bowlers who thrive under lights, India will have the challenge of dealing with Lyon, who has been just as destructive. The luxury of being watchful against fast bowling and attacking against spinners is one that only Australia’s batsmen have enjoyed so far in day-night games.But why does Lyon do so well in Adelaide, especially when compared to other spinners? It must help that the batsmen are often under pressure against pace at the other end; and on a less abstract level, Starc’s footmarks might have a lot to do with it.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhat is the best time to make runs in Adelaide?
The trend in day-night Tests is that scoring is easiest in the second session, and this holds true at Adelaide Oval as well. Another matching trend is that wickets fall at roughly the same average in the first and last sessions. In Adelaide, teams lose a wicket every 29.4 runs on average in the third session, and every 28.72 runs in the first session of a day. In the middle session, that numbers goes up to 33.41.The ratios are a big difference, however, from day games in Adelaide where the average is 53.52 in the middle session and between 35 and 37 and in the other two sessions. A floodlit version of an Adelaide Test offers significantly more to the bowlers.How much of a difference does the twilight period make?
An inevitable discussion in day-night games is the period at the end of the second session and the start of the third, which coincides with the sunset. With various factors in play – a change from natural to artificial light, a sudden cooling of the temperature, change in wind patterns – bowlers and captains have often remarked on the potential for wickets during that phase. Faf du Plessis notoriously declared when South Africa were nine down while he was still batting on a century, just so his bowlers could have a crack with the new ball under lights.But the numbers don’t show any major differences. At Adelaide Oval, as is the case with day-night cricket overall, the bowling strike rates are identical in the first, second and third sessions: 50.2, 52.48, and 52.56 respectively