Australia allrounder Marcus Stoinis has signed to play in the SA20 for Durban’s Super Giants, the affiliate of his IPL club Lucknow. He is comfortable with being left out of Australia’s ODI squad to face West Indies after speaking regularly to the selectors for six months, but still hopes to be part of the T20 World Cup campaign.Stoinis had known for some time he would not be part of Australia’s first bilateral ODI squad after the World Cup but he is not retiring from ODI cricket and is still preparing himself to be part of the T20 squad in the build-up to June’s World Cup where he has been a mainstay in the middle order since the 2021 triumph in the UAE.Even prior to missing out on selection in the XI for the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad, Stoinis had been talking regularly with coach Andrew McDonald and chair of selectors George Bailey about what the transition period would look like for Australia’s one-day team, and he supported Aaron Hardie’s selection as a second allrounder in the 13-man squad alongside Cameron Green with Mitchell Marsh rested. Stoinis’ omission gives him the chance to play more franchise cricket in South Africa after the BBL, before he hopes being part of the T20I series against West Indies and New Zealand later in February.Related

• Stoinis 'absolutely fine' with not getting a CA contract, still keen to play for Australia

• Agar, Stoinis, Behrendorff and Tye go freelance without WA contracts

• Marcus Stoinis re-signs with Melbourne Stars for three more seasons

• Marsh to captain T20Is against West Indies with Warner named

• David heads to ILT20 but may be called back for Australia duty

“I had a few conversations with Andrew McDonald over the last sort of four to six months,” Stoinis said. “Spoke to George as well. In terms of selections, in terms of the fact that Hardie’s coming in, I think that’s brilliant. I think it makes complete sense after a World Cup. There needs to be a balance between keeping a core, and bringing new guys in. The next tournament that they’re looking forward to is the Champions Trophy, which is 18 months away.”I’ve got no intention of retiring from international cricket or anything like that. I think it makes complete sense. He’s [Hardie] been playing brilliantly. He also needs to be exposed in international cricket which I think he’s ready for. I’ll be going to South Africa to play for my IPL franchise Lucknow over there which Cricket Australia has been in the loop with the whole time. So I think all makes sense to be honest.”Stoinis is currently with Melbourne Stars and his side are on the verge of playing finals. Stars have two more home and away games on January 13 and 15 to qualify for the finals which will be played from January 19 to 24.Marcus Stoinis is hopeful of being selected for the T20Is against West Indies and New Zealand•ICC/Getty Images

Durban’s Super Giants start their SA20 season on January 12. If Stars don’t make the finals, Stoinis could be available for as many as seven SA20 games or as few as four if Stars reach the BBL decider on January 24. But he will still be available, and is hoping to be selected, for Australia’s three-match T20I series against West Indies in Australia starting on February 9, which would rule him out of the SA20 finals which run from February 7 until February 11.”I’ve got every intention to play T20 cricket for Australia as long as I can, as long as they want me,” Stoinis said. “I feel like my international and T20 [franchise] cricket has been good over the last whatever period. And I’ve got a great relationship with the boys in the team and also with the likes of Timmy David and Wadey [Matthew Wade] and Ingo [Josh Inglis], that group that bat in the middle order, which I think is what we’re trying to nurture as a team to build towards the big tournaments.”But then also there needs to be a transition to get people into the team as well and expose people. I can only really speak for myself, but I think things are getting to a great stage where…we don’t want to give up a spot, but we understand the landscape of cricket and there’s opportunities at the moment everywhere so you need to be incorporating a group of cricketers into these teams, I think.”The club versus country debate continues to rage in Australia with David Warner likely to be recalled from the ILT20 for the same T20I series against West Indies. The selectors and CA have made it clear they will work with each individual on a case-by-case basis in terms of selection for international series when they have conflicting T20 franchise contracts.Stoinis believes the understanding between the players and CA on franchise cricket is very strong.”I think it’s the best it’s been,” he said. “I think every individual is probably a bit different. I’m very lucky with my relationship with Ron [McDonald]. We’re super open and clear. I think also he understands that cricket is going that way.”You can either push against it really or just work with it. Everyone wants the right thing for the players individually, but also for Cricket Australia and the Australian cricket team. So as long as we’re on that page, I think most situations should be able to resolve themselves.”Stoinis appeared in two Sheffield Shield matches for Western Australia last February after returning from the ILT20 and has not ruled out playing more first-class cricket, despite just two appearances in four years, although he is unlikely to be available to do so this summer.”I have spoken to Western Australia about that,” Stoinis said. “I don’t know whether it’s my stubbornness, but I can’t say no. I enjoyed it. I played it last year. I loved it. I love the different challenge. I love being around the group and being able to have more banter rather than a T20 game where you just run around the field by yourself. Nothing’s off limits.”

This is Australia women’s first bilateral tour of Bangladesh, where the T20 World Cup will take place later in the year

Mohammad Isam20-Mar-2024Bangladesh’s cricketers are making full use of staying at the same hotel as the Australians in Dhaka, trapping Alyssa Healy at the toaster and gathering vital information about how one of the best in the world goes about doing her business.Australia are on site for a limited-overs series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is which kicks off on Thursday and their hosts are absolutely thrilled.”They are the legends of the game so our players are looking forward to meeting them,” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said. “Already our players are going up to them in the breakfast table. This communication is important to grow as a team. Many of our players never played against them. We see them as idols so playing with them is a huge achievement.”This is the Australia women’s first bilateral tour to Bangladesh so starting from the players to the fans and media, there’s massive interest. Sultana’s opposite number Healy said that they will be looking to learn from the Bangladesh players too, specifically about the pitches and conditions they might face on this tour and beyond considering the T20 World Cup will be taking place here later in the year.Related

Jonassen omitted for Bangladesh tour, Vlaeminck recalled

Powerplay: 'Brave' parents make cricket an option for women in Bangladesh

Uncapped Farzana and 15-year-old Nishita in Bangladesh's ODI squad

“I’m really proud of this group of people, who see it as a greater responsibility to continue to grow the game,” Healy said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean going over and above but there’s always opportunities to intermingle between the sides. To talk about the game as a whole. To gain some useful experience, and not just that’s not just on their part.”That’s me asking questions about playing here in Bangladesh and playing against sides that we don’t get the opportunity to play against either. I think it goes both ways. The girls are really excited to be here and be a part of this series. Hopefully those conversations will take place. I’ve already had one conversation today around the toaster at breakfast so excited for many more to take place.”2:09

Why Nigar Sultana Joty is happy to see Asian sides play top nations

Fatigue is a subject Healy touched on considering some of Australia’s players are coming off the back of the recently concluded WPL in India, before which they had been busy with national commitments. “I think there’s some differing levels of battery power around our group at the moment,” she said. “I think that’s part of the modern game. That’s exactly what is going to start happening moving forward. Playing right around the world 12 months of the year and managing those expectations are going to be a real challenge.”Fortunately for us, I feel we’ve got some great perspective within our group. We have Tayla Vlaeminck back in our in our squad for the first time for a long time. Sophie Molineux is back around the group. There’s enough perspective in there that if you’re feeling a little bit tired, there are players that are absolutely busting their gut to be here playing for Australia. That’s a nice reminder for each and every one of us. The group is really excited to be here and excited to pull on the yellow and play for Australia again, which I think tips it.”Sultana, meanwhile, has pointed out her team’s bowling as their strength. She also pointed out the bigger picture of playing against Australia at home. Bangladesh have been quite impressive in the last 12 months, particularly after they ran India close in the two white-ball series. They also beat Pakistan in 2-1 in a T20I series and an ODI series at home, and won two matches in South Africa too.Both Sultana and Healy welcomed the huge media presence at the pre-match press conference. “When we were playing against India,” Sultana said, “the journalists’ questions were very different. Whether we can win or not, you asked. I think it is a huge success for my team that you aren’t asking me these questions. The questions this time are about winning and doing better. I think it is a kind of a success.”We really want to do well against Australia. They are a big side. They get facilities that are equal to their men’s team. We are still a way from that, but the BCB is trying. They got us a team sponsor this time. There’s a lot of media attention this time, which wasn’t the case before. The word will spread more about women’s cricket. When girls will know that they have a professional future in this sport, they will be more interested to play cricket.”

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is considering two creative youngsters to fill the void left by Jude Bellingham, who will return in October.

• Bellingham underwent shoulder surgery
• Alonso set to miss out on Englishman until October
• Coach already has a plan up his sleeve

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  One would imagine that Alonso would be having a big headache following Bellingham's successful shoulder surgery, which will keep him out of action for the next three months. However, the Spanish manager has already found a potential solution for replacing the void left by Bellingham. It seems that he will be counting on not one, but two young stars to shoulder the burden.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to a report from , Alonso has decided that he will play both Arda Guler and new signing Franco Mastantuono in the starting XI, until Bellingham returns. During the Club World Cup, Guler started five of the six games and was used by Alonso as a deep-lying midfielder. While Alonso has admitted in press conferences that the Turkish talent can improve a lot, the 20-year-old certainly transitioned into his new role seamlessly, showing incredible promise.

  On the other hand, Mastantuono will not be arriving in the Spanish capital until August 14. It is expected that he will take time to adapt, especially since he is arriving from South America. However, playing Mastantuono could provide a lot of on-field tactical flexibility to the former Bayer Levernkusen boss. Indeed, the Argentine teenager can play both on the right wing, as well as attacking midfielder.

  Apart from the aforementioned duo, Alonso is eagerly anticipating the return of Eduardo Camavinga, who has been battling severe fitness issues and missed almost half the games last season. His return could help Alonso use one of Guler and Mastantuono in advanced midfield roles.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bellingham underwent surgery on his shoulder on Wednesday, with Madrid announcing that the 22-year-old will remain on the sidelines for the next 10 to 12 weeks. The operation was long overdue, with Bellingham carrying shoulder issues since late 2023. In an encounter against Rayo Vallecano in November, Bellingham suffered a dislocation on his left shoulder, which prompted him to miss the next four games. He did, however, return to the pitch thereafter, but used a shoulder brace to battle through the pain.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  After reaching the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, Alonso & Co. will return to pre-season training after two weeks, with their first game of the 2025-26 season set to be played on August 19 against Osasuna.

The case against a man charged with stealing a £62,000 handbag and gold watch from the wife of Manchester United keeper Andre Onana has been dropped.

Incident took place in March 2025Case dropped due to lack of evidenceTough time for Onana in ManchesterFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The incident in question is alleged to have taken place on March 29, 2025. Melanie Kamayou was targeted outside an Italian restaurant in the Alderley Edge region of Cheshire. She found herself caught up in a frightening street raid.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Liam Ross, a 25-year-old from Wibsey in West Yorkshire, was charged with the robbery – which saw a designer handbag and expensive piece of jewelry go missing. Said case has, as reported by , now been discontinued.

DID YOU KNOW?

That is due to the Crown Prosecution Service offering no evidence. Ross has still been sentenced to 24 months in jail by Chester crown court after pleading guilty to a separate charge of producing cannabis.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyTELL ME MORE

That is not the outcome that 35-year-old pharmacist Kamayou was hoping for. She moved to the UK alongside her Cameroon international partner in 2023 – with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney having previously called Alderley Edge home.

Vipers wobble to 136 for 6 needing 207 after Seren Smale’s 99 puts Thunder in strong position

ECB Reporters Network01-May-2024

Nancy Harman got Southern Vipers over the line in a tight three-wicket victory over Thunder to give the holders three wins in a row.Allrounder Harman, in her first appearance of the season, came to the crease with Vipers wobbling on 136 for 6 needing 207 – and behind the DLS with rain about. But she beat her previous best of 23 not out to guide her side to victory, and continue Vipers’ unbeaten record against Thunder.Earlier, England A batter Seren Smale beat her previous best of 94 – scored against Central Sparks last season – and bagged her third career Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fifty but ended up heartbroken after being run out on 99.Vipers chose to bowl first and strangled Thunder in the opening 10-over Powerplay, with Shachi Pai bowled by Linsey Smith and only 16 runs coming.But Smale and Katie Mack got the innings into gear with a risk-free approach of singles and only eight boundaries making up their 94-run stand. The partnership underpinned the innings, albeit not coming at any great speed, as Smale reached her half-century in 84 balls.She earned lives on 53 and 65 – a caught and bowled spilled by Smith and a drop at deep midwicket – but showed great skill to pepper her innings with six fours, all coming in the V.Mack and Fi Morris both fell with the score on 111 within two balls of each other. The Australian was involved in a classic run-out mix-up before Morris skied a pull to give Alice Monaghan the Vipers’ first wicket to pace this season.Ellie Threlkeld was bowled trying to ramp Mary Taylor and Naomi Dattani drove straight back at Charli Knott, but Danni Collins joined with Smale to put some impetus into the back end of the innings.All eyes were on whether Smale could convert to three figures for the first time in her career. She had to contend with not getting a great deal of strike and wickets falling at the other end.Collins – after putting on 41 in a 21-ball 23 – and Tara Norris fell to Smith in consecutive balls. The left-arm spinner ended up with 3 for 19, and the most economical spell for a Vipers bowler for the second week in a row.Phoebe Graham was castled by Taylor as Smale needed five runs in the final two overs. But she only faced four balls before she was run out attempting to reach the landmark and she remained sprawled in her dived state for a while before dragging herself off.Vipers’ reply got off to a stuttering start as Norris hooped an in-swinger to bowl Ella McCaughan with the fifth ball of the innings before Knott ended her run of 41, 58 not out and 40 when she hit to short midwicket.With rain around, Vipers tried to match the DLS target – Georgia Adams crashing a series of straight boundaries with aplomb. But Abi Norgrove advancing and getting castled to make it 46 for 3, saw DLS rocket from 52 to 70.Adams and Georgia Elwiss put Vipers comfortably ahead of the rate with a partnership oozing in quality before Elwiss was strangled down the leg-side and Emily Windsor was beaten for pace by Graham.Adams reached her 50 in 62 balls – her 15th half-century – but top-edged Dattani behind to swing things back to the visitors. Then Rhianna Southby, Harman and Monaghan scored the last 72 runs to guide Vipers to victory with 39 balls to spare.

His Australia career will close out with the T20Is in New Zealand then the World Cup

Andrew McGlashan13-Feb-2024David Warner has played his last international innings in Australia. His retirement plan has been well known, so it comes as no surprise, but it remains a significant moment as he reaffirmed the T20 World Cup in June would mark his final outing for national duty.”Well and truly done,” he told Adam Gilchrist at the presentation ceremony in Perth where he was named player of the series. “It’s time for the youngsters to come through and showcase their talent. We’ve got extreme talent here. We’re in good stead for the future.”Related

• David Warner is polarising opinion till the very end

• Marsh declares Zampa Australia's 'most important player' ahead of the T20 World Cup

• Warner signs off from Test cricket with a medley of his greatest hits

• Warner: I want to be remembered as exciting and entertaining

• Warner retires from ODIs but leaves door ajar for Champions Trophy

As he did in Test cricket a little over a month ago Warner signed off with a half-century, although this time his 81 off 49 balls wasn’t enough to take Australia to victory. Around his Test retirement, Warner also confirmed the end of his ODI career although did leave the door ajar for an appearance at next year’s Champions Trophy if the team “need someone.”He will head to New Zealand for the three-match T20I series next week then be part of the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the USA where Australia will try to become the first men’s side to hold all three ICC pieces of silverware alongside the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup.He looks primed to make an impact after scoring 173 runs in three innings against West Indies after coming into the series on the back of a lean run at the ILT20. In the first match in Hobart, he became just the third player, after Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor, to play 100 games in each format.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“It’s obviously been an amazing career for him,” captain Mitchell Marsh said. “I guess it’s kind of fitting for him to finish the way it has [with that innings]. “What a servant to Australian cricket. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a win for him.”It looks almost certain he will finish his career as Australia’s leading T20I run-scorer as he now sits just 53 behind Aaron Finch having gone past 3000 runs in Perth.Who will open with him at the World Cup remains uncertain although Travis Head is the frontrunner. Josh Inglis did it for two games against West Indies and Marsh opened in Perth.It remains possible that Warner will play professional cricket again in Australia with him previously stating his desire to continue in the BBL, but he will need to negotiate a new deal with Sydney Thunder with his previous two-year agreement ending this season.

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe will miss the second and final Test against Sri Lanka, starting in Chattogram on Saturday. On the development, the BCB has only said that Hathurusinghe would be travelling back home to Australia because of “personal reasons”. No return date has been confirmed.Assistant coach Nic Pothas will take charge for the duration of the match.Bangladesh reached Chattogram from Sylhet after the first Test ended in a 328-run defeat for them on the fourth afternoon. Prior to the Test, Bangladesh won the ODI series while Sri Lanka won the T20I series by identical 2-1 margins.Related

• 'Let's judge them in two years' – Pothas calls for patience towards young Bangladesh batters

• Bangladesh's Test credentials in question, again

Shakib Al Hasan, who hasn’t played a Test match since April 2023 and has been treated for an eye condition recently has been brought into the Test squad as a replacement for Towhid Hridoy. The uncapped Hridoy was a part of the squad for the first Test but didn’t get into the XI. In one more change, Hasan Mahmud has come in for the injured Musfik Hasan, who has a left ankle injury and will require rehab. Mahmud is also uncapped in Tests, like Musfik, but has played 39 white-ball internationals.Hathurusinghe took up the Bangladesh job for a second time in February last year. Between the two stints with Bangladesh – the first one had run from June 2014 to October 2017 – he had been in charge of the Sri Lanka team and had also served as the batting coach at New South Wales in the Australian domestic circuit.Pothas joined Bangladesh in April last year. The 49-year-old Pothas has previously worked as interim head coach for West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Proteas seamer notches seventh five-wicket haul for Notts as home side edge opening day

ECB Reporters Network05-Apr-2024Dean Elgar and Jordan Cox made eye-catching debuts for Essex but it was Elgar’s fellow South African Dane Paterson who stole the show on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship season at Trent Bridge.Opener Elgar, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, looked more than capable of filling the void left by Sir Alastair Cook, defying typical opening-day conditions with a classy 80.He shared a 112-run third-wicket partnership with the brightly talented former Kent batter Cox, who went on to make 84. But Paterson, who flew back from a winter at home only on Wednesday, powered a Nottinghamshire fightback by taking 5 for 49 with his wily medium pace.Paterson bowled Elgar with one of several outstanding deliveries as Essex, runners-up in Division One last season, slipped from 170 for 2 to 176 for 5, before closing on 244 for 9 from 77 overs, time having been lost to a wet outfield at the start and bad light in the evening.Cox impressed his new employers with a mature performance but one which, Elgar apart, lacked any meaningful support.Elgar announced himself with a boundary first ball, dispatching a Brett Hutton half-volley through cover. In testing conditions, the South African was 31 from 62 at lunch, having survived a number of tricky moments without giving a chance.Feroze Kushi, without a Championship appearance since last June but preferred to Nick Browne to open with Elgar, made a brisk 18 that included an audacious six off Nottinghamshire debutant Dillon Pennington, who then had him squared up and edging to first slip.Paterson, Nottinghamshire’s most consistent performer with the ball, took over from Pennington at the pavilion end and soon tempted Tom Westley into a nibble outside off stump, wicketkeeper Joe Clarke taking a good, diving catch to his right.Clarke has the gloves in this match because a Nottinghamshire batting line-up bolstered by the return of England’s Ben Duckett for his first Championship match for 11 months, and by the addition of Jack Haynes, another signing from Worcestershire, could not accommodate regular ‘keeper Tom Moores.As Nottinghamshire searched for a further breakthrough with the Kookaburra ball – in use for the first of four Championship rounds this year – Elgar and Cox dominated much of the afternoon session, the former completing his half-century off 86 balls, Cox reaching that mark from 10 balls fewer soon after lofting leg-spinner Calvin Harrison over the straight boundary for the day’s second six.Elgar was playing with such assurance, drawing on the experience of his two previous county stints with Somerset and Surrey, that a debut century looked there for the taking. But the session ended with Paterson, having switched to the Radcliffe Road end, taking wickets in consecutive overs before tea.Back for his fourth season at Trent Bridge after topping 50 wickets in each of the first three, Paterson produced the ball of the day to bowl his compatriot – angled in from round the wicket and straightening just enough to pass the edge and clip the off bail.Moments later, Paterson was celebrating again as another fine delivery trapped new batter Matt Critchley in front, leaving Essex 174 for 4 at tea, which quickly became 176 for five on the resumption as Paterson continued his excellent spell by dismissing Paul Walter, tamely caught behind, to claim a third wicket in the space of 16 balls.His fifth wicket in all soon followed, Adam Rossington deceived by another superb ball that took out his off stump, giving the bowler figures of four for 24 from an eight-over second spell, and a seventh five-wicket haul in Championship cricket.Cox’s hopes of a debut hundred were also thwarted, having overtaken Elgar with his 11th four only to perish next ball when Harrison turned one past his defensive bat to bowl him. All-rounder Lyndon James, meanwhile, dismissed Simon Harmer and Shane Snater to give Nottinghamshire three bowling points, with Essex still looking for a first batting point.

Despite the one-sided result, West Indies will be pleased with the performances of some of the young players

Peter English29-Nov-2005

Dwayne Bravo gave West Indies some much-needed spark in the final two Tests © Getty Images
8 Dwayne Bravo
The find of the series. Somehow missed the first Test, but showed his all-round value and starred over the next two weeks. Posted his second Test century with a clever and patient 113 to avoid another team embarrassment at Hobart, and showed his bowling capabilities at Adelaide with 6 for 84, including a brilliant caught-and-bowled to dismiss Shane Warne. Chipped in with 64 in the second innings and injured his thigh, the only thing that could slow him down.7 Denesh Ramdin
An impressive 20-year-old who made a big impact with his calm batting and keeping. Stood out with 71 as part of a 182-run stand with Bravo at Hobart and three more starts earned him an average of 34.20. A lack of chances restricted him to six catches, although he spilled an easy chance off Adam Gilchrist at Adelaide, but he can be proud of out-scoring his opposite number.7 Brian Lara
Took the world run-scoring record at Adelaide with 226, an innings that included splashes of sparkles and hours of hard work. Deserved the chance to thrive after suffering two wrong decisions and a doubtful one in his first three innings. Played his final Test in Australia and waved goodbye for 17 after falling to an amazing catch from Matthew Hayden.5.5 Corey Collymore
West Indies’ most economical bowler and the leader of the attack who regularly tied down his opponents. Began the series with 4 for 72 and quickly asked for more support from his bowling team-mates. They improved as the series continued and Collymore deserved his eight wickets.5 Fidel Edwards
Fast and mostly expensive, he made some batsmen jump and picked up at least two wickets in each first innings. However, his two three-fors leaked more than 100 runs and he was unable to make any impact when Australia batted a second time.

Chris Gayle needed heart surgery after the second Test © Getty Images
5 Ramnaresh Sarwan
Performed better than on his first tour in Australia, when he made only 54 runs in six innings with three ducks, but was outclassed again and couldn’t restrict his big shots. Worked hard over 31 off 92 balls in Brisbane and found his feet with a bright 62 in the final innings at Adelaide before being cut down by a poor umpiring decision. West Indies need more from their vice-captain if he is to remain at No. 3.5 Chris Gayle
Created the most sensational news of the series when revealing he needed heart surgery. However, the procedure was minor and he was recovering by the time of the third Test. Retired hurt with an irregular heartbeat on his way to 56 at Bellerive Oval and left his mark by pounding two brutal sixes off Glenn McGrath at the Gabba. Took three wickets with his offspin.4 Devon Smith
Started the series in aggressive style and provided the side’s only first-innings resistance with 88. Will have nightmares about facing Brett Lee, who dismissed him four times, and Glenn McGrath as he finished with scores of 3, 4, 8, 7 and 0.4 Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Uninspiring with the bat, he scored only 87 runs at 14.5 and made some confusing decisions with bowling changes. Can be satisfied with the way the team rallied after the 379-run defeat to push the final Tests into five days, and should do better than Jimmy Adams, who was sacked after losing 5-0 in 2000-01.3.5 Daren Powell
Added only two wickets to his three at Brisbane and finished with an average of 76.40. Was hit for a huge six by Brett Lee that cleared the Gabba, although he knocked him over next delivery with a replacement ball.3 Marlon Samuels
Threatened great things with a double-century in the warm-up against Queensland but didn’t manage anything of substance in his two Tests. Suffered a knee injury at Hobart and went home early with a top score of 29.1.5 Jermaine Lawson
Came back from heel surgery too soon and laboured in his only match of the series. Bowled 14 no-balls and returned figures of 0 for 47 off 6 overs and 1 for 73 from 14.1.5 Dwayne Smith
Called up for the third Test, he scored 14 (hit a nice six) and 0 (horrible decision), and dismissed Glenn McGrath.1.5 Wavell Hinds
Broke a finger in the warm-up game in Queensland and came in for Gayle at Adelaide, where he made 10 and 15 and bowled nine overs.