Australian opener Matthew Short is expected to miss the Champions Trophy semifinal against India or New Zealand following the in-form batsman's quad injury in the rain-abandoned game against Afghanistan.
Short had scored 20 off 15 balls on Friday but had appeared to be in obvious discomfort before being bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai as Australia made it to the semifinals with four points.

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Matt Short is likely to miss the Champions Trophy semi-final due to a quad injury. 🏆🇦🇺

Who should replace him in Australia's XI? 🤔#Cricket #Australia #ODI #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/5KN57Oclw6

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) March 1, 2025

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Short suffered an injury late in Afghanistan's innings, and though opening the batting with Travis Head, he could not move freely between the wickets, and mostly played shots for boundaries. He scored 20 from 15 deliveries in an important opening partnership of 44 runs in 4.3 overs before being caught at mid-on. Post-match, captain Steven Smith recognized the time limit on Short's recovery.
I believe he'll be fighting. I believe we got to see tonight he wasn't running that well. I believe it's most likely going to be too fast between games for him to recover," Smith claimed during the post-match ceremony.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, a replacement for the injured Mitchell Marsh, is the spare batter in the squad and could be a direct swap for Short at the top of the order. However, other options are available, with all-rounder Aaron Hardie possibly stepping in if someone else is moved up to open.
“We’ve got a few guys available to fill the role," Smith said.
If Short is officially ruled out of the tournament for the remainder of it, left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly may be brought in as a traveling reserve. Short's absence would also take away a spin-bowling option since he had bowled seven superb overs for 21 runs against Afghanistan. Australia still has other spin-bowling options in the form of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, who claimed two wickets against England but were not given a run on Friday.
Australia was already struggling with a few injuries heading into the tournament, with Marsh (back), Pat Cummins (ankle), Josh Hazlewood (hip), Mitchell Starc (ankle) out of action, and Marcus Stoinis retiring.
The other Group B team's fate is still unclear, but South Africa is most likely to accompany Australia. But the venues for the semi-finals will only be known after the India-New Zealand match on Sunday evening. The standings at the end of Group B will be determined after South Africa plays England on Saturday, but India and New Zealand are already destined for their respective venues in Dubai and Lahore.
Australia will play the winner of the India-New Zealand match in the semi-final. Australia will play the loser of that match.
Regardless of which team goes to Dubai, they will have only slightly more than 24 hours to prepare. Conditions in Dubai, where India hosts all their matches, have been spin-friendly, and Australia has leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha as a possible frontline choice.

There have been numerous game-changing moments in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket but tactical revolution has changed the cricket for ever. There are tons of game-changing moments that have happened in One Day International cricket (ODI) but some of them were really tactical masterstrokes that changed the history. Whether it was a clever strategy, or a gutsy call or a world beater these moments not only changed the course of matches but how we play cricket in general. ODI history lives forever: here are a few master minds tactics that changed the world.

Sri Lanka’s Real Powerplay (1996 World Cup)

If Sri Lanka 1996 World Cup win wasn’t a win for them as a Nation, probably most they won, Is it anything in ODI cricket. With the revolutionary leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga and the tactical mind over matter coach Dav Whatmore, Sri Lanka started out by introducing a pure battle in their form during 1st 15 overs.

• What it says: In the first powerplay overs, Openers Sanath Jayasuriya & Romesh Kaluwitharana took on the world in EVERY Ball.

• Consequences: In an era of ODI strategy, this plan was too effective and helped built the foundation for big hitting in opening 10-15 overs of ODIs.

Dhoni Promotion in 2011 World Cup final (Ind vs Sri Lanka)
One of the all-time great tactical decisions in ODIs was witnessed at the 2011 World Cup Final between India vs Sri Lanka.

•Key Move: Captain MS Dhoni slipped closer up the order from No. 5 (where he was initially fielded along with Yuvraj Singh who is meant to be in form)

• Impact: Dhoni steadied the ship in chasing, absorbing pressure and smashed a milestone 91*, the match winner for India to lift their ODI title crown 28 years later. His iconic six will always be a special moment of ODI ones.

The Total Domination Way for England (2015)
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• Point: England turned their over the top ODI conversation into an offensive, fearless assault: scoring at least 350 with the bat several times.

• So the move helped in England dominance of white-ball matches and lifted their World Cup in the 2019 with thunderous batsmen.

Australia Ruthless 4-Pacer squad for the World Cup 2003

Then, there is the most dominant team in ODI history that the 2003 World Cup Australian World Cup-winning side. Fastest strategy? These four pronged approach of their pace attack was very deadly.

 • Ponting   and the Australia team relied on Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath , Andy Bichel and Jason Gillespie be destroy opposition batting order.

• Australia never lost in tournament and then the second consecutive World cup victory in style

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South Africa Apply the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (1992 World Cup)

At times great strategy does not belong to the team itself, but rather the game. As a result of major miscalculation in the DLS semi-final during the 1992 World Cup, we were introduced Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) best estimate method.

• Down-Under: South Africa were needing only 22 runs from the final 13 balls to reach bowl Semifinal, only for that target rising to bizarre mention 22 runs from ONE ball following the rain stoppage.

• Effect: This unfairness resulted in the creation of the DLS system which is what is in use for the alterations rain played over in all forms of limited-overs matches.

Surprise left-arm pacer strategy (1992 World cup final) Pakistan

Pakistan won the 1992 World cup & it was a masterstroke which the team followed in a strategic manner; from the surprise of captain Imran Khan wearing NLD left-arm pacers.

• Super Move: Although Wasim Akram had become an icon already what was born in that final (Two induces over two balls ) was a Pakistani strategic move to use him for game-changing breakthroughs

• Orlando: A strategy that enabled Pakistan to win their one & only World Cup and Wasim Akram's deliveries are still considered legends at the death

Reverse Swing in ODIs (1980s –90s)

Bestiary: Once upon a time, when it perfected the art of reverse swing, bizarre in its newness, no Pakistani fast bowler was beating in an ODICC played with die-hard respect.

• Main Characters: Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis honed the craft turning old-ball cricket (a cheap wicket) just as saleable as new ball spells

• Significance: For all teams across world teams to look for reverse swing, and the death over illumination that defined ODIs.

Final Thoughts

ODI cricket is a story of constant tweaking and genius tactics have left their mark on it. Sri Lanka vs England— post their powerplay blitz, every now and then in the run chase each of these moments changed the colour. As the sport evolves, more tactical innovations will be developed that give the ODI format its excitement!

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will start on February 19, 2025. Fans of cricket all over the globe are looking forward to seeing their favorite teams face each other in this elite competition. The event will host major cricketing nations, which will ensure exciting games and heated rivalries. Live coverage from several platforms will mean that viewers get to enjoy good-quality broadcasts in different languages, making the experience smooth and effortless.

CHAMPIONS TROPHY GROUPS

Group A: Pakistan (hosts), India, New Zealand, Bangladesh

Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, Afghanistan

Notable Things

• Tournament Start Date: February 19, 2025
• India's First Match: February 20, 2025 (India vs Bangladesh)
• India vs Pakistan Clash: February 23, 2025

First match: Pakitan vs New Zeland

LIVE STREAMING DETAILS

ALSO READ:PAK vs NZ Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win? | Match 01, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Preview & Analysis

India Champions Trophy Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy

•  Coach: Gautam Gambhir
• Best performance: Champions (2002, 2013)

New Zealand’s cricket team faces a significant blow ahead of the second Test against Australia as Will O’Rourke has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. This injury has prompted the selectors to turn to uncapped pacer Ben Sears to fill the void left by O’Rourke’s absence.

Despite recent retirement, Neil Wagner will not be making a surprise return to the national team. Instead, Sears, with experience in 13 T20 internationals, has a chance to make his Test debut when the match kicks off at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The decision not to recall Wagner underscores the selectors’ confidence in Sears’ abilities. Coach Gary Stead has praised Sears’ genuine pace and bounce, considering them valuable assets in Test cricket. Stead’s belief in Sears’ potential to step up to the challenge of Test cricket suggests that the young bowler could play a crucial role in the upcoming match against Australia.

Ben Sears’ Potential Debut Amidst Injury Woes

Meanwhile, Australia holds a 1-0 series lead after securing a convincing victory over New Zealand in the first Test at the Basin Reserve. As the series shifts to Christchurch, New Zealand will be eager to level the playing field on their home turf. The absence of key players like O’Rourke poses a challenge, but Sears’ inclusion injects a sense of anticipation and opportunity into the team’s lineup.

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The upcoming Test presents a pivotal moment for both teams, with Australia aiming to extend their lead and New Zealand determined to stage a comeback. Sears’ potential debut adds an intriguing subplot to the match, offering fans a glimpse into the future of New Zealand cricket. With the series finely poised, all eyes will be on Hagley Oval as the battle between these two cricketing rivals unfolds.

During a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Tasmania on Sunday (March 3), Australian cricketer Will Pucovski suffered a head blow from a Riley Meredith bouncer, leading to his retirement from the game due to injury. This is not the first time Pucovski has faced such an incident, having previously endured head injuries.

The unfortunate event occurred during Victoria’s pursuit of 442 in their second innings, with Pucovski batting at No. 3. Facing only the second delivery from Meredith, the bouncer struck the left side of Pucovski’s helmet, causing him to retire hurt with a score of 0.

Pucovski’s Health Under Scrutiny After Head Injury

Prior to this incident, Pucovski had suffered a head injury during a second XI match in January. Despite his resilient return, scoring 131 in a subsequent Shield match against New South Wales, concerns linger regarding his condition as further medical updates are awaited.

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The distressing sight of Pucovski kneeling on the pitch prompted swift medical attention, and although he walked off the field rubbing his eyes, Cricket Victoria assured that he is under the care of medical professionals, with updates pending.

Following concussion protocols, reserve batter Campbell Kellaway substituted for Pucovski. The 26 Year-old cricketer, who has played one Test match against India in January 2021, not only battles physical injuries but also candidly discusses his struggles with mental health, acknowledging its greater challenge in recent interviews.

The Australian cricket team delivered a stellar performance, successfully chasing down the 216-run target set by New Zealand with six wickets in hand within 20 overs. This remarkable achievement marked their third-highest successful run chase in T20 cricket, underscoring their resilience in high-pressure situations.

Notably, Australia’s highest successful T20I run chase had also occurred against the Kiwis in Auckland back in 2018 when they achieved a stunning target of 244 runs with seven balls remaining. The second-best chase involved India whereby they hunted down 223 runs in Guwahati last year thereby showing their capacity of chasing big targets against top notch opponents.

Australia’s Dominance in T20I Run-Chases

In a nail-biting climax to the match, and needing 16 off the last over, Tim David played a brave innings striking veteran bowler Tim Southee for 12 from three balls which included an important six and boundary off last throw thus giving Australia an exciting victory.

Unbeaten on 72 runs off 44 balls, skipper Mitchell Marsh provided the much needed support to Tim David. The duo stepped in after wicketkeeper Josh Inglis was dismissed—forming a crucial partnership of 44 runs in just 19 deliveries and taking Australia towards an imposing target set by New Zealand.

Australia’s openers Travis Head and David Warner got the Australian chase off to a good start. Although they both fell within the first seven overs, their rapid scoring partnership put them in a strong position at 69-2.

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Mitchell Marsh and Tim David’s Heroic Partnership

In spite of losing important players, there were middle-order batsmen that contributed substantially to the pursuit. Glenn Maxwell injected some energy into the innings with his quick fire knock of 25 from just 11 balls before being cleaned up by Lockie Ferguson who took a well-directed yorker thus stood out as New Zealand’s most economical bowler.

The first innings began with Finn Allen and Devon Conway opening up with a quickfire partnership of 61 runs in merely 5.2 overs for the Black Caps Franchise. This was followed by Rachin Ravindra reaching his maiden T20I fifty from twenty nine deliveries while Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman also played valuable hands, leading to New Zealand amassing an imposing total of two hundred fifteen for three.

Australia’s strong batting, led by Mitchell Marsh and Tim David, eventually ensured a famous win in a high-scoring contest despite New Zealand’s daunting total, revealing their tough side and performance under pressure in T20 cricket.

Cricket Australia has unveiled a 13-member squad for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against West Indies, slated to commence on February 2. In a strategic move to manage player workloads, the promising young batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk and emerging pace bowler Xavier Bartlett have earned spots in Australia’s ODI team for the upcoming clash with West Indies.

The roster adjustment comes as Glenn Maxwell takes a well-deserved break following his demanding schedule in the Big Bash League (BBL), while Jhye Richardson is sidelined due to an injury sustained while playing for Perth Scorchers last month. With World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins absent, Steven Smith has been appointed as the captain. Notable all-format players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh are also given a rest for the three ODIs.

Emerging Talents and Strategic Rest: Cricket Australia’s Dynamic Squad for West Indies ODI Series

Fraser-McGurk, recognized as one of the most promising batting talents in the country, has garnered attention with consistent performances in the domestic arena. Recently moving from Victoria to South Australia, he achieved a world-record 29-ball century in the Marsh Cup this season. His standout BBL season with Melbourne Renegades saw him score 257 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.64.

Having made his debut for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, Fraser-McGurk showcased his skills with a quickfire 54 off 25 balls. Meanwhile, Bartlett, currently the leading wicket-taker in this season’s BBL with Brisbane Heat, steps in for Richardson, contributing crucial powerplay wickets and making an impact during the death overs with his sharp outswing.

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Both Fraser-McGurk and Bartlett stand on the brink of their international debuts as they join the squad for matches scheduled in Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. Australia’s ODI team is undergoing a transformation in preparation for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year and the four-year cycle leading to the 2027 World Cup, where they aim to defend their title won in India.

The squad reshuffle also creates opportunities for players like Matt Short, who will open the batting following David Warner’s retirement, and Aaron Hardie, stepping into the role vacated by Marcus Stoinis. Additionally, Lance Morris is included in the mix.

Australia ODI Squad:

• Steven Smith (C)
• Sean Abbott
• Xavier Bartlett
• Nathan Ellis
• Cameron Green
• Aaron Hardie
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Jake Fraser-McGurk
• Lance Morris
• Matt Short
• Adam Zampa

Pakistan’s seamer, Hasan Ali, stands out as one of the most lighthearted and entertaining characters within the team, consistently injecting a playful spirit into his on-field presence. This characteristic was vividly showcased during the third day of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. As Hasan Ali patrolled the boundary during the 53rd over bowled by Aamer Jamal, he spontaneously broke into dance moves, prompting the crowd to groove along with him, creating a lively and memorable moment.

The incident unfolded amid a backdrop of competitive cricket during the crucial Boxing Day Test. Ali’s impromptu dance moves, however, added a touch of exuberance to the game. The 53rd over, delivered by Aamer Jamal, became a stage for Ali’s spontaneous performance, drawing in the spectators who enthusiastically joined the impromptu dance session. The video of this joyous episode, shared by Cricket Australia on X, swiftly gained widespread attention, turning into a viral sensation.

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Notably, even Australian batsman Steve Smith couldn’t resist the infectious energy, and he was caught on camera with a grin, acknowledging and appreciating Hasan Ali’s entertaining antics. This instance not only added a light-hearted element to the competitive match but also exemplified the camaraderie and shared enjoyment between players and fans on the cricket field.

In the earlier encounter, Matthew Wade won the toss and opted to field first. The Indian opening partnership reached a commendable 50 runs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dominating the Australian bowlers. However, he departed after scoring 37 off 28 deliveries. Tanveer Sangha claimed the wicket of the other opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who managed a scrappy 32 off 28 balls. Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer failed to make an impact, giving Rinku Singh another opportunity to showcase his batting prowess.

Rinku played fluently, smashing the bowlers with ease. He raced to 46 off just 29 balls before falling victim to a brilliant delivery from Jason Behrendorff. Jitesh Sharma also exhibited intent, scoring a quick 35 off 19 balls before being dismissed by Ben Dwarshuis. India concluded their innings at 174-9.

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In response, Australia had a brisk start, thanks to a flourishing innings from Travis Head, who played shots at will and reached 31 off only 16 deliveries before falling to Axar Patel. Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Josh Philippe, putting India in a commanding position. Axar Patel continued his dominance, dismissing Aaron Hardie, and Australia found themselves in deep trouble.

Ben McDermott was also bowled, and his hard-fought 19 off 22 went in vain. In the end, Matthew Wade’s fine innings of 36 off 23 balls helped Australia cross the 150-run mark, but they ultimately lost the game by 20 runs. With this victory, India secured the T20I series with a 3-1 lead and one game to spare.

In a significant setback for the Adelaide Strikers ahead of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season, Rashid Khan has opted out of BBL13 due to a back injury. The 25-year-old, holding the record as the all-time highest wicket-taker for the Strikers with 98 wickets in just 68 appearances, is slated for back surgery, forcing him to miss the entire forthcoming season set to begin on Thursday, December 7th.

Despite the Melbourne Stars attempting to secure the leg-spinner with the first pick in the draft, the Strikers successfully retained Rashid earlier this year.

“Rashid is a beloved member of the Strikers and a fan favorite who has been with us for seven years, so he will be sorely missed this summer,” expressed Adelaide Strikers GM of Cricket, Tim Nielsen, in a statement to cricket.com.au.

Nielsen emphasized Rashid’s affinity for Adelaide and the Strikers, pledging support as the cricketer undergoes treatment for his injury to ensure a sustained presence in the sport.

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Injury to Rashid Khan’s Back Leads to BBL13 Exit

This setback comes on the heels of another notable player’s withdrawal, as Harry Brook, a star cricketer selected by the Melbourne Stars, opted out of the competition citing fatigue. Significantly, both Brook and Rashid Khan held the distinction of being the top two picks for the impending season.

As the BBL’s 2023/24 season commences on December 7th at the Gabba, featuring a match between the Stars and Brisbane Heat, the franchise is yet to announce a replacement but assures that the announcement will be made shortly.