Adam Gilchrist has clarified that a quote attributed to him online about Pakistan’s performance in Australia is completely false.
In a tweet, he said, “I never said that.” Absolutely fake, it is a made-up quote.” Gilchrist praised Pakistan’s performance, noting that they were excellent at times during the summer against a world champion Australian team.
He stressed that the quote doesn’t represent his thoughts and praised Pakistan’s performance in the Test series. Gilchrist, recognized as one of the best wicket-keeper batters globally, played 96 Tests and 287 ODIs for Australia in his 13-year international career.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were batting at 23 and six, respectively, with their team’s score at 116 for two before bad light and rain interrupted play before tea. The home team was trailing by 197 runs on that day.David Warner, who was playing in his 112th and final Test match, was disappointed not to have scored a century. Warner, also known as ‘the Bull,’ got out for 34, frustrated by the extra bounce and turn from offspinner Agha Salman. He was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Warner’s dismissal came after he was dropped on 20 by debutant Saim Ayub in Aamer Jamal’s first over. Unfortunately, Pakistan had been struggling in the field with several dropped catches in the series. Usman Khawaja, who has a strong record at the SCG, fell for 47 to a catch down the leg-side off Jamal after a review. Australia still has a strong batting order to follow despite these losses, as Smith and Labuschagne have respectable averages at the SCG.

The rain interruption added to the SCG’s reputation for soggy weather, with 26 washed-out days, the most among Australian Test grounds. Australia had already secured the series with a 79-run win in the second Test in Melbourne over Christmas.

Aamer Jamal achieved a notable feat by scoring a fifty in the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He now joins the exclusive list of three Pakistani cricketers who have both scored 100+ runs and taken 10+ wickets in a Test series in Australia, alongside legends Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.

During the opening day of the third Test, Pakistan was dismissed for 313, and Australia finished the day at 6-0. Warner, in his final Test, received a guard of honor from the Pakistan team, and he started his innings with a four.

With 82 runs in 97 balls, including nine fours and four sixes, Aamer Jamal was instrumental in helping Pakistan to a competitive total. He, along with Mir Hamza, added 86 runs for the last wicket, rescuing Pakistan from a challenging situation at 227-9.

Earlier in the day, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman contributed to Pakistan’s recovery with a 94-run partnership after a shaky start. Rizwan scored 88 before falling to a legside trap by Pat Cummins, while Salman made 53 runs before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc.

Pat Cummins was the standout bowler, claiming figures of 5-61 and becoming the first Australian to achieve three consecutive five-wicket hauls in Tests since Nathan Lyon in 2017. Despite a challenging start, Australia had already secured the three-match series with a 79-run victory in the second Test in Melbourne.

The tourists faced a tough situation at 96 for five after winning the toss, but they fought back to frustrate the Australians at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Rizwan scored 88 off 103 balls, Jamal made 82 off 97, and Salman contributed 53 off 67 to give their team hope after a difficult start. In Australia’s reply of 6-0, David Warner, playing his final Test, survived a tense final over, finishing with six runs. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, claimed five wickets for 61 runs, his third five-wicket haul of the series.

Despite a challenging start, Pakistan’s tail, led by Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman, staged a strong comeback with a spirited 94-run partnership. Rizwan, who had been dropped for the first Test, played aggressively, hitting two sixes and 10 fours before getting caught by Hazlewood. Salman contributed with a half-century before being caught by Head. Jamal contributed significantly as well before losing to Lyon.

Australia had a successful morning session as openers Shafique and debutant Ayub were dismissed early. With five wickets taken for 61 runs during the series, Cummins continued his outstanding form. The series was clinched by Australia with a tense 79-run win in the second Test in Melbourne over Christmas.

Star batsman Williamson, who recently recovered from a nine-month-old knee injury, returns to lead New Zealand in the upcoming five-match T20 series against Pakistan, starting on January 12. He had skipped the previous ODI and T20 series against Bangladesh as a precaution. In the third game of the Pakistan series, on January 18, all-rounder Mitchell Santner will captain the team in Williamson’s absence. Devon Conway, who missed the white ball series against Bangladesh, is back, along with pace bowlers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson making their international comebacks since the World Cup. Unfortunately, Kyle Jamieson and Michael Bracewell are unavailable due to ongoing injuries, and all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is rested after a remarkable performance at the World Cup, as confirmed by Coach Gary Stead.

“Rachin’s a young player who has immense value to New Zealand Cricket and we therefore want to look after his wellbeing,” Stead said.

“He’s the only player or staff member to have been touring non-stop for the past five months across five countries and that’s simply not sustainable.

“He’s still very much part of our thinking for the T20 World Cup in June and will come back into the reckoning for the T20 series against Australia in February.”

New Zealand:
Kane Williamson (capt), Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Ben Sears,Mark Chapman,Lockie Ferguson.

Australia’s fast bowlers, confirmed skipper Pat Cummins, have fully recovered from the last Test in Melbourne, securing the series with a 79-run victory. Pakistan makes two changes, giving Saim Ayub his Test debut as an opening batsman in place of Imam-Ul-Haq. Additionally, off-spinner Sajid Khan replaces senior fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“You always have to look at the bigger picture after a game like the MCG. We’ve learned the lessons, at least we’ve put ourselves in those positions from where we could compete in or dominate games,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood said Tuesday.

“It’s now about not repeating mistakes, and if we can put in similar efforts to the one in Melbourne, we’ll be winning a lot of Tests.”

The SCG has a reputation for taking turn, but the hosts did not consider bringing a second spinner into the team to partner Nathan Lyon, Cummins said.

The pitch for Pakistan’s last match in Australia appeared well-grassed, marking opener Warner’s 112th and final Test.

“The weather looks pretty good this week and that’s not always the case in Sydney,” Cummins said ahead of the Test, starting Wednesday.

“The groundsman seems happy with where it’s at. It looks like decent coverage of grass, so it should be a good week ahead.”

The Sydney Test often faces rain, having 26 washed-out days, the highest among Australian Test venues. However, this week has only a moderate chance of showers. In another development, Warner publicly appealed for the return of his missing baggy green caps, which disappeared from his bag during transportation from Melbourne. In an Instagram post, the veteran mentioned losing some of his belongings in transit.

“Someone has taken my backpack out of my luggage from Melbourne to Sydney … inside this backpack was my Baggy Green cap,” Warner said.

“It’s something that I would love to have back in my hands walking out there this week.”

After much speculation about his position in the team, Warner will receive the farewell he wanted in his hometown following scores of 164, 0, 38, and six in the ongoing Pakistan series.

“Best-case scenario is a (Warner) hundred and maybe a leg-spinner to take the last wicket of the game out of the rough,” Cummins said.

“If he could score some runs and go off in style with a few fours and sixes, I think that’d be a pretty fitting end. ‘Warner Week’ has started.”

Warner, aged 37, enters his last Test with an impressive record of 8,695 runs at an average of 44.58, including 26 centuries and 36 half-centuries.

In a poignant turn of events, David Warner is poised for an emotional farewell to Test cricket in his hometown of Sydney. The seasoned opening batsman secures his spot in an unaltered Australian lineup for the impending third and final Test against Pakistan next week.

Back in June, Warner had expressed his desire to conclude his illustrious 12-year Test career at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With Australia already clinching an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, the 37-year-old’s wish is set to materialize.

George Bailey, the chief selector, confirmed the decision, stating:

“The National Selection Panel have retained the same squad from Melbourne to Sydney as we look to clean sweep the Test series. We look forward to celebrating David Warner’s final Test match and his incredible career at his home ground.”

Warner, a native of Sydney, entered the current series amid uncertainties regarding his form due to a lack of Test runs. However, his commanding 164-run performance in the first innings of the opening Test in Perth swiftly dispelled any doubts about his position in the team.

Australia secured a resounding victory in that Test, winning by 360 runs. In the subsequent Test in Melbourne, captain Pat Cummins delivered a match-winning performance, claiming 10 wickets as Australia triumphed by 79 runs in four days.

The triumph marked Australia’s fourth consecutive series win at home, with an impressive record of 10 wins out of 12 Tests since Cummins assumed captaincy ahead of the 2021-22 Ashes series.

As the focus shifts to Sydney, Pakistan will be vying for their first Test win in Australia in nearly three decades.

Australia Squad:

– Pat Cummins (captain)

– Scott Boland

– Alex Carey

– Cameron Green

– Josh Hazlewood

– Travis Head

– Usman Khawaja

– Marnus Labuschagne

– Nathan Lyon

– Mitchell Marsh

– Steve Smith

– Mitchell Starc

– David Warner

Hafeez stressed the importance of finding a balance between technology and cricketing instinct. He believes the game’s outcome might have been better for Pakistan if technology hadn’t worked against them.

“If we analyze the entire game, there were very inconsistent decisions by the umpires. We play this beautiful game of cricket with natural instinct, and we all know the basics of the game. However, at times, it feels like the focus is more on the technology show than on the actual cricket being played. I believe this is an area that needs to be addressed correctly,�said Hafeez.

In the third session of the day, Rizwan was caught behind by Pat Cummins in a controversial manner. The on-field umpire initially ruled him not out, but the third umpire later overruled and declared Rizwan out. Although Hotspot didn’t reveal anything when the ball passed Rizwan’s wristband, the Snickometer showed a spike. Rizwan was given out based on that spike.

Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith led Australia’s comeback against Pakistan on day three of the second Test. After a challenging start with the hosts at 16-4, Marsh (57) and Smith (26) formed a crucial 91-run partnership, taking Australia to 107-4 at tea. Earlier, Australia bowled out Pakistan for 264 in response to their 318, with Pat Cummins (5-48) and Nathan Lyon (4-73) doing the damage. Despite a shaky start losing early wickets, Marsh and Smith’s partnership steadied the ship, with Marsh surviving a dropped catch and reaching his seventh Test half-century. Cummins took five wickets, and Lyon claimed four as Pakistan struggled after a strong start on day two.

Australia asserted control in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon putting Pakistan on the back foot at 194-6 on day two, still trailing by 124 runs.

At stumps, Mohammad Rizwan held firm at 29, while Aamer Jamal remained unbeaten at two. Cummins claimed key wickets, dismissing Abdullah Shafique (62), Babar Azam (one) and Agha Salman (five). Lyon also made an impact by removing Imam-ul-Haq (10) and Shan Masood (54), while Josh Hazlewood contributed by bowling Saud Shakeel for nine.

Reflecting on the day, Captain Cummins expressed satisfaction, stating,

“It feels like we’re well into their order now.”

He praised Australia’s batting performance, reaching 300 after a challenging start. The hosts had claimed seven wickets in the morning session, restricting Pakistan to 318.

Aamer Jamal led Pakistan’s bowling attack with 3-64 as Australia resumed on 187-3. Despite an optimistic start by openers Haq and Shafique, Lyon’s spin broke through, with Haq edging to Labuschagne at slip. Shafique and Masood built a partnership, but Cummins’ sharp catch and Lyon’s spin disrupted their momentum.

Marnus Labuschagne, the top-scorer with 63, continued his resilience from day one. He brought up his 17th Test half-century and anchored the innings. Travis Head showcased aggression but fell on 17. Despite the challenges, Labuschagne’s wicket eventually fell to Jamal.

Pakistan capitalized on the new ball, dismissing Carey, Starc and Marsh. A fiery over by Hasan Ali saw multiple appeals, but Marsh survived after reviewing two decisions. However, Jamal’s persistence paid off as he claimed Marsh’s wicket and the tail quickly followed.

Australia, having won the first Test by 360 runs in Perth, aim to maintain their dominance in the series. As Pakistan faces a challenging position, the third day promises crucial moments in the battle between bat and ball.