After Tim Paine's untimely resignation as Australia's Test captain, in the aftermath of the sexting scandal, Pat Cummins was appointed as his successor ahead of Ashes 2021/22. Not often do we see fast bowlers being appointed as the captain, purely because it adds to their workload, however, the No. 1 Test bowler Cummins exceeded expectations on his first day as captain with a five-fer in the first Ashes Test at The Gabba, Brisbane on Wednesday (December 8).

Opting to bat first, the Joe Root-led England were off to a disastrous start with Rory Burns clean bowled by Mitchell Starc on the first ball itself. Cummins then dismissed the likes of Haseeb Hameed (25), Ben Stokes (5), Chris Woakes (21), Ollie Robinson (0) and Mark Wood (8) to put his team on top. He returned with 5 for 38 in 13.1 over as England were bowled out for 147 runs in the first innings. Rain interruption, however, led to an early stump on Day 1 without Aussies coming out to bat.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2021-22-full-schedule-squads-venues-telecast-live-streaming-as-aus-eng-resume-intense-rivalry-434803">Ashes 2021-22: Full schedule, squads, venues, telecast, live streaming as Aus-Eng resume intense rivalry</a>

Here's a look at some of the records broken by Cummins on debut as Aussie Test captain:

With a dream start, Cummins became only the second Australian captain, after George Giffen in 1984, to pick a 5-wicket haul in the first Test as skipper.&nbsp;

In addition, the right-arm pacer joined an elite list of captains, featuring legendary Pakistani skipper Imran Khan, to have claimed a five-wicket haul on his first day as captain. For the unversed, the likes of Charles Aubrey Smith,&nbsp;George Allen and Khan are the first three cricketers to achieve the landmark.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bowlers to take a 5-for on 1st day as Test captain: 
5-19 CA Smith Eng v SA Port Elizabeth 1889 
5-35 GOB Allen Eng v Ind Lord's 1936 
7-52 Imran Khan Pak v Eng Birmingham 1982 
5-38 PJ Cummins Aus v Eng Brisbane 2021
— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) <a href="https://twitter.com/AWSStats/status/1468442300871286785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ben-stokes-remembers-late-father-ahead-of-ashes-opener-you-will-be-with-me-this-whole-week-434931">Ben Stokes remembers late father ahead of Ashes opener: You will be with me this whole week</a>

With England firmly on the back foot, they will need a herculean effort from their bowlers, sans James Anderson and Stuart Broad, to comeback in the first Test. Australia, on the other hand, will look to weather the storm in the first session on Day 2 and then try to go past England's first-innings score in a flash.&nbsp;

With a splendid effort on the opening day, Cummins will hope to lead his side to a big win in his first Test as captain during the Ashes 2021 opener.

After Tim Paine's untimely resignation as Australia's Test captain, in the aftermath of the sexting scandal, Pat Cummins was appointed as his successor ahead of Ashes 2021/22.

After Tim Paine's untimely resignation as Australia's Test captain, in the aftermath of the sexting scandal, Pat Cummins was appointed as his successor ahead of Ashes 2021/22. Not often do we see fast bowlers being appointed as the captain, purely because it adds to their workload, however, the No. 1 Test bowler Cummins exceeded expectations on his first day as captain with a five-fer in the first Ashes Test at The Gabba, Brisbane on Wednesday (December 8). Opting to bat first, the Joe Root-led England were off to a disastrous start with Rory Burns clean bowled by Mitchell Starc on the first ball itself. Cummins then dismissed the likes of Haseeb Hameed (25), Ben Stokes (5), Chris Woakes (21), Ollie Robinson (0) and Mark Wood (8) to put his team on top. He returned with 5 for 38 in 13.1 over as England were bowled out for 147 runs in the first innings. Rain interruption, however, led to an early stump on Day 1 without Aussies coming out to bat. ALSO READ | Ashes 2021-22: Full schedule, squads, venues, telecast, live streaming as Aus-Eng resume intense rivalry Here's a look at some of the records broken by Cummins on debut as Aussie Test captain: With a dream start, Cummins became only the second Australian captain, after George Giffen in 1984, to pick a 5-wicket haul in the first Test as skipper. In addition, the right-arm pacer joined an elite list of captains, featuring legendary Pakistani skipper Imran Khan, to have claimed a five-wicket haul on his first day as captain. For the unversed, the likes of Charles Aubrey Smith, George Allen and Khan are the first three cricketers to achieve the landmark. Bowlers to take a 5-for on 1st day as Test captain: 5-19 CA Smith Eng v SA Port Elizabeth 1889 5-35 GOB Allen Eng v Ind Lord's 1936 7-52 Imran Khan Pak v Eng Birmingham 1982 5-38 PJ Cummins Aus v Eng Brisbane 2021 — Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) December 8, 2021 × ALSO READ | Ben Stokes remembers late father ahead of Ashes opener: You will be with me this whole week With England firmly on the back foot, they will need a herculean effort from their bowlers, sans James Anderson and Stuart Broad, to comeback in the first Test. Australia, on the other hand, will look to weather the storm in the first session on Day 2 and then try to go past England's first-innings score in a flash. With a splendid effort on the opening day, Cummins will hope to lead his side to a big win in his first Test as captain during the Ashes 2021 opener.

Ashes 2021: Pat Cummins shines on captaincy debut, breaks plethora of records with five-fer vs England

One of the most intense cricketing rivalries is all set to resume as the much-awaited Ashes 2021-22 opener will be held on December 8 (Wednesday) at The Gabba, Brisbane. The Ashes returns Down Under after a gap of four years as Pat Cummins &amp; Co. will look to retain the urn versus Joe Root-led England following a 2-2 scoreline in Ashes 2019 in the United Kingdom.

Ahead of the Ashes opener, Australia were dealt with a huge blow with regular captain Tim Paine resigning from the top job in the aftermath of the sexting scandal. In addition, he announced an indefinite break from international cricket as Cricket Australia (CA) announced Cummins as captain with former skipper Steve Smith returning back to leadership role as the new vice-captain.

England, on the other hand, will also see the return of superstar all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is coming back from his indefinite break. James Anderson will be out of action in the series opener as the team management wants him to focus on the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. Before the Ashes 2021-22 opener, here's all you need to know about the schedule, venues, dates, telecast, live streaming and other details:

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Ashes 2021-22 Schedule:

Dec 08-12, The Gabba: Australia vs England, 1st Test

Dec 16-20, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide: Australia vs England, 2nd Test

Dec 26-30. MCG: Australia vs England, 3rd Test

Jan 05-09, SCG: Australia vs England, 4th Test

Jan 14-18, TBC: Australia vs England, 5th Test

Ashes 2021-22 Squads:

Australia Squad:&nbsp;Pat Cummins (C), Steve Smith (VC), Alex Carry (WK), Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Cameron Green, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson.

England Squad:&nbsp;Joe Root (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Daniel Lawrence, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Craig Overton, Chris Woakes, Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, James Anderson, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/updated-world-test-championship-points-table-after-india-vs-new-zealand-series-434499">Updated World Test Championship points table after India vs New Zealand series</a>

Ashes 2021-22 Live Streaming &amp; Telecast:

For the unversed, Sony Sports Network has fetched the broadcasting rights for the 2021-22 Ashes Tests Down Under. Meanwhile, the live streaming of the series will be available on Sony Liv app.

Streaming platforms in other countries:

<ul>
	<li>Australia: Foxtel Go</li>
	<li>UK: BT Sports</li>
	<li>US and Canada: Willow TV</li>
	<li>New Zealand: Sky Sports</li>
	<li>South Africa: Supersport</li>
</ul>

England, who haven't won a Test in Australia since 2011, will start behind the Aussies due to home advantage. However, this Australian line-up can be defeated (as shown by a second-stringed India in 2020/21), hence, an exciting and riveting Ashes 2021/22 series is on the cards.&nbsp;

One of the most intense cricketing rivalries is all set to resume as the much-awaited Ashes 2021-22 opener will be held on December 8 (Wednesday) at The Gabba, Brisbane.

One of the most intense cricketing rivalries is all set to resume as the much-awaited Ashes 2021-22 opener will be held on December 8 (Wednesday) at The Gabba, Brisbane. The Ashes returns Down Under after a gap of four years as Pat Cummins & Co. will look to retain the urn versus Joe Root-led England following a 2-2 scoreline in Ashes 2019 in the United Kingdom. Ahead of the Ashes opener, Australia were dealt with a huge blow with regular captain Tim Paine resigning from the top job in the aftermath of the sexting scandal. In addition, he announced an indefinite break from international cricket as Cricket Australia (CA) announced Cummins as captain with former skipper Steve Smith returning back to leadership role as the new vice-captain. England, on the other hand, will also see the return of superstar all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is coming back from his indefinite break. James Anderson will be out of action in the series opener as the team management wants him to focus on the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. Before the Ashes 2021-22 opener, here's all you need to know about the schedule, venues, dates, telecast, live streaming and other details: ALSO READ | ICC to announce T20 World Cup Australia full schedule on January 21 Ashes 2021-22 Schedule: Dec 08-12, The Gabba: Australia vs England, 1st Test Dec 16-20, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide: Australia vs England, 2nd Test Dec 26-30. MCG: Australia vs England, 3rd Test Jan 05-09, SCG: Australia vs England, 4th Test Jan 14-18, TBC: Australia vs England, 5th Test Ashes 2021-22 Squads: Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (C), Steve Smith (VC), Alex Carry (WK), Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Cameron Green, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson. England Squad: Joe Root (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Daniel Lawrence, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Craig Overton, Chris Woakes, Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, James Anderson, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood ALSO READ | Updated World Test Championship points table after India vs New Zealand series Ashes 2021-22 Live Streaming & Telecast: For the unversed, Sony Sports Network has fetched the broadcasting rights for the 2021-22 Ashes Tests Down Under. Meanwhile, the live streaming of the series will be available on Sony Liv app. Streaming platforms in other countries: Australia: Foxtel Go UK: BT Sports US and Canada: Willow TV New Zealand: Sky Sports South Africa: Supersport England, who haven't won a Test in Australia since 2011, will start behind the Aussies due to home advantage. However, this Australian line-up can be defeated (as shown by a second-stringed India in 2020/21), hence, an exciting and riveting Ashes 2021/22 series is on the cards.

Ashes 2021-22: Full schedule, squads, venues, telecast, live streaming as Aus-Eng resume intense rivalry

England fast bowler James&nbsp;Anderson, who will lock horns with his old foe when the Ashes begin here on December 8, has a grudging respect for Australian opener David Warner. Anderson said that Warner still has "too much for England" and "we are not going to take him lightly". 
 
Warner's heroics at the T20 World Cup signalled he is back to his explosive best. 
 
"His record in Australia is ridiculous, so we know it's going to be a different animal to the one we faced in 2019 in our summer. We've played so much cricket against Warner, we know you can never say you're actually on top of him -- he's that good of a batter, he's got that much quality," Anderson told Fox Sports.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-2nd-test-will-mumbai-rains-dent-proceedings-and-play-spoilsport-to-series-finale-433455">Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale?</a> 
 
An attacking left-hander, Warner failed miserably on English soil in 2019 where he scored just 95 runs at an average of only 9.5. Stuart Broad was his nemesis, dismissing him seven times. But as Anderson alluded to, his form in Australia is ominous.

Warner has scored 4,551 of his 7,311 Test runs at home, smacking 18 centuries at an average of 63.20 from his 45 Tests, plundering the highest score of 335. 
 
Former Australia captain Greg Chappell too warned that Warner should never be underestimated. 
 
"Many had written him off before the T20 World Cup, only to have him prove how important he is at the top of the order," he said, referring to Warner finding form again in leading Australia to the title last month. 
 
"I think he is even more important in the Test lineup," added Chappell. "A skilful, fast-scoring opening batsman can be invaluable in setting up the game. Teams with aggressive openers cause opposition captains and bowlers to toss and turn at night."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-tour-of-sa-under-dark-clouds-amid-omicron-scare-likely-to-be-pushed-back-by-a-week-report-433462">India tour of SA under dark clouds amid Omicron scare, likely to be pushed back by a week : Report</a> 
 
Warner made a modest debut in Brisbane 10 years ago but then carried his bat with a career-defining century in his second game at Hobart to signal his arrival.

He went on to establish himself as one of the best all-format openers in the world before it all came crashing down and his reputation was trashed. 
 
Warner was cast as the villain in the Sandpaper-gate ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in 2018, having conspired with Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith to alter the ball during the third Test in Cape Town.

England fast bowler James Anderson, who will lock horns with his old foe when the Ashes begin here on December 8, has a grudging respect for Australian opener David Warner.

England fast bowler James Anderson, who will lock horns with his old foe when the Ashes begin here on December 8, has a grudging respect for Australian opener David Warner. Anderson said that Warner still has "too much for England" and "we are not going to take him lightly". Warner's heroics at the T20 World Cup signalled he is back to his explosive best. "His record in Australia is ridiculous, so we know it's going to be a different animal to the one we faced in 2019 in our summer. We've played so much cricket against Warner, we know you can never say you're actually on top of him -- he's that good of a batter, he's got that much quality," Anderson told Fox Sports. ALSO READ: Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test: Will Mumbai rains dent proceedings and play spoilsport to series finale? An attacking left-hander, Warner failed miserably on English soil in 2019 where he scored just 95 runs at an average of only 9.5. Stuart Broad was his nemesis, dismissing him seven times. But as Anderson alluded to, his form in Australia is ominous. Warner has scored 4,551 of his 7,311 Test runs at home, smacking 18 centuries at an average of 63.20 from his 45 Tests, plundering the highest score of 335. Former Australia captain Greg Chappell too warned that Warner should never be underestimated. "Many had written him off before the T20 World Cup, only to have him prove how important he is at the top of the order," he said, referring to Warner finding form again in leading Australia to the title last month. "I think he is even more important in the Test lineup," added Chappell. "A skilful, fast-scoring opening batsman can be invaluable in setting up the game. Teams with aggressive openers cause opposition captains and bowlers to toss and turn at night." ALSO READ: India tour of SA under dark clouds amid Omicron scare, likely to be pushed back by a week : Report Warner made a modest debut in Brisbane 10 years ago but then carried his bat with a career-defining century in his second game at Hobart to signal his arrival. He went on to establish himself as one of the best all-format openers in the world before it all came crashing down and his reputation was trashed. Warner was cast as the villain in the Sandpaper-gate ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in 2018, having conspired with Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith to alter the ball during the third Test in Cape Town.

Ashes: England wary of David Warner's quality and record at home, says James Anderson

England all-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to make his comeback to the cricket pitch in the upcoming Ashes 2021-2022 in Australia later this year. Stokes will be returning after a mental health break which he had opted for earlier this year and also skipped the T20 World Cup 2021 for England. Ahead of the Ashes, Stokes has made some startling revelations.

The England all-rounder revealed he almost choked on a table in his hotel room and thought "it might be the end". He opened on the traumatic experience in his column for Daily Mail and revealed distressing details. Stokes said he felt as if his mouth was on fire and he was not able to breathe at all after the tablet got stuck in his windpipe.

"Until it actually came out, I thought this might be the end," Stokes wrote in his column for Daily Mail.&nbsp;

"I was on my own in my room and I couldn't breathe as it became lodged and started to dissolve. It felt like my mouth was on fire.

“Without going into too much detail I have never seen as much saliva as I did on Sunday morning, it was a genuinely frightening experience,” he explained further.

Stokes revealed he recieved another scare on the same day when he was struck on the arm by England batting coach Jonathan Trott during a practice session. The 30-year-old, who was recovering from a finger injury, felt that his arm was broken after being hit but much to his respite, the physios helped him reduce the pain.

"I couldn't lift it ... I thought it was broken," Stokes added. "Thankfully the pain and reaction settled down once I was back in the dressing room and the physios could be sure it wasn't actually a break," Stokes wrote.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-kl-rahul-to-hardik-pandya-top-5-indian-players-who-might-not-be-retained-by-their-ipl-franchises-432611">From KL Rahul to Hardik Pandya: Top 5 Indian players who might not be retained by their IPL franchises</a>

"It was only after I got back to my hotel room that I took stock of what a day I'd had. The adrenaline had worn off and I was exhausted. Happy that I'm here to tell the tale, but hoping that my pre-test dramas are now over," he added.

The Ashes 2021-2022 is all set to get underway from December 08 with the first Test scheduled to be staged in Brisbane. Australia had retained the Ashes in 2019 after drawing the series 2-2 in England. 
&nbsp;

England all-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to make his comeback to the cricket pitch in the upcoming Ashes 2021-2022 in Australia later this year. Stokes will be returning after a mental health break which he had opted for earlier this year and also skipped the T20 World Cup 2021 for England.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to make his comeback to the cricket pitch in the upcoming Ashes 2021-2022 in Australia later this year. Stokes will be returning after a mental health break which he had opted for earlier this year and also skipped the T20 World Cup 2021 for England. Ahead of the Ashes, Stokes has made some startling revelations. The England all-rounder revealed he almost choked on a table in his hotel room and thought "it might be the end". He opened on the traumatic experience in his column for Daily Mail and revealed distressing details. Stokes said he felt as if his mouth was on fire and he was not able to breathe at all after the tablet got stuck in his windpipe. "Until it actually came out, I thought this might be the end," Stokes wrote in his column for Daily Mail. "I was on my own in my room and I couldn't breathe as it became lodged and started to dissolve. It felt like my mouth was on fire. “Without going into too much detail I have never seen as much saliva as I did on Sunday morning, it was a genuinely frightening experience,” he explained further. Stokes revealed he recieved another scare on the same day when he was struck on the arm by England batting coach Jonathan Trott during a practice session. The 30-year-old, who was recovering from a finger injury, felt that his arm was broken after being hit but much to his respite, the physios helped him reduce the pain. "I couldn't lift it ... I thought it was broken," Stokes added. "Thankfully the pain and reaction settled down once I was back in the dressing room and the physios could be sure it wasn't actually a break," Stokes wrote. Also Read: From KL Rahul to Hardik Pandya: Top 5 Indian players who might not be retained by their IPL franchises "It was only after I got back to my hotel room that I took stock of what a day I'd had. The adrenaline had worn off and I was exhausted. Happy that I'm here to tell the tale, but hoping that my pre-test dramas are now over," he added. The Ashes 2021-2022 is all set to get underway from December 08 with the first Test scheduled to be staged in Brisbane. Australia had retained the Ashes in 2019 after drawing the series 2-2 in England.

'Thought this might be the end': Ben Stokes reveals he nearly choked on tablet in his hotel room

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nick Hockley said the governing body is committed to supporting former skipper Tim Paine following his announcement of stepping away from cricket for a period of time. Paine has taken a "leave of absence from all forms of cricket" following his resignation as captain for the side ahead of the Ashes.

"We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them. We respect and understand Tim`s decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family`s well-being," said Hockley in a statement. "The National Selection Panel will meet in the coming days to discuss the final squad ahead of the first Ashes Test on December 8," he added. Cricket Tasmania on Friday released a statement on Paine`s absence from the Marsh One-Day Cup match against Western Australia."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-paine-resigns-amid-scandal-cummins-gets-named-as-australias-47th-male-test-captain-431995">After Paine resigns amid scandal, Cummins gets named as Australia’s 47th male Test captain</a>

Following discussions over the last 24 hours, Tim Paine has advised Cricket Tasmania that he will be taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future," Cricket Tasmania said in a statement.England and Australia will lock horns in the five-match Ashes, beginning December 8 at the Gabba, Brisbane.Paine`s mental health break means he will unavailable for the first game of Ashes.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nick Hockley said the governing body is committed to supporting former skipper Tim Paine following his announcement of stepping away from cricket for a period of time.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nick Hockley said the governing body is committed to supporting former skipper Tim Paine following his announcement of stepping away from cricket for a period of time. Paine has taken a "leave of absence from all forms of cricket" following his resignation as captain for the side ahead of the Ashes. "We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them. We respect and understand Tim`s decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family`s well-being," said Hockley in a statement. "The National Selection Panel will meet in the coming days to discuss the final squad ahead of the first Ashes Test on December 8," he added. Cricket Tasmania on Friday released a statement on Paine`s absence from the Marsh One-Day Cup match against Western Australia." ALSO READ | After Paine resigns amid scandal, Cummins gets named as Australia’s 47th male Test captain Following discussions over the last 24 hours, Tim Paine has advised Cricket Tasmania that he will be taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future," Cricket Tasmania said in a statement.England and Australia will lock horns in the five-match Ashes, beginning December 8 at the Gabba, Brisbane.Paine`s mental health break means he will unavailable for the first game of Ashes.

CA committed to support under-fire Tim Paine as he opts for indefinite break from cricket

Tim Paine took over as Australia's Test captain following the sandpaper gate in early 2018, forcing then skipper Steve Smith to step aside from the post. While Paine did lead the side relatively well and enjoyed some good success, his tenure also ended in a controversial manner with his sexting scandal being exposed.

With Paine stepping aside as the Test captain as soon as the sexting scandal broke out, pacer Pat Cummins and ex-skipper Smith were interviewed by a Cricket Australia panel -- as per a report in Sydney News Herald -- for the position of skipper and deputy, respectively, on Wednesday (November 24).&nbsp;The entire process has brought CA a step closer to revealing Cummins as the next Test skipper.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-add-to-the-circus-former-australia-cricketer-warns-ca-against-appointing-steve-smith-as-test-captain-431411">'Will add to the circus': Former Australia cricketer warns CA against appointing Steve Smith as Test captain</a>

For the unversed, if Smith gets the vice-captain post, it will be the first time that the dependable batsman will regain leadership responsibilities post the sandpaper gate fiasco in 2018. It is believed that both Cummins and Smith appeared before a committee comprising selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, chief executive Nick Hockley, chair Richard Freudenstein and board member Mel Jones to share their vision for the men's Test team going forward.&nbsp;

It is also to be noted that Australia's head coach Justin Langer is not a part of the panel who have been assigned to pick Paine's successor in the purest format.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-steve-smith-michael-clarke-picks-australias-next-test-captain-after-tim-paines-exit-431267">Not Steve Smith! Michael Clarke picks Australia's next Test captain after Tim Paine's exit</a>

CA will like to end the procedure as soon as possible and name the next Aussie Test captain ahead of the Ashes 2021 opener. The marquee series is all set to begin from December 8 at The Gabba, Brisbane. The Ashes 2019 edition ended in with a 2-2 scoreline and the hosts Australia will like to retain the urn this time around as well versus the Joe Root-led English line-up.

Tim Paine took over as Australia's Test captain following the sandpaper gate in early 2018, forcing then skipper Steve Smith to step aside from the post. While Paine did lead the side relatively well and enjoyed some good success, his tenure also ended in a controversial manner with his sexting scandal being exposed.

Tim Paine took over as Australia's Test captain following the sandpaper gate in early 2018, forcing then skipper Steve Smith to step aside from the post. While Paine did lead the side relatively well and enjoyed some good success, his tenure also ended in a controversial manner with his sexting scandal being exposed. With Paine stepping aside as the Test captain as soon as the sexting scandal broke out, pacer Pat Cummins and ex-skipper Smith were interviewed by a Cricket Australia panel -- as per a report in Sydney News Herald -- for the position of skipper and deputy, respectively, on Wednesday (November 24). The entire process has brought CA a step closer to revealing Cummins as the next Test skipper. ALSO READ | 'Will add to the circus': Former Australia cricketer warns CA against appointing Steve Smith as Test captain For the unversed, if Smith gets the vice-captain post, it will be the first time that the dependable batsman will regain leadership responsibilities post the sandpaper gate fiasco in 2018. It is believed that both Cummins and Smith appeared before a committee comprising selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, chief executive Nick Hockley, chair Richard Freudenstein and board member Mel Jones to share their vision for the men's Test team going forward. It is also to be noted that Australia's head coach Justin Langer is not a part of the panel who have been assigned to pick Paine's successor in the purest format. ALSO READ | Not Steve Smith! Michael Clarke picks Australia's next Test captain after Tim Paine's exit CA will like to end the procedure as soon as possible and name the next Aussie Test captain ahead of the Ashes 2021 opener. The marquee series is all set to begin from December 8 at The Gabba, Brisbane. The Ashes 2019 edition ended in with a 2-2 scoreline and the hosts Australia will like to retain the urn this time around as well versus the Joe Root-led English line-up.

Pat Cummins interviewed by CA for Test captaincy, Steve Smith likely to be pacer's deputy: Reports

Former England captain Michael Vaughan will play no part in the BBC`s coverage of the upcoming Ashes series after being named in the racism controversy involving former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, the broadcaster said on Wednesday. Rafiq alleged that Vaughan told him and two other players of Asian origin that there were "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it" before a match in 2009. Vaughan has strongly denied the accusation. 
"While he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate for Vaughan to have a role in our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport at the moment," the BBC said in a statement.

"We require our contributors to talk about relevant topics and his involvement in the Yorkshire story represents a conflict of interest." Vaughan`s management company did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from Reuters.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-azeem-rafiq-allegations-to-ecbs-response-all-you-need-to-know-about-yorkshire-cricket-racism-scandal-426962#who-is-azeem-rafiq-426912">From Azeem Rafiq allegations to ECB's response: All you need to know about Yorkshire cricket racism scandal</a>

Vaughan, who has been an analyst with the BBC since 2009, was dropped from a radio show by the broadcaster earlier this month after the allegations came to light. The five-test Ashes series between England and hosts Australia begins in Brisbane on Dec. 8. The racism scandal that has engulfed English cricket also had former players at Essex saying that they suffered racist abuse at the club.

One of Essex`s principal sponsors - training and skills provider Seetec - have now suspended ties with the team "with immediate effect." "Any form of racism should not be tolerated. We encourage sports clubs to work with their local community to celebrate diversity and work at all levels to root out racism, wherever it manifests," a spokesperson for Seetec told Reuters.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan will play no part in the BBC`s coverage of the upcoming Ashes series after being named in the racism controversy involving former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, the broadcaster said on Wednesday.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan will play no part in the BBC`s coverage of the upcoming Ashes series after being named in the racism controversy involving former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, the broadcaster said on Wednesday. Rafiq alleged that Vaughan told him and two other players of Asian origin that there were "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it" before a match in 2009. Vaughan has strongly denied the accusation. "While he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate for Vaughan to have a role in our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport at the moment," the BBC said in a statement. "We require our contributors to talk about relevant topics and his involvement in the Yorkshire story represents a conflict of interest." Vaughan`s management company did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from Reuters. ALSO READ | From Azeem Rafiq allegations to ECB's response: All you need to know about Yorkshire cricket racism scandal Vaughan, who has been an analyst with the BBC since 2009, was dropped from a radio show by the broadcaster earlier this month after the allegations came to light. The five-test Ashes series between England and hosts Australia begins in Brisbane on Dec. 8. The racism scandal that has engulfed English cricket also had former players at Essex saying that they suffered racist abuse at the club. One of Essex`s principal sponsors - training and skills provider Seetec - have now suspended ties with the team "with immediate effect." "Any form of racism should not be tolerated. We encourage sports clubs to work with their local community to celebrate diversity and work at all levels to root out racism, wherever it manifests," a spokesperson for Seetec told Reuters.

Michael Vaughan to not play a part in BBC's Ashes 2021 coverage amid racism allegations

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels that the Tim Paine saga will be talked about wherever the Australian team will go during The Ashes. He added that it might end up distracting Paine and the Australian team in their quest to retain the Ashes at home. Paine had suddenly stepped down from being the Test captain on Friday after an off-field scandal involving text messages with a former Cricket Tasmania female staffer came into limelight. 
 
"As much as we would all love to see it go away and there comes a point where it`s never talked about, it`s inevitable that it`s going to be there. If he plays in Brisbane (for the first Test), the rest of the group and everyone needs to move on and do the best they can to forget about it and knuckle down," Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Wednesday. 
 
"I think inevitably it will (be a distraction). Yes, he`s made a huge call for himself, for Australian cricket and for the betterment of the Australian cricket team. But it`s not going to go away. We`re only a few weeks out from the first Test - it will bubble along," added Ponting.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pat-cummins-interviewed-by-ca-for-test-captaincy-steve-smith-likely-to-be-pacers-deputy-reports-431553">Pat Cummins interviewed by CA for Test captaincy, Steve Smith likely to be pacer's deputy: Reports</a>

He also thinks that Paine will be asked about the scandal wherever he goes in future. "Unfortunately for Tim he`s going to get asked about it everywhere he goes. Whenever you make mistakes and you`ve got to front up in front of the cricket-loving public, you have some doubts in the back of your mind for a period of time." 
 
The 46-year-old believes that Paine making an on-field comeback after a neck surgery will provide him solace. In a match for Tasmania`s second XI, Paine took six catches but made just one run with the bat. "When you`re out in the middle, that`s the only place you can get away from it. The first thing he did Saturday morning was put his club gear on, head out and try to play club cricket in Hobart, which is where he will find the most serenity. When he`s out in the middle he`s got something else to focus on and think about, which is cricket. It will blow over and hopefully it passes in enough time to have some really good clear headspace going into Brisbane." 
 
Ponting signed off by saying that wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey could be a good pick if Paine doesn`t feature in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane. For future, his pick is Josh Inglis. "If he (Paine) plays this series and he finishes at the end of the series, they might look at a younger guy. If he`s not picked for Brisbane, they might think about someone who`s a bit more experienced, being an Ashes series. If Paine doesn`t play in Brisbane the obvious one is Alex Carey. If Paine does play the Ashes series, they might look at someone like Inglis post this summer." 
 
"I`m on record saying I love Inglis - I think he`s going to be a really good cricketer for Australia for a long time in whatever format they pick him in first, whether it`s T20s, one-dayers or Test cricket. Speaking to Brad Haddin and even `Painey`&nbsp;they really rate his keeping, they talk really highly of it. He could definitely be a long term, not just an international player, (but also) a Test player."

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels that the Tim Paine saga will be talked about wherever the Australian team will go during The Ashes. He added that it might end up distracting Paine and the Australian team in their quest to retain the Ashes at home.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels that the Tim Paine saga will be talked about wherever the Australian team will go during The Ashes. He added that it might end up distracting Paine and the Australian team in their quest to retain the Ashes at home. Paine had suddenly stepped down from being the Test captain on Friday after an off-field scandal involving text messages with a former Cricket Tasmania female staffer came into limelight. "As much as we would all love to see it go away and there comes a point where it`s never talked about, it`s inevitable that it`s going to be there. If he plays in Brisbane (for the first Test), the rest of the group and everyone needs to move on and do the best they can to forget about it and knuckle down," Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Wednesday. "I think inevitably it will (be a distraction). Yes, he`s made a huge call for himself, for Australian cricket and for the betterment of the Australian cricket team. But it`s not going to go away. We`re only a few weeks out from the first Test - it will bubble along," added Ponting. ALSO READ | Pat Cummins interviewed by CA for Test captaincy, Steve Smith likely to be pacer's deputy: Reports He also thinks that Paine will be asked about the scandal wherever he goes in future. "Unfortunately for Tim he`s going to get asked about it everywhere he goes. Whenever you make mistakes and you`ve got to front up in front of the cricket-loving public, you have some doubts in the back of your mind for a period of time." The 46-year-old believes that Paine making an on-field comeback after a neck surgery will provide him solace. In a match for Tasmania`s second XI, Paine took six catches but made just one run with the bat. "When you`re out in the middle, that`s the only place you can get away from it. The first thing he did Saturday morning was put his club gear on, head out and try to play club cricket in Hobart, which is where he will find the most serenity. When he`s out in the middle he`s got something else to focus on and think about, which is cricket. It will blow over and hopefully it passes in enough time to have some really good clear headspace going into Brisbane." Ponting signed off by saying that wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey could be a good pick if Paine doesn`t feature in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane. For future, his pick is Josh Inglis. "If he (Paine) plays this series and he finishes at the end of the series, they might look at a younger guy. If he`s not picked for Brisbane, they might think about someone who`s a bit more experienced, being an Ashes series. If Paine doesn`t play in Brisbane the obvious one is Alex Carey. If Paine does play the Ashes series, they might look at someone like Inglis post this summer." "I`m on record saying I love Inglis - I think he`s going to be a really good cricketer for Australia for a long time in whatever format they pick him in first, whether it`s T20s, one-dayers or Test cricket. Speaking to Brad Haddin and even `Painey` they really rate his keeping, they talk really highly of it. He could definitely be a long term, not just an international player, (but also) a Test player."

Inevitable that it's going to be there: Ricky Ponting feels Tim Paine saga will be discussed in Ashes 2021

Australia vice-captain Pat Cummins who has taken 164 wickets and made 708 runs in 34 Tests he has played so far, stated on Wednesday that if regular Test skipper Tim Paine isn't healthy for the start of the Ashes series, he will be ready to share the responsibility of captaincy.&nbsp;

Australia have announced a 15-man team for the first two Ashes Tests, with skipper Tim Paine included despite having surgery to repair a bulging disc in his neck in September.&nbsp;

"Hopefully Tim will be fine, he's nearing 100 per cent ... But I'll be ready if I have to, but I doubt that," said Cummins to Channel Nine. If he finds the task difficult, the pacer says he can always seek advice from senior players in the team, including former captain Steve Smith and David Warner.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-rohit-sharma-and-rahul-dravid-recall-their-interaction-in-2007-i-was-over-the-moon-430021">Watch: Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid recall their interaction in 2007: 'I was over the moon'</a>

"If I was in the role and I found it tough, at times, there's ten other guys I'd lean on out in the middle. You've got people like Smithy and Davey Warner who are incredibly experienced, all the bowlers are experienced and look after themselves pretty well so I'd have no issues handballing it over to other people to help out."

Since&nbsp;February,&nbsp;the&nbsp;28-year-old&nbsp;has&nbsp;not&nbsp;played&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;first-class&nbsp;match.&nbsp;He also missed Australia's limited-overs trips to the West Indies and Bangladesh, as well as the second leg of the IPL, before appearing in all of Australia's T20 World Cup games.&nbsp;

The All-rounder,&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;other&nbsp;hand,&nbsp;is&nbsp;convinced&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;will&nbsp;be&nbsp;ready&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;red-ball&nbsp;series. "With no games, it gave me the chance to focus on a few different things, so my body feels as good as it has in a couple of years," Cummins said.

"There's no niggles, I feel really fresh and I always love going into a series giving myself the best chance to turn up and, if I have to bowl 50 overs in a Test, I can."

Australia will play one three-day intra-squad match beginning December 1 ahead of the series opener.

Cummins will share the bowling responsibilities with fellow Australians Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who both played in Australia's first T20 World Cup victory on November 14.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-president-sourav-ganguly-appointed-as-the-chairman-of-iccs-cricket-committee-replaces-anil-kumble-429998">BCCI president Sourav Ganguly appointed as the chairman of ICC's Cricket Committee, replaces Anil Kumble</a>

"The benefit of the short spells is that we're really, really fresh. I always feel like it's better to be underdone than overdone coming into a big Test series," he said.

"We've got access to quite a few centre wickets. We'll have three, four, five centre wickets where we try and have relatively big days, bowl a couple of spells on those days, and then we'll be ready to go."

The first Test begins on December 8 at the Gabba in Brisbane, followed by the day-night Test on December 16 at Adelaide Oval.

Australia vice-captain Pat Cummins who has taken 164 wickets and made 708 runs in 34 Tests he has played so far, stated on Wednesday that if regular Test skipper Tim Paine isn't healthy for the start of the Ashes series, he will be ready to share the responsibility of captaincy.

Australia vice-captain Pat Cummins who has taken 164 wickets and made 708 runs in 34 Tests he has played so far, stated on Wednesday that if regular Test skipper Tim Paine isn't healthy for the start of the Ashes series, he will be ready to share the responsibility of captaincy. Australia have announced a 15-man team for the first two Ashes Tests, with skipper Tim Paine included despite having surgery to repair a bulging disc in his neck in September. "Hopefully Tim will be fine, he's nearing 100 per cent ... But I'll be ready if I have to, but I doubt that," said Cummins to Channel Nine. If he finds the task difficult, the pacer says he can always seek advice from senior players in the team, including former captain Steve Smith and David Warner. ALSO READ | Watch: Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid recall their interaction in 2007: 'I was over the moon' "If I was in the role and I found it tough, at times, there's ten other guys I'd lean on out in the middle. You've got people like Smithy and Davey Warner who are incredibly experienced, all the bowlers are experienced and look after themselves pretty well so I'd have no issues handballing it over to other people to help out." Since February, the 28-year-old has not played in a first-class match. He also missed Australia's limited-overs trips to the West Indies and Bangladesh, as well as the second leg of the IPL, before appearing in all of Australia's T20 World Cup games. The All-rounder, on the other hand, is convinced that he will be ready for the red-ball series. "With no games, it gave me the chance to focus on a few different things, so my body feels as good as it has in a couple of years," Cummins said. "There's no niggles, I feel really fresh and I always love going into a series giving myself the best chance to turn up and, if I have to bowl 50 overs in a Test, I can." Australia will play one three-day intra-squad match beginning December 1 ahead of the series opener. Cummins will share the bowling responsibilities with fellow Australians Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who both played in Australia's first T20 World Cup victory on November 14. ALSO READ | BCCI president Sourav Ganguly appointed as the chairman of ICC's Cricket Committee, replaces Anil Kumble "The benefit of the short spells is that we're really, really fresh. I always feel like it's better to be underdone than overdone coming into a big Test series," he said. "We've got access to quite a few centre wickets. We'll have three, four, five centre wickets where we try and have relatively big days, bowl a couple of spells on those days, and then we'll be ready to go." The first Test begins on December 8 at the Gabba in Brisbane, followed by the day-night Test on December 16 at Adelaide Oval.

Ashes 2021: Pat Cummins says he will be 'ready' for potential captaincy amid captain Tim Paine's surgery

The Australian state of Tasmania will submit a pitch to the country's cricket board on Wednesday to have the fifth Ashes Test relocated to Hobart from Perth.

The Ashes finale is scheduled for January&nbsp;14 at Perth Stadium but the fixture remains in doubt due to Western Australia (WA) state's strict COVID-19 policies.

Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein said he would push for the match to be played at Hobart's picturesque Bellerive Oval, which would be the first Ashes Test at the ground.

"It would be just fantastic to see Tim (Paine) play at Bellerive as captain of Australia. We've been having ongoing discussions with Cricket Tasmania and the CEO of Cricket Australia," Gutwein told parliament.

"Today I'll be writing to Cricket Australia to formally put our case for the relocation of the Test match scheduled to commence on Jan. 14 in WA.

"Their borders will not be open by then. Tasmania is ready to host that important match ... (which) would without doubt be the state's biggest sporting event that we've hosted to date."

Cricket Australia were not able to provide immediate comment.

CEO Nick Hockley said last month there had been "very constructive" discussions with the WA government about bringing players and staff into Perth after the fourth Test in Sydney, which starts on Jan. 5.

COVID-free WA remains effectively closed to travellers from New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, due to the presence of the novel coronavirus in the eastern state.

Travellers from New South Wales must apply for a permit to enter the state and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said this week his state would not open up until 90% of its people above the age of 12 are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a target expected to be achieved by late-January or early February.

&nbsp;

The Australian state of Tasmania will submit a pitch to the country's cricket board on Wednesday to have the fifth Ashes Test relocated to Hobart from Perth. The Ashes finale is scheduled for January 14 at Perth Stadium but the fixture remains in doubt due to Western Australia (WA) state's strict COVID-19 policies.

The Australian state of Tasmania will submit a pitch to the country's cricket board on Wednesday to have the fifth Ashes Test relocated to Hobart from Perth. The Ashes finale is scheduled for January 14 at Perth Stadium but the fixture remains in doubt due to Western Australia (WA) state's strict COVID-19 policies. Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein said he would push for the match to be played at Hobart's picturesque Bellerive Oval, which would be the first Ashes Test at the ground. "It would be just fantastic to see Tim (Paine) play at Bellerive as captain of Australia. We've been having ongoing discussions with Cricket Tasmania and the CEO of Cricket Australia," Gutwein told parliament. "Today I'll be writing to Cricket Australia to formally put our case for the relocation of the Test match scheduled to commence on Jan. 14 in WA. "Their borders will not be open by then. Tasmania is ready to host that important match ... (which) would without doubt be the state's biggest sporting event that we've hosted to date." Cricket Australia were not able to provide immediate comment. CEO Nick Hockley said last month there had been "very constructive" discussions with the WA government about bringing players and staff into Perth after the fourth Test in Sydney, which starts on Jan. 5. COVID-free WA remains effectively closed to travellers from New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, due to the presence of the novel coronavirus in the eastern state. Travellers from New South Wales must apply for a permit to enter the state and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. WA Premier Mark McGowan said this week his state would not open up until 90% of its people above the age of 12 are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a target expected to be achieved by late-January or early February.

Tasmania to submit pitch to country's cricket board to swipe Ashes Test from Perth

England captain Joe Root has welcomed Ben Stokes`s return to the Ashes squad, saying that it`s the most exciting thing for him to see star all-rounder`s return to cricket. 
 
Stokes had taken an indefinite break from cricket in July to focus on his mental health and recover from a finger injury. He was not included in England's initial squad for the Ashes 2021-22 series. 
 
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) later announced that Stokes would be available for the series, which is due to start on December 8.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/youll-have-to-face-the-nation-md-azharuddin-slams-virat-kohli-for-skipping-presser-after-nz-loss-425910">You'll have to face the nation: Md Azharuddin slams Virat Kohli for skipping presser after NZ loss</a>

"I'd got an inkling. I`d had some good conversations with Ben over the period while he`s not been playing. It was just such a joy to hear him speak, you could almost hear his smile, if that makes sense, on the phone. You could tell he was so much happier within himself," Root told the Guardian. 
 
"Just the fact he feels he's in a place where he`s ready to play cricket again is the most exciting thing," he added. 
 
The England captain also praised Stokes`s honesty, adding that they made it very clear to him that he has to be in the right space to go and play.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-looked-jaded-dilip-vengsarkar-slams-kohli-co-feels-r-ashwins-snub-is-a-matter-of-investigation-425929">India looked jaded: Dilip Vengsarkar slams Kohli &amp; Co., feels R Ashwin's snub is a 'matter of investigation'</a>

"We made it very clear to Ben, it`s got to be right for you. You have to be in the right space to go and play, physically and mentally. One thing about Ben, he`s very honest, he won`t shirk any difficult conversations and he`s been true to that through the whole thing," said Root. 
 
"We have been through a lot on and off the field. To see him now back in a place where he is able to enjoy his cricket again and feel more`himself, that`s the best part of the whole thing. It`s just really exciting," he added.

England captain Joe Root has welcomed Ben Stokes`s return to the Ashes squad, saying that it`s the most exciting thing for him to see star all-rounder`s return to cricket.

England captain Joe Root has welcomed Ben Stokes`s return to the Ashes squad, saying that it`s the most exciting thing for him to see star all-rounder`s return to cricket. Stokes had taken an indefinite break from cricket in July to focus on his mental health and recover from a finger injury. He was not included in England's initial squad for the Ashes 2021-22 series. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) later announced that Stokes would be available for the series, which is due to start on December 8. ALSO READ: You'll have to face the nation: Md Azharuddin slams Virat Kohli for skipping presser after NZ loss "I'd got an inkling. I`d had some good conversations with Ben over the period while he`s not been playing. It was just such a joy to hear him speak, you could almost hear his smile, if that makes sense, on the phone. You could tell he was so much happier within himself," Root told the Guardian. "Just the fact he feels he's in a place where he`s ready to play cricket again is the most exciting thing," he added. The England captain also praised Stokes`s honesty, adding that they made it very clear to him that he has to be in the right space to go and play. ALSO READ: India looked jaded: Dilip Vengsarkar slams Kohli & Co., feels R Ashwin's snub is a 'matter of investigation' "We made it very clear to Ben, it`s got to be right for you. You have to be in the right space to go and play, physically and mentally. One thing about Ben, he`s very honest, he won`t shirk any difficult conversations and he`s been true to that through the whole thing," said Root. "We have been through a lot on and off the field. To see him now back in a place where he is able to enjoy his cricket again and feel more`himself, that`s the best part of the whole thing. It`s just really exciting," he added.

Ashes 2021: England skipper Joe Root welcomes Ben Stokes after all-rounder's finger injury

Australian fast bowler James Pattinson, once one of the most feared bowlers in the cricket world, has retired from international cricket.

The 31-year-old Victorian, who made his Test debut for Australia as a tearaway right armer, has made the decision to step away from international cricket to focus on family, playing for his state and helping develop the next generation of fast bowlers.

The right-armer played 21 Test Matches, 15 One-Day Internationals and four T20 Internationals for Australia. He has played 76 first-class games for Victoria. He took 81 wickets at 26.33 in his Test career and has 302 wickets at 22.52 in first-class cricket.

"Leading into pre-season I really wanted to give the Ashes a crack but in the end, I haven`t had the preparation I would have liked heading into the coming season," Pattinson, who will miss the opening round of fixtures for Victoria through injury, said.

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"If I was to be part of the Ashes, I would need to do myself and my teammates justice. I didn`t want to be in a position of battling with my body when you need to be 100 per cent fit and ready to go at any time. That would not be fair to myself or the team."

"It was then I felt that instead of trying to play at the very highest level, knowing I have only got three or four years of cricket left, I would focus more on Victoria, helping the young guys develop, perhaps some cricket in England and spending more time with my family."

Chair of the National Selection (NSP) George Bailey said Pattinson`s passion, drive and energy in his time within the Australian team was one of his greatest strengths, along with his ability with the ball.

"Everyone who has played with Patto has thrived on his competitive nature and the sheer pride he takes in playing for his country," Bailey said.

"James epitomises what it means to play for Australia, the sacrifices you make and the hurdles you have to overcome on the journey. But his record speaks for itself, he has been a wonderful player. We would have loved to have seen a lot more of him over the years."

Pattinson said he felt at ease with his decision to step away from the international game.

"Now I have made the decision I am hoping to really enjoy the last three or four years of cricket," he said.

"I have had a great time over the years and thank Cricket Australia for the opportunities, the faith they have put in me and of course all of my teammates through the journey. They have instilled a lot of trust in me especially at times when I have been injured and helped me through those times. For that, I am very grateful.

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"Pattinson played his first Test against New Zealand in 2011 and announced himself on the world stage with 5/27 in the second innings of Australia`s nine-wicket win. He was named Man of the Series with fourteen wickets in the two-Test series.

He repeated the effort in his next Test against India at the MCG with 6-108. After a short injury lay-off, he returned against India with another five-wicket haul in Chepauk, the only time an Australian fast bowler has done so at the ground.

The dose was repeated at his next outing in 2015 against the West Indies with another five-wicket performance, taking 5-27 which equalled his best career figures.

He played a further six Test matches after but was restricted due to a number of injuries including back surgery and the strength Australia's pace bowling stocks during this period.

Somewhat fittingly, his last Test was against New Zealand in Sydney, the side he made his debut against a decade earlier.&nbsp;

Australian fast bowler James Pattinson, once one of the most feared bowlers in the cricket world, has retired from international cricket. The 31-year-old Victorian, who made his Test debut for Australia as a tearaway right armer, has made the decision to step away from international cricket to focus on family, playing for his state and helping develop the next generation of fast bowlers.

Australian fast bowler James Pattinson, once one of the most feared bowlers in the cricket world, has retired from international cricket. The 31-year-old Victorian, who made his Test debut for Australia as a tearaway right armer, has made the decision to step away from international cricket to focus on family, playing for his state and helping develop the next generation of fast bowlers. The right-armer played 21 Test Matches, 15 One-Day Internationals and four T20 Internationals for Australia. He has played 76 first-class games for Victoria. He took 81 wickets at 26.33 in his Test career and has 302 wickets at 22.52 in first-class cricket. "Leading into pre-season I really wanted to give the Ashes a crack but in the end, I haven`t had the preparation I would have liked heading into the coming season," Pattinson, who will miss the opening round of fixtures for Victoria through injury, said. ALSO READ: Former Aussie cricketer Michael Slater arrested over alleged domestic violence incident "If I was to be part of the Ashes, I would need to do myself and my teammates justice. I didn`t want to be in a position of battling with my body when you need to be 100 per cent fit and ready to go at any time. That would not be fair to myself or the team." "It was then I felt that instead of trying to play at the very highest level, knowing I have only got three or four years of cricket left, I would focus more on Victoria, helping the young guys develop, perhaps some cricket in England and spending more time with my family." Chair of the National Selection (NSP) George Bailey said Pattinson`s passion, drive and energy in his time within the Australian team was one of his greatest strengths, along with his ability with the ball. "Everyone who has played with Patto has thrived on his competitive nature and the sheer pride he takes in playing for his country," Bailey said. "James epitomises what it means to play for Australia, the sacrifices you make and the hurdles you have to overcome on the journey. But his record speaks for itself, he has been a wonderful player. We would have loved to have seen a lot more of him over the years." Pattinson said he felt at ease with his decision to step away from the international game. "Now I have made the decision I am hoping to really enjoy the last three or four years of cricket," he said. "I have had a great time over the years and thank Cricket Australia for the opportunities, the faith they have put in me and of course all of my teammates through the journey. They have instilled a lot of trust in me especially at times when I have been injured and helped me through those times. For that, I am very grateful. ALSO READ: T20 World Cup: 'I'm pretty optimistic about Australia's chances,' says Mike Hussey "Pattinson played his first Test against New Zealand in 2011 and announced himself on the world stage with 5/27 in the second innings of Australia`s nine-wicket win. He was named Man of the Series with fourteen wickets in the two-Test series. He repeated the effort in his next Test against India at the MCG with 6-108. After a short injury lay-off, he returned against India with another five-wicket haul in Chepauk, the only time an Australian fast bowler has done so at the ground. The dose was repeated at his next outing in 2015 against the West Indies with another five-wicket performance, taking 5-27 which equalled his best career figures. He played a further six Test matches after but was restricted due to a number of injuries including back surgery and the strength Australia's pace bowling stocks during this period. Somewhat fittingly, his last Test was against New Zealand in Sydney, the side he made his debut against a decade earlier.

Aussie pacer James Pattinson announces international retirement ahead of Ashes 2021

Veteran England pacer James Anderson has made an appeal to Australian cricketers to be "respectable" while engaging in verbal wars ahead of the Ashes. Australia Test skipper Tim Paine had said Ashes will go ahead even if England captain Joe Root won't be part of the tour amid ongoing uncertainty about the level of restrictions the visitors may face.

Veteran England pacer James Anderson has made an appeal to Australian cricketers to be "respectable" while engaging in verbal wars ahead of the Ashes. Australia Test skipper Tim Paine had said Ashes will go ahead even if England captain Joe Root won't be part of the tour amid ongoing uncertainty about the level of restrictions the visitors may face. Anderson termed the comments made by Paine as "dangerous" and pointed out that blocking unnecessary noise is an important aspect ahead of the Ashes. "It is dangerous to start talking like that, especially when we already have one player missing because he is looking after his mental health," Anderson told the UK's Daily Telegraph as reported by Fox Cricket. "I get it that this is an Ashes series and we are going to have this bit of pantomime stuff away from the cricket, but let's keep it respectable." "It is important everyone knows what to expect when we get there. There is always a lot of hype and noise around the Ashes in the build-up to it. Making everyone aware of that and having ways of blocking it out are important," he added. The legendary fast bowler highlighted that the all pre-Ashes war of words are made to distract England and it is important that the visitors focus on cricket. "It is designed to distract us. There are always little things that crop up. That is inevitable but it is important we try to focus as much as we can on the cricket. That is our job," said Anderson. "Our job is not really to get involved in any off-field war of words. We have to focus on our jobs on the field and perform for our country," he added.England squad for the Ashes: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

James Anderson hits back at Tim Paine, urges Australians to be 'respectable' ahead of Ashes

England have finally named their squad for the Ashes tour to Australia, a series that was shadowed by the clouds of uncertainty a few days back after some English players raised concerns over tough COVID-19 quarantine rules in the visiting country.

England have finally named their squad for the Ashes tour to Australia, a series that was shadowed by the clouds of uncertainty a few days back after some English players raised concerns over tough COVID-19 quarantine rules in the visiting country. On Sunday (October 10), the head coach of the England cricket team, Chris Silverwood, named a 17-player squad for the Ashes tour starting in November. The official site of the England Cricket Board (ECB) mentioned that all 17 players have been capped at Test level and it is the strongest available squad. Ten of the 17 will be touring Australia in an Ashes series for the first time, including vice-captain Jos Buttler. England Test captain Joe Root and Buttler have been selected despite their recent remarks that they might not travel if their fears were not eased. EXCLUSIVE | DC's assistant coach opines on Rishabh Pant's captaincy, Delhi's 2-0 edge vs CSK before playoffs Who will be our most important players as we try to win back the urn this winter? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏏 pic.twitter.com/6xYzVWlAc3 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 10, 2021 × Who will be our most important players as we try to win back the urn this winter? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏏 pic.twitter.com/6xYzVWlAc3 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 10, 2021 × Seamer Stuart Broad was included despite the calf injury he picked up in the Test series against India on the other hand all-rounders Ben Stokes and Sam Curran missed out. The squad included recalls for batsman Zak Crawley and spinner Dom Bess and Essex batsman Dan Lawrence the most eye-catching selection. Fast bowler Jofra Archer was also unavailable after he suffered a recurrence of a stress fracture in his elbow and Olly Stone was ruled out with a back injury. James Anderson and Broad head up the seam bowling for what may well be their Ashes swansongs, with support from fellow pacemen Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson. Haseeb Hameed travels despite missing out on a central contract this week. ALSO READ | David Warner leaving SRH? Australian star's heartfelt post on Instagram hints at his exit The tour looked doubtful when players sought assurances for their family members to be allowed to join them for the series over the Christmas and New Year period. But following a breakthrough in talks with Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday said they had given "conditional approval" for the tour to go ahead. The first test is due to begin in Brisbane on Dec. 8, followed by a day-night match in Adelaide from Dec. 16 before the traditional Boxing Day test in Melbourne. Sydney will host the fourth match and the final test will be in Perth starting on Jan. 14. Australia retained the Ashes when the teams last met in 2019 in England after a 2-2 series draw. Here's the full squad: England: Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

With an aim to win back the urn, England name strongest available squad for Ashes tour

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed Australia Test captain Tim Paine over his recent comments on the upcoming Ashes 2021. Paine had said the Ashes will go ahead irrespective of England captain Joe Root and other English star players' availability for the much-awaited series. Paine drew a lot of flak for his comments on the England team and was also bashed by the Barmy Army.

Vaughan has now joined the bandwagon and has said Paine lacked 'class' in his comments while insisting that the Australian Test skipper hasn't had to go through what Root and other England players have been through by playing cricket in strict bio-bubbles for months. Vaughan believes Paine should have shown some empathy as a Test captain and should not have said what he said.

“As a Test match captain, you have to show a bit of empathy. In the last two years, he hasn’t taken his team overseas. He hasn’t had to go through what these England players have gone through. He hasn’t gone through what Joe Root has gone through. He plays only one format of the game. I do believe he showed a bit of lack of class,” Michael Vaughan told ABC Sports.

“I don’t think that went down well with the players. There is a huge amount of respect between the two sides. And particularly, anyone that’s captain of an international side, I personally think he didn’t need to say what he said," he added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ive-got-1534-more-runs-than-aussie-skipper-tim-paine-takes-a-jibe-at-barmy-army-ahead-of-ashes-2021-419177">'I`ve got 1,534 more runs than....' - Aussie skipper Tim Paine takes a jibe at Barmy Army ahead of Ashes 2021</a>

Unlike England, who had travelled to India, and Sri Lanka for a Test series earlier this year, Australia last played a Test series away from home in 2019 when Paine &amp; Co. had travelled to England for the Ashes. There has been a lot of debate surrounding the fate of Ashes 2021 but England Cricket Board have given conditional approval for the tour.

"Well, the Ashes are going ahead -- the first Test is on December 8 whether Joe's here or not," Paine had earlier&nbsp;told SEN sports radio,. His comments did not go down well with former England cricketers and English supporters, who have lashed out at the Aussie skipper.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed Australia Test captain Tim Paine over his recent comments on the upcoming Ashes 2021. Paine had said the Ashes will go ahead irrespective of England captain Joe Root and other English star players' availability for the much-awaited series.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed Australia Test captain Tim Paine over his recent comments on the upcoming Ashes 2021. Paine had said the Ashes will go ahead irrespective of England captain Joe Root and other English star players' availability for the much-awaited series. Paine drew a lot of flak for his comments on the England team and was also bashed by the Barmy Army. Vaughan has now joined the bandwagon and has said Paine lacked 'class' in his comments while insisting that the Australian Test skipper hasn't had to go through what Root and other England players have been through by playing cricket in strict bio-bubbles for months. Vaughan believes Paine should have shown some empathy as a Test captain and should not have said what he said. “As a Test match captain, you have to show a bit of empathy. In the last two years, he hasn’t taken his team overseas. He hasn’t had to go through what these England players have gone through. He hasn’t gone through what Joe Root has gone through. He plays only one format of the game. I do believe he showed a bit of lack of class,” Michael Vaughan told ABC Sports. “I don’t think that went down well with the players. There is a huge amount of respect between the two sides. And particularly, anyone that’s captain of an international side, I personally think he didn’t need to say what he said," he added. Also Read: 'I`ve got 1,534 more runs than....' - Aussie skipper Tim Paine takes a jibe at Barmy Army ahead of Ashes 2021 Unlike England, who had travelled to India, and Sri Lanka for a Test series earlier this year, Australia last played a Test series away from home in 2019 when Paine & Co. had travelled to England for the Ashes. There has been a lot of debate surrounding the fate of Ashes 2021 but England Cricket Board have given conditional approval for the tour. "Well, the Ashes are going ahead -- the first Test is on December 8 whether Joe's here or not," Paine had earlier told SEN sports radio,. His comments did not go down well with former England cricketers and English supporters, who have lashed out at the Aussie skipper.

'He showed a bit of lack of class': Michael Vaughan slams Australia captain Tim Paine over Ashes remarks

The England cricket team will tour Australia for their five-test Ashes series beginning in December subject to several critical conditions being met before they travel, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.

"Over recent weeks we have made excellent progress in moving forward on the England Men's Ashes Tour. To facilitate further progress and allow a squad to be selected, the ECB Board has met today and given its approval for the tour to go ahead. This decision is subject to several critical conditions being met before we travel," the ECB said in a statement.

"We look forward to the ongoing assistance from Cricket Australia in resolving these matters in the coming days."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ian-botham-questions-england-desire-for-ultimate-ashes-test-418714">Ian Botham questions England desire for 'ultimate' Ashes Test</a>

CA, the ECB and Australian authorities had been negotiating for many months over the touring conditions in a country where international arrivals have to isolate in quarantine hotels for 14 days, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

A major issue was whether family members could join England players in Australia over the Christmas and New Year period. The country's borders are effectively closed to non-citizens and non-permanent residents.

England captain Joe Root had also previously expressed doubts about the tour due to "bubble fatigue".

Australian media reported that authorities are offering England`s players, staff and families the use of a Gold Coast resort in Queensland state for quarantine before the opening test starts in Brisbane on Dec. 8.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/joe-root-confirms-participation-england-committed-to-ashes-series-report-418748">Joe Root confirms participation, England committed to Ashes series: Report</a>

Families who arrive for the Christmas period may be accommodated at a resort in the Yarra Valley on the fringe of Melbourne before the Boxing Day test starts on Dec. 26, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Tuesday.

The tour pours about A$200 million ($146.14 million) into Cricket Australia coffers, according to local media estimates.

England will play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman starting this month before heading to Australia, likely keeping some players who feature in both competitions away from home for four months.

The England cricket team will tour Australia for their five-test Ashes series beginning in December subject to several critical conditions being met before they travel, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.

The England cricket team will tour Australia for their five-test Ashes series beginning in December subject to several critical conditions being met before they travel, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday. "Over recent weeks we have made excellent progress in moving forward on the England Men's Ashes Tour. To facilitate further progress and allow a squad to be selected, the ECB Board has met today and given its approval for the tour to go ahead. This decision is subject to several critical conditions being met before we travel," the ECB said in a statement. "We look forward to the ongoing assistance from Cricket Australia in resolving these matters in the coming days." ALSO READ | Ian Botham questions England desire for 'ultimate' Ashes Test CA, the ECB and Australian authorities had been negotiating for many months over the touring conditions in a country where international arrivals have to isolate in quarantine hotels for 14 days, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. A major issue was whether family members could join England players in Australia over the Christmas and New Year period. The country's borders are effectively closed to non-citizens and non-permanent residents. England captain Joe Root had also previously expressed doubts about the tour due to "bubble fatigue". Australian media reported that authorities are offering England`s players, staff and families the use of a Gold Coast resort in Queensland state for quarantine before the opening test starts in Brisbane on Dec. 8. ALSO READ: Joe Root confirms participation, England committed to Ashes series: Report Families who arrive for the Christmas period may be accommodated at a resort in the Yarra Valley on the fringe of Melbourne before the Boxing Day test starts on Dec. 26, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Tuesday. The tour pours about A$200 million ($146.14 million) into Cricket Australia coffers, according to local media estimates. England will play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman starting this month before heading to Australia, likely keeping some players who feature in both competitions away from home for four months.

ECB gives conditional approval for England's Ashes tour to Australia

Tasmania could be chosen as the venue to host the fifth and final Ashes Test after the Australian government gave a strong indication that Perth could be out of bounds because of the stringent quarantine rules being implemented in Western Australia. 
 
While the exact arrangements for the touring England side are yet to be worked out, the possibility of the fifth and final Ashes Test taking place in Perth are next to nil as Western Australia requires arrivals to undergo a 14-day quarantine. The fourth Test at Sydney will end on January 9, while the Test in Perth begins five days later. 
 
On Monday, the Australian sports minister, Richard Colbeck, said that Tasmania -- which incidentally is his home state -- would be more than happy to host the final Ashes Test new year. 
 
"We`ve had to do a lot of work to organise quarantine arrangements for cricketers coming into Australia," Colbeck was quoted as saying by Daily Mail. "There`s serious questions about whether there`ll be a Test match in Perth this summer. If there`s no chance of coming here without prolonged quarantine, it just won`t occur. 
 
"After the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, there is no timeframe for players to quarantine before flying to Perth, so I think those arrangements are largely settled. The Australian government wants the Ashes to go ahead, but the chances of the Perth Test taking place are very slim," added Colbeck. 
 
Tasmania -- Australian Test skipper Tim Paine`s home state -- was scheduled to host a one-off Test against Afghanistan in November but Cricket Australia (CA) cancelled the assignment after Taliban banned women`s cricket. 
&nbsp;

Tasmania could be chosen as the venue to host the fifth and final Ashes Test after the Australian government gave a strong indication that Perth could be out of bounds because of the stringent quarantine rules being implemented in Western Australia.

Tasmania could be chosen as the venue to host the fifth and final Ashes Test after the Australian government gave a strong indication that Perth could be out of bounds because of the stringent quarantine rules being implemented in Western Australia. While the exact arrangements for the touring England side are yet to be worked out, the possibility of the fifth and final Ashes Test taking place in Perth are next to nil as Western Australia requires arrivals to undergo a 14-day quarantine. The fourth Test at Sydney will end on January 9, while the Test in Perth begins five days later. On Monday, the Australian sports minister, Richard Colbeck, said that Tasmania -- which incidentally is his home state -- would be more than happy to host the final Ashes Test new year. "We`ve had to do a lot of work to organise quarantine arrangements for cricketers coming into Australia," Colbeck was quoted as saying by Daily Mail. "There`s serious questions about whether there`ll be a Test match in Perth this summer. If there`s no chance of coming here without prolonged quarantine, it just won`t occur. "After the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, there is no timeframe for players to quarantine before flying to Perth, so I think those arrangements are largely settled. The Australian government wants the Ashes to go ahead, but the chances of the Perth Test taking place are very slim," added Colbeck. Tasmania -- Australian Test skipper Tim Paine`s home state -- was scheduled to host a one-off Test against Afghanistan in November but Cricket Australia (CA) cancelled the assignment after Taliban banned women`s cricket.

Perth unlikely to host fifth Ashes Test due to stringent quarantine rules, says Australia sports minister

Top England batting all-rounder Moeen Ali could become a casualty of the gruelling season ahead, and the 34-year-old veteran of 64 Tests is understood to be not interested at the "prospect of an extended time away from home" for the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE and the subsequent Ashes series Down Under. 
 
In a report published by espncricinfo, the website said that Moeen, who also is an integral part of the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings side that is a title contender in IPL 2021, "has decided he no longer has the hunger to play the longest format. In particular, he is uncomfortable with the prospect of an extended time away from home in the coming months as a likely member of both the T20 World Cup and Ashes squads." 
 
Moeen, who has scored close to 3,000 Test runs and is just five wickets shy of 200 Test wickets, is understood to have informed the England chief coach Chris Silverwood, and skipper Joe Root about his intentions. 
 
"He is keen to continue his career for England in white-ball cricket and is also expected to continue to play county and franchise cricket. It seems unlikely he will continue to play first-class cricket but no firm decision has yet been taken on that," the report added. 
 
Moeen, who has also played more than a century of ODI games and has been a prolific run-getter for his side, would add to the selection dilemma of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which has been kept on tenterhooks by several top cricketers who have reservations about going to Australia due to stringent Covid-19 protocols in the country. 
&nbsp;

Top England batting all-rounder Moeen Ali could become a casualty of the gruelling season ahead, and the 34-year-old veteran of 64 Tests is understood to be not interested at the "prospect of an extended time away from home" for the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE and the subsequent Ashes series Down Under.

Top England batting all-rounder Moeen Ali could become a casualty of the gruelling season ahead, and the 34-year-old veteran of 64 Tests is understood to be not interested at the "prospect of an extended time away from home" for the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE and the subsequent Ashes series Down Under. In a report published by espncricinfo, the website said that Moeen, who also is an integral part of the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings side that is a title contender in IPL 2021, "has decided he no longer has the hunger to play the longest format. In particular, he is uncomfortable with the prospect of an extended time away from home in the coming months as a likely member of both the T20 World Cup and Ashes squads." Moeen, who has scored close to 3,000 Test runs and is just five wickets shy of 200 Test wickets, is understood to have informed the England chief coach Chris Silverwood, and skipper Joe Root about his intentions. "He is keen to continue his career for England in white-ball cricket and is also expected to continue to play county and franchise cricket. It seems unlikely he will continue to play first-class cricket but no firm decision has yet been taken on that," the report added. Moeen, who has also played more than a century of ODI games and has been a prolific run-getter for his side, would add to the selection dilemma of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which has been kept on tenterhooks by several top cricketers who have reservations about going to Australia due to stringent Covid-19 protocols in the country.

Moeen Ali might not be part of Ashes 2021, likely to quit Test cricket: Reports

Australia`s Test captain Tim Paine is confident he will be ready for the start of the Ashes series against England in December following surgery to fix a bulging disc in his neck. 
 
The 36-year-old had been suffering from severe pain down his left side caused by a pinched nerve and, on the advice of surgeons, underwent the procedure on Tuesday. 
 
Paine said he hopes to return to full training by the end of October after a six-week recuperation period. 
 
"The precedent has been set, guys have got back from it reasonably quickly," he told SEN radio. "We`ve been talking to all those players, their physios, their surgeons to track their rehab plans and get me back as quick as we can. 
 
"I`m pretty confident outside of that six weeks I`ll be ready to go within a week. That gives me plenty of time (for the Ashes). "I won`t be as fit or as strong as I`d like to be. If I am moving freely, I`ll give a good fist of it." 
 
The first test against England at the Gabba in Brisbane is scheduled to start on Dec. 8 and will be followed by four further matches in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. 
 
"I`m pretty happy with the decision," said Paine. "After the surgeon had a look in there, he said it was a good decision to get it done." 
 
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who took over as captain following Steve Smith`s sacking in the wake of the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal, said he had the operation in a bid to prolong his career beyond his Test playing days. 
 
"I want to keep playing for Tasmania after my international career," he said. "To have it fixed and out of the way was the correct decision long term."

Australia`s Test captain Tim Paine is confident he will be ready for the start of the Ashes series against England in December following surgery to fix a bulging disc in his neck.

Australia`s Test captain Tim Paine is confident he will be ready for the start of the Ashes series against England in December following surgery to fix a bulging disc in his neck. The 36-year-old had been suffering from severe pain down his left side caused by a pinched nerve and, on the advice of surgeons, underwent the procedure on Tuesday. Paine said he hopes to return to full training by the end of October after a six-week recuperation period. "The precedent has been set, guys have got back from it reasonably quickly," he told SEN radio. "We`ve been talking to all those players, their physios, their surgeons to track their rehab plans and get me back as quick as we can. "I`m pretty confident outside of that six weeks I`ll be ready to go within a week. That gives me plenty of time (for the Ashes). "I won`t be as fit or as strong as I`d like to be. If I am moving freely, I`ll give a good fist of it." The first test against England at the Gabba in Brisbane is scheduled to start on Dec. 8 and will be followed by four further matches in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. "I`m pretty happy with the decision," said Paine. "After the surgeon had a look in there, he said it was a good decision to get it done." The wicketkeeper-batsman, who took over as captain following Steve Smith`s sacking in the wake of the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal, said he had the operation in a bid to prolong his career beyond his Test playing days. "I want to keep playing for Tasmania after my international career," he said. "To have it fixed and out of the way was the correct decision long term."

I'll be ready for Ashes 2021, says Australia captain Tim Paine

The last quarter&nbsp;of 2021 promises to provide plenty of cricketing action for the gentlemen's game's ardent lovers worldwide with IPL 2021, T20 World Cup and Ashes 2021 on cards. However, the fate of Ashes 2021 hangs in the balance as Joe Root &amp; Co. could boycott this year's Ashes citing strict bio-bubble life Down Under.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) remain adamant and have not given much thought about postponement, which has not been received well by the senior players and support staff.

"The prospect of England fielding a significantly under-strength squad in the Ashes would appear to have grown following talks between the team and officials at the ECB," the website reported. "As a result, they are considering their options. One of those options is understood to be the entire team - including coaching and support staff - taking a collective decision to boycott the tour.

"While the players appear, in general, fairly sanguine about the prospect of a two-week quarantine for themselves, they are reluctant to put their families through it. And with some players away for the best part of four months (the IPL being followed by the T20 World Cup and the Ashes), they are understandably reluctant not to see their families for the entire period," it stated.

Strict quarantine rules Down Under

It also reported, "The nature of the quarantine is also understood to have disappointed the players. Although there has been talk of allowing them the use of a resort hotel on the Gold Coast, it is now understood they are likely to be permitted only two or three hours out of their hotel rooms each day for training.

"There is also a possibility the squad will be obliged to remain in some sort of 'bubble' throughout the tour to avoid difficulties in moving between states. Families, meanwhile, could still be required to undergo a 'hard' quarantine involving 14 days in a hotel room."

Even during India's tour of Australia last year, the bio-bubble life had taken a toll on the Indian cricketers and many had opened up about how tough it had become for them by the end of the tour.&nbsp;

Thus, it remains to be seen how the forthcoming Ashes 2021 will go ahead or will Root &amp; Co. simply boycott the upcoming edition. For the unversed, Ashes 2019 had ended in a 2-2 scoreline, which provided enthralling contest between bat and ball throughout the English summer.

The last quarter of 2021 promises to provide plenty of cricketing action for the gentlemen's game's ardent lovers worldwide with IPL 2021, T20 World Cup and Ashes 2021 on cards.

The last quarter of 2021 promises to provide plenty of cricketing action for the gentlemen's game's ardent lovers worldwide with IPL 2021, T20 World Cup and Ashes 2021 on cards. However, the fate of Ashes 2021 hangs in the balance as Joe Root & Co. could boycott this year's Ashes citing strict bio-bubble life Down Under. According to ESPN Cricinfo, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) remain adamant and have not given much thought about postponement, which has not been received well by the senior players and support staff. "The prospect of England fielding a significantly under-strength squad in the Ashes would appear to have grown following talks between the team and officials at the ECB," the website reported. "As a result, they are considering their options. One of those options is understood to be the entire team - including coaching and support staff - taking a collective decision to boycott the tour. "While the players appear, in general, fairly sanguine about the prospect of a two-week quarantine for themselves, they are reluctant to put their families through it. And with some players away for the best part of four months (the IPL being followed by the T20 World Cup and the Ashes), they are understandably reluctant not to see their families for the entire period," it stated. Strict quarantine rules Down Under It also reported, "The nature of the quarantine is also understood to have disappointed the players. Although there has been talk of allowing them the use of a resort hotel on the Gold Coast, it is now understood they are likely to be permitted only two or three hours out of their hotel rooms each day for training. "There is also a possibility the squad will be obliged to remain in some sort of 'bubble' throughout the tour to avoid difficulties in moving between states. Families, meanwhile, could still be required to undergo a 'hard' quarantine involving 14 days in a hotel room." Even during India's tour of Australia last year, the bio-bubble life had taken a toll on the Indian cricketers and many had opened up about how tough it had become for them by the end of the tour. Thus, it remains to be seen how the forthcoming Ashes 2021 will go ahead or will Root & Co. simply boycott the upcoming edition. For the unversed, Ashes 2019 had ended in a 2-2 scoreline, which provided enthralling contest between bat and ball throughout the English summer.

Joe Root-led England on verge of boycotting Ashes 2021 citing strict bio-bubble life: Reports

England`s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said he might skip the end-of-year Ashes tour over concerns about being apart from his family due to Australia`s COVID-19 restrictions. 
 
England will play the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October and November before heading to Australia, likely keeping players who feature in both away from home for four months. 
 
After pulling out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, Buttler said he may also miss the end of the ongoing test series with India due to his wife expecting their second child. 
 
"One of the challenges is working out where the line is where you say I can`t do that," Buttler told The Times newspaper. "I`ve sacrificed a lot for cricket and my wife and family have sacrificed a lot. 
 
"You have to be open to" saying no, he said. "It would be incredibly disappointing if some players feel like they can’t do it, but we`re in a world at the moment where that is a possibility." 
 
England players are seeking assurances https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/england-confident-ashes-tour-amid-travel-negotiations-2021-08-13 their family members would be allowed to join them in Australia, with the England and Wales Cricket Board in talks with Cricket Australia to secure that passage. 
 
Australia has closed its borders in an effort to control COVID-19, with limited flights and 14-day mandatory managed isolation for returning citizens. 
 
"COVID is incredibly challenging for everyone and Australia has a very strict policy in how they`ve tried to deal with it," Buttler said, adding that living for long periods in bio-bubbles was a further complication. 
 
"Until we get more information about what it (the Australia tour) might look like, it`s impossible to know what decision you`re making."

England`s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said he might skip the end-of-year Ashes tour over concerns about being apart from his family due to Australia`s COVID-19 restrictions.

England`s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said he might skip the end-of-year Ashes tour over concerns about being apart from his family due to Australia`s COVID-19 restrictions. England will play the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October and November before heading to Australia, likely keeping players who feature in both away from home for four months. After pulling out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, Buttler said he may also miss the end of the ongoing test series with India due to his wife expecting their second child. "One of the challenges is working out where the line is where you say I can`t do that," Buttler told The Times newspaper. "I`ve sacrificed a lot for cricket and my wife and family have sacrificed a lot. "You have to be open to" saying no, he said. "It would be incredibly disappointing if some players feel like they can’t do it, but we`re in a world at the moment where that is a possibility." England players are seeking assurances https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/england-confident-ashes-tour-amid-travel-negotiations-2021-08-13 their family members would be allowed to join them in Australia, with the England and Wales Cricket Board in talks with Cricket Australia to secure that passage. Australia has closed its borders in an effort to control COVID-19, with limited flights and 14-day mandatory managed isolation for returning citizens. "COVID is incredibly challenging for everyone and Australia has a very strict policy in how they`ve tried to deal with it," Buttler said, adding that living for long periods in bio-bubbles was a further complication. "Until we get more information about what it (the Australia tour) might look like, it`s impossible to know what decision you`re making."

England's Jos Buttler might skip Ashes series in Australia

Headed for recuperation from his left tennis elbow injury, Australia batsman Steve Smith is focusing on the Ashes over the T20 World Cup planned for October-November this year. He even pulled out of the impending West Indies and Bangladesh visits to nurture the ligament injury.&nbsp;

He said: “There’s still a bit of time between now and, and I’m tracking okay at the moment – it’s slow, but I’m going okay. I’d love to be part of the World Cup, for sure, but from my point of view, Test cricket, that’s my main goal – to be right for the Ashes and try to emulate what I’ve done in the last few Ashes series I’ve been involved in.”&nbsp;

Steve Smith was at his imperious best during the 2019 Ashes, scoring 774 runs at an average of 110.57 with three centuries and three fifties. While the five-Test series finished in a 2-2, Steve Smith is focusing on top distinctions this time around.&nbsp;Indeed, even a completely fit Steve Smith will do well to replicate his exhibitions from recent Ashes fights; the world's number two positioned Test batsman has scored a stunning 1,969 runs at 93.76 in 14 matches across the previous three series, with eight centuries.&nbsp;

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Those numbers underline exactly how significant the 32-year-old's inclusion will be for the hosts when the contention resumes at the Gabba in barely five months' time, and Steve Smith needs to agree to nothing short of being at his closest to perfect. Steve Smith has focused on replicating his endeavors in England two years prior, regardless of whether it comes at the expense of avoiding the T20 World Cup. He said: “I want to put myself in a position where I can have that kind of impact. If that means not partaking in the World Cup, then we’ll have to go down that path, but hopefully, we don’t have to go there.”&nbsp;

Australia will venture to the Caribbean to play five T20Is and three ODIs, prior to coming down to Bangladesh for a five-match T20I series. The T20 World Cup will follow after &nbsp;50% of IPL 2021, ahead of a long Aussie summer including a solitary Test against Afghanistan and the high power Ashes series.&nbsp;

Steve Smith played through torment in his left wrist during the initial period of IPL 2021. He played six matches for the Delhi Capitals, scoring 104 runs at an unobtrusive strike rate of 111.82. He said: "I actually wasn't exactly 100%, it was all the while annoying me a piece, and I was playing around there cured – taking a few painkillers and hostile to inflammatories each time I batted. It's anything but a point where it wasn't actually working on a lot, and it's anything but somewhat more regrettable while I was around there."&nbsp;

In any case, by his own affirmation, he has made a touch of progress in the last few weeks and needs to stretch out his everyday batting sessions prior to allowing the medicos to deal with his excess recuperation. The way things are, the Delhi Capitals will miss the administrations of Steve Smith when the IPL resumes in the UAE in September. Regardless of whether he will travel to the Emirates the next month for the T20 World Cup stays not yet clear.

Headed for recuperation from his left tennis elbow injury, Australia batsman Steve Smith is focusing on the Ashes over the T20 World Cup planned for October-November this year.

Headed for recuperation from his left tennis elbow injury, Australia batsman Steve Smith is focusing on the Ashes over the T20 World Cup planned for October-November this year. He even pulled out of the impending West Indies and Bangladesh visits to nurture the ligament injury. He said: “There’s still a bit of time between now and, and I’m tracking okay at the moment – it’s slow, but I’m going okay. I’d love to be part of the World Cup, for sure, but from my point of view, Test cricket, that’s my main goal – to be right for the Ashes and try to emulate what I’ve done in the last few Ashes series I’ve been involved in.” Steve Smith was at his imperious best during the 2019 Ashes, scoring 774 runs at an average of 110.57 with three centuries and three fifties. While the five-Test series finished in a 2-2, Steve Smith is focusing on top distinctions this time around. Indeed, even a completely fit Steve Smith will do well to replicate his exhibitions from recent Ashes fights; the world's number two positioned Test batsman has scored a stunning 1,969 runs at 93.76 in 14 matches across the previous three series, with eight centuries. ALSO READ: Cricket: Any of us would take a bullet for MS Dhoni, says KL Rahul Those numbers underline exactly how significant the 32-year-old's inclusion will be for the hosts when the contention resumes at the Gabba in barely five months' time, and Steve Smith needs to agree to nothing short of being at his closest to perfect. Steve Smith has focused on replicating his endeavors in England two years prior, regardless of whether it comes at the expense of avoiding the T20 World Cup. He said: “I want to put myself in a position where I can have that kind of impact. If that means not partaking in the World Cup, then we’ll have to go down that path, but hopefully, we don’t have to go there.” Australia will venture to the Caribbean to play five T20Is and three ODIs, prior to coming down to Bangladesh for a five-match T20I series. The T20 World Cup will follow after 50% of IPL 2021, ahead of a long Aussie summer including a solitary Test against Afghanistan and the high power Ashes series. Steve Smith played through torment in his left wrist during the initial period of IPL 2021. He played six matches for the Delhi Capitals, scoring 104 runs at an unobtrusive strike rate of 111.82. He said: "I actually wasn't exactly 100%, it was all the while annoying me a piece, and I was playing around there cured – taking a few painkillers and hostile to inflammatories each time I batted. It's anything but a point where it wasn't actually working on a lot, and it's anything but somewhat more regrettable while I was around there." In any case, by his own affirmation, he has made a touch of progress in the last few weeks and needs to stretch out his everyday batting sessions prior to allowing the medicos to deal with his excess recuperation. The way things are, the Delhi Capitals will miss the administrations of Steve Smith when the IPL resumes in the UAE in September. Regardless of whether he will travel to the Emirates the next month for the T20 World Cup stays not yet clear.

Cricket: Steve Smith ready to sacrifice T20 World Cup participation to be fit for Ashes

A report in the UK media house suggested that it is still unclear whether families of the England cricketers travelling to Australia will be permitted to stay with them during the Ashes, beginning on December 8.

Former England skippers Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen fumed at the reports. Vaughan went on to say that the Ashes series should be cancelled if families are not allowed to stay with the players for the four-month-long tour of Australia due to strict COVID-19 protocols.

"Read reports today that England cricketers may not be able to have family members with them down under this winter .. Quite simply if they can’t they should call the Ashes off .. 4 months away from your family is totally unacceptable .. #Ashes," Vaughan wrote on his Twitter handle.

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Kevin Pietersen also responded to the media report and said that if any England player decides to back out from the iconic tour then they will have his full backing.&nbsp;

"Any ENG player that pulls out of this Ashes, if they seriously can't see their families for FOUR MONTHS, has my full backing. Families are the most important part of a players make up. And even more so in the current climate! FOUR MONTHS with no family on Ashes Tour?," he tweeted.

According to Cricket Australia, a solution can be worked out and the tournament is still many months away.

"It's only June and England are not due to arrive until November," a CA spokeswoman told the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

"We'll be going through the same process we did with India last summer."&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

A report in the UK media house suggested that it is still unclear whether families of the England cricketers travelling to Australia will be permitted to stay with them during the Ashes, beginning on December 8.

A report in the UK media house suggested that it is still unclear whether families of the England cricketers travelling to Australia will be permitted to stay with them during the Ashes, beginning on December 8. Former England skippers Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen fumed at the reports. Vaughan went on to say that the Ashes series should be cancelled if families are not allowed to stay with the players for the four-month-long tour of Australia due to strict COVID-19 protocols. "Read reports today that England cricketers may not be able to have family members with them down under this winter .. Quite simply if they can’t they should call the Ashes off .. 4 months away from your family is totally unacceptable .. #Ashes," Vaughan wrote on his Twitter handle. ALSO READ: 'Did things with lot of purpose': Nasser Hussain lauds Virat Kohli's captaincy Kevin Pietersen also responded to the media report and said that if any England player decides to back out from the iconic tour then they will have his full backing. "Any ENG player that pulls out of this Ashes, if they seriously can't see their families for FOUR MONTHS, has my full backing. Families are the most important part of a players make up. And even more so in the current climate! FOUR MONTHS with no family on Ashes Tour?," he tweeted. According to Cricket Australia, a solution can be worked out and the tournament is still many months away. "It's only June and England are not due to arrive until November," a CA spokeswoman told the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. "We'll be going through the same process we did with India last summer." (With PTI inputs)

Cricket- 'Totally unacceptable': Vaughan, Pietersen fume at Ashes rule

England pacer Jofra Archer has successfully undergone elbow surgery and will now not rush to make his comeback with an eye on the ICC T20 World Cup and the Ashes later in the year. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday confirmed that Archer had undergone surgery and will start an “intensive rehabilitation” period with the ECB and Sussex medical teams.<o:p></o:p>

Archer has said he is open to returning for the upcoming five-Test series against India but is prepared to sit out the summer to help England achieve their goals in the T20 World Cup and Ashes. &nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

"One thing I am determined about the post-elbow operation is not to rush my comeback because my primary focus is to be playing for England in the Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes later this year. Those are my targets. If I come back before then and manage to play in the home Test series against India -- then fine, so be it. If I don't, I am quite prepared to sit out the summer," Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-kapil-dev-comes-up-with-valuable-advise-for-rishabh-pant-ahead-of-england-tour-387592" hreflang="en">Cricket: Kapil Dev comes up with valuable advise for Rishabh Pant ahead of England tour</a><o:p></o:p>

Archer said missing a few weeks will help him prolong his career. The England speedster added&nbsp;that he wants to get rid of this injury once and for all. <o:p></o:p>

"The way I am looking at things is that I would rather miss a few weeks of a year so that I have a few more years in my career. I just want to get this injury sorted once and for all and that's why I'm not looking that far ahead or at dates for a return to action. Because if I don't get this right, I won't play any cricket. Period. I am not going to do myself any good by coming back before I'm fully fit, so I will take my time and do what is best for me and my life," he added.<o:p></o:p>

Archer, who had made a comeback for Sussex in the County Championship against Kent, managed only five overs and pulled out after suffering from pain in his right elbow – the same injury that has been bugging the pacer for long.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-expecting-it-to-be-tough-henry-nicholls-warns-new-zealand-ahead-of-wtc-final-vs-india-387573" hreflang="en">Cricket: 'Expecting it to be tough' - Henry Nicholls warns New Zealand ahead of WTC final vs India</a>

<o:p></o:p>

"Surgery was always the last option and we wanted to exercise every possible strategy before we went down that route. It was the last thing on the list. It is not always a fix and in four weeks we will find out how things have gone. I must retain faith that this now sorts out the issue for good, although there's always room for another surgery if needs be. At the age of 26, I am still pretty young," said Archer. <o:p></o:p>

"However, my attitude right now is that the less thought I put into things like that, the better. I just want to throw myself into rehab. I remain committed to playing all three formats for England and to winning big series. But it has been quite a while since I bowled completely pain-free," he added. <o:p></o:p>

Archer was earlier ruled out of IPL 2021 following the conclusion of India’s home Test series against England, where the pacer played two Tests and all five T20Is.<o:p></o:p>

England pacer Jofra Archer has successfully undergone elbow surgery and will now not rush to make his comeback with an eye on the ICC T20 World Cup and the Ashes later in the year.

England pacer Jofra Archer has successfully undergone elbow surgery and will now not rush to make his comeback with an eye on the ICC T20 World Cup and the Ashes later in the year. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday confirmed that Archer had undergone surgery and will start an “intensive rehabilitation” period with the ECB and Sussex medical teams. Archer has said he is open to returning for the upcoming five-Test series against India but is prepared to sit out the summer to help England achieve their goals in the T20 World Cup and Ashes. "One thing I am determined about the post-elbow operation is not to rush my comeback because my primary focus is to be playing for England in the Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes later this year. Those are my targets. If I come back before then and manage to play in the home Test series against India -- then fine, so be it. If I don't, I am quite prepared to sit out the summer," Archer wrote in his column for Daily Mail, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. ALSO READ: Cricket: Kapil Dev comes up with valuable advise for Rishabh Pant ahead of England tour Archer said missing a few weeks will help him prolong his career. The England speedster added that he wants to get rid of this injury once and for all. "The way I am looking at things is that I would rather miss a few weeks of a year so that I have a few more years in my career. I just want to get this injury sorted once and for all and that's why I'm not looking that far ahead or at dates for a return to action. Because if I don't get this right, I won't play any cricket. Period. I am not going to do myself any good by coming back before I'm fully fit, so I will take my time and do what is best for me and my life," he added. Archer, who had made a comeback for Sussex in the County Championship against Kent, managed only five overs and pulled out after suffering from pain in his right elbow – the same injury that has been bugging the pacer for long. ALSO READ: Cricket: 'Expecting it to be tough' - Henry Nicholls warns New Zealand ahead of WTC final vs India "Surgery was always the last option and we wanted to exercise every possible strategy before we went down that route. It was the last thing on the list. It is not always a fix and in four weeks we will find out how things have gone. I must retain faith that this now sorts out the issue for good, although there's always room for another surgery if needs be. At the age of 26, I am still pretty young," said Archer. "However, my attitude right now is that the less thought I put into things like that, the better. I just want to throw myself into rehab. I remain committed to playing all three formats for England and to winning big series. But it has been quite a while since I bowled completely pain-free," he added. Archer was earlier ruled out of IPL 2021 following the conclusion of India’s home Test series against England, where the pacer played two Tests and all five T20Is.

Cricket: Jofra Archer eyes T20 World Cup and Ashes, says won't 'rush comeback'

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