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Australia have not yet officially retained the Ashes, but it already seems a matter of “when” not “if” after England’s challenge wilted in the heat on day two in Adelaide. Ben Stokes battled defiantly, facing 151 balls and batting for more than four hours for his unbeaten 45, but the captain found few allies on the burning deck as England were left staring at a hefty first-innings deficit amid ever-diminishing hopes of keeping the series alive until Christmas.Stokes had asked for his players to “show a bit of dog” in their bid to make an improbable comeback from 2-0 down, but England were all too easily brought to heel by an Australia side with more than enough pedigree, despite the absence of Steven Smith and Josh Hazlewood. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon both made an immediate impact on their return to the XI – Cummins taking 3 for 54 in his first competitive outing since July’s tour of the Caribbean – as England were rounded up without much fuss on what looked like the perfect day for batting.Their one minor victory came in keeping Mitchell Starc wicketless for the first time in the series; though, as he had started off proceedings by thumping a flurry of fours to bring up his second half-century in as many games, with Australia merrily adding 45 runs to their overnight 326 for 8, that could only be claimed as a partial success.Ollie Pope throws his head back after dismissals in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide•Gareth Copley/Darrian Traynor via Getty Images

There was more Snicko aggro, too, with both sides making their frustrations with the technology clear. England were aggrieved at Chris Gaffaney, the third umpire, giving Jamie Smith out caught behind off Cummins on the evidence from Real-Time Snickometer, following the controversy around Alex Carey’s non-dismissal on day one. Smith had survived moments before in bizarre circumstances, with Gaffaney determining the ball had come off his helmet, despite TV pictures suggesting contact with the glove, as Australia argued (although whether the ball had carried to Usman Khawaja at slip or not was a different matter).Related

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• Ashes tours can end careers. Ollie Pope could be next

Joe Root was also reprieved, with Gaffaney unconvinced that an inside edge on to pad had reached Carey’s gloves on the full. None of which detracted from the fact that England had seemingly torpedoed their own hopes once again with another flaccid batting display as temperatures approached 40C in Adelaide.A sloppy start with the ball, which led to a heated exchange between Stokes and Jofra Archer even as the latter was on his way to securing a first Test five-for since 2019, was compounded by England losing their top three in the space of 15 balls before lunch. Root was then dismissed for the 12th time in Tests by Cummins – nobody has had more success against England’s key batter – and the innings fell away after a 56-run stand for the fifth wicket between Stokes and Harry Brook.Archer did manage to stick around alongside Stokes to the close, putting on the second-longest partnership of the innings, though Australia’s lead was still above 150 and England faced the prospect of batting last on a surface that’s expected to break up in the heat.The suspicion at the end of day one was that Australia had left plenty of runs on the table, despite Carey’s maiden Ashes hundred taking them beyond 300. England needed to make good on the promise of runs, that anticipation only sharpened by Starc striking five boundaries in 12 balls as Australia’s tail wagged to good effect. Archer was leaky but removed both Starc and Lyon on the way to a third five-wicket haul against Australia.Nathan Lyon picked up two wickets in his first over•AFP/Getty Images

England’s openers made a solid enough start, though Ben Duckett rode his luck early on. Already Australia were showing a greater propensity to bowl with the discipline required on a baking morning, and Cummins made the breakthrough with a fine delivery that straightened and bounced to graze the shoulder of Zak Crawley’s bat through to Carey.Much had been said about Lyon’s absence in Brisbane after he had only bowled two overs in the victory at Perth. He came into this game one wicket behind Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 for Australia, having sat there since July when he was also omitted for the Jamaica Test against West Indies. But within the space of six balls, he had drawn level with and then overtaken McGrath to go second on the all-time list for Australia.Ollie Pope’s dismal record against Australia only got worse as he chipped tamely to midwicket, before Duckett was removed by a jaffa that pitched on middle and turned past a defensive prod to hit the top of off.Jofra Archer finished with 5 for 53•Getty Images

At 42 for 3, England were already feeling the glare of the southern sun. Australia thought they had got Root early, too, when reviewing for a caught-behind of Scott Boland. But although replays confirmed he had edged the ball, Gaffaney concluded that it had bounced on its way into the gloves.Root did not last long after lunch, however, as Cummins lured him into poking at one defensively in the channel. Brook was more measured, after his “shocking” dismissals in the first two Tests, but showed flashes of aggression – skipping down to lamp Boland all the way for six over cover, and thrashing Starc to deep backward point to bring up the fifty stand with Stokes.He survived being given out caught down the leg side off Lyon on 44, technology this time backing up the belief that he hadn’t hit the ball – but only added one to his score before being dislodged by Cameron Green’s second legitimate delivery, another pearler that reversed just enough to catch the outside edge.Stokes had buckled down at the other end, facing 35 balls before scoring his first boundary and adding only two more in an innings of monk-like self-abnegation that at least saw England fight to the close. He scowled furiously from beneath his helmet peak when Smith was told to go, despite more uncertainty surrounding the synching of Real-Time Snickometer, his mood only darkening as Boland removed Will Jacks and Brydon Carse in quick succession. Stokes has produced his fair share of miracles in an England shirt; it may need another to keep this Ashes campaign alive.

Mahkaya Ntini’s return to form was one of the huge gains on a day when South Africa did everything almost perfectly © AFP

On days like this, Graeme Smith must feel cricket is an easy game. Batsmenscore runs, bowlers take wickets and fielders back them up. What betterway to celebrate an outstanding Test series win than by comfortablywinning the first ODI five days later?”We’re very happy with the way we played today,” Smith agreed. “Wecontrolled 90% of the game and the majority of it was very comfortable forus. They were always behind the eight-ball [even when Pakistan’slower-order briefly rallied] and we always knew one good over would changeit.”The game was set up, Smith acknowledged, by Herschelle Gibbs and AB deVilliers; both scored hundreds in a 137-run partnership for the thirdwicket. And if ever instructions were needed on how innings should bepaced, both provided it.de Villiers began solidly. His fifty came from 62 balls, which isn’t slow,but his hundred only 31 balls later. Gibbs’ second fifty came at arun-a-ball. “I was especially happy to push through and get to hundred,”said de Villiers. “I gave myself time to get in. It wasn’t easy againstthe spinners early and Hersch told me just to settle down first. Once Igot to fifty, I thought I’d push and suddenly I was in the nineties.”More than any bowler, however, his own body challenged him. As he pushedon, the heat, the lack of water brought on cramps. He reacted to it incelebratory fashion though, hitting two sixes and two fours in the 47thover when he was really struggling to stand up. “It wasn’t as bad as itwas in the World Cup,” he said, referring to his hundred against the WestIndies, before joking, “Good to see it’s not because of the alcohol.”South Africa’s top order has been the least of Smith’s concerns on thistour, for all of them have contributed at one stage or another. The onlynagging concern has been over Makhaya Ntini, who looked so flat during theTests. Even that was put aside today, as the bounce returned to his run-upand his bowling.If de Villiers and Gibbs set it up, then Ntini finished it off, taking outPakistan’s top four all by himself. He went for runs in his second spellbut that will not bother Smith. “It’s good to see him come back. He’shitting his straps now. He’s not been up to his own standards so farthough he improved during the second Test, but it was good to see him backup to his standards today.”South Africa have maintained high standards from the day they landed andwith the second game on Saturday, more of the same will be expected.”We’ve played really good cricket since we’ve been here, right from dayone. 1-0 is always a good start and there are a lot of positives to takeout from today. Maybe we can talk about our death bowling but we were verygood.”

Mohammad Khalil took 6 for 60 to bowl Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTBL) to an emphatic 174-run victory over Pakistan Customs, in their Patrons Trophy match at Karachi on Monday. Customs, who began the day on 97 for 5, had little answer to Khalil, who was cleared of ball-tampering charges during the course of the first innings, and were all out for 220 an hour after lunch on the fourth day.Kashif Siddiq, the Customs captain and opener, top-scored with 77 with 11 boundaries in a little over three hours. Hanif Malik, the wicketkeeper, contributed a fighting 51 off 76 balls which included five fours and a six.This was ZTBL’s second win in as many matches after they beat holders National Bank of Pakistan by an innings. ZTBL now have 18 points.Habib Bank Limited (HBL) jumped on top of the Patrons Trophy Pool A table with a 90-run win over National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on the final day at Karachi. NBP, resuming on their overnight score of 146 for 5, were bowled out for 168 an hour before lunch. Azhar Mahmood broke the 73-run sixth-wicket stand between Naumanullah (73) and Qaiser Abbas (40).Kamran Hussain, the left-arm fast bowler, and Shahid Afridi, who was leading the side, took two wickets each to polish off the tail. Earlier, Irfan Fazil rattled the top order with three quick wickets.With back to back victories in two games, Habib Bank have raised their points tally to 18 while NBP have collected just nine points in three matches with one win and two defeats.Neither Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) nor Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) were able to gain any points from their rain-hit draw at Rawalpindi. With the first two days disrupted, the match was called off as KRL replied to WAPDA’s 365 with 201 for 4.For KRL, Abdul Rauf, the right-arm fast-medium bowler, bagged 5 for 67 in 22.4 overs. With the bat, Mohammad Wasim, KRL’s captain, hit 79 and Mohtashim Ali 52 in a second-wicket stand of 106.With first innings completed, neither side got any points. But both KRL and WAPDA had already qualified for the Quadrangular Stage of the tournament that starts on December 5.The match between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) ended in a draw on the final day at the Sheikhupura Stadium. Neither side collected any points and have failed to make the Quadrangular Stage.In a rain-interrupted match, SNGPL scored 253 in their first innings after being put in by PIA. In reply, PIA reached 205 for 8, with the lead issue remaining inconclusive. Agha Sabir, the opener, top-scored for PIA with a resolute 74. Down the order, Bazid Khan made 42. For SNGPL, Asad Ali’s medium pace accounted for 3 for 62.

Saqlain Mushtaq is recovering well but has ruled himself out of the England series © AFP

Saqlain Mushtaq, the Pakistan off spinner, says he doesn’t expect to be picked for the forthcoming England series.Saqlain, who last played for Pakistan against India in Multan last year, has been suffering from a chronic knee injury for much of the last year, and despite recovering well, he believes it unlikely that he will play against England.Saqlain told Reuters, “The injury has healed and I resumed playing first-class cricket for Surrey this season. But a comeback against England is not likely because I still need more match practice and training.”But he warned Pakistan that England will provide an extremely difficult challenge during the series. “After beating Australia, England are keen to win in Pakistan and show everyone their Ashes victory was not a fluke. Pakistan should expect, on and off the field, pressure tactics and mind games.”Saqlain also cautioned against attacking the tourists with spinners on slow pitches. This was a strategy Pakistan adopted when England visited last in 2000 but one that met with little success. Saqlain took 18 wickets during that series, including 8 for 164 in the first innings at Lahore.”Pakistan will have some home advantage but I really don’t know how much it will affect the outcome of the series. The last time England came in 2000, only Graham Thorpe could play spin well now they have several good players of spin.”Pakistan has been toying with the idea of recalling Mushtaq Ahmed in a bid to boost their spinning options and provide Danish Kaneria with some support.

Will the track be another typical turner when play gets underway on Tuesday?© Getty Images

The green Nagpur pitch is likely to be shaved bare before the start of the third Test, has reported. Kishore Pradhan, the curator at the ground, said that Ganguly convinced him that a grassless pitch would give India a better chance.”He explained to me the difference between the Indian and Australian teams and their respective strengths and weaknesses, as also the position of the series. And he requested me to shave off the grass one last time,” said Pradhan. “I would have done one last mowing in any case, but his request convinced me. Till the mud beneath doesn’t get caught in the machine, we will continue. I will not let the wicket break. It will remain a sporting wicket.”This was a come-down from Pradhan’s earlier stance of not shaving the wicket. The green look of the track had forced John Wright to state that his expectations from the Indian batsmen would be fairly modest if they were asked to bat first. “It will be similar to jute wickets and help pace bowlers and the batsmen,” Wright had said. “I would be most happy with a score of 250 for 6 or 8 on day one.” However, if most of the grass is shaved off before the game gets underway, chances are that neither captain will be happy with such a score after the first day.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has voiced concerns over a lack of consistency among the elite panel of International Cricket Council (ICC) umpires.Speaking at a news conference in Karachi, Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia, the chairman of the PCB, told reporters that his board was “concerned with the inconsistency shown by umpires on the elite panel,” adding that it had “sent a letter to the ICC on this issue”.The PCB has made public its unhappiness with the performance of certain officials on the 11-man panel. “We have suggested that the ICC appoint a review committee for the purpose of monitoring their recent performances,” Zia said, “and recommended to bring more consistency in the performances of the elite panel of umpires.”He explained that the review committee should be made up of former players, umpires and independent observers, and that the performance of the umpires on the elite panel should reviewed after every series.

Interesting questions lie ahead for New Zealand’s tour selectors in the lead up to the second Test starting in Hobart in nine days time.Chief among them is the nature of New Zealand’s bowling line-up now that Dion Nash has returned home with an abdominal strain, and with Shayne O’Connor needing to pass a fitness test before he can be considered second Test.The game with South Australia promises a fascinating contest between Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin and new bowler to the tour Shane Bond.The Adelaide Oval has tested the best bowlers in the world over the years and it will sorely test which of the New Zealanders are likely to force their way into the Test attack.Bond’s call-up is interesting.He returned to first-class cricket last year after injury, having conceded ground in the pecking order to international selection.However, his call-up to a place on the New Zealand A tour of India rocketed him into the selection eye, especially with selector Ross Dykes managing the team on the tour.Bond managed to find pace and disconcerting bounce on unhelpful Indian pitches, and emerged as the fastest bowler in the country.By contrast, Tuffey and Martin, were outstanding contributors to New Zealand last summer after being thrown into international cricket when an injury epidemic threatened to scuttle the Kiwi ship.They knew that the return of Chris Cairns and Nash had the potential to reduce their opportunities. They also knew that they were only an injury away from regaining their places.They now have the opportunity to put their own case to the selection panel.Similarly, Lou Vincent knew he was likely to have to sit out the early stages of the tour as the preferred incumbents had their chances. South Australia, his old stamping ground, represents a rare chance to put his claims to the panel.His selection was seen as a reminder to the middle-order that there was competition waiting in the wings. Of those players Mathew Sinclair must be starting to feel the heat, although he too, will probably have a chance against South Australia to re-state his case.While there was an element of one-day cricket to the last day of the Test match, there were some points that would have clarified aspects of the New Zealand team chosen for this tour.Mark Richardson, especially, showed in the second innings the sort of combative approach that has quickly made him an ideal opener in an area that has long been the problem for New Zealand.The superb Australian bowling in the first innings when Jason Gillespie got among the New Zealand top order created all manner of uncertainty.But Richardson showed splendid application under similar pressure in the second innings, and revealed the capacity for quick learning that has marked the latter part of his career. Some outstanding battles for his wicket are looming during the remainder of the series.The other factor to emerge from Richardson’s approach was his ability to score in a manner that would have been applicable to a One-Day International.Richardson has said he wants to play ODIs but has not been regarded as a contender. Monday’s batting will have done nothing to diminish his chances of fulfilling his Otago coach Glenn Turner’s belief that he is well capable of footing it in the ODI arena.Nathan Astle overcame the bogey that has been the blot on his international record, although there is still plenty of time to make a more significant statement while Stephen Fleming also used the last innings run chase as the grounds for making a statement of his own.And while Australia basked in making the running in the Test match by courtesy of its commanding first innings, it shouldn’t be forgotten that it was fortunate to receive the benefit of yet another dubious umpiring decision that will live in the trans-Tasman halls of cricket infamy.They are clearly a formidable side but New Zealand proved a burr under their saddle more irritating than they might previously have expected on Monday.If they didn’t win more respect from Australians they certainly boosted their own standing in New Zealand.

West Indies Women’s squad

Stafanie Taylor (capt), Shakera Selman (vice-capt), Merissa Aguilleira, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Tremayne Smartt

The WICB has named a 13-player West Indies Women’s squad for this month’s four ODIs and three T20Is against Pakistan Women beginning on October 16 in St Lucia. Stafanie Taylor will lead the side for the first time after being appointed captain last month, replacing Merissa Aguilleira who had served in the role since the 2009 Women’s World Cup.The selectors had named an 18-member training squad last month. The group got together in St Lucia last week, and at the end of the first seven days the five players released were Shaquana Quintyne, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Vanessa Watts and Shemaine Campbell.West Indies Women defeated Sri Lanka Women in three of four ODIs in May, including two of three as part of the ICC Women’s Championship, during West Indies Women’s tour of Sri Lanka.West Indies currently sit third on the championship points table, one point behind South Africa and five points behind Australia. A series sweep over Pakistan, including the last three ODIs which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will put West Indies level with Australia at the top of the table.Pakistan Women currently sit tied for fifth with New Zealand Women on eight points. They lost two of three matches to South Africa in their last action held in March in Sharjah. Following the four ODIs, both teams will travel to Grenada for three T20Is beginning on October 29.

Tottenham Hotspur could welcome back Oliver Skipp from injury this weekend as a promising update has emerged…

What’s the latest?

The 21-year-old midfielder has missed their last four outings in the Premier League after sustaining a groin problem after their 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.

Skipp was not risked on Wednesday evening with the north Londoners said to be taking a cautious approach over his availability, as per the Evening Standard, who recently claimed that the England U21 international developed an infection during the recovery process.

In that time, Spurs have lost three of those four matches but manager Antonio Conte could be handed a major boost ahead of Saturday’s early encounter with Leeds United.

According to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown, who delivered an encouraging claim to GIVEMESPORT this week.

“I think his injury is taking longer than people thought, definitely,” he said. “But we’re told there’s a chance he could be back this weekend [against Leeds].”

Could be huge

This would be a major boost for the Italian head coach.

Spurs are a much more solid outfit with Skipp in the side, it’s that simple.

After Conte’s arrival, the Lilywhites recorded five clean sheets in his six appearances. In his absence, Spurs have leaked ten goals in five games, owing to the fact that he was not on the pitch for either of the Blues’ two goals at Stamford Bridge.

As per WhoScored, he has averaged 1.8 tackles per game, which is amongst the best in the team.

The Premier League and FA Cup winner is renowned for his defensive nous, so he will be fuming to be leaking an average of two goals per game over the past month or so.

“This player is very young, he has a lot of space for improvement. He played with great passion and heart. It was important. We are talking about an important prospect,” Conte said of the £18m-rated academy graduate back in December.

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His replacement in recent outings, Rodrigo Bentancur, picked up a problem at Turf Moor, making the need for Skipp’s return all that more pressing.

Therefore, he ought to be hugely buzzing by the prospect of having Skipp involved on Saturday, where they have the perfect opportunity to bounce back against a leaky and out-of-form Leeds side at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Forget Romero: “Disappointing” Spurs star who had 0 shots badly let Conte down at Burnley…

Alviro Petersen continued his fine form in the Momentum One Day Cup, stroking his fifth century of the season to guide Lions to an eight-run win against Dolphins at Senwes Park. Petersen now has 594 runs from six innings, at an average of 118.80. Lions, after being inserted, rode on a 116-run partnership between Petersen and Temba Bavuma (42), which lifted the team to 276 for 7. Petersen hit seven fours and three sixes during his 92-ball 107; no other batsman managed a half-century.Dolphins were struggling at 56 for 3 in their chase before Ryan McLaren (62) and Kyle Nipper (55) led a recovery, sharing a 117-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, both batsmen fell in the space of two overs, and despite an 18-ball 27 from Calvin Savage, Dolphins could only muster 268 for 7. Matt McGillivray was the pick of Lions’ bowlers, taking 4 for 49. Victory took Lions to second place in the table.Cape Cobras strengthened their position at the top of the table, cruising to a 113-run D/L win against Titans in Benoni. Cobras, batting first, lost two early wickets, but Omphile Ramela (53) and Justin Ontong (65) both hit fifties, and Dane Vilas provided a late surge, slamming a 23-ball 41 to take the team to 237 for 5 in 42 overs.Titans failed to gather any momentum in their chase, with only Graeme van Buuren (40) managing a score of note; nobody else made more than 14. Beuran Hendricks collected 5 for 31 to run through Titans’ line-up in 30.4 overs, as the team folded for 133.