The Gabba is one of the oldest cricket grounds located in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia.

Established in 1895, The Gabba is owned by the Queensland Government and has a seating capacity of around 37,000.

Also known as the Brisbane Cricket Ground, The Gabba serves as the home ground of the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Bash League (WBBL) and also for the Queensland Bulls in domestic cricket.

Apart from cricket, The Gabba is known to be a multi-speciality stadium which has staged athletics, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football, Association football, cycling, baseball, pony, greyhound racing and concerts.

The Gabba hosted its first international cricket match, a Test played between Australia and South Africa in December 1931. Under the leadership of Bill Woodfull, Australia won the Test by an innings and 163 runs.

It later staged its first One-Day International (ODI) that featured England and West Indies in December 1979. 

The Gabba hosted its first-ever T20 international played between hosts Australia and South Africa in January 2006. Since then, it has staged 10 T20Is so far. 

With that being said, let’s have a look at The Gabba T20 records and stats.

The Gabba T20 records and stats

Highest total

The Australia cricket team recorded the highest total at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. During the only T20I of South Africa’s tour of Australia in January 2006, the hosts posted 209/3 in their 20 overs at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Electing to bat first, Australia rode on Damien Martyn’s 56-ball 96 and Andrew Symonds�?unbeaten 54 off just 26 balls to register a record T20I total at the venue. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 114 in 18.3 overs as Australia won the T20I by 95 runs. 

Lowest total

The South Africa cricket team registered the lowest total at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. South Africa were bundled out for 114 while chasing Australia’s 209/3 in the first-ever T20I at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in January 2006. Chasing 210, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals as they later lost the game by 95 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher top-scored for South Africa with 29. For Australia, Nathan Bracken, Mick Lewis, James Hopes and Andrew Symonds picked up two wickets each.

Most runs

Former Australia cricketer David Warner has the most runs at The Gabba in the T20I format. Between 2009 and 2022, David Warner amassed 145 runs in four T20Is at the Brisbane Cricket Ground at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 143.56. The swashbuckling southpaw slammed two T20I fifties at The Gabba. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch features second on the list with 109 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 115.95. 

Most wickets

Australia spinner Adam Zampa has picked up the most wickets at this venue in T20 international cricket. The leg-spinner has already bagged seven wickets in just four T20Is at an average of 13.57 and an impressive economy of 5.93. Zampa’s 2/19 against Ireland during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 group match is his best bowling figures at The Gabba in cricket’s shortest format. His teammate Mitchell Starc is second on the list with six wickets in two T20Is while Pat Cummins has also claimed six scalps in three games at The Gabba.

Highest individual score

Former Australia top-order batter Damien Martyn registered the highest individual score at this ground in T20 international cricket. Opening the batting, Damien Martyn slammed 96 off 56 balls against South Africa in the only T20I of the series in January 2006. His brilliant knock was laced with seven fours and five maximums. Martyn’s scintillating knock helped Australia post a massive total of 209/3 in their allotted overs. Later, Australia bowled out South Africa for 114 to register a 95-run win in Brisbane.

Best bowling figures

Australia’s star pacer Mitchell Starc has the best bowling figures at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. The left-arm pacer recorded match-winning figures of 4/20 against West Indies in the second T20I of a two-match series in October 2022. Defending 178, Mitchell Starc dismissed Kyle Mayers, captain Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder and Odean Smith to restrict West Indies to 147/8 in their allotted overs. Earlier, David Warner’s 75 and Tim David’s 42 powered Australia to 178/7 in their 20 overs as the hosts won the game by 31 runs.

Highest partnership

Australia’s David Warner and Steven Smith hold the record for the highest partnership at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. David Warner and Steven Smith forged an unbeaten 117-run stand for the second wicket while chasing Sri Lanka’s 117 in October 2019. While Warner scored 60 not out, Smith remained unbeaten on 53 to help Australia chase down the target in just 13 overs. Australia won the second T20I by nine wickets and later clinched the three-match T20I series 3-0.

Photo credit: Imago

The World Test Championship is the premier competition in Test cricket akin to the World Cup in ODI and T20 cricket. 

The idea of WTC was introduced in 2019 when the Test-playing nations played against each other for over two years. At the end of the two-year cycle, teams that occupy the top two spots in the points table will qualify to play the Final.

New Zealand won the inaugural edition of the WTC in June 2021 beating India by eight wickets at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. It was Australia who won the title in June 2023, once again beating India by 209 runs, at the Oval in London.

India currently leads the points table in the current edition of the WTC and are well-placed to qualify for the Final to be played in June 2025 in England.

Batters win you sessions, but bowlers win you matches in Test cricket. For any team to win a Test match, it is imperative that they pick up 20 wickets of the opponents within the stipulated five days.

It is sweat and toil for the bowlers as they do the dirty job to help their team get the better of their opposition. Bowling is always a thankless job, especially in the longer format of the game.

Here, we look at the players with the most wickets in WTC history after it was introduced in 2019. 

Most wickets in WTC history: List of players with most wickets in the World Test Championship

Player	Span	Matches	Wickets	Average	Strike Rate	Best Bowling figures
Nathan Lyon	2019-2024	43	187	26.70	58.05	8/64
Pat Cummins	2019-2024	42	175	22.81	46.93	6/91
Ravichandran Ashwin	2019-2024	35	174	20.43	44.79	7/71
Mitchell Starc	2019-2024	38	147	27.08	46.83	6/66
Stuart Broad	2019-2024	33	134	24.09	47.55	6/31
Kagiso Rabada	2019-2024	27	123	22.52	40.30	6/50
James Anderson	2019-2024	36	116	23.81	59.06	6/40
Tim Southee	2019-2024	30	116	28.45	59.34	5/32
Jasprit Bumrah	2019-2024	26	110	20.16	43.32	6/27
Josh Hazlewood	2019-2024	26	109	21.33	45.88	5/8

Nathan Lyon | 187 wickets

Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker in the history of the World Test Championship with 187 wickets from 43 matches. He averages 26.70 with the ball along with a strike rate of 58.05 balls per wicket. He also has 10 five-wicket hauls to his name.

The off-spinner played a stellar role in Australia’s victorious campaign in the WTC 2021-2023 cycle with a massive haul of 88 wickets from just 20 matches. He also picked up five wickets against India in the Final at The Oval, which the Aussies won by 209 runs in June 2023. 

With a tally of 43 wickets from nine games, he is fourth in the current edition of the WTC and holds the key for Australia in the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November 2024.

Pat Cummins | 175 wickets

Australian skipper Pat Cummins is next on the list with a tally of 175 wickets from 42 matches. The pacer has eight five-wicket hauls with an average of 22.81 runs per wicket and strikes at an excellent frequency of 46.93 balls.

Cummins has led the Australian attack from the front providing timely breakthroughs for the team. He finished second in the list of top wicket-takers in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 with an impressive tally of 70 wickets from just 14 matches.

Cummins once again finished in the top five list in the subsequent edition of WTC to take Australia to the title in 2023. He is currently second in the bowling charts in the ongoing WTC cycle with 48 wickets from 12 matches.

Ravichandran Ashwin | 174 wickets

Following closely at third spot is India’s Ravichandran Ashwin with 174 wickets, just one short of Cummins, from 35 matches, including 10 five-wicket hauls. The off-spinner has an impressive average of 20.43 and a strike rate of 44.79, both best among his peers in the top-five wicket-takers list in the WTC.

Ashwin topped the bowling charts in the WTC 2019-2021 cycle with 71 wickets from 14 matches. He finished third in the list of top wicket-takers in the next edition in 2023. Ashwin’s excellent performances lifted India to consecutive Finals in the first two editions, the only team to do so.

In the current WTC cycle too, Ashwin is the top Indian in the list of wicket-takers with 42 wickets from eight matches.

Mitchell Starc | 147 wickets

Mitchell Starc completes the Aussie domination in the list of bowlers with the most wickets in the history of WTC. Starc is placed fourth with 147 wickets from 38 matches.

The left-arm pacer has an average of 27.08 and a strike rate of 46.83 with three five-wicket hauls to his name. He is currently third in the list of wicket-takers in the WTC 2023-2025 cycle with 48 wickets from 11 matches.

Photo credit: Imago

The New Zealand vs Australia Test 2024 cricket series will start at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Thursday, February 29.

The upcoming two-match Test series between the trans-Tasman rivals is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.

After the opening Test in Wellington, the two sides will travel to Christchurch to play the second Test to be hosted at the Hagley Oval starting on March 8.

The New Zealand cricket team will aim to bounce back after suffering a 0-3 series defeat against Australia in the recently concluded T20I series as their arch-rivals clinched the Chappell-Hadlee trophy for the eighth occasion.

Ranked fifth in the ICC men’s Test team rankings, the hosts registered a 2-0 series win over South Africa in their previous Test assignment earlier this month. 

Having registered three wins and one defeat, New Zealand are on top of the WTC 2023-25 standings.

Ahead of the high-profile Test series, New Zealand have announced their 14-member squad to be led by captain Tim Southee.

Pacer Scott Kuggeleijn has been recalled to New Zealand’s Test squad to replace injured Kyle Jamieson, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture.

Young fast bowler Will O’Rourke retained his place after his impressive Test debut against South Africa where he bagged nine wickets.

On the other hand, reigning World Test Championship holders Australia will look to continue their dominance over the Kiwis, having not lost a Test match in New Zealand this century.

The Australian cricket team has won nine Tests and drawn one in the 10 matches that have been played in New Zealand since 2000.

The visitors last featured in a Test series against West Indies in January. The two-match Test series ended 1-1.

The world’s top-ranked Test side is placed third in the WTC 2023-25 standings, behind India.

Meanwhile, bowling allrounder Michael Neser has been recalled to Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series.

Following David Warner’s Test retirement, Steve Smith is expected to continue as an opener.

New Zealand vs Australia head-to-head in Test cricket

Australia have a dominant head-to-head record against New Zealand in Test cricket, winning 34 of the 60 matches that they have played so far. New Zealand have registered just eight victories so far. As many as 18 Tests between these two sides have ended in draws.

The last time these two sides met in the longest format, Australia whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in a three-match Test series in Australia in 2019-20.

Where to watch New Zealand vs Australia Test 2024 series live in India

Live streaming of the New Zealand vs Australia Test 2024 series will be available on Amazon Prime Video in India.

There will be no live telecast of the NZ vs AUS Tests on any TV channel in India.

New Zealand vs Australia Test 2024 schedule and live match start times

All match times are in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
Thursday,  February 29 - Monday, March 4	New Zealand vs Australia, 1st Test	Basin Reserve, Wellington	3:30 AM
Friday, March 8 - Tuesday, March 12	New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test	Hagley Oval, Christchurch	3:30 AM

New Zealand vs Australia Test 2024 squads

New Zealand Test squad: Tim Southee (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc

Photo credit: Alamy

The Australian men’s cricket team will host Pakistan in a three-match Test series starting on Thursday, December 14.

As per the Australia vs Pakistan Tests 2023 schedule, the first match will be played at the Perth Stadium, while the second Test will be hosted at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) commencing on Boxing Day (December 26).

The third and final Test between the two sides will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3.

Reigning ICC World Test Championship (WTC) holders Australia began their title defence with a hard-fought 2-2 series draw against arch-rivals England in Ashes 2023.

The world’s second-ranked Test side Australia are currently placed fifth in the WTC 2023-25 standings with 18 points from five matches.

Meanwhile, Australia have named a 14-player squad for the Perth Test against Pakistan.

Uncapped fast bowler Lance Morris has been included in the Australian Test squad.

Apart from Lance Morris, the likes of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland are part of the world-class pace bowling attack.

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith headline the Australian batting department.

Currently ranked sixth in the men's Test team rankings, the Pakistan national cricket team started their ICC WTC 2023-25 campaign with a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka away from home.

With 24 points from two matches, Pakistan are placed at the top of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 standings.

Earlier last month, Pakistan announced their 18-member Test squad to be led by newly-appointed red-ball captain Shan Masood.

Young opening batter Saim Ayub and pacer Khurram Shahzad have received their maiden Test call-up.

Fast bowlers Mir Hamza, Mohammad Wasim Jr. and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have been recalled to the Test squad.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan are the two wicket-keepers added to the Pakistan Test squad.

However, the visitors will be without the pace duo of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

Australia vs Pakistan Test head-to-head

Australia hold a superior head-to-head record against Pakistan in Test cricket, winning 34 of the 69 matches played between these two teams. Pakistan have registered 15 victories while as many as 20 matches have ended in draws.

The last time these two sides met, Australia clinched a three-match Test series 1-0 in Pakistan in 2022.

Where to watch Australia vs Pakistan Tests 2023 live in India?

The Australia vs Pakistan Tests 2023 will be telecast live on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the AUS vs PAK Tests 2023 will be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website in India. 

Australia vs Pakistan Tests 2023 schedule and live India match start times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	TimeÂ
Thursday, December 14 - Monday, December 18	Australia vs Pakistan, 1st Test	Perth Stadium, Perth	7:50 AM IST
Tuesday, December 26 - Saturday, December 30	Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Test	Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne	5:00 AM IST
Wednesday, January 3 - Sunday, January 7	Australia vs Pakistan, 3rd Test	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	5:00 AM IST

Australia vs Pakistan Tests 2023 squads

Australia Test squad (First Test only): Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Pakistan Test squad: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Photo credit: Alamy

Australia cricketers Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins hold the record for the highest eighth wicket partnership in ODI cricket.

Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins forged a match-winning unbeaten 202-run stand against Afghanistan during an ICC World Cup 2023 clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The Australian duo broke the previous record held by South Africa’s Justin Kemp and Andrew Hall. 

Justin Kemp and Andrew Hall stitched an unbroken 138-run stand against India in Cape Town in 2006.

The third-highest eighth wicket partnership in ODI cricket is 119 scored by Australia’s Paul Reiffel and Shane Warne versus South Africa in Gqeberha in 1994. Know others on the list of highest eighth wicket partnership in ODI cricket.

Highest eighth wicket partnership in ODI cricket

Partners	Runs	Team	Against	Ground	Year
Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins	202*	Australia	Afghanistan	Wankhede	2023
Justin Kemp, Andrew Hall	138*	South Africa	India	Cape Town	2006
Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne	119	Australia	South Africa	Gqeberha	1994
Dave Houghton, Iain Butchart	117	Zimbabwe	New Zealand	Hyderabad	1987
Elton Chigumbura, Gary Brent	115	Zimbabwe	South Africa	Bulawayo	2007

Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins | 202*

Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins�?record-breaking 202-run stand for the highest eighth wicket partnership in ODIs helped Australia pull off a thrilling three-wicket win against Afghanistan during an ICC World Cup 2023 clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Chasing 292, Australia were reeling at 91/7 after 18.3 overs before Cummins joined Maxwell at the crease. While Maxwell clobbered the Afghani bowlers to all corners of the park, Cummins supported Maxwell with his watchful knock. Maxwell smashed an ODI double hundred (201* off 128 balls) while Cummins remained unbeaten on 12 off 68 balls to guide Australia to a sensational victory and also cement their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Justin Kemp, Andrew Hall | 138*  

Former South Africa cricketers Justin Kemp and Andrew Hall feature second on the list for the highest eighth wicket partnership in ODI cricket. During the third ODI of India’s tour of South Africa in 2006, the hosts were quickly reduced to 136/7 after 35.5 overs. In desperate need of a partnership, Andrew Hall walked out to bat with Justin Kemp at the crease. While Kemp slammed an unbeaten 89-ball 100, Hall scored 56 not out to power South Africa to 274/7 in their allotted 50 overs. South Africa later bowled out India for 168 in 41.3 overs to secure a 106-run victory and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne | 119  

Australia’s Paul Reiffel and Shane Warne are third on the list for the highest eighth wicket partnership in ODIs. Paul Reiffel and Shane Warne stitched a brilliant 119-run stand for the eighth wicket against South Africa in Gqeberha in 1994. Chasing 228, Australia were reeling at 77/7 before Warne joined Reiffel at the crease. While both Reiffel (58) and Warne (55) slammed fifties, Australia fell short by 26 runs as South Africa took a 4-2 lead in the eight-match series.

Photo Credit: Alamy

The Indian cricket team will host Australia in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series starting on Friday, September 22.

Team India will head into the series brimming with confidence after clinching their eighth Asia Cup title. The Rohit Sharma-led India thrashed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the Asia Cup 2023 final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Heading into the final leg of their preparations ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023, India have rested captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli for the first two matches of the series. Both will return for the third and final ODI.

In the absence of Rohit, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will lead India in the first two ODIs.

After his impressive showing in the recently-concluded Asia Cup, left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has also been rested for the first two matches against Australia.

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will miss the services of all-rounder Axar Patel for the first two matches after suffering a left quadriceps strain against Bangladesh in Asia Cup. He is likely to be fit for the final ODI.

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Washington Sundar have been included in the Indian ODI squad.

All eyes will be on middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who has been added in the squad for all the three ODIs.

On the other hand, the Australian cricket team has reached India with a full strength 18-member squad.

The visitors will aim to bounce back after going down 2-3 in the five-match ODI series against South Africa.

The likes of captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell have returned to the Australian ODI squad after missing the South Africa series. 

However, Australia will be without Travis Head, who fractured his left-hand during the fourth ODI against South Africa.

Uncapped players Matt Short and Spencer Johnson have been included in the 18-man squad for the three-match ODI series.

As per the Australia tour of India 2023 schedule, the first ODI will be played at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on September 22. 

The two teams will later travel to Indore for the second ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on September 24.

India and Australia will play the third and final ODI at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on September 27.

India vs Australia ODI head-to-head

The Australian cricket team holds a superior head-to-head record against India in ODI cricket. The five-time world champions have won 82 of the 146 ODIs that they have played against India so far. India have registered 54 victories. As many as 10 matches have ended with no results.

The last time these two sides met, Australia secured a 2-1 ODI series win in India earlier in March.

Where to watch India vs Australia ODI 2023 live?

The India vs Australia ODIs 2023 will be telecast live on Sports18 1 SD and Sports18 1 HD TV channels in India. Matches will also be available on Colors Tamil (Tamil), Colors Bangla Cinema (Bengali), Colors Kannada Cinema (Kannada) and Colors Cineplex Superhits (Hindi).

Live streaming of the IND vs AUS ODIs 2023 will be available on the JioCinema app and website.

India vs Australia ODIs 2023 schedule and live match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
Friday, September 22	India vs Australia, 1st ODI	Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali	1:30 PM
Sunday, September 24	India vs Australia, 2nd ODI	Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore	1:30 PM
Wednesday, September 27	India vs Australia,  3rd ODI	Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot	1:30 PM

India vs Australia ODIs 2023 squads

India (for first two ODIs):  KL Rahul (captain/wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar

(For third ODI): Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), R Ashwin, Washington Sundar

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Photo credit: Alamy

The England cricket team will host arch-rivals Australia for a five-match Ashes 2023 series, starting from June 16.

The upcoming Ashes series will begin with the first England vs Australia Test to be played at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.

Led by captain Pat Cummins, the Australian cricket team will head into Ashes 2023 brimming with confidence after winning the World Test Championship (WTC) last week. Australia clinched the second edition of WTC after defeating India by 209 runs in the final at the Kennington Oval in London.

Furthermore, Australia are the current holders of the Ashes, having thrashed England 4-0 in the previous five-match Test series at their home.

The visitors have also received a massive boost as pacer Josh Hazlewood will be fit for the first Ashes Test. Hazlewood missed the WTC 2023 final after he failed to recover from a side strain.

On the other hand, the Ben Stokes-led England will aim to claim the urn back, having not won the Ashes since 2015. Under the leadership of Alastair Cook, England won their last Ashes series 3-2 in the UK.

For the hosts, fast bowlers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have returned to the England squad after missing the Ireland Test as a precaution. Additionally, star pacer Mark Wood is also available for selection for the opening Ashes Test.

However, the hosts will miss the services of their first-choice spinner Jack Leach due to a stress fracture.

In the absence of Leach, England have added Moeen Ali to their Ashes 2023 squad. The 35-year-old had earlier announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2021 but makes a return to England’s red-ball setup.

Where to watch Ashes 2023 between England and Australia LIVE in India?

The Ashes 2023 series will be telecast live on Sony TEN 5 and Sony TEN 5 HD TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the Ashes 2023 series will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.

England vs Australia Ashes 2023 schedule and LIVE India match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Date	Match	Time	Venue
June 16-20	England vs Australia, 1st Test	3:30 PM	Edgbaston, Birmingham
June 28 - July 2	England vs Australia, 2nd Test	3:30 PM	Lord’s, London
July 6-10	England vs Australia, 3rd Test	3:30 PM	Headingley, Leeds
July 19-23	England vs Australia, 4th Test	3:30 PM	Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
July 27-31	England vs Australia, 5th Test	3:30 PM	Kennington Oval, London

England vs Australia Ashes 2023 squads

England (For first two Tests): Ben Stokes (captain), Ollie Pope (wicket-keeper), Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow  (wicket-keeper), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Robinson, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Josh Tongue, Dan Lawrence, Chris Woakes

Australia (For first two Tests): Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Nathan Lyon, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Matt Renshaw, Todd Murphy, Marcus Harris, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper)

Photo credit: Alamy

The Indian T20 League has given cricket fans plenty of wonderful memories over the years with batters and bowlers both entertaining spectators with their magnificent performances.

The fast-paced nature of the league and T20 cricket, in general, has made the 20-over format a favourite to watch, especially for youngsters.

While bowlers do get their moments to shine in this format, it is the batters who rule the roast more often than not.

Their hard-hitting and quick runs are what mostly get the fans off their seats. After the birth of this format, quick fifties in the blink of an eye have become increasingly common.

And with the number of top-quality batters from across the globe that feature in the Indian T20 League, it is easy to see why there have been several blitzkrieg fifties scored in this competition.

Plenty of batters have scored quickfire half-centuries, but it is Team Rajasthan batter Yashasvi Jaiswal who holds the record for scoring the fastest 50 in Indian T20 League history against Team Kolkata in 2023.

Here, we take a look at Yashasvi Jaiswal’s knock and check out some of the other quickest fifties in the Indian T20 League.

Fastest 50 in Indian T20 League

Player	Opponent	Balls TakenÂ	Year
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan)	Kolkata	13	2023
KL Rahul (Punjab)	Delhi	14	2018
Pat Cummins (Kolkata)	MumbaiÂ	14	2022
Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata)	Hyderabad	15	2014
Sunil Narine (Kolkata)	Bangalore	15	2017
Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow)	Bangalore	15	2023
Suresh Raina (Chennai)	Punjab	16	2014
Ishan Kishan (Mumbai)	Hyderabad	16	2021
Chris Gayle (Bangalore)	Pune	17	2013
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai)	Kolkata	17	2019

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Team Kolkata, 2023

The 2023 edition of the Indian T20 League was a bit of a coming-of-age season for talented left-hand batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. After scoring his maiden hundred in the league in 2023, Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his rich vein of form by scoring the fastest-ever fifty in the Indian T20 league. Up against Team Kolkata and with a target of 150 to reach, Yashasvi made light work of the target and helped his team win the match in 13.1 overs with nine wickets to spare. He took just 13 balls to reach his fifty, making it the fastest 50 in Indian T20 League, and finished the game with an unbeaten score of 98 from 47 balls. 

KL Rahul vs Team Delhi, 2021

While representing Team Punjab in the 2021 edition of the Indian T20 League, Team Punjab’s KL Rahul scored what was then the quickest fifty in the history of the competition. The stylish right-hand top-order batter opened the innings for Punjab with a bang. Chasing a competitive target of 167, KL Rahul proceeded to take the attack to Delhi right from the outset thanks to his aggressive batting and exquisite strokeplay. He took just 14 balls to reach his half-century and was eventually dismissed for a 16-ball 51, which featured six fours and four sixes. His knock helped Punjab win the game with six wickets and seven balls to spare.

Pat Cummins vs Team Mumbai, 2022

Pat Cummins�?memorable knock against Mumbai in 2022 will live long in the memory of Kolkata fans and spectators who were there at the stadium to watch the carnage unfold. The Australian walked into the crease with Kolkata needing 61 from 41 balls after most of their recognised batters had struggled to make an impact and get going on the surface while chasing 162 to win. Little did everyone know that Cummins would go on to produce one of the most belligerent knocks seen in the competition. After hitting Tymal Mills for a four and six in his first over at the crease, Cummins dished out the same treatment to Jasprit Bumrah in the next over. However, no one had envisioned what followed next as Cummins took Daniel Sams to the cleaners by smashing four sixes and two fours off him in the 16th over to win the match for Kolkata with four overs to spare. Cummins finished on 56* off 15 balls having struck four fours and six sixes during his match-winning knock.

Photo credit: Alamy

After clinching the ODI series 3-2, the Sri Lanka cricket team will take on injury-hit Australia in a two-match Test series starting on Wednesday, June 29.

Led by captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka have announced an 18-man squad for the upcoming Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle.

Spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has been rewarded after his impressive showing in the ODI series. The 32-year-old leg-spinner picked five wickets in four matches at an economy of just 5.01 in the ODIs and has earned a call-up. Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama and Ramesh Mendis are the other spin bowling options in the squad.

Meanwhile, Pathum Nissanka returns to the squad after missing the Bangladesh series due to an injury. 

Veteran stars Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal have been added to the Test squad while fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando have retained their places.

On the other hand, the Pat Cummins-led Australian cricket team will miss the services of middle-order batter Travis Head, who suffered a hamstring injury during the ODI series. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is also doubtful for the first Test.

However, former Australia captain Steve Smith and pacer Mitchell Starc are expected to be fit for the first red ball engagement.

With several injury concerns, Australia have added swashbuckling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to the squad since playing his last Test against Bangladesh in September 2017.

The two Test matches will be played at Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Test head-to-head record

Australia have dominated Sri Lanka in Test cricket, winning 19 of the 31 matches that they have played so far. Sri Lanka have managed just four victories while eight matches have ended in draws.

However, the last time Sri Lanka hosted Australia in a Test series back in 2016, the hosts whitewashed the Aussies 3-0. 

Sri Lanka vs Australia Tests 2022 squads

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Chandimal (wicket-keeper), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay. 

Standby Players: Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Rasanjana

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vice-captain), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell

Sri Lanka vs Australia Tests 2022 schedule and live India match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time
Wednesday, June 29 - Sunday, July 3	Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test	Galle International Stadium, Galle	10:00 AM
Friday, July 8 - Tuesday, July 12	Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test	Galle International Stadium, Galle	10:00 AM

Where to watch Sri Lanka vs Australia Tests 2022 live in India?

The Sri Lanka vs Australia two-match Test series will be telecast live on the Sony Six and Sony Six HD TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the Sri Lanka vs Australia Tests will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.

SportsAdda will bring you the Sri Lanka vs Australia Test live scores.

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Featured photo: ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP