Sport’s famous rivalry began in 1877 and since then 853 men have featured in Australia v England Tests. But who are the best? Our four-day countdown starts here with Nos 100-71 * Read about the 51 judges and our methodology here Continue reading...

* AFL backs decision to introduce new round from next season * ‘Our fans love finals games,’ says CEO Andrew Dillon The AFL has defended its decision to expand the finals series to 10 clubs with the introduction of a divisive “wildcard round” from next season. The two additional matches will be held during the weekend that has been used for a pre-finals bye in the men’s competition while the AFLW will lose the clear air it has been given for early-round fixtures over the past three seasons. Continue reading...

The Giants have won five games in the last three seasons, but Cam Bernasconi believes they are on the right track

With captain Pat Cummins injured, it’s up to five-star stand-in Steve Smith, among others, to lead from the front when the series begins in Perth The time for pre-Ashes barbs and selection speculation is almost over after Australia named a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The extended lineup for the series opener hints at the need for cool heads in the heat of an Ashes series with Jake Weatherald included for the first time at the expense of firebrand opener Sam Konstas. But with Marnus Labuschange surging back into form, and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (in alphabetical order) will stare down the Bazball bravado, with a star rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November. Continue reading...

It seems like a near-impossible task, but of the seven other finalists, which are best placed to cause an upset?

It seems like a near-impossible task, but of the seven other finalists, which are best placed to cause an upset? North Melbourne are playing in a league of their own. The ruthless Roos have brushed aside any and all challengers across the 10th AFLW season to finish the home and away rounds with a record-breaking winning streak of 24 matches, a record-equalling unbeaten run of 26 games, and a percentage of more than 300. A star-studded and deep-running midfield led by captain Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell is backed up by the stingiest defence in the league for a third straight year. Then there is the most potent attack the competition has seen, as the Kangaroos have somehow improved on the side that went through last season undefeated – an early draw the only blemish – and secured a breakthrough premiership. Continue reading...

* Updates from the T20I at Bellerive Oval * The cricket in Hobart starts at 7.15pm AEDT / 1.45pm IDT * Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the third T20 international between Australia and India at Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after a comfortable four-wicket victory on Friday night in Melbourne, while the first T20I was washed out after 9.4 overs of play. India have found batting tricky in the 1.25 T20s that have been played in the series with only opener Abhishek Sharma looking especially dangerous, though captain Suryakumar Yadav found some form in the first game and Harshit Rana was amongst the runs in the second. But the tourists will be pleased to see the back of Josh Hazlewood with the Australia quick in imperious form but now leaving the squad to ramp up his preparations for the Ashes. Continue reading...

Plot twists have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included in the hosts’ squad just under a month out from the first Test The Great Australian Bat Off has returned for a brand new season with fresh faces and forgotten favourites bidding to join the cast for the Ashes series opener. In a major subplot, captain Pat Cummins officially out of the first Test and is all but certain to be replaced by understudy Scott Boland, while the final auditions to claim a spot in the squad will be staged across the Sheffield Shield matches that begin on Tuesday as much as the T20 series against India. The main storyline will be familiar to seasoned fans as the Australia selectors largely repeat last year’s search for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja. But the return to form of Marnus Labuschagne, and injury concerns for Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are plot twists that have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included for the Perth Test. Continue reading...

Plot twists have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included in the hosts’ squad just under a month out from the first Test The Great Australian Bat Off has returned for a brand new season with fresh faces and forgotten favourites bidding to join the cast for the Ashes series opener. In a major subplot, captain Pat Cummins is officially out of the first Test and is all but certain to be replaced by understudy Scott Boland, while the final auditions to claim a spot in the squad will be staged across the Sheffield Shield matches that begin on Tuesday as much as the T20 series against India. The main storyline will be familiar to seasoned fans as the Australia selectors largely repeat last year’s search for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja. But the return to form of Marnus Labuschagne, and injury concerns for Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are plot twists that have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included for the Perth Test. Continue reading...

North Melbourne have won more consecutive games – 24 – than any VFL/AFL/AFLW team as attention turns to winning back-to-back premierships With about three minutes to go before half-time in the game that would decide whether North Melbourne would set the record for the longest winning streak in the almost 130-year history of the VFL/AFL/AFLW, Jasmine Garner – a champion in a team of champions – picked the ball up just inside the boundary. The Roos had not had it their own way – the second-placed Hawks had kicked the only goal of the second quarter, and were just nine points down. Continue reading...

* Updates from the match at Manuka Oval * The cricket in Canberra starts at 7.15pm AEDT * Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the first T20 international between Australia and India at a sold out Manuka Oval in Canberra. Australia were quick out of the blocks in the three-match ODI series between the same sides with a pair of comprehensive victories before Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma signed off in style in the final 50-over game. India have a much more ominous record against Australia in T20s with seven wins in their past eight meetings in the format stretching back three years. The most recent of those losses might still sting Australia as India knocked them out of the T20 World Cup last year. Continue reading...

Plot twists have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included in the hosts’ squad just under a month out from the first Test

Plot twists have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included in the hosts’ squad just under a month out from the first Test The Great Australian Bat Off has returned for a brand new season with fresh faces and forgotten favourites bidding to join the cast for the Ashes series opener. In a major subplot, captain Pat Cummins officially out of the first Test and is all but certain to be replaced by understudy Scott Boland, while the final auditions to claim a spot in the squad will be staged across the Sheffield Shield matches that begin on Tuesday as much as the T20 series against India. The main storyline will be familiar to seasoned fans as the Australia selectors largely repeat last year’s search for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja. But the return to form of Marnus Labuschagne, and injury concerns for Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are plot twists that have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included for the Perth Test. Continue reading...

Sports writer Martin Pegan speaks to Reged Ahmad about the events that led to the sacking of the polarising Australian and why he will need to prove himself all over again to get back into the Premier...

* Updates from the match at Adelaide Oval * The cricket starts at 2pm ACDT/2.30pm AEDT/9am IST * Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the second one-day international between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval. With this a short and sharp three-match ODI series, the hosts are just one win away from securing victory after easing through the first meeting on Sunday. The summer of cricket got off to a damp start in Perth with the ODI interrupted multiple times by rain but the forecast is much more promising today in Adelaide and both sides should be allocated the full 50 overs. India were unlikely to see out their overs in Perth even before the game was reduced to 26 overs, with their top order unable to handle the pace and bounce of Josh Hazlewood (2/20), Mitchell Starc (1/22) and Nathan Ellis (1/29). Continue reading...

Over-by-over report: Australia can seal the three-match series with victory at Adelaide Oval. Join our writers for updates

The Australian will have to prove himself all over again after back-to-back Premier League dismissals leave a stain on his CV Ange Postecoglou knows a strong reputation can be as valuable as results. The Australian is quick to defend his record when his coaching capabilities, successes or failures are called into question. To call on his experience when he feels like he is being disrespected or dismissed for learning the ropes in a football outpost. To turn to the silverware he has collected when there is a suggestion that he is a visitor, an impostor or a charlatan who somehow duped his way into the major leagues. But a new record – the shortest stint as a permanent manager of a Premier League club – is one that will need no reminder. Being sacked just 40 days into his Nottingham Forest reign will remain a stain on Postecoglou’s CV long after he leaves England. Being axed from two Premier League clubs within little more than four months is a blemish that could be even harder to remove after the Australian passes through the departure lounge. Continue reading...

* Updates from the start of the ODI series at Optus Stadium * Play in Perth starts 11.30am local/2.30pm AEDT/9am IST * Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the first one-day international between Australia and India at Optus Stadium in Perth. This is the opener of three ODIs between the arch-rivals with the remainder of the series to be played in Adelaide on Thursday and Sydney on Saturday. A five-match T20 series will follow that before the main event on these shores when England arrive for the Ashes next month. But before we reach the highly-anticipated Test series, there is fresh appetite for white-ball matches especially with India in town and a near-sell out is expected today in Perth. Continue reading...

Over-by-over report: The summer of cricket begins with the first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth. Join Martin Pegan for updates

* Australia in race with South Korea, Ecuador and Austria for spot in pot 2 * Tony Popovic’s side out to stretch winning streak in United States friendly The Socceroos will seek to build on their wave of momentum under coach Tony Popovic and edge closer to a more favourable draw at the 2026 World Cup when they meet the United States in a friendly on Wednesday. Australia secured a seventh straight victory when Nestory Irankunda’s goal was enough to snatch a 1-0 win over Canada last Saturday and are now in line to rise to world No 24 when the Fifa rankings are next updated on 23 October. Continue reading...

* Quote attributed to Australian swimmer posted on Facebook and X * World Aquatics rules bar Lia Thomas from competing in female category Swimming Australia has moved to shut down “fake news” and “fabricated quotes” linked to swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan about transgender athlete Lia Thomas. A comment attributed to O’Callaghan but not posted from her social media account has appeared in posts on Meta platform Facebook, as well as on X, and suggested the swimming star would not participate in the 2028 LA Games if a transgender swimmer is allowed to compete. Continue reading...

* Updates as Les Rouges host the Socceroos at Stade Saputo * Kick off in Montreal is 7.40pm local/10.40am AEDT * Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Bonjour! Hello and welcome to live coverage of the international football friendly between Canada and Australia at Stade Saputo in Montreal. The Socceroos and Les Rouges are ramping up their preparations for the 2026 World Cup which Canada will of course co-host alongside the United States and Mexico, with a clash against a most evenly-matched opponent. Australia are ranked No 25 in the world as they have gone on a 10-match unbeaten run since head coach Tony Popovic took charge, and have continued to impress even after qualifying for the showpiece event next year. The Socceroos most recently defeated New Zealand in the Soccer Ashes with a 3-1 and 1-0 victory as young guns Nestory Irankunda and Mo Toure caught fire, and Max Balard scored a match-winner on debut. Continue reading...

* Australia snatch 1-0 win from 2026 World Cup co-host in Montreal * Paul Izzo keeps out Les Rouges after teenager pinches goal in 71st minute Teen sensation Nestory Irankunda has scored his second goal in two matches, while goalkeeper Paul Izzo starred to deliver the Socceroos a fiery 1-0 win over Canada. Having already qualified for next year’s World Cup in North America, the Socceroos are ramping up their preparation with friendlies against hosts Canada and the United States, whom they play in Colorado on Wednesday. Continue reading...

* Australia captain set to be ruled out of opener against England in Perth * Star quick yet to return to bowling as he recovers from back injury Australia captain Pat Cummins is expected to miss the Ashes opener in Perth as doubts grow around his availability for the entire Test series against England. Cummins has been sidelined with a back injury that the latest scan revealed has not yet healed. Continue reading...

* Australia captain set to be ruled out of opener against England in Perth * Star quick yet to return to bowling as he recovers from back injury Australia captain Pat Cummins is expected to miss the Ashes opener in Perth as doubts grow around his availability for the entire Test series against England. Cummins has been sidelined with a back injury that the latest scan revealed has not yet healed. Continue reading...