Daren Sammy warns India ahead of Test series: “Take inspiration from New Zealand.”
West Indies, led by head coach Daren Sammy, are set to play a two-Test series against India in Ahmedabad and Delhi. Daren Sammy, a two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, believes his team can draw inspiration from New Zealand’s remarkable 3-0 victory over India last year. He has urged his players to prepare with the mindset of winning, even though India will begin the series as strong favourites. Since their famous win in Mohali in 1994, the West Indies have struggled in Indian conditions, losing seven of the nine Tests played there. Their closest contest came at the Wankhede Stadium in 2011, when a thrilling match ended in a tie after both teams finished level in the second innings. Daren Sammy emphasised that the West Indies must study and replicate New Zealand’s approach to succeed in India. “We’re definitely going down there with the mindset to win. We’re not just going to go down there and think, ‘Oh, it’s India.’ No. New Zealand went there and did incredibly well, and we should take inspiration from that. But again, it’s understanding the things that New Zealand did in those conditions and trying to emulate them with our guys as well,” Daren Sammy told The Indian Express. “We’ll plan carefully on how to beat India in their own backyard.” – Daren Sammy The West Indies will tour India right after the conclusion of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. The first Test of the series is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 2, followed by the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi starting October 10. Daren Sammy emphasized the importance of adjusting to Indian conditions, noting that the team won’t be playing any warm-up matches ahead of the series, a common challenge for most touring sides. “In the ten days leading up to the opening Test in India, we’ll be drilling hard and preparing thoroughly to figure out exactly how we’re going to beat India in India,” Daren Sammy said. The statistics, however, paint a grim picture: West Indies have lost five Tests by an innings and one by ten wickets in India. Except for the Eden Gardens Test in 2002, they have rarely managed to truly challenge the hosts in their last eight encounters. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Australia’s Test players will be granted a two-week window to take part in the 2025–26 Big Bash League.
BBL 2025-26 Set to Begin on December 14 — Aussie Test Stars Available for Final Stages. The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season is all set to launch on December 14, with Cricket Australia unveiling the official schedule on Thursday (July 3). This season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, as Australia’s Test players are expected to feature in the closing stages of the tournament, thanks to a rare two-week break following the home Ashes series. The action kicks off just three days before the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, as the Perth Scorchers take on the Sydney Sixers in the season opener. The 40-match regular season will wrap up on January 18, with the finals scheduled for January 25 — just ahead of the Australia Day public holiday on January 26. Australia’s Test Stars Set for Late Return in BBL 2025-26 Australia’s Test cricketers are expected to be available for the final stretch of the BBL 2025-26 season, with the fifth Ashes Test scheduled in Sydney from January 4 to 8. While the grueling five-match series means only a handful of top-order batters are likely to feature, there’s optimism that some bowlers and all-rounders may join the league as preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off in February. Player availability will ultimately depend on individual decisions and Cricket Australia’s performance management strategies. Still, this season marks a significant improvement from previous years. In contrast to recent summers—when Test matches ran into late January or early February, limiting BBL participation—this year’s scheduling offers a more favorable window. “A Strong Season Ahead” – BBL Boss Alistair Dobson BBL chief Alistair Dobson expressed confidence in the upcoming season, calling it one of the strongest yet. “We identified this season as a big one early on,” Dobson told ESPNcricinfo. “Having a clear run of prime-time slots from mid-December to the end of January, with BBL games almost every night, gives us a really solid platform.” Dobson acknowledged that in past seasons, overlapping Test schedules and other international duties often disrupted player availability. “This year, the combination of scheduling factors gives us real confidence that this could be one of the best BBL seasons we’ve had,” he added. To maximize Test player participation, the BBL schedule has been designed so that every team plays a home match in the final week of the regular season. This structure increases the chance of seeing big names return for both the closing week and the finals. However, some key Test stars remain uncontracted by BBL teams. Fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins are currently without BBL deals. Travis Head also remains unsigned, having not featured for the Adelaide Strikers recently, while Cameron Green hasn’t played in the league since January 2020. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration