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Du Plessis, Jaiswal and Kohli are among the top 10 batters, and Siraj, Rashid and Chahal among the top 10 bowlers

S Rajesh22-Mar-2024Shubman Gill is the top-rated player currently in the IPL, according to ESPNcricinfo’s Impact Ratings. Gill also tops the batting charts, while Mohammed Shami takes first place among bowlers.The ratings are based on ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats, which gives rating points to each batting and bowling performance by a player in each game. The rating points factor in not just the runs scored, strike rate, wickets taken, and economy rate, but also the context of those performances. A 40-ball 75 will fetch more points in a low-scoring game where the other batters have struggled, compared to a high-scoring game where the other batters have also flourished. The same applies to bowlers.ESPNcricinfo LtdSimilarly, a four-wicket haul will get more impact points when the victims are four high-quality batters in a high-pressure situation, compared to four lower-order wickets when the match is already decided. The player ratings are an aggregation of these impact points for the last two years, with a decay factor applied to ensure that recent performances carry more weight than earlier ones. The overall ratings take into account both batting and bowling impact points, while there are also separate ratings for each of those skillsets.Gill’s top position is a reward for a fantastic 2023 season, where he scored 890 runs – including three hundreds – at a strike rate of 157.80. Almost 58% of those runs came in the last seven innings of the season, which included the three hundreds and an unbeaten 94. In those seven innings, he scored 515 runs at a strike rate of 178.81.ESPNcricinfo LtdIn second place in the overall list, as well as the batting rankings, is Faf du Plessis, who also had an outstanding 2023 season, scoring 730 runs from 14 innings at a strike rate of 153.68. Rashid Khan’s third place in the overall list is primarily due to his bowling – he was the second-highest wicket-taker with 27 last season – but also because of his contributions with the bat; he scored 130 runs at a strike rate of 216.66, including an unbeaten 79 off 32 versus Mumbai Indians.In the batters’ list, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav and CSK’s new captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, round off the top five. Glenn Maxwell and David Warner ensure Australian representation in the top 10, while Virat Kohli makes the cut too, at No. 9.ESPNcricinfo LtdAmong the bowlers, Shami is the leader, thanks to a rich haul of 28 wickets at an economy rate of 8.03 last season. Twenty-one of his 28 wickets were of batters in the top five, which further enhanced his rating points. Mohammed Siraj had a poor IPL in 2022, but he roared back to form last year, taking 19 wickets at an economy rate of just 7.50. Siraj was outstanding in the powerplays, taking ten wickets at an economy rate of 5.93. Among the 57 bowlers who bowled at least five powerplay overs, he was the only one to concede less than a run a ball.Spinners occupy the next four spots, and overall they fill six of the top 10 slots. Rashid is at No. 3, while Yuzvendra Chahal’s fourth place is also a nod to his excellence in the death overs – nine wickets at an excellent economy rate of 7.75. R Ashwin just missed out on the top 10, and is in 11th position with a rating of 338.5 points.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

They last played an ODI in July 2021, and on top of that, will have numerous first-choice names missing

Alex Malcolm27-Mar-2022″Didn’t I?” Australia’s last ODI was so long ago that captain Aaron Finch didn’t even know he did not play in it when asked about returning to ODI cricket after a long absence prior to arriving in Pakistan. Australia last played an ODI against West Indies in July 2021, and they have only played three since December 2020.They are set to begin building towards the 2023 ODI World Cup this week with a three-match series in Pakistan. But if the Australian captain himself didn’t know who was part of Australia’s last ODI XI, then it is likely everyone needs to be brought up to speed.Who played in Australia’s last ODI team?
If you can name the XI from Bridgetown, then you truly are an Australian cricket aficionado. Or alternatively, you watch far too much cricket. Finch did not play due to a knee injury despite thinking he did.Related

Depleted Australia look to make up ground in Super League against formidable Pakistan

Injured Mitchell Marsh to miss opening ODI; Inglis tests positive for Covid

Zampa not worried about three-month break: 'There's definitely enough cricket before it gets real again'

Test quicks, Warner rested from Pakistan limited-overs matches

Australia's ODI World Cup planning looms into view

A lot of Australia’s big guns were rested after the fallout from the 2021 IPL postponement. Alex Carey captained Australia for the first time and did so with distinction, leading them to a 2-1 series win in the West Indies. Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques had opened the batting the last time Australia played – seriously? – while Matthew Wade, Ashton Turner and Dan Christian were all in that side too. However, none of the five feature on this tour to Pakistan.Cameron Green has played just one ODI so far•Getty ImagesSo who playing in the ODI series in Pakistan?
It might be easier to tell you who is not playing. David Warner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith and Kane Richardson are the notable members of Australia’s first-choice squad that will be missing the ODI series. All bar Starc and Hazlewood had missed the last series in the West Indies too. Warner, Cummins and Hazlewood have been rested after the Test tour ahead of playing in the IPL.Meanwhile, Maxwell will not be touring since he got married only last week. Richardson was set to play but injured his hamstring at training in Melbourne before the limited-overs players left for Pakistan. And now Smith too has been ruled out of the series due to an elbow issue.Jhye Richardson was also left out of the squad as part of a long-term management strategy, but also got injured in Western Australia’s recent Marsh Cup final win over New South Wales.Thus, there are multiple new names who have not played ODI cricket before, including Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Inglis and Mitchell Swepson. Cameron Green has played just one game, while Travis Head has not played ODI cricket since 2018.Travis Head remains an option to open along with Aaron Finch, though he last played an ODI in 2018•Getty ImagesWhat will the batting look like?
Possibly an experiment. Finch will need an opening partner in the absence of Warner, after Ben McDermott missed out in his only two ODIs in the West Indies and didn’t take his chance while opening in the recent five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka either.Head has an ODI century opening the batting against Pakistan and actually has a good record at the top of the order, averaging 41.08 and striking at 97.04 in 12 innings as opener, including four 50-plus scores. Since he was dropped by Australia in 2018, Head’s List A performances have been incredible. In 23 matches, he averages 59.65 and strikes at 120.62 with three centuries, including his second career double; but all of those innings have been played either at No. 3 or at 4.Marnus Labuschagne opened in his last ODI innings in December 2020, but his other 11 innings – which include a century and three fifties – have come at No. 4 or lower.Mitchell Marsh would love to bat No. 3 again as he did in the T20 World Cup and in two of Australia’s last three ODIs. Inglis has made a case to bat in the middle order after a superb T20I debut series against Sri Lanka. But Marcus Stoinis and Carey look mainstays in Australia’s lower middle order in their best available team in Pakistan. Green could also be used at No. 6 or 7 depending on how Australia want to structure their bowling attack.Australia look set to rely heavily on Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar in Pakistan•Getty ImagesAnd the bowling?
It will be a big test without Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and the two Richardsons on flat batting tracks in Lahore. Australia look set to rely heavily on the spin duo of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, and maybe use just two quicks and their allrounders to bowl the remainder of the overs.Swepson has also been added to the squad if they want a third specialist spinner or two legspinners in the XI. Jason Behrendorff has the most experience of the quicks, having played in the last World Cup. Along with Behrendorff, Dwarshuis provides a second left-arm option after being a late addition to the squad.Australia may play one left-armer and one right-armer, with Abbott and Ellis likely to get an opportunity at some stage.Do results matter for Australia with so many players out?
They do. Australia have won all three series they have played in the current World Cup Super League cycle, having beaten England, India and West Indies – each 2-1 – to have six wins and three losses. But they currently sit at seventh on the points table by virtue of having played only nine games.Australia have eight guaranteed ODIs scheduled in the next four months – the three against Pakistan will be followed by five against Sri Lanka – and all of them away from home. While their No.1 Test ranking is a priority and they will continue to rest their Test stars, the understudies won’t want to fall asleep at the wheel and put the team under unnecessary pressure heading towards the World Cup in India next year.Australia squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa

The Blue Jays suffered a tough out in Game 3 of the World Series against the Dodgers Monday. With center fielder Daulton Varsho at the plate and ahead in the count 3-1, home plate umpire Mark Wegner called a delayed strike on a high pitch that Toronto initially believed was ball four and a walk.

Dodgers catcher Will Smith threw the ball back to starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow and motioned over to first base after Wegner made his late call. Blue Jays second baseman Bo Bichette thought he was off to second, but Glasnow fired the ball over to first with Bichette stranded for a bizarre first out of the second inning.

Blue Jays skipper John Schneider was understandably upset about the strange sequence, which he explained in a mid-game interview with Fox's Ken Rosenthal. Schneider had a heated conversation with Wagner after the moment. and said he wants the umpire to change course moving forward as he hopes his squad doesn't fall victim to another phantom out.

"I think just to be a little bit quicker with his call," Schneider said to Rosenthal on the Fox broadcast about his discussion with Wegner. "Mark's a great umpire, been doing it a long time. Very delayed call, pretty deliberate. Just didn't say anything, so Varsh assumed it was a ball and Bo assumed. I just asked him in this environment, can he be a little bit quicker or give a little bit more clarity so everyone knows what's going on."

Bichette clearly thought it was a ball due to Varsho's reaction, tossing his bat and beginning to take off his elbow guard in preparation to head to first. Toronto hopes to regain the lead in the series after they took Game 1 before L.A. stole Game 2 on the road ahead of the World Series' trip to Dodger Stadium. The Jays weren't able to score after the odd play, which they possibly could have as Varsho did end up getting a walk in the at-bat and Alejandro Kirk singled as the next hitter.

It was early in the game, but every out matters, especially in the Fall Classic.

Group B team-by-team guide on England, India, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Feb-2023

EnglandOverviewEngland have a long-awaited second shot at this after their semi-final was washed out in 2020 and India advanced as group winners to the final. They’ll be acutely aware of the need to maintain control of their destiny – a first-up defeat to South Africa ultimately cost them on that occasion. Two easy match-ups, on paper at least, against West Indies and Ireland to begin this edition offer the chance to get on a roll. Captain Heather Knight has returned from the hip injury which kept her out of a disappointing campaign for the Commonwealth Games hosts and exciting young allrounder Alice Capsey has made a timely recovery from a broken collarbone. Gallant runners-up at last year’s ODI World Cup, they’ll likely need to get past India, whom they edged 2-1 at home in September, if they are to have a chance of going one better.SquadHeather Knight (capt), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (wk), Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni WyattPlayer to WatchNat Sciver-Brunt was England’s most influential player throughout 2022, perhaps most memorably with her 148* in the 50-over World Cup final which was one of two defiant centuries she produced against the Australians at the tournament. She has made a seamless return from a three-month mental health break after a season which left her “emotionally fatigued” and recently resumed her vice-captaincy role, suggesting her comeback is complete in ominous signs for the opposition.Predicted finish: Runners-up

India

OverviewThe winds of change are here, having first started blowing in 2017 after their soul-stirring runners-up finish at the 50-over World Cup. Fresh off an inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup triumph, of which two key members of the current squad – Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma – were a part, India will look to draw inspiration from that campaign with a team that has several world beaters, and is far different to the nervy group that played the previous final at a heaving MCG. India are coming into the tournament on the back of exhaustive preparation. Having played Australia in an intense five-match series in December, they underwent a skill-based camp prior to their tri-series campaign in South Africa, where they ended runners-up. Gone are the times where India rocked up at a big tournament undercooked. This team means business.Squad:Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Anjali Sarvani, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha PandeyPlayer to watchAmong the most elegant players in the world, Smriti Mandhana has over time added an X-factor to her batting with a power game comparable to the best. Her destructive presence married with consistency lends an air of superiority to India’s top order. Mandhana, among the most marketable female athletes in India already as per estimates, is also a key part of the think-tank, with her cricketing smarts likely to be called upon often during the tournament as vice-captain.Predicted finish: Bridesmaids no more, expect India to make a serious pitch to enter the grand finale. There’s class, experience of heartbreak and lessons they can draw upon. They’re acclimatised, having arrived in South Africa three weeks ahead, making them even more dangerous.

Ireland

OverviewIreland are making their first appearance at the tournament since 2018. They defeated Pakistan 2-1 in a series in Lahore in November but lost twice in qualifying to Bangladesh. The camp has been hit by illness and injury in South Africa, where they’ve still managed to defeat Bangladesh and push Sri Lanka to the wire in warm-up fixtures. Despite an average squad age of just 24, they have some vastly experienced players and that’s not just among the 30-somethings like Mary Waldron, Eimear Richardson and Laura Delany. The gap to the more established nations remains pretty vast, however, and as qualifiers they’ll likely be delighted with winning a game or two.SquadLaura Delany (capt), Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Eimear Richardson, Mary Waldron (wk).Player to watchGaby Lewis epitomises Ireland’s experienced youth. Still only 21, their vice-captain has represented her country for more than eight years. She was Player of the Series against Pakistan, scoring 144 runs at 72.00 with a strike rate of 130.90. The hard-hitting top-order batter has a career-best of 105 not out from 64 T20Is and is unlikely to be unaffected by big-game nerves after a handful of appearances in the Women’s Hundred and the World T20 in 2016 and 2018.Predicted finish: Group Stage

Pakistan

OverviewCricket’s favourite mother-and-baby pair will make a return to the international stage when Bismah Maroof and her daughter Fatima arrive in South Africa with more than just hearts to win. Their major tournament record is poor: they have only won a quarter of the matches they have played at T20 World Cups and never made it out of the group stage, and they come into this edition on the back of some chastening results. Pakistan have only won one of their last five T20I series, but have lost their last two, to Australia and Ireland. They are without seamer Diana Baig but they still have a good mix of talent and experience. Javeria Khan, Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz have almost four decades of international experience combined. Add to that the potential of Fatima Sana and Ayesha Naseem and Pakistan may not be overreaching to hope they have their best World Cup yet. They kick off with a marquee clash against India, which will put them under early pressure, and have other tough opposition to see off after that.SquadBismah Maroof (capt), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba HassanPlayer to watchEighteen-year old Ayesha Naseem is among the biggest hitters around and has a power game that could set the tournament alight. In Pakistan’s recent T20 series against Australia, Naseem struck an 83-metre six off Darcie Brown in an innings where she breached the boundary three times. If Pakistan are to get the best out of her, they may want to consider batting her higher than No.7.Predicted finish: Group stage. Pakistan have never advanced to the knockouts and with India and England in their group, it will be tough to change that.Fatima, daughter of Bismah Maroof, sits with her mum’s team-mates•ICC via Getty Images

West Indies

OverviewHow the mighty have fallen. Their T20 World Cup win in 2016 should’ve spurred a revolution for the women’s game in the Caribbean. Instead, it has slipped into an abyss with no signs of healing even though from time to time, they’ve produced players capable of dominating on their day. West Indies haven’t come close to winning the title since that heady evening in Kolkata. Adding to their woes is the fact that one of their best players, Deandra Dottin, isn’t part of the squad anymore having retired after a tiff with the WICB. Trying to emerge from the Taylor-Dottin era was always going to be challenging enough, but they may have not imagined it to have come this quickly. Stafanie Taylor is still part of the group but has struggled with injury. She will need immense support from Hayley Matthews. Batting has been an Achilles heel for a while, and unless things turn around dramatically, they’re unlikely to cause a major shake-up.Player to watchDon’t go by Shabika Gajnabi’s career numbers just yet. Below average as they may be, she’s the kind of player who could deliver big returns if she’s persisted with and given confidence. Someone who can bat in the middle order and deliver two or three overs of seam-ups, Gajnabi will strive for consistency to try and become a regular in the XI.SquadHayley Matthews (captain), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor and Rashada Williams.Predicted finish: They’re in the easier group but that doesn’t necessarily mean a semi-final berth is a done deal. West Indies will do well to remain in contention to take the second spot from the group.

The U.S. women’s national team will close out January with a friendly against 45th-ranked Chile in Santa Barbara, Calif., marking the program’s first international match in the city. The USWNT will face Chile at UC Santa Barbara, the same campus where the team first held a training camp in 1991 before winning the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.

Getty Images Sport'Not a common occurrence'

While Santa Barbara is new for a match, the USWNT have frequently held training camps at the college campus and even played the UCSB women's soccer team that same year they went on to win the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup title. 

“Playing in a city for the first time is not a common occurrence at this point in our history," Hayes said, "So I know our players will enjoy being in beautiful Santa Barbara and our staff are really looking forward to January camp and these matches against two tough South American countries."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesUSWNT's history with Chile

While the USWNT do not have a long history with Chile, the teams have met before – just three times. Chile are ranked 45th in the world and fifth in CONMEBOL, behind Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay. Their last meeting came in the group stage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, when the U.S. won 3-0. Before that, the sides played two friendlies in 2018.

Getty Images'Focused on maximizing every minute'

It’s no surprise that 2026 will carry plenty of weight for the USWNT, who will soon enter the countdown toward the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. To set the tone early, Hayes’ side will play two January friendlies – first against Paraguay and then against Chile.

The Americans enjoyed a historic 2025, finishing with a 12-3-0 record. Hayes also capped her first full calendar year in charge with 25 wins.

“This is the start of an important year for our team, and as always, we’re focused on maximizing every minute we get with the players,” Hayes said.

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Getty ImagesWhat will 2026 bring?

The USWNT finished the 2025 calendar year with back-to-back victories over Italy. Hayes once again experimented with new players and personnel to close out the year, and admirably gave 43 players their senior debuts in 2025, the most in a single year since 2001. 

There will likely be a shift to more familiar rosters through 2026 as Hayes fine-tunes her playing pool.

Ben Austin was struck while facing throwdowns in Tuesday and died on Thursday morning

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2025

A 17-year-old club cricketer in Melbourne has died after being struck on the neck by a ball at training on Tuesday.Ben Austin was taken to hospital in critical condition after the incident at Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s outer east where he had been facing balls in the nets, thrown by a sidearm, or ‘wanger’, ahead of a T20 match. He was wearing a helmet but it did not include a stem guard.He was placed on life support at Monash Children’s Hospital but died on Thursday morningIn a statement Jace Austin, Ben’s father, said: “We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier on Thursday morning.”For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends.”This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.”We would also like to support his team-mate who was bowling in the nets – this accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well.”Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria are providing assistance to the family and those impacted by the tragedy.”The tragic circumstances of Ben and Ferntree Gully are…going to be felt across the country,” CA chair Mike Baird told reporters in Melbourne. “Cricket is a sport that brings people together, communities together. It’s also one that feels very deeply an incident such as we’ve seen.”[It’s] hard to put words on it. What we want to say is that we are doing everything we can to support the family, the club, and all those impacted by this tragic news. Clearly, there are things that we have to learn from this, but right now, we are concerned about the family and trying to support them in every way.”Nick Cummins, the Cricket Victoria chief executive, said: “We’re absolutely devastated on behalf of the family, on behalf of the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, and more broadly, the Victorian cricket community.”We are doing everything we can to support not just the family of young Ben, but also those at the club, and Ben played for a number of clubs, to ensure that they have the counselling and the support, not just today, but well into the future, as this is something that will stay with our community for some time.”