Australian captain Steve Smith has said that teammate Usman Khawaja faced unfair treatment during his international cricket career. The 39-year-old left-handed batter is set to retire after the Sydney Test, which will be his final match in the ongoing Ashes series. Smith voiced his support for Khawaja, noting that the player had been dropped from the national team multiple times, including eight occasions in his Test career and again during the current Ashes.

Smith refrained from commenting directly on Khawaja’s criticisms but described some of the claims against him, such as being injured while playing golf before a match, as unjust. He praised Khawaja’s 15-year career and his consistent improvement over time. Smith recalled that Khawaja had also been dropped during the 2017 series against India but used that setback to refine his playing techniques.

Smith concluded by calling Khawaja an exceptional talent whose development over the years had been remarkable, highlighting their early days playing together in New South Wales youth cricket.

England captain Ben Stokes and Australian batter Steve Smith expressed dissatisfaction with the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch after England’s victory in the fourth Ashes Test. The match ended in less than two days, with 20 wickets falling on the first day and 16 more on the second before England sealed the win. Stokes said that although his team was proud of the win, the pitch’s behavior was not ideal for Test cricket, as it offered excessive assistance to bowlers and produced an unusually short match.

Smith echoed similar concerns, noting that the pitch provided too much movement throughout the game, preventing batters from settling. He suggested that reducing the grass length from 10 millimeters to 8 might help achieve better balance. The result gave England their first win in Australia in 15 years, but both captains agreed that the surface was overly bowler-friendly.

The debate over the Melbourne pitch has divided cricket fans, with some viewing it as a challenge for bowlers and others criticizing it for undermining the traditional endurance of Test cricket.

England are edging toward victory in the low-scoring Melbourne Ashes Test, where bowlers have dominated all three completed innings. As of the latest report, England reached 77 for 2 in 12 overs, needing 98 more runs with eight wickets in hand to chase a target of 175. The match has seen no team surpass 150 runs in an innings so far.

Australia were bowled out for 132 in their second innings on the second day, undone by the pace attack of Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes. Carse took four wickets for 34 runs, while Stokes claimed three for 24. Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson added two and one wickets respectively, meaning all ten wickets fell to pace bowlers. Earlier, Australia had scored 152 in their first innings, with England replying with 110.

The report indicates that England, led by Stokes, are building resistance and moving steadily toward what could be their first win of the current Ashes series.

On the opening day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne, a total of 20 wickets fell as Australia took a narrow lead. England’s Josh Tongue produced a five-wicket haul to bowl out Australia for 152 runs in their first innings. However, England’s batting collapsed even more dramatically, managing only 110 runs in reply. By the end of the day, Australia reached 4 without loss in their second innings, leading by 46 runs overall.

Australia’s innings unraveled early, losing wickets rapidly after reaching 27 runs. Michael Neser top-scored with 35, while Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey contributed 29 and 20 respectively. For England, Harry Brook scored 41, Gus Atkinson added 28, and captain Ben Stokes made 16, but the rest fell cheaply. Australia’s Michael Neser took four wickets, Scott Boland three, and Mitchell Starc two.

The first day’s play left Australia in a stronger position, holding a modest but valuable lead heading into the second day of the Test.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ordered a full review of the country’s police and intelligence agencies following a violent attack at Bondi Beach. The decision, announced on Sunday, aims to assess whether existing security frameworks and authorities are adequate to protect Australians from emerging threats.

In a statement, Albanese described the incident as a “horrific antisemitic terrorist attack” and said the government would examine the coordination, capacity, and preparedness of law enforcement and intelligence bodies. The review will evaluate how effectively these agencies share information and respond to extremist violence.

The move reflects growing concern over domestic security and social cohesion in Australia. Analysts expect the review to recommend stronger inter-agency cooperation and updated counterterrorism strategies. Findings from the assessment are likely to shape future national security policies and resource allocation.

England’s Ashes campaign ended in disappointment after losing the series to Australia within just 11 days. Captain Ben Stokes admitted the team’s dream had collapsed following the defeat in Adelaide, calling the result ‘devastating’ but vowing that England would continue to fight in the remaining matches. The loss marked a major setback for coach Brendon McCullum’s side, which had entered the tour with high hopes of reclaiming the Ashes.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins, meanwhile, expressed his determination to complete a series whitewash, emphasizing that his team would not relax despite already securing the trophy. However, Cummins hinted that he might miss the upcoming Melbourne Test due to a lingering back injury, saying he would reassess his fitness before the final matches. His possible absence could open opportunities for Australia’s pace reserves.

The remaining two Tests will determine whether England can salvage pride or if Australia will achieve a clean sweep. Both teams now face strategic decisions regarding player rotation and injury management ahead of the next fixtures.

Australia sealed the 2025 Ashes series with a commanding 82-run victory over England in Adelaide, taking an unassailable 3–0 lead with two matches remaining. Pat Cummins’ side wrapped up the contest on the fifth day, dismissing England’s final hopes early in the morning session. The win marked Australia’s first home Ashes triumph in record time — the series concluded within just 11 days, the second-fastest in Ashes history.

Travis Head’s 170 and Alex Carey’s consistent batting, including a century in the first innings, powered Australia’s dominance. Cummins reached his 150th Test wicket as captain, while Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon contributed key breakthroughs. England’s “Bazball” approach under Brendon McCullum faltered again, with Zak Crawley’s 85 and Jamie Smith’s 60 proving insufficient.

The defeat extends England’s 14-year wait for an Ashes win in Australia, last achieved in 2010–11. With two Tests left, Cummins’ men now eye a 5–0 whitewash, while England face growing scrutiny over their aggressive strategy and inconsistent batting lineup.

Australia are poised to secure the Ashes series in Adelaide after dominating England across four days of play. Pat Cummins’ side set England a daunting 435-run target following strong batting displays from Travis Head, who scored 170, and Alex Carey, who added 72. By stumps on the fourth day, England were 207 for six, still needing 228 runs with only four wickets in hand.

Cummins led from the front, dismissing Ben Duckett early and reaching 150 Test wickets as captain, joining an elite list topped by Pakistan’s Imran Khan. Nathan Lyon also played a crucial role, removing Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley in quick succession to tighten Australia’s grip. England’s top order faltered again, with only Crawley showing resistance through his 85-run knock.

If Australia complete victory on the final day, it will mark one of their fastest Ashes series wins on home soil since 2002–03. The result would also deepen England’s ongoing struggles under captain Ben Stokes, raising questions about their batting consistency and tactical approach.

Australia strengthened their hold on the Ashes series after dominating the second day of the third Test in Adelaide. The hosts posted a total of 371 runs, led by Alex Carey’s century and solid contributions from Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Starc. England’s reply faltered badly, reaching only 213 for eight at stumps, still trailing by 158 runs with just two wickets in hand.

England’s batting woes continued as early wickets fell cheaply, leaving them struggling at 59 for three before lunch. Only Ben Stokes and Harry Brook offered resistance, while captain Pat Cummins returned to form with three wickets for 54 runs. Mitchell Starc, who earlier scored a half-century, went wicketless but maintained pressure with the ball.

With Australia already leading the five-Test series 2–0, another victory in Adelaide would secure the Ashes. England’s hopes now rest on Stokes and Jofra Archer, who remain unbeaten, but the deficit and lack of batting depth make a comeback highly unlikely.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced sweeping reforms to strengthen hate speech laws following the Bondi Beach massacre that killed 15 people. After a National Security Committee meeting, Albanese outlined new federal offenses targeting hate speech promoters and leaders, with increased penalties for incitement to violence. The reforms also classify hate motivation as an aggravating factor in online harassment and threats.

The proposed legislation comes amid a surge in hate crimes and extremist rhetoric across Australia. Authorities have reported a rise in both anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish incidents since the Bondi attack. In one case, a Muslim cemetery was desecrated with a pig’s head, highlighting growing communal tensions. The government has also begun listing organizations whose leaders advocate racial hatred or supremacy.

Analysts say the measures mark one of the most significant updates to Australia’s hate crime framework in decades. Lawmakers are expected to debate the bill early next year, with civil rights groups urging careful balance between security and free speech protections.

Indian police have confirmed that one of the two attackers killed in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney was an Indian citizen named Sajid Akram, aged 50. Akram, originally from Hyderabad, had moved to Australia in 1998 for work and participated in the attack alongside his son, Navid Akram. The incident, which left at least 16 people dead, is being described as Australia’s deadliest shooting in nearly three decades.

According to Telangana state police, Sajid Akram had no prior criminal record or known extremist affiliations. His family reported no signs of radicalization, and Indian authorities stated there was no evidence linking the attack to any Indian group or network. Australian police revealed that Sajid and his son had traveled to the Philippines last month, but the purpose of that trip remains under investigation.

Authorities in both countries are examining possible extremist motives and international connections, including whether the attackers targeted specific communities. The Bondi Beach tragedy has sparked widespread concern in Australia and abroad, prompting heightened security and a joint investigation into the attackers’ backgrounds and motives.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Muslim man injured while stopping a gunman during the Bondi Beach shooting, calling him a “national hero.” Visiting Al Ahmed at St. George Hospital in Sydney, the prime minister thanked the 43-year-old father of two for his bravery and self-sacrifice, saying his actions symbolized national unity in the face of terror.

Police said Al Ahmed tackled one of the attackers, disarmed him, and forced his surrender despite being shot multiple times. The assault, carried out by a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, left 15 people dead and 42 injured. Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack and are investigating possible motives and links.

Albanese urged Australians to reject fear and division, emphasizing solidarity against extremism. Vigils and candlelight gatherings were held across Sydney to honor the victims, as the nation mourns one of its deadliest public attacks in recent years.

Australian authorities are investigating conflicting reports about the nationality of the gunman involved in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney. The attacker, identified as Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Navid Akram, remains hospitalized. Initial social media claims described the suspect as Pakistani, but no official documentation has confirmed that nationality.

Philippine immigration officials revealed that Sajid and Navid Akram spent most of November 2025 in the Philippines, entering the country from Sydney on November 1. Sajid reportedly declared himself as an Indian citizen upon entry, while his son held Australian citizenship. They departed the Philippines on November 28 for Sydney, days before the attack.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the pair’s background, motives, and citizenship status. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until the inquiry concludes, noting that no verified evidence yet supports claims of Pakistani citizenship.

Australia and England are set to face off in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, a match that could decide the five-Test series. With Australia leading 2–0 after dominant wins in Perth and Brisbane, the hosts need only one more victory to seal the series with two games to spare. England, led by Ben Stokes, must win to keep their hopes alive and prevent another early series defeat.

Australia’s pace attack, spearheaded by Mitchell Starck, has been the defining factor so far. Starck took 10 wickets in Perth and seven in Brisbane, dismantling England’s batting order. England have made one change for the Adelaide Test, bringing back fast bowler Josh Tongue in place of Gus Atkinson. Tongue, who impressed in the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s, is expected to add variety and aggression to the attack. Spinner Will Jacks retains his place as the sole spin option.

The match is seen as a do-or-die contest for England, whose batting inconsistencies have drawn criticism. A win could revive their campaign, while another loss would hand Australia an unassailable lead and early series triumph.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to introduce tougher gun laws following a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 16 people and injured 40 others. Albanese announced that he will present a proposal to the national cabinet to strengthen firearm regulations and licensing procedures.

The proposed reforms include limiting the number of licensed guns an individual can own, introducing periodic license reviews, and tightening overall control and oversight. Albanese emphasized that firearm licenses should not be permanent, citing the risk of individuals becoming radicalized over time. Australia already has some of the world’s strictest gun laws, introduced nearly three decades ago after a mass shooting in Port Arthur.

The Bondi attack has reignited national debate over gun safety and public security. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are urging swift action to prevent future tragedies. The government’s proposal is expected to be discussed in detail at the upcoming cabinet meeting, with potential legislative changes to follow.