Pakistan tests feature in Australian domestic cricket summer

In this file photo, taken on April 2, 2022, Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi(c), and teammates celebrate after the dismissal of Australia's Travis Head during the third one day international cricket match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: AP/File)
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Updated 14 May 2023
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Pakistan tests feature in Australian domestic cricket summer

  • Australia will meet Pakistan in three tests and West Indies in two in holiday period
  • The Pakistan series will begin with a test in Perth from December 14 to December 18 

SYDNEY: The Australia men’s cricket team’s home tests in the coming summer will be crammed into an unusually narrow window in December and January.

Australia will meet Pakistan in three tests and the West Indies in two in the traditional school holiday period.

The Pakistan series will begin with a test in Perth from Dec. 14 to 18 followed by the traditional Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Dec. 26 to 30.

The New Year test is set for the Sydney Cricket Ground from Jan 3 to 7, though Adelaide has also expressed interest in hosting the match.

Cricket Australia is expected to discuss hosting arrangement with the New South Wales state government.

Australia also will play the West Indies in three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals in February.

Australia’s world champion women’s team will open the summer program on Oct. 1 with a T20 international against the West Indies, the same day as the high profile National Rugby League grand final.

The women will also play a test against South Africa at Perth from Feb. 15 to 18.


Newcastle complete cruise into Champions League last 16

Updated 25 February 2026
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Newcastle complete cruise into Champions League last 16

  • The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham

NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom: Newcastle United completed their stroll into the Champions League last 16 with a 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday to progress 9-3 on aggregate over the Azeri champions.
The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
A tie that involved an over 5,000-mile (8,000 kilometer) round trip for both sides was killed off inside 45 minutes last week as Newcastle led 5-0 at half-time on their way to a 6-1 rout.
That allowed Eddie Howe to heavily rotate his side, with four-goal hero from the first leg Anthony Gordon among those left on the bench.
Newcastle still made another fast start to add to their lead twice inside six minutes.
Sandro Tonali fired in the rebound after Dan Burn’s shot was saved before Joelinton stroked in Harvey Barnes’ cross.
Qarabag had taken the scalps of Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt in the league phase to make the play-off round and at least salvaged some pride with two goals in the second half.
Camilo Duran outpaced Burn to pull a goal back before the Newcastle defender was penalized for handball inside the box.The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Aaron Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic’s penalty but Elvin Jafarguliyev netted the rebound.
In between the visitors’ two goals, Sven Botman powered in a header from a corner.
That took the tally of goals conceded by Qarabag in the Champions League to 30 — a single season record in the competition.