Live Update: Puducherry at Potch: Harper joins Australia’s Test squad Victoria wicketkeeper arrived in South Africa on Friday evening after being called up as a replacement for Josh Inglis. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 The smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj picked up five wickets in a ten-ball game, India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup Final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the Trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, July 18, 2023 A general view of the Maharaja International Cricket Stadium Yadavindra Singh in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Citals, IPL 2024, Mullanpur, March 23, 2024 KL Rahul celebrates his ninth ODI century, India vs. West Indies, 3. ODI, New Chandigarh, October 3, 2026. West Indies side Shai Hope scored a career-best 162* against India, battling a groin problem to finish the game with a record run of 352. Shai Hope celebrates consecutive centuries, India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI, New Chandigarh, October 3, 2026. Shai Hope became the first wicketkeeper to score 150 scored in the men’s ODIs, India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI, New Chandigarh, October 3, 2026. Shai Hope entered the record books with his score of 162, not his 21st ODI century – while KL Rahul has now raised the bar for No.1.
5 batter in men’s ODIs India said the team as a whole needs more clarity on when to attack and defend with the ball in hand. Naman Dhir took his first international wicket, India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI, New Chandigarh, October 3, 2026. Vitel Lawes likes to pick up wickets with the wrist twist of his left arm, wants to develop more and more variations and likes to keep his thoughts hidden. his West Indies vs, West Indies vs New Zealand, 1st ODI, Guyana, July 11, 2026 The two fast bowlers from Bihar, who played together for Bengal and had similar career trajectories, came together again irresistibly in the Irani Cup. Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar took four wickets each, Bengal v Jammu and Kashmir, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rajkot, December 31, 2025 Seven In a manic hour after lunch, wickets fell as Rest of India registered a 167-run victory over Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. Bols Mukesh Kumar in the Duleep Trophy, East Zone vs South Zone, Duleep Trophy Final, Day 4, Chennai, September 9, 2026. The Karnataka batter lost 50 runs for less than 1000 runs in the last season of the Ranji Trophy. This time he wants to reach that mark and go beyond it. R Smaran is unbeaten with 126 off 131 balls for Rest of India, Jammu and Kashmir vs Rest of India, Irani Cup, Day 3, Srinagar, October 3, 2026. Asian Games – India vs Pakistan – Shreyas Iyer ‘delighted’ after ‘collective performance and overall win’ against Pakistan ‘We didn’t complain [about the rain], we didn’t complain’ Give reasons [excuses], so That was the sign of a champion team,’ says Shreyas Iyer on Indian team’s attitude at Asian Games Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer discover the taste of gold, India vs Pakistan, Men’s Asian Games Final, Nisshin, 3 October 2026. Indian players celebrate their gold medal with a win at the stadium, India vs Pakistan, men’s Asian Games final, Nisshin, October 3, 2026. 2026 Bangladesh struggled with the bat after Tharindu Ratnayake 65 in 32 balls remaining smashed Sri Lanka to a solid 165 for 9. Sri Lankans celebrate after winning the bronze medal, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, men’s competition at the Asian Games, 3rd place playoff, Nisshin, October 3, 2026 After playing his final Test of 2023, he is aiming for a place in the SA team for the next three Test series against Australia at home Anrich Nortje and his hair fades, South Africa vs West Indies, 1st Test, Centurion, Day 2, March 1, 2023 Seems certain to retain his number one spot. 3 for the opening Test against South Africa in Durban next week Amid pace and firepower, South Africa could need their skill, control and experience to make a difference against Australia. Seven wickets fell in a manic hour after the lunch break as Rest of India cruised to a 167-run victory over Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. 2026 He seems certain to keep his spot at No.
3 for the opening Test against South Africa in Durban next week. The two fast bowlers from Bihar, who played together for Bengal and had similar career trajectories, came together irresistibly again in the Irani Cup. Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar took four wickets each, Bengal vs Jammu and Kashmir, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rajkot, December 31, 2025. Indian players celebrate their gold medal with a win at the stadium, India vs Pakistan, Asian Games Men’s Competition Final, Nisshin, October 3, 2026. West Indies club Shai Hope scores 162* against India, battling a groin problem to go well into the game come and reach a record streak of 352. Shai Hope celebrates back-to-back centuries, India v West Indies, 3rd ODI, New Chandigarh, October 3, 2026 Sam Harper has been consistent behind the stumps this season, Tasmania v Victoria, Sheffield Shield, Hobart, March 6, 2026 On any other day, Sam Harper’s call-up to the Australian Test squad would have grabbed the headlines, but that was outdone by the surprise return of Nic Maddinson. However, it remains a milestone for someone who only entered the race this year. At the start of February, Harper averaged 24.86 with three first-class hundreds in 64 games.
Now, five games later, he has doubled his hundred and hastily traveled to Potchefstroom from Puducherry, where he had made his hundred for Australia A. On Saturday he carried drinks around the perimeter of JB Marks Oval at the start of the low-key two-day warm-up game. He joins Alex Carey and Josh Inglis as the first wicketkeepers to be called up to the Australian Test team since Jimmy Peirson was part of the 2023 Ashes tour when Inglis returned home for the birth of his child.
While Harper’s runs produced eye-catching numbers and certainly propelled him into the Test team following Inglis’ broken finger, chairman of selectors George Bailey pointed to the development of his glovework. “[With] Harps the batting was wonderful, but I think he worked incredibly hard on the sustain,” Bailey said. “And considering what we saw last summer and what we expect here, the goalies now have the opportunity to do their job on the rids and [we expect] we’ll get a lot of spin.” However, it was Harper’s work with the bat that transformed his career after Victoria rose to the top of the rankings as a tactic to combat the difficult batting conditions in the Sheffield Shield.
He responded with back-to-back centuries against Western Australia and a 93 against Tasmania. His hundred for Australia A came in a medium role, in conditions favorable to spin bowling, demonstrating the versatility that the selectors highly value. “He’s done pretty well with a different role and a little different mindset, which is certainly working,” Bailey said.
“But his ability to come up with a pretty clear plan and put the pressure back on opponents has been impressive of late.” Bailey did not rule out Harper playing as a specialist batsman, something Inglis has done in all five of his Tests, but suggested Australia’s injury list would have to reach alarming heights for that to become an immediate reality. “I think there is [a chance he plays as a pinch-hitter], but I don’t know if he would be the first,” Bailey said. Inglis, who is currently back home in Western Australia, will have another scan of his finger in a week when a decision will be made as to whether he will return to officiate the second Test at Gqeberha, which begins on October 18.
Victoria’s wicketkeeper arrived in South Africa on Friday evening after being called up as a replacement for Josh Inglis. Sam Harper has been consistent behind the stumps this season, Tasmania v Victoria, Sheffield Shield, Hobart, March 6, 2026. Victoria’s wicketkeeper arrived in South Africa on Friday evening after being called up as a replacement for Josh Inglis Australia • Maddinson and Harper have been added to the Australian Test team in South Africa. “I pride myself on solving problems” – Webster prepares for difficult debut phase in South Africa. Bailey: Calling up Maddinson is not disrespectful to first-class cricket. Andrew McGlashan reported
