Former England captain Michael Vaughan has openly shared his frustration after a serious umpiring mistake came to light in the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025-26 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney. The well-known commentator called it unacceptable in modern cricket, saying technology should never allow such errors to happen.

Michael Vaughan hits out at Snicko and No-Ball Errors in the 5th Ashes Test

Vaughan was talking about Harry Brook’s dismissal in England’s second innings in the New Year’s Test that was won by Australia by five wickets to clinch the series with a stunning 4-1 margin on Thursday, January 8. Well, on Day 4 at the SCG, England was in a strong position at 219/3 when Beau Webster trapped Harry Brook lbw for 42.

Read Also: “We are a better team now” – Brendon McCullum refuses to abandon Bazball despite 4-1 Ashes defeat

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That wicket was the turning point of the match for England, as they could take only a small lead of just 36 runs and gave Australia the upper hand in the final Ashes Test at the SCG. Replays later revealed a clear issue. Webster had bowled an illegal delivery, with his back foot landing outside the return crease. Despite this, the no-ball was not called.

The third umpire, Kumar Dharmasena, failed to pick it up, even though the laws clearly state that every wicket-taking ball must be checked for both front-foot and back-foot no-balls. If the error had been spotted, Brook would have been called back, as the wicket would not have counted.

Vaughan demands action as England suffers defeat in the final Test

England completely lost momentum after Brook’s dismissal. The innings fell apart soon after, with the team adding only 124 more runs. That collapse left Australia a modest target of 160, which they chased down with ease on Day 5 inside 32 overs to retain the Ashes at home.

The frustration grew even more the following day when another decision went against England. During Australia’s chase, Jake Weatherald appeared to edge a delivery from Brydon Carse. Once again, the decision went upstairs, and Dharmasena gave Weatherald a lifeline, citing not enough evidence of a clear spike on Snicko.

The call left Carse visibly angry and England captain Ben Stokes furious. After the Ashes ended, Vaughan made it clear that England would not use these decisions as excuses for losing the Ashes, but he stressed that such mistakes should not be repeated.

Read Also: Ben Stokes faces BAN THREAT after accusing ICC, Umpires of destroying cricket

It’s not acceptable in this era: Vaughan calls out poor umpiring at SCG

Michael Vaughan was quoted as saying by News Corp: “I don’t think England will use these kinds of decisions as an excuse for why they haven’t won the Ashes, but fundamentally, we’re in 2026. With all the technology, that shouldn’t happen. To think there’s been some back-foot no-balls bowled on wickets and nothing has been done; it’s not acceptable in this era.”

With all the technology available, missing back-foot no-balls on wicket-taking deliveries is simply not acceptable. He questioned whether third umpires are consistently checking for these no-balls and reminded everyone that knowing and applying the rules is a basic duty of officials.

Vaughan signed off by saying, “That shouldn’t happen. That is a big moment. Are the third umpires looking for a back foot no-ball or not? They’re the officiators of the game; they should know every rule. It’s a no ball; it should have been called.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan opened up about reports of Harry Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before captaining an ODI against New Zealand. Vaughan said that the news did not shock him, claiming England players have operated in a relaxed environment for some time.

According to The Telegraph, the situation unfolded in Wellington shortly before England’s third ODI against New Zealand. Brook was denied entry to a nightclub after staff believed he had been drinking, and the refusal later led to a brief confrontation with a bouncer. However, Brook led the team in the match.

It Doesn’t Surprise Me – Michael Vaughan on Harry Brook Altercation

Michael Vaughan said he had no issue with the team’s break in Noosa, but the situation looks different when combined with what happened in New Zealand. Vaughan added that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) still allowed Brook to captain the side the very next day.

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“It doesn’t surprise me. They’ve been quite loose for a while. And I guess, you know, whether it’s consequences with shots that have been played over the course of the last three years, there hasn’t been one,” Michael Vaughan said.

“And now obviously the loose nature of this environment. The Noosa trip was fine for me, but the Noosa trip on the back of now what we know went on in New Zealand. You have to point the finger at the leadership group or the ECB, because if they knew, and then he had this incident, and then he played the next day as England captain,” he added.

”It doesn’t surprise me.”

Michael Vaughan reacts to the news that Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before an ODI against New Zealand in which he was captaining the side. #BBCCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/VBYcn3ej9X

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) January 8, 2026

They were Clearly Trying to Brush That – Michael Vaughan

Vaughan stated that the senior leadership of the England and Wales Cricket Board should take responsibility. He said the issue was quietly pushed aside because the Ashes were approaching, adding that addressing it earlier would have caused major attention.

“You have to say that the highest level of management of the ECB have to look at themselves in the mirror, because they were clearly trying to brush that under the carpet because the Ashes were coming up. If they dealt with it there and then, it would have been a big story… but out the way,” Vaughan stated.

Brook finished the Ashes with 358 runs in 10 innings at an average of 39.77. England suffered a 4-1 series defeat in Australia.

Whole Culture Needs to Change – Michael Vaughan

The cricketer-turned-commentator said the controversy has come out at the worst possible time, following England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat and earlier issues like the Noosa break. Vaughan added that the team environment, overall culture, and the role of the ECB all need serious change.

“For it now to have broken on the back of losing 4-1 in Australia, on the back of what happened in Noosa, on the looseness of the players in terms of their discipline with some of their strokes. The whole culture around the team, the group, and the ECB as well needs to change,” he concluded.

They will now shift focus to white-ball cricket as they travel to Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is, starting with the ODI series on January 22.

These matches will serve as preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. England are placed in Group C alongside Nepal, the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Italy. They will open their World Cup campaign against Nepal on February 8 at the Wankhede Stadium.

Also read: Harry Brook drunk, violent & out of control; handed £30,000 fine and almost sacked after nightclub fight

Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis gave Sydney Sixers batter Babar Azam a savage send-off, adding more heat to the moment during the 27th Match of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on January 8.

Stoinis bowled a full and straight delivery aimed right at the stumps in the seventh over. The ball moved slightly back in after pitching. Babar stepped forward and tried to play across the line, but he closed the bat face too early. Because of that, the bat missed the ball completely.

Savage Celebration in BBL 2025-26: Marcus Stoinis vs Babar Azam at the MCG

The ball went on to hit him on the pads in line with the stumps. Stoinis appealed loudly, and the umpire immediately raised a finger. The Pakistani batter had a quick discussion with his Sydney Sixers batting partner Philippe about taking a review, but he decided not to challenge the on-field umpire’s decision after thinking it through.

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Read Also: Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith join Babar Azam-starrer Sydney Sixers ‘superteam’ for BBL 2025-26

As Babar walked back to the dugout, Stoinis aggressively celebrated the massive breakthrough, with the Pakistani star managing only 14 runs off 17 deliveries in the ongoing BBL 2025-26 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Stoinis said, “See you later Babar! See you later, brother!”

Marcus Stoinis removes Babar Azam, and doesn’t he love that 👀 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/eyAAOhIRsH

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 8, 2026

Babar Azam’s tough BBL 2025-26 run

With this poor dismissal, Babar Azam’s struggles in the BBL 2025-26 continue. In seven innings, the right-handed batter has managed only 145 runs, with just two half-centuries. An average of 24.16 and a slow strike rate of 108.20 highlight a season far below Babar’s usual standards.

Slower ball trap ends Josh Philippe’s fight as Melbourne Stars on top

Later, Haris Rauf bowled a slower ball on the middle stump to Josh Philippe. The Australian star tried to hit the ball over long-on for a big shot, but the bat twisted in his hands at the moment of contact, and the ball did not go where he wanted.

Read Also: Ruturaj Gaikwad humiliates Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir, becomes Vijay Hazare Trophy’s greatest batter

Instead of going straight, the ball went slightly to the right of long-on, and Thomas Rogers ran across quickly, slid on the ground, and took a clean catch in a big moment for the Melbourne Stars, as Philippe was dismissed for 35 runs off 25 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.

Defending the paltry target of 128 runs, Melbourne Stars had a great start, as Peter Siddle dismissed Moises Henriques lbw, and then Babar Azam and Josh Philippe could not also make a big impact. The captain Stoinis is on fire, as Sam Curran became his second victim in the 13th over.

Sydney Sixers hold edge after bowling Stars out for 128

At the time of writing, the Sydney Sixers need 37 runs in 42 balls to win the BBL 2025-26 clash against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG. Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Stars could manage only 128 runs thanks to collective efforts from Sam Harper (21), Thomas Rogers (23), Stoinis (33), and Blake Macdonald (33) against the Sixers in the Big Bash League clash.

Ben Dwarshuis (4/13) and Jack Edwards (3/27) were outstanding with the ball for the Sydney Sixers, while Joel Davies also chipped in with two wickets against the Stars in Melbourne. This match is equally important for both teams to boost their chances for the playoffs.

Sarfaraz Khan has completely taken over Indian domestic cricket, delivering one explosive batting performance after another and leaving bowlers with no answers across the formats. Sarfaraz Khan was unstoppable during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.

Sarfaraz Khan takes over domestic cricket with relentless run-fests

The Mumbai batter smashed an unbeaten 100 off just 47 balls, followed it up with scores of 52 not out from 40 balls, a rapid 64 off 25, and then a breathtaking 73 off only 22 deliveries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, and his every inning showed power, control, and fearless intent.

Well, Sarfaraz’s dominance has continued in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, where he has been just as destructive. He began the tournament with a steady 55 off 49 balls, and then he played a jaw-dropping knock of 157 runs from only 75 deliveries before unleashing another brutal knock.

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Read Also: Sarfaraz Khan reveals emotional regret of unfulfilled century dream with brother Musheer Khan

On Thursday, January 8, Sarfaraz showed his beast mode in the seventh round of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy as he smashed a 15-ball half-century against Punjab in Jaipur. However, Mumbai suffered a narrow defeat of just a single run, but the explosive batter managed to script history.

Sarfaraz Khan goes berserk, Punjab attack left shell-shocked

When Mumbai was chasing 217 against Punjab, Sarfaraz, batting at number three, tore into the attack, scoring runs at a ridiculous strike rate of 310. Two overs summed up his insane form.

The Mumbai batter went on a hitting spree against Abhishek Sharma, smashing three sixes and three boundaries for 30 runs, and then smashed the left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar for 19 runs in five balls to leave the Punjab attack speechless in the VHT clash in Jaipur.

Sarfaraz’s blazing knock came to an end on 62 from just 20 deliveries when he was trapped lbw by Mayank Markande after smashing seven boundaries and five sixes, proving that he is currently dominating attacks and setting new standards in domestic cricket.

Sarfaraz Khan rewrites List-A records with explosive 15-Ball Fifty

Meanwhile, during his explosive 62 off just 20 balls against Punjab, Sarfaraz reached his half-century in only 15 deliveries against Punjab. With this mind-blowing effort, the Indian batter shattered the record for the fastest fifty in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Read Also: Ruturaj Gaikwad humiliates Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir, becomes Vijay Hazare Trophy’s greatest batter

The knock also helped him achieve another rare feat in List-A cricket. Sarfaraz now holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian batter in List-A cricket. He shattered the earlier joint record of 16 balls, which was shared by Maharashtra’s Abhijit Kale, set against Baroda in 1995, and Baroda all-rounder Atit Sheth, who achieved the same feat against Chhattisgarh in 2021.

Overall, Sarfaraz’s 15-ball fifty stands as the fourth-fastest fifty in List-A cricket. The record for the fastest half-century in List-A cricket still belongs to Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne, who reached fifty in just 12 balls during a domestic match in the 2005–06 season.

Notably, Safaraz is currently the leading run-scorer for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with 303 runs in six innings at an average of 75.75 and a strike rate of 190.56.

Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December after playing a key role during the Ashes series. West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves and New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy are also among the nominees for the prestigious award.

On Thursday, the ICC announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for December. The month saw heavy cricket action across formats, with India and South Africa playing white-ball series, New Zealand hosting Tests against the West Indies, and Australia taking on England in the Ashes.

Mitchell Starc Instrumental in Australia’s Ashes Series Victory Over England

Mitchell Starc played a key role for Australia during the Ashes series in December. The left-arm fast bowler made important contributions with both the ball and the bat across three Tests.

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Starc took 16 wickets and scored 139 runs in the series. In the second Test, he picked up eight wickets and scored 77 runs, earning the Player of the Match award. His 6/75 in the first innings helped Australia take control early.

In the third Test at Adelaide, Starc again delivered when it mattered. He scored 54 runs and took four wickets, helping Australia seal the Ashes series. His ability to take early wickets and add valuable runs down the order played a big part in Australia retaining the Ashes.

Jacob Duffy Broke Richard Hadlee’s Record After Sensational Test Series

Jacob Duffy had an excellent home Test series against the West Indies National Cricket Team. The fast bowler led New Zealand’s attack and troubled opposition batters with his swing and accuracy.

Duffy picked up 23 wickets in three Tests at an average of 15.43, helping the New Zealand National Cricket Team secure a 2-0 series win. His performances were consistent across the series, and he played a major role in both victories.

Duffy was named Player of the Series after New Zealand’s success. He also ended the year on a high. In 2025, he finished as New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker across all formats with 81 wickets, breaking the long-standing record of 79 wickets set by Richard Hadlee in 1985.

Justin Greaves’ Heroic 202 Saved West Indies in New Zealand Test

Justin Greaves had an outstanding month for the West Indies National Cricket Team during their Test tour of New Zealand. The all-rounder made a big impact with the bat and also chipped in with the ball.

Greaves scored 283 runs in three Tests at an average of 56.60. His best performance came in the first Test at Christchurch, where he played a crucial 202 not out in the fourth innings to save the match for his team.

Chasing a tough target of 530, the West Indies were under heavy pressure. They reached 457 for six when the match ended, with Greaves holding one end and guiding the team to a draw through patience and smart shot selection.

Also read: Michael Vaughan blasts Harry Brook’s ‘spoilt child’ behaviour after nightclub scandal

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is right around the corner, and the excitement is building as the five franchises prepare for another high-octane season. Ahead of the much-anticipated tournament, Star Sports conducted an exclusive interview with India’s premier finisher and wicketkeeper, Richa Ghosh. During the conversation, Richa shared her insights on the upcoming matches, potential breakout stars, and her personal expectations. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if this edition can top the previous seasons in terms of intensity and talent. Richa’s responses have already sparked significant discussion regarding the favorites for the opening clash and the overall title.

Richa Ghosh’s WPL 2026 predictions

• World Cup Star to Watch: She believes Smriti Mandhana will shine the most this season.
• Opening Match Prediction: Richa is confident that RCB will win their opening clash against Mumbai Indians because both she and Smriti Mandhana are in the team.
• WPL 2026 Champion: She naturally backs RCB as her first choice but notes that UP Warriorz have built a very strong combination this year and could also be title contenders.
• Highest Six-Hitter: Richa picks herself for this category, provided she gets enough opportunities to hit.
• Death Overs Specialists: She believes both Nadine de Klerk and herself will make the biggest impact in the final 5-10 overs due to their power-hitting abilities.
• Calmest Mind: She selects Ellyse Perry for having the smartest shot selection and the calmest demeanor during high-pressure “crunch” moments.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition

Performance of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League so far

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have experienced the ultimate highs and lows of the WPL. After a disappointing inaugural season in 2023, they made history in 2024 by defeating Delhi Capitals in the final to secure their maiden title, sparked by Richa’s legendary 51* (29) earlier in that campaign. However, the 2025 season was a title hangover year, where the team failed to make the playoffs, losing five out of eight matches.

Heading into 2026, the franchise faces its biggest test yet following the shock withdrawal of their greatest legend, Ellyse Perry. In response, the management has pivoted to a strategy centered around Richa as the primary finisher and Smriti Mandhana as the tactical leader. With a revamped bowling attack featuring Pooja Vastrakar and Lauren Bell, RCB are betting on ‘Role Clarity’ over ‘Star Power’ to bring the trophy back to Bengaluru.

Also READ: From emerging player to WPL 2026 winner: Deepti Sharma shares bold predictions for the Women’s Premier League

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the list of match officials who will oversee the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026, marking an important step in preparations for the global youth event. The tournament, set to begin on January 15 in Zimbabwe, will feature a multicultural officiating group comprising 18 umpires and four match referees drawn from the Emirates ICC International Panels.

Global representation in the U19 World Cup 2026

The ICC has ensured strong international representation in its officiating appointments, with officials hailing from 13 different countries. This broad mix reflects the governing body’s emphasis on neutrality, experience, and consistency as the world’s best young cricketers prepare to compete on the global stage.

Zimbabwe, the host nation, will be represented by two umpires — Forster Mutizwa and Iknow Chabi. Mutizwa brings valuable on-field insight, having previously played 21 international matches for Zimbabwe across formats. His transition from international cricketer to elite umpire underlines the ICC’s push to involve former players in officiating roles.

Experienced names add credibility to umpiring panel

The umpiring lineup includes several seasoned officials with extensive experience in international and domestic cricket. Former West Indies international Deighton Butler is among the notable appointments, adding a strong cricketing pedigree to the panel. England’s Graham Lloyd has also been selected, continuing a family legacy in officiating, as his father David Lloyd was a respected international umpire before becoming a prominent broadcaster.

Other umpires named for the tournament come from a wide range of Full Member and Associate nations, including Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The ICC believes this balance of backgrounds will help maintain high officiating standards across varied playing conditions.

Also READ: Vaibhav Suryavanshi to lead India U19 in South Africa tour, Ayush Mhatre named captain for U19 World Cup 2026

Match referees bring international oversight

Alongside the umpires, four highly experienced match referees have been appointed to supervise the conduct of matches throughout the competition. England’s Dean Cosker, India’s Prakash Bhatt, Sri Lanka’s Graeme Labrooy, and Bangladesh’s Neeyamur Rahul will take charge of match management, code of conduct matters, and overall operational oversight.

Each referee has previously officiated in ICC tournaments and bilateral series, providing reassurance that the Under-19 World Cup will be governed with professionalism and consistency.

Match officials for U19 World Cup 2026

Umpires: Ahmad Shah Durrani (Afghanistan), Aidan Seaver (Ireland), Cory Black (New Zealand), Deighton Butler (West Indies), Faisal Afridi (Pakistan), Forster Mutizwa (Zimbabwe), Graham Lloyd (England), Iknow Chabi (Zimbabwe), Lubabalo Gcuma (South Africa), Masudur Mukul (Bangladesh), Nitin Bathi (Netherlands), Phillip Gillespie (Australia), Prageeth Rambukwella (Sri Lanka), Russell Warren (England), Shaun Haig (New Zealand), Shawn Craig (Australia), Virender Sharma (India), Zahid Bassarath (West Indies)

Referees: Dean Cosker (England), Graeme La Brooy (Sri Lanka), Neeyamur Rahul (Bangladesh), Prakash Bhatt (India)

Also READ: Sri Lanka name strong squad for U19 World Cup 2026, Vimath Dinsara to lead

The wait is finally over! The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to light up the stage starting tomorrow, January 9, 2026. After a headline-grabbing Mega Auction in New Delhi last November, the five franchises have finalized their rosters, and the landscape of the league has shifted dramatically.

This season brings massive shake-ups—none bigger than Meg Lanning’s move to UP Warriorz and Jemimah Rodrigues taking over the captaincy reins at Delhi Capitals. With the first ball just hours away, let’s have a look at the WPL 2026 squads and the captains leading the charge.

WPL 2026: Tournament structure

The 2026 edition of WPL follows the established and high-stakes double round-robin format. All five teams—Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Giants—will face each other twice in the league stage, totaling 20 matches. The competition this year adopts a two-leg “caravan” model: the first half of the season will be hosted in Navi Mumbai, before the action shifts to Vadodara for the business end of the tournament.

The team finishing at the top of the points table will earn a direct ticket to the Grand Final on February 5. Meanwhile, the teams finishing second and third will battle it out in the high-pressure ‘Eliminator’ match to determine the second finalist, ensuring every net run rate calculation remains crucial until the very last ball of the group stage.

WPL 2026: Complete squads of all five teams

Mumbai Indians

Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur

Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G. Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth

Delhi Capitals

Captain: Jemimah Rodrigues

Shafali Verma, Marzianne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Taniyaa Bhatia, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandni Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani, Alana King (replacement for Annabel Sutherland)

Also READ: WPL 2026: UP Warriorz’s best playing XI for Women’s Premier League

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Captain: Smriti Mandhana

Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, D. Hemalatha, Sayali Satghare (replacement for Ellyse Perry)

Gujarat Giants

Captain: Ashleigh Gardner

Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Titas Sadhu, Kashee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni

UP Warriorz

Captain: Meg Lanning

Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Kranti Goud, Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, G. Trisha, Pratika Rawal, Charli Knott (replacement for Tara Norris)

Also READ: WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants’ best playing XI for the Women’s Premier League

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Australia sealed the Ashes 2025-26 with a thrilling five-wicket victory over England in the 5th Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, clinching the series 4-1. Chasing 160 on a lively pitch, Australia stumbled to 121/5 before Alex Carey and Cameron Green steadied the ship, underscoring their dominance in the iconic rivalry. Mitchell Starc‘s brilliance earned him Player of the Series honours, capping a campaign that redefined his legacy.​

Ashes 2025-26: Alyssa Healy’s priceless reaction to Mitchell Starc’s player of the series award

Healy, Starc’s wife and Australian women’s captain, delivered an adorable reaction from the commentators’ green room as her husband received the Player of the Series award post-match. Footage captured Healy playfully punching the air in jubilation, her face lighting up with pride amid fellow commentators, a moment that quickly went viral among fans. The celebration carried a cheeky edge, subtly nodding to her earlier clash with Kerry O’Keeffe, who had overlooked Starc in his pre-match prediction for the top performer.​​

Healy’s joy stemmed from defending her husband’s form after O’Keeffe’s snub sparked debate, turning the honour into sweet vindication. Her enthusiastic punches and broad smile highlighted the personal stakes in Starc’s triumph, blending family support with competitive banter in cricket’s high-pressure world. This light-hearted dig resonated with audiences, amplifying the human side of Ashes glory.​

Here’s the video:

“Cop that, Kerry” – A proud Alyssa Healy#Ashes #TheAshes #AUSvENG #Cricket #KayoSports pic.twitter.com/aBRSZp9kX1

— Kayo Sports (@kayosports) January 8, 2026

Also WATCH: Australia veteran Usman Khawaja gets a Guard of Honour in his farewell game as emotions run high on Day 5 of Sydney Test

Starc’s series-dominating spell in Ashes 2025-26

Starc spearheaded Australia’s attack, claiming 31 wickets across five Tests at an average of 19.93, including two five-wicket hauls that dismantled England’s batting. He contributed 156 runs with the bat, featuring two fifties, showcasing all-round mastery despite injuries sidelining Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. In Sydney, Starc’s 2/93 and 3/72, plus crucial strikes against Jacob Bethell‘s 154, sealed England’s fate and his award.​

Starc’s haul placed him among elites like Shane Warne and Mitchell Johnson, equalling Rangana Herath‘s left-arm record while earning two Player of the Match nods. His pace and swing terrorized England, from Perth’s 7/58 to Brisbane’s 6/75, propelling Australia atop the World Test Championship. Healy’s reaction perfectly mirrored the widespread awe at Starc’s resurgence, cementing his status as Ashes 2025-26’s standout star.

Also READ: Fans erupt as clinical Australia crush England in SCG Test to clinch Ashes series 4–1

As the Indian cricket team gears up for the high-stakes India vs New Zealand ODI series, the spotlight has shifted from the pitch to the arrivals terminal. On January 7, 2026, Virat Kohli‘s arrival at the Mumbai airport sent social media into a frenzy, not just for his upcoming return to international duty, but for a subtle fashion choice that fans were quick to label a ‘romantic tribute.’ Clad in a black cardigan featuring a red heart and the letter ‘A’ the star batter inadvertently sparked a viral debate over whether the motif was a nod to his wife, Anushka Sharma.

‘A’ for Anushka on Virat Kohli’s black cardigan? The viral heart motif decoded

The ‘Virushka’ fan base was quick to flood social media with screenshots of Kohli’s airport look, decoding the red ‘A’ and heart emblem as a public declaration of love for Anushka. Speculation grew that the custom-knit was a parting gesture as Kohli headed to Vadodara for professional commitments while Anushka reportedly traveled to the UK.

Years may change but Virat wearing A letter shirt or jacket is constant ♾️ pic.twitter.com/7kBR8dCkiP

— 🪷 (@maddified18) January 7, 2026

However, the “truth” behind the garment is rooted in high fashion rather than personal monograms. The cardigan is a signature piece from the French luxury label AMI Paris. The “A” and heart motif is actually the brand’s iconic “Ami de Coeur” logo (Friend of Hearts), designed by founder Alexandre Mattiussi. Priced at a hefty INR 65,700, as per Hindustan Times and multiple media outlets, the luxury knit has become a staple for celebrities, and while the ‘A’ conveniently matches Anushka’s initial, it remains a designer trademark.

एयरपोर्ट लुक हो तो विराट जैसा! 🔥 Ami Paris के सिग्नेचर कार्डिगन और बैगी जींस में किंग कोहली का स्वैग। क्लास और कंफर्ट का परफेक्ट मेल।#ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/8YcLSi61qA

— Shashank Singh (@imShashankji) January 8, 2026

Also READ: Brother Vikas hits back at Virat Kohli’s critics ahead of IND vs NZ ODI series

Kohli’s road to 28,000 international runs

While the internet was busy with his wardrobe, Kohli was focused on a landmark year. He arrived in Vadodara to a ‘King’s Welcome’ ahead of the first ODI on January 11. Kohli enters the series in peak form, having recently broken Sachin Tendulkar’s record during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 to become the fastest player to reach 16,000 List A runs, achieving the feat in just 330 innings. The three-match series against the Black Caps serves as a vital chapter in Kohli’s career as he nears the monumental 28,000-run mark in international cricket.

• 1st ODI: Jan 11 – Vadodara (BCA Stadium)
• 2nd ODI: Jan 14 – Rajkot (Niranjan Shah Stadium)
• 3rd ODI: Jan 18 – Indore (Holkar Stadium)

With Kohli stepping away from T20Is and Tests earlier in 2025, his focus is now singular: dominating the 50-over format and leading India’s charge toward the ODI World Cup 2027.

Also READ: Virat Kohli to team up with Mr Beast? The American YouTuber with 458 million subscribers makes a public request in a viral video