December 20, Morning Brief: Today's top news and headlines from cricketing world

Bumrah and Lee (Source: Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
1. Australia announce squad for remainder of BGT 2024-25 Test series, Sam Konstas gets maiden national callup

The National Selection Panel (NSP) has named a 15-player men’s squad for the fourth and fifth Test matches against India in Melbourne and Sydney. Australia and India are 1-1 in the Border Gavaskar Trophy with two matches to play. ()

2. Cricket Australia renames One-Day Cup to Dean Jones Trophy

The Australian Men’s domestic One-Day Cup has been recently renamed the Dean Jones Trophy. This celebrates the legacy of a cricketer who changed the 50-over format with his innovative style of play. ()

3. 'Will be walking out with you to bat at the MCG' - Ashwin hints at comeback with epic reply on Virat Kohli's congratulatory post

The spinner responded with a message that caught attention, as he spoke about returning to bat with the 36-year-old batter in the next Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. (

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4. India women's highest team total proves too big a mountain to scale for West Indies women

India women and the West Indies women continued their ongoing T20I series by facing off in the third T20I. Both sides locked horns at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. The series score was levelled after India won the first clash and the Windies won the second. (

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5. Zimbabwe include seven uncapped players in squad for upcoming Test series against Afghanistan

Zimbabwe are also scheduled to play two Tests against Afghanistanl. The first Test of the series will be played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo from December 26. The second Test will kick off from January 2 at the same venue. ()

6. Third season of WPL expected to start on February 6

With the conclusion of the WPL (Women’s Premier League) 2025 mini auction, all it has come down to is the organisation of the tournament, and in good news for the fans, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has reportedly identified a window to conduct the third season of the league. (

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7. Left-arm teenage sensation Kwena Maphaka becomes youngest white-ball debutant for South Africa

Youthful talent Kwena Maphaka became the youngest ODI debutant to represent South Africa at an age of 18 years and 255 days. ()

8. Afghanistan thrash Zimbabwe to secure their biggest win in ODI history

The second ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan resulted in favour of the visitors who beat the home team by a record-breaking margin of 232 runs at the Harare Sports Club. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side took a 1-0 lead with just one game left in the series. (

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9. 'He is miles ahead of any other bowler'- Brett Lee praises Jasprit Bumrah after exploits in on going BGT 2024-25

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee praised the Indian strike bowler highly after the Gabba Test for his exploits in the series. Lee termed Bumrah a 'world-class' bowler and concluded that he is way ahead of any other Indian bowler. ()

10. BCCI's bank balance increases by 25% in FY24, stands at INR 20,686 crore

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricketing body globally. Its cash and bank balance surged from INR 16,493 crore in FY 2023 to INR 20,686 crore in FY 2024, reflecting an impressive increase of approximately INR 4,200 crore (25.42%). (

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