Eala survives injury scare, sees off scrappy McNally to stay alive in Canadian Open

MELBOURNE: Australia have made a change to their squad for the second Test against Bangladesh, dropping opener Jake Weatherald and recalling Matt Renshaw after a shock nine-wicket defeat in Darwin. Weatherald’s removal is the only change to Australia’s 13-man squad, but it could have wider implications for the team’s batting order. The 30-year-old struggled in the opening Test, scoring 23 in the first innings before being dismissed for a duck in the second. His difficult start has added to concerns over his Test credentials. Weatherald has now played six Tests and has managed 224 runs at an average of 20.36, leaving selectors with little choice but to make a change as Australia look to level the two-match series. Renshaw, meanwhile, returns to the Test setup after an absence of more than three years. The left-hander last played a Test for Australia in 2023 and has earned his recall after an impressive Sheffield Shield campaign. The Queensland batter scored 499 runs in six Sheffield Shield matches last season at an average of 49.90, including three centuries. His domestic form had already put him firmly in contention for a return to the national red-ball side, and the latest selection gives him another chance to revive his Test career. Renshaw’s return could also add experience and stability to an Australian batting line-up that was exposed by Bangladesh in Darwin. Australia were beaten by nine wickets in the first Test, suffering a result that put Bangladesh 1-0 ahead in the series. Travis Head is expected to continue opening the innings, while Renshaw is in line to partner him at the top of the order. The combination will be closely watched as Australia attempt to respond to their unexpected home defeat. Attention will also remain on Marnus Labuschagne, who is under pressure to produce a substantial score. Labuschagne managed only 32 runs across the first Test, and his place is increasingly being discussed amid competition for batting positions. Australia will need a much stronger collective performance in the second Test. Bangladesh demonstrated in Darwin that they can challenge the hosts in their own conditions, making the upcoming contest an important test of Australia’s ability to recover quickly. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Mackay on Saturday, with Australia aiming to draw the series and Bangladesh seeking another historic result. The changes ensure the second Test will carry significant pressure for Australia’s top order. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

KARACHI: Pakistan’s next generation of women cricketers will get a major opportunity to showcase their talent when the National Women’s U19 Tournament begins in Karachi on Thursday, with 75 players from 24 cities set to compete in a two-format competition. Organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the tournament will be held from August 20 to September 4 at the NBP Sports Complex and HPC Oval Ground. Five teams — Conquerors, Challengers, Strikers, Stars and Invincibles — will compete in a double round-robin league. Each side will play eight matches, with the top two teams progressing to the final. The competition will introduce players to both 30-over and Twenty20 cricket. The opening 10 matches will be played over 30 overs, while the remaining 10 league games and the September 4 final will be contested in the T20 format. Fizza Fiaz will captain Challengers, while Samiya Afsar, Ravail Farhan, Komal Khan and Zoofishan Ayyaz will lead Conquerors, Strikers, Stars and Invincibles respectively. The squads arrived in Karachi on August 16 and completed three days of training ahead of the tournament. Several players earned selection through trials conducted by the women’s national selection committee in different parts of the country. Members of Pakistan’s U19 squad that recently featured in a five-match T20 series against South Africa will also take part, giving the tournament an additional competitive edge. Beyond the title, the event is designed as an important pathway for identifying players who could represent Pakistan at upcoming international competitions, including the ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup and ICC Women’s U19 World Cup. The tournament also carries a financial incentive. The champions will receive Rs1 million, while the runners-up will earn Rs750,000. All league matches are scheduled to begin at 9:30am Pakistan time, giving fans and selectors an early look at some of the country’s emerging women’s cricket talent. National Women’s U19 Tournament 2026-27 – squads Conquerors: Samiya Afsar (captain), Nasreen Ashraf (vice-captain, wk), Abeera Riaz, Areeqa Fatima, Amna Shahnawaz, Eashal Emaan, Eeshal Saif (wk), Hadia Mina, Mah Noor, Malaika Suhani, Maryam Sajjad, Narjis Bibi, Nasreen Ashraf (vice-captain, wk), Noor-e-Sahar, Syeda Batool Fatima, Zainab Irfan Challengers: Fizza Fiaz (captain), Memoona Khalid (vice-captain), Aleena Aslam Shah, Esha Tir Razia, Farya Sadaqat, Huba Nadeem, Laiba Karim, Mahnoor, Mahnoor Zeb, Maryam Ahmed, Pakeeza Shabbir, Sualeha Haroon (wk), Urooj Gul, Zainab Fatima (wk), Zala Ali. Strikers: Ravail Farhan (captain), Ifrah Mehroz (vice-captain), Adieyah Noor, Areeba Noor (wk), Areesha Ansari (wk), Maria, Meerab Shaikh, Minahil binte Nasrullah, Raima Imran, Samia Ashraf, Shahar Bano, Toufeeq Fatima, Ume Mayesha, Zahra Ali, Zainab Khanam Stars: Komal Khan (captain, wk), Aqsa Habib (vice-captain), Afsheen Khan, Alishba Yaseen, Anfal Malik, Barirah Saif, Emaan Afridi (wk), Fizza Ameen, Mehak Arif, Meerab Khan, Nabiha Amir, Qamrosh Farhan, Rozina Akram, Rukhsar Arif, Sawera Ramzan. Invincibles: Zoofishan Ayyaz (captain), Alzoha Hammad (vice-captain), Aashal Saeed (wk), Anaya Khan, Anosha Karim, Asma Bint-e-Azad, Ayesha Imran Riaz, Laraib Nizakat, Lubaba Mahmood, Maha Abbas, Maham Nazakat, Maryam Fatima (wk), Minahil Parvaiz, Quratulain Zehra, Raahima Syed Tournament Schedule (All matches to begin at 9.30am PKT) First leg – 30-over matches 20 August Invincibles v Stars at NBP Sports Complex Challengers v Conquerors at HPC Oval Ground 21 August Strikers v Conquerors at NBP Sports Complex Challengers v Stars at HPC Oval Ground 23 August Invincibles v Strikers at NBP Sports Complex Conquerors v Stars at HPC Oval Ground 24 August Challengers v Strikers at NBP Sports Complex Invincibles v Conquerors at HPC Oval Ground 26 August Stars v Strikers at NBP Sports Complex Invincibles v Challengers at HPC Oval Ground Second leg – 20-over matches 27 August Invincibles v Stars at HPC Oval Ground Challengers v Conquerors at NBP Sports Complex 29 August Strikers v Conquerors at HPC Oval Ground Challengers v Stars at NBP Sports Complex 30 August Invincibles v Strikers at HPC Oval Ground Conquerors v Stars at NBP Sports Complex 1 September Challengers v Strikers at HPC Oval Ground Invincibles v Conquerors at NBP Sports Complex 2 September Stars v Strikers at HPC Oval Ground Invincibles v Challengers at NBP Sports Complex 4 September – Final Top two teams – Venue – TBC