Mitchell Starc’s world-record wicket tally may headline the Ashes, but the story behind the story begins years earlier in a suburban schoolyard, where a teenage keeper met the Indian heritage coach Neil D'Costa who changed his life.

As the series moves south, the equation is simple: one more win secures the urn. After Brisbane, it is hard to argue that Australia aren’t already halfway there.

“Sport can be used to address social issues such as family violence, discrimination and social cohesion,” particularly for diverse communities.

The Commonwealth Games are among the world’s largest multi-sport competitions, seen as one of the biggest after the Olympics and the Asian Games.

The team delivered a composed and disciplined performance in the final, defeating Taiwan 35–28.

The two countries already share strong sporting ties, especially in cricket and hockey, and have used major tours and series as high-profile platforms for the relationship.

Cricket Wellington confirmed it was investigating the incident which involved players from both sides allegedly striking each other with what appear to be cricket bats and stumps as chaos unfolded on the boundary.

As the players celebrated with the Indian national flag held high, the moment carried emotional weight far beyond the scoreboard

Travis Head produced one of the most devastating innings in Ashes history, smashing 123 off just 69 balls, the second-fastest century ever in an Ashes Test.

Thunder stars Chamari Athapaththu, Phoebe Litchfield and Hasrat Gill headlined the highly anticipated Sydney Smash, facing off against Sydney Sixers icons Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy in the second match of the evening.