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Australia’s ‘Big Four’ bowlers back in the frame for Bangladesh test cricket series

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The so-called Big Four could be reunited in Australia’s bowling attack with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon returning from injuries for a two-test cricket series next month against Bangladesh.

Pace bowlers Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc and offspinner Lyon have been the long-time frontline attack for Australia but injuries have limited the frequency of all four combining in the same XI in recent series.

Australia’s selection committee chairman George Bailey on Tuesday said there was no certainties to start, but the returning bowlers are “all fit to go.”

“As you would expect, we won’t be locking in an XI this far out, but we do know that across this two-test series the depth is there,” Bailey said. “I’m sure that there will be (future) tests that that (Big Four) group play together.”

Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, he said, “have worked extremely hard, individually and with the (fitness) teams, over the past few months to return from their respective injuries.”

The inclusion of pace bowler Scott Boland and allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster give the 13-man Australia squad plenty of options.

“The volume of cricket and schedule across the next 12 months are likely to present further opportunities across all formats for many players,” Bailey said.

The first test against Bangladesh is set for Aug. 13-17 in Darwin, Northern Territory, and the second will be held in Mackay, Queensland state, Aug. 22-26, kicking off a 12-month period containing 20 test matches including tours of South Africa, India and England.

Opening bat Jake Weatherald was retained from the Ashes series win over England last season and is likely to open the innings with Travis Head.

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Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australian watchdog files legal action against Telegram, saying it failed to remove violent content

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s online safety watchdog has filed legal action against messaging app Telegram, saying the platform failed to remove extremist content including videos of white supremacist mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and the New Zealand city of Christchurch as well as Islamic State group beheadings. The United Arab Emirates-based app, which reports having 1 billion users worldwide, faces a fine of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars ($38 million) if convicted in the Australian Federal Court for “alleged failure to detect and remove pro-terror material,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Thursday. The civil action is a test of Australia's 2021 law requiring tech platforms to work to keep illegal and pro-terrorism material off their networks. Telegram denied the claims. “We reject these allegations and will contest them in court,” a spokesperson said in a written statement sent on Telegram.
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