Australia’s cost of living is expected to increase in 2026, and one of the reasons provided by Betashares chief economist David Bassanese is quite interesting.
According to Bassanese, the Barmy Army’s visit down under for the Ashes is a driving force for the jump in inflation.
Australia and England went head-to-head from November 21st to January 8th. There were record attendances across the five Tests, with the English travelling contingent playing a significant part in the excellent crowds across the country.
Barmy Army said to be a factor in inflation surge in Australia
According to a report in The Nightly, holiday costs increased 7.4 per cent in the final two months of 2025, coinciding with the Ashes. Economists believe The Barmy Army’s spending on flights, accommodation and hospitality helped drive up inflation.
“To some extent, the hospitality and travel costs were a one-off due to the Ashes and Barmy Army [spending by the touring fans],” Bassanese said.
“The airlines also never miss an opportunity to jack up prices when demand surges. But that’s only the caveat, the overall picture is that underlying inflation has been very strong since the September quarter.”
Kayo Sports reported on the news via social media. “England’s cricket supporters spent heavily on hotels, hospitality and flights during the Ashes tour in Australia, with economists crediting their spending as a factor in tourism rising by almost 10% and inflation lifting to 3.8% in December. As if the rivalry needed any extra fuel,” read the Facebook post.
Predictably, it drew plenty of reaction from fans, as did a feature by 7 News (below).
“Yeah nah has nothing to do with rampant federal and state governments spending…. It’s all few thousand of the barmy army spending money,” wrote one fan.
“If travelling cricket supporters can influence your economy THAT much… there are MUCH bigger issues, cos that is one fragile economy! Maybe it has something to do with those services like hotels etc hiking their prices over holidays???” wrote another.
English cricket fans could be getting their revenge, following their Ashes tour loss. The Barmy Army spent so much this summer that they're being blamed for nudging up inflation, leading to a possible interest rate rise. @ChrisReason7pic.twitter.com/FfZ1gXjjcp
Finn Allen is set to play in the 5th T20 against India at Thiruvananthapuram. The match will mark his first T20I for New Zealand since March 2025 against Pakistan. He smashed 50 (20) and 27 (12) in his last two matches in Mount Maunganui and Wellington respectively.
The star opener arrives to India after playing a key role in Perth Scorchers’ sixth Big Bash League (BBL) Title.
Allen finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer with 466. He averaged 42.36 with a magnificent strike rate of 184.18. His tally of 38 sixes was a record for a single BBL season.
Finn Allen in BBL :
– Highest run scorer of the tournament with 466 runs @ 42.36, striking at 184
Finn Allen set to play 5th T20 against India ahead of huge few months ahead for star opener
Allen is officially part of the New Zealand squad for the 5th T20. He will have a key role to play in ensuring the Black Caps finish the five-match series with two wins. Then, he and New Zealand embark on what promises to be an exciting T20 World Cup campaign.
“Kristian Clarke and Tim Robinson have been released from the BLACKCAPS T20 squad in India, with James Neesham, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert now in camp. Finn Allen will be the final squad member to join the side on Thursday in Trivandrum,” New Zealand Cricket wrote on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week.
Allen’s form will be crucial to New Zealand’s hopes in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Black Caps are in the “group of death” alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, UAE and Canada in Group D. The top two teams from each group qualify for the Super Eights stage.
Following the World Cup, Allen will join the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The INR 2 crore price tag looks like a bargain given the opener’s form, and he is excited to join the three-time IPL winners.
“Any time you get to play in the IPL it’s exciting and to be with a franchise like Kolkata. They’ve had a lot of success in the past. And we’ve got an extremely experienced list as well and a good group of boys,” Allen said in a recent interview for CricBlog.
“I’m excited to go over there and see what we can do.”
Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield International Stadium will host the 5th T20 between India and New Zealand on Saturday January 31.
Left-arm orthodox bowling all-rounder Sophie Molineux has been announced as the Australian women’s new all-format captain. The 28-year-old will begin her stint at the helm in the upcoming three-match T20I series against India.
Sophie will succeed wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy. Healy will retire from international cricket after the multi-format series against the Women in Blue.
Molineux has represented Australia Women in three Tests, 17 ODIs, and 38 T20Is since her debut in 2018. She led her WBBL franchise, Melbourne Renegades, to their first triumph in 2024 and has also been the captain of Victoria since 2022. However, she has not featured in a Test or T20I since 2024.
Molineux has been chosen ahead of all-format vice-captain Tahlia McGrath and senior batting all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who has been named as a second vice-captain. The 28-year-old is understandably thrilled to receive the honour and is looking forward to working with what she described as a “really strong group with plenty of natural leaders.”
“It’s a real honour to be named Australian captain and something I’m incredibly proud of, especially following on from Alyssa, who’s had such a huge impact on this team and the game,” she said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“We’ve got a really strong group with plenty of natural leaders, alongside a lot of exciting talent coming through. And I’m really looking forward to working together as we keep evolving and pushing ourselves to the next level, while staying true to the identity that makes this team so special.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the trust that’s been shown in me, and I’m excited to grow alongside this group of players and see what we can achieve together with Tahlia, Ash, and the rest of the team.”
Reactions: Sophie Molineux unveiled as 21st captain of the Australian women’s team
Given that Molineux is clearly a left-field pick, the news of her appointment as Australia Women’s 21st captain has taken fans by surprise, with many casting doubts on her eligibility for the role.
Check out the reactions below:
Sophie is a good player but not a skipper. Ash should be the go to given her tremendous experience
Sophie Molineux – quality cricketer and wish her the best in the captaincy role. She's captained Victoria and led Melbourne Renegades to a WBBL title, so she has the leadership experience and capabilities.
The surprise is related to her injury record IMO. Hope she has a long…
Her leadership is exceptional. The only knock is that she's perhaps not a lock in every XI. Been cruelled by injuries. I was surprised but I think her credentials are outstanding.
She’s not even in the top 15 Aussie players across all 3 formats…the Aussies have just lost their “one day and 20/20” world titles and now this…this is a huge step in the wrong direction…
Preparations for the T20 World Cup now ramp up with Pakistan and Australia going head-to-head in three T20Is. However, hosts Pakistan will have the benefit of playing their expected XI for the World Cup, and they will be looking to gain momentum against a new-look Australia squad.
Australia will be without a host of regulars in this match with a number of players featuring in Sunday’s BBL Final. Also, the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will return from their respective injuries in the T20 World Cup, with others including Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis rested.
However, this is an opportunity for those on the fringes of Australia’s first-choice team to stake a claim. Spots will open up in the future, so now is a great chance to make an impression.
For Pakistan, a lot of the spotlight is on Babar Azam after a tough BBL. His strike rate of 103.06 is the lowest for any player who scored at least 200 runs in a season. He was denied a single by Steve Smith and has been criticised by a lot of the Australian public, so motivation will surely be high to perform here.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Khawaja Nafay is expected to line up in the XI. Also, it could be a choice between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
Pakistan: 1. Sahibzada Farhan, 2. Saim Ayub, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Fakhar Zaman/Shadab Khan, 5. Salman Agha (c), 6. Mohammad Nawaz, 7. Khawaja Nafay (wk), 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi/Naseem Shah, 10. Salman Mirza, 11. Abrar Ahmed
According to reports, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis are unavailable for this match. It remains to be seen which players from the BBL Final will feature in this opening T20I.
Australia: 1. Travis Head (c), 2. Matt Short, 3. Matt Renshaw, 4. Cameron Green, 5. Cooper Connolly, 6. Mitchell Owen/Jack Edwards, 7. Josh Philippe (wk), 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Sean Abbott/Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Mahli Beardman/Matt Kuhnemann
Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather
In all T20s since the start of 2022, pace bowlers have taken 433 wickets here at an average of 26.04 and economy of 8.99. Spinners have fared well, taking 201 wickets at an average of 24.41 and economy of 7.73.
In PSL 2025, the average first innings score was 171.29. Scores picked up as the season went on with three 200+ scores in the final four matches. Chasing teams won eight of the 14 games.
A cold afternoon is forecast for this 4pm match. No rain is expected. “I didn’t pack too many jumpers; I wasn’t aware Pakistan got this cold,” said Mitch Marsh, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Top wicketkeeper picks:
Josh Philippe looks the safest pick but his output depends on where he bats in the order. He hit 292 runs in the recent BBL (avg. 24.33, SR 137.08).
Key batter picks:
Travis Head holds the key and can get Australia off to a flyer. Since the start of 2024, Head has scored 1,920 runs in all T20s at an average of 34.9 and strike rate of 173.8.
Babar Azam will be determined to perform well in this match. Since the start of 2022, Babar has scored 683 T20 runs at Gaddafi Stadium at an average of 56.92 and strike rate of 137.42.
Sahibzada Farhan struck the most T20I runs for Pakistan in 2025 (avg. 30.84, SR 133.62). He has performed solidly in T20s on this ground in the past three years: 12 inns, 394 runs, avg. 39.4, SR 135.86.
Top allrounder picks:
Cameron Green had a difficult Ashes but he is an excellent pick in fantasy cricket given his white-ball credentials. In the past two years, Green has struck 637 T20 runs at an average of 39.8 and strike rate of 150.6. Against spin, the average bumps up to 66.8 with a strike rate of 145.1.
Saim Ayub is hot and cold with the bat but often provides overs, enhancing his Dream11 value. One thing to keep in mind is Ayub typically fares better chasing in T20Is (avg. 24.2 in 2025) compared to batting first (avg. 17.8 in 2025).
Key bowler picks:
Adam Zampa has taken 12 wickets in 11 T20Is against Pakistan at an economy of 6.57. He has an excellent head-to-head record against Babar Azam (see below).
Shaheen Shah Afridi is coming back from injury after a difficult BBL. He has 12 wickets in nine T20Is against Australia (avg. 24.16, SR 16).
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
Mohammad Nawaz is picked in just 20.16% of Dream11 players. He was Pakistan’s top wicket-taker in T20Is in 2025 with 36 at an economy of 6.56.
Cooper Connolly’s bowling was a real strength of his in the BBL. He fell away with the bat, but still offers all-round value. Keep an eye on where he is listed in the team.
Agha Salman is a popular pick in Dream11 (63.6%) but he had a strike rate of 115.31 in T20Is in 2025 (581 runs, avg. 26.04).
Abrar Ahmed in T20Is in 2025: 22 inns, 28 wickets, avg. 19.25, SR 17.53.
Fakhar Zaman in T20Is against Australia: 9 inns, 252 runs, avg. 31.50, SR 153.65.
Matt Short can provide a fast start in the powerplay but his batting against spin is cause for improvement.
Other Stats and Important Matchups
Head-to-head: Matches 28, Pakistan 13, Australia 14, N/R 1.
Saim Ayub in T20s at Lahore since 2022: 10 inns, 260 runs, avg. 26.00, SR 153.85.
Babar Azam has the most runs in PAK-AUS T20Is: 11 inns, 430 runs, avg. 47.77, SR 128.35.
Shaheen Shah Afridi vs Travis Head in T20Is: 16 balls, 28 runs, no wickets.
Adam Zampa vs Babar Azam in T20Is: 69 balls, 69 runs, three wickets.
PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today
Option 2:
PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today
PAK vs AUS 1st T20 2026 Match Prediction – Who will win?
Given Pakistan will field their near first-choice team, they should win this game.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, and Cricmetric.
Former India coach Rahul Dravid recently opened up about the challenges facing the Indian Test team currently. Dravid believes that India’s all-format batters aren’t getting enough time to hone their skills against the red ball due to the sheer amount of cricket that they play all year.
After going through a 12-year stretch where they won 18 home series in a row, the Indian team has crestfallen in the format under head coach Gautam Gambhir, with their home dominance being ripped to shreds first by New Zealand (0-3 in 2024) and then by South Africa (0-2) this winter.
Dravid, who presided over the Indian team across formats from 2021 to 2024, recently attended the launch of The Rise of the Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story in Bengaluru.
“One of the things I understood as a coach, especially the guys that play all three formats, they keep moving from one format to the other. There were times when we would get to a Test match three to four days before the match, and then when we start practising for the Test match, [and] when you look back at the last time that some of these guys had actually hit a red ball, it might have been four months ago or five months ago,” Dravid said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“That’s become really a challenge, how do you almost find the time to be able to develop some of the skills that are hard. To play on turning tracks or play on seaming wickets, doing that for hours and hours in a Test match is not easy. It requires skill.”
Rahul Dravid on the challenges of playing Test cricket in the modern era
A major chunk of Dravid’s career unfolded in the absence of franchise cricket. Dravid reflected on the same, stating that he used to get enough time to prepare for Test cricket as a player, something that modern cricketers don’t get due to the volume of action throughout the year.
Current Test captain Shubman Gill recently stated that the players are not getting enough time to prepare for a Test series, urging the BCCI to factor in this aspect while deciding the schedule in the future.
“In my generation, when there were only two formats in the game, and there wasn’t really the idea of franchise cricket, there were a lot of times where I would have a whole month of practicing for a Test series,” Dravid said.
“I would be able to play with the red ball, and I would be able to develop my skills. Now, one of the things that has become a bit tougher in red-ball cricket is a lot of our guys who play all the three formats, or who play the amount of cricket that they are playing, sometimes don’t have the time to be able to practice red-ball cricket as much.
“I think Shubman has kind of alluded to it a little bit, just recently, because I think he’s one who experienced that. He’s one who actually played recently for us in all of the three formats, so I think he would have realised how difficult it is for him to actually gear up for the Test format.”
Rahul Dravid on how WTC has forced teams to prepare result-based pitches
Over the past five years, Indian pitches have significantly changed, with the management opting to go for result-based pitches to grab WTC points. In fact, this is something teams around the world have been doing since the inception of the World Test Championship.
This has given teams short-term success, but as India have found out in the past two seasons, such surfaces not only bring bowlers with lesser skills into the equation, batsmen lose confidence and the ability to bat for longer periods, while bowlers also develop bad habits and lose patience.
Dravid admitted that the advent of the WTC has put more pressure on home teams to produce result pitches, which is one of the reasons why batters have been struggling recently.
“The importance of getting result-oriented wickets has become much more. In the old days, you just had to win a series against the team; you were not looking to win every Test match. Today, the pressure on home teams to win all the games has increased because of the World Test Championship. That’s why I think you are seeing slightly more wickets, which are favoring the bowlers too much. And not only in India, but everywhere,” he said.
“I have been only a coach when the World Test Championship is on, and I have certainly seen that the pressure of those points has at times made you ask for result-oriented wickets. No one wants to go to extremes, but certainly results are important, especially in your home games,” Dravid said.
India are currently languishing in sixth place in the World Test Championship table. Their next assignment will be a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka this summer.
For the perfect T20I performance, refer to India’s victory in the third match of this series. After limiting New Zealand to 153/9 courtesy of a solid bowling display, India, led by Abhishek Sharma, ran rampant with the bat once again to complete the chase in a mind-boggling 10 overs.
Abhishek’s 20-ball 68, where he brought up a half-century off 14 balls, included no dots. It was another chapter in the glittering story that is Sharma’s T20I career to date, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
However, not all his smooth sailing for Abhishek’s opening partner. Sanju Samson finds himself under some pressure following three low scores plus Ishan Kishan’s excellent form. If that trend continues here, there is the chance Tilak Varma replaces Samson once the left-hander returns to the XI.
The Black Caps are set to welcome back some experience for this match. The series may be gone, but momentum heading into the T20 World Cup is key. They have been able to pick up powerplay wickets and make decent totals with the bat, but to beat India, you need to perfect from start to finish.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Finn Allen won’t be available until the final T20I. However, Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham could slot into the XI for this game.
New Zealand: 1. Tim Seifert (wk), 2. Devon Conway, 3. Rachin Ravindra, 4. Glenn Phillips, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Mark Chapman, 7. James Neesham, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Matt Henry/Jacob Duffy, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Ish Sodhi
Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam Pitch Report and Weather
The last T20I on this ground was in 2023. India chased down 209 against Australia, with Suryakumar Yadav starring thanks to his 42-ball 80.
In all T20s at Visakhapatnam since 2020, pace bowlers have taken 45 wickets at an average of 31.93 and economy rate of 9.83. Spinners have taken 28 wickets at an average of 27 and economy of 9.53.
A clear evening with temperatures around 20 degrees is forecast. Dew is possible.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs NZ 4th T20 2026: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Top wicketkeeper picks:
Ishan Kishan is the in-form player among the wicketkeeper picks. The left-hander is striking at 224 in the three matches so far (112 runs).
Key batter picks:
Abhishek Sharma continues to amaze. He has smashed 152 runs in this series at an extraordinary strike rate of 271.52. The opener has struck 935 T20 runs in the powerplay alone since the start of 2025 (SR 191.6).
Suryakumar Yadav is back in form after a poor 2025. The Indian captain is the leading run-scorer this series (171) at a strike rate of 201.17. He has also enjoyed success on this ground in the past.
Top all-rounder picks:
Glenn Phillips is New Zealand’s top-scorer this series and is striking at 155.91 despite a struggle in the last match (48 off 40 balls). India’s left-handers means he will also be called on to bowl at stages.
Hardik Pandya hasn’t had much of an opportunity with the bat. If India bats first, he is worth considering for c/vc in Dream11 given he also opens the bowling and has been in the wickets (four this series, the most of any bowler so far).
Opposite to Hardik, Mitchell Santner’s best work has been with the bat in this tour. The skipper has scored 94 runs at a strike rate of 164.91.
Key bowler picks:
Arshdeep Singh is a chance of returning in this match. He has an excellent matchup against Devon Conway, whom he has dismissed four times in 20 balls in T20Is (42 runs).
Varun Chakravarthy was one of the outstanding performers in T20Is in 2025 and picked up three wickets in the first two matches of this series. If he is selected in India’s XI, he will become one of the top Dream11 picks.
Jasprit Bumrah is fresh off an excellent spell of 3/17 in the third T20I. In 12 T20Is against New Zealand, Bumrah has 15 wickets at an economy of 6.17.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
Daryl Mitchell was outstanding in the ODIs but he has been batting down the order in this T20I series.
Sanju Samson is the kind of player who can go big. With speculation around his position in the team, this can drive Samson in this match. At 39.51% selection in Dream11, he can prove to be an excellent differential pick.
Rachin Ravindra is yet to nail the T20 format which makes him a risky pick. However, he oozes talent and bats in the top three.
Tim Seifert has 358 T20I runs at an average of 32.54 and strike rate of 144.93 against India.
Other Stats and Important Matchups
India have won 11 consecutive T20I series/tournaments dating back to 2024.
Suryakumar Yadav needs 41 to reach 3,000 T20I runs.
Lockie Ferguson vs Abhishek Sharma in T20Is: 15 balls, 26 runs, no wickets.
Arshdeep Singh vs Tim Seifert in T20Is: 5 balls, 17 runs, no wickets.
Jasprit Bumrah vs Tim Seifert in T20Is: 25 balls, 29 runs, two wickets.
IND vs NZ 4th T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
IND vs NZ 4th T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today
Option 2:
IND vs NZ 4th T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction Today
IND vs NZ 4th T20 2026 Match Prediction – Who will win?
India look too strong and should win again.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, and Cricmetric.
There is no quiet period in the cricket calendar. Just days after the completion of the Big Bash League (BBL), Australia will begin a three-match T20I series in Pakistan in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Australia have named a 17-man squad for this series owing largely to the short turnaround. According to CODE Sports, Mitchell Marsh will be rested from the first match with Travis Head to captain the side.
It remains to be seen if any of Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly, Mahli Beardman, Josh Philippe, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis – who featured in the BBL Final – will play in the opening T20I.
Australia squad for 2026 T20I series against Pakistan: Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stonis, Adam Zampa
Australia possible 11 for 1st T20 against Pakistan on January 29 2026
1. Travis Head (c), 2. Matt Short, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Matt Renshaw 5. Cooper Connolly, 6. Mitch Owen/Jack Edwards, 7. Josh Philippe (wk), 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Matt Kuhnemann, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Ben Dwarshuis/Mahli Beardman
Along with Head, Cameron Green should start given the extra time he’s had to recover. Head and Green did not feature in the BBL.
With Marsh rested, Matt Short could open the batting with Matt Renshaw at four with Marcus Stoinis also expected to miss out according to ESPNcricinfo.
On the bowling front, Matt Kuhnemann and Adam Zampa could both line up given the importance of spin. Xavier Bartlett’s Brisbane Heat did not qualify for the BBL playoffs, so he is a chance of featuring alongside one of Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis or Mahli Beardman depending on how they’ve recovered from Sunday’s BBL Final and subsequent travel to Pakistan.
The three-match series begins on January 29. The remaining two matches will take place on January 31 and February 1 respectively, also at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has once again stressed the importance of Australian cricket keeping up with the evolving trends in global cricket with regard to the T20 leagues backed by IPL franchise owners.
The possible privatisation of the Big Bash League (BBL) has been a red-hot topic in Australian cricket lately, with traditionalists arguing that it would have a damaging impact on the cricket in the country.
Cricket Australia can’t risk falling behind with regards to the BBL – Todd Greenberg
In a recent conversation with The Grade Cricketer, Todd Greenberg admitted that any possible change will not be “without push and shove,” but forcing these conversations is a part of his job.
He argued that Australian cricket needs to be a part of the conversation around the changing trends in global cricket or risk seeing the change unfold around it. He believes that if Australian cricket does not inject private money into the BBL, it could risk losing the best players in the world to private leagues.
“I mean, change doesn’t happen in cricket without a lot of push and shove because it’s a traditional conservation approach to the sport, which is what’s beautiful about it. But geez, if you sit back and watch the world unfold around you, particularly at this moment and time, I think you’re going to get run over,” Greenberg said.
“So I’ve got this sort of concept that you want things to happen to you, or do you want them to happen with you? And my fear for us is if we aren’t in this discussion and we’re not debating the merits of bringing private capital in, you get run over in a small country like Australia.
Australia part of a much bigger system in cricket – Greenberg
The CA CEO went on to say that for the BBL to compete with other leagues such as SA20, privatisation could be vital in ensuring players get paid more.
“Let’s face it, on the global stage, India doesn’t want to come and play Australia because we bring enormous revenues and enormous eyeballs. We’re a small place, a little island, and a long way away. They play us because we’re best at what we do. We’re very competitive, and they want to play the best. So that’s our proposition and why we’re part of, I think, a much bigger system in cricket,” Greenberg said.
“So on private capital, the concept is that there are global T20 leagues popping up all over the world. They’ve got significant funds; they’re paying players significant amounts of money. If we want to compete, we’ve got to be in that conversation. Because otherwise what happens is your sport gets further away from having the best players. You talked about the best Australian players; 100%, you’re right, but we also want the best players globally to see us as a league they want to play in.
“Now that’s aspirational as well, but it’s also achievable. But it will not be achievable if we stay in the same product mindset that we sit in today. So forcing these conversations to be had, it’s a massive part of my job. You won’t probably win many new friends from it, but if you’re going to be popular, you probably won’t pick this job, but you got to have real conversations with people.
“I think we’ve broken the back of the reasons why the change is imminent. Now the conversation turns to are we brave enough to do it. And if we do it, what does it look like?” Greenberg explained.
Will the Boxing Day and New Years’ Tests always remain part of the Australian summer?
When asked if this would lead to Australia moving away from its traditional Test summer window, Greenberg said that the iconic Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year Test in Sydney will remain untouched in the foreseeable future but also added that there is no guarantee that that would always be the case.
“Look, it could be a myriad of all those things, and it’s also, you know, important to point out it’s WBBL and BBL to maximise both of those. So we’re right in the middle of those conversations.
“Now, as we sit here today, I think the Boxing Day Test and the Sydney Test remain exactly where they are primarily because they are contracted and they are successful. But that doesn’t mean it will always be like that in the future, and again, that would be really jarring for some people and very unpopular, but you got to test yourself against what change looks like, and some things will be sacrosanct for a long period of time, and others are movable.
“But we’ve got to open our eyes out to the global nature of where cricket is heading, and if we are not in this conversation, it will just happen around us, and you walk up one day and your best players aren’t playing in your competition.
“And, you know, you don’t have to be Einstein to work this out. In every sports league all over the world there is one key ingredient that makes them successful: you have the best players playing in your league. So if you’re the AFL, you’ve got the best players playing in the league. I mean, to be frank, they got nowhere else to play. So, they’ll be there.
“Cricket has a bigger challenge. Our players have leverage, and they’ve got a choice, so we’re gonna make sure we give them all the reasons to want to play here. Not only does that include really good remuneration, but it includes lots of other things.”
Check out his comments below:
It will be interesting to see if the BBL gets privatised in the coming years.
Pretoria Capitals (PC) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) will meet in the final of SA20 2025/26. Newlands, Cape Town, will host this blockbuster on 25th January 2026 at 9 PM IST.
Pretoria Capitals defeated the Sunrisers Eastern Cape by seven wickets in the first Qualifier. Bryce Parsons (3 wickets and 60 runs) and Dewald Brevis (75* runs) saw their side over the line.
The Capitals have played as a team throughout this season in both batting and bowling. Sherfane Rutherford has been brilliant with the bat alongside Shai Hope and Brevis, and Keshav Maharaj (11 wickets) has led from the front with good support from Lizaad Williams (9 wickets) and Gideon Peters (9 wickets).
The Capitals have already defeated the Sunrisers twice this season, and they’ll be eyeing their first title win in this game.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape defeated the Paarl Royals by seven wickets in their last game. The bowlers did an excellent job restricting them to 114 runs, and the batters then chased it down easily. Quinton de Kock (372 runs) is the highest run-scorer of this edition, while Jonny Bairstow, James Coles, and Jordan Hermann have also done a good job with the bat.
Anrich Nortje (17 wickets) is the second-highest wicket-taker this season. Sunrisers have great depth in their squad with both bat and ball, and it is their strength as a team. SEC have already won the title twice and this will be their third final in four seasons of the tournament if they get over the line here.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Matthew Breetzke, 4. Jordan Hermann, 5. James Coles, 6. Tristan Stubbs (c), 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Chris Green, 9. Senuran Muthusamy, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Lutho Sipamla
Newlands Cape Town Report and Weather
Newlands is an excellent batting venue. The average first innings score here in 2025 (T20s) was 179 runs. Spinners have been comparatively more successful at this venue, but the pacers will get movement with the new ball. Overall, the game will be dominated by the batters.
In the last five years, in T20s, teams batting first have won 51% of the games at Cape Town. Expect teams to bat first, as this is a high-pressure match.
It will be a sunny day in Cape Town with no chance of rain.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for PC vs SEC: Players to Watch/Key Stats
Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:
Quinton de Kock (372 runs) is the highest run scorer of SA20 2025/26 at an average of 41.33, and he’s striking at 150.60, including four fifties to his name. He’s been in terrific touch this season, and the onus will be on his shoulders to get his side off to a flying start in the big game. De Kock will be a top C/VC choice.
Key batter picks:
Dewald Brevis has 269 runs in 10 innings this season. He scored a brilliant 75* in the last game in just 38 deliveries. Brevis is currently one of the most aggressive batters in world cricket, and he can score big on his day. Try him as C/VC in some of your teams.
Sherfane Rutherford is currently the third-highest run-scorer of this season with 317 runs to his name at an average of 79.25 at a strike rate of 166.84, including two fifties. He has saved his side after a top-order collapse on numerous occasions this season. Rutherford is someone you can’t miss out on for this match.
Jordan Hermann has scored 290 runs in nine innings this season, including one fifty. He’s a key batter for the SEC in the middle order and can play a crucial knock in this match.
Top all-rounder picks:
Marco Jansen will fetch points from both bat and ball. He can trouble Pretoria’s top order with the new ball. Janen is more than capable with the bat and will be an excellent C/VC option. He has 77 runs and 10 wickets this season.
James Coles picked up a wicket and scored 45* runs in 19 deliveries. He’s been an excellent addition to the Sunrisers squad, as he can contribute with both bat and ball. Coles has 151 runs in four innings at an average of 50.33. He’s another top C/VC choice.
Bryce Parsons scored 60 runs and picked up three wickets when these two sides met last time this season. Parsons will be pretty confident coming to this game and will be a good fantasy pick.
Key bowler picks:
Anrich Nortje is the second-highest wicket-taker this season with 17 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 7.26 and a strike rate of 12.80. Nortje has picked up wickets in every game, and he’ll bowl the key overs for Sunrisers. Try him as C/VC, as Nortje can trouble Pretoria’s middle order with his hard lengths.
Keshav Maharaj has 11 wickets to his name. He will fancy his chances against Sunrisers’ right-hand-heavy batting lineup. Maharaj picked up two wickets in the first qualifier.
Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams
Jordan Hermann vs Keshav Maharaj (T20s): 41 balls, 42 runs, and 4 dismissals.
Dewald Brevis vs Marco Jansen (T20s): 51 deliveries, 43 runs, and 3 dismissals.
Dewald Brevis vs Anrich Nortje (T20s): 36 deliveries, 37 runs, and 3 dismissals.
SA20 2025/26 Final: PC vs SEC Dream11 Prediction Today
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
SA20 2025/26 Final: PC vs SEC Dream11 Prediction Today
Option 2:
SA20 2025/26 Final: PC vs SEC Dream11 Prediction Today
SA20 2025/26 Final: PC vs SEC Match Prediction: Who will win?
Both teams have been in great form in the league stage of the tournament, but the Sunrisers are looking more balanced with good depth and quality in their squad. It’s going to be a very difficult game to predict, but expect the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to win.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.
Tim Seifert is one of the most active players going around in T20 cricket. Be it in the international arena or T20 leagues, the keeper-batter has made a name for himself in the shortest format of the game.
Also, he’s been in amazing form for the last 12 months or. Thus, the fans of New Zealand would hope to see him be at his absolute best during the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Tim was recently playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the 2025/26 Big Bash League. Despite an underwhelming season for the Melbourne-based franchise, the New Zealander was fairly decent in this edition of the league which included a breathtaking century against Brisbane Heat.
During an exclusive interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan in Melbourne for CricBlog, Tim Seifert drew light on the support from the fans in Australia. Further on, Tim also gave his opinion on the extra pressure on batters to start hitting from the first ball they face in modern-day T20s. However, he believes that the shortest format of the game still had room for calculative knocks.
Seifert also spoke about the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League. While mentioning that it’s a franchise he has been a part of before, the gloveman expressed his delight over the opportunity to representing the Kolkata-based side again. He also said that he has only played in the UAE, and was looking forward to represent the KKR in India this time. The three-time IPL champions had managed to fetch him in the IPL 2026 auction for INR 1.5 Crore.
Tim Seifert interview: Excited to experience the IPL in India
Below is the entire conversation between Arvind Kalyana Krishnan and Tim Seifert in text and video format:
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: Tim, I mean, you’re no stranger to the Big Bash. You’ve been here before. But in this season we have seen that the crowds have been amazing, so what is your feeling to play over here (In the BBL) this time around with so much support?
Tim Seifert: Yeah, look, the crowds have been unbelievable. Starting off in the derby, I think we had 60 odd thousand in MCG, then we had 40 odd thousand here in Marvel, so yeah, unbelievable, and the crowds have been great throughout the tournament.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: As we see right now, T20 cricket is transforming, no score is safe. Do you think right now there’s more pressure on batters to score from ball one?
Tim Seifert: Yeah, look……Not necessarily. I think you potentially got to you know, adapt to the conditions and then get yourself in and then go about it but look, the momentum of the game is you do look to go from ball one but look, every wicket is different. Some wickets allow you to go from ball one. Sometimes the depth of teams allow the openers to go from ball one, so there’s so many situations but yeah, on the whole you look to be positive especially in that powerplay.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: As far as the Indian Premier League is concerned, Kolkata Knight Riders managed to get you back. It’s a place you’ve played before and with the legacy KKR have, how excited are you to play for them in the upcoming edition of the IPL?
Tim Seifert: Yeah, look I’m very excited to be back at the IPL. Very excited to be back at Kolkata as well. Yeah, I’ve had a few seasons there. They were during Covid times so haven’t really experienced a full start to finish IPL in India. Yeah, I think we (Kolkata) have a very strong team as well, and yeah, hopefully it’s our year for Kolkata.
Tim Seifert is currently playing in the T20I series against India and featured in the second T20I where he scored 24 off 13 balls.
