Universal’s Summer Cricket Guide

Universal’s Summer Cricket Guide, edited by Australian sports journalist and commentator Ken Piesse, is a yearly edition that contains your complete tour guide for the international and domestic cricket season ahead. Including insightful editorial coverage on each team and player with commentaries by leading industry insiders on topical issues. Each magazine also contains a market place section with a review of the latest products available.

Universals Summer Cricket Guide

2023-24 FIXTURES

AUSTRALIA’S NEW HORIZONS • A new breed of young internationals are contending for fame and fortune as Australia’s ageing Test team takes on a new look.

TOP OF THE WORLD • Australians figure prominently in the ICC’s springtime player rankings. Ten Aussie men and women are among the very best in the world.

SPINNING TO STARDOM • MARK BROWNING speaks with Australia’s Ashes newcomer Todd Murphy from the Murray River township of Moama.

UNLEASHING THE WILD THING • Lance Morris, the fastest bowler in Australasia, is primed to make a statement this summer, says MARK BROWNING

A BEACON OF HOPE • It has been 20 years since the West Indies won a Test match against Australia. One young star would love to break the hoodoo in 2024

IN WASIM’S FOOTSTEPS • Known for his exuberant celebrations, Shaheen Shah Afridi is sure to be a favourite in Australia again this summer

CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD • On the eve of the Ashes epics, Pat Cummins’ men clinched the 2023 World Test Championship after some heroics from Travis Head and Scott Boland.

THE BEST ASHES SERIES SINCE 2005 • It was a thrilling five Test series – the best since 2005 – with the result in doubt until the final stirring session at the Oval. KEN PIESSE reports.

SHADES OF THE INVINCIBLES • Australia 1, Bazball 0. After years of near misses at rowdy Edgbaston, Australia stole the opening Test, thanks to an unlikely pairing…

CHAOS AT LORD’S AS AUSSIES GO 2-0 • Lord’s had hosted no more stirring or provocative Test match. Ben Stokes’ thrilling counter-attack, the vile behavior from some Marylebone members, Bodyline revisited and the cheating accusations against the Australians made for a chaotic Test week.

WOOD THE ENFORCER TRIUMPHS • Mark Wood and England triumph in yet another gripping finish as the sun continues to set on David Warner’s headlining career.

AUSTRALIA’S RAINY ESCAPE • The first serious attacks on Pat Cummins and his leadership skills were launched after England’s early domination of the Manchester Test was ruined by relentless weekend rain gifting Australia a draw it didn’t deserve.

WOAKES THE WRECKER, AGAIN • There was more controversy over a ball change and England’s refusal to share a drink with the Australians after it had drawn the series 2-2 at Kennington Oval.

AUSTRALIAN PLAYER RATINGS

THE AUSTRALIANS

WHITE BALL CONTENDERS

MODERN DAY HERO • Babar Azam will have an immediate exulted status should Pakistan break its 30-year losing hoodoo downunder.

PAKISTAN

AUSTRALIA V PAKISTAN KEY STATS

TIME TO LIFT WINDIES • KEN PIESSE says a new hero or two is critical to the immediate future and success of West Indian red ball cricket.

WEST INDIES

AUSTRALIA V WEST INDIES KEY STATS

FAREWELLING THE BULL • One of the most momentous international careers of all is in its final stages. David Warner’s biographer KEN PIESSE reports.

WIN TICKETS TO THE NRMA TESTS

WA BOLSTERS PACE ARSENAL • All you need to know about Australia’s premier domestic red and white ball gateways.

MARSH CUP

NSW BLUES

QUEENSLAND BULLS

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

TASMANIA

VICTORIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

PUSH FOR MULTI-FORMATS • The Australian...