5 hours ago England name four potential Women’s Ashes debutants for Australia tour

Knight’s side seeking first Ashes win in 10 yearsWomen’s series begins on 11 January with three ODIsEngland have named four potential Ashes debutants in their squad for next month’s multi-format series in Australia.Heather Knight’s side are bidding to win the Ashes for the first time in 10 years, with Australia retaining in a thrilling drawn series in England in 2023. Continue reading...

Politics

10 hours ago Victoria prepares for worst fire conditions since black summer as Grampians bushfire rages

Authorities warn travellers and tourists to be alert to emergency warnings with extreme fire danger forecast over much of NSW, Victoria, WA and SAGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria is preparing to face the most dangerous fire conditions since the 2019–20 black summer, with help from neighbouring states on the way.State Control Centre spokesperson Luke Hegarty said authorities were focused on preparing for very serious conditions forecast for Thursday and Friday.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailSign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

12 hours ago What is DAZN, the global streaming service behind the sale of Australian pay

British platform is backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik and run by Shay Segev, former chef executive of gambling giant EntainGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe global sports streaming service DAZN has agreed to buy a majority stake in the Australian pay-TV giant Foxtel and its subsidiary streaming services Kayo, Binge and Hubbl.The $3.4bn deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval, could boost the international profile of Australian sport and provide a major windfall to DAZN, which remains relatively unknown in Australia. Continue reading...

Economics

19 hours ago Immediate fire threat moves to NSW as Victoria continues to battle Grampians blaze

Authorities warn travellers and tourists to be alert to emergency warnings with extreme fire danger forecast over much of NSW, Victoria, WA and SAGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMillions of residents and travellers across several states have been warned to stay alert as the risk of Christmas week bushfires intensify.Several states entered Monday battling dangerous blazes or warning of potential outbreaks, including NSW, with hot, dry and windy conditions expected to pose extreme fire danger in Sydney.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

26 hours ago Pitch perfect: why listening to cricket on radio soothes a world that won’t hear sense

Waves crashing. Cicadas singing. And always the burble of cricket on the radio, unifying summers and people with its gentle pleasures for an uncertain worldMy father was a man of his generation, which meant when summer rolled around and the cricket season started, he insisted on muting Channel Nine’s coverage and blasting the ABC’s radio commentary instead.Ours was a complicated relationship but one thing for which I’ll be forever grateful was the way my father shared his love for Test cricket with me. I grew up as a cricket obsessive. My love for the game survived childhood, adolescence, and even the realisation that, given I was batting No 11 for South Melbourne under-12s, my dream to open the batting for Australia was unlikely to be fulfilled. Continue reading...

Politics

39 hours ago Victoria bushfire fight continues in Grampians as flood warnings persist in parts of Queensland

Firefighters battle to contain out-of-control blaze ahead of hotter conditions on Boxing DayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFirefighters battled to contain an out-of-control bushfire in Victoria’s west on Sunday before temperatures spike in the region on Boxing Day.The fire in Grampians National park, about three hours west of Melbourne, grew to 34,000 hectares on Sunday after it was ignited by a series of lightning strikes almost a week ago.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events