The Sporting Hack

The build-up to the latest instalment of the Ashes series between Australia and England has ramped up a notch with 14 of the 15 players selected by the home side on domestic duty this week in preparation for the first test in Perth. We asked the artificial intelligence bots if they could shed any light on proceedings and, crucially, who would be lifting the urn in Sydney in January. TheSportingHack: “Firstly, what is the Sheffield Shield?” ChatGPT: ‘The Sheffield Shield is Australia’s domestic first-class cricket competition, featuring four-day matches between the six state teams (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania) from October to March. It began in 1892 and is the highest level of long-format cricket in the country. The top two teams after the season play in the Shield Final.’ TheSportingHack: “Does it have anything to do with Sheffield in the UK?”  ChatGPT: ‘Indirectly. It’s named after Lord Sheffield (Henry Holroyd, 3rd Earl ...

It could well be a case of back to the drawing board for the Cricket Australia selectors ahead of next month's eagerly anticipated Ashes series. Finding a suitable top order to take on the English in Perth in five weeks is arguably of greater concern than the ongoing injury woe surrounding skipper Pat Cummins. Those waiting by their phones in anticipation of squad selection are now midway through their four-match domestic audition. The chance seems to have all but passed by opener Sam Konstas ( above ).  The 20-year-old burst on to the test scene less than a year ago in dazzling fashion during the home series against India. With time away from the international arena to work on his game, his technique has been scrutinised by onlookers and exploited by a stream of opening bowlers. The latest of which, Australian teammate Scott Boland, did so inside four scoreless balls before the youngster partially redeemed himself with a far-from-fluent 53 in his second dig. The prospect o...