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West Indies Display Dominance with Convincing Victory over Australia in Warm-up Match

News on MEA ArdorComm Media Group West Indies Display Dominance with Convincing Victory over Australia in Warm-up Match

The West Indies showcased their strength ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 35-run triumph over Australia in a warm-up encounter in Trinidad. Led by Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 75, the Caribbean side posted a formidable total of 257/4, setting the stage for a resounding victory. Pooran’s blistering knock, embellished with eight sixes, set the tone for the West Indies’ power-packed batting display. Supported by captain Rovman Powell (52), Sherfane Rutherford (47*), and opener Johnson Charles (40), the West Indies treated their home crowd to a spectacle of aggressive stroke-play, amassing a staggering 18 sixes in total. Despite a valiant effort from Australia’s Josh Inglis (55), Nathan Ellis (39), and Ashton Agar (28), the target proved insurmountable for the 2021 T20 World Cup champions. The West Indies bowlers, spearheaded by Gudakesh Motie (2/31) and Alzarri Joseph (2/44), restricted Australia to 222/7, securing a convincing victory. In another warm-up fixture, Namibia clinched a narrow three-run win over Papua New Guinea in a rain-affected encounter. Despite Papua New Guinea’s Assad Vala’s inspired spell (2/17), Namibia managed to edge past their opponents, reaching 93/6 before rain halted play at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The West Indies’ dominant performance against Australia signals their readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup, bolstering their confidence as they aim to make a strong impression in the tournament.  

Australia Resumes Accepting TOEFL Scores for Visas

News on Education 1 1 ArdorComm Media Group Australia Resumes Accepting TOEFL Scores for Visas

Australia has reinstated the acceptance of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for all visa applications, as announced by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) on Monday. This decision comes after the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) suspended the acceptance of TOEFL scores in July last year pending a review. TOEFL iBT, which is accepted by 100% of Australian universities and over 12,500 institutions worldwide across 160 countries, will now be considered valid for Australian visa applications. Applicants who have taken the TOEFL iBT test from May 5, 2024, onwards are eligible to submit their scores as part of their Australian visa application. Sachin Jain, the country manager of ETS India & South Asia, expressed the organization’s commitment to facilitating global higher education and mobility through their assessments. Australia remains a preferred choice for Indian students and working professionals, with over 1.20 lakh Indian students studying in Australia last year. Additionally, with 9 Australian universities ranking among the top 100 global universities in the latest QS World University Rankings, Australia offers world-class higher education and post-study work opportunities. Apart from TOEFL, Australia accepts scores from several other English language tests undertaken at secure test centers for visa requirements, including: International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)* Pearson Test of English (PTE) Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced) Occupational English Test (OET), designed specifically for health professionals This decision to resume accepting TOEFL scores for visas underscores Australia’s commitment to facilitating international education and attracting talented individuals from around the world.  

Australia Captain Clarifies IPL Star’s Absence from T20 World Cup Selection

News on MEA 11 ArdorComm Media Group Australia Captain Clarifies IPL Star's Absence from T20 World Cup Selection

Australia’s newly appointed T20I captain, Mitch Marsh, has shed some light on why explosive batter Jake Fraser-McGurk missed out on selection for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despite his stellar performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Fraser-McGurk, who has been in scintillating form for the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL, was widely expected to be included in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup. However, his omission, along with former captain Steve Smith, surprised many cricket enthusiasts. Marsh acknowledged Fraser-McGurk’s outstanding talent and impressive performances in the IPL but emphasized that incumbent openers Travis Head and David Warner have been consistent performers for Australia and deserve their spots in the squad. While speaking on an Australian radio station, Marsh praised Fraser-McGurk’s contributions and expressed confidence in Australia’s current squad composition, stating, “We feel like we’ve got all bases covered within our team. Heady and David Warner have been fantastic for us, not only for a long period of time but over the last 18 months building towards this (T20) World Cup.” Fraser-McGurk’s remarkable strike rate and prolific run-scoring in the IPL have showcased his potential as a top-order performer in T20 cricket. Marsh acknowledged his rapid progress and predicted a bright future for the young talent, expressing optimism about his eventual return to the national team. With three half-centuries and a striking batting strike rate of 233.33 in the IPL, Fraser-McGurk’s dynamic batting style has caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide. Marsh highlighted his aggressive approach to the game and anticipated his continued success in the white-ball format. Despite missing out on the T20 World Cup selection this time, Fraser-McGurk’s impressive performances in domestic and franchise cricket suggest that he is a player to watch out for in the future, with Marsh expressing confidence in his potential to make a significant impact on the international stage.