All rounder Steve Smith will lead Australia in the first Ashes test in Cummins’ absence. According to ESPNcricinfo, Smith averages 68.98 runs as captain compared to 49.90 without the role. Steve Smith as Australian Test Captain (ESPNcricinfo Facebook)

Australian test cricket captain Pat Cummins has officially been ruled out of the first Ashes test in Perth due to a back injury as confirmed by cricket Australia. Australian test cricket captain Pat Cummins (Australian Cricketers Association)

Australia has defeated India 2 games to 1 in the ODI circket series despite a loss in the final match at the SCG. Australia ODI series champions (Matt Renshaw Instagram)

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Mark Anolak told ABC Radio that 35 millimeters of rain fell across Melbourne. Anolak confirmed Sunday the 26th of October Newport road flooding (ABC News)

Flash floods, power cuts and significant home damage has rocked residents in Melbourne's west. SES reports Werribee (115 calls) and Hoppers Crossing (62 calls) were amongst the states worst hit suburbs. Wyndham home destroyed (Jane Bunn Weather Photography, 7 News Facebook)

VicSES received over 600 calls for assistance on Sunday afternoon. It comes with the SES reporting 260 incidents of building damage across the state. Werribee hit hard by a tornado (ABC News: Alexandra Alvaro)

Flash flooding in Melbourne was caused by a massive storm which swept through on Sunday afternoon. The BOM confirmed a tornado hit the outer western suburbs. Flooding in Melbourne CBD (ABC News)

The Marine Turtle Specialist Group has reclassified the green sea turtle to the category of least concern. Populations have increased by 17% since the 1970s, although habitat loss and degradation is still a threat for the animal. Image: Adobe

Teachers under 30 are most at risk of burnout. The 2025 Teaching and Learning International survey found 8% of teachers say their jobs affect their mental health “a lot”. Teacher Tarryn Dearden from Riverside College in Queensland said “There’s no downtime. It’s not a job you can put down when you leave “ Image: Wix

It's time for the Monday LJL cohort to sign off for the semester! Thank you for tuning in over the last 3 months, it's been an honour to bring you the stories that matter here, on Swinradio and on our socials! Goodbye for now! (GIF: Louie Cina)

Victorians have lost the most money than ever before on sports and race betting, according to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation . The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission Expenditure data  shows gambling expenditure was over 400 million dollars higher in the 2024-25 financial year than 2008-09. Spectators watch Moonee Valley race finish. (Photo: Courtney Black)

A thunderstorm asthma alert has been raised in Victoria with a VicEmergency moderate risk active until Tuesday. The alert comes just three weeks after Victoria released six new automated pollen counters to prevent a thunderstorm asthma epidemic.  Victorian Thunderstorm Asthma alert. (Photo: VicEmergency)