England in Australia

Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist was released from hospital on Tuesday is expected to be fit for Thursday's first Ashes Test against England. The 30-year-old had been on an intravenous antibiotic drip to treat an infected elbow injury. Speaking on Monday, Gilchrist said: "It's frustrating not being able to train but I'm working on the basis this is a frustration and nothing more. "I'm keen to get back on deck as soon as possible and my expectation at this stage is that I will be fully fit and ready to play in the Test match come Thursday morning." Gilchrist is one of Australia's key players - as well as being wicket-keeper and vice-captain, he is also one of the world's best batsman. England pace bowler Darren Gough still believes he can play a part in the Ashes series, despite his recurring knee trouble. Captain Nasser Hussain hinted that Gough might not be fit for any of the five-Test series having been sent to the national Academy in Adelaide for rehabilitation. But Gough said he remained positive that he could return. "I'm doing round-the-clock training. If I was knackered I'd be off home," Gough said in Adelaide. "I've come here to get out of the way. The 15 players available get priority with physios and trainers." Gough has not played Test cricket for over a year, and has had surgery on his left-knee on three occasions. He reported swelling and discomfort in his knee after bowling two separate spells in the nets in Brisbane on Sunday.

Sri Lanka in South Africa

Neil McKenzie has earnt his recall to the South Africa side for the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting in Johannesburg on Thursday. McKenzie had been left out of the side since the visit of Australia in March amid rumours of personality differences within the team. But he has forced his way back in thanks to some impressive early season form, including 160 for South Africa A against Sri Lankan last week. The selectors had been expected to keep faith with the bulk of the side that beat Bangladesh 2-0 recently but allrounder Andrew Hall and veteran seamer Steve Elworthy also return. Batsman Martin van Jaarsveld loses his place, having managed 50 runs in the two Tests, despite the rest of the order cashing in. Also out of the squad is the paceman David Terbrugge, who was dropped for the second Test against Bangladesh despite match figures of seven for 89 in the first match.

Pakistan in Zimbabwe

Tour match, Harare, day one: Zimbabwe A 200-5 v Pakistan 456-6 dec Pakistan's batsmen continued to gain some valuable match practice before declaring on 456 for six in their warm-up match against Zimbabwe A at Harare. The bowlers then reduced the hosts to 200-5 before bad light stopped play. Hasan Raza with an unbeaten 64, Shahid Afridi (49) and Kamral Akmal (43 not out) all had productive stays at the crease to add to 80s by Younis Khan and Taufeeq Umar the previous day. With Waqar Younis rested, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami led the Pakistan attack but they found some resistance from their opponents. Three of Zimbabwe A's players with Test experience led the way with Mark Vermeulen (43), Gavin Rennie (48) and skipper Guy Whittall (67 not out) all playing significant knocks. Akthar had a fruitless day but youngster Sami blitzed through the middle order late on, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick to peg Zimbabwe A back from a promising 171 for two.

Miscellaneous

Lehmann will be Australia's new short leg fieldsmen, replacing Justin Langer who has stepped aside through medical advice. Langer was taken to hospital after being struck a fearsome blow while fielding at short leg during the recent Test series against Pakistan in Sharjah. "It is for health reasons and the sanity of my family," Langer said yesterday. "I have been hit five times in the last 12 months and three of those have been pretty traumatic. I don't think of it when I am batting but when you are at bat pad it gives you a good chance of being hit there. "I love fielding there, I always have, but having been hit a few times, I don't know whether you lose your nerve but you are always a bit conscious of it. "It will be nice to wear the baggy green all day and not half the day." The baton was handed over to Lehmann at training yesterday, where Langer and coach John Buchanan gave the South Australian a series of short, sharp catches.

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