IMAGES from Day 1 of the opening Ashes Test played between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday.

As the prestigious Ashes gets underway, here's a look at the milestones that can be achieved.

Has any cricketing legend asked the all-powerful BCCI Secretary Jay A Shah how selections are taking place without a chief selector in place for the last four months? Who takes all the important decisions at selection meetings?, asks Harish Kotian.

Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur led India's spirited fightback, but Australia were sitting in control after stretching their lead to 296 runs at stumps on Day 3.

Pat Cummins produced a vicious bowling onslaught to leave India battered and bruised as Australia took a 296-run lead on day three.

IMAGES from Day 3 of the WTC Final between Australia and India, played at The Oval, in London, on Friday.

Team India is all set to take on Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship final from Wednesday at The Oval and this 'Ultimate Test' also brings with it a set of milestones that players can establish during the course of the match.

Travis Head likes the way England skipper Ben Stokes and Head coach Brendon McCullum are leading the English Test team.

India has lost three finals and on four occasion it bit dust at the semifinal stage. It also made an exit at the preliminary stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

India have recalled Ajinkya Rahane to reinforce their batting line-up, which will have to be at its best to negate the Australian attack.

This is India's second appearance in the WTC final after losing the inaugural game in 2021 to New Zealand.

'I don't think Shami had any doubts that Ravi would stick by his word, but to see the head coach move heaven and earth to ensure his best interests were taken care of at a difficult time must have made a massive impact on him.' A fascinating excerpt from R Sridhar's must-read book Coaching Beyond: My Days with the Indian Cricket Team.

Hazlewood makes the cut as Australia confirm WTC final squad

Ahead of the WTC final between India and Australia, Ricky Ponting picked Australia's playing XI.

A howler by Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea gifted West Ham United three vital points in their battle against relegation as the hosts secured a 1-0 Premier League win.

At a time when the overall narrative is around India being an attractive investment destination, the two American multinationals are more specific in projecting India as their centrepiece.

David Warner has been under pressure after a poor run of form with the bat but returned after injury to the 17-man squad for the June 7 WTC final against India at The Oval and the first two Ashes Tests.

IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday

Images from Tuesday's action in the Premier League

Manchester City needed a second-half penalty from striker Erling Haaland to break the resistance of a dogged Crystal Palace.

India have already secured the Border-Gavaskar trophy and they will now be playing for a record-extending 16th straight series win at home

Play three pacers, include Boland in Indore, says Kasprowicz

Australia laboured to a modest 263 all out on the opening day of the second Test against India in New Delhi

The Indian team, set to play the second Test against Australia from Friday, had to switch hotels in New Delhi.

Ahead of the second test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series, Australian skipper Pat Cummins admitted that it has been a bit of an adjustment and the spinners were struggling.

Green's return would allow Australia to harness uncapped Matt Kuhnemann with Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy in a three-pronged spin attack

Cheteshwar Pujara is set to play his 100th Test match when India take on Australia for the 2nd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Borussia Dortmund snatched a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday

The four-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy that promises a lot of twists and turns, engrossing sub-plots and probably career-defining performances.

Australia's blockbuster four-Test series against India will be the greatest challenge Pat Cummins has faced in his young captaincy as he looks to conquer the "final frontier".

Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the English Premier League with Eddie Nketiah scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat of Manchester United, including a 90th-minute winner.

Australia have kept their bowling options wide open for India tour

Images from Day 1 of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG on Wednesday.

Images from Day 4 of the second Test between Australia and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Images from Day 3 of the second Test between Australia and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

South Africa in trouble at 58-4 in 'Boxing Day' Test

Take a look at top picks of all 10 IPL teams

Australia completed victory at the Gabba in two days, batting marginally better than the Proteas on a perilous, grassy pitch that South Africa captain Dean Elgar complained was unfair to the batters. T

Travis Head struck a belligerent half-century to give Australia the upper hand on day one of the series-opening Test against South Africa after the home side's bowlers dominated on a green Gabba wicket on Saturday.

The hosts then raced to 199-6 in 31 overs, effectively batting West Indies out of the contest, before declaring their second innings.