Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed was named an Australian citizen on Tuesday, clearing the final procedural hurdle for his selection for the Ashes series against England starting on July 10.
England cricket selectors have super-sized their fast bowling attack for the coming Ashes tour, recalling giant Chris Tremlett for the five-Test series starting on November 25 in Brisbane.
In the cold light of defeat and without Smith's large shadow, Australia's batsmen have nowhere to hide and most head to Old Trafford in dire form.
Cummins's career haul is particularly noteworthy for a player who started his Test career aged 18, but spent more than five years out of the team due to a succession of injuries.
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said, the struggling David Warner missed out on a golden opportunity to retire in front of his home crowd.
'There has not been a clear direction on what he's going to do yet, but we are still hopeful. I've always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field.'
Mitchell Marsh said on Tuesday he will gladly captain Australia for as long as required as the all-rounder prepares to lead the Twenty20 and one-day sides on a tour of South Africa.
All-rounder Shane Watson could recover from a hamstring injury in time to face England in the first Ashes Test starting in two weeks, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday.
Australia captain Steve Smith played down a tense stand-off in pay negotiations between the players' union and the national cricket board, saying his team is highly motivated to cut a deal and play the Ashes against England.
Rain denied England's batsmen a chance to inflict further misery on Australia A's hapless bowlers, washing out the entire second day's play in the four-day Ashes tour match in Hobart on Thursday.
Factbox on the second Test match between Australia and England, which starts on Saturday:
If KL Rahul leads Lucknow Super Giants to their maiden IPL title, he will automatically be rewarded with a spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, reckons head coach Justin Langer, who wants his team's national hopefuls to "concentrate" on doing well for the franchise first.
After all the hype before Australia start their Ashes defence in a series delayed by the Twenty20 World Cup, both captains seemed happy to stop talking and start playing.
James Anderson and Ian Bell produced scintillating performances against Australia to clinch the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday. Rediff.com brings you the turning points of the match.
The former England captain has urged pitch curators against preparing flat decks
Smith, however, had developed symptoms overnight and after further testing on Sunday, which is part of the process, Saw ruled him out of the fifth day.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said that Mitchell Johnson's blistering start to the Ashes summer had its foundations in the Indian Premier League back in April.
Australia should focus on the form of Steve Smith and Brad Haddin rather than blame Shane Watson for their first Ashes Test defeat, according to former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Ollie Pope, whose sensational 196 formed the core of England's 28-run win over India in the first Test in Hyderabad, said on Sunday that he practiced those sweeps and reverse sweeps extensively before arriving on these shores.
Buttler has not managed a single half-century in seven matches so far, while England have reached a 200-plus total only twice in their last five matches
Usman Khawaja has been handed the chance to audition for an Ashes place after being named in the Australia 'A' side to face England two weeks before the first Test.
England would topple Australia as the world's top test team if they successfully defend the Ashes by the unlikely margin of three victories.
The Australian opener will join Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in making his final Test appearance this week.
Archer was released by the franchise last week. His name doesn't figure in the list of players who have registered for the IPL auction, set to be held on December 19 in Dubai.
Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile could miss the Ashes series against England after breaking down with another back injury.
Steve Smith was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer in the first innings at Lords and was replaced by 'concussion sub' Marnus Labuschagne for the second innings.
An Indian-origin rookie Australian pace bowler has been tipped as a probable hope for the Ashes after an explosive start to his first-class career and adapting well to the pressures of the Sheffield Shield.
Having been out of the longest format of the game, Chris Woakes is hoping to return to the England line-up for the Ashes.
Sriram Raghavan's new film was supposed to go on the floors this month.
Some 17 months on, with his rehabilitation after a one-year ball-tampering ban apparently completed, the 32-year-old will return to the Test arena at Edgbaston on Thursday at the start of his sixth Ashes series.
Images from day one of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia in Nottingham, on Wednesday.
Ricky Ponting has offered technical advice to Australia's batters Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head to counter England's bowling attack ahead of the second Ashes Test.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.
Penpix of players in Australia's Ashes squad.
Australia will field the same team in the second Ashes Test against England, captain Steve Smith said on Friday, with uncapped local seamer Chadd Sayers and quick Jackson Bird again missing out.
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is being considered for the test side in the Ashes series against England starting in November, selector Allan Border said on Thursday.
'I know how hard he has worked to try to get back fit and I hope it is not too bad and he can get back as soon as possible.'
Dazzling, dancing and decked to the hilt, courtesans in Hindi films are a breathtaking mix of shiny fantasy and flirtatious poetry to behold.
Steve Harmison's poor form with the ball was the focus of much of the criticism.
'You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to actually get some hatred about them to actually get up when you're out there. History is a big part in this and that is what carries us onto the ground'
