Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey is not interested in specialising in long-form work, although he is hoping for another Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) hundred when hosts take on Pakistan in the second Test, saying that "plenty of ODI and T20 cricket is still left in him."
The source added that team officials and selectors had discussed Afridi's case with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf.
A sharp mind with a penchant for trying out new things, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is relentless in his bowling approach and always tries to keep himself one step ahead of opposition batters, his long-time national team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara said.
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting found India's slow batting baffling in the third Test and feels that Cheteshwar Pujara's 106 off 319 balls may end up being the reason for their defeat.
Under pressure Australia may miss the services of controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds due to a knee injury in the second Test against South Africa starting from Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
South Africa's Jacques Kallis is still recovering from an elbow injury but is hopeful of playing in the second Test.
Australia humiliated Sri Lanka by an innings and 201 runs to win the second Test before tea on day three at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, and seal their three-match series 2-0.
Australia captain Steven Smith defended his decision to declare late and concede a draw four overs early in the third Test on Tuesday, saying India had contributed to the non-result with their tactics in the morning.
Michael Clarke struck a sublime century to become his country's highest Test run-scorer in a calendar year as Australia marched to an imperious 278-run lead at the close of day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Warner's participation was considered doubtful for the next red-ball assignments for Australia, especially after his horrendous run in India with the bat.
South Africa lost Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock among several experienced batters in recent years, leaving Elgar and Temba Bavuma to shoulder a heavy burden.
Green will have a period of rest ahead of the tour of India
Captain Steven Smith took a sharp catch to snare India's first wicket after scoring a big century to fire Australia to a mammoth first innings total of 530 on day two of the third Test in Melbourne on Saturday.
'But yes, Melbourne Test hundred was really special. I said in Melbourne that my Lord's hundred was special but many people told me that I think Melbourne hundred was better than my Lord's hundred.'
Captain Joe Root has denied trying to heap the blame on his bowlers for England's poor start to the Ashes series but insists they must be braver with the length of their bowling in the now crucial third Test.
A Web series Bandon Mein Tha Dum will chronicle the Indian cricket team's historic Test series win in Australia last year.
'This 36, wear it like a badge!' 'This 36 is what will make this team great.'
While the others seemed relaxed, Pujara stood at attention.
There is a possibility that India might play three pacers in the pink-ball Test.
'Your character stood out for me than the number of runs you scored," said India captain Virat Kohli while explaining his decision to give opening Mayank Agarwal a Test debut in the 2018-19 Australia series. Agarwal had made his Test debut against Australia in the third Test of the four-match series in Melbourne in December 2018. The opening batsman impressed in his very first outing for India, hitting a solid 76 in his very first innings in Test cricket and followed it up with 42 in the second.
Australia opener David Warner will miss the second Test against India this week because he left a biosecure bubble to receive treatment for a groin injury that would have ruled him out of the match in any case.
India bagged 30 points for their eight-wicket win. They are placed second with 390 points
Her opponent Bernarda Pera was not among that cohort and the American ousted the 2016 Australian Open champion 6-0 6-4 in little more than an hour on the first morning of the tournament.
An aggressive and impactful innings is what Mayank Agarwal's coach Irfan Sait is expecting from his ward
Usman Khawaja celebrated his recall to the Test arena after two years in the wilderness with a stylish 137 to drive Australia to a declaration on 416 for eight shortly before the close of play on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test on Thursday.
Left-arm pacer Thangarasu Natarajan earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad after he was named as the replacement for the injured Umesh Yadav for the last two games against Australia.
Sunil Gavaskar wants KL Rahul to open in place of an out-of-form Prithvi Shaw
Hardik Pandya shared a selfie with the Indian team players
Gavaskar opened up on the moment that almost led India to forfeit the match they would famously go on to win.
David Warner may play the third Test against India even if he is short of full fitness as Australia look to the veteran opener to strengthen the top order, assistant coach Andrew McDonald said on Thursday.
Australian coach and selector Darren Lehmann believes that his team displayed a shoddy fielding performance on account of lack of confidence during the Melbourne Test against India despite having a good practice session.
India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said criticism that the team does not play the short-ball well does not hold merit.
'... at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people's struggles.'
Young opener Shubman Gill and pacer Mohammed Siraj will make their Test debuts in the second Boxing Day Test against Australia, starting in Melbourne, on Saturday.
On Wednesday, the 31-year-old took to Twitter, to ask help from fellow teammate Rishabh Pant.
Former Australia bowling ace Glenn McGrath says it will be tougher to bowl to Steve Smith once he gets a start.
Ricky Ponting feels Ajinkya Rahane has done a great job for India 'to pick up the pieces' from the Adelaide debacle
The humiliation in Adelaide has opened up 'serious wounds' for India and Australia now have a good chance of inflicting on the visitors a whitewash in the four-Test series, reckons former captain Ricky Ponting.
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