Australia's David Warner, on Friday, completed 1000 runs in 2014 en route his century in the second innings of the first cricket Test against India in Adelaide, becoming the first opener to achieve the feat since England skipper Alastair Cook in 2012.
Hales's inclusion was seen as a risk by some pundits and his patchy lead-up form spilled into the early matches at the tournament with 19 against Afghanistan and seven versus Ireland.
India skipper Rohit Sharma on Thursday said that his players crumbled under pressure in a high-stakes T20 World Cup semi-final against England.
Virat Kohli was accused of 'fake fielding' by Bangladesh's wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan.
'I just can't see how they can bounce back (after) Australia whitewashed them on the third day. So 'no' is the answer -- four-nil to Australia'
Australia have rested Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus from their squad for the third and final Test against South Africa as the pace duo continue to recover after shouldering heavy workload in the last Test in Adelaide.
'We do the necessary checks (and) Will's good to go, so we're hopeful that he'll be fine all the way through.'
India will usher in 2016 with a three-week tour of Australia, comprising five ODIs and three T20 Internationals, starting January 12.
Australian limited overs international Dan Christian has been suspended for one match by South Australia for smashing up three dressing rooms this season.
Pakistan, who have lost 13 consecutive Tests in Australia, were in big trouble at 39 for three when rain forced an early end
Rilee Rossouw smashed a sparkling 78 off 50 balls to drive a youthful South Africa side to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
England are being "too nice" and need to "get nasty" against Australia in the Boxing Day Test to fight back in the Ashes series, said former skipper Michael Vaughan.
Factbox on third Test between Australia and New Zealand, which starts in Adelaide on Friday.
Once Virat leaves, Rahane would be leading the Indian side for the remaining three Test matches.
Steven Smith's unbeaten knock on Day 2 of the first Test against India provided an endorsement of the 25-year-old's leadership credentials in case Australia skipper Michael Clarke's body finally gives out.
Rain played spoilsport on Day 2 of the first Test between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval. It caused three interruptions, but in the 30 overs that were bowled, Australia captain Michael Clarke did well to fight off pain and score 128, and Steve Smith a career-best 162 not out, as India's hapless bowling attack got a beating. At stumps, Australia were 517 for 7. A look at the statistical highlights from the start-stop day.
India wants to host a day-night Test against Australia early next year, according to a report, as the world's richest cricket board continues its backing of the concept which seems to be taking root in the subcontinent.
Australia bowled out West Indies for 188 at Adelaide Oval on Day 1 of the first Test on Wednesday.
Among the countries that have directly qualified for the Super 12 are defending champions Australia and runner-up New Zealand.
Scans reveal early stage stress fracture in Starc's right foot after he was forced from field for treatment
History is also a bit against India when it comes to results at the business end of the ICC events.
The seven-run win on Friday could be the catalyst for the Aussies as they looked ahead to India's visit Down Under later in the Australian summer.
Captain Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting ground the hapless Indian bowlers with a huge partnership to help Australia to a mammoth first innings total of 604-7 (declared) on the second morning of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide on Wednesday. India were at a shaky 61 for 2 in reply.
'I'm pretty sure all the fans across various teams are quite excited and looking forward to this tournament. And also as players (we) can't wait to get started.'
The new India, according to Kohli, is the one that's not afraid to take up challenges.
Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan on Sunday said that the idea of experimenting with the pink ball and the day and night Test would be a flop from the perspective of attracting more spectators to the stadium to watch the game in real time.
England meet Australia at Adelaide Oval on Thursday in the first of three one-dayers, a series with nothing major at stake for either team. All-rounder Moeen Ali said it was "horrible" to have another game so soon after Sunday's final.
Images from the third final of the CB series between Australia and Sri Lanka at Adelaide.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Ashes Test played at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Tuesday
Images from the Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test played between Australia and England in Adelaide on Monday
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon made his way back into the Australian squad at the expense of pacer Mitchell Starc for the fourth and final cricket Test against India starting in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Ricky Ponting advised star batters Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to stop trying hard to rediscover their best and pushing themselves too hard and just focus on watching the ball and scoring runs.
'No one was able to beat South Africa but Pakistan have shown they are beatable'
India fast bowler Bumrah has achieved a career-high ranking of 33rd, after his three for 47 and three for 68 at Adelaide helped him to rise five places.
The 30-year-old will now have the chance to soak up a first Test in front of family and friends as Australia look to push for a 2-0 series lead.
Photos of the World Cup Pool B game between Pakistan and Ireland being played in Adelaide
The dawn of a new era had begun under Sourav Ganguly's aggressive leadership. With Ganguly and Coach John Wright at the helm India had transitioned into a force to be reckoned with.
'No more red ball... it doesn't swing, it doesn't do anything, goes soft after 25 overs. It has been pathetic for so long now. Except for the Dukes ball in England, it has been rubbish.'
Jadeja, who suffered a concussion during the first T20 international, also sustained a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the first Test.
Cricket fans paid tribute to the late Test batsman Phillip Hughes on the first anniversary of his death.
