Mitchell Johnson's double blow left West Indies reeling at 134 for five at close of play on Day 2 of the first Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, on Friday.
A captain's century hewn from granite and two wickets in a fiery pace assault after tea saw Australia wrest the momentum away from England on day three of the series-opening Ashes Test in Brisbane on Saturday.
India will play four Test matches against Australia with the first five-day contest commencing in Adelaide on December 6.
'India's resilience has got to give up at some stage. They can't keep doing what they've been doing, being so resilient, and tomorrow it might be that day. The last day of the series, potentially playing for another draw, I've just got a feeling that something's got to give. And Australia on the other hand, they know they have to go flat out and give everything to win the series.'
Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has brushed aside the impression that he will take retirement from international cricket after the upcoming Australia tour, saying he is still fit and will continue to play for the country until his side needs him. "I will continue to play for Pakistan until my team needs me and there are no issues with my fitness level as I am quite fit," the Dawn quoted Misbah as saying. Meanwhile, Misbah also called on his side to put up a great performance against the Steve Smith-led team in the three-match Test series beginning at the Gabba on December 15.
Australia appear confused by picking wicketkeeper Tim Paine for the Ashes squad against England as he is not even the first choice selection for his state side, retired leg-spinning great Shane Warne said.
He scripted a memorable comeback snapping five wickets to set up England's nine-wicket win over India in the tri-series and pacer Steven Finn said he was happy to see that his hard work finally paid off.
Australia's Matthew Wade struck his maiden one-day century to help secure a comprehensive 92-run victory over a disjointed Pakistan in the first one-day international in Brisbane on Friday.
Rohit is another batsmen that could give the home team plenty of headache in the limited overs leg of the series beginning on Wednesday.
West Indies captain Jason Holder will miss the third and final Test against England after being banned by the International Cricket Council because of his team's slow over rate during the second match in Antigua.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes was named on Wednesday in a 16-man squad for the Ashes tour to Australia despite being arrested earlier in the week for an altercation outside a Bristol nightclub.
The second Test against India starts in Adelaide on Friday.
Blame, not credit, was the bitter medicine required after England saved the first Ashes Test at the Gabba with a record-breaking second innings, Australia's media decreed on Tuesday.
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Dhawan was forced to cancel a trip to hospital for X-Rays on the injury and returned to the middle to resume his innings.
India have complained about the uneven bounce on the practice pitches at the Gabba nets after Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli were injured warming up for the fourth day of the second Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
Australia paceman Mitchell Starc is in doubt for the return Ashes series against England after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back.
Australia coach Tim Nielsen has said that Australia will not hesitate to unleash four fast bowlers against India in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
- 'As a captain, I think first and foremost I'll try to lead from the front with my performance on the field' - 'It's a different kettle of fish (leading) Australia, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge'
Australia wrapped up a morale-boosting one-day series victory over England with two games to spare after a 51-run win in the fifth match at the Gabba on Sunday.
Australia wrapped up a morale-boosting one-day series victory over England with two games to spare after a 51-run win in the fifth match at the Gabba on Sunday.
Andrew Flintoff said England were still confident of retaining the Ashes despite losing the first Test of the five-match series by 277 runs on Monday.
England captain Andrew Flintoff said his young team were still upbeat despite their dire situation in the opening Ashes Test.
He remains a doubt for this week's first Ashes Test despite being cleared of any fractures.
Match referee Mike Procter also fined the rest of the team Procter also fined the rest of the Indian team five per cent of their match fees for slow over rate.\n\n
A bellicose Mike Hussey hit 81 not out to lead Australia to 220 for five when play was abandoned early on the second day of the first Ashes Test against England on Friday.
Australian middle-order batsman Michael Hussey led a counter-attack for the home team after England dominated the second session of Day 2 of the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday.
Australia's Ricky Ponting and England's Andrew Strauss talk of the importance of the first hour and the first delivery of the Ashes.
Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke completed a net session at the Gabba, telling team-mates he felt good as he raced to be fit in time for the start of the first Ashes Test against England's cricketers on Thursday.
The Australian skipper remained unbeaten on 137 with Hussey as Australia cruised to 346 for three on day one of the first Test.
The Australian leg-spinner pleaded guilty to the charges of improper conduct but his appeal against the length of the ban was rejected.
Ahead of their departure, the skipper shared a picture on Twitter and captioned it as: "Next stop, New Zealand."
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 1st Test between Australia and Sri Lanka on Thursday
The next time Darren Lehmann sends out a team will be in the Ashes opener against England and the Australia coach already has some firm ideas of who will be playing in Brisbane after a mixed tour of Bangladesh.
Simon Katich fell eight runs short of a century as Australia finished Day 1 in the opening Test against the West Indies on 322 for 5, in Brisbane, on Thursday.
Ricky Ponting's woes continued as Australia were dismissed for just 214 on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba (Brisbane), on Thursday.
Maxwell closer to return, trains with Victoria
The stocky left-hander has been passed fit for the first Test against New Zealand, starting on Thursday, after recovering from a hamstring strain.
The 35-year-old had put together a record partnership of 307 runs for the sixth wicket with Brad Haddin before the wicketkeeper was caught by Paul Collingwood off the bowling of Graeme Swann for 136.
The off-spinner claimed just one for 169 from 35 overs in the first Test at Brisbane.
