David Warner made 34 in what is likely to be his penultimate innings in the long form of cricket as Australia reached 116 for two on the rain-disrupted second day of the third Test against Pakistan on Thursday.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the WTC Final played between Australia and India at The Oval in London on Saturday.
Alex Carey, twice dismissed playing the reverse sweep in the first Test, says he is looking to return to the basics.
'Any time Smith and Stoinis are there there's a chance. They are both quality players and given the opportunity, they would have taken the match closer.'
Mitchell Starc is likely to be available for the second Test against India but captain Pat Cummins has ruled out overhauling the squad.
Travis Head hammered a solid ton at the Oval as Australia dominated the proceedings over India on Day 1 of the WTC Final.
Any of these match ups could influence the outcome of the Perth Test.
Ashwin picked Smith's wicket in the first session of the Boxing Day Test on Saturday for a duck.
Pat Cummins leads Australia fightback after Pakistan take early honours
Matthew Wade's defiant century proved in vain as England bowled Australia out for 263 to win the final Test at The Oval by 135 runs on Sunday and ensure the first drawn Ashes series since 1972.
'It hasn't been easy for the batters throughout the series'
Australia coach Justin Langer has urged the struggling batsmen in his team to step up and deliver when the fifth and final Ashes Test against England starts at The Oval on Thursday.
Akash Deep reveals how Virat Kohli offered him one of his bats -- a bat that scripted a rare happy memory during India's otherwise devastating tour of Australia.
Australia laboured to a modest 263 all out on the opening day of the second Test against India in New Delhi
Cricketers missing from World Cup 2023.
New Zealand batter Kane Williamson remains at the top of the list with 883 rating points.
Images from the World Cup 2023 match between Australia and South Africa.
Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne is looking forward to the return of David Warner for the third Test against India in Sydney as he believes the the hosts will benefit not just from his batting but also the 'terrific energy' he will bring to the field.
Out-of-form skipper Rohit Sharma's batting position will be in focus against a dangerous Australia
Josh Hazlewood finished with a nine-wicket match haul as world champions Australia crushed a depleted West Indies by 10 wickets.
'He could be a huge loss. However we've got Todd Murphy waiting in the wings. He's been bowling beautifully in the nets.'
In the ODI rankings, Sri Lanka's two ODI matches at home against Zimbabwe =saw a number of movers, most notably on the bowling side through spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who moved to a career high rating (634) and rank (11th) with four wickets across the matches.
'...there'll be nerves and a bit of pressure, but that's all part of it, and I'm just excited to see what it all brings.'
Travis Head smashed a brilliant 137 as Australia cruised to their sixth World title after outclassing India by six wickets in the final on Sunday.
Travis Head smashed a T20-style century to put Australia firmly in control of the first Ashes Test on Thursday as England were hit by an injury crisis during a miserable day two in the field at the Gabba.
The match is delicately poised after a see-saw battle on Monday with Australia on 107-3 in their second innings chasing a victory target of 281 to take a series lead.
Australia are on the cusp of a series victory in Sri Lanka and captain Pat Cummins believes the exposure to sub-continental conditions augurs well for their next big target of winning a Test series in India next year.
The fourth Test will be played from January 5-9 at the SCG, with Australia having retained the Ashes after winning the first three games.
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar said India will be happy with the Oval pitch when they take on Australia in the WTC Final.
Australia's top order fired in unison to secure a six-wicket win over England with Dawid Malan's career-best 134 for the tourists in vain as in the first one-day international on Thursday.
Captain Rohit Sharma's return will certainly give solidity to the top order in the second ODI against Australia.
Latest pace sensation Shamar Joseph on Tuesday became the first West Indian to win the Men's ICC Player of the Month award for his heroics in the Australia Test series.
England's batting once again disappointed against Australia on Day 2 of the third Test
India were struggling at 128 for 5 in their second innings, still trailing Australia by 29 runs at stumps on day two of the day-night Test.
India clinched the four-Test series against Australia 2-1 after the fourth and final Test ended in a draw in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Images from the ICC World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand, in Dharamsala, on Saturday.
Hardik Pandya hasn't featured in Tests since 2018 and has only recently recovered from a career-threatening back injury.
Smith has managed just 10 runs in the first two matches, while Labuschagne could not capitalise on the starts
The Indian team, set to play the second Test against Australia from Friday, had to switch hotels in New Delhi.
Kohli, who made 0 and 62 in Chennai, stayed in fifth spot among batsmen with 838 points. Kane Williamson (919) of New Zealand retained the top position with Steve Smith (891) of Australia in second spot.
