England still blinking after perfect Ashes start.
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell feels New Zealand are the dark horses even though India and South Africa will challenge Australia for the trophy.
Australia beat New Zealand by 87 runs in the third one-day international in Auckland on Saturday to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Abdul Razzaq's all-round performance helped Pakistan hand Australia their first defeat of the ODI series.
Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist blasted centuries as Australia opened up 211-run lead in the first innings at the end of the third day in the first Test.
Jacob Oram blasted a career-best 126 not out to help the Kiwis reach a first innings total of 353. Australia were 197 for four in reply.
Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke grabbed centuries and combined for 251 runs to drive Australia to 335 for 3 as India wilted in the Adelaide sun on the opening day of the fourth Test on Tuesday.
With strong hosts expected to challenge, a highly-fancied South Africa face their demons.
As India took an unassailable 2-0 lead over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series, a dejected Allan Border opened up on the visitor's loss.
Clarke, like most of the visiting batsmen, has struggled in the English conditions and is averaging 18 compared to his Test career average of almost 50.
Steve Waugh has backed calls from fellow former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and West Indies great Michael Holding for cricket chiefs to rid Test cricket of the toss.
Australia railed at suggestions their team resembled a 'Dad's Army' but the evidence supplied by the first four Ashes Tests against England suggests it was not an unfair moniker.
After several losses in the early years of the new century, a resurgent India notched up two consecutive series wins in Australia to become the Aussies' nemesis.
Scenes from the post triumph celebrations after Australia won its first T20 World Cup championship at the Dubai international cricket stadium on Sunday.
Following is reaction to England's victory over Australia by an innings and 87 runs in the fourth test on Saturday which ensured they will regain the Ashes.
Australian captain Michael Clarke made his expected declaration overnight and then his bowlers worked their way through the South African batting line-up to dismiss them for 287 and claim an overall lead of 207 runs.
Chris Rogers fell for 95, failing to turn a half-century into a hundred for the seventh Test innings in a row as Australia ended the second day of the first Test on 264 for five, 166 behind England on Thursday.
Pre-tournament favourites Australia currently occupy third spot in Pool A.
Australia's troubled Ashes tour of England continued when they drew with county side Northamptonshire on Sunday.
Virender Sehwag, who has recently called time on his glorious international cricket career, says the sadness of being 'deprived of a farewell game shall always remain' in his mind.
Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed is likely to make his full Australia debut over the next month after being named as the specialist spinner in the squad for six one-day and two Twenty20 internationals against England on Thursday.
