Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord's.
The injury forced Smith to wear a wrist brace and miss the white ball tour of South Africa.
Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja would open the innings for Australia in the WTC final against South Africa while the fit-again Cameron Green would bat at the No. 3 position.
Jamie Smith will return from injury to keep wickets and bat at number three in England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday.
Smith and Green played vigilantly and stitched up a massive partnership to see off a comfortable victory in the three-match ODI series.
The West Indies Masters secured a thrilling eight-run victory over England Masters in the International Master League, thanks to an all-round team effort. After a strong start from Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith, England's spinners, led by Chris Schofield and Monty Panesar, turned the tide. However, late contributions from Deonarine and Ashley Nurse helped West Indies reach a respectable total of 179/6. England's chase faltered early, but a late partnership between Schofield and Chris Tremlett gave them hope. Ultimately, the West Indian bowlers held their nerve, securing a crucial win.
Beleaguered India seamer Prasidh Krishna has taken "complete responsibility" for his failure to hit the right lengths during a forgettable outing in the first Test against England, but said he was always trying to make it difficult for the English batters to score freely.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 1st Test between England and India at Headingley in Leeds on Saturday.
A B de Villiers described South Africa's squad as a well-balanced unit and backed them to pull off an upset against defending champions Australia.
Gill earns glory with maiden double hundred, puts India on top in second Test
Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal stunned Manchester City 4-3 in extra-time in Orlando on Monday to pull off one of the shocks of the Club World Cup.
Skipper Steve Smith said the opener, who suffered the quad injury while fielding but struggled on to scored 20 runs from 15 balls before the game was washed out, is unlikely to be fit to face India or New Zealand on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Gill second successive ton as skipper takes India to 310 for 5
This was India's seventh defeat in their last nine matches as their poor run in Test cricket continues following successive series defeats against New Zealand at home and in Australia.
Root surpassed 7000 runs in ODIs and also went past Eoin Morgan to become England's leading ODI run-scorer.
Australia will be aiming to become the first-ever side to defend their ICC WTC mace as they take on Proteas in the 'Ultimate Test' from June 11 onwards at Lord's.
Aiden Markram scored an unbeaten century as South Africa edged tantalisingly close to an unlikely success in the World Test Championship final, needing 69 runs to dethrone Australia after reaching 213-2 at stumps on the third day at Lord's on Friday.
India will ponder whether they want to include Washington Sundar, who is quite handy with the bat or Kuldeep Yadav, who is a much better wicket-taking option.
Australian batter Steve Smith with his unbeaten knock of 85n.o off 149 took him past many records on the first day of the second Test match of the Ashes 2023 series against England.
Temba Bavuma hopes South Africa's historic ICC World Test Championship Final victory will help his country 'rejoice and come together' as he revealed a desire to emulate the Springboks' all-conquering rugby team.
Ashwell Prince, South Africa's batting coach, labelled Aiden Markram as the "man for the big occasion" after the opener steered the Proteas towards what could be a famous run-chase in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia on Friday.
Gibbs said leadership develops with time, and Gill possesses the composure to grow into the role.
Australia's star batter Steve Smith has backed Virat Kohli's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, saying that strike rate does not need to be high on every wicket and the star batter plays according to situation.
Kohli's Test retirement makes Tendulkar's record of 100 centuries 'safe'
A 'special message' from India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on the eve of Cameron Green's back surgery gave the Australian all-rounder the much-needed reassurance about his decision to go under the knife.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith is confident that his country will end its long wait for an ICC trophy in 2023, with the Champions Trophy and World Test Championship final on the horizon. He believes the team is in a strong position to break their drought and is focused on developing the nation's cricket ecosystem ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Australia bowled out West Indies for 188 at Adelaide Oval on Day 1 of the first Test on Wednesday.
Australia's opening partnership has been the subject of much debate since David Warner retired and remains unresolved less than a month before the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
Australia had an intense three-hour practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai, focusing on their play against spin.
British media reports said all 10 English players involved with the IPL will hold a meeting with the Professional Cricketers' Association over security arrangements for a potential return to India.
Skipper Pat Cummins, who missed the tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child in February and was also ruled out of the Champions Trophy campaign with an ankle injury, will take the reins against South Africa.
"With 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India, Dhoni's numbers reflect not just excellence but extraordinary consistency, fitness and longevity," it said.
West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran was named the 'Leading T20 Player in the World'.
Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu starred in a dominant performance by India Masters, securing a six-wicket victory over West Indies Masters in the inaugural International Masters League.
On preparing for next two matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, two sides he has not played much in ODIs, Smith said that both teams have some quality spinners and it is important that the team bats well in middle overs against them.
Talk show host and actor Jada Pinkett Smith, 52, has revealed she and actor-husband Will Smith, 55, have been separated and have lived 'completely separate lives' since 2016.
Sunderland stun Sheffield United in playoff to return to Premier League
If history is anything to go by, Leeds always has room for a little magic.
England have named two uncapped players in Essex duo Sam Cook and Jordan Cox in the squad for the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge later this month.
Virat Kohli top-scored with a fluent 84 as India overpowered Australia by five wickets to storm into the ICC Champions Trophy final, in Dubai, on Tuesday.
