England cricket captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson are under investigation by the ECB after reportedly breaking a midnight curfew and being involved in an incident at a Chelsea nightclub. A security guard accompanying the players was injured, and the controversy has raised questions about team discipline and Stokes's future as captain.
England exploited to the full a Lord's pitch once again offering erratic bounce and lateral movement on Sunday to win the rain-interrupted first Test against New Zealand by 115 runs with a day and two sessions to spare.
Expect nothing less than hostility, fire and close contests as Ben Stokes' England come armed with their Bazball philosophy to try and get the better of a depleted Australia.
Usman Khawaja said he hoped his long Test career, which will come to an end with his retirement after the fifth Ashes clash, inspires youngsters who are "different" that playing cricket for Australia is possible.
A major fire swept through a furniture market in Shastri Park, northeast Delhi, destroying numerous shops and resulting in significant financial losses. Firefighting operations continued overnight, with locals alleging delays in response.
England need to alter their approach if they hope to claw their way back after their disastrous start to the Ashes series and avoid another drubbing, former Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson said.
'The most important job after colouring your hair is maintaining it, which a lot of Indian women forget.'
Similar measures were in place during the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26, where specialist police officers armed with semi-automatic rifles patrolled the stadium precinct, nearby parks and railway stations.
Australia, England registered shameful record during first Ashes Test at Perth as express pace dominates proceedings
Julian Metherell, Chairman of The Hundred franchise London Spirit, will succeed Ed Smith as the President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from October. Metherell, a long-time MCC member, was nominated by Smith and will serve a three-year term. The MCC, founded in 1787, owns Lord's Cricket Ground and governs the laws of cricket.
Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani has lauded Mitchell Starc's influence on younger players, highlighting his work ethic, mentorship, and ability to perform under pressure, as the team fights for an IPL play-off spot.
Richardson has, so far, played three Test matches since making his debut in 2018-19. The pacer has picked up 11 wickets at an average of 22.09.
The Ashes could be decided within days at an Adelaide Oval furnace where England's hopes of wresting back the urn will fire anew or flame out entirely against a strengthened Australia.
England's McCullum wants to keep 'pretty good gig' despite Ashes defeat
Sophie Molineux has recovered from a back injury and will captain Australia at the women's Twenty20 World Cup in England. Australia will aim for a record-extending seventh title after losing in the semi-finals in 2024.
Steve Smith and Travis Head hit centuries to help Australia dominate the third day's play by stretching their lead against England in the fifth and final Ashes Test.
'We haven't got everything right. I haven't got everything right as a coach and I put my hand up for that.'
Opening batsman Travis Head hopes Australia and England will share a drink after the Ashes winds up in Sydney to revive a tradition that fell by the wayside after the 2023 series.
Scott Boland will step up and uncapped Brendan Doggett is tipped for a high-stakes debut to try to shore up the loss of a combined 604 Test wickets of experience.
Joe Root and Harry Brook hit half-centuries to put England in control before bad light ended play early on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test.
Cricket Australia were left millions of dollars out of pocket, having to refund tickets for a confirmed sell-out crowd on day three at the 100,000-seat stadium and for another large crowd for day four.
Cameron Green could take on a new ODI finishing role as Australia prepare for the post-Glenn Maxwell era, with coach Andrew McDonald backing the all-rounder's versatility ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Cummins remains a doubtful for the Ashes opener at Perth starting on November 21 but Marsh is among the players who would be in fray for selection for the opening Test of the five-match series.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's lead pacer Josh Hazlewood admitted that his delayed entry into IPL 2026 due to rehabilitation was tough, emphasising the need to respect recovery time at 35 after multiple injuries since November 2025.
Paceman Josh Hazlewood has brushed off worries about Australia's ageing attack for the Ashes, saying he personally feels as good as he has in a long time and that the unit's experience of bowling together is a major advantage for the team.
'We've just got to stand up in them certain situations, read the game slightly better (and) just have a little bit of grit and determination about you.'
England's Ashes hopes rest largely on the all-round performance of talismanic captain Ben Stokes, who took 17 wickets against India in the recent home series.
Cummins is also unlikely to feature in the first Ashes Test, starting November 21 in Perth, and in that scenario former skipper Smith will captain Australia.
Their last eight Tests in Perth have all been defeats, with the most recent setback a bitter innings and 41-run capitulation in 2017 that saw Joe Root's team surrender the urn.
England fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney after tearing his left hamstring, the team said on Monday.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has eased back into bowling in his rehabilitation from a lower-back injury.
England's fightback to draw the last Ashes series 2-2 is a useful reminder to Australia that they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas with a 2-0 lead this time around, Cameron Green said on Sunday.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting tips confident England to pose real Ashes threat.
'I think it's a huge credit to (head coach) Andrew McDonald, the coaching staff and the medical staff that we feel like we've got a big squad that we can draw on.'
Images from Day 2 of the 3rd Ashes Test in Adelaide on Thursday
Cricket Australia has announced its contracted player list for 2026/27, with some notable changes including the omission of Glenn Maxwell and Sam Konstas, and the inclusion of Brendan Doggett.
The stand-in Australia captain was asked about Panesar's recent comments that England should shame Smith over his involvement in "Sandpapergate" to get a psychological edge in the series, which starts in Perth on Friday.
IMAGES from Day 5 of the 3rd Ashes Test in Adelaide on Sunday.
'My body feels great right now, I am very confident of getting through all five (Tests) without any dramas.'
Ravichandran Ashwin analyses Priyansh Arya's dip in form for Punjab Kings, attributing it to bowlers figuring him out. He also criticises Arshdeep Singh's bowling strategy in the death overs.
