Australia made a confident start in the third Ashes Test against England as Shane Watson's unbeaten fifty lifted them to 126 for one on a rain-disrupted first day on Thursday.
The pitches might not have been entirely in their favour, but the Indian pacers' ability to strike at vital situations has made a sea of difference in the Test series against England, reckons top-order batter Shubman Gill.
The International Cricket Council is taking allegations in a British newspaper about attempts to organise spot-fixing during the third Ashes Test "extremely seriously" but do not think the match has been compromised, global cricket's governing body said on Thursday.
Ball will be thrown into the Gabba cauldron in just his fourth test after recovering from a sprained ankle that saw him scratched from the tour match in Adelaide and rested for the final warm-up in Townsville last week, where Overton bowled.
IMAGES from Day 9 of the US Open, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York.
Australia recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine for the first time in seven years in a selection bombshell while dropping opening batsman Matt Renshaw in a surprising Ashes squad for the series against England.
England leg spinner Mason Crane will make his debut in the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia this week after all-rounder Chris Woakes was ruled out of the match by injury, captain Joe Root said on Wednesday.
'There has not been a clear direction on what he's going to do yet, but we are still hopeful. I've always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field.'
The overhaul of South Africa's coaching structure has given the team a major boost as they get ready to take on England in a four-Test series which begins on Thursday, captain Faf du Plessis said. Meanwhile, veteran pacer James Anderson will be back on the frontline for England, for what will be his 150th Test.
Openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook both posted centuries on Sunday to wipe out England's first innings deficit and give the tourists the chance of a draw in the first Ashes Test against Australia.
Ashwin is the second highest wicket-taker in Tests for India behind Kumble (619), and the former India leg-spinner wasn't one bit surprised.
Mitchell Marsh said on Tuesday he will gladly captain Australia for as long as required as the all-rounder prepares to lead the Twenty20 and one-day sides on a tour of South Africa.
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has backed himself to be fit for the first Ashes Test in two weeks and dismissed an untimely hamstring injury as a "niggle".
Australia moved within six wickets of reclaiming the Ashes at the close of a rain-hit day four of the third Ashes Test on Sunday, with England still 127 runs short of making the hosts bat again.
Steve Smith continued his build up for the fourth Ashes Test by heading straight to the practice nets after being dismissed in Australia's tour match against Derbyshire on Thursday.
Having been out of the longest format of the game, Chris Woakes is hoping to return to the England line-up for the Ashes.
Steve Smith's manager debunks former Australian captain's retirement talks
Michael Clarke's touring side will attempt to win the urn on English soil for the first time in 14 years and Alastair Cook's hosts will try to win back the trophy following their crushing 5-0 defeat in the last series Down Under.
England team director Andy Flower will reportedly step down from his post after the end of the return Ashes series starting in November in Australia.
'I started watching videos of Shane Warne sir, and that's where I realised what leg-spin is. He was my idol, and I wanted to be like him, bowl like him.'
England captain Ben Stokes on Saturday said staying true to the 'Bazball' approach did not work and conceded that India were too good in their own conditions, always finding a way to wriggle out of tight curves.
The Adelaide Oval curator will seek to juice up what has traditionally been a docile pitch for the second Ashes Test between Australia and England next week, meaning batsmen may be in for a torrid opening.
England fast bowler James Anderson will not play in the final Ashes test against Australia at The Oval due to a side strain, captain Alastair Cook said on Wednesday.
"The Test at the Oval will be my last," Clarke said in an interview to Sky Sports after the match.
Kevin Pietersen was included in a 14-man squad for next week's third Ashes Test against Australia at Old Trafford despite concerns over his calf injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday.
Cummins's career haul is particularly noteworthy for a player who started his Test career aged 18, but spent more than five years out of the team due to a succession of injuries.
Ricky Ponting has offered technical advice to Australia's batters Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head to counter England's bowling attack ahead of the second Ashes Test.
Images from Day 5 of the 3rd Ashes Test played at the WACA in Perth on Monday
'People tell me you know when you know and I felt like this is the right time'
Buttler has not managed a single half-century in seven matches so far, while England have reached a 200-plus total only twice in their last five matches
'I know how hard he has worked to try to get back fit and I hope it is not too bad and he can get back as soon as possible.'
IMAGES from Day 4 of the fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.
England host Australia in the first Ashes test starting on Wednesday without any of the obvious benefits of home advantage in a new venue with a relaid outfield.
Former South African tweaker Johan Botha believes Pakistan refugee spinner Fawad Ahmed is the missing link in Australia's plot to regain the Ashes and No.1 Test ranking.
Pat Cummins played the last three IPL tournaments with Kolkata Knight Riders but cut short his 2022 campaign due to a hip injury.
Clarke hopeful of Australia finding right mix between youth and experience after the team was described as a "Dad's Army" by former fast bowler and present Yorkshire coach, Jason Gillespie.
Archer was released by the franchise last week. His name doesn't figure in the list of players who have registered for the IPL auction, set to be held on December 19 in Dubai.
Ollie Pope, whose sensational 196 formed the core of England's 28-run win over India in the first Test in Hyderabad, said on Sunday that he practiced those sweeps and reverse sweeps extensively before arriving on these shores.
