A dominant Australia looked firmly on course for a 5-0 Ashes series sweep when they reached 140 for four, a lead of 311, at close of play after skittling England for 155 on the second day of the fifth Test on Saturday.
Among the countries that have directly qualified for the Super 12 are defending champions Australia and runner-up New Zealand.
Spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground were repeatedly treated to the sight of leg-spinner Imran Tahir throwing his head back, screaming with joy and pumping his arms before setting off on an uncoordinated run across the outfield on Wednesday as South Africa thrashed Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the first quarter-final at the World Cup.
'Pakistan will return home this week. India too will go back home after playing the semi-final as they too aren't that good.'
Australians survived a barrage of bouncers under lights from Indian pacers before the match ended in a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
After India outplayed Australia with bat and ball in Melbourne, Captain Virat Kohli is convinced India have the firepower to break new ground.
Australia out for Pakistan sweep in David Warner Week
The coach also launched a book 'India's 71-Year Test: The Journey to Triumph in Australia'.
Iconic Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday became the first overseas player to be presented with the honorary life membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sean Abbott, the Australian fast bowler who delivered the ball that killed Phillip Hughes, has made a remarkable return to cricket, helping New South Wales beat Queensland on Friday.
'We only felt that it has never happened before, I don't think it will ever happen again. It was a freak inning'
Wins in Adelaide and Melbourne had given Virat Kohli's side a 2-1 lead going into the final Test and a draw was enough to secure a breakthrough that had eluded all previous Indian touring parties for 71 years.
The weather-ravaged, dead rubber third Test between Australia and the West Indies petered out in a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday.
Australia reduced South Africa to 149 for six at the close of play on the fourth day of the rain-disrupted third Test on Saturday after declaring on 475/4 in pursuit of a victory that would give them a 3-0 series sweep.
Rohit Sharma returned to India's playing XI for the third Test
Sachin Tendulkar led the cricketing world in applauding Sri Lankan veterans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who bowed out of ODIs after their team's World Cup quarter-final loss to South Africa in Sydney.
Sri Lanka will use the example of their remarkable turnaround on their last tour of South Africa to try and rescue a face-saving third Test victory against Australia, captain Mahela Jayawardene said on Wednesday.
A series win will be an ideal confidence booster for India before the visitors hit Test match mode.
South Africa dug deep to deny Australia a 3-0 series sweep with a battling draw in the rain-disrupted third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, finally finding some fight on the final day of a miserable tour.
The selectors kept faith with the party that secured a crushing innings and 99-run victory within three days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday to take a 4-0 lead in the series.
'He (Rizwan) is a very honest person and he said to me he did not even feel that it touched anywhere near the gloves.'
Fans, cricketers and administrators remembered Player No 408 as #63 was trending through the morning.
Doing their bit to raise funds for his foundation, India's cricketers on Saturday presented Glenn McGrath signed pink caps, while many donned attires of the same colour in memory of the former Australian pacer's late wife Jane.
Usman Khawaja scored his second century of the match to help Australia to 265 for six declared on the fourth day of the fourth Ashes Test on Saturday, handing England an unlikely victory target of 388.
Sri Lanka's Farveez Maharoof picks up the ball from the boundary as storm clouds move over the Sydney Cricket Ground during their One-day International cricket match against Australia in Sydney.
Australia made it to the ICC women's T20 World Cup final, coming through a nerve-shredding semi-final against South Africa in Sydney on Thursday. They'll face India at the MCG on March 8 - International Women's Day. India's semi-final against England was abandoned without a ball bowled.
Ricky Ponting advised star batters Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to stop trying hard to rediscover their best and pushing themselves too hard and just focus on watching the ball and scoring runs.
Australia cricketer Phillip Hughes remains in an induced coma on Thursday after spending a second night in a Sydney, with the local ambulance service now under scrutiny for their response to the accident.
Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson's criticism of ex-teammate David Warner's retirement intentions has prompted the veteran opener to respond, stating that his former teammate is entitled to his ideas, no matter how harsh.
Cameron Green said that his body is in great shape, where he can contribute well as a bowler
Usman Khawaja will replace Travis Head in Australia's middle order for this week's fourth Ashes Test against England in the only change to the side that wrapped up the series in Melbourne last week.
IMAGES from Day 5 of the 4th Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday
India have to be cautious against giant slayers Bangladesh
Images from Day 2 of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the MCG on Friday.
New Zealand thrashed reigning champions Australia by 89 runs in a rematch of last year's final
Images from Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday
India's tour OF Australia will begin with a three-match ODI series starting on November 27, followed by as many T20Is and a four-match Test series.
India enters the final leg of the Australia tour with the first Test at Adelaide on December 17.
The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has attracted a lot of attention.
New ICC boss Barclay said that the Indian board is an integral part of the cricketing family and a hugely contributing member.
