England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff expressed full confidence Tuesday that he would be fit for the final Test of his career in the deciding Ashes match against Australia at the Oval this week.
'I would have picked Ashwin for his batting, let alone his bowling. That is why I can't believe he isn't playing because he has got five Test centuries as well. It is very strange.'
Pakistani cricket officials have been asked to appear before a Senate committee probing the Oval test fiasco and the controversy leading to the resignation of board chairman Shaharyar Khan.
The last time India won a Test inside two days was in 2018, beating Afghanistan in Bengaluru.
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme struck a belligerent half-century to steady New Zealand in the second Test on Saturday after South Africa's seamers torched the home side's top order during a see-sawing Day 2 in Christchurch.
Mitchell Marsh is expected to lead in Cummins's absence. The all-rounder is also in contention to be named Australia's T20 skipper.
'Shikhar Dhawan is presently under the observation of the BCCI medical team'
Shami was hit on the hand by a Pat Cummins short ball during India's second innings last Saturday, which ended at a record lowest score of 36 for nine at the Adelaide Oval. He was taken to a hospital for scans, which revealed a fracture.
Jaiswal's knock was a perfect blend of attack and defence.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes experienced all-rounder Ben Stokes made the "right decision" to withdraw from the T20 World Cup.
The Australian team on paper holds slight advantage on a bouncy track at The Oval but both Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting believe that the Indians are better prepared.
One piles up runs, the other piles up wickets. Both Kane Williamson and Tim Southee will hope to add to their hauls when they play their 100th Test match against Australia in Christchurch this week.
Interestingly, eager to play under domestic coach Chandrakant Pandit to revive his international career, Vihari was mulling a move to Madhya Pradesh before the start of the season.
The PCB rejected a claim for compensation of around 800,000 pounds ($1.49 million) for loss of revenues in relation to abandonment of the Oval Test.
India and Australia will play the second Test at the Ferozshah Kotla from Friday and it is to be seen if Iyer is able to join the team.
IMAGES from Day 5 of the 5th Ashes Test played between England and Australia at The Oval, London, on Sunday.
England's Harry Brook will miss the five-match Test series against India as the middle-order batsman will return home with immediate effect because of personal reasons, the ECB announced on Sunday.
England have an overall lead of 136 runs without loss at stumps in their second innings going into Day 5 of the second Test against the West Indies.
West Indies cricketing legend Malcolm Marshall's final resting place in Barbados is a sorry sight, sparking concerns about his legacy.
Rachin Ravindra becomes youngest recipient of Sir Richard Hadlee Medal
The former Pakistan captain is likely to be replaced as team manager for the ICC Champions Trophy following his "failure" to play a stronger role in the Oval Test fiasco.
Australia retained the Ashes after the fourth Test at Old Trafford was drawn on Sunday with no play possible on day five due to rain, leaving England trailing 2-1 in the series with one match to play.
England pacer James Anderson on Thursday surpassed Sachin Tendulkar as the cricketer to play the most number of Test matches on home soil.
His technique against swing bowling has also come under scrutiny with a few greats of the game, including Sunil Gavaskar and Ricky Ponting, calling for his ouster from the team.
All-rounder Ben Stokes hopes to be fit enough for the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia despite suffering a side strain while bowling in Sydney.
A victory at Hagley Oval to seal a 2-0 series sweep would also push the Black Caps firmly into contention for one of two berths in June's inaugural ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's.
Tom Latham will captain the team for an entire series for the first time in place of Kane Williamson, who suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury in India and will miss both Tests.
South Africa named uncapped Neil Brand as their captain for a two-match Test tour of New Zealand next month where the majority of their team will be missing, competing instead in the domestic Twenty20 league.
England vice-captain Moeen Ali expects The Oval pitch to turn a bit later in the Test, starting Thursday.
India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has gained a place to be ninth in the latest ICC Test rankings for bowlers following his match-winning spell in the fourth Test against England at The Oval.
Pat Cummins arrived at the ICC T20 World Cup brimming with confidence, crediting his recent Indian Premier League (IPL) stint for his best T20 bowling in a decade
Around 11.30pm, several players including Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen took it in turns to get up from where they were sitting and wander over to relieve themselves on the pitch, Australian newspaper The Age reported on Monday.
The EAM when asked about his view of the world at present, said it would be "very grim forecast, for the next five years".
'No more red ball... it doesn't swing, it doesn't do anything, goes soft after 25 overs. It has been pathetic for so long now. Except for the Dukes ball in England, it has been rubbish.'
Pakistan were dismissed for 271, chasing a victory target of 372, with 4.3 overs remaining in the Test at Bay Oval.
Pat Cummins confirmed Australia's new-look batting line-up on Tuesday with Steve Smith to open and Cameron Green at number four in the team to face West Indies in the first Test at Adelaide Oval from Wednesday.
Jasprit Bumrah on Monday became the fastest Indian pacer to reach 100 wickets in the longest format of the game. Bumrah achieved the feat in the ongoing fourth Test against England when he removed Ollie Pope for 2 in the second session of the final day.
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar said India will be happy with the Oval pitch when they take on Australia in the WTC Final.
England batted with positive intent to take control of the final Ashes Test at The Oval on Saturday, moving on to 389-9 at the close on the third day with a 377-run lead over Australia.
Rohit Sharma and Hanuma Vihari will battle for a place in the Indian team for the first Test.
