The dew factor will go out of the window but the searing heat will be an issue when Royal Challengers Bangalore take on a better prepared Rajasthan Royals in the first of the 10 IPL double-headers, in Abu Dhabi, on Saturday.
Finch is happy that both Smith and David Warner have done incredible work during their time off the field which is showing off
Australia's players will boycott an 'A' team tour of South Africa later this month unless a new pay deal is struck with Cricket Australia beforehand, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) said on Sunday.
Mitchell Starc's send-off celebration after dismissing Indian opener Murali Vijay did not find approval from captain Steven Smith.
Former Australia captain Steve Smith says competing in the IPL has immensely enhanced his preparation for the upcoming 50 overs' World Cup.
Australia's head coach Justin Langer expressed faith in opening batsman David Warner, saying he expects the player to come good in the second Ashes Test, starting at Lord's on Wednesday.
With the second Test set to start on Wednesday, here is a quick fact check on how both teams stand at the Gabba.
Rahul Dravid said India will have to find someone who can amass 500-odd runs in the series like Cheteshwar Pujara did the last time around.
Rain had the final word as the ICC Champions Trophy warm-up game between Australia and Pakistan was washed out after only 10.2 overs of play in Edgbaston on Monday.
India would eye nothing less than a clean sweep when they take on an Australian side significantly weakened by injury blows, in the third and final T20 International, in Sydney, on Tuesday.
Australia fast bowler Jackson Bird is returning home for treatment on a lower back injury, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.
A series win will be an ideal confidence booster for India before the visitors hit Test match mode.
Brendon McCullum struck a quickfire fifty before Ravindra Jadeja produced a brilliant spell of 4-11 as Chennai Super avenged its defeat over Rajasthan Royals with a 12-run win to virtually secure its place in the play-offs of the Indian Premier League in Chennai on Sunday.
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar feels hosts India will start as favourites at the upcoming World Twenty20.
Team India possess a much more balanced squad in the shortest format.
In an incredible power-hitting show, Steven Smith and James Faulkner rattled up a match-winning 85-run stand from nowhere as Rajasthan Royals pulled off a stunning five-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in an IPL match in Bangalore on Sunday.
'When Michael made his decision to retire last week it was a very straight forward decision for us to nominate Steve as his successor' 'He is highly regarded by the selectors and we congratulate him on being appointed to the role on an ongoing basis. He should be incredibly proud'
Steven Smith's unbeaten knock on Day 2 of the first Test against India provided an endorsement of the 25-year-old's leadership credentials in case Australia skipper Michael Clarke's body finally gives out.
Kings XI Punjab will be aiming to continue their late surge against Rising Pune Supergiant in a 'winner takes it all' Indian Premier League encounter, in Pune on Sunday.
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland on Wednesday took a dig at Virat Kohli, saying he is not sure if the Indian captain knows hot spell the word 'sorry'.
Countering rival Australian captain Steven Smith's assertion that India were under pressure due to an unexpected debacle in the series-opener, home skipper Virat Kohli asserted that he and his team are relaxed.
Ashes battles against England have done much to shape Steve Smith as a cricketer but his first series in charge of Australia could do plenty to define his legacy as captain.
Can the same Indian team beat Australia away from home? Look what Michael Kasprowicz said.
Australian captain Steven Smith has expressed disappointment over his controversial dismissal in his side's defeat in a do-or-die game against India at Mohali on Sunday. Smith was adjudged caught behind by umpire Marais Erasmus on two at Mohali, off Yuvraj Singh's first delivery of the tournament. The Aussie skipper looked clearly furious as he left the ground shaking his head. "It didn't feel like I hit that but that's the game of cricket. I got given out. It was the umpire's call and that was it. It was a bit disappointing," Smith said. Smith, who will be playing in the same Indian Premier League team (Rising Pune Supergiants) as Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni refrained from reading much into the loud appeal by Dhoni from behind the stumps.
Table-toppers Mumbai Indians are on course to make it to the play-offs but the game is crucial for Rajasthan, who are languishing in seventh place. Defeat would mean a step closer to elimination.
The Virat Kohli-led RCB has won five of its eight games on the back of all-round performances but seemingly blundered in the eight-wicket defeat to laggards KXIP on Thursday.
Bolstered by the arrival of Ben Stokes, Rajasthan Royals will hope for a better showing from its misfiring top order as they try to settle scores against second-placed Delhi Capitals in their return leg IPL match, in Dubai, on Wednesday.
Rajasthan Royals, struggling at the penultimate spot on the points table after two wins and four straight defeats, need something special against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sunday's IPL match in Dubai.
Rajasthan will take inspiration from their two big wins in Sharjah, to turn things around against a dominant Delhi.
Rajasthan Royals may need to rejig their Indian line-up slightly when they try to pull their IPL campaign out of the current rot against a supremely confident Mumbai Indians,
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said his teammates' good showing gave him enough time to come out of a short, lean patch in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
There will certainly be some distinct home advantage for Australia along with the experience of playing more Day/Night Tests.
'Captain Steve Smith was distracted by one of the wires in his eye line. Both CA and Nine will continue to work together on the use of Spidercam in the broadcast coverage and will take on board any player feedback as necessary.'
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar defended Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his "unrest" comment that got the media talking about a rift within the Indian cricket team in Australia, saying that the Indian captain might have chosen a wrong word to describe the situation.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle list the Most Valuable Players during the India-Australia ODI series.
Steven Smith (133) became the ninth Australian to score a century on captaincy debut as Australia wriggled out from a precarious 247 for 6 to post a mammoth 505 in their first innings in the second Test against India at the Gabba on Friday. He was well-supported by Mitchell Johnson (88) and Mitchell Starc (52) who made valuable contributions down the order, as the hosts took a first innings lead of 97 runs. India ended the third day on 71 for 1 in the second innings. Statistical highlights from the day's play. Statistical highlights from the day's play.
Captain Steven Smith is looking forward to Hazlewood making full use of the 'traditionally fast and bouncy Gabba wicket'.
Virat Kohli's elegant unbeaten 90 and some crafty bowling by their spinners secured India's comprehensive 37-run victory over Australia in the first Twenty20 International at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.
Look who we spotted at the Melbourne Park this year.
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