Australia pacer Michael Neser helped the Aussies place themselves as firm favourites on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) itself. He expressed delight at playing a crucial role for the team in front of the massive MCG crowd.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hailed ace pacer Mitchell Starc, saying that he hasn't seen the Aussie bowler bowl better than he is at the moment and that Starc has expanded his skill set beyond just being a new-ball and reverse-swing specialist.
Star England batter Harry Brook is just seven runs away from completing 3000 Test runs. Brook, currently in Australia for the Ashes, is set to feature in the fourth Test at Melbourne, which starts on December 26.
The tall all-rounder has had an under-par Ashes series, which Australia have already clinched after the first three Tests. In three Tests, Green has returned 76 runs and has picked up just two wickets, albeit getting limited time with the ball.
On Tuesday morning, it was confirmed, as Cummins had flagged after Adelaide, that he would sit out in the fourth Test against England. Australia Head coach Andrew McDonald said a few hours later that Cummins' series was over after one appearance, which helped secure the Ashes.
The attack, which took place on December 14 as crowds gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, left fifteen people dead and several others injured in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon return to the Australian Test XI side as pacers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser drop out, with the Aussies aiming to seal the Ashes series in Adelaide. The hosts have confirmed their playing XI for the third Ashes Test against England, as per the ICC web
Trailing 2-0 to Australia after two different but equally harrowing eight-wicket defeats, the England captain has lit a fire under his charges, urging them to show more fight ahead of the series decider starting from Wednesday in Adelaide.
England passed up the chance to face Australia A on a major venue--potentially on a lively MCG pitch--opting instead to focus on a shortened Ashes tour schedule, which has left them trailing 0-2 with three Tests remaining, as per The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Ben Stokes-led England appear likely to stick with the same batting line-up for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after head coach Brendon McCullum voiced strong support for his top seven, cautioning against "knee-jerk reactions" despite the 2-0 deficit to Australia, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Australian allrounder Cameron Green acknowledged feeling "a little embarrassed" after his dismissal in the second Ashes Test between Australia and England at Brisbane but stated that he wouldn't hesitate to play just as aggressively if the match situation demands it, as per cricket.com.au.
Former Australian cricketer David Warner has thrown his support behind his former opening partner Usman Khawaja to reclaim the opener's spot for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, arguing that keeping Travis Head at No. 5 is the setup most likely to trouble England, as per ESPNcricinfo.