India have wrestled control of day one in their second Test match against South Africa.

Australia are firmly in front at the close of day one of the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG, bowling England out for just 159 runs.

India fast bowler Irfan Pathan has returned home from South Africa to gain some much needed confidence by playing domestic cricket.

Nathan Astle’s unbeaten 40 led New Zealand to a comfortable five-wicket win in Auckland.

Shane Warne has reached the mammoth achivement of 700 Test wickets today by clean bowling Andrew Strauss for 50 shortly before tea.

A calf muscle injury has ruled out Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the upcoming Test series against South Africa next month.

England pace bowler Matthew Hoggard has called on his side to perform or face an Ashes whitewash, the first since 1921.

Shahid Hamid, head of the Pakistani anti-doping tribunal, has said that WADA have the power to ban Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

Kevin Pietersen has slammed and praised on and off again buddy Shane Warne calling him an ‘arrogant idiot’, a ‘****head’ and a champion.

Police and the Melbourne Cricket Club have said full strength beer has been banned from public bars within the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test.