The English batsmen gained some much-needed confidence in their warm-up game against Western Australia as they eased to 356-5.

The controversial run-out of Muttiah Muralitharan is over-shadowing New Zealand’s five wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test.

Despite being bowled out for 142, India managed to win their tour game against Rest of South Africa by 96 runs.

An unbeaten 32 from Habibul Bashar guided Bangladesh to a three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Dhaka to take the ODI series 5-0.

Hopes for a fast WACA pitch for the third Ashes Test
received a fillip today, when the WACA pitch showed
bounce and movement.

Kumar Sangakkara’s exceptional unbeaten 100 in Sri Lanka’s second innings of 170 was not enough to prevent NZ taking a 1-0 series lead.

The 4th ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe went predictably, with the hosts racking up an 8 wicket win to make the series 4-0

Australia have named their 13 man squad for the third Test, with Andrew Symonds and Adam Voges replacing Damien Martyn and Shaun Tait.

Shane Bond produced a spell of superb fast swing bowling to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 125/8 at the close of play.

Shane Watson is hoping to be fit for the Boxing Day Test, after ruling himself out of the Third Test in Perth.