West Indies coach Ottis Gibson is optimistic spinners Shane Shillingford and Marlon Samuels will be cleared to bowl in the test series against New Zealand.

Australian opener Chris Rogers says he can't afford more batting failures or his test career will be over.

Andy Flower delivered a sustained attack on Australia's David Warner after it emerged that Jonathan Trott had returned home from the Ashes tour with a stress-related illness.

Mike Atherton says the "angelic smile" of baby-faced batsman Joe Root makes him the ideal choice to take over as England's new No 3 for the second test in Adelaide.

England coach Andy Flower says he'll consider meeting Australian counterpart Darren Lehmann in a bid to set some sledging ground rules ahead of the second test in Adelaide.

Mitchell Johnson holds the key to Australia's Ashes chances after his stunning career resurrection led the home side to a drought-breaking first test victory over England in Brisbane.

As we head into potentially a very interesting summer of cricket against the West Indies and India, to be honest, we are not in a healthy state at all.

Close your eyes, if you will, and imagine the scenes at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on Wednesday.

Australian batsman David Warner knows a thing or two about copping abuse from the crowd and has told England's Stuart Broad to "stop having a sook".

Alastair Cook has won the Ashes three times but if there is one achievement that has eluded him during his distinguished career.

Ashes villain Stuart Broad has denied a claim that he had two members ejected from the SCG last week for sledging him.

England have challenged reborn Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson to prove he can sustain his firepower for the duration of a test match.

New Zealand are up against the world No1 T20 team twice this week, and winning the series 2-0 would bump the Sri Lankans off their perch.