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.

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.

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.

Several New Zealand batsmen could do with plenty of pre-first test runs against the West Indies selection in their tour opener at Lincoln starting today.

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.

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

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".

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.

As much as I despise the way India has used its strength to manipulate world cricket to suit itself, I immensely respect the quality of the Indian cricketers.

The last time New Zealand won an ODI in Sri Lanka was 10 years ago. Sound vaguely familiar?

Australian cricket is embroiled in a civil war just over a fortnight before the test team goes into battle against an England side attempting to make Ashes history.

How much interest this current tour of Bangladesh has been generating is debatable. It's not been one of the more eye-catching, nor, anticipated series our team has been involved in.