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Sydney – Australia pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood said he was feeling fresh Friday and ready to go for the weekend’s final Test against the West Indies in Sydney. Australia’s pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood says he is in great shape and ready to play in his sixth Test of the southern summer © AFP/File Robyn Beck Hazlewood went wicketless and bowled a total of 41 overs in Australia’s 177-run trouncing of…

Lahore (Pakistan) – Paceman Mohammad Amir was set to make his return to the Pakistan team after being selected on Friday for an upcoming series in New Zealand, months after completing a five-year spot-fixing ban. Mohammad Amir practises in the nets in Lahore on December 29, 2015 © AFP Arif Ali His inclusion in the Twenty20 and one-day international squads remains contingent on him being issued a visa by Wellington…

Cape Town – Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith has linked up with the South African team as an adviser ahead of the second Test against England which starts at Newlands on Saturday. “Graeme Smith was a wonderful cricketer for South Africa and a wonderful captain,” says current captain Hashim Amla © AFP/File Ian Kington “Graeme was a wonderful cricketer for South Africa and a wonderful captain,” said current captain Hashim…

Karachi – Pakistan’s head coach Waqar Younis expressed excitement Thursday over the imminent return of Mohammad Amir following a five-year ban for spot-fixing. Pakistani cricketers Mohammad Amir (R) was charged with accepting money in exchange for arranging deliberate no-balls during a Test match at Lord’s in England in 2010 © AFP/File Arif Ali Amir, 23, is favourite to get the selectors’ nod for a tour of New Zealand, where Pakistan…

Nelson (New Zealand) – New Zealand were paying close attention to the Saxton Oval wicket on New Year’s Day amid suggestions it could offer spin for Saturday’s crucial fourth one-dayer against Sri Lanka. New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi (L) attempts to run out Danushka Gunathilaka of Sri Lanka during the 3rd One Day International cricket match at Saxton Oval in Nelson on December 31, 2015 © AFP Marty Melville Another…

Cape Town – South African captain Hashim Amla will be under pressure in the second Test against England, starting at Newlands on Saturday. Hashim Amla will be under pressure in the second Test against England, starting at Newlands on Saturday © AFP/File Marco Longari Amla and South Africa have not produced a single convincing Test performance since defeating a weak West Indies team at the same venue in the 2015…

Nelson (New Zealand) – A cracking 91 by Tillakaratne Dilshan set Sri Lanka up for an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Nelson on Thursday to keep their one-day series alive. Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka takes the catch of New Zealand’s Martin Guptill during their 3rd One Day Int’l match, at Saxton Oval in Nelson, on December 31, 2015 © AFP Marty Melville Sri Lanka knocked off their 277-run…

Lord’s was under a state of siege. The game seemed to be in meltdown. England had clumsily sacked the coach and controversially ended the international career, again, of their most illustrious player. A few days earlier the team had returned from a Test tour of the Caribbean with their tail between their legs. The 1-1 draw that they contrived against a weak West Indies followed a World Cup in which…

England have selected uncapped pair Alex Hales and Zafar Ansari for the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan. Both men have been named in a 16-man squad for the three-match series in the United Arab Emirates, which begins next month. Nottinghamshire opener Hales has been picked ahead of Adam Lyth, the Yorkshire batsman who played all seven Tests this summer but struggled badly for form during the Ashes, while Surrey all-rounder…