South Africa lose three in opening session

Toss South Africa chose to bat v AustraliaLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb are all making their Test debuts for Australia © Getty Images Steven Smith lost the toss for the sixth consecutive Test and South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis chose to bat in the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval. South Africa made one change to the XI that triumphed in Hobart, bringing…

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We have to bat aggresively on green pitches – Shafiq

Asad Shafiq will be looking to pile some runs after he scored 16 and 17 in the first Test © PA Photos New Zealand doesn’t quite have Sri Lanka’s reputation in producing result pitches, but you have to go back seven Tests – to February 2014 – to find the most-recent draw in the country. Little surprise then, that a batting approach gaining credence in Sri Lanka (13 Tests without…

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Pakistan seek positive approach on spicy track

Match facts November 25-29, 2016Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT) Jeet Raval will know that Pakistan will have better plans for him in Hamilton © Getty Images Big Picture While tawny Asian pitches can still prompt outrage and consternation, tracks coloured a lurid, nausea-inducing green have quietly become a New Zealand trademark. The response from most touring sides has been perfectly even-handed. “These are their home conditions,” is the consensus….

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Pakistan seek tempered approach on spicy track

Match facts November 25-29, 2016Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT) Jeet Raval will know that Pakistan will have better plans for him in Hamilton © Getty Images Big Picture While tawny Asian pitches can still prompt outrage and consternation, tracks coloured a lurid, nausea-inducing green have quietly become a New Zealand trademark. The response from most touring sides has been perfectly even-handed. “These are their home conditions,” is the consensus….

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South Africa bat; Tabraiz Shamsi debuts

Toss South Africa chose to bat v AustraliaLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb are all making their Test debuts for Australia © Getty Images Steven Smith lost the toss for the sixth consecutive Test and South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis chose to bat in the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval. South Africa made one change to the XI that triumphed in Hobart, bringing…

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Dickwella credits SL seamers for holding nerve

Niroshan Dickwella fell six runs short of what would have been his maiden ODI hundred © AFP Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella credited his team’s seamers for holding their nerve against a big-hitting West Indian lower order after Sri Lanka pulled off a one-run win to secure their place in the final of the Zimbabwe tri-series. Dickwella was one of two Sri Lankans to reach the 90s in a total…

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Boult ruled out of second Test, Bracewell called up

Trent Boult took 5 for 76 in the first Test against Pakistan but aggravated a right knee injury in the process © Getty Images New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan by a knee injury. Doug Bracewell has been added to the squad in place of Boult. Boult had “irritation in the joint of his right knee” since the tour of…

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Ramprakash admits Buttler red-ball plight

Jos Buttler made one unsuccessful first-class appearance for Lancashire last season © Getty Images Mark Ramprakash has warned against expecting too much of Jos Buttler if he is selected for the third Test against India. While Ramprakash, the England batting coach, rated Buttler as one of the “top five batsmen in the world in one-day cricket,” he accepted that his lack of red-ball experience could compromise his chances of success….

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'It boils down to experience' – Holder

Evin Lewis battled cramps and struck three sixes after bringing up his century but West Indies fell short © AFP The Queens Sports Club has witnessed a tie, and a one-run defeat, but still no cigar for West Indies. For the second time in two matches, they went into the final over of a chase with a chance to win. But yet again, they fell just short. Captain Jason Holder…

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