1540 GMT: In his newspaper column, Ricky Ponting looks forward to a rare game for Tasmania: "They've had a terrific start to the year and were ribbing me that they wouldn't be able to find a spot in the team for me. Now they have named me in the team, they're telling me I'm going to be fielding under the helmet at short leg all game."Full story: The Australian

1530 GMT: Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson "can demand to be picked for the second Test in Adelaide" if they get big scores against England in Hobart [for Australia A] and if Mike Hussey or Marcus North, both expected to be retained for Brisbane, fail in the first Test. Full story: The Australian

Vice-captain Michael Clarke, who led Australia in three of their four limited-overs internationals against Sri Lanka, has dismissed stories of dressing room rifts and other reports that his position as Ricky Ponting's deputy and probably successor is under threat.

Australia had a difficult time under Clarke's captaincy in the one-dayers

"I certainly feel the guys have shown me a lot of respect when I've had the opportunity to captain," said Clarke.
Full story: Cricinfo

England spinner Graeme Swann has credited the controversial umpire Decision Review System with reviving spin bowling, and making him currently the bowler with the highest proportion of lbws in Test history. The DRS was not used in the 2009 Ashes, but will be for this series. Full story: Daily Telegraph

Meanwhile, Swann is pleased to have attracted the attention of Aussie spin legend Shane Warne, who described him as England's key man last week - while also comparing him to actor David Hasselhoff.Swann said: "I was rubbish when I played against Warne five years ago, so it's nice he remembers me because I didn't give him any reason to. He's the best bowler there has ever been."
Full story: the Sun

The Australia A team to face England in their final warm-up game in Hobart from 17-20 November has been named. Cameron White will captain a side including Test hopefuls Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja and Peter George.
Full story: Cricket Australia media release

Young leg-spinner Smith concedes he may struggle to oust first-choice spinner Nathan Hauritz from the Test team, but wants to stake a claim if the Aussies play two spinners at Adelaide and Sydney.
Full story: Cricket Australia

England can expect a Gabba pitch full of pace and bounce for the first Test, which begins in Brisbane on 25 November.
Full story: The Australian

Legendary former Australia captain Steve Waugh expects newly-appointed selector Greg Chappell - one of his predecessors as Aussie skipper - to "shake up the selection committee" and blood some younger players such as Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc in the Ashes series.
Full story: Adelaide Advertiser

However, Chappell has stated: "I don't think we're going to see wholesale changes going into the first Test" - and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has strongly hinted that under-fire batsman Mike Hussey's place in the first Test side is safe.
Full story: Sydney Morning Herald

Meanwhile, pace bowler Starc, who took four wickets on his second one-day international appearance against Sri Lanka, is still battling to force his way into the New South Wales side to face Victoria - which may serve as an Ashes audition.
Full story: Daily Telegraph (Sydney)

Australia batsman Marcus North insists he is ready to take on England, despite only scoring 19 and one against them when skippering Western Australia.
Full story: The Age (Melbourne)

But Mitchell Johnson is so concerned about his bowling form that he will play club cricket for Wanneroo in Perth this weekend - while fellow paceman Ryan Harris will hope to impress skipper Ricky Ponting when he bowls to him for Queensland against Tasmania.
Full story: Herald Sun

Ponting says he wants to captain Australia until the day he retires - but is prepared to step aside, or relinquish his number three position, if a better candidate for either role comes forward. (Various)

And Western Australia have made a surprise signing for the Australian domestic Twenty20 competition... former England paceman Sajid Mahmood, who took five wickets in three Tests at an average of over 52 against Australia in 2006/07.
Full story: Perth Now

Listen to the Ashes live on Test Match Special on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and online (UK users only) - series starts 25 November 2010.Archive: Relive past Ashes series

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version