National selector David Boon declared Justin Langer and Stuart MacGill were firmly in World Cup contention after the Test duo racked up runs, wickets and records galore during NSW's five-wicket win over Western Australia in the ING Cup today.

Jon Moss and Darren Berry's calculated assault on New South Wales captain Stuart MacGill paid dividends today when both cracked centuries to push Victoria to the brink of outright victory in the Pura Cup cricket match at the SCG.

Despite the presence of an opposition fast bowler called Ambrose, New Zealand continued on its merry one-day way today with a 249-run flogging of an Australian Country XI at Bradman Oval.

Chucker or not, Shoaib Akhtar is likely to be thrown into a Sydney grade cricket match for Mosman at Allan Border Oval next weekend.

Former Test tearaway Jeff Thomson has urged injury-plagued Brett Lee to go back to doing what he does best - bowling as fast and frighteningly as humanly possible.

LONDON - Man of the series Glenn McGrath feels inferior to Dennis Lillee despite beating the great fast bowler's benchmark of 355 wickets in the Fifth Ashes Test

Adam Gilchrist became aware of an impending wicketkeeping milestone when he walked into the Australian dressing room before the fifth Ashes cricket Test and looked over Shane Warne's shoulder.

Australian captain Steve Waugh today completed an astonishing recovery from injury to take his place in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Oval.

LONDON, England - An emotional Michael Slater was stunned to learn that he would be replaced by the out-of-form Justin Langer for the Fifth Ashes Test at the Oval

LEEDS, England - Australian captain Steve Waugh has rated himself a 50-50 chance of playing the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at The Oval, starting Thursday

Steve Waugh wants to create Australia's own Ashes by burning the bails after next week's fifth and final Test at The Oval.

Adam Gilchrist has no regrets after earning an unfortunate place in Australian cricket history.

LEEDS, England - Debutant Simon Katich was presented with a baggy greencap by former Australian captain Richie Benaud while rain delayed thestart of the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley.

LEEDS, England - Steve Waugh has made a shock appearance in the nets at Headingley, fuelling speculation he might recover from a torn calf muscle in time for next week's Fifth Ashes Test at The Oval

Simon Katich will become Australia's 384th Test cricketer against England at Headingley, starting Thursday.

LEEDS, England - Shane Warne is less anxious about joining the exclusive 400 Test-wicket club than he was about breaking Dennis Lillee's record for an Australian bowler

HOVE, England - Steve Waugh is working around the clock in a determined bid to overcome his torn calf muscle in time for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at The Oval

NOTTINGHAM, England - Australian captain Steve Waugh has been encouraged to stay on the Ashes tour by the person he presumed would most want him to leave - his wife, Lynette

NOTTINGHAM, England - Australian coach John Buchanan has denied a document proclaiming "psychological control" over England was intentionally leaked to the media ahead of the third Ashes Test at Trent Bridge

LONDON - A mooted one-day cricket series between Australia and India in September has been scrapped