The dropped chance aside, Pat Cummins once again showed his value to the Australia side, whether it was with his intelligent bowling or his readiness to bat as nightwatchman

The CA chief executive has spoken to David Warner in recent days the process when his ban ends in March while fellow banned players go public

After such a build-up, the behaviour of the MCG track on the opening day was a disappointment, and while the ground staff and management may be looking at long-term development, the clock is ticking for the venue

He said that he had accepted Warner's advice because he "just wanted to fit in and feel valued" in the team

The need for a rethink at the MCG was clear after a "poor" pitch rating last year. Matt Page, the ground's curator, deconstructs the process and planning behind the changes to the pitch

For the first time in 45 years, the MCG will witness two Victorian batsmen walking out as openers - a mark of the state's evolution from a successful system that wins trophies to one that has created an effective pathway for national cricketers

Sandeep Lamicchane continued to shine with the ball in the BBL, collecting three wickets in a losing cause

The batsman is expecting slow scoring but the opportunity for runs to be made by batsmen diligent enough to play within their lanes

The opener remains unsure how comfortable fielding will be but has no concerns about his place in the Boxing Day Test

The former Australia captain featured in an advertisement for a telecommunications company, which was aired during the BBL 2018-19 opener on Wednesday

The technology used to create lively pitches at the start of the India series will be brought to Melbourne next year

Leadership has not broken the new captain - instead it has strengthened his authority and skill, and that was a large part of Australia's performance in Perth

A severely weakened batting lineup meant Australia needed to accumulate the pressure with the ball and in the field in order to stay competitive. Lyon and co were up to the challenge

Australia ended the day with a reasonable degree of confidence that the "faster and faster" nature of this Test is now more likely to result in India's demise

Aaron Finch was taken for x-rays on a possible fractured right index finger after he was hit by Mohammed Shami

The former Australia allrounder has opened up on the impact of the incident in Sydney ten years ago

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins bowled with the right balance between skill and emotion for most of day two. For one key sequence, however, they did not

Kevin Roberts, the CA chief executive, has called upon cricket boards to be open to the concept outside the Test championship and beyond its first two cycles

Marcus Harris took guard first up in Perth, for the first time in first-class cricket. Selflessness and teamwork on display, and it did the trick for his side

Ponting's lessons from a decade ago helped Finch make headway in his battle to prove himself as a Test opener in home conditions