An emerging Australian industry has become prominent with the posting of international coaches

The first weekly round-up of Australian players in the County Championship

The speed of Kevin Pietersen's self-appointment as Shane Warne's spokesman has seemed faster than any of his one-day centuries

Ashes tours have always accompanied bouts of extreme anticipation

The international careers of three players who shared five World Cup medals, 416 ODIs and 67 Tests finally ended with the naming of the Ashes squads

At the post-match presentations in New Zealand Stephen Fleming was invariably asked the same two questions

Rain caused Australia the most discomfort in New Zealand, but it couldn't wash away a string of brilliant performances by Gilchrist, McGrath, Warne and Ponting

Australia can think safely of the Ashes after they survived a nervous fright to seal a 2-0 series victory

James Franklin persevered through a third Adam Gilchrist explosion to claim a career-best six wickets, but Australia were thundering through the final Test

Ricky Ponting blazed a thrilling hundred as the series-deciding Test roared to life at Auckland, and Australia trailed New Zealand's first innings by 73

Stephen Fleming worked his way back into form with a gutsy half-century, but New Zealand were battling at 199 for 5 to keep pace with Australia on an absorbing day

The weather has kept a soppy series bubbling

Glenn McGrath delivered Australia the perfect start but rain spoiled their attempt at sealing the series, and New Zealand were 48 for 3 when the Test was abandoned

Australia's hunt for victory was stalled by rain as play was abandoned at tea

Adam Gilchrist ruined New Zealand for the second time in two Tests with a brilliant, brutal 162 and Australia's bowlers were almost as cruel as they bullied four wickets from a wilting top order

Damien Martyn's delightful century directed a third-session flood as Australia swamped New Zealand with 337 for 5 at the Basin Reserve

Rain washed out the first day of the second Test between Australia and New Zealand without a ball being bowled at Wellington's Basin Reserve

Mental strength is such an important characteristic, but a calf injury will get a player more sympathy than a sick mind

New Zealand's series could be sucked from Wellington's Basin Reserve in the second Test starting on Friday unless they have recovered from the demoralising shift of power at Christchurch

Shane Warne led a sensational bowling performance that demolished New Zealand for a miserable 131 and Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting made sure there were no fourth-innings jitters as Australia took a 1-0 lead