Cricket News

BRISBANE - Australia's cricket selectors have been given extra time tosolve a spinning problem for the series opener against South Africa nextweek, but they won't hand out a Test cap for the sake of it.

PERTH, Dec 7 AAP - South Africa's Mark Boucher wants to measure up against Adam Gilchrist as a run-scoring wicketkeeper when the Test series against Australia starts next week.

Australian pace spearhead Glenn McGrath won't change his hunting methods when he meets South Africa next week despite his poor haul against New Zealand.

New Zealand paceman Chris Drum all but guaranteed a walk up start in next month's triangular one-day cricket series by inspiring a four wicket win over the Prime Minister's XI here today.

Allan Donald allayed concerns over his fitness with a strong display in South Africa's opening tour match against the ACB Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill today.

Paceman Brett Lee will be the only Australian Test player turning out for his state this weekend as his battle-weary team-mates rest ahead of the world championship showdown against South Africa.

Cameron White, Rob Bartlett and Shane Harwood have all been named for their ING Cup debuts, in the Bushrangers one-day clash with Tasmania this Sunday

South Africa opened their tour of Australia on a winning note when they beat an ACB Chairman's XI by 48 runs in a 50-over match at Lilac Hill in Perth on Wednesday

By the time the last ball was bowled in this Third Test between Australia and New Zealand, the scoreboard at the WACA Ground in Perth was indicating a draw

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has received the maximum possible fine, but escaped suspension, after fronting International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Jackie Hendriks last night on two charges of unbecoming conduct.

Tasmania struggled on day one of the Commonwealth Bank Under-19 Championship Series as they were dismissed for 130 against the Northern Territory.

Victoria and Tasmania remain the only winless teams in the Pura Cup after their match in Hobart meandered to a draw today.

A troubled Australia will start the final day of the Third Test with just eight second innings wickets in tact and thus battling for survival after another six hours of New Zealand dominance at the WACA Ground in Perth today.

However Queensland will have the chance to put their house in orderlater this month with the New Zealand White Ferns coming to Brisbane toplay three matches.

Match referee Jackie Hendriks has started a hearing into Brett Lee's behaviour during the third cricket Test against New Zealand at the WACA here today.

Pace bowler Brett Lee was tonight charged on two counts of bringing the game into disrepute at the end of another disappointing day for Australia in the Third Test against New Zealand at the WACA Ground in Perth.

South Africa's leading wicket taker Allan Donald may not be fit in time to play the opening cricket Test against Australia starting in Adelaide in 12 days.

It was down and very nearly out at times, but Shane Warne somehow found a way to hoist a punchdrunk Australia off the canvas on a frenetic third day of the Third Test against New Zealand at the WACA Ground in Perth today

On a day for cricket masochists, a delayed declaration, rain and two limpet-like openers gave Victoria a realistic chance of saving its Pura Cup match against Tasmania today.

Victoria faces a big test of character if it is to save its Pura Cup cricket match after Tasmania batted itself into an almost impregnable position in Hobart today.