Boys are back in town: Johnson, Starc take over

Chloe Saltau MITCHELL STARC has spent most of the past 12 months on the fringes of the Australian attack, while Mitchell Johnson could not have been further from contention for most of that time.

Over too soon: Ricky Ponting's last stand was short of runs but full of emotion

Chloe Saltau Ricky Ponting raised both arms to all parts of the WACA Ground and said farewell to cricket.

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Fairytale ending not in stars for Ponting

Chloe Saltau Ricky Ponting made it clear during his blunt retirement announcement that he did not believe in fairytales.

Clarke's men must get mind right to regain Ashes, says Smith

Chris Barrett, Chloe Saltau GRAEME SMITH believes England will start deserved favourites against Australia in next winter's Ashes, having led his team to series wins in both countries in the past three months and undisputed No.

Captain flags retiring

Chloe Saltau Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene to consider retirement after Australian tour.

Pattinson injury puts his summer in doubt

Chloe Saltau Young spearhead breaks down with serious side strain that threatens to end his Test summer.

Batsman's paradise is the fast bowler's lament

Chloe Saltau Brett Lee describes Adelaide Oval's second-Test strip as ''the most amazing batting pitch I've ever seen''.

Starc difference in a year

Chloe Saltau Mitchell Starc threatening to tip Ben Hilfenhaus out of the team for the second Test.

Cricket

Kirsten defends prep of battered Proteas

Chloe Saltau WHETHER it was down to bad luck or bad management, South Africa had a very bad day. By the end of it, Jacques Kallis had a strained hamstring and coach Gary Kirsten was forced to defend the decision...

Cricket

Ground is fine for batsmen but how about the bowlers, says Lee

Chloe Saltau AS AUSTRALIA'S fast bowlers strained for a breakthrough without success, Brett Lee lamented the lack of zest in Test pitches around the nation and described Adelaide Oval's second-Test strip as ''the...

Cricket

Unflappable Amla laughs off barrage of bad blood

Chloe Saltau HASHIM AMLA'S amused reaction to the invective hurled at him in Brisbane suggests the Australians should direct their sledges elsewhere when the three-Test series resumes in Adelaide.

Cricket

Amla: well that was fun, now what's next?

Chloe Saltau South African star amused by the invective hurled at him in Brisbane.

Kallis v Sobers

Chloe Saltau No Test all-rounder can match the record of the South African run machine, but few experts are willing to rate him alongside the charismatic West Indian.

Five-question haul: Australia’s moment of truth

Chris Barrett, Chloe Saltau and Phil Lutton With the opening Test of the summer starting tomorrow, Fairfax cricket writers Chris Barrett, Chloe Saltau and Phil Lutton discuss what looms as an intriguing match against South Africa.

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Laid bare: Australia's dossier on tackling South Africa

Chloe Saltau Australia draws up dossier of detailed plans to unsettle each of South Africa's batsmen.

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Smith and Clarke smiles apart

Chloe Saltau South African captain ridicules aspects of Australia's game plan for the series.

Caught short in race to top

Chloe Saltau Australia's fast bowlers fall flat at the Gabba, letting two top batsmen off the hook.

Cricket

Pacemen wilt as Proteas apply the heat

Chloe Saltau AUSTRALIA'S fast bowlers, so ferocious last summer and so full of bravado leading into this one, fell flat at the Gabba on Friday, letting two of the world's most formidable batsmen off the hook.

No excuses for no-balls, says Donald

Chloe Saltau, Chris Barrett SOUTH AFRICA'S all-conquering pace arsenal fired blanks on the fourth day of the Brisbane Test, undermined by a flat pitch, ill-discipline and Australia's dominant batting.