Phil Jaques

New South Wales (NSW) coach Phil Jaques on Monday said that Australia opening batsman David Warner worked "really hard" to recover from the groin injury that he sustained in November last year.

Australia opening batsman David Warner will return to cricket on Thursday in a one-day match for state side New South Wales as he continues his recovery from a groin strain.

It is the second stint as assistant coach at the Sydney-based club for the experienced former opening batsman, who was sacked by Sri Lanka after their lacklustre World Cup campaign last year. He held a similar role from 2011 and 2014.

Ricky Ponting wants national selectors to make up their mind about who would fill in the big shoes of retired Matthew Hayden for the crucial South Africa tour.

The pressure on out-of-form Matthew Hayden increased further with opener Phil Jaques announcing his availability for next month's South Africa tour.

Chanderpaul broke into the top-5 of ICC Test rankings for batsmen after playing match-saving knocks in the second Test against Australia.

Gilchrist was 'reluctant to assume' that Michael Clarke's elevation to captaincy for T20 match made him an automatic choice to succeed incumbent Ponting.

Sri Lankan pace spearhead Lasith Malinga has vowed to go after the Australian batsmen in their two-Test series getting underway next Thursday.

Retired Australia pacer Glenn McGrath said he cannot wait to see David Warner join him at the Delhi Daredevils nets for the Indian Premier League this year.

Australia were on track to stretch their winning Test run to 14 matches on Sunday with victory expected over beleaguered Sri Lanka in the second Test at the Bellerive Oval.

Captain Ricky Ponting has again raked up the 'burnout' issue, saying Shaun Tait's decision to sit out of the game highlighted the mental and physical stress being placed on Australia's Test players.

All-rounder Shane Watson is hoping to capitalise on Justin Langer's retirement and capture the opener's slot in the Australian line-up alongside Matthew Hayden.

Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh feels young opener Phillip Hughes have the potential to fill in the shoes of Matthew Hayden, who retired from the international cricket recently.

Australia spinner Adam Zampa on Sunday returned to the New South Wales Blues after playing seven seasons with South Australia.

Australia spinner Adam Zampa is dreaming of earning the coveted 'Baggy Green' after moving back to New South Wales, where he can sharpen his skills by playing alongside country's top Test pick Nathan Lyon.

Dav Whatmore said Anil Kumble's boys should capitalise on the inexperienced Australian bowling - as it is losing the venom of the recent past - to beat the world champions.

Australia's pace spearhead Brett Lee and all-rounder Andrew Symonds will go under the knife this week to recover from their injuries in time for the side's return tour to South Africa in February.

Bryce McGain was included in the 14-member squad to defend Australia's top position on their crucial three-Test tour of South Africa.