After suffering a shock defeat in the first Test, Australia bounced back in emphatic fashion to square the two match series against Bangladesh, wrapping up the second Test inside two days in Mackay.
Mitchell Starc was the destroyer in chief, claiming a match bag of ten wickets as Bangladesh were shot out for 64 and 95.
Australia did not exactly cover themselves in glory with the bat either, managing only 210. Shoriful Islam returned career best figures of seven for 48. The quick had missed the opening Test and became yet another Bangladesh fast bowler to impress on the tour.
The Mackay pitch is certain to come under scrutiny after only one half century was scored across three innings, with Australia eventually winning by an innings.
Mackay, in Queensland, hosted a game during the 1992 World Cup and returned to the international spotlight last year when Australia played two ODIs against South Africa.
The venue has now become Australia’s latest Test ground.
India claim 165 run win over Sri Lanka
After a disappointing start to their World Test Championship campaign, India got themselves back on track with a thumping 165 run win over Sri Lanka in the first Test.
Top order batter Devdutt Padikkal was the hero, scoring 167 and 44 to walk away with the Man of the Match award. Returning to the side after more than two years, Padikkal looked assured and India may well have found a long term answer at number three.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar also made a telling impact, claiming a match bag of ten wickets in only his second Test.
For Sri Lanka, Sonal Dinusha was the shining light, posting a hundred under pressure in the first innings before backing it up with 84 in the second essay.
Pakistan gear up for bumper home season
Pakistan are gearing up for a bumper home season, with England and Sri Lanka set to feature in a tri-nation tournament in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Sri Lanka will spend almost two months in Pakistan, with the tour also featuring a three match T20I series and two Tests.
Pakistan hosted a tri-nation series last year as well, with New Zealand and South Africa providing the opposition.
Warner fined for drink-driving
Australia great David Warner has been fined by a Sydney court for drink driving following an incident on Easter Sunday.
Warner’s children were in the car when he was breathalysed.
The court heard that the former international star had attempted to swap seats with another passenger after realising that breathalyser tests were being conducted.
Warner was fined A$1,500, while the court also ordered that an alcohol interlock device be fitted to his vehicle to prevent him from driving while under the influence.
Stokes stars in big Durham win
He may be done with Test cricket, but Ben Stokes remains one of the biggest attractions in English cricket, as he proved yet again by inspiring Durham to a thumping 338 run County Championship Division Two victory over Derbyshire.
Stokes scored 53 and an unbeaten 66 and claimed seven wickets, including a five wicket haul in the second innings as Derbyshire were shot out for 84.
Many England supporters have urged the mercurial all-rounder to come out of retirement to help England regain the Ashes next summer, but Stokes remains adamant that his international career is over.
Fleming in touch with Root during Pakistan Test
Although Stephen Fleming will formally take over as England Test coach later this year when they tour South Africa, the New Zealander already appears to be very much hands on.
Fleming had been in regular contact with captain Joe Root throughout the first Test against Pakistan, which the hosts won by an innings.
Fleming was named last month as the successor to compatriot Brendon McCullum as England’s Test coach.
Hussey tipped to take over as CSK head coach
Former Australia batter Mike Hussey is being tipped to take over as Chennai Super Kings head coach after Stephen Fleming brought the curtain down on an 18 year association with the franchise.
Hussey, who represented CSK as a player before joining Fleming’s coaching staff, has emerged as the leading candidate for the job.
CSK and India great M.S. Dhoni is expected to have a significant say in choosing Fleming’s successor.
CSK won five IPL titles during Fleming’s tenure but have struggled in recent seasons. They finished eighth in the points table this year after ending up last the previous season.
CSK remain one of the IPL’s biggest brands alongside Mumbai Indians.
Former Test captains seek fair treatment for Imran Khan
Several former Test captains have joined forces to appeal to the Pakistan government for fair treatment of imprisoned cricket great Imran Khan.
Imran, who captained Pakistan to their famous World Cup triumph in 1992, served as the country’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
The former captains urged authorities to allow regular family visits and ensure access to medical treatment, including independent assessments of his health. Concerns have mounted over Imran’s health in recent months, particularly his eyesight.
Among those lending their names to the appeal were Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Arjuna Ranatunga, Greg Chappell, David Gower and Clive Lloyd.
Carse under scrutiny after nightclub arrest
England quick Brydon Carse is under investigation by the ECB after being led out of a nightclub in handcuffs by police.
Part of England’s squad for the two Test series against Pakistan, Carse had been released for County Championship duty after being overlooked for the first Test at Headingley.
Carse was part of the Durham side that beat Derbyshire, with team mates Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts also present when the nightclub incident took place.
As a centrally contracted England player, Carse now faces scrutiny from the ECB, with the episode putting the conduct of England players back under the microscope following a series of off-field incidents since last winter’s tour of New Zealand.
Carse was due to rejoin the England squad in London ahead of the second Test.
