England are still basking in the glow of an epic World Cup triumph but if anything can throw cold water over their memorable summer it would be a first home Ashes series loss to Australia for 18 years.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) says that it had found no evidence of match fixing in the third Ashes test between Australia and England last year.

Australia claimed the big wicket of Alastair Cook to take the early ascendancy on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.

Suspended England allrounder Ben Stokes signs with New Zealand provincial side Canterbury, fuelling speculation he is preparing for a dramatic Ashes call-up.

Steve Smith produces a defiant unconquered century as Australia take the edge in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Saturday.

England captain Joe Root warns his team's emerging young stars to expect a barrage of abuse "which hits you like a train" when they face old rivals Australia.

Sports Minister Greg Hunt says the federal government is prepared to provide mediation between Cricket Australia and players over the pay-dispute stalemate.

Australia captain Steve Smith has played down a tense stand-off in pay negotiations between the players' union and the national cricket board, saying his team is highly motivated to cut a deal and play the Ashes against England.

Australia's cricket board gambled that greed would motivate top players into accepting a pay offer and while that bet has backfired the parties are likely to thrash out a deal in time to avert an Ashes boycott, former captain Ian Chappell says.

National coach Darren Lehmann admitted Thursday a bitter pay dispute will be a distraction for Australia at next month's ICC Champions Trophy, but played down a boycott of this year's Ashes series.

Australia's cricket board has warned players will not be given alternative contracts if they fail to agree to a new collective bargaining agreement in an escalation of a protracted and increasingly bitter pay dispute.

The new Perth Stadium will not be finished in time for the third Ashes test between Australia and England in December and the match will therefore be hosted at the traditional WACA ground, Cricket Australia confirmed on Wednesday.

Joe Root knows just how damaging a rampaging Australian pace attack can be having experienced first-hand the devastation wreaked on England by Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris during his maiden Ashes tour in 2013-14.

Former Australia firebrand Brett Lee says the current crop of "once-in-a-generation" pace-bowling talent will put the fear into England's batsmen come next summer's Ashes.

Discussions over whether Australia will host England in a first day-night Ashes cricket Test next year are taking place but nothing has been decided yet, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday.

Ian Botham has hit out at the "appalling" prospect of a first day/night Test in England, saying the "ridiculous" plan risks damaging cricket's flagship format.

Bangladesh is facing a critical moment in its history - certainly its cricketing history - is apparent.

Cricket Australia says it has extended the contract of head coach Darren Lehmann until October 2019 to keep him in place during the next Ashes.

Darren Lehmann has extended his contract as Australia's head coach until 2019 to cover the World Cup and the Ashes series in England that year.

Former England batsman Michael Carberry has been diagnosed with cancer, his county side Hampshire announced