Struggling allrounder Mitch Marsh has been dropped for Australia’s SCG finale against India, giving Tasmanian Beau Webster a Test debut.

South Africa has already sealed their place in this year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final ahead of the second and final test against Pakistan at Newlands but will want to keep their momentum going in the longest format.

Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey has backed Mitchell Starc to be ready for the decisive fifth and final test of the series against India when it starts in Sydney despite doubts over the fast bowler’s fitness.

Speculation that India captain Rohit Sharma and batting stalwart Virat Kohli are set to call time on their test careers has snowballed as the veteran pair continue to struggle in the five-test series in Australia.

Australia will savour one of their greatest Test wins before quickly turning their attention to lifting the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time in a decade.

Afghanistan amassed their highest score of 699 before the first test against Zimbabwe ended in a draw at the end of the final day at the Queens Sports Club.

Australia and India’s enthralling battle in Melbourne has broken the all-time attendance record for a MCG Test, smashing an 87-year-old mark set during Don Bradman’s prime.

Kagiso Rabada has performed plenty of heroics for his country, earning a reputation as a fearsome bowler with more than 300 test wickets, but rarely has he delivered as dramatic a performance as he did with the bat on Sunday to take South Africa to a two-wicket win over Pakistan.

Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a defiant, maiden fifty to help India avoid the follow-on and push to 326 for seven before rain brought tea early on day three of the fourth test against Australia on Saturday.

India’s Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee after barging into Australia opener Sam Konstas on day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat in the fourth test against India on a scorching day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this morning.

Australia heaved a major sigh of relief on Wednesday after skipper Pat Cummins declared run-machine Travis Head fit for the Boxing Day test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.