Khawaja fitness doubt after Big Bash pullout

Ricky Ponting believes Shaun Marsh should be replaced by Usman Khawaja in the Australia side for the second Test against West Indies despite his heroics in Hobart last week. My hero, Kohli, lashed out against critics of his victorious squad, saying, among other things that someone who had never played Test cricket should criticise those who had because it was impossible for them to understand the pressure that these players undergo in a Test match.

Chris Gayle is hopeful he will be playing Test cricket in 2016.

The legitimacy of his bowling action has always been queried, with now-Australia coach Darren Lehmann among the Big Bash League coaches to publicly suggest he was a “chucker” when he played for Melbourne Renegades three years ago.

“If I wasn’t (recovering from a back injury) I would definitely”.

Commenting on that knock the Jamaican said “I scored 92 in a game and the next day felt like I’d been hit by a bus, the body will actually take time to build up gradually”.

“I thought if I bowl like I did in the first innings I probably won’t be getting too many more games, so (I had) better change something”. I’ve got a white shirt in case I’m needed.

“Chris Broad imposed the fine after Jason Holder’s side was ruled to be three overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration”, read an International Cricket Council statement released on Sunday.

“Speaking after witnessing the Windies’ innings and 212-run defeat inside three days in the opening Test in Hobart, Warne said that Lara could play a role in reviving the team’s morale”, reports CMC.

They face Australia in the second Test in Melbourne starting on Boxing Day (December 26). West Indies have lost seven of their last ten Tests. However Cricket Australia medical staff have ruled him out of the clash against cross-city rivals the Sixers. “I used to play for West Indies, I had 10 half-centuries, 15 hundreds, you can’t get groceries like that – you have to live”, Russell said.

Ponting said Queensland right-hander Burns, whose technique has failed to hold up at times this summer, deserves an extended run in the baggy green. Some young players are coming through the ranks.