Cricket Australia

With less than three weeks to go for the Ashes, Paine had tearfully relinquished the Test captaincy over the scandal on November 19, saying he deeply regretted the incident. "Although exonerated (by a Cricket Australia Integrity Unit investigation), I deeply regretted this incident. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support," Paine had said at a press conference in Hobart.

Taylor, who had quit the CA board in 2018 following the Sandpaper-gate scandal in Cape Town involving Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, said that the decision was taken not just in the best interest of the game but also what was best for Tim Paine, his wife Bonnie and the woman involved. "A decision was taken by the integrity unit and supported by the board to keep this (issue) in house," Taylor was quoted as saying by Nine's Sports on Sunday. "There's obviously been a lot of conjecture about the rights and wrongs of that," the former player said.

On Friday, Paine sensationally stepped down from being the Test skipper as his controversial chats with a one-time Cricket Tasmania female employee from 2017 were made public. In a hastily-arranged press conference at Hobart, a sobbing Paine announced the decision but insisted on playing in the upcoming Ashes series.

Zampa has gone past fellow wrist-spinners Adil Rashid of England and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan with figures of 1/26 in the final against New Zealand and 1/22 in the semifinal versus Pakistan, finishing the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker with 13 scalps.

The 'shoey' celebration has been made famous by Australian Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo by drinking the celebratory champagne from his shoe in 2016 at the German Grand Prix. From there, it has now become a sort of tradition for the current McLaren driver and even the great Lewis Hamilton has given it a shot.

Pakistan has entered the semifinals from Group 2 on the back of an all-win record in the 'Super 12', with big victories against almost every opposition barring New Zealand, who stretched them. Australia, on the other hand, suffered a humiliating defeat against arch-rivals England in Group 1 of the 'Super 12' stage before they made the last-four grade.

This was England's third successive victory and they are at the top position in Group 1 points table of the tournament. England bowlers -- Chris Jordan (3/17), Chris Woakes (2/23), and Tymal Mills (2/45) chipped in with wickets to bowl out Australia for 125 in 20 overs. Chasing a small target, Jason Roy (20) and Jos Buttler (71) gave England a flying start. Both Buttler and Roy dealt in boundaries and took England to 66/0 after the powerplay.

Mallett, who played 38 Tests and nine ODIs in a career spanning 12 years, made his debut against England in 1968 and ended his Test career against the same opponent in 1980. He took 132 wickets at an average of 29.84 in a Test career spanning 12 years. Considered one of the greats of Australian cricket, Mallett holds the best figures for a finger spinner in Australia with 8-59 against Pakistan in Adelaide in 1972.

Asked if it is possible to strike any sort of psychological blow ahead of the Ashes series, Cummins said on the eve of the 'Super 12' game that, "I mean, perhaps, but as I said, I think there's only a couple of players (here) that will (play the Ashes) -- the majority of the side are mainly white-ball players (here). Yeah, maybe one or two players, but different format. I wouldn't read into it too much.

On Thursday, Warner guided Australia to an emphatic seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka, scoring a 42-ball 65 as former T20 World Cup champions Sri Lanka were beaten with three overs to spare in their 'Super 12' game. The opener had posted scores of 0, 2, 0, 1 and 14 heading into this match across various T20 levels.