Cricket Australia

Stoinis, who is an Australian of Greek heritage, underlined his 'finisher' credentials in the tense five-wicket win against South Africa in the final over, scoring 24 not out and putting together an unbeaten 40-run partnership with Matthew Wade (15 not out). With skipper Aaron Finch, David Warner and Mitch Marsh departing and Australia, chasing 119 for victory, being reduced to 39/3 after eight overs, things became difficult. And with the well-set batters, Steve Smith (35) and Glenn Maxwell (18), too returning to the dressing room in the final few overs, it became a challenge.

After winning the toss, Finch said, "Looks like a good wicket, can't see things changing a lot during the course of the game. We have a lot of experience in the side, we haven't played as a group, but we're looking forward to this tournament. Tough selection choices, but Ashton Agar, Kane Richardson, Josh Inglis and Mitch Swepson miss out."

Chasing 153 for victory, openers gave India a brisk start with KL Rahul once again being the aggressor. Against the spinners, Rahul looked at absolute ease as he smashed Agar and Zampa down the ground for two sixes and a four. Rohit, at the other end, was happy to play second fiddle.

"I know there's a bit of uncertainty around him (Warner) and his results, but he hasn't played any cricket. A lot of them haven't played much cricket. We can't really judge how Dave is going on the back of a disgruntled situation with his franchise," Gilchrist told SEN's Whateley on Wednesday.

Pucovski made his Test debut this year in the Sydney Test against India in January, scoring 62 and 10 before a shoulder injury while fielding ruled him out of Brisbane Test and subsequent cricketing action as a reconstruction surgery was needed. In 24 first-class matches, Pucovski has an average of over 53.41 with six centuries and as many half-centuries.

Australia were defeated in the semifinals by eventual champions India in the very first edition in 2007. The cricketing superpowers reached the final three years later but fell at the last hurdle to England, while they also lost to the eventual champions in 2012 as the West Indies won their semifinal match.

Eddings said he believed the decision was in the best interests of cricket and would provide the opportunity to continue the ongoing Board renewal process. "It has been an honour and a privilege to be able to serve the sport I love as a Cricket Australia director. In that time, and particularly during my time as Chair, we have navigated some of the sport's greatest challenges, including rebuilding the trust and reputation of Australian cricket after the Newlands incident and, more recently, the enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international cricket," said Eddings.

"If players on both sides stay fit then you have to admit the Australian bowling unit is far superior to England's in Australian conditions," Boycott wrote in his column for The Telegraph on Monday. "The Australian media get behind the home team, and try to help by undermining England. They can be cruel," he added.

Reports have been emerging from Australia that the fifth Test, scheduled in Perth, could be moved to Sydney, as Western Australia grapples with the pandemic and their vaccine programme lags behind other states, leading to stringent quarantine rules for tourists even from within the country.

Chasing 150, Smriti Mandhana smashed 52 off 49 balls after starting slow in the power-play and losing Shafali Verma cheaply. She also shared a stand of 57 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues (23 off 26 balls) for the second wicket to keep India in the hunt. Earlier, Beth and Tahlia scored critical knocks to post a respectable total for Australia, who were 73/4 in 11.1 overs.