Azhar Ali given all clear after heavy head shot
Pakistan double-century hero Azhar Ali was felled by a sickening blow to the head while fielding on Thursday but was given the all clear after passing a concussion test.
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
Pakistan double-century hero Azhar Ali was felled by a sickening blow to the head while fielding on Thursday but was given the all clear after passing a concussion test.
Matthew Wade was unable to deliver the innings he craved at the MCG on Thursday, adding scrutiny to his spot behind the stumps.
Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been named as an assistant coach for Australia's Twenty20 campaign against Sri Lanka in February.
Channel Nine cricket host and commentator Mark Nicholas has suffered a health setback and has been taken to hospital for the second time during the Boxing Day Test.
David Warner and Josh Hazlewood are on target to join the greats of the game, having celebrated milestones on a day when Pakistan was criticised for relinquishing their firm hold on the second Test.
Nathan Lyon is under growing pressure to save his spot and has been told he must change his line of attack if he is to have success against a Pakistan side playing him off a break.
Australian bowling coach David Saker has warned the national selectors they risk having one of their star fast bowlers break down unless a "desperate" search for an allrounder is successful.
Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody says a rebuilding Test team still has much work to do and fears an impending tour of India could get "messy".
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland says there is "growing sentiment" for a Big Bash League match to be staged on Christmas night as the Twenty20 format morphs into a beast.
Jackson Bird may feel as if he doesn't have a point to prove but he certainly did that on what was sluggish opening to the Boxing Day Test by ushering the careers of Pakistan kingpins Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan closer to retirement.
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