Australia

The fast bowler has struggled with fitness issues over the past year and has not played any cricket since September last year after a reported stress reaction.

Bumrah withdrew at the time from a home white-ball series with South Africa and saw a subsequent attempt to return to action hindered against Sri Lanka in January.

Now, having undergone a successful operation, he faces a prolonged recovery, with the BCCI hopeful he will be back to full fitness ahead of a home World Cup starting in October.

The 29-year-old is expected to remain in New Zealand until the end of March, with surgery ruling him out of participation in both the 2023 IPL season and a potential World Test Championship final.

From there, the BCCI hope for him to resume training and bowling by August, with a steady workload increase ahead of the 50-over tournament two months later.

Bumrah already missed India's campaign in last year's T20 World Cup, as they reached the semi-finals before suffering a dramatic 10-wicket loss to England.

His absence does not look to have been felt during their current red-ball series against Australia however, with the hosts leading 2-1 ahead of the fourth and final Test starting Thursday.

Captain Rohit Sharma has already warned against rushing him back prematurely, as India seek to win a first World Cup since 2011.

Warner is likely to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground after missing the opening two matches in the series that is now tied at 1-1 following the tourists' impressive victory in Melbourne.

Burns was the man to miss out after registering scores of 8, 51 not out, 0 and 4 in the opening two Tests.

"Joe Burns has been released from the squad and will return to the Brisbane Heat," said chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns.

"Unfortunately, Joe's returns haven't been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of.

"David has made strong progress in his recovery from injury and will be given every chance to play in Sydney with another seven days until the match."

There may be another change to the batting line-up with Will Pucovski also included in the squad.

The 22-year-old was due to play in the series opener in Adelaide before suffering another concussion, the ninth of his career. Pucovski's versatility means he could bat anywhere in the top six.

Hohns added: "Will is in the final stages of the graduated return to play protocols and has been symptom free for some time.

"He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment."

Paceman Sean Abbott was also included after overcoming a calf problem.

The Australia squad for the third and fourth Tests against India is: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Burns was picked for the first Test against India despite being in dismal form, and the opener repaid the selectors' faith with an unbeaten half-century in the second innings of the eight-wicket victory.

Before that unbeaten 51, Burns had made just 70 runs in his previous 10 innings.

The 31-year-old said it was special knowing he still had the support of head coach Langer despite his struggles.

"Obviously, JL has been right in my corner over the last few weeks. Working closely with him in the days leading up to the first Test match, that's exactly how we wanted to approach the game," Burns told a news conference on Monday.

"More than anything in the preparation he wanted me to really play my shots in training and be strong minded in our approach. It's always a special feeling when you're not making runs and you have someone in your corner, then to go out and get some on the board.

"In terms of going forward now, every Test match I play I just want to make big hundreds and try to win games of cricket for Australia. That doesn't change. If I made a pair last game, it wouldn't change going into the next match.

"I can see how people make assumptions of how you may be thinking, but at the end of the day, this game at this level is too challenging to even contemplate or think about those sorts of things. For me anyway, I find the game pretty challenging as is."

With David Warner (adductor) and Will Pucovski (concussion) out, Burns opened alongside Matthew Wade in the first Test.

Warner is seemingly the more likely of the injured pair to return for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, but Burns also praised Wade, who made 33 in the second innings.

"I think Wade's role can't be understated. He came out in that fourth innings and those run chases can be tricky, especially when you see a team get bundled out for 30-odd," Burns said.

"We knew that they had to be aggressive and Wadey is such a tenacious player and he's got so much experience and knowhow. I just loved his intent, the fact that he kept the momentum rolling straight into our innings and didn't let them get on top at any stage. Very unfortunate the way he got dismissed, but he did a fantastic job.

"We haven't heard any final ideas about injuries and what not. I think we'll find out more over the coming days. Obviously, we're still in Adelaide at the moment, I think Dave is in Melbourne at the moment as well. We're still soaking up this Test match here."

The opener, whose place for the first Test is under threat, fell for just one in the second innings, trapped lbw by Mohammed Shami in Sydney.

Burns has been in poor form ahead of the series opener beginning in Adelaide on Thursday.

The right-hander fell for a duck in the first innings, while he made scores of four and 0 in the previous tour match.

It comes after Burns scored just 57 runs in five Sheffield Shield innings for Queensland to begin the season.

His form comes at a time when Australia are dealing with injuries to top-order batsmen, with David Warner (adductor) and Will Pucovski (concussion) already ruled out of the first Test.

Burns' combination with Warner had been talked up before the explosive left-hander suffered his injury.

In 27 Test innings, Burns and Warner have scored 1,365 runs at an average of 50.55, including averaging 65.4 against Pakistan and New Zealand in 2019-20.

Marcus Harris, who like Pucovski was in good form to begin the Shield season, made scores of 26 and five, having departed for 35 and finished with 25 not out in the first tour game.

The top-order woes have led to suggestions Shaun Marsh, 37, could return, with only Pucovski (495) having scored more Sheffield Shield runs than his 485 this season.

But frmer Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy hopes Australia look elsewhere.

"I hope not. Not because it's Shaun, but because we've got heaps of players that have performed in those Shield games and you don't have to go back to a 37-year-old player," he told SEN.

"I want to see him play Shield cricket for as long as he wants and help a lot of blokes, but we're better than having to go back to Shaun I reckon."

Buttler suffered the injury while playing in the Hundred in August and did not take part in England's series win over Pakistan.

But he returns on Sunday against world champions Australia, where they will play three matches ahead of the World Cup.

"I'm back to 100 per cent," Buttler said. "Had a good time in Pakistan rehabbing, probably could have played earlier, but with the World Cup around the corner, it was the right thing to do."

Buttler is expected to open with either Alex Hales or Phil Salt, and he is confident in England's batting capabilities.

"We have great options at the top of the order with guys in really good form in Pakistan," he added.

"They're both excellent options. Whoever I partner with will have a great go at it."

Buttler also revealed that Liam Livingstone is a doubt for the World Cup, starting later this month.

He explained Livingstone is "a little way off at the minute", saying: "Hopefully he'll get back to full fitness before the start of the World Cup."

Captain Joe Root's side begin their quest for glory on December 8 in Brisbane as they look to inflict a blow on Australia, who recently enjoyed T20 World Cup success in the United Arab Emirates.

Buttler, who is England's vice-captain and wicket-keeper in the longest format, has never played a Test match Down Under and averages just 20.50 in 18 red-ball innings against Australia – only against South Africa does he average fewer runs.

But the 31-year-old intends to embrace the fearless approach that served him so well at the T20 World Cup, where he bludgeoned 269 runs at an average of 89.66.

"I feel like I have nothing to lose, to be honest," Buttler told reporters at Tuesday's virtual news conference.

"It's sort of been a disjointed year, the one just gone. Some good form and some bad form and in the year before as well.

"But I certainly have nothing to lose. I come here and it's the first time I'm experiencing an Ashes series [in Australia] so I'm fully determined to enjoy all the challenges that throws up.

"I'm excited to experience it: the good, the bad, and I'm sure the highs and lows along the way.

"As a player at the minute I'm trying to bring a fearless approach and to truly try and embrace the opportunity.

"I sort of feel like I'm in that stage in my career with nothing to lose, but to give my best, and I know when I get to somewhere near my best that's going to be pretty good."

The Ashes has already been hitting the headlines with Australia captain Tim Paine stepping down to take a break away from cricket for mental health reasons following a lewd-texting scandal.

Pat Cummins takes the leadership role as the fast bowler becomes Australia's 47th Test captain, and Buttler claims whoever can ignore off-field issues the best will succeed.

"Around the Ashes there's always certain things that go on. The guys that can sort of park off-field issues or deal with the distractions an Ashes series throws up, and perform well when the ball is being delivered, is the team that's going to play best," he said.

Despite having not played a Test match in Australia before, Buttler believes he can call upon white-ball experiences to compete against Cummins' new side.

"I've not played a red-ball game out here, bar some Lions cricket a number of years ago," he said.

"I've been to Australia quite a few times and played ODIs, T20s and the Big Bash as well.

"So familiarity with some conditions is something I can dip into and hopefully not be surprised by. But I think the challenge always as a player is to adapt to any conditions that are in front of you and adapt quickly.

"But certainly, I will try to dip into that experience, and I'm in my early 30s now so have played quite a bit of cricket and hopefully know what to expect."

Buttler has not played since the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to India on June 27, sustaining the injury in training for The Hundred, forcing him to sit out of the entire competition.

He was due to be back for England's T20I series but has suffered a setback, which also makes him a doubt for the five one-day internationals that follow.

Phil Salt will lead the side for the first time in Buttler's absence, with Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton called up to the squad as his replacement.

Should Buttler also miss the ODIs, which start on September 19, Harry Brook will be the stand-in captain, with Essex batter Jordan Cox added to the group as cover.

The T20I series is England's first white-ball assignment since the World Cup, with head coach Matthew Mott since leaving his role.

Marcus Trescothick will take charge of his first game on Wednesday as interim head coach, with Test coach Brendon McCullum set to take charge of the limited-overs sides in a combined role which will begin in January.

England lost by 36 runs to old foes Australia on Saturday in Bridgetown, leaving them fourth in Group B.

With second-place Scotland facing lowly Oman on Sunday, England are in real danger of slumping out of the tournament early.

And Buttler knows the task is now for reigning champions England to turn matters around in their next two group matches if they wish to go on and defend their title.

"We need to play with a lot of confidence," he said.

"It's all laid out what we need to do so we need to dust ourselves down and go again."

Buttler was England's highest scorer, with 42, as they finished on 165-6 from their 20 overs.

England's captain and fellow opener Phil Salt had started well when chasing down a target of 202, accumulating 73 without loss.

But Salt's dismissal by Adam Zampa, who then sent Buttler packing, was a blow from which England failed to recover.

"We did have a bright start. Outside the powerplay was always going to be the challenge, we saw that in their innings," Buttler said.

"Credit to Australia, Adam Zampa bowled very well and in the middle overs the pacers were very disciplined.

"I thought they came out with a lot of intent and played really well and put us under a lot of pressure straight away. It was tough to drag it back from there. They bowled really well in that middle phase, took wickets at regular times and defended really well.

"There is always hindsight and a lot of decisions you can change or do earlier. There were a couple of soft balls where we could have saved boundaries."

Jofra Archer took 1-28 and was the only England bowler to avoid significant damage, as he works his way back to form after an injury-hit couple of years.

"He bowled really well," Buttler said of the paceman. "It looks like he hasn't been away at all. He is a great bowler to call on as a captain. He's got so much variety and skill and we're lucky to have him back."

Zampa was named player of the match, taking 2-28. The spinner has taken at least one wicket in each of his last 12 innings at the T20 World Cup, including two in each of his last four matches.

"We've played against England a lot, so we know a lot about their players," he said.

"We've played here before and we knew about the long grease side. It was difficult to hit sixes out there and we made it our game plan.

"It is one of those places you don't know about until you bowl a few balls on, I was just keen to get some pace on and aim at the stumps.

"We have a great depth with our bowling attack. We all have different roles and you saw some of us bowling really defensively to stop runs."

Matthew Mott's white-ball  were defeated by Australia on Saturday, with their 36-run loss leaving them staring at a group-stage elimination in their T20I title defence.

That result was compounded by Scotland's thrashing of Oman with 41 balls to spare as England suffered another blow to their hopes of progressing via net run-rate.

Another must-win match against Oman looms on Thursday, where England have to triumph before any other calculations of permutations can begin, says captain Buttler.

"I don't think it's s**t or bust quite yet," Buttler told reporters in Antigua. "I think it's quite clear what we need to do and how we need to play.

"First and foremost, we need to win the game against Oman to have any chance going forward into the next one.

"So we have to earn the right to try and win the game. And if we can get ourselves in a position to affect our net run-rate, obviously that's what we need to do."

England then face Namibia on Saturday to round off their group-stage campaign, though two victories for Buttler's side may still not be enough.

Scotland could still knock them out by beating Australia in their final match after England meet Namibia, when the Scots will have an advantage of a clear picture of what is required.

"We've looked at a few little bits but it's going to be ever-changing throughout the game," Buttler added.

"I don't think we need to consume too much energy today and tomorrow saying 'we need to score 'X' amount of runs or win by this much'. I think those kinds of things will develop on the day.

"That's the situation we find ourselves in, so we have to be aware of that, but not be consumed by that.

"If we try and do that bit first and forget about trying to win the game and lose, then you've got no chance anyway.

"So I'd rather have some kind of chance going into the last game, and know exactly what we need to."

England's white-ball struggles at the tournament have raised questions about Buttler's captaincy and coach Mott's tenure.

Buttler has no interest in the speculation surrounding his stewardship, however.

"I care more about the team than the media and the outside noise," he added. "That's always there, it's part of international sport. If you get to this level, you have to be able to deal with it, the job you guys do, that's the job TV does.

"It's probably harder to completely ignore it in this day and age, but there's a level of acceptance. Our focus has to be on what we can do with our performance.

"I've played the game long enough now to know that it's very good at building people up and pretty good at criticising when it doesn't go right, especially in England.

"I do the same thing when I'm watching a game of football or rugby – 'how's he missed that from there?' 'How did he miss from one-yard out', or 'someone's dropped the ball over the line'. Simple things like that.

"People care. That's why we're able to do what we do because people care and they want to watch. We're a proud team, we want to perform really well for all the fans.

"But to be honest, all the focus is on us and how well we can play. If we play as well as we can, we'll make our fans happy."

Australia will host Virat Kohli's India amid the coronavirus pandemic, starting with a three-game ODI series, starting in Sydney on November 27.

A three-game T20 contest will follow, beginning in Canberra on December 4, before a blockbuster four-Test showdown between Australia and Border-Gavaskar holders India.

The five-day series will get underway with the first-ever day-night Test between the countries – Adelaide Oval hosting the historic clash on December 17.

Melbourne will also stage the iconic Boxing Day Test and a crowd is expected as the state eases lockdown restrictions following the COVID-19 crisis.

"In relation to the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, we are working with the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club on plans to safely host spectators at the iconic event with details to be confirmed in due course.," CA's interim chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.

"The safety of the Australian community and all participants is our highest priority and we will continue to work with governments across Australia to ensure the schedule proceeds in line with relevant directions and biosecurity protocols."

Hockley added: "Across all three formats, Australia and India represents one of the great rivalries in world sport and we are delighted to welcome Virat Kohli's outstanding squad to Australian shores this summer.

"We have worked closely with the [Board of Control for Cricket in India] BCCI for many months to bring this tour to life, and I cannot speak more highly of the professional, thorough and collaborative manner with which they have approached this tour in these extraordinary and complex times.

"I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at the BCCI for the faith and support they have shown in the plan we have developed, which we believe will result in a safe and successful summer for all involved.

"We would also like to especially thank the NSW Government for allowing players from both teams to safely prepare during quarantine, as well as other governments and health authorities who have worked with us to host a series which, I have no doubt, will live long in the memories of all who experience it.

"I would also like to thank everyone across Australian cricket and our valued partners for working tirelessly to navigate through the challenges and deliver a schedule that will bring joy and excitement to hundreds of millions of fans at home and abroad."

Matt Henry claimed four wickets as the home side’s seam attack took full advantage of a green wicket in Wellington.

Henry claimed the wickets of openers Steve Smith for 31 and Usman Khawaja for 33 as Australia limped to 85 for four, the struggling Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head both managing just a single.

Mitchell Marsh provided some support to Green, handed the pivotal number four spot after Smith’s elevation to open following the retirement of David Warner, before Henry had him caught behind for 40.

Green hit 16 boundaries, accelerating through the second half of the day with wickets falling regularly at the other end with variable bounce and seam movement making batting difficult.

Nathan Lyon was the last to go when he was caught behind to give Henry his fourth wicket just before stumps.

There was still time for Green to reach his second Test century, moving through the 90s with three boundaries in the day’s final over.

Having had the visitors in early trouble on the first day in Wellington, the hosts saw last-wicket pair Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood frustrate them for much of the morning session.

They then saw their top order blown away and only some counterattacking lower down got them within 204 runs of their visitors.

Having reached his century off the penultimate ball of day one, Green added another 71 runs as he reached a Test-best 174 not out – last man Hazlewood weighing in with 22 as they took the overnight score from 279 for nine to 383.

Mitchell Starc was first to strike in the New Zealand inning as he bowled Tom Latham for five before the hosts lost talismanic batsman Kane Williamson without scoring.

Williamson, who scored seven centuries in his last seven Tests, and Will Young collided in the middle of a quick single and Marnus Labuschagne’s direct hit sent the former captain packing.

Rachin Ravindra followed for a duck as he cut Hazlewood to Nathan Lyon, Young and Daryl Mitchell also departing cheaply to leave New Zealand 29-5.

Glenn Phillips hit a counterattacking 71 off 70 balls alongside Tom Blundell (33) but only Matt Henry’s 42 offered much more resistance, Lyon collecting four for 34 as the hosts were dismissed for 179.

Australia opted against enforcing the follow on and lost Steve Smith without scoring off the third ball, bowled by Tim Southee.

Southee struck again as Labuschagne’s poor run continued, caught behind for two, but Usman Khawaja and Lyon saw Australia through to stumps at 13-2 – a lead of 217.

The talented all-rounder, 21, was included in an 18-man squad named on Thursday.

Green is the leading run-scorer in this season's Sheffield Shield with 264 at an average of 132 for Western Australia, while he averages 27.83 with the bat and 34.42 with the ball in nine domestic 50-over matches.

Moises Henriques has also been recalled, while Mitchell Marsh has missed out after dealing with an ankle injury.

"Moises is a tremendous cricketer with loads of experience and is a great person to have around the group," Australia national selector Trevor Hohns said.

"His form was extremely impressive in leading the [Sydney] Sixers to the BBL title last summer and he has played well at the start of this season.

"Similarly, Cameron's domestic form has been outstanding and he has carried it through for Western Australia this summer. As a potential player of the future this is an opportunity for him to be part of the squad and build on his experience."

Australia's three-match ODI series against India is set to begin in Sydney on November 27, before the teams do battle in three T20s at the start of December.

Australia: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Australians clearly felt their bowling attack could restrict Zimbabwe to a manageable total, but the visiting side started well in Townsville.

Zimbabwe's openers safely navigated the opening 10 overs, before Innocent Kala was caught-and-bowled by Mitchell Marsh to make it 42-1, but the partnership of Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wessly Madhevere looked resolute.

Australian quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood would have felt they were unlucky to not take any wickets in their opening spell, but despite some loose shots and near-catches, Zimbabwe built a healthy platform of 87-1.

Marumani ended up playing all around a straight one from Adam Zampa to be dismissed on 45 from 61 deliveries, and once he was gone, Madhevere starting losing running-mates quickly.

Six of the last seven batsmen to come to the middle were dismissed for no more than seven runs, with Regis Chakabva's 31 from 33 deliveries the last piece of resistance before Madhevere was caught-and-bowled by Zampa on 72 from 91.

A late onslaught from the Aussie attack turned 185-4 into all-out for 200, as Cameron Green rattled off five quick wickets to clean up the tail, finishing with personal figures of 5-33 from nine overs. Zampa was Australia's only other multiple wicket-taker, collecting 3-57.

With such a low target required, the Australians knew they could take their time, as evidenced by their top-three batsmen all going at a pace slower than a run-per-ball.

David Warner controlled proceedings early, surviving a close third-umpire referral when the Zimbabwe wicketkeeper was convinced he heard a feathery touch, going on to score 57 from 66 deliveries before being bowled.

Steve Smith came in at three and was far from in a hurry, methodically playing his way to 48 from 80 deliveries, before Glenn Maxwell came in at number-seven to race towards the finish.

Maxwell only saw nine deliveries, but he sent three to the rope along the ground, and three over the rope on the full on his way to a rapid-fire 32 runs – finishing the game with a big six.

Ryan Burl was expensive for Zimbabwe with the ball, giving up 60 runs in seven overs, but he was also their only multiple wicket-taker, collecting memorable scalps of Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey and Marsh.

The second match of the series will take place on Wednesday, with the third scheduled for Saturday.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the key issues ahead of the fourth Test.

Eyes on the skies

While it is never wise to stick too slavishly to the British weather forecast, it is impossible to ignore the likelihood of rain intervening in this match. Showers are predicted to play a part throughout but there is a particular concern over the weekend, when things are set to get extremely wet. That could play into Australia’s hands given a drawn match would see them retain the urn. England, on the other hand, need two more victories to win it back and are likely to be open to generating a result even if it means taking a gamble. With different motivations it remains to be seen whether there will be enough time and enough will to reach a fitting conclusion.

Australia to bin the spin?

The tourists are leaving it late to settle an unexpected selection quandary, with first-choice all-rounder Cameron Green fit again after Headingley and his temporary stand-in Mitchell Marsh effectively undroppable with a brilliant century as understudy. There was speculation that off-form opener David Warner could be the man to make way but it increasingly seems that spinner Todd Murphy is the man at risk. Australia have not gone into a Test without a frontline slow bowler since January 2012 but with Nathan Lyon injured and his deputy considered more dispensable they are pondering a significant change to the balance of their side. Deploying Green and Marsh would bolster their batting and make them harder to bowl out twice but leave their options in the field much diminished.

Three is the Moeen number

The number three position has caused plenty of headaches for England over the years and familiar questions resurfaced when incumbent Ollie Pope dislocated his shoulder at Lord’s. After a one-innings experiment with Harry Brook, Moeen Ali volunteered for a surprise promotion in the Headingley chase. Despite being bowled for just five he has now been inked in at first drop, allowing the likes of Brook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes to bat in their preferred positions lower down. It is a big ask for the all-rounder, who initially agreed to return from retirement as a number eight and averages 15.75 from his four knocks this summer, but this England side are not averse to a gamble.

Age concern for England?

When it comes to taking wickets England have made sure they will not lack for experience in Manchester. Their five main bowlers for this Test have a combined age of 180, with James Anderson returning to the fray less than a fortnight before his 41st birthday. Their side is the first to go into an Ashes Test with four pace bowlers aged 33 or above since the Australian class of 1928, but few England fans would argue with the composition of the attack on current form. Moeen suggested the hosts are hoping to prove the adage that “old is gold” and Anderson would love nothing more than making that point. He has never taken a Test five-for at his home ground and is unlikely to have too many more shots at the honours’ board.

Will Jonny be good

England have rowed in hard behind Jonny Bairstow as wicketkeeper, rendering Ben Foakes’ imperious glovework surplus to requirements. Bairstow has had an eventful series as he continues to feel his way back from a badly broken leg – locking horns with a Just Stop Oil protester, being controversially stumped by Alex Carey and facing constant scrutiny over his keeping. But the bare facts are that he has let eight chances pass him by. That has materially hindered England’s prospects and nobody will know better than him that he needs to reach a higher level this week. He has a long track record of performing best when under pressure and his fight-or-flight response will be needed again.

Hosts India have waltzed serenely through the competition, while Australia have rediscovered their fighting instincts after a slow start.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the key issues ahead of the winner-takes-all battle.

Can King Kohli be stopped

With over 300 million followers on social media, Virat Kohli transcends his sport. But with 711 runs in 10 matches to date, he has also proved that he masters it too. Kohli has been in majestic form over the past few weeks, standing up remarkably to sky-high expectations. He has passed 50 eight times and celebrated three centuries. Having failed to deliver a global title as captain, it increasingly appears to be his destiny to deliver one for successor Rohit Sharma. If they are to win, Australia simply must prevent him holding court.

Seam supremacy

Both sides have pace bowlers who can wreak havoc when they are on a roll and an unplayable spell from any one of them could be decisive. In Mohammed Shami, India boast the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with the wily quick claiming a staggering 23 wickets at 9.13 despite sitting out four group matches. He has stolen the spotlight so far, but Jasprit Bumrah is built for the big occasions and will fancy leaving his mark on the final. Australia, meanwhile, lean heavily on the ‘big three’ of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who dovetail brilliantly with their distinct set of skills. Keeping them out of the wickets while maintaining a strong scoring rate remains one of the trickiest challenges around.

Pitch imperfect?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India caused a controversy ahead of the semi-final against New Zealand, switching the pre-agreed pitch for an alternative strip at the eleventh hour. The International Cricket Council’s independent pitch consultant Andy Atkinson was understood to be angry about the barely explained change and flew to Ahmedabad to oversee matters ahead of the final. His recommendation, pitch number five at the Narendra Modi Stadium, has been followed this time but once again it is a used surface having previously hosted India’s game against Pakistan on October 14. A fresher track would be fitting for a game of this magnitude but a worn surface favours the home side, who boast greater spin options. Australia will be paying close attention to how well it plays.

Powerplay positioning

Despite the strength of the new-ball attacks, both teams are built to attack in the first 10 overs. India lead off with their fearless captain Rohit Sharma and the incorrigible driver Shubman Gill, while Australia look to dominate through the trailblazer-turned-veteran David Warner and the in-form Travis Head. All four openers have the ball-striking ability to take the game away from opponents and it will not have escaped anybody’s notice that the team who bosses the powerplay head-to-head is the team that typically wins in these conditions. Of the quartet, 37-year-old Warner is in the most interesting position as he retires from the format at the end of the match. Nothing would vex this tigerish competitor more than bowing out without getting his punches in first.

After the tension of Edgbaston and the controversy of Lord’s, Stokes’ side find themselves in do-or-die territory as they seek to regain the urn for the first time since 2015.

The odds are stacked against them, needing a hat-trick of victories against the recently crowned Test world champions, but when they step out on the field in Leeds they will not need reminding that sporting miracles can happen.

It was here four years ago that Stokes scored a sensational 135 not out to salvage a seemingly lost cause, putting on an improbable 76 for the last wicket with Jack Leach. Rewind to 1981 and it was Sir Ian Botham and Bob Willis dragging England over the line from odds of 500-1.

With the crowd likely to be whipped into a frenzy from ball one due to the resentment over local hero Jonny Bairstow’s stumping last Sunday, the stage is already set for another memorable week.

“I don’t know what it is about Headingley. We’ve had some pretty special memories here and you’re always thinking it’d be great to make another one,” Stokes said.

“I think the magical thing that would happen this week is for us to win the game and keep the Ashes alive, to be honest.

“We’ve got some very fond memories here as an England team and I’m sure supporters have got some fond memories as spectators as well.

“The game four years ago was probably the highlight for the guys who were there, but even going back before we were born there was Beefy (Botham) and Bob as well. I think 1981 and 2019 will probably come up at some point around the ground.

“The crowd here is amazing, the atmosphere always is too. When we’re on top they get going even more, but even when things are slow and maybe we’re not having the success that we want to in any given situation, they’re still going wild.

“I think they might be a little bit ramped up this week, for some reason.”

While Stokes left the last part of that sentence unresolved, it does not take an expert to read between the lines.

Alex Carey’s divisive removal of Bairstow during a pivotal moment of England’s fourth-innings chase sparked fury at the time and has led to four solid days of reprisals, with Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak and Anthony Albanese even wading in to the ‘spirit of cricket’ of debate.

Stokes has made his disappointment plain and, with the series on the line, is now happy to leave it behind.

“I think there’s obviously been a lot of noise around the incident last week at Lord’s but, from me as a captain, I think the best thing that everyone needs to do is just move on from it,” he urged.

The perilous nature of England’s situation is not lost on Stokes, who would become the first captain since 2001 to lose to Australia on home soil, but he refuses to believe defeat would be a terminal moment for the ‘Bazball’ experiment.

In fact, he feels the simplicity of the equation ahead – win, win and win again – will appeal to his team.

“The Ashes is obviously over if things don’t go well, but the team isn’t over if it doesn’t go well,” he said.

“We will have two games after that and then we’ll have other series after that to keep going. But we understand where we’re at in the series and we know what we need to do.

“It may sound daft but the situation we find ourselves in is sort of perfect for what we have been speaking about as a group in the dressing room, about what we want to do and how we want to go about it.

“This is that moment, it starts here at Headingley and we’ve got to win this game.”

England have freshened up their team by changing both the personnel and the balance. Harry Brook steps up from number five to number three, the spot vacated by injured vice-captain Ollie Pope, while Moeen Ali, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes all return as James Anderson and Josh Tongue step down.

Potentially the most intriguing aspect of those changes is the belated introduction of Wood. He is comfortably the fastest bowler currently available, capable of clearing 96mph, and in the continued absence of Jofra Archer and Olly Stone his return to could not have come at a better time.

Wood was the only England player whose reputation was enhanced during the last Ashes tour in 2021-22 and Stokes is pleased have a new weapon at his disposal.

“It’s great to have Woody back in this game,” he said. “I’m excited that we’ve got him in a place where he’s able to walk onto the field and play a part in the summer.

“Tonguey was bowling high 80s last week, and I think he performed fantastically well, so to have someone who can bowl high 90s is pretty exciting. Woody’s not just an out-and-out bloke who runs in and tries to hit people – he is a very skilful bowler as well.”

Pakistan won the ODI series thanks in large part to the brilliance of captain Babar Azam and his superb 66 propelled the hosts to a competitive 162-8 in Lahore.

Babar's composure at the crease was much-needed for Pakistan, who lost Mohammad Rizwan (23) and Fakhar Zaman (0) in successive balls to T20I debutant Cameron Green (2-16).

Adam Zampa finally drew a stray shot out of Pakistan's skipper, who picked out Nathan Ellis to leave his side on 118-4.

Having already dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed, Ellis – the pick of Australia's bowlers with 4-28 – then did the damage through Pakistan's middle order, getting rid of the dangerous Khushdil Shah (24), Asif Ali (3) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0), though Usman Qadir's flurry of 18 not out boosted the hosts.

Travis Head quickly set about getting the tourists' chase on its way, scoring a rapid 26 that included four boundaries before he was sent packing by Haris Rauf.

Josh Inglis (24) kept up the pace until Qadir struck, but Australia seemed well set before Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis and Green were dismissed in the space of 20 balls.

Yet captain Finch anchored the chase as he returned to form following back-to-back ducks in the ODI series, with his steady innings steering Australia into needing 15 runs from three overs.

A costly start to the 18th over from Haris saw McDermott plunder successive boundaries, though the pressure was back on Australia when Finch found Asif in the deep.

Afridi (2-21) rounded off an excellent spell by bowling Sean Abbott for a duck, yet another poor Haris ball handed McDermott the chance to clip away the winning boundary.

Captains come up big

Babar gave yet another exhibition of how he has risen to the top of the batting rankings in another sensational knock - his 66 coming at a strike rate of 143.47.

Yet it was World Cup winner Finch who took the trophy, as he showed plenty of patience to stay at the crease for 18 overs, showing why interim head coach Andrew McDonald backed him to stay on as skipper.

Historic tour comes to a close

It has been a brilliant match-up between Pakistan and Australia over the last month or so and the tourists will finally return home.

Australia have now won each of their past four T20Is against Pakistan, the first time they have gone on such a run, though this was the first meeting in the format between the teams in Pakistan.

The pair came together at the crease with the hosts on 44-5 inside a dozen overs following a blistering start from left-arm quick Trent Boult.

But wicketkeeper Carey (85) and all-rounder Green (89 not out) turned the tables on the Black Caps, their sixth-wicket alliance proving pivotal as Australia went in pursuit of New Zealand's 232-9 and found an extra gear.

It marked a fine recovery for Aaron Finch's side against the top-ranked 50-over side in world cricket.

Having won the toss and put the tourists in to bat at Cazalys Stadium, Australia looked like they could rue the decision after Devon Conway (46) and Kane Williamson (45) helped New Zealand to 91-1.

The visitors did not quite take off after that partnership broke up, but they still looked in the ascendancy, particularly when Boult claimed the scalps of Finch (5), Steve Smith (1) and Marnus Labuschagne (0).

Yet Carey and Green, both omitted from Australia's T20 World Cup squad, rallied with a sublime effort to spin the match on its head. Although Carey's dismissal sparked a nervy finale, they still had enough to get over the line.

Maxwell keeps Black Caps at bay

Crucial to Australia's success was Glenn Maxwell, who went for more runs than any other bowler in the side but took four crucial wickets.

It makes him just the third spinner to achieve the feat against New Zealand in ODI cricket for the Baggy Greens, after Shane Warne and Brad Hogg.

Williamson's half-century drought continues

It was so near and yet so far for New Zealand skipper Williamson, who just fell short of the 50 mark again for his country.

He has not scored an international half-century in 2022, a concern perhaps for the captain with the T20 World Cup looming.

The tourists reached stumps on day one with a healthy score of 251-3 and inflicted further pain on their opponents by making it to 505-8 by the end of play on Sunday.

Usman Khawaja was responsible for 127 of those runs on day one and looked good value to reach a double hundred after adding another 27 runs unbeaten before lunch.

However, Islamabad-born Khawaja – who has strong family ties to Karachi – was dismissed soon after for 160 from 369 balls by Sajid Khan.

Travis Head was earlier trapped by Sajid for 23 off 48, with a review showing the ball just clipped leg stump, while Nathan Lyon was bowled by Faheem Ashraf for 38.

Australia were 360-6 after losing Khawaja, but Cameron Green (28) and Carey put on 45 before the latter was bowled by Nauman Ali.

Carey looked untroubled alongside Mitchell Starc (28 not out) as he powered towards triple figures, only to be dismissed by Babar Azam on 93 shortly before stumps.

"I guess you want to make those triple figures," Carey said at the end of play. "I think the way the game's going, it was quite an important knock in the end.

"Hopefully tomorrow we see what the skipper does but it's great to have 500 runs on the board."

Decision time for Cummins

After two full days of batting, Australia skipper Pat Cummins must decide whether to declare early on on Monday, as many would expect to be the case.

Pakistan have plenty of work to do if they are to avoid a first defeat to Australia in nine Tests at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Carey keeps Australia in command

Carey was disappointed to miss out on a century, but he still recorded his biggest Test score in what is his seventh outing, his previous highest being 51.

But Khawaja's mammoth 160 – consisting of 15 fours and one six – will be extremely tough to top, the 35-year-old having now notched 257 runs in this series.