New Zealand coach Mike Hesson declined to lay the boot into Australia Thursday after a demoralising Test series defeat to South Africa, insisting their one-day team was a different beast.

Thousands of Brazilians who had been expecting to spend Wednesday night cheering their beloved Chapecoense football team in its hour of glory were instead gathering at the home stadium to mourn dead players.

Saturday's blockbuster La Liga clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be preceded by a minute's silence for the 71 people killed in a plane crash that decimated the Brazilian football team Chapecoense.

England captain Alastair Cook is looking forward to a rare week-long break in a hectic playing schedule after the heavy third Test defeat against India in Mohali Tuesday.

A plane that crashed in the mountains of Colombia, killing 71 people, including members of a Brazilian football team, may have run out of fuel, a Colombian military source told AFP.

Andy Murray could round off his sensational year which has seen him finish as men's tennis world number one and win both Wimbledon and the Olympic title with a historic third BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Pakistan resisted the temptation to change and retained the same 16-man squad which is currently on tour in New Zealand for their upcoming series in Australia, their chief selector said Monday.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte warned his players to remain grounded after they returned to the Premier League summit courtesy of a gritty 2-1 victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Skipper Steve Smith said his newly energised Australia side can only get better after a spirited win over South Africa in the day-night third and final Test in Adelaide on Sunday.

Nico Rosberg starts Sunday's season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the Formula One world title he covets so keenly tantalisingly within his grasp.

Australia rebounded to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa to end a run of five Test defeats in the day-night third Test in Adelaide on Sunday.

World Cup holders Germany were placed in Group B for the 2017 Confederations Cup alongside Chile, Australia and the winner of next year's Africa Cup of Nations at Saturday's draw in Kazan.

The "voice of cricket" Richie Benaud has been honoured with his face on a 50-cent coin in Australia, with a limited mintage inspired by statistics from his storied career.

Usman Khawaja and captain Steve Smith led the charge for Australia after the loss of two early wickets on the second day of the day-night third Test against South Africa on Friday.

The International Cricket Council voiced disappointment after South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis said he will appeal his conviction for ball-tampering.

New Zealand reach 77-2 against Pakistan before rain forces day one of the second and final Test to be abandoned after just 21 overs in Hamilton.

New Zealand suffered a blow on the eve of the second Test against Pakistan when bowling spearhead Trent Boult was ruled out on Thursday with a knee injury.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting says he would consider the role of chairman of selectors if offered the job and is also open to discussions on a coaching position with the team.

India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha is ruled out of the third Test against England, prompting the selectors to recall Parthiv Patel after eight years in the wilderness.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis insisted he wasn't a cheat and warned cricket authorities had opened a "can of worms" on Wednesday after he was found guilty of ball-tampering in controversial circumstances.