Australian cricketers unveil plans to take back their own image rights, firing the latest salvo in an ongoing pay battle with the country's cricket board.

National coach Darren Lehmann admitted Thursday a bitter pay dispute will be a distraction for Australia at next month's ICC Champions Trophy, but played down a boycott of this year's Ashes series.

Australia's cricket board has warned players will not be given alternative contracts if they fail to agree to a new collective bargaining agreement in an escalation of a protracted and increasingly bitter pay dispute.

A delegation from Cricket Australia is expected to arrive in Bangladesh mid May to assess the security arrangements that will be made during Australia's scheduled tour of Bangladesh, which is expected to take place in August and feature two Tests.

Australia's professional cricketers rejected a pay offer from the sport's governing body on Friday, saying the proposal was "a win for cricket administrators but a loss for cricket".

Trevor Hohns was named as the chairman of Australia's cricket selectors on Friday after steadying the ship as caretaker chief following a string of defeats last year.

Former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy says he's "losing respect" for India captain Virat Kohli, and believes his confrontational attitude is heaping pressure on his teammates.

Tensions flared in a gripping opening hour of day two of the second Test, with rival skippers Steve Smith and Virat Kohli sharing a heated chat for several overs.

Sri Lanka opener Niroshan Dickwella has been banned for two limited-over matches after his latest breach of ICC code of conduct, the International Cricket Council said on Tuesday.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been charged with a code of conduct breach in Australia's Twenty20 Big Bash League and fined, Cricket Australia said on Friday.

Records have tumbled for the Twenty20 Big Bash League, with Cricket Australia saying Sunday the enormous crowds and viewership for the fast-paced format this season has surpassed expectations.

Test greats David Boon, Matthew Hayden and the late Betty Wilson will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame this week, Cricket Australia said on Sunday.

Test greats David Boon, Matthew Hayden and the late Betty Wilson will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame this week, Cricket Australia said on Sunday.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has given the strongest indication yet that Australia will play two Tests in Bangladesh later this year, reports cricket.com.au

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said Monday he will lead the side in the third Test against Australia in Sydney, dismissing suggestions he is about to retire.

Australia plan to prepare for their Indian Test series in Dubai as team officials seek more control over the state of practice pitches, reports said Monday.

Cricket officials Wednesday banned a black bat used by West Indian Andre Russell in Australia's T20 Big Bash League because its colour marks the ball.

Shane Watson has hit back at Michael Clarke's claim he was part of a group that was "like a tumour" in Australia's cricket team, saying it reflected poorly on the former captain.

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor says six spots are contestable in the national team ahead of the first Test against South Africa next month.

Australia will have a new chairman of selectors before the next Ashes series after Cricket Australia says that Rodney Marsh would not be seeking to stay on in the role when his contract expires next year.