Colin de Grandhomme became New Zealand's most successful debutant bowler Friday, taking six for 41 as Pakistan folded for 133 in their first innings of the first Test.

Impressed by performances of certain local players in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon has said that one or two additional performers from the BPL may be included in Bangladesh's preparatory squad for the New Zealand series.

Persistent rain forced the abandonment of the first day's play of the first cricket Test between New Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday.

India's much-hyped spin attack are under pressure to deliver in the second Test at Visakhapatnam starting Thursday against an England side high on confidence and boasting new teenage sensation Haseeb Hameed.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan Papon last week celebrated three successful years in office with a Mezban for all stakeholders at the board headquarters in Mirpur.

Questions arose when the 24-year old all-rounder was not considered for the preparatory camp in Australia for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Pakistan and New Zealand both claimed the high ground on the eve of Thursday's first Test in Christchurch, with the Black Caps drawing inspiration from Brendon McCullum's classic farewell innings.

Australia's cricketers have lost their "fear factor" and could be heading towards a West Indies-style decline, batting great Brian Lara warns.

Rod Marsh has resigned as Australia's chairman of selectors in the wake of the test team's 2-0 series loss to South Africa.

"Embarrassed" skipper Steve Smith said Australia needed a shake-up but backed under-fire coach Darren Lehmann after the hosts slumped to a humiliating series defeat to South Africa on Tuesday.

Kyle Abbott came into the Test series unsure if he was among his team's top four pace bowlers, yet finished as man-of-the-match in South Africa's innings demolition of Australia in Hobart on Tuesday.

Australia captain Steven Smith said he was embarrassed by his team's performance against South Africa and accused his players of lacking pride in their wickets after another batting collapse paved the way to a crushing 2-0 series defeat.

South Africa demolish Australia by an innings and 80 runs after yet another batting collapse to claim their third successive Test series Down Under, plunging the hosts further into crisis.

A change of format could not bring a change in fortunes for Zimbabwe, as Sri Lanka thrashed them by eight wickets in the first match of a one-day international triangular series at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

The first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan is set to go ahead in Christchurch this week, despite a massive earthquake which killed at least two people and caused major infrastructure damage.

Teenage debutant Haseeb Hameed struck his maiden half-century as England took firm control on the fourth day of the first Test against India in Rajkot on Saturday.

The prospect of a rain-interrupted start to the Hobart Test has South Africa mulling a four-pronged pace assault to push for a series-sealing win over Australia when the match begins on Saturday.

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead India's strong reply to England's massive first innings total on the third morning of the opening Test on Friday.

Mehedi is still only 19-years-old, but he had already made a mark and had made a habit of punching above his weight.

India's cricket board threatened Tuesday to cancel the first Test against England, less than 24 hours before it was due to begin, unless judges end a freeze on its bank accounts.