Mitchell Starc spearheaded Australia to a stunning final day innings victory over Pakistan with a mercurial bat and ball performance to claim the series in Melbourne on Friday.

A moment of hesitation opened the door for South Africa as Sri Lanka battled to save the first Test at St George's Park on Thursday.

Skipper Steve Smith scored his 17th Test century to give Australia a 22-run lead over Pakistan as rain again disrupted play in the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.

Cricket South Africa yesterday announced the itinerary for the Bangladesh tour to South Africa in September and October 2017.

Skipper Steve Smith scored his 17th Test century to give Australia a 22-run lead over Pakistan as rain again disrupted play in the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.

Bangladesh lost the best chance to beat the Blackcaps in their own backyard and the 3-match series 2-0 when they crumbled to a 67-run defeat at Saxton Oval, Nelson today.

Azhar Ali hit the highest score by a Pakistan batsman in Australia on Wednesday on the third day of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out of the second ODI against New Zealand and could be sidelined for up to two weeks.

The Blackcaps bowlers didn't venture too far into their bag of tricks in Christchurch against Bangladesh on Monday. That is because they didn't need to, as they took five of their nine wickets off short deliveries.

Suranga Lakmal took four wickets and gave Sri Lanka a slight edge on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Monday.

Australian seamer Jackson Bird claimed two crucial wickets just before rain stopped play on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan at the MCG on Monday.

Uncapped batsman Tom Bruce has been called into New Zealand's Twenty20 squad for their three-match series against Bangladesh next month, while left-arm pace bowler Ben Wheeler has been recalled to the national side.

Bangladesh have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand during the first ODI yesterday.

Bangladesh's 77-run loss to New Zealand in the first ODI at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday should come as no surprise.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said had the bowling been disciplined and the fielding up to the mark the first one-day international against New Zealand could have been a closely-fought game.

New Zealand set aside Christmas festivities to pack in a final training session on Sunday before their Boxing Day series opener against Bangladesh in Christchurch.

Although pace bowlers usually struggle to put on a positive spin when toiling on the subcontinent, Bangladesh's latest fast-bowling sensation is so far an exception to the rule.

Out-of-form Australia batsman Nic Maddinson has been granted a reprieve with his captain Steve Smith confirming his side would be unchanged for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.

A strong fourth innings fightback that had nearly clinched a remarkable record run chase in the first Test loss to Australia in Brisbane had given Pakistan the confidence they needed for the rest of the series, captain Misbah-ul-haq has said.

A thrashing at the hands of Australia had been a salutary lesson for New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and his side would be far more aggressive when their one-day series starts against a confident Bangladesh team on Monday.