Police with long-armed rifles, a rarity at sporting events in Australia, will patrol the final Ashes cricket test in Sydney starting Sunday as part of heightened security measures following the Bondi Beach terror attack in the city.

Spinner Todd Murphy will have to wait to find out if he will get his first taste of test cricket on home soil on Sunday after captain Steve Smith said Australia were keeping options open for the fifth Ashes clash with England.

As his Test career ends at the SCG, Usman Khawaja reflects on belonging, barriers and a legacy that extends beyond all the runs and centuries | ESPN.com

Cricket Australia has been accused of “playing with fire” on its pitches, after two Ashes Tests finished inside two days. The brief series opener in Perth was widely blamed on underprepared batsmen in the wake of concerns around England’s low-key lead-in featuring just one intra-squad match.

Triumphant Australia will bid farewell to Usman Khawaja as England look to recover another few scraps of pride when the Ashes series comes to a conclusion with the fifth test in Sydney from Sunday.

Former Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn is showing "positive signs" after being hospitalised in an induced coma with meningitis, ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist said.

Former Australian Test cricketer Damien Martyn is in an induced coma in hospital after being diagnosed with meningitis.

A year on from a startling debut against India, the opener will be playing cricket in Sydney this weekend - but in the BBL, not in the Test