AUSTRALIA lost Phillip Hughes (20) early but was in a good position having recovered to be 1-93 at lunch on the first day of the Wellington Test.

AUSTRALIAN captain Ricky Ponting says Ryan Harris is set for his debut in first Test against New Zealand starting tomorrow, if the pace bowler can prove he has overcome a side strain

South Australia fast bowler Peter George has been added to Australia's Test squad in New Zealand as a standby player for Ryan Harris.

Stuart Clark will not join Kent this season due to concerns over the former Australia fast bowler's fitness.

AUSTRALIA'S depleted fast bowling stocks have taken another blow with Ryan Harris under an injury cloud for Friday's Wellington Test.

Australia's vice-captain, Michael Clarke, has rejoined his country's tour of New Zealand after a trip home and a highly publicised split from his fiancée, the model Lara Bingle.

Steve Finn, at 6ft 8in, is the tallest player ever to represent England and, even as he undergoes a tough baptism on the energy-sapping pitches of Bangladesh, good judges are looking on and wondering if he has the wherewithal to bowl fast against Australia in the Ashes next winter.

IF Michael Clarke expects a peaceful time in Wellington and a seamless return to Test cricket he will be greatly mistaken.

A BLEARY-eyed, stony faced Michael Clarke was whisked through customs at Sydney airport today bound for New Zealand to pick-up his Test cricket career.

RICKY Ponting made a controversial first-ball duck as Australia suffered a 51-run loss to New Zealand in Saturday's dead-rubber fifth one-day international.