Michael Clarke said he had sympathy for Kevin Pietersen but his absence would make Australia's task easier during the Ashes.

Guyanese batsman Leon Johnson will lead a 13-man squad to play the Australians in a three-day tour match starting May 27.

Mitchell Marsh made his Test debut against Pakistan at Dubai in 2014 and has played four matches so far.

Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne have reportedly offered 28 former players contracts worth USD 25,000 a match for the proposed league planned in at least three US cities starting September.

Zimbabwe confirmed Friday that they will go ahead with the tour despite an attack on a Karachi bus on Wednesday that left 45 people dead. They will become the first Test playing nation in six years to tour Pakistan.

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders' chances of progressing to the play-offs look slim after they suffered a nine-run loss against Rajasthan Royals.

Martin Guptill was 61 not out in a second innings total of 89 for two at stumps on the third day of New Zealand's final warm-up against Worcestershire.

Chennai Super Kings consolidated their perch at the top of the Indian Premier League table with a seven wicket win over Kings XI Punjab at Mohali. Catch all the highlights of the match.