Heavy Rain Holds up Australia Charge

Brisbane: Australia's hopes of wrapping up the first Test against New Zealand on day four were ruined when a rain storm washed out the final session in Brisbane on Sunday.

Chasing an improbable target of 504, the tourists were 142 for three at tea. However, rain ensured that New Zealand get a fighting chance to escaping the Gabba.

New Zealand are currently trailing by 362 runs with Ross Taylor (20) and skipper Brendon McCullum (4) remaining unbeaten at the crease.

Earlier, Australia had declared their second innings on 264-4 but an obdurate batting display by the tourists foiled the Steven Smith-led side's hopes of securing a quick victory.

Kane Williamson scored a fluent 59 to add to his first innings score of 140 before being trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon, who also dismissed a stubborn Martin Guptill for 23.

Brief scores
Australia - 4//556 dec and 4/264 dec (Burns 129, Warner 116, Craig 3-78)
New Zealand - 317 (Williamson 140, Starc 4-57, Johnson 3-105) and 3/142 (Williamson )
Status - New Zealand need another 362 runs to win

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 3rd ODI 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs 2nd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan at Cape Town Pakistan won by 81 runs

Ashwin Achieves Career-high ICC Test Rankings [+]

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has climbed up to the career-high second spot in recent ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers.

Starc Delay Ankle Surgery Till T20 WC [+]

Mitchell Starc has admitted that he requires ankle surgery, but added that it is not the right time to do so as he is looking forward to World Twenty20 in April.

Hazlewood Help Australia Win Series [+]

Australia won the third and final test against New Zealand by three wickets late on day three at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, sealing the series 2-0.

Australia on Top in Controversy Test [+]

Australia have seized momentum of the third day-night Test as New Zealand held a modest 94-run lead on day two at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Australia Hold Edge in Bowlers Opening Day [+]

Australia is well placed after the opening day of the historic day-night Test in Adelaide, moving to 2-54 at stumps in response to New Zealand's first innings of 202.

Marsh, Pattinson, O'Keefe Call-up for Adelaide Test [+]

Steve O'Keefe was a surprise inclusion Wednesday in Australia's squad for the historic day-night Test next week against New Zealand, while Shaun Marsh and James Pattinson earned recalls.

Australia, New Zealand 2nd Test Ends Draw [+]

The second test between Australia and New Zealand ended in a draw on Tuesday with the tourists 217 runs short of their victory target of 321 on a rain-disrupted fifth and final day at the WACA on Tuesday.

Johnson Retires From International Cricket [+]

Pacer Mitchell Johnson, one of Australia's greatest fast bowlers, announced his retirement from international cricket saying he felt this was the 'right time' to do so.

Smith, Voges Hits Back After Taylor' 290 [+]

Australia were two for 258 at the close on the fourth day of the second Test against New Zealand at the WACA Ground in Perth on Monday.

Starc Bowls Fastest Delivery in Test Match [+]

Australia's Mitchell Starc bowled the fastest delivery ever measured at a test match when the fourth ball of his 21st over at the WACA on Sunday was clocked at 160.4 kilometres per hour.