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Former captain Waqar Younis has been appointed Pakistan coach for the second time, nearly three years after quitting for personal and health reasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in a statement that Waqar had been given a two-year contract. Waqar, 42, said: "My immediate aim is to prepare the team for the upcoming busy season and next year's World Cup."

Warwickshire made it back-to-back Division One wins as they claimed the extra half hour to beat Middlesex by an innings and 37 runs at Edgbaston. After trailing by 297 on first innings, Middlesex lunched at ease on 100-1. But the Bears had the best of the afternoon session, removing captain Chris Rogers (82) and Sam Robson (68). And, from 155-1, the Middlesex collapse continued, Jeetan Patel (4-78) taking wickets in successive balls as the visitors were bowled out for 248.

Warwickshire's director of cricket Dougie Brown says Sam Hain's Championship debut was a "massive tick" for the club. Batsman Hain, 18, made 42 in his first innings for the Bears in their convincing win over Middlesex. "We knew he had ability but, until you get the chance to play at this level, you don't know what that ability is going to be," Brown Said.

MUST READ!: 49, with Ravi Bopara's 62 the highest score as Mitchell Johnson claimed 2-21 from 10 overs and James Faulkner 3-38. Advertisement While victory ensured Australia ended an otherwise miserable tour on a high note, England will point to the fact they won the Ashes, the main event of the summer. "I'm extremely happy to win the series," Australia captain Clarke told BBC Test Match Special. "To a lot of people this ODI series does not mean much, but to the Australia players it means a lot. "I don't know whether it will have much impact on the Ashes back home, but we get the flight back home tomorrow a lot happier as a one-day side." They never threatened to complete the highest successful run-chase on this ground, and the sight of spectators huddled under blankets as the stadium emptied long before the finish reflected the subdued atmosphere in a game that had a distinct end-of-term feel. Watson'...

Cricket Australia have stripped the WACA Ground of hosting a Test match during the 2014-15 season. The news comes less than two months after the iconic stadium was granted only three fixtures for the 2015 Cricket World Cup – two of which included qualifier nations – and no finals. The 2014-15 summer will only feature four Tests, down from the usual five or six, all against India due to Australia and New Zealand hosting the World Cup which kicks off on February 14, 2015. The accommodation of a triangular one-day series between England, India and Australia was also a contributing factor to the reduction of Test matches for that season. WACA chief executive Christina Matthews described the decision by Cricket Australia to deprive Perth of a Test in two summers' time as devastating. "The WACA is extremely disappointed in this decision," she said. "The fans in WA have consistently supported Test cricket at the WACA and we are devastated that thousands of loyal crick...

Former England Test bowler Matthew Hoggard has announced he will retire from cricket at the end of the season after a 17-year career. The 36-year-old played 93 times for England in all formats of the game over eight years - taking 280 wickets - and was part of England's triumphant 2005 Ashes winning side. As part of a bowling attack that included Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Simon Jones, Hoggard's swing bowling proved to be a lethal weapon in that series for England as he dismissed opener Matthew Hayden in three of the five Tests. He made his last Test appearance against New Zealand in 2008, but continued to play in the County Championship for Yorkshire and latterly Leicestershire. Hoggard announced his decision to retire on Wednesday, and paid tribute to those who have supported him throughout his career. "I want to thank all of my family, friends, my past opponents, the PCA (Professional Cricketers' Association) and both Yorkshire and Leicestershire for t...