Cricket

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Queensland’s stirring State of Origin triumph will long be remembered for the contribution of captain Cameron Munster, who played just days after the death of his father.

The barbs coming from England are starting early ahead of the Ashes, with a long-time villain delivering a shot at the Australian batters.

The series is wrapped up in the West Indies and the Australians have something special to celebrate, with an enormous milestone looming for a long-time star.

Australia have retained the Frank Worrell Trophy after another powerful performance to skittle the West Indies in the second Test in Grenada.

I was asked a question by somebody yesterday: can you change four out of your top six before an Ashes series? My reply was that you shouldn’t but that for Australia, it looks like it could happen. 

Australia wants Cam Green to succeed. Selectors want him to succeed at No.3. But his recent batting mishaps hint at a cluttered mind — and he has already had five of his eight hits before the Ashes.

Nearly all of Australia's batters got starts in the second Test against the West Indies, but only Alex Carey and Beau Webster converted them to fifties.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Nathan Lyon has passed the baton for one of the most important roles in the Test squad to Alex Carey. There is one rendition we sung that still gives me goosebumps.

There will again be no games on January 26 and this legend of the game thinks that’s a good thing.

Steve Smith is certain both Sam Konstas and Cam Green can find success at the top of the order, despite their poor returns in the first Test against the West Indies.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: The top order is a mess and there is one very simple fix if Steve Smith is willing to do the right thing.

Australia's new-look top order failed to fire in Barbados but coach Andrew McDonald has vowed to take a patient approach with recalled opener Sam Konstas.

A tricky pitch in Barbados provided some excuses for Australia’s flailing top order in the West Indies, but a senior fast bowler also has a message for his batters.

The future of Australian cricket have batted together for the first time but it became ‘painful to watch’.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: The changes made have not gone far enough as the poor batting performance overnight has proven. The selectors have missed a golden opportunity to blood more of the next generation.