Cook hit a six and 18 fours in his 162-ball knock of 111 against South Australia

1712 GMT: Australia captain Ricky Ponting is "not concerned about Mitchell Johnson's form at all", despite the Western Australia left-arm pace bowler's recent struggles for form. "He's never been one that I've expected to run in and bowl line and length all day, that's not what Mitchell does - he's a wicket-taking bowler," insists the skipper. (Press Association)

1615 GMT: Australia paceman Ben Hilfenhaus is being rested from this week's Sheffield Shield matches in order to be fresh for the Ashes opener on 25 November - and is specifically targeting England captain Andrew Strauss. "If we can rattle him up a bit, the rest will follow," he said.
Full story: The Age

1400 GMT: Opening batsman Phillip Hughes has vowed to "train harder, score more runs and put myself into contention" after being omitted from Australia's 17-man squad for the first Test. The New South Wales left-hander averages 51.25 from seven Tests, but was dropped midway through the Ashes series in England in 2009.
Full story: Courier Mail

England opener Alastair Cook credits coach Andy Flower's decision to insist on first-class warm-ups for his return to form with the bat after he scored a century in the drawn game with South Australia.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Australia remain concerned over the fitness of batsman Michael Clarke. The Test vice-captain has a back injury and could miss New South Wales's Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania this week.
Full story: Sydney Morning Herald

Australia have turned to former ''Top Gun'' fighter pilots for teamwork building ahead of the Ashes series. One initiative adopted by Ricky Ponting's team - using the model all fighter pilots follow - is a five-minute debrief after play each day ''without recriminations''.
Full story: Sydney Morning Herald

The Ashes has become a circus after Australian selectors named a 17-man squad for the first Test, beginning at Brisbane's Gabba next Thursday.
Full story: The Australian

Listen to the Ashes live on Test Match Special on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and online (UK users only) - series starts 25 November 2010. Archive: Relive past Ashes series

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