CRICKET Australia has defended its management of Peter Siddle after the hardworking paceman, who carried injuries through much of a demanding summer, was diagnosed with a serious back injury set to rule him out of international cricket for five months.

ANY other day Robbie McEwen would have been disappointed with a third placing, but that result was as good as a win for the veteran Australian champion and 12-time Tour de France stage winner who yesterday returned to racing after a seven-month absence at the Bay Classic in Geelong.

ARRIVING as the man who didn't care for Test cricket, Chris Gayle finished as the best thing this series had going for it; on the field and off.

PAKISTAN coach Intikhab Alam has labelled Australia "beatable" while laughing off reports that his job is on the line on the eve of his team's tour of Australia.

The dismal start to the West Indies tour of Australia hasn't deterred punters from having faith in them to perform better in the second Test, which begins in Adelaide today.