Sydney Cricket Ground

Clarke helped New South Wales draw their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Just weeks out from the start of the keenly-awaited Ashes series against England and without a win in any format since July, the Australians lost the second of three one day matches against Sri Lanka on Friday night.

The Sri Lankans won by 29 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method after several rain interruptions and followed their stunning one-wicket victory in the opening match in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The left-hander showed steely powers of concentration to regroup after a lengthy rain delay to remain unbeaten in his 112-ball knock.

The Sri Lankans play Australia in a Twenty20 match before three one-day internationals next month, ahead of the opening Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba on November 25.

It was supposed to be Sri Lanka's second warm-up match ahead of one-day and Twenty20 matches against Australia, beginning next weekend.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan has vowed to tackle match-fixing with zero tolerance when he begins his new post with the International Cricket Council, amid fresh concerns over corruption.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan has vowed to tackle match-fixing with zero tolerance when he begins his new post with the International Cricket Council, amid fresh concerns over corruption.

Australia batsman Phillip Hughes says it will be the realisation of a childhood dream if he plays against England in the Ashes this year.