James Anderson says he still has to show he deserves his spot in the England test squad ahead of the home summer but the 41-year-old seamer believes he is in the "best shape" of his life.

"If you bring in a new opener and you gave them four Test matches, and then said, 'okay, we're going to shift that after four Test matches', would you think that's fair or unfair?"

"A lot of good will come out of this tour. I'm 100% positive about that," McCullum told BBC Sport.

India's chess great Viswanathan Anand took to social media last week congratulating Ravichandran Ashwin on the cricketer's 100th Test and asking if the spinner fancied a game of chess with him.

Australia were 202 runs from victory with six wickets in hand at the end of day three of the second Test in Christchurch on Sunday after New Zealand grabbed the momentum with some late bowling fireworks.

New Zealand were dismissed for 372 in their second innings after tea on the third day of the second Test against Australia in Christchurch on Sunday, setting the visitors a victory target of 279.

England's seemingly ageless James Anderson on Saturday became the first seam bowler to claim 700 Test wickets, achieving the feat in the fifth and final Test against India at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

England's James Anderson reached 700 Test wickets early in the day to be just the third bowler to achieve the feat, but the tourists were never in the game.

Seamer Mitchell Starc said Australia's bowlers aim to ensure New Zealand world-class batter Kane Williamson doesn't stay long at the crease on his 100th Test appearance.

England, chasing a consolation victory in the five-match Test series against India, will be banking on two pacers and two spinners to do the trick in the final game in Dharamsala on Thursday. .England announced their lone change for the game, with seamer Ollie Robinson making way for fast

Fast bowler Mark Wood has replaced Ollie Robinson as England's only change in their team for the fifth and final Test against India in Dharamsala starting Thursday.

Bairstow will win his 100th cap as England, who have already lost the series 3-1, try to salvage some pride in the high-altitude and chilly Himalayan hill town.

Green played Sheffield Shield cricket with Western Australia in the run-up to the ongoing New Zealand Test series and said the red ball preparation had helped set him up for his match-winning 174 not out in the Wellington opener.

Australia captain Pat Cummins heaped praise on team-mates Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green on Sunday for match-winning performances as his side secured a 172-run triumph over New Zealand in the first Test.

Phillips had earlier taken 5-45 as New Zealand took Australia's last six wickets for the addition of 37 runs to end the tourist's second innings on 164

Ireland finally won their first Test match on Friday when they defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi, ending a streak of seven successive losses.

The venue for the eagerly anticipated Test match between Afghanistan and Ireland has been relocated to accommodate a local school sports competition in Abu Dhabi.

Dhruv Jurel led India's spirited rearguard action with a brilliant 90 before the hosts were all out for 303 at lunch replying to England's first innings total of 353 on day three of the fourth Test on Sunday.

There is "definitely a chance" that England captain Ben Stokes will bowl in the fourth Test against India, his deputy Ollie Pope said Wednesday, in a badly needed boost for the tourists.

England are blocking out all "external noise" to help Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow hit form and keep the series alive against India in Friday's fourth Test in Ranchi.