Police with long-armed rifles, a rarity at sporting events in Australia, will patrol the final Ashes cricket test in Sydney starting Sunday as part of heightened security measures following the Bondi Beach terror attack in the city.

It must be a case of the best of the worst.

Alex Carey has posted a hometown hundred and Usman Khawaja has scored 82 after a last-minute recall to help Australia reach 326 for eight at stumps on the first day of the third Ashes test.

Steve Smith has taken a brilliant catch and then hit the winning runs to give Australia a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.

Now that Mardi Gras celebrations are behind us, Ash Wednesday begins a new journey for many people.

A Maine family that long ago gave up on a lost family cat is being reunited more than six years and 1,500 miles later.

After emphatic wins in the first two tests, Australia can retain the Ashes — the traditional prize for the winner of the regular series between Australia and England — with victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the five-day match starting Sunday.