ADELAIDE, Oct 3 (Reuters) - An Ashes series shorn of Ben Stokes would be a great shame for cricket but England are heading for defeat with or without the troubled all-rounder, former Australia batsman Greg Blewett has said.

Oct 3 (Reuters) - Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc is set to make a return to competitive cricket for New South Wales against South Australia in a one-day match on Friday.

Oct 2 (Gracenote) - Scoreboard at close of play on the fifth and final day in the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Sri Lanka 1st innings 419 (D. Chandimal 155no, D. Karunaratne 93, N. Dickwella 83) Pakistan 1st innings 422 (A. Ali 85, H. Sohail 76, S. Masood 59, S. Aslam 51; R. Herath 5-93) Sri Lanka 2nd innings (Overnight: 69-4) Dimuth Karunaratne c Masood b Shah 10 Kaushal Silva

Oct 2 (Gracenote) - Scoreboard at tea on the fifth and final day in the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Sri Lanka 1st innings 419 (D. Chandimal 155no, D. Karunaratne 93, N. Dickwella 83) Pakistan 1st innings 422 (A. Ali 85, H. Sohail 76, S. Masood 59, S. Aslam 51; R. Herath 5-93) Sri Lanka 2nd innings (Overnight: 69-4) Dimuth Karunaratne c Masood b Shah 10 Kaushal Silva lbw b S

Oct 2 (Gracenote) - Scoreboard at close of play on the fifth and final day in the first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh on Monday in Potchefstroom, South Africa South Africa 1st innings 496 for 3 decl (D. Elgar 199, H. Amla 137, A. Markram 97) Bangladesh 1st innings 320 (M. Haque 77, Mahmudullah 66) South Africa 2nd innings 247 for 6 decl (F. du Plessis 81, T. Bavuma 71) Bangladesh 2nd innings (Overnight: 49-3; Target: 424 runs) Tamim Iqbal

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj ran through the Bangladesh batting order to lead South Africa to an emphatic 333-run victory in the first test as the visitors capitulated meekly on the final morning on Monday.

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Oct 2 (Reuters) - South Africa strike bowler Morne Morkel will take no further part in the two-match series against Bangladesh after suffering a side strain that will sideline him for six weeks, officials said on Monday.