Australians to return home if series loses Test status

Australia’s cricketers will immediately return home from Zimbabwe if their proposed series is stripped of Test status. Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland told a news conference on Wednesday there was little point in continuing with the tour if the matches lost their official backing. ‘‘The Australian cricket team has gone to Zimbabwe to play Test and one-day cricket,’’ Sutherland said. ‘‘If we’re not going to play that, then I’m not sure that it’s appropriate for us to be there.’’

— Reuters