A measure of Australian business activity rebounded in December as Christmas demand helped the down-beaten retail sector, a survey showed on Tuesday, though confidence remained poor as firms faced rising costs.

Australian business conditions — which measure jobs, sales and profitability — advanced in December, driven by the retail sector as consumer spending picked up while price pressures eased.

Australia are coming off a really strong Test match series victory over India, so they'll be confident of keeping the good times going in Sri Lanka. Of course, playing away from home is always a challenge.

The rainy weather conditions have given Australia a selection problem for the opening test against Sri Lanka starting Wednesday, although one thing seems certain: Travis Head will open the batting. Stand-in captain Steve Smith has hinted at a range of strategies under consideration depending on the weather,

This is stand-in captain Steven Smith's advice to Australia's less-experienced batters, as he prepares to lead them in a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle. Of Australia's batters on tour, Smith understands the challenge ahead more than most - he has two hundreds in Sri Lanka,