Australian consumer prices rose at the slowest pace in almost four years in the December quarter, while a pullback in housing costs helped cool core inflation and open the door to a cut in interest rates as early as next month.

Inflation in Australia remained in retreat in the last quarter of 2024, stoking the case for the central bank to join the global easing cycle by cutting rates at its coming meeting in February.

Australia's CPI inflation slows to 2.4% YoY in Q4 2024, driven by government rebates. Click here to find out what investors need to know.

Australia batter Steve Smith passes the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket during the first day of his side's opening match in Sri Lanka.

Stand-in captain Steven Smith scored his 10,000th Test run before completing the momentous occasion with a majestic century, while Usman Khawaja reached his 16th ton as Australia were rewarded for an aggressive approach against a spin-heavy Sri Lanka attack on a slow Galle surface.

The 35-year-old, captaining the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, needed just one run in Galle to reach the milestone in Galle.