Wonderful start for Captain Cook

Alastair Cook was pleased to mark the start of his one-day captaincy with a victory but warn his England side there was more hard work to come.

In his first match as Andrew Strauss' heir in ODIs, Cook oversaw a pleasing 110-run win over Sri Lanka, built around innings from Craig Kieswetter (61) and Eoin Morgan (45) and a dramatic four for 18 from James Anderson.

But although Cook admit things could hardly have gone better at The Oval, he remains cautious of a side who hammer England in Saturday's Twenty20 at Bristol.

"It doesn't get much better than that," said Cook after Sri Lanka was bowled out for 121 in chase of a rain-revised target of 232 in 32 overs.

"It's a really good start, but let's not gets too carried away about how I did or the team did.

"It's just a good start and we have to keep our foot on the floor. We're not in it for personal plaudit; we're in it to win games of cricket.

"But I consideration it was an outstanding presentation from all our bowlers. For Jimmy up front to get those 15 for four and get their danger men out got us ahead of the game."

The only disfigurement on Cook's day was his own innings, which was ended after three balls when Lasith Malinga had him strangle down the leg-side for just five.

It was not the responses Cook was looking for to those who have question his appropriateness for limited-overs batting, but he react sensibly.

"That's the game, isn't it?" he said.

"There's not anything you can do about it. It's almost certainly the most trying way to get out but I shouldn't have nicked it so fine I suppose."

Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was sorry to see the back of the magnificent weather that his side enjoy in the nets, but approved they were simply second best in the first outing of the five-match series.

"They batted well, put in a huge score to pursue and it was not easy batting second to get 230," he said.

"We had to take probability and it didn't work. The thing is for the last two days has been sun but when it comes to the match it is rainy and overcast which is usually a help to the English bowlers.

"But that is not a reason, we didn't bat well and we didn't bowl well, that is why we lost the match."

The match was 41-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya's 445th and last before departure, ending a 22-year career at the highest level.

He made just two in his final knock but was awarded a rank prolonged applause by the crowd and was able to add a final wicket to his tally when he attentive Ian Bell lbw.

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Deutrom triumphant after ICC U-turn

Cricket Ireland chief managerial Warren Deutrom hailed a "great day" for cricket after the ICC perform a u-turn to allow Associate countries to play in the next ICC CWC.

The ICC announces on Tuesday that it would comprise four Associate nations, as well as its 10 full members, at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The move came just over two months after the governing body had exposed it no longer wanted to have a 14-team World Cup and that the event would be restricted to only its full members.

However, after that ruling was met with extensive censure, the ICC agreed to review the decision at this week's annual meeting in Hong Kong, culminate in today's u-turn.

"It is a great day for Associate cricket," Deuteron told Sky Sports News.

"The fact is the ICC board should make decisions which should endorse the sport globally. The directors have a fiduciary duty to do that.

"I think they understand that following the outcry after the decision - they needed to revisit it. That's exactly what they have done.

"I would certainly praise the ICC board for their choice today. It takes bravery to do that."

Cricket Ireland's public displeasure of their oversight had been back by large sections of the cricket community, after the Irish had proved their ability to vie on the highest stage at this year's World Cup - most particularly when they beat England.

Deutrom admit that support had full him with self-assurance ahead of today's meeting.

"What happened since the decision was made was that a large number of people came out and expressed their own sense of righteous anger - it wasn't just in the Associate world," he said.

"There were more than 90% of ICC members, 95 out of 105, who felt disenfranchised by the decision.

"Ninety per cent of players in FICA's survey, the alliance of International Cricketers, also disagreed - and these are guys from Test-playing nations who felt the decision was wrong.

"There was a huge heaviness of opinion, of believable specialist opinion that felt the decision wanted to be revisited.

"Today's choice is a justification of all the hard work we've done at the back the scenes."

Ireland batsman Kevin O'Brien, who annoying the fastest-ever World Cup century in his side's stunning win over England, was also at ease to be given the chance to return to cricket's top table.

"I think it's the right choice from the ICC, not just for Ireland, but all the other 95 countries who seek to play in World Cups," he said.

"There's no hesitation that it will help increase the game even further, and that's got to be good for the future of the sport."

Ireland will now be a lot favoured to play at their third successive World Cup, after establish themselves as the best-performing Associate nation in recent years.

The fact they may be connected by another three Associate nations in the Antipodes was the slightly astonishing part of today's decision after the ICC had seem reserved to retain a 14-team tournament.

This year's centerpiece was derided for being too long, while the likes of Kenya and Canada provide little competition to add to an early malaise which damaged the six-week tournament.
The decision to keep 14 teams was made all the more inquisitive after it was announced that there would only be 10 teams at the 2019 World Cup.

The top-eight teams in the ICC rankings will qualify for that event with the remaining two places to be decided in a qualification event that many reflection would be introduced in time for the upcoming World Cup.

The ICC also exposed today that the next two World Twenty20 tournaments would be abridged back to 12 teams.

The ICC had greater than before the number to 16, to feather the blow of the Associate nations being left out of the 50-over World Cup; however, they have also upturned that decision.

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Honours still after 13 wickets on first day

West Indies 30 for 3 (Ishant 1-8, Praveen 1-15, Mithun 1-7) trail India 201 (Laxman 85, Raina 53, Rampaul 3-38, Bishoo 3-46, Edwards 3-56) by 171 runs.

Thirteen wickets fell on an exciting first day of the second Test at the Kensington Oval, with the final three look to have given India a small edge against West Indies.

The hosts misplaced Adrian Barath, Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo to finish the day on 30 for three in reply to the tourists' total of 201.

Ravi Rampaul, Devendra Bishoo and Fidel Edwards took three wickets apiece for the Windies, with the only noteworthy batting aid for India coming from VVS Laxman (85) and Suresh Raina (53).

Rampaul ripped from side to side the tourists' top order in the first session, claim three wickets for four runs to leave India 44 for four at lunch.

Laxman (85) and Raina (53) steady the vessel in a wicket less second session, but the hosts came loud back after tea to turn 147 for four into 201 all out.

Windies captain Darren Sammy won the toss on a cloudy morning in Barbados, and his choice to bowl first soon paid dividends.

Abhinav Mukund (one) late in the second over, lob a simple catch to Marlon Samuels at gully off the bowling of Rampaul.

Rahul Dravid did not fare much better, contributing five before edging a superb delivery from Sammy to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh who took it in front of first slip.

Rampaul was re-introduced to the home team's attack in the 26th over and had the desired impact straight away, snare two wickets in his first three balls.

First he astonished Murali Vijay with some extra bounce and had the opener wedged behind for 11, then Virat Kohli - shuffle crossways his crease and offering a nothing shot - was gobble up at second slip by Sammy before he could problem the scorers.

That bring Laxman and Raina together in the middle just before have lunch with the score on 38 for four, and they joint a 117-run stand for the fifth wicket to get the tourists back on track.

Laxman finished his 50th Test half-century off 75 balls counting eight fours and was 69 not out at tea, with Raina winning on 52.

Raina additional just one run after tea before unwillingly heading back to the pavilion after failing to control a delivery from Bishoo that bounce awkwardly approximately leg stump. The ball lobbed up off his pad and, though replays did not seem to show any contact with the bat, Barath took the catch at forward short leg and Raina was given out.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (two) soon follow suit, offering a simple catch to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at mid-on off the bowling of Edwards.

The same mixture connected up again to see off Harbhajan Singh for five, Barath speeding up in to take a fine low catch.

Veteran Laxman finally fell to Bishoo when 15 run short of his century, wedged by Barath at backward point.

Abhimanyu Mithun became Edwards' third victim when he was bowled for a duck and then Praveen Kumar (12) was confused by Baugh off the bowling of Bishoo as India's innings reached a swift end.

West Indies' answer got off to a wobbly start with openers Barath and Simmons gone within five overs.

Barath (three) was the first to fall, guide a weak shot into the hands of Kohli at gully in Ishant Sharma's second over.

Simmons rotten in the following over, Kumar suggests an outside edge which was snap up by Dhoni.

The hosts suffered a further hinder in the final over of the day when Mithun claimed his first Test wicket, having Bravo caught at the back for nine to leave the hosts 30 for three and trailing by 171. Ramnaresh Sarwan was 10 not out with Bishoo unbeaten on naught.

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Rixon appointed Aussie fielding coach

Former Australia wicketkeeper Steve Rixon has been selected as the national team's new fielding coach.

Rixon, who played Test and one-day cricket for Australia throughout the 1970s and 1980s, will join the team on the upcoming tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa.

"I am excited with this appointment and look forward to working with the Australian team over the next two tours," said Rixon.

"Fielding skills play such a important role in the modern game and often proves the difference between winning and losing.

"I feel my information firstly as a player and more significantly a successful coach across the world can help many of these young Australian players, jointly with the outstanding group of assistant [Australia coach] Tim Nielsen has at his disposal."

Rixon made his Test first appearance against India at the Gabba in 1977 and played 13 Tests and six One-day internationals for Australia as wicketkeeper and lower-order batsman.

Cricket Australia acting chief executive Michael Brown added: "We are very excited Steve is joining our staff as a field coach.

"His practice as a player and unbeaten coach at both domestic and international level will be invaluable for our group as we prepare for hard tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa in the next six months."

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Tigers revolve to Stuart Law

Bangladesh have name former Australia all-rounder Stuart Law as their new coach on a two-year bond.

The 42-year-old, at present interim coach of Sri Lanka for their tour of England replaces compatriot Jamie Siddons at the Tigers' helm and is probable to take up his new role next month.

Bangladesh Cricket Board media commission head Jalal Yunus said: "Law has been appointed as the head coach of the Bangladesh cricket team for a two-year period efficient from July 1.

"We were in stable touch with Law since May, but he needed authorization from his present employer Sri Lanka. He has got this verification recently and already signed a contract that we sent to him."

He added: "We were look for a coach who also has the leadership quality.

"We found Law as the best option since he has captain Queensland and the Lancashire county side before switch to a coaching career."

Law's first task will be a Test and one-day series in Zimbabwe in August.

He steps up from the post of Sri Lanka assistant coach when Trevor Bayliss left the role former this year following the World Cup.

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ICC CEC make key recommendation

The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) conference in Hong Kong has announced vital changes in the way the game is being conduct. Here are the key recommendations.

Decision Review System

The CEC today generally recommended universal standards for the usage of technology in decision-making (Decision Review System) in all Test matches and One-Day Internationals subject to accessibility and commercial considerations. The agreed principles will include infra-red cameras and audio-tracking devices.

The CEC also agreed that further self-governing and specialist research will be carried out into ball-tracking technology and its correctness and dependability. The continued use of ball-tracking technology as a decision-making aid will depend on two-sided agreement between the participating Members.

CEC, which also approved the Cricket Committee’s recommendation to decrease the number of ineffective reviews in ODIs from two to one, believed that this was a step forward as the game embraces the main beliefs of technology.

Format of ODI Cricket

CEC granted with the ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation for the further improvement of international 50-over cricket with the restriction of the elective power plays to between the 16th and 40th over’s of each innings and also to the use of two new balls per innings – one from each end. This will come into effect from 1 October.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Even though the achievement of 50-over cricket played during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was generally acknowledged, the CEC rightly support the enhancements recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee to strengthen the format further, including hopeful Members to trial some specific innovation in their domestic cricket.”

These innovation include a review of the maximum number of overs that a bowler can bowl; an increase from one to two for the number of short balls permitted per over; no compulsory condition for close catchers; and a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during non-powerplay overs.

Runners

CEC approved with the Cricket Committee’s recommendation to eliminate runners in international cricket.

Over-rates

The CEC, like the ICC Cricket Committee, was anxious at the slow over-rates in Test match cricket and settled on stricter sanctions against captains for over-rate breaches. A captain will now be balanced for two over-rate breaches in a 12-month period in any one format of the game rather than the current position which is three breaches prior to delay.

Other ICC Cricket Committee recommendations including the sustained research into the use of different color balls to facilitate day/night Test matches and the directive that batsmen can be given out for obstruct the field if they change their way when running between the wickets to block a run-out chance, were also approved.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

The CEC recommended that there should be a qualification process for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 but did not make a reference to the ICC Executive Board on the number of teams that should struggle in the event to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Reliance ICC Rankings

CEC gave its common support to the present Reliance ICC Rankings system following an appearance by statistician David Kendix, who devise and operate the system for the ICC.

Mr Lorgat said: “There was accord and a great deal of approval that we have a robust and dependable rankings system that presents a true reflection of the quality and standing of the performances of international teams and that this system will be used for necessity and/or promotion and demotion purposes.

“It was also noted that the system is recognized by players, officials and supporters who are flattering more familiar and referring to the Reliance ICC Rankings to gauge their teams’ progress.”

Context and Content for International Cricket

CEC approved and suggested the Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2012-2020 to the ICC Executive Board for acceptance.

The ICC Executive Board will get together in Hong Kong on 28 and 29 June 2011.

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2nd Test: history beckon India in Barbados

Going into the second Test alongside the West Indies, Team India stand at the brink of doing what none of its predecessor have managed to achieve: winning both the ODI and Test series in the Caribbean. And with India's second most winning captain at the helm, the No. 1 Test team looks all set to complete the feat.

The second Test of the three-match series gets happening at the Kensington Oval on Tuesday, where the visitors can be curved in out perfume balls on a lively track. But it can also work in favour of Indian pacers who bowled India to victory in the first Test.

Both Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar were in their essentials at the Sabina Park who outclass their much knowledgeable spin department led by Harbhajan Singh, who may achieve the landmark of 400 Test wickets, needing just four to reach the magical figure.

A bouncy track may, in fact, pose even serious questions to a disheartened Windies' batting lineup that succumb to the discipline of India's inexperienced fast-bowling pair in the first Test.

Adrian Barath, who scored a quick half century in the second innings at Jamaica, showed some sign of form but was undeveloped to gift his wicket away at a crucial juncture.

In the absence of Chris Gayle, who continues to be ignored by the selectors, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan will have to shoulder the liability and come out of their dismal showing at the Sabina Park.

Brendan Nash has also lost favour of the selectors and has been replaced by Kirk Edwards. But hometown boy Edwards is unlikely to make his first appearance in the presence of Marlon Samuels, who - after being overlooked for the first Test - is most likely to replace Nash in the middle order.

But the West Indies bowlers must be attributed for their presentation in the first Test, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo scalping seven wickets in the able support of Fidel Edwards and Darren Sammy. However, it must be added that India were hard done by some shoddy umpiring, the standards of which need to rise significantly in the second Test.

Barring the first day in Jamaica, where Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina rescue the visitors from a precarious 85/6, India prohibited the game to win with a day to spare. Other than Raina and Rahul 'The Wall' Dravid, India needs to look at the configuration of the batting order.

Virat Kohli, Murali Vijay and debutant Abhinav Mukund failed to make use of the opportunity. While Kohli and Vijay are certain to keep their place, skipper MS Dhoni may ponder replacing Mukund with Parthiv Patel, who had a comparatively successful ODI series at top of the order.

In light of the hosts present a fast Kensington Oval track, Dhoni has hinted at bring in Munaf Patel in place of Amit Mishra, who was at best standard in the first Test. That means India may go in with a 3-1 mixture in favour of pacers, with Ishant and Praveen being the other two and Harbhajan Singh the lone spinner in the eleven.

But while Dhoni and Co. will be eying a double victory, they will be up next to a 58-year winless record at the Kensington Oval.

Since 1971, when they drew against the hosts, India has lost five succeeding Tests at the venue. In fact, they haven't been able to upstage the hosts ever in the seven Tests they have played here so far. This might just be the best possibility to set that record straight.

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Bresnan additional to England ODI squad

England has added Tim Bresnan to their squad for the ODI series next to Sri Lanka after the Yorkshire all-rounder was agreed fit following calf trouble.

Bresnan will join the squad at The Oval ahead of Tuesday's first ODI and is available right away having respond to treatment on the damage that kept him out of the three-match Test series and Saturday's stand-alone Twenty20.

His presence will strengthen England's options, after they underperformed in Bristol, slumping to a nine-wicket beat.

Bresnan's calf problem dates back to the winter tour of Australia. Having played an important role in securing the Ashes in the last two Tests, Bresnan flew home from the one-day series after experience uneasiness in his right leg.

He returned for the World Cup but was again anxious by the injury in the sub-continent.

He has played two Twenty20 matches for Yorkshire in the last week, with modest returns of nought for 27 off three overs and one for 47 off four overs, but England will be glad to have him back.

With 42 one-day caps to his name he offers greater experience than either Jade Dernbach or Chris Woakes, while he is also careful one of the side's most reliable limited-overs seamers.

Alastair Cook begins his reign as one-day captain today, the side's third captain in as many matches next Test leader Andrew Strauss and new Twenty20 man Stuart Broad.

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IPL-5 to initiate from April 4 next year

The fifth edition of the greatly popular Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin on April 4 next year and finish off on May 27, the BCCI announced on Monday.

The competition will feature 74 matches, over a period of 54 days.

"We are happy to confirm the opening and closing dates of IPL 2012, ten months in go forward. The match-schedule will be announced soon. We have no doubt that the fifth season of IPL will be as, if not more, exciting and thrilling than the previous ones," IPL Chairman Chirayu Amin said in a statement.

Chennai Super Kings had won the fourth edition after thrashing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final.

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BCCI relent as DRS made mandatory

Under force from the international society, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has altered its stance to accept the modified version of Decision Review System.

Reports recommended that the cash rich Indian Board ran out of friends in the international cricket community and the ICC was all locate to give the DRS a go ahead, intervening the BCCI, in its annual general convention in Hong Kong.

That means the much debate system will be in place for the England-India series with some modification.

But, the Hawk Eye, which tracks the path of the delivery, will not be part of the established DRS.

The ICC's Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) took the choice on the second day of the five-day annual conference in Hong Kong.

"The CEC generally optional universal standards for the usage of technology in decision-making (Decision Review System) in all Test matches and One-Day Internationals subject to availability and commercial consideration. The agreed standards will include infra-red cameras and audio-tracking devices," the ICC's official statement read.

The CEC also decided that further self-governing and expert research will be carried out into ball-tracking technology and its accuracy and reliability. The sustained use of ball-tracking technology as a decision-making aid will depend on two-sided agreement between the participate Members.

CEC, which also accepted the Cricket Committee’s proposal to reduce the number of ineffective reviews in ODIs from two to one, thought that this was a step forward as the game embraces the principles of technology.

"The BCCI has always spoken its readiness to hug technology, for the betterment of the game. However, the current ball-tracking technology, on which the DRS system is base, is not satisfactory to the Board," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

"The CEC also decided that the continued use of the ball-tracking technology as a decision-making aid will depend on the two-sided arrangement between the participate teams," he added.

The obligatory terms and conditions for the DRS will now consist of thermal imaging or Hot Spot and sound technology. The ball-tracker has been removed from the ICC's original necessary list of DRS technologies.

India had last used the DRS in 2008 next to Sri Lanka.

"The leg-before choice for the series (England-India) will be totally that of the on-field umpire," BCCI president Shashank Manohar said.

A decision about how the cost of using the DRS technology will be separated is set to be taken later. According to the ICC that figure is close to US$5000 per day, with a maximum of US$25,000 being exhausted on DRS per Test.

However, BCCI vice-president Niranjan Shah had said that the cost of by the DRS was US$60,000 per match.

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Continuous Ashes series in 2013

With the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup cause a scheduling annoyance for Australia, they are set to play back-to-back Ashes series next to England in 2013.

According to a information in 'The Daily Telegraph, "Australia will play 10 back-to-back Ashes Tests in 2013 as a result of hosting the World Cup in 2015 when the comeback Ashes was meant to be played."

The agreement is being worked out in the new Future Tours Program which is at present being discussed by the ICC's Executive Board in its five-day meeting in Hong Kong which in progressed yesterday.

"Windows have been made for Twenty20 competitions and 10 successive Ashes Tests in the future tours program set to be ratified by the ICC this week.

"Australia would play more long-form cricket than ever before, as well as back-to-back Ashes series, under the new preparations, forced by a scheduling problem," the report stated.

Australia also wants to host England, South Africa or India tour every summer to ensure viewer interest.

"Our focus on the prospect tours program strategy has been around promote and defensive the Australian summer," general manager of public interaction Peter Young said.

"We want to make sure we have a major draw card every summer and we believe that Test cricket is seriously important to us and the public."

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PCB put to clear Afridi's NOC

The Pakistan Cricket Board and former captain Shahid Afridi appear on course on Tuesday for an out-of-court settlement after the suspended star met with the chairman.

Afridi went to Court after the PCB punish him for supposedly breach a code of conduct by announce his departure after he was deserted as one-day captain, and for leveling allegation against the Board.

It suspended his central contract and revokes all his no-objection certificates (NOCs), in effect permission slips to play abroad.

The PCB long-established that chairman Ijaz Butt and Afridi met in Islamabad. "At this stage the PCB will not make any further comments on the deliberations that have been taking place," it said.

One source privy to the meeting said administration officials had stepped in to arrange the talks and Afridi had agreed to withdraw his case, a second investigation of which is due on Thursday.

"Afridi met Butt in Islamabad for an hour," the source told AFP on situation of secrecy.

He added: "Afridi has promised to withdraw his case but is possible to appear before the punitive committee soon and as a result his NOCs will be revived."

Afridi was replace as one-day captain after publicly accusing Coach Waqar Younis of undue interfering in the selection process for the team's one-day series in the West Indies in April-May.

The PCB directed Afridi to come into view before a corrective committee on June 8, but Afridi went to Court last week, asking for his NOCs to be revived.

The Court adjourns the disciplinary committee, asking the PCB to file a detailed reply in court on June 16, but uphold the decision to revoke his NOCs.

As a result, Afridi has been barred from playing for Hampshire in the ongoing Twenty20 league in England and his contribution in next month's opening Sri Lankan Premier League is under threat.

Mud-slinging between the PCB and the cricket star has heaped discomfiture on the national sport just as a World Cup semi-final place in March oblique at a brighter future for the game which has been dogged by spot-fixing scandals.

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Gayle decided to meet WI Cricket Board officials

Chris Gayle's probability of making it to the West Indies squad for the Test series next to India brighten on Tuesday with the fashionable opener all set to meet the Board to clear the air.

Gayle's meeting with WICB officials, West Indies team management and the coaching staff could pave way for his collection in the Test series touching India starting at Sabina Park on June 20.

The 31-year-old left-hander was left out of the ODI squad after he raise quite a few issues during an interview to radio, as well as WICB's callous approach towards his revival from injury, the coaching style of West Indian coach Ottis Gibson and selection of Darren Sammy as captain.

The WICB later released a number of documents on their website which contradict Gayle's claims, following it up with a decision to bar the batsman from on behalf of the regional team until he clean up the issue with the Board.

West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine said he look forward to the meeting.

WICB president Dr Julian Hunte and chief administrative officer Ernest Hilaire have already reach for the meeting.

The Indian cricket team and the members of the home side also arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday via a chartered flight for the fifth and final ODI at Sabina Park here on Thursday.

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Dilshan lined out of third Test

Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was ruled out of the third power Test at the Rose Bowl, where Sri Lanka will in its place be led by Kumar Sangakkara.

Dilshan was not capable to bat in the second innings of the second Test at Lord's, having broken his right thumb after two blow on it from England fast bowler Chris Tremlett.

He then sat out the three-day tour match next to Essex at Chelmsford, but only today have Sri Lanka established the opening batsman will not be fit in time to face England again on Thursday.

Team manager Anura Tennekoon said of Dilshan: "He absolutely won't be playing.
"The main reason we've kept him out of this Test match is that, had he played and got another blow while fielding on that thumb, he might have been out for the rest of the tour.

"So as a defensive measure, we have kept him out."

Former captain Sangakkara, who submissive from the role in Tests and limited-overs matches after this year's World Cup, has therefore been convinced to take the job on again.

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"Wanted to releave while I was on a high"

Muttiah Muralitharan feel that his decision to quit international cricket after the World Cup was a correct one as he left on a high having ended as the highest wicket-taker in both forms of the game.

"I might have gone on for one more two or three years but I wanted to quit while in a good position and retire at a peak rather than on a descending turn," Murali told ICC Cricket World Cup Radio Show.

For the famous tweaker, it was about giving the youngsters a chance to prove themselves at the international level after having led the Lankan assault for close to two decades.

"I thought it was the right time to give the youngsters like Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv and Rangana Herath and chance. They are all itching for their chances because I have been playing for the last 18 years. I got my chance at 19 and now it's their turn," Murali said.

He might have completed his Test career with 800 wickets but it is the 1996 World Cup triumph that he feels was the best instant of his cricketing career.

Feeling wistful about the historic feat and proud too, Murali added: "World Cup win in 1996 was the biggest thing in Sri Lanka and we proved we could play good cricket and more teams came to play next to us," he concluded.

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Bravo, Rampaul rested for third ODI

West Indies have given Dwayne Bravo the consent for rest by leaving him out of the team that will aim to stop the Indian juggernaut when they security device horns in the third ODI on Saturday.

India, having field a second-string side for the series, has a 2-0 lead and look set to make it three nil on Saturday.

Bravo has yet to recover his form following the knee injury which cut short his World Cup in February. He tally 54 runs and four wickets in the five-match series with Pakistan, and then has scored only 22 and 8 against India.

His replacement, Jamaica all-rounder Danza Hyatt, could make his one-day first appearance in the third ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach is also in to give Ravi Rampaul a break. Rampaul has been effectual so far and it leftovers to be seen if Roach can recreate his own deadly magic.

Former captain Chris Gayle continues to be ignored by the selectors until he meets with officials of the team and West Indies Board.

Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Carlton Baugh, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Danza Hyatt, Anthony Martin, Kieron Pollard, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons.

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Raina: India well balanced to win series

India's captain Suresh Raina thought on Thursday his side was now well-placed to win their one-day international series next to West Indies.

India take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, after half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel follow up Amit Mishra's career-best bowling to direct them to a seven-wicket victory in the rain-affected second ODI on Wednesday.

Chasing a revise target of 183 in 37 overs due to the rain, after West Indies made 240 for nine from their 50 overs, India reach the target with 20 balls residual, and Raina earned high praise for setting things up.

"We were pregnant to chase something around 260 or 270, but I believe the credit has to go to Mishra, he bowled actually well," he said.

He added: "At the same time, Munaf gave us breakthrough at vital times, and Virat and Parthiv batted very well in the chase. I think it is very important for us to keep things very simple, particularly for the next three games."

"We know we had to do well, and when you are playing 50 overs-a-side games, you have to know your strength, and then you can play your natural game, and enjoy yourself," Raina said.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy was satisfied with the "positive intent" his batsmen showed against India's spinners.

He admits however, they still had not gotten things right just yet and there was still much work to be done.

"We got ourselves in a good position, but we didn't capitalize in the end, and again were about 30 runs short," he said.

Sammy sustained: "We lost wickets at decisive times during the game, so we were on the back foot in the latter part of the overs. The intent from the batsmen was good initially."

The third ODI will be played on Saturday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.

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Jayasuriya to retire after England series

Sri Lanka all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya has today announced he will retire from international cricket during this month's tour of England.

Hours after being selected for the Twenty20 international against England and five limited-overs matches, the veteran exposed he will play only the Twenty20 and one ODI.

Jayasuriya, who will be 42 at the end of the month, told reporters in Colombo today: "I invited you not to share the happiness of my being chosen to play for Sri Lanka again, but to proclaim my choice to end my international career of more than 20 years.

"I judge it a privilege to have represent Sri Lanka to bring glory to my country and the town of Matara where I come from.

"The selectors picked me for the whole series but it was my personal choice to retire midway."

Jayasuriya, who made his ODI debut in 1989, was at first built-in in a 16-man squad, despite not playing a limited-overs international for his country since December 2009, while he played his last Twenty20 match a year ago.

He was not integrated in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad and failed to secure a contract with a franchise in this year's Indian Premier League, leading many to think he would not play international cricket again.

Jayasuriya's one-day international record is inspiring - only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more runs than his 13,428 in ODI act, while he has taken 322 wickets with his left-arm spin.

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Katich to play on regardless of 'ridiculous' axing

Simon Katich has announce that he will play on for New South Wales after being axed from Cricket Australia's bond list on Tuesday, a decision he slam as "ludicrous". During a press conference at the SCG on Friday morning, Katich was honest in his disapproval of CA and Andrew Hilditch's selection panel, who he said were contradictory and indecisive.

Katich also revealed that he careful taking legal action over his axing, having been Australia's leading run scorer over the past three years, but determined against it. This is the second time in four years that Katich has lost his CA contract, and he said that he and many other players had been harshly treat by the selectors in recent years.

"I'm extremely disappointed and aggravated with the decision that I found out about on Tuesday," Katich said. "I want to make it clear that I know I'm not the only player who has gone through this in the last couple of years due to conflicting selection policies. I just hope that something good comes out of this circumstance because I in fact think the decision that came on Tuesday was absolutely ludicrous.

"It surely didn't come as a total shock on Tuesday, only because I know how they operate. I've been all the way through this location before. From my point of view, to hear the news was very unsatisfactory, particularly because of the reason that was given. To be given the reason that it's because the opening partnership needs to bed down for 2013, when I know for a fact that Watto [Shane Watson] and I have methodically enjoyed opening together, and it's been one of the bright spots of our team in the last two years, I find it very hard to consider that [a new partnership needs to come in].

Katich also criticized the selectors over their handling of Australia's spinners since the departure of Shane Warne and their not have of clarity over the Ashes squad last summer. Prior to the first Test in Brisbane, Hilditch announced a squad of 17 players, which Katich said tinted the indecision of the assortment panel.

"It's not just about me, this is about a number of players who have felt distressed at how they've been treated by the selectors in particular, and not just the selectors but by Cricket Australia," he said. "There are people above the selectors that make decisions on their future and also our players' future, because they ratify the decisions that are made.

"There needs to be more constancy. A week or two before the Ashes a squad of 17 was named. In my opinion, if you can't recognize what your best 11 is a week or so before our biggest Test series that we play in the Ashes, then that to me reeks of indecision. The fact that we've had 10 or 11 different spinners in the last two years ... that to me is another pointer of the inconsistency in selections. There have been rules for some and rules for others."

However, Katich said he was resolute to play on, despite having his Test career efficiently ended. At 35, he believes he still has something to offer the New South Wales side, and he is already looking ahead to the 2011-12 summer.

"I want to keep playing on for New South Wales due to the level of esteem I have for Cricket New South Wales and also my team-mates," Katich said. "I want to repay the faith they've shown in me and optimistically we can have a very good season coming up."

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Cook roll in as England build guide

Alastair Cook's fifth succeeding Test half-century helped England overcome the loss of Andrew Strauss for a second-ball duck and move towards safety next to Sri Lanka at Lord's.

Strauss fell lbw on the back foot to Chanaka Welegedara for the second time in this second npower Test, having made only four in two attempts, before England improved to reach 149 for two by stumps on day four.

They had banked a direct of only seven runs after Steven Finn completed with four wickets and took his Test occupation tally to 50 - the youngest Englishman to reach that landmark - in Sri Lanka's 479 all out.

The match therefore appears to come down to a directly second-innings shoot-out.

But despite England's instant setback, Cook (61no) and Jonathan Trott (58) settled nerves adequately to make a deadlock by far the likeliest outcome tomorrow in this three-match series which England currently lead 1-0.

England's player of the year Trott and his man Ashes run machine Cook were the ideal men to stave off more trouble, after the hosts stumble to 22 for three in their first innings.

So it proved too, in a century stand which calmly restores the premise that - even under murk and floodlight glare - there was not sufficient firepower in this Sri Lanka attack to open up a shot at a surprise victory.

Instead, it seemed, Strauss would have the luxury of decide whether or not to push critically for a win tomorrow.

One of valuable few false shots from England's second-wicket pair brought Trott four runs, edged through a available third slip off Dilhara Fernando, to take him to within one run of his 66-ball half-century.

Cook follows him to 50, from 86 balls. But by then Kevin Pietersen's long judgment to wait with his pads on - as in Cardiff last week - was over.

Trott yorked himself in Rangana Herath's first over, leaving Pietersen to block his first two balls next to his vengeance left-arm spin.

The clapping of a small crowd might have been read as helpful or ironic. But either way, Pietersen could be in no doubt he had a point to prove - and he took a small pace towards doing so by closing out the last hour with Cook.

England's pace bowlers, the object of much disapproval for their faulty lines over the past two days, had earlier enhanced significantly.

They still did not get it right all the time but tested the Sri Lankans satisfactorily for fair reward in favorable circumstances under cloud cover.

Finn (four for 108) began ominously, spearing his very first delivery of the day in a before incomplete over from the exhibition area end down the leg side.

But he corrects his line well enough to have Mahela Jayawardene edging an ill at ease ball on the back-foot defence to third slip, where Cook - who had drop Tharanga Paranavitana in the ring two days ago - this time, clung on.

Jayawardene was gone one run short of his 50, and two balls later Chris Tremlett strike at the other end when Thilan Samaraweera edge some full-length outswing behind.

The tourists were so five down, with two men in on nought and still 92 runs behind.

Stuart Broad was detained back until the 14th over of the day. But after yielding a four from his first ball, Prasanna Jayawardene binding an attempted pull over the heads of the slips to bring up 100 runs next to the first of three bowlers' names, Broad struck with one that uneven down the hill to have Farveez Maharoof lbw.

Sri Lanka appeared in danger after all of conceding a important first-innings lead - but not so after a counter-attacking place of 57 between Herath and Jayawardene.

Each batsman slog-swept Graeme Swann for a six, among several daring strokes, until the off-spinner got his retribution on the left-hander - up the wicket and confused when he did not get to the pitch of one that twisted.

Jayawardene had been timing the ball particularly well. But once he fell to a very good catch by Swann, headfirst low to his left at second slip to give Finn his milestone in only his 12th Test, virtual parity was certain and duly established as the last four wickets fell for 13 runs.

Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, who suffers a badly bruised thumb in the course of his 193, did not take the field when his team bowled for the second time. Kumar Sangakkara led the tourists in his absence.

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Sharma shine as India thrash Windies

Rohit Sharma guided India to a calm four-wicket victory over West Indies in the first one-day international in Port of Spain.

Sharma's winning 68 off 75 balls ensure India got over a shaky start as they chase down a modest Windies total of 214 for nine with more than five overs to spare.

Only Ramnaresh Sarwan (56) and Marlon Samuels (55), who put on 82 for the fourth wicket, accessible anything for the hosts after they selected to bat, while Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the visiting bowlers with three wickets for 32 runs.

West Indies were without the big-hitting Chris Gayle because of a row with the board and they miss his power at the top of the order.

Kirk Edwards look to get a swift start with a boundary in the first over, but he was drop by Sharma at slip off Munaf Patel as both openers struggle.

He lost partner Lendl Simmons for a difficult six off 23 balls when he top-edged Praveen Kumar to Harbhajan and Darren Bravo followed the next over, as Sharma made compensation for his earlier drop to give Munaf a deserve wicket.

Edwards was drop again on 16 and 20 as he struggled with the spin of Amit Mishra and Harbhajan, but finally fell to the latter for 21 when he lobs the ball to Virat Kohli at slip.

Sarwan and Samuels dug in, surviving many appeals, before the latter broke the shackles with two boundaries off Yusuf Pathan in the 26th over. Five overs later he took the hosts past 100, then hammered Kohli for six off a free hit.

Sarwan went past 50 with back-to-back boundaries off Munaf, but was strangle down the leg side off the last ball of the same over leaving his side 141 for four with 12 overs remaining.

Dwayne Bravo and Samuels attempt to accelerate with a six apiece off one Mishra over, but Samuels played on to Suresh Raina in the next over and Bravo was confused to give Harbhajan his second wicket.

The tail could offer little more afterward. Shikhar Dhawan got the India comeback off and running with back-to-back boundaries off Ravi Rampaul.

Parthiv Patel made it three in a row but he was run out soon after subsequent good work by Dwayne Bravo and Carlton Baugh. Virat Kohli followed, wedged behind off Rampaul, and when Subramaniam Badrinath under-edged Devendra Bishoo throughout to Baugh, India was stressed on 61 for three.

But Sharma joint first with Dhawan and then Raina to push India towards victory.
Dhawan (51) carted Dwayne Bravo for six, and then passed 50 with a boundary off the same bowler, before falling to Anthony Martin when he selected out Simmons at deep midwicket.

Raina and Sharma were happy regularly to keep up with the rate in ones and twos, though the latter took his side past 150 by dispatch Darren Sammy for six.

Raina accumulate 43 before falling in identical fashion to Dhawan, but a partnership of 80 meant his side needed just 21 more to win. And, despite Yusuf falling, Harbhajan ended things off in style with a six off Sammy.

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Kirsten agreed South Africa coach

Former India cricket coach Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the new coach of South Africa.

The 43-year-old former India coach, who has signed a two-year contract, was unveiled at a press conference in Johannesburg this afternoon.

He said: "I'm delighted by the appointment and consider it a major honour." Kirsten will take over the position on August 1 and replaces interim coach Corrie van Zyl, who was given the job when Mickey Arthur resigned following the home series against England in 2009-10.

He helped India take over the position of the world's number one Test team and also led them to glory in the World Cup, where South Africa could reach only the quarter-finals.

As a player, he was the first South African to reach the milestones of 100 Test caps, 7,000 Test runs and 20 Test centuries.Kirsten explained: "It is all about the players...we will do our best to prepare all the guys."

He continued: "Having filled the same position with the Indian national team for the past three years I believe this is a natural progression as far as my coaching career is concerned.

"My coaching philosophy will not be any different than it was for the Indian team. I always endeavour to influence players in a positive way and give them options so that they can grow both as cricketers and as people."

Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola said: "We are delighted to welcome Gary back as part of the CSA family."We have been through an exhaustive but rewarding process to find the best possible candidate for the job and we are totally confident that we have done just that.

"The selection of Gary has brought to an end a process that started several years ago when he first expressed interest in the position. "His credentials and cricketing experiences speak for themselves and the board of CSA is confident that he will lead the Proteas to new heights in all formats of the game.

"It has been highly encouraging to see the calibre of candidates from around the world who applied for this prestigious position and it confirms the high regard for South African cricket around the world.

"Gary will now make recommendations regarding his key support staff and these positions will be announced as soon as contractual negotiations have been completed."

Russell Domingo will assist Kirsten, while Allan Donald has been confirmed as South Africa's bowling coach. A consultant fielding coach has yet to be appointed - although it has been revealed the role will not be a permanent appointment. Donald said: "When I got the call from Gary it took about half a second (to decide to work with him)."

South Africa have not played since their World Cup exit at the hands of New Zealand, with Australia their next opponents. The Baggy Greens arrive in October for a tour comprising two Tests, three ODI matches and two Twenty20 contests.

Two months later a home series against Sri Lanka follows, with three Tests and five one-day internationals scheduled. It was also confirmed at the press conference that Graeme Smith would retain his role as Test captain, with AB de Villiers taking over from Smith as skipper of the Proteas' one-day and Twenty20 international teams.

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De Villiers hand Proteases captaincy

Prolific batsman AB de Villiers was on Monday name South Africa`s ODI and Twenty20 skipper while Graeme Smith was retain as Test captain. De Villiers will also be Smith`s assistant in Test while Hashim Amla will be the ODI and Twenty20 vice-captain.

"De Villiers and Amla have been part of new level of leadership that has been built up in Proteas` squad for some time now under the leadership of Graeme Smith," said CSA Chief Executive Officer Gerald Majola at a press meeting here.

Smith had stand down as ODI captain subsequent South Africa`s World Cup disaster in March. "I am obviously very eager, ready to learn. I am really looking onward to this whole challenge. I will work intimately with Hashim and the coach, I have been throughout ups and downs and I am ready to take on everything," de Villiers said.

De Villiers meeting is a change in plan for Cricket South Africa, who had named Botha as Smith`s descendant in the Twenty20 format. Gary Kirsten, whose meeting as South Africa`s coach was also announce on Monday, said de Villiers was the right man for the job.

"I think it`s significant that you are looking at an person whose name is the first or second on the team sheet, that do play a role," Kirsten said.

De Villiers has played 119 ODIs since making his first appearance in 2005 and has scored 4523 runs at a regular of 45.68. He has scored 11 hundreds and 26 half centuries.

Amla said he was satisfied with his new role as vice-captain of the team. "I did take a long time to think about it, I feel it is a huge liability. AB as captain for me is an brilliant move, I have always appreciated him as a person," Amla said.

"I think I am not good sufficient person to handle captaincy. I twisted down Dolphins captaincy to stick to my batting, and when this came up I got it," he added.

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Mani slam faulty ICC proposal

Former ICC chief Ehsan Mani on Monday slam the Sharad Pawar-led world body for its report move to do go with rotating policy in the meeting of its presidents after 2015.

Reports thought that ICC is arrangement to stop the revolution policy once the term of Pawar`s successor Alan Issac (New Zealand) is over in 2015. ICC is likely to on purpose on the suggestion in its annual general meeting on June 28 in Hong Kong.

Pakistan and Bangladesh would misplace out if the current turning policy is done away with as the two countries are to present their nominees for the post of ICC president and vice-president. Both the two countries are supposedly opposite to the idea of scrap the system.

Mani hinted that the change in rotating policy could be initiate by India so that someone from India could "jump the queue" to the top post.

"I don`t recognize why the ICC wants to change it (the rotational policy). If it is going to be misused I want to ask who are the people behind this," said the former PCB official.

"Sharad Pawar`s term is end next year. The question which can be asked is that if there is anything India want to jump the queue and an Indian receiving the ICC president`s post," he added.

Nine out of 10 Test playing nations have supposedly signed on the ICC`s offer to change the turning policy and Mani termed it unusual.

"I can`t commentary who signed for the proposal or not but it is very unusual. Normally, a proposal be forwarded to the president throughout the chief director and then it is voted by the member countries. But here it seems the suggestion has already been sign before the ICC Board gathering," said Mani who was ICC chief from 2003 to 2006.

Mani accepted that Pakistan has no possibility of its turning the tables if nine member countries have decided to change the turning system as has been reported.

"You need vote by seven members to pass a resolution. So if nine members have previously agreed to the suggestion then it will be difficult for Pakistan," he told `Times Now`.

The rotating policy for the meeting of ICC president was at the centre of a major controversy last year when Australia and New Zealand`s candidate John Howard, a former Prime Minister, was unwanted by the other Boards.

New Zealander Alan Isaac was selected after a massive furore. When the post of ICC president was first twisted in 1996, it was a rotation among Full Members, who would each have a turn in appoint the President.

The order commence with India (Jagmohan Dalmiya), then Australia (Malcolm Gray), Pakistan (Ehsan Mani), South Africa (Percy Sonn). In 2007, the post of vice-president was created and the system was tweak to the current Vice President/President.

Though rotation stays as a policy, nominations now came from pairs of countries: Australia-New Zealand, West Indies-England, India-Sri Lanka, Pakistan-Bangladesh and South Africa-Zimbabwe.

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Hampshire advocate PCB to free Afridi

Hampshire has called on the PCB to free Shahid Afridi for the Friends Life T20 event after prove he would sit out the opener with Somerset.

Afridi is currently engaged to play in the English domestic Twenty20 competition after the PCB balanced his central contract.

That move came in the wake of Afridi announce his temporary retirement from international cricket following a public falling out with the governing body. The knock-on consequence of the spat has seen Hampshire lose the service of their star overseas signing after the PCB also withdraw the No Objection Certificate necessary to allow Afridi to play for the county.

"It is with regret that Hampshire Cricket announces that Shahid Afridi - the Royals overseas signing for the Friends Life T20 competition - will not be available to play in the match against the Somerset Sabres at The Rose Bowl," a Hampshire statement read.

"It follows the choice by the Pakistan Cricket Board to revoke their NOC, thus withdrawing their approval for Shahid to take part in the competition," he said.

He sustained: "The club would like to make it clear that though we respect this decision, we have been and will carry on urging the PCB to reorganize this matter. We are keen to have Shahid playing for the Royals at some point in the season."

"Hampshire Cricket will be making no more comment on this issue at this time," he concluded.

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Flower told Petersen will come good

England coach Andy Flower is "very animated" about Kevin Petersen’s performance in spite of the gifted batsman's latest failure next to left-arm spin.

England completed a excellent innings and 14-run win in the first Test in Cardiff after bundling out Sri Lanka for a mere 82 in the tourists' second innings in under two strange hours at Sophia Gardens on Monday.

It was also extraordinary to see Pietersen give just three runs in England's of 496 for five affirmed. He was the only batsman to score in single figure.

For Pietersen, who was lbw to Rangana Herath, it was the 19th juncture in Tests the South Africa-born batsman had fallen to a left-arm spinner.

"It is understandable he has had his issues," comment Flower. Despite KP scoring an Ashes double hundred in Adelaide six innings ago, he finds himself in a circumstances where knives seem to be out for him.

However, Flower, himself a quality batsman while on behalf of Zimbabwe - said he is certain Pietersen's willow will start talking again.

"I will be completely honest with you, I am very eager by what I see from KP at the moment," he said.

"I believe he's on the verge of being a very heavy scorer again. I love the way he's training and I know when he transfers that to the middle he's going to be a very heavy scorer," said Flower.

He added: "I envision him having a great summer for England."

With regard to Pietersen's trouble at playing the likes of Herath, Flower said: "He's had his noticeable battles playing left-arm spin but he is aware of them and is working hard at them."

He went on: "When he was out in Bangladesh, he scored a very, very fine Test century (Pietersen really made 99) against at least two left-arm spinners. He worked hard in the nets there on his method next to left-arm spin and he played them very contentedly."

"Since then, he has had a few ups and downs, but I don't envisage this problem continuing," Flower added in front of the second of the three-Test series against Sri Lanka starting at Lord's on Friday.

Reacting to suggestion that Petersen is saving the big one for the series against India, later in the English season, Flower said: "There is no time for keeping runs back. Lord's will do nicely!"

Meanwhile Flower was still coming to terms with England's surprising win in Cardiff where it seemed rain, which washed out play before lunch on Monday, the last day, would condemn the challenge to a draw.

"We consideration there was just a three or four percent possibility of us winning if we took a few near the beginning wickets with the new ball," Flower said after fast bowler Chris Tremlett led the attack with four wickets in the absence of the injured James Anderson.

"But it was absolutely the way to go, somewhat than let the game peter out to a boring draw," he insisted.

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PCB suspend Afridi agreement

The PCB has respond to Shahid Afridi's retirement by suspend his central bond and putting mutually a show cause notice detail several breaches of the code of behavior, which he will be expected to react to within a week.

Announcing his leaving to a TV channel, the board said in a press release, was in itself a breach of Clause 2.1.4 of the Central Contract trade with Covenants of the Cricketer.

Afridi's disapproval of the board officials in the same interview also constituted a breach. "In passing pained remarks about the board and its officials, Shahid Afridi is in breach of Clause 4.4 dealing with Media obligation.

"A show cause notice has been issue to him looking for his clarification on these comments. Afridi has been asked to react to the letter within 7 days. His Central Contract has been suspended with instant effect. Consequently, all NOCs decided to him have been revoked. All expenditure on account of Central Contract has been balanced."

A day after Afridi's outburst against the management on TV, and his decision to not play international cricket under this board, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said he was "disappointed" by the remarks and that the "leaving" was not an issue at all.

"It was unsatisfactory to hear what he said," Butt told ESPNcricinfo, "and it wasn't correct or true. It was wrong of him to do that. If he doesn't want to play under this administration, then he's welcome. We've thorough several instances where he has breach the code of conduct and will issue a show cause notice to him, which he has seven days to react to."

Senior board officials spent much of the day in a budget meeting, but the issue of Afridi was a live one all through. The board took legal advice before acting on the postponement of the agreement, as well as the withdrawal of the NOCs given to him for a T20 stint with Hampshire, and one for his contribution in the upcoming Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL).

Afridi was sent a separate show cause notice previous this month for comments he made on his return to Pakistan from the Caribbean about the team management, remarks which landed him in problem in the first place. Disciplinary action, if any, is pending on that notice as well.

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Indian team undergrowth for West Indies

A second string Indian team, led by Suresh Raina, left for the West Indies on Wednesday to participate in a T20, five ODIs and three Test matches.

The Indian team boarded a involving flight to Barbados via London at 0230 hours from the Chhattrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai.

India will play one T20 at Trinidad (June 4) and five-ODIs on June 6 (Trinidad), June 8 (Trinidad), June 11 (Antigua), June 13 (Antigua) and June 16 (Jamaica).

India will also contribute in a three match Test-rubber that will be detained at Jamaica (June 20-June 24), Barbados (June 28-Jul 2) and Dominica (Jul 6-Jul 10).

The Indian squad for the ODIs and the lone T20 is without nine players who were part of the World Cup winning team under normal skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The players missing out include Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan-- who has been rested, the wounded Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Ashish Nehra and an unwell Yuvraj Singh.

S Sreesanth and Piyush Chawla have been drop. However, Dhoni and Zaheer will connect the team for the Test matches along with V V S Laxman, Murali Vijay, Abhinav Mukund, Rahul Dravid, and Sreesanth.

When India last tour the Caribbean Islands in 2006 under Dravid, it created history by beating the home team (1-0 in a four match rubber) in a Test series for the first time in 35 years.

However, the team will surely look to change the 1-4 defeat it got in the five-match ODI series then.

ODI and T20 squad: Suresh Raina (capt), R Ashwin, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh (vc), Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar, Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel (wk), Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Manoj Tiwary, Shikhar Dhawan.

Test squad: M S Dhoni (capt), VVS Laxman (vc), M Vijay, Abhinav Mukund, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Suresh Raina, Parthiv Patel.

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World Cup wins regulations BCCI award night

The 2009-10 BCCI awards function on Tuesday evening in Mumbai was well attended by present and former luminaries of Indian cricket.
By Abhideep Das in Mumbai

In a year when Team India has given joy to Indians all over the world by charming the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, it is only fair that the complete focus will always be on those 15 members anywhere they go.

Tuesday evening was no dissimilar as MS Dhoni and his warrior took center-stage during the BCCI awards purpose for the year 2009-10 held at the good-looking lawn of Taj Land’s End, Bandra.

The whole evening was conquered with the sweet scent of victory from that unbelievable night of April 2 at the Wankhede Stadium. As promise by the Board then, each and every member of Team India was handed out a cheque of Rs two crores each, while the entire support-staff got a handsome prize of Rs 50 lakhs each.

The function was made even more special with the attendance of a large chunk of team members from the 1983 World Cup-winning-squad. Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Yashpal Sharma were seen regeneration some of the old memories.

With the ICL now being obsolete, persons like Kapil and Sandhu have been welcomed back into the BCCI fold with open arms. The current crop of fast bowlers will be the happiest with this growth since the likes of Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel were all ears when Kapil went upto them to share a trick or two.

“The most main thing is to go ahead and enjoy the game. Give it your best shot but it is significant that you enjoy your art,” the legendary Dev exhort to the young pacers during a dinner-table discussion.

For the record, former all-rounder Salim Durani was hand over the lifetime accomplishment award while Sachin Tendulkar was named Indian cricketer of the year for 2009-10.

The glorious evening ended with an audio-visual presentation of the memorable moments of Team India’s 2011 World Cup campaign. The interesting bit about this presentation was that each game was accompanied with a matching theme song.

While it was ‘De Ghuma Ke’ for the quarter-final win over Australia, nothing but ‘Chak De India’ resonate the air as everyone recollect those tense moments from that nerve-wracking victory over Pakistan in the semi-final.

‘Jai Ho’ it was when scenes from that magical night of April 2 was being played on the big-screen. No prizes for guess that the warmest and loudest clapping from the assembled players, Board functionaries and media went out for this particular sequence.

Guess no one can ever have sufficient of that amazing triumph!

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