England unmovable for second Test

England has named an unmovable 12-man squad for the second power Test with India, starting at Trent Bridge on Friday.

Following Monday's 196-run over the tourists at Lord's, National Selector Geoff Miller has long-established that the same group of players, along with Tim Bresnan, will meet up in Nottingham later this week.

Bresnan was edge out of the estimate by Stuart Broad for the Lord's Test, and return to Yorkshire to play in their narrow loss to Lancashire, while Broad vindicated his selection with a fine presentation with bat and ball.

"There was a lot to be satisfied about from the opening Test at Lord's," said Miller.

"We saw some outstanding performances with both bat and ball which resulted in a wonderful win on the final day of what was a unforgettable match.

"While the squad from the first power Test all came through unscathed we have built-in Tim Bresnan in the squad for this next Test and he'll once again be pushing for selection following a short rotate in between Test matches."

England squad: Andrew Strauss, captain (Middlesex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Matt Prior (Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).

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PCB ask Alam,Mohsin to give details

The PCB has required an clarification from Intikhab Alam and chief selector, Mohsin Khan over the sudden addition of eight players in the fast-track coaching camp in Lahore.

Reliable sources in the conservatory said that an official of the PCB had inquired from Alam on how these players were inducted into the camp without the authorization of the board.

The eight players from Hyderabad and Abbot bad regions were incorporated in the camp for which initially 20 players were announce by the board.

The second phase of the camp, being organized by the PCB, is for spinners, all-rounder’s and middle order batsmen.

Amusingly all the eight players were included in the camp without the PCB making any announcement about their enclosure and on what grounds they were called up.

The source said when he was told to explain the position; Alam said he would give a detailed clarification soon.

"Intikhab stated that the players were incorporated after he consults Mohsin and they felt the players could be called up late," the source said.

The enclosure of these players caused a stir here as many of them have nothing to show for on the domestic circuit.

The controversial inclusion are Mohammad Aslam, Imran Chandio, Mir Ali Haider, Aqeel Anjum and Zahid Mehmood from Hyderabad and Adnan Raees, Khalid Usman and Wajid Ali from Abbotabad region.

"The enclosure of Imran Chandio is strange as he has not played any first class cricket while Ali Talpur played just one first class match last season in which he didn't do anything distinguished. Same is the case with Mohammad Aslam," another source said.

The sources said the case is likely to be bringing to the notice of the chairman of the board when he proceeds tomorrow from abroad.

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Sydney Sixers mark Hayden for Big knock

The Brisbane Heat has scored a major coup, signing up past Aussie batsman Matthew Hayden for the initial KFC T20 Big Bash League this summer.

The 39-year-old, who has enjoy great achievement in the Indian Premier League since his international departure in early 2009, will lead the Heat's already strong batting line-up, one that also include New Zealand international Brendon McCullum and Queensland run-machine, James Hopes.

Playing with the Chennai Super Kings in 2008, 2009 and 2010, Hayden was the IPL's leading run-scorer in 2009 with 572 runs at 52 and a strike-rate of 144.81.

He was also a essential player in Chennai's 2010 Champions League T20 and Champions Trophy victories.

Hayden is the 14th player signed by the Heat, one of the eight teams that will play in the Big Bash League that starts on 16 December.

"I am keyed up about being a part of the Heat and the first-ever Big Bash League, and I will be doing my utmost to make the Heat an achievement both on and off the field," said Hayden.

"I'm looking forward to receiving back into top form and working with Darren (Lehmann) and the Brisbane players. December can't come soon sufficient," an excited Hayden said.

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Pietersen double outshine Praveen's five

India 17 for 0 follow England 474 for 8 decl. (Pietersen 202*, Prior 71, Praveen 5-106) by 457 runs

Kevin Pietersen describe his innings as a "mission" after his 202 not out put the hosts in a talented position after the second day.

Pietersen survive a few scares en route to his 18th Test century, and once he passed the 200 mark captain Andrew Strauss affirmed, with England on 474 for eight and India's openers batted from side to side to the close on 17 without loss.

Pietersen told Sky Sports: "It was quite nice from 150 to 200, but to get there was an undertaking. It was just great to bat with the other lads. I found it quite hard and a couple of the other boys came in and scored quickly and that took the force off me.

"It is always nice to get the team into a position where we can optimistically do something in this Test match. I haven't had the best couple of years, I had a pretty good winter but there are a lot of players in that dressing room that are doing really well."

Praveen Kumar took his first international five-for as he replace the wounded Zaheer Khan as the tourists' forefront seamer, removing both Eoin Morgan and Stuart Broad for ducks and Pietersen could have been out early on when he was caught by Rahul Dravid.

Umpire Billy Bowden gave the 31-year-old out, but the television official upturned the decision and Pietersen was happy with the result and the position the team now find themselves in.

"He (Dravid) thought it was out and you have to use the technology - there was a really good impression out there," he said.

"We are in a real good position here to do something in this Test match. I wouldn't say pressure, but you always have to score runs.

"No one ever takes anything for granted and this is a huge series and a huge, huge Test match and those are games that I love and the things that I thrive on."

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