Must win for Pakistan

Big Picture

So in a familiar location, Pakistan find themselves in a familiar situation - behind against Australia, and needing a victory to keep the series alive. Having not beaten the Australians in an ODI series since 2002, there remains a sense of self-doubt about the way Pakistan confront these opponents. Their sage captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, diagnosed an inability to "read the match situation well", after the lower order had folded to offer Michael Clarke's team a sub-prime target in Sharjah. 

This was true, but so too is the fact that no-one on either side knows a reality other than that in which Australia defeats Pakistan repeatedly. Clarke has a singularly dominant record against Pakistan,

South Africa aim to back up top billing

Big Picture

South Africa are tempted to smirk at England's captaincy predicament, with Andrew Strauss' resignation after the defeat in the Test series still fresh in the mind, and gossip sounding about how much damage Kevin Pietersen's stand-off with the powers-that-be is causing English cricket. 

Delve too deeply, however, and they have issues of their own. Nobody is sure quite how long Graeme Smith will want to continue as Test captain and whether South Africa's rise to No. 1 in the Test rankings has silenced for the time being his occasional musings that he would like to finish<!--more--> his international career as a respected senior player with no leadership responsibilities. 

The odds are that Smith is a leader in Test cricket until the day he retires, but that all puts the spotlight on his replacement in the one-day side, AB de Villiers. He has recently taken on the triple

India start overwhelming favourites

Big Picture

It's not often than an Indian Test win fails to top the sports pages, never mind the cricket pages. India's comprehensive victory over New Zealand in Hyderabad though was relegated to a sideshow last week as Unmukt Chand's Under-19 team won the World Cup in Australia. That India's first five-day success in nine months was so overshadowed was a measure of how lightly New Zealand are treated as a Test opposition, and how heavily India are expected to win.

New Zealand's Test fortunes seemed on an upswing after upsetting Australia in Hobart, following that up with their biggest Test win ever - an innings-and-301-run thumping of<!--more--> Zimbabwe - and the emergence of several talented young quick bowlers but the optimism has faded over the past few months. The home series against South Africa was always going to be a difficult challenge, but the capitulation on the tour of the

Asif to pursue appeal against ICC ban

Mohammad Asif , the Pakistan seamer, has said he would pursue an appeal against the seven-year ban imposed on him by the ICC for spot-fixing. The ban (the last two years of which are suspended) was imposed on him for accepting money to bowl no-balls in the Lord's Test against England in 2010.

"I had filed the appeal when I was banned by the ICC (in February 2011) and now I have decided to pursue my appeal through my counsel Ravi Gill and hope that a date is given to me very soon," Asif told AFP.

In November, 2011, he was  sentenced to one year in prison by the Southwark Crown Court for cheating and conspiracy due to the same. Although he was<!--more--> released in May after serving half of the term, he has yet to return to Pakistan. Team-mates Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt, both of whom have been released, were sentenced for six months and 30 months respectively.

Asif played 23 Tests, claiming 106 wickets at an average of 24.36, before his career was cut short due to the criminal proceedings. He said his appeal against the ban in the Switzerland-based Court of

ICC Test Team of the Year 2012 announced

Colombo: The ICC Thursday announced its Test Team of the Year, as chosen by a specially appointed selection panel chaired by West Indian batting legend Clive Lloyd.

The announcement was made by the ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson, at the media conference to announce the short-lists for the LG ICC Awards 2012 which are due to be held in Colombo on 15 Sept.

The LG ICC Awards recognise the best international players of the past 12 months.

The ICC Test Team of the Year is (in batting order):


Alastair Cook (Eng)
Hashim Amla (SA)
Kumar Sangakkara (SL)
Jacques Kallis (SA)
Michael Clarke (Aus, captain)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)
Matt Prior (Eng - wicketkeeper)
Stuart Broad (Eng)
Saeed Ajmal (Pak)

Yuvraj confident of strong World Twenty20 show

   Youvraj Singh as received the Arjuna Award, an Indian government honour to recognise outstanding achievement in sport, from Indian president Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi. Yuvraj is currently preparing to make a comeback to international cricket after recovering from a rare germ-cell cancer.

"It's a special award for me," Yuvraj said. "I had been nominated few times but finally I got it this time. It's a proud moment for me and my family. The award will give me a lot of confidence to make a comeback and perform well." 

Yuvraj hasn't played any top-flight cricket since last November but has been picked for the Twenty20s against New Zealand next month

One of England's best

With memorable understatement and a conspicuous lack of fuss, Andrew Strauss resigned the England captaincy and retired from professional cricket. A lifetime of ambition and achievement, a good living well made - gone, finito. "You just know" he said, and you do. It washes over you. The sheer pleasure of release, an orgasm of self-appraisal and realisation. Then suddenly, the bearable lightness of being. 

Typical Strauss. No glorification. No quivering lip, not even the blink of an eye. Just the facts. There was no emotion. "I know where I'm at" he said. Best to go when they ask why, not when. Apparently the energy levels to get his batting sorted are somewhere in the ether, somewhere lost in time. He is 35 years old. It is easy to forget that he started

Strauss retires from all cricket

Andrew Strauss has announced his retirement from professional cricket, ending a 10-year career at international level, the last three of which he was England's Test captain. Alastair Cook, the one-day captain, will take on the Test job.
 His decision comes after a week of soul-searching during a family break following the 2-0 loss against South Africa which meant England lost the No. 1 Test ranking and also comes at a time when Kevin Pietersen's exile from the team has dominated the agenda. Strauss played down the significance of the current Pietersen situation in his decision saying it "was not a

Australia aim to limit Ajmal's impact

 Australia's batsmen did enough to secure victory in the first ODI in Sharjah on Tuesday, but they know they will need to find a more convincing way to handle Saeed Ajmal throughout the rest of the tour. Ajmal struck with his first ball of the match and again in his second over, which left Australia in trouble at 67 for 4 chasing 199, and he finished with 3 for 30 from his ten overs. 

Georg Baily came to the crease after Ajmal's first two wickets
and helped put Australia back on target with steady half-century, but at no point did any of the batsmen really get on top of Ajmal. He conceded only one boundary and Bailey said Australia would need to find a way to score more freely off Ajmal in the remaining matches

Starc sets up hard-fought win for Australia

Australia were grateful for the 29 balls given up by Pakistan as the latter half of their innings collapsed, using them to secure a meritorious victory in the first ODI in the heat of Sharjah. The frenzied conclusion of Pakistan's innings contrasted with the composure shown by Michael Clarke's team, who took a major step towards preserving an unbeaten record against the subcontinental side that has lasted since 2002. 

While Clarke played a critical role, notching a fluent 66 when all around him looked fraught in the face of Pakistan's spin, it was equally heartening for the Australians

Amla ton leads SA to third No. 1 spot

South Africa became the first side to be ranked No. 1 in all three formats and did it in fitting style, with a crushing 80-run victory in the second one-day international to end England's run of 10 consecutive wins. South Africa's success was, not for the first time on this tour, set around a fantastic innings from Hashim Amla as he made a career-best 150 from 124 balls on a pitch that was far from easy for strokeplay. Amla's innings, South Africa's sixth-highest in one-day internationals, marshalled South Africa to an imposing 287 for 5 and England never really threatening to get close once Ian Bell's sprightly knock was ended by Robin Peterson. The spinners played a key role on a helpful surface - England's had

Two impressive records collide

The Big Picture :
  Persistent rainfall in Cardiff limited the action to just 33 legitimate deliveries in the first ODI, as England retained their No. 1 ranking by virtue of a no-result. In that short window, however, Ian Bell managed to hit Morne Morkel for sixes over midwicket and long-off, racing to one of the most classy (if pointless) 26 not outs you're likely to see. He only faced 18 deliveries in the mid-afternoon murk but it was enough to re-emphasise why England are happy with their post-Kevin Pietersen one-day set-up. The proposition remains the same for the second match of the series, with a win for South Africa enough to depose England at the top of the rankings.

Past record not a worry for Pakistan - Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan's vice-captain, has said his side is "professional" enough to adapt to the UAE heat. Pakistan haven't won an ODI series against Australia since 2002 but Hafeez said he wasn't looking too much into past records. "We always try not to keep the past in mind and we're thinking [about this] as a new series," Hafeez said. "Pakistan have been playing away for the last three years and every time we come to this part of the world we always have to adjust. As professionals, we have to adjust according to the situation and conditions. Pakistan have been a better side in last one-and-a-half years and hopefully we'll give our best shot."

Tough contest looms in UAE heat

Big Picture :Australia's one-off entrée against Afghanistan now complete, it's time for the main course in the UAE: a three-match ODI series followed by three Twenty20s against Pakistan. That the series is even going ahead is a credit to both countries, for finding a venue and a suitable time proved harder than anyone could have imagined. Initially, Sri Lanka was to host the matches but the scheduling of the SLPL at the same time scuppered that plan. Malaysia was considered, with the heat in the UAE at this time of year making it unsuitable for day-time play, but in the end the boards agreed to play in the UAE with a 6pm start for the ODIs, to avoid the hottest part of the afternoon.

Wade concerns force batting re-think

Matthew Wade's place in the Australian batting order against Pakistan may hinge on the outcome of the coin toss, as concerns mount over his ability to play as an opener after keeping wicket for 50 overs in the enervating heat of Sharjah. Australia's acting coach - and former Test wicketkeeper - Steve Rixon has flagged the possibility of Wade being sent down the order should Australia field first against Pakistan in the opening match of the series, even suggesting that Michael Hussey may be promoted to open the batting as he does for Chennai, Rixon's IPL team.

An increasingly threatening partnership

R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha have now taken 60 wickets between them in the four Tests they have played together. How much ever you try to temper it down, it is still a remarkable stat. Yes, all the four Tests were at home. Yes, all the four Tests were against West Indies and New Zealand batsmen who are uncomfortable against spin. Yes, Ashwin-and-Ojha are not remotely Anil Kumble-and-Harbhajan Singh yet. But an average return of 15 wickets per Test is no joke. Had they been a pair of young fast bowlers who had demolished batsmen for four successive home Tests, you can imagine the kind of hype they would have generated. All the talk in recent days has been about the need for India's young batsmen to get exposure against New Zealand before England and Australia arrive.

India's diary-writing, dictionary-wielding captain

Unmukt Chand looks your standard 21st century teenage athlete being groomed for a future on the professional treadmill. T-shirt, shorts and fashionable flip flops; strong physique earned in the gym; rakish hair and traces of stubble. Then, while talking about captaining India's Under-19 team, he says he was never put under any real pressure because there were no "recalcitrant players" in the side. Older people with larger vocabularies might struggle to tell you what "recalcitrant" means; Chand won't because he has habits that are at odds with those of the stereotypical newbie in India's IPL and PlayStation generation. Chand is India Under-19's premier batsman and he's been given the responsibility of leading their World Cup campaign, which begins on August 11 in Queensland. His generation of cricketers is different from previous ones,

Chand ton gives India Under-19 World Cup

Unmukt Chand led India to World Cup glory at Tony Ireland Stadium, his unbeaten century ensuring his side saved its best batting performance for when it counted most, pulling off the highest successful chase at this venue to beat defending champions Australia in the final. Chand, who was ably supported by Baba Aparajith and Smit Patel, secured India's third Under-19 world title, after triumphs in 2000 and 2008. Chand and Patel shared an unbroken 130-run stand for the fifth wicket, after India had slipped from 75 for 1 to 97 for 4. At no stage of the chase did they let the asking rate climb too much, and several huge hits on the home stretch ensured the target was achieved in the 48th over. Smit pulling Turner to the midwicket boundary was the signal for thirteen Indians to sprint to the middle, carrying flags and piling on to their heroes.

Australia secure win despite Stanikzai heroics

It was a historic night for Afghanistan, being just their second taste of elite one-day international cricket, but any hopes of a fairy-tale victory were dashed by the reality as they were eventually outgunned by an Australia side featuring some of the best cricketers in the world. But the key word is eventually, as Afghanistan proved a more than worthy opponent capable of exposing flaws in this Australia side during a spirited run chase.

'Cricket is not played on laptops' - Mohammad Akram

Mohammad Akram, Pakistan's new bowling coach, has said his low-profile CV won't be a drawback as he had learnt a lot from his playing career and believed that "cricket is actually played on ground [and] not on laptops". Having earlier been rejected after applying for the job, he managed to convince the coach-hunt committee to recruit him for a one-year deal. He played nine Tests and 23 ODIs for Pakistan between 1995 and 2001. Since his last first-class appearance in 2007, he has been involved in cricket through the Lashing cricket club and commentary. As a former Test cricketer based in England, he has been engaged with various colleges and universities as a consultant.

Ashwin spins India to innings win

For all that spin bowling is considered an art involving guile and deception, India's spinners took apart the New Zealand batting with the precision of surgeons combined with the calculations of mathematicians. The first Test in Hyderabad had a severely truncated third day and a slightly curtailed fourth, but ended with a day to spare. India won by an innings and 115 runs, its spinners taking 18 of the 20 wickets to fall. New Zealand, following on in their second innings, were all out for 164 an hour before the scheduled close of play on Sunday, losing their last nine wickets for 66 runs.

Darren Bravo returns for World T20

Batsman Darren Bravo and allrounder Andre Russell have returned to the West Indies squad for the World Twenty20 to be played in Sri Lanka. Bravo had to return to the West Indies from the tour of England after suffering a groin injury and missed the home series against New Zealand as a result. Russell had missed the T20 leg of the series against New Zealand in Florida due to an injury he had picked up in England, but played the ODI series in the Caribbean thereafter. The remainder of the squad, led by Darren Sammy with Dwayne Bravo as his deputy, is the same as the one picked against New Zealand in Florida. West Indies won that series 2-0. In addition to Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, two power-players in the batting line-up, the squad also features

Rookie spinner Dananjaya gets World T20 call-up

Akila Dananjaya has been named in Sri Lanka's squad for the World Twenty20, following four impressive performances for Wayamba United in the ongoing Sri Lanka Premier League. Another uncapped player, opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera, has been picked and Ajantha Mendis has earned a recall. Mendis has not played for Sri Lanka since January after suffering a back injury. Dananjaya, 18, had never played professional cricket prior to the SLPL, nor was he picked for the U-19 side currently competing in the World Cup in Australia. He had been selected in the preliminary 30-man squad solely on the recommendation of captain Mahela Jayawardene, who had faced him at Sri Lanka's net session. Dananjaya has taken seven wickets at the SLPL, at an average of 11 and an economy rate of 4.81.

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Clarke moves up to No. 3

Australia's captain Michael Clarke is expected to promote himself to the pivotal No. 3 spot in the ODI batting order for the matches against Afghanistan and Pakistan in the UAE, with Michael Hussey's return to add greater ballast to the touring middle order. Clarke walked to the crease at No. 3 in both the trial matches played during Australia's pre-season camp in Darwin, and ESPNcricinfo understands that he is now inked to remain there as the team's best limited overs option in the position. Having returned from parental leave that ruled him out of the dire ODI tour of England, Hussey will bat at Nos. 4 or 5, leaving

Chopra, Harmeet take India to final

Having disappointed for most of the World Cup, India's batting unit turned in a much-improved performance in the semi-final against New Zealand, while their bowlers continued their impressive form to set up a summit clash against Australia on Sunday. The top order set up a solid base, and despite a middle-order slump, India were able to get past 200, a total that has been difficult to chase at Tony Ireland Stadium. New Zealand fought hard, though, consolidating after losing top-order wickets in a clutch, and steered themselves to a position from where they could launch an assault at the end, much like they did in the quarterfinal against West Indies. They were not allowed to. All the Indian bowlers held their own. With no weak link to exploit, New Zealand lost wickets in the search for momentum, and the gap between runs needed and balls remaining stayed wide enough to see India through. New Zealand needed 18 off the last over in this game as well; they got eight.

South Africa's new mindset brings rewards

Over the last year, South Africa have transformed from a squad that could be counted on not to lose, especially over the course of an entire series, to one that can be expected to win when it matters. A gradual build-up of results took them to the brink but it was an added push that tipped them over. Their change from solid to spectacular is what allowed them to become world No. 1. Their triumph in England - a second, successive series win in the country - is proof that changes have taken place. Some of them are are obvious and have come in the form of personnel. The addition of a third seamer, Vernon Philander, genuinely complements the existing two, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, and has given the pace attack an added dynamic. Meanwhile, although the legspinner, Imran Tahir, has not performed to expectation his mere presence forces a more attacking approach.

India to play Pakistan in Champions Trophy

India will take on South Africa in the opening game of the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, the last time the tournament will be held. Two other big draws in the group stages are India versus Pakistan on June 15, and Australia playing New Zealand on June 12, both at Edgbaston. The top eight in the ICC ODI rankings will be competing in the tournament, starting June 6 next year, divided into two groups of four each. Apart from Edgbaston, also the venue for the final, Cardiff and The Oval will stage the group games as well as the semi-finals.

ICC disburses $2.5m to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Cricket has received $2.5 million from the ICC, to help with the costs of hosting the World Twenty20 that begins on September 18, a board official has said. The $2.5 million includes a string-free grant of $500,000 and a loan of $1 million, as well as $1 million advance payment for ticket sales. The ICC has also guaranteed the SLC an additional $1 million in ticket sales, which will be paid after the tournament ends. The money will be used to upgrade facilities at the Hambantota, Pallekele and R Premadasa stadiums, where the World Twenty20 matches will be held. "We requested the money to make up the shortfall we were expecting for the tournament," SLC treasurer Nuski Mohamed said. "The money will pay for new equipment that will be used for the World T20 and beyond." The required

Time cricket embraced the Olympics

Another glorious edition of the Olympics has headed off into the sunset. It was a couple of weeks that showcased the best athletes competing for the ultimate glory, an event that exhibited disappointment, defeat, joy, pride, victory and had the participation of 205 nations. A rich history, a massive platform, unparalleled plaudits and arguably the biggest show sports can offer, make the Olympic Games stand out. So it would be only natural if ardent cricket fans feel left out every time this marquee sports event rolls around. Unlike motorsports, cricket is a recognised by the International Olympic Committee. Though cricket wasn’t an outright success in multi-sport models previously, times have changed and today cricket has its Twenty20 avatar on offer for such events. The ICC has 106 member countries, spanning continents and covering most of the globe. So what is keeping the ICC and its member bodies from applying for the Summer Olympics?

Shoaib keen on Pakistan bowling coach role

Shoaib Akhtar, former Pakistan fast bowler, has said that he is "ready" to take up the bowling coach role, if approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board. The PCB has been searching for a bowling coach since the appointment of Dav Whatmore as the head coach and Julien Fountain as the fielding coach. "I am ready to be the bowling coach. I will offer my services If the PCB contacts me," Akhtar told reporters at the NCA in Lahore. "It's an honour to serve the country and it can be done by helping the upcoming bowlers. It will give me a chance to pay back what the country has given me."

India's bowling cupboard is empty, not thinly stocked

India's recent team selections have been a lot like the Indian finance minister's recent budget speeches. Much was expected, much was possible, a new road map could have been put in place (as the business channels would have put it) but you got the feeling that, like Pranab Mukherjee, Krishnamachari Srikkanth was saying goodbye too. This was a handover selection, one characterised by leaving the big decisions to someone else. It happens in public life all the time, though, doesn't it? Not taking a stance can be harmful. Teams, like economies, cannot plod along at a barely acceptable rate of growth. If India want to be No. 1 again (and I am assuming that that objective isn't gathering dust somewhere) then you need to take bold steps. Part of that is making a place in the Indian team aspirational, not something that you turn up after a break and find waiting for you.

England on top despite Duminy rally

England put the brouhaha with Kevin Pietersen behind them, temporarily at least, with the third Test initially taking shape in their favour at Lord's as they fought for the series-levelling victory that they need to prevent South Africa seizing their position as the No 1-ranked Test side in the world. England's captain, Andrew Strauss, whose statistical achievement in reaching his 100th Test had been largely submerged by the daily Pietersen soap opera, found comfort the moment that he donned his whites and took to the field again in a Lord's milieu that gives him a powerful sense of belonging. He was even caught laughing before the start of play with his coach, Andy Flower, and in recent days that has been a novelty.

Dravid wants 'give-and-take' between IPL and Tests Rahul Dravid, the former India batsman, has said that creating a window for the Indian Premier League would not only let the world's best players participate in the lucrative domestic Twenty20 tournament but, importantly, also allow them to play Test cricket, thereby enlivening the longer format. "The reality is the IPL is an important tournament and people do want to play it," Dravid said on BBC's Test Match Special at Lord's during the third Test between England and South Africa. "And we are probably coming to a stage where maybe a time will come [when] there will need to be give-and-take - whether it is finding a window, or, whether making the tournament a little shorter."

Rohit Sharma and the talent problem

Beyond the extraordinary race they provided us, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake have forced us to revisit the eternal debate between natural ability and hard work. On the left, Bolt, he of the fast-twitch muscles and the huge levers; on the right, Blake, who trains so hard that when his coach gives him a programme he "damages it". Did talent beat work ethic then? Is it true that, as Allan Massie in the Daily Telegraph quoted Aldous Huxley, "Nature is monstrously unjust. There is no substitute for talent. Industry and all the virtues are of no avail"? It is a much deeper debate than that. Nobody is only talented or only hard-working. But there is little doubt that if talent is combined with ambition and work ethic (and make no mistake, there is far, far more to Bolt than mere great natural endowment) it makes for an unbeatable combination. If unequally talented people have an identical attitude, the greater talent will always win. Blake discovered that in London.

Chand, Passi seal easy win for India

India's openers performed far better against Zimbabwe than they did against West Indies, setting up a platform for a match-winning score despite a middle-order slowdown at Tony Ireland Stadium. In a match they had to win to stay in theUnder-19 World Cup, Unmukt Chand and Prashant Chopra delivered a 139-run partnership, and a last-over thrash from medium-pacer Kamal Passi converted an average total into a competitive one. Passi carried the momentum from his five-ball 24 through the lunch break and into his bowling, taking the first four wickets to fall during a six-over spell thatseverely set back the Zimbabwe chase. At 30 for 4 in the 12th over, there was too much lost ground to recover, and although allrounder Malcolm Lake scored a century that gave India a scare, he had no support and Zimbabwe were dismissed 63 runs short. Passi returned to take two important wickets during the final ten overs, finishing with 6 for 23.

I need to start afresh - Harbhajan

On Friday afternoon, as soon as Essex finished a convincing victory against Kent in their Championship match, Harbhajan Singh dashed from Canterbury to the outskirts of London to pay obeisance at a Gurudwara. It was an important day. August 1, 2011 was the last time Harbhajan had played for India. He had left the England tour mid-way due to a stomach injury. He was two matches away from becoming only the ninth Indian cricketer to play 100 Tests. But a combination of injuries, dip in form and the lack of faith from the selection panel left him stranded on 98 Tests. He missed the home series against West Indies, the away tour of Australia, the Asia Cup and recently the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. In between he lead Mumbai Indians to their maiden Champions League Twenty20 title and replaced Sachin Tendulkar as the captain for the fifth season of the IPL. Yet deep down, Harbhajan was worried if he might ever make a come back.

The master of being himself 

 Andrew Strauss plays his 100th Test for England tomorrow. I was an exact contemporary of Strauss - at school, university and in county cricket. Few predicted he would play 100 Tests. Indeed, Strauss himself would have laughed at the idea when he was starting out as a cricketer. Owais Shah, not Strauss, was the teenage Middlesex prodigy. Not that Strauss minded not being the centre of attention. Waiting for the right moment, biding his time - that is the hallmark of his distinguished career. Some sportsmen declare their hand at the outset. Graeme Smith always said he wanted to captain South Africa when he was still a kid. Strauss, in contrast, is not someone to reveal his hand so lightly. Did he always have deep ambitions that were hidden by his self-effacing English reserve? Or did he only realise by increments - as he gradually worked his way through the field - that he could go so far, as a player and a captain? I've never been sure of the answer. Perhaps he isn't either.

Milne and Vettori in New Zealand World T20 squad

The fast bowler Adam Milne has been named in New Zealand's squad for the ICC World Twenty20, 18 months after he last played for his country. Daniel Vettori has also been included after being ruled out of the upcoming Test series in India due to a groin problem, and he will have the chance to test his injury early next month with the same squad to play two T20s in India on September 8 and 11. There was no room for Andrew Ellis, Tom Latham, Daniel Flynn or Dean Brownlie, all of whom were part of New Zealand's squad for their most recent T20s, in the West Indies. As expected, James Franklin is part of the final 15, having missed the West Indies games because the team management wanted to allow him an extended run in the T20 format in county cricket instead of flying in to the Caribbean for just two games.

Ruhuna open account with big win

For the third consecutive night in the SLPL, a brutal opening stand was the bedrock of a comfortable win as fifties to Aaron Finch and Gihan Rupasinghe helped Ruhuna Royals crush Uthura Rudras by 35 runs in a rain-curtailed 16-overs-a-side encounter. Finch made 65 and Rupasinghe 50 as the pair struck 11 fours and four sixes between them. Lasith Malinga's 4 for 21 then ensured Uthura never looked like chasing down the revised target of 154 at any stage. Finch attacked from the outset, clobbering a straight four from the first ball of the innings, before launching a six two balls later in the same area. Rupasinghe was slower to the charge, but his was no less savage when it began. A four over extra cover and a six over midwicket heralded a slew of boundaries either side

Younis, Gul dropped from ODI squad Pakistan have dropped seniors Younis Khan and Umar Gul from the one-day squad for the three-match series against Australia in the UAE later this month. Kamran Akmal, who was recalled for the Twenty20s, also made it to the one-day leg of the tour and the other notable inclusion is Junaid Khan, the left-arm fast bowler who had an impressive Test series in Sri Lanka recently. Anwar Ali, the fast bowler who has played one Twenty20 international back in 2008, is the only relatively new face in the team. Gul, Pakistan's strike seam bowler, was selected for the Twenty20s but ignored for the ODIs. He had a disappointing tour of Sri Lanka, taking only four wickets in five games. Younis was out of sorts throughout the series, scoring just five runs in four games.

SA preparations come full circle

With South Africa's preparation for the final Test in the series against England almost complete, they have called on a special assistant to add the finishing touch. Explorer Mike Horn, famous for his solo full circle of the globe without motorised transport, has joined up with the camp in London to complete a journey that began at his home in Château d'Oex, Switzerland, before the tour began. The squad spent four days with Horn before arriving in England on an excursion that was focused on gaining mental strength through physical exertion. Their challenges included cycling up Alpine slopes, hiking for miles and skiing. Although they will not be doing anything similar with Horn this time, his presence will serve as motivation as they approach the match that will determine whether they are crowned world No.1.

Pietersen out of World Twenty20 squad...... Kevin Pietersen has been omitted from England's provisional 30-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this year, despite his insistence that he was available for the event. The announcement suggests Pietersen is unlikely to end his premature retirement from limited-overs internationals in the near future. Pietersen, who was player of the tournament when England won the World T20 in the Caribbean in 2010 - the only global trophy they have ever won - has always maintained his desire to play in England's defence. Last week he said he would also be open to an ODI return if his schedule could be lessened. "I would love to play for another three or four years in all forms of cricket," he said. Under the terms of England central contracts, a player cannot be considered for one format of the limited-overs game unless they are available for both. While Pietersen's comments suggest he is prepared to play all formats, the England management still consider him 'retired' as he remains reluctant to commit to the team's full schedule. Andy Flower, the England team director, responded to the news that Pietersen's representatives were in talks with the ECB by saying that the situation had not changed and that a return was unlikely. He appears to have got his way, with Alex Hales, who scored 99 on his return to the T20I side against West Indies in June, likely to continue as opener. The final squad will be cut to 15 by August 18, ahead of the start of the tournament in mid-September. England's first game will be against Afghanistan on September 21, with India also in Group A. While there is scope for players outside the 30 to be named in the final 15, it can only happen in exceptional circumstances. That usually means injury. While there is no place for Pietersen, there are recalls for England's ODI captain, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, who has recently made a successful return to the ODI side, Michael Lumb, who opened for England in the Caribbean in 2010, and Gareth Batty, who enjoyed a good domestic T20 season with Surrey. Joe Root, the young Yorkshire batsman, is also included for the first time, as is Lancashire's Steven Croft, alongside other young players such as Ben Stokes, James Taylor and Jos Buttler. Matt Prior, England's Test wicketkeeper who has continued to impress in limited-overs cricket at domestic level, is also an intriguing selection and offers a potential alternative to Craig Kieswetter.

Kamran Akmal returns for Pakistan......... Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has been recalled by Pakistan for the Twenty20s against Australia in August, and September's World Twenty20. Kamran, who last played for Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup, was cleared by the PCB's integrity committee earlier this month. Batsman Imran Nazir, who last played for Pakistan in February 2010, and allrounder Abdul Razzaq have also made the squad for both tournaments. None of these three players has a central contract. "Each player in the side has a role and has been selected accordingly," Iqbal Qasim, Pakistan's chief selector, told ESPNcricinfo. "Razzaq and Imran are utility players and can make a difference. Imran is a good fielder, while Razzaq can also be useful as a seamer on Sri Lankan pitches [during the World T20] and can score some quick runs." Mohammad Hafeez, who was named Pakistan's Twenty20 captain ahead of the just-concluded Sri Lanka tour, will continue to lead. According to the PCB release that announced the squad, Hafeez has been named captain 'till the end of 2012'. Squad for Australia T20s, World T20 Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal (wk), Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Umar Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Sohail Tanvir In: Kamran Akmal, Imran Nazir, Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Nasir Jamshed Out: Khalid Latif, Ahmed Shahzad, Hammad Azam, Haris Sohail, Shakeel Ansar Asad Shafiq has been picked following his solid Test series in Sri Lanka, during which he scored two half-centuries and a hundred in five innings. He has scored 192 runs in 10 Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan. Opener Nasir Jamshed is also back, after recovering from a fracture of the index finger that ruled him out of the Sri Lanka tour. He is one of four openers in the squad, along with Nazir, Kamran and Hafeez. Speaking after the news of his selection broke, Jamshed said was looking forward to the competition among the openers. "Winning back the opportunity [to play for Pakistan] is always hard, and I am glad to have [my place] back. I have recovered [from the injury] and am sensing tough competition for the opening slot. But being a left-hander, it differentiates me from the other [three]." The players to miss out from the Twenty20 squad that played in Sri Lanka are Khalid Latif, Ahmed Shahzad, Hammad Azam, Haris Sohail and wicketkeeper Shakeel Ansar. There are no changes on the bowling front, with Saeed Ajmal and 20-year-old Raza Hasan being the specialist spinners, and Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Sami the quicks. "Raza, though young, isn't a new name," Qasim said. "He has been performing and [taking into account] the need for a left-arm spinner, he is the best [option] at the moment. "Sami, along with Gul, is our strike bowler. They may not be in form, but with ample experience under their belt they can bounce back and play their role."

Bailey confident T20 bases are covered........ George Bailey at a press conference after being included in Australia's one-day squad to tour West Indies, Adelaide, February 29, 2012 George Bailey: "I reckon there's about nine teams that at this stage could put their hands up and say they can win [the World T20]" © Getty Images Enlarge Related Links News : Lyon and Pattinson overlooked for World T20 News : Australia name Maxwell for Pakistan series Players/Officials: George Bailey Series/Tournaments: ICC World Twenty20 | Australia tour of United Arab Emirates Teams: Australia George Bailey, Australia's Twenty20 captain, has said he expects the 15 men picked for the Twenty20 series against Pakistan in the UAE to be the same 15 who will carry Australia's hopes in the ICC World Twenty20 next month. Australia must name their final squad for the World T20 by Saturday and although a provisional 30-man group included surprise choices such as Dirk Nannes and Ben Laughlin, there are unlikely to be any wild-cards in the final squad. That should mean a three-man spin attack including Brad Hogg, Xavier Doherty, and the uncapped Glenn Maxwell, while other exciting T20 performers such as Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Finch are likely to miss out. The 15 men who will take on Pakistan have been in Darwin over the past week for a training camp and Bailey said he was pleased with the mix the selectors had brought together ahead of the World T20 in Sri Lanka. "Yeah I'd hope [it will be the same squad], all things being equal. Hopefully that group of guys performs and stays fit and I think that's the 15 that will be best suited for us to go as far as we can in that tournament," Bailey told ESPNcricinfo. "We've got all bases covered. If we want to go in with a spin-laden team we can, or with all-rounders, or we've got some genuine pace. "I think we've got absolutely everything covered for whatever conditions are thrown up in Sri Lanka. Also a lot of the games are played on the same venues, so we're expecting towards the back end of the tournament perhaps some tired wickets." That could mean plenty of work for the spinners and accurate seamers such as Clint McKay, although first Australia must get through their group matches against West Indies and Ireland. By the end of the group stage, Bailey will not even have played ten Twenty20 internationals, having been thrust into the captaincy from outside the squad in January. Since then, he has led his country to two wins and two losses from four games: two matches at home against India in February, and two in the West Indies in March. Until they convened in Darwin, his men have not been together for more than four months, with some having played in Australia's one-day tour of England, others having enjoyed stints in county cricket, and others having spent the winter at home. The three T20s against Pakistan in the UAE early next month will therefore be priceless preparation for Bailey's side, especially given that last time they played, in the West Indies, the T20 squad was augmented by ODI players due to the distance from Australia and the infeasibility of flying T20 specialists around the world for two games. "The back end of that Dubai tour will be really good," Bailey said. "It will be the first time we've been able to get that squad together for an extended period. Even just the time in Sri Lanka for the warm-up games I think will be really important just to actually start to get a feel for our specific roles and just having the group together continuously. I think that's been our biggest challenge as a cricket team, Twenty20 wise, has been just finding out about being a team rather than just a group of guys thrown together." Gelling as a unit will be critical if Australia are to go one better than in the 2010 World T20, when they reached the final but lost to England. Despite that effort Australia are ninth in the ICC's T20 rankings, with only Ireland and Zimbabwe below them, but Bailey reads little into the rankings and believes the World T20 will be wide open for almost any side to win. "I reckon there's about nine teams that at this stage could put their hands up and say they can win the tournament," Bailey said. "We firmly believe we're one of those. Playing in the subcontinent means all the subcontinent teams will be pretty dangerous. England and South Africa have got great depth and consistency in their teams and the way they play at the moment they'll be dangerous. "First and foremost our biggest worry is West Indies, who are in our group. They have a team that is absolutely made for T20, great balance of pace, good spin bowlers and some of the best hitters in the world. It's going to be really tough and it's going to be very much about gelling our team and getting our heads around the fact that if we can put our best cricket together for two weeks, something very special could be at the other end."

Jacques Kallis has made a return to South Africa's T20 plans after being included in the list of 30-man preliminary squad for the World T20 in Sri Lanka this September. Kallis last played as a regular member of the team in May 2010 during South Africa's tour of the West Indies. However, he took part in the only T20 game against India in March 2012 - a match played in his honour. Graeme Smith, who was dropped for the three-match T20 series against New Zealand in February, has also been included in the squad. Kallis has missed several of South Africa's T20 internationals, but he was a key player for his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 409 runs and taking 15 wickets this season. Overall, Kallis has played 17 T20 internationals for his 573 runs and five wickets. Also included is left-arm slow bowler Roelof van der Merwe whose last series for South Africa was the one in West Indies two years ago. Van der Merwe has played 12 T20 internationals and has a haul of 14 wickets while his economy is 6.93. Three wicketkeepers have been named in the squad, including captain AB de Villiers, the other two being Morne van Wyk and Dane Vilas. De Villiers will continue as the captain of the side after leading the team to a 2-1 series win in New Zealand. Squad: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Richard Levi, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe, Morne van Wyk, Dane Vilas

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