Lee Washed out of the rest of the Series

Australian fast bowling leader Brett Lee, affliction an elbow injury, has been ruled out for the remainder of the one-day series in opposition to India and will be flying back to home for treatment, Cricket Australia said Friday.

Lee was unable to complete his 10-over spell during the first ODI in Baroda and was not available for selection in following matches in Nagpur and Delhi.

'Brett's elbow injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked and, therefore, a verdict has been made to send him home to consult with an elbow specialist,' CA physiotherapist Kevin Sims said.

'With an exact diagnosis, we can determine how best to manage the injury and give Brett the best chance of being available for selection at the beginning of the Australian summer,' he added.

Lee's mystery elbow injury also threatens to derail his Test comeback hopes. The timing could not be worse for veteran Lee - trying to convince selectors of his durability as he strives to again be Australia's Test spearhead this summer and take 400 Test and one-day wickets.

Lee's absence will also be a big blow for the Australian team. Captain Ricky Ponting admitted that Lee's absence at the death overs did make a difference as India pillaged 108 runs in the last 10 overs in Nagpur.

'Injuries cost a little more than expected at Nagpur. That's bit of a concern for us (bowling at the death). Brett is one guy who bowls well at the death and he has been doing a good job for us. But it depends whom you are bowling at. If there is somebody like (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni then you will go for some more runs in the end and that's what happened in Nagpur. He was well supported by Raina,' Ponting said.

Bangladesh to win over Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan smashed 105 off 69 balls after teammate Abdur Razzak took five wickets Thursday to lead their team to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second one-day international.

Bangladesh scored 221-3 in only 29.3 overs after Zimbabwe was bowled out for 219 at Shere Bangla National Stadium to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Shakib hit 15 boundaries and three sixes for his fourth ODI century, sharing in an unbeaten stand of 165 with Raqibul Hassan, who scored 39 off 75 balls.

Bangladesh openers Junaid Siddque and Tamim Iqbal raced to 44 off 23 balls before Elton Chigumbura caught and bowled Siddque for 23 in the fourth over.

Chigumbura removed Mohammad Ashraful for 3 in his next over, and Justice Chibhabha dismissed Iqbal for 26 on the very ball as Bangldesh fell to 56-3 in the seventh over.

Shakib and Hassan then put on Bangladesh's third highest ODI partnership to lead their team to victory.

Earlier, Razzak finished with a career-best 5-29 to run through the Zimbabwe batting lineup.

Zimbabwe made a steady start after winning the toss and batting, but lost regular wickets once captain Hamilton Masakadza was trapped leg-before-wicket for 34 while trying to sweep Naeem Islam.

Three wickets then fell with the score on 96 and Zimbabwe never fully recovered. Bangladesh did the real damage to Zimbabwe's batting order in the 21st and 22nd overs.

Justice Chibhabha was stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim for one of Mohammad Ashraful's two wickets, Brendan Taylor was bowled by Razzak and Charles Coventry was caught in the slips, also off Razzak.

Malcolm Waller replaced the injured Prosper Utseya and top-scored with 40 but he also fell to Razzak.

Ashraful finished with 2-28, while Islam took 2-43.

Team India Smashes the Ausis in Nagpur ODI

India beat Australia by 99 runs in the second ODI in Nagpur. Chasing a victory target of 355, Australia bowled out for 255 in 48.2 overs. The seven-match series is now levelled at 1-1. For India, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar were the pick of the bowlers.

India had put up 354/7 in 50 overs. Dhoni was the top scorer with 124, while Gambhir made 76. Raina and Sehwag contributed 62 and 40 respectively. ForAustralia, Johnson took 3 wickets.

Australia never looked like chasing the mammoth target set by India and they lost wickets at regular intervals. Only Mike Hussey and Adam Voges showed some resistance, but that was not enough.

Australia bowled out for 255 in 48.2 overs. Hussey was the top scorer with 53. Adam Voges contributed 36, while Nathan Hauritz remained unbeaten on 30. ForIndia, Ravindra Jadeja took 3 wickets. Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar took 2 wickets each. MS Dhoni was declared "Man of the Match".

David Shepherd Passed Away

David Shepherd, one of cricket's most genial and best-loved umpires, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 68 and leaves a long-time partner, Jenny, who he married last year.

Shepherd stood in 92 Tests between 1983 and 2005 and 172 ODIs, including three consecutive World Cup finals, advancing England's reputation, with Dickie Bird, for producing the finest umpires in the world. He was a romantic, sentimental man, especially when it came to cricket, and resented what he saw as examples of greed creeping into the modern game.

"I'm very sad and shocked it's happened," said Bird. "He was a fine umpire. We umpired together all over the world. He was a character, a great man, and a tremendous bloke. I've lost a friend. A great friend."

Born in December 1940 in Bideford, Shepherd was educated at Barnstaple Grammar and St Luke's College, Exeter, and his love for Devon never wavered. He lived in the North Devon coastal village of Instow and for many years supplemented what for the most part were meagre umpiring earnings by helping his brother run a small sub-post office.

Shepherd began his cricketing life as a rotund middle-order batsman for Gloucestershire, playing from 1964‑79, starting his county career in his mid-20s after a short period playing for Devon and working as a teacher. He played 282 first-class matches and made a hundred on debut. A modest average — a touch under 25 in the first-class game, and a little over 20 in 183 one-dayers — does not tell of his enduring popularity in the West Country.

"As an umpire he has always been a familiar and much-loved face, not only here but at cricket grounds around the world," said Gloucestershire's chairman John Light. "He was friendly, outgoing and straightforward. He believed cricket was a simple game and he took a straightforward approach to it in his cricket and his umpiring. He always put a smile on your face."

Shepherd was appointed as a first-class umpire in 1981, and within two years had graduated to the Test panel where his portly, ruddy features became instantly recognisable. He became well known for standing on one leg whenever the score reached 111 or a multiple of it — a harmless little routine, in response to cricket's superstition that 111 is an unlucky number — but it was the quality of his umpiring, immense fair-mindedness and good man-management skills that endeared him to the cricketing fraternity.

His lowest moment came in 2001 during a Test between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford. Saqlain Mushtaq's off-spin won the Test for Pakistan and Shepherd failed to spot that three of his four victims were dismissed by no balls. He briefly considered early retirement. "I'd like to block out the memory of that final day for ever,'' he later wrote in his autobiography.

'Shep', as he was universally known, was awarded an MBE in 1987 and made an honorary life member of MCC in 2006. In his later years he also became president of Devon, the Minor County club.

His last Test was between West Indies and Pakistan at Kingston in June 2005 and his final appearance in an ODI came at The Oval in July of that year. As retirement beckoned, he was praised wherever he went. He turned down the offer of a farewell Test at Lord's believing that the ICC should maintain its policy of neutral umpires, and in any case he didn't really need any fuss.

"Shep was not only one the greatest umpires of all time but he was also a friend to all involved in cricket," said David Collier, the chief executive of the ECB. "His cheery personality created a wonderful atmosphere at every match in which he was involved and he will be sadly missed by everyone involved in cricket throughout the world."

India made a good Cricket Treate In Nagpur ODI Today

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed 124 off 107 deliveries Wednesday to lift his team to an imposing 354 for seven wickets in the second one-day international against Australia.

It was Dhoni's fifth ODI hundred as he featured in century partnerships with Gautam Gambhir (76) and Suresh Raina (62) that gives India an excellent chance of bouncing back from its four-run defeat in the opener and leveling the seven-match series.

Dhoni, who hit nine boundaries, moved from 90 to 108 by hoisting three sixes _ the first off swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and then two from successive deliveries in the next over from medium-pacer Shane Watson.

Coming in to bat with India struggling on 97-3, Dhoni helped resurrect the innings with a 119-run partnership dominated by the in-form Gambhir, who was eventually run out by a direct hit from Nathan Hauritz at the non-striker's end.

Gambhir's composed 80-ball innings included six boundaries.

Dhoni then took charge of the game as Raina took some time to get his eye in. They shared a 136-run partnership for the fifth wicket that didn't end until the 50th over, when Dhoni was bowled by paceman Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson, who passed a fitness test before being included, claimed 3-75 after having Raina caught behind off the second last ball of the innings. Praveen Kumar was run out on the final delivery.

Raina's 50-ball innings included one six and six boundaries.

Put in to bat after Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss, India lost opener Sachin Tendulkar for 4 as he edged seamer Peter Siddle to Cameroon White in the slips to make it 21-1 in the fourth over.

Virender Sehwag hit 40 from 34 deliveries with a six and six boundaries before lofting Johnson straight to Hilfenhaus at mid off.

Yuvraj Singh, returning from an injury-forced absence, made 23 before hitting a soft return catch to Hilfenhaus.

Hilfenhaus replaced pace ace Brett Lee in the team, while top-order batsman Shaun Marsh came in for injured allrounder James Hopes.

Yuvaraj is Fit to Play 2nd ODI at Nagpur

Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said today said that flashy middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh has been confirmed fit for Nagpur ODI on Wednesday.

Addressing a press meeting on the eve of 2nd one-day, Dhoni said, "Yuvraj is fit for second ODI. His return will make major variation in the middle order."

Dhoni further said that dew factor will play major role in tomorrow's day-night encounter.

"During Challenger trophy we seen lots of dew in a match but there was no impact of dew in another match here. So it will be vital."

Reacting on ex- Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist proposal to promote himself up in the order, Dhoni said that it is impossible to disturb the current batting order.

Dhoni further said that Yuvraj's presence in the side will strengthen the batting and bowling department. "We have Sachin and Sehwag in opening order followed by Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj at No-3 and No-4 respectively. So there is no possibility for me to move myself up."

Indian skipper said that team's priority is to improve the bowling performance in the death overs.

Injury makes Australia in Back Foot In @nd ODI against India in Nagpur

Injured Australian fast bowlers Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson have been ruled out of the second one-day international against India to be played in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Lee was detected with a mild elbow damage following the opening game at Vadodara, while scans showed Johnson had sustained a minor ankle strain while fielding.

The injuries are minor and both are expected to play in the third game of in the seven-match series.

All rounder James Hopes had previously been ruled out of conflict for the Nagpur game due to a cramp injury.

New South Wales all rounder Moises Henriques has been called up as cover and will stay with the squad until after game four, the Courier Mail reports.

Henriques will leave Australia on Tuesday night and will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Sachin Tells need of Technology in Umpire's desicions

Sachin Tendulkar has put his burden at the back of calls for umpires to make more use of technology in their decision-making method.

But while the famous India batsman is not entirely persuaded by the player referral system, he believes new innovations like Hot Spot should be used by the third umpire.

Sachin said: "We are already using technology for doubtful catches; they should use the Hot Spot technology for bat-pad decisions so the on-field umpire has to only make leg-before calls.

"I'm quite happy with Hot Spot technology because it founds quite clearly if contact was made with the bat and pad.

"Hot Spot technology will come in handy for caught-behind decisions as well."

The ICC has trialed the umpire decision review system, which allows players to ask for the television umpire to review a decision made by the on-field officials, with mixed results.

And Tendulkar believes the referral system needs to be perfected before it is applied on a full-time basis.

"I'm not particularly happy with the referrals because I'm not convinced of the angles," he added.

"I was not happy when we first went through it."

India to play a hard and concentrated game of cricket tomarrow's openning match against Australia in 7 ODI series

Indian cricket team on Friday sweats it out at the nets here, in advance of the first of the seven match One-Day International ODI series in opposition to Australia.

World-class batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were seen committed hard as Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh bowled to them.

India has been braced by the return of the explosive batting pair of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh from hurts.

Australia, on the other hand, is hoping to carry the energy from this month's Champions Trophy success into the seven-match one-day series in India, starting tomorrow.

The venues of the other matches are Nagpur (October 28), New Delhi (October 31), Mohali (November 2), Hyderabad (November 5), Guwahati (November 8) and Mumbai (November 11).

Dhoni, the phenomenon unravelled in a book

What makes Mahendra Singh Dhoni tick? Is it his incredible batting that sends perfectly pitched yorkers into orbit, or lightning glovework behind the stumps? Does it have anything to do with his numerous brand endorsements that many a Bollywood A-lister would envy? Or is it simply his rise from a modest background to the pantheon of greatness that endears him to a cricket-crazy nation?

Sports journalist C Rajshekhar Rao tries to unravel all this and more in Dhoni, an unauthorised biography by Ocean Paperbacks, by speaking to his coaches from junior days to former cricketers as well as near and dear ones from his hometown of Ranchi.

"I’m not his biggest fan," the author makes it clear at the outset during the launch of his book here. But he is just as intrigued by the flamboyant Indian captain as we are. “Anyone and everyone I meet have been impressed by at least one of his many facets.”

Pakistan Team for New Zealand tour

Pakistan on Thursday recalled regular openers Salman Butt and Imran Farhat in their squads for next month’s limited over series and Tests against New Zealand.

Pakistan will play three one-day internationals (November 3, 6 and 9) in Abu Dhabi and two Twenty20 internationals (November 12 and 13) in Dubai in a series which was relocated to neutral territory due to security fears at home.

Pakistan will later fly to New Zealand to play three Tests, with their home series also relocated over security fears.

‘We have important series against New Zealand and, after thorough work, we have announced three squads for one-dayers, T20s and Tests, in which we have relied on regular openers,’ chief of selectors Iqbal Qasim told reporters.

Younus Khan will lead the squad in one-day matches and Tests after he withdrew his resignation, submitted over match-fixing allegations.

The allegations were levelled over the team’s defeats against Australia and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy earlier this month.

Shahid Afridi will lead the team in the two Twenty20 matches.

Pakistan have failed to find a regular set of openers as no pair has settled at international level. Butt, dropped for the Champions Trophy, was recalled for one-dayers and Tests after scoring a century in a domestic competition.

Farhat, who snapped his ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League, this month staged a comeback after two years. The 27-year-old left-hander is in all three squads.

Opener Khalid Latif also stages a comeback for the limited over series, while Imran Nazir found a place in the Twenty20 squad only.

The selectors were forced to leave out Mohammad Asif after Dubai authorities confirmed the controversial paceman cannot travel to the UAE following his deportation on charges of possessing a banned drug last year.

Asif was detained at Dubai airport for 19 days while returning from India after featuring in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008.

The 26-year-old was last month brought back into the squad for the Champions Trophy following the expiry of a one-year ban imposed over a failed dope test in the inaugural season of the IPL last year.

He was however selected for the Tests in New Zealand.

‘We were forced to leave out Asif because of some official problems, but hope that he keeps fitness and performs well in the Tests,’ said Qasim.

Also staging a comeback for the UAE leg is allrounder Abdul Razzaq, after he was left out of the Champions Trophy squad.

Middle-order batsman Misbah-ul Haq, a regular member of the team, failed to find a place in any of the three squads.

One-day Squad: Younus Khan (capt), Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Umer Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz

T20 squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Khalid Latif, Imran Nazir, Umer Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal, Imran Farhat, Fawad Alam, Sohail Tanveer

Test squad: Younus Khan (capt), Khurrum Manzoor, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir, Abdur Rauf, Umer Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed

India is a tough side to beat in their home

Despite India's latest indifferent performance, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team would be hard to beat at home.

The Australian side arrived on Tuesday for a seven-match One-day series starting Oct 25 in Vadodara.

Australia will be high on self-reliance after thrashing England 6-1 and then winning the Champions Trophy in South Africa. India failed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

Ponting said the younger players in the team will have to play spin better to have an impact on the series.

"India is a very good and strong one-day team and we are not taking too lightly them," Ponting told reporters today in the press meet.

"We are the number one and two teams in the world and it all points to an entertaining and good challenge over the next few weeks," he said.

"We have always enjoyed playing in India and against India. Our challenge over the last few years has been growing and it’s good for the world game."

Ponting said the team will have to give their best right through the series.

"We have played some excellent one-day cricket over the last few months beginning from the England tour and in the Champions Trophy," Ponting said. "We need to keep improving and need to be at our best right through the series."

"We have got a lot of young players who are finding their feet in international cricket. We have played some good one-day cricket over the last few months and they have grown in poise from that. This series offers them different set of challenges."

Ponting said since some of the players are featuring in the ongoing Champions League Twenty20, it will help them to adapt.

"It's good they have got used to the conditions but on the other hand it would have been nice to have them in the group a little bit sooner," he said.

"The challenge will be how our middle order batsmen cope up with playing spin bowling over the next few weeks. Michael Hussey has played a lot of cricket here. Shane Watson and Tim Paine play spin fine."

India works up for series in opposition to Australia

Indian cricket team, which got hammered out in the first stage of the Champions Trophy in South Africa, started its preparations in seriously here today for the forthcoming seven-match ODI series against Australia.

Excluding Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma, the other members of the team had a stint at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex this afternoon.

Managing the preparation was Coach Gary Kirsten, who arrived in Mumbai this afternoon from South Africa. The Australian crew, led by Ricky Ponting, too reached the Indian shores today and is set to have a two-day practice session at the BKC from tomorrow in advance of the first ODI at Vadodara on October 25.

Both the teams are scheduled to leave for Vadodara on October 23. The other ODIs are scheduled at Nagpur (Oct 28), Delhi (Oct 31), Mohali (Nov 2), Hyderabad (Nov 5), Guwahati (Nov 8) and Mumbai (Nov 11).

Australia, who hold the Champions Trophy, had beaten India 4-2 (one match ending in no result) in the last ODI series played between the two sides in India two years ago.

Places up for grabs for Oz ODI tour of India

Australian cricket skipper Ricky Ponting says the national selectors and he will have to take some tough verdict while deciding on the batting line-up for the seven-game one-day international series against India.

"The selectors and myself are going to have a bit of thinking to do over the next few days as to what we do with the batting line-up," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying at Sydney Airport earlier to his departure on Monday evening.

Ponting welcomed the enclosure of opener Shaun Marsh and wicketkeeper Tim Paine in the squad, saying they possessed the required capabilities to deliver in a tough series.

"But whichever mode we go there we know we've got very good depth in our batting with someone like Shaun coming supporting in, so hopefully we get it right on the morning of the first game," he said.

Australia currently leads the ICC one-day rankings by four points from India, who surprisingly failed to advance beyond the group stage at the recent Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa.

Australia won that tournament, but Ponting envisaged the series in India would be a "great test for us".

"They will be particularly hard to beat in India, they always are," said by Ponting.

Ponting said he hadn't seen much of uncapped left arm spinner Jon Holland apart from a spell in the nets before last year's Boxing Day Test, but had heard good reports.

"Everyone believes he has a good future," Ponting said.

The top scorer in the Champions Trophy, 34-year-old Ponting said he hadn't picked up a bat for a week and a half.

"I've played more golf than I have cricket, I went down to Melbourne on the weekend and went to the races and just got some time away," Ponting said.

The team For 7 match ODI Series announced Today

The selectors have pronounced the Indian team for the forthcoming ODI series for the first two ODI matches starting October 25th the much expected ODI series will consist of seven one day international matches and is billed as a fight for the top rank in One-day cricket.

The team announced today has one surprise new face-seam bowler Sudeep Tyagi has been integrated in the 15 member squad which also brings dashing south paw Yuvraj Singh and dangerous Virender Sehwag back in the squad. Yuvraj Singh got injured when he was playing Champions Trophy while Virender Sehwag too had injury problems and was rested for the prestigious Champions Trophy tournament.

Unfortunately former India captain Rahul Dravid was shown the door unceremoniously once again, he made a comeback to Indian squad after two years when he was selected for recently concluded Champions Trophy. The selectors also dropped left arm pacer R.P Singh, wicket keeper Dinesh Karthik and young all rounder Abhishek Nayar.

The team for the first two ODI against Australia is:

Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (Captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Virat Kohli, Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel and Sudeep Tyagi.

According to ODI series clash, the first match will be played on October 25 in Vadodara while second will take place in Nagpur on 28 October.

The Team India Selection To be made tomarrow for & ODI against Australia

After the Champions Trophy devastation, the the BCCI Selection Committee chaired by K Srikkanth and skipper M S Dhoni will meet here again tomorrow to pick the Indian team for the first two matches of the ensuing seven match ODI series against Australia starting October 25 at Vadodara.

According to BCCI sources, the committee, headed by Srikkanth is expected to shepherd in a couple of changes in the wake of some of the players failing to prove their worth.

Yuvraj Singh, subject to proving his fitness and Virender Sehwag who missed the Champions Trophy in South Africa but recovered from injury to play in the Champions League T-20, were expected to return to the team, in place of Yusuf Pathan, who scored just 71 runs in the last ten matches.

Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, who was sent as replacement for Yuvraj for the Champions Trophy, are expected to maintain their places.

Rahul Dravid, who made a come back into the team after a two year break, is expected to be rested for the home series.

Considering the good performances of some players in the recently finished Irani trophy and the Challenger series, some changes are likely in the bowling department, the sources indicated.

Pacer Ishant Sharma, in all probability was likely to be rested and Uttar Pradesh bowler Sudeep Tyagi, who had performed well in Irani Trophy, is expected get the nod.

While Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will retain his place in the team, it would be a toss up between Amit Mishra and left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for the second spinner's slot.

Following his fine show with the bat in the Irani Trophy, Ravindra Jadeja's name is also expected to figure in the discussions along with Mumbai's Abhishek Nayyar if the Selectors decide to have an all-rounder in place of Yusuf Pathan.

With Ishant likely to be rested and his new ball partner Zaheer yet to recover from injury, the selection committee would take into account the current performance of Asish Nehra, R P Singh, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel and Sudeep Tyagi before finalising the list.

Younus khan Offer to Quit due to Match Fixing Row

Younus Khan has tendered his resignation as Pakistan captain in the face of being cleared of match-fixing charges by a parliamentary sports committee.

He submitted his resignation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) - who is yet to accept it.

The 31-year-old said he was "disgusted by match-fixing allegations made against me and the team."

Younus was presence for a hearing to discuss Pakistan's performance in the recent ICC Champions Trophy.

National Assembly committee chairman Jamshed Dasti had suspected that Pakistan purposely under-performed during the competition - although he later insisted that the board never intended to make match-fixing allegations against the players.

"We are totally satisfied with the explanation of the team management and board," he said. "The committee is satisfied no match-fixing took place."

Younus told the Reuters news agency: "Yes, I have submitted my resignation. I have told the chairman to go through my resignation and read my point of view."

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt added: "It's an emotional decision and I reject it.

"I hope to convince Younus to revoke his decision, but if he sticks to his stand then the matter will be decided by the PCB's governing council next week on 19 October."

Younus has scored 5,260 runs in 63 Tests - at an average over 50 - since making his debut against Sri Lanka in 2000, and succeeded Shoaib Malik as Pakistan captain in January 2009.

He has also appeared in 194 one-day internationals and led Pakistan to victory at the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in England earlier this year - before retiring from Twenty20 internationals.

Jon Holland Rookie Victorian spinner selected in Australia team for ODI tour in India.

Victorian finger spinner Jon Holland has been integrated in the Australian cricket squad to play against India.

The 22-year-old left-armer has been given an opportunity after playing just six first class games for his state.

Back in the 15-man squad is opening batsman Shaun Marsh, who has recovered from a cramp injury for the seven-match one-day series which starts later in this month.

South Australian Callum Ferguson has been left out after injuring his knee in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand.

Ferguson has undergone scans of his knee but the full extent of the damage is still to be determined.

Also out of the one-day squad while they recover from injuries are vice-captain Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken and first choice wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Tim Paine will continue behind the stumps after taking the gloves for the Champions Trophy.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said the panel was keen to have a left-arm finger spinner like Holland in the squad, especially in India.

“He’s the type of bowler we think can do well in Indian conditions,” he said.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Hussey (vc), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Team Announced for Australia Tour in India

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced the Australia squad to play seven one-day internationals on the VB Tour of India In October and November.

The 15 man squad comprises of the following players: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey (vice captain), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Commenting on the squad, NSP Chairman, Andrew Hilditch, said "We're really pleased with the progress the ODI squad has made recently. We do have four players unavailable for this tour due to injury. Michael Clarke is continuing his rehabilitation from back soreness and Mike Hussey will be the vice captain for this tour. Brad Haddin continues his rehabilitation from finger surgery, following the injury he picked up during the Ashes series, and Tim Paine, following a fine ICC Champions Trophy, is selected as wicket keeper. Callum Ferguson continues to consult specialists over the knee injury he picked up during the ICC Champions Trophy final and is not available for this tour. Nathan Bracken is also unavailable due to a knee injury.

"Shaun Marsh returns after recovering from hamstring injury, having been an important and successful member of the one day side before that injury.

"Jon Holland is in the squad as we wanted to take the opportunity to give a young left arm finger spinner exposure both to the Australian team set up and Indian conditions. He has impressed in the recent Australia ‘A' series against Pakistan and in his time at CA's Centre of Excellence. If an opportunity arises on tour we feel he will equip himself very well at international level.

"The NSP is delighted with Australia's recent success at the ICC Champions Trophy, which came off the back of a very solid ODI series performance against England in England. To reclaim our number one ICC world ranking was recognition of this squad's recent achievements but we recognise we have to continue to improve and to establish a winning culture within this young group of players on tough tours, like this, to India. We expect the Indian series to be extremely testing, but the young squad is looking forward to the challenge".

Tour Schedule:

25 October - 1ST ODI AT VADODARA

28 October - 2ND ODI AT NAGPUR

31 October - 3RD ODI AT DELHI

2 November - 4TH ODI AT MOHALI

5 November - 5TH ODI AT HYDERABAD

8 November - 6TH ODI AT GUWAHATI

11 November - 7TH ODI AT MUMBAI

Champions League Started to traet cricket fans

The first Champions League Twenty20 cricket show started with a stunning opening ceremony at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium Bangalore.

For the next 15 days, twelve teams drawn from hosts India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago will compete in cricket’s first ever international club contest.

Some of game’s big names will turn out in their club jerseys in the whopping $6 million prize money event.

“It is an incredible moment. I hope Champions League helps the game to grow,” champions league commissioner Lalit Modi said to the roar of a near packed stadium.

Captains of the participating teams gave prints of their hands in clay, exchanged flags and took the “MCC-Spirit of Cricket” oath.

A host of international artists then showcased their art followed by a laser show.

Shaolin monks from China performed moves of Tai Chi, Kung Fu and Chi Kung martial arts along with Kalaripayattu artists.

British singer-model Jamelia and Reggae singer Shaggy enchanted the crowd with their performance.

The opening ceremony ended with fireworks display that lit the Bangalore sky.

ICC Announced The World Cup 2011 Group Squad

India have been added with South Africa and England among seven teams in Group B for the 2011 cricket World Cup.

West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands are the other teams in the group, it was pronounced by International Cricket Council (ICC) in Johannesburg Wednesday.

The group A has defending champions Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya.

The groups were confirmed in the ICC Board meeting here.

India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will host the event. Pakistan were stripped of the co-hosting rights because of the security concerns in the country.

India will host 29 matches of the tournament's 49 matches, including a semi-final and the final. Sri Lanka will stage the other semi-final.

The ICC Board also approved the schedule for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand in January 2010.

Dhoni On Top Still in ICC Ranking

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continue to be the number one one-day batsman followed by his deputy Yuvraj Singh but seasoned Sachin Tendulkar dropped a place to ninth in the latest ICC rankings issued today.

ICC Test player of the year Gautam Gambhir improved his one-day ranking by one rung and now occupies 16th spot.

In the ODI bowlers' ranking, injured paceman Zaheer Khan broke into the top-20 after gaining three positions from 22nd and spinner Harbhajan Singh also rose by a rung to 18th.

India are second behind Australia in the team rankings.

Australia strengthened its number-one position by defending their Champions Trophy title with an unbeaten run.

The four-time world champion leads second-placed India (124) by four ratings points.

Aussies restrict kiwis for 200 runs

Australia controlled New Zealand for 200 runs in the final match of ICC Champions Trophy 2009 at SuperSport park in Centurion.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting will be happy to restrict New Zealand for 200 runs in the 50 overs after losing the toss.

Australia need 201 runs to retain the Champions Trophy title. For Aussies, the 201 runs target is looking easy one.

Electing to bat first, New Zealand batsmen fail to fuse their innings. Kiwis lost wickets in regular intervals.

Spinner Nathan Hautriz was the most successful bowler for Australia. He took three wickets after sparing 37 runs in 10 overs.

Brett Lee took two wickets while Siddle and Johnson claimed one wicket each.

For New Zealand, Martin Guptil was the top scorer with 40 runs.

Apart from Guptil, Broom and Franklin helped black caps to touch the 200 mark. The duo added 63 runs for six wickets. Broom scored 37 while Franklin made 33 runs.

ICC Awards 2009

Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan has bagged the Twenty20 player of the year award in the ICC awards ceremony in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Australian pacer Peter Siddle has won the emerging player of the year award.

New Zealand team has won the spirit of the cricket year.

The nominations were made by a five-member selection panel headed by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd. The panel also included former cricketers Anil Kumble of India, Mudassar Nazar of Pakistan, Bob Taylor of England and New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming.

Winner 2009:

* Cricketer of the Year: Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
* Test Player of the Year: Gautam Gambhir (India)
* ODI Player of the Year: MS Dhoni (India)
* Test team captain: MS Dhoni (India)
* ODI team captain: MS Dhoni (India)
* Umpire of the Year: Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
* Emerging Player: Peter Siddle (Australia)
* Twenty20 Int. Performance of the Year: Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lankha)
* Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year: William Porterfield (Ireland)
* Spirit of the Cricket: New Zealand
* Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Claire Taylor (England)

Nathan Hauritz The man made Australia into Semis in ICC Champions Trophy

Defensive champions Australia edged into the last four with an anxious two-wicket win in opposition to Pakistan on Wednesday.

They now face England at Centurion for a place in the final and Hauritz insists Australia will be taking nothing for granted, despite the one-sided nature of recent 50-over meetings between the two sides.

"It doesn't bother me who we play. I think we've been playing some good cricket lately," he said.

"We've played England just recently, so it is good to play them I guess because we know their game and they know ours. It's a new game and a new venue, so it doesn't really matter.

"I don't think it will have anything to do at all. The only thing is that we get a bit of a better estimate of each other.

"We've known everybody's strengths and weaknesses, whereas when we played India, we hadn't played them for 18 months in one-day cricket. So that's all it is."