Asia felt the heat in the year gone by

2011-12-21T18:30:19Z

Three Pakistani stars being jailed for spot-fixing in England underlined a mixed year for cricket in Asia despite India's memorable World Cup triumph at home in April.

Pakistan's resurgence on the field under Sri Lanka's sports minister on Wednesday blamed the cricket team's poor form on team bickering, squad politics and the influence of players' agents.

Addressing parliament, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said players had admitted disunity and miscommunication were distracting the team.

He was responding to a remark made by Sri Lanka's 1996 Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan thanked South Africa counterpart Graeme Smith Wednesday amid signs that most of the salaries owed to the touring team will be paid this week.

Heavily indebted Mickey Arthur warned on Tuesday that fans needed to be patient as the national side undergoes a rebuilding process that could take years to come to fruition.

The South African's recent appointment as Australia's first foreign coach completed a major overhaul sparked by the

India cricketer Yuvraj recovering from lung tumour

2011-11-27T05:30:17Z

Cricket star Yuvraj Singh has been battling a golf-ball sized non-malignant lung tumour which first affected him during India's triumphant World Cup campaign, his family revealed on Sunday.

Yuvraj, 29, who was declared the man of the tournament after the World Cup win at home in April, had opted out of the upcoming one-day ser...

Misbah hopes for resumption of Pakistan-India Tests

2011-11-22T14:30:29Z

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq expressed his hope Tuesday that there could soon be a resumption of Test matches between his country and India, stalled after the terrorists attacks on Mumbai in 2008.

"Of course, we'd like to play against India," Misbah said. "It's a very important series for bo...

Lorgat to leave cricket council post next year

2011-11-22T08:30:31Z

International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat is to stand down from the position on June 30, 2012, the ICC announced on Tuesday.

The 51-year-old former South Africa first-class cricketer, took over as ICC chief executive in 2008 and already has a one-year...

Latif blasts Condon over delayed fixing claims

2011-11-18T10:30:34Z

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif on Friday lashed out at a former ICC anti-corruption chief for taking a decade to reveal that all top international teams were involved in fixing, not just Pakistan.

Paul Condon, the founding head of the International Cricket Council

100th ton "just a number" for Tendulkar

2011-11-18T05:30:21Z

Indian star Sachin Tendulkar says he is not weighed down by expectations over his 100th century as he headed home to Mumbai for next week's final Test against the West Indies.

As millions of fans wait for him to become the first batsman in history to score a century of international hundreds, the 38-year-old appeared unruffled...

Pakistan keeping it simple, says Younis

2011-11-13T17:30:24Z

Former captain Younis Khan said his team will continue to keep things simple as they look to double their series lead in the second one-day match against Sri Lanka here on Monday.

Pakistan thrashed their rivals in the first match on Friday by eight wickets and Younis hopes the team sticks to the same plan.

"We kept things simp...

Malinga holds key in Pakistan one-day series

2011-11-10T12:30:15Z

Rival captains Misbah-ul Haq and Tillakaratne Dilshan agreed sling-action paceman Lasith Malinga could make the difference when Pakistan and Sri Lanka play their first one-day international here on Friday...

Even victory bores India's fans

2011-11-07T09:01:13Z

India's adored cricketers put on an awesome display of power to whitewash England 5-0 in the one-day series at home -- a mighty achievement that was played out in front of rows of empty seats.

For a country famed for its love of cricket, the sparse crowds were a shocking revelation that has sparked a debate about how the sport treats both its fans and its stars.

High ticket prices and too ...

Military takes over Sri Lanka Test venues

2011-11-07T09:01:09Z

Sri Lanka's cash-strapped cricket board has asked the military to take over and maintain multi-million dollar Test venues that were set up for this year's World Cup, an official said Thursday.

Security forces will manage three stadiums from the start of this month as the governing body of the sport could no longer afford their upkeep,

N.Z.'s new cricket leadership on show in Zimbabwe

2011-10-14T19:30:30Z

New Zealand's new cricket leadership will be put to its first test during a tour of Zimbabwe, starting Saturday with a Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club.

The Black Caps will be led by Ross Taylor after long-serving skipper Daniel Vettori stepp...

India look for winning start in England one-dayers

2011-10-13T11:30:31Z

Injury-ravaged India hope to make a fresh start in the new season by defeating England in the one-day series at home, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Thursday.

India's World Cup triumph in April was overshadowed by a disastro...

Gayle gap haunts Windies in Bangladesh Twenty20

2011-10-10T17:30:51Z

The glaring absence of Chris Gayle stood out as the West Indies prepared to open their Bangladesh tour with a Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The explosive left-hander was omitted for the tour, which also includes three one-dayers and two Tests, following a breakdown in his r...

Kapil blasts Tendulkar's 100th ton hype

2011-09-30T12:30:27Z

Former India great Kapil Dev has slammed the media's obsession with Sachin Tendulkar achieving 100 international centuries, saying the focus should be on the team's performances.

During India's recent tour of England, speculation reached fever pitch about Tendulkar reach...

Dhoni makes ICC ODI team for fourth time

2011-09-13T06:30:24Z

India captain MS Dhoni had something to smile about after a demoralising tour of England when on Monday he was named for the fourth successive year in the ICC One Day International team of the year.

Dhoni, who has yet to register a win against England on t...

India's skipper Dhoni called up for brain-mapping

2011-09-03T20:30:12Z

India's skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is game for a brain-mapping test after a top business school said it wanted to study how the World Cup-winning captain manages to stay calm under pressure.

The Indian Institute of Management in the eastern city of Ranchi wrote to the wicketkeeper-batsman asking...

Pakistan cricket in a spin over reforms

2011-08-31T02:30:10Z

Pakistan's under-fire cricket board and some of its finest ever players and administrators are on a collision course over an ICC directive designed to free the game from government interference.

Pakistan is one of three countries, along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where the government calls the shots in ap...

Pakistan begin hunt for new cricket coach

2011-08-29T13:30:30Z

Pakistan cricket authorities on Monday formed a committee to pick a new national team coach to replace Waqar Younis, who will step down next month.

Waqar is leaving his post for medical reasons after Pakistan's current tour of Zimbabwe.

The England avenged their World Cup defeat against Ireland with an 11-run victory over the hosts in Thursday's rain-affected one-day international at Clontarf.

The Irish were eyeing another famous win over England after restricting the visitors, captained by Dublin

Cricket world champions India fall in one-day table

2011-08-01T09:30:15Z

India have dropped one place to third in the updated one-day rankings despite winning the World Cup earlier this year, cricket's governing body said on Monday.

The International Cricket Council's annual update, which reflects recent form, removed results from matches played before...

Sri Lanka top stars to skip T20 league

2011-07-19T07:30:18Z

Sri Lanka's top stars will skip most of the matches in the country's inaugural premier league Twenty20, dealing another blow to the struggling event, an official said Tuesday.

Skipper Tilakaratne Dilshan, former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, all-rounder

Pakistan to participate in India event

2011-07-18T14:30:36Z

Pakistan's hockey federation said Monday it would take part in a four-nation event in India, if the government clears it to do so, in the latest move to normalise sporting ties between the arch-rivals.

"We have confirmed participation in the four-nation hockey event in India and have applied for government clearance which we hope will come," Sri Lanka's cricket authorities on Friday announced a delayed start to its scaled down Twenty20 premier league, without the expected international players.

The inter-provincial Twenty20 tournament will start on Thursday, two days behind the original schedule, and end on July 31, said Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

SLC had planned to stage a T20 tournamen...

Tendulkar one century away from 100 intl hundreds

2011-07-12T20:30:10Z

Sachin Tendulkar is on the brink of yet another record-breaking achievement as he heads into next week's first Test against England at Lord's just one century away from 100 international hundreds.

But the 'Little Master' insists he is not thinking of personal milestones and reckons any records he set "might be broken by someone else".

The 38-year-old Tendulkar has alr...

Alastair Cook trumps critics after Sri Lanka triumph

2011-07-12T10:30:28Z

England's new one-day captain Alastair Cook had the ideal riposte to his detractors after being named man-of-the-series in a 3-2 win over Sri Lanka.

England came from 2-1 behind to seal a series victory against the World Cup...

Sri Lanka skipper rues England series that got away

2011-07-09T18:30:15Z

Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was left reflecting on what might have been after a tense 16-run defeat at Old Trafford condemned his side to a 3-2 one-day series defeat by England.

The

Afridi 'disappointed' by Butt criticism

2011-07-09T17:30:13Z

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said Saturday he was disappointed by criticism of his captaincy from the country's cricket chief Ijaz Butt, who accused him of causing the team to lose matches against the West Indies in May.

"I am disappointed because such petty things c...

Dernbach seals England's series win over Sri Lanka

2011-07-09T16:30:10Z

Jade Dernbach held his nerve as England beat Sri Lanka by 16 runs in the fifth one-day international at Old Trafford to seal a 3-2 series win over the World Cup finalists on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, chasing 269 for victo...

England's Cook still striving to improve

2011-07-08T16:30:19Z

England one-day captain Alastair Cook is determined to avoid taking his fine form for granted as he leads the side into their series-decider against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford here Saturday.

Cook made a career-best 119 in a six-wicket defeat at Lord's last weekend and followed...

Problems mount for Sri Lankan cricket

2011-07-08T07:30:18Z

Only three months ago, Sri Lanka were battling it out with India in the World Cup final but they have since gone from controversy to scandal to full-blown crisis in an astounding fall from grace.

After losing the Mumbai showpiece, Sri Lanka have unravelled in spectacular fashi...

Cook celebrates England victory over S.Lanka

2011-07-07T05:30:17Z

Alastair Cook continued to answer all those who doubt his limited overs ability with an unbeaten 95 as England thrashed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the fourth one-day international.

England's win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday squared the five-match series at 2-2 he...

Cook glad to pitch in to England victory over S.Lanka

2011-07-06T18:30:35Z

Alastair Cook continued to answer all those who doubt his limited overs ability with an unbeaten 95 as England thrashed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the fourth one-day international.

England's win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday squared the five-match series at 2-2 he...

Sangakkara wants politics out of Sri Lankan cricket

2011-07-04T15:30:20Z

Sri Lanka star Kumar Sangakkara has welcomed the International Cricket Council (ICC) directive requiring all national boards to be elected without political interference.

His call came just days after Sri Lanka's sports minister said he had forced the national cricket board committ...

Sri Lanka dissolves national cricket board

2011-07-01T11:30:27Z

Sri Lanka's sports minister said Friday he had forced the national cricket board committee to step down following allegations of financial mismanagement.

Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) committee, headed by former player Somachandra de Silva, was asked to resign on Thursday.

De Silva is be...

Pakistan slated to tour India in 2012

2011-06-30T08:30:26Z

Pakistan have been pencilled in to tour India for a full series of Test and one-day cricket matches next year, in what would be a breakthrough in relations that were hit by the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The International Cricket Council governing ...

Anderson bounces back from World Cup disappointment

2011-06-28T18:30:21Z

James Anderson has revealed he is using the crushing disappointments of England's World Cup campaign to spur him on in the current one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Anderson and England head to Leeds on Friday 1-0 up in the series following Tuesday's 110-ru...

Simmons celebrates ICC World Cup U-turn

2011-06-28T15:30:30Z

Ireland coach Phil Simmons and his players rejoiced at Tuesday's decision to reverse controversial plans to bar so-called 'minnow' countries from the next World Cup in 2015

Ireland performed on a par with many of the full member, or Test-playing, nations at this year's World Cup, including a stunning victory against ...

Kandamy sorry to see Law and Jayasuriya go

2011-06-27T16:30:14Z

Sri Lanka's Thilina Kandamby said the side were about to suffer a double blow with the news that interim coach Stuart Law, as well as veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, were about to leave the team.

Law was appointed the new coach of England and Australia will play 10 back-to-back Ashes Tests as part of the new future tours program agreed by cricket's world governing body on Monday.

Andrew Strauss's side face Australia at home in the English summer of 2013 and then will do it all again Down Under in the Australian summer.

The series form p...

India agrees modified umpire decision review system

2011-06-27T08:30:30Z

India agreed on Monday to a modified version of the controversial Umpire Decision Review System, bringing to an end a damaging row which threatened to tear apart international cricket.

The International Cricket Council said its chief executives' committee (CEC) had unanimously agreed at its New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori, the world's top-ranked limited overs bowler, announced Saturday he is taking an indefinite break from the short game to prolong his Test career.

The 32-year-old, who is also ranked ninth among the world's leading ODI all-rounders, said he may return in time for the 2015 Shoaib Akhtar against a record seven million rupee ($82,400) disciplinary fine imposed three years ago.

The 35-year-old, who retired from international cricket after Pakistan's World Cup semi...

Sri Lanka's Tharanga gets drugs ban

2011-06-24T13:30:24Z

Sri Lanka batsman Upul Tharanga was banned from all cricket for three months after failing a drugs test at the World Cup in March, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Friday.

Tharanga, 26, not selected for the ongo...

Collingwood axed from England squads

2011-06-21T08:30:32Z

Paul Collingwood was dropped from both the England Twenty20 and one-day squads announced Tuesday for the upcoming fixtures against Sri Lanka.

The veteran all-rounder retired from Test duty after England's victorious Ashes campaign in Paul Collingwood was dropped from both the England Twenty20 and one-day squads announced Tuesday for the upcoming fixtures against Sri Lanka.

The veteran all-rounder retired from Test duty after England's victorious Ashes campaign in Ross Taylor has been appointed New Zealand cricket captain, replacing spin bowler Daniel Vettori, who stepped down in March after the World Cup.

Taylor served as vice-captain under Vettori and his appointment was widely expected, with wicketkeeper-ba...

Pakistan bowler Akhtar pulls out of Lanka league

2011-06-16T12:30:34Z

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup, on Thursday cited personal reasons for withdrawing from next month's Sri Lankan Twenty20 league.

"I have personal commitments of setting up my business so I have withdrawn from the Sri Lankan Premier league as I don't w...

Sangakkara ready for final captaincy tilt

2011-06-15T11:30:23Z

Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara admitted he was a reluctant captain of Sri Lanka heading into the third and final Test against England at the Rose Bowl.

Sangakkara, who stepped down as skipper after Sri Lanka's Sri Lanka Cricket is seeking government grants and a soft loan to meet part of the $69 million it spent on co-hosting the 2011 World Cup, the island's sports minister said on Tuesday.

The governing body has asked for a grant of two billion rupees ($18.35 million) and a 1.5-billion-rupee loan from the state-run Bank of Ceylon, minister Mahindanan...

Pakistan ready to host Bangladesh World Cup qualifier

2011-06-14T09:30:18Z

Pakistani football said on Tuesday it is confident next month's home World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh will go ahead, promising tight security for the match.

After the first leg of their Asian zone qualifier for the 2014 World Cup in Dhaka on June 29, the two sides were scheduled to meet in Gary Kirsten will take charge of the South African cricket team in August, heading an almost completely new leadership group.

Kirsten?s appointment as team director and head coach was announced by Cricket South Africa (CSA) Monday.

He will have two new li...

Kirsten favourite to coach S.Africa's cricket team

2011-06-04T17:30:13Z

Just over two months after guiding India to the World Cup, Gary Kirsten could become coach of his native South Africa.

Cricket South Africa is expected to announce the name of the new coach on Mond...

'Boom Boom' Afridi makes quiet exit from cricket

2011-05-31T08:30:16Z

Huge-hitting Shahid Afridi makes such a noise on the field that they call him "Boom Boom", but the crowd-pleaser is leaving the game quietly after clashing with Pakistan's cricket hierarchy.

The imposing all-rounder, who bowls dangerous leg-spin and smashes sixes for fun, is widely regarded as one of limited-overs cricket's most destructive batsmen, and Pakistan's foremost pla...

Waqar salutes Pakistan as Afridi fall-out looms

2011-05-31T04:30:19Z

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis praised his team for a "wonderful job" after they shrugged off the cold to complete a 2-0 one-day international series away to Ireland at Stormont.

A much-improved batting performance by the home team give Pakistan a victory target of 239 which the Pakistan's Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis.

The 31-year-old experienced difficulties with Waqar during the team's 3-2 win against the

Tharanga 'dope test' no issue for squad - Maharoof

2011-05-29T17:30:12Z

Sri Lanka's Farveez Maharoof insisted on Sunday that reports Upul Tharanga had failed a dope test had had no impact upon the squad touring England.

The Sri Lankan Sunday Times said left-handed opening batsman Tharanga, not selected for the tour of England, had failed ...

Misbah's Pakistan face tricky Ireland series

2011-05-27T20:30:07Z

Pakistan are set to play a two-match one-day series against Ireland with Misbah-ul-Haq their fifth limited overs captain in three years.

Misban was handed the captaincy last week following the sacking of Shahid Afridi, who, it was announced on Tuesday, is not tra...

Gambhir denies hiding injury to play in IPL

2011-05-27T07:30:28Z

India's stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir on Friday rejected claims that he covered up a shoulder injury to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Any modern cricketer understands that by feigning or risking an injury he is only jeopardising his career. It is imaginative to say that I was covering ...

IPL struggles to maintain explosive growth

2011-05-25T01:30:07Z

The Indian Premier League has been as noisy and flamboyant as ever, but some experts believe it has suffered a poor year caused by its ballooning format and cricket overkill following the World Cup.

The IPL bandwagon, which started rolling just six days after India won the World Cup in

Pietersen says he's got his bug back

2011-05-24T12:30:18Z

Kevin Pietersen insisted Tuesday he was fully prepared for England's home series against Sri Lanka, saying "the bug is back".

Pietersen's commitment was questioned following an early exit from England's World Cup campaig...

Afghanistan leap ahead with Pakistan tour

2011-05-24T10:30:21Z

Only a decade ago cricket did not officially exist in war-ravaged Afghanistan, but on Wednesday the country takes another giant leap forward when they pad up for their first match on tour in Pakistan.

Freshly arrived in Islamabad, the team take on Pakistan's second team in the capital Wednesday, the garrison city of

Family key to Kirsten's S.Africa cricket coaching role

2011-05-14T20:30:13Z

Gary Kirsten?s family could hold the key to whether the former Test opening batsman becomes the next coach of South Africa.

After a highly successful stint as coach of India, who won the World Cup and earned the number on...

Fletcher gears up for India cricket challenge

2011-05-13T09:30:41Z

Cricket-obsessed India's newly-appointed coach Duncan Fletcher on Friday said he was excited about working with the world champions and number one Test side.

The former Zimbabwe all-rounder, who coached England for eight years, also said his approach would be fr...

Fletcher gears up for India challenge

2011-05-13T07:30:24Z

Cricket-obsessed India's newly-appointed coach Duncan Fletcher on Friday said he was excited about working with the world champions and number one Test side.

The former Zimbabwe all-rounder, who coached England for eight years, also said his approach would be fr...

ICC calls for review system in all internationals

2011-05-11T14:30:34Z

The controversial Decision Review System (DRS) should be used in all international matches, the cricket committee of the International Cricket Council recommended on Wednesday.

"The committee, while recognising the need to take account of existing (television) contracts, unanimously recommended the system be used in all Test matches, one-day internationals and Twenty20s," committee chairman

World Cup hero O'Brien joins Gloucestershire

2011-05-10T14:30:32Z

Ireland World Cup sensation Kevin O'Brien has joined Gloucestershire for the rest of the season, the English county announced Tuesday.

In March, O'Brien scored the fastest-ever World Cup century, reaching the landmark in just 50 balls against International Cricket Council (ICC) cricket committee gathers at Lord's for a two-day meeting starting here on Tuesday.

The ICC would like DRS, first introduced in 2009, to be used in all one-day internationals (ODIS) as was the case at the re...

Sehwag 'out of IPL wth shoulder injury': report

2011-05-09T10:30:35Z

Prolific opener Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League with a shoulder injury, reports said Monday, depriving the event of its current top scorer.

Sehwag, captain of the Delhi Daredevils franchise, has decided to undergo surgery as...

Flower had talks with India before England deal

2011-05-05T13:30:23Z

Andy Flower revealed Thursday he had had been in discussions about the possibility of succeeding Gary Kirsten as coach of India before committing his future to England.

Former England boss, and Flower's fellow Zimbabwean,

Cook to captain England one-day cricket team

2011-05-05T10:30:32Z

Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad were appointed as the new captains of England's one-day international (ODI) and Twenty20 teams respectively, it was announced here on Thursday.

Andrew Strauss, who has retired from one-dayers, remains Test skipper meaning ...

Ireland's Botha bows out

2011-05-04T16:30:26Z

Ireland all-rounder Andre Botha announced his retirement from international cricket here on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old South African-born player, qualified for Ireland on residency grounds, appeared in the past two World Cups and made 141 appearances for his adopted country.

But recent seasons had seen the lef...

Former players criticise Pakistan team picks

2011-05-03T14:30:37Z

Former Pakistan cricketers Tuesday lashed out at the team selection for the forthcoming two-Test series against the West Indies, while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria accused authorities of ignoring him.

Pakistan on Monday named a 15-man squad for the series in the Caribbean, ignoring Kaneria and

India's new cricket coach gets unfriendly welcome

2011-04-28T12:30:21Z

India's newly-appointed coach Duncan Fletcher on Thursday got a taste of the challenges he faces when two senior former players said a fellow countryman should have got the job instead.

Fletcher, a former Zimbabwean all-rounder who rose to prominence during his eight-year stint as England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher was appointed to the high-pressure post of India coach on Wednesday, less than one month after the country won the World Cup on home soil.

India had been on the look-out to replace England coach Duncan Fletcher was on Wednesday appointed as India's new cricket coach, board officials announced, three weeks after the country won the World Cup on home soil.

India had been on the look-out to replace former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said he expects his new-look side to continue making strides on their tour of the Caribbean.

Waqar was speaking ahead of a series of five one-day internationals against West Indies which opens on Saturday at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

The former fast bowler said he was excited about his side's...

Windies, Pakistan set to launch T20 series

2011-04-19T19:30:26Z

Old foes West Indies and Pakistan face each other in a Twenty20 International for the first time on Thursday.

The Beausejour Cricket Ground in this coastal town on the northern circumference of this volcanic island of St Lucia forms a picturesque backdrop for the occasion.

It is hard to believe that though Twenty2...

ICC to reconsider Cricket World Cup format changes

2011-04-19T11:30:18Z

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday that they have been asked by their president, Sharad Pawar, to reconsider proposals to streamline the cricket World Cup.

Under plans announced during an ICC summit in Mumbai...

Baptiste quits as Kenya coach

2011-04-18T14:30:24Z

Cricket Kenya on Monday accepted the decision by Eldine Baptiste to quit as national coach three months before the end of his two-year contract.

Baptiste's continued position may have been in doubt after his reported clash with the team's players during the World Cup in

Cricket knocks Indian film industry earnings for six

2011-04-17T20:30:12Z

A packed cricket schedule that peaked with an Indian win in the World Cup final has hit the country's other grand passion -- film -- emptying cinemas and forcing studios to postpone big movie releases.

Analysts said business at multiplex cinemas had been weak so far in 2011, with the six-week World Cup that finished earlier this month keeping people glued to their television screens in the evenings.

The

World Cup winning Australian to revamp N.Z. cricket

2011-04-15T04:30:19Z

Former Australian national coach John Buchanan, who guided the side to three World Cups, has been confirmed as New Zealand's new director of cricket.

His brief is to design the blueprint for a consistent coaching philosophy across the country, implement a talent identification programme and oversee the selection panel.

"John's appointment is an exciting one for

W. Indies name squad for Pakistan one-dayers

2011-04-14T08:30:32Z

West Indies have named leg-spinner Anthony Martin as the sole newcomer, recalled Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons, and welcomed the return of Dwayne Bravo for the first two One-day Internationals against

Sri Lanka recalls players from IPL

2011-04-12T14:30:21Z

Sri Lanka's sports authorities on Tuesday ordered its cricketers playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League to return home for training ahead of next month's tour of England.

Sports Minister Mahinadananda Althugamage said he wanted ...

Miandad turns down Pakistan coaching job

2011-04-12T12:30:16Z

Pakistan confirmed Tuesday that former captain Javed Miandad has turned down an offer to become the side's batting coach.

The team has been let down by faltering fielding and under-achieving batsmen and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman

Mendis looks to rebuild Sri Lanka cricket

2011-04-11T14:30:30Z

Sri Lanka's new cricket chief selector Duleep Mendis on Monday said he has to inject new blood into the national team after the recent World Cup defeat to India.

"Rebuilding is going to be the key in the coming months. Some things may not work, some tactics may pay off," Mend...

World Cup leaves Sri Lanka with $23 mln debt

2011-04-11T14:30:27Z

Sri Lanka Cricket said Monday it is saddled with a $23-million-dollar debt after cost overruns and hefty bills incurred building stadiums for the recent World Cup.

"We spent a lot of money to host the World Cup, to build two stadiums and rebuild one stadium. The World Cup left us a 2.5 billion...

Aussie skipper Clarke faces Bangladesh test

2011-04-08T19:30:20Z

Australia's Michael Clarke will be determined to make a strong start in his new role as captain when he leads against Bangladesh in a one-day series starting in Dhaka on Saturday.

The stylish middle-order batsman last month replaced Chennai Super Kings pulled off a thrilling two-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Friday's opening Indian Premier League Twenty20 match, watched by a capacity crowd and millions on television.

Chasing 154, Kolkata...

Bayliss says Sri Lanka cricket needs clean-up

2011-04-07T13:30:21Z

Sri Lanka's outgoing coach Trevor Bayliss on Thursday said the country needed a strong and stable cricket administration to allow players to focus only on the game and not be distracted by politics.

"On the field, we've done pretty well for past 18 months," Bayliss said in an interview with AFP. "Getting to the Shane Warne on Wednesday denied media reports that he was interested in coaching World Cup champions India.

"Just got told on bus - apparently I put my hand up to coach India. Wow - first I have heard of it - Sorry to disappoint but never said that!!!" Warne tweeted.

Leg-spinner Warne, 41, is in the ...

Pakistan axe struggling Kamran Akmal

2011-04-06T07:30:20Z

Pakistani selectors on Wednesday dropped faltering wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal from the one-day and Twenty20 squad for this month's tour of the West Indies and rested senior players.

The 29-year-old was criticised for dropping crucial catches during the World Cup, where

Coach Kirsten bids goodbye to India

2011-04-05T09:30:37Z

India's outgoing coach Gary Kirsten on Tuesday admitted he found it very hard to say goodbye to the World Cup-winning team and the country's "special" cricketers.

"It has been one of the hardest goodbyes I have had to say," the former South African batsman to...

Cup dream born of disaster says Tendulkar

2011-04-05T04:30:13Z

India's victorious, record-breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar said on Tuesday he started dreaming of the World Cup after a humiliating first-round exit in the last edition in the Caribbean.

"That (winning the World Cup) was my dream after we lost in 2007. I took up that ...

ICC confirms World Cup slashed to 10 teams

2011-04-04T19:30:20Z

The International Cricket Council has confirmed a controversial decision to slash the 2015 and 2019 World Cups to only 10 teams, despite widespread objections.

The world governing body endorsed the move at an executive board meeting in Mumbai, following Saturday's thrilling World Cu...

Aussie skipper backs Canada, Kenya in World Cup

2011-04-04T10:30:33Z

Australian captain Michael Clarke was at odds Monday with his predecessor Ricky Ponting over the International Cricket Council's moves to cut the number of teams at the 2015 World Cup.

In an early sign of a divergence ...

Tendulkar to play on, but will miss Kirsten

2011-04-04T09:30:43Z

Indian batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar said Monday he had no plans to retire after his World Cup triumph, but said the team would miss outgoing coach Gary Kirsten.

India regained the World Cup after 28 years with a six-wicket victory over

Croatia Alpine Skiing World Cup

2011-01-04T12:00:42Z

Sarah Schleper, of the United States, reacts after completing an alpine ski, Women's World Cup slalom, in Zagreb, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2011. Sarah Schleper finished in eight place. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Austria Alpine Skiing World Cup

2010-12-28T08:32:16Z

Germany's Maria Riesch passes a gate on her way to set the third fastest time during the first run of an alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom, in Semmering, Austria, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Copyright 2010 Doha, after FIFA announced that Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament. In little more than a decade, the Gulf's wealth and boundless ambitions have lured big-name events and A-list athletes. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal, File)

Emirates Soccer Club World Cup

2010-12-20T13:31:28Z

Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o holds the trophy after winning the Club World Cup final soccer match against TP Mazembe at Zayed sport city in Abu Dhabi,

News on Fifa World Cup

Offbeat sporting moments in 2011