New Zealand players could miss first Test in England

New Zealand are headed towards fielding a second-string side in their first Test against England next year after their board couldn't convince the ECB to schedule the series at a time not coinciding with the IPL. It's a predicament not one of the parties could have helped. The New Zealand players earn more in one week of IPL than they do from their annual NZC contracts, which is why they are entitled to five weeks of IPL,...

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No excuses for failed chase - Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan's new Twenty20 captain, has said there was no excuse for his team not chasing 132 in the first match against Sri Lanka, despite them returning to the international circuit after a two-month layoff. Hafeez made an encouraging start to his new role by restricting the hosts' strong batting line-up, but his first-ball duck was the start of Pakistan's slide. After the defeat in his maiden game...

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'Playing cricket in India is always incredible'

The former Pakistan allrounder enjoyed his first taste of the IPL when he turned out for the Kings XI Punjab this year Your first IPL is over. A good one for you even though your side, Kings XI Punjab, just fell short of the playoffs. How did you find it? I'm pleased with my performance in my first IPL, but I have been playing good cricket for the last few years now, in England, New Zealand and Bangladesh. You're always...

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Trent Bridge to host first Test of 2013 Ashes

England will begin their 2013 defence of the Asheswith back-to-back Tests at Trent Bridge and Lord's in July, while Australia will play a first Test at Durham's Chester-le-Street ground in the fourth match of the series. The ECB has announced the schedules for Australia's tour next year, as well as the visit of New Zealand earlier in the summer and the itinerary for the ICC Champions Trophy.The ECB...

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Two bouncers an over likely in ODIs

The ICC's cricket committee has recommended the number of bouncers permitted in an ODI over be increased to two. They also concluded the bowling powerplay be removed and the number of fielders permitted outside the 30-yard circle reduced from five to four.The committee's recommendations will be ratified by the ICC Board in in Kuala Lumpur later this month, if they are incorporated into ODI playing conditions the mandatory Powerplay of 10 overs at...

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Perera, Mathews fashion massive win in low-scorer

Sri Lanka threw their wickets away through reckless shots, conceded 17 runs through wides and about 10 through misfields, but thanks to the Josephian Mafia - a moniker Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews have earned from the school they shared - still won by a whopping 37 runs. It was an unremarkable night of cricket with most of the wickets owing neither to the bowling nor the pitch, but many will argue it's a trait that...

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Hosts pin hopes on batting stars

Low-key start to high-profile series with well-practiced Pakistan holding a slender advantage Till recently, Pakistan's full tour of Sri Lanka for a series of two Twenty20s, five ODIs and three Tests existed only in the ICC's Future Tours Programme. The schedule was formally approved by the PCB a month ago and whatever build-up that existed was lost in the frenzy of the IPL. Despite its perfect positioning - the IPL is over,...

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Ashraful recalled for Zimbabwe T20s

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and opening batsman Junaid Siddique have been recalled for the unofficial Twenty20 tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa next month after reasonable performances in Bangladesh Premier League. They replaced Nazimuddin and Jahurul Islam, both of whom were in the top-order during the Asia Cup in March.The Akram Khan-led selection panel also left out Shahadat Hossain and Imrul Kayes...

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Narine replaces injured Roach

Kemar Roach has been ruled out of the remainder of West Indies' tour of England with a shin injury and Sunil Narine, the spinner who is uncapped at Test level, has been named as his replacement.Narine has just finished competing in the IPL* where he enjoyed considerable success for the winners, Kolkata Knight Riders, with 24 wickets at 13.50 and an economy rate of 5.47 from 15 matches. On hearing the news, an elated...

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Mohammad Amir meets the PCB

The PCB has held talks with banned fast bowlerMohammad Amir, as a prelude to his rehabilitation process following the spot-fixing scandal. Amir, who was released in February after serving half of his six-month custodial sentence in England for spot-fixing during the Lord's Test in 2010, had volunteered to meet the board."We have recently had two [meetings] with Amir during which he was debriefed and was asked some questions...

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Champions League T20 could move to South Africa

The Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20), the most lucrative club cricket tournament in the world, could possibly be moved to South Africa. Cricket South Africa acting CEO Jacques Faul told ESPNcricinfo, "It could be a possibility [that SA will host] but we will only know later in June. There are problems with the IPL qualifiers venues for the CLT20 but there has been no final decision yet." Faul has returned from a CLT20 governing...

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Pietersen retires from England one-day cricket

Kevin Pietersen has retired from all international limited overs cricket with immediate effect. He will remain available for consideration as a specialist Test match player only. The news comes four months before England defend their World T20 title in Sri Lanka."With the intensity of the international schedule and the increasing demands on my body, I think it is the right time to step aside and let the next generation...

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The start of World Twenty20 preparations

The games against Pakistan, and the one against India, are the chance to zero in on our perfect Twenty20 squadIt's been a long season on the road for myself, having played a full season of the IPL. I knew it was going to be particularly long so in order to stay fit and alert, I have been trying to keep things simple, focus on my game and manage recoveries properly. Touch wood, things have been okay so far. I also make...

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Decision on Indo-Pak ties likely in June - Ashraf

The ICC's annual conference in Kuala Lumpur in June is where India and Pakistan could take significant steps towards the resumption of cricketing ties, with even the possibility of the announcement of a series, according to PCB chief Zaka Ashraf.Ashraf is in Delhi for a few days after attending the IPL final (to which he was invited by the BCCI) in Chennai, and he told ESPNcricinfo, "Probably the final decision...

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Indian engineer challenges D/L method

The ICC will meet to decide whether an engineer from India has simplified the system to determine a winner in rain-affected matches.|||New Dehli – An Indian engineer will learn Thursday whether his challenge to the English system for determining the winner of rain-affected cricket matches – one of the most complicated rules in the sport – has been successful.The current method, devised by English statisticians Frank Duckworth...

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