January 22, 2011	Saturday	6:00 AM	Pakistan	vs	New Zealand	1st ODI	Westpac Stadium, Wellington	New Zealand won by 9 wkts
January 26, 2011	Wednesday	3:00 AM	Pakistan	vs	New Zealand	2nd ODI	Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown	Match abandoned due to rain
January 29, 2011	Saturday	6:00 AM	Pakistan	vs	New Zealand	3rd ODI	AMI Stadium, Christchurch	pakistan won by 50 runs
February 01, 2011	Tuesday	6:00 AM	Pakistan	vs	New Zealand	4th ODI	McLean Park, Napier	pakistan won by2 wkts
February 03, 2011	Thursday	6:00 AM	Pakistan	vs	New Zealand	5th ODI	Seddon Park, Hamilton
February 05, 2011	Saturday	3:00 AM	Pakistan	vs	New Zealand	6th ODI	Eden Park, Auckland

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Afridi named skipper for mega event: Intikhab

Updated at: 0619 PST,  Friday, February 04, 2011
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) late on Thursday night resolved to retain Shahid Khan Afridi as captain to lead the Pakistan side in the cricket World Cup, to be held from February 19 to April 2 in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam claimed this while talking to media after Pakistan won an ODI series against Kiwis by 3-1 after 17 years in New Zealand.

The PCB announced their 15-man squad for the showpiece event on January 18 but did not announce a skipper until today (Friday).

Pakistan’s current limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi and the Test skipper Misbahul Haq were the two contenders for leading the team in the World Cup.

They downplayed the ongoing row but former players lashed out PCB, saying the decision was likely to harm team’s unity.

Afridi had earlier said: “It would not be an issue for me if I am removed from captaincy.”

“It doesn’t make a difference whether Misbah leads the side or I lead the side because we both are playing for our country.”

Afridi had also dismissed reports of differences with Misbah. “We don’t have any differences. He is a good player who remains focused on his job,” Afridi maintained.

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UK to announce decision on trio today

Updated at: 0830 PST,  Friday, February 04, 2011
LONDON: British prosecutors will announce on Friday whether three Pakistan cricketers accused of taking bribes to fix incidents in an international match in England last year will be charged with criminal offences.

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were questioned by London police over claims they fixed certain incidents, such as the bowling of no-balls at pre-agreed times, during the fourth test at Lord's last August.

All three deny any wrongdoing.

A spokesman for Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said the decision on whether to charge them would be given shortly after 1100 GMT by Simon Clements, the head of its Special Crime Division.

A fourth man, sporting agent, Mazhar Majeed will also learn if he is to face charges of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

Former test captain Butt, and fast bowlers Asif and Amir have been suspended by the International Cricket Council while the allegations are investigated.

An International Cricket Council anti-corruption tribunal will announce on Saturday its verdict on the "spot-fixing" allegations. If they are found guilty, they face lengthy career-threatening bans.

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New Zealand v Pakistan, 5th ODI, Hamilton Blazing Shehzad seals series triumph

Updated at: 1113 PST,  Thursday, February 03, 2011

Pakistan 268 for 9 (Shehzad 115) beat New Zealand 227 (Taylor 69, Guptill 65, Riaz 3-51) by 41 runs

Pakistan's World Cup preparations only got better as their youngest batsman scored a maiden ODI century to set up a series win - their first in a bilateral rubber since November 2008 - over New Zealand, whose fortunes continued to slide at home after a miserable time in the subcontinent. Ahmed Shehzad batted with utmost confidence during his calculated assault, overcoming a cautious start in overcast conditions by launching a counter-attack that snatched the initiative New Zealand had worked hard to gain at the beginning of the game. He was backed up by a determined performance from Pakistan's bowlers, who stepped up in areas where New Zealand had erred, and completed the job quite comfortably in the end.

A miserly first spell by Kyle Mills appeared to have justified Ross Taylor's decision to bowl, as it cramped the usually fluent openers through nagging lines outside off stump and crafty variations in pace. He conceded just two runs in his first four overs, including the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez who was fresh from a century in the previous match.

Shehzad, though, was intent on pulling things back. He had warmed up with a crisp straight drive off Hamish Bennett but turned to power play to release the pressure created by the early wicket. Mills' tight lines were countered with a mow past mid-off and an agricultural slog over midwicket, catching the bowler off guard and marking a turn in the tide. Shehzad had won the psychological battle when Mills strayed onto the pads the next over, to be glanced to the fine-leg boundary.

A feature of Shehzad's knock was his domination of Bennett, which offset any pressure New Zealand were able to inflict with the fall of a wicket. Bennett overpitched too often, or dropped too short, and was picked off consistently for boundaries. He squandered some hard work by conceding fours off the last balls of his first two overs and was struck for consecutive boundaries by an initially rusty Kamran Akmal before Shehzad singled him out for treatment. He was launched for a straight six and welcomed in his second spell with a violent pull over the midwicket boundary followed by a clean strike over long-on.

While Shehzad took timely risks and had the power and ability to back them up, he was ruthless against the opportunities doled out by the bowlers when Pakistan had been forced to shift gears in the middle overs. The run-out of Kamran resulted in four boundary-less overs before Nathan McCullum, otherwise quite tidy, gifted a short and wide delivery that Shehzad slashed through point. Scott Styris met a similar fate while James Franklin was a victim of Shehzad's subtleties as he was twice scooped over fine leg.

The constant, throughout Shehzad's innings, only his seventh in this format, was his assuredness and determination to keep the hosts worried at one end. When he fell, miscuing Styris to deep square leg, with plenty of ammunition left in the batting, New Zealand were staring at an intimidating target. The bowlers, however, hit back to restrict Pakistan in the death overs. Only once had a team lost chasing at Seddon Park since 2002 but with New Zealand's recent ODI record in a shambles, Pakistan needn't have worried about past results at the venue.

The start to the chase could not have been worse for the hosts as Jesse Ryder backed up too far and was run out without facing a ball by a direct hit from Misbah-ul-Haq. Unlike New Zealand's bowlers who had provided ample scoring opportunities to ease the pressure on Pakistan after each dismissal, Pakistan's fast bowlers hardly ever overpitched, bowled consistently in the channel outside off and dried up the runs.

Martin Guptill, watching the proceedings at the other end, faced the pressure with a combination of bravado and opportunism. He dealt harshly with deliveries bowled wide or pitched up on middle - there weren't too many of them - and improvised to clear the infield. Guptill ensured a steady flow of singles, ran well between the wickets as the field spread out and continued to be ruthless when freebies came his way. But having survived a close lbw shout early in his innings, Guptill failed to take full toll, as a short delivery from Shoaib came on a touch too quickly and he holed out to deep square leg.

The onus was on a determined Ross Taylor, who took his time to settle in and overcome the nervy start that has plagued him this series. He appeared to be getting back to his groove when just a firm push off Afridi raced to the extra-cover boundary and, in the company of Guptill, to whom he had ceded floor, kept his team in the hunt. It was in the attempt to rebuild after Guptill's fall that New Zealand lost it. Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez got through their overs quickly, produced a spate of dot balls and deprived the hosts of a boundary for 11 straight overs. The resultant frustration from New Zealand yielded wickets for Pakistan, as Brendon McCullum got a leading edge to long-on while Styris was run out by a direct hit from Younis Khan.

Taylor fought on, managing a six off his favoured slog-sweep and began the batting Powerplay in the 41st over with a lofted drive against Riaz. Despite the field restrictions and with five wickets in hand, an asking rate of almost nine an over was going to be difficult to measure up to. In the next over he stepped across to sweep Afridi, only to miss and be trapped in front. And when James Franklin was cleaned up by a Wahab Riaz yorker, the depth in the New Zealand batting just didn't prove enough to secure the remaining runs or salvage some pride after 13 defeats in their last 14 completed games.

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This is a list of major tournaments that the ICC runs.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the showpiece event of the cricket calendar and takes place every four years, with matches contested in a 50 overs per side format. The next tournament takes place between 19 February-2 April 2011 in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The 2015 event will take place in Australia and New Zealand.




ICC Test Championship
In October 2010, the ICC Board approved the recommendations from the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) to create a Test league to provide context for Test matches and that the league would determine the top four teams to qualify for an ICC Test play-off. It also agreed that the play-off should be held once every four years to determine the Test champion team with a request to hold the first such play-off in 2013. Further details of the league will be announced soon.










ICC One-Day League 
In October 2010, the ICC Board agreed that the FTP should also consist of a One-Day International league, the first to run from April 2011 until April 2014, culminating in the crowning of an ODI league champion. This would run separate to the ICC Cricket World Cup. Further details on this competition will be announced soon.

 
ICC Champions Trophy 2013
The ICC organises a second 50-overs per side event in addition to the ICC Cricket World Cup called the ICC Champions Trophy, which takes place every two years. The event, formally known as the ICC Knockout, has been contested six times and Australia is the only side to have won the competition on two occasions. The next event will be held in England in 2013.

ICC World Twenty20
The inaugural ICC World Twenty20 competition took place in South Africa in September 2007. The competition, which lasted for just two weeks, was a thrilling event which culminated in India's dramatic five run defeat of Pakistan. The second event was won by Pakistan in the men's competition and by England in the women's event which was played for the first time. West Indies hosted the next event in April-May 2010 which was won by England while Australia picked up the women's title. The next event will take place in Sri Lanka in 2012, while Bangladesh will host the tournament in 2014.

ICC Women's World Cup
The ICC Women's World Cup was staged in Sydney, Australia in March 2009 and was the first to be played under the auspices of the ICC since its merger with the International Women's Cricket Council (IWCC) in 2005. England claimed the title with a thrilling four-wicket victory over a spirited New Zealand. The next event will be held in India in 2013.




 

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ICC announces umpire and match referee appointments for CWC 2011

Updated at: 1000 PST,  Thursday, February 03, 2011
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced umpire and match referee appointments for the warm-up and group stage matches for its flagship event - the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - which will be staged from 19 February to 2 April in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
Steve Davis of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Kumar Dharmasena of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires and a former World Cup winner with Sri Lanka in 1996, will stand in the tournament opener which will be played between Bangladesh and India in Mirpur on Saturday 19 February.

Billy Doctrove and Asad Rauf, both from the elite panel, will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively while Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referee will be the match referee.

The 58-year-old Davis has so far umpired in 95 ODIs. If all goes according to plan, on 9 March in New Delhi he will become the 14th umpire to complete a century of ODIs when he will officiate in the India-Netherlands match.

The 39-year-old Dharmasena, who played 31 Tests and 141 ODIs as on off-spinner for Sri Lanka from 1993-2004, has officiated in 19 ODIs to date.

In the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996, Dharmasena was Sri Lanka’s second most successful bowler, along with Chaminda Vaas, with six wickets while the table was topped by Muttiah Muralidaran who took seven wickets. In the final against Australia at Lahore, Dharmasena had match figures of 10-0-47-1 as Sri Lanka won by seven wickets with 22 balls to spare.

Besides Davis and Dharmasena, others who will share the on-field responsibilities in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 include ICC Umpire of the Year 1009 and 2010, Aleem Dar, Marais Erasmus, Ian Gould, Daryl Harper, Tony Hill, Asoka de Silva, four-time ICC Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel, Rod Tucker (all from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires), Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Amish Saheba and Shahvir Tarapore (all from the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires).

The match referees for the event, besides Madugalle, are Chris Broad, Jeff Crowe, Roshan Mahanama and Andy Pycroft (all from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees).

Appointments for the knock-out matches will be announced in due course.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 (warm-ups)

Saturday 12 Feb: Zimbabwe v South Africa (d/n), Chennai - Simon Taufel and Rod Tucker, Asoka de Silva (third), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Saturday 12 Feb: West Indies v Kenya (d), Colombo - Nigel Llong and Daryl Harper, Ian Gould (third), Graeme La Brooy (referee)

Saturday 12 Feb: New Zealand v Ireland (d/n), Nagpur - Marais Erasmus and Buddhi Pradhan, Sanjay Hazare (third)

Saturday 12 Feb: Sri Lanka v Netherlands (d/n), Pallekele - Shahvir Tarapore and Tony Hill, Ranmore Martinesz (third), Alan Hurst (referee)

Saturday 12 Feb: Bangladesh v Canada (d/n), Chittagong - Enamul Hoque-Moni and Kumar Dharmasena, Asad Rauf (third), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Sunday 13 Feb: India v Australia (d/n), Bengaluru - Richard Kettleborough and Aleem Dar, Amish Saheba (third), Sudhir Asnani (fourth) Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Tuesday 15 Feb: Australia v South Africa (d/n), Bengaluru - Amish Saheba and Aleem Dar, Richard Kettleborough (third), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Tuesday 15 Feb: Bangladesh v Pakistan (d/n), Dhaka - Steve Davis and Billy Doctrove, Bruce Oxenford (third), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Tuesday 15 Feb: Ireland v Zimbabwe (d), Nagpur - Marais Erasmus and Buddhi Pradhan, Sanjay Hazare (third)

Tuesday 15 Feb: Netherland vs Kenya (d/n), Pallekele - Shahvir Tarapore and Tony Hill, Tyron Wijewardena (third)

Tuesday 15 Feb: Sri Lanka v West Indies (d/n), Colombo - Ian Gould and Nigel Llong, Daryl Harper (third), Chris Broad (referee)

Wednesday 16 Feb: India v New Zealand (d/n), Chennai - Rod Tucker and Asoka de Silva, Simon Taufel (third), Sudhir Asnani (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Wednesday 16 Feb: England v Canada (d), Fatullah - Enamul Hoque-Moni and Asad Rauf, Kumar Dharmasena (third), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Wednesday 18 Feb: England v Pakistan (d/n), Fatullah - Bruce Oxenford and Billy Doctrove, Steve Davis (third), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 (group stage)

Saturday 19 Feb - Bangladesh v India (d/n), Dhaka- Steve Davis and Kumar Dharmasena, Billy Doctrove (third), Asad Rauf (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Sunday 20 Feb - New Zealand v Kenya (d), Chennai - Rod Tucker and Marais Erasmus, Aleem Dar (third), Sudhir Asnani (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Sunday 20 Feb - Sri Lanka v Canada (d/n), Hambantota - Ian Gould and Shahvir Tarapore, Tony Hill (third), Daryl Harper (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Monday 21 Feb - Australia v Zimbabwe (d/n), Ahmedabad - Asoka de Silva and Richard Kettleborough, Amish Saheba (third), Simon Taufel (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Tuesday 22 Feb - England v Netherlands (d/n), Nagpur - Asad Rauf and Brice Oxenford, Kumar Dharmasena (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Wednesday 23 Feb - Pakistan v Kenya (d/n), Hambantota - Tony Hill and Nigel Llong, Daryl Harper (third), Shahvir Tarapore (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Thursday 24 Feb - South Africa v West Indies (d/n), New Delhi - Simon Taufel and Amish Saheba, Asoka de Silva (third), Richard Kettleborough (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Friday 25 Feb - Australia v New Zealand (d), Nagpur - Billy Doctrove and Kumar Dharmasena, Asad Rauf (third), Bruce Oxenford (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Friday 25 Feb - Bangladesh v Ireland (d/n), Dhaka - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker, Billy Bowden (third), Marais Erasmus (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Saturday 26 Feb - Sri Lanka v Pakistan (d/n), Colombo - Daryl Harper and Ian Gould, Nigel Llong (third), Tony Hill (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Sunday 27 Feb - India v England (d/n), Bengaluru - Billy Bowden and Marais Erasmus, Rod Tucker (third), Aleem Dar (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Monday 28 Feb - West Indies v Netherlands, (d/n) New Delhi - Amish Saheba and Simon Taufel, Richard Kettleborough (third), Asoka de Silva (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Monday 28 Feb - Zimbabwe v Canada (d), Nagpur - Asad Rauf and Bruce Oxenford, Steve Davis (third), Billy Doctrove (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Tuesday 1 Mar - Sri Lanka v Kenya (d), Colombo - Tony Hill and Shahvir Tarapore, Ian Gould (third), Daryl Harper (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Wednesday 2 Mar - England v Ireland (d/n), Bengaluru - Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden, Marais Erasmus (third), Rod Tucker (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee )

Thursday 3 Mar - South Africa v Netherlands (d), Mohali - Asoka de Silva and Richard Kettleborough, Simon Taufel (third), Amish Saheba (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Thursday 3 Mar - Pakistan v Canada (d/n), Colombo - Daryl Harper and Nigel Llong, Tony Hill (third), Ian Gould (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Friday 4 Mar - New Zealand v Zimbabwe (d), Ahmedabad - Aleem Dar and Marais Erasmus, Rod Tucker (third), Billy Bowden (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Friday 4 Mar - Bangladesh v West Indies (d/n), Dhaka - Kumar Dharmasena and Steve Davis, Asad Rauf (third), Bruce Oxenford (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Saturday 5 Mar - Sri Lanka v Australia (d/n), Colombo - Tony Hill and Ian Gould, Shahvir Tarapore (third), Nigel Llong (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Sunday 6 Mar - India v Ireland (d/n), Bengaluru - Billy Bowden and Rod Tucker, Marais Erasmus (third), Aleem Dar (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Sunday 6 Mar - England v South Africa (d), Chennai - Simon Taufel and Amish Saheba, Asoka de Silva (third), Richard Kettleborough (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Monday 7 Mar - Kenya v Canada (d/n), New Delhi - Asad Rauf and Billy Doctrove, Bruce Oxenford (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Tuesday 8 Mar - Pakistan v New Zealand (d/n), Pallekele - Daryl Harper and Nigel Llong, Ian Gould (third), Shahvir Tarapore (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Wednesday 9 Mar - India v Netherlands (d/n), New Delhi - Bruce Oxenford and Steve Davis, Billy Doctrove (third), Kumar Dharmasena (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Thursday 10 Mar - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (d/n), Pallekele - Marais Erasmus and Nigel Llong, Tony Hill (third), Ranmore Martinesz (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Friday 11 Mar - West Indies v Ireland (d), Mohali - Asoka de Silva and Shahvir Tarapore, Bruce Oxenford (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Roshan Mahnama (referee)

Friday 11 Mar - Bangladesh v England (d/n), Chittagong - Daryl Harper and Rod Tucker, Aleem Dar (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Saturday 12 Mar - India v South Africa (d/n), Nagpur - Ian Gould and Simon Taufel, Billy Doctrove (third), Kumar Dharmasena (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Sunday 13 Mar - New Zealand v Canada (d), Mumbai - Shahvir Tarapore and Bruce Oxenford, Steve Davis (third), Asoka de Silva (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Sunday 13 Mar - Australia v Kenya (d/n), Bengaluru - Asad Rauf and Richard Kettleborough, Billy Bowden (third), Amish Saheba (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)

Monday 14 Mar - Pakistan v Zimbabwe (d/n), Pallekele - Nigel Llong and Tony Hill, Marais Erasmus (third), Ranmore Martinesz (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Monday 14 Mar - Bangladesh v Netherlands (d), Chittagong - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker, Daryl Harper (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Tuesday 15 Mar - South Africa v Ireland (d/n), Kolkata - Kumar Dharmasena and Billy Doctrove, Simon Taufel (third), Ian Gould (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Wednesday 16 Mar - Australia v Canada (d/n), Bengaluru - Amish Saheba and Billy Bowden, Richard Kettleborough (third), Asad Rauf (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)

Thursday 17 Mar - England v West Indies (d/n), Chennai - Asoka de Silva and Steve Davis, Shahvir Tarapore (third), Brice Oxenford (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Friday 18 Mar - Sri Lanka v New Zealand (d/n), Mumbai - Richard Kettleborough and Asad Rauf, Amish Saheba (third), Billy Bowden (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)

Friday 18 Mar - Ireland v Netherlands (d), Kolkata - Simon Tuafel and Ian Gould, Kumar Dharmasena (third), Billy Doctrove (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Saturday 19 Mar - Australia v Pakistan (d/n), Colombo - Tony Hill and Marais Erasmus, Nigel Llong (third), Tyron Wijewardena (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

Saturday 19 Mar - Bangladesh v South Africa (d), Dhaka - Daryl Harper and Aleem Dar, Rod Tucker (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)

Sunday 20 Mar - Zimbabwe v Kenya (d), Kolkata - Billy Doctrove and Kumar Dharmasena, Ian Gould (third), Simon Taufel (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Sunday 20 Mar - India v West Indies (d/n), Chennai - Steve Davis and Bruce Oxenford, Asoka de Silva (third), Shahvir Tarapore (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

Appointments are subject to changes.

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Ahmed Shehzad medin century lifts Pakistan

Updated at: 1000 PST,  Thursday, February 03, 2011

AUCKLAND: Ahmed Shehzad notched his first one-day international century to help Pakistan reach 268 for nine in the fifth match against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Thursday. Shehzad brought up his century in 101 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, as the visitors set a challenging target for New Zealand to chase in order to save the six-match series. Pakistan hold a 2-1 lead with the final game in Auckland on Saturday.The 19-year-old was eventually caught in the deep by James Franklin off Scott Styris for 115 in the 38th over.New Zealand's bowlers had varied their pace and length to restrict the free-scoring Pakistani batsmen in the final few overs and the visitors would be disappointed not to have scored more runs.New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori did not play after he sustained a hamstring injury in the fourth match in Napier on Tuesday. Jesse Ryder, who missed the game at McLean Park with a finger injury, returned to the side.

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Kiwis go for bowling first in crucial ODI

Updated at: 0600 PST,  Thursday, February 03, 2011
HAMILTON: New Zealand captain Ross Taylor won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the crucial fifth one-day international at Seddon Park on Thursday.

A win for Pakistan would give them the six-match series with a game to spare while New Zealand need to win to keep the series alive.

Taylor was handed the New Zealand captaincy when regular skipper Daniel Vettori was ruled out on the morning of the match because of a hamstring strain suffered in the fourth game in Napier on Tuesday.

Opening batsman Jesse Ryder, who missed the Napier match because of an injured finger returns to the side.

New Zealand are resting Tim Southee, who has played in every match so far, as well as Kane Williamson, and have brought back regular new ball bowler Kyle Mills.

In the the Pakistan side Shoaib Akhtar replaces Sohail Tanvir in their bowling line up.

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Vettori, Ryder injury worries for 5th Pakistan match

Updated at: 1328 PST,  Wednesday, February 02, 2011
AUCKLAND: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and Jesse Ryder are injury concerns for their side's must-win fifth one-day international against Pakistan in Hamilton on Thursday.

Vettori suffered a hamstring injury in the two-wicket loss in Napier on Tuesday that gave Pakistan a 2-1 lead in the series, while Ryder was a late withdrawal from that match after he suffered a bruised finger at the weekend.

"We'd be pretty hopeful about Jesse," coach John Wright told reporters in Hamilton on Wednesday. "I'm not quite so sure about Dan, I think it's just general stiffness but we'll have to have a look.

"He's probably more uncertain but we've got a physio who is very experienced so we'll act on the expert's advice."

New Zealand's entire World Cup squad are in Hamilton so they should be able to cope with late decisions on Vettori and Ryder, though the hosts had hoped to field their strongest line up for the final two matches of the six-game series.

"I've always believed at this level you pick your best side, that tends to solve a lot of problems because you have your best chance of winning and getting some momentum going," Wright said.

"Players identify with the opportunity to play and those who miss out want to take their place, so I've always thought survival of the fittest.

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Misbah guides Pakistan to tight win over New Zealand

Updated at: 1501 PST,  Tuesday, February 01, 2011
NAPIER: Misbah-ul-haq overcame the loss of late wickets to keep his cool and guide Pakistan to a two-wicket victory over New Zealand in their fourth one-day international match in Napier on Tuesday.

Misbah, who has anchored Pakistan's batting throughout the tour of New Zealand, proved once again a thorn in the side of Daniel Vettori's team, scoring 93 not out as Pakistan finished on 264 for eight in 49 overs having chased down the host's 262 for seven.

The Pakistan test captain, who had been coasting to the victory target while batting with Younus Khan (42), was forced to take all the responsibility of getting his side home when
Younus was run out in the 38th over.

Umar Akmal then scratched around for 10 off 17 balls before he was well caught in the 43rd over by Nathan McCullum off Vettori, who trapped Shahid Afridi in front two balls later to give New Zealand a faint hope of running through the bowlers to win the match and take a 2-1 lead in the best of six series.

Misbah, however, and Abdul Razzaq (23) managed to keep pace with the required run rate and while Razzaq was well caught by a hobbling Vettori, Misbah smashed 10 runs off two balls from Scott Styris and Sohail Tanvir (14) hit three boundaries off Tim Southee the next over to see their side home.

Late call-up James Franklin had proved the saviour of New Zealand's innings, which was about 30 runs short of a par total on a good batting wicket with short square boundaries.

Franklin was only brought into the side after Jesse Ryder, who injured a finger while playing for Wellington at the weekend, withdrew before play began.

The left-hander, who had scores of 72 not out, 98 not out and 17 not out in his previous three innings in India last December, top-scored with 62 to help arrest New Zealand's
mid-innings slump.

The hosts had romped to 40 without loss but lost three wickets for four runs and then slumped to 79 for five before Franklin's 62-run partnership with Brendon McCullum (37) and a stand of 64 runs with Nathan McCullum (53 not out) halted the slide.

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4th ODI: Pakistan chasing 263 to win over NZ

Updated at: 0950 PST,  Tuesday, February 01, 2011
4th ODI: Pakistan chasing 263 to win over NZ
New Zealand 262/7 (50 ov)
Pakistan 238/7 (27.0 ov)
Pakistan require another 25 runs with 3 wickets and 23.0 overs remaining
Pakistan need an achievable 263 to overhaul New Zealand's total for seven wickets in their fourth one-day international cricket match at McLean Park, Napier today.
Black Caps openers Jamie How and Martin Guptill went after opener Sohail Tanvir before Wahab Riaz struck, claiming the scalp of Guptill for 21 runs before How holed out at square leg to Umar Akmal from an Abdul Razzaq delivery for 13. At 2-44, vice-captain Ross Taylor arrived but lasted only five balls with just one boundary to show for. No 4 Scott Styris could only contribute 11 runs after Umar Gul ran him out off a Mohammed Hafeez delivery following a mix-up with No 5 Kane Williamson, who held his ground as Styris attempted to dart back to his crease. James Franklin, who came in for injured opening batsman Jesse Ryder, assumed the mantle of anchoring the innings but Williamson departed for 15, mistiming a shot to Younis Khan at drive as the Kiwis were left teetering at 5-79 in 20.3 overs. Enter unwanted opener at No 7 Brendon McCullum (22 runs) who laboriously took the hosts to 100 runs with Franklin (32 runs) off 159 balls in 106 minutes in the 26th over. The pair brought up their 50-run partnership off 61 balls in 32 minutes. Just when the explosive Otago batsman/wicketkeeper looked like resurrecting New Zealand's innings with three boundaries, before a rush of blood saw him edge a ball to wicketkeeper Karam Akmal off a Riaz delivery for 37 runs off 39 balls. McCullum, who had charged down the wicket to an earlier ball, did not take heed of the degree of deviation from Riaz's delivery. But Franklin continued playing a subdued innings, bringing his half ton off 67 balls in 97 minutes, including six boundaries as the Caps sat on 187-6 with 57 balls to come with No 8 Nathan McCullum feeding him the strike at the other end. Franklin and Nathan McCullum brought up their 50-run seventh-wicket partnership in 56 balls but a ball later the crowd took a collective sigh of relief as Franklin survived a run out when bowler Gul botched a thrown in, the ball spilling out of his hands in haste as the frustrated Pakistani knocked a bail off with his swinging hand. New Zealand's 200 runs came with 44 balls to spare. 12th man Jacob Oram ran out with a message in a bottle and Franklin obliged, holing out to Kamran off a Riaz ball to finish with 62 runs with New Zealand on 205-7. McCullum, coming off the rotation policy, persisted with 53 unbeaten runs, mixing it with several air shots. He brought up his 50 off 54 balls in 81 minutes, shortly before his 50-run partnership with skipper Vettori as the Caps carved up 256-7 with an over to spare. McCullum's innings included five boundaries and a six. Vettori was unbeaten on 13.

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ICC CRICKET RANKING ALERT

Updated at: 0950 PST,  Tuesday, February 01, 2011

• ICC CRICKET RANKING ALERT
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Franklin, Nathan steer NZ to 262-7 against Pakistan

Updated at: 1021 PST,  Tuesday, February 01, 2011
WELLINGTON: Late call-up James Franklin continued a golden run of form with a third half century in four one-day international innings to guide New Zealand to 262 for seven in their fourth match against Pakistan in Napier on Tuesday. The left-hander, who had scores of 72 not out, 98 not out and 17 not out in his previous three innings in India last December, top-scored with 62 to help arrest New Zealand'smid-innings slump at McLean Park. The hosts had romped to 40 without loss but lost three wickets for four runs and then slumped to 79 for five before Franklin's 62-run partnership with Brendon McCullum (37) and a stand of 64 runs with Nathan McCullum (53 not out) arrested the slide.
Franklin was only brought into the side after Jesse Ryder, who injured a finger while playing for Wellington at the weekend, withdrew before play began. The series is locked at 1-1 after the second match in Queenstown was washed out.

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Bengaluru confirmed as venue for India v England match

Updated at: 1526 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
The ICC today confirmed its decision to relocate the venue for the India v England match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, which had been originally scheduled for Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 27 February. It will now take place in Bengaluru on the same date.
In a letter to the BCCI yesterday, the ICC outlined a schedule of works that needed to be carried out at Eden Gardens ahead of the ground’s other scheduled fixtures on 15, 18 and 20 March. As such, an inspection team will visit Kolkata again on 7 February to assess progress in line with that schedule.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has responded to the ICC nominating Bengaluru as its preferred alternate venue for the India v England match, a recommendation the ICC agrees to.
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "This decision now clarifies and gives us certainty over the fixture. We can now work with our various partners and stakeholders to make sure that match - along with the rest of the tournament - is all it should be."

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PCB set to retain Afridi as skipper for World Cup

Updated at: 1526 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt, in all likelihood, will announce Shahid Afridi as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup although some players are backing Misbah-ul Haq as the leader.

According to sources, Butt has decided to now stick with Afridi as captain although there is still a divided opinion about the fact that some consider Misbah to be a better choice.

The scales seemed to have heavily tilted in favour of Afridi after the dashing batsman smashed 65 off only 25 deliveries during Pakistan's series levelling win against New Zealand on Saturday.

"Butt has come to the conclusion after discussing the captaincy issue with the team management and others that it would be unwise to change the captain at such a stage and since Afridi has been the ODI captain since late 2009," a source indicated.

He said the board would most likely end the captaincy debate by announcing the captain in next 24 hours.

There was plenty of debate in the cricketing circles after the PCB announced the World Cup squad of 15 players last month but did not name the captain.

Many former players consider Afridi to be too temperamental to be given the responsibility of captaining in the World Cup and others warning against changing the captain at such a late stage.

Former Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik has also added his voice to the captaincy debate supporting Afridi.

"I don't think it is a good move to change the captain now. Since Afridi has been leading the team for the last year, it makes no sense to change him now," Malik said. "Changing captains frequently has already damaged the team in the past."

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Vettori, Ryder return to NZ squad

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
Skipper Daniel Vettori and opener Jesse Ryder have made a return to the New Zealand squad for the fourth ODI in Napier on Tuesday.
New Zealand selectors made two changes to the squad for the fourth One-Day International against Pakistan in Napier.Ryder and Vettori come back into the reckoning with Luke Woodcock and Kyle Mills heading back to domestic cricket.All-rounder James Franklin will remain with his domestic side Wellington.
The six-match series is currently tied at 1-1. Pakistan won the third ODI by 43 runs at Christchurch.Team: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.

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Afridi hints at limited role for Akhtar

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
Pakistan ODI captain Shahid Afridi has indicated a limited role for experienced fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the remaining matches in New Zealand and next month's World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.After Pakistan's win over New Zealand in Christchurch in the third ODI, Afridi said that Akhtar was left out of the matchas he still needed to work harder on his fitness and form."Shoaib might be given a chance to play if we manage to win the series in the next two games," Afridi said."He is working hard in the nets and our coach Waqar Younis is spending lot of time with him. It is clear he still needs to work hard on his fitness and form," Afridi added.The seasoned fast bowler played in the first one-dayer that Pakistan lost and was then left out in the next two matches indicating a reduced role for him in the coming Worl dCup.Pakistan preferred to play Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir in the second and third ODIs."Shoaib needs to be match fit and should train. [Coach] Waqar Younis is working hard with him," Afridi maintained.

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Ajmal, Tanvir rate India as favourites

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir feel that India will be the biggest threat for all teams including Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup.

"I think India, Australia and South Africa can pose big threat as they have very strong squads for the tournament," Ajmal told Pakistan's former captain and now well-known commentator Ramiz Raja on a television show.

Ajmal said hopefully if Pakistan managed to get through to the knockout stages it would have to contend with India in the crunch stage of the event.

"Matches against India are always played with extra hype and spirit and if such a match up takes place in the World Cup at any stage it would be great for the sport," the offie stated.

He also feels that he has been in the form of his life and would make an impact in the World Cup in which the pitches are expected to assist the slow bowlers.

"I want to come out of the World Cup with appreciable performances and with people saying Saeed bowled well for the team," he said.

His teammate Tanvir said, "Both India and Sri Lanka have strong one-day combinations and both can pose a challenge to any team in the tournament and in the knockout stage," he said.

"I am confident our team can perform well in the tournament and I see India or Sri Lanka as our main threats in the latter stages of the event," Tanvir said.

The all-rounder who has made a comeback to the national team after remaining out of action for nearly a year due to a major knee operation ruled out England as a major contender for the title despite their recent success in the Ashes and after winning the ICC World Twenty20.

Both also felt that the role of the captain and coach was crucial in getting the best performance out of their players.

"The captain and coach can do a lot to lift a player if he is going through a bad patch. A captain must back his player and tell him "I know you can deliver for me,"" Ajmal said.

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Windies elect to bat in Sri Lanka one-dayer

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
COLOMBO: West Indies captain Darren Sammy elected to bat after winning the toss against Sri Lanka in the opening one-day international on Monday.

The remaining two matches will also be played in Colombo on Friday and Sunday.

West Indies: Darren Sammy (capt), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Carlton Baugh, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis.

Umpires: Asoka de Silva (SRI) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
TV umpire: Tyron Wijewardene (SRI)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

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Bangladesh beggars to be 'paid' during World Cup

Updated at: 1458 PST,  Sunday, January 30, 2011
DHAKA: The mayor of Chittagong city in southern Bangladesh said Sunday that he would pay hundreds of beggars a daily wage to keep them off the streets during the cricket World Cup.

Manzur Alam said that about 300 disabled beggars would be given 150 taka (two dollars) a day after the tournament's opening ceremony on February 17 to compensate them for loss of earnings.

"We want to keep them off the streets at least for two months during the World Cup. Bangladesh is a host of the prestigious event. A lot of tourists will be here and they don't like to see beggars," he told a news agency.

Alam said he would meet with beggars' representatives on Wednesday to organise the payments and discuss other benefits such as free food and clothes.

"We want to treat the issue as humanely as possible. Many of these beggars are disabled and many have families and their children studying in schools and colleges. So obviously, they must be compensated well," he said.

Excitement is building in impoverished Bangladesh as it prepares to co-host the cricket World Cup along with India and Sri Lanka.

Local sports fans are desperate to see their team play on home soil, and riot police have been called in to quell unrest in huge queues for tickets.

The national side, captained by superstar all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, have enjoyed a recent improvement in form and hopes are high for success in group stage matches against major teams such as India and England.

After the opening ceremony in Dhaka, the capital will hold six games and Chittagong will host two matches.

According to a 2005 study, Bangladesh has about 700,000 beggars, with those in urban areas earning an average of 100 taka a day from donations.

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Australia take series after Brisbane victory

Updated at: 1654 PST,  Sunday, January 30, 2011
BRISBANE: Australia wrapped up a morale-boosting one-day series victory over England with two games to spare after a 51-run win in the fifth match at the Gabba on Sunday.Michael Clarke's team took an unassailable 4-1 lead in the seven-match series after hitting 249 in 49.3 overs and then bowling out the visitors for 198.Pace pair Brett Lee and Doug Bollinger reduced England to 22 for three before Kevin Pietersen (40) and Ian Bell (36) combined for a 73-run partnership.England,
however, self destructed when they still had plenty of overs remaining and two well-established players batting.Pietersen again succumbed to a rush of blood to the head when he misread a slower John Hastings delivery and spooned the ball to Lee at mid-on to leave his team 95 for four.Eoin Morgan (two) also threw away his wicket when he smashed Steve Smith straight to Mitchell Johnson at long off while Bell chopped Hastings on to his stumps to leave England 103 for six.Shane Watson then dismissed Paul Collingwood (18) and Chris Woakes (eight) in his first over, the 33rd of the innings, to all but end the run chase despite some final-wicket defiance from James Anderson (22 not out) and Steve Finn (35).
Earlier, Clarke ended his poor run of scores with a half century while the tail provided a late flurry to help the home side post a good total despite man of the match Woakes claiming six for 45.Clarke, who had been under pressure, combined for a 65-run partnership with David Hussey (34) for the fifth wicket.He then needlessly charged Woakes in the 41st over and top edged a simple catch to opposing skipper Andrew Strauss on 54.Clarke's dismissal left Australia 190 for six but Smith (24 not out), Johnson (16) and Hastings (13) combined well in the latter stages to set up a victory charge that will give them confidence heading into next month's World Cup.The match was also used to help raise money following recent flooding.The floods have swamped the eastern seaboard of Australia, killing 35 people, crippling coal mines, ruining crops, damaging infrastructure, destroying homes and causing an estimated A$5 billion (US$4.98 billion) in damage in Queensland alone.

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Hafeez, Afridi help Pakistan level series against Kiwis

Updated at: 1001 PST,  Saturday, January 29, 2011
CHRISTCHURCH: Mohammad Hafeez scored his first one-day century and Shahid Afridi blasted the equal-fastest half century in New Zealand as Pakistan levelled their one-day series against the hosts following a 43-run victory at Lancaster Park on Saturday.

New Zealand never really challenged Pakistan's imposing 293 for seven, with Martin Guptill (39), Jamie How (24) Scott Styris (46) and Kane Williamson (42) all getting starts but leaving too many runs for the lower order to overhaul the total.

Skipper Afridi also cleverly rotated his bowlers, who expertly changed their pace and angles, bowled to their fields and took wickets just as New Zealand's batsmen appeared set to push on.

Tim Southee (13 not out) hit a six off the last ball to drag New Zealand to 250 for nine. Hamnish Bennett was with Southee on four.

The six-match series is locked at 1-1 after New Zealand won the first match in Wellington by nine wickets last week and the second in Queenstown was washed out on Wednesday.

Pakistan's innings had been held together by Hafeez (115), who also shared a 94-run partnership with Misbah-ul-haq (35) and 52 runs with Umar Akmal (44).

Afridi then scored a blistering 65, which included five sixes and five boundaries, as he and Umar blasted a destructive 69-runs off 26 balls as Pakistan made full use of the final powerplay, scoring 126 runs in the last 10 overs.

Afridi's half century was brought up on his 19th delivery, equalling the fastest one-day international half century scored in New Zealand, which is also held by Brendon McCullum. 

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Pakistan set 294-run target for Kiwis in 3rd ODI

Updated at: 1001 PST,  Saturday, January 29, 2011
CHRISTCHURCH: Allrounder Shahid Afridi blasted 25-ball 65 runs and opener Mohammad Hafeez scored a brilliant maiden ODI hundred to steer Pakistan to an impressive total of 293 for seven in the allotted 50 overs in the third One-day International here at the AMI Stadium on Saturday.

Hafeez was superb in mastering a green pitch after New Zealand stand-in captain Ross Taylor won the toss.

The Pakistan opener stroked 12 boundaries and slammed two sixes before eventually departing for 115, caught by Taylor at mid-on after he got a leading edge to a Kyle Mills full toss.

Visiting captain Shahid Afridi then scored a blistering 65, which included five sixes and five boundaries, as he and Umar Akmal (44) blasted a destructive 69-run partnership off 26 balls with Pakistan making full use of the final powerplay.

Afridi also equalled the fastest one-day half century in New Zealand, bringing up the mark on his 19th delivery.

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Pak-NZ 3rd ODI at Christchurch Saturday

Updated at: 2132 PST,  Friday, January 28, 2011
CHRISTCURCH: The third One Day International (ODI) between New Zealand and Pakistan is scheduled to be played on Saturday at the AMI stadium, Christchurch.

New Zealand have a 1-0 lead in the series and Pakistan are still in the hunt of a series leveller as the washed out second game of the six-match series wooed their hopes of making a comeback.

Before the rain interruption at Queenstown, the Pakistani openers put up a good show in the face of bowling-friendly conditions. Ahmed Shehzad in particular made Tim Southee look like an ordinary bowler after his heroics in the first match and the hat-trick in the T20I at Auckland.

The start to the series has been a typical Pakistani one. They rose up to the expectations and gave the world of cricket a glimpse of their stumbling capabilities yet again.

The batting line-ups of both the teams are fragile, having the tendency to collapse like a house of cards. The Kiwi batsmen in this series, however, seem to have learned their lessons as they have looked like a resolute unit against the Pakistani bowlers ever since the start of the tour except that one collapse in the second innings of the first Test match, at Hamilton, that cost them the series.

The men in green on the other hand have a lot to think about. Except for the Test series, their batting form in the T20 series and the one ODI so far has been deplorable except for the consistent skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq.

New Zealand are continuing with their rotation policy and in the third match they are going to make considerable changes, Jesse Ryder and James Franklyn both have been rested, they will return to play for their domestic side, Jamie How, and, Luke Woodcock are going to replace them.

After the explosive innings of Jesse Ryder upfront in the first match, Jamie How, is going to open the batting with Martin Guptill, which makes things a little ambiguous about the roles of the two.

Being the senior of the two, Guptill, will have the immense responsibility to attack as well as keep the innings together for the team.

In another shocker the authorities have also decided to rest Daniel Vettori in this match and Ross Taylor will take the leading role, Kyle Mills, is likely to make a comeback.

Ross Taylor might toss the new ball in Hamish Bennett’s hands tomorrow in the absence of James Franklyn. His ability to hit the deck hard and extract bounce from the pitch along with good pace might well prove lethal for the vulnerable Pakistani upper order.

As far as this venue is concerned the Kiwis have an excellent record here winning three of every four matches they have played at the AMI stadium, Pakistan have lost all except one. The toss is going to be important as the teams batting second have a clear advantage but it is still unclear as to how the pitch and more importantly the ball is going to behave under floodlights.

There are chances of a few showers on the big day so we can only hope that we get to see a complete and uninterrupted competition.

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Kolkata says can be ready for World Cup

Updated at: 1602 PST,  Friday, January 28, 2011
NEW DELHI: The bosses of Kolkata's Eden Gardens insisted Friday they could be ready to host next month's India-England World Cup clash after the venue was ruled out because of unfinished renovation work.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) sparked a logistical nightmare for organisers on Thursday by asking for an alternative stadium for the February 27 match because of concerns about unfinished facilities at the famous ground.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which runs the stadium, asked the the ICC to reconsider its controversial ruling, which raised further questions about India's ability to host major sporting events.

CAB chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, a former ICC president and himself a construction company owner, wrote to the Indian cricket board on Friday to convince the governing body to stick to the original schedule.

"(The ICC's decision) comes as a shock because when their inspection team was in Kolkata, we were given to understand that they were happy with the progress of the work and had suggested only a few minor modifications," said the letter.

CAB chiefs promised they would hand over a completed Eden Gardens to the ICC on February 7, "provided we are given an extension."

"Finally, we also state that we will address the bulk of the ICC concerns by January 31, 2011 itself and the remaining little, if any, in another seven days," the letter said.

World Cup organisers were struggling to find a different venue and organise travel, ticketing and security.

"It's a challenge for sure, but we are working on solving the issue at the earliest," tournament director Ratnakar Shetty told reporters at the World Cup headquarters in Mumbai.

The ICC was concerned about work in the renovated stands of Eden Gardens, as well as corporate boxes, the media centre and the location of the radio commentary boxes.

The problems echoed similar trouble before the Delhi Commonwealth Games in October that were marred by severe delays in construction work and shoddy finishing.

Tour operators said they hoped the matter would be resolved soon with the tournament looming.

"England v India is the biggest of all the group games," Shirley Rattray of Cricket Logistics, the ICC's official travel partner, told a cricket website.

"It is the most popular because Eden Gardens is such an iconic venue to watch cricket. A match there is regarded as one of the sporting things to do before you die.

"So it's a big shame that the game has had to be moved."

Rattray said tickets needed to be relocated and fresh flights and hotels booked.

"It's never easy when things like this happen, but it will get done. That's the way things work in India, things can be turned around at the last minute very quickly."

Eden Gardens, which hosted the World Cup final in 1987 and a semi-final in 1996, is due to host three other matches. A decision on whether they will go ahead will be taken by the ICC at a later date.

The three games are South Africa v Ireland on March 15, Ireland v the Netherlands on March 18 and Zimbabwe v Kenya on March 20.

The World Cup is being co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.

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Kolkata says can be ready for World Cup

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England beat Australia to avoid series defeat

Updated at: 1245 PST,  Friday, January 28, 2011
ADELAIDE: Inspired by a Jonathan Trott century England secured a 21-run victory over Australia on Wednesday, keeping alive their hopes of winning the one-day series after trailing 3-0.

The tourists needed a win to claw their way back into the seven match series and a fine century by man-of-the-match Trott helped them to 299-8, the first time they have lasted their full complement of overs in this series.

Australia never looked comfortable in reply at the Adelaide Oval and their chances all but evaporated with the wicket of opener Shane Watson for 64, caught behind of Ajmal Shahzad.

Captain Michael Clarke's season-long woes with the bat deepened when he was clean bowled by part-timer Paul Collingwood for just 15 as the home team fell short with just 278 for seven.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the tourists looked poised for a huge score when they brought up their century for the loss of one wicket in the 15th over.

But the middle order stuttered and the innings lost its way, regaining momentum through a late flourish from Michael Yardy, who hit 39 not out from 27 balls.

Trott (102 from 126 balls), who also picked up two wickets in the Australian innings, set up the win with his second ODI century while opener Matt Prior belted 67 from 58 balls.

The pair set England on course for a bug score, piling on 113 in quick time for the second wicket.

They were helped by poor bowling from Australia's pacemen, with Brett Lee conceding 68 runs from eight overs and Doug Bollinger 55 from nine.

Lee's wayward bowling helped the English get off to flyer, his first delivery resulting in five wides in an opening over that cost 12 runs.

However, the loss of Prior in the 23rd over slowed the innings.

Prior, who was coming off successive ducks, brought up his 50 with a six off Lee, but fell to Steve Smith in the spinner's second over, top-edging an attempted cut.

The English middle order struggled with Kevin Pietersen making just 12 and Ian Bell going for duck, the pair both falling within three balls in one Smith (3-33) over.

Eoin Morgan's indifferent form continued when he fell to part-time spinner David Hussey attempting a reverse sweep for 24.

Hussey bowled just four overs, but picked up 4-21, also removing centurion Trott, who dragged a ball onto his stumps, Paul Collingwood (27) and Ajmal Shahzad (4).

England were forced to leave out spinner Graeme Swann and all-rounder Tim Bresnan, both sent home early because of injury in a bid to have them fit for next month's World Cup.

Swing bowler James Anderson returned for his first game of the series at the expense of youngster Chris Woakes, while Pietersen was recalled for Luke Wright.

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Sri Lanka tour will be good World Cup preparation: Gibson

Updated at: 1605 PST,  Thursday, January 27, 2011
The West Indies team's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka is being seen as "good preparation" for next month's ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Speaking before the team departed from the Caribbean, Head Coach Ottis Gibson said the three matches in Sri Lanka will give the team a chance to get acclimatized to the conditions, where the mega event will also be played.

"It is a good opportunity to put some of the plans in place that we are going to take into the World Cup. When we went for the Test series we did really well as a team and we made progress. We also had a chance to get used to the conditions. Now we are heading back to Sri Lanka for these three One-Day Internationals and we will be looking to put in place the plans that we will be taking into the World Cup. The players are fresh out of the Caribbean Twenty20 and all the players are ready for what we have coming up," Gibson said.

The West Indies played to a 0-0 result in the three-match Test Series last December. The ODI Series was to be played in December but was rescheduled due to bad weather. Gibson said the ultimate goal on tour was to win the World Cup. The Windies have been drawn in Group B alongside South Africa, Netherlands, India, Bangladesh, England and Ireland in the 14 team event.

"I think we have a team that can win the World Cup. We will go there with the expectation of doing very well and putting ourselves in a position that we can reach the semi-finals, which is a very realistic possibility. We would love to win and we will try to win. The aim is to reach the semi finals and put ourselves in a position to capitalise from there," Gibson said.

"The Cricket World Cup is one of the biggest stages in international sport and we want to make sure we feature during the tournament. We are not listed among the favourites and that could work in our favour," Gibson concluded.

Team: Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith.

Team Management Unit: Ottis Gibson (Head Coach), Richie Richardson (Team Manager), David Williams (Assistant Coach), C.J Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles (Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator), Richard Berridge (Video and Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Manager), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist).

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Clarke turns to his Indian mentor for change of fortune

Updated at: 1605 PST,  Thursday, January 27, 2011
Struggling Australia stand-in skipper Michael Clarke has turned to his childhood mentor and Indian-origin coach Neil D'Costa in a bid to revive his batting form ahead of the upcoming World Cup in the sub-continent.

The move comes a day after national selector Greg Chappell publicly backed the batsman to return to his best.
Emphasising on the three successive victories in the ongoing series against England, D'Costa has told his protege to relax and start focusing on his game as Australia seems to be back on track.

"A lot of captains, at different times... they don't put their gas mask on first," the Indian origin coach said. "They're running around trying to fit everybody else's gas mask. I feel as though, with the team back winning, he can get a little bit of oxygen in his lungs and settle back in his innings and we can see some runs," D'Costa told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Clarke has scored just 193 runs at an average of 21.44 during the recent Ashes loss to England and hardly showed any signs of revival during the first three ODI's of the ongoing series. D'Costa however disagreed that captaincy had distracted Clarke saying, "I don't think it's the captaincy weighing him down. It's a matter of prioritising. He cannot stand the team losing. He just hates it. That's how most captains are around the world. What happens with captains is they're searching for what can make his team go in the right direction," D'Costa added.

The coach, however, reiterated that since the Kangaroos are back to winning, Clarke will soon return to form. "The team's started to win and, as a captain, that will make him feel that other guys are starting to be a bit more confident in their game. They seem to be a bit more confident. There seems to be more guys contributing.

"The fielding seems to have improved quite a lot, their catching has improved quite a lot in a short space of time. So some confidence has started coming back to the side and with that we'll start to see the captain starting to make some runs as well," the coach insisted.

Endorsing David Hussey's view that the captain was trying too hard, D'Costa said, "He's looking for runs rather than letting the runs come. As a player you're desperate to score runs. Right now he's trying too hard when he bats. Things go wrong when you try too hard. If you just let it flow, things start to fall into place," D'Costa added.

D'Costa also supported Clarke's view that his problems were not technical. "Everyone seems to keep attacking his technical features.It's not always technical, it's an extremely mental game."

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Swann hoping to be fit in time for CWC 2011

Updated at: 1605 PST,  Thursday, January 27, 2011
Injured England off-spinner, Graeme Swann has revealed that he has battled for long with the back problem but insisted that he will be fit for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in the sub-continent.

Swann flew back to his home from Australia in the middle of the ongoing bilateral one-day series after he was ruled out of the rest of the tour following a severe back spasm.

The spinner is also nursing a knee injury which had kept him out of action since January 16.

Swann, who is currently number two in the Reliance ICC Test Ranking for bowlers said, "I've had a bad back for years and, every now and again, it gives me problems. But I know from previous experience that I'll definitely be fine for the World Cup from the start.

"It happened when I was getting changed in Hobart. I bent down and felt a twinge, there was nothing more to it than that.

"It's improved already but would not be 100 per cent right to play in any of the remaining one-dayers," Swann told The Sun.

The bowler will join his wife, Sarah, and will remain at home to attend the birth of their first child before flying to India on February 22, two days before England's World Cup opener against Holland in Nagpur.

Swann, who is set to miss England's warm-up matches, though pointed out, "Once I'm fit again, I'll join in with Notts' winter training.

"It's been a long tour away and it's taking its toll on a number of players. I'm not worried about the back. The first time it happened in my career, I was frantic. But it doesn't feel as bad as it did then."

The bowler, however, was satisfied with his performance Down Under and said, "...I have some great memories - winning the Ashes will stay with me forever."

England have been left with spate of injuries as they look ahead to vie for an elusive World Cup trophy.

Fast bowler Tim Bresnan, who made his mark with the ball during the team's successful Ashes campaign, starts off as a big doubt as he has a torn calf muscle.

Stuart Broad, who tore a stomach muscle during the second Test is back with the team but is unlikely to play in any of the remaining ODI's.

Emphasising on the team's expanding injury list ahead of the mega event coach Andy Flower said, "Not only do we play high intensity international cricket but we also train at high intensity.

"There are serious demands on these guys. We're almost three months into this tour and it's not surprising there are injuries," Flower added.

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Campbell satisfied with performance in India

Updated at: 1605 PST,  Thursday, January 27, 2011
Head coach of the West Indies women's team Sherwin Campbell has expressed satisfaction with the development and commitment demonstrated by the team on the recent tour of India.

The team returned home late Tuesday after three weeks on the sub-continent. They lost the five-match ODI Series 2-3, after taking a 2-1 lead, and lost the three-match T20 Series 1-2, after drawing level in the second match.

"Many teams, both men and women, go to India and get blown away so I was pleased with the fact that we were very competitive against the Indian girls and we played some fantastic cricket on tour," Campbell said.

"The Indians are ranked above us and are more experienced than us but the way we played showed that we have a talented team here in the West Indies, and the ladies are committed to getting better.

"We toured South Africa and Sri Lanka and managed to do very well. We played against England in St Kitts and we beat them. We also reached the semis in the World T20. Now with the performance in India, it shows that the team is making more steps forward," Campbell said.

"It is never easy away from home. To go out there in foreign conditions and record victories in tough conditions, again proved we are getting better as individuals and as a team. I believe we should have won the ODIs. We outplayed India in the first match, and on two occasions we lost by just 10 runs," Campbell recapped.

"We need to learn from these experiences so that the next time we get in winning positions we can convert them to victories," the former West Indies Vice Captain said.

Windies star all rounder Stafanie Taylor dominated the ODIs, making the most runs and taking the most wickets. Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed got the second most wickets. Both made major jumps on the Reliance ICC ODI Player Rankings.

Left-hander Shanel Daley also batted well in her new position at Number 3 and recorded career-best scores in the both formats. Seamer Tremayne Smartt was also a stand-out with her bowling in the Twenty20 Internationals.

Campbell commented: "I have been with the team for close to three years now and I can see the overall improvement, the overall effort, the desire to get better. We are moving forward. We have players who give 100 percent every time. Once you get that kind of effort the team will do well. We would love to play more against teams ranked higher so we can get competitive and improve even more."

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Morkel, Tstosobe make rapid strides

Updated at: 1605 PST,  Thursday, January 27, 2011
South Africa's victory in the five-match ODI series against India on Sunday has coincided with its key performers making rapid progress in the Reliance ICC ODI Rankings.

Man of the Series fast bowler Morne Morkel, who ended with 12 wickets, moved up by 10 places to secure the second spot behind New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori in the Reliance ICC ODI Rankings for bowlers. With 704 points, Morkel has earned his best placing so far on the table in his ODI career. Among the others to move up in the rankings is left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe who moved a whopping 38 places to the eleventh spot, his best to date. Tsotsobe was the highest wicket-taker in the series with 13 scalps from five games.

For India, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh moved up three places to the 19th and spearhead Zaheer Khan moved to 22nd from the 27th spot.

In the Reliance ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen, Hashim Amla retained his position on the top of the charts after his match-winning hundred in the final match of the series on Sunday.

India's Virat Kohli moved up three places to finish at joint second position with South Africa's AB de Villiers for his best-ever placing.

Perhaps the biggest mover among the batsmen was Yusuf Pathan who broke into the top 50 for the first time in his career. He moved from 82nd to the 48th following his knocks in the last three games

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ICC Inspection team rules out Kolkata for 27 February India v England fixture

Updated at: 1605 PST,  Thursday, January 27, 2011
A venue inspection team which included the Tournament Director, members of the Central Organising Committe (COC) and the ICC, have today reported on the readiness of five outstanding venues scheduled to host matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Following the inspection tour, the three Sri Lanka venues - Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele - as well as Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai have been approved subject to minor finishing work being completed within specified time frames not exceeding 14 days. The expert report, however, determined that Eden Gardens in Kolkata would not be ready within an acceptable time frame to host the India v England ICC Cricket World Cup match on 27 February.

Of particular concern was the fact that host venue obligations in relation to cricket operations, media, broadcast and sponsorship facilities were not finalized and/or confirmed by the venue.

The ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of the decision and, as host, the BCCI will now consider an alternate venue for approval by the ICC.

Mr Lorgat said: "All venues had ample time in which to prepare for world cup matches. We had been understanding and had provided extensions to the deadline dates but unfortunately we are now at a point where we must carefully manage our risks.

"The COC had provided venues with a deadline of 30 November 2010 to complete all construction work and then to be match-ready by 31 December 2010. An extension was granted by the ICC for five venues, which were again inspected over the past week. Sadly, Eden Gardens in Kolkata was unable to meet the final deadline date of 25 January 2011.

"Regrettably, Eden Gardens has not made sufficient progress to justify the level of confidence required to confirm that the venue would be ready in good time. This was no easy decision to take and while it is most unfortunate, it is absolutely necessary," said Lorgat.

The inspection team drew on the knowledge and experience of some of the leading experts in the field of stadium and ground preparation and the view was that Eden Gardens would not be ready by the 27 February.

The ICC has also recognised the challenge of relocating a scheduled match.

Tournament Director Prof. Ratnakar Shetty said: "We will work with the new venue, the tour operators and the ticket distributors to manage the logistical challenges that will surely arise."

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Luke Woodcock called up for third ODI New Zealand v Pakistan, 3rd ODI, Christchurch

Updated at: 0807 PST,  Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Luke Woodcock, the only uncapped player in New Zealand's World Cup squad, has been included in 12-man team for the third ODI against Pakistan in Christchurch on January 29. Ross Taylor will captain the side while Daniel Vettori will stay with the team but won't play the match.We think it's important for everyone in the World Cup squad to get a run before they head to India," Mark Greatbatch said. "Normally theselection panel would pick a squad for two matches but because of the short game in Wellington and the rained-out match in Queenstown we wanted some flexibility Luke Woodcock comes into the squad and deserves his place after playing so well for Wellington over a number of seasons. It's important he gets some exposure to international cricket and I'm sure he will make the most of the opportunity when he gets his chance. Kyle Mills is a proven performer at international level and will slot back into the squad with Jesse Ryder and James Franklin going back to play domestic cricket.Franklin and Ryder will be available for Wellington's one-day match against Northern Districts on January 30.Squad: Ross Taylor (capt), Hamish Bennett, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Nathan McCullum, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Luke Woodcock, Kane Williamson

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Rain wipes out second one-dayer New Zealand v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Queenstown

 Updated at: 0807 PST,  Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Pakistan 31 for 0 v New Zealand Abandoned

Queenstown is the place for adrenaline-junkies but there was little excitement on Wednesday as persistent rain allowed only 4.2 overs of play in the second one-dayer between Pakistan and New Zealand.

There were showers early in the morning, but it cleared up before start of play, raising hopes of the fans who had gathered. The rains returned, however, soon after Daniel Vettori chose to field, as every international captain has done after winning the toss in Queenstown.

New Zealand stuck with their plan of giving James Franklin the new ball, ahead of the much quicker Hamish Bennett, and it didn't work as 19-year-old Ahmed Shehzad took 16 off his two overs, including a smash over square leg for six off the third ball. Shehzad, playing his first one-dayer in 20 months, also slapped Tim Southee for a couple of fours before the rains returned, and stayed through the day to cause the match to be abandoned.

The third one-dayer of the series is in Christchurch on Saturday, and the bad news is that rain is predicted during that game as well.

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