All Cricket News

Graham Onions

England captain Alastair Cook saw one of his first-choice seamers ruled out of the Bangladesh series on Thursday but is hopeful Stuart Broad is fit to lead the attack in tomorrow's first Test.

With James Anderson not fit enough to travel, England had pencilled Broad and Graham Onions in as a reliable new-ball pairing in spin-friendly conditions. Those plans were rocked last week when both men were laid low by back injuries.

While Broad has recovered quickly and has been bowling full practice spells for the last two days, Onions is set to return home.

The International Cricket Council's decision review system is "here to stay" - and may even be used in next year's World Cup.

DRS has already given rise to its share of controversy since being introduced for Test matches last year.

Yet following a meeting of the chief executives of the ICC's member nations in Dubai this week, the system - by which teams are allowed to review on-field decisions to the TV official - was reported to have universal support.

Kevin Pietersen

Former England coach Duncan Fletcher has revealed Kevin Pietersen contacted him after the recently-completed one-day international series in Bangladesh as he attempts to find a way out of his batting slump.

Pietersen has endured a torrid time with bat in hand since arriving on the sub-continent, managing just just 69 runs in seven innings.

"He called me at the end of the one-day series and we had a long chat about his game. We discussed certain technical points," Fletcher wrote in his column in the Guardian.

Ricky Ponting

Australia wrapped up the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand with a game still to play thanks to a comfortable six-wicket win under the Duckworth-Lewis method in Auckland.

After being put in to bat by Australia captain Ricky Ponting, a re-jigged New Zealand line-up struggled to a below-par total of 238 as they were bowled out in just 44.1 overs.

But with rain delaying the start of the Australians' run-chase they were set a revised target of 200 in 34 overs and when play finally resumed and the tourists reached it with 17 balls to spare to take an unassailable 3-1 series lead.

Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board to reveal more details about their decision to axe Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan.

The PCB suspended the two former captains indefinitely on Wednesday as well as dishing out one-year bans to Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan following the tour of Australia on which Pakistan failed to win a match.

Waqar, who only took over as Pakistan coach after that tour, was quoted on www.dailytimes.com.pk as saying: "I think the players, their fans and public have a right to know what were the reasons for taking these strong decisions. It will also clear any controversy and issues."

Roqibul Hasan (left)

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons believes Roqibul Hasan is "a confused kid" whose shock retirement on the eve of the first Test against England was a "rash, emotional decision".

Roqibul stunned everyone on Thursday by informing team manager Shafiul Haque of his intention to quit all forms of the game at the age of just 22. The batsman had just been selected to play against England having scored an unbeaten hundred and a fifty against the tourists for Bangladesh A.

"He's obviously an upset kid at the moment, and probably a bit confused," said Siddons. "He's decided to call it quits for the moment and hopefully in the near future he has a change of heart and everyone accepts him back, which is what I hope happens."

Gloucestershire are looking forward to a future of "regular international cricket" in Bristol, following council approval for a £10million redevelopment of their Nevil Road ground.

Bristol City Council have approved the plans, which will increase capacity at the ground to 20,000.

A statement on the club website www.gloscricket.co.uk confirmed: "We are delighted that Bristol City Council has resolved to grant planning permission for developing our ground in Nevil Road."

Stuart Broad

England seamer Stuart Broad is one step closer to being declared fit for Friday's first Test against Bangladesh.

Broad has been struggling with spasms after injuring his back during the one-day international series.

He was unable to play any part in the three-day warm-up against Bangladesh A but resumed net bowling midway through that match. He bowled a total of 10 overs during England's practice session in Chittagong on Wednesday without feeling any discomfort and will be reassessed on Thursday morning.

Roqibul Hasan

Bangladesh batsman Roqibul Hasan has made a shock decision to retire from all forms of cricket on the eve of the Test series against England.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the 22-year-old, who was named in the 14-man Test squad on Tuesday, had submitted a letter to the governing body to announce his immediate retirement because of "personal reasons".

The BCB have, however, not accepted the retirement of one of the country's most promising young batsmen.

Sir Ian Botham

Sir Ian Botham believes Andrew Strauss and England have made a "major mistake" in deciding to rest the captain for the ongoing tour of Bangladesh.

Strauss is missing from two Test matches and has already missed a three-match one-day international series. The opening batsman will also take no part in the ICC World Twenty20, having already called time on his career in that format, meaning he will not return to England colours until late May, after a four-month break in which Alastair Cook has stood in as captain.

"Andrew Strauss should be with the England side," said Botham. "He can't be exhausted with his batting - he only averaged 24 in (the winter Test tour of) South Africa. He has been captain for just a year - and with the Ashes round the corner, he should be with the team."