Zimbabwe's tour of India

Former captain Alistair Campbell has been recalled to the Zimbabwe squad for the tour of India starting on February 15.

The 14-man squad, who will play two Tests followed by five one-day internationals, will be led by batsman Stuart Carlisle with another former skipper, Heath Streak, as his deputy.

Campbell was dropped from the Zimbabwean squad in October last year.

Although his axing was officially put down to a lack of fitness and form, he had earlier been disciplined for making comments in a British newspaper about the team's policy of racial quotas.

The left-hander later apologised but he is still under the threat of a suspended four-match ban should he step out of line again.

West Indies and Pakistan in Sharjah

Second Test, Sharjah, day one:
Pakistan 344-3 v West Indies.

Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan both made centuries as Pakistan took control of the second Test against the West Indies in Sharjah.

The two led Pakistan to 344 for three at the end of the opening day, after West Indies captain Carl Hooper won the toss and put them into bat.

Afridi who replaced opener Naved Latif, made the most of four dropped catches to hammer 16 fours and three sixes in his 107 off 149 deliveries.

Triangular series in Australia

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said his side is desperate to play both remaining matches of the Tri-nations series final to give them a chance of winning the tournament.

The Black Caps are 1-0 down after losing the first one-day match against South Africa in Melbourne on Wednesday.

And the inclement weather is threatening to wash out the next game that is due to take place in Sydney on Friday.

Fleming is confident that the wet conditions will help his side to win if the rain holds off for long enough.

England in New Zealand

Craig White's return after injury to the England line-up offers an vital extra seamer, and stiffens the side's batting, but the plan to use him as opener may now be in the past.

With the turning wickets of India now replaced by the greener surfaces of New Zealand, seam bowlers are likely to play a bigger part in England's thinking.

As all of the five one day internationals in the series are day-night affairs, the use of the white ball under lights could prove decisive.

And Craig White's return after injury could be crucial to the balance of the side as they look to take advantage of the friendly conditions.

Sharjah Cup

New Zealand will meet Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Sharjah Cup limited-overs tournament from 8-17 April.

The tournament gives the three teams a chance to take a closer look at one another ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa.

It will be New Zealand's second visit to the desert venue in the last 12 months, having also played there last April.

The tournament dates have been adjusted to allow New Zealand to go ahead with a Test series in Pakistan, postponed in September after the attacks on New York.

Miscellaneous

Duncan Fletcher has hit back at Sunil Gavaskar after the Indian legend claimed England were "the champion whingers of the world".

Gavaskar made his claims in his newspaper column after England complained about the standard of practice facilities provided for them and the standard of umpiring during the six-match one-day series.

But Fletcher has finally responded to Gavaskar, accusing the former Indian batsman of being sour about the manner in which England fought back to level the one-day series 3-3.

"It's very important to realise that he's on the ICC panel and should have an unbiased opinion. Secondly, it's very sad when a good wine goes sour," said the England coach.

Under-19 World Cup

Semi-final, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln:
Australia (252-8) beat West Indies (159 all out) by 93 runs.

Australia eased into the final of the Under-19 World Cup with a resounding 93-run victory over West Indies in Lincoln on Thursday.

On the reserve day of the rain-affected match, the tournament favourites cruised to victory with 10 overs to spare despite a classy 83 from Tonito Willett.

Despite the damp conditions Australia batted first, making 252 for eight.

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