India's tour of England

Recalled to the England squad, Yorkshire's Craig White says he will make the most of any opportunity now that he is back in contention for the Test side.

"You sometimes think when you are left out when the contracts are up that maybe your time is up and you might not get another chance," said an elated White after being named in the 13-man squad ahead of the first Test against India at Lords.

White, who last played in December 2001 against India at Bangalore, added, "But it's great to get another chance and that's something I'm going to try to make the most of. I don't know how they are going to use me - or even if they are going to use me."

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England Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, says he's disappointed that young English players have not taken the chance to grab a place in the national team.

Graveney was talking after the announcement of the squad to face India in the upcoming nPower series and he stressed that it was particularly young batsmen with whom he was disappointed.

Graveney said, “I am disappointed, yes. I think the wickets have been good to bat on. If you look at the [domestic] averages they are dominated by overseas players.

Miscellaneous

The Australia ‘A’ side, arriving in South Africa in September to play seven one-day matches against South Africa ‘A’, will be captained by Test star Justin Langer.

Opening batsman Langer, who has just emerged from an especially productive Test season, will skipper the ‘A’ side while the senior side is participating in a one-day tournament in Sri Lanka. Simon Katich will be the vice-captain on the tour. Katich, 27, has played one Test match and also one limited overs international for the senior side.

Allan Border will accompany the team in the capacity of coach and will no doubt be looking to his squad to exploit this chance to experience competitive cricket in South African conditions.

Australia ‘A’ squad: Justin Langer (captain), Simon Katich, Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Ryan Campbell, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Ian Harvey, Mark Higgs, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams, Damien Wright.

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Former Pakistan skipper, Salim Malik, has once again decided to challenge the life ban imposed on him after he was implicated in the match-fixing scandal that ended his career.

The Lahore High Court rejected an earlier appeal against the life ban and Malik feels obliged to try again. "We have filed an appeal though the Lahore bench hoping that the ban will be lifted," Malik's lawyer, Raja Jahanzeb Akhtar, told AFP.

Akhtar then added, "Malik was disappointed by the ban and the rejection of the appeal, but he will not give up until his name is cleared so that he can start a new life."

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Women's Tri-Series Final, Chester-le-Street: New Zealand 161 all out (48.5 overs) beat England 98 all out (43.3 overs) by 63 runs

New Zealand retained the Tri-Series Trophy with a 63-run victory against England in the final at Chester-le-Street.

England's batting line-up capitulated with only three batsmen making double figures after the White Ferns had recorded a challenging 161 in a low scoring match.

England captain Clare Connor's decision to put New Zealand into bat after she won the toss appeared to be justified after her bowlers dismissed the Kiwi openers without a run on the board.

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