Miscellaneous

Senior Pakistani and Indian sports officials have failed to agree on an early resumption of cricket ties.

"I see no cricket in near future but hope sporting relations would resume next year after the South Asian Federation Games," said Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association.

"I will go back and report back to the Indian Sports Minister and the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India."

He was speaking following a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Lt General Tauqir Zia in Rawalpindi.

This is the first time in almost two years that the two countries have held talks following India's refusal to play Pakistan on a number of occasion because of the Kashmir dispute.

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Former captain Asif Iqbal says Pakistan should already be looking to finalise a list 20 players for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

With less than a year to go until the start of the tournament, Asif believes the PCB should end any lingering uncertainty about which players are in the selectors' minds.

"The shape of the World Cup squad is not clear yet, and this sort of uncertainty is obviously not good for the team and the captain as well," Asif told BBC Sports Online.

"They should identify or select 20 players now, so that a final squad of 15 could be selected out of these players."

Asif says such a move would enable players to focus on improving their skills for next year, rather than fearing the threat of being dropped after each series.

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Duncan Fletcher will return home next week with the task of drawing up plans to ensure England's top players stay fresh during a hectic year ahead.

During the next 12 months England will play home series against Sri Lanka and India, travel to Sri Lanka for the ICC Trophy one-day event, undertake a full Ashes series in Australia and then take part in the World Cup in South Africa.

It means that those players in both the Test and one-day sides will be playing virtually non-stop from the start of the first Test against Sri Lanka on 16 May until March next year.

"No-one's ever complained of being tired, but it's up to me to make sure you get the balance right and they do get that rest," said Fletcher.

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Leading members of the Interim Committee appointed to run Sri Lankan cricket are to stand down at the end of the month.

The committee was originally appointed for a 12-month period by former Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella in April last year after the sacking of the Sri Lankan board, chaired by Thilanga Sumathipala, amid allegations of financial irregularities.

A change of government last December led to Kriiella's successor, Johnston Fernando, calling for all non-elected officials of sporting bodies to resign.

But he subsequently re-appointed committee chairman Vijaya Malalsekera, Kushil Gunasekera and former players Sidath Wettimuny, Michael Tissera and Asantha de Mel, and they were supplemented by lawyer Nalin Ladduwahetti and businessman Ariya Kannangara.

The latter named pair will stay on while the Minister considers who should fill the power vacuum.

England's tour of New Zealand

Third Test, Auckland, day one:
New Zealand 151-5 v England.

New Zealand staged a defiant and gutsy recovery on day one at Eden Park thanks to the left-handed all-rounder Chris Harris.

Harris, playing his first Test since 1999, and batting in the unaccustomed number four spot, ended the day on 55 not out - just 16 runs short of his higest score at this level.

His innings came after New Zealand had slumped to 19-4. But he was prevented from going on as bad light brought an end to play after just 54 overs.

Andy Caddick was England's shining light - he took four wickets to reach the 200 mark in Tests.
Scorecard | Match report

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After taking the four wickets he needed to go to 200 in Tests, England's Andy Caddick said he was perplexed that opposing skipper Stephen Fleming had allowed the tourists to bowl first in Auckland.

Caddick said: "I can't understand why Stephen Fleming decided to bat first. It was very wet underneath first thing.

"It's a bit of a slow track at the moment but will probably quicken up as the match goes on."

Caddick was as frustrated as most of the players and fans were prevented from getting more cricket on day one, with just 54 overs possible - partly due to insufficient floodlighting at Eden Park.

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New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has vowed to be back in action in time for next year's World Cup.

The 31-year-old is facing the prospect of a second operation on his right knee after tearing the patella tendon while fielding in the first Test against England at Christchurch.

The injury pout him out of the series and also means he will be unable to fulfil the first year of a two-year contract to play county cricket in England for Nottinghamshire.

"It's frustrating, disappointing, all those things, but that's what sport's about," he said.

"Some people are gifted and go through their careers with no injury. Others like Dion Nash and I have found it tough."

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Surrey batsman Ian Ward is desperate to regain his place in the England side.

Speaking before the start of a crucial season for the left-handed opener, Ward affirmed his desire to win back the place he lost during last summer's ill-fated Ashes series.

"I am desperate to get back in the international side. If I don't I will see it as unfinished business," he said.

"I have had a taste and seen what it is about - and unfortunately I was not in good enough form to make the most of it."

Australia's tour of South Africa

Both Australia and South Africa have question marks hanging over their openers as the sides prepare for Saturday's fourth one-day international at Bloemfontein.

The Australians finally have their full complement of players avalable after missing Ian Harvey, Michael Bevan, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath for the last match at Potchefstroom.

McGrath, who is set to make his 150th one-day appearance, missed out with a mild back strain, allowing Brett Lee to return to the side and impress with a four-wicket spell.

Lee's performance almost certainly means that Andy Bichel will be the man to miss out this time.

Youngsters Shane Watson and Nathan Hauritz are also unlikely to make the cut with Harvey and Warne ready to return to bolster not only the bowling attack but also the lower-order.

Australia's biggest selection headache is over Matthew Hayden and Jimmy Maher.

Perera handed suspension

Sri Lankan officials have banned all-rounder Suresh Perera for two games on disciplinary grounds.

Perera was reported to the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka by the umpires following a club game last month.

He was playing for Sinhalese Sports Club when he over-stepped the popping crease on two occasions by about two feet and bowled bouncers at the batsmen.

The 24-year-old was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute by the BCCSL's disciplinary committee.

The legality of Perera's bowling action came under scrutiny last year by a panel of experts appointed by the Sri Lankan board.

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