India in West Indies

VVS Laxman is likely to be left out of India's first one-day international against West Indies despite having top-scored in the Test series.

India, who have an abundance of riches in their middle-order with all of their new one-day specialists having delivered in the last few months, have also asked Rahul Dravid to keep wicket in order to give the team balance.

"It's hard to leave out guys like Dinesh Mongia, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif after their recent success against England and Zimbabwe," said Indian captain Saurav Ganguly.

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India's hopes of a winning start to the ODIs could be dashed by poor weather conditions, with heavy storms predicted for both Saturday and Sunday's opening matches in Kingston, Jamaica.

Rain, which began shortly after the West Indies clinched victory in the fifth Test on Wednesday, has scarcely relented since then, causing widespread disruption in Jamaica.

With more rain on the way the prospects for play over the weekend look bleak.

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Captain Carl Hooper and coach Roger Harper have held up the Kensington Oval pitch for the second Test of the recent Cable & Wireless Series as an example of what is needed at all levels of West Indies cricket.

“I think the Barbados wicket was the best we played on [in the series],” Hooper said after the West Indies won the fifth and final Test at Sabina Park on Monday to clinch the series 2-1.

“If we could have wickets like the Barbados wicket, or close to it, in our Busta Cup cricket, it’ll go a long way to developing our young cricketers,” he added.

Sri Lanka in England

Sri Lanka's hopes of having spin genius Muttiah Muralitharan fit in time for the second Test against England next week look doomed after he failed to impress in a brief practice session yesterday.

Miscellaneous

Australian captain Steve Waugh has had surgery on his left ankle, the Australian Cricket Board said on Friday.

He will be out of action for six weeks but will be fit if the tour to Pakistan takes place.

Waugh had the operation to repair an injury that causes discomfort when one bone impinges on the outgrowth of another bone.

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South African batsman Daryll Cullinan held a cordial meeting with United Cricket Board chief executive officer Gerald Majola this week to discuss issues and events which led to the player's withdrawal from the South African Test team earlier this year.

"Gerald and I had fruitful discussions and there was regret expressed on my part in terms of my withdrawal from the team in Cape Town," said Cullinan.

"I am happy to accept that under different circumstances my decision would have been different. I do not expect forgiveness from those who disagreed with my actions but I hope that they can show some understanding for them," he added.

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