Vaughan should play in the Ashes: Warne

LONDON - Former Australian spinner Shane Warne said Michael Vaughan must play for England this summer if they wish to repeat their 2005 Ashes success.

Giles Clarke worried about Flintoff playing in IPL

LONDON - England’s cricket chief Giles Clarke is worried about injured Andrew Flintoff playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but believes the all-rounder will put his England commitments first.

Flintoff may be pulled out of IPL for Ashes series

LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff could be barred from playing in second season of Indian Premier League (IPL) in April over fitness ground, warned England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Hayden will get a grand farewell at Sydney

SYDNEY - Australian opener Matthew Hayden denied himself a worthy farewell after suddenly announcing his retirement last month. But now the burly Queenslander will be given one last hurrah in front of a packed house Sunday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Australia wonders how to cope with future bushfires

SYDNEY - While Australia is desperately seeking reasons for the demonic bushfires which singed Victoria on Black Saturday, some ominous signs have emerged.

Is Adam Voges’ catch the greatest of all time?

SYDNEY - When South Australian Adam Voges juggled to take the New Zealand dasher Brendon McCullum, little did he know that it will be debated as one of the greatest all times catches.

Michael Slater backs Phil Hughes to succeed in South Africa

MELBOURNE - Former Australian opener Michael Slater expects young opening batsman Phil Hughes to achieve success at the start of his career, just like he did in England 16 years ago.

A bodyguard recalls his time with Netaji

NEW DELHI - As one of his personal bodyguards, Captain Shobharam Tokas would always follow Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose wherever he went, taking care to remain a few steps behind and never looked him straight in the eyes.

Matthew Hayden quits international scene

SYDNEY - Imposing Australian opener Matthew Hayden retired from international cricket Tuesday, ending the extraordinary career as the third highest century maker and fourth top most run scorer for his country.

Lehman open to coach England cricket team

SYDNEY - Recognised as one of the world’s sharpest cricket brains, Darren Lehman has said that he is ready to coach the England team.

Hayden’s future in selectors’ hands

SYDNEY - Australian opener Matthew Hayden’s Ashes hope now rests on the selectors who will meet soon to pick 25 players for the central contract for the 2009-10 season.

Moody can consider coaching England cricket team

LONDON - Tom Moody, currently in charge of Western Australia, said he could consider coaching the England cricket team if an offer is made to him.

Miller defends ECB in Pietersen-Moores row

LONDON - National selector Geof Miller defended England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) action in the wake of the row that led to the departure of captain Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores.

Pietersen would now be more dangerous as batsman: Warne

SYDNEY - Shane Warne has warned Australia to be wary of Kevin Pietersen in the Ashes as he would be even more dangerous as a player after stepping down from the England captaincy.

Unfortunate circumstances forced me to resign: Pieterson

LONDON - Kevin Pietersen Wednesday confirmed he quit as England cricket team capitan after his relationship with Moores soured to a point of no return, British media reported.

Hussain blames ECB for crisis

LONDON - Former England captain Nasser Hussain feels that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has let down Kevin Pietersen after having shown faith in his captaincy just four months ago.

I will take my time, says Hayden

SYDNEY - After being dropped from the Australian squad for the Twenty20 and the one-day series against South Africa Thursday, Matthew Hayden is weighing up his cricketing future.

Boycott, Fletcher back Pietersen, slam ECB

LONDON - Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott and ex-coach Duncan Fletcher backed beleaguered Kevin Pietersen and blamed the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the turmoil in the team.

‘Pietersen resigns as England captain’

LONDON - England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen has resigned after a public fallout with coach Peter Moores, Sky News reported Wednesday quoting unnamed sources.

Chennai loss was tipping point for Pietersen: report

LONDON - The lost Chennai Test against India in December seems to have been the ‘tipping point’ for England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen in his relationship with head coach Peter Moores, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Giles likely to fill in if Moores loses his job

LONDON - As England cricket coach Peter Moores fights to save his job, Ashley Giles is in line for a stop-gap role for the West Indies series till a permanent successor is appointed.

Neil Harvey calls for Hayden’s scalp

SYDNEY - Former Test great Neil Harvey has joined the chorus to drop out-of-form Matthew Hayden from the Australian team after Hayden again failed in the first innings against South Africa here Saturday.

Gap between our best and worst is huge: Ponting

SYDNEY - As Australia Saturday head into the last Test trailing 0-2, captain Ricky Ponting admits it is a disappointing position to be in at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) that has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts.

Some cricket still left in Matthew Hayden, feels Justin Langer

SYDNEY - Former Test opener Justin Langer believes that Matthew Hayden has still some years of cricket left in him.

Pietersen has ‘irreconcilable differences’ with coach

LONDON - England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen’s relationship with head coach Peter Moores has hit a ‘nadir’ and could lead to one of them exiting before the Ashes series against Australia, a newspaper reported Thursday.

Australian will face a stern test in Sydney: Warne

MELBOURNE - A member of the Australian cricket’s invincible era, Shane Warne believes the present team will face an acid test after their series loss to South Africa.

Mumbai terror attack cost me a recall: Vaughan

LONDON - Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels last month’s Mumbai terror attacks robbed him of a chance to press his claims to the national side.

Australia likely to trim Ashes squad to 13

MELBOURNE - Cricket Australia (CA) is contemplating to cut down its touring party to England for the 2009 Ashes.

Cricket Australia extends Nielsen’s contract till 2011 World Cup

MELBOURNE - As Australia struggle to retain the No.1 spot, coach Tim Nielsen’s contract has been extended by Cricket Australia (CA) till the 2011 World Cup.