Strauss backs Flower to be England’s new head coach

LONDON - England’s cricket captain Andrew Strauss has offered his strongest support to Andy Flower to become the team’s new head coach.

Oz cricketers eyeing 250, 000 dollar cash bonanza

MELBOURNE - Australia’s cricketers are about to have a 250, 000 dollar payday.

With captain Ricky Ponting to officially get his hands on the world championship trophy, the International Cricket Council’s gold mace, and two sizeable cheques during an ICC ceremony in Johannesburg tomorrow, the team stands to benefit hugely.

Vaughan creates ‘batting art works’

LONDON - Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has demonstrated the art of batting off the pitch with a series of paintings created with cricket balls. he “Artballing” series of paintings involved the batsman hitting paint covered balls at a stencil over a canvas to create a unique set of 60 images.

Oz to push for series whitewash, Ponting targets Proteas skipper Kallis

CAPE TOWN - Australia have made clear their intentions to push hard for a 3-0 sweep of their Test series against South Africa by suggesting that stand-in Proteas skipper Jacques Kallis has “enough on his plate”.

Dungeon dad may be released from jail within 7yrs, say legal experts

LONDON - Legal experts reckon that dungeon dad Josef Fritzl might be free in less than seven years, despite facing serious charged of rape, incest, and murder.

Oz leg-spinner McGain could debut in Cape Town, but he is not sure

CAPE TOWN - Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain could make his Test match debut in South Africa in Cape Town on Thursday.

Oz spinner McGain ready to bide his time

CAPE TOWN - After having his path blocked to Test cricket by part-time spinners, many believe the time has arrived for Bryce McGain to try out his leggies on the big stage.

At 32, Oz pacer Lee aims to be faster than ever

SYDNEY - Australia’s Brett Lee has revealed that he intends to return to international cricket by bowling faster than ever.

Victorian opener Chris Rogers backed to be an Ashes team player

MELBOURNE - After scoring over 1000 first class runs in the 2008-09 season and being recognized as Australia’s One Day Player of the Year, Victoria’s Chris Rogers is being rated as a possibility for the upcoming Ashes tour in England.

England should be ashamed of its so-called ‘heroic’ test effort: Botham

TRINIDAD - Former England all rounder Ian Botham has said that he is burning with frustration and anger over a lost series, which they should have won.

Australia include rookie Laughlin for one-day series

MELBOURNE - Australia Thursday included uncapped Queensland pacer Ben Laughlin for the one-day series and the two Twenty20 matches in South Africa.

Buchanan likely to work as consultant with England

SYDNEY - Australia’s most successful cricket coach, John Buchanan, has turned down the offer to take over as England coach for the Ashes series but is agreeable to work as a consultant.

Time for special South Africa-Australia trophy: Ponting

JOHANNESBURG - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting feels that the time has arrived for a special trophy whenever they clash with South Africa, just like when they play against England for the Ashes or meet India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

North may push out Symonds, Watson for Ashes

SYDNEY - A century on his debut has tipped Australian all-rounder Marcus North above Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson for the Ashes series in July.

Flintoff confident of playing in IPL

LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is confident that he will be fit for the second edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) that begins in April.

‘Ponting wise to skip IPL’

SYDNEY - An Australian newspaper Saturday hailed cricket captain Ricky pointing’s decision to skip the second edition of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

England cricket hit as captain and coach resign: report

LONDON - England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores have resigned after a public falling out, Sky News reported Wednesday quoting unnamed sources.

‘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.

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.

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.

Recalling Vaughan would be a mistake, says Hussain

LONDON - Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain feels that his successor Michael Vaughan has not yet proved himself worthy of a recall in the national team.

Hayden to take a call on his career after South Africa series

MELBOURNE - Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden said Wednesday that he will take a call on his career after the end of the Test series against South Africa next month.