India may slip to 4th spot in ICC Test rankings

Dubai- a series win for Australia in the 3-match Test series against the West Indies may push India 1 place down to the 4th rank in the International Cricket Council Test Ranks.

Australia will be eye to gain at least 1 place on the Test Championship table when they get on the West Indies in the Test series starting in April 7. As a series win will put Australia in front of India in third position, a 3-0 series win will put Australia on equal points with England on 113 ratings points.

And when the ratings are calculate further than the decimal point, then Australia will be placed above England in 2nd position they will have a rating of 113.10 against England's rating of 113.045.England finds them in a must-win position in the Colombo Test if they have to retain their number-1 position on the Reliance ICC Test Championship chart.

England's win will continue them ahead of South Africa by a small part of a point but their failure to win the Test will build South Africa as the new No.1 ranked side. But England loses the series 2-0; they will drop from 118 ratings points to 113 ratings points - 3 points behind South Africa - while a 1-0 beat will mean they will slip to 114 ratings points.

The Test Championship Rank as well as the player rankings will currently be updated at the finale of the Colombo Test.

No       Team                            Rank

1.         England                        118

2.         South Africa                  116

3.         India                            111

4.         Australia                       111

5.         Pakistan                       108

6.         Sri Lanka                       98

7.        West Indies                     87

8.        New Zealand                   85

9.        Bangladesh                       8

Tendulkar will be playing for fifth IPL

Mumbai- Mumbai Indians says Captain Sachin Tendulkar, who is in London for a routine check-up of an old toe injury, will be available for the 5th Indian Premier League.

Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar joining the in-progress camp at Wankhede Stadium from 31st March 2012 and is totally available for the total IPL season 5. Sachin is in the UK to ask his doctor and will be back in India to join the camp from 31st March, Mumbai Indians said Wednesday.

Tendulkar have to rush to London Tuesday for a medical on an old toe injury, which has resurfaced and might need operation. He also missed Rahul David’s felicitation ritual here Tuesday evening.
Tendulkar picked up the injury nearly a decade ago. But it came back to trouble him last year’s forcing him to miss the ODI series in England in September. He had to ask an expert in London and was advice 4 weeks rest.

Tendulkar was also ruled out of champion League T20 which Mumbai Indians under the last year that’s time captain Harbhajan

The IPL starts in Chennai, where Tendulkar-led Mumbai Indians, the last year's runner-up takes on caring champions Chennai Super Kings, led by India skipper Mahindra Singh Dhoni at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium Chennai.

Super win England. Sri Lanka tour match

Colombo: England displayed their batting prowess ahead of next week's Test series in Sri Lanka by winning the last practice match with an amazing run chase on Thursday.

The tourists surpass a stiff target of 359 from 64 overs with 4wickets and 20 balls to spare against a Sri Lanka improvement XI in the 3-day match at the Sinhalese sports club in Colombo. Matt Prior led the assault with a scorching 84 off 60 balls, and was ably support by Kevin Pietersen (52), Ravi Bopara (66) and Samit Patel (72).

Graeme Swann bring up the win for the world's top-ranked Test side with 14 runs off 3 balls -- four, six and four -- off leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi.Out-of-form Ian Bell was the lone batsman to miss out, falling for 11. He has now scored just 25 runs in 3 innings on the tour so far.

The tourists suffer a blow when it was exposed that Bopara was unlikely to bowl in the 2-Test series due to a side strain. Bopara will, however, still be available for choice as an expert batsman, a team spokesman said. The home team, who resumed their 2nd innings at the for the night score of 44-1, moved to 199-4 before the innings was declared during the lunch break.
Angelo Perera, a 22-year-old right-hander, followed his 85 in the 1st innings with a winning 90 off 70 balls, studded with 8t boundaries and 6 sixes. The tourists won the 1st practice match against the Cricket Board XI by an innings and 15 runs. The 1st Test open in Galle from Monday, followed by the 2nd in Colombo from April 3.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka Development XI 1st innings: 431-6 declared -Chamara Silva 163, Thilina Kandamby 64, Angelo Perera 85, Stuart Broad 3-69, Steven Finn 2-93, and Samit Patel 1-83.

England 1st innings: 272-4 declared. Andrew Strauss 100 retired, Jonathan Trott 101 retired.

Sri Lanka Development XI 2nd innings: 199-4 declared .Angelo Perera 90 not out, Steven Finn 1-17, Tim Bresnan 1-16.

England 2nd innings: 360-6 (Kevin Pietersen 52, Ravi Bopara 66, Matt Prior 84, Samit Patel 72) England won by four wickets.

Yuvraj is good condition. Said doctors

Yuvraj Singh's response to chemotherapy has left his medical team fairly confident that the meditational semi formal he had been diagnosed with will not come back. Dr Nitesh Rohatgi, a key member of Yuvraj's medical team told. Yuvraj undergo 3 cycles of chemotherapy, the last one in hospital before being discharge, and is predictable to return to India in the first half of April.

Rohatgi, senior medical oncologist at Delhi Max Cancer Center said Yuvraj Singh, diagnose with a meditational semi formal, a germ-cell tumors among his lungs, had respond well to therapy. "He has had the normal treatment for such tumours, which is three cycles of chemotherapy followed by a austere protocol based follow-up and we are with care confident that it will not come back.

The doctor’s progressive assessment over the period of almost two months of chemotherapy had indicated that the tumors mass detected earlier has now shrunk significantly. Has come down faster than predictable and both the signs jointly are comforting of the fact that the cancer should be on the way out of his system. Yuvraj has been in the US for treatment as end January. He underwent chemotherapy in Indianapolis at the Indiana University's IU Simon Cancer Center below the management of Rohatgi and Lawrence H Einhorn, who had head the treatment of cycling champion Lance Armstrong in 1996.

Following the three cycles of chemotherapy, Rohatgi said that while Yuvraj's tumour marker had normalized his readings of the liver and kidney test remain robust, representative that the chemotherapy has not irrevocably damaged his body. All the side-effects he has had so far are reversible and we've seen cipher of quick revival between cycles of chemotherapy.

When asked about a specific time frame for Yuvraj's return to full fitness, Rohatgi said it was, variable. In our experience, mine from cases in the UK and Dr Einkorn’s from the US, patients get back to good normal activity in a month's time. Whether that also amounts to excellent training capabilities we will only find out in time. Yuvraj is very strong-minded.

Yuvraj will stay in the US for between two to three weeks due to what Rohatgi called a safety period that had to be experiential following chemotherapy. His then step would now above all be to get back to health and go through a follow-up and check-up custom through blood tests and CT scans, none of which would break off any of Yuvraj's schedules. Along with physical recovery, Rohatgi said Yuvraj Singh had spiritually handled the chemotherapy very well. The common psychological effect on patients of cancer and chemotherapy can be despair, but Yuvraj has tackled it very well. He came across to us as an main person who said when this get over let me get back on track.

Sammy backs. W Indies youth full team.

Kingstown March 15: West Indies caption Darren Sammy believes his team's mixture of raw youth and battle-scarred veterans can knock Australia out of their stride when the 5-game, ODI series starts on (16-03-12) Friday.

The 1st three matches all take place at Arnos Vale, as international cricket returns to St Vincent for the 1st time since March, 2010.Johnson Charles is an excite prospect and we also have Narine, who is a well spinner, and also Andre Russell, the exciting all-rounder, who can do the work that is requisite, said 28-year-old Sammy.

We have some players who are make a return to international cricket like Tino Best, who has been bowling well, and Dwayne Bravo, who says he is very excited to be back in the maroon shirt. We are team which will be very spirited against the Australians. We will seem to play hard cricket and look for wins.

Darren Sammy
said he enjoy playing at Arnos Vale. 2 years ago, he record career-best ODI figures of 4 for 26 against Zimbabwe while back, in 2009; he took five for 70 next to Bangladesh in a Test match. We will look to hit the ground running and start the series on a winning note. Arnos Vale has been an excellent venue for us.

The last time we played here we win the matches and we enjoy the crowd support from the fans and the ambiance at this venue is forever superb “We are playing against the Australians, and every person knows they are a well team .a very spirited team. But we are focus on us and what we have to do.

Clarke, Beer back test match for west indies

Sydney, March 14: Injured Australia captain Michael Clarke will be come fit to play the first Test cricket against the West Indies, selectors said as they named a squad that saw the return of spin bowler Michael Beer.

Clarke was ruled out of the one-day series in the Caribbean they starts on 16-03-2012 after injuring his hamstring in a tri-series against Sri Lanka earlier this month.But after intense get the treatment, he was included in the 16-man Test Australia squad.It is anticipated Michael Clarke will be fully recovered and take his place as captain for the 1st Test match in Barbados beginning on Saturday April 7-2012, said national selector John Inverarity.

Shane Watson and James Pattinson were both was come backed after their injury-marred Australian summers but Shaun Marsh remains on the outer after not in fit form.The biggest surprise was return of Beer, who is yet add to his one Test against England in January last year.He joins a list that includes spinner Nathan Lyon, batting new all rounder Peter Forrest and 2 wicketkeepers, Brad Haddin and Matthew Wade.

The selection committee believes the inclusion of 5 fast bowlers, 2 spinners and 2 wicket-keepers will provide main flexibility, said Inverarity.He added that it would also provide cover for any injuries may occur in a presently not easily accessible by replacement or standby players.Teenage bowler Patrick Cummins remains unavailable due to fitness, having missed the entire Australian summer with a foot injury.

Following from the Barbados Test, Australia play a 2nd Test at Port of Spain in Trinidad and a 3rd at Roseau, Dominica.

Squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson (vice-capt), Michael Beer, Ed Cowan, Peter Forrest, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

Michael Clarke's absence. Watson caption

Melbourne, Mar 13-Australian cricket Coach Mickey Arthur has reckoned that Watson has done an outstanding" job and exceed hope in leading the ODI squad in Michael Clarke's absence.

Shane's been really good, he has been outstanding. He's led very well, he's led with power. He’s almost performing above probability in that area, which is great," The Age quoted Arthur, as saying. Arthur said the hamstring injury that has ruled Clarke out of the ODI series in the Caribbean could prove a silver lining by giving Watson the experience to happen to a captain in future.

If things happen to Clarke we want to have an able vice-captain who can take over's also a vice-captain playing all forms of the game. Shane Watson can give huge support to Michael through the Tests and ODIs and to George Bailey through the Twenty20s," he added. Arthur described foreign situation and a largely unknown opposition as biggest challenges confront the Australian squad.

An unknown opposition does present more challenge. They can hit you hard up face and we could be chasing our tails for the rest of the series. We've get the week now to make sure in all discipline we're right to go on Friday," he added.

Srikanth confident by Indian team in Asia Cup

Mar 12: Chief selector K Srikanth is confident of a strong comeback by the Indian squad in the ongoing Asia Cup. The Asia Cup is vital for the status of the country, Srikanth told media here.

The Asia Cup is between India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and I think, any win will definitely boost the morale of cricket in any part of the world, especially in India and I am sure, our Indian team will do well. I am very confident, and I think, this particular contest is a very main tournament as far as Indian cricket is fretful, and I am very confident that we will do well," he said.

We will also have to accept the fact that cricket is a game; sometimes there are ups and sometimes there are downs, but I am sure we have for all time comeback and fought back and done well so if you see the Indian cricket history itself, we have always bounced back and done well. I am sure Indians will jump back and do well," he added.

The Indian cricket team:

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni departed for Bangladesh on Saturday, to restore their lost prestige in the upcoming Asia Cup, after their dismal presentation in the triangular series in Australia. The four-nation Asia Cup, which starts on Sunday, would conclude on March 22.

Australia aim to continue winning in the West Indies tour

SYDNEY: Australia’s one-day side had barely 12 hours to celebrate their Tri-series victory before desertion for the Caribbean on Friday and stand-in captain Shane Watson conceded there be some tired players in his squad.

The hosts triumph win by 16 runs in Adelaide on Thursday to win the final series against Sri Lanka 2-1 and take down the curtain on an Australian summer of international cricket that has continuous almost unabated since December 1.There's no doubt there are a few guys that have played the full summer who are going to be a little bit tired but in the end, that's part and parcel of playing international cricket,"Shane Watson Watson told newspapers at Sydney Airport.

You are playing just about all year round, and you've got to stumble on ways to be able to freshen up whenever you probably can and to be able to keep doing all you can to stay as fresh as you can to be able to perform."All rounder Watson will captain the side for the 5-match one-day series, 2 T20, 3 test matches. On first match star the next Friday. St Vincent as Michael Clarke recuperates from a left hamstring injury.

Australia only have to win or tie just one of the matches to be sure of retain the number one spot in the ICC ODI rankings but Watson said their ambition were much higher than that after a very well performance against Sri Lanka on Thursday. We need to keep up that standard because if we do bowling and field like that we're going to win just on all game that we play, he said. I think we really set a normal last night that we need to maintain no matter what and I truly believe that we can do it.

It's a challenge to be proficient to continue to get up like that all single game but we are playing for our country, so there's no excuse. Another injury concern is fast bowler James Pattinson, who traveled with the team but is suffer from a strained buttock muscle. It’s big to be able to see a fast with a bit of mongrel about him and has the skills to rear it up," Watson added.

India Reentry Uthappa, Y Pathan. Schwas outside.

Robin Uthappa makes his way come back into the Indian Twenty20 side that has no place for Virender Sehwag India has left out Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan from the 15-man squad announce for the one-off T20 international against South Africa later this(march) month. Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Ashok Dinda all make their way back in this match.

Sehwag and Zaheer were earlier left out of this month’s Asia Cup ODI team by the Indian selectors (Srikanth) who claim that the duo was rested due to small injuries. The one-off T20I is part of an already jam-packed schedule and income the Indian side will travel all the way to South Africa to play the Proteas at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg on March 30th.

The 2012 ICC World T20 will be held in Sri Lanka from September 18th to October 12th. India won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007.

Indian squad:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virat Kohli (vice-captain), Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Rahul Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Manoj Tiwary, Irfan Pathan, Ashok Dinda.

West Indies cricketer Runako Morton is death

Port of Spain, March 5: West Indies cricketer Runako Morton was killed in a car accident here Sunday night.

The 33-year-old, one of the few cricketers to come out from the island of Nevis, lost control of the car he was driving and hit a pole, according to reports. He died on the spot. Morton had played 15 Test matches, 56 ODI internationals and seven T20s for the West Indies since make his international first appearance in 2002. He last played in February 2010 in a T20 against Australia in Sydney.

Previous West Indies Chris Gayle, under whom Morton played in the national team, "We lost a True Warrior W.I Cricketer Runako -May is soul rest in peace! Our memoirs together Live On!-My pity to his Family."West Indies player Carlos Braithwaite also opens his condolences. "RIP Runacko Morton. Gone but not forgotten," he tweets.

England star batsman Kevin Pietersen also spoken his shock on Twitter. My thoughts go out to Runako Morton's family this morning... Such sad news!! What a good-looking guy & fierce competitor!! RIP bossman!!!" he said. Morton had represent Trinidad and Tobago, Leeward Islands in Nevis. Morton scored 5980 runs at an average of 39.60 in a 1st class career that span over 17 years.

Morton's career, however, was never short of controversy. He was excluded from the West Indian Academy in July 2001, for a series of rule breaches but a good run with the bat for Leeward Islands in the Busta Cup forced the selectors to recall him in 2002 as a substitute for Marlon Samuels.

His career seemed almost over in September 2002, when he pulls out of the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2002, after lying about the death of his grandmother. In January, 2004, he was detained but released without charge next a stabbing event.Morton and Leeward Islands all-rounder Tonito Willett were under arrest, before being released on bail, in March last year for control of marijuana.