Karachi Dolphins v Sialkot Stallions

Western Australia 214/10 * v New South Wales 220/9

All the talk of retirement and succession planning has hogged the limelight over the last few weeks, but thankfully the focus will switch to the cricket when India and Australia take the field in the first of four Tests.

Afghanistan and Hong Kong maintained their unbeaten records in the World Cricket League Division 4 ahead of their clash against each other on Wednesday.

Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's chief executive, has dismissed reports of a planned Twenty20 tri-series involving Australia, India and South Africa next year.

Australia will begin their tour of India on the same pitch but the curator said it was unlikely to offer the same variable bounce. The trouble that Pakistan's batsmen faced was because of the new pitch, made with Mandya clay, but it had settled during the past year.

A day after announcing his retirement from international cricket, Sourav Ganguly said the decision came at the right moment. Ganguly said he had not rushed into the decision and had arrived at it after he was ignored for the Irani Cup.

Ben Brown and Tom Smith have agreed new two-year contracts with Sussex.

Jersey's stay in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four is effectively ended after they lost to Italy.

Derbyshire have signed 25-year-old Garry Park from Durham on a two-year-contract.

Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, is insulted by claims from Virender Sehwag that Australia cheated during their acrimonious SCG victory in January. Sehwag said there was no point in having a catching pact for the four-Test series because it wasn't applied properly on the previous occasion.

RICKY Ponting has ensured a fiery backdrop to the first Test against India starting on Thursday, saying he was insulted by accusations Australia had cheated during the last series.

The Pakistan board's efforts to arrange a home series have been dealt a blow as West Indies have opted to not tour next month because of security concerns.

A YOUNG New South Wales line-up have battled their way to 9-220 against a disciplined Western Australia bowling attack in the Ford Ranger Cup clash at the WACA Ground.

ANDREW Symonds is ready to step back into the limlight, Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said at the Queensland Bulls corporate season launch at the Gabba.

New Delhi: A day after former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly announced he will retire after the series against Australia, captain Anil Kumble too has indicated that this might be his last series.

Sourav Ganguly said he was unhappy with the way he was left out of the Irani Cup squad.

New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin will miss the tour to Bangladesh as he recovers from a hamstring and lower back injury.

Bangalore: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly confirmed media reports that his family received letters threatening that his daughter Sana would be kidnapped.

A look at what India's senior players can do after retirement.