Melbourne, Jan. 14  Test greats fear that Mathew Hayden's decision to retire from all forms of the game will end Australia's aura of invincibility on the cricket field.

Former skipper Steve Waugh claimed that the powerful opener had "changed the face of Test match batting forever".

Current skipper Ricky Ponting hailed Hayden as arguably the greatest Test opener the world had ever seen, while bowling legends Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne said they feared Australia could take years to recover.

Lahore, Jan 14 : Former Pakistan Test batsman Mohammad Yousuf has again launched a stinging attack on the current skipper Shoaib Malik and the selectors for not treating him with enough respect.

He again called into question Malik's qualifications for the captaincy.

"Tell me on what grounds did they decide I was not fit for Twenty20 cricket? What were the criteria for deciding this?" Yousuf asked.

"Tell me how did Malik deserve to be the captain? How can you make a player a captain who is not certain of a place in the national Test or one-day team."

Sydney, Jan. 14: Sensational batting star David Warner has been put on standby for the Australian one-day squad with vice-captain Michael Clarke in doubt with a thumb injury.

The stunning elevation came on the same day his manager, Peter Lovitt, revealed his client will look to join a rival state if New South Wales cannot offer him a spot in their Sheffield Shield side.

Lovitt will seek an urgent meeting with the Blues next week to determine whether the 22-year-old is part of their cricket plans. If not, Warner will head to the open market.

London, Jan. 14 : Former England captain Tony Greig has said that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should have backed skipper Kevin Pietersen in his rift with coach Peter Moores.

Speaking to Cricinfo. com, Grieg said: "I've always maintained that when a captain is replaced, the coach's position should also be reviewed."

Sydney, Jan. 14 : Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has been ruled out of the one-day series against South Africa with a stress fracture in his foot.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Queensland swing bowler Ryan Harris has replaced Siddle for the first two matches in the five-game series.

Twenty20 sensation David Warner is also poised to be a late inclusion in the one-day squad with vice-captain Michael Clarke in doubt with a thumb injury.

Islamabad, Jan 14 : Pakistani politicians have demanded an investigation into fast bowler Mohammad Asif's detention in the United Arab Emirates last year for possessing a small amount of opium.

Asif was caught at Dubai Airport on June 1, 2007, after being caught with 0.24 grams of opium on his way back to Pakistan after playing in the Indian Premier League. He was detained for 19 days before being deported.