Cricket

Less, but better quality Test cricket in future, predicts ECB chairman Clarke

CricketLondon, Dec. 16 : England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Giles Clarke believes there will be changes to the structure of Test match cricket that will preserve its status as the `summit of the game'.

National players must play domestic cricket: Qadir

Lahore, Dec. 16 : Pakistan cricket's chief selector Abdul Qadir said on Monday that penalties could be imposed on international players who skip domestic tournaments without genuine reason.

Most of Pakistan's leading players have participated in this season's four-day and one-day Pentangular tournaments and Qadir felt it gave them the opportunity to stay fit and in form.

"We will look to have penalties for such players," the daily Times quoted Qadir as saying while attending a Pentangular Cup one-day match in Karachi.

Qadir said the domestic tournaments would help Pakistan improve their bench strength even though there was little international cricket on offer.

Morkel is the danger man: Hayden

Hayden Pondering His Future In Tests Sydney, dec. 16 : Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden has identified tall South African pacer Morne Morkel as the biggest threat to the home side in the first Test against South Africa on the bouncy WACA Ground pitch.

Krejza in, Watson left out for Perth Test

Tasmania off-spinner Jason KrejzaPerth, Dec. 16 : Australia have included off-spinner Jason Krejza in their side and named pace-bowling all-rounder Shane Watson as 12th man for Wednesday''s first Test against South Africa at the WACA.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he expected the pitch to have some early life on day one for the quick bowlers but the home team would need some variety in their attack as the match wore on.

Lorgat thanks India, England for wonderful Chennai Test

England cricket team arrives in IndiaDubai, Dec. 16 : ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has sent a message of congratulation and gratitude to the India and England teams after a hard-fought and exciting Test match in Chennai, played in trying circumstances.

"I have been in touch with both the BCCI and ECB since the end of the match to thank them for what was a great advertisement for cricket," an ICC press release quoted Lorgat, as saying.

Ponting backs Lee to beat Steyn in pace bout any day

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