Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 23: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has appealed to the national selectors to provide him with a specialist spinner for the Ashes series.

The appeal has gone out following the disastrous debut of Bryce McGain in Cape Town, reports The Age.

McGain took 0-149 from 18 overs at 8.27 runs per over, the second-worst economy rate by a bowler in an innings in Test history.

London, Mar 23 : The England and Wales Cricket Board plans to stage the Indian Premier League in a little over two weeks without any disruption to its domestic or international schedule.

The ECB is confident that it can stage all 59 matches of the IPL from April 10 to May 24 on major grounds without altering any fixtures. The number of IPL matches will not be reduced, The Guardian reported.

The ECB said that it could measure up to one of its biggest challenges and pip its only realistic rivals, South Africa, to host the six-week Twenty20 tournament.

Islamabad, Mar. 23: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that the decision of shifting the Indian Premier League (IPL) from India has proved its stance that it’s not only in Pakistan where terrorism can play havoc and target the sport.

“We have been saying that security is a problem around the world and a terrorist attempt could be made in any country. The decision of shifting the IPL out of India on security grounds verifies our version,” a PCB official said.

Wellington, Mar 23 : New Zealand vice-captain Brendon McCullum has backed the decision to shift the Indian Premier League from India due to a clash of schedules with general elections.

McCullum is one of eight New Zealand players contracted to the lucrative Twenty20 competition; last night learned the tournament would be moved to South Africa or England.

The 59-match tournament, scheduled for April 10 to May 24, clashed with the Indian general election campaign between April 16 and May 13.

Melbourne, Mar 23: Trouble seems to be never ending for Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds undergoing rehab, who was reportedly asked to leave a Brisbane bar because he was too drunk.

Cricket Australia officials have already given Symonds a “last chance” warning over previous alcohol-related misdemeanours.

An intoxicated Symonds was reportedly spotted being punted by security at the Watt Bar at the Powerhouse in New Farm, Brisbane, despite Queensland Cricket this morning saying his rehabilitation was on track.

Sydney, Mar 22 : Fast bowler Nickyi Shaw responded magnificently to a last-minute call-up when she starred in England's thrilling four-wicket victory over a spirited New Zealand in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2009 at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

The 27-year-old from Warwickshire, who was only included in the side moments before the start of the match after Jenny Gunn was ruled out because of a calf injury, produced her career-best performance of 4-34 as New Zealand was bowled out for 166 in 47.2 overs after electing to bat first.