Sydney, Mar. 12 : Australia's series defeat of South Africa on the latter's home turf, has convinced former skipper Mark Taylor that Ponting''s boys will start as favourites for this year''s Ashes series.

Taylor also said that ageing stars such as Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Andrew Symonds would have a tough time breaking back into a revitalized Test line-up.

"It just shows the value of going with young players," Fox Sports quoted Taylor, as saying after Australia''s 175-run victory in the second Test at Durban.

Sydney, Mar. 11: Over a week after the Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket players and officials, Australian and ICC elite umpire Simon Taufel has sought an explanation from the cricket's apex governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has urged umpires to be more `rational'on the issue.

Taufel sent his report to ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat.

Melbourne, Mar. 11 : Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds has shred his dreadlocks to raise 10,000 dollars for the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia.

The Courier Mail quoted his agent, Matt Fearon, as saying that the Queensland all rounder, who hadn''t "seen his own head for about five years", had gone in with "the normal nerves about a new look".

"He''s looking fresh; I think he looks more responsible. Certainly, he''s more streamlined," Fearon added.

Mumbai, Mar. 11 : The chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lalit Modi, has dismissed security fears ahead of the tournament''s second edition, saying a rigorous security plan has been put in place.

Modi told reporters on Tuesday after unveiling plans for the tournament starting on April 10, that it was wrong to compare the situation in India to Pakistan.

Islamabad, Mar. 11 (ANI): Pakistan’s Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani has admitted his Government failed the Sri Lankan cricket team last Tuesday by providing inadequate security, but promised it would not happen again as they seek to retain hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup.

Durban (South Africa), Mar. 11: South Africa have dumped opener Neil McKenzie and pace bowler Morne Morkel for the third Test against Australia that begins from March 19 in Cape Town.

The Proteas, who trail Ricky Ponting''s men 2-0 in the three-Test series and have surrendered their chance to take the No. 1 ranking from Australia, will also be without skipper Graeme Smith, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Smith broke his right little finger when struck by a short ball from Mitchell Johnson while batting in this week''s second Test in Durban and is hoping to return for next month''s five-game one-day series against Australia.