Karachi, Feb 17 : Pakistan's chief selector Abdul Qadir has said that he will give Shoaib Akhtar a fair hearing before taking a decision on whether the fast bowler is ready for a return to international cricket during next month's one-day series in Bangladesh.

Qadir said that he is not fully aware of Shoaib's form and fitness and will like to meet the pacer soon to hear him out before a decision is made to recall the player.

Wellington (New Zealand), Feb. 17: Black Caps all rounder Jacob Oram has pronounced himself fully fit and is targeting the forthcoming series against India as his comeback in international cricket.

Oram has been out of action with an Achilles tendon strain, but his rapid recovery has ensured that he flys to Dunedin to join Central Districts for their Twenty20 match against Otago tomorrow.

Manawatu fans should have the pleasure of seeing Oram back playing for Central Districts in the Twenty20 match against Canterbury at Fitzherbert Park next Sunday.

London, Feb. 17: Former England fast bowler Simon Jones has revealed that he is fit again and ready to tear through the Aussies this summer.

The Worcestershire pacer has suffered a cruel run of knee injuries since his 18 wickets in four Tests helped England win the 2005 Ashes, reports The Sun.

Last season brought renewed hope of an England return, with 42 wickets from nine first class games, before further surgery was required.

But with his pre-season fitness looking promising, the proud Welshman is eyeing the first Ashes Test at Cardiff on July 8.

Johannesburg, Feb. 17: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has revealed that he has developed a plan to counter the dominance of South Africa's young star batsman J. P. Duminy.

"He (Duminy) was probably the pick of their batsmen for the entire summer, and we''ve had a good opportunity to look at him for a long period of time. We''ve got some things up our sleeve, which we will hopefully be able to execute well if we get the opportunity. We''ll see how he reacts and responds to what he has in store," warned Ponting.

Karachi, Feb. 16 : Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawerdene has described the Indian cricket team better than his because of its team spirit and cohesiveness.

"India won the ODI series because it was a better team. For the last couple of years, India has improved a lot and is playing well. They played really well against the host in recent ODI series in the Island," The Nation quoted Jayawardene, as saying.

Jayawardene, who arrived here for a two Test match series beginning February 21, said his teammates were looking forward to the series.

Sydney, Feb. 16 : The Australian cricket team flew to South Africa today with captain Ricky Ponting claiming that the South Africans would be under more pressure than his side.

Ponting wasted no time in trying to turn pressure on to the hosts before the three-Test series that will determine the official No. 1 team in the Test rankings.

"There won''t be any added pressure on us, maybe on South Africa with that at the back of their minds," he said at Sydney airport.