Brisbane, Feb. 9: Former Australia fast bowler Andy Bichel has announced his retirement from cricket at age 38.

Queenslander Bichel, who played 19 Tests from 1997-2003, decided on Monday to hang up his boots after a long battle with a shoulder injury.

A bustling fast bowler and hard-hitting lower-order batsman, Bichel took 58 wickets at 32.24 as he played the bulk of his Tests as the first-change bowler to Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie.

Brisbane, Feb. 9 : Out of favour Australian cricket all rounder Andrew Symonds has started the process for his comeback into the national squad with a blazing knock of 137 in a Brisbane club cricket match.

Playing for the Gold Coast Dolphins, Symonds spanked the Beenleigh-Logan attack to all parts of Dauth Park on his way to 137 off 111 balls.

It was the 33-year-old''s first century in any form of the game since his 162 not out against India 13 months ago.

Sydney, Feb. 9 : Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has said that wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin can open the batting for "as long as he likes" after scoring his maiden one-day international century to set up Australia''s victory against New Zealand at the SCG on Sunday night.

The victory, just Australia''s second win in eight one-day matches this summer, and their first in three against New Zealand, keeps alive the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series with matches to come in Adelaide on Tuesday and Brisbane on Friday.

Melbourne, Feb. 8: The Australian cricket team is probably going through its toughest phase in 14 years, losing both home and away Test series, and a one day series at home in the last four months, but former captain Kim Hughes says that sticking together will be the key factor to facilitate a return to the position of world champions.

Sydney, Feb. 8 : The New Zealand cricket team that is in Australia to compete for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy, is optimistic, but not ready to be cocky about handing out a possible 5-0 score line to the Kangaroos.

According to middle-order bat Ross Taylor, the Kiwis are well aware of Australia's capability to bounce back when their backs are pinned to the wall.

Jamaica, Feb. 8 : The West Indies handed out a shock innings and 23-run defeat to England in the first Test at Sabina Park on Saturday.

Trailing by 74 runs on the first innings, England collapsed to 51 all out in their second innings, five minutes before the tea break on the penultimate day. It was England''s third lowest total in Tests.

Victory fro the Windies came after England fast bowler Steve Harmison was bowled trying to sweep a delivery from spinner Suleiman Benn.