Sydney, Dec. 6 : Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that his team must take all steps to stop Proteas skipper Graeme Smith from enjoying a run feast during the summer Test series.

Watson believes that he has Smith’s number, having watched and played with him during the Indian Premier League for the Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals.

He is almost a certain inclusion in the Australian squad for the first Test against South Africa in Perth that begins from December 17.

Watson said last night that getting on top of Smith would be the key to Australia winning the blockbuster three-Test series.

Lahore, Dec. 6 : Suspended Pakistani pace bowler Mohammad Asif broke down in tears on television, while apologizing for his alleged dope charges.

Asif admitted he had shamed himself and let down his supporters and Pakistan cricket.

“My behaviour has not been perfect and I have made mistake after mistake. I am sorry for that to the nation,” Asif admitted.

Mohammad Asif is also facing a disciplinary action for spending 19 days in police custody in Dubai for possession of a banned substance (opium) in June this year.

Sydney, Dec. 6 : Australian off-spinner Jason Krejza has failed a fitness test for Tasmania, putting a cloud over his chances of playing in the Perth Test against South Africa.

Krejza avoided the media as he hurried off the Bellerive Oval this morning after failing the test, telling team management to tell reporters he had gone home as he left the field for treatment and to re-fit an ankle brace.

Australia''s first Test against South Africa in Perth is less than two weeks away, starting on December 17.

Abu Dhabi (UAE), Dec. 6 : The England cricket team has arrived in Abu Dhabi for a practice session over the weekend, at the end of which, a decision will be taken on whether to tour or not to tour India.

Kevin Pietersen and company checked into their Abu Dhabi hotel at 4.15 a. m. on Friday, and just nine hours later, the players were in the nets preparing for the return to India.

According to The Sun, England’s white Test kit and equipment is currently in Baroda, where a practice match was originally scheduled for yesterday.

Sydney, Dec. 6: Australian opener and New South Wales captain Simon Katich believes that Ricky Ponting will opt for a spinning option during the first Test against South Africa to be played at the WACA in Perth from December 17.

"Generally in the past we have played a spinner in Perth. Whether it''s been Stuey MacGill, Beau Casson or Nathan Hauritz. Whoever it is, we generally like to play one as it adds balance to the attack," news. com. au quoted Katich, as saying.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5 -- Right-hander Greg Maddux will end his 23-year major league baseball career, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

The newspaper said the 42-year-old Maddux will announce his retirement Monday in Las Vegas, his hometown, on the first day of baseball's winter meetings.

The likely first-ballot hall of fame selection accumulated 355 victories -- eighth-most in major league history. He is a four-time Cy Young Award winner and an eight-time all-star selection.