Perth

ICC Board discusses Zimbabwe, FTP post-2012 and ICL

Australia, ZimbabwePerth (Australia), Jan. 31 : The ICC Board on Saturday held the first day of its two-day meeting in Perth, the first of the four scheduled meetings it holds each year.

Among the matters discussed were the following:

Zimbabwe: A task team, headed by Dr Julian Hunte, the President of the West Indies Cricket Board, presented an interim report to the ICC Board. This followed a visit to Zimbabwe by Dr Hunte and ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat in November last year.

Ponting seeks to lift spirits of Oz team in series against Kiwis

Ponting seeks to lift spirits of Oz team in series against KiwisPerth, Jan. 31: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and other senior players will seek to boost the confidence of the younger players following Australia''s 4-1 one-day series loss to South Africa.

Ponting said it is important that the team starts afresh for their five-game series against New Zealand, which begins in Perth on Sunday.

Ponting says IPL won''t affect Ashes build-up

Ponting says IPL won''t affect Ashes build-upPerth, Jan. 30 : Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has played down workload issues regarding the IPL, and said that it will not affect the team's preparations for the Ashes this year.

Heading into his fifth month of international cricket without a break, Ponting denied there was too much cricket, but questioned the tightly packed scheduling of Test series with New Zealand and South Africa this summer.

South Africa to unleash rookie pace attack on Aussies at WACA

South Africa to unleash rookie pace attack on Aussies at WACAPerth, Jan. 30 : South Africa will unleash one of their youngest pace attacks against Australia''s batsmen at the WACA Ground this evening in a bid to wrest the top spot in world rankings.

The Proteas pace trio on Friday will consist of two debutants, 24-year-old Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell, 19, who will be led by 24-year-old Morne Morkel.

Tsotsobe will share the new ball with Morkel. It will be the first time South Africa will field two left-arm seamers in a one-day international.

Symonds opts to face disciplinary board in Melbourne

Andrew SymondsBrisbane/Perth, Jan. 28 : Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds will travel to Melbourne to face Cricket Australia's disciplinary hearing on Thursday in connection with his "lump of shit " radio jibe at New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

According to The Age, Symonds was originally set to give evidence via a phone hook-up in order to stay and train in Brisbane in preparation for his comeback match for Queensland against Western Australia on Friday.

Michael Clarke’s return bolsters, Ponting, Australia

Michael Clarke’s return bolsters, Ponting, AustraliaPerth, Jan. 28 : Batsman and vice-captain Michael Clarke''s return from injury will not only bolster a seriously depleted Australia team, but should soon give Ricky Ponting the chance to take a much-needed rest, reports The Australian.

Ponting has been superman as his team disintegrated around him this summer, playing all nine Tests, two Twenty20 games and four one-day matches in a relentless four-month stint on the road.

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