Day/night test idea unlikely soon in absence of suitable ball

September 26th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it would oppose the idea of having a two-tier Test structure, if the issue is discussed in the forthcoming International Cricket Council's (ICC) board and chief executives meeting. "We have seen no such proposal coming from anyone but even if it does come up for discussion during the ICC meetings we will reject it outright," PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wasim Bari said.

September 21st, 2009 DURHAM - Former New Zealand skipper Martin Crowe, now a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club's World Cricket Committee, has formulated a knockout Test championship to be held every year with a grand final to be played at Lord's. Eventually, the games would become day-night Tests.

August 24th, 2009 Indo-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI - Harbhajan Singh has always relished taking on the combative Australians and the Indian off-spinner could not hide his happiness at the Baggy Greens surrendering the Ashes to England. "Mubarak ho! (Congratulations)," replied Harbhajan, in his inimitable style, when asked to react on Australia's loss to England and their slide to fourth position from the top of the Test rankings.

August 5th, 2009 BIRMINGHAM - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting believes he has unlocked the secret to pace bowler Mitchell Johnson - keep him away from the new ball. There are encouraging signs that Johnson is starting to turn his horror Ashes tour around.

August 3rd, 2009 WARWICKSHIRE - England fast bowler Steve Harmison has given formal notice that he intends to bowl on in the hope of a Test recall, contrary to reports that he plans to retire at the end of the current Ashes series. "I have no intention of retiring from Test cricket.

July 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels it is for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to preserve the sanctity of Test format. Akram said the ICC should go ahead with day-night Tests and must ensure that matches are played on sporting tracks to counter the popularity of Twenty20.

July 27th, 2009 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE - Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark believes that he can intimidate England and is confident about a Test recall after being his side's best bowler during the second day of a three-day tour match against Northamptonshire yesterday. While Peter Siddle finished with the most wickets, 3-53 from 9.3 overs, Clark bowled with great control and consistent movement to take 2-45 from 14 overs before the county declared at 7-226.

July 27th, 2009 SYDNEY - Fast bowler Stuart Clark insists he can intimidate England just the way Andrew Flintoff has Australia. Clark went on to say that he believes he is closer to a Test recall after being Australia's best bowler during the second day of a three-day tour match against Northampton Sunday.

July 19th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has sparked speculation over his ability to last in the Ashes series as he had to leave the field due to his troublesome knee on the fourth day of the ongoing second Test Sunday. Flintoff, who has announced retirement from the Test cricket after the Ashes series, claimed two wickets in the new ball spell before calling for treatment on his suspect knee, The Times reported.

July 15th, 2009 MELBOURNE - England's batting legend Geoffrey Boycott has warned that the lack of spectator interest is killing Test cricket, which requires radical changes to save it. The former opening batsman said crowds at Ashes matches masked the dwindling attendances for Tests elsewhere in the world, with even the recent series between South Africa and Australia, failing to sell out.

July 7th, 2009 LONDON - Shane Warne feels that Brett Lee's absence from the first Ashes Test is a huge setback for Australia. Lee has been ruled out of the opening match against England, starting in Cardiff Wednesday.

July 4th, 2009 WORCESTER - Australia's national cricket selection committee has admitted it may have mismanaged the veteran pacer Brett Lee after his difficult marriage break-up last year. Selection committee chairman Andrew Hilditch now says that perhaps Lee should not have been sent to India last October with so little preparation as a result of his personal problems.

July 2nd, 2009 KARACHI - Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has objected to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) idea of reducing the duration of Test matches from five days to four. When asked to comment on the idea floated by the ICC president David Morgan, Miandad said any such step would ruin the traditional format of the game.

June 25th, 2009 LONDON - Cricketers will be able to challenge the umpires' decisions in Tests from October, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced here Thursday. The system has been under trial in Test cricket for nine months and from October it will give cricketers a chance to challenge the decision made by the on-field umpires.

June 22nd, 2009 SYDNEY - Retired Australian bowler Jason Gillespie cannot be sure of Brett Lee's form, but believes his former new-ball partner can be a formidable force in England if he gets his length right. "He [Lee] will bowl his heart out for his country as he has always done, he's been awesome, and the number of wickets he has taken in all forms of the game are a testament to his skill and desire," Gillespie said.