Cork not among Cup probables

Other notable omissions from the squad were opener Mark Butcher, who scored a century in the opening Test against Australia this season, and pace bowler Andy Caddick.

The squad must be reduced to 19 by the end of February and the final 15 is expected to be announced in March.

The full squad

Alec Stewart (captain), Mark Alleyne, Michael Atherton, Ian Austin, Ally Brown, Douglas Brown, Robert Croft, John Crawley, Mark Ealham, Neil Fairbrother, Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Fleming, Angus Fraser, Ashley Giles, Darren Gough, Gavin Hamilton, Dean Headley, Warren Hegg, Graham Hick, Adam Hollioake, Ben Hollioake, Nasser Hussein, Nick Knight, Darren Maddy, Peter Martin, Alan Mullally,Mark Ramprakash, Ben Smith, Graham Thorpe, Vince Wells.

ICC deny reports

SYDNEY: THE International Cricket Council (ICC) said today that contrary to newspaper reports over the past two days, Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan has not been reported over his controversial bowling action.

The ICC issued a statement saying neither match referee Peter Van der Merwe nor any Australian umpire had reported Muralitharan.

The bowler was no-balled for chucking by three Australian umpires on Sri Lanka’s previous tour three years ago.

Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said Muralitharan would play the entire series including next Saturday’s Adelaide One-Dayer to be umpired by Ross Emerson and Tony McQuillan, two of the three Australian international umpires who called Muralitharan for throwing during the 1995-96 tour.

Anwar hopes of triple ton

KARACHI: One-Day world record holder for the highest score, Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar aims to hit a Test triple hundred against India during the upcoming Testseries.

“I have never played a Test match against India but now I desperately want to and score a triple hundred in that,” he was quoted adding, “scoring against India gives you a different taste.”

Anwar hit a world record One-Day score of 194 against India at Chennai in 1997. He said Pakistan had prepared extensively for the tour. “I think the team stands a good chance to win in India.”