Briefly Cricket

Andrew Flintoff said his passion to play for England is still intact and he would never choose to play cash-rich twenty20 events like IPL over England.

Wont pick IPL above England: Flintoff

London: Andrew Flintoff said his passion to play for England is still intact and he would never choose to play cash-rich twenty20 events like IPL over England. I would never turn down England … I have shown more than enough passion over the years,and thats not something you lose because I dont have a contract, Flintoff said in an interview with The Wisden Cricketer magazine. If I didnt think I was going to play for England again,I would not have had this latest operation,no way. It is all about playing for England, he added.

Afridi considering Test comeback

Karachi: Pakistans Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi is considering a return to Test cricket,which he had quit until the 2011 one-day World Cup to focus on the shorter formats of the game. Afridi on Wednesday said he could return to Test cricket if team needed him in future. I am available to serve the team in Test matches in national interest when and where required. For me serving my country is the biggest honour for me, he said.

DRS makes umpires look foolish

Story continues below this ad

Melbourne: In a stinging criticism of the ICCs Decision Review System,former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan said the innovation makes umpires look foolish,is against the spirit of the game and adds to the tension between on-field officials and players. This system is making people look foolish. It was supposed to reduce tension between umpires and players but it has not done that at all, Buchanan was quoted as saying by The Herald Sun. In fact,it almost seems to have increased tension, he said.

Lillee to be inducted in Hall of Fame

Melbourne: Australian pace legend Dennis Lillee will be formally inducted into the International Cricket Councils Hall of Fame on Thursday. Fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee will tomorrow be formally inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame at the tea break of the Australia-West Indies Test in Perth, Cricket Australia said in a statement.