Briefly Cricket

Pakistan cricketers will not play in the Indian Premier League III as their board has failed to obtain their visas before the deadline for confirmation...

Pakistan players fail to get visas for IPL-III

New Delhi: Pakistan cricketers will not play in the Indian Premier League III as their board has failed to obtain their visas before the deadline for confirmation of participation,IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said. We have been informed by PCB that they have not been able to obtain the visas as of now. They will not be allowed to take part in the next IPL because we are handicapped by the fact that the exchange window is day after tomorrow. We are informing the teams that they now can go for the replacements for their players from Pakistan.8221;

India deserve No 1 spot

New Delhi: Former India coach John Wright,praising Indias elevation to the No 1 spot in Test rankings,said the teams unity and all-round depth were the key features to the pinnacle. India deserves this 8230; not only the players and the board,but also the fans, he was quoted as saying.

Watling in place of Fulton

Napier: Batsman Bradley-John Watling is in line for a New Zealand debut after replacing Peter Fulton in the squad for the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan in Napier from Friday. Kiwi selectors avoided wholesale changes after the side were dismissed for 99 and 263 in the loss in Wellington making just one change. Hes a quality young player with a good technique, selector Mark Greatbatch said.

Lee not reuniting with ex

Melbourne: Brett Lees manager has refuted media reports that the struggling Aussie paceman could re-unite with his ex-wife Liz Kemp. The separated pair were recently seen together when their son Preston had to be admitted to a hospital. Brett said he was definitely going to give the marriage a go again, the magazine sources claimed,a story that Lees manager rubbished.

Injury worries for England

Durban: Englands joy at winning the one-day series in South Africa has been cut short by fears of an injury to James Anderson.The opening bowler has been forced to stay behind in Durban and receive yet another injection on his troublesome left knee rather than move on to East London with the rest of the squad. Injury-prone Ryan Sidebottom is said to be struggling with a side strain.

Gooch backs KP

Durban: Former England captain Graham Gooch backed star player Kevin Pietersen,who is struggling,to prove his class this winter. Gooch has been asked to work with the England batsmen. If youve been out of the game with injury,it takes time to readjust and find the rhythm,and that comes with confidence. There is no doubt a player of his class will come back,he just needs time in the middle, Gooch said.

Punjab beat TN in U-19

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Chennai: Punjab scored a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Tamil Nadu to clinch five full points in their third round-robin Under-19 cricket match for the Cooch Behar Trophy here on Monday. Requiring 88 for a win,Punjab scored 90 for two in 13.3 overs with opener Pargat Singh top scoring 47 not out. Tamil Nadu had made 149 in the first innings and were dismissed for 117 in the second. Punjab had made 179 in the first outing.