Short Stuff

Urging the Pakistani team to rely heavily on their spinners,former captain Shoaib Malik said they would play a decisive role in the World Cup.

Bank on spinners: Malik
Lahore: Urging the Pakistani team to rely heavily on their spinners,former captain Shoaib Malik said they would play a decisive role in the World Cup. Already we have seen in the warm-up match between Australia and India how important a role spinners can play in this tournament, Malik,who was a shock omission from squad,told reporters. The weather in Sri Lanka during the group matches is going to be hot and the pace bowlers will find it hard to bowl long spells. So the spinners come into play, he added.

Waqar wants to break Cup jinx
Colombo: Ending up on the losing side as a player Waqar Younis in 1996 World Cup,as a coach he hopes he can turn around Pakistans talented yet unpredictable team. Well,its true that the World Cup hasnt been too kind to me,but that is motivation and challenge enough to fight on and take another chance as coach of a talented team which can win the tournament, Waqar said.

Strauss vows to surprise
Dhaka: Blaming his team of playing conservative cricket in the previous World Cup in West Indies,England skipper Andrew Strauss said that his side has learnt its lessons and would be looking to win the elusive trophy this time. The whole campaign in the 2007 World Cup was a poor one. We didnt start well,we never got going and played a very conservative brand of cricket. We didnt play good one-day cricket just recently. But weve got a solid squad,a very settled side, he added.

No bowling for now: White
Bangalore: Australian all-rounder Cameron White says he has lost confidence in his bowling and has transformed into a middle-order batsman. White said he has no time to get back to bowling as he is only concentrating on polishing his batting skills. I am not bowling much to be honest. I am just concentrating on my batting and enjoying that role. I will get back to bowling at some stage but at the moment just concentrating on my batting, White said.

India matches sold out
NEW DELHI: With a few days left for the World Cup,the tour packages for all the India matches besides the semi-finals and the final are almost sold out,according to travel partners of the ICC. At the same time,travel firms that are not officially associated with the ICC are stepping up efforts to cash in on the excitement around the event.

Indias chances good: Viv
Kolkata: Vivian Richards feels that Indian cricket team has improved in the fielding department in recent times and that increases the chance of MS Dhoni8217;s men lifting the World Cup. 8220;India has improved in the fielding department recently. I see change in psyche among the Indian players. Today the players are more committed on the field.