Yusuf plans quick return

The hard-hitting batsman said he was working hard to improve his form and fitness so as to make a comeback to the national team.

All-rounder Yusuf Pathan expressed hope that he would return to the national cricket team in the next six months,saying he was working hard to improve his form and fitness. Inshallah,in the next six months I will be back, Pathan,who was in Srinagar for the inaugural ceremony of a cricket tournament,told reporters. The hard-hitting batsman said he was working hard to improve his form and fitness so as to make a comeback to the national team. Inaugurating the tournament Downtown Champions League DCL T20 2013,Pathan said it was a good platform for the youngsters of the valley to hone their skills.

Want to play WC 2015: Kallis

South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis is ready to return to the one-day international side for a last shot at winning the 50-over World Cup. Kallis,who will be 38 in October,played the last of his 321 one-dayers against New Zealand in February 2012,opting instead to focus on his test and lucrative Indian Premier League careers. After a meeting with national team coach Russell Domingo and Cricket South Africa CSA officials on Tuesday,he confirmed his commitment to returning to the line-up. Playing for my country has always been both a huge honour and a privilege, Kallis said in a statement released by CSA on Tuesday. It remains my aspiration to be available for the World Cup.

Panesar makes Essex debut

Monty Panesar hopes a change of county will help his chances of gaining selection for Englands Ashes tour to Australia later this year. The 31-year-old left-arm spinner made his debut for Essex against his old club Northamptonshire on Tuesday,a day after being released by Sussex following his police fine for urinating in public. Panesar has been left out of Englands squad but is desperate to return as Graeme Swanns backup for the return series. The Ashes is very much in the back of my mind. If I can focus on some good performances for Essex hopefully that will help me to get selection for the Ashes.

Test cricket,games lifeline

w Former cricketer Rahul Dravid has suggested introduction of day-night matches using pink balls while comparing the games traditional format with the trunk of a tree. We are,maybe one generation away from the point where our entire youth structures cater only to T20 without any emphasis on the longer form. By not giving youngsters a chance to explore their versatility,endurance or even improvisational skills,we will be selling ourselves and our sport well short, Dravid said.