The International Cricket Council's first-class tournament, the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10, kicks off on Thursday when Scotland hosts Canada at Citylets Mannofield, Aberdeen in a repeat of the 2004 final which the former won by an innings and 84 runs in Sharjah.

A spectacular century by England opener Sarah Taylor sealed a 55-run win for her side against Australia Women in the second of five ODIs played at Chelmsford on Tuesday. Taylor continued her good run of form from the first ODI the previous day where she produced a brilliant half century to be named Player of the Match again.

Cricket Australia plans to build a bigger KFC Big Bash Twenty20 interstate competition as its next step in the development of the popular twenty-over format.

The Netherlands will be missing a number of key players when it takes on Canada in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in July.

Defending champion Ireland launches its campaign for an unprecedented fourth ICC Intercontinental Cup title when it takes on Kenya at Woodvale Road, Eglinton from Friday.

Defending champion Ireland launches its campaign for an unprecedented fourth ICC Intercontinental Cup title when it takes on Kenya at Woodvale Road, Eglinton from Friday.

Newly designated West Indies opening batsman Runako Morton says that he is enjoying his cricket much more these days and as such is playing with a free mind and without the weight of expectation.

The dashing 20-year-old Bravo who just made his International debut for the West Indies is actually a cousin of the legendary former West Indies and Trinidad batsman, and his mother wants people to know her son is not trying to copy Brian.

Younus Khan aims to become 25th batsman in history to reach 900-point mark

The fixture list for the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier has now been announced with matches being held from 6-11 July, 2009 in Toronto, Canada.

Australia's new batting sensation Philip Hughes heads up an all-star cast on this week's ICC Cricket World audio show ahead of the Ashes showdown with England that starts on 8 July.

Canada fast bowler Khurram Chohan took 6-37 as Scotland was bowled out for 185 as 17 wickets fell on the opening day of the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match at the Mannofield Park, Aberdeen on Thursday.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle says that he is expecting a high scoring Third Digicel One Day International in St Lucia on Friday since the venue always favours batsmen.

New Zealand Cricket is confident BLACKCAPS spinner Jeetan Patel will be available for selection for next month's tour to Sri Lanka.

The four-day break could serve as a fresh impetus for the travel-weary Indian cricket team to relaunch their West Indies campaign in the last two one-day internationals slated for Friday and Sunday.

Australian coach Tim Nielsen has warned his bowlers to stop bowling no balls or it could cost them a berth in the Ashes Tests.

Four months after a deadly terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan, the two nations will renew their test cricket rivalry when the first test starts at Galle on Saturday.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has backed a "hungry" Brett Lee to fire the Australians to a 2-1 victory in the 2009 Ashes series against England in England.

A gutsy rearguard action for the second time in the match gave former champion Scotland an upper hand over Canada after two days of the non-stop entertainment in the opening match of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 at Mannofield Park, Aberdeen on Friday.

A late-strike by former Kenya captain Steve Tikolo failed to take the gloss off a maiden first-class century by opener Paul Stirling that provided defending champion Ireland a perfect start to the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 at Woodvale Road, Eglinton on Friday.

India sealed a tense six wicket Duckworth/Lewis victory off the penultimate delivery in a match which must hold some obscure record for the most rain interruptions. Chasing 186 for victory from 27 overs, the Indian target was reduced to 159 from 22 overs after the fifth rain interruption.

India's head coach, Gary Kirsten, acknowledged that his team had a distinct advantage in the Third Digicel One Day International at the Beausejour Cricket Ground since their innings was not as affected by the weather as the home side's.

Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi has said that Sri Lanka Test series would be challenging for the players, as they would have to change gear from the Twenty20 format of the game to the five-day mode.

Back in contention for the Ashes with his first five-wicket haul on English soil, Australian pacer Brett Lee says he has finally mastered reverse swing, which the Englishmen had used with destructive precision during the 2005 series. "If you look back to 2005, what let us down and what affected us was reverse swing.

Pakistan teenager Mohammad Aamer made an auspicious test debut by grabbing two quick wickets as Sri Lanka ended the opening session of the first test at 104-3 on Saturday.

A majority of the players contracted to Cricket Australia have described England's Kevin Pietersen as the best batsman in the world outside Australia.

A very positive Thai side full of confidence, showed how much they've improved in the past twelve months to beat a capable Singapore side on the opening day of the ACC Women's Twenty20 Tournament.

Hong Kong defeated China by 10 wickets in the main game at the ACC Women?s Twenty20 Championships on Saturday.

Sri Lanka hit back with two quick wickets after Pakistan's three debutant bowlers held its much-vaunted batting lineup to a modest 292 all out in the first innings of the first test Saturday.

Former champion Scotland defeated Canada by 29 runs in the ICC Intercontinental Cup opener with a day to spare at Mannofield Park, Aberdeen on Saturday.

Defending champion Ireland was in commanding position against Kenya despite three half-centuries by the tourists? batsmen on the second day of the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match in Eglinton on Saturday.

Hospitality packages are already available for next year's ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010, it was announced on Saturday.

Pakistan will begin the defence of its ICC World Twenty20 title in the Caribbean next year against Bangladesh in St Lucia on 1 May, it was announced today.

ICC World Twenty20 2010 Match Schedule

Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Chaminda Vaas has decided to retire from Test cricket, chief selector Asantha de Mel said Saturday.

South African cricket fans say 2008 was the most successful year for the country's cricket team, according to an internet survey.

England's bowlers are in perfect shape for the Ashes. Pace bowler James Anderson took five wickets, while left-arm spinner Monty Panesar claimed three victims and Andrew Flintoff two.

A responsible 50-run partnership between night-watchman Abdur Rauf and captain Younis Khan helped Pakistan reach 120-4 at lunch on Sunday's second day of the first test against Sri Lanka.

ICC Americas Regional Development Manager Martin Vieira, believes the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier will serve as a stepping stone for players wishing to play international cricket at senior level.

Skipper Marc Taylor is hopeful that Bahamas U/19 can be a leading contender at the ICC Americas U/19 Qualifier this week.

England today announced a 13-man squad for the 1st npower Ashes Test against Australia at Cardiff starting on Wednesday.

A pink ball will be used for the first time in an international match in the United Kingdom on Sunday when England face Australia in the fourth Women?s ODI series at Wormsley. The move is part of 'Pink Sunday? at Wormsley Cricket Ground in support of the Breast Cancer Campaign.

England continued their recent domination of women's cricket after winning the third ODI against Australia securing the series 3-0. The win is the first time in 33 years that England has beaten rivals Australia in a one-day international series.

China kept its hopes of reaching the ACC Women?s Twenty20 Championship semi-finals alive after an eight-wicket win over Malaysia on Sunday.

The squad list for the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier has been announced for all participating teams for matches held from 6-11 July, 2009 in Toronto, Canada.

Gordon Drummond celebrated his first match as Scotland captain when he inspired his side to a see-saw 29-run victory over Canada in the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 opener with a day to spare at Mannofield Park, Aberdeen on Saturday.

Alex Cusack struck his second half-century of the match as Ireland continued to enjoy the upper hand over Kenya as the hosts led the tourists by 212 runs with seven wickets standing at the draw of stumps on the third day of the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match in Eglinton on Sunday.

Six countries of the ICC Americas Region will play in the Pepsi ICC Americas U19 Championship which takes place at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club from Monday July 6th to Saturday July 11th.

After missing the second ICC World T20 in England last month, Zimbabwe will return to the competition in its third edition in the West Indies the ICC has proposed to stage from April 30, 2010 to May 16, 2010.

Mohammad Yousuf celebrated his return to international cricket with a century on Sunday to give Pakistan a 50-run lead on the second day of a delicately balanced first test against Sri Lanka.

Australia have put together a squad which gives England a distinct edge in the forthcoming Ashes series, according to former Aussie captain Ian Chappell.

India won the One-day international cricket series against West Indies 2-1 after the fourth and the final match was washed out by rain at Beausejour Stadium here Sunday.

England's women won a dramatic match on Sunday against Australia, achieving a two-wicket victory off the last ball of the match, for the second conscecutive game, to extend its series lead to 4-0.

U/15 Regional Tournament to be a close contest The Pepsi ICC EAP U/15 Cricket 8's Trophy 2009 is anticipated to be one of the most awaited EAP junior tournaments in recent memory, with seven teams fighting it out to be crowned champions at the Under-15 level.

Australia A have snatched victory against Pakistan A late in the final session to win by 101 runs in the second four-day game at Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville.

India misses out on chance to go second in Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship India master blaster Yuvraj Singh has achieved a career-best second position in the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen after good performance against the West Indies in the just-concluded series.

Decision taken at ICC annual conference after recent on-field successes against Fiji

Wijay Senathirajah, Junior Coordinator and Manager of the Canada U/19 squad, believes that his team has learnt from its past mistakes and will emerge the top side at the ICC Americas U/19 Qualifier.

The BCCI has selected thirty players as probables for the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 at a meeting held at M A Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Monday.

A century partnership for the fifth wicket between Kenya captain Maurice Ouma and Collins Obuya withheld a late charge by Ireland to deny the defending champion victory in the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match at the Woodvale Road, Eglinton on Sunday.

New Zealand Cricket has announced the BLACKCAPS squads for the August-September tour to Sri Lanka ? as well as a New Zealand 'A' squad which will play in India in August.

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee's chances of leading the attack in the first Ashes Test starting Wednesday at Cardiff looked doubtful as he suffered a rib-injury during a tour-game against the England Lions.

Sri Lanka's bowlers engineered a dramatic Pakistan batting collapse to clinch a 50-run victory on the fourth day of the opening test on Tuesday.

The top three teams overpowered its opposition on the opening day of the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier in Canada on Monday.

The Pakistan team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 50-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle on Tuesday.

Following its recent win in the ICC Intercontinental Cup against Canada by 29 runs, Scotland has made two changes and one addition to the original squad for the two ODIs against the same opponents to be played in Aberdeen on 7 and 8 July 2009.

England will have to make history to leapfrog Ricky Ponting's side Australia's lead over number-two ranked South Africa to be trimmed to two ratings points when annual update is carried out on 1 August

They lit up a post-War generation. They were the dashing heroes of their day. England?s Denis Charles Scott Compton and Australia?s Keith Ross Miller were true legends of cricket.

The top three teams overpowered its opposition on the opening day of the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier in Canada on Monday.

Cameroon held its ICC Centenary Celebrations with a gala cricket match pitting the Cameroon Cricket Selection against the Commonwealth Selection which is based in the country.

Segou Cricket League held its school cricket competition in the month of June with Bandiougou Bouré School Complex being declared the winners. Four teams from different schools in Segou, including the Bandiougou Bouré School Complex, Pere Bouvier Sports Centre and the Abbé David Traoré School Complex competed in the 2009 Segou Schools Cricket Competition.

Scotland's Calum MacLeod has been reported because of a suspected illegal bowling action.

Terryn Fray, captain and opening batsman for the Bermuda U/19 team believes that the team has the potential to repeat its success in the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier in Canada.

Victories for China and Malaysia on Tuesday have set up a potentially dramatic final day of group matches at the ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships on Wednesday.

Torrential English rain played spoil sport for the hosts on Tuesday when the fifth Women's ODI was washed out preventing England Women a 5-0 series whitewash of Australia at Lord's.

Pressure got to Pakistan's young team as they slumped to a 50-run defeat by Sri Lanka in the first test on Tuesday, said captain Younis Khan.

England host Australia in the first Ashes Test starting on Wednesday without any of the obvious benefits of home advantage in a new venue with a relaid outfield.

Canada secured a brilliant six-wicket win in the first ODI against Scotland, despite Gavin Hamilton and Fraser Watts both scoring centuries for the home team.

Bermuda, Canada and USA maintained its winning streak on Day Two of the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier in Toronto on Tuesday. With only two places available to progress to the ICC Global Qualifier, the three teams will soon begin to feel the pressure and that could come as early as Wednesday when Bermuda tangles with USA.

The latest edition of ICC Media Notes includes a range of statistics and information of use in connection with upcoming international action as well as contact details for media representatives of the leading sides.

Mohammad Yousuf has returned to international cricket with a big bang by achieving the number-one position in the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen for the first time in his career.

China claimed a semi-final spot in the ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships after a crushing 99-run win over Oman.

England spinner Holly Colvin has become the number-one bowler in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Women's Player Rankings for bowlers after a good series against Australia which finished on Tuesday.

With the battle for The Ashes about to get underway in Cardiff, what better way to analyse who might come out on top than to use the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings. We can compare each team piece by piece to try to ascertain which of them will end up holding the urn come the end of August by summing the total Ratings for the players in each department of the game:

Great value offers on tickets including free entry for U/16s to selected matches; free entry to all women's group matches; highest-priced ticket for all men's first round and Super Eights matches US$15; semi-final tickets start from US$10; top ticket price for finals day is only US$40

Three half centuries from Scotland batsmen helped the side level the series 1-1 with a five-wicket win over Canada at Mannofield Park, Aberdeen on Wednesday. Skipper Gavin Hamilton (59), Ryan Watson (74) and Neil MacCullum (79 in 67 balls) contributed with the bat to guide the hosts to victory with more than two overs to spare.

England fought their way into the ascendancy on the opening day of the first Ashes test on Wednesday before two late wickets put Australia firmly back in the match.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) scrambled to get a team together for the first test against Bangladesh starting on Thursday after the selected players decided to boycott the match due to contract disputes.

Rustam Bhatti, Canada's U/19 captain, believes playing on home ground will be an added advantage for the team at the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier after celebrating two big wins in the opening days of the event.

Both Canada and the USA won their games today to remain unbeaten at the U19 Americas Championship. The two teams are scheduled to play each other on Friday which now shapes up as the biggest game of the tournament.

Three Ashes heroes Tom Graveney and Peter May of England and Ian Chappell of Australia were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the tea break of the first Test between England and Australia in Cardiff on Thursday.

"If you can beat Australia a five-Test match series, the satisfaction you gain from knowing that you've beaten the best side in the world is the ultimate."

Stellar performances from skipper William Porterfield and Kyle McCallan led Ireland to a three-wicket win over Kenya in the first ODI of the three-match series played at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, Dublin on Thursday.

Australia opener Simon Katich battled to his first century in seven tests against England on Thursday with a steely resolve fuelled by the bitter disappointment of losing the Ashes four years ago.

Rain restricted play between West Indies and Bangladesh to just 18.5 overs on the first day of the first test on Thursday after the tourists won the toss and chose to bat making 42 without loss.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping to revive its sagging bank accounts by hosting arch rivals India.

Richard Holdsworth, Regional Development Manager for the ICC Europe region, looks forward to ICC Europe U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier Division 1 and believes that European youth teams can also emulate the success senior teams like Ireland and the Netherlands had against Full Members recently.

China's women were knocked out of the ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships at the semi-final stage by Thailand on Friday.

Close on the heels of a 4-0 thrashing by England Women in the ODI series, Australia had a disastrous start in the first day of the only Women's Test between the sides at Worcester on Friday before being rescued by a world record sixth-wicket partnership.

Canada now looks certain to take one of the two spots in the Global WC U19 Qualifier in September by defeating their North American rivals USA on Day 4 of the U19 Americas Championship.

Australia batted throughout a rain-interrupted third day of the first Ashes test against England to take a 44-run first innings lead over the hosts on Friday.

West Indies were 17 for one at the close of the second day of the first test against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is still having treatment on a knee injury and will miss the second test against Pakistan starting on Sunday.

Australia's vice-captain Michael Clarke, who was out for 83 while hooking Stuart Broad's delivery just before stop of play due to light rain and bad light, was regretting a lost opportunity to score a century against England.

Rudi Koertzen of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires today made history when he became the first umpire to stand in 200 One-Day Internationals by umpiring in the second ODI between Ireland and Kenya in Dublin.

Hong Kong beat Thailand by four runs to claim the ACC Women's Twenty20 Championship title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday.

Beth Morgan and Jenny Gunn led a valiant rearguard action as England fought to avoid following-on in the Women's Ashes Test at Worcester.

Australia amassed four centuries in an Ashes innings for the first time on Saturday with debutants Marcus North and Brad Haddin joining Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting on the honours' board.

West Indies opener Omar Phillips (71 not out) made a debut half-century as his team made steady progress on the third day of the first test against Bangladesh in St.Vincent on Saturday, reaching 136-2 by lunch.

Pakistan's cricket coach says his team has what it takes to bounce back from its unlikely 50-run defeat in the first test against Sri Lanka earlier this week.

Marcus North completed a century during his Ashes debut on Saturday as Australia continued to pile on the runs on the fourth morning of the first test against England.

A stellar batting display from Ireland openers William Porterfield and Gary Wilson helped it beat Kenya by 52 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method) and wrap up a comfortable series win in Dublin on Saturday.

Omar Phillips, a left hander from Barbados, who has never represented his homeland, experienced a most remarkable day of personal achievement as a Test cricketer on the third day of the First Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh.

New Zealand Cricket has announced the confirmed itinerary for the BLACKCAPS' tour to Sri Lanka in August-September 2009.

Sair Anjum, captain of Denmark U/19s, believes his side can be a tough competition to the other participating teams in the ICC Europe U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier Division 1 and hopes Denmark to be one of the leading two teams which will reach the Global Qualifier in Canada in September this year.

The fixture list for the Pepsi ICC EAP U/19 Cricket 8's Trophy has now been announced with matches being held from 14-18 July, 2009 in Indonesia.

England face a nervy final day in Worcester after Australia set up a thrilling climax to an absorbing Women's Ashes Test.

Opener Tamim Iqbal scored a maiden Test century as he led Bangladesh in wrestling its way to securing the upper hand on the fourth day of the first Test at Arnos Vale scoring 321-5.

Bangladeshi opener, Tamim Iqbal, said that scoring his maiden Test century is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.

A stellar batting display from Ireland openers William Porterfield and Gary Wilson helped it beat Kenya by 52 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method) and wrap up a comfortable series win in Dublin on Saturday.

New Zealand Cricket has approved the revised itinerary for next month's tour of Sri Lanka, which will include an extra three-day warm-up match and a limited-overs tri-series involving India.

Weather played the most important role on the final day of the ICC Americas U/19 Regional Qualifier in Canada.

England last pair Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar proved their country's unlikely batting heroes when the hosts defied the rules of probability by drawing the first Ashes test against Australia on Sunday.

A brilliant half century by Paul Stirling tipped the scales in Ireland's favour in the third ODI in Dublin against Kenya as the hosts won by a tense four runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method.

A brilliant half century by Paul Stirling tipped the scales in Ireland's favour in the third ODI in Dublin against Kenya as the hosts won by a tense four runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The second ODI between Netherlands and Canada in Amstelveen was washed out with the hosts winning the series 1-0 after a 50-run victory in the first ODI - despite a brilliant 94 from Canada's Rizwan Cheema.

Tomorrow the 2009 ICC European U/19 Division 1 Championship gets underway in Jersey. This year's event will be special for at least two reasons:

Australia's batsmen are on the move in the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen with three stroke-makers achieving career-best rankings

The fixture list for the Pepsi ICC EAP U/15 Cricket 8's Trophy has now been announced with matches being held from 14-18 July, 2009 in Indonesia.

The schedule for the ICC European Championship U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier has been announced with the event taking place from 14-19 July 2009 in Jersey.

Viv Richards spent the vast majority of the 1980s on top of the ODI Batting Ratings and he also holds the distinction for having played the greatest-ever innings as calculated by the Ratings computer. His unbeaten 189 at Old Trafford has still not been bettered in the last twenty-five years which have seen a further 2,597 matches played.

England today announced a 14-man squad for the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's starting on Thursday.

Bangladesh registered its only overseas Test victory with a 95-run win over the reconfigured West Indies team in Arnos Vale.

Debutant Fawad Alam hit a maiden test century as Pakistan battled back against Sri Lanka on the second day of the second test on Monday.

England's battling qualities shone through in the Worcester gloom as they eked out the draw they needed to retain the Ashes.

Bangladesh have called up paceman Nazmul Hossain to the squad touring the West Indies as cover for injured skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official said on Monday.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is doubtful for the second Ashes test against Australia at Lord's starting on Thursday after suffering pain in his right knee during the drawn first Test in Cardiff.

Stijn Allema, captain of the Netherlands U/19s, believes his team can cause a few upsets in the ICC European Championship U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier just like the senior Netherlands team which beat England in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's.

Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan and fast bowler Shahadat Hossain have been fined 10 per cent and five per cent of their match fee while opener Imrul Kayes has received a reprimand for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials during the first Test against West Indies at St Vincent.

The seven players to have lifted the game's greatest prize remember the time and reflect on what makes the tournament so special

ICC Vice-President and Chairman of the Central Organising Committee Sharad Pawar: "The unveiling of the logo is an exciting and significant landmark as the event now has a formal identity."

The Central Organising Committee (COC) for the ICC Cricket World Cup (ICC CWC) 2011 met in Mumbai on Tuesday to continue preparations for the tournament.

The Netherland and Canada are hoping their batsmen will deliver the goods in the first-class ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match which starts in Rotterdam on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka romped to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan to win the series after the visitors suffered a dramatic batting collapse on the third day of the second test on Tuesday.

Ireland and Scotland opened its ICC European Championship U/19 CWCQ Division 1 campaigns on Tuesday with wins over the Netherlands and hosts Jersey respectively, but the outstanding result of the day was Denmark's desperately close two-wicket victory over Guernsey.

The latest edition of ICC Media Notes is now available to download for free

India will host a majority of the matches in the 2011 World Cup to be staged in southern Asia, as per the recommendations made by the tournament's central organising committee (COC) on Tuesday.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting insists pace bowler Peter Siddle will be even more threatening at Lord's in the second cricket Test against England starting Thursday.

England and Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has today announced his retirement from Test cricket following the conclusion of his involvement in the current Ashes Test series.

Becomes sixth India batsman to lead batting table

The Netherlands grabbed an early initiative when it dismissed Canada for a modest 177 on the opening day of the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup in Rotterdam on Wednesday.

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara proved that his class is permanent when he slogged Eric Dusabemungu for six during a brief three-ball innings at Kicukiro Oval on 11th June 2009. This was part of his nine-hour visit to Rwanda and time off from his eight-day ambassadorial tour of Uganda.

Steve Harmison, whose fierce assault on the Australia batsman at Lord's set the tone for the 2005 Ashes series, may return to the England side for the second test of the current contest on Thursday (1000GMT).

The makeshift West Indies team brought in to replace striking players has been given a chance to make amends for a humiliating defeat by Bangladesh in the first test.

The Netherlands took a large step towards reaching the global qualifying tournament for the 2010 ICC Under-19 World Cup on Wednesday, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Scotland at Les Quennevais in Jersey.

The 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP U15 Cricket 8s Trophy began in perfect conditions in Jakarta today, with rounds 1 and 2 now completed.

The PNG Rokroks and Vanuatu are both undefeated after four rounds of the 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP U15 Cricket 8s Trophy being held in Jakarta, Indonesia this week.

New Zealand's leading women's cricketer players are attending winter training camps at New Zealand Cricket's High Performance Centre at Lincoln over the next two weekends - as preparations start for the next ICC Women's World Cup in India in 2013.

A century from wicket-keeper Tim Paine has guided Australia A to a 15-run win over Pakistan A at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, giving the hosts a 2-1 one-day series victory.

Less than a week after becoming the first umpire to stand in 200 One-Day Internationals, Rudi Koertzen of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires on Thursday became the second umpire after Steve Bucknor to officiate in 100 Tests by taking the field in the second Ashes Test at Lord's.

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara visited Uganda last week and participated in a series of cricketing and social activities during a week-long tour.

Upset over his team's defeat in the second Test match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan captain Younis Khan has said he needs more time to 'rebuild' the team which has played "very little cricket over the last 18 months".

The 2009 ICC Europe Under 15 Division 1 Championship begins on Sunday in Dundee and lasts until 24 July. Although the tournament is based in Dundee, the matches will be played at ten venues in Fife, Angus and Perthshire.

Australia's Neil Harvey and Allan Border alongside England's Derek Underwood and David Gower were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the tea interval on the first day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Thursday.

An unbroken century partnership for the fourth wicket between Sunil Dhaniram and Qaiser Ali has put Canada back in contention against the Netherlands in the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match in Rotterdam on Thursday.

The PNG Rokroks have secured a commanding victory in the 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP U15 Cricket 8s Trophy held in Jakarta, Indonesia this week.

England captain Andrew Strauss battled throughout the opening day of the second Ashes test against Australia on Thursday while his team mates seemed intent on squandering their wickets.

Gautam Gambhir had no idea he had just become the world's best Test batsman. Once he was sufficiently convinced that he had indeed topped the latest ICC rankings, the satisfaction in his voice was palpable.

The three leading sides in the European Under 19 Division 1 championships all reinforced their positions with convincing wins over their lower-placed opponents on Thursday, with Ireland's massive 232-run victory over Guernsey and a second consecutive century for Alexei Kervezee the outstanding highlights.

The PNG Rokroks continued their impressive form at the 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP U15 Cricket 8s Trophy being held in Jakarta, Indonesia this week.

The Dubai office of the International Cricket Council will be closed on Sunday 19 July 2009 due to Leilat Al Miraj, the Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Five cricketing greats were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame at the tea interval on the second day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Friday.

A career-best knock by Sunil Dhaniram put Canada on course for a comprehensive victory over the Netherlands at the close of play on the third day of the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match in Rotterdam on Friday.

Pace bowler James Anderson produced his best bowling for England against Australia on Friday to help restrict the visitors to 156 for eight on the second day of the second Ashes test at Lord's.

Bangladesh, fresh from their first overseas test win, spun their way into a strong position on the first day of the second test against a makeshift West Indies team in an almost empty stadium.

England reached 311 for six in their second innings on the third day of the second test on Saturday to put themselves in a splendid position to win their first Ashes test at Lord's for 75 years.

West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach took six wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 232 on the second day of the second test to give the makeshift Caribbean side a narrow first innings lead.

Vaas announced his retirement from Tests but said he will continue to play one-dayers and Twenty20s till the 2011 World Cup.

Rain took a hand in the European Under-19 Division 1 championship in Jersey on Saturday, with all three matches subject to prolonged delays and Duckworth/Lewis-adjusted targets.

Bangladesh ceased the advantage on a rain curtailed third day of the Second Digicel Test at the Grenada National Stadium as they hunt their first overseas Test series victory following a lone series triumph on home soil in 2005 against Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss Monday and elected to field first in the third and final cricket test against Pakistan at Sinhalese Sports Club.

Daan van Bunge played a defiant knock of an unbeaten 98 which helped the Netherlands to escape with a draw against Canada in the ICC intercontinental Cup match at Rotterdam on Saturday.

Michael Clarke scored his first test century in England on Sunday as Australia fought a dogged battle to save the second Ashes test at Lord's.

Canada was all praise for the Netherlands all-rounder Daan van Bunge after weather denied it a certain victory in the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 match in Rotterdam.

On this week's ICC Cricket World audio show West Indies cricket expert Tony Cozier talks about the ongoing dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players'

Latest catch-up for Haroon Lorgat following earlier meetings with Cricket Australia, Cricket South Africa, New Zealand Cricket and the Pakistan Cricket Board

Wednesday and Thursday will see leading administrators, players, academics, historians and statisticians gather to reflect on the past 100 years as part of the ICC's centenary celebrations

Fixtures for new short, sharp format of the event in South Africa in September/October and featuring only the top eight ODI teams also announced

ICC match referee Jeff Crowe has sought to clarify the procedures which led to the on-field umpires referring one low catch to the television umpire and not another during the second Test between England and Australia at Lord's, which concluded today.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff celebrated his final test at Lord's on Monday with five for 92 to give the home side their first victory over Australia at the home of cricket for 75 years.

Sri Lanka hit back to take three wickets for two runs Monday as Pakistan reached 289-7 at stumps on the first day of the third and final cricket test.

ICC Europe has today announced the tournament fixture schedule for the upcoming ICC European U19 Division 2 Championship to be held in Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium.

An authoritative captain's knock of 96 from Shakib Al Hasan, led Bangladesh to their first ever back-to-back Test victories and maiden overseas series win at the end of the Second and Final Test at the Grenada National Stadium late Monday afternoon.

Australia woke in a sombre mood on Tuesday after arch-rivals England broke their 75-year hoodoo at Lord's a day earlier, forging a 1-0 lead in the Ashes series with a 115-run victory in the second test.

Captain Strauss breaks back into top 20 batsman while Flintoff makes moves in bowling rankings; Clarke's efforts rewarded but Hussey slips out of top 20

Pakistan leg spinner Danish Kaneria took five for 62 to help bowl Sri Lanka out for 233 on an action-packed second day of the third test on Tuesday.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has released a promotional music video to celebrate the ICC Centenary in association with Nepal Tourism Board.

The previously uninhabited island of Dhuvaafaru in the Maldives, developed by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to settle the people from the island of Raa atoll Kandolhudhoo which was completely destroyed during the 2004 tsunami, has had its first island-wide sporting activity with a week-long cricket camp organized by the Cricket Board of Maldives (CBM).

Brett Lee's injury continues to frustrate the Australians ahead of the third Ashes Test with the team management slated to take the decisions over the bowler in a couple of days.

Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan is a doubtful starter for the five-match one-day series against Pakistan starting on July 30, team manager Brendon Kuruppu said.

The striking West Indies players have ended their boycott of the current series with Bangladesh following an agreement to appoint a mediator to resolve their dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Tuesday it had awarded a cash bonus of $214,000 to the national team which defeated West Indies earlier this week to clinch its first overseas test series win.

Pakistan bowler Danish Kaneria has been found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct following a hearing in Colombo yesterday.

Ireland and The Netherlands have secured a place at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in September.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the Ashes Series after today undergoing surgery for an ongoing Achilles tendon injury.

The England team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 115-run win over Australia in the second Test at Lord's, which finished on Monday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Wednesday its 30-man provisional squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Former captain Shoaib Malik scored a defiant undefeated century to give Pakistan a commanding 366-run lead at stumps on the third day of the third test on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced a preliminary 30-man Australia squad to contest the ICC Champions Trophy from 22 September - 5 October in South Africa this year.

As part of efforts to expand the country's grass roots development programme and to help celebrate the ICC Centenary year, the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) involved kids in a "Catch the Spirit" programme which involved over 50 kids in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.

On this week's ICC Cricket World audio show England's young pace bowler Stuart Broad reflects on the two Ashes Tests of the summer so far and describes the influence of the senior member of the side's fast bowling battery, Andrew Flintoff.

Tickets for the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 in South Africa go on sale Friday with prices ensuring great value for fans.

Pakistan's Danish Kaneria picked up two wickets to jolt Sri Lanka's record victory chase as the hosts closed Thursday's fourth day of the third test on 183-3, needing 309 more runs on the final day with seven wickets in hand.

The England team's middle order has become a bit vulnerable and pressure has increased on other players to perform after star batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the Ashes series due to injury.

The ICC History Conference wrapped up in Oxford in the United Kingdom on Thursday night with ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat saying it confirmed cricket is "resilient, strong and still developing."

New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that all 20 players offered International Playing Agreements have signed their contracts.

West Indies coach, John Dyson, says that despite his team's losses in the Test Series, he is expecting competitive performances in the three match One Day International Series against Bangladesh.

The England selectors have named England's 30-man preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 to be staged in South Africa in September.

A confident Bangladesh side can reduce the gap between it and the West Indies by 12 ratings points in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship if it manages to win the upcoming ODI series in the Caribbean 3-0.

One of the most promising stars in European cricket has revealed that he can't wait to take on the challenge of Andrew Flintoff when Ireland faces England in August.

The BCCI announced on Friday the match schedule for the seven-game ODI series between India and Australia that will take place later this year.

Sri Lanka has put more distance between it and England following its 2-0 series victory over Pakistan, which concluded with a draw today in the third Test in Colombo.

Helmien Rambaldo, the skipper of The Netherlands, is hoping that her side will be able to achieve some success when it plays in the ICC European Senior Women's Championships next month.

The inaugural European Women's Under 17 championship which will take place in Deventer next week will be an important indicator of the progress of women's youth cricket in Europe.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has returned to the top of the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen following his match-saving performance in the third Test against Pakistan in Colombo.

The latest edition of ICC Media Notes is now available to download for free at www.icc-cricket.com. It includes a range of statistics and information of use in connection with upcoming international action as well as contact details for media representatives of the leading sides.

West Indies head coach, John Dyson, will be pleased to hear that his requests for fast pitches have not fallen on deaf ears in Dominica, where the Digicel One Day International Series is set to commence on Sunday, July 26th, at Windsor Park.

Scotland clinched the ICC European U/15 Championships on a dramatic final day of the tournament in Dundee.

Sri Lanka left-armer Chaminda Vaas bade an emotional farewell to test cricket after the third test against Pakistan on Friday and then announced his determination to win back his place in the ODI team.

A confident Bangladesh side can reduce the gap between it and the West Indies by 12 ratings points in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship if it manages to win the upcoming ODI series in the Caribbean 3-0.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said he won't be fooled like in the last Ashes tour after it was reported that pitch preparations for the third Test at Edgbaston next week had been ruined by rain.

West Indies captain, Floyd Reifer, says that his side will learn from the mistakes they made in the Test Series and bounce back in the One Day International Series against Bangladesh.

England fast bowler Steve Harmison will retire from Test cricket after the ongoing Ashes series. Harmison, 30, is said to be tired of the treadmill and will apparently also quit one-day international cricket and Twenty20 internationals.

England today named a 13-man squad for the 3rd npower Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston starting on Thursday.

Despite a five-wicket bowling performance from the exciting Barbadian pacer Kemar Roach, Bangladesh spoiled the Dominican party when they cruised to a handsome 52 run victory over the West Indies in the first ever international match played in the nature isle.

Irish star Isobel Joyce has called for increased opportunities for her side to play international matches ahead of the ICC European Senior Women's Championship which begins next week.

Andrew Flintoff has been retained while Ian Bell replaces Kevin Pietersen in the England squad for the third Ashes Test against Australia starting Thursday at Edgbaston.

The European Under 17 Championships return this week to Ireland, where the hosts and defending champions, last year's runners-up Scotland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Jersey and Guernsey lock horns over six days and across fourteen grounds in the Greater Belfast area. What can we expect from the competitors?

There are trends developing in world cricket that are of concern to the future of the game, including in India, Indian coach Gary Kirsten said here, saying Team India has to decide its priorities in terms of test cricket and other forms of the game, like T20.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced Brit Insurance is to become the principal Team Sponsor of England Cricket in a partnership that will start in January 2010 and last for an initial four year period.

England cricket team selector Geoff Miller has said that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is bullish about his chances of turning out for the team at Edgbaston and is looking forward to "sorting out" the Australians.

Struggling Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson has been backed by team coach Tim Nielsen despite another terrible game in a three-day match against Northampton.

The Singapore Cricket Association has announced that Trevor Chappell will be its coach for the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6 next month.

ICC President David Morgan and PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt reported "good progress" in a meeting to resolve the ongoing dispute between the two sides over the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The top Associate and Affiliate teams have a busy month coming up with Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Scotland and Uganda all in action.

Australia batsman Callum Ferguson believes Australia can retain the ICC Champions Trophy, but not without some stiff competition from the likes of Pakistan and South Africa.

Sri Lanka's Jehan Mubarak is in confident mood ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and thinks his side has as good a chance as any to claim the prestigious 50-over title in Johannesburg. However, Mubarak thinks support will be one of the key factors for the teams and expects fans to come out in force for both the host country South Africa and also for India this September.

The top Associate and Affiliate teams have a busy month coming up with Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Scotland and Uganda all in action.

The top Associate and Affiliate teams have a busy month coming up with Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Scotland and Uganda all in action.

The top Associate and Affiliate teams have a busy month coming up with Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Scotland and Uganda all in action.

The top Associate and Affiliate teams have a busy month coming up with Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Scotland and Uganda all in action.

Bahrain coach Mohsin Kamal has said that his side needs to develop a younger generation of players if it is to achieve long-term international success.

The Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) Governing Council has announced that Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi will host the inaugural edition of the prestigious tournament from 8-23 October this year, with US$6m of prize money on offer.

Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australia Cricketers' Association (ACA) today announced that legends Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath will return to the field to launch the 2009-10 season in a blockbuster All*Star Twenty20 match at the Gabba.

The Second One Day International at Windsor Park seemed to have confirmed that Bangladesh can hardly set a foot wrong in the Caribbean, and that no matter how hard they try, this replacement West Indies squad seem blighted to lose.

England go into the third test at Edgbaston without their leading batsman but confident their talisman will be fit to face an Australian side desperate to level the series.

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach and captain Floyd Reifer have been found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct following hearings in Dominica yesterday.as within the Laws of Cricket

Allrounder Shahid Afridi will lead the Pakistan cricket team in the next month's Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lanka prepares to host Pakistan in five ODIs starting on Thursday in Dambulla, the latest Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings suggests it will be a well-matched series with neither side holding a significant advantage.

Struggling Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson is likely to play in the third Ashes Test that gets underway at the Edgbaston cricket ground here from Thursday.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat on Wednesday met with directors of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as part of the ongoing process of information sharing with members.

The England and Wales Cricket Board today (Wednesday) agreed on a policy for the domestic structure which protected the primacy of Test match cricket and the county championship when they decided on a three competition domestic structure.

New Zealand Cricket has released its preliminary squad of 30 players for the ICC Champions Trophy, to be held in South Africa in September-October

Australia do not have the same aura about them as recent dominant teams from Down Under, England captain Andrew Strauss said on Wednesday.

England and Pakistan will compete in the highly anticipated series between possibly the two most in-form international teams in blind cricket in August. England, fresh from comprehensive series victories against West Indies and Australia, host reigning World champions Pakistan in a three-match ODI series based in the West Midlands. They will also contest the first 20-20 blind international.

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has said there was no question of dropping left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson from the team for the third Test against England, and added he and the selectors had never discussed such a possibility.

Neither the pitch nor the weather are likely to smile upon Australia and England during the third Ashes Test being played at Edgbaston, Warwickshire from Thursday.

The Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) Governing Council today announced the match schedule for the prestigious tournament, which will be played in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore from October 8-23, 2009.

Durham have been awarded the first Ashes Test match to be staged at the Riverside in 2013 after the England and Wales Cricket Board accepted the recommendation of the independent Major Match Group.

On this week's ICC Cricket World audio show South Africa international Albie Morkel - who has been likened to the hard-hitting Lance Klusener - admits that his aggressive style does help him in Twenty20 cricket but that he is by no means a one-trick pony.

Muttiah Muralitharan's late knock proved crucial to Sri Lanka on Thursday as it pulled off a 36-run victory in the first limited-overs international against Pakistan, to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Australia made a confident start in the third Ashes test against England as Shane Watson's unbeaten fifty lifted them to 126 for one on a rain-disrupted first day on Thursday.

Sri Lanka's world record holder spinner Muttiah Muralidaran announced on Thursday he was planning to retire from test cricket in 2010.

West Indies Head Coach, John Dyson, has lauded the Bangladesh team for outplaying his depleted West Indies side in both the Test and One Day International series

Legendary England bowler Sydney Barnes has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Cricket Australia (CA) has congratulated Australian captain Ricky Ponting on becoming the highest Australian Test run scorer in history.

Scotland and the Netherlands were no match for Ireland in the first ever European U/17 women's event as the Irish girls stormed to the title in the Netherlands on Thursday without losing a game.