Tharindu Kaushal has been clear

Tharindu Kaushal - Cricket Funnda

Sri Lankan off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal get the permission for bowling in international cricket after the bio mechanic test in Chennai, India. ICC did not authorized him for the "Doosra" delivery.

Zimbabwe preparations for Worldcup

Zimbabwe cricket team will be finalize preparation for ICC CWC 2015 in Dubai from 28th Jan. Zimbabwean coach David Watmore have confidence on his team to give tough time against big teams. He says, team have ability to upset in showcase event. Zimbabwe's first match in Worldcup on 15th Feb against South Africa.

Pakistan check in Kiwi's land

Pakistan cricket team has been landed on New Zealand after the long journey of 35 hours. Team will start net practice on Friday, two practice matches scheduled on Sunday and Tuesday against president eleven.  One Day Internationals will be played on 31st Jan and 3rd Feb with home team.

Pakistani batsman M. Hafeez recalled his memory after reaching New Zealand, he confident  to perform well on tour. He was scored his first ODI century on New Zealand,

Practice matches before Worldcup

ICC announced the schedule and venues of warm up matches before worldcup, will be played from February 8 to February 13.

8 February: Australia v India, 2pm, Adelaide Oval.
9 February: South Africa v Sri Lanka, 11am, Hagley Oval.
9 February: New Zealand v Zimbabwe, 11am Lincoln Oval.
9 February: England v West Indies, 2.30pm Sydney Cricket Ground.
9 February: Pakistan v Bangladesh, 2.30pm Blacktown.
10 February: India v Afghanistan, 2pm, Adelaide Oval.
10 February: Ireland v Scotland, 2.30pm, Blacktown.
11 February: South Africa v New Zealand, 11am, Hagley Oval.
11 February: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 11am, Lincoln Oval.
11 February: Australia v United Arab Emirates, 2.30pm, MCG.
11 February: England v Pakistan, 2.30pm, SCG.
12 February: West Indies v Scotland, 9.30am, SCG.
12 February: Bangladesh v Ireland, 9.30am, Blacktown.
13 February: Afghanistan v United Arab Emirates, 10am, Junction Oval.

Hafeez going to retest

Pakistan are seeking to have the bowling action of allrounder Mohammad Hafeez cleared by the International Cricket Council in time for next month's ICC Cricket World Cup.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board has officially requested the ICC re-test Hafeez's action in the first week of February in the hope that he will be cleared for the tournament, which starts on February 14.

The off-spinner was suspended in December when it was determined that his action exceeded the 15-degree limit set by the ICC. He had been reported during Pakistan's Test series against New Zealand in November and then failed an official test at an ICC-accredited biomechanics testing laboratory in Loughborough, England.

Hafeez has taken 122 wickets in 153 ODIs and, despite the ban, is ranked No.11 in the world ODI bowling rankings and 15th in Twenty20s.

Hafeez was this month included in Pakistan's 15-man squad for the World Cup and will likely be retained in the squad as a batsman even if he is not permitted to bowl.

Wasim Akram shows believe on Starc

Australia’s lethal left-arm swing bowler Mitchell Starc is “almost there” amongst the world’s best fast bowlers according to Pakistan champion bowler Wasim Akram.

Akram spoke at the unveiling of the new Ricky Ponting and David Boon stands at Blundstone Arena today where he applauded the efforts of Starc and fellow southpaw Mitchell Johnson for their progression and performance with the swinging ball.

“I am very impressed with both of them,” Akram said in Hobart.

“Mitchell Johnson - unbelievable last couple of years and Starc is also looking good, he’s improving ever game.

“The more he plays the better he’ll become. He’s got the pace, he’s got the swing, he’s tall, he’s strong, and he’s the using the crease as well, bowling over the wicket, around the wicket.

“So he’s getting there. The other day he got wickets against India and to me it looks like he’s there now, he’s getting there.

“Bit more hard work and he’ll be up there.”

The 104-Test veteran first spoke to Starc during the 2012-13 New Year’s Test against India, alerting the Australian to the importance of a supple wrist when releasing the ball.

Starc’s ability to conventionally swing the new ball and reverse the old one has reaped 10 wickets at 8.5 runs apiece in Australia’s two Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series matches.

The 24-year-old was devastating up front in game one against England, trapping Ian Bell and James Taylor with two perfectly pitched inswingers to leave the tourists in tatters at 2-0 after three balls.

Akram also credits Johnson’s re-discovery of that elusive swing for his return to the summit as one of the world most feared bowlers.

Johnson claimed 37 Ashes wickets last summer in a year that saw him regain the fearsome pace and accuracy that had him crowned the ICC Player of the Year.

“Mitchell Starc’s natural swing is inswing. Johnson has learned (how to swing the ball) in the last couple of years, that’s why he’s been so consistent and so lethal because of his pace.

“145-150(kph) clocking every time. It shows the fitness of the man as well.”

Pakistan on road to Worldcup

Pakistan cricket team take off from Lahore to New Zealand for two one day internationals before ICC CWC 2015. 1st ODI scheduled on 31st Jan and second will be on 3rd Feb. Pakistan's fast bowler Junad Khan did not go with team due to injury.

Bell makes history

35 – Number of fifty-plus scores for Ian Bell in One Day Internationals, the most by a batsman from England. Bell has three centuries and 32 fifties.

He trumped Kevin Pietersen, who had 34 fifty-plus scores (nine hundreds and 25 half-centuries). The 32-year-old Bell is also now just five runs away from becoming only the second English batsman -  after Paul Collingwood – to make 5,000 ODI runs.

Ronchi blasts for New Zealand victory

New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi slammed 24 runs off the 48th over to secure a four-wicket win in the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka in Nelson.

Chasing 277 after Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first at Saxton Oval, the Black Caps won with 11 balls in hand to take a 2-1 lead in the seven-match series.

Ronchi's unbeaten 32 off 15 balls provided the finishing flourish, but Kane Williamson set up Tuesday's win with his fifth ODI century after New Zealand's run chase looked shaky when they lost openers Brendon McCullum for 11 and Martin Guptill for 20.

Ross Taylor's dismissal for 8 left the Black Caps 63-3 after 15 overs, but an 88-run stand for the fourth wicket rebuilt the innings until Grant Elliott's dismissal for 44 early in the 33rd over.

Williamson then built another solid partnership with Corey Anderson, adding 79 for the fifth wicket before he was clean bowled by Thisara Perera for 103 with the last ball of the 44th over.

New Zealand still looked in a good position, needing 47 to win from 36 balls, but a direct hit left Anderson (47) short of his ground an over later and the pressure was back on until Ronchi let fly with three sixes in the 48th over.

The Kiwi bowlers had earlier reined in a strong Sri Lankan start, choking the lower order after a 102-run stand for the second wicket between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara set them up for a 300-plus total.

The visitors looked set for a big finish, but lost six wickets in the final five overs for just 31 runs.

Dilshan, whose 116 off 127 balls set up Sri Lanka's six-wicket win in the second ODI, was dismissed for 44 by Williamson in the 21st over.

Adam Milne broke up a promising partnership when he removed Sangakkara for 76 then skipper Angelo Mathews without scoring with consecutive balls in the 34th over.

Mahela Jayawardene set about regaining the initiative, combining with Lahiru Thirimanne in a 65-run stand for the fifth wicket.

But it was all downhill for the visitors once Thirimanne was clean bowled by Mitchell McClenaghan for 19 halfway through the 45th over.

Jayawardene edged a faint touch from Corey Anderson to Ronchi's safe gloves an over later, out for 96 hunting his second century of the series after stroking 104 in the first ODI.

The final four wickets fell for 23 runs as Tim Southee finished with 3-59 off his 10 overs, with Milne (2-28) and McClenaghan (2-58) also providing valuable contributions.

Smith lead to Australia in next ODI

Steve Smith has been named captain of Australia's one-day team for Friday's Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series match against England with George Bailey suspended after a second slow-over rate offence in Sunday's match in Melbourne.

Shaun Marsh and Cameron White have both been called up for the fourth match in the tri-series, with David Warner not travelling with the squad to Hobart to recuperate after picking up a slight hamstring strain earlier in the series.

Smith will become Australia's 22nd ODI skipper and his appointment was made following approval by the Cricket Australia Board of Directors.

"Steven's appointment was a straightforward decision given the excellent impression he made in charge of the side during the Commonwealth Bank Test series when he stepped in for the injured Michael Clarke," said National Selector Rod Marsh.

"It is unfortunate for George Bailey that he will miss the match in his home state but in Steven we have a dynamic player who leads from the front, by example, and we look forward to him doing so again on Friday."

SQUAD

Steven Smith (captain), Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Gurinder Sandhu, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson, Cameron White

Bad news for Bangladesh cricket

Bangladesh's slow left arm bowler Taijul Islam injured during practice camp for ICC CWC 2015. Taijul Islam started with his ODI cricket with hat trick. Team Bangladesh will fly to Australia on Jan 24, 2015.

James Anderson is back

England's fast bowler include in playing XI in the today's match against India for the 3rd match of Tri-series. Both team get defeat from the Australia side.

Team Pakistan takes a flight today for event

Pakistan cricket team will fly today to New Zealand for 2 one day internationals. After 2 ODI team will go to Australia and play two warm up matches against England and Bangladesh before world cup. Pakistan's world cup campaign will started on Feb 15, 2015 in the match against rivalry team India.  

Shirt numbers of Pakistani players

Shirts numbers revealed of Pakistan cricket team players for ICC CWC 2015 starting from Feb 14, 2015.

#AhmedShehzad - 19
#MHafeez - 8
#UAkmal - 3
#WahabRiaz - 47
#MIrfan - 76
#ShahidAfridi - 10
#YasirShah - 86
#EhsanAdil - 91
#YounusKhan - 75
#HarisSohail - 89
#JunaidKhan - 83
#SohaibMaqsood - 92
#Sarfaraz - 54
#Misbah - 22
#SohailKhan - 14

George Bailey suspended for slow over-rate

Australia will need a new one-day captain for their third Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series match after George Bailey was suspended for his side’s slow over-rate in yesterday’s tense win over India.

International Cricket Council match referee Andy Pycroft ruled that Australia were one over short of their target at the conclusion of India’s innings when time allowances were taken into consideration, and in doing so suspended Bailey from Australia’s next ODI in Hobart on Friday.

It was Bailey’s second slow over-rate offence in the last 12 months after he was fined in the first ODI in Perth against South Africa on November 14, and pleaded guilty to the offence, accepting the sanction without the need for a formal hearing.

Amla makes history

Amla made a run-a-ball 66 at the top of the order to reach the 5,000 ODI run mark in his 101st innings, comfortably quicker than the legendary Viv Richards and current Indian superstar Virat Kohli, both of whom took 114 innings to get to the milestone. 

Ireland World Cup Squad

Ireland’s selectors have confirmed their squad for the World Cup next month in Australia and New Zealand.

There are no changes to the 15 players named last month for the training camp and tri-series in Dubai against Afghanistan and Scotland.

Captain William Porterfield is one of five players who will be participating in their third World Cup, along with the O’Brien brothers, Ed Joyce, and John Mooney.

At the other end of the spectrum, it will be the first time at a World Cup for six of the squad, with Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Andrew McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Stuart Thompson, and Craig Young making their tournament debuts.

“It’s fantastic to be leading Ireland in another global tournament,” said 30 year-old Porterfield.

“We’ve produced some wonderful performances over the years in World Cups, and there’s no reason why we can’t claim further successes in Australia and New Zealand.

“While we may have lost the surprise factor over the years, we’ve certainly gained a lot of respect for our brand of cricket which has been pretty pleasing.

“There’s a great mix as always in the squad, and the younger guys coming through are all hungry which keeps the more experienced players on their toes. Competition for places has been fierce and that’s got to be good for Irish cricket.”

Ireland have opted not to name any replacements yet, but Head Coach Phil Simmons did reveal they had taken five bowlers with the squad to Dubai to help with their preparations.

“We’ve got five extra seamers with the World Cup squad here in Dubai,” said Simmons, who arrived with the Irish squad in the Emirates today.

“Max Sorensen, Graeme McCarter, Eddie Richardson, Tyrone Kane and Barry McCarthy will all bowl in the nets and will provide a great resource in our build-up.

“It’s our intention to have some additional players based in Australia to provide cover for the World Cup squad, and we’ll finalise those arrangements in the coming weeks. It’s important that we’ll have players who can hit the ground running if we suffer any injuries during the two months of the event.”

Ireland play four ODI’s in the UAE, and following a short return to Irish shores, depart for Australia at the end of January for a training camp and fixture against Sydney based club Randwick Petersham.

The Irish stay in Sydney for official warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh, before flying to New Zealand to face West Indies in their opening game in Hamilton on February 16th.

Ireland World Cup Squad

William Porterfield (Captain) (Warwickshire), Andrew Balbirnie (Middlesex), Peter Chase (Malahide), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), Ed Joyce (Sussex), Andrew McBrine (Donemana), John Mooney (North County), Tim Murtagh (Middlesex), Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union), Niall O’Brien (Leicestershire), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Stuart Thompson (Eglinton), Gary Wilson (Surrey), Craig Young (Bready).

Pakistan Squad for ICC CWC 2015

Pakistan have picked 30-year old fast bowler Sohail Khan in their 15-man squad for the 2015 World Cup. Sohail had played the last of his five ODIs in Zimbabwe in 2011, but took ten wickets in two of his most recent List A games, and was the highest wicket-taker in this season's Quaid-e-Azam Gold League - 64 at an average of 22.

Apart from Sohail, the other World Cup inclusions not part of the squad for the series against New Zealand in December 2014 - Pakistan's previous ODI assignment - are batsman Sohaib Maqsood, and fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Ehsan Adil. All three missed that series because of injuries but have now recovered

The players who were part of the New Zealand series but excluded from the World Cup squad are: Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Nasir Jamshed, Sohail Tanvir and Zulfiqar Babar. Umar Gul and Bilawal Bhatti had been withdrawn from the New Zealand series because of injury and were also not included in the World Cup squad.

There had been plenty of speculation over the last week regarding the selection of Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal, but the selectors decided to stick with younger prospects, with Haris Sohail being included for a spot in the middle order.

"Shoaib Malik was being considered for the middle-order slot as we lost the bowling utility of Saeed Ajmal and Hafeez," chief selector Moin Khan said. "But eventually, we preferred Haris Sohail as his recent performances and the added advantage of him being a left-hander put him ahead."

The 15-man squad includes two specialist openers, five fast bowlers, and three allrounders in Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz and Haris.

"Obviously Sohail's inclusion is a surprise for all of you but this is a proof that we selectors do prefer the domestic performances. He had a good one-day tournament and this is the reward for all his hard work and performances.

"Nasir Jamshed was discussed for the opening slot but we felt recent performances were important and hence couldn't justify his selection. Fawad Alam also, unfortunately, could not make it into our team combination, but he is indeed is a fighter."

When asked why Pakistan had gone with just two specialist openers, Moin said: "We have gambled having two openers but we have Sarfraz Ahmed as a back-up force. The nature of his game, his positivity, and the sort of shots he plays make him a solid prospect to bat higher if needed. We are very much clear in in our mind that we have the best two openers, with Sarfraz as a third option."

As many as six players named in the party had been suffering from various injuries going into the tournament, but Moin confirmed that there were no serious injury concerns at the moment.

"The 15 men are fully fit following the medical evidence we have after detailed fitness tests," he said. "Obviously, the standard is not very high, but with the recently developed culture, every player is improving.

"I must say that the fitness levels of our players is ready to match those of players in any other part of the cricket world. No one can give assurance of a result, but we are confident that this team can do better in the World Cup."

Moin also gave his vote of confidence to the captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who had suffered a hamstring injury during the home series against New Zealand last month, but recovered after extensive rehabilitation.

"He is fit and has informed the selectors that he has recovered," Moin said. "His call is taken with respect as he is the captain and we have to respect his observation. He has started running, batting and sprinting between the wicket, but if there is any deficiency, he still has plenty of time to cover up and I am sure in due course he will be fine."

Pakistan are without a specialist offspinner, though the selectors have named a legspinner in Yasir Shah, along with Afridi. Moin defended the selection as a pure cricketing decision.

"We had also carried two legspinners [Mushtaq Ahmed and Iqbal Sikander] in the 1992 World Cup, so that isn't something exceptional," Moin said.

"With legspinners, the probability of taking field wickets increases. We have as many as 12 matches including the World Cup games, and given the age factor of Afridi, naturally we have to keep a back-up as well. Yasir, we believe, is a wicket-taking bowler and a good prospect."

Squad Misbah-ul-Haq(captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka's Squad for ICC CWC 2015

Sri Lanka Cricket announced final 15 for ICC Cricket Worldcup 2015

There are no real surprises in the squad. In Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Rangana Herath Sri Lanka have a wealth of experience at their disposal, even without Malinga.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who has been part of Sri Lanka's squads for the two ODI assignments leading up to the World Cup - the series against England in November and December, which Sri Lanka won 5-2, and the upcoming series in New Zealand - retains his place. Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who was dropped for the England series at home but made his way back to the squad for New Zealand courtesy strong showings in domestic cricket, also makes it.

Given the conditions in Australia and New Zealand, the selectors picked only two specialist spinners for the showpiece tournament, in left-arm spinner Herath and offspinner Sachithra Senanayake. They will be backed up by legspinning allrounder Jeevan Mendis. The other allrounders in the squad include captain Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Thirimanne and Chandimal join Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Karunaratne as the specialist batsmen, while Dhammika Prasad and Suranga Lakmal are the specialist fast-bowling options in addition to Malinga and Kulasekara.

Sri Lanka's World Cup squad

Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga (subject to fitness), Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake

South Africa 15 Man Squad for ICC CWC 2015

Cricket South Africa announced final squad for ICC Cricket Worldcup 2015

Injured wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has been named in South Africa's squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

De Kock, 22, tore ligaments in his right ankle while warming up during the first Test against the West Indies on December 19.

It was estimated the free-scoring left-handed opening batsman could be out of action for between 10 and 12 weeks, which would probably mean him missing at least South Africa's first two World Cup matches, against Zimbabwe on February 15 and India on February 22.

De Kock has such become a valuable member of the one-day side, with six centuries in his first 35 one-day internationals, that the selectors are willing to gamble on him recovering in time to play the team's later pool games and in the knock-out stages, with AB de Villiers taking the gloves in the interim.

View: View the Cup squads named so far

Read: Australian squad form guide

World Cup regulations make provision for teams to name injured players and replace them before the tournament, or if they aggravate the injury at the tournament, provided a medical certificate is produced.

There are no major surprises in the squad, although there are two changes from the 15 that were beaten 4-1 in the Carlton Mid One-Day series in Australia in November.

Left-handed batsman and off-spin bowler JP Duminy and left-arm spin bowler Aaron Phangiso return after missing the November tour because of injury.

All-rounder Ryan McLaren, the side's leading wicket-taker in both 2013 and 2014, was dropped after a dramatic fall-off in form since suffering a broken arm against Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson in a Test match last season.

Robin Peterson, a veteran of three World Cups who replaced Phangiso in Australia, was also omitted.

South Africa's challenge will be spearheaded by a strong batting line-up, in which De Villiers and Hashim Amla have outstanding records, while the powerful fast bowling trio of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander will be complemented by leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who has taken 47 wickets in 27 one-day internationals.

De Villiers said he was confident the right squad had been chosen.

"It's a huge honour," de Villiers said. 

"I'm very confident. We know we have to keep our feet on the ground and work hard. It's a huge tournament which we have never won before and we want to bring it home."

In contrast to previous South African teams, there is a shortage of top-quality all-rounders.

Duminy is likely to be a key player but batting all-rounder Farhaan Behardien and bowling all-rounder Wayne Parnell are not guaranteed places in the starting line-up.

AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn