Holders England could send as many as 24 players to defend the Ashes this winter, providing cover for every possible injury.

A strong performance from the Pakistani seamers, especially the returning Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul, put Pakistan in control.

Australian coach John Buchanan has said Glenn McGrath will take the new ball when the Ashes series starts in late November.

The South Africans are angry over rumours that the decision to leave Sri Lanka was forced upon the younger players by the seniors.

In light of pulling out from the Unitech Cup, South Africa will host Zimbabwe for a two match ODI series in September.

Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar is unlikely to be risked in the final Test against England – although some changes are expected for Pakistan.

Matthew Hoggard has over-come a knee problem and been declared fit for the final Test against Pakistan starting tomorrow at The Oval.

Australian coach John Buchanan has made Duncan Fletcher’s 2005 Ashes diary mandatory reading ahead of the rematch this summer.

Craig McMillan’s slide in New Zealand Cricket continues after he wasn’t considered to be in the top 30 players in the country.

Kuala Lumpur will host a tri-series next month involving Australia, India and the West Indies.