Shoaib Akhtar has been flown in to South Africa to help back-up fast bowler Umar Gul who is under an injury cloud.

Munaf Patel has been ruled out of the first two ODIs against West Indies later this month, as a result of a sore ankle.

Pakistan’s warmup game against Rest of South Africa ended in a bore draw today, although Shahid Nazir impressed with five wickets.

James Hopes and Shane Harwood have been called up to Australia’s Twenty20 squad due to injury and illness to Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson.

In a year where he shattered batting records, made 1788 runs averaging 99.33, Mohammad Yousuf is Cricket Web’s 2006 player of the year.

James Franklin is in doubt for the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka after being flown back to Wellington for checks to be done on his knee.

Stuart MacGill is back in contention after the Australian chairman of selectors denied there was a rift between CA and the leg-spinner.

Nathan Astle has said he wants to open the batting for the Black Caps and would rather not bat in the middle order.

Pakistan’s record breaking batsman is set to miss the first Test against South Africa, opting to stay at home and care for his ill wife

New Zealand have been left battered and bruised as Sanath Jayasuriya and then Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga tore them to shreds.