Over and out: Andrew Flintoff calls time on cricket career

Andrew Flintoff has pulled down the curtain on his illustrious cricketing career, his body no longer capable of handling the rigours of the sport.

The 32-year-old allrounder is enormously popular in England, his starring role in the home side regaining the Ashes in the 2005 series cementing his place in the nation's pysche.

"It is with both disappointment and sadness that I am today (Thursday) announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket," Flintoff said .

"The decision to end my career came yesterday (Wednesday) after consultation with medical advisers," added the 32-year-old, who quit the Test format after helping England regain the Ashes last year.

"Having been told that my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative but to retire."

He was told he would need a third operation on his troublesome right knee.

At the height of his career between 2002 and 2005, Flintoff was a towering figure in the sport with both bat and ball.

His statistics have never done justice to his influence on the field but the reality is his powers have diminished considerably during the past three years.

Outside of his stirring spell in last year's Ashes Test at Lord's and a run out at The Oval, he was more of an inspirational figure than a pivotal one.

Some members of the English brains trust might privately be pleased in some respects that Flintoff has called it a day only a fortnight out from the naming of the Ashes squad.

Flintoff retired from Test cricket last year but his presence even in one-day and Twenty20 cricket could have been a major distraction for the national team.

So often portrayed as the nation's saviour, the truth is the England team have moved on without Flintoff.

The Test and one-day sides have gone from strength to strength since coach Andy Flower took over the reins at the beginning of last year.

Flintoff recently admitted he had not been in contact with either Flower or captain Andrew Strauss since last year's final Ashes Test, more than a year ago.

He has clearly not been in their plans and his exit from the game is well timed for the national team.

The England side hardly need the possibity of him floating around in case things go wrong early on in this year's Ashes series.

While Flintoff tasted Ashes success in 2005 and 2009, his captaincy of the 2006/07 tour in Australia was shambolic. The fun-loving character had the stuffing knocked out of him as England were belted 5-0.

It was England's worst Ashes series loss since a war-weary outfit succumbed to the same scoreline in 1920/21.

Flintoff has had plenty of problems with the drink, his after hours activities landing him headlines of the wrong kind during the 2007 World Cup.

His departure ends Queensland's chances of playing him in the summer's Twenty20 domestic competition.

Chennai Super Kings thrash Wayamba Elevens in CLT20

A second-wicket partnership of 137 between Murali Vijay and Suresh Raina helped Chennai Super Kings reach the 200-run mark for the first time in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament and crush Wayamba Elevens by 97 runs here on Wednesday. Chasing 201, Wayamba was bowled out for 103. 

With the ball coming onto his bat with minimal deviation and short boundaries all around him, Murali Vijay earned full value for the crisp timing he displayed from the start of the Chennai innings. The opener struck a six and three fours in the fifth over, bowled by left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara, and was seeing the ball so well by then that he drilled a perfectly pitched middle-stump yorker to the square-leg fence. 

His partner Matthew Hayden was lbw attempting to sweep Ajantha Mendis in the next over, but Vijay carried on attacking the Wayamba bowling in the company of Suresh Raina. The score read 92 for one after ten overs, and 135 for one at the end of 15. 

Murderous strokes 

By this time, both had crossed 50, and Raina was beginning to show off the most murderous strokes in his southpaw repertoire, chief among them the heave over midwicket. Four monster sixes in one Mendis over, the 17th of the innings, and two doubles in between, sent him hurtling from 59 to 87. 

Raina fell at that score, finding the leaping Jehan Mubarak at cover with an underhit lofted drive off Welegedara. Vijay holed out off the next delivery, but the left-handed Albie Morkel averted the hat-trick with a powerful drive that beat long off running frantically to his right. 

Morkel and skipper M.S. Dhoni only managed 14 off the last two overs, but the Vijay-Raina partnership had done enough before them to leave Wayamba staring at a target of 201. 

Wayamba never looked in contention, and at one stage looked in danger of falling short of 50. 

Early blow

 

Jeevantha Kulatunga went first ball, mistiming a pull off medium pacer Albie Morkel straight to square leg. Skipper Jehan Mubarak followed him in Morkel's next over, edging one to the keeper. 

Mahela Jayawardene was next to go, looking to harness Doug Bollinger's pace and left-arm-over angle with an uppercut but succeeding only in finding Muttiah Muralitharan at third man. 

The next over saw Murali taking another catch, at mid off this time to send back the left-handed Kushal Perera, fending Morkel hesitantly and managing only a leading edge. All four wickets came from short balls, and all, apart from Jayawardene, were the result of discomfort against the bounce afforded by the Centurion wicket. 

Off-spinner R. Ashwin then came on and bowled Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Thisara Perera in his first over, both batsmen attempting ugly, across-the-line heaves. Shalika Karunanayake and Isuru Udana put on 27 for the seventh wicket before the latter fell to another short ball, gloving a pull off Balaji to Dhoni behind the stumps. 

The end was delayed just long enough for Wayamba to cross 100. Morkel ended with figures of three for 22, and Ashwin, displaying all his variety – off break, drifter, carrom ball, picked up two more wickets to finish with four. 

The scores: Chennai Super Kings: M. Vijay c Perera b Welegedara 68 (46b, 9x4, 1x6), M. Hayden lbw b Mendis 10 (18b, 1x4), S. Raina c Mubarak b Welegedara 87 (44b, 6x4, 6x6), A. Morkel (not out) 9 (5b, 1x4), M.S. Dhoni (not out) 10 (9b, 1x4); Extras (b-2, lb-6, w-6, nb-2) 16. Total (for three wickets in 20 overs) 200. 

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-180, 3-180. 

Wayamba bowling: Udana 4-0-30-0, Mendis 4-0-45-1, Welegedara 4-0-47-2, Karunanayake 3-0-24-0, T. Perera 2-0-25-0, Herath 3-0-21-0. 

Wayamba Elevens: M. Jayawardene c Muralitharan b Bollinger 10 (7b, 2x4), J. Kulatunga c Anirudha b Morkel 0 (1b), J. Mubarak c Dhoni b Morkel 7 (8b, 1x4), K. Perera c Muralitharan b Morkel 7 (10b, 1x4), K. Lokuarachchi b Ashwin 6 (4b, 1x4), S. Karunanayake (not out) 25 (30b, 1x4, 1x6), T. Perera b Ashwin 4 (5b, 1x4), I. Udana c Dhoni b Balaji 13 (16b, 2x4), R. Herath c Muralitharan b Ashwin 4 (6b), A. Mendis st Dhoni b Ashwin 15 (13b, 2x4, 1x6), C. Welegedara (not out) 0 (3b); Extras (b-4, w-7, nb-1) 12. Total (in 17.1 overs) 103. 

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-18, 3-18, 4-31, 5-31, 6-35, 7-62, 8-76, 9-102. 

Chennai bowling: Morkel 3-0-22-3, Bollinger 4-0-15-1, Ashwin 4-0-18-4, Balaji 3-0-17-1, Muralitharan 3.1-0-27-1.

Mumbai Indians lose to Redbacks, Virtually out of CLT20

Tom Cooper hit 19 off five balls to see South Australia to a five-wicket win over IPL giants Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20 cricket match here today.

The defeat, Mumbai's second in two games in group B, puts Sachin Tendulkar's team on the brink of elimination.

Cooper smashed two sixes and a four at the death as South Australia overhauled Mumbai's 180-7 with three balls to spare. The Redbacks finished on 182-5.

Openers Michael Klinger and Daniel Harris both made half-centuries in a 112-run opening partnership, but the Redbacks needed big hitting from Cooper and Cameron Borgas (14 off five) to see them to victory.

Saurabh Tiwary topscored for Mumbai with 44 off 36 balls.

Nadal wins US Open for career Grand Slam

The Spanish left-hander became the seventh man to complete the Grand Slam, joining Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Don Budge and Fred Perry in having won the US Open defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic on Monday

Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 on Monday to complete his collection of Grand Slam titles with the US Open crown.

World number one Nadal, 24, won the rain-delayed final after almost three-and-a-half hours of play against the third-seeded Serb Djokovic, who had to settle for the runner-up spot as in 2007 against Roger Federer.

Nadal is the seventh player in tennis history to win all four majors. Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi and Federer have also won the Australian Open, French Open, US Open and Wimbledon.

The men’s final was delayed by weather for the third year in a row.

NZ could pull out of Delhi Games over security concerns

   Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex

New Zealand were committed to competing at next month's Delhi Common wealth Games but would have no hesitation pulling out if any security concerns were raised, team management said on Monday.

"Anyone suggesting that we are going to put our athletes at risk is mischievous," New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) president Mike Stanley told reporters in Auckland.

"Right now, New Zealand is planning to be in Delhi. If things change and the New Zealand Government can't advise us that our athletes are secure in that environment, then we won't go."

Security issues at sporting events within the region have been hotly debated since an attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Pakistan last year, though Games organisers have promised a high level of security.

Seven New Zealand police officers would join a multinational contingent of more than 40 police from Canada, Australia, and Britain, who would also provide advice to team management and additional security for the Oct. 3-14 Games, Stanley said.

"We believe this is the best way to securing our team," he said. "We have a multinational approach which is well organised. We are confident it will provide our team with the advice it needs to make the most appropriate decisions.

"Stanley said the security assessment would be ongoing and there was no deadline for a final decision on participation.

"That could be right up until the start of the Games and it will be monitored (throughout)," he added.

"It's just one of those things we have to be vigilant about and we have to take it on a day-by-day basis."

New Zealand's chef de mission Dave Currie leaves for Delhi on Tuesday to undertake a final inspection of facilities and security, with the first New Zealand athletes due in the Indian capital on Sept. 25.

US Open: Men's final postponed due to rain

Arthur Ashe Stadium

New York: Rafael Nadal will have to wait at least one more day for a chance to complete his collection of grand slam titles after persistent rain washed out Sunday's US Open men's final against Novak Djokovic.

For the third year in a row, the championship decider was postponed until Monday after foul weather ruined any chance of the match proceeding as scheduled. Rain began falling less than two hours before the match was due to begin, forcing a halt to the women's doubles final that was nearing completion in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

About three and a half hours later, with no end in sight to the downpour, tournament officials decided to abandon play and reschedule the men's final at 4 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Monday. 

"Due to the continued uncertainty of the weather forecast for the remainder of the evening, and with the desire to be fair to the players and to our fans, the US Open men's singles championship will be postponed until Monday," tournament organisers said in a statement.

More than 20,000 people who had tickets for the match were forced to make a retreat while the delay stalled Nadal's bid to capture the one grand slam title that has eluded him. The Spaniard has already won the other three major titles during his career and a victory in New York would see him become just the seventh man to win all four grand slams.

The world number one was an overwhelming favourite to win the title after cruising into his first New York final without dropping a set. But the delay gives an unexpected reprieve to Djokovic, who was left battling exhaustion after beating Roger Federer  in a gruelling five-set semi-final on Saturday.

The extra day of rest will give the Serbian a chance to recover after he endured a sleepless night. "I was watching golf and trying to sleep but because of the adrenalin I couldn't. I was walking around killing time," he told local television. "It's unfortunate rain stopped us but tomorrow is a new day. I will try to rest as much as I can and get some recovery.

"I'm sure I will be fit to play my best tennis." The postponement once again raised questions about why there is no roof over centre court at the US Open. The centre courts at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon have retractable roofs while organisers of the French Open are in talks about covering up their main court. But US Tennis Association officials have balked at the idea because of the cost of covering Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world.

"It's technically complex and financially challenging," USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said. "At a cost of more than $ 150 million, do you spend that on a roof or continue to fund grassroots tennis programs in this country?"

Tainted Pak trio to return home within 48 hours

Mohd Asif, Mohd Amir and Salman Butt

London: The Three Pakistani cricketers at the centre of the spot-fixing scandal in England would return home within 48 hours, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said. 

Malik informed that the three players - Mohd Asif, Mohd Amir and Salman Butt -would make themselves available if there is any need for further investigation. 

Malik also said that the Government of Pakistan will provide a written assurance to the Scotland Yard in this respect.

"We have spoken to Scotland Yard, and the (Pakistan) High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, has also been in talks with them and they have agreed that the players can return to Pakistan," Malik told a leading cricket website.

It was learnt that negotiations were on to bring back the three players allegedly involved in spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test about a fortnight back. One source claimed that the players, who are expected to travel back together, would come back to Pakistan either on Friday or Saturday.

The three cricketers were initially suspended by ICC provisionally and were quizzed by the Scotland Yard for their alleged role in bowling deliberate no-balls during the fourth Test at Lord`s between England and Pakistan.

On Thursday, Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz was also summoned for questioning by Scotland Yard on September 14 over the alleged spot-fixing scandal. He will be the fourth Pakistani player to be interrogated in the case.

Nadal through to US Open semis

Rafael Nadal moved closer to a Sunday showdown with Roger Federer after advancing to the semi-finals of the US Open.

Nadal

Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco7-5 6-3 6-4 in their quarter-final at Flushing Meadows and will now face Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in tomorrow's semi-finals.

Youzhny came from two sets to one down to beat Stanislas Wawrinka 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-3 6-3 in Thursday's other quarter-final, while five-time champion Federer faces Novak Djokovic in the remaining semi-final.

Nadal had won all 10 of his previous meetings with eighth seed Verdasco, losing just three sets in the process, although two of those did come in an epic five-set semi-final at the Australian Open in 2009 which lasted a record five hours and 14 minutes.

However, it was Verdasco who jumped out to a surprise early lead in the opening set on a chilly, windy night in New York, Nadal losing his serve for the first time in the tournament after 62 successful holds.

Verdasco could not make the most of his chance though, committing two double faults in a row to give back the break and then getting broken to love in the 12th game as Nadal took the set after 59 minutes.

A single break of serve was enough for Nadal to take the second set too, and when the top seed broke in the first game of the third the writing was well and truly on the wall.

Nadal, who needs to win on Sunday to complete the career Grand Slam, said: "It's a very, very nice feeling to be in the semi-finals for the third time in a row in one of the most important tournaments in the world - for me probably the most important right now.

"It was very difficult to play, it was difficult to have a big serve because when you threw the ball up it was tough to control.

"But I knew Fernando had a really tough match two days ago (coming back from two sets down to beat David Ferrer) so he was probably a bit tighter than normal. I am sorry for him, but it's a very important victory for me."

Tainted Asif might take political asylum in Britain

Fearing a violent backlash in Pakistan for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal, pacer Mohammad Asif is considering taking political asylum in Britain.

According to a report in 'The Daily Telegraph', Asif, who is currently in England for investigations into the scam exposed by a British tabloid, had a 35-minute meeting with an immigration lawyer last Friday.

"(Asif) said he feared the allegations of fixing certain events in a recent Test match against England could make him the target of dangerous criminal gangs linked to the illegal betting underworld," the newspaper reported.

The cricketer reportedly asked the lawyer "if there was a way to stay in Britain and discussed the asylum process."

"He didn't say anything about asylum at first," said the lawyer.

"He just said, 'What's the way to stay?' Then we told him there's the student way - you can come here to study - or you can apply for a work permit. But then he asked about asylum," he added.

Asif, along with Pakistan Test skipper Salman Butt and teen pacer Mohammad Aamer, has been interrogated by the Scotland Yard after it was alleged that the trio conspired to bowl no balls in the Lord's Test against England after taking bribes from a bookie.

The latest report said that Asif is waiting for "the results of investigations by Scotland Yard and the International Cricket Council, to which he expressed his innocence, before taking any asylum claim further."

Immigration experts said Asif had a good chance of getting asylum if he can prove a considerable threat to his life.

The lawyer, with whom Asif spoke, said the bowler looked "very anxious".

"I think he's just worried about the backlash at home, that's what he told me," he said.

"There's been a lot of talk and there are undercover betting mafias with a lot of power - that seemed to be what he was worried about.

"If he wants to go forward then we will see what we can do for him," he added.

Australian players' participation in IPL 4 doubtful: Report

Question mark hovers over Australia players' participation in fourth edition of the Indian Premier League after the Indian board decided to remit 10% of foreign players' auction fee to their national boards.

The governing council of the IPL had earlier decided to keep the players' agents away from the cash-rich Twenty20 extravaganza and give a cut of the players' fees to the boards of the countries they come from.

The decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) irked the Australian players as chief executive of Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) Paul Marsh voiced displeasure over the decision.

Few hours after the BCCI's decision, Marsh told that the ACA would ask the players not to sign the IPL contracts.

"The ACA has made it known to CA that any attempt to take 10%, or any other amount for that matter, from the IPL salaries of Australian players is completely unacceptable and will be opposed in the strongest possible way by us," Marsh reportedly said in a statement.

"CA simply has no right to effectively charge a 'commission' on income earned by players from outside their employment to CA. This is akin to an employer trying to take 10% of an employee's wages from a second job he works on weekends. Regardless of the decision made by the IPL, we would hope that CA would act in good faith to its players by not taking this proposed 10"

The CA said it supported the BCCI's move. "We have not received any advice from the BCCI and do not know what the Indian board plans to do. We do, in principle, support the view that those nations which develop talent which helps the IPL's success should receive some recognition," Peter Young, CA's communications manager, told DNA.

Aamir's age shouldn't matter in spot-fixing row: Pak official

Pakistan cricket team's associate manager Shafqat Rana says 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir should not be shown any leniency because of his tender age if he is found guilty of spot-fixing charges. "I do not believe a player's age has any significance in this issue — it is the same for everybody. If Amir is found to have broken the law, it doesn't matter that he is so young. He should be given the same punishment as anyone else," Rana told reporters here. 

Rana said even back in Pakistan the general mood is that if Aamir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif -- all of whom suspended after their names cropped up in a spot-fixing scandal exposed by a British tabloid -- should be punished if the charges against them are proved.

"I think that is the feeling back home in Pakistan too. At home, they want everything to be done in the best spirit of the game," he said.

Rana's comments contradict ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat who feels Aamir's age should be a factor while deciding on the matter.

"In my own honest personal view, yes I would think age would come into account in these matters. But that is something the independent tribunal will have to decide upon," he had said.

Pakistani cricketers' finances are being probed by the tax authorities in the aftermath of the spot-fixing row and Rana and ODI and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi welcomed the move.

"I think it is a good thing from the Pakistan government. It was there in their (the government's) mind before we came over. I think it's a good thing, it will open things out so they (the players) will be very careful," said Rana.

"It should be done and it's good for cricket," added Afridi.

Afridi said the players are being regularly educated about the perils of corruption in the sport.

"The people are coming from the ICC (International Cricket Council) and they are always talking about these things. If you have any problems, you definitely go straight to the (team) manager and talk to him," he said.

"I think we all know about these things so I think the people from ICC are doing their work," he added.

Nadal sweeps past Simon in US Open

Rafael Nadal made smooth progress into the fourth round of the US Open with a straightforward win over Gilles Simon.

The first two sets were closely fought but the world number one always had the edge and he ran through the third to complete a 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory and set up a last-16 clash against fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

The tone was set early on when Nadal broke for a 2-1 lead and he held on to that advantage to close out the set.

The second followed a similar pattern with one break, this time to establish a 4-3 advantage, proving enough.

Nadal was, by now, in full flow and Frenchman Simon, who became a father for the first time 48 hours ago, was unable to respond.

Further breaks in the first and third games of the third set effectively settled the match and with Nadal winning 91% of points when he got his first serve in there was never going to be a way back for his opponent.

Simon did earn his first break point of the match in the final game but Nadal simply upped his game once more to serve it out and clinch a commanding win in one hour and 59 minutes.

Speaking after the match, Nadal commented on the number of Spaniards who have made it to the last 16.

"That is positive news for us, very positive, because I think with the ball and the court here it is probably the most difficult tournament for us," Nadal said.

"I congratulate my friends. Best of luck for everybody."

As for his own form, which has seen him win all three matches in straight sets, Nadal added: "I think I am playing better, a little bit better, every day.

"Today was a solid match, I think. The serve is still good, so that's a very important thing. From the baseline I think my movements and my shots start to improve to be better every day."

Japanese rider Tomizawa dies in San Marino Moto2 GP

Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa died from injuries sustained in a crash in the San Marino Moto2 Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Technomag-CIP rider came off his Suter bike when under pressure from the fast charging Italian Alex de Angelis.

Neither de Angelis nor British rider Scott Redding were able to avoid hitting Tomizawa, who was propelled over 40 metres and off the track into the gravel.

Tomizawa was taken to hospital 30 kilometres away in Riccione but was later pronounced dead.

He had suffered serious injuries to his skull, chest and abdomen, according to the race organisers.

“On Sunday, September 5 during the Moto2 race, rider Shoya Tomizawa aged 19 suffered a serious crash and subsequent cranial, thoracic and abdominal trauma,” the race organisers said in an official statement. 

“Tomizawa was taken to the hospital of Riccione for immediate treatment but succumbed to his injuries at 14.20 (1220GMT).

“All the MotoGP family wants to express its deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

His death was the first in Grand Prix since 24-year-old compatriot Daijiro Kato, who died in April 2003 at the Japanese MotoGP in Suzuka.

Tomizawa was in his first season in the Moto2 category - he had had two disappointing seasons in 250cc - and had begun it in style by winning the curtain raiser in Qatar.

He followed it up with second in the second race of the season in Spain but his form had tailed off since then and he was seventh in the overall standings with 82 points.

The three podium finishers in the MotoGP race which followed were in shock at the news, their joy at their personal results firmly set aside to pay homage to Tomizawa.

“It feels so strange, there is a big hole inside me,” race winner Dani Pedrosa told the BBC.

“I was so happy and then I was told and this big hole opened up inside me,” added the 24-year-old Spaniard.

Italy’s multi-time champion and winner of this race the past two seasons, Valentino Rossi, was all but in tears.

“When it happens like this nothing else matters,” Rossi told the BBC.

“I saw the crash on TV and it was terrifying. I thought he was dead. I am very sorry but then we had to race and try and concentrate. Shoya was a very funny guy and a nice one too,” added Rossi, who suffered a serious leg break earlier this season.

MotoGP series leader Jorge Lorenzo - who finished second in the MotoGP - was shellshocked.

“Yes, it is so sad, so sad,” he told the BBC.

“It is better not to say anything about the race.”

Tendulkar tells youngsters to resist lure of money

For his glorious contribution to the gentleman's game, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was conferred the honorary rank of group captain by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P. V. Naik at a function here on Friday. 

“It has indeed been a dream come true to get honoured by the IAF [Indian Air Force] and be a part of the great air warrior family. From the most crucial challenge of defending the nation from any external aggression to providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at times of crisis, the Air Force has always played its role with competence,” said Mr. Tendulkar. 

Admitting his fondness for fighter planes, the cricketer recalled how in 1996 he got an opportunity to fly a fighter plane in South Africa. “It was a frightening experience. I was told to eject out of the aircraft if something went wrong, it would only lead to a broken elbow.” 

Referring to the alleged involvement of three Pakistani cricketers in spot fixing in England, Mr. Tendulkar later told the journalists that integrity was extremely important in sports. 

Earlier Air Chief Marshal Naik said that during his entire cricketing career, Mr. Tendulkar had not been involved in any controversy. “Like the IAF, he has single minded devotion to duty, dedication and perseverance and courage under adversity.” 

The proposal to confer the master blaster with the honorary rank was approved by the President on May 20. The IAF has, till date, conferred honorary rank on 17 personalities, including industrialist J.R.D. Tata and Maharaja of Jamnagar S.D. Jadeja.

ICC provisionally suspends Pak tainted trio

In an unprecedented crackdown to restore the game's credibility, the ICC today charged and suspended Pakistan's tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir under its anti-corruption code in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal. 

The International Cricket Council said the three players have been notified officially of the offences they are alleged to have committed and have been provisionally suspended pending a decision on the charges. 

"In accordance with the provisions of the code, this means they are immediately barred from participating in all cricket and related activities until the case has been concluded," ICC said in a statement. 

Pakistan, however, continued to defend the players and sought to give a new twist to the sordid episode by suggesting that an Indian bookmaker could be behind the "conspiracy".

"I found that all these three players were absolutely innocent. They were not involved, they have been taken for a ride and the agent (Mazhar Majeed) was the culprit, in the sense that he was responsible for defrauding some Asian bookies," Pakistan High Commissioner to Britain Wajid S Hassan said.

Australia test squad to tour India

Phil Hughes has returned from a dislocated shoulder while Peter George and Josh Hazlewood will add a green tinge to the pace attack for the Australian Test tour of India.

Wicketkeeping duties will again be taken by the young Tasmanian Tim Paine as first-choice gloveman Brad Haddin continues his slow recovery from an elbow tendon injury.

The party of 15 reflected the national selectors' satisfaction with the squad's progress over the past 18 months, despite only mixed results against Pakistan on the recent tour of England.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said he believed the group was building nicely towards the home Ashes series this summer, but acknowledged the size of the task on the subcontinent.

"India is ranked number one in Test cricket and there is no harder assignment in Test cricket at the moment than playing India on their home soil," he said.

"While it was disappointing to draw the series in England against Pakistan, the squad reflects the good performances of the team over the last 12 months as we continue to prepare for the Ashes."

Australian physio Alex Kountouris said Haddin would likely be available for the three-match limited overs series that follows the two Tests in Chandigarh and Bangalore.

"Brad Haddin is making good progress with rehabilitation of his elbow tendon injury," said Kountouris.

"He is due to commence restricted batting in the next few weeks but will not be available to play in the Test component.

"He is on track to be available for club cricket and for New South Wales with the possibility of being available for selection in the India or Sri Lanka One-day International series."

Young batsman Callum Ferguson and pace bowler Ryan Harris are two players who will push for selection in the one day matches as they return from knee injuries.

Squad:

Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.