Yuvraj will try to return the field in 2 months time

"I am thankful to god that I got my life back," said Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh in his first media interaction after undergoing treatment for a rare germ cell cancer, After two months he will return the field.

Back in the country after spending more than two months in the United States and London to recuperate from a malignant tumour between his lungs, Yuvraj addressed the media to talk about the "toughest" phase of his life.

The 30-year-old batting all-rounder, who was adjudged man of the tournament at last year's World Cup before the ailment put a stop on his cricket, coughed a bit during the interaction during which his Indian doctor Nitesh Rohtagi was by his side.

"I am thankful to god that I got back my life. Everybody faces such issues. I am very happy and thankful to everyone that I am out of it," said the flamboyant left-hander, who admitted to that there were times when he broke down.

Asked when it would be possible for him to return to action, a smiling Yuvraj said not before a couple of months at least.

"All my fans want me to come back soon, I am sure you people will understand that my body will take time. I will have to take care of my health. I will try to return as soon as possible, in the last two months. I have been through a very tough time," he said.

Yuvraj singh to return to India

Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who is recuperating in London after undergoing chemotherapy for a rare germ cell cancer between his lungs, will return to the country on Monday.

"finally the day has come! i am going home tomorrow! Can’t wait, excited to see my friends and family ...see you india!! mera bharat mahan!" Yuvraj tweeted.

But the 30-year-old batsman is not expected to play for a few more months.

After being diagnosed with the disease, Yuvraj underwent three sessions of chemotherapy and was discharged from his hospital in the United States last month.

He is expected to announce his future plans and details about treatment that he underwent after returning to the country.

Recently, Yuvraj met Sachin Tendulkar in London who had gone there to get a check up on a toe injury.

Yuvraj missed the entire Australian tour and will miss the Indian Premier League season 5 due to his ailment.

Sehwag-Dhoni rift settled: Sourav Ganguly

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday said that current captain MS Dhoni and V Sehwag have settled their difference of opinion.

Talking to reporters at a programme here, Ganguly said he recently had a talk with Sehwag who told him that everything has been settled between him and Dhoni.

Reports of a rift between Dhoni and Sehwag had surfaced after the team management introduced a rotational policy for the three openers - Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir - during the tri-series in Australia last month.

To a question on the perception that Dhoni does not give a chance to many players and likes to play with a fixed team, Ganguly said, "Every skipper is different and no captain is perfect. May be Dhoni believes that this team can win because no skipper wants to lose."

On whether he would have played Manoj Tiwary and Ashok Dinda if he were the captain of India, Ganguly said, "I probably would have given a chance to them but I hope Dhoni will also give a chance to these players."

"We have three good players in Bengal team - Manoj Tiwary, Ashok Dinda and Wriddhiman (Saha). They are of international standard. So it's a good sign for Bengal. Apart from them there is also Shami Ahmed who is also a good player."

Asked about the in-form Bengal all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla's chances of playing for the national side, he said, "Laxmi is probably playing his best cricket now. He is an all-rounder which a team needs. If he plays some more good series then I am sure he will get in."

Dilshan steps down as SL captain

Sri Lankan skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan has has decided to resign from his post as the skipper of the Sri Lankan team. The announcement was made through a press release by Sri Lanka Cricket.

"Dilshan sent his resignation from the captaincy of the national team to Sri Lanka Cricket a short while ago," SLC said in a text message alert to its subscribers.

Dilshan was made the captain after the World Cup 2011, during which Kumar Sangakkara led the team. Dilshan's last series in charge was the tour to South Africa where his team lost the Test series 2-1 and the ODI series 3-2. Dilshan also led SL to England and in a home series against Australia but failed to win those too.

Captaincy saw the dashing right-hander's form dip by a large margin and there were numerous calls to remove him from the post. One of the high points was surely leading Sri Lanka to their first Test win since the retirement of spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan and their first ever Test win in South Africa.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage confirmed that middle order stalwart, Mahela Jayawardene will be the new captain while Angelo Mathews will be his deputy.

Mahela Jayawardene, who led Sri Lanka to the 2007 World Cup runners-up spot, will be the captain for all three formats of the game.

The selectors also announced the squad for the tri-nation series in Australia also involving India. Farvez Maharoof has made a comeback into the squad along with left arm pacer Chanaka Walegedara. They replace the out of sorts Dilhara Fernando and Kosala Kulasekara. Maharoof last featured in the Sri lankan line-up against India in August, 2010.

Team: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Chanaka Welegedera, Dhammika Prasad.

Salman Butt and Asif has found the duo guilty

In a development that is likely to have ramifications for far and long for cricket, the jury that heard the spot-fixing trial on Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif has found guilty. The now defunct News of the World tabloid had carried out the sting that implicated Asif, Butt and Mohammad Aamer a little over a year ago.

After the verdicts it was revealed that young bowler Mohammad Aamer pleaded guilty to the same charges two weeks before former captain Butt and paceman Asif went on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Salman Butt was found guilty of cheating and of accepting money and Mohammad Asif has been found guilty of conspiracy to cheat. Butt now faces up to seven years in jail, while Asif could face upto 2 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Butt, Asif and Aamer conspired with British agent Mazher Majeed to bowl the no-balls as part of a plot that revealed "rampant corruption" at the heart of international cricket. Butt, 27, and Asif, 28, were each convicted of conspiracy to obtain or accept corrupt payments, and conspiracy to cheat at gambling. They had denied the charges.

The decision is a landmark one in many ways, not least because this is the first time that cricketers have been convicted by a court of law for on-field corruption. The jury didn't return an unanimous verdict on all counts, but reached a majority one on most counts after deliberating for more than 16 hours. According to television reports, the jury was also of the opinion that 'Salman Butt had lied throughout the trial'.

Butt was found guilty by a majority of 10-2 on the count of accepting corrupt payments. Both Butt and Asif were found guilty of a conspiracy to cheat by unanimous margins.

The International Cricket Council has already banned Butt for 10 years with five suspended, Asif for seven years with two suspended, and Aamer, 19, for five years straight after finding them guilty of corruption in February.

Akhtar controversial book launch cancelled

The programmed release of Shoiab Akhtar's controversial book here tomorrow has suddenly been cancelled without any reason being given.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar was to release Shoiab Akhtar's autobiography 'Controversially Yours' at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) premises.

"The event has been cancelled," confirmed a CCI official, without transferring any reason.

According to sources, the event was cancelled due to unexpected conditions.

The sudden cancellation generated speculation that it may be because of the less than flattering remarks about Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

In his tell-all autobiography, Akhtar has made many controversial claims including one where he says that the Indian batsman Tendulkar did not have the ability to finish matches in the initial stages of his career.

Meanwhile, a protest was held in suburban Dahisar today against Akhtar, for his comments on Tendulkar. Protesters carried Akthar's posters on donkey-backs.

On Monday, Akhtar is scheduled to attend another function to promote his book in the city.

MS Dhoni chosen to lead ICC World ODI XI

Following their successful WC triumph, as many as four Indians have found a place in the annual ODI XI announced by the ICC here on Monday.

MS Dhoni has been bestowed with the honour of being nominated as the skipper of the team and he has been joined by fellow team-mates Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh.

The team comprises of two players each from Sri Lanka and South Africa and a player each from Pakistan, Australia and England.

Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has been nominated as the fellow opener with Virender Sehwag while the middle order consists of stalwarts like Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson and Yuvraj Singh with the keeper being Dhoni. Graeme Swann is the lone spinner in the side while the pace department includes Zaheer Khan, Umar Gul and Dale Steyn. Sri Lankan pace sensation Lasith Malinga has been nominated as the 12th man.

Chairman of the LG ICC Awards selection panel, Lloyd said: "This has been an outstanding year for 50-over cricket. I think everyone saw in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 how exciting this format can be.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup was rightly applauded as one of the greatest in history and no one who was in Mumbai will forget that remarkable evening.

"The ODI team of the year reflects the success of India with four players selected - Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, M S Dhoni and Zaheer Khan. Yuvraj was, of course, the player of the tournament and MS Dhoni, the man-of-the-match in the final, whilst fellow finalists Sri Lanka has three players in the side."

Lloyd was joined on the panel by former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas, former England captain Mike Gatting, former New Zealand bowler Danny Morrison and former South African bowler Paul Adams.

ICC ODI Team of the Year

• Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
• Virender Sehwag (India)
• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
• AB de Villiers (South Africa)
• Shane Watson (Australia)
• Yuvraj Singh (India)
• MS Dhoni (India, wicketkeeper & captain)
• Graeme Swann (England)
• Umar Gul (Pakistan)
• Dale Steyn (South Africa)
• Zaheer Khan (India)

12th Man - Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

India can overtake Sri Lanka in ICC ODI rankings

Going by present form, it looks highly unlikely but if India can manage to beat England by a 4-1 margin or better in the upcoming one-day series, they can climb to 2nd spot from 3rd in the ICC ranking chart.

World champions India (117) are placed 3rd behind Sri Lanka (119) in the list, headed by Australia (130)

Australia's 3-2 series win has restricted Sri Lanka to earn only one ratings point which, in turn, has given India a chance to reclaim the second position.

To achieve the number two position, India will have to beat England by 4-1 or whitewash the hosts in the five-match ODI series, starting at Chester-le-Street on September 3.

Sourav appointed vice-chairman of WB Sports Council

The West Bengal government on Wednesday reconstituted the Sports Council by inducting former India skipper Sourav Ganguly as one of its its vice-chairmen.

Ganguly will work alongside former footballers Gouranga Banerjee, Compton Dutta, international paddler Poulami Ghatak and GM Dibyendu Barua.

"We are trying to bring everybody from all disciplines to revive the sports in Bengal," sports minister Madan Mitra told reporters while announcing the reconstitution of the Sports Council.

It was also decided to divide the council into two committees -- advisory board and working committee. Both would be headed by Mitra.

The advisory board will have eight vice-chairmen including hockey Olympians Gurbux Singh and Dr Vece Paes, football Olympian Chuni Goswami and Dronacharya awardee Syed Nayeemuddin.

The advisory board will also have former Test cricketer Arun Lal, footballers Shyam Thapa and Subrata Bhattacharya.

Former Indian football captain P K Banerjee and Leslie Claudius will be members in the working committee which will have representation from various sports.

Styris announced his retirement from international career

New Zealand all rounder Scott Styris has announced his retirement from international cricket, saying he wanted to concentrate on the domestic T20 competition and the IPL.

Scott Styris said the Black Caps were entering a new era under skipper Ross Taylor, who was appointed this week, and the time was right to leave the international Cricket.

The 35-year-old, who is currently playing T20 for English county side Essex, said he would continue to play domestic cricket for New Zealand's Northern Knights and the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

"I really enjoy the T20 format of the game and see it as a way to stay involved in cricket for another year or two if I can," he said.

"Not being on the international circuit means more time at home and I'm really looking forward to spending more time with my family."

Chris Gayle may leave WI cricket

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle is so frustrated and disillusioned with his Cricket Board officials that he might consider walking away from the national team, a media report here has claimed.

According to the 'Trinidad Guardian', the friction between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Gayle has only increased after a stormy meeting, which was ironically called to settle the differences after the batsman's controversial radio interview.

In that outburst, Gayle had lambasted the WICB for leaving him in a lurch during his recent injury crisis.

The WICB wants Gayle to retract from the statement but he has refused, heightening the tensions.

He was left out of the ODI Cricket Team squad for the just-concluded series against India, and could also be dropped from the side for the Tests starting Monday.

"Chris wants to play cricket for the West Indies. He wants to play really badly and this is why he turned up for the meeting. However, what was said and how it was said at the meeting has left him rather frustrated and he may now look at taking his game away from the West Indies," the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

"This is a man who has served West Indies cricket well in the past and he was also captain of the regional team. However, he was treated very badly by one individual at the meeting and this has left him in a state," the source added.

Gayle was accompanied by Executive President of the West Indies Players' Association Dinanath Ramnarine and WIPA Vice-President Wavell Hinds in the a near four-hour long meeting with the WICB on Saturday.

"Chris was penalised (by being dropped from the West Indies team) before he was given a hearing. This was totally unfair and was aired at the meeting.

"Also one official who represented the WICB was very provocative towards Chris and was not even allowing him to answer questions posed to him. This was very unfortunate," the source revealed.

Dilshan named in Sri Lanka Skipper

Tillakaratne Dilshan has been named as Sri Lankan Skipper for all 3 formats(Test, ODI & Twenty20i) in the upcoming tour of England in May 2011. The decision comes after former skipper Kumar Sangakkara resigned from the post after Sri Lanka's loss to India in the World Cup 2011 finals. A vice captain has not been names as the prospective candidates are all nursing injuries and doubtful for the tour.

Dilshan was the top run scorer in the World Cup 2011 and is currently playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

Sangakkara quits Sri Lankan captaincy

Kumar Sangakkara has stepped down as Sri Lanka's ODI and Twenty20 skipper. This comes just three days after Sri Lanka's World Cup 2011 final defeat at the hands of India. He has offered to continue as the Test skipper on an interim basis for the forthcoming series with England and Australia.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews or batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan likely are to replace as captain.

The following is the statement released by Sangakkara:

"I would like to announce that after careful consideration I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup in Australia.

"This was a decision I made prior to the 2011 World Cup. I will be 37 by the next World Cup and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team. It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of their career during that tournament.

"It has been a true honour and a great privilege to serve my country as captain during the past two years and, although bitterly disappointed that we could not win the final, I am very proud of the performances of the team.

"I am also very grateful for the wonderful support received from Sri Lankan fans all around the world. Our supporters were a source of great inspiration before, during and after the tournament and I know all the players are extremely thankful for this.

"I met with the selectors on Monday and I explained my reasons for my decision and I assured them of my fullest support in helping our new captain settle into the leadership.

"In this regard, I have offered to continue as the Test captain for the forthcoming Test Series with England and possibly Australia if the selectors believe this would help the new captain and aid the transition.

Ponting quits as Australia Cricket Captain of both Test and ODI

Ricky Ponting quit as Australia's Test and one-day skipper Tuesday, just days after the champions were knocked out of the World Cup 2011, but said he remained available for selection as a batsman.

The 36-year-old, who led Australia in 77 Test matches for 48 wins -- the most of any Test Captain -- 16 losses and 13 draws. In his 228 one-day matches in charge, he returned 164 wins and 50 losses, insisted he was "not tapped on the shoulder" to give up the captaincy, and endorsed deputy Michael Clarke as his successor.

"I have resigned as skipper of both the Test Cricket and one day Australian teams, Ponting told a press conference." I will continue to play and am available for selection in both the one-day and Test teams.

"I have thought long and hard about what Australian cricket needs. Now is the right time for the next captain to assume the responsibility for both the Test and one-day teams," he added.

Ponting said Australia's exit in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last week in India prompted his decision to stand aside.

"The fact that we went out of the World Cup when we did was the main reason," he said, while denying he had been forced out by Cricket Australia.

"Today is a new start for me and I am very excited about the future. I will give my complete support to our new captain and continue to do my best to set the best possible example for my team-mates and emerging cricketers alike." Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke paid tribute to Ponting's "outstanding" leadership.

"Ricky Ponting has been an outstanding batsman, one of the best to wear the baggy green," he said.

"His leadership as captain has been outstanding and I sometimes think his brilliance with the bat has overshadowed his fine work as captain.

I will play for Pakistan again: Salman Butt

Pakistan's suspended Test Cricket skipper Salman Butt said his love of cricket put him past thoughts of sleaze and he believed he would play for his country again.

"The love of the game has brought me here and that love is bigger than anything, any corrupt thing which exists. So I believe that I will be back playing for my country again," Butt told Sky Sports on Tuesday.

"I know inside what I am made of, where I have come from and how I have played my cricket."

Butt, along with fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, faces an ICC hearing in Doha in January which will consider suspected breaches of its corruption code.

"I would like to say obviously I have not done anything such as this in all my life or my cricketing career," Butt added. "I believe none of my team mates are corrupt."

One of Butt's lawyers said the player had sent the ICC a detailed reply to the charges against him.

"Salman Butt on December 13 has filed a detailed, comprehensive and hard-hitting, 40-page response to each and every allegation brought by the ICC with regard to spot-fixing levelled against him," Shahid Saeed said in a statement.

Aitzaz Ahsan, a former law minister and senior barrister who is also representing Butt, told Geo News channel in Pakistan that his client had a strong case.

"We have sent a detailed reply to the ICC in which we have dismissed all the allegations made against him," Ahsan said. "He has a strong case to prove his innocence."

Sachin, Sehwag move up in ICC ODI rankings

Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar gained a place each while India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained static at the fourth spot in the ICC player rankings for ODI batsmen, which is headed by South Africa opener Hashim Amla.

While Sehwag improved from 8th to 7th, Sachin was just one place behind the dashing India opener.

Among Indian bowlers, Harbhajan Singh gained four places to be placed 15th while Praveen Kumar moved a step up to be placed 11th.

Hashim Amla's exploits in the just-concluded ODI series against Pakistan have helped the South Africa opener rush into the top of the rankings.

Amla, who topped the run chart in the series against Pakistan with 291 runs including a ton and two Fifties, earned 40 points to surge ahead of teammate AB de Villiers.

In the rankings for ODI bowlers which New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori continues to top, South Africa pacer Morne Morkel moved 13 places to be at the 12th spot, his career-best ranking till date.

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and left-handed batsman JP Duminy too moved up the table. Smith, who had scored 124 runs in the five-match series against Pakistan, was at 15th, while Duminy improved by five places to occupy the 23rd spot.

Shahid Afridi retained his 30th position and remains the highest-ranked batsman for Pakistan. Umar Akmal moved four places to be 39th while Mohammad Hafeez, who had scored 203 runs in the series, moved up by 21 places to be placed 109th.

Bangladesh Sweep the series 4-0 against NZ

Bangladesh Fast bowler Rubel Hossain grabbed four wickets as Bangladesh completed a clean sweep with a thrilling 3-run winning over New Zealand in the 5th and final one-day international.

Bangladesh clinched the series 4-0, their first clean sweep against a major team. The 2nd match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to rain.

New Zealand wanted only 8 runs to win in the final over with just one wicket in hand but Rubel, who had taken 3 wickets in his opening three overs, sparked celebrations in Bangladesh's camp when he bowled Kyle Mills (33).

He jolted New Zealand in his 1st over, dismissing opening batsman Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder in the space of five deliveries. He then had Kane Williamson caught at 2nd slip by Raqibul Hasan in his 3rd over.

Bradley-John Watling was run out, while Ross Taylor was bowled by Abdur Razzak as New Zealand's top five batsmen failed to reach double figures.

New Zealand were in danger of falling below their lowest ODI total of 64 after being reduced to 20-5, but captain Daniel Vettori (43) and all-rounder Grant Elliott (59) added 86 runs for the sixth wicket.

Vettori (3-32) and Mills (3-36) earlier bowled tight to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total.

New Zealand did not allow the hosts to build a big partnership after the hosts elected to bat on a slow pitch. The highest stand was 55 for the fifth wicket between captain Shakib Al Hasan (36) and Mushfiqur Rahim (29).

Vettori removed opener Imrul Kayes (34) and Raqibul (six) before accounting for Mahmudullah (19).

Kayes was trapped leg-before while attempting to sweep, hitting two sixes and three fours in his 50-ball knock. Andy McKay and Elliott each finished with two wickets.


Man Of the Match: Rubel Hossain

Man of The Series: Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh clinch historic series win

Bangladesh claimed victory in its 5 match ODI Series against New Zealand after winning the 4th match at Dhaka.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan hit a century and took three wickets, while New Zealand was dismissed 10 runs short of the winning target of 242.

Bangladesh have played like forceful tigers to win at home for the 1st time against a fully fledged opponent. 241 wasn't a match winning score by any means but the spinners pegged the New Zealand middle order with some restricted bowling. They didn't allow the game to slip at any stage despite an excellent partnership between Williamson and Nathan McCullum.

This is a proud moment for all the cricket followers in Bangladesh. The fans merit special praise for turning up in large numbers and cheering the side on for every game. This is their day and they deserve all the accolades coming their way. Their talisman cricketer Shakib has once again proved why he is the Number One all-rounder in the ICC ODI rankings.

Shakib became the only Bangladesh player to score a ton and take 3 wickets in the same match.

Williamson became the youngest ever NZ cricketer to score an ODI ton.

Williamson playing the latter part of the innings on one leg, he just fell short of victory. But, Bangladesh deserves this series victory and one hopes that they can only go from strength to strength.

Match Summay:

Bangladesh 241/10 in 48.1 overs

Shakib Al Hasan 106
Imrul Kayes 37
Mohammad Mahmudullah 37

Hamish Bennett 3-44
Kyle Mills 2-38

New Zealand 232 all out

Kane Williamson 108
Shakib Al Hasan 3-54

Man of the Match : Shakib Al Hasan

Indian Cricket team gets new Nike ODI kit

Nike, the official apparel sponsor for BCCI, today unveiled the new ODI Team kit. To showcase the brighter, bolder and new technologically advanced ODI kit, India's Men in Blue - Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Oza and Gautam Gambhir - were present at Nike's launch event today at Chandigarh. Team India will first appearance this new ODI kit in the forth coming India – Australia three match ODI series and will also be available for fans at Nike retail in October 2010.

The event saw Nike's introduction of its worldwide acclaimed considered design ethos - one that combines sustainability principles and innovative performance products for athletes - in India in the sport of cricket. The new brighter bolder blue jersey showcased at the launch event is made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles. The national team kits represent an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable and the New Year will see Team India debut the recycled version on pitch as well as be made available at Nike retail for fans.

Ravi Bopara to play for the Dolphins in South Africa

England batsman Ravi Bopara has signed to play for the Dolphins in South Africa, the team said on Tuesday.

Ravi Bopara, 25, will play in 2 first-class matches and South Africa's home limited-overs series, which runs from Oct. 29 to Dec. 10.

The right-handed batsman was left out of England's squad for the Ashes series but will hope to feature in the limited-overs matches against Australia after playing in the recent series against Pakistan.

South Africa born England star batsman Kevin Pietersen will also play two first-class matches for the Dolphins to get match practice before the Ashes series 2010-11.