Sri Lanka in Australia, 2010, Schedule

Date	Match Details	Time GMT	Place
Oct 31 - Sun	Australia v Sri Lanka, Only T20I	15.05*	Perth
Nov 03 - Wed	Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI	8.50*	Melbourne
Nov 05 - Fri	Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI	8.50*	Sydney
Nov 07 - Sun	Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI	8.50*	Brisbane

* - Day-night Match...

Hashim Amla named CSA 'Cricketer of the Year’

Middle-order batsman Hashim Amla was the star of Cricket South Africa's Annual Awards night, clinching the 'Cricket of the Year' honor along with four other trophies, including a special one for a knock against India.

Amla was also named 'Test Cricketer of the Year' and lauded by both his peers and fans, who ensured that he won the 'South African Players', ‘Player of the Year' and 'CSA Fans' Cricketer of the Year' awards.

Amla's 5th trophy was the 'So Good Award' sponsored by popular chicken fast food franchise KFC in gratitude of his match-winning knock of 253 not out in the 1st Test against India in Nagpur in 2009.

AB de Villiers was named 'ODI Cricketer of the Year' and Charl Langeveldt received the 'International Pro20 Cricketer of the Year' award. The 'Newcomer of the Year Award' went to Ryan McLaren.

In his best year since joining the national squad, Amla scored four Test centuries, including his 1st career double and also joined the ranks of those who scored centuries in both innings of a Test match. During the year he played in nine Test matches, with 923 runs at an average of 65.9.

He also established himself as one of South Africa's leading limited overs batsmen, setting a national record when he scored more than 400 runs in the five-match series in the West Indies.

England took the three-match series 2-1

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first. England captain Andrew Strauss getting career-best 152 in 140 balls

And Trott then seized his chance with 94 at Bristol before making a maiden ODI century on his Warwickshire home ground.

Ravi Bopara blazed his way to 45 not out off 16 balls with four sixes on Monday and then took four wickets with his medium-pacers. Finally England getting amazing total for 347/7 in 50 over.

Bangladesh, chasing an imposing 348 to win, never looked like getting remotely close and were bowled out for 203 as England took the three-match series 2-1.

It was just the sort of emphatic victory England needed after the embarrassment of their five-run defeat - their first against Bangladesh in any format - in the second one-dayer at Bristol on Saturday.

"We are going to need a squad of players at the World Cup 2011," said Strauss

"Things have clouded over a little because these guys have come in and done so well," said Strauss, both the man-of-the-match and the series.

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, who led by example with three wickets for 31 runs on Monday, was at a loss to explain his side's dip in form.

"It was (disappointing). We played poorly as a team."

But the seamer promised Bangladesh would bounce back in their remaining tour games against Scotland and Ireland.

"We have to play well and win those matches," Mortaza said. "I am confident we will be back and confident we will be better than before."

Pakistan v South Africa Series in UAE, 2010

Date	Match Details	Time	Venue
Oct 27	Pakistan v South Africa, Only T20I	-	Abu Dhabi
ODI Schedule
Oct 29	Pakistan v South Africa, 1st ODI	-	Abu Dhabi
Oct 31	Pakistan v South Africa, 2nd ODI	-	Abu Dhabi
Nov 02	Pakistan v South Africa, 3rd ODI	-	Dubai
Nov 05	Pakistan v South Africa, 4th ODI	-	Dubai
Nov 08	Pakistan v South Africa, 5th ODI	-	Dubai
Test Schedule
Nov 12 - 16	Pakistan v South Africa, 1st Test	-	Dubai
Nov 20 - 24	Pakistan v South Africa, 2nd Test	-	Abu Dhabi

India-Pakistan cricket not possible as of now: Pawar

New ICC President Sharad Pawar says direct resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan is not possible.

"Immediate ties between both countries is not possible. It is not in the hands of the Cricket Boards. It is a political issue. This is a decision taken by the Indian government," said Pawar.

Asked about demands for the introduction of day-night Tests to save the longer format of the game, Pawar said the "issue has not reached his ear".

"We are only administrators. If needed, I will let the experts take a call," Pawar said.

To a query whether the ICC was thinking to shift its headquarters back to England, Pawar said, "In England, there are 40 per cent taxes while there are no taxes in Dubai. The moment England thinks also about cricket we will consider it."

Pawar said he was confident about BCCI President Shashank Manohar's honest to handle the controversial Lalit Modi issue.

Strauss says England can manage without KP

England Skipper Andrew Strauss insists he has no doubts about leading a side without Kevin Pietersen.

The star batsman will miss the 3 ODI against Bangladesh, starting at Trent Bridge here on Thursday, with a thigh injury - although England selection Chief Geoff Miller said the South Africa-born batsman would have been rested in any event.

Kevin Pietersen has gone 16 ODI innings without a fifty and while his place, when fit, is not yet under risk. However, the loss of debatably their most talented player means England are set to give either Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott a chance to fill the place.

"He is a loss because he's a world-class player but he's being replaced by people with proven track records in international cricket," said Strauss.

"It's not as if we're blooding a youngster on the back of losing our biggest player. I'm entirely confident we've got the reserves in place to cope with that loss," Strauss added.

Ian Bell, has played 79 one-dayers for England but hasn't featured in one since facing India in Bangalore back in November 2008.

ICC to encourage Ind-Pak series: Sharad Pawar

Hardly hours after taking over as the new ICC president, Sharad Pawar today said the game's tip body would try to encourage the resumption of Ind-Pak two-sided series if there is government clearance from both sides.

"Recent Foreign and Home Minister's visit to Pakistan is a welcome sign. If India and Pakistan start playing, it may also power the bilateral relations of the two countries. If both the governments permit, we will be happy to encourage the resumption of cricketing relations," Sharad Pawar said.

Former BCCI President Sharad Pawar, who is also a helping union minister in the Indian government, begins a two-year term as ICC President after taking over from David Morgan today.

Sharad Pawar hoped the process to get better the relations between the two neighboring countries will help to foster cricketing ties too.

"ICC wants India and Pakistan to continue their bilateral series. But ICC had not taken the initiative to stop that. It was because of some unforeseen circumstances that both the countries had decided to stop it. But now that the process to improve relations between the countries is on, it will give some dividends to cricket too," Pawar told CNN-IBN.

The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan were stopped after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008.

Asia Cup: India won Bangladesh with a bonus point

Bangladesh Skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat first in the Asia Cup one-day international against India at the Rangiri stadium on Wednesday.

Bangladesh got off to a quick start with Tamim Iqbal (22) and Imrul Kayes (37) producing 35 runs in 17 balls. But once Tamim rotting to a low catch by Suresh Raina at short extra covers off Praveen Kumar, they just could not force the pace against a disciplined Indian attack.

Zaheer Khan bowled with energy and zip while moving the ball disconcertingly to the bewilderment of Kayes and Mohammad Ashraful (20).

Zaheer Khan conceded 16 runs in his 1st over but had the batsmen in mark the rest of his five-over spell.

Nehra get two wickets in four overs before he limped off the field after four overs. interestingly, there was no clarification from the Indian team management about Nehra's fitness.

Harbhajan and Jadeja too bowled extraordinarily in conditions that suited them but it was part-time tweaker Sehwag who stole the bowling honours.

Virender Sehwag emerged as India's unlikely bowling hero with his 1st four-wicket haul, while his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir (82) struck his 20th ODI fifty as India cruised to a facile win at a strikingly empty in Dambulla.

Having skittled out Bangladesh for a meagre 167 inside 35 overs, India had a modest total to chase and they overwhelmed the target with 19.2 overs to spare to collect a bonus point from this resounding victory.

Match Summary:

Ban 167 allout 34.5 over Imrul Kayes 37 Mushfiqur Rahim 30 V. Sehwag 4/6 A. Nehra 2/28

Ind 168/4 30.4 over G. Gambhir 82 MS Dhoni 38* M. Mortaza 2/37 S. Hasan 2/49

Man of the Match: Gautam Gambhir

Asia Cup 2010, Schedule

Asia Cup: Sri lanka won Pakistan by 16 runs

Lasith Malinga get 5 wickets as defending champions Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan by 16 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup.

Skipper Shahid Afridi's 1st ODI century in last five years was in vain as Sri Lanka, restricted to 242-9, bowled out Pakistan for 226 in 47 overs.

The Pakistan skipper, who came in to bat with his side under pressure at 32-4, smashed 109 off 76 balls to leave the team needing just 38 runs off the last 56 balls with four wickets in hand.

Afridi, obviously uncomfortable at the crease due to leg cramps, was caught behind off Muttiah Muralitharan, triggering a dramatic collapse.

Malinga bowled Mohammad Aamer, had Shoaib Akhtar caught at mid-off and then yorked last man Mohammad Asif to finish with his best ODI figures.

Afridi hits eight fours and 7 sixes in his 5th ODI hundred, the first since making 102 versus India at Kanpur on April 15, 2005.

Earlier, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar made an impressive come back to international cricket with 3-41 from 10 overs in his first game for Pakistan since May last year after recovering from a knee injury.

Sri Lanka slipped to 36-2 by the ninth over, before Captain Kumar Sangakkara (42) and Mahela Jayawardene (54) put on 83 for the 3rd wicket.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews hits an unbeaten 55 off 61 balls to help the defending champions set a challenging target under lights after they were reduced to 168-7 by the 37th over.

Match Summary

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first

Sri: 242/9 50 Over

Mathews 55
Jayawardene 54

Akhtar 3/41
Aamer 2/57

Pak: 226 all out 47 Over

Afridi 109
U Akmal 30

Malinga 5/34

Man of the Match: Shahid Afridi

Asia Cup 2010, Schedule

Sachin rested, Yuvraj dropped & Saurabh Tiwary surprise picks

Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar will not be picking India's Asia Cup squad, after it was reported that he requested the BCCI not to consider him for the tournament.

The other main announcement was the axing of Yuvraj Singh from the ODI squad. Yuvraj has displayed unresponsive form and deprived fitness levels in the recent past.

The team will be led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who returns to take charge of the team.

Meanwhile, what will bring shout approval to the Indian fans is the return of Virender Sehwag, who has improved from his shoulder injury and forms part of the team.

Also returning were Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra.

Amongst the surprise picks were Saurabh Tiwary & Ashok Dinda. While this the first time Saurabh Tiwary has been picked, Ashok Dinda retained his place after being a part of the outfit that performed poorly in Zimbabwe. Dinesh Karthik and Yusuf Pathan are amongst the high profile names dropped from the side that went to Zimbabwe. Also axed was Murali Vijay who had a torrid outing, and Amit Mishra.

Ashwin however retained his place after his good showing in the last match he played, along with Pragyan Ojha who had looked like the best spinner on view. They will partner Harbhajan in the spin department.

Squad: MS Dhoni (captain & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha, R Ashwin, Saurabh Tiwary, Ashok Dinda.