Lee set to confirm Test exit
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:28GMT

Australian paceman Brett Lee is ready to hang up his Test spikes after struggling to overcome a long-standing elbow injury.A press conference is due to be held at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday morning and the 33-year-old is widely expected to announce his retirement from the longest version of the game.The 76-Test star went under the surgeons knife in December to cure the injury and with a lengthy rehabilitation process ahead, he is ready to call time on his career.Lee missed...

Kieswetter makes stunning debut
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:26GMT

Craig Kieswetters inclusion in Englands one-day squad was justified on Tuesday after he smashed a magnificent 143 on his debut against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Fatullah.The Johannesburg-born stars stunning knock helped his adopted country claim a fine 112-run victory in a 50-over showdown as the tourists finished on 370-7.Paul Collingwood hit 109 and captain Alastair Cook notched 56 before falling to the medium pace of Alauddin Babu.Kieswetters day could easily have ended so differently as he was dropped on...

Lee confirms Test retirement
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:24GMT

Veteran Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has confirmed his retirement from Test cricket, but he will play on in the shorter forms of the game.The 33-year-old has been blighted by injuries in the last couple of years and has decided to call time on his Test career after 76 matches and 310 wickets at an average of 30.81Lee told reporters: "Its with mixed emotions that I announce that Im standing down from Test cricket."This hasnt happened overnight, its been a long...

Kieswetter impact impresses Cook
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:23GMT

Craig Kieswetter has placed himself firmly into the England selectors thoughts after his stunning debut knock of 143 against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI, according to stand-in captain Alastair Cook.Following on from his fine form in United Arab Emirates playing for England Lions, he was drafted into the senior squad and he has made an immediate impact, overshadowing the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan.Cook believes it is going to be a tough choice for the selectors as they ponder their...

Tendulkar smashes record breaking ODI Double hundred
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:21GMT

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar smashed a world record double hundred against South Africa in the second ODI in the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior.nbsp; The lsquo;Little Masterrsquo; surpassed the previous record held by Zimbabwersquo;s Charles Coventry which stood at 194, by posting an unbeaten 200 runs.nbsp; The Indian became the first player in the gamersquo;s history to score a double hundred and the feat came off just 147 balls. Tendulkarrsquo;s phenomenal innings helped India post an impressive 401 from their 50...

Tendulkar the first to reach 200
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:19GMT

India legend Sachin Tendulkar has become the first man in history to make a double century in a one-day international.The 36-year-old right-hander reached the landmark in the second ODI against South Africa in the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior.Tendulkar ended on an unbeaten 200, made from just 147 balls faced and including 25 fours and three sixes, as India topped the 400-mark from their 50 overs.His efforts wiped from the record books innings of 194 not out and 194 respectively...

Tendulkar thanks Indian people
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:17GMT

Sachin Tendulkar thanked the Indian people for their support after he became the first man in history to make a double century in a one-day international.The 36-year-old openers stunning knock of 200 not out helped India to a 153-run victory over South Africa in the second one-day international in Gwalior.Tendulkar ended on an unbeaten 200, made from just 147 balls faced and including 25 fours and three sixes.The previous highest score of 194 was jointly held by Pakistans Saeed Anwar and...

England cruise to easy victory
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:16GMT

England cruised to a seven-wicket win against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Fatullah ahead of Sundays first ODI against Bangladesh.The hosts could only manage a meagre 155-8 from their 37 overs in a rain-affected contest.Things could have been much worse as the home side were struggling on 80-7 but, with Tanveer Haider and Alauddin Babu at the crease, they steadied the ship to post a more competitive total.Haider (35) and Baby (43 not out) produced the only eye-catching performances as...

Top Ten: South African Born England Cricketers
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:14GMT

The belated inclusion of Craig Kieswetter in the ODI squad to Bangladesh adds more South African blood to an England side that, on one hand, perhaps mirrors its multi-cultural society, and on the other, is making a mockery of nationalism - the very foundation that makes international sport so alluring. Other than the following ten South African-born England performers, four others were born in Southern Africa in what constituted Rhodesia (Northern and Southern Rhodesia, now Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively) - Graeme Hick,...

Flower: Bangladesh tour is crucial
Cricket story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:48:12GMT

England team director Andy Flower has stated that the upcoming one-day series in Bangladesh will serve as a crucial warm-up for the 2011 World Cup.Next years 50-over showpiece will take place on the sub-continent, meaning that the clashes with Bangladesh will give the England players valuable experience of similar conditions.Flower said: "I dont think this is a tour for just giving players a go."Its a competitive tour between two international sides. We respect Bangladesh and that is how well be playing...