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Michael Clarke from Australia has been named captain of the ICC's Test Team of the Year 2011-12 . ICC Test Team of the Year 2011-12 : Alastair Cook, Hashim Amla, Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, Michael Clarke (capt), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Saeed Ajmal, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers (12th man)

England's Test captain, Andrew Strauss has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. Strauss said, " After much thought over the last few weeks, I have decided to step down as England Test captain and announce my retirement from all forms of cricket." "It has clearly been a tough decision to make, but I believe that it is both in the best interests of the England cricket team and myself to step down at this stage." "The driver to all this is I haven't batted well enough for a long time. I wasn't going to improve batting-wise, I've run my race," Strauss later told the news conference." "It's one of these decisions when you know when your time is up ." The 35-year-old, made his debut in 2004 against New Zealand at Lord's. In his tests career, Strauss played 100 tests and scored 7037 runs at 40.91 in which he captained in the 50 Tests and won 24 of them.

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Mohammad Akram has been appointed as bowling coach for pakistan on a period of one year. The 37-year-old Akram has played nine Tests and 22 one-day internationals. Akram will join the national team from next Tuesday in UAE where Pakistan will play three ODIs and an equal number of T20s against Australia.

Afghanistan bowler Hamid Hassan has made a return to the World Twenty20 squad. Afghanistan squad for World T20 : Nawroz Mangal (capt), Dawlat Zadran, Izatullah Dawlatzai, Karim Sadiq, Gulbodin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Javed Ahmadi, Mohammad Nasim Baras, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Asghar Stanikzai, Shafiqullah, Shapoor Zadran

West Indies Batsman Darren Bravo and allrounder Andre Russell have been included to the squad for the World Twenty20 . West Indies squad : Darren Sammy (capt), Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo (vice-capt), Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Ravi Rampaul.

Kevin Pietersen was left out of England's T20 squad for the World Twenty20 . The Nottinghamshire opener Michael Lumb and Sussex allrounder Luke Wright both are recalled in the 15-man squad. Ravi Bopara , secures a place to T20 squad. Geoff Miller , the national selector, said: " Stuart Broad has an important period coming up leading our T20 side and with a three match series followed closely by the ICC World T20 we feel a two week break from cricket is in the best interests of both Stuart and the team. " " Kevin Pietersen's future involvement is still being determined and he was therefore not considered for selection in either squad. " England World Twenty20 Squad : Stuart Broad (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Danny Briggs, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Michael Lumb, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

England's fast bowler Stuart Broad has been rested for the coming one-day series against South Africa. England ODI Squad : Alastair Cook (capt), Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Ian Bell, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has signed Melbourne Stars for this season's Big Bash League . The signing of Malinga gives a major boost for the Melbourne stars. Shane Warne will be the captain of the Melbourne Stars.

VVS Laxman has ended his 16-year career after taking retirement from international cricket. He announced his retirement at an emotional press conference room at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Laxman said, " I would like to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, I have always kept my country's success and need ahead of my personal aspirations. And while I would love contributing to the team's success, especially against England and Australia, I think this is the right time to give the youngsters a chance in home conditions ahead of international assignments coming up next year." The chance he said, could be, "no better than against an inexperienced New Zealand bowling attack. " Laxman played 134 Tests, scoring 8781 runs at an average of 45.97. He debut was against South Africa in the home series in 1996. Perhaps his biggest achievement was his 281 runs against Australia at Eden Gardens in

The jersey launch was attended by MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Irfan Pathan and Rohit Sharma. The kit manufacturer NIKE claims the new T20 jersey for team india is 45% lighter and it would be more comfortable to wear. Latest:  Indian Cricket Team New Jersey for World T20 2014

Sydney Thunder have signed England wicketkeeper Matt Prior and the New Zealand opener batsman Martin Guptill to this summer's BBL. The Thunder coach Shane Duff said, " Martin is an outstanding player in all formats. His T20 record is exceptional and he will be of vital importance to us in the round one game against our cross town rivals. "

Bangladeshi allrounder Farhad Reza has been included in 15-member squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh Squad : Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Mahmudullah, Junaid Siddique, Jahurul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraful, Ziaur Rahman, Elias Sunny, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Farhad Reza, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abul Hasan.

The 21-year old Mid West Rhinos medium-pacer Richard Muzhange is the only fresh new face in the 15-man Zimbabwe squad for the ICC World Twenty20. Zimbabwe Squad : Brendan Taylor (capt), Vusi Sibanda, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Richard Muzhange, Brian Vitori, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Forster Mutizwa, Ray Price.

The only uncapped member from offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell is the member of the 15 men Australia squad for the ICC World Twenty20, starting from the next month in sri lanka. The national selector John Inverarity said, " A real strength of the squad is its flexibility and versatility, It's a well-balanced side that will provide the captain, George Bailey, with plenty of options in both the batting line-up and bowling possibilities. " Australia squad : David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, George Bailey (capt), Matthew Wade (wk), David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Hogg, Cameron White, Daniel Christian, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus.

Former ODI Captain Daniel Vettori has been included to the 15 man NZ squad for the ICC World Twenty20. New Zealand squad : Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Ross Taylor (capt), Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, BJ Watling, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Doug Bracewell, Ronnie Hira, Adam Milne, Tim Southee.

Younis Khan has been dropped from a 16-man squad for a three one-day match series against Australia, in the United Arab Emirates. The 1st ODI will be played on August 28 in Sharjah, Second ODI will be played on August 31 in Abu Dhabi and last odi again in Sharjah on September 3. There will be three Twenty20s internationals against Australia on September 5, 7 and 10 all in Dubai. Pakistan Squad : Misbahul Haq (captain), Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanveer, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Aizaz Cheema, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Anwar Ali.

India's All-rounder Yuvraj Singh has been named in India's T20 squad for the the ICC World Twenty20 next month in Sri Lanka. India T20 squad:  MS Dhoni (capt/wk) Virender Sehwag Gautam Gambhir Virat Kohli Yuvraj Singh Suresh Raina Rohit Sharma Manoj Tiwary Irfan Pathan R Ashwin Zaheer Khan L Balaji Piyush Chawla Harbhajan Singh Ashok Dinda

Rohit Sharma has not been selected for the Test squad for the home series against new zealand. India will play two Tests and two Twenty20s Internationals against New Zealand before the World Twenty20 championship. India's Test squad: MS Dhoni (capt/wk) Virender Sehwag Gautam Gambhir Subramaniam Badrinath Sachin Tendulkar Virat Kohli Cheteshwar Pujara Suresh Raina Ajinkya Rahane R Ashwin Zaheer Khan Umesh Yadav Pragyan Ojha Piyush Chawla Ishant Sharma

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has signed Hobart Hurricanes to play in Australia's Big Bash Twenty20. Styris said, " I'm enjoying my involvement in franchise T20 cricket around the world and have always enjoyed the challenge of playing in Australia against Australians. " The 37-year-old retired from international cricket last year after playing 29 Tests, 188 one-day internationals and 31 Twenty20 matches for New Zealand.

Former New zealand Captain Daniel Vettori has been ruled out from a 15-man test squad tour of India due to a groin injury. NZ Squad : Martin Guptill, Daniel Flynn, Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor (capt), Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, James Franklin, Kruger van Wyk, Trent Boult, Tarun Nethula, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin and Doug Bracewell.

The BCCI's selection committee will pick the squad on August 10 for the Test series against New Zealand at home starting August 23. " The All-India Senior Selection Committee will meet at 11:30 am on Friday, 10 August 2012, at the Cricket Centre, Mumbai, to pick the Indian team for the Test series against New Zealand in August-September 2012, and the subsequent India 'A' tour of New Zealand, " said a BCCI media release on Saturday. UPDATE:  India Squad announced against New Zealand

David Warner has signed with Sydney Sixers in Big Bash League (BBL) 2012-13 season . Warner said, " I had a great time last year at the Sydney Thunder and thank the fans at ANZ Stadium [the Thunder's base] for their support, but I'm an eastern suburbs boy and I am really looking forward to playing at the SCG [the Sixers' base] for the Sixers. "

Former Tasmania paceman Ali de Winter has been named as new bowling coach for Australia by replacing Craig McDermott . He said, " I am particularly excited to get this chance, particularly now as Australia has such a deep pool of fast bowling talent with 10-12 young bowlers featuring at the moment. "

The Sri Lanka Premier League ( SPL ) will be broadcast via Youtube to a global audience, president Upali Dharmadasa confirmed. All 24 matches to be broadcast on an official SLPL channel. Dharmadasa said, " It was an idea that was brought to us, and we approved it because it gives the tournament the benefit of reaching more cricket fans around the world. " The SLPL will start from August 11.