Cricket Blog | IPL 2024 | T20 World Cup

South African number one ranked Test bowler Dale Steyn has signed Brisbane Heat . Steyn said, " Even though it's only for one match, I'm looking forward to experiencing the Australian domestic T20 setup and the passionate cricket fans that I've heard lots about. The Heat squad has some talented cricketers on board, who I have no doubt can make a telling impact this coming season. "

Australia's left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has signed Brisbane Heat after being part of the Perth Scorchers roster last season. Johnson said, " I'm enjoying my cricket with the Warriors and signing with the Heat means I can have a chance to keep playing through December and January, which is the time of year you want to be in action and performing." "I enjoyed the challenge with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and at the Champions League and I was happy with how I went for Australia in the ODI series in Dubai during the winter. "

Matthew Wade has been included in 12-man squad as an Australia's wicketkeeper for the first test against South Africa in Brisbane. The first test of three-test series will start at The Gabba on November 9. Australia squad : Michael Clarke (Capt.), David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Shane Watson, Matthew Wade, Ed Cowan, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc.

Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga have been opted to rest for one-off Twenty20 International by Sri Lankan cricket selectors. Currently both are playing in the ongoing Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa. The big news from sri lanka cricket is Angelo Mathews has been announced as the skipper of Twenty20 team. Sri Lanka T20 squad : Angelo Mathews (capt), Nuwan Kulasekara (vice-capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Dilshan Munaweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeevan Mendis, Shaminda Eranga, Akila Dhananjaya and Upul Tharanga. Sri Lanka squad for the first three ODIs : Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirmanne, Shaminda Eranga, Upul Tharanga, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekera, Rangana Herath, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Tharindu Kaushal and Thisara Perera.

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels has signed Melbourne Renegades for the coming season of Big Bash League. Simon Helmot , Renegades coach said, " He'll provide much-needed firepower at the top of the order and brings a certain X-factor to the team, His quality right-arm offies [offspin] and excellent fielding combine to make him a genuine allrounder.  Marlon provides a huge boost for the team in all facets of the game and we can't wait to see him in Renegade red this summer. "

Bangladesh Left-hand batsman, Tamim Iqbal has signed up for Wellington Firebirds to play in HRV Cup. He will join the Wellington Firebirds after the series against West Indies. Jamie Siddons, the Wellington coach said, " We are excited to have signed Tamim to play in our T20 competition, He will be a great addition for the Firebirds. I chose him over the many other overseas candidates because I think he possesses the explosiveness that we need at the top of our batting order. Tamim is yet to take off as a T20 player but I have seen him enough to know that it is going to be very good when he gets it all together in this format. I want my team to benefit from this in our competition this year. "

New Zealand former paceman Shane Bond has been appointed as a bowling coach for New Zealand cricket team. Bond, 37, said, " This is a role I have worked towards since I stopped playing, The experience of playing for New Zealand exceeded my expectations and I'm sure it will be no different as a coach. " Bond will join the Black Caps to be a part of the coaching later this month to Sri Lanka.

Derbyshire captain, Wayne Madsen has signed a new three-year deal. The 28-years-old Madsen said, " What we achieved last year was incredible and this is a club that's growing and moving in the right direction on and off the field, To lead this squad is a great honour, I'm so excited about where we are heading and we're looking forward to challenging ourselves in Division One next season. "

Former New Zealand international, Scott Styris has re-signed Sussex as an overseas player for the 2013 Friends Life t20 season. The 37-year-old Styris, who has retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup. Styris said, " I'm delighted to sign this contract with Sussex, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the team this year and feel we have unfinished business in this competition. I want to contribute next season so we can go all the way to securing the silverware." "We are all delighted at the prospect of having Scott back," Mark Robinson, the Sussex cricket manager, said. "His performances on and off the pitch obviously made him not only a crowd favourite but one within the whole club. "

Guyana left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul has been included to the West Indies squad for the tour of Bangladesh, starting from November 3. West Indies to play two Tests, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match against Bangladesh. West Indies squad : Darren Sammy (capt), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Denesh Ramdin (vice-capt), Darren Bravo, Narsingh Deonarine, Tino Best, Kirk Edwards, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Assad Fudadin, Ravi Rampaul.

Former England skipper Andrew Strauss has joined International Cricket Council ( ICC ) on Thursday. The 35-year-old has replaced former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop Alan Isaac , The ICC president said: " I am sure that he will carry on Clive's good work and bring, like Andrew Strauss, contemporary thinking to the committee, and both understand clearly the issues facing the modern game. "

Uncapped Todd Astle , from Canterbury province has been selected in New Zealand 's squad for tour to Sri Lanka between October 30 and November 29. ODI and T20 Squad : Ross Taylor (captain), James Franklin, Roneel Hira, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Andrew Ellis, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, B.J. Watling, Kane Williamson, Rob Nicol, Tom Latham, Brendon McCullum, Adam Milne. Test Squad : Ross Taylor (captain), Todd Astle, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Brendon McCullum, Rob Nicol, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Kruger van Wyk, Neil Wagner, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson. New Zealand - Sri Lanka, Schedule: Oct 30 - 1st T20 at Pallekele Nov 1 - 1st ODI at Pallekele Nov 4 - 2nd ODI at Colombo Nov 6 - 3rd ODI at Colombo Nov 10 - 4th ODI at Hambantota Nov 12 - 5th ODI at Hambantota Nov 17-21 - 1st Test at Galle Nov 25-29 - 2nd Test at Colombo

The 29-year-old, Uncapped all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt has been included to the test squad for the three-Test series in Australia. South Africa, will play the first Test in Brisbane on Nov 9 before moving on to Adelaide and Perth. South Africa test squad : Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, AB de Villiers, Rory Kleinveldt, Robbie Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile, Jacques Rudolph.

British-born Asian Ajmal Shahzad signed Nottinghamshire on a three-year contract in the County Championship next season. The 27-years-old Shahzad said, " As a seam bowler there is no better ground to play at than Trent Bridge, Hopefully playing alongside so many England players and performing well for Notts will put me back in the limelight ."

Mahela Jayawardene has withdrawn his name from Sri Lanka's Twenty20 captain after loosing the final of the T20 World against West Indies in Colombo. He stated he will remain captain for the ODI and Test teams and available for Twenty20 selection. Jayawardene, 35, said: " I had a chat to the selectors before this tournament started. I was going to step down from T20 captaincy after this World Cup, I personally feel that for Sri Lanka going forward we need a younger leader. It's a great opportunity for somebody to start in that T20 format. I've spoken to the selectors and they were quite happy with that choice. "

Jonny Bairstow has been injured during the World Twenty20 and has withdrawn from the Champions League T20 for the Yorkshire squad.

Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal has been fined for ignoring both on-field umpires. He has been fined 50 percent of his match fee during World T20 2012 semi-final against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The both umpires were Simon Taufel and Rod Tucker. The match referee, Jeff Crowe said: " In this incident, Umar showed blatant disregard to both the umpires' requests, which was offensive and unacceptable from an international cricketer and contrary to our unique spirit, hence a level two charge was laid." "Respect for the umpires is integral and is something which we always emphasise and encourage," Crowe said. "Umar, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his action. " It was happened in the second innings of the 17th over when Akmal was at the non-striker's end.

Delhi Daredevils veteran batsman Virender Sehwag may not be able to play in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 due to his ligament injury that he sustained during the last match against South Africa in the ICC World Twenty20 . According to the Indian team's media manager Dr R N Baba , Sehwag has been advised rest for 14 days. CLT20 to be held in South Africa from October 9. UPDATE NEWS October 11, 2012 Virender Sehwag has been recovered from his minor ankle injury and ready to play in Champions League 2012 match for Delhi Daredevils against Kolkata Knight Riders, on Saturday.

England international bowler Liam Plunkett has joined Yorkshire from Durham on a three-year deal for the County Championship Division One next season. The 27-year-old has played nine Tests, 21 One-Day Internationals in his career. Plunkett said, " I am delighted to be joining Yorkshire for next season, The opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the country was too good to turn down. "

England all-rounder Samit Patel has signed Nottinghamshire on a new three year deal. The 27-year-old patel said, " I think that we have enough talent and depth in our squad to win trophies consistently and I want to play my part in that. "This is the only county that I want to play for. "