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Australia's former ODI captain Ricky Ponting has announced his retirement from Test cricket, after the Perth Test against South Africa. Ponting is now equal to Steve Waugh's record of 168 test for Australia with a current test total of 13,336 runs at an average of 52.21. Ricky Ponting said, " Decision to retire was taken my me, not by selectors. "

Zimbabwe to play two Test matches, three ODI's and two Twenty 20 internationals against The T20 Champions West Indies. Itinerary: Feb 22, 1st ODI at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada Feb 24, 2nd ODI at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada Feb 26, 3rd ODI at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada Mar. 2: 1st T20 at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua Mar. 3: 2nd T20 at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua Mar. 12: 1st Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados Mar. 20, 2nd Test at Windsor Park, Dominica.

Australia has added Shane Watson in a 14-man squad for the final Test against South Africa in Perth. Australia Squad : Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Ed Cowan, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson.

Bangladesh have announced their 14-man squad for the first two ODIs of the five-match series against West Indies . Batsman Naeem Islam, offspinner Sohag Gazi and fast bowler Rubel Hossain has been included in the squad, begins on November 30. Squad for the first two ODIs : Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Jahurul Islam, Naeem Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Abul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Abdur Razzak, Masrafe Bin Mortaza, Shafiul Islam.

Pakistani legspinner Fawad Ahmed has joined the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming season of Big Bash League. Renegades chief executive, Stuart Coventry said, " Fawad has faced and overcome so many hurdles to arrive at this point of his life, He's now ready to explore the depths of his talent without the stress of hanging on for a decision to be made regarding his refugee status. We're pleased to provide him an avenue to play high-level cricket in Australia and believe he is a genuine talent. "

Cricket Australia have announced 2013-14 Ashes campaign, in which there will be five Tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals. The first Test begins on November 21-25 at Brisbane's Gabba ground and the last will be played on January 3-7 at Sydney in 2014. Chief executive of Cricket Australia James Sutherland said, " We are delighted to be able to confirm the Ashes fixtures so far in advance of the series."  "It means fans will be able to plan their trips around the country to follow all the action." "I am sure there will be a lot of fans from the UK who will want to make the trip over and we look forward to hosting them here. " Ashes Tests Schedule 2013-14 1st Test: November 21-25 - Brisbane 2nd Test: December 5-9 - Adelaide 3rd Test: December 13-17 - Perth 4th Test: December 26-30 - Melbourne 5th Test: January 3-7 - Sydney.

Sri Lanka have announced 16-man Sri Lanka Test squad for the tour of Australia next month. There will be three Tests including the second Test in Melbourne on Boxing Day. Sri Lanka squad : Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Tharanga Paranavitana, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Chanaka Welagedara, Prasanna Jayawardene, Shaminda Eranga, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad, Dimuth Karunaratne

West Indies have announced their 15 man squad for the limited-overs series against Bangladesh . Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and opener Kieran Powell has been included in the squad. Kieron Pollard will be the vice-captain in Bravo's absence. The 5 match ODI and a only T20 will be starting from November 30. West Indies squad : Darren Sammy (capt), Kieron Pollard (vc), Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Kieran Powell, Ravi Rampaul, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Veerasammy Permaul, Marlon Samuels, Devon Thomas.

All-rounder Shane Watson has been included in Australia's squad for the second Test against South Africa. National selector John Inverarity said "Shane Watson is making steady progress from his calf injury, but it is too early to determine if he will be fit to come under consideration for selection." Australia squad: Michael Clarke (Capt.), Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Ed Cowan, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Ricky Ponting, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Rob Quiney.

South Africa batsman Alviro Petersen has signed Somerset for the first half of the 2013 English season. The 31-year-old, Petersen told to Somerset's website: " Somerset are a successful team in all forms of cricket and I look forward to becoming part of the set-up at the County Ground, and hope that I can help them to win some trophies in 2013 ." In his career, He has played 16 Tests and 17 ODI's.

Left-arm pace attack, Chanaka Welegedara has been added in Sri Lanka's squad for the two tests series against New Zealand starting from Nov 17. A Fresh face 19-year-old Tharindu Kaushal , has been included to the 15 man squad. Sri Lanka squad : Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Angelo Mathews, Kumar Sanggakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardene, Suraj Randiv, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Chanaka Welegedara, Tharindu Kaushal.

Bangladesh have announced 14-member squad for the first Test against West Indies starting from Tuesday in Dhaka. Shohag Gazi a fresh new face has been included in the test squad. Bangladesh Test Squad : Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah, Shahriar Nafees, Naeem Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Elias Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan, Zunaed Siddique, Nazimuddin, Shahadat Hossain, Shohag Gazi.

Pakistan's spinner Saeed Ajmal has signed Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming KFC Twenty20 Big Bash League . Ajmal said, " I am really excited about playing for the Adelaide Strikers and really happy that I will get the chance to show my talent in the BBL. " The coach, Darren Berry was delighted to have signed Ajmal for Adelaide Strikers, " We know what this guy is capable of, having seen him run through both the Australian and English batsmen a couple of months ago, so to have him on board is a great result for the Strikers, " Berry said. They have also signed Tim Ludeman and Cameron Boyce.

The Pakistani batsman Umar Akmal has signed the reigning Champions League and Big Bash League trophy holders, Sydney Sixers . Akmal will play the first three BBL matches. Akmal said, " I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the Big Bash League when the Sixers approached me. " The sydney sixers have also signed Daniel Hughes from New South Wales.

After being ruled out for almost a year, Yuvraj singh has been selected for the first two Tests against England, starting from November 15. Harbhajan Singh has also been included in test squad while Suresh Raina was dropped and has been replaced by Vijay. Yuvi played his last Test in Mumbai against the West Indies in November 2011. India Test squad for first two Tests : MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Umesh Yadav, Pragyan Ojha, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, M Vijay, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan.

Shane Watson has been ruled out of Test against South Africa due to a calf injury. The Victoria batsman Rob Quiney will replace him. Mickey Arthur  said in an statement, " Shane Watson won't play the first Test match. He did an assessment this morning. We've ruled him out."

Former director of NZ Cricket Stephen Boock has been named president of New Zealand Cricket. Former Left-arm spinner Boock, made his Test debut in 1978 had played 30 Tests and took 74 wickets.