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Cape Town, the second-most populated city in South Africa after Johannesburg has not received a single fixture in the itinerary for the three ODIs and two Tests series in in December. India to play their first ODI at the Wanderers on December 5. CSA president Chris Nenzani said, "After the completion of our two Test matches against India we will have a further three Tests against Australia, This will allow all of our five premier Test match venues to host a five-day match. I would also like to assure all our stakeholders that we are working on plans to fill the gaps in our international itinerary for the 2013-14 season." India Tour South Africa Itinerary December 2 - India arrive in South Africa December 5 - 1st ODI, Johannesburg December 8 - 2nd ODI, Durban December 11 - 3rd ODI, Centurion December 14-15 - Two-day match, Benoni December 18-22 - 1st Test, Johannesburg December 26-30 - 2nd Test, Durban

Former South Africa coach Gary Kirsten has returned to the national team after he resigned by rejoining as a "batting mentor," Cricket South Africa Confirmed. The 45-year-old, Kirsten will work with the squad for five days between the second and third ODI against Pakistan , which is to be played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. " Gary is a World Cup winning coach and it would be naive for us not to tap into his wisdom, " said team manager Mohammed Moosajee. "We have a crop of young batsmen in the squad we feel will gain a lot of insight from his vast batting experience and knowledge. "We are going into an important phase leading up to the World Cup so it will be important for us to tap into as many resources available to us as possible." South Africa to play five one-day internationals against Pakistan starting on Wednesday.

David Saker has signed a new contract extension in which he will remain England's bowling coach until 2015 season. In early 2010, Saker replaced Ottis Gibson when Gibson moves to West Indies for coaching, since then saker has helped form a strong hand of fast bowlers led by James Anderson. "I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with England," Saker said. "I have been privileged enough to have been involved in some memorable moments for English cricket over the last three and a half years and worked with some outstanding cricketers. "Given the calibre of players in and around the side at the moment, and the hunger and commitment from all involved, I am very much looking forward to another very exciting period over the next couple of years, starting with the immediate challenge of retaining the Ashes."

Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez has signed to a Big Bash League contract with the Melbourne Renegades . He is likely to miss the first two games of the Big Bash League tournament due to international duties with Pakistan in the UAE , begins on December 20. "I have agreed [to] a deal with Melbourne Renegades," Hafeez told ESPNcricinfo. "Playing in Australia is always a tremendous experience and the opportunity will allow me to play around the best players. Since the 2015 World Cup will be in Australia, my stint will help me acquire ample acquaintance of Australian conditions." Currently Hafeez is leading run scorer in T20Is with 1093 runs for his team, and has led the T20 squad since June 2012 with 12 victories out of 18 matches. 

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor both have not been included for the limited-overs tour to Sri Lanka , starting from November 10. Luke Ronchi and Ian Butler will replace McCullum and Taylor in the squad. Kane Williamson will be the captain in the three ODIs and two T20Is in Sri Lanka. Bruce Edgar , New Zealand Cricket's general manager said, "Ross and Brendon need red-ball preparation to be at their best for the summer, both players are vital to our success and fine-tuning their red-ball skills before the West Indies series starting in early December is paramount." New Zealand are schedule to play the first two ODIs on November 10 and 12 in Hambantota, third ODI in Dambulla on November 16. The two T20Is will be played in Kandy on November 19 and 21. New Zealand squad : Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ian Butler, Anton Devcich, Grant Elliott, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, Hamish

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith has completed 9,000 runs in Test cricket. The 32-year-old opener achieved this milestone when he completed double ton against Pakistan in the second Test in Dubai stadium (UAE) on Thursday. Left-handed batsman, Smith became the 12th player in Test cricket's history to complete 9,000 Test runs and second South African behind Jacques Kallis who has so far scored 13,140 runs in 164 Tests. India's master blaster Sachin Tendulkar leads the all time run scorers in Test cricket, with 15,837 in 198 Tests. Besides Tendulkar, there are two other Indians, three Australians, two South Africans, West Indies and Sri Lanka have scored 9,000 or more runs in Test cricket.

England have announced 17-man squad for the five Ashes Test 2013/14 tour of Australia . England Squad : Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Matt Prior (Sussex, wkt), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Monty Panesar (Essex), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey) Itinerary Oct 25: England arrive, Perth Oct 31-Nov 02: Three-day warm-up v Western Australia, WACA, Perth Nov 06-09: Four-day warm-up v Australia A, Blundstone Arena, Hobart Nov 13-16: Four-day warm-up v New South Wales XI, Sydney Cricket Ground Ashes Test Series Nov 21-25: 1ST TEST, The Gabba, Brisbane Nov 29-30: Two-day warm-up v Chairman's XI, Traeger Park, Alice Springs Dec 05-09: 2ND TEST, Adelaide

Right-handed batsman Mashrafe Mortaza has been included in Bangladesh 15-man squad for the first two ODIs against New Zealand starting from October 29 in Mirpur after the ongoing second Test. Bangladesh Squad for first two ODIs : Mushfiqur Rahim (capt.), Mahmudullah (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mominul Haque, Anamul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Naeem Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi, Ziaur Rahman, Shamsur Rahman, Shafiul Islam.

Somerset Hang On  Somerset County Cricket club’s relatively audacious style of play this season saw them hang on to their division 1 status, though they left it rather late. It was only Derbyshire’s demolition by Warwickshire in their final match that saw Somerset (and Nottinghamshire) safe from relegation. Specialists In?  Somerset players, and director of cricket Dave Nosworthy, have come in for some criticism this year, but now safety is assured things may be a little more relaxed at Taunton’s County Ground next year. “Our style is very adventurous and positive, but it's a high risk” he said after the match. “It's something we're going to look at in the off-season and we're looking for specialist coaches to assist us.” Better Next Year?  Somerset collapsed slightly during that final match after it was confirmed that Derbyshire had been relegated. The dangers of focusing too much on radio news of your rival’s scoreline were once again highlighted, alt

West Indies assistant coach, Toby Radford has been named as Glamorgan's new head coach . The 41-year-old, who previously coached Middlesex , will replace Matthew Mott. The former Sussex batsman, Radford said: " It was great to see the team reaching a Lord's final at the end of the season, and I believe we have a wonderful opportunity of building on this success and developing a team of which the Welsh nation can be proud." "I am honoured to have been offered this position and look forward to working with chief executive and director of cricket Hugh Morris, and the playing and coaching staff of Glamorgan in bringing success back to the county I supported as a youngster."

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has returned to the 16-member squad for their upcoming five match ODI series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates . Misbah-ul-Haq will lead the side from Oct. 30 to Nov. 11 in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai. Despite being a part of the Test squad, Younis Khan has not been considered for the one-day series. " We are preparing the one-day squad keeping in mind the 2015 World Cup so there are some specialized players we are looking at, " a board official said. Pakistan ODI Squad : Ahmed Shahzad, Nasir Jamshed, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Abdul Rehman, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir.

The former Indian pacer, Ajit Agarkar has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Agarkar told ESPNcricinfo, " It was the right time for me. One more season was not going to change much. It could only have meant I would have been around for one more season and one of the youngsters would have been benched for Mumbai. " I don't have a chance to play for India [again], so I thought it was the right time. Moreover, it's not a young [Mumbai] team anymore. It's a well-balanced unit and I feel it was time to let the younger lot carry the mantle. " The 35-year-old started his career started from 1998 to 2007, in which he played 26 Tests, 191 ODIs and four Twenty20 internationals for India. He also represented Delhi Daredevils in the IPL .

England batsman, Eoin Morgan has signed for Sydney Thunder at Australia's biggest T-20 tournament, Big Bash League that begins on December 21. "I am really excited about getting the opportunity to join the Sydney Thunder for this season's Big Bash," Morgan said in a statement. "I have been a big admirer of the tournament and I'm looking forward to getting a chance to play in it." The 27-year-old, who also plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in Indian Premier League  was recently not picked for the England Ashes squad .

England cricketer Alex Hales has been ranked as the number-one Twenty20 batsman by the International Cricket Council . The rankings were updated after England's victory against Australia in August. Nottinghamshire's Hales hit 94 off 61 balls, helping England to a 27-run victory that levelled the two match series at 1-1. New Zealand's Brandon McCullum has dropped down to second in the rankings with Australia's Watson and Warner in 3rd and 4th place respectively. Australia's Aaron Finch, who played a big part in the series against England, made sure his performance didn't go unnoticed, as he moved into the top 20 rankings for the first time in his playing career. Alex Hales was born in Hillingdon, Middlesex and comes from a family full of sporting history. His father was a highly successful cricketer regularly breaking league records, while his grandfather took tennis great, Rod Laver, to five sets in a Wimbledon qualifier. The world number one made h

South African Graham Ford has signed a three-year deal  as a new head coach of Surrey , the English county side. He will join the club in February when his contract with the Sri Lanka team ends. The 52-year-old will replace Chris Adams and said, " I am delighted to once again be involved in the English cricketing system." "I have, for a long while, been an admirer of Surrey CCC and see it as a great privilege to be actively involved in such a fine club.  "I look forward to the exciting times ahead!" Ford will work along with board member Alec Stewart.

South Africa's Right-handed batsman Jacques Kallis stated that he is ready to take on Pakistan in first Test at Abu Dhabi (UAE). After a three-month break from cricket The 37-year-old is all set to face pakistan in first test starting from monday. " After 17-18 years I needed a good three months away so it's been a pleasurable period where I could refresh my mind and get a little niggle sorted out, " Kallis said on Sunday. " I am hitting the ball as well as I have ever hit and probably playing the best cricket of my life. From that point of view, it's been two weeks of good work, " said Kallis.

South Africa have announced their T20 squad for the two-match series against Pakistan in UAE . Both star player, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn have been included into the squad. "Hashim is a world-class player across all the formats, " said Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener Andrew Hudson. "His experience and stability at the top of the order are qualities that we believe will strengthen the squad in a key area." South Africa Squad : Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Henry Davids, Quinton de Kock, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, David Wiese.

County  side, Sussex have signed a one year deal with the 19-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Callum Jackson. Mark Robinson , The Sussex's Professional Cricket Manager said, " Callum showed at the back end of the season that he was comfortable in the first-team environment. "He has a lot of hard work in front of him but with a lot of determination there is nothing to stop him having a long and successful career." In addition to this, Sussex have also declared the release of 26-year-old seamer Andrew Miller and 25-year-old batsman Joe Gatting. "It is always a sad time when we release any player," Robinson said. "But both are still young and we hope a change of environment will help them fulfil their potential. "Andy and Joe have been model professionals and we would like to thank them both for their hard work and commitment. We wish them both all the best for the future."

The (DRS) Decision Review System came under the controversies during the recent Ashes series in England . This time Channel Nine the broadcasters have chosen to avoid Hot Spot technology. However in case of a review, decisions will now be subject to analysis by the 'Eagle Eye' ball-tracker, stump microphones and slow-motion replays. Warren Brennan, the inventor of Hot Spot told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, "It's their decision and that's what has been communicated to us. As far as I'm concerned, it is final, We're just moving on with things. Channel Nine have got a new deal with Cricket Australia, which I know has cost them a lot more money. "

Sri Lanka opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has announced his retirement from Test cricket to make it easy for the next generation but he will be available for the shorter forms (50 overs and Twenty20 formats) of the game. Dilshan said in a news conference, "I have decided to take this decision to allow Sri Lanka cricket to groom another youngster in my place. I was to announce my retirement after the Zimbabwe Test series but unfortunately the tour was postponed." The 36-year-old, who played his Test debut in 1999 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo and since then he appeared in 87 Tests. In 14 years of an international career, Dilshan scored 5,492 runs at an average of 40.98. The best in his career, 193 against England at Lord's in 2011. "I will discuss my future with the national selectors and if they need me I will play till the 2015 World Cup," he added.

This is the time for trio Virender Sehwag , Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan to prove himself when India 'A' will take on West Indies 'A' in the final 'Test' at the Rajnagar cricket stadium from Wednesday. The first Test won by West Indies in Mysore last month and drew the second, Now  India A eye to win this third and final test. It has been reported that, this would be the last opportunity for trio to redeem their place to the squad before the selectors announce the squad for the series against West Indies in coming November. 

The former England fast bowler, Steve Harmison has retired from cricket, who took 223 wickets in 63 Tests,  with a 17-year career in county cricket with Durham . "I was hoping to go out on a high in my benefit year but my body has not allowed me to, and I have not made a single first-team appearance, " Harmison told the local Sunday Sun newspaper. " With my contract up at the end of the season, I have known for a while I would be calling it a day."

Pakistan Right-handed batsman Mohammad Hafeez has been ruled out for Test series against South Africa in the UAE . Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been added to 12-man squad, announced by the PCB. The board will expand the squad to 15 later. Pakistan Squad : Khurram Manzoor, Azhar Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Umar Amin, Abdur Rehman, Junaid Khan, Younis Khan, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali

Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik , has signed Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League . This will be Malik's first stint even in the Australian T20 league. Damian Wright, the Hurricanes coach said, " He's an exciting player, a fast paced batsman who will likely bat in our middle order and he'll add another option to our bowling stocks as well, He is a quality player with a quality T20 record and his performances in the Caribbean Premier League suggest he's in red-hot form right now. " The 31-year-old Malik has played 134 Twenty20 matches with 3396 runs at a strike rate of 123.31. "Those are impressive stats for someone who has played so many games in a format where you often have to place little value on your wicket in search of quick runs at the end of an innings," Wright said.

Recently few days back, BCCI meeting held at Kolkata for the upcoming cricket schedule for team India . BCCI have announced one home series against West Indies before the South Africa tour. By this decision, this is likely to be seen as sachin’s last series before his retirement. There are too many questions arises in our mind that what decision have been made by the BCCI? West Indies series announcement just before the South Africa tour, will it be a Last series for Sachin Tendulkar ? Will sachin say goodbye to cricket after the West Indies series? There is good news for sachin's fans, the master blaster sachin to play his 200 test in his own country India. West Indies will have to tour India in November 2013. They will play 5-ODIs and 2-Tests, The dates and the venues have not decided yet, but there will be hope that sachin will play his 199 Test in Kolkata and 200th test in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium. If we look around Sachin's career, He played 198 tests so

West Indies all-rounder Kirk Edwards and the wicketkeeper-batsman Chadwick Walton have been named in the 15-member Test squad for the tour of India . West Indies to play two Tests and three ODIs starting from November 6 (First Test), November 14 (Second Test). The three ODIs will be played on November 21, 24 and 27. West Indies Test squad : Darren Sammy (captain), Tino Best, Sheldon Cotterrell, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford, Veerasammy Permaul and Chadwick Walton

Bangladesh Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has been added to the Test squad after two-year absence from the team. The first test is to be played against New Zealand in Chittagong from next week. "We think Ayub is ready for the national side," selector Habibul Bashar said. "Al-Amin is a wicket-taking bowler and is in good form." Bangladesh's Test squad : Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Mohammad Mahmudullah, Anamul Haque, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Naeem Islam, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain, Mominul Haque, Marshall Ayub, Robiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain.

Cricket Australia (CA) have announced ODI squad for the Tour of India , starting from a T20 international on October 10 at Rajkot. Australia skipper Michael Clarke has been ruled out with a low back injury. Callum Ferguson will replace Clarke in the ODI squad while the right-handed batsman George Bailey will lead the ODI and T20 side. Nic Maddinson from New South Wales Blues left-handed batsman has been added to the T20 squad. Australia to play one Twent20 International and seven ODIs starting from October 10, 2013. The National Selector, John Inverarity said: " Michael (Clarke) was very keen to captain the ODI team to India but unfortunately he hasn't progressed enough to be available for selection. "His replacement is Callum Ferguson, whose form in 50-over cricket during the last Australian summer was impressive. George Bailey will captain the ODI team in Michael's absence. " Australian T20 squad : George Bailey (captain), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aa