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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