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The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced, England and Wales will host the 2017 World Test Championship. The ICC confirmed that the new competition will replace the 50-over Champions Trophy. " The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will host the inaugural event in June/July 2017, while the second edition will be held in India in February/March 2021, " an ICC statement read. "The ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales was highly acclaimed and appreciated by all," ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said. "However, the principle of one pinnacle global event for each of the three formats over a four-year cycle is a good one and, as such, the ICC Board has agreed to replace the Champions Trophy with the ICC World Test Championship. "Now that the ICC World Test Championship has been confirmed, we'll work on the playing conditions and qualification criteria, and will submit these to the ICC Board for approval in due course." ...

The South African batsman, Richard Levi has signed Northamptonshire for the Friends Life t20 competition that begins on June 26. Levi will join the squad in match against Gloucestershire on June 28.  Northamptonshire head coach, David Ripley said, " We are delighted to welcome Richard to the County Ground as he will add much needed firepower to the top of our order. " "His willingness to jump on a plane and get over here at very short notice is testament to his desire to play not just for us, but to try and force himself back into international contention - something we hope this stint at Northants (Northamptonshire) will help him achieve. "We are looking forward to Richard joining Cameron White here at the County Ground as we go all out for a place in the latter stages of the Friends Life t20."

New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler has signed Nottinghamshire for their first Friends Life T20 match against Leicestershire . He will join the county side after the T20I against England at the Oval. " The Notts Outlaws squad looks very strong and I feel well prepared having played two twenty20 internationals this week, " Butler said. " There is a great tradition of New Zealand cricketers doing well with Nottinghamshire and I am really looking forward to playing at Trent Bridge. " Butler has played 26 ODIs, 18 T20Is and eight Tests for New Zealand and has taken 75 wickets. Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell said, "Ian has a good international pedigree and he was very effective bowling to England's top order in Tuesday's match, We're placing a heavy workload on Ajmal Shahzad, Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney and this signing will improve our quality and depth."

BCCI has announced, India will tour Zimbabwe starting July 24, for a series of five one-dayers internationals. The first three ODI's will be held in Harare and the last two in Bulawayo. Schedule July 24 - 1st ODI, Harare July 26 - 2nd ODI, Harare July 28- 3rd ODI, Harare July 31 - 4th ODI, Bulawayo August 3 - 5th ODI, Bulawayo

England Right-handed batsman, Kevin Pietersen has made a comeback to the England T20 squad against New Zealand , starting from next Thursday at The Oval. He has been included in a 14-men squad for two T20 internationals against New Zealand. Pietersen will play the second match to be held at The Oval on June 27. Geoff Miller , England's national selector, said: With an intense period of cricket coming up we are conscious that we need to manage the workloads of our players throughout the summer and this NatWest series gives an opportunity for players who have performed well in domestic cricket and on the England Performance Programme and with the Lions to step up and test themselves in an international environment. "New Zealand are a talented limited-overs side and with a World T20 competition less than a year away this series gives us a chance to look at a number of different options." England squad : Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, capt), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire),...

New Zealand have announced their Twenty20 squad against England starting from next week. Batsmen Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham, along with left-arm spinner Roneel Hira has been included in the squad. Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee and Grant Elliott has been dropped from the New Zealand squad, while Kane Williamson and Luke Ronchi has also been excluded from the squad. The Two Twenty20 matches will be held on June 25 and June 27 at The Oval. New Zealand Squad : Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Doug Bracewell, Ian Butler, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, James Franklin, Tom Latham, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Ross Taylor.

South African all-rounder Albie Morkel has signed Derbyshire for Friends Life t20 competition. Albie become the second overseas signing of Derbyshire after Shivnarine Chanderpaul. " Albie still has some close connections with the area ," Krikken said. " I'm sure the strong relationship we have with our pals at Leek Cricket Club has had a bearing on his decision. " Morkel said: " I've always enjoyed the challenge of playing in England and, although I initially hadn't considered playing county cricket this season, the timing has worked out well and I am really looking forward to contributing to Derbyshire. "

The former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will retire from all forms of cricket in October. The 38-year-old is currently playing in county cricket for Surrey . " While I'm enjoying my cricket as much as ever, it just feels like the right time to finish playing ," Ponting told the Daily Mail. " My body and mind are in great shape and I know I'm going to really enjoy these last few months before the next stage of life begins. " "I'm excited about what lies ahead. We are moving to Melbourne, which will be like a new beginning as a family leading a more normal life. I'll be able to spend more time with family and friends, play a lot more golf and see more of North Melbourne footy games. "Rianna and I will continue to build the work of the Ponting Foundation and, with more time on my hands, I'm intending on spending more time with children with cancer and their families."

South Africa great batsman Hashim Amla has been nominated for four Cricket South Africa (CSA) professional awards, to be announced here on July 3. Amla has been nominated for: The Test Cricketer of the Year. The One-Day International (ODI) Cricketer of the Year. The 'KFC So Good' award which is for a single outstanding achievement. These awards would cover the period from May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. List of nominees are: South African Cricketer of the Year : Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn. Test Cricketer of the Year : Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn. One-Day International Cricketer of the Year : Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Ryan McLaren. Twenty20 International Cricketer of the Year : Henry Davids, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn. KFC So Good Award : Hashim Amla, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn. Women's Cricketer of the Year : Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk.

Due to contractual obligations with Derbyshire (English county), West Indies middle order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul will not be able to play in the first ever Caribbean Premier League (CPL). " I am extremely sorry that I will not be able to participate in the CPL because of contractual obligations ," said Chanderpaul. " I would definitely like to make myself available for the next edition, and will have my contracts carry a clause that will permit me to play in future editions of T20 tournaments ." Aussie batsman Luke Pomersbach to replace Chanderpaul and will soon join St Lucia. "I am excited about this new opportunity and really looking forward to playing in the Caribbean for St. Lucia, " Pomersbach said. " It will be great to be a part of this first CPL and I am looking forward to some tough competitive cricket with some of the greatest T20 cricketers in the world. " The CPL begins from July 30 in Barbados.