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Melbourne will host the final of World Cup 2015 , while semi-finals will be held at Sydney and Auckland just as they did in 1992. Christchurch will host the opening match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on February 14 at Hagley Oval, on the same day Australia will play against England at the MCG. " The ICC Cricket World Cup is the flagship tournament of the 50-over game. The 2015 tournament will mark 40 years since the first World Cup in 1975 and that history of great contests and heroes helps make the tournament what it is - the most sought after prize in our increasingly global game, " Richardson said. The world cup 2015 will feature 49 matches in 44 days in 14 cities throughout February and March of 2015. Pool A : England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Qualifier 2 and Qualifier 3 Pool B : South Africa, India, Pakistan, West Indies Zimbabwe, Ireland and Qualifier 4 Venue : Adelaide (Aus), Auckland (NZ), Brisbane (Aus), Canberra (Aus), Chri...

Zimbabwe left-arm spinner, Ray Price has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 37-year-old player said: " I was going to wait until my contract expired to call it a day but, yes, I've decided to retire from international cricket, I won't be going with the guys to Bulawayo. I'm retired. " In his career, Price took 100 wickets in 102 ODIs and 80 dismissals in 22 Tests and 13 scalps in 16 T20 Internationals. At the age of 23, Price played his debut against Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Club in 1999.

England's right-handed batsman, Kevin Pietersen has been included in a 14-man squad for the next and third Ashes Test match against Australia at Old Trafford, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday. England have also selected Nottinghamshire's James Taylor to the squad, whereas, left-armer Monty Panesar is also added to the squad as a spinner and fast bowler Chris Tremlett in place of Steven Finn and Graham Onions. The 3rd Ashes will be played at Emirates Old Trafford on 1-5 August. England squad : Alastair Cook (Capt.), Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, James Taylor, Chris Tremlett, Stuart Broad, Monty Panesar.

Pakistan skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq has signed the St Lucia Zouks side for the inaugural season of Caribbean Premier League . He will replace Australia's Luke Pomersbach , who has been forced to pull out of the tournament. Matthew Maynard, the Zouks assistant coach, said: " Although it is unfortunate that Luke Pomersbach will not be joining us, we have a high-quality replacement in Misbah-ul-Haq, He brings with him a vast amount of experience of international cricket, something that will only be of benefit to our younger players, and his latest Twenty20 performance speaks for itself. On top of that he has been in excellent form during the recent ODI series against West Indies so he is completely acclimatised and match-ready and that is an added plus for us and for him. " The 39-year-old Right-handed batsman will join Darren Sammy and Tino Best, as well as overseas players Albie Morkel, Herschelle Gibbs and Tamim Iqbal at the Zouks. The Caribbean Premier League wi...

Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Asif has admitted to spot-fixing during a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board in Lahore. PCB said that Asif met with Subhan Ahmad, the chief operating officer of PCB and confessed that he had indulged in spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lords in 2010. "He (Asif) said he was ashamed of what he had done and his conscience had been troubling him for the last many months but he was scared to speak out the truth,"  " Asif said he finally gathered courage to admit his guilt as he wanted to revive his cricketing career and also salvage his image, " the source added. The 30-year-old, Asif is one of the most controversial personality among the banned players and has also been found guilty of failing a dope test, carrying marijuana and other problems in the past.

West Indies have announced the 13-man T20 squad for the two-match series against Pakistan , scheduled on July 27 and 28 in St Vincent. Batsman Devon Smith along with fast bowlers Jason Holder and Kemar Roach have been omitted from the 13-man T20 squad. whereas, Darren Sammy returns to the role of skipper and Kieron Pollard was retained to the squad. West Indies T20 squad : Darren Sammy (capt), Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Christopher Barnwell, Tino Best, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Johnson Charles (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Sunil Narine, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons.

Australian Fast bowlers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle have signed Melbourne Renegades for the forthcoming season of the T20 Big Bash League . " I want to get back into playing short-form cricket, "Siddle said. " To have that opportunity again in four over bursts, having a crack and getting the pace up there. I think it'll be a lot of fun. " Melbourne Renegades have also re-signed the former Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan for one year and completed two-year deals with Pakistan -born legspinner Fawad Ahmed and Tasmanian batsman Alex Doolan . The 34-year-old, Ahmed who has recently got Australian citizenship, clearing the way for a possible call-up to the Test squad for the Ashes . " I worked really hard with the Renegades last season. It was a good six or seven weeks and they really helped me through BBL 2, " Ahmed said. " I [then] got an opportunity with the (Victoria) Bushrangers and it really clicked. For me, I was n...

James Pattinson , Australia's Right arm fast medium bowler has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series due to a stress fracture in his lower back, Cricket Australia confirmed. The 23-year-old, Pattinson was diagnosed with the lower back problem "hip and back soreness" after the defeat in the second Test at Lord's. "J ames Pattinson reported some hip and back soreness on the final day of the second Ashes Test, " said Team doctor Peter Brukner said. "We had some scans done today (Monday) in London that have identified an early stage low back stress fracture. "Unfortunately he will not take any further part in this Test series and will commence a rehabilitation program with the aim to have him back for the Australian summer." Pat Howard, the Cricket Australia team performance manager said: " While we are obviously disappointed for James, the selectors have five bowlers fit and ready to perform in England, providin...

Former Australian spin legend Shane Warne has ended his competitive cricket career by announcing his retirement from the Big Bash Twenty20 League , citing business, family and commentary commitments across two continents. " I think the time is right for me to hang up my Big Bash boots - juggling business, family and commentary commitments across two continents is not easy, " Warne said. "I've always loved the game but now it's time to observe. It's going to be a huge summer for Australian cricket. I'm really looking forward to it and will be closely following the Melbourne Stars," he added. The 43-year-old, who quit Test cricket in 2007. In his IPL stint, He captained the Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008. After great four seasons in the IPL, Warne signed up for Melbourne Stars in the inaugural 2011-12 BBL season. Clint Cooper , The Melbourne Stars's CEO said, " With increasing business and fa...

Former Australian left-handed batsman, Mike Hussey has signed Sydney Thunder in the Australian Twenty20 Big Bash League , where he will join his mate Michael Clarke . The 38-year-old, who quit international cricket in January 2013 said: " I'm extremely excited about joining the Sydney Thunder and having the opportunity to be part of a young, energetic side that will represent the west of Sydney with pride. " " The team and the area have enormous potential and I hope that I can bring my experience to help get the best out of the side and develop the talented playing group that we have. " The Australian Twenty20 Big Bash League gets underway in December 2013.