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Right arm fast-medium bowler Ishant Sharma has been retained in the 15-member Indian cricket squad for two-Test series against the West Indies , starting November 6. While senior bowler Zaheer Khan was ignored by the BCCI . All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina both were also dropped from the squad. BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said, "Ravindra Jadeja has a shoulder strain. The physiotherapist of the Indian team has advised two weeks' rest for him, after the end of the ODI series against Australia, as a precautionary measure." Indian squad for WI : MS Dhoni (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Rahane, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma

England spinner Monty Panesar has signed a two-year contract with Essex . The 31-year-old, Panesar joined Essex on loan earlier this year after being released by Sussex . "I loved playing for Essex last season," he told the club's website ( www.essexcricket.org.uk ). "In the short time I was there I was made to feel very welcome." Panesar took 14 wickets in six county championship matches following his move.

Right-arm pace bowler Kyle Mills will lead the New Zealand side for the first time in limited overs series in Sri Lanka . Top-order batsman Kane Williamson has been ruled out with a broken and dislocated thumb injury. He picked-up injury in Bangladesh . Rob Nicol, 30, will replace Williamson. "It's disappointing that Ian's back didn't settle in time for the Sri Lanka tour," national selection general manager Bruce Edgar said. "We'll also bring in Otago's Neil Broom for the final ODI and the two Twenty20s as additional cover." New Zealand squad : Kyle Mills (Capt.), Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, Tom Latham, Neil Broom, Anton Devcich, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro,  Nathan McCullum, James Neesham, Rob Nicol, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford.

Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) selectors have announced 16-man squad for the limited overs series against New Zealand , starting from November 10. The series includes three ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals, starting from November 10-21. Sri Lanka Squad: Angelo Mathews (ODI captain), Tillakratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal (T20I captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Ashan Priyanjana.

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.