Umpire Hair resigns from ICC umpires panel

Controversial umpire Darrell Hair has resigned from the International Cricket Council's elite umpires panel, an ICC spokesperson said on Friday.

SA's 'no' imperils Champions Trophy

South Africa's refusal to participate in next month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan has put serious doubt over the viability of the tournament.

Champions Trophy faces pull-out threat

Holders Australia could pull out of the Champions Trophy after the International Cricket Council decided to go ahead with the tournament in Pakistan.

Twenty20 player probed for doping

Indian Premier League officials investigating a doping case from the debut season of the Twenty20 competition are declining to release any details.

The big firms that prop up Zim

Last month British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged British companies to stop investing in Zimbabwe, saying his government was preparing sanctions.

Zim retains ICC membership, pulls out of T20

Zimbabwe will remain a full member of the International Cricket Council, officials said on Friday, after the world body worked out a compromise.

India urged to vote for Zim ban

Moves to isolate Zimbabwe cricket gathered momentum this week when the England and Wales Cricket Board began preliminary talks with India.

British govt says Zim cricket tour 'unwelcome'

Britain said on Tuesday that Zimbabwe's planned cricket tour of England next year would be "unwelcome" given the situation in the country.

Darrell Hair makes return to Test cricket

Darrell Hair made a low-key return to top-level cricket on Friday, two years after presiding over the first forfeited Test. The umpire, who was reinstated in March after a 16-month ban, officiated as England's second Test against New Zealand started at Old Trafford.

SABC: Suspension was last straw

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) chief executive Dali Mpofu's move to suspend his news chief Snuki Zikalala was the last straw that prompted his own suspension, according to court papers on Thursday. Mpofu has launched an urgent application with the Johannesburg High Court, to challenge his suspension last Wednesday.

Windies batsman Samuels found guilty of bookie links

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels has been found guilty of breaching regulations after a probe into allegations of links with a bookmaker, the West Indies Cricket Board said on Monday. Samuels (27) could now face a two-year ban from the game if the International Cricket Council enforces a mandatory ban.

ICC wants to save Tests from Twenty20 lure

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will look at ways to protect Test cricket in the wake of Twenty20's growing impact at a two-day board meeting starting in Dubai on Monday. The India Premier League was launched last month involving several high-profile players and has taken the cricket world by storm, with the England board also planning their own league.

ICC needs to get its act together, says cricket boss

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani said on Monday the governing body could lose credibility after the "disgraceful" treatment of outgoing chief executive Malcolm Speed. Mani became the latest critic of the ICC board, which has come under fire after Speed was placed on paid leave on Friday.

'Reform the ICC, or we walk'

Cricket faces the threat of the biggest revolt in its history, with elite players ready to call for a breakaway from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Fica, the international players' union, will demand far-reaching reform of the ICC, the global governing body it considers to be paralysed by the dominance of India's Board of Control for Cricket.

Lord's, a drying oasis

Ah, Lord's, that oasis of tradition in a world given over to instant, facile gratification of every which flavour. Yes, dear Lord's, where time doesn't dare move forward one tick unless; where the ungodly clatter of a woman's heels marching to the beat of progress on the pavilion's creaking floorboards causes collars and sphincters to tighten in unison.

ICC quizzes Akhtar over match-fixing claims

An International Cricket Council (ICC) investigator has questioned banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar over his claims that he was offered money to throw matches, Pakistani sources said on Tuesday. Akhtar (32) was banned for five years a week ago for criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board. He later alleged that that he had refused offers of bribes to underperform.

Steyn joins Murali at top of bowling rankings

South Africa paceman Dale Steyn has risen to joint number one in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for Test bowlers, alongside Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Steyn (24) joined Muralitharan after claiming eight to bowl the tourists to an innings victory in the second Test against India on Saturday for a 1-0 series lead, the ICC said on Monday.

McKenzie, Amla move up ICC rankings

Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla moved up the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings on Monday after outstanding performances in the drawn match against India. McKenzie, who made 94 and 155 not out, made his first appearance in the top 40 in four years and is ranked 36th in the world, while Amla's 159 and 81 saw him shoot up 10 places to 24th position.

Patel turns down ICC chief role

Imtiaz Patel will not become the next International Cricket Council chief executive, the ICC said on Monday. Patel had been earmarked to succeed Australian Malcolm Speed who will step down in July after seven years in office. However, the sports television executive has told the ICC he is not interested in the post.

Afrikanerbond slams 'blatant interference' in squad

Political interference in South African cricket has not produced the best team for their tour to India, the Afrikanerbond said on Tuesday in a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Managing director Jan Bosman said that international standards must apply in the selection of the best team to represent a country.

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