Former Australia coach John Buchanan has called for international officials to intervene to save West Indian cricket from itself.

2011 Cricket World Cup host nations are set to be allowed to play quarter and semi-final matches on their own soil, according to plans submitted to the ICC.

Cricket Australia has no concerns with Andrew Symonds becoming a mentor to young men despite the troubled all-rounder having his contract torn up after repeated indiscretions involving alcohol.

Fired-up Australia paceman Doug Bollinger has vowed, in his own inimitable fashion, to keep the pressure on a West Indies XI that failed miserably in the first Test.

One hundred years from now, when they go searching for any signs of intelligent life in what's gone before, they'll uncover the records of Bradley John Hodge and conclude there wasn't.

Australia left-arm quick Doug Bollinger is at the peak of his powers and wants to prove it by taking the new ball against West Indies in the second Test at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

SCOTTISH cricket was stunned yesterday to learn of the death of Asim Butt at the age of 42. The Edinburgh-based businessman died in Lahore, the city of his birth.

WORLD Cup cricket captain George Salmond today led tributes to former Scotland colleague Asim Butt who has died aged 42.

ASIM Butt's friends and colleagues in Scottish cricket were aware he had suffered health problems in the past. More recently, however, he had appeared to be very fit, with

ANDY Flower has warned England must stay patient with Kevin Pietersen - even if the man himself finds it hard to do the same in his search for a major innings.

Tim Bresnan has become a sturdy fixture in England's improving one-day team - and is more confident than ever that he can continue to grow in stature as he eyes a series win over South Africa.

Alastair Cook gained crucial time in the middle ahead of the Test series in South Africa, as the England Performance Programme dominated the second day of their practice match in Pretoria.

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur put his charges back to work a day early, following their defeat against England at Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Team director Andy Flower has welcomed the addition of Graham Gooch to the coaching staff on England's tour of South Africa - and revealed that he hopes to work with him more in the future.

Host countries will play quarter and semi-finals on home soil in the 2011 World Cup under a proposal backed by the ICC chief executives' committee.

Tickets are now on sale for every England match next summer - and anyone who buys before Christmas Day will be entered into a draw to play alongside Darren Gough and Nasser Hussain.

Surrey have requested permission to talk to Sussex all-rounder Rory Hamilton-Brown about a possible return to the club as captain in 2010. Sussex are "currently considering this request".

New Zealand's hopes of clinching a Test series win over Pakistan suffered a serious blow when Shane Bond - man of the match in their opening-Test win - was ruled out of the last two games through injury.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis has been axed by Sri Lanka for the decisive third Test against India, which gets under way on Wednesday in Mumbai.

Australia batsman Brad Hodge is set to retire from first-class cricket after giving up on a Test recall. He will continue to play limited-overs cricket in an attempt to make the ICC World Twenty20.