Australia opener Phil Jaques is hoping to be back at the crease next month after recent surgery to remove a bulging disc in his back.

Cricket Australia have dismissed media speculation that Ricky Ponting's career is under threat due to a chronic wrist injury.

In latest in the series of classic England photo stories, ecb.co.uk looks back at the 2005-06 Test series against India when England secured a 1-1 series draw with victory in the final Test at Mumbai.

The West Indies Cricket Board has confirmed to the ECB that West Indies will tour in April and May 2009 to replace the tour scheduled by Zimbabwe.

After spending the last 72 hours consulting security advisers and Government agencies at the highest level, the ECB has determined that England will leave for Abu Dhabi to resume their two Test tour of India.

ROGER Federer will trim back his claycourt schedule in 2009 despite the French Open, played on clay at Roland Garros, being the only major missing from his 13 Grand Slam titles.

WORLD No.1 Jelena Jankovic is expected to miss the Sydney International in Janauary on her path to the Australian Open.

CARBONDALE - Carbondale amassed 24 points in the fourth quarter to post a come-from-behind victory over Centralia 59-45 Tuesday in South Seven Conference girls basketball.

CARBONDALE - The names on the back of the jerseys were different, but Southern Illinois University's defensive system came back in time to squash its three-game losing streak Tuesday night.

CARBONDALE - Tony Boyle paused a few seconds before answering the question.

Former Rays reliever Trever Miller gets a 1-year deal from the Cardinals.

INJURED Australian opener Phil Jaques could be forgiven for being envious of New South Wales colleague Simon Katich.

AUSTRALIA'S top cricketers are about to go to war with their bosses and chase more pay, but some of them want less public exposure.