ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - Young Callum Ferguson and Jason Kreza to Replace Veteran Micahel Hussey and Nathan Hauritz

Callum Ferguson

Australia’s run for ICC Cricket World Cup is being hampered even before the start the mega event during the Commonwealth Bank Series against England. Australia’s suffering from the injuries of its World Cup Squad’s key players like Skipper Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Nathan Hauritz, Shaun Marsh and Shaun Tait has depleted severely its stocks of players.

With the good news of recovery of Ricky Ponting and Shaun Tait; there’s still lot to be worried as Australia’s Mr Consistent, Michael Hussey and spinner Nathan Hauritz are ruled out from the final squad due to their respective injuries.     

In this critical situation; Australian selectors have opted for youngsters Callum Ferguson and Jason Kreza to replace veteran Michael Hussey and Nathan Hauritz. Ferguson and Kreza will join Australian team which is set to depart to India on Wednesday (Feb. 9). 

Australia, in their first match of the world cup, will take on Zimbabwe on 21^st February in the hunt of fourth consecutive world cup title. Still it is beyond the hopes of Ferguson to be part of playing eleven from the very first match; but sure enough to be part of Australia’s bid at any point of time.

   

The 26-year-old, Callum Ferguson, replaced injured Shaun Marsh (who himself was replacing Michael Hussey) to become the part of Australian outfit in the 6^th and 7^th ODI of the recently concluded Commonwealth Bank Series against England.

With only 28 ODI appearances on his credit, Ferguson is very excited to get a very lucky chance to take on the world’s best teams on the sub-continent soil.

Bryan Adams to Perform in Dhaka on Feb 17 in ICC World Cup Opening Ceremony

MUMBAI - Few plans are disclosed today to add more colours to this much-awaited event with the announcement of Bryan Adams featured opening ceremony in Bangladesh on February 17. The announcement came from Sunil D’Sa, vice president marketing, Universal Music India, confirming that Bryan Adam will perform in the opening ceremony. He further told that it was decided long time back but due to dates availability from the Canadian singer the formal announcement was delayed until it was confirmed by the representative of the singer.

More probably Bryan Adam will perform three songs including popular number Summer of ’69, which is highly admired in sub-continent, especially in India.

D’Sa disclosed further that the singer is also scheduled to host his first-ever concert in Dhaka to promote his album ‘Bare Bones’. As Bryan Adams native country Canada is also part of the world cup so he will cheer up for his team also.  

Brett Lee Plus Shaun Tait: The Most Startling Pace Attack in Upcoming World Cup

Brett Lee, Australia’s comeback pace star, is hoping to join forces with fast bowler Shaun Tait to let loose the most startling pace attack challenging the oppositions in the upcoming Cricket World Cup. 

Australian Pacer 'Brett Lee'

Brett Lee deems that he and Shaun Tait are in place to peak as Australia will take on rivals to strive for a fourth consecutive World Cup title.

According to media reports, Lee told that he thinks his pace (bowling speed) had improved over the last two weeks with each game. 

“I constantly hit a couple of 150s [km/h] in some pretty hot weather and I was pretty happy with that,” he added.

He further told media that he has enjoyed bowling fast during playing for New South Wales, Wellington [in the New Zealand Twenty20 competition] and then for Australia in the Commonwealth bank Series against arch rivals England. 

“It’s just amazing to bowl when you know you’re bowling seriously fast,” he said.

Eoin Morgan Injury a "Substantial Break" Ahead of World Cup: Andrew Strauss

Eoin Morgan could be ruled out of the World Cup because of a fractured finger confirmed by England captain Andrew Strauss.

Morgan happened to be the sixth England player to depart from Australian tour early on Sunday after being detected with the rupture to the middle finger in his left hand and will meet a specialist on Monday to decide how long he faces out of the game.

The situation will be clarified not as early as on Tuesday when Strauss and team director Andy Flower are due to meet with the England selectors after their arrival back in the country on Tuesday, where they are set to talk about the alternatives for the injured player for the 15-man squad.

Strauss declared that Morgan is the player most at risk at being ruled out after describing the injury as a "substantial break".

PCB Announced Afridi to Lead Pakistan Cricket Team in Upcoming ICC World Cup

THE Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) late on Thursday night announced that Shahid Afridi will lead the Pakistan side in the cricket World Cup, to be held from February 19 – April 2 in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, reported a private TV channel.

Official press release from PCB will be issue later on today (Friday).

The cricket board (PCB) had announced their 15-man squad for the showpiece event on January 18 but did not announce a skipper until today (Friday).

Pakistan’s current limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi and the Test skipper Misbahul Haq were the two contenders for leading the team in the World Cup.

They downplayed the ongoing row but former players lashed out saying the decision was likely to harm team unity.

Afridi had earlier said: “It would not be an issue for me if I’m removed as captain.”
“It doesn’t make a difference whether Misbah leads the side or I because we both are playing for our country.”

Two Injured During the Ticket Purchasing at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

CHENNAI: Big international events organized by India never done without an embarrassment. India’s inability to host international events came to the light yet again on Thursday when two more cricket fans injured themselves as the outer boundary wall of MA Chidambaram Stadium bowed when the fans were purchasing tickets.

Chennai is scheduled to host four matches of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and ticket sales for these matches were started on Wednesday morning which was welcomed by huge number of fans.

According to eyewitnesses a single policeman deputed there couldn’t handle the crowd and everyone rushed to the ticket booth at once which was situated on the boundary wall in front of entry gate of block A. With too many people around the boundary wall, several people lost balance and the pressure of these people caused the wall to fall.

Two persons, including a female fan received injuries due to the fateful incident. More police deputed at the stadium after the incident which ultimately control the crowd.

ICC CWC 2011 - - Appointments of Umpires and Match Refrees' Announced by ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday announced umpire and match referee appointments during ICC Cricket World Cup starting from February 19.

Following are umpires, match referees for group stage:

1. Feb. 19 Bangladesh v India (d/n), Dhaka- Steve Davis and Kumar Dharmasena, Billy Doctrove (third), Asad Rauf (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
   
2. Feb 20: New Zealand v Kenya (d), Chennai - Rod Tucker and Marais Erasmus, Aleem Dar (third), Sudhir Asnani (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
   
3. Feb 20: Sri Lanka v Canada (d/n), Hambantota - Ian Gould and Shahvir Tarapore, Tony Hill (third), Daryl Harper (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
   
4. Feb. 21:  Australia v Zimbabwe (d/n), Ahmedabad - Asoka de Silva and Richard Kettleborough, Amish Saheba (third), Simon Taufel (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
   
5. Feb 22: England v Netherlands (d/n), Nagpur - Asad Rauf and Brice Oxenford, Kumar Dharmasena (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
   
6. Feb 23: Pakistan v Kenya (d/n), Hambantota - Tony Hill and Nigel Llong, Daryl Harper (third), Shahvir Tarapore (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
   
7. Feb 24: South Africa v West Indies (d/n), New Delhi – Simon Taufel and Amish Saheba, Asoka de Silva (third), Richard Kettleborough (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
   
8. Feb 25: Australia v New Zealand (d), Nagpur - Billy Doctrove and Kumar Dharmasena, Asad Rauf (third), Bruce Oxenford (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
   
9. Feb 25: Bangladesh v Ireland (d/n), Dhaka - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker, Billy Bowden (third), Marais Erasmus (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
   
10. Feb 26: Sri Lanka v Pakistan (d/n), Colombo - Daryl Harper and Ian Gould, Nigel Llong (third), Tony Hill (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

11. Feb 27: India v England (d/n), Bengaluru - Billy Bowden and Marais Erasmus, Rod Tucker (third), Aleem Dar (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

12. Feb 28: West Indies v Netherlands, (d/n) New Delhi - Amish Saheba and Simon Taufel, Richard Kettleborough (third), Asoka de Silva (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

13. Feb 28: Zimbabwe v Canada (d), Nagpur - Asad Rauf and Bruce Oxenford, Steve Davis (third), Billy Doctrove (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

14. Mar 1: Sri Lanka v Kenya (d), Colombo - Tony Hill and Shahvir Tarapore, Ian Gould (third), Daryl Harper (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

15. Mar 2: England v Ireland (d/n), Bengaluru - Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden, Marais Erasmus (third), Rod Tucker (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee )
    

16. Mar 3: South Africa v Netherlands (d), Mohali - Asoka de Silva and Richard Kettleborough, Simon Taufel (third), Amish Saheba (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

17. Mar 3: Pakistan v Canada (d/n), Colombo - Daryl Harper and Nigel Llong, Tony Hill (third), Ian Gould (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

18. Mar 4: New Zealand v Zimbabwe (d), Ahmedabad - Aleem Dar and Marais Erasmus, Rod Tucker (third), Billy Bowden (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

19. Mar 4: Bangladesh v West Indies (d/n), Dhaka - Kumar Dharmasena and Steve Davis, Asad Rauf (third), Bruce Oxenford (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

20. Mar 5: Sri Lanka v Australia (d/n), Colombo - Tony Hill and Ian Gould, Shahvir Tarapore (third), Nigel Llong (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

21. Mar 6: India v Ireland (d/n), Bengaluru - Billy Bowden and Rod Tucker, Marais Erasmus (third), Aleem Dar (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

22. Mar 6: England v South Africa (d), Chennai - Simon Taufel and Amish Saheba, Asoka de Silva (third), Richard Kettleborough (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

23. Mar 8: Kenya v Canada (d/n), New Delhi - Asad Rauf and Billy Doctrove, Bruce Oxenford (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

24. Mar 8: Pakistan v New Zealand (d/n), Pallekele - Daryl Harper and Nigel Llong, Ian Gould (third), Shahvir Tarapore (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

25. Mar 9: India v Netherlands (d/n), New Delhi - Bruce Oxenford and Steve Davis, Billy Doctrove (third), Kumar Dharmasena (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

26. Mar 10: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (d/n), Pallekele - Marais Erasmus and Nigel Llong, Tony Hill (third), Ranmore Martinesz (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

27. Mar 11: West Indies v Ireland (d), Mohali - Asoka de Silva and Shahvir Tarapore, Bruce Oxenford (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Roshan Mahnama (referee)
    

28. Mar 11: Bangladesh v England (d/n), Chittagong - Daryl Harper and Rod Tucker, Aleem Dar (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

29. Mar 12: India v South Africa (d/n), Nagpur - Ian Gould and Simon Taufel, Billy Doctrove (third), Kumar Dharmasena (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

30. Mar 13: New Zealand v Canada (d), Mumbai - Shahvir Tarapore and Bruce Oxenford, Steve Davis (third), Asoka de Silva (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

31. Mar 13: Australia v Kenya (d/n), Bengaluru - Asad Rauf and Richard Kettleborough, Billy Bowden (third), Amish Saheba (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)
    

32. Mar 14: Pakistan v Zimbabwe (d/n), Pallekele - Nigel Llong and Tony Hill, Marais Erasmus (third),  Ranmore Martinesz (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

33. Mar 14: Bangladesh v Netherlands (d), Chittagong - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker, Daryl Harper (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

34. Mar 15: South Africa v Ireland (d/n), Kolkata - Kumar Dharmasena and Billy Doctrove, Simon Taufel (third), Ian Gould (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

35. Mar 16: Australia v Canada (d/n), Bengaluru - Amish Saheba and Billy Bowden, Richard Kettleborough (third), Asad Rauf (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)
    

36. Mar 17: England v West Indies (d/n), Chennai - Asoka de Silva and Steve Davis, Shahvir Tarapore (third), Brice Oxenford (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

37. Mar 18: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (d/n), Mumbai - Richard Kettleborough and Asad Rauf, Amish Saheba (third), Billy Bowden (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)
    

38. Mar 18: Ireland v Netherlands (d), Kolkata - Simon Tuafel and Ian Gould, Kumar Dharmasena (third), Billy Doctrove (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

39. Mar 19: Australia v Pakistan (d/n), Colombo - Tony Hill and Marais Erasmus, Nigel Llong (third), Tyron Wijewardena (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

40. Mar 19: Bangladesh v South Africa (d), Dhaka - Daryl Harper and Aleem Dar, Rod Tucker (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

41. Mar 20: Zimbabwe v Kenya (d), Kolkata - Billy Doctrove and Kumar Dharmasena, Ian Gould (third), Simon Taufel (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Appointments for the knock-out matches will be announced later.