Vaughan ready for World Cup

English captain Michael Vaughan, who has played in just 3 of Englands last 35 one-day internationals after battling a knee and then a hamstring injury says he will be right for the World Cup - "Hamstrings are very vulnerable but everything has gone very well in training indoors, the next stage is getting out on to the grass in the warm-up game.

"I have spoken too much about injuries, I just want to play. I don't enjoy being on the physio's bed constantly being asked questions about my knee and my hamstring - I am feeling all right.

"There is no way I'll be playing a full part in the game against Bermuda, I have just got to try and build it up and I am hoping to get some time in the middle.

"These warm-up games are very much about trying to get everyone right."

England still has injury concerns with Kevin Pietersen (rib) and bowlers James Anderson (back) and Jon Lewis (achilles), however Vaughan is confident they'll be right to go, "The only question mark has been Jon Lewis because he has not had any cricket, but he will be looking to bowl his 10 overs in the warm-up games."

Vaughan also fancies the team's chances after recent positive performances "I think we are in a lot better position than we were at the end of January, we have got an opportunity to create something special.

"We haven't really turned up at a World Cup since way back in 1992 and it is about time we did.

"This group of players has got a great opportunity of being the first England team for 15 years to go on and be successful."

Australia names greatest ever one-day team

Australia announced it's greatest ever one-day team last night. The team was named to celebrate 36 years of one-day cricket and send off the current team, which flies out to the West Indies today. The team was voted for by the Australia's 163 one-day representatives. Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was apparently so well supported that Ian Healy and Rod Marsh didn't even make the top 30 list of vote-getters.

Here's the team:

Adam Gilchrist
Mark Waugh
Ricky Ponting (vice-captain)
Dean Jones
Steve Waugh (captain)
Michael Bevan
Andrew Symonds
Shane Warne
Brett Lee
Dennis Lillee
Glenn McGrath
Greg Chappell (12th man)

Pakistan, Bangladesh players given more incentive to win

The Pakistan Cricket Board is offering its players a reward of up to US$1.2 million if they win the World Cup. Under the plan, each player will receive a bonus of 5 million rupees (US$84,000) if they win the tournament.

Their also offering a cash bonus of US$20,000 if they make the semi-finals.

Bangladesh has also employed a similar scheme to spur on it's players,

"To spur the Bangladesh Cricket Team on in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, the Board announced incentive bonuses for the players,” the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said. “Accordingly, each player will receive an additional US$2000 (on top of the usual win bonus) per match for winning a Group Stage game.

“If the team qualify for the Super Eight stage then each player will receive an additional US$3000 (on top of the usual win bonus) for winning a game.”

Australia's World Cup uniform

Australia has revealed it's World Cup uniform. Check it out:

Kumble eyes retirement from one-day cricket

Anil Kumble seems likely to retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup.

"I think it will be a really exciting World Cup," he told Indian TV.

"It is definitely going to be my last World Cup, probably the last one-day international series for me."

Irfan Pathan cleared to play in World Cup

Indian bowler Irfan Pathan has proved his fitness and has been cleared to play in next month's world cup. Pathan took 2-48 in the Indian Deodhar Trophy (the country's one day tournament) to prove his recovery from a shoulder strain.

"There is no alteration in the 15 players who were selected for the World Cup." said chief Indian selector Dilip Vengsarkar.

Akhtar and Asif likely to miss World Cup

Karachi: Pakistan bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are expected to miss the World Cup due to doping and fitness problems, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said yesterday.

The two have been named in Pakistan's squad but have yet to take the board's official dope tests and must also be cleared of their knee and elbow injuries.

"The situation for them is not good. They are struggling against time and we are not very hopeful of them playing in the World Cup," said the PCB official without wanting to be named.

The two bowlers tested positive last October for the banned substance nandrolone, but a PCB appeals panel cleared them of a doping offence and set aside their bans in December.

Pakistan media reported on Friday they had gone to London to take private dope tests to confirm the level of nandrolone remaining in their bodies.

The reports said they took the tests to confirm no traces of nandrolone remained before taking the PCB's official tests.

Director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf insisted it was mandatory for Shoaib and Asif to clear dope tests and fitness trials next week to play in the World Cup.

"I don't know why they are delaying taking the tests in Pakistan but if they don't take it they don't go to the World Cup," he said.

Source: Reuters

Scotland looking to cause a few upsets

After loses to England and then New Zealand, now even Scotland thinks they have a shot at knocking of the Aussies!

"We don't fear anyone at this World Cup – the last month's fixtures in one-day cricket all over the world have been interesting to say the least and we won't be losing any sleep over playing the world champions," said Scotland's Australian-raised coach Peter Drinnen.

"If we can take early wickets, which I'm sure we can with the way we've been bowling, we might set a few nerves jangling and cause the likes of Australia and South Africa a few problems."

Although Scotland only has a small number of players who have ever played first-class cricket, they still fancy themselves at causing a few upsets:

"You hear a lot about our amateur status but that doesn't wash with me or the players," Drinnen said.

"The players set themselves professional standards and if they stick to them they're going to have a good tournament.

"We aren't going to the Caribbean to play exhibition cricket. Yes, we will be massive underdogs in the most difficult group, but I'm confident we will justify our place with the elite and who knows what we could do?

"Nobody is getting carried away here and we know we've got jobs to do and we will be giving it everything to cause a shock."

Brett Lee out of World Cup

After losing five matches on the trot, Australia's world cup campaign has suffered another blow, with Brett Lee being ruled out. Lee suffered an ankle injury during a training session in New Zealand ten days ago and was this morning givin the bad news by a specialist. Stuart Clark has been named as Lee's replacement.

Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch issued a statement saying "It is a great disappointment for Brett Lee that he is unable to take place in the World Cup and is a significant blow for the planning and preparation in place for the tournament. However it does give a tremendous opportunity for Stuart Clark to join the 15-man squad."

"Stuart was extremely unlucky to miss out on initial selection and despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his inclusion we strongly believe that Stuart is primed to seize his opportunity."

"Though Brett’s injury is disappointing from a personal and team perspective, we strongly believe we are taking a squad of players more than capable of winning a third successive Cricket World Cup."

Stuart Clark is expected to fly to the West Indies on Wednesday pending his approval from the ICC.

Watson, Johnson to miss state final

Queensland cricket captain Jimmy Maher has lashed out at Cricket Australia over their decision to pull Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson from the team to play Victoria in Sunday's Ford Ranger Cup (the One-Day series) final. Cricket Australia has ordered the players be rested to avoid injury ahead of the World Cup. Ridiculous, if you ask me!

Brad Hodge may also be missing for the Victorians.

Click here for Maher's comments on Nine news. (There's also an interesting bit at the end of the story on whether the West Indies venues will be ready in time for the World Cup)

Rahul Dravid looking forward to start of World Cup

Indian captain Rahul Dravid is happy the talk is almost over, with the World Cup less then three weeks away. Speaking at the launch of the team's new uniform Dravid had the following to say -

"In some ways, it's a relief that the World Cup has finally arrived after the amount of discussions that have taken place on television and in the newspapers over the last several months which is understandable in a World Cup year"

"We are finally going out and performing on the field. It's an exciting opportunity and a great challenge for us as it's the pinnacle of one-day cricket in the world. We will try and give our very best. Everyone in the team is excited" he added.

However, Dravid admits captaining the team in a cricket mad nation can be difficult at times.

"Captaining the team has been an exciting experience over the last 16 to 18 months. For a kid growing up in India it is obviously a dream to play for India.

"But there are definitely more headaches when you are captain than when you are just a player in the team.

"I am sure Sachin (Tendulkar) and Sourav (Ganguly) will agree."

India kicks off its campaign on the 17th of March against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka to issue commemorative World Cup stamps

The Sri Lankan Cricket board and the Department of Post and Telecommunications will issue postage stamps to commemorate the 2007 cricket World Cup. The stamps which will be officially launched on Friday, will be priced at Sri Lankan Rs.5 and Rs.50.

Sri Lanka's plays it's first match against Bermuda on March 15th.

Hayden to be right for World Cup opener

Australian opener Matt Hayden say's he'll be ready to go for Australia's world cup opener against Scotland on March 14th, despite fracturing his toe during Tuesday's loss to New Zealand.

"I'm looking to be right on the money for that game," Hayden said. "There is nothing structurally wrong except for the fracture. We will review things on Monday, but in terms of a break it's as good as you can have."

Hayden also remains confident that Australia can claim its third straight World Cup crown despite the recent slump in form.

"Looking at the smaller picture we probably aren't where we wanted to be right now, but a lot of the things we have put in place over the past month and a half are going to stand us in good stead," Hayden said.

"When the big cricket is being played and the big characters need to stand up, I can tell you there are few blokes you would rather have beside you than the ones we've got.

"There will be lots of comments over the next few weeks, as there should be. We've had a few injury scares but come those big, important games of the year we will be right up for them."

South Africa knocks Australia off the top of the world rankings

This is from the ICC media release:

The Proteas have taken over at the summit of the table following Australia’s five-wicket loss to New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday, which cost Michael Hussey’s side two rating points...

It is the first time since the listings began in October 2002 that Australia has not occupied top position.

Here's the latest official rankings:

Rank Team Points

1 South Africa 128
2 Australia 126
3 Pakistan 111
4 New Zealand 111
5 India 109
6 Sri Lanka 108
7 England 106
8 West Indies 101
9 Bangladesh 42
10 Zimbabwe 22
11 Kenya 0

17 Days to go!

It's less then three weeks from the start of what promises to be an exciting 2007 Cricket World Cup. As the Aussies hit a form slump and lose their number one ranking, the field is wide open!

Keep it tuned here for constant updates and ramblings!