Johannesburg, Apr. 15 : South Africa have backed off-spinner Johan Botha as a key player in their Twenty20 World Cup plans despite him being placed under the scanner for suspect action.

The International Cricket Council says Botha, who was also reported following the Sydney Test of January 2006, has been cited following Monday''s fourth one-day international against Australia in Port Elizabeth.

Sydney, Apr. 15 : Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck is of the view that Australian selectors would need to carry out surgical changes in the national squad if the team is to regain its number one status in Tests and one-dayers.

Hamburg  - Hertha Berlin striker Andrey Voronin was banned for three Bundesliga matches and fined 10,000 euros (13,300 dollars) by the ruling body DFB on Wednesday over a red-card offence.

Voronin lost his temper in the 89th minute of Hertha's 2-0 league defeat at Hanover 96 on Saturday. He was dismissed for a foul on Hanover Leon Andreasen and then kicked the ball at Andreasen in disgust about the red card.

Islamabad, Apr 15 : Cricket will be included in the 2010 Asian Games as a major discipline, which will be hosted by China from November 12 to 27, 2010.

As many as 45 countries will compete in 42 various sports disciplines during the 16th edition of Asian Games, which will be held Guangzhou, China.

Lahore, Apr 15 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought legal help to recover the Rs. seven million fine from Shoaib Akhtar, who was penalised for violating the code of conduct for players.

Following the development, the board's legal advisor Shan Gul has recommended deducting the amount in instalments from Shaoib's monthly salary.

"Gul has recommended that the fine be recovered in instalments from Shoaib's monthly retainer," The Nation quoted a report, as saying.

Lahore, Apr 15 : Pakistan captain Younus Khan has said that the Indian Premier League will suffer due to the absence of players from his country.

The Pakistan Government banned its players from participating in the IPL after political relations with India deteriorated in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border.