Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 25 : Australian middle order batsman Michael Hussey is hoping that the selectors will not cast him aside for the upcoming Ashes series because of his current poor form.

Hussey''s disappointing performances across the entire summer, at home and in South Africa, have left room for questions about whether he remains an automatic choice.

Johannesburg - Health Minister Barbara Hogan called on the South African government to apologize for refusing the Dalai Lama a visa to attend a peace conference, local news reported.

"Just the very fact that this government has refused entry to the Dalai Lama is an example of a government that is dismissive of human rights," SAPA news agency quoted Hogan as saying.

Rustenburg, South Africa  - In British street speak, when something is good it's "diamond".

In the South African city of Rustenburg, a mining town set amid rolling grassland and quartzite mountains about two hours from Johannesburg in North-West Province, another underground treasure - platinum - is the adjective of prestige.

Johannesburg  - Cricket South Africa confirmed Tuesday that it had been named as the host of the 2009 Indian Premier League tournament which was relocated amid concerns over security in India.

The decision was announced after a meeting in Johannesburg between CSA boss, Gerald Majola, and Lalit Modi, chairman of the IPL. England has also been in the running.

"We are very happy to confirm that South Africa will host the 2009 DLF Indian Premier League tournament," Modi said in a statement.

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 24 : The Australian cricket team has put its innings and 20 run defeat against South Africa aside, and is now preparing for the opening Twenty20 International against South Africa.

According to The Age, the Proteas will host Australia for Twenty20 matches on Friday in Johannesburg and on Sunday (Monday AEDT) in Pretoria followed by next month''s five one-day internationals.

Johannesburg - The organizers of a peace conference in South Africa on Tuesday postponed the event indefinitely after the government refused to issue the Dalai Lama a visa to attend, causing other Nobel peace laureates to pull out.

The conference, which was due to be held Friday, had planned to promote peace through football in advance of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa next year.