Check todays hot topics and new pictures Today is: 29 May, 2012
Strauss concerned with the future of Tests

Strauss concerned with the future of TestsLondon, Oct 18 - England Test captain Andrew Strauss fears that Test cricket might be killed due to an overdose of ODIs and Twenty20s.

Strauss, who led England to the No. 1 spot in Tests, said financial rewards from telecast of Twenty20 and ODIs have threatened the future of the five-day game.

"I have concerns about the state of Test cricket. Even in traditional hotbeds of the game such as South Africa, attendances are a long way below what we would expect them to be. I am very much aware that if we are arrogant and assume Test cricket will always be there we are sowing the seeds of our downfall," Strauss was quoted as saying by The Times.

Strauss is also concerned about the apathy of the game's administrators towards the oldest form of the game. The inaugural World Test Championship, slated for 2013, is likely to be postponed for four years to fit in another one-day tournament in 2013 while next summer's Test series between England and South Africa will now be played over three Tests, and not five that was earlier agreed.

"I don't quite understand how that has come about. It was not that long ago they were talking about it being a prestige series that should always be played over five Tests.

"There is lots of cricket to fit in and you can't play five Tests against every opponent but the responsibility is on administrators to provide a product people want to watch. In our country series against Australia, South Africa and India stand out a bit more," Strauss said. (IANS)


Serbia bans player for refusing to sing anthem

Serbia bans player for refusing to sing anthemBelgrade, May 29 : Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic has been suspended from the national team for refusing to sing the national anthem before his country's friendly against Spain, the Serbian Football Federation announced.  Read more »

Lazio captain arrested amid probe into match fixing

Lazio captain arrested amid probe into match fixingRome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal.  Read more »

Mobbed by thousands, Kolkata's Knights begin victory parade

Mobbed by thousands, Kolkata's Knights begin victory paradeKolkata, May 29: With a frenzied crowd of thousands cheering on, Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Tuesday began a victory parade from south Kolkata's  Read more »

Cricket was just by chance, says now `cage fighter`Adam Hollioake

Cricket was just by chance, says now `cage fighter`Adam HollioakeLondon, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession.  Read more »

Australia''s world motorcycling champion Stoner to retire

  Australia''s world motorcycling champion Stoner to retireSydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the  Read more »

Veer Patel upstages Aravind in National Supercross

Veer Patel upstages Aravind in National SupercrossPune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.  Read more »