Lahore, Apr. 2 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has said that Pakistani players who sided with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) would only be considered for selection in the national squad after they terminate their contracts with the ICL.

"The only way out for them is to first resign and then terminate their contracts with the ICL then they can be considered for selection," The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

Hamburg - Germany striker Lukas Podolski will face no sanctions after he appeared to slap captain Michael Ballack in an altercation during the 2-0 defeat of Wales in Cardiff on Wednesday, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said.

Bierhoff said in Cardiff early Thursday that the two players had cleared up their differences after the game and the matter was now closed.

"The important thing is that nothing has been left unresolved," he said.

Melbourne, Apr 2 : Cricket star Shane Warne, actor Hugh Jackman and former British prime minister John Major are likely to come together for a Hollywood cricket match in Los Angeles.

Singer Ozzy Osbourne might also join the Hollywood and cricket A-listers for a Twenty20 game to be held in LA''s Woodley Cricket Field on May 3.

While the teams are yet to be decided, the English side has already roped in 65-Test veteran batsman Graham Hick to lead their team, reports the Herald Sun.

Durban (South Africa), Apr. 2 : Proteas coach Mickey Arthur has described South Africa's first one-day-international (ODI) against Australia on Friday as "huge", and believes that it serve as a key indicator as to which way the series will go.

London, Apr. 2 : Meet the Russian golfer whose sex appeal matches her playing skills.

Maria Verchenova has made a huge impression on the Ladies European Tour circuit, but there is much more to her than her skills on the fairway.

When asked which was easier, modelling or golf, The Sun quoted Verchenova as saying: " Are you kidding me? Definitely modelling. You just put some clothes on and pose. If golf was that easy we'd all be 20-under-par every tournament."

Wellington, Apr. 2 : Jesse Ryder has been officially declared New Zealand''s number one Test batsman.

According to a Dominion Post report, Ryder''s magnificent 201 in Napier, on the back of his equally controlled century in Hamilton, has catapulted his world ranking to 30 after just eight tests.

Averaging 64 in Test cricket, Ryder yesterday inked a long-term sponsorship deal with Gray Nicolls to add to his lucrative IPL contract.