Hamilton (New Zealand), Mar. 13: The Indian cricket board’s influence on world cricket has become even more apparent with former New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan not being allowed to get a word in on Sky TV because of his link to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Trinidad (West Indies), Mar. 13: The blitzkrieg launched by the Indian batting machine in New Zealand has driven England star bat Kevin Pietersen crazy, so much so, that he is desperate to play in the Indian Premier League next month and wants all selected England players to go with him.

KP is insisting that he will fly off to play for the Bangalore Royal Challengers unless the security risk is so strong that he is told to stay at home.

Pietersen said: “India are taking cricket to a new level. Have you seen their scores in New Zealand? It’s ridiculous.

Hamilton (New Zealand), Mar. 13 : Northern Districts fast bowler Brent Arnel hopes to play against Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar in his debut Test, and says it would be a "dream come true" to get him out.

The Te Awamutu-born, Waiuku-raised 30-year-old bowler was quoted by the Waikato Times as saying: "Playing him would be a dream come true, getting him out would be the best moment of my career."

New Zealand cricket has a long history of giving young bowlers a chance, the bowlers getting injured then coming back as mature cricketers.

Sydney, Mar. 13: A day after it was revealed that aging fast bowlers Brett Lee and Stuart Clark would have to put in good performances in the remaining first class matches to be considered for the upcoming Ashes tour, Lee defiantly vowed to take up the new ball in the first Ashes Test against England at Cardiff.

Lee''s position has come under threat after Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus ensured Australia maintained their No. 1 world ranking by rattling South Africa in their own backyard.

Dubai, Mar 13 : Indian opener Mithali Raj, who scored 59 against England and 75 not out against Sri Lanka, has swapped places with Lisa Sthalekar of Australia who has slipped to third place after some disappointing performances with the bat by her high standards.

England duo of Claire Taylor and Isa Guha, and Lisa Sthalekar of Australia, have retained top spots in the ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings after the completion of group stage in the Women's World Cup.

Indian Wells, California  - After being out of tennis for more than half a year with a shoulder problem which required October surgery, Maria Sharapova is not ready to rush her tennis comeback.

The Russian, who last major title came at the Australian Open last year, gave her repaired and rehabilitated joint a workout on Thursday as she and Elena Vesnina went down in doubles at the Indian Wells Masters 6-1, 4-6, 10-7 (match tiebreak) to a Russian-Belarus pair.