Sydney, Jan. 14: Sensational batting star David Warner has been put on standby for the Australian one-day squad with vice-captain Michael Clarke in doubt with a thumb injury.

The stunning elevation came on the same day his manager, Peter Lovitt, revealed his client will look to join a rival state if New South Wales cannot offer him a spot in their Sheffield Shield side.

Lovitt will seek an urgent meeting with the Blues next week to determine whether the 22-year-old is part of their cricket plans. If not, Warner will head to the open market.

London, Jan. 14 : Former England captain Tony Greig has said that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should have backed skipper Kevin Pietersen in his rift with coach Peter Moores.

Speaking to Cricinfo. com, Grieg said: "I've always maintained that when a captain is replaced, the coach's position should also be reviewed."

Melbourne, Jan. 14 : Cricket commentator Peter Roebuck is of the view that Matthew Hayden's decision to retire from all forms of the game will provoke relief among long-suffering bowlers.

He further goes on to say that in some eyes, Hayden was the epitome of hard-nosed Australia, a label he seemed happy to wear. However, closer inspection revealed a warmer nature.

"Among comrades he commanded affection; opponents felt only fear and, occasionally, resentment. Hayden started later than his contemporaries and wanted to last longer. Strong of mind and body, he hoped to play another Ashes series this year, to score a few more hundreds, to end in a blaze. It was not to be," says Roebuck in his article for The Age.

Sydney, Jan. 14 : Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has been ruled out of the one-day series against South Africa with a stress fracture in his foot.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Queensland swing bowler Ryan Harris has replaced Siddle for the first two matches in the five-game series.

Twenty20 sensation David Warner is also poised to be a late inclusion in the one-day squad with vice-captain Michael Clarke in doubt with a thumb injury.

Islamabad, Jan 14 : Pakistani politicians have demanded an investigation into fast bowler Mohammad Asif's detention in the United Arab Emirates last year for possessing a small amount of opium.

Asif was caught at Dubai Airport on June 1, 2007, after being caught with 0.24 grams of opium on his way back to Pakistan after playing in the Indian Premier League. He was detained for 19 days before being deported.

London, Jan. 14 : Premier League clubs will lose up to a third of their fans next season to the credit crunch, reports the Daily Star.

Tens of thousands of cash-strapped soccer nuts are ready to ditch their team in 2009/10 because they are being priced out of the game, according to a research.

The average match day now costs supporters 96 pounds for their ticket, food, travel and drink.

That figure is up from 78 pounds three years ago.

With ticket prices likely to soar even further next season, experts believe the nation's grounds will have huge empty spaces.