Melbourne, Jan

Lahore, Jan. 31: A day after the Indian Premier League (IPL) slapped a ban on Pakistani speedster Mohammad Asif for testing positive for taking a banned substance to enhance performance, he (Asif) appeared before a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) committee which is probing his 19-day detention in Dubai last June for the illegal possession of a banned substance (opium).

The three-man committee, which first met on last Thursday, heard Asif's plea and decided that the final decision would be taken after consulting the board's chairman, Ejaz Butt.

Perth, Jan. 31: South Africa batting legend, Barry Richards, received a commemorative cap in Perth on Friday to mark his induction into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

After presenting the cap, ICC President David Morgan said: "The word `great' is often over-used but it applied to Barry, a wonderfully gifted player"

Richards said he would cherish what he called "the ultimate accolade".

Karachi, Jan. 31 : It seems that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is itself not sure as to what it wants to do when it comes to organizing practice matches for players who are under going fitness problems or are under pressure to perform inorder to secure their places in the national squad.

In an abrupt u-turn from its earlier decision of holding two practice matches ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka, the PCB has now dropped the idea.

Melbourne  - With Andy Murray long gone from the Australian Open, ever-present British interest has turned to 15-year-old starlet Laura Robson, Aussie-born but a UK passport holder.

The promising teenager, who caused a storm at home as she won the Wimbledon junior crown, stands 3/1 to win a Grand Slam event before her 30th birthday.

She has a chance to repeat in the Melbourne junior final against Russian Ksenia Pervak.