Mumbai, Dec. 8 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) is keeping a close watch on the developments in the Indian subcontinent in the run-up to the 2011 World Cup.

According to sources, if the existing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad fail to subside in the wake of last month’s terror attacks, the ICC could have a rethink on whether to allow the tournament to take place in the region.

The toughening of stand by the Government of India towards Pakistan, following the terror attacks in Mumbai, is being viewed with some kind of seriousness in Dubai, the headquarters of the ICC.

Melbourne, Dec 8 : Amanda Beard has defended fellow Olympian Michael Phelps’ romance with Las Vegas cocktail waitress Caroline Pal, insisting that he deserves to ‘have fun’.

The 14-time gold medalist Phelps has been flooded with some lousy press lately for becoming not only a fixture in Las Vegas, but also for dating the Sin City’s cocktail waitress, reports Thehollywoodgossip. com.

Beard has admitted that it''s ‘definitely weird’ to see Phelps becoming a celebrity tabloid star, but she thinks he should be cut some slack.

"A swimmer''s life is extremely boring," the Daily Telegraph quoted Beard, as telling E! Online at the opening of the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Brisbane, Dec. 8 : Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is preparing for another feisty Test summer against the South Africans, following last year’s run-ins with Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

According to the Daily Telegraph, there is no love lost between Symonds and South Africans, whom he has labelled as "humourless".

Several of the Proteas top players have vivid memories of clashing with Symonds during Australia''s 2006 tour of South Africa, and some privately admit they cannot stand the controversial all rounder.

Abu Dhabi, Dec. 8 : England''s cricketers have decided to undertake the tour of India for a two Test series beginning from December 11, but not before some reported high drama behind closed doors.

According to former Test player Derek Pringle, the drama surrounding the tour ratcheted up around 8.15 p. m. in the evening on Sunday with the late arrival of the two Morrises, Hugh the general manager of the England team and Sean the chief executive of the Players Cricketers Association, and security officer Reg Dickason, the Test squad, and coaches decamping to the team room.

Sao Paulo/Bras

Sydney, Dec. 7: The South African cricket team can fancy its chances of beating the Australians for the first time on their home soil for four very solid reasons.