On Thursday Pakistani leg spinner Danish Kaneria seemed a bit frustrated for not playing Test cricket for more than eight months, since he had a tour in India in last December and thus he requested his board to increase the Test schedule.

He queried, "Just imagine my last Test appearance was in India in December. Sometimes it is frustrating. How can a country go without a Test match for eight months?

Kaneria however, was amicable to the condition of PCB, after due to security reasons, Australia postponed their three-Tests and five ODI tour to Pakistan scheduled for April-May. The player, who recently injured his finger and had to go under small surgery, requested the Board to increase the Test schedule than thinking of more limited overs games.

Next week, the nation would see the popular billiards returning to Bangaluru, as Karnataka State Billiards Association is hosting the ONGC IBSF World Billiards Championship from 1st September to last till 10th September.

In this 10 day even, championship would be conducted in the time and points format, while twenty four cueists from ten countries will compete for top honours.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has again gained top place in the latest ICC ODI batsmen ranking.

He defeated South African player, Greame Smith in this race. He is ranked first following his consistent performance in the various matches. He has now 803 rating points. African player, Greame Smith lagged behind him by 27 points.

Greame Smith achieved second place in ICC ODI batsmen ranking. Dhoni was also number 1 player in a brief period in 2006.

Australian player, Ricky Ponting got third place in the ICC ranking followed by Michael Hussey and England skipper Kevin Pietersen. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar gained 9th place while Yuvraj Singh gained 18th place.

Due to the ongoing one-day series in Sri Lanka, the Indian ODI and Twenty-Twenty captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will miss the exalted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award ceremony in the capital on Friday.

This once again proves that Mahi gives more importance towards his game as compared to that of award ceremonies.

Speaking with media people Ratnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India told that since Mahi is in Sri Lanka therefore Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award will be presented to Mahi’s father by the Honourable President of India.

Nearly after a span of six years, the Indian cricket team will tour New Zealand in March to play two tests and five one-day internationals.

According to a press release by the cricket board, the tour would last from March 6 to April 7, 2009.

Before playing the one-day series against the host Kiwis, the Indian team will open its tour with a 20-20 international at Wellington on March 6.

The two nations will play five ODI’s at Napier, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The Indians will also feature in a three-day match against New Zealand XI in Christchurch before tests at Hamilton from March 26 and Wellington from April 3.

The Indian team last visited the island nation in 2002-03.

The district administration and the government gave a rousing welcome to the Beijing Olympians Vijender, Akhil on their coming to the town.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) hijacked the entire function from the district administration. Vijender Singh got a bronze medal while Akhil Kumar played up to the quarter final.