Hamilton (New Zealand), Mar. 17 : With New Zealand flunking in their first test against the much vaunted Indian batting line-up, bookies believe that India has a chance to alter its abysmal Test record in this country.

The task before the Kiwis appears quite formidable, given that apart from Sachin Tendulkar, they also have to deal with the broad and scything blades of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

The destructive Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh are the others that the Black Caps have to be wary about.

Sydney, Mar. 17: Australian fast bowler Brett Lee may be taking all the required steps to get in shape for the forthcoming Ashes series against England, but according to cricket columnist Peter Roebuck, he is fighting a lost cause, given the extraordinary performances of the current crop of bowlers doing duty in South Africa.

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 17: Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson says his side is keen on achieving a 4-2 score line against South Africa, and hopes to win the Cape Town Test that starts from Thursday.

"The way we performed in Sydney (to win the dead-rubber third Test) and then coming into this series we wanted to play really good cricket," Johnson said on Monday at the Newlands ground in Cape Town.

Karachi, Mar. 17: Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has said that the Pakistan team would put a smile back on the face of Pakistan cricket by winning the World Twenty20 championship to be played in England this summer.

“Our cricket is going through a rough phase. But we have to fight on and one way to do that is to start winning titles like the World Twenty20 championship,” said Alam, while referring to the woes of Pakistan cricket.

Sydney, Mar. 17: Spin doctor Terry Jenner has appealed to Australia''s national cricket selectors to include Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain in the squad for the Cape Town Test, though the latter doesn’t expect to play.

"I can''t see any point in not playing him. It wouldn''t make sense to not at least find out about him. If he can''t get a game when Australia is 2-0 up in the series, then they are not going to play him in England,” Jenner said.

Cape Town, Mar. 17: South Africa captain Graeme Smith has hinted that there is a split between the management and players in the wake of a fiasco that resulted in the side having four captains during the current series against the Australians.

The team, which is 2-0 down in the three-match series, has refused to comment on Mark Boucher replacing Smith on the field and then Ashwell Prince, who has been out of the side for five Tests, being appointed opener and captain for the third Test.