Karachi, Jan. 16 : As Pakistan prepares to host Sri Lanka in a much needed one-day international series, coach Intikhab Alam has said that his side will offer a tough fight to the islanders, and hoped that it continues the winning streak from where it left in the last series against the West Indies.

Alam said that it was very important for Pakistan to win the home series after it swept the three match series against West Indies, 3-0, in November last year.

"It is also important for us to win the series after having done well against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi," The News quoted Alam, as saying.

He asked the Shoaib Malik led squad to play like a cohesive unit, and ensure that the series is pocketed by the home team.

Sydney, Jan. 16: Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that pocket rocket David Warner can eventually replace Matthew Hayden - but needs to be fast-tracked into the New South Wales Sheffield Shield level first.

The pace great endorsed Warner''s Australia limited overs selection but says the cavalier opener should cut his teeth with New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield before being seriously considered as a candidate for the forthcoming Test tour of South Africa.

Melbourne, Jan. 16 : Former Australian batsman Darren Lehmann has withdrawn from the race to coach the England cricket team, and instead, suggested that former team-mate Tom Moody take on the responsibility.

Lehmann, 38, last night said he preferred to concentrate on his first coaching foray with Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers.

Champion Zimbabwe batsman and Moores'' assistant Andy Flower, ex-South African coach Graham Ford and former England spinner Ashley Giles are among candidates mentioned to steer England.

Melbourne, Jan. 16 : Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting believes that his side is in the form of its life, and has the momentum going into the first of five one-dayers against South Africa.

According to Fox Sports, Ponting and his men must fight for every centimeter of advantage, and therefore, it comes as no surprise that he has declared a psychological victory for his men.

He has suggested that the visitors are in a state without their captain Graeme Smith and were over-run with meddling generals during the last Twenty20 match.

Melbourne, Jan. 16 : Many think one-day internationals of 50-overs a side duration is on its way out, and will be replaced by the Twenty20 format.

This view is gaining ground in the wake of the Melbourne Cricket Club confirming Thursday that it is expecting 45,000 people to attend today's day and night ODI between Australia and South Africa, and about two-thirds of the 63,000 at Sunday''s Twenty20 game.

Last year, only 49,362 watched Australia play India, and two matches against Sri Lanka drew in the mid-20,000s.

Karachi, Jan. 15 : There seems to be an unending list of troubles for Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif, as just a day after the Pakistani senators demanded a life ban on the bowler, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received a copy of the report released by the Dubai authorities regarding Asif's detention there over possession of opium.

The report was sent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, along with an enquiry about the PCB's future course of action on the issue.