Christchurch, Feb. 27 : The Indian cricket team, which is currently on a tour of New Zealand, is being backed and supported by a group of whistling fans.

Dressed in the Indian shirt and face painting themselves with green, white and orange, the fans are adamant about which team they are backing, reports stuff. co. nz.

"Definitely India," said a beaming Tapan Patel minutes before the start of the last Twenty20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in Christchurch.

Barbados (West Indies), Feb. 27: England all rounder Andrew Flintoff laments the fact that unlike other players he never gets a niggle, but always a full blown and proper injury.

Flintoff, who is out of the Fourth Test against the West Indies being played here, is suffering from a muscle tear to his right hip.

He is to have another scan today which will indicate whether the likelihood of him being fit in time to play in the fifth Test in Trinidad is non-existent or merely slim.

Barbados, Feb. 27 : Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne believes that all rounder Andrew Flintoff is crucial to England's chances of winning the Ashes this year.

Warne, a man who knows a thing or two about how to win - and lose - the Ashes, yesterday warned England that they will not regain the little urn unless Flintoff is 100 per cent fit for the summer.

Seeing his arch rival Lalit Modi having lunch alone, RCA secretary Subhash Joshi joins him

One has to pinch oneself before believing it that the photograph (right) has not been tampered with. After all, many eyes literally popped out after seeing Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) president Lalit Modi and secretary Subhash Joshi, sworn enemies, having lunch at the same table on the RCA Cricket Academy premises, on Thursday.

Moreover, the duo also enjoyed some light moments. No wonder, the ‘bonhomie’ led to eyebrows being raised, especially with the RCA elections round the corner.

Karachi, Feb. 27: The first Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka may have ended in a tame draw after batsmen of both teams plundered over1500 runs, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ruled out launching a enquiry into why a flat pitch was prepared.

PCB chief Ijaz Butt said he had consulted chief pitch curator Agha Zahid, but denied ordering an enquiry into the issue.

"Soon after returning to Lahore, I had a heart-to-heart with him. He has given me a detailed explanation and has assured that there will be a better wicket for the next match," The News quoted Butt, as saying.

Melbourne, Feb 26: South Africa captain Graeme Smith has said that his team aims to follow its recent series win in Australia with a home triumph that will represent a "comprehensive beating" of the world champions.

Speaking on the eve of the first Test which starts at the Wanderers Stadium today, Smith said his players were "relaxed and focused" ahead of the most eagerly anticipated series in South Africa since the country returned to international cricket in 1991.