Shoaib Akhtar, who two days ago pronounced himself “very much available” for the forthcoming six-nation Asia Cup one-day tournament in Sri Lanka, has been ruled out so that he can rest a rib injury.Wasim Bari, the former Test wicketkeeper who is now Pakistan’s chairman of selectors, said: “We have received directives that Shoaib should not be considered for the Asia Cup to allow him to recover.”Shoaib, who is 28, picked up the injury in the third and final Test against India at Rawalpindi in April – but he has been playing county cricket for Durham since, and on Tuesday said he had “recovered well from my ribcage injury after two weeks of rest”.The Asia Cup begins in Sri Lanka on July 16. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are all taking part, along with associate-member countries Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates.

Ray Mali, the president of the South African cricket board, has indicated that Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje will be available to tour India later this year. It had been speculated earlier that Gibbs and Boje would give the tour a miss following the worry that they could be questioned by the Indian police with regard to the match-fixing scandal that had erupted on South Africa’s last tour to India.Mali, speaking to the Pakistani newspaper, The News, said: “Both will certainly make the tour to India. We can not disclose at this juncture what we are negotiating with the Indian cricket board but I can guarantee you that both will be available for the tour.”It has reportedly been suggested that the two cricketers are sent a day prior to the Test accompanied by a high commissioner’s official, which would presumable bestow some kind of diplomatic immunity upon them. There are also likely to be private discussions between the South African and Indian boards, and between the Indian board and their sports ministry, aimed at sorting the matter out. It is, thus, fairly likely that Graeme Smith will not have to search for a new opening partner for this important series, which South Africa will be defending.

Javed Miandad has come out strongly against Bob Woolmer’s slamming of the bonus-point system in the Asia Cup. “There is no point in crying hoarse over the bonus-point system,” Miandad said while speaking to a private news channel in Kolkata.Since all teams were informed of the rules and regulations prior to the tournament, Miandad felt that Pakistan should have played according to the situation. “Atleast the people who are sitting in the dressing room should have intimated the players and made them aware of the situation,” and added, “Rules like bonus points have their pros and cons.”About India’s climactic victory over Sri Lanka, he zeroed in on two moments that made the difference. “First, Jayasuriya’s dismissal at a very crucial juncture and secondly, Irfan Pathan’s 49th over which was very economical.”Miandad also likened Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy to Imran Khan’s and said, “Sourav is a lucky captain like Imran Khan. During Imran’s time, we had ended up on the winning side on number of occasions despite a number of tactical and on-field mistakes.”When asked about the chances of him accepting a coaching role in India, like a batting consultant for the NCA, he was candid in his response. “I am free now and is open to any such offer. In fact this is way to develop the mutual camaraderie between the two nations. [Intikhab] Alam’s taking up the job of Punjab Ranji team coach is a very happy sight.”

Mark Butcher’s hopes of making the third Test against West Indies suffered a big blow after he was ruled out of Surrey’s Twenty20 Cup semi-final today against Lancashire at Edgbaston.Butcher was originally named in Surrey’s squad for the finals day, but had to withdraw because of an ongoing thigh injury. England name their squad for the third Test, which starts next Thursday, (August 12), tomorrow, and it is doubtful whether Butcher will be included.”I’ve given up trying to project when I’m going to be back.” Butcher told the BBC. “I tore a thigh muscle and then tore it a second time. I’m having to err a little bit on the side of caution because they can just keep recurring. It’s not irritating that’s just the nature of sport.”

It wasn’t quite the semi-final match-up that the tournament organisers were expecting, but Pakistan’s supporters didn’t seem to mind one bit. They were there in significant numbers, with hooters, whistles, horns and flags in tow. Unlike Sunday’s game against India, though, there’s only one element in the mix this time around – the Indians aren’t around – and despite their significant presence, it only adds up to around 7000 in a stadium which can hold nearly 16,000.The Rose Bowl might not rank among the big grounds in international cricket, but it doesn’t lack atmosphere. The stands in some areas only go back around 12 rows, allowing the spectators – and the players – to feel the full force of a strong gusty wind that blows almost incessantly here. The lack of concrete around the stadium also means that there is an alternative – and cheaper – arrangement for watching the cricket: just sit on the hillocks outside the ground, stretch out, grab a beer, and enjoy the game for free. It might not provide the greatest view, but then freebies come at a price too.It isn’t often that the Rose Bowl gets international fixtures, and the authorities have gone the whole hog to ensure that the crowd enjoy their day out. There are food stalls of all types, and if wind-chill’s a factor, then you can just slip into Club Marquee – a cosy, tented enclosure – grab some tandoori chicken, samosas and beer, and watch the cricket through the windows in the tent. Cool, eh?It was all arranged with the huge subcontinental interest in the game in mind, admits Keith McRae, the Rose Bowl’s catering manager. “It would have been great if the Indians had been here,” he adds wistfully, obviously mindful of the extra business that would have come his way with a full house.Most of the Indian supporters did indeed stay away for this one, but there were a few intrepid ones who wouldn’t be denied. Khimji was among a group of five Indians – all draped in the national flag, and in excellent humour – who raced around the stands. They were heavily outnumbered by the Pakistani supporters, of course, but they took all the hooting and the catcalls in their stride.”I’ve been to all of India’s games this season,” explains Khimji, “to Amstelveen, to the NatWest Challenge, and then here.” Does India’s dismal run bother him? Hardly. “Someone’s gotta lose,” he replies, with eye-popping matter-of-factness. “We’re just here to have a good time.” And he’s certainly doing that: it’s only 11.30 in the morning, and he’s already into his eighth (or is it ninth) glass of beer. India’s early departure has had an adverse effect, though. “We’d booked a whole bus to bring more Indians to the game,” he says, “but they’ve all backed out now.” He offered me free tickets – he had 60 of them, apparently – but all I could do was curse myself for not having brought my cousins along.The Pakistanis are out in full strength, but a couple of hours into the game, most might have been wishing they hadn’t turned up either. Despite a poor start, the horns are blaring out full blast as Yasir Hameed plays a couple of exquisite cover-drives. The celebrations are short-lived, though, as first Hameed, then Yousuf Youhana, then Inzamam-ul-Haq, all make their exits. It isn’t going according to plan for Pakistan, and very quickly, the bugles and the horns die down as a West Indies v England final loomed.Meanwhile, in the media room, everyone’s trying to come up with reasons for Inzamam’s seemingly inexplicable decision to bat after winning the toss. “Perhaps Bob Woolmer will say that he expected it to rain later in the afternoon, forcing West Indies to bat in more seamer-friendly conditions tomorrow morning,” offers a colleague. Whatever the explanation, it certainly meant that Pakistan’s incredible record of not having lost a one-dayer to West Indies after winning the toss since October 1993 was in serious jeopardy.S Rajesh is assistant editor of Wisden Cricinfo.

Yorkshire have signed David Lucas, a left-arm medium-fast bowler, for 2005 on a short-term contract. He will help fill the gap left by Steve Kirby’s departure to Gloucestershire.Although Lucas, 26, has been with Nottinghamshire for the last six years, he had not played a Championship match since 2001. He stayed last summer after being told at the end of 2003 that he could leave if he could find another county. He has 52 first-class wickets at 36.71 with a best of 5 for 104 against Essex in September 1999.”Notts had a lot of bowlers and I had injuries at the wrong time, which didn’t help,” Lucas told . “There were three left armers – me, Ryan Sidebottom and Greg Smith – and everyone knows you are not going to play three left-armers.”Lucas has only been given a four-month contract. “It is the first time we have done that sort of thing,” said David Byas, Yorkshire’s director of cricket. “We both need to see each other and on the back of that we want to forge a relationship productive to both him and to the county. I think he is an exciting prospect.”

More of England’s home Test and one-day matches are likely to be available to subscribers to satellite broadcaster BSkyB if a joint bid for TV rights is accepted by the England & Wales Cricket Board.At present, Channel 4 has rights to all but one of England’s home Tests, while BSkyB covers one Test, all ODIs and almost all domestic matches.It is reported that BSkyB has submitted two bids. One would give it exclusive rights to all England’s Test and ODI matches, as well as a possible international Twenty20 tournament. The other would have it share rights with Channel 4, but with more Tests on BSkyB than is the case now.A report in the Guardian last week indicated that Channel 4 were keen to retain some coverage, but with cricket still attracting what are seen as relatively small audiences, they are believed to be receptive to idea of diluting their commitment.That would suit the ECB. Although a deal with BSkyB would net it more money, there are deep fears that moving all England cricket behind a subscription service would erode the public’s awareness as well as reducing the worth to sponsors and advertisers. So a compromise would appear to suit everyone.The current deal expires at the end of the 2005 season. The ECB had hoped to have the new three-year contract done and dusted by now, but departures of senior officials have delayed the process. One of the key roles – that of commercial director – has still to be filled, and David Collier, the new chief executive, has only been in his role for a month.

Doubts looming over the availability of Brian Lara, the West Indies captain, for the fund-raiser match have been put to rest with the team management giving him the green signal to play in the one-dayer for the tsunami victims to be held on January 10.Lara, Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo had earlier been named in the ICC XI, but the West Indies team management had expressed their concern in permitting the cricketers to play, as the team had consecutive practice matches against Australia A on days before the fund-raising match in Hobart.Imran Khan, the West Indies media liaison, told CMC Sport: “There was some concern by the coach. He was just a bit cautious to ensure that all the logistics were properly worked out so that the guys would be able to participate.”Of course they always wanted to participate given the purpose of this game [is] to assist the tsunami victims in that terrible tragedy.”Many of the star players are slated to play in the two-match one-day series to be held in Australia and Asia to generate funds for the victims of the tsunami disaster that has killed over 150,000 people across 13 countries.The second one-dayer is likely to be played in February in either India or Sri Lanka.

Herschelle Gibbs admitted that he would be sleeping soundly for the first time in months, after his 14th Test century had carried South Africa into a potent position on the third day’s play at the Wanderers. By the close, South Africa trailed by 105 runs, with four wickets remaining."There’s still a lot in that wicket," said Gibbs. "There’s some pace and bounce, and it’s been swinging for the entire Test. We’ve got a big task ahead of us tomorrow, and it’ll be nice to have someone who’s batted for the entire innings and knows the wicket. But I’ll be starting from scratch again, so I’ll still have to play myself in."Despite a classy innings, Gibbs was fortunate to survive the penultimate ball of the day, when Geraint Jones dropped a flying catch in front of first slip. "Even Bradman needed a bit of luck," he quipped afterwards. "I’m pretty tired now, because the altitude takes a lot out of you. We needed a good disciplined innings today, and fortunately today was my day." He added that he had taken his lead from Andrew Strauss’s 147 on the first day. "Strauss showed similar discipline, but when the ball was there, he still went after it."Gibbs is never one to fall shy of calling a spade a spade, and following the controversial dismissal of Boeta Dippenaar, who was caught low at first slip by Marcus Trescothick, he laid himself open to a rap on the knuckles from the ICC match refereee, Clive Lloyd for his comments on the subject. “I told him to wait, but the umpire stuck his finger up and he walked," said Gibbs. "I would have suggested that he stayed. The TV never lies.”Despite Gibbs’s efforts, South Africa were still in trouble at 184 for 5 when Mark Boucher came out to join him, but the pair added 120 for the sixth wicket to turn the innings around. "Bouch is the sort of player who, if the ball is there to hit, he’ll have a go, irrespective of the match situation," said Gibbs. "He’s a gutsy sort of player, and he bats with intensity. It was a crucial partnership and it’s gone a long way towards bringing us up to England’s total."Getting the balance between attack and defence is crucial to any opener," said Gibbs, when asked about his turnaround in form. "Today, my balance was the best it’s been for ages, and it’s not been that great since Sri Lanka. But I worked hard in our two practices before this Test, and it showed today. I haven’t slept well for the last few months, but I’ll sleep well tonight."

West Indies have received a boost ahead of their vital home series against South Africa, which gets underway at the end of the month, with the news that Tino Best in on his way back from injury.Best’s exuberant personality and impressive pace earned him recognition as one of West Indies’ brightest young prospects, was forced home early from their tour of England last summer, after pulling up with a back strain during the first Test at Lord’s.Initially it had been hoped he would return in time for Champions Trophy later in the year, which West Indies won, thrillingly, by two wickets in the semi-darkness at The Oval. But the problem proved more serious and he was forced to remodel his action, with the help of Wendell Coppin, a former Young Barbados and Young West Indies fast bowler, who is also the personal coach of Best’s Barbados and West Indies team-mate, Fidel Edwards.And now Best is back, with no reported loss of pace. He has been recalled to the Barbados squad in place of the emerging paceman Jason Bennett, ahead of the ninth round of the Carib Beer Series, in which they take on the leaders, Jamaica, in Kingston. Barbados certainly need Best’s services, as they are bottom of the six-team table. Barbados are further boosted by the return of Ian Bradshaw, the hero of the Champions Trophy, who has been on leave since the end of the VB Series.