Cricket Australia said Friday it would not re-nominate former Australian prime minister John Howard to take over the leadership of the sport's international governing body.

India compiled their second-highest total ever as the big-scoring second cricket Test against Sri Lanka headed for a draw on Friday.

A new cricket stadium being built for next year's World Cup will be named after the world's most successful bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, a report said on Friday.

Record-breaking Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and retired Indian legend Anil Kumble plan to join hands to set up a spin academy for youngsters, the players were quoted as saying on Thursday.

England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan in the first Test of a four-match series at Trent Bridge here on Thursday.

Suresh Raina scored a century on debut and Sachin Tendulkar built on his 48th hundred as India averted the follow-on in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Stuart Broad has admitted his father will have family bragging rights until he too is a member of an England team that has won an Ashes series in Australia.

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been signed by Essex for the English county's Twenty20 finals day.

Kevin Pietersen was passed fit to play in the opening Test against Pakistan despite injuring himself treading on a stray football during practice here on Wednesday - just a day before the first of a four-match series is due to get underway at Trent Bridge.

Pakistan captain Salman Butt has backed the seam bowling trio of Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul to carry on from where they left off against Australia when they face England.