Negative strategy to cost points

Considered one of the main reasons behind low turn-out in the five-day version of the game, defensive tactics are likely to invite negative points in the proposed ICC Test Championship. According to ‘Sydney Morning Herald’, the idea of a Test Championship, mooted by Cricket Australia, has been discussed at length in the past six months by the ICC and has found support from all the member boards.

Tait all set to make a return

Having recovered from mental and physical exhaustion that forced him to quit cricket earlier this year, Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait says he is ready to make a sooner than expected comeback to ease the growing burden on fellow pacer Brett Lee.

England expect a tough battle

England coach Peter Moores expects New Zealand to be a far tougher proposition in the upcoming one-day series than they were in a lop-sided Test campaign.

New Zealand beat England 3-1 in a one-day series on home soil in February and are ranked third in the world in the 50-over game.

"I think they’ll come really hard at us in ODIs," said Moores. "As an ODI side we’re still settling a bit as a team."

— Agencies