New topic for the new cricket season, this time world wide and for The Ashes.

The Ashes: Australia v England
Test series dates: 25 November 2010 - 7 January 2011
Venues: Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney

England Ashes Test squad:
Andrew Strauss (captain, Middlesex), Alastair Cook (vice-captain, Essex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Steven Davies (wk, Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (wk, Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).

England performance programme squad:
Jimmy Adams (Hampshire), Jonny Bairstow (wk, Yorkshire), Danny Briggs (Hampshire), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Maurice Chambers (Essex), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Andrew Gale (Yorkshire), James Hildreth (Somerset), Craig Kieswetter (wk, Somerset), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Leicestershire), James Tredwell (Kent), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

England central contracts:
Strauss, Anderson, Bell, Broad, Collingwood, Cook, Finn, Pietersen, Prior, Swann, Trott.

Incremental contracts:
Ravi Bopara (Essex), Bresnan, Morgan, Luke Wright (Sussex), Michael Yardy (Sussex).

Spinner Graeme Swann has revealed he was one of a number of England players who almost pulled out of Monday's one-dayer against Pakistan at Lord's.

Scotland will play in the final of the Intercontinental Cup if the ICC approves Zimbabwe's decision to forfeit their home tie.

Warwickshire's Neil Carter has been named as the Professional Cricketers Association's Player of the Year.

Surrey CCCC are set make 20 of their off-field staff redundant in an attempt to plug a budget deficit.

England seamer Steven Finn is sure he would be able to cope with any sledging he might encounter in Australia if he is handed his Ashes debut this winter.

R Ashwin took the vital wicket of the in-form Davy Jacobs as the Chennai spinners restricted the Warriors to 128 for 7 in the final of the Champions League

Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi has described the recent controversy-riddled tour of England as the "most difficult" of his career.

The Chennai Super Kings beat South Africa's Eastern Cape Warriors by eight wickets to win the Champions League Twenty20 final in Johannesburg.

Ah yes, thanks Phil. Let me see what has happened already - there has been some movement.

2010/11 Superport Series (South Africa) kicks off on Sept. 30. The one country there has been action is Zimbabwe.

Logan Cup (Sept. 6):


Matabeleland Tuskers v. Mountaineers - Mountaineers win by 5 wickets
Top scorers: Charles Coventry (Tuskers) (116) Mark Vermeulen (Mountaineers) (111*)
Southern Rocks v. Mashonaland Eagles - Match drawn
Top scorers: Tatenda Taibu (Southern Rocks) (153) Forster Mutizwa (Mashonaland Eagles) (114)

Logan Cup (Sept. 14):


Mashonaland Eagles v. Mountaineers - Mountaineers win by 14 runs
Top scorers: Hamilton Masakadza (Mountaineers) (90) Prince Masvaure (Eagles) (67)
Southern Rocks v. Mid West Rhinos - Match drawn
Top scorers: Brendan Taylor (Rhinos) (185) Stephan Mariller (Southern Rocks) (148*)
Mariller's knock was the best of his first-class career so far, and his only century in first-class cricket to date - bypassing his previous best of 98 runs

Ah yes, thanks Phil. Let me see what has happened already - there has been some movement.
...and I am looking forward to The Ashes.

Australia could be without a specialist bowling coach when the Ashes starts after farming out Troy Cooley to the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

The fallout from Pakistan's troubled tour of England has begun with tour manager Yawar Saeed's resignation.

Namibia won a T20 match yesterday against Uganda. We like Namibia... five of Uganda's batsmen scored 0 or 1 run..

Opener Shane Watson hit a century in each innings as Australia drew with an Indian Board President's XI in a warm-up game for their two-Test tour.

Tomorrow sees Ireland face Zimbabwe in Harare.

Tomorrow sees Ireland face Zimbabwe in Harare.
Yesterday, Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 2 wickets

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt, refuses to apologise for his match-fixing claims as he arrives in London to meet lawyers.

England batsman Ravi Bopara will play for KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins this winter as he looks to win a place in England's squad for the World Cup next spring.

Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi removed from all involvement in Indian cricket

Pakistan cricket chief Ijaz Butt withdraws match-fixing claims against England, says ECB

Harbhajan Singh, the leading active wicket-taker in Test cricket, is an injury doubt for the first of India's two home Tests against Australia.

Daryl Mitchell has been confirmed as the new county captain at New Road after leading Worcestershire to promotion in the County Championship.

Australia racked up an imposing first-innings total of 428 and then took two wickets just as India were gaining momentum on day two of the first Test.

Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina put on 124 for India before Mitchell Johnson's five wickets give Australia a slim lead in the first Test.

ICC to hear appeal of three Pakistan players against suspension on 30 and 31 October

The appeals by the three Pakistan cricketers against their suspension over spot-fixing allegations will be heard in Doha on 30 and 31 October.

A county cricket club could go bust unless the game starts to get its finances in order, Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington has warned.

The Lord's-based county are in line to record a third successive year of losses, but claim not to be in danger

England spinner Graeme Swann has lost out on the ICC player of the year as the award was picked up by multiple record-breaker Sachin Tendulkar.

Paceman Ryan Sidebottom has re-signed for Yorkshire on a three-year contract.

Second one-dayer between Bangladesh and New Zealand abandoned because of rain

England batsman Kevin Pietersen managed 36 against the Warriors at the start of his two-match stint for South African side Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen managed 36 against the Warriors at the start of his two-match stint for South African side Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg.
He is playing in the city where he was born.

Australia play their final Test before the Ashes as they attempt to tie the series against India at Bangalore starting on Saturday.

Graeme Smith's half century sent South Africa on their way to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 international in Bloemfontein.

Leicestershire distance themselves from critical comments made by former chairman Neil Davidson about club captain Matthew Hoggard.

Australia 285-5 at close of play on day one of second Test against India in Bangalore

Australia are 478 all out at tea on day two of second Test against India in Bangalore

India reach 128-2 in reply to Australia's 478 all out at close on day two of second Test

Indian Premier League expels two teams in ownership row

India reach 128-2 in reply to Australia's 478 all out at close on day two of second Test
India's Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first batsman to pass 14,000 Test runs although Australia are on top after day two of the second Test.

South Africa secure an eight-run win over Zimbabwe in their Twenty20 international

India's Sachin Tendulkar reaches 49th Test century in second Test against Australia

New Zealand again had no answer to Bangladesh's spinners as the tourists slumped to a seven-wicket defeat in the third one-day international in Mirpur.

India will go into the final day of the Bangalore Test in a good position to push for a win and wrap up the series against Australia.

England Under-19 international Jake Ball has signed a new two-year deal with Nottinghamshire.

India 73-1 at lunch on final day of second Test, chasing 207 to beat Australia

Warwickshire have signed opening batsman William Porterfield from Gloucestershire on a three-year deal.

Gemaal Hussain has left Gloucestershire following his side's failure to win promotion in the County Championship.

The International Cricket Council says there is no "compelling evidence" to back up 'fixing' claims in England and Pakistan's third one-day international.

Lancashire could sell the naming rights to their Old Trafford home.

The club are undertaking a £32m revamp of the stadium, which will include two new grandstands, a new pavilion and a supermarket on a neighbouring site.

Debutant Cheteshwar Pujara struck a confident 72 as India eased to a seven-wicket win over Australia in Bangalore to complete a 2-0 series victory.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has appointed former Test star Graham Thorpe as national lead batting coach.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken the biggest step yet towards introducing a world Test championship.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan feels Kevin Pietersen may be 'a major problem' for England in their attempt to retain the Ashes in Australia.

England bowler James Anderson is set to be fit for the Ashes tour despite suffering a cracked rib, says the ECB.

Colin Ingram made the second best score in a one-day international debut to lead South Africa to a 64-run win in the first match against Zimbabwe.

India and Australia are both set to give chances to new faces in the one-day series which starts at Kochi on Sunday.

Middlesex off-spinner Shaun Udal has announced his retirement.

The 41-year-old, who played four Tests and 11 one-day internationals for England, spent 19 season with Hampshire before joining Middlesex in 2007.

Middlesex off-spinner Shaun Udal has announced his retirement.

The 41-year-old, who played four Tests and 11 one-day internationals for England, spent 19 season with Hampshire before joining Middlesex in 2007.
That's one less player for Middlesex next year!

First one-day international between India and Australia abandoned because of rain

South Africa set target of 269 to beat Zimbabwe in second one-day international

Bangladesh beat New Zealand by three runs to win one-day series 4-0

England all-rounder Stuart Broad vows to keep his temper in check during the Ashes series in Australia.

Rusty Theron, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers starred for South Africa as they took a winning 2-0 lead over Zimbabwe in their one-day series.

West Indies sack Chris Gayle and appoint all-rounder Darren Sammy as their new captain

England captain Andrew Strauss dismisses John Buchanan's suggestion that Kevin Pietersen could be a divisive influence during the Ashes tour to Australia.

A Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in India is reduced to five overs per side, Hyderabad beating Goa by 14 runs.

A Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in India is reduced to five overs per side, Hyderabad beating Goa by 14 runs.
Now that would be interesting to watch.

Shane Warne backs Australia captain Ricky Ponting ahead of the Ashes, despite criticising his tactics during last week's loss to India.

Kevin Pietersen says he is "full of confidence" ahead of England's defence of the Ashes in Australia.

Ireland have asked the ICC if they can include Ed Joyce and Hamish Marshall in their squad for the 2011 World Cup.

Pakistan have recalled former captain Younus Khan for the series against South Africa in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Virat Kohli shrugged off cramp to hit 118, his third one-day century, and guide India to a five-wicket win over Australia in Visakhapatnam.

Virat Kohli shrugged off cramp to hit 118, his third one-day century, and guide India to a five-wicket win over Australia in Visakhapatnam.
India lead the three-match series 1-0 after the opener was washed out.

Somerset sign another Gloucestershire fast bowler Gemaal Hussain following his exit from Nevil Road.

Warwickshire new boy Will Porterfield says he would surrender the Ireland captaincy if he had a realistic chance to play Test cricket for England.

A working group seeking to end an impasse on the county structure for 2011 recommends that no major fixture cull should be made until 2012.

Gloucestershire trio Steven Snell, Kadeer Ali and Rob Woodman have left the club prior to their contracts ending in 2011.

Doug Bollinger and Mike Hussey will go back to Australia before the last game of the India tour to focus on the Ashes series starting in November.

Derbyshire pair Wayne Madsen and Mark Footitt have signed new two-year contracts at the County Ground.

Northants have signed pace bowler Luke Evans following his release by Durham.

Nottinghamshire duo Graeme White and Andrew Carter have signed new extended deals at Trent Bridge.

Dean Cosker is set to sign a new three-year contract with Glamorgan, BBC Sport Wales understands.

Hampshire opening batsman Jimmy Adams has agreed a new three-year deal with the county that will see him remain at The Rose Bowl until 2013.

Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Asif withdraws challenge to provisional ICC suspension

Durham have signed Barbadian seamer Ruel Brathwaite on a two-year deal, following a successful trial with the county last season.

South Africa romped to a 272-run win - their biggest one-day victory - to complete a 3-0 sweep in the one-day international series against Zimbabwe.

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The final one-day international in Margao is washed out giving India a 1-0 series victory against Australia.

England coach Andy Flower says bowler James Anderson is winning his battle to be fit for the start of the Ashes series in Australia on 25 November.

Nine current Yorkshire players have signed new contracts with the club, including captain Andrew Gale.

Leicestershire batsman Will Jefferson has signed a two-year deal which keeps him at Grace Road until summer 2012.

Former England captain Allan Lamb rubbishes Dennis Lillee's suggestion that Australia have a superior bowling attack and will win back the Ashes.

South Africa beat Pakistan by six wickets in opening Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi

England spinner Graeme Swann fears he may have mislaid his passport, two days before the squad are due to fly to Australia. "I fear today may be one of frantic searching," he tweets.

England's Chris Tremlett denies reports that he was forced to miss training with a rib injury after he was hurt during the same training camp where fellow seamer James Anderson cracked a rib. "My rib was a bit sore but it wasn't an issue and it didn't stop me doing anything," affirms the Surrey bowler.

Ravi Bopara has blamed the pressure of last year's Ashes series for stalling his England Test career. The Essex batsman was dropped for the final Test in favour of Jonathan Trott, and concedes: "I think I put a lot of pressure on myself, and you can never play freely if you are expecting too much of yourself. (Reuters)

Australia pace bowler Doug Bollinger will have to prove his fitness before being named for the first Ashes Test against England.

England captain Andrew Strauss signs two-year contract extension with Middlesex

England seamer Tim Bresnan's packing plans for Friday's departure to Australia came unstuck when an official at check-in made him reshuffle his luggage into bags not heavier than 23kg.

Another former player who thinks Strauss is the key man for England is ex-Australia opener Justin Langer, who feels his former Middlesex opening partner "had the X-factor in the last series".

Legendary Aussie pace bowler Merv Hughes has lost his job as a national selector. With the recent addition of ex-Aussie skipper Greg Chappell to the panel, chaired by Andrew Hilditch, one of the existing panel - Hughes, David Boon or Jamie Cox - was in line to be dropped.

England's flight to Australia today will include 16 players, 16 support staff, 110-115 cricket bags and suitcases, two massage tables, four bags of fitness equipment, 10 bags of fielding equipment, two bowling machines and 32 laptops. Each player's kit bag will include a team suit, three polo shirts, eight cricket shirts and trousers, 10 pairs of socks and two thigh pads.

Westminster Council has threatened legal action after images of Australia's Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke were projected on to London landmark Big Ben on Wednesday evening. Councillor Robert Davis said: "It's both inappropriate and insulting for this important location to be abused in this manner."

Westminster Council has threatened legal action after images of Australia's Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke were projected on to London landmark Big Ben on Wednesday evening. Councillor Robert Davis said: "It's both inappropriate and insulting for this important location to be abused in this manner."
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England's cricketers fly to Australia to begin their defence of the Ashes they won on home soil in 2009.

Before boarding England's flight to Australia, spinner and prolific tweeter Graeme Swann revealed: "Looking forward to relaxing on the plane and explaining the storyline of Toy Story 3 to Bres ". Paceman James Anderson adds: "We will be tweeting from Oz but with strict guidelines from the captain. I am delighted to be sitting next to Mr Strauss on the plane as it means I will be getting 24 hrs sleep."