Stuart Broad and James Anderson say no to IPL

England fasters Stuart Broad and James Anderson will not play Indian Premier League in 2010.

The fasters were in line for exciting opportunities in the cash-laden climes of the IPL but will instead turn their full attention to their International careers.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff injured his knee while playing in the IPL last year while Kevin Pietersen had to refute claims he aggravated an Achilles injury while training with Bangalore Royal Challengers.

BBC radio quoted Stuart Broad, who also turned down an India term last year, as saying that his "First priority" was to represent his country.

As per the announcement released by a management agency representing Broad, the faster was quoted as saying that remaining fit for the Ashes was his main priority.

"Whilst the chance to play in the IPL is potentially a great opportunity, my first priority is, and always will be, to represent my country,'' Broad said.

"The IPL is a tournament I would like to play in at some stage in the future but my International career is my sole focus at this stage in my career," he added

James Anderson too had the same reasons to give and said, "I am proud to be playing cricket for England and my International career is more important than anything which is why I have decided not to compete in the IPL in 2010."

Faster Sreesanth suffering from Swine Flu

Opening fast bowler S Sreesanth was found to be suffering from swine flu, raising concerns about the health of both the Indian and Sri Lankan cricket teams with whom he travelled here from Nagpur for the 2nd T20 match.

S Sreesanth was admitted to hospital yesterday and late tonight it was confirmed after tests that he is suffering from Swine Flu.

Apart from Sreesanth, Indian cricket team manager Mayank Sekhar was also admitted to the hospital after developing flu-like symptoms last night.

"The manager has been admitted to the hospital only as a defensive measure after he developed cough and cold," Walia said.

Both the teams travelled to Mohali yesterday by a chartered flight from Nagpur where they played their 1st T20 match. S Sreesanth, who missed that match apparently due to a stomach upset, was on the flight.

No member of the Indian or Sri Lankan teams has so far revealed any symptoms of swine flu but all the players would be subjected to a medical check-up tomorrow morning, said Walia.

Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni coughed a few times while addressing a press conference here previous in the day but sources said that there was nothing to point so far that he was having flu. Besides Sreesanth and Dhoni, other members of the Indian team who travelled here are Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf Pathan, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Ashok Dinda, Sudeep Tyagi and Pragyan Ojha.

Yuvraj Singh sacked as Kings XI Skipper

There have been reports responsibility rounds that the Kings XI Captain Yuvraj Singh has been sacked from the captaincy by the team management.

Reports said that the team coach Tom Moody was unhappy with Yuvraj's approach which apparently led to his sacking. The report also stated that Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara would take over as the skipper of the Punjab team through the IPL 3rd edition.

Kumara Sangakkara, however, refused these reports and said, "I already have my hands full with the Sri Lanka job. I cannot take another one and I feel an Indian should lead an Indian franchise."

Praising Yuvraj, Kumara Sangakkara said, "He is a very good skipper and I enjoyed playing under his captainship in the IPL. I haven't heard anything of this sort"

Pakistan cricketers ruled out of IPL III

Pakistani players will not play in the Indian Premier League III 2010 as their board has failed to get their visas before the deadline for confirmation of participation, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said on Monday.

"We have been informed by PCB that they have not been able to get the visas as of now. So we are not being able to expand the deadline. Today is the complete deadline for confirmation of Pakistani players. The swap window is day after tomorrow," Modi said.

"Unfortunately, the Pakistani players are out and they will not be allowed to take part in the next IPL because we are handicapped by the fact that the exchange window is day after tomorrow. We are informing the teams that they now can go for the replacement of the Pakistani players," he told the Times Now channel.

The Indian Premier League III 2010 will be played different venues in the country in March-April.

Sachin to play Twenty20 cricket at Lord's

Middlesex say they are close to signing Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist in a contract that will be partially funded by the MCC, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

English County Middlesex is signing the cricketing greats to play 5 T20 matches at Lord's - and are believed to have got the nod from Gilchrist, while Tendulkar is waiting for permission from the Indian Cricket Board to join.

"We expect to make an announcement shortly," Keith Bradshaw, chief executive of the MCC said. "The two clubs are working closely together."

Sachin Tendulkar, who completed 20 years in international cricket on Nov 15 will return to the England county trip after playing for Yorkshire in 1992 as a 19-year-old. He was the county's first overseas player and scored more than 1,000 runs averaging 46.52.

Adam Gilchrist has never played for a county side, and this would be his first time. He is expected to continue his relationship with the Middlesex though, and could even represent the county in a 50-over match against Australia.

Though the signings are anticipated to cost a fair amount, the organizers expect to recover the money through gate receipts and lucrative television sponsorship deals, especially to India, once Tendulkar is signed on.

Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills ruled out of T20i

The New Zealand will be without two player of the squad for first T20 International against Pakistan in Dubai.

All rounder Jacob Oram is returning to New Zealand on Thursday to be with his wife, Mara, who is expecting the couple's first child may be having the baby early.

Kyle Mills has a shoulder injury but is stay with the team. He is not expected to take part in the first Twenty20 International but may be available for the second match.

James Franklin, who has been sidelined with a back injury during the first part of the UAE ODI series, came through a light practice yesterday and may be available for the T20 matches.

The Blackcaps plays Pakistan in the first of two T20 Internationals at Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City on Thursday 12 November, and the second the following day.

Dav Whatmore to coach Kolkata Knight Riders

Former Indian Skipper Sourav Ganguly said Dav Whatmore will be the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the 3rd edition of Indian Premier League.

Ganguly who is expected to be back as Kolkata Knight Riders Skipper in the 3rd edition, said, "I have been informed that Whatmore will be our next coach. I know him for a long time. It will be exciting to work with him."

"Whatmore is very experienced and I'm looking forward to his association," he said.

Meanwhile, an official declaration on Whatmore's appointment is still awaited.

When contacted KKR CEO Joy Bhattacharya told PTI that an official announcement on Whatmore's appointment would be made in a couple of days.

The Australian just quit from the post of director of operations at National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Whatmore coached Sri Lanka to World Cup victory in 1996 and was also coach of Bangladesh team.