Tough for Pakistan to make semis: Abbas

But to expect this team to fire in the World Cup is a bit difficult: Zaheer Abbas

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas feels that players representing the country in the upcoming World Cup will have to play out of their skins if they are to reach the last four stage of the showpiece event.

"Given the problems and issues Pakistan cricket has faced in the last one year and also the fact that we have lost three of our top players, it is difficult to see Pakistan among the top four in this World Cup," Zaheer told reporters here Monday.

Ferguson rushed into Australia squad for England series

Callum Ferguson will replace Shaun Marsh

Batsman Callum Ferguson has been rushed into Australia's squad for their final two one-day internationals against England as cover for the injured Shaun Marsh, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.

Marsh injured his right hamstring in the 51-run victory in Brisbane on Sunday that gave Australia an unassailable 4-1 lead in the best of seven series.

Ganguly could still play in IPL

Ganguly still has an outside chance of making it to the IPL

Hopes of playing in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League still float for former India skipper Sourav Ganguly and Wasim Jaffer, with the T20 League's governing council calling for a meeting in Mumbai on February 4 to decide on the unsold players' fate.

Ashes review set to shake up Aus cricket

The Ashes failure may lead to a major shake up in Australian cricket

Australian cricket faces the prospect of a far-reaching shake-up when the country's Board decides next Tuesday to review the disastrous Ashes performance, a report said on Monday.

An independent chairperson is being sought, preferably from a corporate background, to assess the wider problems in the game's structure in Australia that led to the crushing 1-3 home series defeat against England.