World Cup venue guide

The February 27 game between India and England has been moved to another venue

Although it is a new facility put in place especially for the World Cup, the pitches at Pallekele have had matches involving Under-19 and A teams since November 2009. There haven't been any complaints over the pitch during these matches, leaving the organisers supremely confident about the venue.

MAHNIDA RAJAPAKSA INTERNATIONAL CRICKET STADIUM (Hambantota, Sri Lanka)

Capacity: 35,000

Receiving Padmashree is a huge honour: Laxman

Stylish middle order batsman VVS Laxman, who was on Tuesday honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award, said it was great and satisfying moment for him as his achievements while playing for the country have been rewarded.
"I feel honoured as I have been bestowed with one of the most prestigious awards. It is indeed satisfying that my achievements while playing for the country have been rewarded. The biggest honour, however, is the opportunity to represent my country for so many years," Laxman told the mediapersons after it was announced that he is getting the award.

Gary understood me as player and person: Gambhir

When Gautam Gambhir was struggling to cement his place in Team India, the appointment of Gary Kirsten as India coach proved to be a godsend. The Delhi batsman gives the former South African opener a lot of credit for understanding him both as a cricketer as well as a person.

“Unlike other coaches, Gary has never asked me to make changes in my game. Importantly, he understood me both as a player and person.”

Gambhir, 29, feels Kirsten's presence in the India dressing room has done a world of good to his game as he has given him a lot of confidence.

Kirsten, who joined the India team in March 2008, carried it to the top of Test rankings, and Gambhir says he is one of the players to prosper in the process.


"Kirsten worked on my game, he has helped me a lot. Unlike other coaches, he has never asked me to make changes in my game. Importantly, he understood me both as a player and person,” Gambhir said.

Lee will be our key player in World Cup: Chappell

Melbourne: Aussie speedster Brett Lee is going to be one of the key players during the national team's World Cup campaign to defend the coveted trophy, feels the Australian cricket team selector Greg Chappell.

We don't want to lose Brett because there are not many people that could bring to the table what he brings – Greg Chappell.

Chappell said the veteran fast bowler would leave a huge void to fill if he broke down in the coming weeks ahead of the World Cup, starting from February 19 to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"I don't think anybody's irreplaceable. If things happened and he got injured, it would be a great shame but I think others could step up," Chappell told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Whether they could do exactly the same role that he does, probably not. For that reason, we don't want to lose him because there are not many people that could bring to the table what he brings," Chappell said.

Lee's comeback has seen the reversal of fortunes for the Kangaroos, who received a 3-1 Ashes drubbing at the hands of England. But with the pacer's return from injury, the hosts have managed to take a 3-0 lead in the ongoing seven-match ODI series against England and are just a win away from sealing the series.