Hussain to help England during ODIs
Nasser Hussain may have quit the one-day game but England will still be calling on his experience this summer.
Hussain resigned as one-day captain after England's early exit from the World Cup. Michael Vaughan has taken over as skipper and will lead England against Pakistan in three one-day internationals this month before a triangular tournament involving South Africa and Zimbabwe.
England coach Duncan Fletcher said: "We will definitely use Nasser's experience during the one-dayers.
"It's good to have someone with recent experience of international cricket and where the game is going.
"Even if it's only one idea a series, that could be the idea that wins the series."
Waugh receives award for Indian orphanage work
Australian Test cricket captain Steve Waugh was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his charity work at an Indian orphanage.
"I don't see myself as being any different to anybody else," Waugh said after learning that he would receive the ceremonial honour in the government's Queen's Birthday honours list.
"It's only a sport and people do tend to forget that."
The 38-year-old Waugh has played in 160 Test matches, scoring 10,265 runs at an average of 49.83. He's scored more centuries (30) and played more Tests than any Australian and led his side to an unprecedented 16 consecutive Test victories.
Waugh's work in India is at the Udayan orphanage, which is a home for the children of leprosy sufferers.
"An opportunity was presented to me and I just wanted to see what these kids go through," said Waugh. "I realized with my profile I could make a difference and I wanted to become involved in it."
Waugh was one of five cricketers to be honoured.
West Indian Sir Garfield Sobers, who played for South Australia state from 1961-64, also received an AO while former Australian players Norm O'Neill and Peter Philpott, and administrators David Richards and John Marded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Heads roll in South Africa cricket
Heads are still rolling in South African cricket. The latest victims of "Operation Clean-up" are fitness expert Andrew Gray and team manager Goolam Rajah. Gray's services are terminated with immediate effect, while Rajah will accompany the team for the last time on its upcoming tour of England.
Despite a denial by United Cricket Board chief executive Gerald Majola on Monday, it appears as if Gray's confidential report about the players' fitness -- which was leaked in the media -- was the reason for his dismissal.
"I'm not sure whether the leaked report played a role in my no longer being part of the national set-up," said Gray. "There are a number of other things that led to my contract not being renewed. The job description was changed to a full-time position. As such, one would have to accompany the team at all times.
"In my view, a full-time position is not justified. I experienced a lot of frustration recently. For example, I was never approached for input regarding my position. No-one talked to me and I was merely given two weeks to make a decision. Suddenly I'm out of work," said Gray
Majola thanked Gray for his contribution. He was involved with the national team as fitness expert since 2000.
The experienced Rajah, who has become somewhat of an institution with the national team during the past decade, made it clear on Monday that he was not relinquishing his position voluntarily. "It was definitely not my decision not to be part of the national team any longer," said Raja.