MELBOURNE: Ricky Ponting is set to start training after a one-month injury lay-off while Nathan Hauritz is hoping to get back into action at the earliest after a radical blood injection treatment, giving some relief to Australia's injury-ridden lead-up to the World Cup. Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Ponting has been given the green light by his surgeon to resume light training, but his progress would become clearer next week, when he starts using a bat. Ponting, who fractured his finger during the fourth Ashes Test and had since undergone surgery, may even take to the SCG nets on Wednesday, 'Herald Sun' reported. Hauritz, who had arthroscopic surgery to clean up his joint of the bowling shoulder last Sunday, is planning to undergo the controversial blood injection treatment which was used by cricketers like Graeme Smith for quick recovery. The off-spinner is aiming to prove his fitness for Australia's World Cup opener on March 21, the rep...

COLOMBO: West Indies' Adrian Barath cracked a maiden century before the first one-day international against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to heavy rain in Colombo. Scorecard The 20-year-old opener limbered up for the World Cup with an impressive 113, which included two sixes and eight fours, to help the West Indies post a competitive 245-5. But a downpour during the interval drenched the Sinhalese Sports Club and prevented Sri Lanka from coming out to bat. Barath stabilised the innings after the tourists lost two wickets for 42 runs, including that of hard-hitting Chris Gayle, adding 165 for the third wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan, who hit a solid 75. The West Indies were well set for a final onslaught after reaching 206-2 in 43 overs, but paceman Lasith Malinga (3-51) restricted the tourists with three quick wickets, including those of Sarwan and Barath in the same over. The World Cup, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, starts on February 19. The West Indies ...

Kolkata: As he gears up to live the dream of being in a World Cup squad, young Indian off-spinner R Ashwin says he is trying all he can to be of more utility by improving his batting and, more importantly, learning to handle pressure which "gets easily" to him. "I`m trying my best to be an asset to the side. I`m working hard on my batting and want to be a utility man for the side so that I can be a real asset to the side. Pressure gets to me easily. I am working hard to be calm in a pressure-filled situation," Ashwin said in an interview. The 24-year-old player`s rise from obscurity to rank among the top spinners in two years time is no fluke but Ashwin says he is not quite sure whether he would actually get a chance to play in the World Cup starting February 19. "I`m not overly-excited or thinking of figuring in the playing XI in the World Cup. I don`t know if I have a chance to make ...

COLOMBO: West Indies captain Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the opening one-dayer of a three-match series at Sinhalese Sports Club. The series is being played to make up for a five-match series washed out because of rain last month. Teams: Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Anjelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Carlton Baugh, Kemar Roach, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul. Umpires: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka) and Bruce Oxenford (Australia). TV Umpire: Tyron Wijewardena (Sri Lanka). Match Referee: Andy Pycroft ( Zimbabwe).

MELBOURNE: Embattled Australian captain Michael Clarke said he had no concerns about being booed by local fans in Sunday's one-day international win against England at Brisbane's Gabba ground. Clarke received a harsh response from the home fans when he came out to bat in the match, which Australia won by 51 runs to secure the seven-match series by taking an unbeatable 4-1 lead. The 29-year-old went on to top score for Australia with 54 in a sign of a return to form and after the match said he was not bothered by the boos. "Obviously you would like people to be cheering but I can understand why a few of them are booing," he said. "I haven't performed as well as I would like so I don't blame the public for being disappointed with my performances. "It was nice to finally contribute and help the boys get a win -- it's a great feeling." He hit ODI debutant Steve Finn for successive fours early in his innings to break the shackles of unc...

ENGLAND produced a pathetic batting performance as they surrendered the one-day series with two matches still to play. For Andrew Strauss and his team, it is clear three months of travelling, living out of suitcases and relentless cricket have taken a heavy toll.As they succumbed to a string of inexplicable shots, it looked like somebody had sucked every drop of energy and spirit from their bodies.Chris Woakes had the thrill of a record-breaking performance as his 6-45 became the best ODI figures by an England bowler on foreign soil.But it was scant consolation for a side crushed by 51 runs to trail the series against Australia 4-1 with matches in Sydney and Perth to come.England would love to fly home right now - after all, they did not ask Andy Murray to play the final two sets after he lost 3-0. But they must soldier on for another week.They suffered two more injuries with Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring) and Chris Tremlett (side) doubtful for the final matches. England might have to call ...

Ace spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Team India has got what it takes to win the World Cup. And, like most of his colleagues, the 30-year old off-spinner too has a childhood dream to hold on to the most cherished trophy in One-Day cricket. In an exclusive chat with TOI, Bhajji feels India has got what it takes to become champions. Excerpts: This will be your third World Cup, but the first one at home. What's the feeling like? I'm really excited and just like the entire country I am also looking forward to it. It is always great to play and perform before the home crowd. Already, the World Cup fever is catching up with each passing day. The atmosphere will be great and there will be a lot of support for us. I hope we play good, consistent cricket and jell as a team. With the big stage comes the burden of expectations and the pressure to perform . . . But, as a professional, after playing international cricket for 12 years, you learn to deal with things. Handling pressure...