India's tour of England

England fast bowler Andy Caddick will miss the triangular one-day series against Sri Lanka and India because of injury.

Caddick suffered a side strain during the third Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford and was only able to bowl five and a half overs in the game.

He saw a specialist in Nottingham on Monday and was told he needs to rest for four to six weeks.

The prognosis means Caddick could also miss the opening Test against India at Lord's, which starts on 25 July.

"I hate watching cricket. It's frustrating - I want to be part of it myself," he admitted.

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The Indian touring party arrived in London yesterday with what their captain has described as an inexperienced pace attack.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly says Javagal Srinath's retirement means India will line up against their hosts with a line-up lacking in local knowledge.

"Of all the quick bowlers, only Ajit Agarkar has experience of conditions in England," said Ganguly.

Agarkar played for India in the 1999 World Cup in England, while pacemen Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and Tinu Yohannan will be on their maiden tour of the country.

Ganguly said he had asked Srinath to rethink his decision to retire, but without success.

Sri Lanka in England

England opener Marcus Trescothick has moved into the top 10 of the Test batting rankings for the first time following England's 2-0 series triumph over Sri Lanka.

The Somerset left-hander made 354 runs in the series, including an innings of 161 at Edgbaston, the highest score of his Test career.

He has advanced five places to ninth in the PWC batting list and as one of the two highest-placed opening batsmen - along with Australia's Matthew Hayden - he earns a place in their notional World XI.

Man of the Series Mark Butcher has advanced eight places to 23rd, but the most dramatic rise has been made by fast bowler Alex Tudor who has leapt 40 places to 26th in the bowling rankings.

England's leading bowler is still Andy Caddick despite falling two places to seventh, one higher than Darren Gough, who missed the entire Sri Lanka series due to injury.

Pakistan in Australia

It may not be what Aussies supporters wanted, but for the marketing men the Super Challenge II series against Pakistan has worked out perfectly. The two sides go into Wednesday's final game at The Gabba in Brisbane with honours even following the indoor double-header at Melbourne.

But it is the tourists who may have a slight psychological edge after holding their nerve to complete a two-wicket win in the second game.

Skipper Waqar Younis has made it clear that it is his mission to supplant Australia as the top team in world cricket and victory would give them a psychological boost ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa.

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Australia's three-Test clash with Pakistan in August could be played on home soil because of safety concerns.

Pakistan cricket authorities are considering switching venues following recent unrest and bombings in the country.

Speaking in Karachi, Pakistan Cricket Board director Munawar Rana said moving the tour to Australia was an option.

"We have given it serious consideration and it will be discussed with Australian officials in London," said Rana.

The plan will be discussed at next week's International Cricket Council executive meeting in London.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis would prefer a neutral venue - Morocco or Sharjah are possible alternatives - if the series could not go ahead in his country.

New Zealand in West Indies

The West Indies have called up fast bowler Darren Powell for the first Test against New Zealand in Bridgetown.

Powell, who is currently on the 'A' team's tour of England, will act as cover in case the home side lose players to injury prior to the start of Friday's Test match.

The 24-year-old Powell has never played Test or one-day international cricket but took 25 wickets for Jamaica in this year's Busta Cup.

Leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and paceman Mervyn Dillon, who was sidelined with a back injury for Sunday's thrilling one-day win over New Zealand, have been included in the Test squad.

Nagamootoo returns after being out of international cricket for two months while recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident.

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New Zealand moved into third place on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test championship table as a result of England's series victory over Sri Lanka.

The 2-0 series victory for England, capped by their exciting 10-wicket win at Old Trafford, reduced Sri Lanka's points average to 1.07, allowing New Zealand to claim third spot.

But the outcome of New Zealand's forthcoming two-match series against the West Indies in the Caribbean will determine whether they go up or down. The first Test starts on June 21.

England's series win was their first since beating Sri Lanka in 2000/01. It improves their points average to 1.06 to remain fifth, just behind Sri Lanka.

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