Wasim Akram denies modelling for liquor ad

Pakistan's former cricket great Wasim Akram has denied allegations he appeared in an Indian liquor advertisement, a day after a court summoned him to explain his position over a private petition.

"The news that a petition is filed against me in a Pakistan court surprised me because I never featured in a liquor advertisement and can never imagine to break religious laws," Wasim told AFP, speaking by telephone from Manchester, England.

The 37-year-old, who retired in May after an illustrious career spanning 19 years, was summoned by a Lahore court to appear in September to face charges he damaged Muslim sentiments for posing in a liquor advertisement.

The petition, filed by a Pakistani citizen, Mohammad Fayyaz, last year, demands a public apology from Wasim and damages of 25,000 rupees (around 400 US dollars).

"I think it's a publicity stunt which is very common in Pakistan and I am used to it," said Wasim, who holds the world record of highest wickets in one day internationals.

The petitioner's lawyer Ansar Mahmood Bajwa denied it's a publicity stunt and said it was a matter of principle.

Wasim sees a remote chance of playing a farewell one-day match for Pakistan during the South African team's visit to Pakistan in October.

"October is still far but I think once I am retired I am retired."

"It was a great gesture by Pakistan Cricket Board to offer me a farewell game but I can just walk in the field for some time for a final applause from the home fans in any  match," he said.

Sachin's merchandise launched at Tendulkar's restaurant

An exclusive range of authentic Sachin Tendulkar's merchandise was launched at the Souvenir Shop of Tendulkar's Restaurant at Mumbai.

"The launch of the shop will bridge the gap between my fans and me giving them access to take away with them a momento of their visit," the batting star said in a statement at Mumbai on Wednesday.

The main attraction at the Shop are the Tendulkar T-shirts that have been specially designed by Rachna Narang with inputs from the batting maestro himself.

The T-shirt collection includes rugby T-shirts, long sleeved collar and round neck T-shirts besides those designed for women.

The statement said the Souvenir Shop is the only place where original and authentic Sachin Tendulkar merchandise will be sold.

Each item, ranging from stationery, backpacks, key chains to tablewares, has been exclusively designed for and selected by the champion batsman himself.

Kambli confident of making it to Indian team

Fresh from a successful stint with a South African provincial side, Test discard and stylish left-hand batsman Vinod Kambli said he was confident of making a comeback to the Indian cricket team in the near future.

Kambli, who has been included in the 25-member Mumbai probables list for the pre-season camp starting at Wankhede Stadium, said "this (probables list) is the first step in my comeback mission and you will see a totally different Kambli this time round".

"In fact I have been training very hard and the stint with the South African side Boland last year has helped me a lot. I have lost lot of weight and am raring to go", he said.

"I went to South Africa to gain more experience and did quite well scoring around 360 runs from five matches. This stint has made me hungry for runs and now my goal is to do well for Mumbai by consistently making runs so that my performance does not go unnoticed," Kambli said.

Kambli, who last played for the country in a limited overs international three years ago, said he was looking forward to the forthcoming season and was confident of making a comeback not only to the Mumbai side but also to the Indian team.

"I still have a couple of years at the top and I will give my best shot for another couple of seasons as I do not believe in giving up easily," he added.

Kambli, also hopes to continue acting in Bollywood movies whenever he has free time.

"If meaty roles come my way, I will definitely go for it. I can always use the spare time during off-season to complete my acting assignments," he added.

However, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) selection committee chairman and former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, commenting on Kambli's comeback bid, said "Kambli has to prove his form and fitness during the camp to be considered for the Mumbai team though he is not on trial as such".

"There is no doubt that Kambli is a talented batsman and at the same time we are trying to build a strong team for the future so it is too early to comment on this. We will watch his fitness and progress during the 45-day camp before taking up any decision", he added.

Smith looking to boost Kallis's morale

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the death of Jacques Kallis's father would give the team an added incentive to win the first Test against England at Edgbaston at Birmingham on Thursday.

All-rounder Kallis's father Henry, 65, died in South Africa on Wednesday from lung cancer.

Kallis, 27, had been with his father since South Africa's triangular one-day series final defeat against England on July 12.

"It's obviously not great what's happened to Jacques,"  Smith told reporters at Edgbaston on Wednesday. "But it might give us something extra and help put a smile back on Jacques's face if we win."

Smith said Kallis, South Africa's star performer in the triangular series where he scored 329 runs at an average of 109, was under no pressure to return.

"We'll give him free rein. When he feels ready we will gladly take him back."

South Africa coach Eric Simons added, "It's a blow to lose a player of Jacques Kallis's quality. He adds balance to the team."

Smith, at 22 South Africa's youngest ever captain, said weekend reports in the British press of a rift between him and predecessor Shaun Pollock were "total rubbish".

He added, "I told Polly when I got hit in the face at Arundel (where South Africa had their final warm-up match against India A) that I'd tell the press we had a rumble.

"It's absolute rubbish," added Smith. "It's first Test propaganda."

Hussain puts trust in Gough

England captain Nasser Hussain said playing fast bowler Darren Gough in the first Test against South Africa was a risk worth taking.

Gough, 32, has not played Test cricket since appearing in the final Ashes Test of 2001 against Australia at The Oval having been sidelined since with a knee injury.

But he impressed during the recent triangular one-day series, which England won when they defeated South Africa by seven wickets in the final at Lord's earlier this month.

Hussain said had full confidence in the experienced paceman.

"As long as he doesn't fall over between now and quarter to 11 tomorrow morning he will play," Hussain told reporters at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

"If he's fit he'll be up there on the list," Hussain said. "He's a proven performer," he added of Gough who has taken 228 wickets in 56 Tests at an average of 27.57.

"Any bowler (England have picked) in the last couple of months, couple of years even, has been a risk because they've had injury scares and doubts.

"But anyone with the heart, fight and character of Darren Gough, I'm prepared to take that risk," Essex batsman Hussain maintained.

"In the winter I saw how much he was missing it. He craves the limelight and he wants to be out there," Hussain said.

'The Story of an African Game' hits stands

The rich history of cricket among black South Africans over the past 150 years has been traced in a new book which is expected to give a fillip to the efforts by the government to make the game more representative in the country.

The 370-page book -- 'The Story of an African Game' --  has been written by Professor Andre Odendaal at the request of the United Cricket Board of South Africa.

This book follows the recent publication of 'Blacks in Whites' which is an account of cricket played by the Indian, coloured and African communities in South Africa.

The new cricket book, which has a foreword by former President and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela, was presented to Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour at a ceremony in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Odendaal relies on rare 19th Century African-language newspaper sources, photo albums and extensive interviews to produce what has been described as a "fascinating and intimate account of a rich cricketing culture" that began with the establishment of the first black mission school cricket sides and clubs in the 1850s.

Mandela, in his foreword, writes that Odendaal deserves credit for bringing to life the rich traditions and history of sport among black South Africans.

"During the apartheid era", Mandela writes "black people were deliberately erased from history, and their experiences were negated. Now, as we enjoy the benefits of a hard-fought democracy, it is important to correct these exclusions. This book, focusing on one small aspect of our national life, shows how big they have been.

"This book is sure to add to cricket's popularity and the more inclusive culture that cricket is seeking to cultivate so that it can become a truly South African and African game in the future."