The countdown has begun...

With just 30 days away from the cricket's mega event, ICC World Cup 2019, the buzz can be easily sensed as the players are sweating it out for the main event. The cricket fanatics are ready for their daily dose of entertainment and the tournament will definitely serve them well with enough topics for their 9 pm dinner table discussions.&nbsp;

The upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted by England and Wales from May 30 to July 14, is the 12th cricket World Cup.&nbsp;

This is the fifth World Cup that will be held in England and Wales. The previous ones were in 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999.&nbsp;

On tough and challenging English pitches which tend to swing more than usual, the participating countries will look to play a better game of cricket to win the tournament.&nbsp;

A total of 10 countries will participate, having one dream in common, clinching one of the most coveted trophies of the sporting world.&nbsp;

England, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and West Indies are the participating countries.&nbsp;

The format of the World Cup 2019 will be round-robin, which means, all countries will play each other once and the top four will enter the knockout stages.&nbsp;

In the group stage, a total of 45 matches will be played and each team will play a total of nine matches.&nbsp;

This World Cup is also the first to be contested without all of the Test playing nations as Ireland and Zimbabwe did not qualify.&nbsp;

The opening match, which is between the hosts England and South Africa will be played at The Oval and the final will be played at the "Home of Cricket" Lord's Cricket Ground.&nbsp;

Before the main tournament, ten non-One Day International warm-up matches will be played from May 24 to May 28.&nbsp;

The countdown has begun... With just 30 days away from the cricket's mega event, ICC World Cup 2019, the buzz can be easily sensed as the players are sweating it out for the main event.

The countdown has begun... With just 30 days away from the cricket's mega event, ICC World Cup 2019, the buzz can be easily sensed as the players are sweating it out for the main event. The cricket fanatics are ready for their daily dose of entertainment and the tournament will definitely serve them well with enough topics for their 9 pm dinner table discussions. The upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted by England and Wales from May 30 to July 14, is the 12th cricket World Cup. This is the fifth World Cup that will be held in England and Wales. The previous ones were in 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999. On tough and challenging English pitches which tend to swing more than usual, the participating countries will look to play a better game of cricket to win the tournament. A total of 10 countries will participate, having one dream in common, clinching one of the most coveted trophies of the sporting world. England, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and West Indies are the participating countries. The format of the World Cup 2019 will be round-robin, which means, all countries will play each other once and the top four will enter the knockout stages. In the group stage, a total of 45 matches will be played and each team will play a total of nine matches. This World Cup is also the first to be contested without all of the Test playing nations as Ireland and Zimbabwe did not qualify. The opening match, which is between the hosts England and South Africa will be played at The Oval and the final will be played at the "Home of Cricket" Lord's Cricket Ground. Before the main tournament, ten non-One Day International warm-up matches will be played from May 24 to May 28.

All you need to know about ICC World Cup 2019

South Africa are loaded with match-winners and, with a little bit of luck, can end their World Cup agony at this year's 50-over tournament in England, fast bowler Dale Steyn has said.

South Africa's World Cup adventures have ended prematurely in unfortunate circumstances on numerous occasions earning them the 'chokers' tag at the 50-over event.

Ranked fourth in ODIs, Faf du Plessis' side, however, have not lost a 50-over series in the last 12 months, winning home and away against Sri Lanka, in Australia, and at home to Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

All of it convinces Steyn that the team could break their World Cup duck this time.

"We're going with good expectations," Steyn told reporters ahead of the Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL match in Kolkata.

"If you're not going to the World Cup expecting to win, then you probably shouldn't go. But I'm not going to lie, we have some fantastic players."

South Africa in the past fell foul of an unfair rain rule, paid for miscalculating the Duckworth–Lewis run-rate requirement, and suffered comical run outs to crash out of the competition.

Four years ago, they fell short in a thrilling semi-final when New Zealand's Grant Elliott hit Steyn for a six off the penultimate ball of the match to seal victory.

Steyn, who has taken 196 wickets in 125 ODIs, showered rich praise on fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and pinned hopes on the 23-year-old to lead South Africa's bowling attack in the future.

"We're led by Faf, who's been in fantastic form lately. And in the Indian Premier League, Imran Tahir has been right up there in terms of wickets," said Steyn, who is hoping to make South Africa's 15-man squad for the May 30-July 14 tournament.

"From Quinton de Kock all the way down to number 11, they're all match-winners. We just need to go there and hope a bit of luck - weather, a missed no-ball - goes your way, and you could win the tournament.

"You look at KG (Rabada), he's been bowling exceptionally well. Kagiso is a wunderkind. Just hope he continues that kind of form."

South Africa open their World Cup against England at The Oval on May 30.

South Africa are loaded with match-winners and, with a little bit of luck, can end their World Cup agony at this year's 50-over tournament in England, fast bowler Dale Steyn has said.

South Africa are loaded with match-winners and, with a little bit of luck, can end their World Cup agony at this year's 50-over tournament in England, fast bowler Dale Steyn has said. South Africa's World Cup adventures have ended prematurely in unfortunate circumstances on numerous occasions earning them the 'chokers' tag at the 50-over event. Ranked fourth in ODIs, Faf du Plessis' side, however, have not lost a 50-over series in the last 12 months, winning home and away against Sri Lanka, in Australia, and at home to Pakistan and Zimbabwe. All of it convinces Steyn that the team could break their World Cup duck this time. "We're going with good expectations," Steyn told reporters ahead of the Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL match in Kolkata. "If you're not going to the World Cup expecting to win, then you probably shouldn't go. But I'm not going to lie, we have some fantastic players." South Africa in the past fell foul of an unfair rain rule, paid for miscalculating the Duckworth–Lewis run-rate requirement, and suffered comical run outs to crash out of the competition. Four years ago, they fell short in a thrilling semi-final when New Zealand's Grant Elliott hit Steyn for a six off the penultimate ball of the match to seal victory. Steyn, who has taken 196 wickets in 125 ODIs, showered rich praise on fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and pinned hopes on the 23-year-old to lead South Africa's bowling attack in the future. "We're led by Faf, who's been in fantastic form lately. And in the Indian Premier League, Imran Tahir has been right up there in terms of wickets," said Steyn, who is hoping to make South Africa's 15-man squad for the May 30-July 14 tournament. "From Quinton de Kock all the way down to number 11, they're all match-winners. We just need to go there and hope a bit of luck - weather, a missed no-ball - goes your way, and you could win the tournament. "You look at KG (Rabada), he's been bowling exceptionally well. Kagiso is a wunderkind. Just hope he continues that kind of form." South Africa open their World Cup against England at The Oval on May 30.

South Africa can end World Cup agony: Dale Steyn

The chances of FIFA increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48 is 50/50, the president of soccer's governing body Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.

Infantino, who is in Brazil for a meeting of the South American Football Confederation, told delegates he was working to ensure the increase for the Qatar tournament, which would mean a guaranteed two extra places for South American sides.

"We are working to see if we can get 48 teams in the 2022 World Cup because more participation means more development and more passion for everyone," he said.

"We’ll see by June whether it is possible or not. (It’s) 50/50. What is 100 percent is that the 2022 World Cup is going to be spectacular and a total success."

A final decision on the number of teams for the next finals will be taken at the FIFA Congress in Paris on June 5.

FIFA chose to host the 2022 World Cup for 32 teams in Qatar, although Infantino has sounded out neighbours over their willingness to host some matches in an expanded tournament.

FIFA has already agreed to increase the number of teams to 48 for the 2026 tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico but is keen to expand quicker than planned.

The chances of FIFA increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48 is 50/50, the president of soccer's governing body Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.

The chances of FIFA increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48 is 50/50, the president of soccer's governing body Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday. Infantino, who is in Brazil for a meeting of the South American Football Confederation, told delegates he was working to ensure the increase for the Qatar tournament, which would mean a guaranteed two extra places for South American sides. "We are working to see if we can get 48 teams in the 2022 World Cup because more participation means more development and more passion for everyone," he said. "We’ll see by June whether it is possible or not. (It’s) 50/50. What is 100 percent is that the 2022 World Cup is going to be spectacular and a total success." A final decision on the number of teams for the next finals will be taken at the FIFA Congress in Paris on June 5. FIFA chose to host the 2022 World Cup for 32 teams in Qatar, although Infantino has sounded out neighbours over their willingness to host some matches in an expanded tournament. FIFA has already agreed to increase the number of teams to 48 for the 2026 tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico but is keen to expand quicker than planned.

World Cup increase to 48 teams at 2022 finals is 50/50 - FIFA

Team India to announce the&nbsp;15-member squad on April 15 for the upcoming cricket World Cup, which is scheduled&nbsp;to&nbsp;start from&nbsp;May&nbsp;30 in England&nbsp;and Wales with England and South Africa playing the first game of the tournament.&nbsp;

India will start their World Cup campaign&nbsp;on June 5 against South Africa.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Committee of Administrators (CoA) along with office bearers decided on the date during a meeting.&nbsp;

The last date for announcing the World Cup squads is April 23 but BCCI has decided to announce it eight days prior to the scheduled day.

Meanwhile, the BCCI will be getting Rs 2.09 crore from Cricket Australia after reconciliation of accounts for the past 10 years.

"There have been discussions on accounts settlements over all the past bilateral series between India and Australia. We are supposed to get Rs 2.09 crore. The discussions are still on. The office bearers will again meet the CoA on April 20," a BCCI official told PTI on Monday.&nbsp;

Team India to announce the 15-member squad on April 15 for the upcoming cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to start from May 30 in England and Wales with England and South Africa playing the first game of the tournament.

Team India to announce the 15-member squad on April 15 for the upcoming cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to start from May 30 in England and Wales with England and South Africa playing the first game of the tournament. India will start their World Cup campaign on June 5 against South Africa. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) along with office bearers decided on the date during a meeting. The last date for announcing the World Cup squads is April 23 but BCCI has decided to announce it eight days prior to the scheduled day. Meanwhile, the BCCI will be getting Rs 2.09 crore from Cricket Australia after reconciliation of accounts for the past 10 years. "There have been discussions on accounts settlements over all the past bilateral series between India and Australia. We are supposed to get Rs 2.09 crore. The discussions are still on. The office bearers will again meet the CoA on April 20," a BCCI official told PTI on Monday.

India's World Cup squad selection on April 15 in Mumbai

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said his controversial plan to expand the FIFA Club World Cup can play a key role in further developing the club game in Asia despite European opposition.

Infantino's desire to expand the tournament from seven teams to 24 when it is relaunched in 2021 has been opposed by the European Club Association (ECA), which has issued a boycott threat.

But the Swiss administrator told the Asian Football Confederation's annual congress on Saturday that the expansion can help further improve the club game in the 47-member regional body.

"We have been speaking again about how we can improve them and make them better and we have been deciding at the last FIFA Council to give birth to a new FIFA Club World Cup with 24 teams, including three Asian teams," Infantino said in his address to delegates.

"I witnessed the final of the Asian Champions League in Tehran and there are clubs of great tradition in Asia and it's important we foster them and it's important we give them the possibility to shine on the world stage.

"That's why it's important to continue to develop our competitions, for example, with the new Club World Cup."

The reconfigured Club World Cup, which would be played once every four years, would feature eight clubs from Europe, six from South America as well as three each from Asia, Africa and Concacaf - which covers North and Central America nations plus those in the Caribbean - and one from Oceania.

Asian clubs have featured in the tournament since it was created in 2000, with two clubs from the continent - Kashima Antlers from Japan in 2016 and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates last year - reaching the final. Both lost to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Infantino also reiterated his desire to further investigate expanding the 2022 World Cup finals to 48 teams and asking current hosts Qatar to share the tournament with neighbouring nations.

"We are very happy with the preparations in Qatar and, of course, we have an additional topic on the table that we will bring, maybe, to the FIFA congress as well on June 5 in Paris," he said.

"And the question on the table is the question on the subject of whether we think we can already increase the number of teams participating at the World Cup from 32 to 48.

"The results of the summit has been very clear, 90 per cent of the associations would like to move to 48 teams because, of course, it boosts football development all over the world if we have 16 more countries participating in a World Cup and we are looking and analysing that with our partners in Qatar.

"Sharing a few games with a few of the neighbouring countries is, of course, an option as well to make it a true World Cup for the world and for the whole Gulf region.

"It's something to discuss, something to think about and something we are working on with Qatar and together with all of you and, of course, it would be a nice achievement if the first World Cup with 48 teams would be played in Asia."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said his controversial plan to expand the FIFA Club World Cup can play a key role in further developing the club game in Asia despite European opposition.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said his controversial plan to expand the FIFA Club World Cup can play a key role in further developing the club game in Asia despite European opposition. Infantino's desire to expand the tournament from seven teams to 24 when it is relaunched in 2021 has been opposed by the European Club Association (ECA), which has issued a boycott threat. But the Swiss administrator told the Asian Football Confederation's annual congress on Saturday that the expansion can help further improve the club game in the 47-member regional body. "We have been speaking again about how we can improve them and make them better and we have been deciding at the last FIFA Council to give birth to a new FIFA Club World Cup with 24 teams, including three Asian teams," Infantino said in his address to delegates. "I witnessed the final of the Asian Champions League in Tehran and there are clubs of great tradition in Asia and it's important we foster them and it's important we give them the possibility to shine on the world stage. "That's why it's important to continue to develop our competitions, for example, with the new Club World Cup." The reconfigured Club World Cup, which would be played once every four years, would feature eight clubs from Europe, six from South America as well as three each from Asia, Africa and Concacaf - which covers North and Central America nations plus those in the Caribbean - and one from Oceania. Asian clubs have featured in the tournament since it was created in 2000, with two clubs from the continent - Kashima Antlers from Japan in 2016 and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates last year - reaching the final. Both lost to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Infantino also reiterated his desire to further investigate expanding the 2022 World Cup finals to 48 teams and asking current hosts Qatar to share the tournament with neighbouring nations. "We are very happy with the preparations in Qatar and, of course, we have an additional topic on the table that we will bring, maybe, to the FIFA congress as well on June 5 in Paris," he said. "And the question on the table is the question on the subject of whether we think we can already increase the number of teams participating at the World Cup from 32 to 48. "The results of the summit has been very clear, 90 per cent of the associations would like to move to 48 teams because, of course, it boosts football development all over the world if we have 16 more countries participating in a World Cup and we are looking and analysing that with our partners in Qatar. "Sharing a few games with a few of the neighbouring countries is, of course, an option as well to make it a true World Cup for the world and for the whole Gulf region. "It's something to discuss, something to think about and something we are working on with Qatar and together with all of you and, of course, it would be a nice achievement if the first World Cup with 48 teams would be played in Asia."

Revamped FIFA Club World Cup important for Asia: Gianni Infantino

Afghanistan replaced long-serving one-day international captain Asghar Afghan with Gulbadin Naib on Friday, less than two months before this year's 50-over World Cup in England and Wales.

Afghan, 31, took over the team's captaincy in 2015 after Mohammad Nabi had stepped down following the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Under his leadership, the war-torn South Asian country gained full membership status from the governing body International Cricket Council and also qualified for the 2019 World Cup.

Afghanistan's chief selector Dawalt Ahmadzai backed Naib to continue Afghan's legacy and said he was the right choice to lead the team at the World Cup.

"Asghar Afghan who captained team Afghanistan for a period of around four years achieved a lot and made the country proud," Ahmadzai said in a statement on the Afghan Cricket Board's (ACB) website.

"I hope Gulbadin Naib will be able to continue his legacy at the helm of the team's affairs."

However, the news did not go down well with Afghan's predecessor Nabi, who took to Twitter to question the timing of the change.

"Being a senior member of the side and having seen the rise of Afghanistan cricket, I don't think it's the right time to change the captain before the WC," Nabi said.

"The team has gelled really well under Asghar and I personally feel he is the right man to lead us."

The 28-year-old Naib, who bowls seam and bats in the middle order, has played 52 ODIs for Afghanistan since making his debut in 2011.

In wholesale changes to the leadership structure, all-rounder Rahmat Shah was appointed test captain replacing Afghan while leg-spinner Rashid Khan was put in charge of the Twenty20 team.

Rashid, who was also named vice-captain for the 50-over format, was even more vocal in his criticism of the move and called the decision to oust Afghan "irresponsible".

"With all the respect to the selection committee, I strongly disagree with the decision," Rashid said on Twitter. "As we have the cricket World Cup in front of us... Asghar Afghan should remain as our team captain.

"With just months to go for such a mega event like World Cup, changing the captain will cause uncertainty and also team morale will be affected."

The Afghan Cricket Board was not immediately available for comment.

Afghanistan will tour Scotland and Ireland next month to prepare for the World Cup and will also play an ODI each against Pakistan and England before kicking off their campaign against Australia on June 1.

Afghanistan replaced long-serving one-day international captain Asghar Afghan with Gulbadin Naib on Friday, less than two months before this year's 50-over World Cup in England and Wales.

Afghanistan replaced long-serving one-day international captain Asghar Afghan with Gulbadin Naib on Friday, less than two months before this year's 50-over World Cup in England and Wales. Afghan, 31, took over the team's captaincy in 2015 after Mohammad Nabi had stepped down following the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Under his leadership, the war-torn South Asian country gained full membership status from the governing body International Cricket Council and also qualified for the 2019 World Cup. Afghanistan's chief selector Dawalt Ahmadzai backed Naib to continue Afghan's legacy and said he was the right choice to lead the team at the World Cup. "Asghar Afghan who captained team Afghanistan for a period of around four years achieved a lot and made the country proud," Ahmadzai said in a statement on the Afghan Cricket Board's (ACB) website. "I hope Gulbadin Naib will be able to continue his legacy at the helm of the team's affairs." However, the news did not go down well with Afghan's predecessor Nabi, who took to Twitter to question the timing of the change. "Being a senior member of the side and having seen the rise of Afghanistan cricket, I don't think it's the right time to change the captain before the WC," Nabi said. "The team has gelled really well under Asghar and I personally feel he is the right man to lead us." The 28-year-old Naib, who bowls seam and bats in the middle order, has played 52 ODIs for Afghanistan since making his debut in 2011. In wholesale changes to the leadership structure, all-rounder Rahmat Shah was appointed test captain replacing Afghan while leg-spinner Rashid Khan was put in charge of the Twenty20 team. Rashid, who was also named vice-captain for the 50-over format, was even more vocal in his criticism of the move and called the decision to oust Afghan "irresponsible". "With all the respect to the selection committee, I strongly disagree with the decision," Rashid said on Twitter. "As we have the cricket World Cup in front of us... Asghar Afghan should remain as our team captain. "With just months to go for such a mega event like World Cup, changing the captain will cause uncertainty and also team morale will be affected." The Afghan Cricket Board was not immediately available for comment. Afghanistan will tour Scotland and Ireland next month to prepare for the World Cup and will also play an ODI each against Pakistan and England before kicking off their campaign against Australia on June 1.

Gulbadin Naib made Afghanistan ODI captain ahead of World Cup

India captain Virat Kohli does not want performance at the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/ipl-2019">Indian Premier League</a> to determine team composition for this year's World Cup but selectors have little choice after a series of candidates failed to nail down the number four slot.

Twice 50-over champions India have an otherwise settled batting line-up with a formidable top order consisting of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli himself.

The selectors, however, continue to fret over who should walk out to bat after the fall of the second wicket during the May 30-July 14 showpiece tournament in England and Wales.

Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Lokesh Rahul, Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu have all been trialled for the number four spot and found wanting.

With the ongoing IPL the only form of cricket left before Kohli's team embarks on their World Cup campaign, the selectors maybe forced to consider the form of the players in the T20 tournament before picking the squad ahead of the April 23 deadline.

"They have maintained that they won't look at IPL but it's going to be very hard," former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar told Reuters in a recent interview.

"There are some borderline cases, like if they are looking at Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar or a Manish Pandey or an Ajinkya Rahane. So all these people are there and thereabout."

"And if somebody has a great IPL season, it will be hard to ignore him, but they (selectors) should not actually get too carried away with what happens in the IPL."

Rayudu, 33, emerged as the most likely choice to fill the void but scores of 13, 18 and two in the first three matches of the recent home series against world champions Australia hurt his cause.

Pressure is only mounting on the selectors with Rayudu, who plays for IPL champions Chennai, scoring 28, five, one and zero in the first four matches of the tournament.

Manjrekar felt India were back to square one with no more ODIs scheduled before the World Cup in England and Wales, where the team will be looking to add to their 1983 and 2011 triumphs.

India's limited-overs vice-captain, Rohit, believes inputs from Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri should determine the selection of the final 15.

"With their inputs, the selectors will keep an eye on what is happening with those guys during the IPL," Rohit, who leads the Mumbai&nbsp;side in the IPL, told reporters at the launch of cricket.com website on Thursday.

"Although I feel IPL shouldn't be the criterion for team selection. We have played enough international matches to see where each individual stands.

"You can't select a 50-overs format team based on a 20-overs franchise competition. IPL is a different ball game, it's franchise cricket.

"Yes form matters a lot. But in this last four years we have played enough ODI matches, we have played enough T20 Internationals. So that should be enough to understand that these are the players we want."

India captain Virat Kohli does not want performance at the ongoing Indian Premier League to determine team composition for this year's World Cup but selectors have little choice after a series of candidates failed to nail down the number four slot.

India captain Virat Kohli does not want performance at the ongoing Indian Premier League to determine team composition for this year's World Cup but selectors have little choice after a series of candidates failed to nail down the number four slot. Twice 50-over champions India have an otherwise settled batting line-up with a formidable top order consisting of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli himself. The selectors, however, continue to fret over who should walk out to bat after the fall of the second wicket during the May 30-July 14 showpiece tournament in England and Wales. Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Lokesh Rahul, Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu have all been trialled for the number four spot and found wanting. With the ongoing IPL the only form of cricket left before Kohli's team embarks on their World Cup campaign, the selectors maybe forced to consider the form of the players in the T20 tournament before picking the squad ahead of the April 23 deadline. "They have maintained that they won't look at IPL but it's going to be very hard," former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar told Reuters in a recent interview. "There are some borderline cases, like if they are looking at Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar or a Manish Pandey or an Ajinkya Rahane. So all these people are there and thereabout." "And if somebody has a great IPL season, it will be hard to ignore him, but they (selectors) should not actually get too carried away with what happens in the IPL." Rayudu, 33, emerged as the most likely choice to fill the void but scores of 13, 18 and two in the first three matches of the recent home series against world champions Australia hurt his cause. Pressure is only mounting on the selectors with Rayudu, who plays for IPL champions Chennai, scoring 28, five, one and zero in the first four matches of the tournament. Manjrekar felt India were back to square one with no more ODIs scheduled before the World Cup in England and Wales, where the team will be looking to add to their 1983 and 2011 triumphs. India's limited-overs vice-captain, Rohit, believes inputs from Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri should determine the selection of the final 15. "With their inputs, the selectors will keep an eye on what is happening with those guys during the IPL," Rohit, who leads the Mumbai side in the IPL, told reporters at the launch of cricket.com website on Thursday. "Although I feel IPL shouldn't be the criterion for team selection. We have played enough international matches to see where each individual stands. "You can't select a 50-overs format team based on a 20-overs franchise competition. IPL is a different ball game, it's franchise cricket. "Yes form matters a lot. But in this last four years we have played enough ODI matches, we have played enough T20 Internationals. So that should be enough to understand that these are the players we want."

IPL not ideal yardstick, but little choice for India selectors

Exclusive: Buttler on England's World Cup hopes

Brazil soccer great Pele was hospitalised in Paris late on Tuesday with a strong fever but his condition is not life-threatening, RMC Sport reported.

The 78-year-old was admitted as a precaution after attending an event in the French capital with France's World Cup-winning youngster Kylian Mbappe.

A representative for Pele in Brazil could not immediately be reached for comment.

Pele was still in hospital on Wednesday afternoon, RMC reported, though in a possible sign he was making a recovery, he said on Twitter: "I met Kylian Mbappe and his parents last night in Paris at @Hublot event. We talked goals, World Cups and watches. Great company!"

Earlier, Mbappe had written on social media: "I had the chance this evening to spend a once-in-a-lifetime moment with the living legend @Pele."

Pele, revered by many as soccer's greatest player ever, is alone in winning the World Cup three times, first lifting the trophy aged 17. The Brazilian was swift to praise Mbappe after he set last year's World Cup in Russia alight with his electric speed and goalscoring.

Mbappe became the youngest player (19) to score two goals in a World Cup game since Pele in 1958. He also became the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final.

"If Kylian keeps equalling my records like this I may have to dust my boots off again," Pele tweeted at the time.

Mbappe replied: "The King will always remain King."

The Paris St Germain forward told Tuesday's event he would never match the Brazil great's scoring tally during his career. Pele claims he has scored 1,025 goals.

"Even with the goals in playgrounds, goals on the PlayStation, I could never equal (that)," the 20-year-old said at the sponsors' event.

Mbappe and Pele had been scheduled to meet late last year but had to postpone, again because of Pele's health, French media said.

Brazil soccer great Pele was hospitalised in Paris late on Tuesday with a strong fever but his condition is not life-threatening, RMC Sport reported. The 78-year-old was admitted as a precaution after attending an event in the French capital with France's World Cup-winning youngster Kylian Mbappe.

Brazil soccer great Pele was hospitalised in Paris late on Tuesday with a strong fever but his condition is not life-threatening, RMC Sport reported. The 78-year-old was admitted as a precaution after attending an event in the French capital with France's World Cup-winning youngster Kylian Mbappe. A representative for Pele in Brazil could not immediately be reached for comment. Pele was still in hospital on Wednesday afternoon, RMC reported, though in a possible sign he was making a recovery, he said on Twitter: "I met Kylian Mbappe and his parents last night in Paris at @Hublot event. We talked goals, World Cups and watches. Great company!" Earlier, Mbappe had written on social media: "I had the chance this evening to spend a once-in-a-lifetime moment with the living legend @Pele." Pele, revered by many as soccer's greatest player ever, is alone in winning the World Cup three times, first lifting the trophy aged 17. The Brazilian was swift to praise Mbappe after he set last year's World Cup in Russia alight with his electric speed and goalscoring. Mbappe became the youngest player (19) to score two goals in a World Cup game since Pele in 1958. He also became the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final. "If Kylian keeps equalling my records like this I may have to dust my boots off again," Pele tweeted at the time. Mbappe replied: "The King will always remain King." The Paris St Germain forward told Tuesday's event he would never match the Brazil great's scoring tally during his career. Pele claims he has scored 1,025 goals. "Even with the goals in playgrounds, goals on the PlayStation, I could never equal (that)," the 20-year-old said at the sponsors' event. Mbappe and Pele had been scheduled to meet late last year but had to postpone, again because of Pele's health, French media said.

Brazil soccer great Pele hospitalised in Paris

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday he cannot envisage his side parting with France defender Raphael Varane but he could not give any guarantees about the future of winger Gareth Bale.

Several media reports said last month that World Cup winner Varane was looking to leave Madrid after eight seasons in the Spanish capital, in which he has won four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Real's La Liga visit to Valencia on Wednesday, Zidane dismissed reports about Varane's supposed departure.

"I cannot imagine a future without Varane and I don't want to. He's a young player, he has been here for eight years and he is doing very well," Zidane said.

"I'm not going to comment on what is being said outside. The important thing is what the player tells me and for now he's at the best club in the world, he's won a lot of things and I think he is in a good place."

The future of Bale, the club's record signing, is more uncertain as he was again subjected to boos from Real's own supporters during Sunday's 3-2 win over Huesca, in which he missed an opportunity to score from close range.

Zidane admitted the supporters were not helping the Welshman but he refused to clarify if Bale would remain at the club next season.

"I don't know how it affects him but booing a player is never good, they also booed me but you have to accept it and every player who is here has the character to deal with it," Zidane said.

"We'll decide the future of Gareth and other players at the end of the season, we've got nine games left and then we'll see. I can confirm that we will have to make changes next season but now is not the time to talk about it."

Madrid are third in the La Liga standings with nine games left of the campaign, 12 points adrift of runaway leaders Barcelona. They are already out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday he cannot envisage his side parting with France defender Raphael Varane but he could not give any guarantees about the future of winger Gareth Bale.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday he cannot envisage his side parting with France defender Raphael Varane but he could not give any guarantees about the future of winger Gareth Bale. Several media reports said last month that World Cup winner Varane was looking to leave Madrid after eight seasons in the Spanish capital, in which he has won four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles. Speaking at a news conference ahead of Real's La Liga visit to Valencia on Wednesday, Zidane dismissed reports about Varane's supposed departure. "I cannot imagine a future without Varane and I don't want to. He's a young player, he has been here for eight years and he is doing very well," Zidane said. "I'm not going to comment on what is being said outside. The important thing is what the player tells me and for now he's at the best club in the world, he's won a lot of things and I think he is in a good place." The future of Bale, the club's record signing, is more uncertain as he was again subjected to boos from Real's own supporters during Sunday's 3-2 win over Huesca, in which he missed an opportunity to score from close range. Zidane admitted the supporters were not helping the Welshman but he refused to clarify if Bale would remain at the club next season. "I don't know how it affects him but booing a player is never good, they also booed me but you have to accept it and every player who is here has the character to deal with it," Zidane said. "We'll decide the future of Gareth and other players at the end of the season, we've got nine games left and then we'll see. I can confirm that we will have to make changes next season but now is not the time to talk about it." Madrid are third in the La Liga standings with nine games left of the campaign, 12 points adrift of runaway leaders Barcelona. They are already out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Zinedine Zidane wants Raphael Varane to stay but is ambiguous about Gareth Bale future

Fitting the disgraced duo of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Steve+Smith">Steve Smith</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=David+Warner">David Warner</a> into Australia's World Cup squad will be "bloody hard" given the side's resurgence without them, according to captain Aaron Finch.

Both Smith and Warner are eligible to return to the national side after their 12-month suspensions for ball-tampering ended on Thursday.

Australia beat Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match ODI series, and have now won six matches in succession after coming back to defeat India 3-2 away.

Finch said it would be tough for selectors to decide who to leave out of the 15-man squad for the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England.

"It is bloody hard," he said.

"Especially when the side is playing so well, it's going to be difficult. No matter who it is.

"At the end of the day ... it's an incredibly tough decision. Whatever balance you go with in that 15-man squad, there's going to be some very unlucky blokes out there."

One could be Usman Khawaja, formerly a fringe member of the one-day side, who has flourished opening the batting with Finch since his recall in January, with 609 runs at an average of 55.36.

The left-hander could make way for Warner, who has scored more than 4,300 one-day runs and 14 centuries, in an explosive opening combination with Finch.

Smith, who has only just returned from elbow surgery, would complement a middle order of Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb, with all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell providing power-hitting through the lower-middle order.

Having struggled for a period without Smith and Warner, Finch's side have shown the kind of form that propelled them to a fifth World Cup title four years ago on home soil.

Finch said consistency of selection had aided their turnaround.

"The fact that guys are getting more of an opportunity to keep developing their role, and developing the role they've been asked to play or the game demands, is gold," he said.

"That probably goes under the radar a little bit when you're looking at teams that have been successful in the past.

"I think leading up to the 2015 World Cup, we'd had the same 15 players for a good 18 months or so.

"That goes a long way, not just to your culture but just an understanding of how each other plays."

Fitting the disgraced duo of Steve Smith and David Warner into Australia's World Cup squad will be "bloody hard" given the side's resurgence without them, according to captain Aaron Finch.

Fitting the disgraced duo of Steve Smith and David Warner into Australia's World Cup squad will be "bloody hard" given the side's resurgence without them, according to captain Aaron Finch. Both Smith and Warner are eligible to return to the national side after their 12-month suspensions for ball-tampering ended on Thursday. Australia beat Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match ODI series, and have now won six matches in succession after coming back to defeat India 3-2 away. Finch said it would be tough for selectors to decide who to leave out of the 15-man squad for the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England. "It is bloody hard," he said. "Especially when the side is playing so well, it's going to be difficult. No matter who it is. "At the end of the day ... it's an incredibly tough decision. Whatever balance you go with in that 15-man squad, there's going to be some very unlucky blokes out there." One could be Usman Khawaja, formerly a fringe member of the one-day side, who has flourished opening the batting with Finch since his recall in January, with 609 runs at an average of 55.36. The left-hander could make way for Warner, who has scored more than 4,300 one-day runs and 14 centuries, in an explosive opening combination with Finch. Smith, who has only just returned from elbow surgery, would complement a middle order of Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb, with all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell providing power-hitting through the lower-middle order. Having struggled for a period without Smith and Warner, Finch's side have shown the kind of form that propelled them to a fifth World Cup title four years ago on home soil. Finch said consistency of selection had aided their turnaround. "The fact that guys are getting more of an opportunity to keep developing their role, and developing the role they've been asked to play or the game demands, is gold," he said. "That probably goes under the radar a little bit when you're looking at teams that have been successful in the past. "I think leading up to the 2015 World Cup, we'd had the same 15 players for a good 18 months or so. "That goes a long way, not just to your culture but just an understanding of how each other plays."

Return of Steve Smith, David Warner makes for hard selections: Aaron Finch

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Gareth+Southgate">Gareth Southgate</a> has said his door is open for Phil Neville if the England women's team coach wants to reach out to him for advice ahead of the women's World Cup in June.

Southgate, who led the men's team to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia last year, meets Neville regularly at St George's Park and says information is already being shared between members of their support staff.

"We're all at St George's and in offices next door to each other so, as much as we can, we try and share what's going on across the games," Southgate told media.&nbsp;

"Phil knows that whenever he wants to pick our brains on tournaments or our experiences then we are here to help. It's not for me to go knocking and tell him, he knows we are here.

"A lot of the medical teams and physical performance teams are sharing information... because that area in the women's game has been underfunded and is better now because more of the bigger clubs are getting involved."

The Lionesses are ranked fourth in the world and are among the favourites to win the World Cup, which starts on June 7 in France.&nbsp;

Neville's side won the four-team SheBelieves Cup earlier this month, beating Brazil and Japan and drawing with hosts United States, who are also the reigning world champions.

"I think they've broken through. The bronze medal (at the 2015 women's World Cup) was a massive step forward," Southgate added. "They're hugely competitive now with all the top nations."

England, who are in Group D, kick off their World Cup campaign on June 9 against Scotland. Argentina and Japan are the other teams in the group.

Gareth Southgate has said his door is open for Phil Neville if the England women's team coach wants to reach out to him for advice ahead of the women's World Cup in June.

Gareth Southgate has said his door is open for Phil Neville if the England women's team coach wants to reach out to him for advice ahead of the women's World Cup in June. Southgate, who led the men's team to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia last year, meets Neville regularly at St George's Park and says information is already being shared between members of their support staff. "We're all at St George's and in offices next door to each other so, as much as we can, we try and share what's going on across the games," Southgate told media. "Phil knows that whenever he wants to pick our brains on tournaments or our experiences then we are here to help. It's not for me to go knocking and tell him, he knows we are here. "A lot of the medical teams and physical performance teams are sharing information... because that area in the women's game has been underfunded and is better now because more of the bigger clubs are getting involved." The Lionesses are ranked fourth in the world and are among the favourites to win the World Cup, which starts on June 7 in France. Neville's side won the four-team SheBelieves Cup earlier this month, beating Brazil and Japan and drawing with hosts United States, who are also the reigning world champions. "I think they've broken through. The bronze medal (at the 2015 women's World Cup) was a massive step forward," Southgate added. "They're hugely competitive now with all the top nations." England, who are in Group D, kick off their World Cup campaign on June 9 against Scotland. Argentina and Japan are the other teams in the group.

Gareth Southgate offers to help England women's team before World Cup

Atletico Madrid and France defender Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern Munich for €80 million ($90m) this summer, the German club announced on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old World Cup winner will sign a five-year contract starting on July 1, Bayern said in a statement.&nbsp;

The €80 million fee makes him the most expensive signing in Bayern's history, almost doubling the sum paid for Corentin Tolisso.&nbsp;

It also makes Hernandez one of the most expensive defenders in history, and one of the most expensive players ever signed by a German club.

"I am very happy that we have managed to sign Lucas Hernandez, who is a World Cup winner and one of the best defensive players in the world," said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.&nbsp;

"Lucas can play in central defence or at left-back. He will strengthen our team and continue the tradition of fantastic French players at our club."

The announcement is the latest sign that Bayern are planning a major squad overhaul this summer.&nbsp;

Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and earlier this month, club president Uli Hoeness declared that Bayern were launching the "biggest programme of investment the club has ever seen".&nbsp;

In January, Bayern announced that Hernandez's fellow France defender Benjamin Pavard would join from Stuttgart this summer for €35 million ($40m). Hamburg's 19-year old striker Jann Fiete Arp will also complete a move to Munich by the summer of 2020.&nbsp;

The new arrivals could push some more familiar faces towards the exit door. Veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are expected to finally end their Bayern careers this summer, and there is speculation that further big names may also leave.&nbsp;

Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, both recently axed from the German national team set-up, will face a fight for their place in the Bayern team after the arrival of fellow defenders Hernandez and Pavard.

Hernandez has had a knee problem for a while. He has not played for Atletico since Feb 9 and missed France's recent internationals.&nbsp;

Bayern said that he would undergo an operation on Wednesday after a medical exam revealed a problem with his knee.&nbsp;

"Our medical examination revealed damage to Lucas Hernandez' right knee, which will have to be operated on," said Bayern team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, confirming that Hernandez would, nonetheless, be fit to play by the start of next season.&nbsp;

Hernandez signed for Atletico Madrid as a youth player in 2007, and has made 110 senior appearances for the club since his first-team debut in April 2014. Last summer, he was a key player in France's World Cup-winning campaign.&nbsp;

"This is a very important day in my footballing career," said Hernandez.

"Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world. I will be proud to compete for all titles for Bayern in the future."

"I would like to thank Atletico, the management, the coaches, my teammates and the fans for 12 wonderful years in Madrid," he said.&nbsp;

"Atletico will always be a part of me, but I am now happy to be making the next step at Bayern."

Atletico Madrid and France defender Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern Munich for €80 million ($90m) this summer, the German club announced on Wednesday. The 23-year-old World Cup winner will sign a five-year contract starting on July 1, Bayern said in a statement.

Atletico Madrid and France defender Lucas Hernandez will join Bayern Munich for €80 million ($90m) this summer, the German club announced on Wednesday. The 23-year-old World Cup winner will sign a five-year contract starting on July 1, Bayern said in a statement. The €80 million fee makes him the most expensive signing in Bayern's history, almost doubling the sum paid for Corentin Tolisso. It also makes Hernandez one of the most expensive defenders in history, and one of the most expensive players ever signed by a German club. "I am very happy that we have managed to sign Lucas Hernandez, who is a World Cup winner and one of the best defensive players in the world," said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. "Lucas can play in central defence or at left-back. He will strengthen our team and continue the tradition of fantastic French players at our club." The announcement is the latest sign that Bayern are planning a major squad overhaul this summer. Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and earlier this month, club president Uli Hoeness declared that Bayern were launching the "biggest programme of investment the club has ever seen". In January, Bayern announced that Hernandez's fellow France defender Benjamin Pavard would join from Stuttgart this summer for €35 million ($40m). Hamburg's 19-year old striker Jann Fiete Arp will also complete a move to Munich by the summer of 2020. The new arrivals could push some more familiar faces towards the exit door. Veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are expected to finally end their Bayern careers this summer, and there is speculation that further big names may also leave. Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, both recently axed from the German national team set-up, will face a fight for their place in the Bayern team after the arrival of fellow defenders Hernandez and Pavard. Hernandez has had a knee problem for a while. He has not played for Atletico since Feb 9 and missed France's recent internationals. Bayern said that he would undergo an operation on Wednesday after a medical exam revealed a problem with his knee. "Our medical examination revealed damage to Lucas Hernandez' right knee, which will have to be operated on," said Bayern team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, confirming that Hernandez would, nonetheless, be fit to play by the start of next season. Hernandez signed for Atletico Madrid as a youth player in 2007, and has made 110 senior appearances for the club since his first-team debut in April 2014. Last summer, he was a key player in France's World Cup-winning campaign. "This is a very important day in my footballing career," said Hernandez. "Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world. I will be proud to compete for all titles for Bayern in the future." "I would like to thank Atletico, the management, the coaches, my teammates and the fans for 12 wonderful years in Madrid," he said. "Atletico will always be a part of me, but I am now happy to be making the next step at Bayern."

Bayern Munich pay record fee to sign World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez

Imagining himself as a peacemaker in a conflict-ridden part of the world, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees a 2022 World Cup shared by Qatar with its Gulf detractors, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as the magic wand that would turn bitter foes into brothers.

It may be a nice idea, but it is grounded in the fiction that football can play an independent role in bringing nations together or developing national identity.

The fiction is that football has the potential to be a driver of events, that it can spark or shape developments. It is also the fiction that sports in general and football, in particular, has the power to build bridges.&nbsp;

Infantino’s assertion that if foes play football, bridges are built is but the latest iteration of a long-standing myth.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Football is an aggressive sport. It is about conquering the other half of a pitch. It evokes passions and allegiances that are tribal in nature and that more often than not divide rather than unite.

In conflict situations, football tends to provide an additional battlefield. Examples abound.

The 2022 World Cup; this year’s Qatari Asian Cup victory against the backdrop of the Gulf state’s rift with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt; the imprint the Palestinian-Israeli conflict puts on the two nations’ football; or the rise of racist, discriminatory attitudes among fans in Europe.

The Bad Blue Boys, hardcore fans of Dinamo Zagreb’s hardcore fans, light candles each May and lay wreaths at a monument to their comrades who were killed in the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s. They mark the anniversary of a riot during the 1990 match against Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade, their club’s most controversial match, as the first clash in the wars that erupted a year later and sparked the collapse of former Yugoslavia.

The fact of the matter is that sports like ping pong in Richard Nixon’s 1972 rapprochement with China or the improvement of ties between North and South Korea in the most recent Summer Olympics served as a useful tool, not a driver of events.

Sports is a useful tool in an environment in which key political players seek to build bridges and narrow differences.

The impact of football in the absence of a conducive environment created by political not sports players, is at best temporary relief, a blip on an otherwise bleak landscape.

The proof is in the pudding. Legend has it that British and German soldiers played football in no-man’s lands on Christmas Day in 2014, only to return to fighting World War One for another four years. Millions died in the war.

Similarly, Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites poured into the streets of Iraqi cities hugging each other in celebration of Iraq’s winning in 2007 of the Asia Cup at the height of the country’s sectarian violence only to return to killing each other a day later.

Football’s ability to shape or cement national identity is no different. In other words. football can be a rallying point for national identity but only if there is an environment that is conducive.

The problem is that football and the formation of national identity have one complicating trait in common: both often involve opposition to the other.

That is nowhere truer than in the Middle East and North Africa where football has played and plays an important role in identity formation since it was first introduced to the region in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Qatar has been in some ways the exception that proves the rule by plotting its sports strategy not only as a soft power tool or a pillar of public health policy but also as a component of national identity. That element has been strengthened by the rift in the Gulf and bolstered by this year’s Asian Cup victory.

Qatar’s efforts to strengthen its national identity benefits from the fact that the Gulf state no longer operates on the notion that Gulf states have to hang together. Today it's hanging on its own in conflict with three of its neighbours.

Soccer’s role in identity formation in the Middle East and North Africa was often because it was a battlefield, a battlefield for identity that was part of larger political struggles.

Clubs were often formed for that very reason. Attitudes towards the country’s monarchy in the early 20th century loomed large in the founding of Egypt’s Al Ahli SC and Al Zamalek SC, two of the Middle East and North Africa’s most storied clubs.

Clubs in Algeria were established as part of the anti-colonial struggle against the French. Ottoman and Iranian rulers used sports and football to foster national identity and take a first step towards incorporating youth in the development of a modern defense force.

Zionists saw sports and football as an important way of developing the New Jew, the muscular Jew. To Palestinians, it was a tool in their opposition to Zionist immigration. And finally, football was important in the shaping of ethnic or sub-national identities among Berbers, Kurds, East Bank Jordanians and Jordanian Palestinians.

In other words, football was inclusive in the sense of contributing to the formation of a collective identity. But it was also divisive because that identity was at the same time exclusionary and opposed to an other.

The long and short of this is that football is malleable. Its impact and fallout depend on forces beyond its control. Football is dependent on the environment shaped by political and social forces. It is a tool that is agnostic to purpose, not a driver or an independent actor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Imagining himself as a peacemaker in a conflict-ridden part of the world, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees a 2022 World Cup shared by Qatar with its Gulf detractors, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as the magic wand that would turn bitter foes into brothers.

Imagining himself as a peacemaker in a conflict-ridden part of the world, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees a 2022 World Cup shared by Qatar with its Gulf detractors, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as the magic wand that would turn bitter foes into brothers. It may be a nice idea, but it is grounded in the fiction that football can play an independent role in bringing nations together or developing national identity. The fiction is that football has the potential to be a driver of events, that it can spark or shape developments. It is also the fiction that sports in general and football, in particular, has the power to build bridges. Infantino’s assertion that if foes play football, bridges are built is but the latest iteration of a long-standing myth. Nothing could be further from the truth. Football is an aggressive sport. It is about conquering the other half of a pitch. It evokes passions and allegiances that are tribal in nature and that more often than not divide rather than unite. In conflict situations, football tends to provide an additional battlefield. Examples abound. The 2022 World Cup; this year’s Qatari Asian Cup victory against the backdrop of the Gulf state’s rift with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt; the imprint the Palestinian-Israeli conflict puts on the two nations’ football; or the rise of racist, discriminatory attitudes among fans in Europe. The Bad Blue Boys, hardcore fans of Dinamo Zagreb’s hardcore fans, light candles each May and lay wreaths at a monument to their comrades who were killed in the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s. They mark the anniversary of a riot during the 1990 match against Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade, their club’s most controversial match, as the first clash in the wars that erupted a year later and sparked the collapse of former Yugoslavia. The fact of the matter is that sports like ping pong in Richard Nixon’s 1972 rapprochement with China or the improvement of ties between North and South Korea in the most recent Summer Olympics served as a useful tool, not a driver of events. Sports is a useful tool in an environment in which key political players seek to build bridges and narrow differences. The impact of football in the absence of a conducive environment created by political not sports players, is at best temporary relief, a blip on an otherwise bleak landscape. The proof is in the pudding. Legend has it that British and German soldiers played football in no-man’s lands on Christmas Day in 2014, only to return to fighting World War One for another four years. Millions died in the war. Similarly, Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites poured into the streets of Iraqi cities hugging each other in celebration of Iraq’s winning in 2007 of the Asia Cup at the height of the country’s sectarian violence only to return to killing each other a day later. Football’s ability to shape or cement national identity is no different. In other words. football can be a rallying point for national identity but only if there is an environment that is conducive. The problem is that football and the formation of national identity have one complicating trait in common: both often involve opposition to the other. That is nowhere truer than in the Middle East and North Africa where football has played and plays an important role in identity formation since it was first introduced to the region in the late 19th and early 20th century. Qatar has been in some ways the exception that proves the rule by plotting its sports strategy not only as a soft power tool or a pillar of public health policy but also as a component of national identity. That element has been strengthened by the rift in the Gulf and bolstered by this year’s Asian Cup victory. Qatar’s efforts to strengthen its national identity benefits from the fact that the Gulf state no longer operates on the notion that Gulf states have to hang together. Today it's hanging on its own in conflict with three of its neighbours. Soccer’s role in identity formation in the Middle East and North Africa was often because it was a battlefield, a battlefield for identity that was part of larger political struggles. Clubs were often formed for that very reason. Attitudes towards the country’s monarchy in the early 20th century loomed large in the founding of Egypt’s Al Ahli SC and Al Zamalek SC, two of the Middle East and North Africa’s most storied clubs. Clubs in Algeria were established as part of the anti-colonial struggle against the French. Ottoman and Iranian rulers used sports and football to foster national identity and take a first step towards incorporating youth in the development of a modern defense force. Zionists saw sports and football as an important way of developing the New Jew, the muscular Jew. To Palestinians, it was a tool in their opposition to Zionist immigration. And finally, football was important in the shaping of ethnic or sub-national identities among Berbers, Kurds, East Bank Jordanians and Jordanian Palestinians. In other words, football was inclusive in the sense of contributing to the formation of a collective identity. But it was also divisive because that identity was at the same time exclusionary and opposed to an other. The long and short of this is that football is malleable. Its impact and fallout depend on forces beyond its control. Football is dependent on the environment shaped by political and social forces. It is a tool that is agnostic to purpose, not a driver or an independent actor. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The fallacy of football's magical bridge-building qualities

If England win the Nations League this year it will be a greater achievement than reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia, captain Harry Kane said on Tuesday.

England meet the Netherlands in the Nations League semi-finals on June 6 for the right to face either European champions Portugal or Switzerland in the final three days later in Porto.

"To have a chance to win a trophy in an England shirt does not happen very often," the striker told reporters. "If we win that trophy, in my eyes, it's a better year than 2018."

Kane is preparing for England's opening Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday and Montenegro on Monday.

England topped a Nations League qualifying group that included 2010 world champions Spain and 2018 runners-up Croatia.

Last year they reached the World Cup semis for the first time since 1990 before losing 2-1 to Croatia after extra time.

"Hopefully, we can win some silverware. Of course, 2018 was fantastic but, for me, the main thing is the team and we want to win things. We want to make fans happy and be proud," said Kane, who won the golden boot in Russia as top scorer with six goals.

"People now expect us to do well and before the World Cup there was no expectation, so it's great that we've turned that around," Kane was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"We're the only team from the World Cup semi-finals to have got through their Nations League group, and we had probably one of the hardest groups.

"That was big for us, to prove that it wasn't just a one-off, that this team were really building for something special."

If England win the Nations League this year it will be a greater achievement than reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia, captain Harry Kane said on Tuesday.

If England win the Nations League this year it will be a greater achievement than reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia, captain Harry Kane said on Tuesday. England meet the Netherlands in the Nations League semi-finals on June 6 for the right to face either European champions Portugal or Switzerland in the final three days later in Porto. "To have a chance to win a trophy in an England shirt does not happen very often," the striker told reporters. "If we win that trophy, in my eyes, it's a better year than 2018." Kane is preparing for England's opening Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday and Montenegro on Monday. England topped a Nations League qualifying group that included 2010 world champions Spain and 2018 runners-up Croatia. Last year they reached the World Cup semis for the first time since 1990 before losing 2-1 to Croatia after extra time. "Hopefully, we can win some silverware. Of course, 2018 was fantastic but, for me, the main thing is the team and we want to win things. We want to make fans happy and be proud," said Kane, who won the golden boot in Russia as top scorer with six goals. "People now expect us to do well and before the World Cup there was no expectation, so it's great that we've turned that around," Kane was quoted as saying by the BBC. "We're the only team from the World Cup semi-finals to have got through their Nations League group, and we had probably one of the hardest groups. "That was big for us, to prove that it wasn't just a one-off, that this team were really building for something special."

England winning Nations League bigger achievement than reaching 2018 World Cup semi-finals, says Harry Kane

Cristiano Ronaldo trained with the Portugal squad on Tuesday (March 19) for the first time since his recall to the national team last week.&nbsp;

The 34-year-old, who is Portugal's most capped player with 154 appearances and all-time leading scorer with 85 goals, had not been included for any games in the second half of last year following the 2018 World Cup.&nbsp;

Coach Fernando Santos had initially said that a mutual decision had been made to give Ronaldo a rest following his move from Real Madrid to Juventus but had been ambiguous about the player's future when questioned in November.&nbsp;

Portugal continued to flourish without Ronaldo, winning their Nations League group against Poland and Italy with a game to spare to qualify for the final four-team tournament which the country will host in June.&nbsp;

Ronaldo was charged by UEFA on Monday over his goal celebration during Juventus' 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid last week.&nbsp;

Cristiano Ronaldo trained with the Portugal squad on Tuesday (March 19) for the first time since his recall to the national team last week. The 34-year-old, who is Portugal's most capped player with 154 appearances and all-time leading scorer with 85 goals, had not been included for any games in the second half of last year following the 2018 World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo trained with the Portugal squad on Tuesday (March 19) for the first time since his recall to the national team last week. The 34-year-old, who is Portugal's most capped player with 154 appearances and all-time leading scorer with 85 goals, had not been included for any games in the second half of last year following the 2018 World Cup. Coach Fernando Santos had initially said that a mutual decision had been made to give Ronaldo a rest following his move from Real Madrid to Juventus but had been ambiguous about the player's future when questioned in November. Portugal continued to flourish without Ronaldo, winning their Nations League group against Poland and Italy with a game to spare to qualify for the final four-team tournament which the country will host in June. Ronaldo was charged by UEFA on Monday over his goal celebration during Juventus' 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid last week.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo trains with Portugal team for Euro 2020 qualifiers

Argentina captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=lionel+messi">Lionel Messi</a> trained on Monday (March 18) with the national squad for the first time since last year's World Cup in Russia at Real Madrid's training centre in Madrid.

The Barcelona star will play in at least one of Argentina's friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco this month, coach Lionel Scaloni said on March 7.

The Barcelona forward has not played for his country since their last-16 exit at the hands of eventual champions France, opting to take a sabbatical after what was a disappointing tournament for the five-times Ballon d'Or winner.

Messi is Argentina's leading goal scorer with 65 goals but he is often criticised for not reproducing his club form for the national side.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi trained on Monday (March 18) with the national squad for the first time since last year's World Cup in Russia at Real Madrid's training centre in Madrid.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi trained on Monday (March 18) with the national squad for the first time since last year's World Cup in Russia at Real Madrid's training centre in Madrid. The Barcelona star will play in at least one of Argentina's friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco this month, coach Lionel Scaloni said on March 7. The Barcelona forward has not played for his country since their last-16 exit at the hands of eventual champions France, opting to take a sabbatical after what was a disappointing tournament for the five-times Ballon d'Or winner. Messi is Argentina's leading goal scorer with 65 goals but he is often criticised for not reproducing his club form for the national side.

Lionel Messi trains with Argentina for the first time since World Cup

The chief of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-complacency-on-icc-world-cup-security-says-icc-chief-executive-david-richardson-203975">International Cricket Council</a> (ICC)&nbsp;David Richardson said that he can not anticipate any threat to the&nbsp;India-Pakistan World Cup match, which is scheduled to&nbsp;take place&nbsp;on June 16 in&nbsp;Manchester.&nbsp;

He further added that both the teams are&nbsp;bound by an ICC agreement to show up.&nbsp;

"For ICC events, all teams have signed a members' participation agreement which requires them to participate in all the matches of the tournament and (in case of) any unjustified non-compliance with that provision, the playing conditions will kick in and the points will be awarded accordingly (to the other team)," he said when asked about the matter.&nbsp;

There have been calls to boycott&nbsp;the high-profile match after last month's Pulwama terror attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel in India.&nbsp;

Responding to the outrage, the Committee of Administrators running Indian cricket also wrote a letter to the ICC urging it to boycott countries from where "terrorism emanates", but did not specifically name Pakistan.&nbsp;

"The ICC's motto is clear we don't want to mix politics with sports."&nbsp;

Asked about the ICC's role in the resumption of bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, Richardson said it was completely up to the two cricketing boards.&nbsp;

The ICC CEO said the perception about Pakistan among the rest of the world is slowly changing and the world body is supporting its member board to bring back international cricket to the nation.&nbsp;

The chief of International Cricket Council (ICC) David Richardson said that he can not anticipate any threat to the India-Pakistan World Cup match, which is scheduled to take place on June 16 in Manchester.

The chief of International Cricket Council (ICC) David Richardson said that he can not anticipate any threat to the India-Pakistan World Cup match, which is scheduled to take place on June 16 in Manchester. He further added that both the teams are bound by an ICC agreement to show up. "For ICC events, all teams have signed a members' participation agreement which requires them to participate in all the matches of the tournament and (in case of) any unjustified non-compliance with that provision, the playing conditions will kick in and the points will be awarded accordingly (to the other team)," he said when asked about the matter. There have been calls to boycott the high-profile match after last month's Pulwama terror attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel in India. Responding to the outrage, the Committee of Administrators running Indian cricket also wrote a letter to the ICC urging it to boycott countries from where "terrorism emanates", but did not specifically name Pakistan. "The ICC's motto is clear we don't want to mix politics with sports." Asked about the ICC's role in the resumption of bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, Richardson said it was completely up to the two cricketing boards. The ICC CEO said the perception about Pakistan among the rest of the world is slowly changing and the world body is supporting its member board to bring back international cricket to the nation.

Indo-Pak World Cup match bound by ICC agreement: ICC chief David Richardson

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Cristiano+Ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> was recalled by the Portuguese national squad on Friday for the first time since last year's World Cup.

The 34-year-old, who is Portugal's most capped player with 154 appearances and all-time leading scorer with 85 goals, had not been included for any games in the second half of last year.

Coach Fernando Santos had initially said that a mutual decision had been made to give Ronaldo a rest following his move from Real Madrid to Juventus but had been ambiguous about the player's future when questioned in November.

Portugal continued to flourish without Ronaldo, winning their Nations League group against Poland and Italy with a game to spare to qualify for the final four-team tournament which the country will host in June.

However, any doubts about his future were removed when Ronaldo's name was among 25 read by Santos during a news conference for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Ukraine and Serbia

"Cristiano is the best player in the world and is returning to his team," said Santos. "Any team is stronger with him."

Portugal host Serbia in Lisbon on March 22 and Ukraine three days later.

Cristiano Ronaldo was recalled by the Portuguese national squad on Friday for the first time since last year's World Cup. The 34-year-old, who is Portugal's most capped player with 154 appearances and all-time leading scorer with 85 goals, had not been included for any games in the second half of last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo was recalled by the Portuguese national squad on Friday for the first time since last year's World Cup. The 34-year-old, who is Portugal's most capped player with 154 appearances and all-time leading scorer with 85 goals, had not been included for any games in the second half of last year. Coach Fernando Santos had initially said that a mutual decision had been made to give Ronaldo a rest following his move from Real Madrid to Juventus but had been ambiguous about the player's future when questioned in November. Portugal continued to flourish without Ronaldo, winning their Nations League group against Poland and Italy with a game to spare to qualify for the final four-team tournament which the country will host in June. However, any doubts about his future were removed when Ronaldo's name was among 25 read by Santos during a news conference for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Ukraine and Serbia "Cristiano is the best player in the world and is returning to his team," said Santos. "Any team is stronger with him." Portugal host Serbia in Lisbon on March 22 and Ukraine three days later.

Cristiano Ronaldo recalled by Portugal for first time since World Cup

FIFA's drive to expand World Cup 2022 and stage it beyond Qatar risks including host countries that do not meet the soccer governing body's own standards on rights and labour, campaign groups said on Tuesday.

FIFA will discuss expanding the tournament to 48 teams from 32 at a council meeting this week - a format it says will likely require it to stage matches in neighbouring Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait or Oman.

"There are clear human rights risks associated with adding new hosts for the 2022 World Cup," said Stephen Cockburn, Deputy Director of Global Issues at&nbsp;Amnesty&nbsp;International.

"Not least the potential widespread exploitation of migrant workers providing construction and other services for the World Cup that could cast a major shadow over the world's biggest sporting event," he said.

Qatar has come under fire from rights groups in recent years that say its sponsorship system for workers restricts their ability to leave the country, change jobs, and collect owed wages, leaving them vulnerable to abuse.

Doha says it is committed to reform and has enacted measures such as introducing a minimum wage, ending a requirement for permits to exit the country for most workers, and setting up dispute panels to hear workers' grievances.

There was no immediate reaction from other Gulf Arab countries on Tuesday.

While some such as the United Arab Emirates have introduced labour reforms, such as guaranteed time off for domestic workers, rights groups say their sponsorship systems still often leave workers vulnerable by restricting freedom of movement.

In a letter to FIFA head Gianni Infantino, groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Trade Union Congress said FIFA must ensure any additional hosts meet rights standards introduced by the soccer body in 2017 and make similar reform pledges.

A FIFA spokesperson said its commitment to human rights are "unequivocal" and written into the hosting requirements of all future tournaments.

The FIFA spokesperson said the feasibility study being presented on Friday confirmed that these standards would apply to any co-hosting country.

The prospects for expansion have been complicated by a Gulf dispute under which Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain imposed a political and economic boycott of Qatar in mid-2017 over allegations it supports terrorism, which Doha denies.

FIFA has courted Kuwait and Oman, which have remained neutral in the dispute, as alternative sites according to a New York Times report.

FIFA's drive to expand World Cup 2022 and stage it beyond Qatar risks including host countries that do not meet the soccer governing body's own standards on rights and labour, campaign groups said on Tuesday.

FIFA's drive to expand World Cup 2022 and stage it beyond Qatar risks including host countries that do not meet the soccer governing body's own standards on rights and labour, campaign groups said on Tuesday. FIFA will discuss expanding the tournament to 48 teams from 32 at a council meeting this week - a format it says will likely require it to stage matches in neighbouring Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait or Oman. "There are clear human rights risks associated with adding new hosts for the 2022 World Cup," said Stephen Cockburn, Deputy Director of Global Issues at Amnesty International. "Not least the potential widespread exploitation of migrant workers providing construction and other services for the World Cup that could cast a major shadow over the world's biggest sporting event," he said. Qatar has come under fire from rights groups in recent years that say its sponsorship system for workers restricts their ability to leave the country, change jobs, and collect owed wages, leaving them vulnerable to abuse. Doha says it is committed to reform and has enacted measures such as introducing a minimum wage, ending a requirement for permits to exit the country for most workers, and setting up dispute panels to hear workers' grievances. There was no immediate reaction from other Gulf Arab countries on Tuesday. While some such as the United Arab Emirates have introduced labour reforms, such as guaranteed time off for domestic workers, rights groups say their sponsorship systems still often leave workers vulnerable by restricting freedom of movement. In a letter to FIFA head Gianni Infantino, groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Trade Union Congress said FIFA must ensure any additional hosts meet rights standards introduced by the soccer body in 2017 and make similar reform pledges. A FIFA spokesperson said its commitment to human rights are "unequivocal" and written into the hosting requirements of all future tournaments. The FIFA spokesperson said the feasibility study being presented on Friday confirmed that these standards would apply to any co-hosting country. The prospects for expansion have been complicated by a Gulf dispute under which Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain imposed a political and economic boycott of Qatar in mid-2017 over allegations it supports terrorism, which Doha denies. FIFA has courted Kuwait and Oman, which have remained neutral in the dispute, as alternative sites according to a New York Times report.

As FIFA eyes World Cup expansion, rights groups say workers at risk

Australian batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner will come back stronger than ever from their 12-month bans and the latter will be the best player at the World Cup this year, former leg spinner Shane Warne has said.

Smith and Warner were banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months in March last year for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal in a test match against South Africa in Cape Town.

Their bans end on March 28 and both players will be reintegrated into the national team after their participation in the Indian Premier League in March and April.

"I think what you are going to see is a pretty quiet David Warner and Steve Smith. They are just going to try and let their bat do the talking and toe the line," Warne told The Telegraph in an interview https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2019/03/09/david-warner-will-best-batsman-2019-world-cup-following-ban.

"I think they will come back better than they were. They're going to come out and destroy attacks and I back David Warner to be the player of the World Cup.

"Warner overstepped the line a lot in his early career. He then changed into a more placid player but was then told by Cricket Australia to be the enforcer and was doing what he was told."

Warne expects the duo to return with renewed vigour, like he did after his 12-month ban for failing a drugs test in 2003. Warne was suspended for taking a banned diuretic and missed Australia's World Cup-winning campaign as a result.

"All I can go on is experience having a year off myself. The next four years were the best I ever had," Warne, who took 708 wickets for Australia in 145 test matches, added.

"I was hungry for the game. My body and mind were fresh and it is amazing how excited you are to play again.

"You get excited just going to the nets again because you have taken it for granted in the past."

Australian batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner will come back stronger than ever from their 12-month bans and the latter will be the best player at the World Cup this year, former leg spinner Shane Warne has said.

Australian batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner will come back stronger than ever from their 12-month bans and the latter will be the best player at the World Cup this year, former leg spinner Shane Warne has said. Smith and Warner were banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months in March last year for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal in a test match against South Africa in Cape Town. Their bans end on March 28 and both players will be reintegrated into the national team after their participation in the Indian Premier League in March and April. "I think what you are going to see is a pretty quiet David Warner and Steve Smith. They are just going to try and let their bat do the talking and toe the line," Warne told The Telegraph in an interview https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2019/03/09/david-warner-will-best-batsman-2019-world-cup-following-ban. "I think they will come back better than they were. They're going to come out and destroy attacks and I back David Warner to be the player of the World Cup. "Warner overstepped the line a lot in his early career. He then changed into a more placid player but was then told by Cricket Australia to be the enforcer and was doing what he was told." Warne expects the duo to return with renewed vigour, like he did after his 12-month ban for failing a drugs test in 2003. Warne was suspended for taking a banned diuretic and missed Australia's World Cup-winning campaign as a result. "All I can go on is experience having a year off myself. The next four years were the best I ever had," Warne, who took 708 wickets for Australia in 145 test matches, added. "I was hungry for the game. My body and mind were fresh and it is amazing how excited you are to play again. "You get excited just going to the nets again because you have taken it for granted in the past."

Australia's Steve Smith and David Warner will return stronger from bans: Shane Warne

American sensation Mikaela Shiffrin won the slalom in Spindleruv Mlyn on Saturday to set a new record for most World Cup victories in a single season of 15.

The American, already assured of a third straight overall World Cup title, finished 0.85sec ahead of the Swiss Wendy Holdener.

She had been tied with Swiss legend Vreni Schneider who won 14 races in 1988-89.

American sensation Mikaela Shiffrin won the slalom in Spindleruv Mlyn on Saturday to set a new record for most World Cup victories in a single season of 15. The American, already assured of a third straight overall World Cup title, finished 0.

American sensation Mikaela Shiffrin won the slalom in Spindleruv Mlyn on Saturday to set a new record for most World Cup victories in a single season of 15. The American, already assured of a third straight overall World Cup title, finished 0.85sec ahead of the Swiss Wendy Holdener. She had been tied with Swiss legend Vreni Schneider who won 14 races in 1988-89.

Mikaela Shiffrin breaks record for ski World Cup victories in season

Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic has been axed from Serbia's squad for their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign after falling out with coach Mladen Krstajic over their group stage exit at last year's World Cup.

"Luka (Milivojevic) is no longer ready to play for Serbia because we have failed to come to terms and put certain issues behind us," Krstajic told a news conference on Friday.

"Serbia is bigger than either Milivojevic or myself and our priority is to create a good atmosphere for what lies ahead."

Krstajic and Milivojevic fell out after the midfielder criticised the coach's tactics and team selection in a 2-1 defeat by Switzerland, in their second group stage match at the World Cup in Russia.

With the score 1-1 in the closing stages of their Group E fixture, Krstajic threw on winger Nemanja Radonjic for Milivojevic and the move backfired as the Swiss scored a stoppage-time winner.

The outcome left Serbia facing the daunting task of beating Brazil in their final match while hoping that the result of the Switzerland v Costa Rica match would go their way in order to reach the knockout stages.

The Serbians were beaten 2-0 by Brazil and Milivojevic publicly slated Krstajic for substituting him and not settling for a draw against the Swiss.

Assistant coach Milan Obradovic then accused Milivojevic of plotting a "coup" against the staff during the tournament and the Palace captain was subsequently left out of Serbia's Nations League campaign, having denied their allegations.

Krstajic and his assistants said they met with Milivojevic in London last month in a bid to resolve the conflict but the midfielder was adamant he would not apologise for his remarks.

"We failed to find common ground despite the fact that both parties said they only wanted what's best for Serbia," said Krstajic after naming his squad for a Euro 2020 qualifier against Portugal on March 25 and the friendly against Germany in Wolfsburg on March 20.

"It's no longer open for discussion."

Serbia open their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign in Portugal in Group B, which also includes Ukraine, Lithuania and Luxembourg.

Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic has been axed from Serbia's squad for their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign after falling out with coach Mladen Krstajic over their group stage exit at last year's World Cup.

Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic has been axed from Serbia's squad for their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign after falling out with coach Mladen Krstajic over their group stage exit at last year's World Cup. "Luka (Milivojevic) is no longer ready to play for Serbia because we have failed to come to terms and put certain issues behind us," Krstajic told a news conference on Friday. "Serbia is bigger than either Milivojevic or myself and our priority is to create a good atmosphere for what lies ahead." Krstajic and Milivojevic fell out after the midfielder criticised the coach's tactics and team selection in a 2-1 defeat by Switzerland, in their second group stage match at the World Cup in Russia. With the score 1-1 in the closing stages of their Group E fixture, Krstajic threw on winger Nemanja Radonjic for Milivojevic and the move backfired as the Swiss scored a stoppage-time winner. The outcome left Serbia facing the daunting task of beating Brazil in their final match while hoping that the result of the Switzerland v Costa Rica match would go their way in order to reach the knockout stages. The Serbians were beaten 2-0 by Brazil and Milivojevic publicly slated Krstajic for substituting him and not settling for a draw against the Swiss. Assistant coach Milan Obradovic then accused Milivojevic of plotting a "coup" against the staff during the tournament and the Palace captain was subsequently left out of Serbia's Nations League campaign, having denied their allegations. Krstajic and his assistants said they met with Milivojevic in London last month in a bid to resolve the conflict but the midfielder was adamant he would not apologise for his remarks. "We failed to find common ground despite the fact that both parties said they only wanted what's best for Serbia," said Krstajic after naming his squad for a Euro 2020 qualifier against Portugal on March 25 and the friendly against Germany in Wolfsburg on March 20. "It's no longer open for discussion." Serbia open their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign in Portugal in Group B, which also includes Ukraine, Lithuania and Luxembourg.

Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic axes Luka Milivojevic after World Cup row

A member of the decision-making FIFA Council has been banned for three months and fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($19,906) for breaching rules on the resale of World Cup tickets, the global soccer body said on Thursday.

FIFA said that Lee Harmon, president of the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA), had "mutually agreed" the sanction with its ethics committee in a plea bargain following an investigation which began in July, shortly after the World Cup in Russia.

FIFA said the investigation concerned the resale of tickets for the tournament but did not give further details. It did not immediately reply to a request for additional information.

Harmon, who could not immediately be reached for comment, has been CIFA president since 1997 and a FIFA Council member since 2016.

His biography on the FIFA Council website says he has been a match commissioner and referee assessor at various FIFA tournaments and international matches.

FIFA has been trying to root out corruption and unethical conduct after several dozen soccer officials were indicted in the United States in 2015, plunging the global soccer body into the worst crisis in its history.

One of the measures was to replace the old executive committee with the larger FIFA Council, which has 37 members.

CIFA is among the smallest of FIFA's 211 member associations and has been a member since 1994.

A member of the decision-making FIFA Council has been banned for three months and fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($19,906) for breaching rules on the resale of World Cup tickets, the global soccer body said on Thursday.

A member of the decision-making FIFA Council has been banned for three months and fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($19,906) for breaching rules on the resale of World Cup tickets, the global soccer body said on Thursday. FIFA said that Lee Harmon, president of the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA), had "mutually agreed" the sanction with its ethics committee in a plea bargain following an investigation which began in July, shortly after the World Cup in Russia. FIFA said the investigation concerned the resale of tickets for the tournament but did not give further details. It did not immediately reply to a request for additional information. Harmon, who could not immediately be reached for comment, has been CIFA president since 1997 and a FIFA Council member since 2016. His biography on the FIFA Council website says he has been a match commissioner and referee assessor at various FIFA tournaments and international matches. FIFA has been trying to root out corruption and unethical conduct after several dozen soccer officials were indicted in the United States in 2015, plunging the global soccer body into the worst crisis in its history. One of the measures was to replace the old executive committee with the larger FIFA Council, which has 37 members. CIFA is among the smallest of FIFA's 211 member associations and has been a member since 1994.

FIFA Council member banned over resale of World Cup tickets

Every member of England women's squad is made to feel valued and the sense of togetherness will stand the Lionesses in good stead at the World Cup later this year, defender Leah Williamson has said.

England beat eighth-ranked Japan 3-0 in the SheBelieves Cup on Tuesday to pip hosts and defending world champions United States to the title and boost their hopes ahead of the June 7-July 7 World Cup in France.

Arsenal's Williamson, who did not feature in the four-team tournament until the final group game, said every player would have an important role as England look to build on their third-placed finish in 2015 and win a first World Cup title.

"We call ourselves The Finishers. We're not The Bench, we're there to back up anything that's going on the pitch and have a positive impact," Williamson was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper.

"There's people that are going to go to a major tournament and not be involved, and that's a reality and part of being a footballer. We work really hard on the team.

"It's a hard balance to get when you go away for a tournament, hopefully for the longest time. The fact that we've shown that those players can come and deliver when they need to is important."

England, who are fourth in the world rankings, have been drawn in Group D alongside Scotland, Argentina and Japan at the World Cup. They open their campaign against Scotland on June 9.

Every member of England women's squad is made to feel valued and the sense of togetherness will stand the Lionesses in good stead at the World Cup later this year, defender Leah Williamson has said.

Every member of England women's squad is made to feel valued and the sense of togetherness will stand the Lionesses in good stead at the World Cup later this year, defender Leah Williamson has said. England beat eighth-ranked Japan 3-0 in the SheBelieves Cup on Tuesday to pip hosts and defending world champions United States to the title and boost their hopes ahead of the June 7-July 7 World Cup in France. Arsenal's Williamson, who did not feature in the four-team tournament until the final group game, said every player would have an important role as England look to build on their third-placed finish in 2015 and win a first World Cup title. "We call ourselves The Finishers. We're not The Bench, we're there to back up anything that's going on the pitch and have a positive impact," Williamson was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper. "There's people that are going to go to a major tournament and not be involved, and that's a reality and part of being a footballer. We work really hard on the team. "It's a hard balance to get when you go away for a tournament, hopefully for the longest time. The fact that we've shown that those players can come and deliver when they need to is important." England, who are fourth in the world rankings, have been drawn in Group D alongside Scotland, Argentina and Japan at the World Cup. They open their campaign against Scotland on June 9.

England's Lionesses take pride in team spirit ahead of World Cup

England will go into this year's World Cup as the favourites. This can be considered a remarkable change in fortunes considering their performance in the previous two World Cups in 2011 and 2015.

Since the World Cup 2015, England have won 14 bilateral series out of 20.

England's batting approach was considered traditional since the Cricket World Cup 2015, as they struggled with posting big scores on the board playing with an old fashioned approach.

But since, the appointment of Trevor Bayliss as the head coach, England went through a tremendous turn-around changing their batting approach, playing attacking cricket from the first ball of the match.

England management who has been previously guilty of choosing Test players for the ODI's and not picking up the right players for the format changed their approach and started picking up specialists for the ODI format.

Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler are all familiar names in the ODI format and their approach to the game has benefitted the England team. These players start going after the bowlers from the first ball putting the opponent under pressure.

There have been five occasions when a team has posted more than 400 runs on the board since World Cup 2015, and out of those five, four have been posted by England.

It was in the last year that England recorded the highest ever ODI score of 481 runs against Australia at Trent Bridge.

England's bowlers Liam Plunkett, David Willey, Adil Rashid have also put in game-changing performances with the ball for the team allowing the team to prosper in all kind of pitches and conditions.

The captain Eoin Morgan who was the part of Cricket World Cup 2015 debacle in which the team suffered a loss against Bangladesh to get themselves knocked out, has seen a significant change in the team.

He along with Trevor Bayliss bought a breath of fresh air into the team by picking up specialists and allowing the team to prosper by giving them full freedom. The captain has always been seen promoting giving freedom to players to express themselves.

Morgan became the highest scorer for England in the ODI format as well.

England with this attacking approach are the prime favourites for the World Cup, but the team is also susceptible to bouncy tracks, which was evident in the last ODI of the five-match series against Windies.

The team has been prone to batting collapses, which the management knows they need to rectify before the World Cup.

In Champions trophy 2017, England suffered a heavy collapse in the semi-final against Pakistan resulting in their knockout from the tournament. They were also criticised for playing with their traditional approach in an important clash which probably cost them the match.

The World Cup will be played in England so home-pressure will pretty much be there, but the team has the best chance of winning the World Cup for the first time in their history.

England opens their World Cup campaign against South Africa on May 30.&nbsp;

England will go into this year's World Cup as the favourites. This can be considered a remarkable change in fortunes considering their performance in the previous two World Cups in 2011 and 2015.

England will go into this year's World Cup as the favourites. This can be considered a remarkable change in fortunes considering their performance in the previous two World Cups in 2011 and 2015. Since the World Cup 2015, England have won 14 bilateral series out of 20. England's batting approach was considered traditional since the Cricket World Cup 2015, as they struggled with posting big scores on the board playing with an old fashioned approach. But since, the appointment of Trevor Bayliss as the head coach, England went through a tremendous turn-around changing their batting approach, playing attacking cricket from the first ball of the match. England management who has been previously guilty of choosing Test players for the ODI's and not picking up the right players for the format changed their approach and started picking up specialists for the ODI format. Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler are all familiar names in the ODI format and their approach to the game has benefitted the England team. These players start going after the bowlers from the first ball putting the opponent under pressure. There have been five occasions when a team has posted more than 400 runs on the board since World Cup 2015, and out of those five, four have been posted by England. It was in the last year that England recorded the highest ever ODI score of 481 runs against Australia at Trent Bridge. England's bowlers Liam Plunkett, David Willey, Adil Rashid have also put in game-changing performances with the ball for the team allowing the team to prosper in all kind of pitches and conditions. The captain Eoin Morgan who was the part of Cricket World Cup 2015 debacle in which the team suffered a loss against Bangladesh to get themselves knocked out, has seen a significant change in the team. He along with Trevor Bayliss bought a breath of fresh air into the team by picking up specialists and allowing the team to prosper by giving them full freedom. The captain has always been seen promoting giving freedom to players to express themselves. Morgan became the highest scorer for England in the ODI format as well. England with this attacking approach are the prime favourites for the World Cup, but the team is also susceptible to bouncy tracks, which was evident in the last ODI of the five-match series against Windies. The team has been prone to batting collapses, which the management knows they need to rectify before the World Cup. In Champions trophy 2017, England suffered a heavy collapse in the semi-final against Pakistan resulting in their knockout from the tournament. They were also criticised for playing with their traditional approach in an important clash which probably cost them the match. The World Cup will be played in England so home-pressure will pretty much be there, but the team has the best chance of winning the World Cup for the first time in their history. England opens their World Cup campaign against South Africa on May 30.

England's renaissance in ODI's makes them favourites for the 2019 World Cup

A small goal already achieved, Indian women's team opener Smriti Mandhana has now set her sights on winning a World Cup title with the national team.

Mandhana became the number one ODI batter in the ICC Women's Rankings last month following her exemplary run of form.

Mandhana, who will lead India women in the three-match T20 series against England starting here on Monday, said her goal now is to stay at the top and win a World title.&nbsp;

"As a kid when you start playing, you always think of winning the World Cup. Obviously, there are individual targets like, getting to ICC world no.1 spot.

And reaching there was really pleasing but now I have to work even harder. To stay there is much more important than getting there," said Mandhana, who replaced injured Harmanpreet Kaur as the T20 captain.

"As a batter the most important thing is to reach the ICC world no.1 position. Definitely it was one of the small goals for me, but my major goal is definitely to win the World Cup," she added.

The upcoming series will provide Indian women's team a chance to finalise a core group of players ahead of the T20 World Cup early next year but

Mandhana said their primary aim is to win the series, which in turn will throw up new players.&nbsp;

"Definitely we are looking to win the series and not just trying out new faces. We really have a very exciting team. It is important for us to believe that we are going into the series to win it rather than experimenting," the skipper said.&nbsp;

"First goal is to win the series and if we can achieve that we will definitely be able to find new faces for the World Cup. It would be much easier rather than thinking the other way."

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup will be held in Australia from February 21 to March 8 next year.&nbsp;

Mandhana said they have already started their preparations for the T20 World Cup and a fair bit of idea about the composition of the side will come in next 6-8 months.

"Me and Raman sir (coach W V Raman) have spoken about the things which we lacked in New Zealand tour and the way our batting order will be shaping for the next World Cup.&nbsp;

"So, it's a really exciting time because we have such a young side. We will have to wait for 6-8 months to see where all the players are," she said.&nbsp;

Asked about all-rounder Harleen Deol, who replaced Harmanpreet in the squad, Mandhana said: "I think it was a selectors' decision but I think she is a brilliant player and for T20 format she is a perfect all-rounder.&nbsp;

"She can bowl that 2-3 crucial overs and gives a lot as a batter. She is also a brilliant fielder. Definitely, she will have a huge role to play in T20s for India in the future."

Mandhana said on the personal front her approach towards her game won't change much after becoming captain.

"The preparation won't change because as a vice-captain for the last 2 years I have been attending all the meetings of strategy. I know already what we are going to do before the match when I was not the captain. But I will make extra effort to speak to bowlers," she said.&nbsp;

"I have been playing under a lot of captains in the last 4-5 years and I have tried to learn everything from them. I don't really like to mix captaincy and batting...As it will complicate me more," she added.

Mandhana praised the BCCI for taking the matches to smaller venues as it attracts more crowd, which according to her is a must for the development of women's cricket.&nbsp;

"It's a brilliant initiative. The time we have landed in Guwahati the reception has been really amazing. All the players are really happy with the kind of response people are giving to us. This will help women's cricket in a big way," she said.

A small goal already achieved, Indian women's team opener Smriti Mandhana has now set her sights on winning a World Cup title with the national team. Mandhana became the number one ODI batter in the ICC Women's Rankings last month following her exemplary run of form.

A small goal already achieved, Indian women's team opener Smriti Mandhana has now set her sights on winning a World Cup title with the national team. Mandhana became the number one ODI batter in the ICC Women's Rankings last month following her exemplary run of form. Mandhana, who will lead India women in the three-match T20 series against England starting here on Monday, said her goal now is to stay at the top and win a World title. "As a kid when you start playing, you always think of winning the World Cup. Obviously, there are individual targets like, getting to ICC world no.1 spot. And reaching there was really pleasing but now I have to work even harder. To stay there is much more important than getting there," said Mandhana, who replaced injured Harmanpreet Kaur as the T20 captain. "As a batter the most important thing is to reach the ICC world no.1 position. Definitely it was one of the small goals for me, but my major goal is definitely to win the World Cup," she added. The upcoming series will provide Indian women's team a chance to finalise a core group of players ahead of the T20 World Cup early next year but Mandhana said their primary aim is to win the series, which in turn will throw up new players. "Definitely we are looking to win the series and not just trying out new faces. We really have a very exciting team. It is important for us to believe that we are going into the series to win it rather than experimenting," the skipper said. "First goal is to win the series and if we can achieve that we will definitely be able to find new faces for the World Cup. It would be much easier rather than thinking the other way." The ICC Women's T20 World Cup will be held in Australia from February 21 to March 8 next year. Mandhana said they have already started their preparations for the T20 World Cup and a fair bit of idea about the composition of the side will come in next 6-8 months. "Me and Raman sir (coach W V Raman) have spoken about the things which we lacked in New Zealand tour and the way our batting order will be shaping for the next World Cup. "So, it's a really exciting time because we have such a young side. We will have to wait for 6-8 months to see where all the players are," she said. Asked about all-rounder Harleen Deol, who replaced Harmanpreet in the squad, Mandhana said: "I think it was a selectors' decision but I think she is a brilliant player and for T20 format she is a perfect all-rounder. "She can bowl that 2-3 crucial overs and gives a lot as a batter. She is also a brilliant fielder. Definitely, she will have a huge role to play in T20s for India in the future." Mandhana said on the personal front her approach towards her game won't change much after becoming captain. "The preparation won't change because as a vice-captain for the last 2 years I have been attending all the meetings of strategy. I know already what we are going to do before the match when I was not the captain. But I will make extra effort to speak to bowlers," she said. "I have been playing under a lot of captains in the last 4-5 years and I have tried to learn everything from them. I don't really like to mix captaincy and batting...As it will complicate me more," she added. Mandhana praised the BCCI for taking the matches to smaller venues as it attracts more crowd, which according to her is a must for the development of women's cricket. "It's a brilliant initiative. The time we have landed in Guwahati the reception has been really amazing. All the players are really happy with the kind of response people are giving to us. This will help women's cricket in a big way," she said.

After becoming world no.1 batter, Smriti Mandhana now wants to win a World Cup

The Indian cricket board has been asked by the ICC to bear a tax liability to the tune of USD 21 million (Rs 150 crore) for conducting future global events like the 2021 World T20 and 2023 ODI World Cup.

The BCCI representatives have apparently asked for time till the completion of general elections, which has been granted by the parent body.

The International Cricket Council gets tax exemption from member nations for conducting global events but it didn't get any for the 2016 World T20 as Indian tax laws don't allow any such leeway.

Incidentally, non-tax exemption was one of the major reasons why the Formula One race was pulled out of India.

The issue has persisted between the global body and its richest member board and also came up for discussion at the recent ICC quarterly meeting.

It has been learnt that ICC chairman Shashank Manohar has told the BCCI that as per its rules, the Indian board will have to pay the tax liability in case it is not able to get tax exemption.

"Mr Manohar has categorically said that tax exemption is something BCCI needs to figure out," a BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"Since this is about tax laws and it can change with time, the BCCI thinks it's prudent to wait till the general elections get over and take it from there," he said.

There is a school of thought in the BCCI that they would ask the various sponsors to share the tax burden, which will be beneficial for all the parties.

"There is a clause in the contract, where the sponsors may have to carry the burden of tax in case the hosting nation doesn't have tax exemption laws. So

BCCI will be within their rights to ask the various sponsors to share the burden," the official said.

When CoA chief Vinod Rai was asked about the issue, he said, "Tax laws are complicated. I will only comment on the issue once I am aware of all the details. However, I don't think it's an issue that can't be sorted out."

The Indian cricket board has been asked by the ICC to bear a tax liability to the tune of USD 21 million (Rs 150 crore) for conducting future global events like the 2021 World T20 and 2023 ODI World Cup.

The Indian cricket board has been asked by the ICC to bear a tax liability to the tune of USD 21 million (Rs 150 crore) for conducting future global events like the 2021 World T20 and 2023 ODI World Cup. The BCCI representatives have apparently asked for time till the completion of general elections, which has been granted by the parent body. The International Cricket Council gets tax exemption from member nations for conducting global events but it didn't get any for the 2016 World T20 as Indian tax laws don't allow any such leeway. Incidentally, non-tax exemption was one of the major reasons why the Formula One race was pulled out of India. The issue has persisted between the global body and its richest member board and also came up for discussion at the recent ICC quarterly meeting. It has been learnt that ICC chairman Shashank Manohar has told the BCCI that as per its rules, the Indian board will have to pay the tax liability in case it is not able to get tax exemption. "Mr Manohar has categorically said that tax exemption is something BCCI needs to figure out," a BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. "Since this is about tax laws and it can change with time, the BCCI thinks it's prudent to wait till the general elections get over and take it from there," he said. There is a school of thought in the BCCI that they would ask the various sponsors to share the tax burden, which will be beneficial for all the parties. "There is a clause in the contract, where the sponsors may have to carry the burden of tax in case the hosting nation doesn't have tax exemption laws. So BCCI will be within their rights to ask the various sponsors to share the burden," the official said. When CoA chief Vinod Rai was asked about the issue, he said, "Tax laws are complicated. I will only comment on the issue once I am aware of all the details. However, I don't think it's an issue that can't be sorted out."

If there is no tax exemption, BCCI will have to carry burden for global events

Chris&nbsp;Gayle&nbsp;said the West Indies will "get a bit of respect" at this year's World Cup after claiming a 2-2 series draw with tournament hosts and favourites England on Saturday.

Oshane Thomas and&nbsp;Gayle&nbsp;starred as the Windies thrashed England by seven wickets in the fifth and final one-day international in St Lucia.

Thomas claimed five for 21 with the tourists being demolished for 113 off 28.1 overs –- their lowest-ever total in an ODI against the Caribbean side -- just three days after scoring 418 in the fourth match in Grenada.

Gayle&nbsp;signed off on his ODI career in the region with a blistering 77 off just 27 balls to catapult his side to victory with almost 38 overs to spare in reaching 115 for three off 12.1 overs.

The 39-year-old was the obvious choice for the man-of-the-series award given his utter dominance with the bat in every innings of the four matches, scoring 424 runs at an average of 106, with 39 sixes.

"At one stage I thought this is going to be my last (ODI) innings in the Caribbean for the West Indies, so I thought I'd go out on a high," said&nbsp;Gayle.

"We'll get a bit of respect going into the World Cup."

The West Indies have belied their lowly ranking of ninth against top-ranked England and the fact they scraped through World Cup qualifying in Zimbabwe last year.

Jason Holder's men will kick off their bid for a third World Cup title on May 31 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, the day after England open the tournament against South Africa.

England's batting folds

Playing just his ninth ODI, Thomas destroyed the visitors' vaunted batting line-up with career-best figures despite coming on as the fourth bowler in the line-up.

Carlos Brathwaite and captain Holder took two wickets each in support of the burly fast bowler to fully justify Holder's decision to bowl first on winning the toss.

In a must-win situation after losing a high-scoring fourth game, the West Indies pace attack exploited a bouncy pitch and exposed the England batsmen's technical shortcomings in these conditions.

Alex Hales and Jos Buttler were the top-scorers, each scoring only 23.

Captain Eoin Morgan was next best with 18 as the batting folded swiftly in the face of Thomas' assault.

"We struggled to adapt to the extra bounce, it's not something that we're accustomed to," said Morgan.

"It's difficult to curb what has been our natural reaction (to batting). We need to find a way to occupy the crease and score runs."

England lost their last five wickets for only two runs with none of the final four batsmen managing to get off the mark.

Though he picked up just one wicket, Sheldon Cottrell got the wicket-taking feast underway for the West Indies when the left-arm seamer bowled Jonny Bairstow off an inside-edge after an opening partnership of 23 with Hales.

Hales and Morgan featured in the best partnership of the innings -- 39 for the third wicket -- but it was merely a brief respite.

Despite the extent of their dominance, Holder still indulged in four overs of spin via Ashley Nurse, the off-spinner proving the most expensive in conceding 24 runs from four wicketless overs.

Brutal&nbsp;Gayle

With such a small target ahead of them,&nbsp;Gayle&nbsp;made his intentions quickly, and brutally, clear.

Chris&nbsp;Woakes was the first to suffer the weight of his bat but the other opening bowler, Mark Wood, also came under the hammer as the opener heaved nine sixes and five fours in a devastating innings.

On the same ground where his raw pace brought a five-wicket haul and a consolation victory in the final Test of the preceding three-match series, Wood was able to at least terminate the&nbsp;Gayle&nbsp;carnage by dismissing the left-hander having previously accounted for the other opener, John Campbell.

West Indies went into the match with an unchanged team, surprisingly choosing to omit all-rounder Andre Russell once again even though he had flown in from the Pakistan Super League in Dubai earlier in the week to be part of the squad for the final two matches.

England were forced to make one change from the win on Wednesday, all-rounder Tom Curran replacing injured seamer Liam Plunkett.

Chris Gayle said the West Indies will "get a bit of respect" at this year's World Cup after claiming a 2-2 series draw with tournament hosts and favourites England on Saturday.

Chris Gayle said the West Indies will "get a bit of respect" at this year's World Cup after claiming a 2-2 series draw with tournament hosts and favourites England on Saturday. Oshane Thomas and Gayle starred as the Windies thrashed England by seven wickets in the fifth and final one-day international in St Lucia. Thomas claimed five for 21 with the tourists being demolished for 113 off 28.1 overs –- their lowest-ever total in an ODI against the Caribbean side -- just three days after scoring 418 in the fourth match in Grenada. Gayle signed off on his ODI career in the region with a blistering 77 off just 27 balls to catapult his side to victory with almost 38 overs to spare in reaching 115 for three off 12.1 overs. The 39-year-old was the obvious choice for the man-of-the-series award given his utter dominance with the bat in every innings of the four matches, scoring 424 runs at an average of 106, with 39 sixes. "At one stage I thought this is going to be my last (ODI) innings in the Caribbean for the West Indies, so I thought I'd go out on a high," said Gayle. "We'll get a bit of respect going into the World Cup." The West Indies have belied their lowly ranking of ninth against top-ranked England and the fact they scraped through World Cup qualifying in Zimbabwe last year. Jason Holder's men will kick off their bid for a third World Cup title on May 31 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, the day after England open the tournament against South Africa. England's batting folds Playing just his ninth ODI, Thomas destroyed the visitors' vaunted batting line-up with career-best figures despite coming on as the fourth bowler in the line-up. Carlos Brathwaite and captain Holder took two wickets each in support of the burly fast bowler to fully justify Holder's decision to bowl first on winning the toss. In a must-win situation after losing a high-scoring fourth game, the West Indies pace attack exploited a bouncy pitch and exposed the England batsmen's technical shortcomings in these conditions. Alex Hales and Jos Buttler were the top-scorers, each scoring only 23. Captain Eoin Morgan was next best with 18 as the batting folded swiftly in the face of Thomas' assault. "We struggled to adapt to the extra bounce, it's not something that we're accustomed to," said Morgan. "It's difficult to curb what has been our natural reaction (to batting). We need to find a way to occupy the crease and score runs." England lost their last five wickets for only two runs with none of the final four batsmen managing to get off the mark. Though he picked up just one wicket, Sheldon Cottrell got the wicket-taking feast underway for the West Indies when the left-arm seamer bowled Jonny Bairstow off an inside-edge after an opening partnership of 23 with Hales. Hales and Morgan featured in the best partnership of the innings -- 39 for the third wicket -- but it was merely a brief respite. Despite the extent of their dominance, Holder still indulged in four overs of spin via Ashley Nurse, the off-spinner proving the most expensive in conceding 24 runs from four wicketless overs. Brutal Gayle With such a small target ahead of them, Gayle made his intentions quickly, and brutally, clear. Chris Woakes was the first to suffer the weight of his bat but the other opening bowler, Mark Wood, also came under the hammer as the opener heaved nine sixes and five fours in a devastating innings. On the same ground where his raw pace brought a five-wicket haul and a consolation victory in the final Test of the preceding three-match series, Wood was able to at least terminate the Gayle carnage by dismissing the left-hander having previously accounted for the other opener, John Campbell. West Indies went into the match with an unchanged team, surprisingly choosing to omit all-rounder Andre Russell once again even though he had flown in from the Pakistan Super League in Dubai earlier in the week to be part of the squad for the final two matches. England were forced to make one change from the win on Wednesday, all-rounder Tom Curran replacing injured seamer Liam Plunkett.

Chris Gayle sends 'respect Windies' World Cup warning

The International Cricket Council has turned down the BCCI's request to sever ties with countries from which "terrorism emanates", saying the ICC has no role to play in matters like these.

In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the BCCI, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-writes-letter-to-icc-to-express-concerns-over-security-of-indian-players-heading-into-world-cup-199011">in a letter to the ICC</a>, urged the world body and its member nations to sever ties with countries which harbour terror.

"There was no chance that anything like that would have happened. The ICC chairman made it clear that the decision to ostracize a nation is taken at the government level and ICC had no rule. The BCCI knew it all along but still took a chance," a BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The BCCI letter did not make a specific reference to Pakistan, which has been accused of harbouring terrorists by India.&nbsp;

The issue came up during Saturday's ICC board meeting chaired by chairman Shashank Manohar but not much time was spent on it.

The BCCI was represented at the board by acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary.

"So many players from member nations play the Pakistan Super League and they would have never entertained such a request. Yes, security was a concern and it had been duly addressed," the Board official added.

The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play Pakistan in the World Cup on June 16. There have been calls to boycott the clash in the wake of the heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries following the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

The demand has been made by some of the biggest names in Indian cricket such as Harbhajan Singh and Sourav Ganguly.

However, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) running Indian cricket has so far not taken any decision on the matter, saying that it will seek the government's view.&nbsp;

The International Cricket Council has turned down the BCCI's request to sever ties with countries from which "terrorism emanates", saying the ICC has no role to play in matters like these.

The International Cricket Council has turned down the BCCI's request to sever ties with countries from which "terrorism emanates", saying the ICC has no role to play in matters like these. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the BCCI, in a letter to the ICC, urged the world body and its member nations to sever ties with countries which harbour terror. "There was no chance that anything like that would have happened. The ICC chairman made it clear that the decision to ostracize a nation is taken at the government level and ICC had no rule. The BCCI knew it all along but still took a chance," a BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. The BCCI letter did not make a specific reference to Pakistan, which has been accused of harbouring terrorists by India. The issue came up during Saturday's ICC board meeting chaired by chairman Shashank Manohar but not much time was spent on it. The BCCI was represented at the board by acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary. "So many players from member nations play the Pakistan Super League and they would have never entertained such a request. Yes, security was a concern and it had been duly addressed," the Board official added. The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play Pakistan in the World Cup on June 16. There have been calls to boycott the clash in the wake of the heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries following the Pulwama attack. The demand has been made by some of the biggest names in Indian cricket such as Harbhajan Singh and Sourav Ganguly. However, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) running Indian cricket has so far not taken any decision on the matter, saying that it will seek the government's view.

Severing cricketing ties with nations not our domain: ICC tells BCCI

Steve&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;has returned to the nets after elbow surgery, with Australia coach Justin Langer expecting the banned former captain and his deputy David Warner to be fit for the Indian Premier League.

Smith&nbsp;went under the knife in January after being forced to drop out of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament with a ligament problem.

He has been in a brace since, but picked up a bat again and had a session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

"Great to have my first hit back. The elbow is feeling good,"&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;posted to his 1.4 million Instagram followers with a short video early Friday.

Watch the video here:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BubKVz4hB2H/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Great to have my first hit back today. The elbow is feeling good! 😀</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/steve_smith49/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Steve Smith</a> (@steve_smith49) on <time datetime="2019-02-28T11:53:47+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 28, 2019 at 3:53am PST</time>
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Smith&nbsp;and Warner become eligible for international selection again on March 29 after serving year-long bans for their part in attempting to alter the ball during a Test against South Africa.

Warner also returned home from Bangladesh with an injured elbow, though less serious than&nbsp;Smith. He too had surgery and was also at the SCG on Thursday.

He crossed paths there with former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel, who has settled in Sydney with his wife.

Morkel was training at the ground ahead of a stint with English county side Surrey, and told the Cricket Australia website that having&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;and Warner back would be good for the game.

"It's the first time I've seen Davey since South Africa," Morkel said, referring to the Cape Town Test where the tampering scandal unfolded and Warner and&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;were sent home in disgrace.

"Obviously as a cricket supporter I'm rapt for him to get back on the field. It will be great to see him and&nbsp;Steve&nbsp;(Smith) play and it will be great for Australia as well."

Langer told Australian media in India, where the team is playing a Twenty20 and one-day series, that he expected both players to be fit for the IPL, which starts late this month.

"From all accounts they should both be ready for the IPL, which is really positive," he said.

"Dave's probably a little more advanced but my understanding is they'll be ready to go in the not-too-distant future."

Langer added that "I speak to them all the time".

Once their bans expire, both players will be eligible for the final two games of Australia's five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE next month.

The squad for that series has yet to be announced, although the general consensus in Australia is that they will instead play the IPL to prepare themselves for the World Cup in England.

Steve Smith has returned to the nets after elbow surgery, with Australia coach Justin Langer expecting the banned former captain and his deputy David Warner to be fit for the Indian Premier League.

Steve Smith has returned to the nets after elbow surgery, with Australia coach Justin Langer expecting the banned former captain and his deputy David Warner to be fit for the Indian Premier League. Smith went under the knife in January after being forced to drop out of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament with a ligament problem. He has been in a brace since, but picked up a bat again and had a session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. "Great to have my first hit back. The elbow is feeling good," Smith posted to his 1.4 million Instagram followers with a short video early Friday. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram Great to have my first hit back today. The elbow is feeling good! 😀 A post shared by Steve Smith (@steve_smith49) on Feb 28, 2019 at 3:53am PST × Smith and Warner become eligible for international selection again on March 29 after serving year-long bans for their part in attempting to alter the ball during a Test against South Africa. Warner also returned home from Bangladesh with an injured elbow, though less serious than Smith. He too had surgery and was also at the SCG on Thursday. He crossed paths there with former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel, who has settled in Sydney with his wife. Morkel was training at the ground ahead of a stint with English county side Surrey, and told the Cricket Australia website that having Smith and Warner back would be good for the game. "It's the first time I've seen Davey since South Africa," Morkel said, referring to the Cape Town Test where the tampering scandal unfolded and Warner and Smith were sent home in disgrace. "Obviously as a cricket supporter I'm rapt for him to get back on the field. It will be great to see him and Steve (Smith) play and it will be great for Australia as well." Langer told Australian media in India, where the team is playing a Twenty20 and one-day series, that he expected both players to be fit for the IPL, which starts late this month. "From all accounts they should both be ready for the IPL, which is really positive," he said. "Dave's probably a little more advanced but my understanding is they'll be ready to go in the not-too-distant future." Langer added that "I speak to them all the time". Once their bans expire, both players will be eligible for the final two games of Australia's five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE next month. The squad for that series has yet to be announced, although the general consensus in Australia is that they will instead play the IPL to prepare themselves for the World Cup in England.

Watch: Steve Smith 'feeling good' as he is back in nets after elbow surgery

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