Cricket: " New Zealand include Diamanti and Tuffey for Champions Trophy"

Daryl Tuffey and Brendon Diamanti have made it to New Zealand's Champions Trophy squad while Nathan McCullum misses out. Diamanti, who is playing for New Zealand A in India, will also join the Twenty20 and one-day squads in Sri Lanka.

Tuffey, a fast-medium bowler, is part of New Zealand's squad in Sri Lanka but will not be playing any limited-overs matches there since the team management had decided to take three spinners into the one-day and Twenty20 series. "But conditions will be different in South Africa - two spinners will be sufficient there, and Daryl's inclusion will give our seam attack additional depth," coach Andy Moles, who now with Daniel Vettori, has been appointed to the selection panel said. "Officially that [Tuffey in tri-series squad] was the selection by the previous committee. But basically we have three spinners in the squad and the selectors thought three spinners would not be needed in South Africa."


Tuffey last played ODIs for New Zealand in the World Cup in 2007 after which he joined the ICL for two years. On his comeback he picked up 3 for 41 in the tour game against Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI.

Moles said Diamanti's inclusion would give the squad an additional allrounder. "Brendon is a strong lower-order striker and has good control as a medium-pace bowler - he will provide valuable back-up for the squad. He was included in the Twenty20 side in England. It's just a continuity. He works very hard on his game, and he is a good team man. He is got a lot of qualitites we are looking for."

In 10 State Shield matches last season Diamanti scored 199 runs and took 12 wickets for Central Districts.

McCullum, who is also playing for New Zealand A, is yet to make his one-day debut. All A squad members will join the national team in Sri Lanka on August 26. Ian Butler, who is in New Zealand after a stint in UK, will reach Sri Lanka on August 24.


New Zealand Champions Trophy squad: Daniel Vettori (capt), Shane Bond, Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey

Cricket: "Australia Release Twenty20 and One day Squad against England"

Australia Twenty20 squad:
Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin (vc & wk), Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Dirk Nannes, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Australia ODI squad:
Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vc), Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wk), Peter Siddle, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Cricket: "Ponting Out of Squad for Twenty20 Matches Against England"

Australian captain Ricky Ponting will be Our of Action rather Squad for Twenty20 Games against England. He has been rested for the two Twnety20 matches which will follow soon after the Ashes series. Michael Clarke will lead the 13-man Team in Ponting's absence.

Dirk Nannes is the surprise package in the Australian Squad. Dirk Nannes was born in Melbourne, he also has a Dutch passport, he recently played for Netherlands in the ICC World Twenty20 since he couldn't make the Australia Team.

Ricky Ponting will Join and lead the team in the one-day series which will follow Twenty20 Games.

Australia have included uncapped player in the 15-man one-day international squad, who will also be on duty for the ODI against Scotland on 28 August, is Tasmanian wicketkeeper and batsman Tim Paine, 24, who will be backup for Brad Haddin.

Brad Haddin has been named as vice-captain for the Twenty20 games. Other players who will accompany Ricky Ponting for rest are Peter Siddle, Nathan Bracken and Mike Hussey.

Mind you Australia have taken these drastic steps since they coudnt proceed to super six stage in recently concluded World Twenty20 Tournment. They lost to West Indies and Sri Lanka in the first round.

Cricket: "Australia include Dirk Nannes in Twenty20 Matches with England"

Dirk Nannes the name which flashes through minds of IPL lovers. He represented Holland recently in Twnety20 World cup. Even though he played for Holland in the recently concluded World Twenty20 cup, Dirk Nannes is included in Australian team because Holland is an associate member of the ICC and Holland doesn't have full membership rights. But once he represents Australia he will not be permitted to play for Holland again.

Dirk Nannes is 33-year-old, who represented Victoria and was a star performer for Victoria in the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash tournaments, when he was not selected for World Twenty20 squad he thought he would never get selected for Australia in future.

He played England in the recently Concluded World Twenty20 where he helped Holland to an historic final-ball victory at Lord's. He has not taken a wicket in this match but contained the run flow. He believes playing for Holland really helped him in his career.

"That moment of winning the game against England at Lord's was probably the best sporting moment I have had and I will never forget that." he said.

As far as the future goes, Nannes is not thinking about a Test call up any time soon, he is just hopeful of performing well enough for Australia to be considered for selection in the future, in particular next year's World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.