Ashwin rises, Gambhir slips in ODI rankings

Following his consistent performance in the recent past, India's R Ashwin broke into the top 20 of the ICC ODI bowling charts for the first time in his career, while batsman Virat Kohli moved one rung to be placed fourth in the latest ranking released in Dubai on Wednesday.

Sehwag wants more from top order

India skipper Virender Sehwag criticised the top-order batsmen, including himself, after the defeat on Monday. "The total was OK to chase but we lost couple of early wickets with me and Gautam (Gambhir) getting out back-to-back in the second over. And after that we did not have a good partnership in the top order. If we lose early wickets it is difficult to chase," Sehwag said in the post-match press conference.

Stafanie Taylor focussed on becoming world number one

In addition to helping her team win the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011, West Indies super batswoman Stafanie Taylor is planning to use the tournament to push closer towards securing the number one ranking in women's cricket.

No Test championship until 2017, says Lorgat

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat on Monday ruled out the possibility of holding an ICC World Test championship until 2017. 

The game's governing body considered the Test championship between the top four teams in 2013 instead of the 50-over ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for England, but Lorgat said the new event is not possible until 2017. 

ICC says no world Test championship until 2017

Cricket's world test championship will not begin until 2017, International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat announced on Monday. 

"I am afraid that is no longer going to happen in 2013," he told reporters at the Pakistan v Sri Lanka one-day international in Dubai. 

Women's WWCQ press conference, 13 November

Steyn crosses 900 points in ICC rankings

South African pacer Dale Steyn has become only the 20th bowler to break the 900-point mark in the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers after claiming six scalps in his side's eight-wicket win over Australia. 

Steyn began the Cape Town Test on 899 ratings points and earned three ratings points for his efforts of 4-55 and 2-23 to become only the second South Africa bowler after Shaun Pollock to achieve the rare distinction. 

In rankings terms, 900 or more ratings points means a player is truly outstanding, a benchmark for the very top bowlers. 

Johnston and Bray hope to help guide Ireland's women's team to ICC Women's World Cup 2013

Ireland's women's side travel to Dhaka, Bangladesh, this week for the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers (WWCQ) 2011 and should Isobel Joyce's side finish the event in the top four it will then participate in the ICC Women's World Cup 2013.

The side is fortunate to have two of Ireland's most well-known male cricketers as its coaches for the event – head coach Jeremy Bray who played for Ireland in 15 ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals while his assistant coach for the event is current Ireland international and former captain Trent Johnston.

ICC's Women's Committee Chair Clare Connor previews the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011

On this week's edition of the ICC Cricket World radio show, ICC's Women's Committee Chair Clare Connor previews the 10-team ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier which starts in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from Monday next.

Connor, represented England's women's cricket team in 16 Tests, 93 ODIs and two T20Is from 1995 to 2005, says: "The ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011 in Bangladesh is going to be an exciting tournament. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has invested a lot in it which is a massive plus for women's cricket.