Joel Garner

England great Graham Gooch has backed Jonathan Bairstow to become a "successful Test player" after some early struggles against aggressive fast bowling.

Renowned cricket writer Peter Roebuck committed suicide in his hotel room South African police confirmed to AFP on Sunday.

India are well used to carrying the hopes of millions of cricket fans but now they will also try to overturn the weight of history by becoming the first main host nation to win the World Cup.

West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd was poised to hold aloft the World Cup for a third time, only to see Kapil Dev's "Devils" from India snatch it away in one of the biggest surprises.

Australia shed much of their strength in the 1979 World Cup after Australian TV tycoon Kerry Packer rocked the establishment by luring top players to his World Series Cricket in 1977.

English domestic Twenty20 champions Hampshire and runners-up Somerset will take part in the Caribbean T20 in the New Year it was announced on Tuesday.

Australia's Adam Voges and New Zealand's Andre Adams both had starring roles as Nottinghamshire won English cricket's County Championship on Thursday.

Somerset gained a narrow advantage over title rivals Nottinghamshire as the weather again played a key role on the second day of the final round of matches in England's County Championship on Tuesday.

West Indies cricket captain Chris Gayle abruptly quit the tour of Australia on Wednesday after his mother went into hospital, officials said.

Towering Pakistani paceman Mohammad Irfan Monday said he hoped his extraordinary height will help him emulate the feats of fellow bowling giants Joel Garner and Bruce Reid.