West Indies in India

India's bowlers were showing the effects of a cricket overdose, captain Sourav Ganguly said Monday ahead of the third of seven limited-overs internationals against the West Indies. "Our bowlers are not doing a good job right now and they're aware of it," Ganguly said. The Indians have had had last-over defeats in the first two matches. "They've been off-color and, as a result, we've not successfully defended our scores in the current series," he said. "These bowlers have done commendable work over the past year, but perhaps they've got tired after playing too much cricket." India's back-to-back scheduling of international tours means its national team will be on the road for one year before going into the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya in February-March next year.

England in Australia

The chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Tim Lamb, has pledged his support to coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Nasser Hussain. England slumped to a humiliating defeat in the first Ashes Test against Australia, after Hussain opted to put the home side into bat. It proved a costly mistake and set the scene for Australia's 384-run victory. But Lamb said he was confident England could rediscover their form. "Nobody likes to lose the first Test match of a series but two years ago we did exactly that against Sri Lanka and we bounced back to win the series," he said. Alex Tudor says he is in better shape than ever as he attempts to force his way into the England side ahead of the second Ashes Test. Tudor faces competition from Steve Harmison and Chris Silverwood to replace the injured fast bowler Simon Jones. Each bowler has different attributes and England will look closely at all three before making any decision. But, after a second spell at the Academy under the supervision of Rod Marsh, Tudor believes he has what it takes to succeed at the Adelaide Oval. "I've been working on my action a little and the basic fitness work we have done has been good because I feel a lot fitter now," said Tudor, who claimed four wickets on his Test debut at Perth four years ago. England captain Nasser Hussain will travel to Hobart with his team on Tuesday for their match against Australia A starting on Friday before flying to Perth during the weekend to attend the birth of his child. Hussain's pregnant wife, Karen, is due to give birth to the couple's second child next week, on the eve of the second Test starting in Adelaide on November 21. Hussain has admitted he made a big mistake in bowling first in last week's first Ashes Test in Brisbane, which Australia won by 384 runs and the captain will now be given the chance to get away from the squad for a few days. "Nasser will stay with the team in Hobart until the weekend and then rejoin the squad upon their arrival in Adelaide (early next week)," England spokesman Andrew Walpole said on Monday.

Miscellaneous

Pakistan wicket-keeper Rashid Latif is to consult doctors in South Africa on an injury to neck vertebrae that could threaten his career. Latif, 34, pulled out of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Harare. It was initially hoped Latif might be cleared to return to Zimbabwe, but he will now travel home to Pakistan after his stopover in Johannesburg. Pakistan manager Brigadier KM Nasir said: "We thought it would make sense for him to see a physiotherapist and a neurosurgeon in Johannesburg, because he had to fly there anyway on his way back to Pakistan. "He will see our doctors once he gets there." South African batsman Daryll Cullinan made a public apology on Monday over his refusal to play against Australia earlier this year. A contractual dispute with the United Cricket Board (UCB) prompted Cullinan to withdraw from the side on the eve of the second Test at Newlands in March. He apologised privately in writing to UCB chief executive Gerald Majola in May, but this is the first time he has made his feelings publicly known. "I regret the circumstances and I could have handled the situation better," Cullinan said at a news conference in Johannesburg.

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