The United States and Mexico both opened their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaigns with 3-1 wins while Honduras suffered a surprise loss in the opening fixtures of the third round.

The West Indies Cricket Board has asked Chris Gayle to meet with its officials to put an end to 'residual matters' related to their seemingly concluded spat after the destructive opener confirmed his availability for national duty.

Spain clung to the top of the FIFA rankings despite modest friendly performances this month while Venezuela's impressive World Cup qualifying campaign propelled them to a record high.

Video footage from India's tour of the West Indies.

Cricket should be included in the Commonwealth Games and Olympics to help the game grow around the world, West Indies cricketing great Viv Richards said on Wednesday.

Texas billionaire Allen Stanford and three of his companies were charged with "massive" fraud on Tuesday as federal agents swooped down on his US headquarters. A timeline of the 58-year-old businessman.

The International Cricket Council and the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations acknowledged the services to cricket of Antigua and Barbuda legends Sir Vivian Richards and Andy Roberts and Jamaica fast bowling hero Michael Holding on Monday by inducting them into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. The former players were presented with their Hall of Fame caps by West Indies Cricket Board President Dr Julian Hunte.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle has been named captain of Stanford Superstars, which will face England in the 20-million-dollar Stanford Twenty20 match on November 1. The left-hand opening batsman will have Antigua and Barbuda captain Sylvester Joseph as his deputy.

A World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrator on Friday pronounced that Antigua and Barbuda can slap trade retaliatory measures against the world's mightiest power - the United States - to the tune of $21 million because of the loss of benefits the two countries suffered due to the restrictions imposed by Washington on cross-border supply of gambling and betting services on the Internet.

Cricket fans travelling to the West Indies for the 2007 World Cup will be provided with a high level of security.

Wasim Jaffer and VVS Laxman scored half-centuries in their return to the Indian team.

India were 33 for one after dismissing Antigua and Barbuda for 300 on the first day of their warm-up match

India will start their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on March 17

'I think we've lost our way big time,' said the former West Indies skipper.

All eight venues selected to host matches for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 received the\n\nstamp of approval for their detailed stadium designs and operational plans.

India will be based at Trinidad & Tobago in the preliminary round of the 2007 World Cup.

Former Spanish Finance Minister Rodrigo Rato is almost certain to take over as the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund after the United States backed his candidature for the top job.

India have been drawn in along with Japan, Oman and Singapore in the Asian qualifying group for the 2006 World Cup football finals.\n\n

Akhtar will join his new team-mates on Monday, after the completion of Pakistan's NatWest Challenge series against England.