Belfast: Australia leg-spin hope and possible Ashes call-up Fawad Ahmed went wicketless in his first representative bowling stint for his adopted country on Sunday.
The former Pakistani asylum-seeker, who did not bat in Australia's A first innings 312 for 9 declared against Ireland in Belfast, returned figures of none for 40 in 11 overs as the hosts made 186 for 4 declared on the third day of four at Stormont.
However, the 31-year-old's control hinted at better things to come. The prospects of Ahmed playing full international cricket for his adopted country improved dramatically when a bill to amend the Citizenship Act, which will help fast-track his application, passed through Australia's lower house of parliament earlier this month.
Cricket Australia said that if the bill should become law, and Ahmed obtains citizenship and an Australian passport, he will immediately be available for the national side. ...
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08:24 AM, Jun 17, 2013
Cardiff: Captain MS Dhoni indicated that Dinesh Karthik has more or less "earned" his berth in the playing XI with an unbeaten century in India's crushing win over Australia in a warm-up match for the Champions Trophy, here on Tuesday. "I think he has earned his place in the side and we'll just have to see who misses out when we play against South Africa. I'd like him to play... 
Birmingham: Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik smashed a century each as India warmed-up their Champions Trophy campaign with a five-wicket thumping win over Sri Lanka in their first practice game on Saturday. Kohli (144) teamed up with Dinesh Karthik (106 not out) to rescue India from a wobbly start with a 186-run stand for the fifth wicket in just 23.2 overs to chase down a huge target of 334 with... 
