John Polack

South Australia's hopes of ING Cup and Pura Cup success in 2001-02 have suffered a massive blow today with the news that leading fast bowler Paul Wilson is injured and will be missing from its side for at least six weeks.

This was last season's Australian domestic one-day champion against last season's wooden spooner

Now replete with a new name to accompany the brace of new rules unveiled in the competition last summer, the 2001-02 domestic one-day program in Australia looks poised to be as compelling as ever.

To younger members of the world's cricketing community, the late Peter Burge will be best remembered as the tough but fair match referee who has presided over international fixtures for the last nine years.

It won't quite be a case of having to answer a series of cerebrally-challenging questions from Eddie McGuire

Seven current or former international players will appear for New South Wales when it takes on Victoria in the opening match of the Australian domestic season at Bankstown on Sunday.

Australian speedster Jason Gillespie has been selected to spearhead South Australia's attack when it opens its ING Cup season in Perth next week.

Although more than two years have passed since he last donned a baggy green cap, it would be grossly wide of the mark to describe Matthew Elliott as a forgotten man of Australian cricket

New Zealand's national team has been granted its wish to play extra matches on its upcoming tour of Australia.

Star Indian batsman VVS Laxman has withdrawn from the Balmain side that was due to play Mosman in a Sydney grade fixture this weekend.

English county club Northamptonshire has re-signed Australian Mike Hussey as its overseas professional for next season

Once again, the dominance of Australians on cricket fields across the world this winter has extended well beyond merely the national team's endeavours.

Victoria's Bob Merriman is the new Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB)

Another English summer, another year of Australian domination

In a move with potentially big implications for the future of Australian cricket, the Tasmanian Cricket Association (TCA) has announced today that Ricky Ponting has been appointed as its new state captain for the 2001-02 Australian domestic season.

Stylish Tasmanian left hander Michael DiVenuto has agreed to a new contract that will see him retained as Derbyshire's overseas professional for the 2002 county season.

Scheduling difficulties may compromise New Zealand's proposal to play more state matches on its upcoming tour of Australia, even if the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) grants its in-principle approval to the request this week.

After helping Worcestershire win limited-overs promotion on the final day of the English domestic summer, Queensland fast bowler Andy Bichel has signed a new one-year contract to continue as the county's overseas player next season.

Right now, he's half a world away from Grace Road

South Australian batsman Greg Blewett has been formally released by English county club Nottinghamshire