VIDEO: Cook delights in 'special' victory

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Jamshed ton secures Pakistan win

First one-day international, Chennai:

Pakistan 228-4 (48.1 overs) beat India 227-6 (50 overs) by six wickets

Nasir Jamshed hit an unbeaten 101 as Pakistan beat India by six wickets in Chennai to win the first of a three-match one-day international series.

Junaid Khan's spell of 4-7 reduced India to 29-5 in the 10th over, before Mahendra Dhoni hit three sixes in an undefeated 113 in his team's 227-6.

Debutant Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck with the first ball of the Pakistan reply but Younis Khan and Jamshed put on 112.

Left-hander Jamshed made his second ODI ton as Pakistan won with 11 balls left.

After missing the Twenty20 series that was shared 1-1, Virender Sehwag returned to open India's innings with Gautam Gambhir.

But both were back in the pavilion by the fifth over as Pakistan won an important toss, which was delayed for an hour because of a damp pitch.

India captain Dhoni, dropped by Misbah-ul-Haq on 17, took 79 balls to score his first boundary but passed 7,000 one-day international runs, reaching his eighth ODI hundred with a six over cover off Mohammad Irfan.

Despite that, India's total looked below average, but they were given encouragement when the wiry Kumar, 22, bowled Mohammad Hafeez, who offered no stroke.

Kumar, who also struck in the first over of his Twenty20 international debut on Tuesday, had Azhar Ali caught cheaply but Younis settled the innings with a stylish 48th ODI half-century.

He clipped a low catch to mid-wicket but Jamshed was reprieved on 68 when Yuvraj Singh spilled a chance at point.

With 41 needed from 49 balls Shoaib Malik was caught behind off Ashwin, only for it to be called a no-ball after video footage was checked.

On 99 , Jamshed, in his 20th international, was hit on the helmet by Ashok Dinda but the 23-year-old pulled the next ball for the single he needed to reach three figures from 127 balls, and Shoaib pulled the winning boundary in the penultimate over.

We are using archive pictures for this match because several photo agencies, including Getty Images, have been barred from the ground following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, while other agencies have withdrawn their photographers in protest.

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Alec Stewart's review of the year

With 2012 drawing to a close, we have the opportunity to reflect on the year.

The last 12 months have seen England top the world rankings in all three forms of the game, some dominant Test cricket from South Africa and the re-emergence of West Indies.

Here is my review of the year.

Cook took over the England Test captaincy following the retirement of Andrew Strauss

It's been a strange 12 months for the England Test team. The disappointments of the series defeats by Pakistan and South Africa were almost as unexpected as the brilliant win in India.

The contrast of the performances in the UAE at the start of the year and India at the end shows that England have a huge appetite for learning, improving and, most importantly, winning. That will stand them in good stead for the challenges of 2013 and beyond when I expect them to sparkle at the very top of the tree in world cricket.

However, as I said last week, England are not the finished article yet and I meant that as a compliment, because they have the potential to improve even more in all conditions. Andy Flower and Alastair Cook will recognise that and certainly won't be allowing anyone to just sit back and wallow in the success of India.

With India still fresh in our minds, Cook has been England's star man this year. He had huge shoes to fill when he took over as captain following Andrew Strauss's retirement , but he has got off to the best possible start both in terms of the runs he has scored and the way he has led the side.

England are very fortunate to have another skipper that leads from the front in every single way both on and off the field and has the respect of the dressing room.

We had seen glimpses of what type of Test captain Cook might be with his leadership of the one-day side, where he again was highly impressive at the top of the order.

1. England

2. South Africa

3. India

4. Australia

5. Sri Lanka

6. Pakistan

7. West Indies

8. Bangladesh

9. New Zealand

10. Zimbabwe

11. Ireland

12. Netherlands

13. Kenya

Correct as of 24 December

Under Cook, the England one-day side is developing nicely. They have strength in depth and every man who is selected to play in the XI now understands his responsibilities and role within the team.

Also, with the Kevin Pietersen saga now firmly behind them, England will welcome his touch of genius back for the games against India in the new year.

That is bound to be a tough series, but who would be brave enough to suggest England will not compete strongly after what they achieved in the Test matches and the thrilling last-ball win in the second Twenty20 on Saturday?

Win or lose in India I expect England to be among the main contenders for the 2015 World Cup, when conditions in Australia will suit their style of play.

Speaking of World Cups, the World T20 title is one that England surrendered in rather tame fashion in Sri Lanka with performances they will not be proud of.

On the subject of Twenty20 cricket, one of the abiding memories of 2012 will be West Indies dancing the Gangnam to celebrate their triumph at the World T20.

To me, their success in Sri Lanka summed up what West Indian cricket is all about; the likes of Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Kieron Pollard hitting the ball miles, entertaining the crowd and playing with smiles on their faces.

As much as I was hoping for an England win, it was good for world cricket and credit must go to the West Indies for lifting the trophy after a period of rebuilding and restructuring in the Caribbean.

The challenge for the Windies is now to build on the success in Sri Lanka and once again become a top side in all forms of the game.

South Africa went top of the world Test rankings with a 2-0 series win in England

The other big international winners of 2012 were South Africa, who deservedly end the year on top of the world Test rankings.

The well used statement of "to be the best, you've got to beat the best" is exactly what South Africa did when they came to England to battle for the right to be called the number one side in the world.

Huge credit must go to captain Graeme Smith and his men for what they have achieved.

Jacques Kallis is one of the greats of the game, Hashim Amla is a wonderful batsman and the pace attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander is one of the most potent in recent times.

The Proteas now have the challenge of remaining world number one because they will be fully aware both England and Australia will be chasing hard in 2013.

Strauss and Ponting - captains during the last Ashes series - both retired from international cricket in 2012

This year saw three champions of the international game - Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting and Andrew Strauss - call time on their careers.

Dravid is an icon of the game. He's a class human being, a class player and will be sorely missed. The biggest tribute I can pay to him is that given the chance I would always want him in my team.

As for Ponting, I'd put him second only to Sir Donald Bradman on a list of Australia batsmen and another legend of the game. A tough but fair opponent, he was a fantastic batsman and with a fine record as a captain which should not be overlooked.

Much like Ponting did for Australia, Strauss did so much for English cricket during his time as captain. To win the Ashes home and away and take England to number one in the world speaks volumes for the individual. He has played a huge part in turning England into one of the toughest and most successful teams in the world and I wish him well in retirement. He still has a lot to offer and I'm sure he won't be lost to the game.

Warwickshire's Keith Barker and Chris Wright celebrate winning the County Championship

The domestic season was decimated by the shocking weather, but I have to say it is in good shape. The recent performances of Nick Compton and Joe Root on their first England tour prove that as a breeding ground to the international scene it is doing a good job.

Ashley Giles has been rewarded for the brilliant coaching work he has done with county champions Warwickshire with promotion to the England limited-overs job, with which I wish him luck.

Perhaps the lingering memory of the 2012 domestic season will be at Lord's, where Hampshire beat Warwickshire off the last ball of the CB40 final to add to the T20 crown they won earlier in the year.

County cricket is getting stronger, particularly in Division One of the County Championship, and I expect the improvements to continue.

It would be wrong to make any reflections of 2012 without pausing to remember Tom Maynard.

The cricketing world has lost a very fine young player but, more tragically, a young man lost his life.

Tom's death hit Surrey and the cricketing world very hard, but that is nothing compared to the grief of the Maynard family.

Michael Clarke has hit three double centuries and one triple century in Test cricket this year

From an England point of view, so much of 2013 is going to be about the Ashes. Before we get there, we have the ODIs in India, back-to-back series against New Zealand and the Champions Trophy. Then comes the back-to-back Ashes series, which hasn't happened since the 1970s.

Australia have suffered at the hands of England in the last two series, but they are an emerging side under the leadership of Michael Clarke, who, just like Cook, has used the captaincy to take his batting on to another level.

I'm expecting England to win at home, with a tougher battle in Australia.

When we reflect again in 12 months' time, I want to be saying that England are still holders of the Ashes and are the number one side in the world.

It just leaves me to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Alec Stewart was speaking to BBC Sport's Stephan Shemilt

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India pick new faces for Pakistan

India have left veteran left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan out of their forthcoming Twenty20 and one-day international series against Pakistan.

Sachin Tendulkar has retired from the 50-over format, but fellow batsman Virender Sehwag retains his ODI place.

The Twenty20 squad is largely unchanged from the recent series against England.

The first bilateral series between the two countries since 2007, comprising two T20 matches and three ODIs, begins with a T20 game on Christmas Day,

Zaheer was dropped midway through the recent Test series against England, while destructive opener Sehwag's place had also been under threat after he only averaged 23.66 from nine ODIs in 2012.

25 December: 1st Twenty20 international, Bangalore (13:30 GMT) 28 December: 2nd Twenty20 international, Ahmedabad (13:30 GMT) 30 December: 1st ODI, Chennai (03:30 GMT) 3 January: 2nd ODI, Kolkata (09:00 GMT) 6 January: 3rd ODI, Delhi (06:30 GMT) All-rounder Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is in both squads, seamer Shami Ahmed, who is in the 50-over party, and batsman Ambati Rayudu who is in the T20 squad, are uncapped in any international format.

In other changes from India's last ODI series, against Sri Lanka in July and August, seamer Ishant Sharma, leg-spinner Amit Mishra and fit-again all-rounder Yuvraj Singh - man of the T20 series against England - return to the 50-over squad.

As well as Zaheer, injured pace bowler Umesh Yadav, all-rounder Irfan Pathan, plus spinners Pragyan Ojha and Rahul Sharma have been omitted.

Pakistan named their squads a fortnight ago, with former captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik left out of the ODI squad, though they remain in the Twenty20 party, and there were recalls for pace bowlers Umar Gul and Junaid Khan.

India Twenty20 squad: Mahendra Dhoni (capt & wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Parvinder Awana, Piyush Chawla, Ashok Dinda, Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh.

India ODI squad: Mahendra Dhoni (capt & wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Virak Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Shami Ahmed, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh.

Pakistan Twenty20 squad: Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Ali, Junaid Khan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Umar Gul, Zulfiqar Babar.

Pakistan ODI squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Anwar Ali, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Imran Farhat, Junaid Khan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younus Khan, Zulfiqar Babar.

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AUDIO: Sussex well placed, says Toumazi

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Sachin Tendulkar's career in pictures

23 December 2012 Last updated at 09:40 GMT

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Hussey to retire after Sri Lanka

Australia batsman Mike Hussey has announced he is to retire from all forms of international cricket.

The 37-year-old will play his 79th and final Test against Sri Lanka next week, having also appeared in 185 one-day internationals and 38 Twenty20 matches.

Known as 'Mr Cricket', Hussey has a batting average of 51.52 - the sixth highest Australian average of all time.

"I know I am making the right decision," said Hussey, who explained he had lost the "buzz" for the game.

Sir Donald Bradman (1928-48): 99.94

Greg Chappell (1970-84): 53.86

Michael Clarke (2004-present): 53.86

Ricky Ponting (1995-2012): 51.85

Jack Ryder (1920-29): 51.62

Mike Hussey (2005-12): 51.52

Steve Waugh (1985-2004): 51.06

Matthew Hayden (1994-2009): 50.73

*Minimum of 20 innings. Statistics correct as of 29 December 2012

"I think the clincher for me was when I started looking ahead towards the Indian and the Ashes series," he added.

"I didn't have the excitement and buzz about facing the challenges of those two tours that I felt like I should have.

"I was quite excited to tell [my children] that I'm not going to go away and play for Australia any more."

Hussey is the latest high-profile Australian departure following Ricky Ponting, who retired in November.

The middle-order batsman, who made his Test debut against West Indies in Brisbane in November 2005, has scored 6,183 Test runs in his career.

He has also made 5,442 runs in the 50-over game - averaging 48.15 - while his Twenty20 average is 37.94.

Hussey rose to prominence in the Ashes squad of 2006-07, notching the second-highest Australian run total (458) and highest batting average (91.60) of the series as his side whitewashed England for the first time since 1920-21.

He follows Ponting and Brett Lee in announcing international retirement in 2012. Of that last victorious Ashes squad, only Hussey, bowler Mitchell Johnson - who did not play - and captain Michael Clarke remain in the current squad for the final Test against Sri Lanka.

Hussey scored his 19th Test century in the first match of the current series, hitting an unbeaten 115 in the first innings in Hobart.

He will play out the remainder of the 2012-13 Australian summer, but review his availability for club sides Western Warriors and Perth Scorchers at the end of the season.

Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland said: "Beyond his contributions to team success, he will be remembered for the way he has carried himself on and off the field - and in doing so he has won the respect and admiration of players, officials and fans all around the world."

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Hants sign Pakistan spinner Ajmal

Hampshire have announced the signing of Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for the latter part of the 2013 season.

The 35-year-old will be one of the side's overseas players during August and September when George Bailey is likely to be involved in Australia's Twenty20 squad against England.

Ajmal previously played county cricket for Worcestershire in 2011.

"He is one of the best bowlers in the world in all forms of the game," said Hampshire manager Giles White.

"He will add real quality to the squad at the business end of the season."

Beating England like winning World Cup - Ajmal

Ajmal was the scourge of England at the start of the year, taking 24 wickets to help Pakistan to a 3-0 Test whitewash against England - who at the time were ranked number one in the world - in the United Arab Emirates.

And he proved similarly effective during his spell at Worcestershire two summers ago when he picked up 17 wickets in three first- class fixtures, including match-winning figures of 6-124 against Sussex, and 16 in eight Twenty20 appearances

Though nominally an off-spinner, much of Ajmal's success has been attributed to his variations, particularly his use of the doosra and subtle changes in speed and flight.

"I am very pleased to be joining Hampshire to play in the County Championship," said Ajmal.

"I have always enjoyed playing in England and look forward to playing my part in helping Hampshire get promoted."

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Tendulkar quits one-day cricket

Record-breaking India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has retired from one-day international cricket.

In a statement, the 39-year-old said:  "I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup-winning Indian team."

1973 - Born in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 24 April 1989 - Makes Test debut for India against Pakistan 1990 - Scores first Test century, against England 1998 - Scores first double century for Mumbai against Australia 2005 - Passes Sunil Gavaskar's record of highest number of Test centuries 2008 - Becomes the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, passing West Indies' Brian Lara's mark of 11,953 2010 - Becomes the most capped player in Test history 2011 - Wins the World Cup with India 2012 - Scores his 100th international century in ODI v Bangladesh The 'Little Master' made his one-day debut in 1989 and collected 463 caps.

He excelled in the 50-over format and became the world's top run-scorer with 18,426 at an average of 44.83, including a record 49 centuries.

His last one-day international game was in the Asia Cup on 18 March, in which he scored 52 in a six-wicket win against Pakistan.

His form has dipped in recent years, however, and his average in one-day cricket in 2012 fell to 31.5, a figure that was boosted by a knock of 114 in his penultimate innings against lesser lights Bangladesh which was his 100th on the international stage.

Tendulkar added: "The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future.

"I am eternally grateful to all my well-wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years."

Cricket World Cup win 'proudest moment'

Tendulkar, who made himself unavailable for India's Twenty20 matches after playing just one game in 2006, has faced calls to retire from all international competition from former national captain Sourav Ganguly  after several poor performances with the bat in the recent Test series against England.

Tendulkar's 23-year ODI career, which began with ducks in his first two appearances, included his becoming the first batsman to score a double century in that form of the game against South Africa two years ago, while he was the top scorer in the 2003 World Cup where India were losing finalists.

He then excelled in India's successful 2011 World Cup campaign, scoring two centuries and averaging 48.2 in the tournament as co-hosts India won the final in his home city of Mumbai against Sri Lanka.

India spinner Harbhajan Singh saluted his colleague on Twitter:  "Sachin Tendulkar, a great batsman. Great human being. A great friend. Great man to look up to. Proud Indian. Real son of India. I salute you and love you."

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Pakistan edge India in T20 opener

First Twenty20 International, Bangalore:

Pakistan 134-5 (19.4 overs) beat India 133-9 (20 overs) by five wickets

Pakistan recovered superbly to edge out India by five wickets in a thrilling first Twenty20 international.

Chasing India's modest 133-9 in Bangalore, the visitors recovered from 12-3 and appeared to be cruising to victory before a late wobble resulted in them needing 10 from the final over.

But Shoaib Malik (57 from 50 balls) clobbered a straight six to see Pakistan home with two balls to spare.

This is the first bilateral series between the countries for five years.

After bowling well to restrict India to a below-par total, Pakistan's chances of a first Twenty20 victory over their hosts appeared slim when debutant seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-9) ripped through their top order.

25 December, Bangalore: 1st T20 international 28 December (11:30 GMT), Ahmedabad: 2nd T20 international 30 December (03:30 GMT), Chennai: 1st ODI 3 January (06:30 GMT), Kolkata: 2nd ODI 6 January (06:30 GMT), Delhi: 3rd ODI But a fine 116-run partnership between Malik and his captain Mohammad Hafeez (61) put them firmly in control.

When Hafeez, whose 44-ball knock included a pair of sixes and six fours, fell with the score on 118-4, Pakistan were in the driving seat, needing 16 from 17 balls.

But some tight bowling added to Pakistani nerves, and they were left needing six from Ravindra Jadeja's final three deliveries.

Rather than playing conservatively, though, Malik slogged the slow left-armer down the ground to stun the majority of the otherwise noisy 36,000 home fans, who had earlier watched their batsmen fail to capitalise on an excellent start after being asked to bat first by Pakistan.

India put on 77 for the opening wicket, as Gautam Gambhir (43) and Ajinkya Rahane (42) appeared to be laying the foundations for a big total.

But not for the first time this winter, India suffered a major batting collapse, losing nine wickets for only 47 runs in the next 7.3 overs as Umar Gul (3-21) and Saeed Ajmal (2-25) did the main damage.

Pakistan's optimism did not last long though as Kumar dismissed Nasir Jamshed in his first over and then accounted for Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal in his second.

But Malik and Hafeez then steadied the ship before the former - who was fortunate to be reprieved when caught off a no-ball called because it was above shoulder height - went on to club the winning runs.

We are using archive pictures for this match because several photo agencies, including Getty Images, have been barred from the ground following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, while other agencies have withdrawn their photographers in protest.

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Morgan helps England level series

Second Twenty20 international, Mumbai:

England 181-4 (20 overs) beat India 177-8 (20 overs) by six wickets

Eoin Morgan hit a six off the final ball as England squared the two-match Twenty20 series against India with a dramatic six-wicket victory in Mumbai.

The hosts, asked to bat first, made the most of some wayward bowling to post 177-8 as Virat Kohli top-scored with a dashing 38.

In reply, Michael Lumb scored 50 and Alex Hales 42 before Yuvraj Singh put the brakes on with 3-17.

But captain Morgan (49 not out) and Jos Buttler (15 not out) led England home.

It was England's highest successful run chase in Twenty20 internationals and scuppered India's hopes of usurping Sri Lanka at the top of the International Cricket Council rankings. 

Jade Dernbach made the breakthrough in the second over of the India innings when Ajinkya Rahane advanced down the pitch and sliced to debutant Joe Root, in for Danny Briggs, at third man.

India had to wait until the fourth over for their first boundary when Kohli whipped through mid-wicket and cut through point off successive Dernbach deliveries.

Sept 2007, Durban: India won by 18 runs June 2009, Lord's: England won by three runs August 2011, Old Trafford: England won by six wickets October 2011, Kolkata: England won by six wickets September 2012, Colombo: India won by 90 runs December 2012, Pune: India won by five wickets December 2012, Mumbai: England won by six wickets But Stuart Meaker's entry into the England attack sparked India into life. The Surrey fast bowler's first over went for 15, including five leg-side wides, and Luke Wright's first over cost 20 as the imperious Kohli unveiled shots all round the wicket.

Meaker halted Kohli's charge, trapping him lbw, before Yuvraj pulled a Wright long-hop to Root at long-on.

Gautam Gambhir fell for a watchful 17, top-edging Wright to Tim Bresnan at third man, and by the middle overs the tourists had wormed their way into the contest.

Rohit Sharma came out playing shots, including a magnificent drive over mid-off, before James Tredwell bowled him for 24.

With Sharma gone, Suresh Raina took the reins, hitting Meaker for three fours and a six in his final over.

Dhoni joined in the fun, smashing Dernbach for two sixes in an over, before perishing for 38 when he mistimed a pull off Bresnan to Samit Patel at mid-wicket.

In the final over, Ravichandran Ashwin fell to Dernbach and Piyush Chawla was run out from the final ball, but the hosts' total was more than respectable.

Opener Lumb got England off to a flyer, although he must have been relieved he was spared an early trial by spin, given his hesitance against the slower ball.

He hit Parvinder Awana for a four and a six in his first over and it got worse for Awana when he dropped a sitter on the mid-wicket boundary offered by Hales.

England's opening pair, aided by some typically indifferent fielding from India, rattled along at almost 10 an over as Lumb reached his first Twenty20 international fifty from 32 balls.

Yuvraj, introduced in the ninth over, had Lumb stumped off his second delivery, and trapped Wright lbw for five before Morgan and Hales set about building a restorative partnership of 29.

However, Hales became Yuvraj's third victim when he pulled to Ashok Dinda at deep backward square leg.

Patel was nearly out first ball as Chawla was unable to take a difficult catch running round at deep backward square-leg, but he fell for nine when he skied Dinda to Gambhir at mid-wicket.

England needed 29 to win from 13 balls, which became 23 from 12 when Morgan hit Dinda for six over wide long-on.

Buttler then struck a four and a six from the penultimate over from Awana, the second boundary a majestic straight drive that left England needing nine to win from six balls.

Morgan and Buttler could manage only six from the first five balls of Dinda's final over before the bowler pulled out of his final delivery, with Morgan stepping across his stumps.

Dhoni called his players in for an extended conference but Morgan remained unfazed, hitting Dinda straight over his head as England won the first Twenty20 international to be held at the Wankhede Stadium.

England return to India in January for five one-day internationals.

We are using archive pictures for this series because several photo agencies, including Getty Images, have been barred from the ground following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, while other agencies have withdrawn their photographers in protest.

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County ins & outs

Stay up-to-date with the latest player releases, signings and speculation from all the counties.

Counties are allowed to field two overseas players in Twenty20 games, with up to four registered for that competition - although only two can be registered at any one time, and registrations must be for a minimum of 10 days.

Only one overseas player is permitted in the County Championship and Clydesdale Bank 40 league.

KPK: Kolpak contractREL: releasedRET: retiredYTH: from youth teamsEUP: European Union passportUKP: Recently-obtained UK passport. Also shows, where relevant, players' previous counties

Kolpak contracts are signed by foreign players, using a loophole in European Union law to avoid counting against the quota of one overseas player per club.

Players who moved counties during the 2012 season are included on the 2012 list. Have we missed anyone? Please let us know.

Overseas player 2012: Martin Guptill (New Zealand); Usman Khawaja (Australia); Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (Pakistan, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: TBC

Ins: Richard Johnson (Warwickshire), Billy Godleman (Essex), Jonathan Marsden (YTH)

Outs: Garry Park (REL), Matt Lineker (REL), Hamza Siddique (REL)

Other news: Mark Turner, Ross Whiteley, Tony Palladino, Jonathan Clare, Wes Durston, Tom Poynton, Dan Redfern, Wayne Madsen, Peter Burgoyne, Alex Hughes, Alasdair Evans, Ben Slater and Matt Higginbotham have signed new contracts.

Overseas player 2012: Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa, for Twenty20); Johann Myburgh (South Africa, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: TBC

Ins: none

Outs: Michael Di Venuto (RET), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire)

Other news: Michael Richardson, Keaton Jennings, Jamie Harrison and Callum Thorp have signed new deals. Chief executive David Harker will step down in May.

Overseas player 2012: Alviro Petersen (South Africa); James Franklin (New Zealand, for Twenty20); Harbhajan Singh (India)

Overseas player 2013: TBC

Ins: Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)

Outs: Billy Godleman (Derbyshire), Michael Comber (REL), Charl Willoughby (RET)

Possible signings: Coach Paul Grayson said before signing Mahmood that he wanted to sign an overseas batsman and a bowler.

Other news: Ravi Bopara, Graham Napier, Mark Pettini, Maurice Chambers, Jaik Mickleburgh, Tom Westley, Tymal Mills and Ben Foakes have signed new contracts.

Overseas player 2012: Moises Henriques (Australia); Marcus North (Australia); Shaun Marsh (Australia, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: Marcus North (Australia)

Ins: Michael Hogan (UKP), Murray Goodwin (Sussex)

Outs: Robert Croft (RET), James Harris (Middlesex), Chris Ashling (REL), Aneurin Norman (REL), Mike O'Shea (REL)

Other news: The county are dropping their "Welsh Dragons" limited-overs name from 2013, when they will be known simply as Glamorgan. Marcus North becomes one-day captain, with Mark Wallace remaining in charge of the Championship side. Chris Cooke, Mike Reed, Huw Waters, John Glover, Andrew Salter, David Lloyd, Stewart Walters and Ben Wright have signed contract extensions.

Overseas player 2012: Kane Williamson (New Zealand); Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, for Twenty20); Ed Cowan (Australia); Rob Nicol (New Zealand)

Overseas player 2013: Michael Klinger (Australia)

Ins: Gareth Roderick (YTH), Cameron Herring (YTH)

Outs: David Wade (REL), Jonathan Batty (RET)

Other news: Alex Gidman has decided to stand down as captain - and will be replaced by overseas signing Klinger. Craig Miles and Jack Taylor have signed new deals. Stuart Barnes has left the coaching staff to join Surrey.

Overseas player 2012: Simon Katich (Australia); Glenn Maxwell (Australia, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: George Bailey (Australia, until late August); Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan, from late August)

Ins: Michael Roberts (Unicorns), Jack Sheppard (YTH)

Outs: Kabir Ali (Lancashire), Simon Katich (Lancashire), Bilal Shafayat (REL)

Other news: Michael Bates, Hamza Riazuddin, Jimmy Adams, Liam Dawson, Chris Wood, James Tomlinson and assistant coach Craig White have signed new contracts, as has Kolpak signing Neil McKenzie who will be available from June.

Overseas player 2012: Brendan Nash (West Indies)

Overseas player 2013: Brendan Nash (West Indies)

Ins: none

Outs: Simon Cook (REL)

Other news: Rob Key has stepped down as captain, with James Tredwell replacing him for 2013. Tredwell, Geraint Jones, Darren Stevens, Mark Davies, Ben Harmison, Brendan Nash, Sam Northeast, Sam Billings, Fabian Cowdrey, Ben Kemp, Ivan Thomas and Ashley Shaw have signed new deals.

Overseas player 2012: Ashwell Prince (South Africa); Yasir Arafat (Pakistan, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: Simon Katich (Australia)

Ins: Kabir Ali (Hampshire), Alex Davies (YTH), Gavin Griffiths (YTH), Luis Reece (YTH), Arron Lilley (YTH), Simon Katich (Hampshire)

Outs: Naqaash Tahir (REL), Sajid Mahmood (Essex), Gary Keedy (Surrey)

Other news: Coach Peter Moores has signed a contract through to the end of the 2014 season. Seamer James Anderson, centrally contracted by England, has signed a new two-year deal at Old Trafford.

Overseas player: Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies); Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies)

Ins: Tom Wells (YTH), Robbie Williams (Middlesex), Niall O'Brien (Northants)

Outs: Will Jefferson (RET), Paul Dixey (RET), Jacques du Toit (REL), Nadeem Malik (REL), Robbie Joseph (REL), Will Jones (REL)

Other news: Ramnaresh Sarwan has replaced Matthew Hoggard as County Championship captain, with vice-captain Josh Cobb continuing to lead the one-day side. Shiv Thakor, Michael Thornely, Rob Taylor, James Sykes, Angus Robson, Ollie Freckingham and Matthew Boyce have all signed new deals.

Overseas player 2012: Chris Rogers (Australia)

Overseas player 2013: Chris Rogers (Australia)

Ins: Nick Gubbins (YTH), James Harris (Glamorgan)

Outs: Andrew Strauss (RET), Scott Newman (REL), Anthony Ireland (REL), Robbie Williams (Leicestershire), Tom Scollay (REL), Steven Crook (Northants)

Other news: Rogers will continue as Championship captain in 2013, with club captain Neil Dexter skippering in limited-overs cricket. Mark Ramprakash has replaced Mark O'Neill as batting coach. Paul Stirling, Joe Denly, Tom Smith, Ravi Patel, Toby Roland-Jones, Corey Collymore, Josh Davey, Ollie Wilkin, Adam London and Eoin Morgan have signed new deals.

Overseas player 2012: Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka); Cameron White (Australia, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: TBC

Ins: Matt Spriegel (Surrey), Steven Crook (Middlesex), Ben Duckett (YTH)

Outs: Ben Howegego (REL), Rob White (REL), Dave Burton (REL), Jack Brooks (Yorkshire), Chaminda Vaas (REL), Niall O'Brien (Leicestershire)

Possible signings: Northants are in talks with the overseas pair of South Africa's Rory Kleinveldt and Australia's John Hastings, but discussions with fellow Aussie bowler Trent Copeland have broken down.

Other news: Stephen Peters replaces Andrew Hall as County Championship captain for 2013, with vice-captain Alex Wakely leading the side in limited-overs cricket. James Middlebrook and Luke Evans have signed new deals.

Overseas player 2012: Adam Voges (Australia)

Overseas player 2013: Ed Cowan (Australia, start of season until 21 June)

Ins: Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire)

Outs: Karl Turner (REL), Scott Elstone (REL), Neil Edwards (REL)

Possible departures: Australia-raised seamer Darren Pattinson has agreed to play as a domestic player in Australia this winter, which will prevent him playing for Notts as an Englishman - but he may return to Trent Bridge as an overseas player for Twenty20 cricket.

Other news: Andy Carter, Samit Patel, Ben Phillips, Steven Mullaney, Graeme White and Jake Ball have signed new contracts.

Overseas player 2012: Vernon Philander (South Africa); Albie Morkel (South Africa, for Twenty20); Richard Levi (South Africa, for Twenty20); Abdur Rehman (Pakistan)

Overseas player 2013: Alviro Petersen (South Africa, start of season until Twenty20 competition begins), Abdur Rehman (Pakistan, latter part of season)

Ins: none

Outs: Kevin O'Brien (REL, had been on contract for Twenty20), Steve Snell (REL)

Other news: Dave Nosworthy has replaced Brian Rose as director of cricket while George Dockrell, Craig Meschede, Alfonso Thomas, Max Waller and Peter Trego have agreed new contracts.

Overseas player 2012: Jacques Rudolph (South Africa); Murali Kartik (India); Dirk Nannes (Australia, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: Graeme Smith (South Africa)

Ins: Vikram Solanki (Worcestershire), Gary Keedy (Lancashire)

Outs: Mark Ramprakash (RET, has become Middlesex batting coach), Matt Spriegel (Northants), Tom Lancefield (REL), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Rory Hamilton-Brown (Sussex)

Other news: Smith will captain Surrey, and has signed a three-year deal. Fast bowling coach Stuart Barnes has joined from Gloucestershire, replacing Martin Bicknell who becomes chief scout. Chris Tremlett, Gareth Batty, Rory Burns, Zafar Ansari, Tom Jewell, Arun Harinath, Gary Wilson and Matthew Dunn have signed new deals.

Overseas player 2012: Steve Magoffin (Australia); Scott Styris (New Zealand, for Twenty20); Rusty Theron (South Africa, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: Steve Magoffin (Australia); Scott Styris (New Zealand, for Twenty20)

Ins: Rory Hamilton-Brown (Surrey), Chris Jordan (Surrey)

Outs: Murray Goodwin (Glamorgan), Andrew Hodd (Yorkshire), Naved Arif (REL), Will Adkin (REL)

Other news: Ed Joyce has been confirmed as captain for 2013 after stepping up to replace Michael Yardy mid-season in 2012, with Chris Nash becoming vice-captain. Zac Toumazi replaces Dave Brooks as chief executive Dave Brooks on 1 January. Nash, Will Beer, Ben Brown and Kirk Wernars have signed new contracts.

Overseas player 2012: Jeetan Patel (New Zealand)

Overseas player 2013: Jeetan Patel (New Zealand)

Ins: none

Outs: Richard Johnson (Derbyshire), Neil Carter (REL), Andy Miller (REL)

Other news: Laurie Evans, Steffan Piolet, Tom Milnes, Ian Westwood, Tim Ambrose and Ateeq Javid have signed new contracts.

Overseas player 2012: Michael Klinger (Australia); Philip Hughes (Australia)

Overseas player 2013: TBC; Hughes has been in preliminary talks about a return to Worcs

Ins: Graeme Cessford (Royal Air Force), Michael Johnson (UKP, Western Australia, ex-Kent 2nd XI)

Outs: James Cameron (RET), Vikram Solanki (Surrey), Jack Manuel (REL), Ben Scott (RET)

Other news: Worcestershire are waiting to see whether Shaaiq Choudhry will accept the offer of a new contract, but Chris Russell, Brett D'Oliveira, Matt Pardoe and Neil Pinner have all signed new deals.

Overseas player 2012: Mitchell Starc (Australia); David Miller (South Africa, for Twenty20)

Overseas player 2013: TBC

Ins: Andrew Hodd (Sussex), Jack Brooks (Northants), Liam Plunkett (Durham)

Outs: Gerard Brophy (REL), Ajmal Shahzad (Nottinghamshire)

Possible departures: Director of cricket Martyn Moxon admits former skipper Anthony McGrath is unsettled and may leave the county.

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AUDIO: Reverse swing was key - Anderson

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Pietersen not named for NZ games

Kevin Pietersen has not been named in England's one-day and Twenty20 squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Pietersen, 32, has been left out by the national selectors as they look to better manage the workload of players.

James Anderson, Jonathan Trott and Graeme Swann return to the side after being rested for the ODI tour of India.

Nov-Dec 2012: India Test and T20 series (away) Jan 2013: India one-day series (away) Feb-March 2013: New Zealand Test and one-day series (away) May-June 2013: NZ Test and one-day series (home) June 2013: Champions Trophy (50 overs, home) July-August 2013: Ashes series v Australia (home) September 2013: Australia one-day series (home) Nov 2013-Feb 2014: Ashes tour to Australia (away) Stuart Broad is back to captain the Twenty20 team after a recent heel injury, while Joe Root will skipper the second-string Lions side in Australia.

Spinner Swann, rested from both limited-overs series against India, also misses the T20s in New Zealand.

National selector, Geoff Miller, said: "Following on from the ODI tour to India, the tour to New Zealand will require players to adapt to different conditions and will prove a real challenge for the squad as we look to continue the progress we have made in limited-overs cricket.

"There are a number of players who we have decided not to select for parts of the competitive programme this winter as we look to manage their workloads effectively while ensuring we remain competitive across all formats.

"We feel this is the best way of keeping players as physically and mentally fresh as possible during a demanding 2013 and beyond."

The tourists will fly straight to New Zealand after their one-day series in India concludes at the end of January.

Recently appointed limited-overs coach Ashley Giles will pick from a 14-man T20 squad and a 14-man ODI squad for the three Twenty20 internationals and three ODIs against the Kiwis.

Broad and fellow paceman Steven Finn, who missed the end of the Test series and the T20s in India with injury after originally being named in the squad, will be in both squads down under.

In the ODI squad, spinner Danny Briggs and pacemen Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meaker and Chris Woakes join Pietersen in making way from the players selected to face India, although Briggs, Dernbach and Meaker are in the T20 squad.

After two warm-up games in Whangarei, the first T20 match takes place in Auckland on 9 February.

England will also play three Tests in New Zealand, starting with the opening match on 6-10 March in Dunedin.

The England Lions will play a five-match one-day series against Australia A at the same time, with the side led by Root who impressed in the final Test against India this month.

Root, who made his Twenty20 international debut in Mumbai on Saturday but was not required to bat or bowl, misses out on the full squads, as does uncapped seamer James Harris who was another late call-up to the T20 squad in India but did not feature.

Twenty20 squad for New Zealand: Stuart Broad (capt), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler (wk), Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Stuart Meaker, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, James Tredwell, Luke Wright.

ODI squad for New Zealand: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott.

England Lions squad for Australia: Joe Root (capt), Gary Ballance, Scott Borthwick, Danny Briggs, Varun Chopra, Matthew Coles, Ben Foakes (wk), Alex Hales, James Harris, Simon Kerrigan, Toby Roland-Jones, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Reece Topley, James Vince, Chris Wright.

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Bairstow to miss ODI India tour

England batsman Jonny Bairstow will miss January's five-match one-day international series in India because of family illness.

Bairstow, 23, played in the second Test victory over India but returned home early, prior to the two-match Twenty20 series between the sides.

Joe Root, named 2012 Young Cricketer of the Year in September, will replace his Yorkshire team-mate in India.

Bairstow should return for the New Zealand tour later in the month.

Having made his ODI debut in 2011, Bairstow broke into the Test team in 2012 and has won five caps, impressing against South Africa at Lord's in August, where he scored 95 and 54 in an England defeat. He played in England's second Test victory in Mumbai as cover for Ian Bell, who had returned home for the birth of his first child.

Root has yet to appear in an ODI for England, the 21-year-old having made his Test and Twenty20 debuts against India this month.

The squad departs for India on 2 January.

England squad for one-day series in India: Alastair Cook (capt), Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Stuart Meaker, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Joe Root, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.

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Aussies seal Sri Lanka series win

Second Test, Melbourne, day three:

Australia (460) beat Sri Lanka (156 & 103) by an innings and 201 runs

Australia swept to an innings-and-201-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test to wrap up the three-match series with a game to spare.

The tourists, who lost first-innings top scorer Kumar Sangakkara to a broken hand, were bowled out for just 103 before tea on the third day at the MCG.

Mitchell Johnson, having made 92 not out in Australia's total of 460, took 2-16 and debutant Jackson Bird 2-29.

The final Test in Sydney starts on 3 January.

Australia, who won the first Test by 137 runs, converted their overnight 440-8 into 460, and Sri Lanka never threatened to overhaul a first-innings deficit of 304 as they slipped to 13-4, their cause hampered by Prasanna Jayawardene and Chanaka Welegedara being unable to bat because of injury.

"The boys went pretty hard at their batters with the short ball and they didn't like it," said man of the match Johnson, who took six wickets in the match.

First Test, Hobart: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 137 runs

Second Test, Melbourne: Australia beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 201 runs

Third Test, Sydney: 3-7 January 2013

"That intimidation factor definitely worked out there today. Unfortunately for them, they got a few injuries out of it."

Dimuth Karunaratne was run out in comical fashion after three balls and Tillakaratne Dilshan fended Johnson's next delivery to short leg.

In the next over Mahela Jayawardene, withdrawing his bat, was bowled via an inside edge by Bird, who then trapped Thilan Samaraweera lbw.

A recovery of sorts was curtailed when Sangakkara was struck on the left hand by a lifter from Johnson, an injury that forced him to retire hurt on 27 and rules him out of the third Test and the three one-day internationals that follow.

Angelo Mathews, who top-scored with 35, dragged on as he attempted to pull Johnson, and the dismissals of Dhammika Prasad and Rangana Herath in successive overs sealed Australia's crushing victory with seven sessions to spare.

"We played a really bad game of cricket," said Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene. "We started the tour off pretty well in Hobart with the Test match but here we seemed to never get anything going for us. We just gave up."

Clarke, who suffered his first series defeat as captain against South Africa earlier this month, said: "It's a really good step for us as a team, knowing we let a few opportunities against South Africa slide when we were on top.

"Throughout this Test match we've capitalised on the momentum we've had.

"This is our standard now, we've got to continue to get better from here. I think we need to be realistic as well. It's about consistency.

"It's nice we've done it in the first two Tests against Sri Lanka and it's great we've won the series, but we have a lot of work to do as a team."

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson will also miss the third Test after suffering a calf strain in Melbourne.

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AUDIO: No regrets - Tony Greig

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Sport quiz of the year

BBC Sport - Sport quiz of the year 2012 Accessibility links Skip to content Skip to local navigation Accessibility Help bbc.co.uk navigation News Sport Weather Travel Future TV Radio More… Search term: 25 December 2012 Last updated at 10:38 GMT Home Football Formula 1 Cricket Rugby U Rugby L Tennis Golf Sports Personality More Sports American Football Archery Athletics Badminton Baseball Basketball Bowls Boxing Canoeing Cycling Darts Disability Sport Diving Equestrian Fencing Gaelic Games Gymnastics Handball Hockey Horse Racing Ice Hockey Judo Modern Pentathlon MotoGP Netball Olympics Rowing Sailing Shooting Snooker Squash Swimming Table Tennis Taekwondo Triathlon Volleyball Weightlifting Winter Sports Wrestling 25 December 2012Last updated at 10:38 GMT

Share this page print Sport quiz of the year 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year has already reviewed the sporting year - but how much can you remember of the sporting events of 2012?

/*div.story-body div#quiz_container{width:448px;border:1px solid;padding-left:16px;}*/

Quiz of the year

Welcome to BBC Sport's festive quiz - how much can you remember from a memorable year of sport?

1.) Rowing for gold

Which rowing pair won Great Britain's first gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics?

Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking
Helen Glover and Heather Stanning
Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins
Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter

2.) Super, smashing, great

Which of these British athletes did NOT win an Olympic gold medal on "Super Saturday", 4 August?

Alistair Brownlee (triathlon)
Jessica Ennis (heptathlon)
Mo Farah (10,000m)
Greg Rutherford (long jump)

3.) Oops...

Which England defender was the only player to be credited with an own goal by Uefa at Euro 2012?

Ashley Cole
Glen Johnson
Joleon Lescott
John Terry

4.) The Bantam Menace

Which of these statistics about Bradford City is true?

They are unbeaten in nine games against Premier League teams
They have been drawn at home in their last nine League Cup games
They have won their last nine penalty shoot-outs

5.) Victorious Vettel

How many grands prix did Sebastian Vettel win on his way to his third successive Formula 1 title?

Four
Five
Six
Seven

6.) How's that?

Which bowler has taken the most Test wickets in 2012?

James Anderson (England)
Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka)
Vernon Philander (South Africa)
Graeme Swann (England)

7.) Six of one

Who was the top points scorer at the 2012 Six Nations?

Owen Farrell (England)
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)

8.) Beware sharks on the move

With which rugby league club did rugby union's Sale Sharks move to groundshare in 2012?

Salford City Reds
Swinton Lions
Warrington Wolves
Wigan Warriors

9.) Doubling up at SW19

Andy Murray won Olympic tennis gold at Wimbledon this summer, but who was his British partner, with whom he won silver in the mixed doubles?

Elena Baltacha
Anne Keothavong
Laura Robson
Heather Watson

10.) Cut off in his prime

Rory McIlroy matched Luke Donald's 2011 feat of winning the money list in both Europe and the United States, but in which of 2012's four majors did he fail to make the cut?

The Masters
US Open
The Open
US PGA

11.) Master of the mountains

Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France for Britain, but who won the King of the Mountains polka-dot jersey?

Chris Froome (GB)
Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden)
Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
Thomas Voeckler (France)

12.) Weir all going to Hollywood?

Who did wheelchair racer David Weir, who won four golds at the London 2012 Paralympics, say should play him if a film were made of his life story?

Daniel Craig
Ralph Fiennes
Daniel Radcliffe
David Tennant

Answers

Glover and Stanning triumphed in the Women's Pair event on Wednesday, 1 August.Brownlee's triathlon gold came three days later on Tuesday, 7 August.Sweden's first goal in their 3-2 defeat by England, though widely attributed to Olof Mellberg who had the initial shot, was credited to Johnson who had the final touch as he tried to clear off the line.The Bantams have won their last nine shoot-outs in all competitions, dating back to October 2009.Five - the German won in Bahrain, Singapore, Japan, Korea and India.Left-arm spinner Herath has taken 60 wickets (with the Boxing Day Test against Australia still to come), ahead of Swann (59), Anderson (48) and Philander (43).Halfpenny's 66 points (two tries, seven conversions and 14 penalties) put him top ahead of Farrell (63) and Sexton (56), while Laidlaw was the top Scot with 33.Sale left Stockport's Edgeley Park to move to the Salford City Stadium.Robson partnered Murray as they were beaten by Belarus pair Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka.McIlroy failed to make the cut at the US Open. He was tied for 40th at the Masters, tied for 60th at the Open, and famously won the US PGA.Voeckler won the King of the Mountains classification for Team Europcar, with Astana's Kessiakoff the runner-up. Valverde was fifth and Froome sixth.Weir's choice was Daniel Craig - who, in his James Bond persona, memorably "escorted" the Queen to the Olympic opening ceremony. Merry Christmas!

Your Score

0 - 4 : Olympic nightmare

5 - 8 : Plucky podium place

9 - 12 : Gold fever

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England spurred by Twenty20 agony

The disappointment of losing the World Twenty20 final will serve as extra motivation for England at the World Cup, according to Lydia Greenway.

England defend their title in India in January and February after losing October's T20 final to Australia.

"We played a lot of good cricket but we couldn't quite get over the line in the final," batter Greenway told BBC Sport.

"For the World Cup to come around so quickly is something we're really looking forward to."

Eight teams - England, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand and South Africa - split in to two groups of four Top three teams in each group take their points forward to the Super Six stage There each team meets the three other sides they have yet to play, with the top two moving on to the final Charlotte Edwards's side begin the defence of the trophy they won in Australia in 2009 against Sri Lanka on 2 February.

If they are to win the title for a fourth time, they will have to play seven matches in 15 days.

"All the girls are putting the effort in and hopefully those are the things that can give us the extra 1-2%," said 27-year-old left-hander Greenway.

"Everyone is really eager to get out to India and get prepared out there."

England are the top seeds in Group A, where they are also joined by hosts India and West Indies.

But Greenway, a veteran of 97 one-day internationals, is aware of the increased threat posed by the emerging nations as the standard of the women's game improves.

"The likes of West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all gaining the ability to beat the bigger teams," said Greenway.

"We're not going to underestimate anyone we play, that's important, but it's also important to have a lot of belief and confidence in what we do."

Under Edwards's leadership, England have won the Ashes, the World Cup and the 2009 World Twenty20.

Greenway believes that the success of the England team can serve as inspiration to youngsters, with Edwards acting as a "brilliant" role model.

"Her batting speaks for itself but it is her captaincy that sets her apart from all the other players in the world," said Greenway. "We're very lucky to have her.

"In any walk of life it's important to have a role model and as long as we're being successful, hopefully young girls who want to play cricket have got those role models."

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AUDIO: UK move 'a dream' for Nosworthy

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AUDIO: Cowan brings solidity - Newell

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Tony Greig - A man you would run through brick walls for

Tony Greig, who has died aged 66, was one of cricket's pioneers and innovators.

An immense and competitive character, he was also someone who stood up for what he believed was right and was not afraid to take people on.

He did not set out to offend people but could court controversy on and off the field of play.

The clash with West Indies batsmen Alvin Kallicharran  in 1974 stands out. For those unfamiliar with what happened, it was similar to the incident involving Ian Bell when England played India in 2011.

At the end of day two of the first Test between England and West Indies in Port of Spain, non-striker Kallicharran, who was unbeaten on 142, began to walk off after the final ball was bowled, assuming time had been called and it was close of play.

However, Tony, seeing Kallicharran out of his ground, had other ideas. He threw down the stumps at the non-striker's end, prompting uproar in the crowd when Kallicharran was given out.

After protracted discussion, Kallicharran, like Bell, was reinstated.

Tony was involved in more controversy in 1976, when he said he would make Clive Lloyd's West Indies side "grovel" during their three-Test series in England.

Tony knew at the time he had made a mistake, but his words were seized upon amid suggestions of racist undertones.

Major teams: England, Border, Eastern Province, Sussex Tests: 58 ODIs: 22 Test runs: 3,599 (average 40.43) Test wickets: 141 (average 32.20) Scored 16,600 runs (average 31.19) and took 856 wickets (average 28.85) in 350 first-class matches

I was there at The Oval that summer as a 16-year-old boy when, in the wake of England's 3-0 defeat by a team that included the likes of Andy Roberts, Viv Richards and Michael Holding, Tony dropped to his knees in mocking reference to his own comments. A lot of West Indians loved him for that. Tony was certainly a showman.

Many people also remember Greig for his association with World Series Cricket in the late 1970s.

Media mogul Kerry Packer wanted to stage floodlit cricket and promised more money for the game, his Channel Nine station offering up to 10 times what the Australian Broadcasting Corporation paid to screen matches at the time.

The Australian Cricket Board kept saying "no", but Tony, who was England captain at the time, led a rebel breakaway.

The decision to join Packer's set-up was seen as the ultimate betrayal. Indeed, the infamous episode tore cricket apart for a while.

I remember going to a Professional Cricketers' Association meeting at Edgbaston at the time. It was a very heated meeting, but it soon became clear that generations would benefit from the additional money being created by the sudden hike in the cost of television broadcasting rights.

Channel Nine helped revolutionise cricket, marketing the game in a way it never had been before. It should not be forgotten that Tony had a huge part to play in that.

Greig was also a decent bowler

When he came to deliver his Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's  in June this year, Tony's brother-in-law, MCC president Phillip Hodson, pointed out that the first draft contained no reference to the World Series Cricket furore, a subject on which a lot of the MCC still felt very strongly.

But Tony did not duck the issue when it came for him to speak and had cleared the air with many disgruntled MCC members by the end of the lecture. Albeit grudgingly in some cases, most people eventually accepted that Packer's revolution had to happen.

The only person he did not get the chance to make peace with was traditionalist and cricket writer EW "Jim" Swanton, who died in 2000. I know Tony was very upset he was unable to do that.

A proud South African who qualified to play for England through his Scottish parents, Tony was a huge man to have on your side and someone you would run through a brick wall for, because you knew he would do the same for you.

People also forget he was one of the best all-rounders England ever had, averaging 40 with the bat at a time when that was far less common than currently. He was also a very useful bowler, with either his medium pace or his off-cutters, and a fearless close fielder.

He was always on the go in life, too: looking for ways to improve cricket whether on the field or off. Who can forget the sight of him wheeling out the weather maps and all those other innovations during his time as a commentator with Channel Nine?

I remember coming back from holiday in Dubai to a message from Tony booming out of my answer machine. "Hi Aggers! I'm down to do the final in Sharjah but I'm in Australia for a wedding so I've told them you'll do the commentary!" I had only just returned from there but because Tony had asked me, I went back out.

He was a bit like our own Test Match Special commentator Henry Blofeld - there was always something going on whenever he was around.

And whether playing or commentating, Tony viewed every ball of a cricket match as an event.

Jonathan Agnew was talking to BBC Sport's Jamie Lillywhite

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Tributes pour in after Tendulkar's one-day retirement

By Vikas Pandey BBC Monitoring Sachin Tendulkar, India's very own "god of cricket" will never again answer fans' prayers for runs in one-day internationals after deciding to retire from the format he served for more than two decades.

And his decision has sparked an outpouring of tributes from his team-mates, cricket pundits, and millions of fans who believe watching the game will never be the same without the master batsman.

The record-breaking cricketer will continue to play in Test matches, but this has not provided any consolation to his fans.

Tendulkar was part of a formidable batting line-up, alongside Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, that combined to earn India many memorable wins in Tests and one-day internationals.

Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman were the backbone of the India batting line-up for years

And the three champions from form the quartet were first to pay their tributes to Sachin's illustrious one-day career.

Former skipper Ganguly felt that there was "still hope" that he will continue, but the decision eventually came as a "big blow".

"His greatness did not lie in being a terrific talent, but the way he used his talent to attain enormous heights. He is too precious and too good," the former captain wrote in his Hindustan Times newspaper column. 

He added that playing alongside Tendulkar "was an honour" and his longevity has been "beyond imagination".

Also writing in the Hindustan Times, Laxman said the master batsman always put his team ahead of personal laurels and this quality earned him respect from his team-mates and fans all over the world.

And fellow ex-captain Dravid admired the ability of the 'Little Master' to give his absolute best in any conditions and against any team.

Many fans, including former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, say they will never forget Tendulkar's elegant straight drives, his artistic stroke play and those thunderous sixes.

Tendulkar and Inzamam

Inzamam said a "chapter in cricket's history has come to an end" but rather poetically he added that the "book is still to be finished", referring to Tendulkar's decision to continue in Test cricket.

The champion batsman's ability to read the 50-over format of the game won many matches for India, but it was the mix of his artistic style and aggression that amazed cricket fans during his glorious 23 years in one-day internationals.

He could play an elegant cover drive and then go for a towering six the very next ball. This made him a class apart among his contemporaries.

Cricket pundit Pradeep Magazine said his "masterly control and "intuitive innovations" made him play knocks "out of bounds for mere mortals".

The Hindu's Vijay Lokapally wrote that Sachin believed in adapting to different tasks, and it came "naturally to him".

Tendulkar has been often compared with Australian legend Don Bradman, and West Indies batting star Brian Lara among his contemporaries, but very few can match the kind of respect he commands among his fans round the world.

Tendulkar's India overcame Shane Warne's Australia in Sharjah in 1998

His innings of 143 against Australia in Sharjah in 1998  has remained etched in the memory of millions of fans. The match had every emotion one associates with sports.

After a sandstorm disrupted play, India faed a revised target of 237 in 46 overs to qualify for the final. The middle order collapsed, leaving Tendulkar alone to take the team home. The heat was unbearable but a determined Tendulkar took the adverse conditions in his stride and saw the team home by smashing five sixes and nine fours.

Laxman, who was at the non-striker's end, said "the strokes he played were exemplary. Good ball or bad, it simply had to go to the ropes".

Tendulkar repeated his heroics in the final to help India win that one-day tournament in Sharjah and his innings earned "the sandstorm" nickname.

And 12 years later in February 2010, he became the first batsman to score a one-day interntaional double century, against a well-balanced South African attack.

The social networking website has been abuzz with tributes to Tendulkar since the news broke on Sunday as celebrities, cricketers and fans joined hands to pay their tributes.

Yuvraj Singh (right) was the player of the tournament at the 2011 World Cup

India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh  tweeted: "Emotional time! Letting Sachin go from one dayers. 18 thousand plus runs. Your jaw drops when you see those records, master you will always live."

Fast bowler Ishant Sharma  showed his admiration: "You'll be missed a lot. Thanks a lot for whatever you have given to Indian cricket."

"In Test cricket, Sachin may have had serious rivals in Lara, Ponting, Kallis for being the best batsman. But in ODIs, he was peerless," cricket analyst Ayaz Memon  wrote.

And broadcaster Harsha Bhogle  seemed to agree with Menon: "Tried thinking of my favourite Sachin ODI moment. So many. Gave up. He's left behind a mountain no one can scale."

BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. For more reports from BBC Monitoring, click here. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter  and Facebook  .

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Yuvraj onslaught defeats Pakistan

Second Twenty20 International, Ahmedabad:

India 192-5 (20 overs) beat Pakistan 181-7 (20 overs) by 11 runs

Yuvraj Singh smashed 72 to give India a series-levelling 11-run win over Pakistan in the second Twenty20 international in Ahmedabad.

The left-hander hammered seven sixes in his 36-ball effort, with Mahendra Dhoni making 33 to take India to 192-5.

In reply, Nasir Jamshed made 41 and Mohammad Hafeez a 26-ball 55, but Ashok Dinda claimed 3-36 as Pakistan finished on 181-7.

A three-match one-day international series begins in Chennai on Sunday.

25 December, Bangalore: 1st T20 international 28 December (11:30 GMT), Ahmedabad: 2nd T20 international 30 December (03:30 GMT), Chennai: 1st ODI 3 January (06:30 GMT), Kolkata: 2nd ODI 6 January (06:30 GMT), Delhi: 3rd ODI After his side won the series opener by five wickets, Hafeez won the toss and invited the home side to bat.

India openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane shared 44 before both fell to Umar Gul (4-37), with Virat Kohli making a steady 27 until being run out by Saeed Ajmal.

That saw Dhoni join irrepressible left-hander Yuvraj, who plundered two maximums off Sohail Tanvir and took three more off Ajmal's next over before eventually holing out off Gul to end a partnership of 97.

Pakistan started their chase with confidence as openers Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad added a stand of 74 that was ended when the former was removed by Ravichandran Ashwin.

Shehzad followed, stumped off the spin of Yuvraj, but Hafeez altered the momentum, striking two sixes off successive Ashwin deliveries.

However, paceman Dinda made a decisive intervention late in the innings, accounting for Hafeez and both Kamran and Umar Akmal to ensure Pakistan fell short.

We are using archive pictures for this match because several photo agencies, including Getty Images, have been barred from the ground following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, while other agencies have withdrawn their photographers in protest.

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Yuvraj praises 'finisher' Morgan

India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh praised Eoin Morgan after the stand-in England captain hit the last ball of the match for six to seal a six-wicket win and draw the Twenty20 series 1-1.

"The way he finished the game was incredible," said Yuvraj, who took 3-17 and was named man of the series.

"We bowled well in patches but England batted well, especially Morgan, who is a great finisher."

Morgan added: "It was a hell of a game of cricket; we just got over the line."

Set 179 to win at the Wankhede Stadium, England needed three off the last ball with Morgan on strike.

Although Ashok Dinda pulled out of his final delivery as Morgan shaped to hit to leg, the seamer was then dispatched back over his head in glorious fashion.

Eoin Morgan first skippered England in a one-day international against his native Ireland in August 2011, which England won on the Duckworth-Lewis method He has now led England in two Twenty20 internationals, winning one and losing one Deputising for the injured Stuart Broad, Morgan's unbeaten 49 from 26 balls earned him the man of the match award.

He and Jos Buttler shared a decisive unbroken stand of 32 to seal a thrilling victory, Michael Lumb and Alex Hales having made 50 and 42 respectively at the top of the order.

"It was a great pitch and both sides were in the game throughout the whole 40 overs," said Morgan.

"The stats suggest at this stadium that the chasing team predominantly wins. We looked at that and backed ourselves to chase.

"But our fielding was outstanding. We have looked at how we can get ahead of the game, and we saved at least 10 or 15 runs today.

"This was one of the best atmospheres I've played in, and this will do all our young players lots of good for the future."

Reflecting on the conditions under floodlights which made it difficult for his spinners to grip the ball, India captain Mahendra Dhoni admitted: "Dew really changes the game, but we were short [of runs] at the start and we can't blame the dew for that.

"As in the last game, we came back nicely, but we conceded too many runs in the first six overs and we didn't get too many runs in our last two overs.

"Our fast bowlers are still a bit raw; they will get a lot of experience from this and there's plenty of room for improvement.

"Ashok Dinda and Parvinder Awana are great prospects for us - we have to back them."

Samit Patel earned an England increment contract for 2012-13 after appearing in the match.

The international was the Nottinghamshire all-rounder's third in the format for England this year which, coupled with his appearances in the first three Tests against the same opposition, took him past the 20-point threshold to earn a deal.

We are using archive pictures for this series because several photo agencies, including Getty Images, have been barred from the ground following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, while other agencies have withdrawn their photographers in protest.

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Former England captain Greig dies

Former England captain Tony Greig has died aged 66 after suffering a heart attack in Sydney.

The South Africa-born 66-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer two months ago.

The all-rounder played 58 Tests for England from 1972-77, including 14 as skipper, before giving up the captaincy to join Australian media magnate Kerry Packer's breakaway World Series.

"Tony was a huge man to have on your side and someone you would run through a brick wall for, because you knew he would do the same for you"

He later became a popular television commentator in Australia.

"He was a massive character," said BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew. "Whatever he did, Tony was huge - as a character, as a man, as a cricketer."

Former England captain Sir Ian Botham described Greig as "an amazing guy, just full of energy".

"He revolutionised the game and it had to be done," he added.

Australian broadcaster Channel Nine said Greig died at about 13:45 local time on Saturday, after being rushed from his home to St Vincent's Hospital earlier in the day.

Greig, who stood 6ft 6in, scored 3,599 Test runs at an average of 40.43, took 141 wickets with his off-spin and medium pace at 32.20 apiece, and was named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1975.

Major teams: England, Border, Eastern Province, Sussex Tests: 58 ODIs: 22 Test runs: 3,599 (average 40.43) Test wickets: 141 (average 32.20) Scored 16,600 runs (average 31.19) and took 856 wickets (average 28.85) in 350 first-class matches He told Channel Nine colleagues before having surgery last month: "It's not good. The truth is I've got lung cancer. Now it's a case of what they can do."

He tweeted on Christmas Day:  "Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you all. Would love to be at Test but son Tom and I will be tuned in."

Greig, who played for Sussex and qualified for England through his Scottish parents, provoked controversy in 1976 when, as England captain, he said he intended to make West Indies "grovel" in the home Test series.

England were beaten 3-0 but the following winter he led them to their first series victory in India since the Second World War.

After presiding over three wins, six draws and five defeats he relinquished the England captaincy in 1977.

Greig was a central figure in recruiting several England players for the controversial World Series,  which ran in opposition to Test cricket from 1977-79 and featured international stars earning much higher salaries.

Although several players were banned from representing their country, World Series Cricket helped revolutionise the sport with increased player wages and presentational changes such as the introduction of coloured clothing.

The first year of World Series Cricket in 1977 saw two series of five-day matches, which were not allowed to be called Tests and had to be termed "SuperTests", Australia losing them both to West Indies and a World XI. The three teams also took part in a round-robin one-day tournament, won by West Indies. The following year the format changed to four-day matches played as day-night games, the World XI winning a round-robin format and West Indies retaining the one-day title.

Greig lived in Sydney from the late 1970s until his death and became a popular voice around the world with his enthusiastic and opinionated commentary style for Channel Nine, often wearing a large panama hat and inserting car keys into playing surfaces as part of his pitch reports.

"He changed cricket in the way we know it now," said fellow broadcaster Botham. "The players of today have a lot to thank Tony Greig - and Kerry Packer - for.

"Flamboyant is the word - he was larger than life and very much an extrovert. He made things happen."

England & Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke said: "Tony Greig was a magnificent and fearless cricketer capable of changing games with ball or bat. He was a determined supporter of players' rights in his later years."

Former Australia captain Bill Lawry, a long-term colleague in the commentary box, said: "He's been a great friend of mine for 33 years.

"He's well known right throughout the world, well loved and respected. World cricket has lost one of its great ambassadors."

1975 Ashes archive - Lillee and Thomson star for Australia as Greig becomes captain

Australia captain Michael Clarke said: "I was only speaking with Tony a couple of days ago so news of his passing is absolutely devastating. He has been a great mentor for me.

"Cricket will be much poorer for his loss. We will never forget the lasting legacy Tony leaves us with."

Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard described Greig as "a wonderful example of someone who came to Australia from somewhere else in the world and embraced his adopted country as his own".

International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson said: "Tony played a significant part in shaping modern cricket as a player in the 1970s and then provided millions of cricket lovers with a unique insight as a thoughtful and knowledgeable commentator."

Current England Test and Sussex wicketkeeper Matt Prior tweeted:  "Can't believe one of my heroes Tony Greig has passed away. One of the greatest voices in cricket and will be sorely missed. #RIPGreigy."

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