Australia may still be dealing with the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal but World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has no doubts they will bounce back and be challenging for one-day cricket’s most coveted trophy next year.

The Cape Town scandal in March rocked cricket in Australia to its core and resulted, among other punishments, in lengthy suspensions for then skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner – both key limited overs batsmen.
They will have served their 12-month bans before the World Cup gets underway at the Oval on May 30, 2019 but many wonder if Australia, under an as yet unidentified captain, can defend the title they won on home soil three years ago.

“You can never count Australia out of any big tournament,” South African Kirsten, who coached India to their 2011 World Cup triumph, told Reuters in an email interview.
“They are the most consistent team across big tournaments and I am sure they will be ready to compete at the next World Cup.” Australia unveiled Justin Langer as the new coach on Thursday, succeeding Darren Lehmann who stepped down despite being cleared by Cricket Australia of any wrongdoing in Cape Town.

Kirsten has also been impressed by the recent progress of Australia’s Ashes protagonists, England, whose white-ball resurgence was reflected by their rise to the top spot in ODI rankings on Thursday.
“All the teams have got closer and it really is open for any team to win the big tournaments,” said Kirsten.
“England are playing an aggressive and exciting brand of cricket and it has certainly put them in a great position to contend in all tournaments.”
The former opener reckoned the gap between top teams has been narrowing over the last decade and next year’s tournament could be one of the most open in World Cup history.
South Africa’s penchant to implode at World Cups has earned them the “chokers” tag but Kirsten has no doubt that their talismanic batsman AB de Villiers will not be alone in his determination to end the barren run.
“South Africa has built a team where you have a number of match winners,” said Kirsten who is working with de Villiers as the batting coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
“AB is one of them and he will be doing all he can to make sure he contributes as he always does.”
Kirsten plans to open an academy in the western Indian city of Pune by July and is scouting for talents in five other cities in the cricket-mad country.
“This is our first international academy and we are really excited to begin with Pune,” he said.
“We will be building a state-of-the-art facility in Pune with an indoor training centre as well as outdoor facilities catering for all year.
“There will be practical work done as well as theory work where our team will look to cover aspects such as leadership, tactics, strategy and captaincy to name a few.”

Cricket West Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave, has warned there will be no immediate return to the international side for Darren Bravo, after the left-hander thrice rejected offers to end his exile from the senior squad.
The 29-year-old Bravo has not played for West Indies in 18 months since he was sent home ahead of the Zimbabwe Tri-Series for an ill-advised Twitter rant ridiculing CWI president, Dave Cameron.
And though the stand-off between Bravo and the CWI was ended last July, the Trinidadian has continued to ply his trade on the international Twenty20 circuit.
Grave said it was unlikely Bravo would be selected for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, especially having not played first class cricket for a protracted period.
“He’s gonna struggle to get straight back in the side, so that probably rules him out of the summer tours,” the Englishman told the NewsDay here.
“I don’t think, having not played any cricket in the long format for so long and just playing T20s, you can just walk back on a Test team and be expected to perform.”
He added: “We’ve got an A-team tour to England coming up that maybe [he might be open to], if he wants to commit [to West Indies cricket]. It’s a tri-series with India and England.”
Bravo remains the Caribbean side’s premier Test batsman. He is the only one of the current crop who averages 40, having played 49 Tests and struck eight hundreds.

He had made himself available for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s final first class match of the last season, along with the first eight matches of the Super50 campaign, but a communication mix-up saw him ruled out of selection.
Grave said he and director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, intended to meet with Bravo to ascertain what his career plans were and if they involved representing West Indies.
“It’s a question for Darren. We asked him if he wanted to be part of the England tour (last year), he said his focus was on the Caribbean Premier League,” Grave pointed out.
“We asked him if he wanted to tour New Zealand and he said he was focused on the Bangladesh Premier League. We invited him for the qualifiers (ICC World Cup) and he said his focus was on Pakistan Super League), I haven’t gotten any further info.”
He continued: “The onus is on him to tell Caribbean people what his intentions are, whether he wants to play any other formats than T20. Jimmy Adams and I want to meet with Darren.
“We want to sit down and have an open conversation so we can be clear of his plans.”
West Indies host Sri Lanka next month for three Tests before Bangladesh arrive in July for a full tour. Later in the year, the Windies will tour Bangladesh and India for full series.
The ICC World Cup bowls off next May in England and Wales.

International Cricket Council (ICC) on May 1 announced that following remedial work and re-assessment, Mohammad Hafeez's bowling action has been found to be legal and the Pakistani off-spinner can now resume bowling in international cricket.
Hafeez underwent a re-assessment of his bowling action on April 17 at the Loughborough University where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension in his bowling action was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations, read a statement issued by the cricket governing body.
However, match officials are still at liberty to report Hafeez in future if they believe he is displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal action from the re-assessment. For the match officials' assistance, they will be provided with images and video footage of the bowler’s remodelled legal bowling action.
Meanwhile, the Windies’ Ronsford Beaton has failed an independent assessment and is suspended from bowling in international cricket. The fast bowler had been reported with a suspect bowling action during the second ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch on December 24.
In accordance with the regulations, Beaton’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. Despite that, with the consent of Cricket West Indies, Beaton may be able to play in domestic cricket events played in the Caribbean under their auspices.
The player can apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 4.5 of the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.
Hafeez was first suspended from bowling in December 2014 after being reported in November 2014 during a Test series held that month. Following remedial work on his bowling action, he was re-assessed and permitted to resume bowling in April 2015.
The off-spinner was then suspended from bowling in July 2015 for 12 months following a second suspension within 24 months. He was re-assessed and permitted to resume bowling in November 2016.
He was reported for the third time during the Abu Dhabi ODI against Sri Lanka in October 2017 and was subsequently suspended in November 2017 after an independent assessment revealed he had employed an illegal bowling action.

Pakistan in Ireland (May 2018)
May 11-15 Only Test, Malahide

Sri Lanka in West Indies (May-June '18)
May 30-1 Jun: Tour match (opponents TBC), Trinidad
June 6-10: 1st Test, Trinidad
June 14-18: 2nd Test, St Lucia
June 23-27: 3rd Test, Barbados (d/n)

South Africa & New Zealand women in England (June-July 2018)
England v South Africa
June: 9 1st ODI, Worcester
June 12: 2nd ODI, Hove (d/n)BST)
June 15: 3rd ODI, Canterbury (d/n)
Twenty20 tri-series
June 20: S/Africa v N/Zealand, Taunton
June 20: England v South Africa, Taunton
June 23: England v South Africa, Taunton
June 23: England v New Zealand, Taunton
June 28: S/Africa v New Zealand, Bristol
June 28: England v New Zealand, Bristol
July 1: Final, Chelmsford
England v New Zealand
July 7: 1st ODI, Headingley
July 10: 2nd ODI, Derby (d/n)
July 13: 3rd ODI, Leicester (d/n)

Ireland & Scotland tri-series in Netherlands 2018
June 12: Netherlands v Ireland, Rotterdam
June 13: Netherlands v Ireland, Rotterdam
June 16: Ireland v Scotland, Deventer
June 17: Ireland v Scotland, Deventer
June 19: Neth v Scotland, Amstelveen
June 20: Neth v Scotland, Amstelveen

Australia in England 2018
June 13: 1st ODI, The Oval (d/n)
June 16: 2nd ODI, Cardiff
June 21: 3rd ODI, Trent Bridge (d/n)
June 26: 4th ODI, Chester-le-Street (d/n)
June 28: 5th ODI, Old Trafford
June 27: Twenty20 Int'l, Edgbaston (d/n)

Afghanistan in India 2018
June: (Warm-up details TBA)
June 14-18: Only Test, Bangalore

India in Ireland 2018
June 27: 1st Twenty20 Int'l, Malahide
June 29: 2nd Twenty20 Int'l, Malahide

Pakistan & Australia in Zimbabwe 2018
Twenty20 tri-series
(All matches at Harare Sports Club)
July 1: Zimbabwe v Pakistan
July 2: Pakistan v Australia
July 3: Australia v Zimbabwe
July 4: Zimbabwe v Pakistan
July 5: Pakistan v Australia
July 6: Australia v Zimbabwe
July 8: Final

Pakistan in Zimbabwe
July 13: 1st ODI, Bulawayo
July 16: 2nd ODI, Bulawayo
July 18: 3rd ODI, Bulawayo
July 20: 4th ODI, Bulawayo
July 22: 5th ODI, Bulawayo
India in England 2018
July 3: 1st Twenty20 Int'l, Old Trafford
July 6: 2nd Twenty20 Int'l, Cardiff
July 8: 3rd Twenty20 Int'l, Bristol
July 12: 1st ODI, Trent Bridge
July 14: 2nd ODI, Lord's
July 17: 3rd ODI, Headingley
Aug 1-5: 1st Test, Edgbaston
Aug 9-13: 2nd Test, Lord's
Aug 18-22: 3rd Test, Trent Bridge
Aug 30-3 Sep: 4th Test, Southampton
Sept 7-11: 5th Test, The Oval

South Africa in Sri Lanka 2018
July 12-16: 1st Test, Galle
July 20-24: 2nd Test, Colombo (SSC)
July 29: 1st ODI, Dambulla
Aug 1: 2nd ODI, Dambulla
Aug 5: 3rd ODI, Pallekele
Aug 8: 4th ODI, Pallekele
Aug 12: 5th ODI, Khettarama
Aug 14: Twenty20 Int'l, Khettarama

Asia Cup (in UAE, 13-28 September 2018) - fixtures not yet announced

Zimbabwe in South Africa 2018
Sept 30: 1st ODI, Kimberley
Oct 3: 2nd ODI, Bloemfontein (d/n)
Oct 6: 3rd ODI, Paarl (d/n)
Oct 9: 1st T20 Int'l, East London (d/n)
Oct 12: 2nd T20 Int'l, Potchefstroom (d/n)
Oct 14: 3rd Twenty20 Int'l, Benoni

England in Sri Lanka 2018
Oct 1: England arrive in Colombo
Oct 5: v Colombo 50-ov tour match, RPS
Oct 6: v Colombo 50-ov tour match, RPS
Oct 10: 1st ODI, Dambulla (d/n)
Oct 13: *2nd ODI, Dambulla
Oct 17: 3rd ODI, Pallekele (d/n)
Oct 20: 4th ODI, Pallekele
Oct 23: *5th ODI, Colombo (RPS) (d/n)
Oct 27: Twenty20 Int'l, Colombo (RPS)
Oct 30-31: Tour match (opponents TBC), Colombo (NCC)
Nov 1-2 v Colombo (CCC)
Nov 6-10: 1st Test, Galle
Nov 14-18: 2nd Test, Pallekele
Nov 23-27: 3rd Test, Colombo (SSC)
*The second and fifth ODIs have rain reserve days

South Africa in Australia 2018-19
Oct 31: v Prime Minister's XI, Canberra
Nov 4: 1st ODI, Perth (Perth Stadium)
Nov 9: 2nd ODI, Adelaide
Nov 11: 3rd ODI, Hobart
Nov 17: Twenty20 Int'l, Gold Coast

ICC Women's World T20 (in West Indies, Nov 9-24 2018) - fixtures not yet announced, qualifying tournament runs 3-14 July

India in Australia 2018-19
Nov 21: 1st Twenty20 Int'l, Brisbane
Nov 23: 2nd Twenty20Int'l, Melbourne
Nov 25: 3rd Twenty20Int'l, Sydney
Dec 6-10: 1st Test, Adelaide
Dec 14-18: 2nd Test, Perth (Perth)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne
Jan 2019, 3-7: 4th Test, Sydney
Jan 2019, 12: 1st ODI, Sydney
Jan 2019, 15: 2nd ODI, Adelaide
Jan 2019, 18: 3rd ODI, Melbourne

Pakistan in South Africa 2018-19
Dec 19-21: v SA Invitation XI, Benoni
Dec 26-30: 1st Test, Centurion
2019 Jan 3-7: 2nd Test, Cape Town
2019 Jan 11-15: 3rd Test, Wanderers
2019 Jan 19: 1st ODI, Port Elizabeth (d/n)
2019 Jan 22: 2nd ODI, Durban (d/n)
2019 Jan 25: 3rd ODI, Centurion (d/n)
2019 Jan 27: 4th ODI, Wanderers
2019 Jan 30: 5th ODI, Cape Town (d/n)
2019 Feb 1: 1st T20 Int'l, Cape Town (d/n)
Feb 3: 2nd Twenty20 Int'l, Wanderers
Feb 6: 3rd Twenty20 Int'l, Centurion (d/n)

Sri Lanka in Australia 2019
Jan 24-28: 1st Test, Brisbane (d/n)
Feb 1-5: 2nd Test, Canberra

Sri Lanka in South Africa 2019
Feb 13-17: 1st Test, Durban
Feb 21-25: 2nd Test, Port Elizabeth
Feb 28: v SA Invitation XI, Benoni
Mar 3: 1st ODI, Wanderers
Mar 6: 2nd ODI, Centurion (d/n)
Mar 10: 3rd ODI, Durban
Mar 13: 4th ODI, Port Elizabeth (d/n)
Mar 16: 5th ODI, Cape Town (d/n)
Mar 19: 1st T20 Int'l, Cape Town (d/n)
Mar 22: 2nd T20 Int'l, Centurion (d/n)
Mar 24: 3rd T20 Int'l, Wanderers

ICC Cricket WC 2019 - full fixtures
All 10 teams play each other in a round-robin format, with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals.
May 30: England v South Africa, The Oval
May 31: W/Indies v Pakistan, Trent Bridge
June 1: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Cardiff
June 1: Afghanistan v Aus, Bristol (d/n)
June 2:> S/Africa v Bangladesh, The Oval
June 3: England v Pakistan, Trent Bridge
June 4: Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Cardiff
June 5: S/Africa v India, Southampton
June 5: Bang v N/Zealand, The Oval (d/n)
June 6: Australia v W/Indies, Trent Bridge
June 7: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Bristol
June 8: England v Bangladesh, Cardiff
June 8: Afghan v N/Zealand, Taunton (d/n)
June 9: India v Australia, The Oval
June 10: S/Africa v W/Indies, Southampton
June 11: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Bristol
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton
June 13: India v N/Zealand, Trent Bridge
June 14: England v W/Indies, Southampton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval
June 15: S/Africa v Afghan, Cardiff (d/n)
June 16: India v Pakistan, Old Trafford
June 17: W/Indies v Bangladesh, Taunton
June 18: England v Afghan, Old Trafford
June 19: N/Zealand v S/Africa, Edgbaston
June 20: Aust v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge
June 21: England v Sri Lanka, Headingley
June 22: India v Afghan, Southampton
June 22: WI v N/Z, Old Trafford (d/n)
June 23: Pakistan v South Africa, Lord's
June 24: Bang v Afghan, Southampton
June 25: England v Australia, Lord's
June 26: N/Zealand v Pakistan, Edgbaston
June 27: West Indies v India, Old Trafford
June 28: S/Lanka v S/Africa, Chester-le-St
June 29: Pakistan v Afghan, Headingley
June 29: N/Zealand v Aus, Lord's (d/n)
June 30: England v India, Edgbaston
July 1: Sri Lanka v WI, Chester-le-Street
July 2: Bangladesh v India, Edgbaston
Juky 3: England v NZ, Chester-le-Street
July 4: Afghanistan v WI, Headingley
July 5: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Lord's (d/n)
July 6: Sri Lanka v India, Headingley
July 6: Aus v S/Africa, Old Trafford (d/n)
Jul 9: *1st semi-final: 1st v 4th, Old Trafford
Jul 11: 2nd semi-final: 2nd v 3rd, Edgbaston
July 14 *Final, Lord's
*Semi-finals and final have a reserve day

The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday announced a 31-member primary squad for the upcoming tour of West Indies, involving two Tests, three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals.
Bangladesh, who played quite regularly during the last 12 months, are currently enjoying a break after taking part in the Nidahas Trophy, and are scheduled to start their preparation from May 13.
Primary squad: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mahmudullah Riyad, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Naeem Hasan, Abu Hider, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Rubel Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Abu Jayed, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Nazmul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Ariful Haque, Shafiul Islam, Shadman Islam, Yeasin Arafat, Abul Hasan Raju, Abdur Razzak.

Teams Abbreviations:
Chennai Super Kings: CSK
Sunrisers Hyderabad: SH
Kings XI Punjab: KXIP
Kolkata Knight Riders: KKR
Mumbai Indians: MI
Delhi Daredevils: DD
Royal Challengers Bangalore: RCB
Rajasthan Royals: RR

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