Sangakkara could quit ODIs after World Cup

Kumar Sangakkara has said that the 2015 World Cup could be his final ODI tournament but he has plans to extend his Test career for a while longer. Sangakkara has already quit T20 internationals, Sri Lanka's victorious World T20 campaign in April being his last outing in the format.

"That [2015 World Cup] might be my last assignment in that form of the game, and looking at Test cricket, there might be another series left in me," Sangakkara said.

"It depends on the chat I'll have with the selectors and the authorities back home. I'll be 37 at the end of this year, and I'm fully aware that it's fast approaching the time when either you go, or you get asked to leave." , With 12,500 runs from 369 games, Sangakkara is the fourth leading run-getter in ODIs behind only Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Sanath Jayasuriya, while his 11,151 runs from 122 matches put him ninth on the list in Tests in an international career that has spanned 14 years.

He has also been involved in two World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011 and three World T20 finals in 2009, 2012 and 2014, playing a key role in the latest one with a match-winning, unbeaten fifty as Sri Lanka finally broke their run of losing at the last stage of a world event.

Despite admitting that the end was near, Sangakkara said he still derived pleasure from stepping onto the field for his nation. "I still enjoy playing, and wearing the Sri Lankan shirt. There's still a huge enjoyment factor that comes with playing. As players, we're been very, very lucky. It's a high-paid job that allows you to travel the world and earn a living playing outdoors. I can't really complain."

Sangakkara is currently in England and will play two County Championship matches for Durham, against Yorkshire and Sussex, in preparation for Sri Lanka's tour later this month to acclimatise to early English summer conditions and the Duke ball.

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Australia reclaim No.1 Test ranking

On a day Michael Clarke called the most satisfying of his career, Australia returned to the No.1 Test ranking for the first time in nearly five years, after the ICC's annual rankings update. Despite not having played a Test since their series win over South Africa in the first week of March, the Australians have edged ahead of South Africa because the rolling nature of the rankings system means results from 2010-11 have now been dropped.

Michael Clarke's men also hold the top position in the one-day rankings, meaning it is the first time since December 2008 that Australia have been No.1 in both the Test and ODI formats. It is the first time since August 2009 that they have sat at the top of the Test rankings, having originally been displaced following their unsuccessful Ashes tour of England that year.

The annual update means results from 2012-13 are reduced to a 50% weighting, so Australia's home Ashes fiasco in 2010-11 and their six Test losses across two tours of India have now either disappeared entirely from the rankings or been devalued. Their home Ashes clean-sweep over the past summer and their 2-1 win in South Africa allowed them to move ahead of South Africa, who had been No.1 since August 2012, by a fraction of a point.

India have suffered a significant fall, slipping from third down to fifth, while England and Pakistan have each gained a place, up to third and fourth respectively. New Zealand and Sri Lanka switched places, with New Zealand now ranked sixth in Tests and Sri Lanka down to seventh, while West Indies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh remain unchanged at the bottom of the table.

However, Australia's immediate reign at No.1 could be short-lived, with South Africa facing two Tests in Sri Lanka and one in Zimbabwe before Australia's next Test series, which is against Pakistan in the UAE in October. Still, the return to the top is a significant achievement after Australia slipped as low as fifth on the Test rankings in 2010 and 2011, and then went nine consecutive Tests without a win during 2013.

"The last two years have been extremely positive in some ways and there's been a number of tough times, and for a team that makes days like these even more special," Clarke said in Sydney. "As captain of this team over the last couple of years and what we've been through, I don't think I've had a more satisfying day or feeling in my career.

"It's so satisfying because of where we've come from. The fact two years ago we were ranked No. 5 in the world, as captain of the team I remember, it's still in the front of my mind what was written and said about us once we came back from India, we were named the worst Australian team to ever tour India and as captain that's the last thing you want to hear, that breaks your heart. To enjoy today and see the other side in a pretty quick turnaround from No. 5 in the world, I'm extremely proud of that."

Clarke and the coach Darren Lehmann have often said that Australia's goal was to achieve the No.1 ranking in all three formats and while there is a significant way to go in T20, where they currently sit sixth, sitting on top in Test and ODIs is a considerable accomplishment.

"The players deserve a lot of credit. Our senior players have stood up and led the way over the past couple of years to turn things around. I've had a lot of help from [support] staff," Clarke said. "I think Darren Lehmann coming in in the last eight months has played a big part as well, his support has been fantastic. The power of within has been outstanding, to deal with what we went through in India and the Ashes and turn that around is a great feeling. And I think the public that watch us play see how close a group we are inside the camp.

"We've worked exceptionally hard to get here, we have to work even harder to stay here. The great teams have done that, the Australian team I walked into stayed at No. 1 for a long period of time and that was a sign of greatness. South Africa deserve a lot of credit for how long they've been No. 1 in the world, and we look up to teams like that so hopefully we can do exactly the same, find a way to perform at home and away from home as well."

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said Clarke and Lehmann deserved plenty of credit for the results. "Everyone involved with the Australian team - players, coaches and support staff - should be incredibly proud of this achievement," Sutherland said. "There has been a huge amount of hard work and effort on and off the field to get to this point and it's something that those involved with the side should take time to savour.

"Australian cricket's team performance programme led by Pat Howard deserves considerable credit for this outcome. High praise needs to go to Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann for their excellent leadership."

In the ODI rankings, the only change to result from the annual update was that England and South Africa switched positions, with England up from fifth to fourth and South Africa down from fourth to fifth. Australia, India and Sri Lanka still occupy the top three spots in the one-day list.

Australia's success has had a considerable financial benefit for the players in addition to the prestige of their recent results. Performance bonuses tied to ICC rankings for the past 12 months and also overall in Tests and ODIs have delivered a total windfall of about $1.6 million to the team.

ICC Test Championship

1 May 2014

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1. Australia (+1)	32	3950	123
2. South Africa (-1)	23	2831	123
3. England (+1)	30	3131	104
4. Pakistan (+1)	20	2064	103
5. India (-2)	23	2343	102
6. New Zealand (+1)	26	2383	92
7. Sri Lanka (-1)	22	1986	90
8. West Indies	19	1442	76
9. Zimbabwe	8	322	40
10. Bangladesh	14	287	21

ICC ODI Championship

1 May 2014

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
1. Australia	35	4020	115
2. India	53	5923	112
3. Sri Lanka	53	5890	111
4. England (+1)	36	3947	110
5. South Africa (-1)	32	3486	109
6. Pakistan	47	4716	100
7. New Zealand	31	3031	98
8. West Indies	40	3744	94
9. Bangladesh	23	1683	73
10. Zimbabwe	20	1228	61
11. Ireland	8	273	34
12. Afghanistan	9	304	34

Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale

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RCA election results to be declared on May 6

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the election officer appointed to overlook the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections to declare the results on May 6. Effectively the court decided not to entertain the BCCI's petition which was filed in January to challenge Lalit Modi's participation in the RCA elections. The BCCI has said that allowing Modi, who was banned by the board's disciplinary committee for life, to return to the RCA would hurt the image of the board.

The RCA polls were held on January 19 under the observation of former Justice of the Supreme court NM Kasliwal. The votes were concealed in a sealed envelope. Today AR Dave, the judge hearing the case, asked the court to pass the envelope to the election officer who would declare results on May 6. At the same time Dave said that anyone objecting the results could take up the issue in an appropriate forum. It also told the BCCI counsel that its client was free to act under its regulations as per law.

Modi welcomed the court's decision and was optimistic of winning the elections. "I am extremely happy that the Supreme Court has taken the right decision and allowed the due democratic process to go forward. We are hoping our group will win the elections. If we do win we will have an agenda and vision which I will make clear after the results," Modi said.

While expelling Modi on multiple charges of misconduct, the BCCI had said that "he shall not in future be entitled to hold any position or office, or be admitted in any committee or any member or associate member of the board". Modi, however, got his candidature for the RCA presidency approved by the Supreme Court by exploiting a technicality that the RCA was governed by the Rajasthan Sports Act.

Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

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Five defeats in five for Mumbai Indians

Sunrisers Hyderabad gritted their teeth nearly 10 overs without a boundary. David Warner was muzzled so profoundly that he was striking under 100 as late as the 15th over. But then he woke up. He used the slow start as a foundation and collected a half-century that proved the difference. But his patience might have been a mere footnote had Irfan Pathan not delivered a brilliant final over. He had 20 to defend and the first ball of sneaked through Kieron Pollard's defences and seeing the back of a man who hit 78 off 48 balls is usually enough to seal the game, and it was. Pathan only gave away four runs.

Mumbai Indians were flummoxed by the pace and swing of Dale Steyn and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The asking rate rose north of 10 in the 5th over and at 31 for 3, recovery seemed a remote possibility. Only no one had bothered to clue Pollard in. After a jittery start, he remembered his penchant for brutality. Amit Mishra, a far cry from the one that turned up for India in the World T20, was razed for 27 in the 17th over. Rohit Sharma, who was confident today was the game Mumbai would pull off their much-needed turnaround, began contemplating an improbable victory. But much to the birthday boy's chagrin, his side just ran out of juice.

Sunrisers were conscious of their batsmen needing to provide better cover to their bowlers, and opted for Naman Ojha and Irfan to add depth. Ojha smashed the final two balls of the innings for fours and Irfan shouldered the burden of bowling the 16th and the 20th overs with consummate proficiency. Slower balls, yorkers and a refusal to hand width highlighted his two-over spell which ensured Steyn's fearsome bursts and Bhuvneshwar's control were not in vain.

In between though, Mishra braced against a clobbering at the hands of Pollard. The 13th over was biffed for 19 runs and signalled the first challenge from Mumbai. A daunting 87 off 42 was being chipped away. It didn't seem to matter whether Mishra gave the ball air or fired it in, Pollard revved up and mauled five of his six sixes off the legspinner, who ended with 0 for 54. At the other end, Ambati Rayudu ensured he wasn't lost in the slipstream during a 77-run stand for the fourth wicket. The equation was diluted to 31 off the final three overs, but that was when Sunrisers dug deep. Steyn, as ever, delivered when it mattered, ceding only four runs in the 18th, and Bhuvneshwar just seven in the next, to put Sunrisers ahead going into Irfan's final over.

Sunrisers' batting resources were lumped too tightly at the top and an early wicket prompted a change of tactic. KL Rahul's technical correctness was banked on to minimise the damage. Mumbai were adamant on not giving the batsmen any room and their fielders were no shy of hurtling after the ball if it was anywhere near their vicinity. They were desperate.

Rahul blunted the challenge, placing faith in his footwork against spin and nudges around the ground to keep the scoreboard ticking. He knew Warner was better equipped to lead the charge.

Harbhajan Singh did his best to plant doubts, constantly foiling Warner's attempts to blaze away in the early goings with a remarkable control of flight and line. Warner fronted 16 balls from the offspinner and could summon only nine runs. But as the death overs came, Warner found his touch. Batting both right- and left-handed, he inspired Sunrisers to crash 73 in the last six overs.

Pragyan Ojha was carted repeatedly over midwicket and the partnership with Rahul blossomed to 101 - Sunrisers' second hundred-plus stand of the season and that was the partnership that forced Mumbai into a position of having to win almost all of their matches in the India leg to progress in the tournament.

Alagappan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

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Misbah to remain captain till World Cup, says Sethi

PCB chairman Najam Sethi and the chairman of Pakistan's selection committee Moin Khan appear to be at loggerheads over who will lead Pakistan at the World Cup. Moin had mentioned a possible change in leadership on Tuesday, but the notion was shot down by Sethi, who said today he had decided to stick with Misbah-ul-Haq.

"To be honest a change in captaincy was discussed," Moin had said at a press conference in Karachi. "We have to take a decision, with consensus with everyone within the PCB and the incoming head coach. Whoever is better for Pakistan will be the captain [for the World Cup]."

Sethi, though, threw his weight behind Misbah. "According to the rules, the PCB chairman selects the selectors and the captains of the team, while the selectors select the teams," Sethi said. "Whatever be the personal view of the selectors regarding who should be the captain, I stand by my decision to retain Misbah-ul-Haq as captain until the World Cup."

Misbah, 39, was named full-time captain of the ODI team in 2011, and has led it in 71 ODIs overall, winning 39 while averaging 47.21 with the bat - that's better than his career average of 44.38 in 146 matches. In 32 games over the past 12 months - of which Pakistan won 16 - he averaged 52.00, and was the cornerstone of the batting.

Pakistan is set to a play 13 ODIs in next nine months, leading up to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next February and March. ESPNcricinfo understands that there are some who believe Shahid Afridi should take the reins from Misbah ahead of the showpiece event. Similarly for 2011 World Cup Misbah was a strong contender for the captaincy but, following weeks of uncertainty, Afridi was named captain.

Umar Farooq is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent. @kalson

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Afghanistan begin as favourites

The Asian Cricket Council Premier League is set to commence from May 1 in Malaysia, with tournament favourites Afghanistan up against Hong Kong in the first match. The 50-over competition features six teams, of which Afghanistan, Hong Kong and UAE have ODI status. The week long competition comprises 15 matches, with all teams facing each other.

This edition of the tournament includes Nepal, who were impressive in the recently-concluded World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, winning two out of three qualifying matches. Shortly afterwards, Nepal's cricketers boycotted the national one-day tournament that was meant to be a selection trial for this competition, but called it off a week later.

Afghanistan enter the tournament as the team to beat. Although they had a poor outing in the World Twenty20 where they won just one match, they have the experience of playing against highly-ranked sides. They were impressive in this year's Asia Cup, which they were part of for the first time, and also toppled Bangladesh.

Hong Kong will enter the competition with the confidence of having beaten Bangladesh, in the last match they played in the World Twenty20. UAE gained ODI status after finishing in the top four in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand; they lost the finals of that tournament to Scotland.

The last edition of the Asian Cricket Council Premier League was in 2012. The title was shared by UAE and Nepal after a tie.

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Jayawardene plays down Farbrace impact

Mahela Jayawardene has played down the impact Paul Farbrace's change of allegiance will have when Sri Lanka tour England this summer. Farbrace was Sri Lanka's coach for a little over three months before he broke his two-year contract to become England's assistant coach shortly before the tour.

"I don't think Paul going to England will affect us that much. All the teams know how we play," Jayawardene told the Daily Mirror. "We just have to adapt to the conditions and keep challenging ourselves to do well. I honestly don't think that's going to affect us."

Farbrace began his tenure as Sri Lanka coach on January 1 and the team lost only one out of 18 matches under his watch, winning the World T20 and Asia Cup. However, while acknowledging Farbrace's skills as a coach, Jayawardene said the process that resulted in those victories had been in place well before Farbrace.

"The team had been together for a long time and we became the number one team [in T20 cricket] before Paul came along. So it's been a gradual process. We worked with Graham [Ford] for two years and things were in place. Personnel and individual players chosen and all that."

"Paul is great guy, he is a good coach. He gives a lot of confidence to the players. That's what he brought to the table. It helped us. There were things in place for some time and the team gradually worked their way through to the World Cup [Twenty20]."

Jayawardene said Farbrace's decision to leave was disappointing but he was not about to dwell on it and stressed the need to move on under new guidance from interim coach Marvan Atapattu and former Surrey coach Chris Adams, who was signed by Sri Lanka Cricket as a consultant for the tour to England.

"As players this is something we can't control obviously. It is disappointing on both sides because we would've loved to have him [Farbrace]," Jayawardene said. "But he had made a decision. I think we just need to move on like we've always done as a team.

"We've got Marvan and the coaches who have been with us for the last two-three years. So there is continuity, which is great. He [Adams] will be a good addition to us - just to get insight of how the wickets are playing, how the conditions are, and for us to keep someone in our corner.

"Preparations have been very good. The practices we've had have been very well organised and a lot of input and practice done with purpose, looking at the conditions in England. Very proactive sessions. I enjoyed that very much."

The upcoming Test tour will be Jayawardene's fifth to England, where he has scored 614 runs in 19 innings at an average of 34.11. "I've always enjoyed playing in England, especially at Lord's. It is one of my favourite venues. We've got some very good young talent and with this young team I am looking forward to the challenge.

Sri Lanka are going to England under Angelo Mathews as captain and a new vice-captain in Lahiru Thirimanne, who replaced Dinesh Chandimal in the role. Jaywardene said Thirimanne was deserving of the additional responsibility. "He had two great years with us. Obviously he has been rewarded for all the good work he has done. He is obviously a very strong player mentally. He has shown that in all forms of the game. He seems a very calm, cool-headed person and obviously the leadership qualities are there. It will be good move for the team."

Sri Lanka's tour begins with two ODIs against Ireland on May 6 and 8, followed by a Twenty20 international and five ODIs against England. The two Tests against England begin on June 12 at Lord's and June 20 at Headingley.

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