India's top cricketers have launched their own association to protect their commercial interests.
Former Test batsman Arun Lal has been named as secretary with current captain Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri playing leading roles.
Lal insisted the Indian Cricket Players' Association wants to avoid confrontation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, that has yet to recognise the new organisation.
"This body is not looking for confrontation with the authorities," said Lal.
"We want to assist the Indian cricket board in whatever way possible. We complement each other and will have a two-way dialogue.
"The objective is to represent all players and put forward their points of view.
"Cricketers all over the world feel the need for an association and there is wide acceptance of such associations."
Cricket's governing body has dismissed a survey that suggests that most players think there is a problem with "chucking" in internationals.
More than 100 players from the 10 Test nations responded to the Federation of International Cricket Associations survey during the Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka last month.
Some 75% indicated that they were concerned about illegal bowling actions in international cricket.
And 45% thought players should not be allowed to continue playing after being reported for throwing, until their action has been cleared.
The issue of throwing has been a hot potato in recent years, with Muttiah Muralitharan, Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar, James Kirtley and Ruchira Perera undergoing remedial action.
Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has thrown his weight behind a new scheme that will fine his players if they perform badly or prove to be unfit.
The move by the Pakistan Cricket Board follows a 3-0 Test whitewash at the hands of Australia when the side crashed to record low scores of 59 and 53 earlier this month.
Players can also win bonuses for turning in good individual performances and if Pakistan wins matches.
"I think it will bear positive results and be a great motivation for the players to thwart a defeat and always go for the win," said Waqar.
"I do not see it as a threat and hope that players will do their best to cash in on these incentives.
"Pakistani cricket will improve only with the mutual consent of players and the board and I see full co-operation between them."
Under the plan, players will lose 20% of their match fees for every match lost but receive a bonus of the same amount when they win.
The also receive bonuses of 100,000 rupees (£1,100) for individual feats such as scoring a century or taking five wickets in an innings.
The new regulations provide for a penalty of up to 60,000 rupees for players who report unfit.
Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe selectors have announced the Zimbabwe 'A' team to play Pakistan in a three-day warm-up match at Country Club in Harare, starting on Monday 4 November, and the squad for the First Test match at Harare Sports Club, beginning on Saturday 9 November.
Alistair Campbell has been named as captain of the Zimbabwe team for the duration of the Pakistan tour, with Andy Flower as his vice-captain. Campbell was appointed captain of the national side in 1996 and held the post for three years before resigning after a series of disappointing team performance and loss of personal batting form. This time he will only be standing in as captain for the injured Heath Streak.
The Pakistani team, captained by Waqar Younis, arrive in Harare on Friday evening, 1 November, and will practise at Harare South Country Club on Saturday and Sunday before beginning their warm-up match on Monday.
Zimbabwe First Test squad: *Alistair Campbell, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Hamilton Masakadza, Guy Whittall, +Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Mluleki Nkala, Travis Friend, Raymond Price, Douglas Hondo, Mark Vermeulen, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Ervine, Richie Sims, Gavin Ewing, Campbell Macmillan.
Zimbabwe 'A': *Guy Whittall, Dion Ebrahim, Mark Vermeulen, Grant Flower, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Richie Sims, Sean Ervine, +Tatenda Taibu, Mluleki Nkala, Blessing Mahwire, Campbell Macmillan. 12th Man: Gavin Ewing.
England in Australia
Steve Waugh has issued a veiled threat to the selectors, saying he will retire when he wants to and not when they decide to end his career.
The Australian captain was speaking 24 hours after his twin brother Mark had had his Test career prematurely ended by the ruthless selectors.
Last season, they also decided that both Waughs should be axed from the one-day squad.
Steve Waugh told reporters at the launch of his latest book: "It's in my own hands when I'm going to finish.
"I don't want someone to say: 'I think your time's up.' "
Opinion in Australia is split on how long Steve will continue his international career.
Australia's Mark Waugh has called time on his international cricket career after being dropped for the Ashes opener against England.
He said: "Having been left out of the current Test team and the one-day team earlier this year, I feel my chances of playing for Australia at age 37 have led me to this decision.
"While I feel very disappointed not to be playing for Australia again, I've been extremely lucky to have played for so long in such a great era of Australian cricket."
He added that he would still be available for first-class cricket.
Waugh has scored 8029 runs in a 128-Test career stretching over 12 years.
Tour match, Perth, day three of three: Western Australia 213 & 122-2; England 327
Western Australia hit back after losing an early wicket on the third and final day against England.
Pace bowler Simon Jones had got England off to a flyer when he dismissed Mike Hussey without the Northamptonshire captain adding to his overnight score.
It left Western Australia struggling on 23-2 and an England victory looked on the cards.
But Justin Langer and Chris Rogers had other ideas and let rip with the bat.
At lunch the home side had reached 122-2 - an eight run lead over the tourists.
Andrew Flintoff could be available for England's final warm-up match before the first Test on 7 November.
Nasser Hussain, soon after scoring a century against Western Australia in Perth, said the Lancashire all-rounder was "working his socks off" to speed up his recovery from a hernia operation.
Hussain said: "It's very good news, Flintoff's injury is progressing well. I hear he's bowling in the nets at about 75%.
"The coach has spoken to him and he wants to make himself available for the next game in Brisbane and that's obviously very good news for the team.
"But we'll have to wait and see and see how he plays before we can make any big predictions."
Hussain said Flintoff, who is spending a few days with the Academy in Adelaide, had been getting up extra early to show his dedication to the cause.
Australia's struggling fast bowler Brett Lee has warned England to beware.
Lee, one of the fastest bowlers in the world, has been suffering from a severe dip in form.
But he believes his form will return to devastating effect against England in the Ashes series, starting 7 November.
Lee took just five wickets in the series against Pakistan.
He said: "Probably the last series against Pakistan wasn't the best but in the conditions I thought I did a pretty good job.
"Steve Waugh encouraged me, saying that if I continue to bowl the way I am I will get a lot of wickets this season because I bowl with good pace and good line and length."
