ICC Contract row

The composition of India's team for next week's Champions Trophy tournament is again in doubt. The Board of Control (BCCI) has refused to accept an agreement reached on Friday between their leading players and the International Cricket Council, which appeared to have resolved a contracts dispute. BCCI officials fear that the compromise over image rights and sponsorship deals could lead to the ICC seeking compensation from them. "I am not willing to expose India to financial liability for a future claim by the ICC or its sponsors," said president Jagmohan Dalmiya. "The ICC is not willing to give us an undertaking that the Indian Board will not be liable to any future claim if the players accept the ICC's re-negotiated contract." He added that only those players who sign the original ICC contract by 2.00pm Indian time on Monday will play in the tournament.

India in England

Final Test, The Oval, day three: India 315-4 v England 515 all out Rahul Dravid's third consecutive Test century was the highlight of the third day at The Oval as India replied to England's first innings 515. The home bowlers applied the brakes during the evening session, allowing just 55 runs in 29.2 overs before bad light brought an early close, and gaining a fourth wicket in Sourav Ganguly. But Dravid stood firm, facing 316 deliveries for his unbeaten 131 to lead India to within a single run of avoiding the follow-on. VVS Laxman was his partner for the fifth wicket, never settling against short-pitched tactics with the older ball and the left-arm spin of Ashley Giles. But he survived four overs of the second new ball to reach 14 not out from 74 balls. India batsman Rahul Dravid, unbeaten on 131, said: "There is still a lot of work to be done and any of the three results are still possible. "The first session on Sunday will be crucial - if we don't lose wickets early on we can press on from there." And he said of his century: "My hundred at Headingley was obviously the best I have played but I think this was very important for the team's point of view. "When you are chasing 515 someone needs to play a big innings." Dravid frustrated England on Saturday with his patience in compiling a third consecutive hundred.

ICC Champions Trophy

Pakistan batsman Yousuf Youhana has been passed fit for next week's ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka. Youhana has been struggling with a shoulder injury, which led to him being sent home from the Tri-Series in Kenya after a disagreement with captain Waqar Younis. But he has now been given the all-clear and expects to join he rest of the squad in Colombo. "I have paid 10 visits to the doctor to get treatment for my shoulder injury and I have recovered well now. "It has been a testing time for every one of us, but I am confident I can contribute to the team and we will get back into form in the Champions Trophy," he commented.

PSO triangular tournament

Kenya Tri-Series Final, Nairobi: Pakistan 247 (50 overs); Australia 67-1 (9.3 overs) No result due to rain - teams share trophy Bad weather put paid to the prospect of an exciting climax to the competiton as Australia chased 228 for victory. Ricky Ponting's side were ahead of the required rate when a second downpour brought proceedings to an end, with Ponting himself 29 not out and Matthew Hayden on 20. But the highlight of the game was an innings of 59 off 43 balls by all-rounder Abdur Razzaq which had enabled Pakistan set a respectable target after a dismal start to their innings. Razzaq hit three sixes and five fours and although pace bowler Jason Gillespie took five wickets in his 10 overs, they came at a cost of 70 runs. Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie have been warned to bowl better in the final few overs of one-day cricket matches or someone else will be asked to do their job. McGrath and Gillespie are Australia's premier pace bowlers in the one-day arena - especially in the first 10 to 15 overs where they can wreak havoc with the new ball. But lately they've been a little loose in the final overs of an innings, captain Ricky Ponting said. Saturday's rained-out triangular series final was a case in point. Wasim Akram, the world's best one-day bowler, is struggling with his action just a few months out from the cricket world cup. Pakistan captain Waqar Younis said there was a concern over Akram's performance following his waywardness in the triangular series in Nairobi. With the ICC Champions Trophy starting next week and with the world cup less than six months away, it's a worry for the 342-game veteran. In the final against Australia, Akram bowled seven wides and three no balls in his five overs, which was nothing more than a continuation of the way he'd been bowling all tournament. Waqar said his long-time team-mate and world record holder for one-day wickets with 478, was simply out of kilter. "He's having a bit of a problem with the no balls and the wide balls - I think there's something wrong with his action," Waqar said after the rain-affected final.

Miscellaneous

Australian batsman Mark Waugh is expecting England to provide "competitive" opposition in this winter's Ashes series. The historic contest has been dominated by Australia since Mike Gatting's side won Down Under in 1986-87 and they came out on top in England last year by a 4-1 margin. Waugh believes, however, that the advance of players like Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick and Matthew Hoggard means England may be a tougher proposition this time. Vaughan, in particular, has made the Australian sit up and take notice after scoring four Test centuries this summer. "He's batting well, no doubt about it," Waugh told. "I've got to say that there's probably a bit of a difference between Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie and the opening bowlers he's faced this summer. "But you can't do any more than score runs against the opposition you're facing and he's done that pretty well." Police are investigating a number of threatening letters sent to England chairman of selectors David Graveney. In an interview with the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Graveney admitted that the content of the letters had led him to become concerned for his and his family's safety. "This person has been in correspondence with me over cricketing matters for some time but the thought process in the recent letters are of a serious nature," he said. "I know what comes with this job but those things do not apply to my wife and children and if they are at a cricket ground anything may happen. Scotland Yard has asked Graveney, who will announce England's squad for the Ashes series in Australia on Tuesday, to pass on the letters. Graveney added: "I accept the fact that I'm going to get some letters telling me I cannot do my job and so forth, and I try to respond in the right way. "But this is a lot more serious.

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