ICC Cricket, Cricket Live Scores, Latest Sports News, Rumors, Fantasy Games, and more

As talks to resolve a two-month dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and senior players ended without an agreement, an unknown batsman with a Test average of nine could possibly lead the team against Australia.

Floyd Reifer, who has a Test average of 9.25, may lead the West Indies this summer, as twelve senior players, including captain Chris Gayle and star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, went on strike in July on the eve of the home test series against Bangladesh after negotiations with the board broke down.

Following the strike, performance of the team has been so poor that they were beaten 2-0 in the Test series and 3-0 in the one-day series by Bangladesh.

The West Indies are set to play a three-Test series against Australia this summer, featuring matches in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, plus a five-match one-day series.

"It was another bad day for West Indian cricket, which, without fundamental changes, is now likely to deteriorate further," Ramphal said in a statement after meeting with players.eanwhile, a Cricket Australia spokesmen said that there was no immediate threat to the tour, but they were concerned about the situation and are monitoring it carefully.

"We are hopeful they will resolve their issues soon. The series against the West Indies is almost three months away and we have had no indications to suggest that we will not be playing Test, one-day and Twenty20 cricket this summer," the spokesman said.

New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond must have been relishing thoughts of returning to the international cricket arena after a gap of two-years, but Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan spoiled it.

Dilshan hit four boundaries in Bond's first over during his innings of 57 from 28 balls in the Twenty20 international that was played on Wednesday.

"You always think guys are going to take a couple of balls to get into it, so yeah, it sort of surprised me. I've played him in the past and he's never played as freely as that," Stuff.co.nz quoted Bond, as saying.

"I always actually enjoyed bowling to him, I've got him out a few times. Obviously it's been a couple of years. So, like all batters, they mature," he added.

The 34-year-old further said that his first over in the match was a learning experience for him, as he now knows how to adapt to the situation.

"It wasn't too bad, it was fun. I obviously had to make some adjustments to Dilshan, who played pretty well," Bond said.

"First and foremost I had to tidy up the lines I bowl to him. I definitely know what I have to do in the next game," he added.

Though, Bond didn't have a perfect beginning, he did finish the match with a respectable figure of none for 27 from four overs.