World Cup Cocktail

As part of ICC Cricket World Cup's commitment to supporting community causes, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has launched a children's book to promote reading.

Watson has been named the star in a children's book that has been published by Room to Read, a global non-profit organisation that promotes literacy and gender equality in education across Asian and African countries, together with the ICC.

The book will be published in Bangla, with an initial print-run of 2,500 copies and distributed to schools across Bangladesh and will be available for reprint in future years for additional schools.

This children's title, entitled Dream Big, is about a young boy who dreams about meeting his hero Shane after seeing him on television. The book inspires children to Dream Big and recognises that great things are possible with perseverance.

"Reading is an important tool in a child's overall development, I encourage children to read more and develop an all-round personality. My message to children worldwide is to Dream Big and never stop chasing your dream. Big dreams can lead to bigger things in life and this is what this book strives to do," Watson commented at the book's launch in the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Raina's fiance's village gets holiday for semi

The village of batsman Suresh Raina's fiance in Bamnauli here is gearing up for the ICC World Cup semifinal today and announced an undeclared holiday as India face their toughest test taking on a formidable Australia.

Head of the Panchayat Kalu Singh said the village is proud of Raina, who set to tie knot to Priyanka Chowdhury a resident of the village.

"It is the matter of pride that we are getting son-in-law like Raina. The decision to remain off from respective duties and watch the match, was taken unanimously yesterday. Also the entire village prayed at Hanuman temple for victory of the Indian team," Singh said.

Everyone will watch the semifinal on a big screen which will be installed in the village.

The Panchayat has also decided to hold a party for the village if India win the World Cup.

Kohli fans only salvation

India's sustained disrespect for their legion of fans continued on Wednesday with supporters locked out of the SCG and captain MS Dhoni refusing to fulfil his media obligations on the eve of a World Cup semi-final.

But Virat Kohli at least made some efforts to acknowledge the people that make he and his teammates such stars, signing a few autographs through the fence for the dozens shut out on Driver Avenue. The rest of his teammates simply retreated back to the dressing rooms.

A whopping 70 per cent of today's capacity crowd are estimated to be Indians, not that captain Dhoni would care.

Asked why his skipper was absent from his obligatory pre-match press conference, his unwitting replacement Rohit Sharma was unable to provide a plausible explanation.

Asked if there was anything wrong with Dhoni, Sharma replied:

"He's fine."

At least on the field, India is confident of giving their fans their money's worth.

Riaz invites Lara to Pakistan

Floored by the praise showered on him by Brian Lara, pacer Wahab Riaz has invited the West Indian legend to Pakistan.

"I feel really proud and honoured that legend @BrianLara wants too meet me. I invite the great man 2 Pakistan n would be honoured 2b his host," Riaz said.

The left-arm pacer's fiery spell against Australia earned him widespread praise from former and present players and Lara was upset when the International Cricket Council decided to fine Riaz for his verbal showdown with Australian Shane Watson.

Lara had said he would love to meet Riaz and termed the ICC's decision to fine him "uncalled for". He also offered to pay for it himself.

"I don't know what the ICC is thinking. It's just uncalled for. We need this in a sport that people are running away from, especially 50-over cricket. I loved the exchange," Lara said on an Indian channel.

"It was above the board as far as I'm concerned and I can't wait to meet him. I want to meet with (this) Riaz guy. I'll pay the fine," Lara said.

Riaz said he was happy that his bowling had been appreciated by so many people but would have loved to see Pakistan win the quarterfinal.

"We all did our best but we couldn't win the quarterfinal and I don't think anyone can be blamed. But I am happy I was able to step up for Pakistan and bowl well," he said.

-Compiled