Sunil Gavaskar has stood down as chairman of the ICC's cricket committee after an eight-year tenure. The former India captain was asked by the ICC board to choose between his role with the sport's world governing body and his media commitments.

Gavaskar had raised eyebrows with his criticism of the English and Australian boards in March. He has also been commentating on matches in the Indian Premier League. “With more and more cricket being played, it has become clear that it is not possible for me to do justice to two jobs,” Gavaskar said yesterday. The ICC is yet to decide on Gavaskar's replacement.

- England should not rush Andrew Flintoff back into action for the first Test series against New Zealand, Sir Ian Botham has said. “I would like him to play more county cricket and get miles into his legs,” the former England all-rounder said at an event to promote his latest walk in aid of Leukaemia Research, which will take place in nine cities and towns in October.

“New Zealand are building for the future with an inexperienced side and England should be able to cope with that without Fred,” he added. “He's not played a lot for two or three years and I'd like him to get his confidence back with bat and ball for Lancashire. Knowing Fred he'll want to get back in the Test arena. But I'd tell him, 'You are 30, I wouldn't push it.' If his ankle goes again, that's it.”

- Derek Underwood, the former England left-arm spinner, will succeed Mike Brearley as president of MCC in October. Underwood, 62, played 86 Tests from 1966 to 1982, taking 297 wickets. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1969.

- Morne Morkel, Yorkshire's overseas player, is to return home to South Africa after tearing a hamstring in his first match for his new county against Nottinghamshire last week. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who was to replace Morkel in early June, is likely to play for Yorkshire earlier, but he cannot be registered before May 19.

- Riki Wessels made 145 off 133 balls for Northamptonshire against Cardiff UCCE in Northampton. Niall O'Brien, the Ireland wicketkeeper who took over the gloves from Wessels, is 60 not out. Stephen Moore and Daryl Mitchell compiled an unbeaten 200 for the first wicket for Worcestershire against Loughborough UCCE.

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