Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, arguably the most marketable cricketers in England, have parted company with Woodworm, the equipment manufacturer, whose distinctive bats with cutaway edges became popular during the 2005 Ashes series.

The company was founded in 2002 and signed Flintoff a year later, along with other leading players such as Muttiah Muralitharan and Dwayne Bravo, but it is believed to have run into financial difficulties, not least after it had trouble breaking into the golfwear market, despite the endorsement of Ernie Els, the South African golfer.

Woodworm turned its first profit in 2006 thanks to the exposure it gained during the Ashes, but the company is struggling. Pietersen is rumoured to be close to signing a deal with adidas and Flintoff is seeking a new sponsor.

- Surrey have confirmed that they are interested in hosting matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Brit Oval. “We have spoken to certain IPL franchises about staging games here,” Paul Sheldon, the chief executive, said. “If it was possible within the calendar and with the blessing of the ECB, we would certainly look at it.”

Given the packed domestic and international calendar in 2009, with the World Twenty20 and the Ashes dominating the summer, Sheldon said that it would be difficult to find time to stage IPL games until 2010. MCC has also been investigating the possibility of hosting IPL matches at Lord's.

- The ECB is interested in providing neutral venues in England to host Test matches between Asian countries as part of the effort to protect the five-day game. Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, told The Wisden Cricketer: “I like the idea of providing the opportunity with our fabulous grounds and our huge ethnic minority populations who are keen to see their own heroes. It may be in the interests of cricket. Indeed, Pakistan might get a better crowd in Leeds than in Karachi.”

The ICC Champions Trophy, which was postponed last month because of security concerns in Pakistan, will be played in the country next year, but in only one city. The tournament will take place from September 24 to October 5, reducing its duration by five days.