Sachin Tendulkar may have scored a duck but his teammate Ajay Jadeja and Australia's Paul Reiffel claimed pigeons during India's 77-run loss to Australia in yesterday's opening Super Six clash at The Oval. The feathered observers at The Oval came under fire in the 42nd over when Nayan Mongia smashed a drive straight to Reiffel in the outfield. The Aussie all-rounder fired in a return throw directly into the path of a low-flying pigeon in the outfield. Reiffel, with assistance from fast bowler Glenn McGrath -- who happens to be nicknamed `Pigeon' -- attempted to treat the bird but realised it was dead. A second fatality occurred in the 48th over when Jadeja, on 98, cut a delivery to third man and sent the ball flying into another pigeon pecking on the outfield.

Tendulkar in logo row

Sachin Tendulkar has landed himself in a controversy over the size of the sponsor's logo on his bat, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) telling the Indian team management toask the master batsman to conform to the rules. Tendulkar was allegedly using an oversized MRF logo on his bat in the matches against Kenya and England which violated ICC rules for the World Cup, forcing apex body to bring it to the notice of the Indian team management.

Duncan Fletcher for England?

Former Zimbabwe captain Duncan Fletcher has become the leading contender to succeed David Lloyd as England's cricket coach, it was reported here on Saturday. Glamorgan are prepared to release Fletcher from his contract to take the national post even though he has only recently signed a new three year deal with the Welsh county, the Daily Express reported. Glamorgan secretary Mike Fatkin said: "We see Duncan as a top coach and we are not surprised by England's interest. If they say they want him we would not stand in Duncan's way."

Ducks for charity

A sporting charity is cashing in on World Cup batsmen's embarrassing failures. The National Westminster Bank is paying 100 Pounds to theprimary club, which works to provide sport and recreational opportunities for blind and partially sighted people, for every golden duck (first ball dismissal) in the tournament. There have been 18 in the 31 matches played so far.