England skipper Andrew Strauss on Friday hit out at former test star Geoffrey Boycott on his scathing criticism of the release of Michael Yardy in the World Cup because of depression.

Strauss said his team was "very disappointed" by the comments boycott and a team of compassion for their teammates the situation.

Ricky Ponting broke his 30th ODI century to return to the form and power of Australia 260-6 against India in the second 2011 World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday.

Ponting (104) won a good start on a slow running track at Sardar Patel Stadium, where he figured 250 would be a good total.

He and Brad Haddin (53) then provided that the total has exceeded their expectations.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting denied Wednesday he intends to quit International Cricket in the midst of reports that he was ready to walk way.

The 36-year-old Ponting, who has been under intense pressure from the Ashes defeat, and for his controversial behavior on the World Cup, says his international retirement has never crossed his mind.

The former Australian captain Steve Waugh says the old rivals South Africa are no longer the brittle team of the nineties and and have become a standout team in the World Cup.

Waugh was captain of the team that beat South Africa in a must-win Super Six match in 1999 World Cup on the way to win the title triumph against Pakistan at Lord's.