Aussies agree to Pak series in Kenya

Australia are ready to play Pakistan in a triangular one-day series in Kenya next month and named a 14-man squad on Friday for the series moved from Pakistan due to security concerns.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Thursday New Zealand had turned down its invitation to play in the tournament in Nairobi.

Officials are examining whether to ask Australia to play a series of six or seven one-dayers against Pakistan or invite Kenya to play in New Zealand's place.

The series had been intended as the centrepiece of celebrations in Pakistan marking the 50th anniversary of the country attaining test status.

Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive James Sutherland said the world champion Australians would play in the series once routine security and operational checks were made.

"The ACB has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board that the Australian team is available for the Kenyan one-day international series, but participation is subject to our satisfaction that player security measures are in place and cricket facilities are adequate," Sutherland said.

"Having played in Kenya only two years ago we have a reasonable level of comfort that it is a suitable venue, but we need to go through some formalities before we confirm our participation," he added.

Kenya hosted the International Cricket Council "mini World Cup" tournament two years ago.

Australia named a strong squad, led by one-day skipper Ricky Ponting, dashing batsman-wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and leg-spinner Shane Warne. Warne said in May he would not tour if the series went ahead in Pakistan.

The same squad will also play in the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka from September 12-29.

Final details of the series against Pakistan are yet to be worked out but Pakistan officials have announced a tentative date of August 25 to September 7.

Earlier this year, a two-test Pakistan-West Indies series was switched to Sharjah and New Zealand cut short their test tour in May after a bomb went off outside their Karachi hotel.

The Australian squad for the Pakistan and Sri Lanka series is: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

Mail Cricket Editor