Members of The Homies and The Popz at a training session before their Australian tour © Getty Images

While almost A$6million had been raised for Australia’s flood relief appeal by the end of the 5th one-day international at the Gabba, further cricket-based help will soon be forthcoming from an unexpected source: Compton, Los Angeles. The Homies and the Popz are Compton Cricket Club’s team and have embarked on their first tour of Australia, with one of their main aims being to raise awareness and financial support for the Queensland flood victims.

Comprised of African American and Latino youth and former gang members, the cricket team was formed to provide an alternative to the gang activities that ruled their neighbourhoods. They’ve been playing cricket for 15 years and credit the sport with their salvation. In the coming weeks, they’ve planned to play a series of high profile exhibition cricket matches during the height of the Australian cricketing calendar in three cities: Melbourne, Alice Springs and Sydney.

Through touring to Australia the team also hopes to continue developing into a world class competitive and exhibition cricket team and sporting club, utilising its high profile to publicise other charitable Australian organisations that deal with similar issues in their own communities, and raise awareness of the Club with key stakeholders during their tour so that cricket opportunities between the USA and Australia can grow.

The teams they will play represent the broadest possible cross-section of cricketing groups Australia has to offer, and will include University, inner city, charity, homeless and youth cricket sides. Some of these teams include, in Melbourne, sides made up of Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia staff and the Australian Cricket Society and, in Sydney, the Redfern All Blacks, Sydney University and Police and community Youth Centres.

Find out more about The Homies and The Popz at www.comptoncricketclub.org

It is not in the league of the ‘cleansing’ that Beijing undertook before the 2008 Olympics, but the port city of Chittagong in Bangladesh has announced its own sprucing-up plans ahead of the World Cup. Manzur Alam, the Chittagong mayor, wants hundreds of beggars to be kept off the city’s streets during the tournament. But that would mean a temporary loss of ‘livelihood’ for the beggars, and Alam plans to compensate around 300 of them with a daily ‘wage’ of 150 taka (about two dollars).

“Bangladesh is a host of the prestigious event. A lot of tourists will be here, and they don't like to see beggars," Alam told AFP. The mayor plans to meet the beggars' representatives to discuss the payments and other benefits such as free food and clothes. "We want to treat the issue as humanely as possible. Many of these beggars are disabled and many have families and their children are studying in schools and colleges. So obviously, they must be compensated well."

According to a 2005 study, Bangladesh has about 700,000 beggars, with those in urban areas earning an average of 100 taka a day from donations. The South Asian nation is hosting the World Cup for the first time, with Chittagong getting two matches while six will be played in the capital Dhaka. Guess who could be watching the games on a paid leave.

Not for the first time in Michael Clarke’s career, it’s not just his batting form that is provoking debate with off-field issues adding to the pressure on Australia’s stand-in captain. Twitter has again been to the fore after he responded to a strong article by an Australian journalist by tweeting he should “take a chill pill.”

The journalist wasn’t impressed that Clarke has been using Twitter to try and get Steve Smith a date for the Allan Border Medal next month while he continues to struggle for form. Clarke, who has had a low approval rating from the Australian public this summer, admitted that in an ideal world things he did away from the cricket pitch weren't such an issue, but knows it is part of being a prominent sportsman.

“Don’t get me wrong, I wish it wasn’t there,” he said. “But with our job it’s part of what we do. The most important thing for is that we are winning. Individual scrutiny comes and goes, at the moment I’m copping a little bit of stick.

“When it comes to cricket fair enough because I’ve not been performing as well as I’d like. I continue to say it’s part and parcel of what comes with it. Everyone wishes it didn’t happen, but what can you do? You have to accept that.” Or maybe he could tweet it as well.

It’s the start of the silly season, when reactions across the subcontinent are likely to hit fever pitch - even when there are no matches involved. The World Cup is still 28 days away but the first effigy - of Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons - has already been burnt. The reason? The exclusion of fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza from the World Cup squad. Hundreds of protesters hit the streets in Mortaza’s hometown in Narail, about 300 kms from Dhaka. Vehicles were vandalised, a half-day general strike was called and Siddons was burnt in effigy.

Mortaza, currently recovering from a knee injury, was not picked on fitness grounds, but that did not deter his supporters as they chanted slogans against the selection committee. Mortaza had earlier broken down in tears while addressing reporters over his exclusion describing it as the “most painful day” of his life. Burning effigies is not new to cricket fans in the subcontinent – only recently, fans of former India captain Sourav Ganguly had burnt effigies of IPL team owner Shahrukh Khan, angered over his team Kolkata Knight Riders decision to not pick Ganguly at the auction.

A Perth property development company owned by the former England cricketer Adam Hollioake and his family has collapsed, owing $20 million to more than 40 creditors, including Hollioake’s former Surrey and England team-mate Alec Stewart.

According to the West Australian newspaper, there is only a “very slim” chance of any of the non-secured creditors, including Stewart and Hollioake himself, seeing a single cent of their money, after liquidators were appointed to take control of the company in September 2010.

Stewart, whom the newspaper claims is owed A$700,000, made his first investment with the Hollioake Group in 2000 and reinvested in 2003. "I have to say it has been very profitable and dealing with THG is so easy," he said in a statement on the company’s website. "I am secure in the knowledge I am dealing with such an honest reputable company."

As he wades through an extended run of indifferent form, Michael Clarke has endured criticism on a variety of fronts in recent times but he surely couldn’t have expected to be offered some free batting advice from a teenage stowaway during a press conference at the indoor cricket nets at Hobart's Bellerive Oval.

Daniel Brew, a 17-year-old from the Geelong suburb of Grovedale, snuck into the event and laid low for the first few minutes before piping up with: "I've noticed something Michael, you're pushing at the ball too much. What are you going to do about that?"

To his credit, Clarke responded in unflappable manner. "I'm pushing at the ball too much? You should be a batting coach," Clarke smiled. "What do you think I should do about it?"

Brew, who has helped out as an assistant coaching with his local team, suggested he should "not reach for it so much". Clarke, still smiling, responded: "Okay I'll try that today in the nets. Thank you."

Andrew Hilditch may not believe Nathan Hauritz’s record in India is “excellent” after all. It has emerged that Hilditch’s press-release ghost added the description in the rush to have the selection chairman’s comments ready for yesterday morning’s World Cup squad announcement.

Hauritz was the sole specialist spinner in the outfit, according to Hilditch, because his "one-day record in India is excellent". This was despite Hauritz, who was ignored for the Ashes, managing only four wickets in seven matches at 70.75 in the country, although his economy rate was strong.

The comments were written instead by Phillip Pope, Cricket Australia’s public affairs manager, and approved by Hilditch when he skimmed the release before a 4am flight to Sydney for the announcement. "Off the field we are not perfect," Peter Young, Cricket Australia’s public affairs general manager, told AAP. “Sometimes you get an outside edge or drop a catch." It’s been hard to keep track of the number of catches Hilditch’s panel has missed over the past year.

Rajasthan’s IPL franchise may be called the Royals, but the Prince of Udaipur’s loyalties lie with the Ranji Trophy team, and he was there to witness them being crowned kings of India’s premier domestic competition. He was joined by the Yuvraj of Baroda in Moti Bagh’s ‘royal tent’. That’s right; no corporate boxes, podiums for cheerleaders or stages for Bollywood stars at this ground, but a tent to host the royal families of Baroda and visiting teams. The tent used to be bigger, according to Yuvraj Samarjitsingh Gaekwad, who is a member of the Baroda Cricket Association and grew up watching cricket at Moti Bagh. “It got eaten by termites,” he told the Indian Express. “Probably, if this match was played 50 years ago, we would have had elephants and caravans surrounding the ground.”

Rajasthan and Baroda’s cricketing histories have both been heavily influenced by their royal families, and Prince Lakshyaraj Singh, who is also the president of the Udaipur Cricket Association, was ecstatic after Rajasthan attained their first-ever Ranji title. “For 30 years, Rajasthan cricket has been struggling to make a significant impact,” he said. “While the win against Mumbai was very special, this is the perfect dessert after a grand feast. I am sure the souls of the past greats from my state, including my grandfather, will be popping champagne bottles as we speak.” There’s an old adage that only two men and a dog show up for Ranji Trophy games. But as long as those two men are princes, the players have something to play for.

Shane Warne and Darren Gough have been discussing the possibility of a "legends" Twenty20 Ashes game to help raise funds for the Queensland flood disaster victims.

Gough approached Warne via Twitter on Tuesday, saying: "why don't we play a masters England v Australia cricket match at mcg like tsunami game ? Raise lots give me a bell."

According to the West Australian newspaper, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hoggard and Michael Vaughan are among the players, past and present, to have expressed an interest, with the match already being billed as a Warne XI v a Vaughan XI.

"Trying to organize a big concert as well after the 20/20 match - lots to organize but everyone been great re donating time.. Thankyou..," Warne later tweeted.

Gough's sister-in-law lives in Queensland. "She's safe but others are not Need our help now," he wrote.

Alastair Cook has been rewarded for his stunning efforts during England's Ashes win by being afforded the freedom of the City of London.

Cook racked up 766 runs in the series at an average of 120 - including three centuries - as England retained the urn in dominant style. He is now back in England having been overlooked for the ODI and T20 sides, but he has not been forgotten.

Cook, who will receive the accolade at a ceremony later this year, said: "I am greatly honoured and privileged to be given the Freedom of London for doing something I love ... beating the Aussies. I would like to thank all those involved with this decision."

Traditionally, the award means he is entitled to drink in any public house in the city for free - an honour that held Andrew Flintoff in good stead when he was granted the freedom of Preston in 2005 - and drive sheep and cattle through the streets.

Shane Warne was never shy of uttering a word or two in an English batsman’s ear during his playing days, but it appears the English have finally found a way to silence him. Warne, who has branched out into poker, commentary and even a line of gentleman’s underwear since his retirement, also had his own cricket-themed variety TV show, Warnie, on the Nine Network. However, the fifth and final episode of the show has been shelved, apparently because of the dominance of the England cricket team in the Ashes. The network decided "there is no need for a show on January 6" because the visitors have already retained the urn.

Warnie opened to viewing figures of 854,000, but that had dropped below 500,000 by the second episode despite guests such as James Packer, Sir Michael Parkinson, Dannii Minogue, Sting, Jeremy Clarkson, Susan Boyle and Coldplay's Chris Martin.

Bangladesh are taking their job of co-hosting the 2011 World Cup very seriously. And it’s not just the stadiums that are getting a face-lift: in the port city of Chittagong, residents and shop owners along the main roads from the airport to the city centre have been asked to spruce up their homes and shops with a new coat of paint. Bangladesh take on England and Netherlands in Chittagong, which will also host a warm-up match. The city corporation ran an advertisement in the newspapers on Saturday to appeal to its residents. “We need your cooperation to present the beauty of the city to players, officials and other dignitaries, who will visit us during the World Cup.” Bangladesh have never hosted a World Cup before and excitement levels are running high in the country – leading to clashes on Sunday between fans and police in Dhaka in the rush to buy tickets for the tournament.

Kevin Pietersen has never been shy about, well, anything really. But when he took credit for England’s Ashes success Down Under by claiming it only happened because he got Peter Moore fired as coach and himself sacked as captain, and that he did it all for the good of English cricket, his ego had officially taken him three or four steps too far. So its no surprise he finds himself named in the Daily Telegraph's list of top 10 sporting egos, alongside other big-headed stars such as golfer Nick Faldo and NBA star Lebron James.

Pietersen is not the only cricketer to make the list either. Joining him is Yuvraj Singh, who was once hailed as the crown prince of Indian cricket and a future captain but today finds himself dropped from the Test team altogether. “Ego, bank balance and waistline have all swollen in recent years, but his performances have deserted him.” As the paper suggests, Yuvraj’s Twitter biography sums up his impression of himself best: "Cricketer, Celebrity, Entrepreneur, budding Philanthropist aka Yuvi." At least he mentions cricketer first.