The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Ranchi

Police said on Friday they had arrested three people in connection with alleged extortion letters sent to Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Security was beefed up outside Dhoni's family home in eastern India after a man claiming to be an associate of Dawood Ibrahim, the country's most wanted gangster, demanded 5 million rupees ($102,000) from the cricket star in a letter on Monday.

A second letter sent two days later threatened to blow up the house if police were asked for help. Police sent 45 commandos to keep watch.

On Tuesday, Dhoni arrived in his hometown Ranchi in Jharkhand, one of country's poorest states, but has since left for Mumbai.

"Three people have been arrested in connection with the extortion and threat letters written to Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni," a state police official told Reuters. "We have interrogated more than seven people in connection with two letters."

Game well placed to face challenges : ICC

AFP, Sydney

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said Friday that cricket-currently grappling with major challenges such as security problems-has overcome bigger hurdles in the past.

"As the ICC enters its second century, the game faces challenges-safety and security, player workload, balancing formats, ensuring a competitive balance between ICC members, staying on top of corruption and plenty more besides," Lorgat said, launching the International Cricket Council's centenary year.

"But then again cricket has always faced challenges just as big, if not bigger, than those currently confronting us -- Bodyline, illegal bowling actions in the 1950s and 1960s and corruption, to name just three.

"And, as a successful global sport, cricket will not be unique in facing such significant challenges."

The Indian government denied its cricketers permission to play in Pakistan in the wake of November's Mumbai terror attacks.