Sehwag on this week's special edition of ICC Cricket World Radio Show

On this week's special edition of ICC Cricket World Radio Show, Virender Sehwag says India will have to play top quality Test cricket this year to retain its status as the number-one ranked side in the world.

Sehwag, who has missed the ongoing West Indies tour because of a shoulder injury, says: "We are maintaining this number-one position from the last one year or so. Reaching that number-one position is difficult and it is even more difficult to stay there for a longer time.

"If we can beat the West Indies, England and Australia (this year), we can prove that we really are the number-one team."

India has been holding the number-one Test ranking since December 2009 when it dethroned South Africa after beating Sri Lanka at home by 2-0. India now leads second-ranked South Africa by a comfortable 11-point margin with England in third position and Australia in fifth.

After finishing its assignment in the West Indies, India will travel to England where the four-Test series will start from 21 July while its four-Test series in Australia will start on 26 December.

Sehwag admits that it is frustrating not to be part of the action. "It is very difficult when you are sitting at home and watching India playing against the West Indies. It's very frustrating but you can't do anything.

"It is because of the shoulder injury, I have to sit out and do my rehab. I am getting better and working hard on my rehab. Hopefully, I will be back soon. I am trying very hard to be fit for England tours o that I can play in that series," he says.

The show can be used in whole or part by radio stations that want free cricket content for editorial use, while the public can also download it straight from the ICC website or from iTunes.

The show includes an exclusive interview of ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat in which he previews the ICC annual conference which will take place in Hong Kong from 26-30 June.

Mr Lorgat says: "The ICC annual conference is a busy and a very important week. It is common knowledge that once a year, towards the end of June, all family members of the ICC come together. It is a special time for the cricket family to engage with old friends, make new friends and discuss some very important topics."

Speaking of the big ticket items which will be discussed during the annual conference week, Mr Lorgat says: "One of the most important items on the agenda includes the carry-over item around the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The President decided to reconsider it after the Board had decided in Mumbai that it would be a Full Members only World Cup which understandably didn't go down well.

"We are also going to be discussing the concept of Member Boards ensuring that there is no government interference in the sport so that they are able to hold free elections and make appointments of members to the Broad from amongst themselves. The other constitutional amendment is around the President's election process. The rotation system seems to be out of favour and there is a view from amongst the Board that the best person should be nominated as the President.

"The other topical issue would be the recommendations coming from the ICC Cricket Committee through to the ICC Chief Executives' Committee and ultimately to the ICC Board. And I know one item that has seen a lot of media reports recently is the DRS.

"We will also be discussing the Future Tours Programme (FTP) after 2012 and the Pakistan Task Team while I will also be presenting ICC Strategic Plan 2011-2015."

These are exciting times in Associates and Affiliates cricket with the start of a revamped eight-team ICC Intercontinental Cup 2011-2013.

ICC's Media and Communications Manager James Fitzgerald, previewing the tournament, says: "If previous editions are anything to go by, then we are in for a treat when it comes to the quality and excitement the tournament produces.

"In fact, the Intercontinental Cup has produced a large number of emerging players. Players who start as being unknown, but then make name for themselves by the end of it. The Intercontinental Cup has been able to develop talents and techniques, much more than what limited-overs cricket can do.

"Afghanistan has been the story of Associate and Affiliate cricket for the past few years, Scotland has some names in the squad from whom we are expecting big things, for three editions Ireland was the winner and it always likes to say it is the best Associate team in all three formats while Namibia, which is making its way back, seem to thrive in this tournament."

Apart from these exclusive interviews, the show includes previews of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2011-2013 and ICC annual conference, plus the usual round up of cricketing news and an update of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings.

This show is 25-minute audio show and has been put together by the ICC's global broadcast partner, ESPN STAR Sports.