The Shenzhou themselves are based on Russia's Soyuz craft but, according to Phillip Clark, a British-based consultant and expert on the Chinese space programme, they are not a straight knock-off.

ECONOMIST: China in space

Associated Press writers Ray Henry, Johnny Clark and Phillip Lucas contributed to this report.

NPR: Financial Crises For Ga. Man Who Held Firefighters

Middlesex and Kent have signed Phillip Hughes and Stuart Clark respectively ahead of the series, starting in July.

BBC: Strauss bemoans Australian deals