Malinga to play for Middlesex

London: Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga is to play for Middlesex in English County cricket's Twenty20 competition, the club has announced.

Malinga’s international commitments mean he will be unavailable for Middlesex’s opening three T20 matches against Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire but he will lead the attack in the final seven group games. His first appearance for Middlesex is due to be against Essex at Lord’s on June 21.

Craig quits

Calcutta: Cricket Australia on Friday said that Craig McDermott, the assistant bowling coach, is to step down from the role.

Speaking about his decision, Craig McDermott said: “It has been a very difficult decision. However the team’s schedule is a busy one and after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view.

Silver for India

New Delhi: Indian girls team had to be content with a silver medal at the the Spanish Junior and Cadet Open table tennis championships at Girona after losing 0-3 to Japan in a lop-sided encounter.

The boys, however, failed to make a mark as they did not progress beyond the quarter finals.

Gowda 6th

Doha: National record-holder Vikas Gowda finished sixth in men’s discus throw in the first leg of the Samsung Diamond League series here on Friday.

Gowda, who has already qualified for the London Olympics, came up with a decent effort of 64.10m, which was below his personal best.

New event

Mumbai: The Women’s Tennis Association is all set to introduce a $ 125,000 event in India in November with four out of the top 50 ranked players in the world expected to be a part of the inaugural edition, scheduled to be held in either Mumbai or Pune.

“The $125,000 WTA Challenger is to be held in the first week of the off-season for the players. The top ten players won’t be taking part but four out of the rest of the top 50 ranked players are expected. It would be a strong field,” WTA executive director for the Asia-Pacific Region, Peter Johnston, said at a media conference.

Enrique quits

Rome: Luis Enrique has quit as manager of AS Roma, putting an end to a troubled reign in charge of the Serie A side, the club’s general director confirmed on Friday.       

“At a certain point it wore him out and he felt the need to stop,” general director Franco Baldini said. He won't be training anywhere next season.”       

Smalling out

London: Manchester United defender Chris Smalling will not be available for England’s Euro 2012 campaign because of a serious groin injury, manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.       

“Chris has suffered a bad injury,” Ferguson told a news briefing. “It is a torn groin muscle injury and he will miss the European Championships.”