Mahela boost for Fernando
Colombo: Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilhara Fernando will play in the upcoming Test series against England despite a recurring ankle injury, his captain Mahela Jayawardene said on Friday. Fernando was included in the 14-man squad named for the first Test starting in Kandy on December 1. The only significant decision was the axing of middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera.
Fernando is a key member of Lanka’s pace attack along with Lasith Malinga and 99-match veteran Chaminda Vaas for the three back-to-back Tests against England.
THE SQUAD — Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Michael Vandort, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralidharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Sujeewa de Silva
MacGill may quit
Melbourne: Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, who is fighting form and fitness, is considering retirement from Tests and will make a decision on his future before the Boxing Day contest against India. The 36-year-old has not set a deadline, but has confirmed he will not make himself available for selection unless completely certain that his knee can withstand the rigours of Test cricket, according to a newspaper report.
Meet in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur: The Indian High Commission in Malaysia said it would launch an annual cricket championship in collaboration with the Royal Klang Club here to popularise the game. The “Diwali Cup” will be held annually with at least six local teams participating on a round robin or knock-out basis.
Orissa best
Cuttack: Orissa was on Friday declared champions in the East Zone under-22 Col C. K. Nayudu Trophy by securing three points by virtue of its first innings lead over Bengal on the concluding day of the tournament. After Orissa’s first innings score of 395, Bengal finished at 339 for eight in their second innings and the tie ended in a draw.
BRIEF SCORES — Bengal 227 & 339/8 (Prinan Dutta 104, Amit Das 74, Sunanda Chakraborty 53). Orissa 395. Match drawn. Orissa 3 pts. Bengal 1 pt.
Bengal win
Calcutta: Srivats Goswami (38 not out) and Sayan Mondal (29 not out) steered Bengal to an eight-wicket win over Vidarbha CA in their under-19 match in Indore on Friday.
BRIEF SCORES —Vidarbha CA 171 & 186. Bengal 288 & 71/2. Bengal won by 8 wkts. Bengal 5 pts. Vidarbha CA 0 pts.
