..::CRICKET::..

[chandikagunawardhana]

Vaas to retire from Tests

​

Chaminda Vaas, the Sri Lanka fast bowler, has announced he will retire from Tests after the third match against Pakistan in Colombo starting Monday. He said he will continue to play one-dayers and Twenty20s till the 2011 World Cup.

"I am officially retiring from Test cricket after the third Test against Pakistan, but will continue playing one-day and Twenty20 matches till the 2011 World Cup," he told reporters in Colombo, but declined to take any questions.

It will end a fine career by one of Sri Lanka's most persevering and successful fast bowlers. In 110 Tests he has taken 354 wickets at 29.40 after making his debut against Pakistan in 1994 - the second-highest Sri Lankan wicket-taker - along with 400 one-day wickets.

He last represented Sri Lanka in February in the abruptly terminated Test series in Pakistan. On July 4 this year Ashantha de Mel, Sri Lanka's chief selector, had been quoted in the press saying that Vaas had retired from Test cricket. However, Vaas, denied any such claims.

Vaas, 35, was axed from the Sri Lanka Twenty20 side last October, missing the four-nation tournament in Canada. He kept his place in the Test side and featured in the Karachi match earlier this year but was subsequently dropped for the aborted Lahore Test after he went wicketless in 31 overs.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

It's a sad end to great test career....

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Martin eyes new-ball alliance with Bond

​

Chris Martin, the New Zealand seamer, has expressed his desire to team up with Shane Bond and the new ball at the international level. Neither are together on New Zealand's upcoming tour to Sri Lanka - Martin is in the Test side, Bond in the one-day squad - but Martin was keen to strengthen New Zealand's fast-bowling attack by forging a healthy pairing domestically.

Martin, 34, has returned to Canterbury for the 2009-10 season after spending the past four summers at Auckland and will share the new ball with Bond. "I think we can be a good partnership with the new ball," Martin told the Sunday Star Times."That's because both of us know what we're doing with the ball; our job is well-defined in our own mind and if you have two guys who are confident in what they're doing they can put on more pressure."

While New Zealand's selectors have often preferred contrasting bowling pairs, Martin hoped his similarities with Bond would not stop them sharing the new ball. "We both tend to swing it in at pace but Shane bowls a bit more full whereas I tend to whack it in shorter and look for more bounce, but we can complement each other because we both know what we're doing with the ball," he said. "And Shane's a genuine wicket-taker so anyone at the other end should be giving him the opportunity to bowl at one guy for as long as he needs to and I can do that role.

"It will be quite exciting to have him back and to have an opportunity to build on having two guys who should be at the top of their game and mentally be pretty relaxed about their job. And when Dan Vettori looks around the park to throw the ball to someone he will have more options."

According to Martin, in Bond's absence - he had quit to join the unofficial Indian Cricket League - New Zealand's bowling attack "has been steady without being world class but still gets the job done".

Martin and Bond have shared the new ball in only four Tests. While Martin will travel to Sri Lanka with the Test side, Bond will warm up for his international comeback by visiting India with New Zealand A in August.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Shoaib not picked for ODI series

​

Shoaib Akhtar will not be considered for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, because of the uncertainty surrounding his match fitness, Wasim Bari, the PCB director for human resources and administration, has said. "Without knowing his match fitness how can we select him for the series," Bari was quoted as saying to Press Trust of India. "Until he does not play a few matches we cannot be sure of his match fitness."

However, Shoaib still stands a chance of being selected for the squad for the Champions Trophy to be held in South Africa later in the year. The PCB is to finalise its preliminary list of 30 players for the tournament by July 23. "If he [Shoaib] is in the 30, his fitness can be assessed later on," Bari said.

Shoaib missed last month's World Twenty20 due to a skin infection, and last represented Pakistan in the five-match ODI series against Australia two months ago. Last week, he insisted he was back at full fitness, and claimed that he had "three to four good years left in him".

Shoaib, 33, has not been a regular member of the Pakistan side of late due to disciplinary issues as well as injuries. He was involved in a tussle with the PCB after reportedly criticising the board publicly for not awarding him a central contract. Subsequently, upon his return to international cricket, he was dropped after a poor ODI series against Sri Lanka and again under-performed against Australia, taking three wickets with an average of over 50.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Not good news for Akhtar fans. They won't see him in Sri Lanka during the ODI series.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Razzak joins ODI squad​

Bangladesh have made three additions to their team touring West Indies, drafting in left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, allrounder Naeem Islam and medium-fast bowler Syed Rasel, all standbys for the Test series, for the three-match ODI series which begins on July 26.

Razzak is the most experienced of the three, having played 81 ODIs and capturing 111 wickets at 27.90. He had been suspended from bowling in international cricket in December 2008 due to a suspect action, but the ruling was lifted in March. He, along with Naeem and Rasel, last represented Bangladesh in the ODI series against South Africa in November 2008.

 

[lanasingh]

Last Page

... where can I see this?

What? You think I was gonna wait around till 4 in the morn/pay for this?

Ive checked youtube, but its all preview and clips from the pugilists previous fights.

Danka La Grazi.
Sorry for offtop: As news of the A/1H1N Swine Flu pandemic spreads so do the rumours and fear. One persistently reoccurring statement is that existing flu treatments Tamiflu and Ralenza (generic names: Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are not effective against the newest strain of Swine Flu. These rumours are not true; Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are considered to be effective and viable Swine Flue treatments.
Do you have tamiflu? I have bought here - Tamiflu
Everybody must have.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

... where can I see this?

What? You think I was gonna wait around till 4 in the morn/pay for this?

Ive checked youtube, but its all preview and clips from the pugilists previous fights.

Danka La Grazi.
Sorry for offtop: As news of the A/1H1N Swine Flu pandemic spreads so do the rumours and fear. One persistently reoccurring statement is that existing flu treatments Tamiflu and Ralenza (generic names: Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are not effective against the newest strain of Swine Flu. These rumours are not true; Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are considered to be effective and viable Swine Flue treatments.
Do you have tamiflu? I have bought here - Tamiflu
Everybody must have.

What is this??

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

England move closer to historic win

Controversy, not history, dominated discussion at Lord's despite England moving within five wickets of a victory 75-years in the making. A series of incorrect umpiring decisions blighted an otherwise engrossing first two sessions on Sunday, in which Andrew Flintoff and Graeme Swann pushed the Australians to the brink and repriced memories of 2005.

Again, much of the focus centered on Rudi Koertzen, whose 100th Test might well be remembered as his most contentious. The South African official began the fourth day by ruling Simon Katich out to a Flintoff no-ball, but the bigger controversy surrounded his involvement in the dismissal of Phillip Hughes to a claimed catch by Andrew Strauss.

Hughes was ordered to stand his ground by Ricky Ponting, the non-striker, after edging Flintoff low to first slip and, as has been the case twice previously this Test, Koertzen sought the counsel of Billy Doctrove. But unlike Nathan Hauritz's claimed catch on Saturday, the on-field officials did not refer the matter to Nigel Llong, the third umpire, and Koertzen ordered Hughes back to the Pavilion for 17.

Replays were inconclusive as to whether Strauss' fingers were completely between ball and turf, and a third umpire referral might have resulted in a benefit-of-the-doubt ruling, similar to that granted to Ravi Bopara the previous day. Hughes, though, was not so fortunate, and now finds himself under immense pressure to perform at Edgbaston after false starts at Sophia Gardens and Lord's.

Michael Hussey also had reason to feel aggrieved at his dismissal, ruled caught at first slip to a Swann delivery he appeared to miss, but the Australian batsman could have counted himself most fortunate to have survived an earlier lbw shout from James Anderson. Hussey's wicket in the 33rd over almost certainly signaled the end of Australia's survival prospects in the match, although Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin held firm to tea, advancing the Australian total to 178 for five.

The various controversies of the day may have made for heated debate in the stands, but could not detract from a virtuoso performance from Flintoff, playing his last ever Test at Lord's. Storming in from the Pavilion End, England's enigmatic allrounder bowled seven overs of pure menace for figures of 2 for 9 before lunch, accounting for both Australian openers in the process, and followed with seven more in the second session.

Presumably, Flintoff will not be offering conciliatory handshakes and embraces to the Australians in the event of a second Test victory, as was the case at Edgbaston four years, given the ferocity of his encounters with Hughes and Ponting in the first session on Sunday. In the second over of the morning, Flintoff unleashed a ferocious bouncer that barely cleared Hughes' helmet, and followed with an exaggerated verbal barrage delivered while walking backwards to his mark. The chirping also extended to Ponting, somewhat more practiced at the art than Hughes, as tempers frayed in this most pressurised of atmospheres.

Ponting's blood pressure rose further when James Anderson struck him a painful blow to the right index finger, and again when a loose cut-shot resulted in him edging a Stuart Broad delivery onto his stumps. Marcus North also chopped on in the lead up to tea - his from a faster, flatter Swann delivery - as Australia stumbled to 128 for 5.

Clarke and Haddin ensured England did not have it all their own way, combining for an unbroken stand of 50 heading into the tea break. Clarke raised his defiant half-century from just 58 deliveries, and will require more of the same if Australia are to survive a day which will be extended by an hour due to earlier rain delays.

Earlier, Strauss declared England's second innings closed at 311 for 6, holding an overall lead of 521.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Mendis could miss out as Sri Lanka opt for pace

Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lankan captain, has hinted at picking four seamers for the final Test against Pakistan which means the out-of-form spinner Ajantha Mendis could sit out the match starting Monday. Left-arm medium-pacer Chaminda Vaas will be returning to the side for the Test, which he announced will be his last.

"Playing four seamers is a very good possibility, the combination s are endless with the quality we have," Sangakkara said. "The best balance is always seven batsmen and four bowlers depending on who the bowlers are. We've played cricket at the SSC with six batsmen and five bowlers, one of them being an allrounder. Those two conditions sit very well with us."

Since his debut in July 2008, Mendis has only missed one out of nine Tests Sri Lanka played - against Bangladesh, when he twisted his ankle. But in his last four Tests, all against Pakistan, Mendis has taken just six wickets at 65.83, compared to his first four in which he took 33 at 18.36.

Sri Lanka have already won the series 2-0 going into this Test and Sangakkara said they would aim to bat Pakistan out of the match, having failed to do so in the previous ones. "If we really buckle down and play positively and look to score runs that opportunity will come to more than one of our batsmen." No Sri Lankan batsman has scored a century in the two Tests.

"It's always a tough thing to make a clean sweep," Sangakkara said. "You want to have a clean sweep but the key towards achieving that is hard work, training and making sure on the match day you go out there and execute everything that was discussed, all the game plans, individual responsibility etc. Just wanting to win and expecting to win doesn't really work without the effort."

Sangakkara ruled out the possibility of any complacency from his side in the dead rubber. "Pakistan has played patchy cricket so have we. Unfortunately their patches have been more disastrous than ours. We've had opportunities where we could have won Test matches at a canter but we didn't convert it. Pakistan had the same opportunities and they didn't convert and managed to give us wins."

Younis Khan, the Pakistan captain, was worried by his side's batting collapses. In the first Test in Galle, Pakistan lost their last eight wickets for 46 while chasing 168. At the P Sara, they were bowled out for 90 in the first innings and lost their last eight wickets for 26 in the second.

"In the last two Tests there were 15 sessions and we dominated 12 of them and lost the Tests in the remaining three sessions," Younis said. "It's amazing what's happening to us. We have to do well in the final Test because after that we have five ODIs and one Twenty20. The guys will be more focused on partnerships. Maybe we should play some games when wickets are falling or chat amongst ourselves to handle the pressure better. This is a personal thing. In international cricket you need to have more focus and motivation. We can handle that. At the moment we need more partnerships."

Younis said despite the series loss, the players were motivated and the criticism from former players would spur them on further. "The mental state is very simple, everybody wants to win. It is a good time for the senior guys to come forward and deliver. The Test series is lost but we still have the ODI series and Twenty20 if we can win them it will be good for Pakistan cricket." Younis said it was difficult to succeed in Tests after not playing any since December 2007. However, he added, international cricket was about adapting to different conditions. "We need to focus more and deliver."

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Sri Lanka's greatest fast bowler

Chaminda Vaas has announced that he will retire from Tests after the third match against Pakistan starting Monday

Highlights of his career in the longer version of the game

January 1993
Takes 12 wickets in consecutive matches in the P Saravanamuttu Trophy, representing Colts Cricket Club. Against Singha Sports Club, Vaas nets match figures of 6 for 54 and a few days later takes seven against Moratuwa, which propels him into the national spotlight.

December 1993
Gets a chance to represent Sri Lanka Board President's XI against the touring West Indians.

August 26, 1994
Makes Test debut against Pakistan in Kandy.

March 15, 1995
Becomes the first Sri Lankan to take ten wickets in a Test and bowls Sri Lanka to their first win in an overseas Test. On the final day in Napier Vaas rips out the New Zealand tail to end with match figures of 45.3-13-90-10. In the first innings Vaas helps Sri Lanka brush aside New Zealand for 109, taking 5 for 47.

November 2001
Takes 26 wickets in the 3-0 rout of West Indies, becoming only the second fast bowler, after Imran Khan, to take 14 wickets in a match in the subcontinent.

August 2004
Takes six wickets in the second innings at the SSC to deliver Sri Lanka their first-ever series win over South Africa by handing out a comprehensive thrashing. Along with rookie fast bowler Lasith Malinga, a canny Vaas exploits conditions far better than the visitors and in the fourth innings the pair terrorises South Africa's batsmen.

September 2004
Gains recognition for his achievements when he is selected for the World Test and ODI XI at the inaugural ICC Awards.

July 2005
Vaas completes another excellent contest against West Indies, taking 13 wickets in a 2-0 drubbing to become Man of the Series.

December 2005
Reaches the 300-wicket milestone in Tests against India, having passed the mark in ODIs on the tour to Zimbabwe.

June 2007
After 97 Tests, Vaas scores his maiden century, against Bangladesh.

December 2007
Plays his 100th Test, against England in Kandy, the third Sri Lankan to do so. In the third Test in Galle, Vaas is the main beneficiary of England's ineptitude in their first innings, taking four wickets as they fold for 81 in 31 overs.

March 2008
Helps wrap up a historic first Test win in the West Indies with only 16 minutes remaining on the final day in Guyana. Backs up a first-innings unbeaten 54 with 5 for 61 in West Indies' second innings.

July 19, 2009
Announces retirement from Test cricket.

 

[sherlock]

Sri Lanka's greatest fast bowler

Chaminda Vaas has announced that he will retire from Tests after the third match against Pakistan starting Monday

Highlights of his career in the longer version of the game

January 1993
Takes 12 wickets in consecutive matches in the P Saravanamuttu Trophy, representing Colts Cricket Club. Against Singha Sports Club, Vaas nets match figures of 6 for 54 and a few days later takes seven against Moratuwa, which propels him into the national spotlight.

December 1993
Gets a chance to represent Sri Lanka Board President's XI against the touring West Indians.

August 26, 1994
Makes Test debut against Pakistan in Kandy.

March 15, 1995
Becomes the first Sri Lankan to take ten wickets in a Test and bowls Sri Lanka to their first win in an overseas Test. On the final day in Napier Vaas rips out the New Zealand tail to end with match figures of 45.3-13-90-10. In the first innings Vaas helps Sri Lanka brush aside New Zealand for 109, taking 5 for 47.

November 2001
Takes 26 wickets in the 3-0 rout of West Indies, becoming only the second fast bowler, after Imran Khan, to take 14 wickets in a match in the subcontinent.

August 2004
Takes six wickets in the second innings at the SSC to deliver Sri Lanka their first-ever series win over South Africa by handing out a comprehensive thrashing. Along with rookie fast bowler Lasith Malinga, a canny Vaas exploits conditions far better than the visitors and in the fourth innings the pair terrorises South Africa's batsmen.

September 2004
Gains recognition for his achievements when he is selected for the World Test and ODI XI at the inaugural ICC Awards.

July 2005
Vaas completes another excellent contest against West Indies, taking 13 wickets in a 2-0 drubbing to become Man of the Series.

December 2005
Reaches the 300-wicket milestone in Tests against India, having passed the mark in ODIs on the tour to Zimbabwe.

June 2007
After 97 Tests, Vaas scores his maiden century, against Bangladesh.

December 2007
Plays his 100th Test, against England in Kandy, the third Sri Lankan to do so. In the third Test in Galle, Vaas is the main beneficiary of England's ineptitude in their first innings, taking four wickets as they fold for 81 in 31 overs.

March 2008
Helps wrap up a historic first Test win in the West Indies with only 16 minutes remaining on the final day in Guyana. Backs up a first-innings unbeaten 54 with 5 for 61 in West Indies' second innings.

July 19, 2009
Announces retirement from Test cricket.

What a cricketer thanks 4 sharing

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Late wickets peg back Pakistan

For vast swathes of the 86 overs bowled in the day, Pakistan's batsmen held sway, blunting a modest attack on a pitch that lost most of its moisture and bite after the opening session. But with stumps beckoning, the second new ball vindicated Kumar Sangakkara's decision to bowl first, with three wickets in the space of eight balls reducing Pakistan to 289 for 7. Pakistan's total total owed much to Khurram Manzoor and Mohammad Yousuf, who added 167 for the third wicket after Thilan Thushara had taken two wickets in an over to stymie a promising start. Both Manzoor and Yousuf were dismissed in the 90s, and it was left to Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq to shepherd the side through to the close. They nearly managed to, until the new ball turned out to be the big bad wolf.

Malik, short of runs and form in the series, had struck some pleasing strokes on his way to 45, and the partnership with Misbah was worth 75 when Thushara arced one into his pads from outside off stump. Malik missed, and that was that. Three balls later, Misbah lunged to drive Nuwan Kulasekara, and the thin inside edge was neatly taken by Tillakaratne Dilshan behind the stumps. When Umar Gul then chopped one back on to his stumps, the reversal of fortune was complete.

It may have been the last bow for Chaminda Vaas, a veteran of 111 Tests with 354 wickets to his name, but apart from that Thushara over in mid-morning, there was little for Sri Lanka to celebrate after they sent Pakistan in to bat under overcast Colombo skies. Fawad Alam, with a century on debut last week, had just struck his first four of the innings, when he edged one behind to Dilshan, and if Thushara was delighted with that, he was positively delirious three balls later. Younis Khan cut one back on to his stumps, and 34 for 0 had become 36 for 2.

As Yousuf walked out, wagers were probably placed on how quickly Rangana Herath would be brought on. As it was, Sangakkara waited till the 17th over before throwing the ball to Sri Lanka's surprise spin weapon of the series, but the impact wasn't what was desired. The first-session damage would have been greater than 103 runs but for a sluggish outfield that didn't give the batsmen full value for their strokes.

Once the nerves had settled, Yousuf lofted Herath over long-off for six, and with Thushara then conceding 11 in an over, the runs started to accumulate at a fair clip. Yousuf cut Herath for four, before driving Angelo Mathews beautifully behind square, and it was Pakistan that went into the lunch break with faith restored. After the slump that cost them the series, though, complacency certainly wasn't on the menu.

A superb cut and a back-foot punch through cover took Manzoor to his half-century from 85 balls, while Yousuf required 15 balls fewer for his. The 100-run partnership arrived in 24.3 overs, and soon after, Manzoor thumped Herath over his head for four, a stroke that he was to repeat later in the session.

Sri Lanka's bowlers created few wicket-taking chances and struggled for consistency, though Vaas did staunch the run flow in the second hour after lunch. With Kulasekara short on pace, another edge fell short of slip and went for four. And the hosts' woes were compounded when Vaas missed a run-out chance with Manzoor on 65.

Manzoor was content to leave a lot of deliveries and the bowlers obliged by bowling poor lines. By the tea interval, Sri Lanka had endured the first barren session of the series. When Sangakkara gave the ball to Mahela Jayawardene after tea, it appeared to illustrate Sri Lankan despair, but once Vaas returned, the game changed.

A clearly nervous Manzoor poked at one that left him, and Yousuf was then run out off an overthrow after taking the single that had seen him complete 7000 runs. His 90 had spanned just 146 balls, and it was left to the aggressive Malik and the more sedate Misbah to repair the damage. Once again, though, wickets falling in a heap undid much of the day's good work.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Mortaza out of one-day series

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been ruled out of the one-day series against West Indies and will be sent home to continue the recovery process on his right knee that he injured during the first Test in St Vincent.

Shahadat Hossain, Enamul Haque jnr and Saghir Hossain, who were part of the Test squad, will also return with Mortaza.

In the absence of Mortaza and Shahadat, the bowling in the one-day series will be led by Rubel Hossain and Syed Rasel.

Bangladesh also recalled left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak and allrounder Naeem Islam for the one-day series that starts on July 26.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

$4 million prize money for Champions Trophy

The prize money for the Champions Trophy has increased nearly four times, with US$4 million on offer for the tournament to be played from September 22 to October 5 in South Africa.

The format has also been revamped, with only eight instead of ten teams participating. Unlike in 2006, when the tournament lasted nearly a month, there will be no qualifying round this time. Centurion and Wanderers will host all 15 games between them.

The teams have been divided into two groups of four each and the top two from each will qualify for the semi-finals. India and Pakistan find themselves in the same group, along with Australia and West Indies, and the two rivals will meet on the second day of the tournament in a day-night game at the Wanderers. Group B includes South Africa, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The hosts will play Sri Lanka in the opening game in Centurion.

Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the ICC, said the significant increase in prize money was just the first in a series of innovations that the ICC would announce in the run-up to the Champions Trophy. "This short, sharp event, with its new format involving only the top eight sides in the world in nation-versus-nation action, should be a fantastic spectacle to follow on from the others that have already taken place in the ICC's centenary year," Lorgat said.

"We are extremely grateful to South Africa for stepping in to host the event after it was postponed last year because of security concerns in the original host country, Pakistan, and we are also grateful to our members for finding a slot for it in what is a busy year for the global game."

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Malik ton puts Pakistan on top

Pakistan 299 & 300/5 (95.0 overs)

Sri Lanka 233

Pakistan lead by 366 runs with 5 wickets remaining

 

[lanasingh]

Last Page

from the wire:"One home run shy of 500, Gary Sheffield got his first start for the Mets, in right field. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and scored a run. Making his first start in the outfield since May 16 last year with Detroit, Sheffield handled two fly balls without a problem." Sorry for offtop: Michael Jackson Full Discography in MP3 for freeEverybody must have... for free

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Sangakkara key to Sri Lanka's fortunes

Set a massive 492 for victory, or more realistically 150 overs to survive, Sri Lanka made steady progress to 183 for 3 by the end of the penultimate day's play. Kumar Sangakkara was still there, but with Mahela Jayawardene experiencing a very rare SSC failure and the injured Tillakaratne Dilshan unlikely to bat, Sri Lanka were up against it. Danish Kaneria was once again the standout bowler, though one of his wickets was a gift from Ian Gould.

Malinda Warnapura and Tharanga Paranavitana had progressed with few alarms to 83 when a Kaneria delivery turned sharply and brushed Warnapura's pad on its way to leg slip. But as soon as the fielders went up, so did Gould's finger, and a clearly unhappy Warnapura trudged off. Sangakkara though was in no mood to budge, and he and Paranavitana turned the strike over cleverly, striking the odd loose balls crisply into the gaps.

As the partnership grew and the batsmen gained in confidence, Younis Khan, who had bowled himself earlier in the innings, turned to his predecessor as captain. And Shoaib Malik, who had proceeded to 134 earlier in the day, duly delivered, having Paranavitana smartly caught by Fawad Alam at short leg. When Kaneria then produced a peach of a delivery to kiss the outer edge of Jayawardene's bat, Sri Lanka were reeling, but the experience of Thilan Samaraweera was the perfect foil for Sangakkara as the final half hour was successfully negotiated to leave the side needing 309 on the final day. Along the way, Sangakkara also went past 7000 runs, only the second Sri Lankan to do so and in only his 83rd Test.

Pakistan's second innings had extended three overs after lunch, and with even Mohammad Aamer thwacking sixes on a placid pitch, Younis called them in with 425 on the board. Having established a stranglehold on the game on the third day, Pakistan put the boot in during the first session, with Umar Gul the star of the show. Only this time, it was with the bat.

Trailing by 366 when play resumed, Sri Lanka started poorly, with both Kamran Akmal and Malik taking fours from Thilan Thushara's opening over. The partnership had swelled to 133 by the time Nuwan Kulasekara gave Sri Lanka the breakthrough, getting some late movement to catch the outer edge of Akmal's bat as he went for the expansive drive, handing Jayawardene a sharp catch to his right at slip.

They couldn't build on that though. Thushara got Malik to slash hard at one, but Sangakkara's despairing dive only resulted in the ball being tipped away for two runs. The sloppiness didn't end there though. Paranavitana put down a high catch at slip after Gul had ducked a bouncer with his bat positioned like a periscope, and then Sangakkara fluffed a stumping with Gul way down the track.

Malik was moving along steadily, but his progress was halted by a nasty blow to the side of the eye, after an attempted pull off Thushara sneaked through the helmet grille off the top edge. In the next over though, there was an element of retribution, as a short ball was emphatically pulled for four.

Chaminda Vaas came on to great cheers from the sparse crowd, but it had no impact on the proceedings, with Gul freeing his arms to deposit one into the grassy banks behind midwicket. They had added 52 when Malik finally departed, thumping Rangana Herath to long-off, where Suranga Lakmal, the substitute fielder, took a fine diving catch.

Gul though was in rampant mood, sweeping Herath for four and then top-edging Vaas for another, in between swiping two massive sixes over midwicket. Herath had the last word though, with another big heave smartly taken by Vaas running in from long leg. When Kaneria holed out soon after, he had five for the innings, but it was unlikely to be anything more than a consolation in a match that Pakistan had controlled from the opening session.

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Selectors stick to weakened squad

West Indies selectors have put faith in the inexperienced squad named on July 21 despite the senior players calling off their strike. The seniors had made themselves available for international duty following the appointment of an arbitrator to settle their dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board but the selectors have stuck with a weakened unit.

The strike forced the selectors to pick a second-string side that lost both Tests, handing Bangladesh their first overseas series victory. Floyd Reifer will continue to lead the side.

"They [are] not picking us for the first two games; so I guess that sums up the situation," Chris Gayle posted on his Twitter feed. "They are the boss playing hardball."

The WICB and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA), which is negotiating on the cricketers' behalf, agreed to resolve the impasse by mediation on Tuesday, after meeting with Guyana president Bharat Jagdeo, who is also chairman of the 15-nation trading bloc Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). Both sides agreed to the appointment of former Commonwealth secretary general Shridath Ramphal as arbitrator.

The first two ODIs will be staged at Windsor Park in Dominica on July 26 and 28. St Kitts will host the third and final match on July 31, as well as the only Twenty20 international two days later.

Squad: Floyd Reifer (capt), Darren Sammy, David Bernard, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher (wk), Rawl Lewis, Nikita Miller, Nelon Pascal, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas, Gavin

 

[chandikagunawardhana]

Strike karapu evun chaater..............