Michael Clarke Returns To Club Cricket, Eyes Good Show in Twenty20s

Michael Clarke stated that he wanted to make mark in Twenty20s, a format in which he had not done well. © AFP Former Australia captain Michael Clarke makes his return to cricket this weekend in a Sydney club competition, but with his eyes on some unfinished business in the Twenty20 format. (Michael Clarke Comes Back in Brisbane, But Only On the Scorecard) The 34-year-old, who bowed out of the game…

February 18, 2016
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Darren Lehmann Says 2019 Ashes Could Be His Swansong as Australian Coach

Darren Lehmann was forced to miss Australia’s Twenty20 series against India and the one-day international tour of New Zealand due to deep vein thrombosis © AFP Australia coach Darren Lehmann said Thursday he cannot see himself continuing in the demanding role beyond 2019 with a recent bout of deep vein thrombosis proving a “reality check”. (Darren Lehmann Diagnosed With Deep Vein Thrombosis) He was admitted to a Sydney hospital on…

February 18, 2016
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Malinga and Mathews return for Sri Lanka

February 18, 2016

Skipper Lasith Malinga and vice-captain Angelo Mathews have been named in Sri Lanka’s World Twenty20 squad after overcoming injury. Malinga, who has not played since last November against West Indies, captained Sri Lanka to their first World T20 title in 2014.  The defending champions also welcome back Nuwan Kulasekara and Rangana Herath, both having missed their recent three-match T20 series defeat against India. Right-arm seamer Kasun Rajitha, who starred against India, misses…

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Danish Kaneria Lashes Out at Pakistan Cricket Board, England After Mervyn Westfield is Cleared to Play

Danish Kaneria has played 68 Tests and 18 ODIs. © AFP Karachi: Pakistan’s banned leg spinner Danish Kaneria has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after it was announced on Thursday that fast bowler Mervyn Westfield has been allowed to play lower-level cricket with one year of his spot-fixing ban remaining. (Cash-Strapped Danish Kaneria Seeks BCCI Help To Get Ban Lifted) “If anything,…

February 18, 2016
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South Africa, England Aim To Put On Good Show In Twenty20 Series Ahead of World Cup

South Africa will be riding high on momentum after their come-from-behind victory in the ODI series against England which they won 3-2. © AFP England’s lengthy tour of South Africa winds up with two Twenty20 internationals which are effectively a rehearsal ahead of their clash in the World Twenty20 in India in March. (Neil McKenzie Appointed South Africa’s Batting Coach) It will be the last chance for England to settle…

February 18, 2016
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Peter Siddle Ruled Out of Christchurch Test Against New Zealand

Peter Siddle bowled only eight overs in the second innings of the Wellington Test due to a back injury and his place is expected to be taken by James Pattinson. © AP Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle has been ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand with a back injury. (Doug Bracewell Ruled Out of Second Test) Team physiotherapist David Beakley said Siddle “experienced some discomfort in his…

February 18, 2016
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Westfield cleared to play Second XI and Minor Counties cricket

February 18, 2016

The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) today announced that the former Essex cricketer Mervyn Westfield will be allowed to play Minor Counties and First Class Second XI cricket from the start of this season. The decision follows an appeal by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) on behalf of Westfield who is currently serving a five year ban from all First Class cricket for breaching the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Directives while playing for Essex…

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Malinga, Mathews back for World T20

Twenty20 captain Lasith Malinga and vice-captain Angelo Mathews are back from injury for Sri Lanka, for the Asia Cup and the World T20 that follows. Both were included in the 15-man squad Sri Lanka Cricket named for both tournaments. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and seamer Nuwan Kulasekara were also back, but 22-year-old quick Kasun Rajitha who had destroyed India in the first T20 of the recent series missed out. Squad:…

February 18, 2016
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One-Test wonder Andy Ganteaume dies aged 95

Andy Ganteaume, the former West Indies and Trinidad & Tobago wicketkeeper batsman, has died at the age of 95. He passed away on Wednesday in Santa Margarita, St Augustine, T&T. Ganteaume scored 112 on Test debut against England in 1948, but never played for West Indies again. He had added 173 for the first wicket with George Carew, who had hit a century of his own, in that drawn match…

February 18, 2016
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Ready-to-go Pattinson buoyed by Christchurch pitch

February 18, 2016

James Pattinson: “I got through a fair bit, I think I bowled close to 35 overs last week in the nets, which is a substantial amount in the nets.” © AFP James Pattinson is licking his lips at the prospect of returning to Australia’s Test team on a pitch that should offer him – and his sore shins – some assistance. Pattinson appears almost certain to replace the injured Peter…

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