Colombo: The Sri-Lankan Sports Ministry on Friday approved the name of Nishantha Ranatunga (brother of former captain Arjuna Ranatunga) as the new manager of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The squad for the up-coming Canada Cup four nation 20-20 tournament has also been announced by the Ministry.

All-rounders Dilhara Lokuhettige and Jeevantha Kulatunga have been included for the 20-20 tournament. The selectors have also elevated Sri Lankan A captain, Thilina Kandamby to the senior squad. However, due to poor performance in the recent matches, middle-order batsman Chamara Silva have been dropped from the side.

Mumbai: Here’s a good news for Indian fans. Master-blaster batsman Sachin Tendulkar has been declared fit for the upcoming four test match series against Australia.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement: “A report submitted by Paul Close (National Cricket Academy physio) states that the player has recovered fully from his elbow injury. Tendulkar will join the camp (at Bangalore from September 30) prior to the series.”

At the Sawai Man Singh Stadium on Tuesday, there was a difference in the regular hustle bustle.

The focus was on Greg Chappell wearing the Australian colours. The Australian team is in Jaipur for a weeklong conditioning camp. Thereafter the team moves to Hyderabad for a 4-day practice match from Oct 2, followed by Test Matches at Bangalore,,Mohali, New Delhi and  Nagpur.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included the name of controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, in a list of 15- member team for the National Twenty20 Championship starting from October 4. 

However, the dispute over the payment of Rs 7 million fine imposed on the fast bowler has still not being cleared by the board.

In order to give his elbow some more rest, Sachin Tendulkar has decided to opt out of the Irani Trophy match to be played in Baroda from September 24. The master blaster batsman had earlier declared himself fit for the match. 

While speaking on this on Saturday, BCCI CAO, Ratnakar Shetty said, “Tendulkar is not playing the Irani Trophy because he has been advised a week of rehabilitation.”

Tendulkar injured his elbow in the third test match at Colombo against Lankans, due to which he was not able to play the ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson said that only one warm-up game in India would not sufficient for the team before October test mach. He said that the team needs more practice for outstanding performance. He demanded to increase the number of matches.

But BCCI is not interested to increase the number of matches as it can hamper India’s domestic game schedule. However, Australia has not formally requested for additional match.

Johnson said that the team will do its best to win the matches scheduled in next 3-4 months. All the players are well fit and ready take any challenge.