Cricket

Samaraweera undergoing counselling to deal with trauma of nearly losing life

Samaraweera undergoing counselling to deal with trauma of nearly losing lifeSydney, Mar 19: Sri Lankan batsman Thilan Samaraweera is undergoing counselling to deal with the trauma of nearly losing his life in the attack, which rocked the cricket world to its core

Samaraweera says his career is far from over and has not ruled out the possibility of returning to play in Pakistan, where he and teammates came under fire two weeks ago in the first terrorist attack against a cricket team.

Pitersen snubbed, Collignwood to lead in England-Windies Odi series

Pitersen snubbed, Collignwood to lead in England-Windies Odi seriesLondon, Mar 19: English selectors have snubbed Kevin Pietersen once again and named Paul Collingwood to lead the side for ODI series against West Indies in place of injured skipper Andrew Strauss.

The move has ended Pietersen’s hopes of getting another chance to lead the side, even as a stand-in captain, The Sun reports.

Essex opener Alastair Cook has already been appointed Strauss’ No. 2 in Test cricket.

Pietersen, sacked as skipper in January, has said that he would like to lead England again.

KP could captain England ODI side

KP could captain England ODI sideGuyana (West Indies), Mar. 18 : Kevin Pietersen is in line for a dramatic recall as England captain, just 10 weeks after being axed.

According to The Sun, he could lead the side in Friday's one-dayer against West Indies here if Andrew Strauss does not recover from a hamstring strain.

Paul Collingwood, who quit as England one-day captain last year, would be the other candidate.

The selectors might want to give the job back to Pietersen on a one-off basis to try to show there are no hard feelings.

Prince clashes with de Villiers, Harris before Cape Town Test

Prince clashes with de Villiers, Harris before Cape Town TestCape Town, Mar. 18: Tensions in the South Africa team remain high ahead of the third Test on Thursday after reports that Ashwell Prince clashed heatedly with teammates in a domestic match.

Prince, who has been brought back into the side after five Tests on the sidelines, is said to have been involved in an ongoing verbal slanging match with Test batsman AB de Villiers and spinner Paul Harris this week.

Witnesses said it became heated and abusive, although no reports were made.

MacGill calls on Oz selectors to pick McGain

MacGill calls on Oz selectors to pick McGainSydney, Mar. 18: Former Australian leg spinner Stuart MacGill has called on the selectors to include Victorian spinner Bryce McGain in the squad for the third Test against South Africa, claiming it''s a mistake for Australia to be relying on part-time spinners at the expense of a specialist.

McGain, 37, is yet to play a Test but MacGill believes the Victorian''s advanced years would ensure a successful debut.

Kingsmead, the venue for the third Test, starting tomorrow, offers the most spin-friendly conditions in South Africa.

Spinners McGain, Hauritz could play Cape Town Test: Hussey

Spinners McGain, Hauritz could play Cape Town Test: HusseyCape Town (South Africa), Mar. 18 : Australia batsman Mike Hussey says spinners Nathan Hauritz and Bryce McGain are under consideration for Thursday''s third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Leg-spinner McGain, 36, was set to make his Test debut in India last October but was sent home for shoulder surgery and has been overlooked for the Johannesburg and Durban Tests on the South African tour because of pitches that favoured the fast bowlers.

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