Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Dilshan Retires From Test Cricket

Tillakaratne Dilshan retires from the international test crickets. He plans to concentrate more on the Twenty20 and one-day internationals instead of the 5 day endurance run. Dilshan who has been a critical member to the test squad of Srilanka says that he wants more young talent to be in the longer version of game.

"I have decided to take this decision to allow Sri Lanka cricket to groom another youngster in my place," said Dilshan, who had hoped to bow out after this month's two-Test series against Zimbabwe before the tour was called off.

"I was due to announce my retirement after the Zimbabwe Test series but unfortunately the tour was postponed.

"I will discuss my future with the national selectors and if they need me I will play till the 2015 World Cup."

Zimbabwe were Sri Lanka's opponents when Dilshan made his Test debut in Bulawayo in 1999, and he went on to make 87 appearances.

The aggressive batsman scored 5,492 runs at an average of 40.98 including 16 centuries, with a career-best of 193 against England at Lord's in 2011.

Photos & Inputs: SkySports

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- Unknown Updated at: Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Friday, July 19, 2013

Sports : Bell to the rescue, scores century, stabilize England : Cricket News

Ian Bell's third century in consecutive Ashes Tests led an England recovery on Day One of the second Test against Australia at Lord's on Thursday, as the home side reached 289-7 at stumps.

Cricket News: Bell came to the crease with his team in deep trouble on 28-3, but his innings of 109 that spanned just over five hours, frustrated the Australians when they would have scented an England capitulation.

Jonny Bairstow hit 67 and contributed to a fifth-wicket partnership of 144 with Bell. But his late dismissal to a full toss from part-time leg-spinner Steve Smith, and the subsequent fall of Matt Prior, undermined England's rear-guard effort as Smith ended with 3-18.

Tim Bresnan, on 7, and night-watchman James Anderson, on 4, were the not out batsmen at close on a day the Australians had the best of, considering they lost the toss and had to bowl in hot, sunny conditions on a batsman-friendly pitch. Recalled fast bowler Ryan Harris claimed 3-43.

Bell's latest century took him level with Leonard Hutton on England's list of test centurions, with 19, while he also became the eighth England batsman to go past 1,000 test runs at Lord's. But his 211-ball innings that included 16 boundaries meant much more than historical success...