CricketBriefly

Team for Zim tour to be chosen on Monday

mumbai: Even though the scheduled tour of the Indian team to Zimbabwe next month is yet to be officially confirmed, the national selectors have been told by the BCCI to pick the team in Delhi on June 29. However, no information over the availability, or otherwise, of the top players has reached the selectors thus far as speculated in news reports, it was learnt. “So far no one has informed me about non-availability of any player,” selection panel chief Sandeep Patil said. He, however, confirmed that the selection panel is scheduled to meet next Monday.

Baz signs 1-year deal

wellington: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum announced he had signed a one-year contract extension with the Black Caps on Friday, ending speculation about his immediate international future. The 33-year-old, who led his side to a maiden World Cup final in March, has committed to the Black Caps until the ICC World Twenty20 in March-April next year. However, he will sit out next month’s limited overs tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa, citing a busy schedule in recent months, including the just-concluded tour of England. 

No stay on GCA election

new delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the election process of the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) scheduled on Sunday but directed that the poll results would not be announced. A vacation bench of Justice Arun Mishra said the polling would be subject to the outcome of the matter pendingbefore the Bombay High Court. The apex court also restrained the outgoing managing committee from taking any financial or important decisions while allowing it to carry out the day to day functioning of the GCA.

‘Want to play Test cricket’

kingston: Just 87 runs short of surpassing Brian lara as West Indies’ leading run scorer in Test cricket, veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has expressed his desire to continue in the five-day format, adding that he is unlikely to retire until at least the end of 2015. “Definitely, but I am on the outside just waiting to see what is happening. Retirement isn’t on the cards at the moment. Not for now, probably the ending of the year maybe then,” Chanderpaul was quoted as saying by Cricket365 when asked if he wanted to play Tests again. 

Taskin out for 3 weeks

dhaka: Bangladesh paceman Taskin Ahmed will be out for at least three weeks following a rib injury, a team official said on Friday. Taskin suffered the injury on his left side during a training session on June 23 and missed the third one-day international against India. “Usually it takes three weeks to recover. Only in a few exceptional cases can the players return to full fitness early,” team physiotherapist Baizidul Islam said. The injury made Taskin uncertain for the limited-over leg of July’s home series against Africa. Agencies