Collingwood retires from cricket
London: Former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood announced on Thursday that he will end his professional career at the end of the season, 22 years after making his first-class debut. A three-time Ashes winner and the only man to captain England to a global trophy after leading them to glory in the 2010 World Twenty20, Collingwood played 68 Tests, 197 one-day internationals and 36 T20 matches. The 42-year-old has been described by his county side Durham as their "greatest-ever run scorer and most illustrious player". "After much thought and deliberation I have decided to announce my retirement from cricket at the end of the current season," Collingwood said. Durham chairman Ian Botham said: "Paul is one of the greatest all-rounders to ever grace the game of cricket and to have him playing at Durham, his home county, for all these years has been an absolute privilege."
Lloris, Alli to miss Liverpool, Inter clashes
london: Tottenham Hotspur suffered a double injury blow ahead of a key week with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and midfielder Dele Alli ruled out for Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool and a Champions League trip to Inter Milan on Tuesday. France's World Cup-winning captain Lloris is "expected to be out for several weeks" with a thigh injury according to the club, while manager Mauricio Pochettino is more hopeful Alli could return in time for the trip to Brighton on September 22. "Lloris is going to do another scan to see how is the evolution of his injury," Pochettino told Sky Sports. Alli suffered a slight muscle strain in England's Nations League defeat to Spain last weekend. "(We are) disappointed because we are going to miss him for maybe this game and against Inter Milan in Champions League," said Pochettino. "But the most important thing is it is not a big issue and he will be available as soon as possible."
Surrey crowned county champions
london: Surrey won their first county championship title since Adam Hollioake captained them to success in 2002 as they beat Worcestershire by three wickets on Thursday. Their victory had been set up by their star performer this season, South African bowling great Morne Morkel, who took 5-24 in Worcestershire's second innings on Wednesday -- the fourth time he has taken five wickets in the eight matches he has played in the campaign. Openers Mark Stoneman and captain Rory Burns gave Surrey a solid start in their chase of 272 and the crown with an opening stand of 111 but Worcestershire — who are in danger of relegation —fought hard to take seven wickets. However, it was appropriately Rikki Clarke — the only player who bridged the gap between the two title successes — who at 36 steadied the ship but left it to Morkel to score the winning runs, prompting joyous scenes of jubilation.
SL suffers setback ahead of Asia Cup
colombo: Sri Lanka's opening batsman Dhanushka Gunathilaka suffered a back injury and was ruled out of the upcoming Asian Cup tournament on Thursday, dealing a major blow to the islanders. Sri Lanka Cricket said the 27-year-old left-hand bat will return home from Dubai where he suffered a lower-back injury during practice. The tournament opens on Saturday in Dubai. He will be replaced by left-hand bat Shehan Jayasuriya, 27. On Monday, Sri Lanka's Test captain Dinesh Chandimal was withdrawn from the 16-member squad after he injured a finger during a domestic Twenty20 match. Sri Lanka's revised squad: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhanajaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera and Lasith Malinga.