Dilshan quits, jayawardene takes Over

sri lanka’s successful captain in the post-Muralitharan era, Tillakaratne Dilshan has submitted his resignation as captain of the national team to Chairman of the National Selection Committee with immediate effect.

“dilshan has resigned as captain in all three formats of the game. Members of the Executive committee take this opportunity to thank Dilshan for his commitment and dedication during his tenure as the National Captain. We also wish him well as he continues to represent Sri Lanka as a National Player,” a note from Sri Lanka Cricket, the governing body, said.>>>

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Rajasthan Holds On to the Ranji Trophy

The Scenes of jubilation at Chepauk here on Monday reflected the hard work and commitment behind the triumph. Rajasthan's back-to-back Ranji Trophy title wins meant its incredible flight upwards from the Plate division last season continues.

The Visitor Clinched the final against Tamil Nadu on the basis of its mammoth 326-run lead in the first innings. Rajasthan declared its second innings at 204 for five at tea on the fifth day. The home side was eight for two at the start of the last hour when play was called off.

For Rajasthan, the promising Robin Bist notched up 92 (185b, 13x4) becoming the only batsman in the Ranji season to cross 1000 runs. This well-organised batsman has possibilities.

Predictably, the surface played tricks on day five. Several deliveries shot through and some climbed off the cracks. R. Prasanna picked up three wickets employing his military medium off-cutters to good effect.

Rajasthan skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar, a wily campaigner, sported the smile of satisfaction at the end of it all. He won a vital toss and then got his strategy right. The patient run-accumulation — this team has the ability to bat for long periods — not only swelled the total but also made Tamil Nadu wait till the pitch deteriorated.>>>

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Verendra Sehwag doesn't rule out future middle-order role

Veru has a reputation of treating opposition bowlers with disdain but India’s stand-in skipper and dashing opener Virender Sehwag on Monday said the current Australian attack is the best he has faced as it has tested his patience like none before.

“this is the best bowling attack I have seen, especially Australia. They are not giving easy balls to hit boundaries, they are playing with your patience,” conceded Sehwag.

Sehwag has scored just 118 runs at 19.67 with one fifty from the series and he is still searching for those boundary balls from the Australians.>>>

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Akram Slams British press for questioning Ajmal’s action

Pace bowling Legend Wasim Akram is exasperated with the way British press has been harping about the bowling action of Pakistan’s off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and termed as “stale” the pressure tactics of the home media.

ajmal took a 10-wicket haul in the Pakistan’s impressive 10-wicket win over England in the Dubai Test.

“instead of praising him (Saeed Ajmal) for he is someone special, instead of admitting their team didn’t do well and Pakistan played better cricket, they are after him,” said Akram. “It’s not funny anymore; it’s boring, stale and old.”

“Whenever they lose, they talk negative. It’s the English batsmen who played bad shots, sweeping across the line to off-spinner. It’s no rocket science that you can’t play across the line. But probably they don’t know. It’s the job of umpires and ICC — not British media.

“The permissible limit is 15 degrees and he’s been tested and tried for bowling well below it. He’s been around for 7-8 years. Why suddenly pick on him?” said an agitated Akram.>>>

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