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Gavaskar escapes unhurt in a car crash
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar was lucky to escape unhurt in a car crash while travelling from Manchester to London on Sunday after the third Test between India and England.
According to media reports, Gavaskar, who is part of the Sky Sports commentary team, was seated in a Jaguar with fellow-commentator Marc Nicholas and his close friend Chandresh Patel when the accident occurred.
It is learnt that the legendary opener was sitting on the left of the rear while Nicholas was sitting beside the driver when a car coming from the opposite end collided with their Jaguar.
Gavaskar's driver, who had reportedly dozed off, was slow to react on a wet road and a late manoeuvre did avoid a head-on clash but the speeding vehicle slammed onto the other car. It was Gavaskar, who had to shout to get the drowsy driver back in his senses as the others were also fast asleep.
Though the Jaguar was badly damaged, all the passengers left unscathed and the visibly shaken trio soon took a train from East Midland Park for London.
It was reported that Gavaskar, who had warned the driver of rash driving in soggy and skiddy conditions, was reading a newspaper when the accident happened while the other two passengers were asleep.
"God has saved us. There was torrential rain and our car was being driven very fast. Thankfully, no one was hurt although the accident was very, very scary," Gavaskar was quoted in media reports.
"I was shaken after the accident," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar reached his London flat in two hours time after the crash.
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Cricket Buzz: Pakistan pacer Gul likely to quit Test cricket
Experienced Pakistan bowler Umar Gul is considering quitting Test cricket due to a chronic knee injury.
The 30-year-old paceman, who has claimed 163 Test and 173 One-Day International wickets, said he would make a decision on his future if he is unfit to play against Australia in the United Arab Emirates in October-November.
"Right now, I don't know what lies ahead for me because I am still not comfortable with the knee," he said on Pakistani sports channel Geo Super.
"I am hoping to make a comeback in the Tests against Australia but if that doesn't happen I could quit Tests."
Gul had knee surgery in May 2013, in Australia, after breaking down on the tour of South Africa earlier in the year.
He has made two unsuccessful comebacks.
"The doctors have told me I still have to undergo more rehabilitation and gym training as there are still problems with the knee," said Gul, who has played in 47 Tests.
"I don't feel comfortable bowling. If you ask me right now whether I can play Test matches I will say no.
"I still have lot of cricket left in me but I don't know what the selectors, or Pakistan team coaches, have planned for me, but I am eyeing a comeback against Australia."
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Lanka fast bowler Fernando gets call-up for 2nd Test
Uncapped fast bowler Binura Fernando and left-hand opener Dimuth Karunaratne were included in Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for the second Test against Pakistan starting on Thursday.
The 19-year-old Fernando, who is a left-arm fast-medium bowler, has been called up after performing well for Sri Lanka under-19 sides.
Karunaratne, a regular Test opener, was left out of the first Test against Pakistan at Galle in favour of fellow left-handed opener Upul Tharanga.
The pair replace injured seamers Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal. Fast bowler Shaminda Eranga has been named in the squad subject to proving his fitness.
"Eranga has a tightening of his upper quad muscles and is being monitored carefully," Sri Lanka manager Michael de Zoysa said.
"He didn't bowl at full pace during the Pakistan second innings and complained of stiffness the day after the match."
Sri Lanka won the first Test by seven wickets to go one-up in the two-Test series.
The second Test marks the final appearance of former captain Mahela Jayawardene who will retire from the longer format of the sport to concentrate on one-day internationals.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chanaka Welegedara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Binura Fernando.
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Smith named director of S. African T20 tournament
Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith has been appointed tournament director for the country's domestic Twenty20 competition, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Smith retired from international cricket in March and also prematurely ended a three-year stint with English county Surrey due to a knee injury that required surgery in June.
One of Smith's major requirements in his new role will be to recruit international players to the Ram Slam T20 Challenge which starts in November.
"I am excited by this opportunity and looking forward to putting something back into the game," Smith said in a press release issued by CSA on Tuesday.
"Players love playing in South Africa and our T20 competition has the potential to become a tournament of choice for international players from around the world."