Gavin Larsen calls it a day

“It is a logical decision, and an inevitable one,” he said today. “The mind was extremely willing to carry on but the body wasn’t.

“My feet are the problem. I have arthritis in a couple of joints in my right foot and while I have had it for four years or so it has got progressively worse.”

Larsen captained the New Zealand team on its 1994 tour of Sharjah, and was vice-captain on its tour of England later that year. He first represented New Zealand in March 1990 in a ODI against India in Dunedin, New Zealand. He played 121 limited-overs matches, claiming 113wickets at an average of 35.38. Larsen played eight Tests between 1994 and 1996, taking 24 wickets at an average of 28.70.

Mobile threat to Pak team

DUBAI: Pakistan cricket authorities, keen to try to exorcise the spectre of match-fixing allegations, have told Sharjah Cup organisers they will not come to Sharjah again if they see bookmakers approaching the team. “If I see a mobile phone or a person with a mobile in the dressing room, we will not come to Sharjah,” Mujibur Rahman, the Pakistan Cricket Board chief, told reporters today.

Pakistan agreed to compete in the tournament only after receiving a firm assurance from the organisers. The ten-day event, which also features the West Indies and Sri Lanka, starts on Wednesday.

Pybus appointed coach

ISLAMABAD: South African-based Richard Pybus has been appointed Pakistan cricket coach and will take over for a tour of Australia starting later this month, local media reported today. The News said British-born Pybus would begin hisjob after a tri-nation limited overs tournament between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies in Sharjah starting tomorrow.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced earlier this month that current coach and former Test batsman Wasim Raja would step down after the Sharjah tournament to continue his career as a teacher in Britain.

Salaria, Kanulkar shine

MUMBAI: Sammy Salaria and Indrajit Kanulkar’s half-centuries came like god-sent for Vijay Manjrekar XI. Struggling at 20 for three, they finished the day at a respectable 213 for 5 against Khandu Rangnekar XI after Day One of the three-day Sportstar Trophy MCA-Under 19 selection trial cricket tournament at Elf Vengsarkar Academy Ground, Oval.

In the other match at Brabourne Stadium, Dattu Phadkar XI managed just 196 for 8 against Vijay Merchant XI.

Manjrekar XI, who opted to bat after winning the toss, were struggling at 20 for 3 with left-arm medium-pacer Gaurang Joglekar who took two of the three wickets to fall. Their revival was effected bythe fourth-wicket pair of left-hander Sushant Manjrekar (42 with 5×4) and Salaria, raising 82.

Salaria (78: 3×6, 6×4) then got help from Kanulkar (60: 1×6, 3×4). They put on 98 runs for the fifth wicket before Salaria fell leg before to by Saiban Fikhi.

Phadkar XI were in trouble like Manjrekar XI. They were 72 for five. Then another 79 runs were raised by the sixth-wicket pair of Wilkin Mota and Prathamesh Athawale.

BRIEF SCORES

Vijay Manjrekar XI 213-5 in 66 overs (Sushant Manjrekar 42, Sammy Salaria 78, Indrajit Kanulkar batting 60; Gaurang Joglekar 3-79) vs Khandu Rangnekar XI.

Dattu Phadkar XI 196-8 in 89 overs (Vijay Singh 39, Wilkin Mota 49, Prathamesh Athawale 42, Surendra Yadav 2-43, Shakti Prasad 5-51) vs Vijay Merchant XI.