Cricket: Jones retires from international arena

Dean Jones, the Australian batsman, has withdrawn from Australia's touring party to Sharjah and retired from the international game. The 33-year- old right-hander made the decision a day after Australia had won a nerve-wracker by one run to tie the eight-match series with South Africa 4-4. Jones was dropped from the side after scores of eight in each of the three preceding games. 'I always wanted to play Test cricket and my chances of playing Test cricket are running out,' said Jones. In 52 Tests since making his debut against the West Indies in Port of Spain (1983-84), Jones has scored 3,631 runs at an average of 46.55 with 11 centuries, his highest 210 against India in Madras (1986-87). Waqar Younis, Surrey's Pakistani fast bowler, has had an operation for appendicitis and he will need at least eight weeks' rest before bowling again.

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