Sporting Digest: Cricket

Michael Atherton will make a high profile return to captaincy when he leads an MCC side against a Rest of the World XI in the Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial match at Lord's this summer. Atherton will lead a side expected to include the Australian spinner Shane Warne for the 50-over match on Saturday 18 July.

Malaysia plans to stage a four-nation tournament before the Commonwealth Games in September, the Malaysian Cricket Association announced yesterday. The MCA president, Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, said the tournament was likely to be held in July to coincide with the World Super 8 tournament to test the competition venues and tournament officials. "By that time, all eight venues for the Commonwealth Games should be ready," he said.