Cricket

Sri Lanka have chosen the former Australian Test spinner Bruce Yardley as their new coach and not the former England batsman Allan Lamb. Yardley, who played 33 tests for Australia, replaces departing coach Dav Whatmore, who is joining Lancashire.

Pakistan, sent to an embarrassing 13 runs defeat by the Australian Cricket Academy in their tour-opening limited overs match yesterday, will consider calling for replacements after a rash of illness and injury. Captain Wasim Akram and wicketkeeper Moin Khan both missed the match through illness as did the experienced batsman Salim Malik, who withdrew at the last moment with an ankle injury and Wasim's pace bowling partner, Waqar Younis, was rested ahead of Sunday's first World Series match against Australia. Coach Mushtaq Mohammad said the players may be suffering from the effects of a hectic schedule which has included tours to Singapore, England, Canada, Kenya and Sharjah since the World Cup in March.