Sports FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 43 Mubarak back in Lanka test squad for Pakistan series COLOMBO: Left-handed batsman over 1000-plus runs in the last two Dushmantha Chameera will be hop- two Twenty20 Internationals. Squad: Jehan Mubarak’s nearly eight-year seasons. ing to make their test debut, while Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru wait for a test recall finally ended with The Washington, DC-born former paceman Suranga Lakmal was also Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Sri Lanka naming him in their squad national swimming champion also named in the 16-member squad Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh for the three-match series against impressed Jonty Rhodes in a recent despite still recovering from a groin Chandimal, Kithruwan Vithanage, Jehan Pakistan starting on Wednesday. The training camp arranged by his board injury. Mubarak, Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath, 34-year-old, who played the last of his with the South African fielding great Galle hosts the first test, followed by Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, 10 tests at home in December 2007 saying Mubarak’s agility could be an matches in Colombo and Pallekele Nuwan Pradeep, Dammika Prasad, against England, was rewarded for his asset for the test side. Left-handed before the teams lock horn in a limited- Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal rich domestic form, having scored batsman Kusal Perera and fast bowler overs series featuring five one-day and (subject to fitness). — Reuters Michael Clarke refreshed after ‘tough summer’ SYDNEY: Australia captain Michael Clarke had little time to reflect on a “tough summer” battling injury and grieving the death of his friend Phillip Hughes but took satisfaction in defy- ing the doubters who thought him a spent force. The 34-year-old batsman will lead Australia into the second test against West Indies in Kingston today, six months after thinking his career might be over in the wake of another injury to his problematic hamstring. Clarke’s comeback from surgery to help his team win a fifth World Cup triumph on home soil was a fairytale finish for his one-day career and a decisive answer to critics who had written him off as a physical and emotional wreck. Though preparing Australia’s bid to sweep West Indies 2-0 and retain the Ashes in England next month, Clarke looked back on a tumultuous peri- od in his life when his grief for team mate Hughes and struggle for fitness played out in the full public glare. “I think my main focus at the time was getting through the passing of Phillip and supporting his family as much as I could,” Clarke told reporters in Jamaica. “And then when I was doing that I guess I made the decision to have surgery on my ham- string to give myself any chance, in my opinion, of making it back to the World Cup. “So I didn’t get too many days to stop and reflect, which I think for me personally was probably a good thing. “I just think when you lose someone close it’s hard to not think about them but if you’ve got something else on your mind, sometimes that can drive you. And that’s probably the Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior way I tried to use it. “The fact that I was able to get myself fit for that World Cup, help the team make the final, help the team win the final, I was Former England wicketkeeper really proud of myself to be able to do that. “I don’t think there was too many people who thought I was going to make it. That was really satisfying. “To get that result was icing on the cake for Prior retires from cricket what was a tough summer off the field.” Clarke has played with a back condition throughout his career but said his body was feeling “outstanding” as he pre- LONDON: Former England wicketkeep- saw England climb to the top of the on to do,” he continued. er Matt Prior announced yesterday that International Cricket Council ranking in “Although I haven’t achieved all the pared for his 110th test. —AP he has retired at the age of 33 due to 2011. goals I had set out to, I feel immensely injury. Prior made the last of his 79 Test In total he scored over 4,000 Test proud of what I have done in my career. appearances against India at Lord’s 11 runs and claimed 256 dismissals, putting Sadly it is now time to move on.” months ago before undergoing surgery him second behind only Alan Knott Andrew Strauss, Prior’s captain dur- on his Achilles tendon. He had hoped to (269) among England wicketkeepers ing his time with England and the ECB’s return to action with Sussex in this sea- and ninth on the all-time worldwide list. new director of cricket, paid tribute to son’s County Championship, but having “I feel honoured to have played for his former team-mate. “Matt has had a failed to recover full fitness, he has Sussex and England as many times as I wonderful career as a wicketkeeper- decided to walk away. have, and shared so many great times batsman for both Sussex and England,” “Today is a very sad day for me, as I with both teams,” Prior added. “I also Strauss said. am forced to announce my retirement feel privileged to have been involved in “During a period where the Test team from the game I love,” Prior said in a an era of such success for English crick- won three Ashes series and achieved the statement released by the England and et.” world number one ranking, Matt’s con- Wales Cricket Board (ECB). tribution both on and off the field was “I had been hoping and expecting to Strauss tribute immense. be fit for the start of the 2015 season. Prior thanked his “family, team- “It is a huge shame that his career has Unfortunately, this has proved impossi- mates, coaches and the people behind come to an end in this way, although his ble, and I have now had to reach this the scenes”, as well as “cricket fans athletic wicketkeeping and counter- decision.” both at home and abroad”, and said he attacking batting will live long in the Prior made his England debut against had created “friendships that will last memories of both his team-mates and NARAYANGANJ: Bangladeshi ground staff cover the the West Indies at Lord’s in May 2007 forever”. England supporters.” playing field as rain comes during the second day of and marked the occasion with a maiden “I have always tried to play with pride Prior will now be able to channel his the only cricket Test match between Bangladesh and century. He went on to play a key role in and passion, and have a deep belief that energies into his professional cycling India at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in three Ashes triumphs and hit a further the team will always come first-a value team, ONE Pro Cycling, which he set up Narayanganj yesterday. —AFP six Test centuries during a period that that will never leave me whatever I go earlier this year. —AFP.