cricket

James Anderson returns for England

James Anderson has been recalled by England for the third and final test against Sri Lanka, which starts this Thursday at the Rose Bowl. The England seamer picked up a side strain injury in the first Test, which England went on to win in dramatic style.

Anderson was due to prove his fitness during Lancashire's Twenty20 match against Worcestershire at New Road on Sunday but the game was  abandoned without a ball bowled because of  persistent rain. His England return means that Stuart Broad, Steve Finn or Chris Tremlett will be dropped.

India veto use of DRS

India's forthcoming tour of England will take place without the use of the Decision Review System (DRS). The BCCI has decided to veto the use of technology after concerns from senior India players. MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar are among those players who oppose the DRS system. The news comes as a blow to England, who have become quite astute in the use of the review system.

India are ranked the number one Test team and begin their four-match series against England at Lord's on 21 July. That match is scheduled to be the 2,000th Test in the history of the sport and the 100th between England and India.

England and Sri Lanka draw at Lords

No suprises at Lords on the final day of the 2nd Test match between England and Sri Lanka. England set the tourists a total of 343 in 58 overs to win, but Tharanga Paranavitana (44) showed courage and kept the English at bay. The  Sri Lankans battled their way to 127-3 before the teams decided to settle for a draw.

England thus take a 1-0 series lead to the Rose Bowl where the teams will meet for the third and final test  later this month. It has been confirmed in the mean time that Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Sri Lankan captain, has been ruled out for the third test because of a broken thumb. 

More to follow this saturday during World Scorpio!