Marsh sends notice over Sri Lanka firing

Sri Lanka Cricket says former national coach Geoff Marsh has sent a letter of demand over his dismissal five months ago.

Sri Lanka Cricket says former national coach Geoff Marsh has sent a letter of demand over his dismissal five months ago.

HT Image

Sri Lanka Cricket president Upali Dharmadasa confirmed Wednesday that Marsh had sent a letter of demand, but would not discuss its contents, saying it is a legal matter.

Sri Lanka fired former Australian player Marsh as coach in January only three months into his two-year contract, replacing him with former South Africa coach Graham Ford.

There was no reason given for the ousting of Marsh, who had been in charge for only two test series.

Pietersen wants Gayle back
England's Kevin Pietersen has said it will be "great for the game" if West Indies "superstar" Chris Gayle returns for the second Test at Trent Bridge starting here on Friday.

Gayle, one of the world's most aggressive opening batsman, has not played international cricket for over a year because of a dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.

Gayle, who said recently he was making himself available again for international duty, had been expected to return in the subsequent one-day series against England.

But with his commitments in the Indian Premier League having come to an end following the elimination of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the former West Indies captain could yet feature in the Tests against England.

Fellow attacking batsman Pietersen, who knows Gayle well from their time together in the IPL, said: "He's a superstar and he is one of my real good mates in cricket. I love the way he plays.

"It will be brilliant for the game if he comes back to play this Test match. He is an entertainer. People want to watch entertainers. They don't want to watch people blocking the ball."