WELLINGTON — New Zealand's national selection manager Bruce Edgar, who was one of the men behind the team's recent strong performances, is stepping down because his role is being restructured. The former Test opening batsman, along with New Zealand coach Mike Hesson and captain Brendon McCullum, were credited as the keys to New Zealand's recent rise in one-day and Test cricket. New Zealand's runner-up finish at the World Cup lifted it to third in the one-day rankings. New Zealand Cricket is changing Edgar's position from a part-time to a full-time talent identification role to capitalize on the World Cup success. Head of Cricket Lindsay Crocker said “Bruce felt he was unable to accept the revized role and terms and while it's a decision we regret, it's also one we respect.” Sangakkara signs up for Australia's Big Bash Sri Lankan batting great Kumar Sangakkara has given Australia's domestic Twenty20 league a major shot in the arm by signing up to play for the Hobart Hurricanes from next season. Sangakkara, who retired from limited-over internationals after the recent World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, will be based at the picturesque Bellerive Oval for the next two editions of the Big Bash. “I have always loved Hobart when visiting with the Sri Lankan team, the people are friendly, the scenery is beautiful and I am looking forward to spending more time there and getting to see more of it,” the 37-year-old said in a statement. Sangakkara has scored three centuries in seven Tests and one-dayers at Bellerive Oval, including 192 in a Test against Australia in 2007 and an unprecedented fourth straight ODI century against Scotland during the World Cup. Campbell hopes international cricket is revived in Pakistan Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Alistair Campbell says his country's tour of Pakistan could help the sport return to the country. Campbell is leading a five-member delegation to evaluate security arrangements for the two Twenty20s and three ODIs in Lahore. International cricket in Pakistan has been suspended for the last six years because of security concerns of foreign teams. Campbell says “cricket in this country had to resume from somewhere and the forthcoming series would provide the opportunity.” The delegation also visited Gaddafi Stadium, which will host all five matches. Zimbabwe will be the first Test-playing nation to tour Pakistan since 2009, when gunmen attacked a Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, killing six police officials, a van driver and injuring several Sri Lankan cricketers. — Agencies
