Carvalho Quits Portugal Squad

Nicosia, Cyprus, Sept 2: Portugal coach Paulo Bento insisted Thursday he had no idea why defender Ricardo Carvalho stormed out of a training camp ahead of a Euro 2012 qualifier against Cyprus and announced his decision to quit international football.

After arriving in Cyprus, coach Bento said it remained unclear why Carvalho walked out from the camp in Portugal ahead of Friday’s game.

“Carvalho joined training with us. It was only just before we actually left (for Cyprus) that we were notified he wasn’t coming with us,” Bento said.

“We’re still a team of 22 good players, even though he’s not here,” Bento said. “There are many other good players in the squad available to help ... We’ll have to move on and do our best.”

As for Carvalho, the Real Madrid star said in a statement he felt hurt at the way he had been treated but didn’t explain what had happened.

“I feel in top form physically and mentally, as shown by my performance and club selection,” the 33-year-old former Porto and Chelsea player said in a statement to the Portuguese media.

“Having represented (Portugal) 75 times, I am deeply devoted to protecting the good name of the team. Never before have I felt so hurt disrespected,” he said. “I did not intend to end my (international) career this way, but I remain convinced that I have always honored my country.”

Portugal leads Group H in qualifying, above Norway and Denmark, but is looking to rebound from its previous encounter against Cyprus last September when it was held to a shock 4-4 draw at home.

“We’ve risen to the top position after being fourth—so that’s positive,” Bento said. “Despite Carvalho leaving, we need to go out and win this game. The players are ready and they’ve shown it in training. AP

Monty Panesar set to play grade cricket in Australia

Panesar will hope to make England's Test squads for the UAE and Sri Lanka

England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar is to play first-grade cricket for Sydney-based club side Randwick Petersham later this year.

The Sussex man played the last of his 39 Tests for England in July 2009.

Having been in the Ashes squad in Australia last winter, he will hope to maintain his push for a recall.

England do not play a Test until they face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in January and February, before heading to Sri Lanka in March.

But they are likely to name two or three spinners in their Test squad for the UAE and Sri Lanka, with the latter especially renowned for its spin-friendly conditions.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann is established as England's number one spinner in all formats of the game, but will need back-up.

Panesar, 29, has taken 56 County Championship wickets at 28.53 this season, and having been Swann's understudy in Australia, may be asked to fill that role again.

Some commentators - including BBC Test Match Special's Geoff Boycott - had even called for Panesar to play in the final Test against India at The Oval as part of a five-man bowling attack, although England have persisted with a four-strong Test attack for over a year.

He will face competition for the second spinner's berth from fellow slow left-armer Samit Patel, 26, who is in the squad for the forthcoming one-day international series with India.

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan, speaking on BBC Radio 5 live's "Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show" on Monday evening, gave his backing to Panesar.

"You need your two best spinners to win on the sub-continent," Vaughan said.

"I hope we don't pick an itsy-bitsy [spinner] like Samit Patel. I think Monty's the second-best spinner so you've got to find a place for him in the team."

Cricket New South Wales' website announced that Panesar, whose season with Sussex finishes on 15 September, will arrive at Randwick Petersham in time for their second round of matches, which begins on 8 October.

He will play alongside Australia off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, who has played 17 Tests but is currently out of favour with the national selectors.