England’s lack of a permanent coach doesn’t bother him as long as the team keeps on winning, says captain Alastair Cook.

England were busy winning the first Test against New Zealand by 124 runs when reports surfaced in the media which said Australia’s Trevor Bayliss had emerged as the front-runner to replace the sacked Peter Moores as England coach rather than compatriot Jason Gillespie.

‘Obviously it would be great if we do have a new coach,’ said Cook after England went 1-0 up in the two-match series.

‘We’re a little bit in limbo but if we’re in a little bit in limbo and keep playing like that I’ll be happy.’ – AFP

PAKISTAN BAN SPINNER 

Pakistan spin bowler Raza Hasan has been banned for two years after failing a doping test, the country’s cricket board said.

The 22-year-old left-armer returned an ‘adverse analytical finding’ from a urine sample taken during a domestic tournament in January, the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

The board declined to name the substance.

Raza, who has played one one-day international and 10 Twenty20 matches for Pakistan, was notified on March 24 and subsequently failed to send a written request for a hearing within 14 days, the PCB said. – Reuters