Gambhir has fighting qualities and makes the dressing room light with banters: Brett Lee

Brett Lee seems to be impressed with Gautam Gambhir's captaincy.  The Australian speedster is impressed with the leadership skills of his IPL-winning side Kolkata Knight Riders skipper and praised him for the way he lived up to the challenge of captaining a side with players from different countries, says a report in The Times Of India. Lee praised Gambhir for his fighting qualities and also for his ability to make the dressing room light with banters. “I am impressed. He is a very structured player, someone who likes to take on opposition. Off the field, he likes to have a joke with his teammates. More importantly, I think he is respected for his fairness,” Lee said.

Meanwhile according to media reports the pay hike announced by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the central contracts and match fees has reportedly not been received well by many of the leading national team players. “Some of the players are not happy with the 25 % and 10 % hikes as they feel keeping in mind the rising inflation they deserved a better deal,” the Daily Times quoted a source, as saying.

According to a report in the TOI, Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has decided against playing for Middlesex in county cricket's T20competition, the county's managing director Angus Fraser announced. Malinga, who retired from Test cricket last year, complained of soreness to his knee and back after the IPL. “Naturally, we are extremely disappointed that Lasith will not be playing for Middlesex CCC in this summer's t20,” said Fraser.

Meanwhile England are considering ignoring the old adage of 'never change a winning side' in a bid to ensure their leading bowlers remain fit for a packed programme of international cricket. The hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match Test series against the West Indies courtesy of a crushing nine-wicket win.