Mohali, Dec. 22: Indian cricket coach Gary Kirsten is not happy with English captain Kevin Pietersen's `switch hit', and termed the shot disadvantageous for bowlers.

He said that the shot puts the tribe of bowlers in a distinctly disadvantageous position and administrators of the game should bring in change in the laws to right the wrong.

"I think we have to do something about the law of the game, because it's a big advantage for the batsman and a disadvantage for the bowlers," The News quoted Kirsten, as saying.

Pietersen unleashed the much debated shot against Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra in the ongoing Mohali test match.

Islamabad, Dec. 22: Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has backed Shoaib Malik as captain of the squad and suggested that he should continue as captain of the side.

Alam said that under the captaincy of Malik the team has shown enough improvement and Malik himself has matured enough.

"He should continue as the captain of the team and has improved tremendously as a captain over the years. With the experience he has gained over the years, he is now a much improved captain," The News quoted Alam, as saying.

He predicted with a bit of more experience Malik could prove as one of the best captains, Pakistan has ever produced.

Karachi, Dec. 22 : Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has said that his team is chalking out a special strategy to deal with Sri Lanka's sensational spinner Ajantha Mendis in the upcoming series.

Showing concerns about Sri Lanka's spin department, Malik said that Sri Lanka possess two quality spinners but for them the matter of concern was Mendis as Pakistan players have played Muralitharan earlier several times.

"Sri Lanka have two quality spinners in Muttiah Muralitharan and Mendis, but we have played Murali a number of times and now need to master Mendis, who has been doing very well," The News quoted Malik, as saying.

Malik singled out sensational Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis as his team''s main challenge.

Sydney, Dec 22 : Australian selectors have made two changes for the Boxing Day Test with New South Wales spinner Nathan Hauritz recalled to the squad alongside Tasmanian swing bowler, Ben Hilfenhaus.

Jason Krejza has been left out of the 13-man squad after taking match figures of 1/204 at the WACA, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said that Nathan Hauritz's performance in the Second Test against New Zealand earned the NSW spinner a recall.

"We were impressed with Nathan Hauritz's bowling in the second Test against New Zealand, where he maintained pressure and took wickets and deserves his recall," said Hilditch.

Melbourne, Australia  - Mark Philippoussis will make a return to tennis two years after last playing professionally as he enters the senior event at the Australian Open.

The 32-year-old double Grand Slam finalist sprang the surprise on Monday with the first major of the season now a month away. Philippoussis last competed in January
2007, going down with injury at the Hopman Cup.

Madrid  - Spanish Liga club Almeria announced at midnight Monday the sacking of coach Gonzalo Arconada.

Club president Alfonso Garcia made the announcement five hours after Sunday's 1-0 defeat away to Sporting Gijon, which leaves Almeria fifth from bottom, with 16 points from 16 games.

According to the digital version of Marca, the favourite to replace Arconada is former Mallorca and Betis boss Hector Cuper.