Briefly Cricket

'Renew Kirsten's contract'
New Delhi: Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels that the board should renew the contract of coach Gary Kirsten after it expires at the end of the World Cup next year. "Gary is the best coach India has ever had. I have often said that and I keep on stressing that we need Gary. His record speaks for itself. He has been a great man-manager. So I believe he should be retained after the World Cup," Gambhir said.
Smith keen on development
Abu Dhabi: South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said that development of the side is key ahead of the 2011 World Cup to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh starting February. "It will be the first taste of the sub-continent conditions before the World Cup," Smith said of the series being played in the UAE. "South Africa is keen on the development of the side before the World Cup and are excited to be here."
Buchanan is a nobody: KP
London: England batsman Kevin Pietersen has hit back at John Buchanan for criticising him and described the former Australian coach as "a nobody". Buchanan, who won three out of four Ashes series during his six-year tenure with the Aussie team, had earlier said that Pietersen had the potential to be "a major problem" during the Ashes if he did not halt the alarming slump in form which has seen him go 27 Test innings without a century. Reacting to the 57-year-old's comments, Pietersen said: "I'm not interested in what he has to say. Who is he? He's a nobody. He had the best team to coach in the history of cricket. Anyone could have coached that team. He has done nothing else solid so I won't even take it with a pinch of salt."
'Threat to Modi's life'
Mumbai: Former Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi feels that there might be threats to his life and hence won't return to India till the situation improves, his lawyer said on Thursday. Advocate Mehmood Abdi said "There is threat to his life from some unwanted elements, and he will not return till the situation alters." Abdi denied that Modi was "absconding".