A depleted New Zealand attack – effectively reduced to just two-and-a-half frontline bowlers – was made to toil as a defiant West Indies rearguard stretched the contest into a fifth day on an increasingly docile Hagley Oval surface.

Forced off the field on day three by an eye infection, Shai Hope returned with sunglasses under his helmet to compile an unbeaten 116. It followed his first-innings 56 and marked his second century in three innings, a seamless extension of the defiance he showed while stonewalling India for long periods in New Delhi in October.

If Hope was the fulcrum, Justin Greaves  was the anchor beside him. He reined in his instincts to play a composed, almost uncharacteristically restrained hand to finish 55 not out off 143 balls. His unbroken fifth-wicket partnership with Hope was worth 140 as New Zealand’s attack toiled under the blazing Christchurch sun.

Colombo Aces officially introduced its Golf Team for the inaugural Ceylon Golf League 2025, Sri Lanka’s first franchise-based golf tournament — at a special unveiling event held recently in Colombo.

Co-founded by entrepreneurs Shamal Perera and Suhayb Sangani, along with Sri Lankan cricket legend Mahela Jayawardene, the inaugural Ceylon Golf League 2025 commenced on the 5th December at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, featuring eight franchise teams.

Across three days and three formats, eight city-based franchises will compete in a high-intensity showcase that sets a new benchmark for the sport locally.

Responding to the impact of recent floods, Ceylon Golf League 2025 is pledging over LKR 10 million from this weekend’s proceeds to support the Government of Sri Lanka in restoring affected infrastructure nationwide. In addition to the prize money already allocated to the main fund, Colombo Aces will contribute a further LKR 250,000 to the cause.

The Colombo Aces Golf Team will be led by Jehan De Saram, a highly respected PGA-qualified Sri Lankan golf professional who serves as both Captain and Head Coach. De Saram brings extensive experience to the role, having previously been the Director of Golf at the Royal Colombo Golf Club and a former national coach for the Sri Lanka golf team. Renowned for developing young talent, he has also competed in numerous local and international tournaments, adding significant depth and expertise to the Aces’ coaching setup.

Colombo Aces Golf Team – Kushal Johnpillai, Uchitha Ranasinghe (Men’s 2 & under), G.G Sathsara, Chanaka Perera (Men’s 3 to 6), Rajeev Rajapaksa, Chulaka Amarasinghe (Men’s 7 to 10), Reza Magdon Ismail, Thusith Wijesinghe, Kapila Dandeniya (Men’s 11 to 14), Fazlur Muzammil, Dhevan Peiris (Men’s 15 to 18), Usha De Silva, Sanduni Wanasinghe (Ladies’ 20 & under), Sandra Cadien, Vihara Herath and Fran De Mel (Ladies’ 21 & over) .

After an interminable break between matches following 48 hours of mayhem in Perth, the Ashes resumed with England producing a rollercoaster batting performance as Joe Root ended his century jinx on Australian soil in the day-night second Test.

In the final hour of an absorbing opening day, Root raised his arms aloft under the lights before taking off his helmet to celebrate his 40th Test century and first in Australia.

Root finished unbeaten on 135 from 202 balls and anchored an England first innings that at times showed restraint, but was also marked by reckless dismissals. Four batters fell for ducks with England again tormented by pink ball maestro Mitchell Starc, who finished with 6 for 71 to power past Wasim Akram’s record for most Test wickets by a left-arm quick.

But after the humiliation of batting just 67.3 across two innings in Perth, England batted the whole day – albeit only 74 overs were bowled – as they posted their first score over 300 in a Test in Australia since January 2018.

Brief scores:
England 325 for 9 in 74 overs (Joe Root 132*, Crawley 76, Harry Brook 31, Jofra Archer 32*; Mitchell Starc 6-71) vs Australia