Sports
Sri Lanka collapse and play catch up in Galle
Rex Clementine in Galle
A sensational collapse on day two of the second Test saw Sri Lanka play catch up against West Indies here in Galle yesterday. Resuming from the overnight total f 113 for one, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 204, losing six wickets for 35 runs at one stage. West Indies in reply were 69 for one, trailing by 135 runs, when rain stopped play before tea and there was no resumption.
After the openers had added 106 runs on day one, Sri Lanka were in a position to dictate terms to the West Indies. However, they gave the tourists a sniff and now are playing catch up.
There’s been always a concern as to how Sri Lanka will fare against spin when skipper Dimuth Karunaratne doesn’t fire. Most Sri Lankan batsmen seem to rely on the sweep to score off spinners but that could backfire as well. Dimuth has a variety of strokes when tacking spin like the drive, cut, pull and dancing down the track and playing those lofted shots.
Maybe had Dimuth been around for the England series in January, there wouldn’t have been those bitter defeats and a five wicket haul for the little heard Dom Boss. Apparently, he lost his place in Somerset as well.
Dimuth’s dismissal on day one was massive for the West Indies and they kept picking wickets at regular intervals on day two although Pathum Nissanka played well for his 73.
Veerasammy Permaul (not Perumal) had a dream comeback. The left-arm orthodox spinner had last played a Test match six years ago ended with a maiden five wicket haul and career best figures. Fellow left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claimed four for 50 as all nine Sri Lankan wickets to fall on day two went for left-arm spinners. Roston Chase’s off-spin got rid of captain Dimuth and it was only the fourth instance in West Indies cricket that the spinners had accounted for all ten wickets.
The first two occasions it happened was when ‘those two little pals of mine’ Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadhin were around in 1950s. The third occasion was early this year in Bangladesh. We all know what happened in between as West Indies dominated world cricket often using five quicks to devastating advantage. Nowadays, they are just down to two quicks. How times have changed.
Not that the Sri Lankan innings was without any spark. Charith Asalanka produced that. Veerasammy had dismissed Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva in one over and in walked the debutant and he opened his account in Test cricket with a reverse sweep and even Veerasammy had wry smile on his face.
Angelo Mathews retired with a hamstring injury but came back when the eighth wicket fell. He was struggling to run between the wickets and was dealing with boundaries. He brought up Sri Lanka’s 200 with consecutive sixes off Warrican and was last man out for 29.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed Nazmul Islam as chairman of the board’s finance committee, following the CWAB’s player boycott of cricket in country until he resigns from his position.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following a review of recent developments and in the best interest of the organisation, the BCB President has decided to release Mr. Najmul Islam from his responsibilities as Chairman of the Finance Committee with immediate effect,” the BCB said in a statement.
“The decision has been taken in accordance with the authority vested in the BCB President under Article 31 of the BCB Constitution and is aimed at ensuring the continued smooth and effective functioning of the Board’s affairs. Until further notice, the BCB President will assume the role of Acting Chairman of the Finance Committee.
“The BCB reiterates that the interests of the cricketers remain its highest priority. The Board remains fully committed to upholding the honour and dignity of all players under its jurisdiction.
“In this regard, the BCB hopes that all cricketers will continue to display the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to the betterment of Bangladesh cricket during what is a challenging period for the game, and will do their utmost to ensure continued participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).”
Both BPL matches on Thursday – the first between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, and the second between Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans – have been postponed due to the player boycott.
Even though there seemed to be movement on the issues – the BCB agreed to the player body CWAB’s demands and removed Nazmul Islam from his position as head of the board’s finance committee – but it came too late in the day for the matches to go ahead as scheduled. There was no confirmation yet whether the boycott would be called off or not, and whether the BPL matches on Friday would also be impacted.
[Cricinfo]
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued a show cause notice to its director M Nazmul Islam over his “objectionable comments” in public against the country’s cricketers on Wednesday.
The notice came a couple of hours before the scheduled start of the BPL matches for the day, though the players’ body CWAB has called for a nationwide boycott on all forms of cricket unless Islam tenders his resignation.
The four first-division matches in the Dhaka Cricket League scheduled for the day didn’t start on Thursday morning, which caused serious concern in the BCB. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express players, who were supposed to play the first BPL match on Thursday, are sticking to the boycott.
“The board has already initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the board member concerned,” the BCB statement read. “A show cause letter has been issued, and the individual has been instructed to submit a written response within 48 hours. The matter will be dealt with through due process and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the proceedings.”
ESPNcricinfo understands that some board directors contacted the CWAB president Mohammad Mithun late on Wednesday night, offering that they would make Nazmul stand down from his role as the finance committee chairman. But Mithun said the cricketers’ call for the boycott remained in place.
The toss of the first BPL match on Thursday is at 12.30 pm local time. Once the start time for the match has passed, the CWAB leaders are supposed to hold a press conference, where they will present the BCB with their demands, including the resignation of the director.
[Cricinfo]
Sadio Mane fired Senegal into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over seven-time winners Egypt.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year broke the deadlock in the 78th minute on Wednesday when he let fly from just outside the penalty area inside the bottom left corner after Lamine Camara’s initial effort was blocked.
It sparked joy and relief among the Teranga Lions’ fans in Tangier, where the 2021 champions – after beating Egypt in the final – had taken the initiative but struggled to create clear chances against the Pharaohs’ stubborn defence.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the title match – against either host Morocco or Nigeria, who were to play in Rabat later on Wednesday – after picking up a yellow card that meant a suspension and then going off injured in the 23rd minute.
Koulibaly was booked in the 17th for a tactical foul on Omar Marmoush. The captain was also sent off in the group-stage win over Benin and consequently missed the win over Sudan. His tournament was effectively ended when he had to be replaced by Mamadou Sarr because of injury.
Nicolas Jackson had fired over just before Senegal displayed more attacking intent. Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye also had efforts saved.
Tensions boiled over when Mohamed Salah fouled his former Liverpool teammate Mane, but Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and Egypt counterpart Hossam Hassan managed to cool tempers.
Senegal’s Habib Diarra was booked for arguing, however, meaning he will miss the final, too.
[Aljazeera]
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