Sports

Cummins, Head, Starc lead Australia to victory inside two days

Published

4 years ago

2022/12/19

It only lasted two days. But it was action-packed, wicket-filled and run-rare. And in the end, Australia have the series lead. They claimed victory in six sessions as 34 wickets fell in fewer than 145 overs in the second-shortest Test in Australia.

The frequency of dismissals means the unavoidable talking point will be the pitch, which was so green it was indiscernible from the outfield on day one, but it would be unfair to pin the result on the surface alone. Australia’s bowlers, especially in the latter part of the first and throughout the second innings, were accurate and incisive against a South African batting line-up. In 2022, South Africa have been dismissed for under 200 in Tests eight times, their most innings totals lower than 200 in a calendar year. In this Test match, their totals of 152 and 99 with top scores of 64 from Kyle Verreynne and 36* by Khaya Zondo were not enough.

Australia also battled on the strip, which showed signs of inconsistent bounce abetted by the divots and lost four wickets in the chase, all to Kagiso Rabada. He is now the leading Test wicket-taker of the year and it will be small consolation for falling behind in a key contest. South Africa must win at least one Test to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final, while Australia lead the points table.

The damage was done in the middle session, where South Africa were reduced to 66 for 7, level on scores after conceding an equivalent lead in the morning, but without much batting to come. Zondo, playing in only his third Test, gave a reasonable account of his ability especially against the short ball but only had support from Temba Bavuma, with whom he shared a 42-run fourth-wicket stand.

By the time the pair came together, South Africa were 5 for 3 and has lost Dean Elgar, lbw to Pat Cummins, Rassie van der Dussen to a Mitchell Starc beauty that seamed in at pace and snuck through the bat-pad gap to give Starc his 300th Test wicket and Sarel Erwee, caught in the gully for the second time in the match.

Bavuma and Zondo batted together for 99 balls and scored 42 runs between them, many of them nervy. They were beaten at least a dozen times but there were also some signs of form, such as when Bavuma leaned into a cover drive off Cummins and then Scott Boland and when Zondo swivel-pulled Cummins behind square. They were 19 runs short of erasing the deficit when a Nathan Lyon delivery stayed a touch low and struck Bavuma on the pad. He was given out and reviewed, with replays showing it was going on to clip leg stump.

In the next over, Boland found Kyle Verreynne’s outside edge with a delivery that moved away slightly and Steven Smith completed the catch at second slip. Two balls after that, Boland bowled Marco Jansen with an away-seamer. On the stroke of the scheduled tea break, Starc bagged another when Keshav Maharaj nicked off. South Africa were still two runs behind. They levelled scored by the tea break, but they did not appear to be building much of a lead when Cummins removed Rabada and Anrich Nortje in successive balls. Zondo farmed the strike for much of the time Lungi Ngidi was with him but Ngidi also got a couple away and South Africa set Australia 34 to win.

Earlier, Australia took the lead in the first five deliveries as Rabada completed his overnight over. Cameron Green tucked into a half-volley and drove Rabada down the ground to put the hosts ahead. Green repeated the shot two more times in Rabada’s next two overs to force him out of the attack early, but that did not work to Australia’s advantage.

Marco Jansen replaced Rabada and struck twice in his first over to clip Australia’s brisk start. Green received another half-volley, off Jansen’s second ball, and he attempted a booming drive. He only managed a thick edge that flew to Keshav Maharaj at third slip. Maharaj parried the ball up and Sarel Erwee, from first slip, ran behind him to take the catch. Two balls later, Travis Head was given out caught down the leg side. Head reviewed and though there was nothing on hotspot, snicko revealed a spike that confirmed he had hit both glove and shirt. His 96-ball innings finished on 92, and ultimately, proved a significant difference between the two sides.

Australia’s lead was only 30 runs at that stage, and it was up to Alex Carey and the lower order to push that past 50. Starc lofted Jansen over mid-off and pulled Nortje through mid-wicket and put on 31 with Carey for the eighth wicket. Carey ran well in his short innings, with no boundaries in his 30-ball 22, but 12 singles, two threes and a four, which he and Starc ran.

They took Australia’s lead to over 60 before Ngidi was introduced after the first drinks’ break and broke through. Starc hit Ngidi’s first ball in the air through mid-on for four and then drove the last ball aerially as well. Ngidi got down low in his follow-through and completed a good return catch.

A pumped-up Rabada then bounced Cummins out, with three short balls in a row. The first popped up to point and Cummins was given out but reviewed successfully. Replays showed the ball had hit the arm guard. Cummins nearly edged the second and then pulled the third to mid-wicket, where Nortje was waiting. In this next over, Rabada had Lyon caught at mid-on to finish with four wickets in the innings.

(cricinfo)

South Africa 152 all out (Kyle Verreynne 64; Nathon Lyon 3-14) and 99 all out (Temba Bavuma 29; Pat Cummins 5-42)

Australia 218 all out (Travis Head 92; Kagiso Rabada 4-76) and 35 for 4 Wickets (Marnus Labuschagne 5 n.o.; Kagiso Rabada 4-13)

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Sports

Malinga’s career best effort fails to stop Pakistan crossing 300

Published

11 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

Pakistan were looking for a big total at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck back to reduce them to 305 in the curtain-raiser of the tri-nation tournament in Rawalpindi yesterday

Eshan Malinga returned career best figures of four for 46, but his impressive spell could not prevent Pakistan from breaching the 300 run mark in the curtain-raiser of the ODI tri-nation series in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Pakistan were bowled out for 305, with former captain Salman Ali Agha leading the charge with his fourth ODI hundred.

Agha struck a fluent 107 off 90 deliveries, peppering the boundary with ten fours and a six before falling to Asitha Fernando. The Sri Lankan seamer was equally impressive, returning tidy figures of three for 39.

Agha featured in a 97 run partnership with Hasan Nawaz and at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, Pakistan appeared poised for a formidable total. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers clawed their way back into the contest, applying the brakes just when the hosts threatened to run away with the game.

On a surface tailor made for batting, Sri Lanka’s late fightback could prove crucial, with the visitors fancying their chances of chasing down the target.

Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka finished with two for 67, although his figures flattered him somewhat. He was guilty of straying onto the pads far too often, offering the Pakistan batters several scoring opportunities.

Sri Lanka went into the contest with just four specialist bowlers, leaving the part timers to shoulder a fair share of the workload. To their credit, the makeshift attack rose to the occasion, sharing ten overs between three bowlers without allowing Pakistan to completely dictate terms.

Dasun Shanaka did the lion’s share of the work, sending down seven overs, while Sahan Arachchige and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with the remaining three.

Sri Lanka also welcomed back top order batter Avishka Fernando, who returned to the ODI fold after spending several years on the sidelines.

England are the third team in the tri-nation competition, which serves as valuable preparation for next year’s World Cup.

The opening three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the tournament shifts to Lahore for the remaining fixtures, including the final.

Sri Lanka are in the midst of a marathon 50 day tour of Pakistan. Having already completed a three-match T20I series, they will turn their attention to the tri-nation tournament before playing a First Class warm-up fixture followed by two Tests.

Sports

Mahinda face St. Sebastian’s in opening quarter-final

Published

12 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

19 Division I – Tier ‘A’ Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

‎The top eight teams begin their battle for the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited-overs title today, when Mahinda College, Galle, take on St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, in the first quarter-final at Dombagoda.

‎Led by Dulsith Dharshana, Mahinda qualified for the knockout stage with wins over St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota (by five wickets), Royal College, Colombo (by six wickets) and Lumbini (by ten wickets). Their only defeat came against St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, the only side to top 200 against them. In their other matches, Mahinda’s bowlers kept opponents to low totals.

‎That bowling unit, spearheaded by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina, appears to have peaked ahead of the crucial clash. They bundled Lumbini out for 40 in their last match, with Nethmina and Vishmitha Sathsara sharing nine wickets between them.

‎St. Sebastian’s reached the knockout stage on the back of wins over Maris Stella College, Negombo, and D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo. Their match against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, ended without a result because of rain, while they lost by two wickets to Richmond, the eventual group champions.

‎St. Sebastian’s boast a strong batting line-up, with Hirusha Perera, Navinu Fernando, Lashen Fernando, Thivanka Fernando and Meshone Ferdinando all making notable contributions in the group stage. Skipper Koshendra Fernando is expected to lead the bowling attack with his spin, supported by Adeesha Lakshan, Lashen Fernando and Risinu Prabesh.

‎Teams

Mahinda (from):

Dulsith Darshana (Captain), Sadew Nethmina (Vice Captain), ⁠Randula Mabarana, ⁠Manitha Rajapaksha, ⁠Sehas Ashinsa, ⁠Kaveesha Githmal, ⁠Thiyon Helika, ⁠Kavindu Nimsata, ⁠Gesandu Bisas, ⁠Vishmitha Sathsara, Buddhima Tharupathi, ⁠Naviru Nishitha, ⁠Nihindu Sesitha, ⁠Anuga Palliyaguru, ⁠Senuja Vehan, ⁠Kevin Geemitha, ⁠Bakshara Jayarathne.

‎‎Officials: Denuwan Rajakaruna (Head Coach), Sandaru Nethmina (Asst. Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge)

‎St. Sebastian’s (from): Koshendra Fernando (Captain), Meshone Ferdinando, Nisila Dimath, Navinu Fernando, Hirusha Lochana, Lashen Fernando, Thejan Bandara, Chamath Wellalage, Risinu Prabesh, Sanoj Perera, Deneth Keshara, Adeesha Lakshan, Dilena Fernando, Thiwanka Fernando, Shenas Hashein, Pathiv Vehan, Dineepa Wickramsooriya.

‎‎Officials:

Lahiru Kanishka (Head coach), Nishantha Fernando (Asst. Coach), Sandaru Tharusha Perera (Master in Charge)

‎The other three quarter finals will be played on Tuesday as per the below schedule.

‎‎Mahanama Colombo V St. Joseph’s Darley Road at Mattegoda

‎Nalanda Colombo V St. Anthony’s Katugastota at Campbell Place

‎Richmond Galle V Wesley Colombo at Weeraketiya

‎‎Several big names fell at the first hurdle, including last year’s finalists Royal College, Colombo, as well as S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Trinity College, Kandy, and St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. Royal and St. Peter’s were in the same group and finished behind Mahinda and St. Anthony’s. S. Thomas’ were in Group ‘A’, where Mahanama and Wesley edged out the rest to book their places.

‎

Sports

Mihinsa breaks Poornima’s decade-old record

Published

12 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne who established a new meet record in the Under 20 high jump event poses with her coach Gamini Dias.

by Reemus Fernando

‎Asian Junior Championship medallist Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne broke a ten-year-old meet record to win the Under 20 high jump at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Sunday.

‎The President’s College, Embilipitiya, athlete cleared 1.75 metres, equalling her personal best, to erase the record of Poornima Gunarathne of Leeds International, Panadura. Gunarathne’s mark of 1.74 metres had stood since 2016.

‎Trained by retired sports officer Gamini Dias, Mihinsa was expected to achieve something special this season after setting a personal best of 1.75 metres at the same venue earlier this year. She followed that with a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championship in Hong Kong.

‎Hers was one of six meet records to fall by the time this report was filed on day three of the meet.

‎In the girls’ category, Lyceum International School, Wattala, and Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, set new marks in relay events. In a closely contested Under 14 4×100 metres final, Lyceum clocked 51.35 seconds to erase Musaeus College’s 2019 record. Ladies’ College, who finished second in 51.52, also bettered the previous mark.

‎Ave Maria Convent edged Nimala Maria Balika in another tight finish to win the Under 16 girls’ 4×100 metres in a new meet record of 49.49 seconds. Nimala Maria Balika also bettered the old record.

‎In the boys’ category, Sadeesh Denuwan of Halmillaketiya MV stole the limelight with a new meet record of 11.22 seconds in the Under 14 80 metres hurdles. Maneesha Samarasinghe of Lyceum International, Wattala, set a new record of 13.09 seconds in the Under 16 100 metres hurdles.

‎Lyceum International, Wattala, also set a new meet record of 3:13.76 in the Under 20 4×400 metres relay.