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Clinical Australia down sloppy Sri Lanka
Five-time World Cup winners Australia finally got off the mark with a comfortable five-wicket win against Sri Lanka in Lucknow on Monday (October 16). Chasing a below-par target of 210, Australia got there with 88 balls to spare, thereby registering a useful boost to their net run rate as well. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis were the main stars with flamboyant fifties while Marnus Labuschagne also weighed in with a crucial knock before Glenn Maxwell did his thing to hasten the finish.
The chase wasn’t entirely flawless for Australia who lost David Warner and Steve Smith in the same over to be 24/2 after four overs. The former was on the wrong side of a very marginal LBW call against Dilshan Madushanka who then produced another sharp inswinger to get Smith trapped in front. All this after Australia had started with a bang by smashing 15 off the first over of the innings. A straight-smash from Marsh set the tone off the first ball while the over ended with an imperious pick-up shot for six over fine leg by Warner.
However, Madushanka’s twin strikes put Australia in a bit of bother but Marsh was unfazed as he kept playing his shots. Sri Lanka were also guilty of feeding him to his strengths and Marsh was severe on anything remotely wayward. His aggressive knock allowed Labuschagne to bide his time and the partnership put Australia back on track before a run out ended Marsh’s stay at the crease. It was as much a bad judgment of the second run as it was a brilliant throw from the deep from Chamika Karunaratne with Kusal Mendis doing the rest to leave Marsh stranded. Once again, Sri Lanka had a semblance of an opening to work with.
Inglis, though, quickly got into his act and reprised Marsh’s role of an aggressor, albeit through a different method. Labuschagne continued to drop anchor and it meant the game quickly slipped away from Sri Lanka who simply didn’t have enough runs to play with. As Australia surged towards the target, they also upped their gears to ensure that they finished the game as quickly as they could. Given the ongoing trend of the tournament, net run rate could be a massive factor and Australia did a fair job of boosting it after the two disappointing losses earlier on. Apart from Madushanka who had a great game, the other Lankan bowlers lacked the consistency to trouble the batters.
Sri Lanka would hugely regret their batting collapse earlier in the day after having been 125/0 at one stage. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera had set the perfect platform for the Lankans with fluid fifties to put Australia under the pump. Till they were together at the crease, the game had a very similar pattern to Australia’s previous game at the venue against South Africa. However, skipper Pat Cummins bowled an inspired second spell in which he got rid of both the openers. A smart short ball ploy accounted for Nissanka while Perera played on to a big slog across the line. These dismissals allowed Australia to sneak their way back into the game and they did with aplomb.
Since the South Africa series, Adam Zampa had been enduring a tough time, lacking the fizz that he’s been often associated with. It didn’t start well again today with Perera putting him under pressure. But once the opening stand was broken, the presence of two right-handers allowed Zampa to settle in and he steadily found his groove to slice through the Lankan middle order. Mitchell Starc complimented him at the other end as the Sri Lankan innings went into a freefall. The last nine wickets well for just 52 and the last six for just 30 with a rain break in between.
The stunning collapse meant that the result was virtually settled at the halfway mark itself. The total was at least 50-60 runs short of a par score and despite a few minor hiccups, Australia got the job done with minimal fuss.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 209 in 43.3 overs (Kusal Perera 78, Pathum Nissanka 61; Adam Zampa 4-47, Pat Cummins 2-32, Mitchell Starc 2-43) lost to Australia 215/5 in 35.2 overs (Josh Inglis 58, Mitchell Marsh 52; Dilshan Madushanka 3-38) by five wickets
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
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President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
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Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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