Sports

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

Published

3 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

Chanuth, Hansana shine with match-winning feats

Published

48 mins ago

2026/06/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi and Bihandu Hansana produced the most influential individual performances of the day as they guided their respective teams to convincing victories in the Under-17 Division I cricket tournament.

‎At Anuradhapura, Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi led Dharmaraja College’s batting effort with a top score of 84 runs as they posted a formidable 282 all out against Sri Rahula College Katugastota. Supported by Mandil Gunawardhana (44), Deneth Abeyrathna (34) and Imash Galapitiya’s unbeaten 31, Chanuth’s innings laid the foundation for a dominant display. Dharmaraja’s bowlers then completed a comprehensive victory by dismissing Sri Rahula for 138, with Hiruka Ekanayake claiming 3 for 15.

‎Meanwhile, at Godagamuwa, Bihandu Hansana produced the bowling performance of the day, claiming an outstanding six wickets for 42 runs in his 10 overs to dismantle Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya for 143. His remarkable spell overshadowed Chanul Nethsitha’s 47 and put St. Anthony’s Wattala firmly in control. The chase was completed comfortably as Sadeesha Kavinda blasted an unbeaten 38 off just 14 balls, including three fours and four sixes, steering St. Anthony’s to 145 for 5 in 28.3 overs.

‎At Henegama, Wesley rattled Henegama Central for 31 runs to record a 127 run win.

‎Wesley beat Henegama Central at Henegama

‎Scores:

‎Wesley 158 all out in 44.5 overs (Shamma Fernando 46, Chanuka Vidharshana 49, Thimira Senarathna 24; Sehas Damsiha 3/28, Danuna Shanilka 2/37, Janidu Imesha 4/32)

‎Henegama 31 all out in 23 overs (Charana Malimbada 2/11, Rehan Perera 4/11, Adhyaan Zian 2/02)

‎

St. Peter’s beat Tissa Central at Kalutara

‎Scores:

‎Tissa Central 85 all out in 29.5 overs

(Sadew Wijesooriya 22; Mickhaeel Faleel2/26, Diyon Alwis 3/21, Lesan Perera 3/06)

‎St. Peter’s 87 for 6 in 24.4 overs (Hirun Noyah 22, Sashidu Silva 19, Diyon Alwis 20n.o.; Tharuka de Silva 2/10, Shenal Geenula 2/23)

‎

‎Jaffna Hindu beat St. Thomas’ at Matale

‎Scores:

‎Jaffna Hindu 257 all out in 49.5 overs

(Balamuralitharan Anish 66, Nesaroopan Nerujan 77, Sivalogesan Sivakajeesan 50)

‎St. Thomas’ Matale 126 all out in 39.6 overs

‎

‎Dharmaraja beat Sri Rahula at Anuradhapura

‎Scores:

‎Dharmaraja 282 all out in 44.5 overs (Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi 84, Mandil Gunawardhana 44, Deneth Abeyrathna 34, Imash Galapitiya 31n.o.)

‎Sri Rahula 138 al out in 36.3 overs (Hiruka Ekanayake 3/15)

‎

‎St. Anthony’s beat Sri Dharmaloka at Godagamuwa

‎Scores:

‎Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya143 all out in 34.5 overs

(Chanul Nethsitha 47; Bihandu Hansana 6/42)

‎St. Anthony’s Wattala 145 for 5 in 28.3 overs

(Karindra Kujana 25, Sadeesha Kavinda 38n.o.)

(RF)

Sports

Sri Lanka soccer masters to hold 21st veterans’ tournament on June 21

Published

50 mins ago

2026/06/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

From left: Treasurer Tilak Perera, Founder Chairman Tilak Peiris, Association President Irshad Haq, Tournament Committee Chairman P.G.P. Pieris and General Secretary Yoga Cruze at Monday’s media briefing

The Sri Lanka Soccer Masters’ Association has made arrangements to conduct its 21st consecutive nine-a-side football tournament for veteran players on June 21 at the Shalika Grounds, Narahenpita.

The tournament was officially announced at a press conference held at the NM Perera Centre in Borella on Monday.

Addressing the media, Association President Irshad Haq said that 34 teams would compete in the annual event, which will feature a total of 71 matches.

The champions will receive a cash prize of Rs. 200,000, while the runners-up will be awarded Rs. 100,000.

Haq said that proceeds from the tournament have been utilised over the years to support the welfare of former national football players.

Under tournament regulations, each team will be guaranteed a minimum of three matches. Although teams may include former national players in their squads, only three such players will be permitted on the field at any given time during a match.

The competition will be conducted under a league format in the preliminary stage, with the participating teams divided into eight groups. Teams will earn three points for a win, one point each for a draw and no points for a defeat.

Matches will be officiated by referees attached to the national football federation.

Founder Chairman Tilak Peiris, General Secretary Yoga Cruze, Tournament Committee Chairman P.G.P. Pieris and Treasurer Tilak Perera also addressed the gathering.

Latest News

Tunisia sack boss Sabri Lamouchi after World Cup thrashing by Sweden

Published

15 hours ago

2026/06/16

Priyan

Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi could not hide his frustration during the loss to Sweden [Aljazeera]

Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked by Tunisia after just one game of World Cup 2026.

The 54-year-old former France international was sacked the day after Tunisia’s 5-1 trouncing by Sweden in their opening Group F football game in Monterrey, Mexico, on Sunday night.

Tunisian officials have installed Mondher Kebaier, who led the national team from 2019 to 2022 and has been in a technical director role since last year, as interim boss ahead of the second group game against Japan in the early hours of Sunday, also in Monterrey.

The 56-year-old previously guided the Eagles of Carthage to the final of the Arab Cup in 2021, losing to Algeria, before a quarterfinal exit in AFCON the following year.

Speaking before his departure, Lamouchi said his side had been punished for a string of costly mistakes and after the game admitted: “It’s a difficult loss. It’s painful. Starting the competition with ⁠this bad of a loss is indeed difficult.

“We made way too many mistakes.”

Lamouchi was already under pressure after a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in the team’s final warm-up game, while he has been forced to defend the presence of his son during their training camp in the media despite him not being an official member of the party.

Tunisia will face Japan and the Netherlands, who played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in their opening match in Dallas on Sunday, in ⁠their final two group fixtures, and Lamouchi said: “We have our pride. We need to react. We need to give a better image.”

Lamouchi, who holds dual Tunisian and French citizenship, represented clubs including Auxerre, Monaco, Parma, Inter and Marseille during his playing career before his first role in management saw him guide Ivory Coast to the 2014 World Cup, beating Japan in their first game only to exit in the group stage after a dramatic late defeat against Greece in their final game.

It was a second chapter of World Cup heartache for Lamouchi, who was cut from the final France squad for World Cup 1998 by coach Aime Jacquet, missing out on a place in history as Les Bleus claimed their first title on home soil.

He went on to manage Rennes and Nottingham Forest before short stints in Qatar, with Cardiff City and in Saudi Arabia before being appointed by Tunisia in January on a two-and-a-half-year contract following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

[Aljazeera]