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De Kock, van der Dussen tons power South Africa to strong total
Hundreds from Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen propelled South Africa to a total of 357/4 in the World Cup fixture against New Zealand in Pune. It was the eighth consecutive time South Africa went past the 300-run mark while batting first this year.
After losing the toss, South Africa came up against one of Trent Boult’s better spells with the new ball in this World Cup and lost the wicket of Temba Bavuma in the process. The South Africa captain looked comfortable against Matt Henry, hitting a couple of crisp drives and a six against the pacer, but couldn’t get behind a cover drive against Boult and edged to slip instead.
That’s when van der Dussen joined de Kock in the middle, the duo going on to add 200 runs for the second wicket – the highest partnership for South Africa against New Zealand in ODIs for any wicket. While at it, de Kock brought up his fourth hundred in this World Cup edition, also his 21st overall in ODIs.
It wasn’t the most fluent knock from de Kock who survived a tough dropped catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point while on 12. But he still got to his hundred off 103 balls and looked increasingly in control of his batting out there. His partner at the crease, van der Dussen through rode his fair share of luck en route to his second hundred in this World Cup, and his sixth overall in the format.
Van der Dussen was dropped twice in the same Jimmy Neesham over when he was on 68 and 72, but strolled along thereafter to bring up his hundred off 101 balls. He was bowled by Tim Southee on 133 in the 18th over but his 118-ball knock helped provide South Africa the much needed final flourish.
Thanks to de Kock and van der Dussen, South Africa scored as many as 190 runs in the second PowerPlay (11-40 overs), setting base for the big hits in the death overs. And they arrived from van der Dussen himself alongside David Miller, who hit 2 fours and 4 sixes in his 30-ball 53. It took a brilliant catch from Daryl Mitchell in the deep to dismiss him in the final over.
South Africa ended up adding 119 runs in the final ten overs and what made matters more challenging for New Zealand was the unavailability of Matt Henry. The fast bowler hurt his right hamstring in his second spell and was confirmed to not return to bowl again in this game.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 357/4 in 50 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 133, Quinton de Kock 114; Tim Southee 2-77) vs New Zealand
The Sri Lanka Navy, during a special operation on the high seas about 110 nautical miles (200km) west of Sri Lanka, intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler suspected of smuggling narcotics.
The operation, conducted by SLNS Nandimithra, resulted in the apprehension of 05 suspects linked to the illicit activity. Upon escorting the vessel to Galle Harbour, a detailed inspection uncovered approximately 46kg and 116g of heroin, concealed in 40 parcels packed into 02 sacks. The seized narcotics is estimated to have a street value
exceeding Rs. 1152 million.
To support the national goal of eradicating the drug menace, the Navy remains vigilant, conducting relentless operations across maritime zones to intercept and prevent narcotic trafficking.
The apprehended suspects, who are between 23 to 33 years of age, have been identified as residents of Gandara. The 05 suspects, together with the haul of heroin and the fishing trawler held in this operation will be handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.
The Sri Lanka Navy, under the able leadership of Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Commander of the Navy and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force to Combat the Use of Poisonous and Dangerous Drugs, has been instrumental in curbing narcotics smuggling.
In 2024, the Navy’s relentless operations have resulted in the seizure of narcotics worth over Rs. 18,790 million in street value, and have been handed over to authorities for legal action.
Against this backdrop, the Navy urges the public to report any individuals posing as fishermen and engaging in drug smuggling to the Navy or law enforcement agencies.
This collective effort aims to safeguard future generations from the devastating effects of drug-related activities.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya,who was sworn in as the 17th Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka earlier today [18] officially assumed duties at the Prime Minister’s Office on Flower Road this afternoon’
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
New Zealand fast-bowler Doug Bracewell has served a one-month backdated ban from cricket after being found to have consumed cocaine. The 34-year old had tested positive for the banned substance back in January this year following a T20 game between Central Stags and Wellington. Bracewell had won the Player of the Match award for figures of 2 for 21 with the ball while also scoring 30 runs off just 11 balls with the bat.
The Sports Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui handed the ban to the cricketer. However, it was also found that the consumption of cocaine was before the start of the tournament and hence, he received a reduced sentence. The sentence which was initially three months long was reduced to one month after the bowler completed a treatment programme to address the substance use.
The one-month suspension was backdated to April 2024 and as a result, the bowler has already served his ban thereby allowing him to resume playing cricket at any given time.
Bracewell last appeared for New Zealand in a Test against Sri Lanka in March 2023 in Wellington. He has made 69 appearances (28 Tests, 21 ODIs, 20 T20Is) for the nation across all three-formats of the game.
Navy intercepts fishing trawler with 46kg & 116g of heroin
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya Assumes Office as the 17th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Doug Bracewell serves one-month ban after testing positive for cocaine use
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