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De Kock’s second successive ton props up South Africa
A second successive World Cup ton for Quinton de Kock helped South Africa to put up a par score despite a strong fightback from Australia in the death overs. The left-handed opener’s knock was well supported by a fluent fifty from Aiden Markram on a pitch that wasn’t straightforward to score off, particularly when pace was taken off. South Africa looked on course for a score of 325-plus at one stage but Australia hit their straps in the final overs to curb the run flow. The score could have been much lesser had the Aussies taken their catches, seven of which were dropped.
The afternoon began on a surprising note as Pat Cummins opted to bowl. Given Lucknow’s sluggish decks in the Indian Premier League, that wasn’t expected but what was also a factor is that the tracks had been relaid for the World Cup with many red soil pitches being prepared, this being one. So, there was a lot of uncertainty on how it would play and that’s probably what dictated Cummins’ call at the toss. It was soon evident that the track was on the slower side but at the same time, a much better deck than has been seen in recent times.
De Kock and captain Temba Bavuma put on a century stand to set the base, although the latter was lucky to survive a couple of dropped chances. He finally perished to Glenn Maxwell who was easily the best of the Australian bowlers, making full use of the surface and ground dimensions on offer. De Kock kept motoring along at the other end, although even he couldn’t consistently force the pace as the ball got softer. This is where Markram’s knock comes in for special mention. He barely looked flustered in his timing and played some classy strokes to ensure that the tempo wasn’t lost in the middle overs.
Australia picked up both batters before they could hit top gear but their fielding was a big letdown. Josh Inglis, replacing Alex Carey in the XI, had a horror day behind the stumps and it seemed to spread in the outfield as several chances went down. The platform set by De Kock and Markram looked ominous but as soon as Australia got their lines, lengths and pace variations right, scoring became difficult. Mitchell Starc bowled exceptionally at the death and had a good day overall, although his figures don’t do justice to his efforts. He bowled a top final over, giving away just a single run to give some momentum to Australia
South Africa only managed 79 off the last 60 balls and it goes with the common trend in this World Cup of teams being unable to really unleash at the death. However, given Australia’s bowling lapses in the first half and their dropped catches, the Proteas have definitely got a par score on this track, unless dew makes an appearance.
Brief scores:
South Africa 311/7 in 50 overs (Quinton de Kock 109, Aiden Markram 56; Glenn Maxwell 2-34, Mitchell Starc 2-53) vs Australia
Latest News
Payment of Compensation to the people who have lost their cultivable lands in implementing the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project
Approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 27-06-2012 to provide cultivable agricultural lands from the lower Uma Oya valley to 276 farming families in Hali-Ela, Walimada, and Uva Paranagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions who have lost their cultivable lands due to the acquisition of lands for the
Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.
However, the aforementioned proposal could not be implemented due to the encroachment of a large portion of the identified lands by unauthorized persons, heavy forest cover, the threats posed by wild elephants, remoteness from their original settlements, and difficulties in adapting to other environmental conditions and social anomalies.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation to pay an estimated compensation of Rs. 12 lakhs for each of these 276 farming families, based on the
recommendations submitted by the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to provide solutions for the issues arising in the implementation of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.
In view of the prevailing war situation in the Middle East region and its impact on the economy, the Government has already taken several immediate measures to mitigate such effects.
In parallel, the need has been identified to manage state expenditure within existing fiscal constraints and approved state expenditure limits, while ensuring the continuity of essential public services.
Accordingly, taking into consideration the restrictions imposed on fuel issuance and the declaration of Wednesdays as holidays for government offices providing non-essential public services, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to continue the
payment of fuel allowances to Ministers, Members of Parliament, and public officers based on the fuel prices
prevailing as at 01-03- 2026, until further notice; and similarly, continue the payment of other allowances linked to fuel prices based on the fuel prices prevailing as at 01-03-2026.
In accordance with the guidance of the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros and the All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, it has been identified as appropriate to conduct the State Vesak Festival for the year 2026 (Buddhist Era 2570) at the historic Medillawala Purana Viharaya in Thihagoda, Matara District, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and the Department of Buddhist Affairs.
It has been decided to conduct this year’s State Vesak Festival under the theme “Abhiththaretha Kalyane” (“Let us
hasten towards the common good”). Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the joint resolution furnished by the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to: conduct the National Vesak Festival
centering the Medillawala Purana Viharaya in Thihagoda, Matara District; to declare the period from 27 May to 02 June 2026 as Vesak Week; and organize and implement various Buddhist religious programmes across the island during that period.
Payment of Compensation to the people who have lost their cultivable lands in implementing the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project
Draft Bill of the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka to be Gazzated
Telecommunication Levy Act No. 21 of 2011 to be amended
Management of State Expenditure during the Energy Crisis
Vesak week from 27 May to 02 June
Free Tourist Visas for Passport Holders of 39 Countries
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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