Sports
First Test evenly poised
Rex Clementine in Galle
The first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is finely balanced at the close of day two, with New Zealand trailing Sri Lanka’s first-innings total by 50 runs and six wickets in hand. Half-centuries from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson breathed life into the Kiwi innings, with the visitors finishing the day on 255 for four.
New Zealand’s approach to tackling spin in Galle, a venue notorious for its sharp turn, showcased a calculated shift in tactics. In their previous four outings here in Galle, the Kiwis have been spun into submission, losing each match due to their struggles against Sri Lanka’s spinners. This time, they came prepared. By adopting a more aggressive mindset, particularly using both conventional and reverse sweeps, they managed to unsettle the Sri Lankan bowlers and prevent themselves from being pinned down.
This counter-attacking strategy forced Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva to spread the field, easing the pressure on the batters. The Kiwis, clearly believing that attack is the best form of defense, handled the spin threat better than in past encounters.
Both Latham and Williamson looked poised to break New Zealand’s century drought in Galle, but fate intervened. Their 73-run partnership for the second wicket steadied the innings, only for Latham to fall just before tea, top-edging a sweep to be caught by a substitute fielder at backward square leg.
Williamson, the world’s second-ranked batter behind England’s Joe Root, has an outstanding record against Sri Lanka, averaging a remarkable 78, well above his career average of 54. However, Galle had been his nemesis, with a dismal tally of just 14 runs across four innings at the venue. He seemed determined to right that wrong with a fluent half-century, but his team would have hoped for more. Trying to work Dhananjaya de Silva to the leg side for a single, Williamson got a leading edge, allowing wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis to take a sharp catch.
De Silva struck again when Rachin Ravindra, opting to leave a delivery, saw his stumps rattled. But Daryl Mitchell ensured New Zealand kept their grip on the match, countering the spinners with a bold approach. Sweeping regularly and finding the gaps, he remained unbeaten on 41. Tom Blundell supported him, ending the day on 18 not out.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s tail offered little resistance in a rain-hit morning session. They managed to add only three runs to their overnight total, losing their last three wickets swiftly.
The highlight of the day belonged to New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke, who claimed a second five-wicket haul in his fledgling Test career. The 23-year-old, a surprise selection ahead of the seasoned Matt Henry, bowled with aggression, hitting the deck hard and troubling the Sri Lankan batters with his pace and bounce. Having played just his third Test, O’Rourke already shows signs of being New Zealand’s next big fast-bowling sensation. His earlier figures of nine for 93 against South Africa remain the best by a New Zealand debutant, and his star continues to rise.
Forced to follow on after being dismissed for 111 runs, Risinu Kithmuka scored an unbeaten half century to anchor St. Servarius’ batting line up to force a draw to their Under 19 cricket encounter against S. Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia on Friday.
The dogged knock facing 121 balls, helped the visitor post 93 for five wickets at close.
In a match dominated by the home team, Aaron David’s century was the highlight for S. Thomas’. They posted 269 for four wickets at close on day one and declared on the overnight score.
Meanwhile at Kotahena, Mevan Dissanayake top scored with 91 runs inclusive of eight fours and three sixes for St. Benedict’s to post 295 for 9 declared against Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya.
Results
Thomians dominate against St. Servatius’ at Mount Lavinia
Scores
S. Thomas’ 269 for 4 decl. in 73.3 overs (Jaden Amaraweera 40, Avinash Fernando 50, Aaron David 100n.o., Reshon Soloman 56; Lasindu Ramanayaka 2/87)
St. Servatius’ 111 all out 54.4 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 26, Thathsilu Bandara 20; Minon Warnasuriya 2/14, Chamash Gunawardena 2/24, Shanil Perera 3/18, Reshon Solomon 2/09) and 93 for 5 in 36 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 51n.o.; Aaron de Silva 2/30, Shanil Perera 3/23)
Bens 295 for 9 decl., Sri Dharmaloka 87/2 at Kotahena
Scores
St. Benedict’s 295 for 9 decl. in 56.4 overs (Mevan Dissanayake 91, Vihanga Rathnayake 42, Yohan Edirisinghe 31, Ayesh Gajanayake 49; Sathindu Praboda 4/98, Tharusha Mihiranga 2/66)
Sri Dharmaloka 87 for 2 in 25 overs (Senuka Pehesara 40, Kaveen Deneth 40n.o.; Ayesh Gajanayake 2/27)
by Reemus Fernando
Pakistan marched into the final of the Under 19 Asia Cup with a clinical eight wicket win over Bangladesh in the rain-hit semi-final in Dubai, after a dominant bowling performance led by Abdul Subban set up a straightforward chase. The victory sets up a final clash against India, who won the first semi final against Sri Lanka earlier in the day.
Opting to field after winning the toss in the rain-reduced 27-overs-a-side contest, Pakistan made early inroads as Bangladesh slipped to 24 for 2 inside six overs. Captain Azizul Hakim offered brief resistance to steady the innings, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
Fast bowler Subhan was the standout with the ball, picking up four wickets to dismantle the middle order. From 55 for 2 in the 13th over, Bangladesh lost five wickets for just 38 runs, collapsing to 93 for 7. The lower order struggled to rebuild, and Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 121 in 26.3 overs, with no batter able to convert a start into a big score.
In reply, Pakistan’s chase was smooth. After the early loss of opener Hamza Zahoor in the first over, Sameer Minhas anchored the innings with a composed, unbeaten 69, ensuring there were no further hiccups. He struck six fours and two sixes as Pakistan cruised to 122 for 2 with 63 balls to spare.
With this knock, Minhas took his tournament’s tally to 299 to be the highest run-getter.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 122 for 2 in 16.3 overs (Sameer Minhas 69*, Usman Khan 27; Samiun Basir 1-17) beat Bangladesh 121 in 26.3 overs (Samiun Basir 33; Abdul Subhan 4-20, Huzaifa Ahasan 2-10)by eight wickets
[Cricinfo]
Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George’s patient half-centuries helped India beat Sri Lanka in a rain-reduced game and set up an U-19 Asia Cup final with Pakistan.
It was a game where the momentum kept changing hands. India had Sri Lanka at 28 for 3 after opting to bowl. Captain Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Heenetigala hit back with a 45-run stand, but Sri Lanka soon lost 3 for 11. A 62-run stand between Heenatigala and Sethmika Seneviratne followed, but India again turned it around in the final three overs.
In reply, India were 25 for 2 as Sri Lanka sniffed a comeback. But Malhotra and George added an unbeaten 114 runs in a partnership of two halves: the first 62 runs they added took 51 balls, while the next 52 came off 36 deliveries. It was Malhotra who swung the game India’s way when he went 4, 4, 6 off Dulnith Sigera in the 13th over. Malhotra reached his fifty off 35 balls, while George took 43 balls.
India’s win was set up after their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 138. Kishan Singh and Deepesh Devendran struck early, while Vedant Trivedi’s direct hit ran Kavija Gamage out in the sixth over.
But Kanishk Chouhan struck twice in the 12th over, and Khilan Patel in the 13th, to force Sri Lanka to rebuild again. That brought Heenatigala and Seneviratne together. Seneviratne was the attacking of the two while Heenatigala, limping a little, was more patient. At 118 for 6 with three overs left, and with Seneviratne connecting it cleanly, Sri Lanka may have hoped to post 150. But just 20 runs amid two wickets in the last three overs applied the brakes on their scoring.
India will meet Pakistan in the final on Sunday.
Brief scores:
India Under 19s 139 for 2 in 18 overs (Vihaan Malhotra 61*, Aaron George 58*; Rasith Nimsara 2-31) beat Sri Lanka Under 19s 138 for 8 in 20 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 42, Vimath Dinsara 32, Sethmika Senevirathne 30; Henil Patel 2-31, Kanishk Chouhan 2-36) by eight wickets
[Cricinfo]
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