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Half-centuries from Smith and Green give Australia control

Published

8 months ago

2025/07/6

Priyan

Steven Smith and Cameron Green added 93 off 153 balls for the fourth wicket [Cricinfo]

A pristine innings from Steven Smith and Cameron Green’s first half-century at No. 3 put Australia in control of the second Test in Grenada on a day limited to 58.3 overs by three rain interruptions, a lethargic over rate and latterly bad light. However, regular breakthroughs after tea kept West Indies in touch although the surface remained a challenge for batters.

Smith, playing with the lingering effects of the compound dislocation he suffered in the World Test Championship which requires him to wear a splint on his right little finger, barely put a foot wrong during an innings studded with classy drives. There was general shock, not least from Smith himself, when he fell lbw to Justin Greaves for 71 shortly after tea – the DRS confirming ball had struck pad first – leaving the series still waiting for its first century.

Greaves became the somewhat unlikely figure to keep West Indies’ hopes alive when he then had Beau Webster edge to a lone slip. After a third shower briefly suspended play, Travis Head was cleaned up by Shamar Joseph, defeated by the angle from round the wicket, leaving Alex Carey the key figure in terms of how many more Australia could add. After the second day’s play, Roston Chase said West Indies would be confident chasing anything under 200 – they are now going to need considerably more than that.

There remained regular signs of uneven bounce – Green received a delivery early on which scuttled for four byes – but the ones that shot low were either not straight or were able to be kept out. As had been evident on the first two days, batting became more manageable as the ball got softer which added to the importance of the 93-run stand between Green and Smith in taking the sting out of the attack.

Green, who had done the hard work in the first innings but couldn’t take advantage of being given a life, brought up his first half-century as a Test No. 3 with a perfect straight drive. However, he was again left furious when he chopped on next ball, dropping his bat to the ground in anger before trudging off.

Overall, though, it was a step in the right direction. He nearly fell for West Indies’ short ball plan when he top-edged short of deep square leg, but he defended solidly and waited for anything with a hint of width to put away through the off side.

Australia had resumed on 12 for 2 after a difficult finish to the second day where Jayden Seales removed both openers. Progress from Green and nightwatcher Nathan Lyon was sedate before a 40-minute rain break. Shortly after the resumption Lyon edged to third slip where John Campbell, who has had an indifferent time in the field, clung on with a juggle.

Lyon had joked in a pre-play interview that Smith thought he should retire to let him bat straightaway. Smith, whose preparation for returning to the side included a session a New York batting cage, received a brutal first ball from Alzarri Joseph which took the glove of his injured hand but he looked in the zone from the off.

Smith did well to keep out a delivery from Anderson Phillip that kept low, from which point on he limited his trigger movements to remain stiller at the crease. He collected back-to-back boundaries off Shamar Joseph – a straight drive and one through the covers – as his game looked in top working order despite the recent lay-off.

When the ball got soft, West Indies went for a bouncer strategy with, at times, three on the leg-side rope, a deep third and a short leg but Smith was rarely bothered by it. While variable in bounce, the pitch does not have great pace which made a bouncer-barrage hard work although it may have been in part to try and get the ball changed.

Smith’s fifty came up from 79 balls with a leg glance and he greeted the introduction of Greaves by stepping out of the crease and clubbing him straight down the ground. Chase’s offspin was then sent straight for six as Australia sensed a chance to cash in on their hard work.

After Green’s dismissal, Head came out and threaded his first delivery through the covers with a rasping drive. Another crisp drive, this time off Greaves, took him into the 20s at better than a run-a-ball. He went down a gear after tea amid the loss of Smith and Webster before falling late in the day. But Carey was swiftly into his work and Australia’s bowlers will hope he can given them a cushion of another 50 runs.

Brief scores: [Day 3 stumps]
Australia 286 in 66.5 overs and 221 for 7 in 64.3 overs (Steven Smith 71, Cameron Green 52; Jayden Seales 2-29, Shamar Joseph 2-54, Justin Greaves 2-22) lead West Indies 253 in 73.2 overs (Brandon King 75, John Campbell 40; Nathan Lyon 3-75, Josh Hazlewood 2-43, Pat Cummins 2-46) by 254 runs

[Cricinfo]

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Navy’s latest addition P 628 sails for Colombo from Baltimore

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

The Offshore Patrol Vessel P 628, which was formally handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy by the U.S. Coast Guard in December 2025, departed for Sri Lanka from Baltimore, United States on 20th February 2026. The home bound journey began, after the modernization work of the ship to suit the operational needs of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The EX-United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Decisive was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy on 02 Dec 25, as the latest addition to the SLN fleet under the Pennant Number P 628. Upon her arrival in Sri Lanka, the ship is scheduled to be formally commissioned into the fleet.

Measuring 64 metres in length, this ‘B-Type Reliance Class 210-foot Cutter’ is equipped with advanced technological systems and facilities, capable of conducting extensive surveillance operations spanning up to 6,000 nautical miles per patrol.

The vessel’s voyage to Colombo is historic, possibly marking the longest-ever passage undertaken by a Sri Lanka Navy ship. Covering approximately 14,775 nautical miles, the journey will see the P 628 navigate from Baltimore through the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal (a first for a Sri Lankan naval vessel), the Pacific Ocean, and into the Indian Ocean via the Straits of Malacca. The ship is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka during the first week of May 2026.

During the transit, the P 628 is scheduled to make port calls to replenish supplies and services, providing opportunities to further strengthen diplomatic ties with partner nations.

This transfer represents the fourth vessel provided to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States Coast Guard, reinforcing a long-standing partnership aimed at addressing common maritime challenges.

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Prime Minister attends 169th birth anniversary celebration of Lord Robert Baden-Powell

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

The 169th birth anniversary celebration of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the World Scouting Movement, and World Scout Thinking Day, was held on 22 February at the National Scout Headquarters, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Scouting Movement is not merely about holding positions, but a noble form of training that nurtures readiness to help others and to serve society while “being prepared.”

She further highlighted the importance of serving society as a disciplined and intelligent “smart” Scout who respects others while effectively using modern technology. The Prime Minister also called upon Scouts to contribute responsibly to safeguarding the nation’s future through environmentally friendly initiatives such as tree planting and the protection of water resources.

During the event, laptops were symbolically distributed to several districts under the Scout Digitalization Project, along with the provision of first-aid kits. Additionally, Chief Scout Commissioner Attorney-at-Law Manoj Nanayakkara presented the Prime Minister with a special Scout stamp collection and a commemorative cover.

The occasion was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, officials of the Sri Lanka Scout Association, and a large number of Scouts from across the island.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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High stakes for a rare West Indies-Zimbabwe clash

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

Shimron Hetmyer gets out the slog sweep [Cricinfo]

Two years ago, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup. Not only did they make the competition this time, they entered the Super Eights unbeaten.

First, it was Blessing Muzarabani who shut Australia down on a slow pitch in Colombo. Then their top four silenced the Khettarama crowd by chasing down 189 against Sri Lanka. The common factor in those wins were also Brian Bennett’s fifties and Sikandar Raza’s quick cameos. Muzarabani and Brad Evans are also among the top ten wicket takers in the tournament.

With contributions from several players, Zimbabwe could prove a handful for West Indies in Mumbai. They will have to make a quick adjustment, though, having played all their group matches in Sri Lanka, while West Indies have already played twice at the Wankhede.

These two sides have faced each other only four times in T20 internationals. When lined up player-against-player, West Indies – also undefeated – look stronger with bat, with an in-form Shai Hope, a rejuvenated Shimron Hetmyer at No. 3, and a solid finisher in Sherfaine Rutherford.

Having as many as three allrounders – with Romario Shepherd in line to return after injury – gives them the option of playing three fast bowlers and three spinners. It’s an ideal mix in Mumbai, where the quicks (35 wickets) and spinners (34) have been equally effective, averaging 26.28 and 26.25 respectively this tournament.

It’s a big game for both sides, with matches against India and South Africa to follow next. Who will get on the points table first?

Blessing Muzarabani is an early wicket-taker and a serial wicket-taker. He has height, pace and discipline on lengths that can be threatening, especially with the new ball. He also bowls at the death where he generally goes on the shorter side peppered in with the odd slower ball. That’s as all-conditions as it gets in T20s, and form is on his side too.

West Indies have a clear batting approach outlined by regular boundary hitting, and Shai Hope is the initiator and the glue as he sets up and builds innings. He has the virtues of an upgraded anchor who doesn’t have to shut down when the team is on the back foot. He is coming off two fifties, the second of which against Nepal saw him power through even as wickets fell at the other end.

Shepherd is fit again. He had strapping on his right leg as he bowled and batted for a while on Saturday. He hit one over the roof, but wasn’t as comfortable while bowling. If fit, he could replace Matthew Forde.

Zimbabwe haven’t tinkered with their squad much and that’s likely to remain the case. They could bring back Richard Ngarava for Graeme Cremer if they feel the need for pace.

West Indies (probable): Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd/Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosain, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.

Zimbabwe (probable): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer/Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

[Cricinfo]