Sports

Harry Brook 110* fires England chase to help keep series alive

Published

1 year ago

2024/09/25

Priyan

Harry Brook takes the applause for his maiden ODI century [Cricinfo]

Harry Brook’s scintillating maiden ODI hundred led England to victory over Australia at Chester-le-Street, a seemingly daunting chase handled with some comfort before the rain arrived to produce a 46-run margin on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern. England’s first win in the format since December kept the series alive with two to play, whilst also ending Australia’s 14-game winning run stretching back to the 2023 World Cup.

Brook’s inexperienced side looked to be in trouble after failing to contain Australia with the ball despite helpful conditions early on, Alex Carey’s unbeaten 77 leading the cavalry charge in the second half of the innings. England then stumbled to 11 for 2 in the fourth over, Mitchell Starc removing both openers in the space of five balls.

But a stand of 156 between Brook and Will Jacks, who made 84, flipped the chase on its head. Although Jacks and Jamie Smith were both bounced out by Cameron Green, Brook was joined by Liam Livingstone in another pulsating stand that brought the requirement down to 51 from 74 balls, at which point the weather closed in.

Brook walked off unbeaten on 110 from 94 balls, with 15 boundaries, having become the youngest England captain to score a century in ODIs. Australia were without a key member of their attack, with Adam Zampa missing through illness – they also opted to rest Travis Head – but this was nevertheless a hugely encouraging performance and a vital demonstration of what England’s new-look batting line-up could achieve after two costly implosions at Trent Bridge and Headingley.

Australia’s greater nous had appeared likely to determine the result shortly after the innings break. Faced with making what would have been the second-highest successful chase at the Riverside – after the 311 overhauled against the same opponents in 2018 – England started badly, Phil Salt chipping Starc’s eighth ball to midwicket and Ben Duckett edging a drive to be caught at backward point.

Both Jacks and Brook were quick to show glimpses of what they could do, even amid the wreckage. Jacks clipped his fourth ball, from Hazlewood, serenely back down the ground to long-on, while Brooks’ fifth, a slightly overpitched delivery from Starc, disappeared through extra cover.

By and large they batted watchfully at the outset, occasionally attempting to play with the bowlers’ lengths such as when Jacks advanced to thrash Hazlewood through the off side. England were 45 for 2 at the end of the first powerplay – Australia had been 41 for 1 – and began to open up as Mitchell Marsh shuffled through his bowling options. Brook slapped Glenn Maxwell’s first ball over the head of mid-off, then did the same to Matthew Short with an even bigger hit that sailed all the way.

Brook went to a 54-ball fifty in the same over, his first since taking up the captaincy as cover for the injured Jos Buttler. The hundred partnership arrived two balls later, before Jacks brought up his own half-century, from 55 balls, as the volume levels in the home crowd began to increase. The atmosphere only became more raucous when Starc’s sixth over was ransacked for 19, his third-most expensive in ODIs: Jacks driving and pulling fours before Brook capped the over with a lofted drive over cover.

The momentum was now with England and, although Jacks fell via an uppercut to deep third before Jamie Smith’s top-edged pull ended up in the hands of deep backward square leg, Brook was unperturbed, back-to-back fours off Starc taking him to three figures for only the second time in List A cricket.

Livingstone had by then already struck two of his first seven balls for six and, with the threat of rain in the air, sped England ahead of the DLS requirement with another flurry of boundaries, the result well beyond doubt by the time heavy rain arrived.

Australia, having been inserted, were indebted once again to Carey – only in the side after an injury sustained by Josh Inglis during the T20I series – as he top-scored for the second game in a row. After Steven Smith laid the foundations with his first fifty of the series in testing conditions, Carey and the lower order cut loose to add 104 from the last 10 overs, with Aaron Hardie showing his power in a career-best 44 off 26 that included twice putting Jofra Archer into the stands.

England only struck once during the first powerplay but there was something there for the seamers, as Brook had hoped at the toss. Short, partnered by Marsh in the absence of Head, was caught hooking Archer to deep backward square leg, two balls after hitting the same shot for six. Matthew Potts then thought he had removed Smith lbw, only for ball-tracking to show the delivery would have cleared leg stump on review.

Marsh battled through powerplay while taking several blows to the body but fell straight after, Brydon Carse using home-ground knowledge to locate a nibbly Riverside length and straighten one through to Jamie Smith off the outside edge. From there Australia looked to rebuild, with the third-wicket pair of Smith and Green largely employing low-risk shots during a stand worth 84, seeing off the frontline seamers before looking to target spin, in particular the fifth-bowler combination.

Jacob Bethell and Jacks leaked boundaries initially but, with Australia beginning to look well placed, both spinners struck in quick succession. First Green smacked Bethell to Jacks at straight mid-on, the fielder having just been moved back from a close-in position, then Marnus Labuschagne got in a tangle looking to scoop Jacks and popped a simple catch to the keeper.

Australia were suddenly 132 for 4 and grateful for Smith’s stickability as went on to a 71-ball fifty, reaching the mark with his fifth boundary. Brook then went back to Archer and he finally won a duel with Smith, taking his wicket for the first time in international cricket as Carse pulled off a brilliant running catch at deep square leg.

At 172 for 5, the innings could have fallen away but Carey put on rapid half-century stands with Maxwell and Hardie to tip the game back towards Australia. Hardie’s aggression from No. 8 stood out as 55 runs flowed from the last four overs to put England under pressure. But Brook, with the bat, had a worthy response.

Brief scores:
England 254 for 4 in 37.4overs (Harry Brook 110*, Will Jacks 84; Mitchell Starc 2-63, Cameron Green 2-45) beat Australia 304 for 7 in 50 overs (Mitchell Marsh 24, Alex Carey 77*, Steven Smith 60, Cameron Green 42, Glenn Maxwell 30, Aaron Hardie 44; Jofra Archer 2-67) by 46 runs (DLS method)

[Cricinfo]

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Fifa rules women’s teams must have female coaches

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/20

Priyan

(Pic BBC)

Every team in Fifa’s women’s football tournaments must include at least one female head coach or assistant coach following the introduction of new regulations.

The requirements will come into effect during the under-17s and under-20s Women’s World Cup and Women’s Champions Cup competitions this year.

The decision was made at the Fifa Council on Thursday, and discussed the long-term strategy of female representation in coaching.

Under the new ruling, at least two staff members on the bench of every team at matches must be female, with one in an assistant coach or head coach role.

The rule applies to all youth and senior tournaments, including clubs and national teams.

At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, 12 of the 32 head coaches were female, including England manager Sarina Wiegman.

“There are simply not enough women in coaching today. We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines,” said Fifa’s chief football officer Jill Ellis.

“The new Fifa regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in the current and future generation of female coaches.”

Fifa hopes these new regulations will see a rapid increase in female representation, including at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Among some of the most high-profile female coaches is London-born Emma Hayes, who is joined by assistant Denise Reddy at the United States.

In 2024, Hayes told BBC Sport that a lack of female coaches in English football is “a massive issue” and urged the game’s administrators to “come up with more creative ways” to address it.

Other female English coaches at international level include Gemma Grainger at Norway, Casey Stoney at Canada and Carla Ward at the Republic of Ireland.

Canadian Rhian Wilkinson led Wales to their first major tournament at Euro 2025 last summer, while Dutchwoman Wiegman has guided England to back-to-back European titles and has been named the Fifa best women’s coach of the year on four occasions.

Wiegman was the only female coach in the quarter-final stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

(BBC)

Sports

“Fairfirst Trophy at stake when undefeated HNB Assurance meet McLarens Group today

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/20

Thilina Walpola

HNB Assurance Team

MCA – FAIRFIRST ‘F’ DIVISION 20 OVER LEAGUE TOURNAMENT 2026

HNB Assurance will go all out to emerge undefeated champs and take home the ‘Fairfirst Trophy’ when they take on McLarens Group in the finals of the 8th MCA – Fairfirst ‘F’ Division 20 over League Cricket tournament scheduled to be played at the CCC ground at 2.00pm today [20th March]. The game which was originally planned to be played under lights is being played as a day game due to the previling fuel crisis. The third place game between MAS Active and Ansell Lanka will commence at 9.45a.m.

HNB Assurance, the only undefeated team in the tournament beat E B Creasy by 111 runs, Pizza Hut by 8 wickets, Attire Pvt Limited by 27 runs, Commercial Credit by 44 runs and Sitrek Group by 88 runs to lead group D and enter the knock out stage of the tournament. In the knock out stage they defeated Commercial Bank ‘B’ by 118 runs in the pre-quarter final, PABC by 6 wickets in the quarter-final and Ansell Lanka by 28 runs in the semi-final to qualify for the final.

McLarence Group Team

McLarens Group, playing in group A lost to Aitkin Spence by 66 runs but led their group having defeated Softlogic Life by 44 runs, PABC by 46 runs, Astron Lanka by 24 runs and Metropolitan Group by three wickets to enter the knock out stage. In the pre-quarter final, McLarens beat SAGT by 48 runs, overcame Camera.lk by 22 runs in the quarter-finals and MAS Active by three wickets in the semi-final to qualify for the final.

HNB Assurance is led by Dulanjana Wijesinghe will be selected from Dasun Abeywardena, Sangeeth Peiris, Abhishek Jayaweera, Lahiru Sithpriya, Pasindu Pathum, Chamod Piumal, Dasis Manchanayake, Taariq Naziar, Milinda Sanjaya Isuru Sampath, Charith de Silva, Tharindu Guruge, Anupa Sasanka, Dulanga Hettiarachchi, Supun Chanaka, Minidu Rajakaruna, Mohamed Rahumathulla and Raveen Alexander.

Manager: Kalhara Kariyawasam

HNB’s Pasindu Pathum who has scored the most runs [346] in the tournament so far together with Dasun Abeywardena and Lahiru Sithpriya are ranked among the top ten run scorers. Taariq Naziar is among the top tenwicket takers with sixteen wickets to his credit and In the fielding department Sangeeth Peiris is among the top ten with 12 dismissals to his credit.

McLarens Group led by Asanka Ranasinghe will be selected from, Russel Van Rooyen, Shehan Sandaruwan, Saminda Fernando, Ashan Mullegama, Dilan Perera, Oshada Chathuranga, Sachira Wijesinghe, Inesh Chamikara, Sadisha Gamage, Suranga Rodrigo, Lahiru Amarasekara, Ethan Ransilige, Hasindu Perera, Dulshan Jayawardhana, and Mandil Damruka

Manager: Samadhi Siriwardena

McLaren’s all-rounder Ethan Ransilige is among the top ten run scorers and wicket takers in the tournament and Shehan Sandaruwan is the second highest wicket taker [17 wickets] of the tournament.

Twenty four teams entered this year’s MCA F Division Tournament .

Sports

St. Servatius’ looking to break deadlock

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/20

Thilina Walpola

St. Servatius’ College will start as favourites when they take on arch rivals St. Thomas’ College in the “Battle of the Blues of Ruhuna” which gets underway at the Uyanwatta Stadium today.

‎The Servatians enter the contest with a strong outfit bolstered by the presence of two Sri Lanka Under-19 players. Skipper Chamarindu Nethsara and all-rounder Viran Chamuditha, still fresh from the recent Youth World Cup, add both quality and expectation to a side eager to end a title drought that has stretched for more than five decades.

‎Nethsara’s reliability behind the stumps and his contribution with the bat provide stability at the top, while Chamuditha has been in exceptional form this season, amassing close to 500 runs in just five matches. With his performances at the Youth World Cup still vivid in memory, the all-rounder will carry the hopes of the Servatian faithful.

‎However, success will hinge on a collective effort. Openers Heshan Madushanka and Risinu Kithmuka, both with over 400 runs this season, are expected to lay solid foundations. They will be supported by Thathsilu Bandara and Chamod Mihiranga, giving the batting unit both depth and balance.

‎The bowling department is equally formidable, spearheaded by the spin duo of Chamuditha and Samiru Gimhan, who have shared more than 60 wickets between them. Additional support comes from Lasindu Ramanayake, who has claimed over 30 wickets this season, including an impressive seven-wicket haul against Prince of Wales.

‎In contrast, St. Thomas’ College, led by wicketkeeper-batsman Abdul Majid, will enter the encounter as underdogs but not without firepower. Majid has been their standout performer with over 500 runs this season and will be key to anchoring the innings. He is expected to receive strong support from Thathsara Dewmin, Manuga Guruge, Kumesh Nuwanjana and Punal Pamuditha.

‎Dewmin has also been their most consistent bowler with nearly 30 wickets, while Dinura Pawnji and Guruge are likely to play crucial supporting roles with the ball.

‎History, however, adds an extra layer of intrigue. According to records, St. Servatius’ last tasted victory in 1971 under Nimal Munaweera, while St. Thomas’ last win came in 2007 under Tharaka Dushyantha.

‎With both teams eager to rewrite history and rising young stars ready to shine, this year’s Battle of the Blues of Matara promises an absorbing contest filled with pride, passion and the pursuit of long-awaited glory.

(RF)