Sports

India’s gaffes overshadow Bumrah’s jaffas, Pope ton makes it England’s day

Published

1 year ago

2025/06/22

Priyan

Ollie Pope got his second ton in as many Tests [Cricinfo]

Saturday in Leeds was a day of opportunities taken and spurned. Unfortunately for India, it was their contribution to the latter on day two that has changed the complexion of this Test match.

Having begun the day with Rishabh Pant’s thrill-filled 134, the third of the innings, they proceeded to lose 7 for 41 to cap their first innings at 471. And yet more profligacy in the field not only allowed Ollie Pope to move to his ninth Test century, but England to close on 209 for 3.

Pope, unbeaten on 100, rests satiated with a consecutive Test hundred following his 171 against Zimbabwe, at a time when his place has been questioned with the precocious yet century-less Jacob Bethell waiting in the wings.

Pope rests dreaming of mimicking his Hyderabad epic that dug England out of a similar sized hole. But India will rue a drop on 60 by Yashasvi Jaiswal at third slip, after Pope had played in the air through that region earlier (on 48) and fourth at the very start of his innings when on 10. That he had made all three errors off Jasprit Bumrah was no surprise, particularly as the demonic quick ended up accounting for all three wickets.

But just when it looked like Bumrah would head to stumps with a clean record, a third front-foot no ball in his final over of the day ended up giving Harry Brook a life on 0. A brutal short ball was clothed amateurishly by Brook towards midwicket. Umpire Chris Gaffaney, having stuck his arm out for the previously delivery, put his hand to his ear before doing so once more as news of another infringement came through from the television umpire.

That would have made it 208 for 4 at stumps. India’s frustration was carried in spades by the searing bouncer Bumrah delivered to close out a thrilling day’s play. They could have batted a victory out of England’s reach but instead, the hosts have seven wickets left to claw back more if not all of the remaining deficit of 262.

Was it a lack of ruthlessness on Shubman Gill’s first day in the field as India’s Test captain? If so, it was not something anyone could have predicted when he and Pant recommenced India’s first innings on 359 for 3. The first 90 minutes of play was a reassertion of their day one dominance, with Pant at his mischievous best.

He was a one-man circus of heaves and tumbles, the first of them coming when he greeted Shoaib Bashir’s first delivery with a fall-away paddle over his shoulder. The second was more choreographed after lifting Bashir over wide midwicket to bring up his sixth hundred as wicketkeeper, from his 146th delivery. Only MS Dhoni has as many for India, with this a third century on these shores – no other keeper-batter has more than one – that also sits top of his three-figure knocks for most sixes (six).

There were no chances offered, per se, until, on 124, he ran past a delivery from Bashir and was forced to reclaim his ground on his hands and knees, having flung the bat away towards fine leg. Jamie Smith failed to capitalise on the error, but his blushes were saved when Josh Tongue, hidden in the field for most of this session, was able to catch Pant not playing a shot to trap him lbw.

By then, Gill’s own century had been cut off at 147, when he lifted Bashir to Tongue at deep square leg, angling for his second six and 21st boundary, ending the fourth-wicket stand on 209. Karun Nair had also come and gone, an eight-year hiatus amounting to a four-ball duck when he was plucked gloriously out of the air by Pope at cover.

And so, with lunch looming, the thought was India would take it to the break and regroup. Alas, Shardul Thakur brought about an early break when chasing a very wide delivery through to Smith. It gave Ben Stokes figures for 4 for 66, once again the England captain standing out as the best bowler on show.

He was soon joined on a four-for by Tongue, who wagged when the tail did not to clean up some untidy figures. The Nottinghamshire quick went from nursing 0 for 78 from 17 to parading 4 for 86 from 20.

A tame but delaying shower meant England’s first innings only began at 2:55pm, with ominous looking clouds and a ground illuminated by the floodlights promising movement for Bumrah. He needed just six deliveries to get one bending reality; Zak Crawley turned inside out with a one that swung in late and seamed away later, flying through to Nair at face height at first slip.

That he would only take 1 for 21 in his opening five overs was through no fault of his own. Though Gill kept a packed cordon for the first 20 overs, the desire to cover more than one position with just one fielder led to Pope’s initial pseudo life on 10 – a Schrödinger’s fourth slip, if you will. But it was at the end of his fourth over that Bumrah had Ben Duckett dropped on 15, by Ravindra Jadeja of all people at backward point.

Duckett would end up moving to his 19th score of fifty or more from 68 deliveries with a fine sweep off Jadeja, marching forward with Pope in a stand of 122 that for the most part actually felt easier than it maybe should have been.

On 62, Duckett drove a thick edge onto his stumps to hand Bumrah his third, met with an exclamation from the 31-year-old that spoke of the fact his frustration was steadily morphing into anger. From that point on, it was Pope who seized the initiative a little more, dwarfing Joe Root (42 to 28) in an 80-run stand where he seemed like the more established pro.

Mohammed Siraj emerged from a patchy first spell to hold his own and both ends, and seemingly had Root on toast. For a moment, he thought he had him outright, lbw for 7, with the impact in front of the stumps and the right-hander selling it well with a stumble over to the off side. Alas, a review would take that from Siraj, with HawkEye projecting the delivery would miss leg stump, forcing umpire Paul Reiffel to overturn his decision.

Pope, though, was making hay while Bumrah was powering back up. He had already got away with a flinch outside off that Jaiswal, diving low to his right, should have held. Bumrah’s reaction was to open his arms out to the cordon as if to ask “WHY?!” Understandably given he had opened the evening session and been immediately dabbed through a vacant third by Pope, who moved to 52 from 74 deliveries.

The remainder of the No.3’s crisp 100 took just 51 deliveries more, helped by Thakur’s lack of pace, which allowed him to drive on the up through cover, before a stylish back cut off Krishna’s extra pace. The latter decided to be more forceful in his approach to Pope, offering a few choice words along with some short stuff. Pope responded with a well-executed pull-flip over to the fine-leg fence for a one bounce for, clearing the man up around the corner with ease, and taking deep square leg out of the game entirely.

Bumrah’s return for two overs at the end was always going to give us a final shot of drama. A thick inside edge into the leg side brought Pope his century, and as good a reason as any to let the frustrations of talk in the media and behind his back flow out in a cathartic, satisfying roar, punching the air with a mix of relief and glee. It was by no means a convincing way to move to such a landmark, but the fact he walked at Bumrah was an apt reminder of the guts he showed throughout this knock.

Joy was short-lived when Root finally succumbed to a teaser outside off. But an over later, Bumrah’s journey to anger had been completed. Brook’s reprieve was all the more irksome for India considering the efforts of Siraj to take the catch running back at midwicket.

India still have the surer footing in this match, with England resuming on Sunday 63 off the follow-on target. But they have relinquished the opportunity to be the sole drivers of this match.

Brief scores:
England 209 for 3 in 49 overs (Ben Duckett 62, Ollie Pope 100*, Joe Root 28; Jasprit Bumrah 3-48) trail India 471 in 113 overs (Vaishaswi Jaiswal 101, KL Rahul 42, Shubman Gill 147, Rishabh Pant 134; Ben Stokes 4-66, Josh Tongue 4-86) by 262 runs

[Cricinfo]

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Former Zimbabwe player and umpire Sarah Dambanevana dies aged 36

Published

2 hours ago

2026/10/13

Priyan

Sarah Dambanevana (1990-2026) ( Zimbabwe Cricket)

Former Zimbabwe fast bowler and umpire Sarah Dambanevana passed away in Harare on Monday. She was 36.

A Zimbabwe Cricket release said Dambanevana was in hospital receiving care since undergoing a medical procedure in March.

Her senior international umpiring career began on 2 September 2023, and she went on to officiate at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, where she was part of the tournament’s historic all-female panel of match officials.

Prior to that, Dambanevana officiated in the final between India and England at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to umpire a World Cup final.

Overall, she officiated in 63 senior internationals, comprising 42 women’s T20Is, 11 women’s ODIs and 10 men’s T20Is, alongside her assignments in domestic cricket and global youth tournaments.

Dambanevana also represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014, including at the World Cup Qualifier in 2011. She joined the ICC development panel of umpires in 2022.

“Sarah served Zimbabwe with distinction, first as a player and then as an umpire whose ability earned her a place on the world stage,” ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said. “Watching her stand in a World Cup final was a moment of immense pride for our cricket community and our country. She showed young Zimbabwean women that they belong at the highest levels of the game, including in roles where opportunities had long been limited.

“Through her achievements, she opened doors and gave others the confidence to pursue their own ambitions. We will remember her dedication, her professionalism and her willingness to help others grow. Her passing leaves a painful void in our cricket family, but the example she set will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.”

(Cricinfo)

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Deflated Sri Lanka look to prevent whitewash against dominant Pakistan

Published

3 hours ago

2026/10/13

Priyan

Kusal Mendis will hope for a better performance from himself and his team (Cricinfo)

Even counting the win against Bangladesh at the Asian Games Sri Lanka have lost 12 T20Is to the two they have won since their win against Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup. There have been significant personnel changes in that period. Captains have changed. There is a new head coach. Various batting orders have been trialled. But on Sunday’s evidence, they are deeply outmatched by even this Pakistan side, who themselves are hardly world-beaters at the moment, having not made the World Cup semi-finals this year.

With as highly-rated a coach in Gary Kirsten and a new captain in Kusal Mendis still searching desperately for a stronger combination, expect Sri Lanka to be in flux for this match as well. In game two, spinner Maheesh Theekshana was taken apart, while the seamers struggled to threaten Pakistan’s batters on a flat Rawalpindi deck. The decks don’t look like they are going to be any better for bowling. Sri Lanka’s attack will have to find new gears.

Pakistan are in the rare position of being utterly dominant in a white-ball series against an opponent who even in their previous low ebbs have challenged them. Having sewn up the trophy 2-0, Pakistan are in a position to rest key players. But it is so rare that their batters get to dine out across a whole series, management will be mighty tempted to keep this tuneful band together.

Even if Sri Lanka’s bowlers get through the Pakistan top order this time, the middle order could do with a decent workout.

So far in this series, Maaz Sadaqat has thumped 50 off 29 balls, and 96 off 51, showcasing not only power against spin, but touch against pace when the ball has demanded it. Sri Lanka are going seam-heavy in this series, but Sadaqat has found ways to take down even the little spin he has come up against, particularly in the second T20I. Sri Lanka are likely to switch up their attack a little for the last match, so he may have new problems to solve on Tuesday.

A long-term performer in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket, Lahiru Udara has finally made a mark in white-ball internationals, hitting 91 off 55 balls in the first match of this series. A good bouncer from Salman Mirza prevented him from making a similar impact in the second match. But at age 32, Udara will know he doesn’t have many chances to convert an excellent domestic record into a long run in the national side. Anotherood score in match three will shore up his place.

Rawalpindi surfaces have tended to be batting friendly, and the track for the third T20I will likely have plenty of runs in it. The weather on Tuesday evening is expected to be fine, with temperatures in the low 20s celsius.

As legspinner Abrar Ahmed has had a couple of modest outings in this series, Pakistan may bring in left-arm wristspinner Sufyan Moqim, whose T20I stats so far in a 21-match career are encouraging.

Pakistan XI (probable): Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim

Sri Lanka’s misfiring top order could do with a tweak or two, but there are not many spare batters on this tour. They could potentially bring back Kamil Mishara in place of an allrounder, however. With Maheesh Theekshana having been taken down on Sunday, Sri Lanka will also be tempted to try out legspinner V Viyaskanth. Dushmantha Chameera could also come back if he is fit.

Sri Lanka XI (probable): Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana/V Viyaskanth, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera/Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara

Sports

Cricket’s cosy club faces the axe

Published

7 hours ago

2026/10/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Eran Wickramaratne was brought into run the cricket board this year with the intention of introducing a new constitution. His committee had two eminent lawyers in Dinal Phillips and Upul Kumarapperuma and they were instrumental in drafting the new constitution.

by Rex Clementine

The proposed new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket has gathered considerable momentum over the past fortnight, with the Bill presented to Parliament, debated by MPs and now facing judicial scrutiny. The courts are examining whether the proposed reforms are consistent with the laws of the land.

The Island learns that a lawyer has challenged certain provisions of the proposed constitution, while former cricket board chief Thilanga Sumathipala has also sought judicial intervention.

The learned judges will hear their submissions and determine whether the proposed legislation passes legal muster. It is possible that the courts may require the authorities to amend certain provisions should they be found incompatible with existing laws.

Among the concerns raised by stakeholders is the proposed exclusion of district associations from having a say in SLC elections. Others are uncomfortable with the prospect of appointed members, rather than elected representatives, heading the board.

These are legitimate concerns and deserve a fair hearing. But there is a larger issue that cannot be swept under the carpet. It is the very system that has governed Sri Lankan cricket for decades that has brought the game to its knees. Unless bold decisions are taken, we will continue to languish near the bottom of the rankings, wondering where it all went wrong.

Opening the door for appointed members offers the possibility of having a well educated, professionally accomplished individual at the helm, rather than leaving the administration of a multi billion rupee organisation in the hands of individuals whose qualifications have sometimes barely extended beyond the GCE Advanced Level.

Some of those who have occupied the hot seat in recent years have spent money like drunken sailors on shore leave. The figures emerging from SLC are enough to make your eyes water.

It has emerged that SLC’s catering bill alone over the past three years has amounted to a staggering Rs. 1.2 billion. During roughly the same period, SLC has reportedly spent more than Rs. 600 million on legal fees. That is an extraordinary amount of money for an organisation whose primary responsibility is to develop and promote cricket.

Giving independent directors a greater say in the affairs of the board would also help curb the tendency of club representatives to put their own interests ahead of the greater good.

Take, for instance, SLC’s recent decision to upgrade club grounds with floodlights. The first beneficiary happened to be the very club represented by the board President. Such decisions inevitably raise questions about priorities and conflicts of interest.

The parliamentary debate on cricket reforms also provided its share of entertainment.

One former Sports Minister was busy blowing his own trumpet, claiming that cricket had flourished during his tenure. The reality, however, tells a rather different story. Far from presiding over a golden era, his constant interference in the affairs of the board did little to advance the game and on occasions, stalled much needed progress.

MP Ravi Karunanayake’s assertion that politicians should have no place in sports administration also raised a few eyebrows.

The senior parliamentarian may well have made the observation with the best of intentions, but history suggests that painting every politician with the same brush would be a mistake. Some of the finest administrators Sri Lankan cricket has produced have come from the political establishment, including several stalwarts of his own party.

J.R. Jayewardene served as President of the cricket board, while Gamini Dissanayake remains one of the most outstanding administrators the game has known. It was under Dissanayake’s leadership that Sri Lanka secured the coveted Test status in 1981, opening the doors to cricket’s most exclusive club.

Tyrone Fernando was another influential figure in cricket administration, while Lalith Athulathmudali, a former President of NCC, was widely regarded as a future cricket board President before his life was tragically cut short.

Nor was the affection for cricket confined to the political right. The leftists had their own distinguished association with the gentleman’s game. Dr. N.M. Perera and Lakshman Jayakody both served as Presidents of the cricket board.