Sports
Labuschagne, Warner blaze tons in Australia’s romp to 2-0 lead
Two days can make a lot of difference. At the same Mangaung Oval that saw a 222-plays-225 contest 48 hours ago, Australia turned up the batting oomph to post a gargantuan 392 before burying their hosts under this mountain of runs to take a 2-0 series lead in the ODI series, reinforcing their credentials as one of the early favourites at next month’s World Cup. This was still a mostly experimental side from the five-time champions but they still packed enough punch to pummel their hosts to the tune of 123 runs. Leading their batting charge was Marnus Labuschagne with a second straight demonstration of why he should also be on the plane to India. He hit 124 off just 99 balls with David Warner dovetailing brilliantly with his 20th ODI ton. Adding the gloss to the performance was a four-fer from the continually impressive Adam Zampa, who took 4 for 48 from nine overs of excellent legspin bowling to douse South African hopes.
The visitors turned up on a true batting surface with an aggressive approach. This was predicated on the fact that they fielded one proper bowler less. They handed debuts to Aaron Hardie and Tim David while Nathan Ellis came on for Josh Hazlewood. Incidentally, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma made three changes — Shamsi, Anrich Nortje and Andile Phehlukwayo in for Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee and Keshav Maharaj — of his own and opted to field.
Very early it became apparent that this wasn’t going to conform to the script of the opening game. The pace and carry was true and batters could hit through the line. The first two overs of the innings saw as many five boundaries struck with Head hitting four of them, including three off Kagiso Rabada’s first over. After his lead pacer went for 20 from his first two overs, Bavuma was quick to ring in a bowling change but after giving away just three runs from his opening over, Nortje was taken apart for 17 in his second with both Head and Warner hitting a six each
After eight overs, Australia had raced off the blocks to 71/0 and the South Africa captain turned to spin for respite. None of it was forthcoming as Warner put away two short deliveries from Aiden Markram before playing a pleasing inside-out loft over extra cover to complete a 12-run initiation. In the next over, Head launched two more sixes off Nortje to race to a 26-ball half-century and give his side a PowerPlay score of 102/0 — the highest in ODIs in South Africa.
South Africa caught a break eventually in the 12th over when Head mishit a loft off Shamsi, South Africa’s best bowler of the evening, and saw David Miller complete an excellent catch running back from mid-on. The left-arm legspinner struck for a second time a ball later when Mitchell Marsh missed an attempted reverse sweep and was dismissed LBW courtesy a DRS review.
After a 109-run opening partnership, Australia had lost two in two. But that was no reason to dial down the tempo of the innings. Labuschagne joined Warner and instantly displayed the kind of nimble footwork that was on show two nights ago when he arrived to the series as a ‘Concussion Substitute’. His battle against Shamsi had a bit of an edge to it with the batter looking to pull out the sweeps and the bowler not shy of returning words. At the other end, Warner, surprisingly, took a less dramatic route to a half-century and then marked the milestone by launching Phehlukwayo for a six.
By the 27th over, this third-wicket pair had given Australia their second century stand of the innings. Warner raced away to 93 off 77 while Labuschagne had serenely motored along to a run-a-ball 49. The veteran opener completed his 20th ODI century with a four and a trademark leap in the middle of a 16-run over from Shamsi that saw Labuschagne hit a six and four of his own. The right-hander followed that up by taking Nortje for three more fours in the following over. Such was Labuschagne’s acceleration post his half-century that he was already on 85 off 67 when Warner eventually fell – bowled to a ball that kept low – for 106.
Labuschagne eventually got to his second ODI ton off just 80 balls and shared another quickfire 83-run partnership with Josh Inglis, who added to the mayhem with a 37-ball 50. South Africa did, however, come back well in the final phase of the innings, with Shamsi taking two more wickets to finish with excellent returns of 4 for 61 and put the lid somewhat on the big hits. Australia managed only 134 for 6 from the final 18 overs, but the 48 fours and 9 sixes their batters achieved meant the score was only just shy of the rather ridiculous 400-mark.
It was always going to be a steep ask from the Proteas to keep up with the scoreboard pressure. But they did make a fist of it in the early running when Quinton de Kock and Bavuma added 81 runs in 9 overs before the keeper-bat fell to a sharp return catch from Nathan Ellis for 45. The introduction of Zampa then put the brakes on the chase with the ace legspinner trapping Bavuma LBW for 46 while attempting a paddle sweep and then having Aiden Markram caught. When Rassie van der Dussen dragged a Hardie delivery on to his stumps, the game appeared to have been settled.
But Heinrich Klaasen kept South Africa in the game with a series of superb strikes, especially off the bowling of Head. Zampa returned to castle him with a skidder. David Miller kept the flame of the chase flickering for some more time but when he became the fourth South African batter to get out in the 40s, the writing was on the wall. The final rites were read in the 42nd over.
Brief scores:
Australia 392/8 in 50 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 124, David Warner 106; Tabraiz Shamsi 4-61) beat South Africa 269 in 41.5 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 49, David Miller 49; Adam Zampa 4-48) by 123 runs
(Cricbuzz)
by Rex Clementine
Traveling to New Zealand feels like a journey to the ends of the earth. First, there’s the four-hour flight to Singapore, and from there, another ten hours to Auckland or Christchurch. But once you land, the long haul feels worth its weight in gold – New Zealand is an absolute gem, especially during Christmas.
The moment you step out of the airport and take that first breath, the air hits you like a tonic – fresh, crisp, and rejuvenating. The landscape is a symphony of green, and the people are as warm and welcoming as an open hearth on a chilly day. For a nation spanning over 260,000 square kilometers but housing just five million people, it’s nothing short of extraordinary what they’ve achieved on the global stage, especially with their beloved All Blacks.
New Zealand is a land of two islands, each with its own charm. The North Island, home to the bulk of the population, boasts bustling cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton. The South Island, on the other hand, is a visual feast – think scenic vistas straight out of a travel brochure – with cities like Christchurch, Dunedin, and the adventure capital, Queenstown.
For Sri Lankans, New Zealand holds a treasure trove of cricketing memories. None shine brighter than Aravinda de Silva’s majestic 267 in 1991 – his career-best innings, still celebrated to this day. His sister, Araliya, lived in New Zealand back then, and Aravinda fondly recalled how she’d whip up mouthwatering meals whenever he visited. However, her strict advice to return early to the team hotel often left him restless. One day, he broke free, stayed out late, and the very next day, he unleashed his full wrath on the Kiwis. That knock remains the highest score by an overseas player in Wellington – a testament to Aravinda’s maverick spirit. There won’t be another like him. Not in our lifetime.
New Zealand has been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka in more ways than one. It was here, in 1995, that Sri Lanka notched up their first-ever Test win against the Kiwis, a landmark moment in the island’s cricketing history.
Fast forward to 2024, and all eyes are on young Matheesha Pathirana, who looks poised to write his own chapter in this storied rivalry. New Zealand has always been kind to sling-arm pacers; it was here that Lasith Malinga announced himself to the world, leaving Kiwi batsmen – and umpires – scrambling for answers. The umpires even had to take a step back on the request of the batsmen for they had issues sighting the ball. Such was the shock factor of Malinga’s whippy, hard-to-pick action.
While many have tried to mimic Malinga, few – if any – have come close to matching his success. Pathirana, however, is cut from a different cloth. His blistering pace is what sets him apart from the dime-a-dozen Malinga copycats.
Although Pathirana has been in the spotlight for two years, his outings have mostly been limited to subcontinental conditions or slower wickets in places like Dubai, Bangladesh, and the USA. But New Zealand is a different ballgame – fast, seaming tracks with plenty of movement could prove to be his playground. These fresh wickets are the stuff pacers dream of, and they might just bring out the best in him.
Already a sensation in South India, Pathirana’s exploits for the Chennai Super Kings have made him a household name. Fans in Chennai practically worship him, thanks to his match-winning spells in the IPL. The franchise, owned by former ICC boss N. Srinivasan, didn’t hesitate to retain Pathirana’s services, opting to keep him rather than break the bank in the auction to buy him back.
Now, he has a chance to win over the hearts of Kiwi fans. Don’t be surprised if, by the end of this tour, Pathirana has the entire nation singing his praises. Sri Lanka’s New Zealand campaign kicks off with a warm-up game in Lincoln on Monday, with the first T20 International scheduled for January 28th at Mount Maunganui.
The stage is set, the spotlight is on, and Pathirana has all the tools to steal the show. Let’s hope he turns this trip to the land of the long white cloud into his own field of dreams.
Lanka Chess Mart felicitated four outstanding chess players in recognition of their dedication and achievements in Sri Lanka and abroad. The first chess themed shop in the country, Lanka Chess Mart felicitated IM Ranindu Liyanage, WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardena, WCM Dahamdi Sanudula and Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda in the presence of the Head of the Russian House, Maria Popova, first secretary of the Russian Embassy and Buddhapriya Ramanayake, Chief Executive Officer of the Russian House.
In the picture from left are IM Ranindu Liyanage, WIM Devindya Oshini, Maria Popova, Director of Russian House in Colombo, Suneetha Wijesuriya, Fide Trainer and Director, Lanka Chess Mart, Buddhapriya Ramanayake, Chief Executive Officer of Russian House, Nishantha Withanage, Manager of Lanka Chess Mart, WCM Dahamdi Sanudula and Thehas Kiringoda, (World Under 9 schools champion -2023)
Voting membership reduced from 147 to 60
In a landmark move aimed at promoting good governance and efficiency, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has approved significant amendments to its constitution during an Extraordinary General Meeting held on Friday.
The most notable change involves a drastic reduction in the number of voting members, from 147 to 60. Under the new structure, voting rights will be allocated based on the level of cricket played by each member club, with each qualified club or association being entitled to just one vote. This change is seen as a vital step toward equitable representation and streamlined decision-making within the organization.
In a bid to enhance financial transparency, SLC members also approved the formation of three key committees: the Audit Committee, the Investment and Budget Committee, and the Related Party Transactions Committee. These bodies are expected to play a critical role in improving financial oversight and accountability.
SLC stated that these constitutional changes reflect a commitment to fostering professionalism, inclusivity, and meritocracy. The reforms are expected to create a more level playing field for cricketing stakeholders, ensuring representation is tied to tangible contributions to the sport’s development across Sri Lanka.
Additionally, the Extraordinary General Meeting saw the appointment of the Election Committee for 2025, chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge Malanie Gunaratne. The committee, comprising four other members, will oversee preparations for the SLC elections scheduled for next year.
These sweeping changes underline SLC’s determination to pave the way for the holistic growth of cricket in Sri Lanka, combining transparency, merit, and inclusivity at every level of its governance.
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