Sports
Pooran and Powell pound nine-man Australia in final warm-up game
Blistering half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell helped West Indies make a statement ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 as they hammered an undermanned Australia in their final warm-up game in Trinidad.
Australia fielded a team with just nine players and coaches for sub fielders again, as they did two days ago against Namibia. Pooran and Powell smashed 12 sixes between them with the left-hander cracking 75 from just 25 balls while the skipper thumped 52 from 25 as West Indies made 257 for 4 from their 20 overs. Sherfane Rutherford also pounded 47 not out from just 18 balls to finish the innings.
Allrounder Marcus Stonis did arrive in Trinidad on Wednesday meaning Australia had 10 players in camp but his kit had been delayed in Miami so he did not feature. Chair of selectors George Bailey alongside assistant coaches Brad Hodge and Andre Borovec sub fielded at various stages again with Borovec dropping Pooran.
After being sent into bat, Pooran had walked to the crease at 38 for 1 in just the third over following a quick start from Shai Hope and Johnson Charles. The left-hander hit the first three legal deliveries he faced for six and never took his foot off the gas. He took a particular liking to Australia’s main spinners in Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa smashing them for five sixes in six balls in the first two overs outside the powerplay after West Indies had posted 78 for 1 in the first six.
Pooran reached his half-century in just 16 balls. Borovec dropped a towering skier but it did not cost much as Bailey held onto one shortly after off Zampa.
Powell picked up where Pooran left off. Zampa and Agar conceded 120 runs from their eight combined overs. Extraordinarily, Tim David was Australia’s least expensive bowler claiming 1 for 40 from his four overs of part-time offspin, having been their most expensive against Namibia.
Nathan Ellis also continued to press his claims to be part of Australia’s first choice XI in the World Cup, conceding 42 from his four overs while Josh Hazlewood was hammered for 55. Rutherford took on Zampa late in the innings clubbing 22 off the legspinner’s final over. Ellis kept the damage to just 14 in the last as Rutherford found the fence three times but was unable to clear it.
Josh Inglis struck a 30-ball 55 in Australia’s reply but they were never in the hunt with just nine batters available. Australia pulled a surprise by opening the batting with Agar, something he has done twice before in T20I cricket. Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed post match that he was shifted there to allow others to move back to their preferred positions with Mitchell Marsh returning to No.3. Agar smashed 28 off 13 in the powerplay including four fours and two sixes off the left-arm orthodox spin of Akeal Hosein. But Agar eventually miscued one to mid-on off Obed McCoy.
Shamar Joseph gave David Warner a glimpse of what he missed out on during the recent Australia-West Indies Test series, rattling his off stump for 15 despite conceding two fours and a six off the previous three deliveries.
Marsh fell cheaply while David and Matthew Wade managed 25 apiece as the required run-rate spiralled out of control. Gudakesh Motie put the squeeze on Australia in the middle overs, picking up Inglis and David to finish with 2 for 31.
Ellis added some respectability to Australia’s total scoring 39 off 22 balls in a 51-run seventh-wicket stand with Zampa who finished 21 not out as Australia managed to bat out their 20 overs.
Brief scores:
West Indies 257/4 in 20 overs (Johnson Charles 40, Nicholas Pooran 75, Rovman Powell 52, Sherfane Rutherford 47*; Tim David 1-40, Ashton Agar 1-58, Adam Zampa 2-62) beat Australia 222/7 in 20 overs (Ashton Agar 28, Josh Inglis 55, Tim David 25, Mathew Wade 25, Nathan Ellis 39, Adam Zampa 21*; Akeal Hossein 1-45, Shamar Joseph 1-31, Alzarri Joseph 2-44, Obed McCoy 1-50, Gudakesh Motie 2-31) by 35 runs
(Cricinfo)
by Reemus Fernando
Two formidable teams Mahinda and Thurstan are set to produce a thrilling contest when they meet in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket tournament final commencing at Sooriyawewa today.
After having recorded a remarkable Big Match victory over the weekend, Thurstan skippered by Thanuga Palihawadana will be looking to conclude the tournament with the coveted title. They had a minor set back on Tuesday when they were beaten by St. Anthony’s Wattala in a limited overs tournament match. Spinner Sethru Fernando who was rested for that match is expected to return for the decisive three-day final.
Mahinda are a team continuing to peak. The team captained by Kaveen Rukshan reached the final displaying a thoroughly dominant performance against St. Thomas’ Matara in the semi-final. The innings and 69 runs victory is their biggest win this season.
They also posted their highest innings total, 373 runs in that match with opening batsman Dulsith Darshana scoring a sensible knock of 96 runs and Senuka Damgamuwa hammering 200 runs in 153 balls.
Keeping Dangamuwa under control will be vital for Thurstan as he has the ability to turn the complexion of a game.
Mahinda will open batting with Dulsith Dharshana and Thevindu Rashmika. Wicketkeeper batsman Randul Mabarana, Sehas Ashinsa, Dineth Pehesara, Manitha Rajapaksha and Dangamuwa will form the top order batting lineup.
The new ball duties are shared by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina and Sahanjith Samadith. Left-arm spinners Senuka Dangamuwa and Arosha Udayanga and skipper Rukshan form a strong spin attack.
Thurstan too possess a strong spin department with Sri Lanka Under 19 skipper Vihas Thewmika, captain Palihawadana and Sethru Fernando sharing most of the duties.
Rachintha de Silva who excelled in the Big Match, Yovun Silpa and Lasindu Punsara form the pace attack.
Like Mahinda, Thurstan’s batting line up too produced their best performance of the season (383/8) in the semi-final with Sri Lanka Under 19 batsman Thanuja Rajapakse and Rachintha scoring centuries against their arch rivals.
Dinal Induwara and Rajapakse will open batting for Thurstan. Sethru Fernando, Janitha Rukshan, Thewmika, Rachintha and Pathum Dananjaya will form the top top order batting lineup.
This is not the first time these two teams are meeting this season. When they met during the league stage Thurstan posted 274 to earn first innings points. Mahinda could muster only 205 runs. That was a early third term encounter. Both teams have grown by leaps and bounds. Hence a mouthwatering encounter is on the cards.
In a groundbreaking move to enhance school cricket, the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the leadership of President Shammi Silva, has introduced three-day school matches in place of the traditional two-day encounters.
As part of this ambitious initiative, SLC has committed financial grants to 56 schools, enabling them to host their annual big matches as three-day contests. Until now, only three schools enjoyed this privilege, while the rest were restricted to two-day games. With this progressive shift, 28 big matches will now be played over three days, ushering in a new chapter for school cricket, effective from the ongoing season.
This transformation, executed in collaboration with the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association, is designed to provide young cricketers with extended match exposure, sharpen their skills, and ensure a seamless transition to first-class and international cricket.
Further strengthening this initiative, SLC has also revamped the U19 School Cricket competition by extending the three-day match format to the knockout stages of Division I and II (both Tier A and B), replacing the previous two-day structure.
Sri Lanka’s school cricket system is one of the most dynamic in the world, with over 6,800 matches played annually across U13, U15, U17, and U19 levels. SLC remains the primary financial pillar behind these tournaments, reaffirming its dedication to grooming the next generation of cricketing talent.
This initiative underscores SLC’s long-term vision for grassroots cricket, reinforcing the foundation that has historically produced Sri Lanka’s finest national players.
Dialog Axiata PLC proudly launches the 2025 Dialog Big Match Season, continuing its legacy of fostering school cricket and shaping future champions. As March arrives, the island will be swept by cricket fever as past and present students unite for this time-honoured tradition.
This year, Dialog sponsors seven iconic Big Matches, featuring 14 esteemed schools competing for pride and glory. The season’s crown jewel, the 146th Battle of the Blues, takes center stage at SSC on March 6th-8th, as Royal College and S. Thomas’ College renew their legendary rivalry. The Mustangs Trophy follows on March 15th.
Other marquee encounters include the 91st Battle of the Saints (April 3rd-5th) and One Day clash (April 26th), the 120th Lovers’ Quarrel (April 3rd-5th), and the 118th Battle of the Maroons in Kandy (April 4th-6th). Fans can also anticipate thrilling contests like the Battle of the Rocks and Battle of the Golds and more.
With its unwavering commitment to Powering the champions of tomorrow, Dialog invites fans to experience the excitement live at the grounds or via ThePapare TV and Dialog ViU. The 2025 season promises passion, tradition, and the birth of future cricketing stars.
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