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Rashid Khan, Sam Curran hobble London Spirit for 80
Oval Invincibles brushed London Spirit aside with ease in the opening game of the men’s Hundred as they began their bid to win the title for the third year in a row.
Sam Billings’ side, who lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2024, are backing themselves for a ‘three-peat’ and the manner of their victory in the competition opener bodes well, a comfortable six-wicket stroll past a London Spirit side who never seemed at the races.
Spirit batted first and were soon in trouble – Keaton Jennings, Kane Williamson and David Warner all back in the pavilion with the score on only 26. It wasn’t to get any better for Justin Langer’s side, who could only limp to 80 all out, undone by the combined guile of Sam Curran (3 for 16) and Rashid Khan (3 for 11), Rashid impressing on debut for the Invincibles.
“It was nice to get that start, with the win most importantly and then to perform for the team was amazing,” Rashid said. “It’s been a good start for me. I’ve been out of the game for the last two months but it’s nice to get back and get back with a win.
“The break [since the IPL] has really helped. Physically but also mentally, to get ready for the next competition. The IPL is three months, it’s a long competition, and I needed a break mentally as well and that’s really helped. I’m quite happy with today.”
Needing just 81 under the lights, Oval used the chase as a chance for more batting practice – Billings and Donovan Ferreira unbeaten and unfussed at the end, with Ferreira ending proceedings with a mighty six – the only one of the match – into the Tavern Stand.
Rashid defended the quality of the pitch, and said: “It was a good surface. Spin was there but the length you bowled was really important today. When I bowled it was just in my mind to hit the right areas consistently, to bowl a good line and length, and it went really well.”
Brief scores:
Oval Invincibles 81 for 4 in 69 balls (Will Jacks 24, Twanda Muyeye 18, Sam Curran 14; Daniel Worrall 1-21, Liam Dawson 2-09, Ashton Turner 1-07) beat London Spirit 80 in 94 balls (Wayne Madsen 10, Ashton Turner 21, Ryan Higgins 12; Jason Behrendorff 1-17, Jordan Clerk 2-08, Rashid Khan 3-11, Sam Curran 3-18, Nathan Sowter 1-10) by six wickets
[Cricinfo]
Considering the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint R.A.P. K. Jayaratne, the most senior officer of the Printing Service, currently serving as Deputy Government Printer in the Department of Government Printing and holding a Class I, Grade II position in the Printing Service, to perform the duties of the post of Government Printer with effect from 02.04.2026.
The computer system at the Department of Registration of Persons has been rectified and the services are back to normal.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has lost a key referendum on a constitutional reform which had turned into a vote on her government.
The result gives around 54% to the “No” campaign and 46% to the “Yes” vote which Meloni had backed.
In a video posted on social media even before all the ballots were counted, Meloni said Italians had voted “with clarity” and she would respect their decision, but she regretted a “lost chance to modernise” the country.
It is the first significant defeat for Meloni and her right-wing coalition, which has overseen a rare period of political stability for Italy. Opposition parties are hailing the result as a sign that voters are looking for change, with a general election due next year.
When the two-day referendum ended on Monday afternoon, exit polls initially showed the “No” vote leading by a small margin, but that grew to a substantial lead as the count progressed.
Despite the complex question on the ballot paper, turnout was almost 60%. A high figure had been expected to favour the government, but it was not enough to swing the vote.
The reform voters rejected would have inscribed a firm separation between judges and prosecutors into the constitution. It also proposed distinct bodies to govern them and a new disciplinary court.
The government argued the change was critical to improving judicial independence.
The opposition countered that it would shatter a careful balance of powers established following the defeat of fascism, and increase political influence over the courts.
Many Italians struggled to understand the technical details – perhaps a communication failure by Team Meloni – and the vote quickly morphed into a plebiscite on her near-record three and half years in office.
[BBC]
R.A.P. K. Jayaratne appointed to the post of Government Printer
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Development of sports grounds in Government Schools
Master Plan for the Civil Aviation Services in Sri Lanka
Implementation of Loan Scheme for the Development of Young Entrepreneurs in the Agricultural and Industrial Sectors
Appointment of National Steering Committee for Education Reforms
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