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Shami, batters help India go 1-0 up

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Four of India's top-six scored fifties in the chase. (Cricbuzz)

India went up 1-0 in the three-match ODI series with a comfortable five wicket win riding on the heroics of Mohammed Shami (5/51) before a collective batting performance rounded off the chase.

Set a target of 277, India were well on course for a big win with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill putting on a fluent 142-run opening stand. The latter continued his good form and set the tone early by cashing in on any width offered by the Australian pacers in the powerplay by peppering the offside fence.

Gaikwad started off on a relatively slower note but soon caught on, matching Gill’s offside boundaries at will en route his maiden ODI fifty. The partnership was so commanding that Australia barely produced a chance with the ball, barring one when Gaikwad was put down by Josh Inglis behind the stumps on 17.

When the chances finally came though with the introduction of Adam Zampa, India had a solid foundation already but it threatened to be shaken albeit briefly. Gaikwad was out LBW trying to sweep Zampa before Shreyas Iyer was run out after a big mix-up with Gill. Zampa brought Australia firmly back into the game when he rattled the stumps by going past Gill’s cut with a flipper. Losing three wickets for nine runs left India in a jittery position, and was amplified when Ishan Kishan was out caught behind on 18. But the nerves were put to rest by an assured partnership between KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav for the fifth wicket.

Suryakumar, after three golden ducks in previous ODI outings against Australia, found his tempo by tempering his sweep shots and concentrating on playing straight right through. Resultantly, a couple of crisp straight drives put his innings on course alongside a solid Rahul. Suryakumar brought up his third ODI fifty, and first in 11 innings, that ticked another box in India’s preparation for the World Cup. Even as he departed, with India a couple of hits away from the win, the chase was finished off in style by Rahul who got to his 14th ODI fifty with a couple of clean lofts in the long off area.

That the chase was completed without breaking much sweat thanks to the bowling performance earlier in the day, with Shami starring right through.

Shami kick-started the innings on a good note after India opted to bowl, having Mitchell Marsh caught in the lone wide slip in just the first over. However, Australia fought back through a sprightly 94-run stand between David Warner and Steve Smith. The former was put down on 14 by Shreyas Iyer at mid off, and made India pay for it with his 29th ODI fifty. Along with Smith, who kept one end busy, Warner was threatening to up the ante in the middle overs with not much assistance on offer for the bowlers.

But Warner fell, holing out to long on against Jadeja while Shami came back for another spell and got the better of Smith with a sharp incoming delivery. Australia recovered from the double blow with a steady stand between Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green before a brief rain interruption halted play.

Soon after the break, R Ashwin got another ODI wicket against his name when Labuschagne was a trifle unlucky to be out stumped off a ricochet from Rahul’s pad. India’s largely lacklustre fielding efforts did not prevent the run out of Cameron Green after a big mix-up with Inglis.

Inglis made amends though with Marcus Stoinis as Australia hit back with a counterattacking partnership worth 62 runs in 41 balls. The duo were lethal with their power-hitting with Inglis’ slashed six over extra cover against Bumrah being the pick of the innings.

But just as Australia were threatening to get away, Shami came back to first have Stoinis bowled and then Inglis caught at deep midwicket. He finished up with a well-deserved second five-fer in ODIs when Sean Abbott dragged on against a slower delivery. Cummins chipped in with a 9-ball 21 that lifted Australia past 270 eventually.

Brief Scores:
Australia 276 all out in 50 overs (David Warner 52, Josh Inglis 45; Mohammed Shami 5-51) lost to India 281/5 in 48.4 overs (Shubman Gill 74, Ruturaj Gaikwad 71, KL Rahul 58*, Suryakumar Yadav 50) by 5 wickets

(Cricbuzz)



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Clash of the Sisters set for October 4

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Past students of eight schools will come together in the inaugural 'Clash of the Sisters.'

The St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association will bring together former students from several leading schools for a day of cricket and camaraderie when the ‘Clash of the Sisters ’26’ takes place at the Wesley College Grounds, Campbell Park, on Sunday, October 4.

The tournament will feature a series of fast-paced 10-over softball cricket matches, with past pupils renewing old friendships while representing their respective schools in a spirit of friendly rivalry.

The women’s competition will feature teams representing St. Lawrence’s Convent, St. Bridget’s Convent, Holy Family Convent, St. Anne’s BMV Wattala, Ave Maria Convent Negombo, Ladies’ College, Musaeus College and Methodist College.

A men’s invitational exhibition match will also be staged, with the Old Wesleyites Sports Club taking on the S. Thomas’ College OBA.

Organisers are also planning a carnival atmosphere away from the cricket, with food stalls, games, entertainment and other activities lined up for alumni, families and visitors.

The event is being organised by the St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association 2026/27 with the aim of bringing together different alumni communities and strengthening ties between past pupils through sport.

With eight schools involved in the women’s competition and an exhibition fixture adding further interest, organisers expect the event to provide a lively mix of cricket, fellowship and school spirit.

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Play cricket with passion, Madugalle tells youngsters

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Ranjan Madugalle delivering the key note address

by Rex Clementine

Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle urged the next generation of cricketers to wear the national colours with passion and pride, reminding youngsters that there is no greater honour in the game than representing their country.

The ICC’s Chief Match Referee was speaking at a ceremony at the P. Sara Oval where Tamil Union’s players and coaching staff were felicitated following their triumph in the domestic T-20 competition a fortnight ago.

“I hear that four players from this team will be travelling to Japan tomorrow to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games. That’s a very good achievement for any club and I urge you to play with passion and be committed. There is no bigger honour than representing your country,” Madugalle said.

Madugalle, who charmed cricket lovers with his elegant stroke play during his playing days, held the gathering spellbound with an eloquent address that also took him on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

“I have many fond memories of P. Sara Oval. I walked into this ground as an 11-year-old to watch the Royal-Thomian. I played our inaugural Test here, but above all, my most memorable moment at this ground was when we won our maiden Test against India in 1985.”

The P. Sara Oval occupies a special place in Sri Lankan cricket history. It hosted the country’s inaugural Test against England in 1982 and, three years later, the island’s maiden Test victory when Sri Lanka stunned India.

Madugalle also paid tribute to several Tamil Union stalwarts who had played an influential role in his cricketing journey.

“This club has several stalwarts of the game and there are three people I looked up to. One was Sathi Coomaraswamy, who invited me into the dressing room when I was a kid and ignited the passion in me for the game. Then, of course, there are other gentlemen like Chandra Schaffter and T. Murugaser, who were managers when I was representing the Sri Lankan team.”

Madugalle, a former Head Prefect of Royal College, received a prolonged ovation at the conclusion of his address. Also present was another former Royal Head Prefect, Eran Wickramaratne, who represented Tamil Union in First Class cricket and currently heads Sri Lanka Cricket.

Tamil Union’s championship winning players and coaching staff were felicitated during the ceremony, while club patron Chandra Schaffter made a personal donation of Rs. 1.5 million to the players.

SLC officials, Tamil Union members and several former presidents of the club, including S. Skandakumar, Dinal Philips, A.R. Rasiah, Selva Perumal, Kandos Kandasamy and N. Vasanthakumar, were among those present.

Tamil Union enjoyed a remarkable run in this season’s T-20 competition, winning nine matches on the trot before overcoming SSC in the final. The side was captained by wicketkeeper batter Minod Bhanuka.

The club had further reason to celebrate with four of its playersl Tharindu Rathnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando and Sineth Jayawardene selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in Japan.

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Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy on October 4

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Connaissance de Ceylan will be looking to defend their title

Mosvold Sri Lanka, whose portfolio includes Mosvold Villa Ahangama and Sundara by Mosvold Balapitiya, will stage the second edition of the Mosvold Sixes in partnership with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation on Sunday, 4th October 2026, at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club.

The six a side softball cricket tournament brings together twenty destination management companies from across the travel trade for a day of competition, networking and celebration ahead of the industry’s busiest months.

Play runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with food and beer available throughout the day. Once the final match is done, the tournament moves into an evening of live music and an after party for players and guests.

Now in its second year, the Mosvold Sixes began as a way to bring the travel trade together as a season opener, a chance for agents, suppliers and partners to network, play cricket and unwind before the season ahead gets busy. Mosvold Sri Lanka says the longer term goal is to widen the tournament to foreign agents, giving international partners a firsthand look at how the local trade works, plays and welcomes visitors.

The tournament trophy, the Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy, is named after the Foundation by design. Giving back sits at the centre of the event, and the Foundation’s work spans education, women and community upliftment.

Twenty DMCs have confirmed for this year’s tournament: Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance de Ceylan, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka and Ceylon Tours.

Connaissance de Ceylan enters as the defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament last year.

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