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South Africa bat; Sri Lanka go in unchanged
Both Temba Bavuma and Dhananjaya de Silva got what they wanted after South Africa decided to bat first at a dry, windy St George’s Park. Sri Lanka would have put the hosts in if de Silva had called correctly, eyeing the significant grass on the pitch as their best chance to burrow into South Africa’s batting line-up.
This was the first time de Silva lost a toss after winning seven straight tosses in his last seven Tests.
Groundsman Adi Carter has left 8mm of grass on the wicket, more as a buffer against the drying wind which was gusting at 43 kph and can lead to deterioration of the surface, than as a seamer’s aide. It is expected that the surface will take turn later on, prompting Sri Lanka to move away from thoughts of a four-seam attack. Milan Ratnayake missed out as Sri Lanka went in unchanged from their Durban XI with Prabath Jayasuriya as the only spinner.
South Africa’s two enforced changes came as a result of injury to Wiaan Mulder and Gerald Coetzee. As announced on the eve of the match, Dane Paterson came in as the third seamer but South Africa opted for an extra batter to lengthen the line-up. Ryan Rickelton, with a top Test score of 42, was carded at No. 3 which moved Tristan Stubbs to No. 4 and everyone else one down the order.
The match is a must-win for both sides in the challenge to make the World Test Championship (WTC) final, and more so for Sri Lanka. After their defeat in Durban, another loss would make it difficult for them to finish in the top two. South Africa can guarantee a place in the final with three more wins from their three remaining Tests.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karuanaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Prabath Jayasuriuya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
[Cricinfo]
The United States Coast Guard has said it has suspended its search for survivors days after the US military said it struck two more boats in the eastern Pacific amid its ongoing military campaign in waters in and around Venezuela.
In a statement shared on its website on Friday, the Coast Guard said the three-day search had been focused on water “approximately 400 nautical miles [about 740km] southwest of the Mexico/Guatemala border” and had continued for more than 65 hours, but that no sightings of survivors had been reported.
(Aljazeera)
At least 7 explosions have been heard in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, followed by a low-flying aircraft, according to The Associated Press. The southern area of the capital city, located near a major military base, was reportedly without electricity.
Venezuela’s government accuses the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states; no word from the US.
The explosions come after months of tension with the United States, which has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. Maduro has denied the accusations.
On Thursday, Maduro indicated he was open to negotiating a deal with the US to combat drug trafficking. The US has carried out more than 20 air strikes in the sea near Venezuela since September, as it slapped sanctions and upped military pressure on Caracas.
(Aljazeera)
Latest News
Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.
The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.
Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters
US Coast Guard suspends search for survivors of Pacific boat strike
Venezuela’s capital hit by explosions, Caracas blames the US
Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Rabada to lead strong South Africa pace attack at T20 World Cup
Showes about 75 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Polonnaruwa districts.
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