Sports
South Africa target four-in-four with Nepal preparing for Kingstown party
A tournament of firsts has an addition: this is the first time South Africa and Nepal will meet on the international circuit. And they do so from opposite ends of the group’s points table.
South Africa advanced to the Super Eight after the Nepal-Sri Lanka washout, but would have likely made it there anyway. They have won all three of their matches so far – two by close margins – and are looking like one of the form teams.
Nepal have yet to win a match – and have in fact only played one full game – but they might feel they have already enjoyed some success. A 7000-strong crowd in Dallas, made up almost entirely of their supporters, cheered Nepal through their opening game against Netherlands. But their batting wilted under pressure from the Netherlands seamers, which does not bode well for them coming up against South Africa, whose fast bowlers have been exceptional.
South Africa’s main concern coming into the tournament was the form of Anriche Nortje but he is back to, and perhaps even better than, his previous best. Nortje has reached speeds of 150kph-plus, has shown off a good slower ball, is taking wickets, and is now two away from Dale Steyn’s record as South Africa’s leading bowler in men’s T20 World Cups. Nortje and Otteniel Baartman with all his variations, have formed a formidable first and second change and have eclipsed Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.
It is yet to be seen how much of a role the spinners will play – and remember South Africa have included three specialists in their squad but only used one, Keshav Maharaj, so far – and the trip to the Caribbean might reveal that. Should things take a turn in the direction of the spinners, Nepal are well resourced with the addition of Sandeep Lamichane for the West Indian leg of the tournament.
Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s best-known player, has not played an international match since November last year after being convicted of and then acquitted for rape. The latter came ten days before participating teams had to name their final squads for the tournament and his name was not on Nepal’s initial list. Cleverly, they only included 14 players. But Lamichhane was subsequently denied a visa to enter the USA and had to miss Nepal’s first two games, but has reached St Vincent.
All this for what, you may wonder? Well, Lamichhane is match-winner, who was the fourth-leading wicket-taker in ODIs last year, and played a key role in Nepal reaching the World Cup Qualifiers. He has described playing at a World Cup as “fulfilling my dream of all cricket lovers” and big things are expected of him.
The one aspect of South Africa’s game that needs improving is the performance of the top-three batters, who have collectively scored just 61 runs from nine trips to the crease. That may be due to the difficulties of the New York surfaces, where they played all their matches, and could change if conditions are less tricky in the Caribbean. Still, Quinton de Kock, who is likely playing his last international event, Reeza Hendricks, who was overlooked in 2022 and may feel the pressure to prove why that was the wrong decision, and Aiden Markram who is captaining, will want to do better. De Kock and Markram have both made some starts but Hendricks is particularly short of runs. With Ryan Rickelton in the squad, he will know he has some competition.
Nepal will have to leave someone out to make space for Lamichhane, if he is available for selection, and it could be left-arm spinner Sagar Dhakal, who was economical but went wicketless against Netherlands.
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel (Capt), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sagar Dhakal/Sandeep Lamichhane, Abinash Bohara
Unlike Australia, who may or may not empty their bench against Scotland, South Africa are not considering anything other than fielding what they believe is their best XI. White-ball coach Rob Walter was clear that the top three will be given the opportunity to get some runs, while any changes to the attack will only be conditions-based.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Anrich Nortje
[Cricinfo]
Rex Clementine
at Pallekele
When Sanath Jayasuriya took the reins as Sri Lanka’s Head Coach earlier this year, he didn’t just shuffle the deck – he set about reshaping the entire playing ethos. Fitness, discipline, fielding, running between the wickets, and commitment were the cornerstones of his strategy. Yet, one masterstroke stood out: mandating tail-enders to sharpen their batting skills during practice sessions.
Jayasuriya had identified a glaring gap during the tour of England—the bowlers’ contributions with the bat were meager at best, leaving the team precariously balanced. Thus, net sessions for the bowlers became more than a box-ticking exercise; they had to learn the art of scoring runs not just playing defence.
That foresight bore fruit in spectacular fashion on Sunday at Pallekele. Maheesh Theekshana stepped up to the plate – or rather, the crease – and played a pivotal role alongside Kusal Mendis in scripting a thrilling three-wicket victory against New Zealand. The win wasn’t just another notch on the belt; it ended a 12-year drought in bilateral series wins against the Kiwis.
At 163 for seven, with 47 runs still needed on a pitch that was spinning like a roulette wheel, Sri Lanka’s chances looked bleaker than a batsman caught in two minds. But Theekshana stood firm, facing 44 deliveries to notch a crucial 27 runs, peppered with two fours and a six. His knock, full of grit and sense, helped steer Sri Lanka to a famous win with an over to spare.
“Even our bowlers get to bat at practice, so we know they can contribute when it matters,” Theekshana told reporters, reflecting on the game. “Players like Wellalage, Vandersay, and others are capable of stepping up. The team has confidence that if one player stumbles, the next will rise to the occasion.”
Theekshana shed light on his partnership with Kusal Mendis, which turned the tide of the game. “The plan was simple—bat deep and take the game into the final over. With the dew coming in, it became easier to bat as the match progressed. The spinners struggled to grip the wet ball, forcing them to turn to the quicks. Our strategy to take the game deep worked like a charm,” he explained.
Kusal Mendis, nursing a groin niggle, was visibly struggling but soldiered on to post an unbeaten 74 – a match-winning knock that, coupled with Theekshana’s resilience, sealed the deal.
“When Kusal was on strike, they kept giving him the single, trying to get me on strike. Their plan was to bowl dot balls at me and force a mistake,” Theekshana said with a wry smile. “But they underestimated us. We bided our time, waiting for the loose balls, and when they came, we punished them. They brought the field up for me, and I made the most of the gaps outside the stumps.”
This victory is yet another feather in Sri Lanka’s cap in a year where the team has turned their fortunes around, clinching several bilateral series across all three formats.
“Our bench strength has grown immensely,” Theekshana observed. “Look at Nishan Madushka – he can’t find a spot in the XI despite scoring a 50 and a 40. We have a solid lineup of spinners ready to step in. There’s healthy competition within the squad, and that’s pushing everyone to perform at their best.”
by Reemus Fernando
Lyceum International Wattala athlete Dilni Rajapaksha bagged yet another junior athletics record when she cleared 6.04 metres to win the Under 15 girls’ long jump on day one of the Sir John Tarbat Junior Athletics Championship at Matara on Monday.
Dilni has bagged almost all youth records this year from the Junior National Under 16 record to the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship record by clearing the six metres barrier.
She became the first Sri Lankan athlete of her age to clear the six metres mark early this year.
Sri Lanka have decided to rest four key players for the third and final ODI against New Zealand, scheduled to take place in Pallekele on Tuesday. Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka have been released from the squad and will leave Pallekele.
“The decision was taken by the selectors to give the above players adequate time to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa,” stated a media release from Sri Lanka Cricket.
In their absence, top-order batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara have been called up as cover, along with fast bowler Eshan Malinga.
The Sri Lankan squad already boasts a deep bench, with reserves such as Nishan Madushka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dilshan Madushanka, and Mohamed Shiraz available.
The hosts secured the three-match series with a game to spare on Sunday, pulling off a nail-biting three-wicket victory with just an over remaining.
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