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]
Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi and Bihandu Hansana produced the most influential individual performances of the day as they guided their respective teams to convincing victories in the Under-17 Division I cricket tournament.
At Anuradhapura, Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi led Dharmaraja College’s batting effort with a top score of 84 runs as they posted a formidable 282 all out against Sri Rahula College Katugastota. Supported by Mandil Gunawardhana (44), Deneth Abeyrathna (34) and Imash Galapitiya’s unbeaten 31, Chanuth’s innings laid the foundation for a dominant display. Dharmaraja’s bowlers then completed a comprehensive victory by dismissing Sri Rahula for 138, with Hiruka Ekanayake claiming 3 for 15.
Meanwhile, at Godagamuwa, Bihandu Hansana produced the bowling performance of the day, claiming an outstanding six wickets for 42 runs in his 10 overs to dismantle Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya for 143. His remarkable spell overshadowed Chanul Nethsitha’s 47 and put St. Anthony’s Wattala firmly in control. The chase was completed comfortably as Sadeesha Kavinda blasted an unbeaten 38 off just 14 balls, including three fours and four sixes, steering St. Anthony’s to 145 for 5 in 28.3 overs.
At Henegama, Wesley rattled Henegama Central for 31 runs to record a 127 run win.
Wesley beat Henegama Central at Henegama
Scores:
Wesley 158 all out in 44.5 overs (Shamma Fernando 46, Chanuka Vidharshana 49, Thimira Senarathna 24; Sehas Damsiha 3/28, Danuna Shanilka 2/37, Janidu Imesha 4/32)
Henegama 31 all out in 23 overs (Charana Malimbada 2/11, Rehan Perera 4/11, Adhyaan Zian 2/02)
St. Peter’s beat Tissa Central at Kalutara
Scores:
Tissa Central 85 all out in 29.5 overs
(Sadew Wijesooriya 22; Mickhaeel Faleel2/26, Diyon Alwis 3/21, Lesan Perera 3/06)
St. Peter’s 87 for 6 in 24.4 overs (Hirun Noyah 22, Sashidu Silva 19, Diyon Alwis 20n.o.; Tharuka de Silva 2/10, Shenal Geenula 2/23)
Jaffna Hindu beat St. Thomas’ at Matale
Scores:
Jaffna Hindu 257 all out in 49.5 overs
(Balamuralitharan Anish 66, Nesaroopan Nerujan 77, Sivalogesan Sivakajeesan 50)
St. Thomas’ Matale 126 all out in 39.6 overs
Dharmaraja beat Sri Rahula at Anuradhapura
Scores:
Dharmaraja 282 all out in 44.5 overs (Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi 84, Mandil Gunawardhana 44, Deneth Abeyrathna 34, Imash Galapitiya 31n.o.)
Sri Rahula 138 al out in 36.3 overs (Hiruka Ekanayake 3/15)
St. Anthony’s beat Sri Dharmaloka at Godagamuwa
Scores:
Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya143 all out in 34.5 overs
(Chanul Nethsitha 47; Bihandu Hansana 6/42)
St. Anthony’s Wattala 145 for 5 in 28.3 overs
(Karindra Kujana 25, Sadeesha Kavinda 38n.o.)
(RF)
The Sri Lanka Soccer Masters’ Association has made arrangements to conduct its 21st consecutive nine-a-side football tournament for veteran players on June 21 at the Shalika Grounds, Narahenpita.
The tournament was officially announced at a press conference held at the NM Perera Centre in Borella on Monday.
Addressing the media, Association President Irshad Haq said that 34 teams would compete in the annual event, which will feature a total of 71 matches.
The champions will receive a cash prize of Rs. 200,000, while the runners-up will be awarded Rs. 100,000.
Haq said that proceeds from the tournament have been utilised over the years to support the welfare of former national football players.
Under tournament regulations, each team will be guaranteed a minimum of three matches. Although teams may include former national players in their squads, only three such players will be permitted on the field at any given time during a match.
The competition will be conducted under a league format in the preliminary stage, with the participating teams divided into eight groups. Teams will earn three points for a win, one point each for a draw and no points for a defeat.
Matches will be officiated by referees attached to the national football federation.
Founder Chairman Tilak Peiris, General Secretary Yoga Cruze, Tournament Committee Chairman P.G.P. Pieris and Treasurer Tilak Perera also addressed the gathering.
Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked by Tunisia after just one game of World Cup 2026.
The 54-year-old former France international was sacked the day after Tunisia’s 5-1 trouncing by Sweden in their opening Group F football game in Monterrey, Mexico, on Sunday night.
Tunisian officials have installed Mondher Kebaier, who led the national team from 2019 to 2022 and has been in a technical director role since last year, as interim boss ahead of the second group game against Japan in the early hours of Sunday, also in Monterrey.
The 56-year-old previously guided the Eagles of Carthage to the final of the Arab Cup in 2021, losing to Algeria, before a quarterfinal exit in AFCON the following year.
Speaking before his departure, Lamouchi said his side had been punished for a string of costly mistakes and after the game admitted: “It’s a difficult loss. It’s painful. Starting the competition with this bad of a loss is indeed difficult.
“We made way too many mistakes.”
Lamouchi was already under pressure after a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in the team’s final warm-up game, while he has been forced to defend the presence of his son during their training camp in the media despite him not being an official member of the party.
Tunisia will face Japan and the Netherlands, who played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in their opening match in Dallas on Sunday, in their final two group fixtures, and Lamouchi said: “We have our pride. We need to react. We need to give a better image.”
Lamouchi, who holds dual Tunisian and French citizenship, represented clubs including Auxerre, Monaco, Parma, Inter and Marseille during his playing career before his first role in management saw him guide Ivory Coast to the 2014 World Cup, beating Japan in their first game only to exit in the group stage after a dramatic late defeat against Greece in their final game.
It was a second chapter of World Cup heartache for Lamouchi, who was cut from the final France squad for World Cup 1998 by coach Aime Jacquet, missing out on a place in history as Les Bleus claimed their first title on home soil.
He went on to manage Rennes and Nottingham Forest before short stints in Qatar, with Cardiff City and in Saudi Arabia before being appointed by Tunisia in January on a two-and-a-half-year contract following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
[Aljazeera]
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