Sports

Stunning run chase sends Kiwis into first T-20 World Cup finals

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/11

Rex Clementine in Abu Dhabi

A stunning run chasse in Abu Dhabi last night saw New Zealand snatching victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to some terrific big hitting by Darryl Mitchell and James Neesham. Chasing a stiff 167 to win, New Zealand were reduced to 107 for four needing 60 runs in 29 balls when Neesham walked into the crease. No team had chased that many to win a T-20 International in Abu Dhabi and the odds were against the Kiwis.

The 17th over bowled by Chris Jordan brought New Zealand back into the game as 21 runs were scored in an eight ball over with Neesham clearing two sixes and a four.

That reduced New Zealand’s target to 34 in 18 balls and in the next over Mitchell smashed a six off Adil Rashid to complete a superb half-century and they now required 21 in 14 balls. You would have expected them to milk the bowling but Neesham was dismissed in Rashid’s last delivery of the game and there seemed to be another twist in the tale.

Irish born England skipper Eoin Morgan first wanted to bring Jordan for the penultimate over but in the last minute had change of plans and trusted Chris Woakes, who had been England’s best bowler until then having bowled a wicket maiden early on in the innings, something very rare in modern day T-20 cricket.

With New Zealand needing 20 runs off the last over, Mitchell smashed two sixes off Woakes and then hit a four off the last ball of the over to complete a terrific run chase.

Mitchell’s unbeaten 72 contained four fours and four sixes and came off 47 deliveries. Neesham had hit 27 off 11 balls with one four and three monstrous sixes. Wicketkeeper Deveon Conway had steadied the ship scoring 46 runs off 38 balls with five fours and one six.

Earlier, after being put in, England posted 166 for four with Moeen Ali top scoring with an unbeaten 51 in 37 balls with three fours and two sixes. Dawid Malan had chipped in with 41 runs.

Australia will meet Pakistan in the second semi-final tonight in Dubai.

Pakistan are the only unbeaten team in the competition and they are favourites over Australia to win the game.

The finals will take place on Sunday in Dubai.

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Sports

Dharmaraja and Kingswood set for historic rugby clash today

Published

2 hours ago

2026/07/11

Thilina Walpola

Dharmaraja Rugby Captain Gayan Samarathunga, and Kingswood Rugby Captain Samantha Nadeesha. with William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy

The annual rugby encounter between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, played for the William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy, is set to take place today (July 11, 2026), at 4:00 PM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

The official unveiling of the trophy took place this week at the Dharmaraja College premises with the participation of the Principals of the two schools, teachers-in-charge of sports, coaches, the Rugby teams, and several distinguished guests, including Dharmaraja College Old Boys’ Association President Mahesh Wijetunga, Kingswood College Old Boys’ Association President Muditha Abeykoon,

Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake

Latest News

Dharmaraja and Kingswood set for historic rugby clash on Saturday

Published

16 hours ago

2026/07/10

Priyan

Dharmaraja Rugby Captain Gayan Samarathunga, and Kingswood Rugby Captain Samantha Nadeesha. with William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy.

The annual rugby encounter between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, played for the William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy, is set to take place tomorrow (July 11, 2026), at 4:00 PM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

by S K SAMARANAYAKE

Latest News

Mbappe and Dembele net as France beat Morocco to reach World Cup semifinal

Published

1 day ago

2026/07/10

Priyan

Kylian Mbappe of France, centre,celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Dayot Upamecano, left, and Ousmane Dembele, right, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match [Aljazeera]

Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were on target as France surged past Morocco 2-0 to book their place in the World Cup semifinals.

Mbappe curled in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes on Thursday before Dembele doubled Les Bleus’ lead six minutes later to settle a clinical victory at the Gillette Stadium outside Boston.

The win sends the 2018 champions into a last-four showdown against either Spain or Belgium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.

African champions Morocco had been tipped to pose a serious threat to France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.

But Didier Deschamps’ men were always in control against a limited Morocco side who failed to register a single shot on goal until an 83rd-minute free-kick by Azzedine Ounahi was parried away by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France, though, struggled to find a breakthrough, and missed the opportunity to take the lead on 28 minutes when Mbappe saw a penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Mbappe had won the penalty after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui but was forced to wait several minutes before being allowed to take the kick after a protracted VAR check.

Morocco managed to hold out to half-time, but it was always only a matter of time before France’s relentless pressure paid off.

The breakthrough came on the hour mark, with Mbappe bending a brilliant right-foot shot past Bounou from the edge of the area.

Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele made the game safe in the 66th minute, striding forward menacingly from midfield before steering a low finish into the bottom corner.

France now await the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.

[Aljazeera]