It took Australia U19s 32.5 overs, going at just around 3.5 runs an over for the majority of a belaboured chase against an excellent South Africa U-19 bowling effort. But they had that liberty after Charles Lachmond’s 3 for 29, and two wickets each from Will Byrom and Aryan Sharma, had bowled South Africa out for 118 all but ensuring the result of the match was in little doubt even at the halfway stage.

South Africa had been reduced to 37 for 4 inside the powerplay, failing to find answers against the raw pace and movement that Lachmund and Byrom found off the surface. Opener Jorich Van Schalkwyk was the sole bright spot for them, battling his way through this period and putting together a 30-run stand with Paul James, even as he was pinged on the helmet off a brutal Kasey Barton delivery.

Spinner Aryan proved to be particularly troublesome to face, as he kept spinning the ball away from the outside edge of the right-handers. He dropped two catches at point before coming into the attack, but made up for his fielding by scalping up two wickets of his own.

James kept one end steady once Schalkwyk was run out for a 26 off 55, but wickets kept falling at the other. He would eventually be the last batter out, for a 60-ball 34 .

In response, JJ Basson led a South Africa bowling attack that was incisive and economical. His spell of 3 for 41 was the highlight of a bowling effort that kept the Australia batters defensive, and also ensured that the Australia line-up lost three wickets for the first time in this tournament – in their fourth match of the tournament.

Steven Hogan never looked comfortable during his 73-ball 43, but timed short deliveries well while cutting late, and mowed down more than a third of the target by himself. He was the last Australian wicket to fall, as Basson’s third wicket. Alex Lee Young and Jayden Draper got together at the crease, and the latter smacked two fours in the 33rd over of the contest to bring it to a close.

Brief scores:
Australia 122 for 4 in 32.5 overs  (Steven Hogan 43, Jayden Draper 21*, Alex Lee Young 21*; JJ Basson 3-41) beat South Africa Under 19s  118 in 32.1 overs  (Paul James 34; Charles Lachmund 3-29, Will Byrom 2-16, Aryan Sharma 2-27) by six wickets

[Cricinfo]

India waltzed to their 11th straight series or tournament win in T20Is as they restricted New Zealand to 153, and chased it down with ten overs to spare. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi bishnoi, the two bowlers brought in for this match, took five wickets between them for 35 runs, before Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Krishan made light work of the target.

A 3-0 series win with two matches to go, on the back of two players who are not in India’s first-choice XI right now, is as emphatic a challenge as any as India get ready to defend their world title at home; this series winning streak started before the said World Cup two years ago.

Harshit Rana took a wicket in the first over, Bumrah flattened the off stump first ball, and Kishan and Abhishek hit multiple boundaries in their first overs despite a golden duck for Sanju Samson on a night where India dominated their conquerors from Tests and ODIs.

Sri Lanka Air Force won a historic double at the 83rd National Wrestling Championship held from January 21 to 23 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo.

‎Air Force wrestlers won both the men’s and women’s overall categories.

‎The prestigious national event was held under the patronage of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage and was attended by the President of the National Wrestling Federation and it’s Vice President, Air Commodore Erandika Gunawardena along with other distinguished invitees. The championship featured 10 leading teams from across the country, with 170 wrestlers competing in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

‎In the men’s category, the Air Force team secured first place with a total of 34.5 points, winning the national championship after a lapse of 25 years, marking a significant achievement for SLAF wrestling.

‎The women’s team continued their dominance, claiming the championship for the 13th consecutive time with a commanding total of 51 points for the overall.

‎The ‘Best Loser’ Awards were awarded to Karunasena HMN in the women’s category and Leading Aircraftman Perera LADT in the men’s category for their notable performances.

‎The Director Sports and the Chairman SLAF Wrestling, Air Commodore Prabhath Dissanayake, Secretary SLAF Wrestling, Group Captain Nalin Wewakumbura, Assistant Secretaries of both Men’s and Women’s Teams, Group Captain Sampath Jayatilake and Flying Officer Duruthu Jayatilake were present to witness the championship, extending their support and encouragement to the SLAF wrestling teams during the competition.

Championship winning women’s team of Sri Lanka Air Force.