Latest News
South Africa opt to bowl, both teams unchanged
Laura Wolvaardt called correctly as South Africa elected to bowl first against New Zealand in their second straight T20 World Cup final, at the Dubai International Stadium.
South Africa have been unchanged all tournament. In fact, ten of the XI members on Sunday also featured in last year’s final against Australia in Cape Town. New Zealand too went in with the same XI that beat West Indies two nights ago in Sharjah.
Wolvaardt wanted to do what has worked for them so far – they’ve won all four games chasing. Devine said New Zealand would’ve batted first anyway. So, both captains have got what they wanted.
This is New Zealand’s first final since 2010 where Australia beat them by three runs at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. South Africa, meanwhile, are looking to go one better than last year, where they were beaten by Australia.
Suzie Bates played that 2010 final along with Devine, becomes the most-capped women’s international, going past Mithali Raj’s record of 333 appearances.
New Zealand:
Georgia Plimmer, Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas
South Africa:
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka
(Cricinfo)
Latest News
Asalanka, Madushka help Sri Lanka take 1-0 lead
A 137-run stand between Charith Asalanka and debutant Nishan Madushka provided the base as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in Pallekele, to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Asalanka top-scored with a 71-ball 77, while Madushka finished with 69 off 54. Both departed unable to see the chase through, but considering the precarious position at which they had come together – 45 for 3 in the seventh over – they had done more than enough to ensure the win.
Kamindu Mendis was there at the end to see the win through, with an unbeaten 30 off 21, and alongside him was Janith Liyanage on a run-a-ball 18.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, with figures of 3 for 47, while Alzarri Joseph grabbed two. Despite having reinforced their spin reserves in preparation for a dry Pallekele surface, none were able to offer as much penetration as Motie.
While Motie too went at over six an over he at least posed a wicket-taking threat. This was not something the pair of Roston Chase and Hayden Walsh Jr. could boast, as they gave up 80 runs in the 10 overs between them.
While this was down to a combination of errant bowling and ruthless batting, the West Indian spinners were also impacted by a wet ball as a result of a wet outfield. The rain also meant that the pitch had become easier to bat on by the time Sri Lanka took lease of the wicket.
Earlier, Sherfane Rutherford’s counterattack had been cut short by rain to bring to a premature close the West Indies innings on 185 for 4 after 38.3 overs.
But even with that caveat, the way Sri Lanka approached their chase made them well worth their victory. Madushka, making his debut in place of the injured Pathum Nissanka, opened the innings alongside Avishka Fernando but by the time he faced his fifth delivery in ODI cricket, Sri Lanka had found themselves already two down.
Avishka drove a widish delivery straight to point, while Kusal Mendis – who had looked in good nick with a trio of enterprising boundaries – top-edged an attempted pull. This brought Sadeera Samarawickrama to the crease, and he wasted little time taking the initiative, striking Jayden Seales for three boundaries in the fifth over of the chase.
With the threat of rain looming, Sri Lanka’s game plan was clear – get ahead of the DLS equation. But when Sadeera fell, courtesy an absolute peach from Motie that knocked back off stump, Sri Lanka were suddenly at the risk of letting the game slip into dangerous territory – even with the safety of being able to bat until No 9.
But if those watching on were feeling nervous, Sri Lanka’s skipper hardly let it show. Off just the second delivery he faced he swept Motie for four, before driving him exquisitely through the covers an over later. Madushka, who up until this point was content to turn over the strike to his more aggressive partners, finally notched his first boundary in the 10th over.
And this partnership scarcely took the foot off the gas as the West Indies struggled to maintain tight lines and lengths. Between the 10th and 20th over only two overs didn’t contain a boundary, as Sri Lanka racked up 72 runs in that period. And the scoring only accelerated from that point on, with a further 41 runs scored between overs 20-25.
Madushka eventually edged to slip, with Asalanka following shortly after trapped leg before – both off Motie – but the required run rate had dropped to nearly four an over by that point, and any peril long since neutralised.
West Indies’ best period of the game had occurred much earlier. Prior to the rain intervention, they had been in the process of regaining some lost momentum with Rutherford and Chase in the middle of an 85-run fifth-wicket stand off 78 deliveries.
Wanindu Hasaranga had taken two wickets, while Jeffrey Vandersay and Asalanka had one apiece. But on a dry Pallekele surface, West Indies knew a trial by spin was always on the cards after they had won the toss and elected to bat.
Dunith Wellalage was into the attack as early as the fifth over – and even before that medium pacer Liyanage had resorted to offcutters on a hard length – while spin was in effect from both ends not long after.
Despite a promising opening stand it wasn’t long before West Indies had stumbled to 54 for 3, with Rutherford joining Keacy Carty in the middle, and the scoring rate now hovering at around four an over. It was during this period that Sri Lanka’s spinners took total control, as West Indies were content to play it safe, racking up numerous dot deliveries, and picking up the odd ones and twos.
A Rutherford cut for four in the 17th over was the first West Indies boundary in 47 deliveries; by the traditional halfway point of 25 overs, they had inched to 94 for 3. It was here that a frustrated Carty unleashed a powerful one-handed loft over long-on for six to break the shackles somewhat, but that relief was shortlived as he fell going for a repeat performance the very next delivery. That brought to an end a 46-run partnership – the West Indies’ best of the innings until that point.
But with the dependable Chase alongside him, Rutherford continued as before, picking off singles and attempting to pounce on any rare loose deliveries. But as their confidence grew and a persistent drizzle greased the surface, the pair struck 43 in the last five overs they faced. With the death overs still to come, a total in the region of 275 was on the cards. But then the rains came.
Brief scores:
Latest News
Shakib absence ‘unfortunate’, but Shanto wants Bangladesh to focus on cricket
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said Shakib Al Hasan’s absence from what should have been his farewell Test was “unfortunate,” but urged his team to focus on the task at hand – the first match against South Africa’ starting on Monday.
While Shakib was selected in the squad, and expressed his desire to end his Test career in Dhaka, protests in the city against him meant he didn’t travel to Bangladesh after government advice said his arrival would pose a security risk
“It is unfortunate. It should have happened,” Shanto said. “But we can’t spend too much time talking about it on the day before the Test match. [Shakib’s arrival] is not in our control, so we are not spending too much time thinking about it. We have to focus on the two important Tests and that’s what the players are doing. We had plans to send off one of the world’s best players. All of us personally feel that it remains pending.”
Shakib’s future as a Bangladesh player was put in uncertainty following the upheaval of the Bangladesh government in August; Shakib was a member of the political party that was overthrown. Shanto said the players were focused on the cricket, which is why they hadn’t spoken on the matter.
“Our focus is on winning the Test that starts tomorrow. We would have been happy if it was his farewell Test. We all know why he is unable to come.”
Shanto said replacing Shakib was going to be tough. He said Mehidy Hasan Miraz has shown he can step up but it would take him some time.
“It is hard to match [Shakib], especially for the captain. He would usually allow us to play the extra batter or bowler. Now the No. 7 becomes a crucial spot. We don’t have anyone exactly like Shakib bhai but Miraz can be a very good option. He is bowling and batting superbly. There are more responsibilities, which Miraz is prepared for. He has improved his batting. He is taking the team to good positions, if you look at the last few Tests. I would hope that Miraz can take that place in the next couple of years.”
Uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad replaced Shakib in the squad for the first Test. Shanto said Murad deserved the call-up, and expressed confidence in his spin attack.
“We have four quality spinners in the side. Hasan Murad has an outstanding first-class record. He bowls well in all types of wickets. It is a deserving selection. Nayeem couldn’t break into the side despite playing well recently. Whether we pick three or four spinners tomorrow, they are all capable. Regardless of our combination, we will give our best.”
Bangladesh go into the two-Test series against South Africa after winning their maiden series in Pakistan 2-0, before losing 2-0 in India earlier this month.
(Cricinfo)
Foreign News
King Charles begins Australia tour with church service
King Charles and Queen Camilla joined a church congregation in Sydney for a Sunday service on the first day of engagements during their tour of Australia.
It is the King’s first visit to Australia since he became the country’s head of state in September 2022 and is the biggest trip the King has made since starting cancer treatment in February.
Their six-day visit to the Commonwealth country will involve meeting political and community leaders, and also celebrating the nation’s people, culture, and heritage.
They were joined by members of St Thomas’ Anglican Church in northern Sydney for the service, which was officiated by the city’s archbishop, the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel.
The royal couple met some well-wishers after a crowd of a couple of hundred people – many who had queued since early morning – were allowed into the church precinct to speak to the royal couple after the service.
For most it was a snatched hello and a chance to hand over flowers or take a photo.
Lyn Tarbuck attended with her husband Bob, a republican, and her two King Charles spaniels. She said of the monarchy: “I think it’s joined forces – if we have a problem in Australia they will help us out. We are a very big country but small in population so the more help we get the better.”
Roslyn Durie, who saw the Queen on her 1980 visit to Australia, said she was “so emotional” after receiving “a good firm handshake” from the King.
Sandra Hall and her husband Peter were also there to greet the royal couple. Ms Hall said: “I shook hands with Camilla first and welcomed her to Sydney, then Charles came along. I said ‘look, it’s a beautiful sunny day’ – and he said ‘it’s always sunny in Sydney’.”
-
Sports2 days ago
Oshara making huge strides in cricket in UK
-
Editorial6 days ago
Genie at large
-
News3 days ago
Church not interested in reports sought by Gammanpila: Spokesperson
-
Editorial4 days ago
Much-maligned Manape
-
Features7 days ago
Exodus to Italy and its consequences
-
News3 days ago
Johnston missing amid probe into illegally assembled BMW
-
Latest News1 day ago
INS Kalpeni arrives in Colombo
-
News3 days ago
Sirisena teases 2018 PM ouster secret, urges clean leadership