Sports
South Africa take series lead with comprehensive 28 run win
by Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka may have won the three match ODI series against South Africa, but with the return of Quinton de Kock and David Miller, the tourists proved to be too strong in T-20 cricket wining the opening contest by 28 runs at RPS yesterday.
Set a target of 164 to win, Sri Lanka could only manage 135 for six in their 20 overs.
Dinesh Chandimal opening the batting brought up his career best score in T-20 cricket. The former captain had made a half-century in his last T-20 International in the Caribbean as well but was overlooked for the tours of Bangladesh, England and the home series against India.
He made his return count posting 66 off 54 balls with five fours and two sixes. However, that was not enough to match South Africa’s target.
Chandimal had added 34 runs for the first wicket with Avishka Fernando (11). Fernando was Sri Lanka’s biggest hope in a daunting run chase with his ability to clear the boundary with ease. But he chanced Antrich Nortje’s arm attempting a quick single to mid-on and was run out by a direct hit. Sri Lanka never recovered after that. That was the turning point in the game.
There were no substantial partnerships in the Sri Lankan innings as wickets fell at regular intervals.
South Africa’s quicks complemented their spin bowlers and seamers well keeping things under control and Sri Lanka were not able to break the shackles and put the pressure back on the opposition.
South Africa opted to bat first after winning the toss. Reeza Hendricks smashed three consecutive fours in debutant Maheesh Theekshana’s opening over after he was brought in during the Power Plays.
De Kock and Hendricks had set the stage for the middle order with a 73 run opening wicket stand and then Aiden Markram and David Miller added 65 runs off 41 balls for the fourth wicket to set up a total of 163.
Markram made 48 off 33 balls with one four and two sixes while Miller’s 15 ball cameo produced 26 runs with two fours and one six. Markram was named Man of the Match.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers claiming two wickets for 23 runs. .
The second T-20 International will be played on Sunday followed by the final game on Tuesday.
The three match series is a good preparation for Sri Lanka ahead of next month’s ICC T-20 World Cup in UAE.
India capped off a dominant tri-series campaign in Colombo with a resounding win over Sri Lanka, posting their highest-ever women’s ODI total on Sri Lankan soil—344 for five —before bowling the hosts out for 245.
Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a superb 11th ODI hundred—her first against Sri Lanka—anchoring partnerships of 70 with Pratika Rawal and 120 with Harleen Deol.
Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with brisk 40s, while India smashed 90 runs in the last 10 overs.
Despite a spirited effort, Sri Lanka’s daunting chase faltered. Chamari Atapattu’s 50 and a few half-century stands weren’t enough to close the gap. Seamer Amanjot Kaur struck early, removing two of the top three, while offspinner Sneh Rana starred with four for 38, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
India’s batting wasn’t without drama—Rawal survived an early chance, and Mandhana was twice let off before unleashing her full range of strokes. She was especially brutal on Atapattu, sweeping her repeatedly through square leg and cover en route to a 92-ball century.
Amanjot’s return in the middle overs derailed the chase further, bowling Gunaratne and setting up Rana’s match-turning spell. Atapattu, despite reaching her 19th ODI fifty, was undone by Rana, who later removed three more to slam the door shut.
Late resistance from Sanjeewani and Kumari delayed the inevitable, but a run-out and two quick Rana strikes wrapped up the win.
India’s comprehensive display sent a strong message ahead of the Women’s World Cup, reaffirming their title credentials.
Brief scores:
India
342 for seven (Mandhana 116, Rodrigues 44, Kumari 2-59) beat Sri Lanka 245 (Atapattu 51, Rana 4-38, Amanjot 3-54) by 97 runs.
Apna Perera and Dinara de Silvaemerged as the men’s and women’s singles champions respectively at the 110th Colombo Championships continued at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts.
In the men’s singles final, Apna beat Ashen Silva 7-6, 6-1. Dinara registered convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Venuli Jayasinghe in the women’s final.
In the boys’ Under 18 semi-finals, Ashlin de Silva beat Nethmika Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-1 while Mayooran Kubheran beat Aahil Kaleel 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.
National champion Chamod Yodasinghe secured a creditable second place rank for an impressive performace of 10.27 seconds as he out did a strong field in the 100 metres at the Dubai Grand Prix on Friday.
Yodasinghe who was entered only for the 4x100m relay received a golden opportunity in Dubai when his request to run the 100 metres there was granted by the organisers. The athlete trained by sprint coach Sanjeewa Weerakkody equalled his personal best (10.27 seconds) in winning his race.
Incidentally, his winning time was second only to the winner of the first race where top ranked athletes including Yupun Abeykoon competed.
Oman’s Ali Al Balooshi was the fastest as he clocked 10.19 seconds while Abeykoon finished fifth with a time of 10.39 seconds.
Abeykoon who was making his first 100 metres appearance of the year was ranked sixth overall.
In the 4×100 metres relay Sri Lanka’s quartet finished third in a time of 39.41 seconds.
Yodasinghe will next compete at the Asian Athletics Championships later this month.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s 4×400 metres mixed relay team finished last in their heat at the World Relays in China yesterday.
by Reemus Fernando
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