Tag: Sri Lanka vs Australia

GALLE: Covid-19 outbreak took a toll on the Sri Lankan cricket team as three more players have tested positive, ruling them out of the second Test against Australia starting tomorrow.

All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, pacer Asitha Fernando and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay have tested positive for COVID-19 in a fresh round of testing carried out yesterday.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama had been ruled out on Tuesday after testing positive for Covid.

Former skipper Angelo Mathews, on the other hand, has rejoined the squad after he was ruled out of the first Test against Australia as he tested positive ahead of the match.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have called in two more spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Lakshan Sandakan as replacements to bolster their chances of leveling the series, currently led by Australia 1-0.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan team has also landed in Colombo for the forthcoming two-match Test series against the hosts, scheduled from July 16.

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GALLE: Australia’s left-handed opener Usman Khawaja and all-rounder Cameron Green scored half-centuries as Australia secured a dominant 101-run lead on a rain-hit second day of the ongoing first Test.

Resuming at an overnight score of 98/3, the touring side soon found themselves in a state of bother as left-handed batter Travis Head perished without adding to his overnight score of six.

Khawaja then joined hands with Green and marched towards the total as the pair added a valiant 57 runs for the fifth wicket before the former made his way as he fell short to Jeffery Vandersay, who provided an important breakthrough to his side with his first wicket in the longest format.

Khawaja played a magnificent knock of 71 off 130 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries.

Following his departure, Green and wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey took the charge and piled 84 runs for the sixth wicket and bolstered Australia to take the lead.

The pair appeared solid with Green amassing his fourth Test century and Carey just five short of it before Ramesh Mendis trapped the latter to provide a glimmer of hope for the struggling hosts. The right-handed batter scored 45 off 47 balls with the help of six boundaries.

The touring side then lost two wickets at an alarming rate and slipped to 278/8 with Green and Mitchell Starc walking back to the pavilion in two consecutive overs respectively. Green remained the top scorer with 77 off 109 balls, laced with six boundaries, while Starc could only score 10.

The skipper Pat Cummins and Australia’s last day’s hero with the ball Nathan Lyon then added a crucial 35 runs till the conclusion of a rain-affected second day. Cummins (26) and Lyon (8) will now resume the proceedings for Australia at 313/8 on the third day.

Mendis was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka following his four wickets, while Vandersay impressed with his two. Dhananjaya de Silva, on the other hand, made one scalp.

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GALLE: Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Lyon enjoyed a magnificent outing as he bagged an economical five-fer before the left-handed opener Usman Khawaja gave touring side a solid foundation on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

After opting to bat first, the home side could only manage to score 212 despite a brilliant fifty from the wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella as the Australian spin attack undone his efforts to give their side an upper hand.

The hosts kept losing wickets at a regular interval and none of their batters besides Angello Mathews and Dickwella could resist much and fell short against the strong Australian bowling attack.

Dickwella top-scored for his side with a quick 58 off 59 balls, laced with six boundaries but he too could not take his side out of danger as Lyon struck for his fourth to end his astonishing knock. Matthews, on the other hand, was the notable run-getter as he scored 39 off 71.

For Australia, Lyon bagged five while Mitchell Swepson claimed three. The pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc made one scalp each.

In response to Sri Lanka’s 212, the Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja provided a solid foundation to the side as they put on a decent 47 runs for the first wicket.

Warner, who was scoring at a rapid pace, however, fell in the 10th over as Ramesh Mendis trapped the left-hander in his legs for 25. He faced 24 deliveries and smashed five boundaries.

The touring side then suffered a brief collapse as they slipped from 47-0 to 83-3 in exactly 10 overs. Khawaja, on the other hand, held his ground firm and kept the scoreboard ticking till the conclusion of the first day, whereas, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith perished cheaply amid the collapse.

Khawaja, who is three short of his half-century, will now resume the proceedings for Australia at 98/3 along with his counterpart Travis Head (6) on the second day of the ongoing Test.

Mendis with his two wickets remained the only Sri Lankan bowler to have opened his account on the first day.

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COLOMBO: Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch thanked the Sri Lankan fans for their support and expressed his gratitude for touring the crisis-hit country in challenging times.

The Sri Lankan fans showed up in large numbers for the last match of the white-ball series between the two teams wearing yellow and gold to support the touring side, who won the fifth ODI to wrap up their white-ball tour. But the hosts prevailed 3-2 to win the series.

The Aussie players then also received a round of applause and standing ovation from the Sri Lankan fans after the conclusion of the fifth ODI. The Australian captain Finch, left amused by the electric environment and lauded the Sri Lankan fans for their support.

“We’re very grateful that we’ve been able to tour here. We know the difficulties that Sri Lanka has faced in recent times,” said Finch.

“Hopefully over these eight white-ball games we’ve been able to provide some joy to people in the country,” he maintained.

The skipper then went on to heap praises on the Sri Lankan fans and termed them, wonderful people and great supporters of cricket.

“It was outstanding, the Sri Lankan people are wonderful people,” Finch added. “The support that they provide is second to none. They are great cricket supporters, it’s not just constant noise, they ride the emotions of the game.

“When Sri Lanka are up and about, that’s as loud as anywhere you’ll visit in the world,” he concluded.

In a video shared by cricket.com.au, Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, on the other hand, termed the moment as a pretty extraordinary feeling and revealed that he told his teammates that it was one of the most special feeling being able to walk around the ground and have a foreign country cheer for you.

"We're generally the enemy" 😅

The scenes in Colombo after the fifth ODI were unreal and left Glenn Maxwell and the Aussies stunned as fans thanked them for touring 🥰 #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/Xugt5KVmyX

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 24, 2022

 

“A lot of times when Australia tours we are generally the enemy and [there are] not too many Australian fans in the stands. But to have the support and fans that are here at the moment is truly extraordinary,” Maxwell stated.

“Everyone’s wearing yellow. They’ve got all the Australian flags all over the place. It’s extremely special and it’s a credit to everyone that’s been able to get out here. It’s been such a tough time obviously for the locals. For them to come out and support us, hopefully, both teams can entertain them and they’ve had a really good time during the one-day series,” he concluded.

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COLOMBO: Australia’s wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey rescued his side in the run chase before Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup to power their side to seal a consolidating victory in the fifth ODI.

In a dead-rubber fifth ODI, Australia held their nerves calm in the run chase as Carey bolstered his side with a defiant knock to propel the touring side to a six-wicket victory as they chased down 161 in the 40th over.

In the run chase, the touring side were off to a dismal start as they lost four wickets for a mere 50 runs. Carey and Marnus Labuschagne then anchored the run chase with a 51-run partnership for the fifth wicket and neutralized the horror before Dunith Wellalage trapped the latter in his legs for 31.

The wicket-keeper Carey then ran into a brief partnership with the all-rounder Glenn Maxwell as they added 20 runs to the team’s total before Wellalage struck again to break the partnership as Australia slipped to 121/6 with forty more to win.

The bowling all-rounder Cameron Green then displayed brilliance as he joined hands with Carey to steer the side to the victory in the 40th over. Carey remained unbeaten with his gritty 45 off 65 balls with the help of a boundary, while Green scored a valiant 25 not out on 26 balls.

For Sri Lanka, Wellalage shone with the ball; taking three wickets, while Maheesh Theekshana bagged two. Pramod Madushan, on the other hand, made one scalp.

Batting first, the Australian bowlers completely dominated the hosts’ batting lineup as seven batters could not manage to score in double figures.

The all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne fought hard with his valiant knock of a run-a-ball 75 but he too, could not bolster his side to a defendable total as Sri Lanka could only score 160 before bowling out in the 44th over.

For Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann, Hazlewood, and Cummins picked two wickets each while Maxwell and Green struck out a batter each.

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MELBOURNE: Australia’s all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been added to the Australia squad for their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka as the left-hander Travis Head is sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

Maxwell, who last played for Australia in the longest format of the game five years, can make a surprising return to the format as he has been called to join the injury-hit touring side for the forthcoming Test series.

Maxwell is poised to make his return to Test cricket on Wednesday in Galle with Travis Head questionable and Ashton Agar virtually out of the first Test of the series.

While Agar is dealing with a side strain and has designated the second Test as the earliest possible return date, left-handed batter Head suffered a hamstring injury earlier this week in the ODI series.

Apart from Maxwell, Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis are the other candidates to fill up Head’s No. 5 spot if the latter fails to recover in time.

Furthermore, according to cricket.com.au, Jon Holland, Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy will all remain in Sri Lanka in order to assist the Test match preparations and to adapt to the experience of playing in the subcontinent.

It is pertinent to mention here that Australia will take on Sri Lanka in two Tests from June 29 to July 12.

Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Mohamed Shiraz, Shiran Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Test Series Schedule

June 29 – July 3: First Test, Galle
July 8-12: Second Test, Galle

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COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s left-handed batter Charith Asalanka shone with his maiden ODI century before the bowlers held their nerves to power the home side edged past Australia in a thriller and seal the five-match series 3-1, with one match to spare.

In the fourth ODI of the five-match series, Sri Lanka sealed a thrilling victory over Australia by four runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead at the back of Asalanka’s brilliant century in the first innings.

Set to chase 259, Australia were bowled out four runs short of the victory as Dasun Shanaka held his nerves calm to avoid the late onslaught from Matthew Kuhnemann and successfully defended 19 in the final over.

The touring side had a poor start to their run chase as they lost their first wicket in the third over for a combined score of three. The side kept losing wickets at a consistent rate, whereas, the left-handed opener David Warner stood his ground firm and kept the scoreboard single-handedly.

Warner, who was eying his 19th ODI century, fell just one short in the 38th over as Dhananjaya de Silva claimed his wicket following a brilliant work behind the stumps by Niroshan Dickwella. The left-handed batter scored 99 off 112 balls, laced with 12 boundaries.

Following Warner’s dismissal, the hopes of the touring side also appeared to have diminished but Pat Cummins’ gritty cameo glimmered a ray of hope for them. Chamira Karunaratne, however, then trapped Cummins in his legs for 35 and took the game away from Australia.

Kahnemann, then again brought the touring side back in the game with his handy cameo but could not steer his side to the finishing as he lost his wicket on the final ball while Australia needed five to win.

For Sri Lanka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Karunaratne, and de Silva bagged two wickets each, while Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, and Shanaka struck out a batter each.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a commendable 258 before being bowled out in 49 overs, thanks to the century from Asalanka and a magnificent fifty from de Silva.

The side were off to a similar dismal start as they lost three wickets for a mere 34 runs in the 10th over. Asalanka and de Silva then anchored the innings with a valiant 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket and bolstered Sri Lanka to a respectable total.

Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh then struck for the second time to break the all-important partnership as he removed de Silva with a short-of-a-length delivery. The right-handed batter scored 60 off 61 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Asalanka, on the other hand, stood firm and kept ticking the scoreboard while the Sri Lankan batting tail was crumbling with small contributions by the batters. The left-handed batter top-scored for his side with 110 runs off 106 deliveries including 10 boundaries and a six.

For Australia, Kuhnemann, Marsh, and Cummins picked two wickets each, while Glenn Maxwell made one scalp.

Following this victory, Sri Lanka have sealed the five-match ODI series by 3-1 with one match to spare.

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COLOMBO: Pathum Nissanka blasted with a maiden hundred empowering Sri Lanka to secure a record chase against Australia in the third ODI as the hosts took a 2-1 lead in the five-match ODI series, here on Sunday.

Set to chase a mammoth target of 292, Nissanka and Kusal Mendis braved the Australian bowlers on a tricky wicket as the pair built a brilliant partnership of 170 runs to put their side in a steering position.

While Mendis walked off the pitch when he was retired hurt in the 37th over on 87, Nassanka continued with his blistering knock and scored 137 off 147 balls, taking his side close to the finish line which they crossed with nine balls remaining and six wickets to spare.

Australia, on the other hand, opted to bat first after winning the toss and reached a competitive total of 291 thanks to the outstanding later knocks by Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Alex Carey before opener Aaron Finch strengthened the tourist’s inning with his steady knock of 62 off 85 balls.

Head and Carey showcased a magnificent combination during their 72-run partnership after Australia were forced into crisis by Sri Lankan bowlers at 121-4. Maxwell, however, smashed a powerful 33 off 18 balls to give a strong finish to the innings after Carey was dismissed one run short of his half-century by Dhananjaya de Silva. Head remained the top scorer for his side with 70 runs knock, laced with three fours and three sixes.

Jeffrey Vandersay starred with the bowl for his side claiming 3-49, dismissing Finch and Marnus Labuchagne to jitter the tourists’ middle order halfway through the first inning.

Sri Lanka now have a 2-1 lead in the series as they won two back-to-back games after facing a defeat in the opening match of the ODI series. The touring side has already clinched the three-match T20I series against the hosts.

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PALLAKELE: Pacer Chamika Karunaratne led the offense while Sri Lankan bowlers stunned Australia to clinch a 26-run victory in the rain-affected second ODI, here on Thursday.

Sri Lanka rebounded from their initial setback in the five-match ODI series, as Australia were bowled out for 189 in 37.1 overs while chasing a rain-revised target of 216 runs in 43 overs.

Right-arm bowler Karunatne was awarded Man of the Match as he sent three Aussie batters to the pavilion including Steve Smith, for 28, and the dangerous Glenn Maxwell for 30. Dunith Wellalage and Dushmantha Chameera, on the other hand, took two wickets each.

All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva also contributed with crucial two wickets as he was able to get rid of both the opening batters, Aaron Finch and David Warner. He also minted 34 with the bat and put on 61 runs for the third wicket with Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka played a humble knock of 34 followed by Wellalage’s 20 to guide Sri Lanka to 220 for nine when rain forced play to stop and later end the innings.

Australian fast bowler Pat cummin impressed with his figures of 4-35 but his efforts went in vain.

Australia, on the other hand, failed to impress with the bat and lost wickets at regular intervals. Smith and Maxwell tried to unsettle the Sri Lankan bowlers during their brief knocks before both fell prey to Karunaratne.

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DUBAI: Pakistan Men’s National Cricket Team have continued climbing the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings as the Green Shirts have now occupied third place in the latest rankings.

The Green Shirts, who dethroned India last week to claim the fourth rank in the ODI rankings, have continued to march up as they have now occupied third place in the latest rankings.

Following Australia’s defeat to Sri Lanka by 26 runs in the second ODI of the series, the Kangaroos lost two vital ranking points and allowed Pakistan to dethrone them from the third position.

New Zealand lead the Men’s ODI Team Rankings with 125 rating points, followed by second-ranked England with 124 points. Pakistan, on the other hand, are in third with 106.

It is important to note that Australia still have three matches left against Sri Lanka, and if they win them, they can reclaim the third place.

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