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Dasun Shanaka and Ashan Priyanjan got Sri Lanka A close after a top-order collapse, but the home side’s bowlers pulled through in the end

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2018Pace bowlers Khaled Ahmed and Shoriful Islam managed to get Bangladesh A over the line with a two-run win against Sri Lanka A in Sylhet.Khaled took four wickets, including that of Shehan Madushanka off the last ball, with the visitors needing three runs to win.Madushanka had already struck three sixes in his 12-ball 21, which nearly took Sri Lanka to victory at the death, but they were eventually bowled out for 278 after Bangladesh had put up 280 for 7.Sri Lanka’s top four got out cheaply as they slipped to 72 for 4, before Ashan Priyanjan and Dasun Shanaka added 84 runs for the fifth wicket. Shanaka top scored with a run-a-ball 78 that had six sixes and two fours. However, Khaled had him caught in the 46th over to give Bangladesh a huge opening.Shoriful took three wickets, while Ariful Haque took two wickets to go with a big-hitting 47 off 22 balls. He struck four sixes and three fours as he helped Bangladesh put up a competitive total in 50 overs.Mizanur Rahman had earlier top scored for Bangladesh, making 67 off 107 balls, while captain Mohammad Mithun made 44.The second one-day match will be held at the same venue on July 19.

The five-match ODI series that starts in Dambulla is a chance for both Sri Lanka and South Africa to strap in, and start building some form

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando28-Jul-2018

Big Picture

The last time these two sides met in bilateral ODIs, South Africa stomped to a 5-0 victory. Sri Lanka were at the start of their shambolic 2017, and South Africa still had AB de Villiers, while Imran Tahir only needed to stare at a Sri Lanka batsman in order to get his wicket.Things are a little different now – mainly for South Africa. They are without de Villiers, who is retired, and are missing Tahir on this trip – the selectors having chosen to give him a break. The core of their batting group has also twice failed against spin over the last few months. Once, in the just-concluded Tests, where Sri Lanka’s spinners uprooted them for embarrassing totals on three different occasions. And also a few months ago, when India’s wristspinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal shared 33 wickets between them in an ODI series that South Africa lost 5-1.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are yet to convince anyone that they are a capable ODI side. They won a tri-series featuring Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in January, but were unconvincing in that campaign, and have not played ODIs since. There is also substantial flux in their side, because almost no one contributes consistently, series after series. The trend has been for players to burn hot for a few games, before fading dramatically away. The uncertainty over what the best XI might be is not helped by the suspensions – Dinesh Chandimal and Danushka Gunathilaka are effectively ruled out of the series.If you were to pick favourites for next year’s World Cup, these two teams are unlikely to feature. Others, such as India and England, have already started fine-tuning. Pakistan are running hot. Both South Africa and Sri Lanka, however, have serious catching up to do if they are to launch formidable campaigns in England next year. This series kicks off their World Cup preparation, in earnest; it is a chance for two meandering teams to strap in, and start building some form.

Form guide

Sri Lanka WWWLL (completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa LLWLL

In the spotlight

For so long the most frustrating cricketer in Sri Lanka (and this is a crowded field), coaches say Thisara Perera is now a brand-new, self-motivated man. His performances have been better in the last 10 months than in the previous few years, with his batting in particular coming good. That the think tank persisted with him through all those lean series is because Sri Lanka’s selectors know a seam-bowling, big-hitting allrounder will be invaluable in England next year. Given his recent form, big performances are now expected from Thisara.Although he never got past 50, Faf du Plessis appeared the most capable South Africa batsman against spin for the first three innings of the Test series. Despite having missed most of the ODIs against India at home, he had also hit 120 off 112 balls in the only match he played. South Africa’s batting coach has hinted that his team would use this series to trial new players, with the likes of Willem Mulder, Heinrich Klaasen and Reeza Hendricks among those who may get an opportunity. But while that experimenting goes on, South Africa will depend on runs from the senior men – du Plessis and Hashim Amla in particular, who have been part of an ODI series victory in Sri Lanka before.

Team news

Heinrich Klaasen picked up a groin strain and sat out the tour match, but is expected to be fit for the first ODI. He may be overlooked in favour of Mulder, however, who was good with bat and ball in the practice game. South Africa may opt for two spinners in Dambulla, in which case Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi may both play.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt.), 4 Aiden Markram, 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Willem Mulder, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Andile Phehlukwayo, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiSri Lanka’s XI is difficult to predict, given the flux. Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella are likely to form the four, although it is hard to say in which order. If they go with double-spin, Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan are the likeliest to play. Kasun Rajitha may also be in the mix for an ODI debut.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 3 Upul Tharanga, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Akila Dananjaya, 9 Suranga Lakmal, 10 Lakshan Sandakan, 11 Kasun Rajitha

Pitch and conditions

The tracks in Dambulla have seemingly become more batting friendly over the last couple of years. Chasing teams also appear to have done well, though the sample size is too small for this to be called a trend. There is no rain forecast.

Stats and trivia

• In four ODI innings during that January tri-series in Bangladesh, Thisara struck 134 runs at a strike rate of 154, and an average of 44.66.
• Of all the places Hashim Amla has batted, it is in Sri Lanka that he has the best average of 70.60, with two centuries to his name.
• South Africa have won nine of the last 10 ODIs between these sides, having beaten Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy last year, and having won the 2014 bilateral series in Sri Lanka 2-1.

Quotes

“We’ll trial a few combinations which we think will be suitable for the World Cup, but it’s a process. It depends on the conditions also and you have to keep winning as well.”
“I’d look at the next year leading up to the World Cup as how we can give guys opportunities, who we think will be in that 15-man squad, and as well as equipping them with the skillsets required to win the trophy in England.”

Play was abandoned after Dane van Niekerk had taken her team to 177 for 8 in a rain-hit game

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2018Persistent rain forced a washout in the second women’s ODI between West Indies and South Africa on Wednesday. South Africa had won the first match, and the final ODI on Saturday will now be the series-decider.Points from this series go towards the ICC Women’s Champion, meaning both teams got one point each towards that.Rain had caused a delay right at the start, with the match initially reduced to 43 overs a side. It was further reduced to 38 overs after another hour was lost 10 overs into the South Africa innings. Put in to bat, the visiting side made 177 for 8 in the 38 overs, driven by captain Dane van Niekerk’s 53 off 66. Chloe Tryon made 37 off 44, but, that apart, there weren’t any significant contributions.Van Niekerk and Tryon came together at 85 for 4 in the 22nd over, putting on 67 runs to stabilise South Africa and take them towards a competitive total.Deandra Dottin was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 29 in eight overs before rain ended proceedings.

The left-armer underwent back surgery during the season after suffering the fifth stress fracture of an injury-hit career

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2018Hampshire have confirmed that Reece Topley, the left-seamer, has left the club.It was a decision that was expected with him out of contract following three years which have continued to be injury-plagued as he featured in just 21 matches during his time with Hampshire.At the beginning of the 2018 season he signed a white-ball only deal so he could focus his energy on the shorter formats, but underwent surgery during the summer to have a pin inserted in his back having suffered a fifth stress fracture.”Not an easy decision to make to leave a team, however I want to thank those who supported me over the last three years I have been associated with Hampshire,” Topley posted on Twitter. “I’m excited about what’s to come…”Giles White, the Hampshire director of cricket, said: “Mid-way through the 2018 season Reece made it apparent that he wanted to pursue his career elsewhere – we wish him well.”Topley has played 10 ODIs and six T20s and before suffering the recurrence of his back injury enjoyed success for England Lions against India A and West Indies in the 2018 summer, taking eight wickets in four matches.

On the fifth day in Kandy, Sri Lanka lost their last three wickets for 17 runs to concede a 57-run win to the visitors

The Report by George Dobell in Kandy18-Nov-2018A five-wicket haul from Jack Leach has helped England secure a 57-run victory over Sri Lanka in Kandy to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. This is England’s first series win in Asia since the 2012 victory over India and the first in Sri Lanka since 2001 besides being their first series win away from home since they defeated South Africa three years ago.When play resumed on the fifth day, Sri Lanka were seven down and required 75 runs for a series-levelling victory. For the first 15 minutes or so, Sri Lanka progressed smoothly enough as England put their trust in left-arm spinner Jack Leach and offspinner Moeen Ali. Niroshan Dickwella, the senior batsman remaining, picked up singles with the sweep, while Akila Dananjaya survived one mis-hit over cover.But then Moeen, giving the ball some air, lured the left-handed Dickwella into a push outside the off stump. With the delivery dipping and turning sharply off the pitch, Dickwella could only edge the ball to the safe hands of Ben Stokes at slip. Two deliveries later Moeen bowled Suranga Lakmal with a beauty that again drew a forward prod only to turn sharply between bat and pad. It left Sri Lanka’s final pair requiring 61 runs.Jack Leach wrapped up victory with his maiden five-wicket haul•Getty Images

That was always an unlikely ask and, barely half an hour after the start of play, Malinda Pushpakumara pushed a catch back to Leach. It was a tame end to a compelling match.While Joe Root’s century was probably the key ingredient in the victory, England spinners also enjoyed a fine game. England’s trio of spinners claimed all 10 second-innings dismissals with Leach claiming a maiden five-wicket haul in his third Test. Moeen finished with 4 for 72. In all, England’s spinners – including Joe Root – claimed 19 wickets, with the other falling to a run-out.

Whatever you think of the England method – whether it’s wise, whether it’s practical, whether it’s based on an innate distrust of their own defence – it is wonderfully entertaining

The Report by George Dobell in Pallekele16-Nov-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe leap into the air and punch of the fist upon reaching his century told its own story: Joe Root knew how important this innings was.It was not so much that Root had, in scoring his second century in three Tests, moved to silence the talk about his modest conversion rate. And it wasn’t so much that, for a man of his ability, he had a relatively modest record away from home: this was his 15th Test century, after all, but only his fourth away.No, it was more about the fact that Root knew that, when he began this innings, the match – and as a consequence, the series – was in the balance. And he knew that, having talked a good game about responding to adversity with positivity and aggression, he had put his actions into words.Not long after Root arrived at the crease, England slipped to 109 for 4, meaning they led by a fragile-looking 63. But so well did Root play, so masterfully did he combat the turn, that the lead was stretched beyond to 250 by the time he fell.And, in scoring at a strike rate of 84.93, Root had been true to his words. He had refused to allow the spinners to settle, hitting them off their lengths, forcing changes in the field and finding the gaps with those deft strokes which are his hallmark.So if the highlights were the sixes, heaved over midwicket off Dilruwan Perera and drilled back over the head of Akila Dananjaya, or the sweeps – there were three powerfully hit conventional ones and one violently struck reverse – just as important were the deflections and nudges into the gaps and the merciless running between the wickets.Whatever you think of the England method – whether it’s wise, whether it’s practical, whether it’s based on an innate distrust of their own defence – it is wonderfully entertaining. Here they scored at something around four-and-a-half an over for most of the day, reacting to adversity by attempting to put pressure back on the bowlers.It worked, too. While Dananjaya survived a difficult spell midway through the day to claim a career-best six-for, he and his colleagues appeared wrong-footed by England’s aggression. In an attempt to defend the boundaries, gaps appeared in the infield that allowed singles to be picked off with infuriating ease from a Sri Lankan perspective. And with sweeps interspersed with clips and drives, some of the Sri Lanka bowling became just a little ragged. For the first time, but surely not the last, the absence of Rangana Herath stung.The flip-side of such positivity is that it tends to involve risk. So the first seven wickets, including Root, fell to the sweep of various descriptions, which could, if viewed on a highlights package, look ugly. But already England have set the record for the most reverse-sweeps played in a series and, in both scoring heavily and disrupting Sri Lanka’s plans, they will feel they had the best of the risk-reward ratio. If you live by the sweep, you probably have to accept dying by the sweep.Root’s efforts were put in perspective by the struggles of his colleagues. Ben Stokes and Sam Curran both made ducks and Root’s exit precipitated a collapse that saw England lose three wickets for four runs. While Keaton Jennings and Jos Buttler both flourished briefly, both fell to the reverse-sweep before they could make a definitive contribution. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid could count themselves unfortunate to be the victims of umpiring errors without the recourse of reviews: Stokes and Burns had already used them.So England were grateful for half-centuries at either end of their innings from Surrey duo Rory Burns and Ben Foakes.So assured, so intelligent, so good was Burns’ maiden Test half-century on the third morning that it not only made light of the first-innings deficit of 46, but suggested that the side had found the opening batsman for which they have searched for so long.A premature conclusion? Maybe. Various other contenders have shone briefly – not least Sam Robson and Adam Lyth, who made centuries in their second Tests – only to fall away. But it is hard to recall many innings as impressive as this in demanding circumstances from a new England opener for a long time. Burns skipped down the pitch on occasions, used the crease intelligently, swept often and ran like a leopard between the wickets. The manner in which he dropped the ball at his feet and sprinted singles was infuriating for Sri Lanka.Foakes, meanwhile, appears to have taken to this level with ease. Having helped Root add 82 for the seventh-wicket, he accelerated when left with only James Anderson. By the time rain intervened, England had stretched their lead to 278.

Set 149 for victory, the home side got there before tea on the third day to take an early lead in the three-Test series

The Report by Liam Brickhill28-Dec-2018An unbeaten 63 from Hashim Amla – his first fifty in 11 innings – helped South Africa to a 1-0 series lead over Pakistan with a six-wicket win in the first Test in Centurion. Alongside Dean Elgar, who contributed 50 to a 119-run stand, Amla weathered an intense first hour on Friday morning and then slowly but surely reversed the pressure to gain control of the innings after the early dismissal of Aiden Markram to the second ball he faced. Amla and Elgar’s partnership set a new South African record for the second wicket against Pakistan in Tests, and secured a win inside three days in a fast-moving match.Both men enjoyed slices of luck during a thoroughly absorbing morning session, and in the early exchanges, every ball was an event. Elgar was kept on nought for 18 deliveries and Amla wasn’t able to score until his 14th, and even once they started to score the chances kept coming.Elgar was off the mark with a thick edge that flew directly between the third slip and gully fielders, and in Hasan Ali’s next over, Amla flashed a thick edge hard and straight to Fakhar Zaman at third slip, the ball bouncing off his chest and dropping to the ground in front of the sprawling fielder.That was just the slice of luck Amla needed, and Elgar too had a huge piece of good fortune soon afterwards. Shaheen Afridi hustled through his first over and found the edge of Elgar’s bat with his fifth delivery, the ball flying low to Azhar Ali’s right at first slip. He appeared to have taken a sharp catch cleanly, but the on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and S Ravi asked TV umpire Joel Wilson to have another look. The soft signal was out, but Wilson saw enough on the replay – the fingers of Azhar’s right hand having not quite got under the ball – to offer Elgar a reprieve.Coach Mickey Arthur protested animatedly from the change-rooms, and Pakistan had lost two clear chances in consecutive overs. Frustrated, Pakistan gambled a review when Amir returned to the attack and caught Amla’s forward press pad first, but replays showed the ball missing off stump, and with every run scored thereafter, Elgar and Amla strengthened their grip on the match.Elgar took the partnership to 50 – and the requirement to under 100 – with a neat little clip to the midwicket boundary in the 19th over of the day. He didn’t flinch despite repeated blows to the body, and when spin was introduced he immediately swept Yasir Shah to the fine-leg boundary. At the other end, Amla was into the 40s with a pair of trademark shots off Hasan and batted with increasing assurance despite conditions remaining challenging throughout the day.Amla was first to his fifty, caressing a short ball from Afridi to the point boundary in his first over after lunch. Elgar took his time grinding his way to his own fifty, but also allowed himself moments of flamboyance along the way, lifting Hasan back over his head to move to 45.Elgar raised his fifty with his 10th four, easing Shan Masood back down the ground, but wafted tiredly at the next ball to present an edge to Sarfraz Ahmed and give Masood his maiden Test wicket. In a scrappy finish, Theunis de Bruyn over-egged his attempts to get after Yasir and was stumped, while Faf du Plessis emulated his opposite number Sarfraz in bagging a pair: the first time in Test history both designated captains have failed to score across four innings in a Test. South Africa slipped to 137 for 4 within touching distance of victory, but Temba Bavuma entered and displayed similar form to the first innings, leaning into a cover drive at Afridi and then sweeping Yasir through square leg to seal the result.While Pakistan’s quicks bowled admirably, this was South Africa’s Test: starting with Dale Steyn’s record 422nd wicket on day one, through Duanne Olivier’s maiden five-for (and 11 in the match), Kagiso Rabada’s 50th Test wicket in the calendar year, and a welcome return to form for Amla in testing conditions, the hosts will head to Cape Town as very much the happier team.

West Indies batsman wants team to draw on underdog spirit as they seek another upset against England

George Dobell in Barbados21-Jan-2019Shai Hope has said he considered qualifying to play for England while at school in the country.Hope made his Test debut for West Indies against England at Bridgetown in 2015, aged just 21. But just a couple of years before that, he acknowledged it crossed his mind to go the same route as Chris Jordan and now Jofra Archer and complete the England qualification process.Hope was at the time studying at St Bede’s – an independent school in East Sussex – having won a sixth-form scholarship on the basis of his cricket. He enjoyed his time there in 2012 and 2013, scoring heavily and captaining the school team.But while he briefly considered the practical benefits of remaining in the UK, he said his heart was always with West Indies. He has no regrets over his decision.”It was a thought,” he said. “You’ve got to look around at your competitors and see who’s vying for the same positions as you. You look at your options. At that particular stage, it crossed my mind.”I’m good friends with Chris and Jofra. They seized their opportunity so I’m sure they’re happy with where they are right now. It’s their choice. They’re human beings and they have a mind for themselves. It’s up to them.”But I never really wanted to do that. I always wanted to play for West Indies. I’m a West Indian. I grew up here and I want to play for West Indies. I wouldn’t do anything different. I’m pleased with my decision.”The highlight of Hope’s career to date probably came at Headingley in 2017. In scoring a century in both innings of the match, he became the first man to ever do so in a first-class game on the ground and led West Indies to a memorable victory just days after the team succumbed to a crushing defeat against England in Birmingham.Curtly Ambrose had labelled the Edgbaston performance “embarrassing” while Geoff Boycott suggested that West Indies side were “the worst Test match team I have seen in more than 50 years of watching, playing and commentating”.It was, Hope said, the stinging criticism that inspired the improvement and he wants the side to draw on that same source of motivation – a desire to prove people wrong – in the series against England.”It really was a big motivator,” he said. “I think I can speak for the rest of the guys in saying that as well.”Coming off that loss the week before and knowing what people were saying about us… we used it as a big motivator to put in a big performance. We knew the series was at stake.”We’ll use that as a motivator again. We’ll know that everyone is against us. We’re so called underdogs. But we know that, if we play our cricket, we’re going to beat these guys.”West Indies have also not forgotten being labelled a “mediocre” team by the ECB chairman, Colin Graves, ahead of that 2015 series in the Caribbean. The West Indies coach at the time, Phil Simmons, stuck the word up on the dressing room door to inspire his players at the start of the series and Hope feels it could be used again.”We’ll probably use that again,” he said. “I know we’re the underdogs. But that will make it even more special for us to win this first game.”

Michael Neser’s unbeaten 75 had earlier lifted Queensland well over 400 on a good batting surface

Alex Malcolm24-Feb-2019Australia opener Marcus Harris fell agonisingly short of a second Sheffield Shield century of the summer to leave Victoria’s clash with Queensland evenly poised at stumps on day two.Harris was given out caught behind for 95 off the bowling of Mitch Swepson in the second last over before the close. He was bitterly disappointed having hit his pad with his bat as he defended from the crease but the umpire deemed the ball scratched his outside edge.”I didn’t hit it,” Harris said after play. “I hit my back pad. But it doesn’t matter.”It was the first time Harris had been dismissed in the 90s in his first-class career having struck 15 fours in a very fluent 155-ball innings. He was savage on anything straight as Queensland’s quicks overpitched on his pads on seven occasions.He did have some fortune early with two loose shots wide of off stump flying safely off the edge wide of the cordon. He also edged a ball on 55 at knee height through a vacant third slip.Harris, who had a lean Test series against Sri Lanka after impressing against India, put on 82 with Nic Maddinson after stands of 49 and 56 with Travis Dean and Will Pucovski respectively. Dean edged Michael Neser to slip for 26 while Pucovski looked very comfortable for his 22 before gloving a pull shot down the leg side off Mark Steketee.Maddinson finished the day 36 not out alongside nightwatchman Scott Boland with Victoria 257 runs behind.Earlier, Charlie Hemphrey fell seven runs shy of his fifth first-class century on a day of near misses. Victoria’s quicks starved him of scoring opportunities in the morning and he finally succumbed slashing and edging a wide one from Peter Siddle for 93.Neser proved a thorn in Victoria’s side making an unbeaten 75, his fifth half-century of the Shield summer. It was the first time he batted at No.7 in his career after pestering the Bulls coaching staff for an opportunity to move one spot higher in the order. He was very fortunate to survive an lbw shout on 38 when Siddle him on the back pad in front of off stump but the umpire gave it not out. The decision allowed Neser to help propel Queensland’s total well beyond 400.

The Knight Riders captain said he had to “show faith” in Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana too, by giving them chances at Nos. 3 and 4

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Apr-2019Shubman Gill is not getting opportunities to bat higher in the Kolkata Knight Riders line-up because the top and middle-order positions have been firmed up in favour of more experienced hands, their captain Dinesh Karthik explained. Karthik said that Gill did open once this season when their regular opener Chris Lynn was unwell, but otherwise he had to look at the team “as a whole and not just one bright kid on the block”.”I’ve been asked this a number of times… Look, we’ve made it clear to Shubman that, as and when opportunities arise, he will be sent up the order,” Karthik told the . “Shubman was promoted to open when Chris Lynn was unwell. He grabbed that chance and got 65. Now, when Lynn was available, we had to give him back his position. He’s done a lot for us and we have to show faith… Sunil Narine, for his part, stays as the other opener.”Question is whether we can bat Shubman at No. 3 or No. 4. Well, Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana have won us matches from those positions and, again, it’s a matter of showing faith. India is obsessed with novelties, and even I like novelties, but I have to look at Knight Riders as a whole and not just one bright kid on the block. I need to show faith in Shubman, yes, equally I have a responsibility to give Robin and Nitish enough opportunities. As the captain, I have to show faith… Is Shubman upset at going down the order? I don’t think so.”Gill made his IPL and T20 debut last year for Knight Riders and played 13 of their 16 matches. He impressed with his strokeplay and scored 203 runs at average of 33.83 and strike rate of 146.04. Apart from the odd chance in the top order, Gill batted three times at No. 6 and six times at No. 7 in IPL 2018 to play the finisher’s role. This season, too, he has batted three times at No. 6 and twice at No. 7 so far, and once each as an opener and No. 4 batsman.Gill was asked how he prepared for facing only six-odd balls when he bats at No. 7. “To face those six balls you have to practice at least 100 balls at nets,” he told . “If you practice less, you’ll lack confidence even to hit four out of those six balls. The mentality shouldn’t be to practice less just because you are going to face just those number of balls. So to make the most of those six balls, one must utilise their net sessions.”