Cricket

England Lions are on the cusp of victory against Sri Lanka in their tour match at New Road, Worcester. The Lions need just 75 more runs to win after bowling out Sri Lanka for 306 in their second innings.Sri Lanka, trailing by 185 runs on first innings, showed some fightback with half-centuries from Nishan Madushka (77), Angelo Mathews (51), and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (66). However, the Lions' bowlers, led by offspinner Farhan Ahmed (3-87), kept chipping away at the Sri Lankan batting lineup.The Lions made a solid start to their chase, with Ben McKinney hitting a quickfire 20 off nine balls. Dhananjaya briefly threatened a comeback with two wickets in two balls, but Rob Yates and Hamza Shaikh steadied the ship for the Lions.The tour match is Sri Lanka's only warm-up game before the first of three Tests against England starts in Manchester on Wednesday. This is their first Test tour to England since they lost a three-match series 2-0 in 2016.The Lions' victory would be a significant boost to their confidence ahead of the Test series. It would also be a disappointing result for Sri Lanka, who will be looking to improve their performance in the longer format.

John Lever, the English pacer, made an unforgettable debut in the 1976-77 Test series against India. Despite the controversy surrounding the "Vaseline-ball" incident, Lever's performance on the field was remarkable.In his first Test match in New Delhi, Lever registered match figures of 10 for 70, including a half-century with the bat. The conditions were surprisingly cool, and the wickets were relatively flat. However, Lever's swing bowling proved to be effective, and he dismissed key Indian batsmen like Aunshuman Gaekwad and Sunil Gavaskar.Lever's batting performance was equally impressive. Coming in at number nine, he played a crucial role in England's first-innings total. His ability to keep the scoreboard ticking with boundaries to third-man was a testament to his all-round skills.The Vaseline incident, which occurred during the third Test in Chennai, overshadowed Lever's on-field achievements. Lever applied Vaseline to his forehead to prevent sweat from entering his eyes. However, the Indian team accused him of using it to enhance the ball's swing.Despite the controversy, Lever maintained his innocence. He argued that Vaseline does not significantly affect the ball's movement. The incident led to a heated exchange with Indian captain Bishan Bedi, but the two eventually reconciled years later.Lever's career spanned over a decade, and he made a comeback in 1986 to end his career with the Leeds Test against India. He was known for his swing bowling and his ability to bat effectively in the lower order.Over the years, Lever has expressed admiration for swing bowlers like Wasim Akram, James Anderson, and Jasprit Bumrah. He believes that these bowlers have mastered the art of swing and reverse swing, making them formidable opponents.

Ireland's Orla Prendergast orchestrated a remarkable victory over Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Dublin, showcasing her all-around brilliance with a match-winning century and crucial wickets.Chasing a challenging target of 261, Ireland faced an early setback with the loss of Gaby Lewis. However, Prendergast and Sarah Forbes steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership. Hunter contributed 42 runs before Prendergast took center stage.Prendergast's innings was a masterclass in composure and determination. She reached her half-century off 57 balls and kept the scoreboard ticking despite losing partners at the other end. In the final three overs, Ireland needed 30 runs with only three wickets remaining.Prendergast rose to the occasion, smashing two fours and a six off Kavisha Dilhari in the 48th over. Her century, off 97 balls, brought Ireland within sight of victory. She fittingly hit the winning single in the final over, securing a memorable three-wicket triumph.Earlier, Sri Lanka's Vishmi Gunaratne had set the tone with a maiden ODI century. She shared a 122-run partnership with Hasini Perera, who contributed 46 runs. However, Prendergast's three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Athapaththu, kept Sri Lanka in check.Alana Dalzell and Jane Maguire also chipped in with two wickets each, restricting Sri Lanka to a competitive but ultimately insufficient total.Prendergast's unbeaten 122 is the second-highest score while batting at No. 4 or lower in a women's ODI chase. Her all-round performance earned her the Player of the Match award.This victory marks Ireland's first successful chase of over 200 in ODIs and their first ODI win over Sri Lanka in five attempts. It is a testament to the growing strength of Irish women's cricket and the exceptional talent of Orla Prendergast.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is embarking on a comprehensive upgrade of its stadiums to enhance the quality of domestic and international cricket matches. As part of this initiative, the PCB will introduce new floodlights at the National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the Champions Trophy, scheduled for early next year.The PCB's goal is to ensure that smaller venues, such as Quetta, Abbottabad, and Peshawar, are also equipped with light towers. This will allow domestic matches to be played under lights during hot weather, providing a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for players and spectators.To optimize costs, the PCB plans to transfer the existing floodlights from Karachi to Quetta and those from Lahore to Rawalpindi. Karachi and Lahore will receive new light towers, and the PCB has invited tenders from eligible companies to provide these on a rental basis from August 2024 to July 2025."The idea behind this process is to ensure smaller venues are also equipped with light towers for domestic cricket, while major venues like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, where most international games and CT matches would be played, get towers that ensure international standard and uninterrupted provision of light during matches," a PCB source told PTI.In addition to the floodlights, the PCB has also invited tenders for the provision of generators to cities including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Abbottabad, Quetta, and Peshawar. The PCB uses generators to power the light towers at the grounds due to power fluctuations and load-shedding issues.The PCB is also implementing extensive facelifts of its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. As a result, the second Test against Bangladesh in Karachi will be played without spectators. The PCB has allocated funds in its fiscal budget to cover all costs associated with the renovation and facelift of the stadiums.

The Delhi Premier League (DPL), a highly anticipated T20 cricket league organized by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), has secured Adani Group as its title sponsor for the inaugural season. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the league, aligning with its vision of promoting and developing cricket in the capital.Adani Group, a leading Indian conglomerate, has made substantial investments in sports through its sports wing, Adani Sportsline. The group's involvement in the Women's Premier League (WPL), Pro Kabaddi League, and Ultimate Kho Kho League demonstrates its commitment to fostering sporting excellence. Adani Sportsline also supports renowned athletes, including chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa.The DPL aims to provide a platform for emerging cricket talent while delivering top-tier entertainment. The addition of Adani Group as the title sponsor further elevates the league's prestige and its potential impact on the region's sporting landscape.Rohan Jaitley, president of the DDCA, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: "We are thrilled to welcome Adani Group as the title sponsor of the Delhi Premier League. Their support is a testament to the league's potential and our shared commitment to fostering the growth of cricket in Delhi. With Adani Group's involvement, we are confident that the DPL will set new benchmarks in sports excellence and fan engagement."A spokesperson for Adani Group commented: "We are proud to associate with the Delhi Premier League T20 as its title sponsor. Cricket is a unifying force in our country, and through our partnership with the DPL T20, we aim to support the development of cricketing talent and contribute to the sport's growth in Delhi. The Adani Group is committed to nurturing excellence and creating impactful opportunities, and we see the DPL T20 as a perfect platform to achieve these goals."As title sponsor, Adani Group will play a pivotal role in shaping the league's identity, with the DPL T20 officially branded as the 'Adani Delhi Premier League T20'. The league is scheduled to take place from August 17 to September 8, featuring six men's and four women's teams competing in 40 matches at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.The opening match of the DPL T20 will be between Purani Dilli 6 and South Delhi Superstars on Saturday at 8:30 pm IST. All matches will be streamed live on JioCinema for free and telecasted on Sports18-2.

Amidst the political turmoil in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing calls for reform. Board president Nazmul Hassan Papon has reportedly offered to resign to facilitate cooperation with the Muhammad Yunus-led government.Papon, who is currently serving his fourth term as BCB president, has been in hiding in London since the unrest began. Former BCB officials and organizers have gathered at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium to demand his resignation.According to a BCB director, Papon is willing to step down and cooperate with the government to bring about reforms in the board. The director stated that Papon is prepared to request a board meeting to accept his resignation and hold elections for a new president.Another BCB director emphasized the need for cooperation from the interim government if the board is to be run by an elected body. The director explained that the board would need to accept Papon's resignation and fill the vacancy through an election among the 25 board directors.The BCB's constitution dictates that any resignation must be submitted to the board, which will then decide whether to accept or reject it. If accepted, an election will be held to fill the vacant position.The political instability in Bangladesh has cast a shadow over the BCB, with calls for reform growing louder. Papon's offer to resign is seen as a step towards addressing these concerns and bringing about positive change in the board.

Australia A's dominant performance continued in the second one-day international against India A, securing an eight-wicket victory in Mackay. Led by Maddy Darke's unbeaten century and Katie Mack's half-century, Australia A chased down India A's total of 219 with ease, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.India A's innings got off to a shaky start as Tayla Vlaeminck dismissed Priya Punia early on. Nicola Hancock and Charli Knott then chipped away at the Indian batting lineup, removing Shweta Sehrawat and Shubha Satheesh respectively. Raghvi Bist and Tejal Hasabnis provided some resistance with a 124-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Parsons and Knott.Parsons dismissed Hasabnis for 63, while Knott had Minnu Mani caught behind. Shipra Giri and Bist attempted to rebuild the innings, but Bist's run-out in the 45th over triggered a collapse. Maitlan Brown cleaned up the tail with a triple-wicket maiden over, bowling out India A for 219 in 48 overs.Australia A's chase began aggressively, with Mack and Darke capitalizing on loose deliveries from Soppadhandi Yashasri and Sayali Satghare. Mack reached her half-century in the 16th over, while Darke followed suit in the 21st. Satghare eventually dismissed Mack for 68, but Darke continued to anchor the innings.Darke's 38-run partnership with Knott kept the asking rate under control, and Tahlia McGrath's quickfire cameo of 24 runs off 15 balls extinguished any hopes of an Indian comeback. Darke completed her century in the 37th over, and she and McGrath remained unbeaten to guide Australia A to victory with 58 balls to spare.The victory extends Australia A's dominance over India A, having also swept the T20I series 3-0. The two teams will face off in the final ODI on Monday at the Gold Coast, where Australia A will aim to complete a clean sweep.

The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh, is facing an uncertain future due to political unrest and security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively exploring alternative venues, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a potential replacement.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains determined to retain hosting rights, but the ICC is facing time constraints with the tournament set to commence on September 27th. The BCB's request for a five-day extension to present a revised hosting plan has been denied, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to step in as host due to monsoon season and a packed cricketing calendar.The UAE, with its favorable time zone, predictable weather conditions, and established cricketing infrastructure, has emerged as a frontrunner. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly enthusiastic about hosting the tournament, further bolstering the UAE's candidacy.Despite the mounting pressure, the BCB remains optimistic, highlighting ongoing discussions with Bangladesh's Army Chief regarding security assurances for the tournament. However, the recent exodus of key BCB officials, including President Nazmul Hassan, due to political unrest casts a shadow over their efforts.Other nations, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, have also expressed interest in hosting the tournament, presenting the ICC with additional options to consider. The ICC is expected to reach a decision by August 20th, coinciding with a pre-scheduled board meeting primarily focused on finalizing the terms of reference for an inquiry into the recent Men's T20 World Cup.With just over 50 days remaining before the tournament's start, the ICC faces a critical decision that will significantly impact the participating teams, fans, and the future of women's cricket.

Rohit Sharma Flaunts Lamborghini with Special Number Plate After Sri Lanka TourIndian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has been spotted driving his luxurious Lamborghini in Mumbai after returning from the tour of Sri Lanka. The video of Rohit behind the wheel of his blue-colored Lamborghini went viral on social media, showcasing the special number plate "0264." This number holds significance as it represents Rohit's highest ODI score.Despite India's 0-2 ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, Rohit had an impressive performance as a batter. He emerged as the top run-scorer with 157 runs at an average of 52.33 and a strike rate of 141.44. Rohit notched two half-centuries, with his highest score being 64.The Lamborghini is not the only luxury vehicle in Rohit's collection. He also owns a BMW M5, a Mercedes-Benz GLS, and a Range Rover Vogue. His passion for cars is evident in his social media posts, where he often shares pictures of his prized possessions.Rohit's Lamborghini is a testament to his success and status as one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world. The special number plate adds a personal touch to the vehicle, reflecting his achievements on the field.