Cricket

Sri Lanka and West Indies will face off in the second ODI of a three-match series in Pallekele on Wednesday, with the hosts aiming to secure a white-ball series double. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the rain-hit ODI opener on Monday, while West Indies will be determined to force a decider in the final match on Saturday.Sri Lanka's squad boasts a blend of experience and youth, with Kusal Mendis leading the charge as captain. Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka provide stability in the batting lineup, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana offer spin options.West Indies, on the other hand, will rely on the experience of Shai Hope, who will captain the side. Brandon King, Keacy Carty, and Sherfane Rutherford form a formidable batting unit, while Alzarri Joseph and Hayden Walsh provide pace and spin, respectively.The first ODI was a closely contested affair, with Sri Lanka ultimately prevailing by 1 wicket. West Indies will be eager to level the series and force a decider, while Sri Lanka will be determined to seal the series victory.The match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, which has hosted numerous memorable matches in the past. The pitch is expected to be conducive to both batting and bowling, promising an exciting contest.

Sri Lanka's dominance continued as they secured a resounding five-wicket victory in the rain-affected first ODI against the West Indies in Pallekele. Captain Charith Asalanka and debutant Nishan Madushka played pivotal roles with impressive half-centuries.Chasing a revised target of 232 in 37 overs, Sri Lanka faced an early setback, losing three wickets for 45 runs. However, Asalanka's arrival at the crease sparked a remarkable turnaround. He forged a formidable partnership with Madushka, amassing 137 runs for the fourth wicket at a rapid pace.Both Asalanka and Madushka reached their half-centuries in just 44 balls, showcasing their exceptional batting prowess. Madushka, who has previously played 10 Test matches, seized the opportunity to replace injured opener Pathum Nissanka, the leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2024."I am glad that he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands," Asalanka said. "It is good to have healthy competition in the side."The West Indies had posted a respectable 183 for four in 38.3 overs before rain interrupted their innings. However, their spinners struggled to grip the wet ball, giving Sri Lanka an advantage."We were really tested by the conditions," West Indies skipper Shai Hope said. "Particularly for the spinners, the wet ball was quite challenging."Gudakesh Motie eventually broke the Asalanka-Madushka partnership, with Brandon King taking a sharp catch at slip. But by then, Sri Lanka had gained a significant advantage.Madushka departed for 69 off 54 balls, while Asalanka fell for a brilliant 77 off 71 balls, both victims of Motie's bowling. Despite Motie's three wickets, the challenging conditions hindered his impact.Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage guided Sri Lanka to victory with ease.Earlier, the West Indies faced challenges against Sri Lanka's spinners. However, Sherfane Rutherford's career-best 74 not out, supported by Roston Chase, helped the visitors recover with an unbroken 85-run partnership for the fifth wicket.Sri Lanka's victory gives them a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. They had previously come from behind to win the T20 series 2-1, marking their first series win over the West Indies in the shortest format.

The first ODI between Sri Lanka XI and West Indies XI commenced with West Indies winning the toss and electing to bat first. The pitch report by Russel Arnold indicated a dry surface with visible cracks, favoring batting first.West Indies openers Brandon King and Alick Athanaze began cautiously, facing the new ball from Asitha Fernando and Janith Liyanage. However, King soon found his rhythm, hitting a boundary off Fernando in the second over.Sri Lanka's spinners, Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga, were introduced early on. Wellalage troubled Carty with his variations, while Hasaranga struck in his first over, dismissing King with a googly that cleaned up his stumps.Athanaze and Carty steadied the innings, rotating the strike and picking up occasional boundaries. However, Wellalage continued to impress, finding the edge of Carty's bat in the eighth over.As the innings progressed, the Sri Lankan bowlers maintained a tight line and length, restricting the West Indies batters from scoring freely. Liyanage and Jeffrey Vandersay bowled economically, while Hasaranga and Wellalage picked up wickets at regular intervals.Carty top-scored for West Indies with 34 runs, while Athanaze contributed 22. The West Indies XI was eventually bowled out for 156 runs in 38.2 overs.For Sri Lanka, Wellalage was the standout performer with figures of 3/25, while Hasaranga claimed 2/28. Liyanage and Vandersay also chipped in with wickets.

West Indies Opt to Bat First in ODI Series Opener Against Sri LankaIn the first of three ODIs at Pallekele, West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka. The decision came after Sri Lanka's 2-1 victory in the T20I leg of the tour.Hope expressed his team's determination to put the T20 series disappointment behind them, while Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka also indicated his preference for batting first.Sri Lanka's team features three spinners in Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Dunith Wellalage, along with Asitha Fernando as the lone seamer. Janith Liyanage provides additional medium-pace options. Notably, star opener Pathum Nissanka is absent due to a quadricep injury, with Nishan Madushka making his ODI debut in his place.West Indies have also opted for an additional spin option in leg-spinner Hayden Walsh, joining Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase. Alick Athanaze offers another spin option, while Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, and Romario Shepherd provide seam bowling.The Pallekele pitch has traditionally favored seam bowling, but its current dry condition with visible tracks suggests that spin will play a significant role. However, the slow turn expected may encourage batters to work the outfielders on the spacious ground.Sri Lanka XI:* Nishan Madushka* Kusal Mendis (wk)* Avishka Fernando* Kamindu Mendis* Charith Asalanka (capt)* Sadeera Samarawickrama* Janith Liyanage* Wanindu Hasaranga* Dunith Wellalage* Jeffrey Vandersay* Asitha FernandoWest Indies XI:* Brandon King* Alick Athanaze* Shai Hope (capt, wk)* Keacy Carty* Sherfane Rutherford* Roston Chase* Romario Shepherd* Hayden Walsh* Gudakesh Motie* Jayden Seales* Alzarri Joseph

In a remarkable turn of events, former South African batter and current batting coach Jean-Paul Duminy took to the field as a substitute fielder during the final ODI against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates. The unusual occurrence stemmed from the intense heat, which forced several regular South African players to leave the field due to fatigue.Duminy, now 40 years old, last played for South Africa in 2019. However, his fielding skills remained sharp as he made an impressive one-handed save in the 50th and final over of Ireland's innings. Irish batter Harry Tector mistimed a reverse sweep, and Duminy, positioned at short third-man, reacted swiftly to prevent a boundary.Duminy's fielding prowess was a testament to his exceptional abilities during his playing days. He was known for his agility and quick reflexes, making him a valuable asset to the South African team.The match itself saw Ireland post a respectable 284 in 50 overs, led by captain Paul Stirling's 88 off 92 balls. In response, South Africa struggled to keep up, losing three early wickets. Jason Smith provided some resistance with a valiant 91 off 93 balls, but Ireland ultimately secured a convincing 69-run victory.Duminy's appearance as a substitute fielder highlighted the challenges faced by players in the extreme heat of the UAE. It also showcased the versatility and dedication of the South African coaching staff, who are willing to go the extra mile to support their team.

Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins will lead the team in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, while Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head will miss the three-match contest due to paternity leave. Cummins will prepare for the Test summer by gaining match experience in the 50-over format.The 14-man squad announced on Monday includes Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, but the bowling attack is likely to be rotated as both bowlers aim to play at least one Sheffield Shield match before the ODIs. Marcus Stoinis returns to the ODI side after a hiatus since the 2023 World Cup, while Josh Inglis is the sole wicketkeeper in the squad.The absence of Head and Marsh opens up opportunities for new opening combinations, with Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk likely to partner throughout the series. Cooper Connolly, who made his ODI debut in England, is the only player named in both the ODI and Australia A squads.Australia's ODI series against Pakistan will serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February. The team will aim to build on their successful ODI campaign in the UK, where they overcame illness and injury challenges.

Suryakumar Yadav's Hilarious Hindi Interrogation of Bowling Coach Morne MorkelAhead of the second ODI between India and Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a lighthearted video on Twitter featuring a comical exchange between captain Suryakumar Yadav and bowling coach Morne Morkel.In the video, Yadav playfully teases Morkel by peppering him with questions in Hindi, much to the amusement of the team. Yadav's persistent inquiries leave Morkel struggling to form coherent responses, resulting in a burst of laughter from both men."Kya hua? Bolo. (What happened? Tell me,)" Yadav asks repeatedly, while Morkel attempts to compose a suitable reply. The moment culminates in Morkel turning to the camera with a grin and jokingly saying, "You cut that out," as Yadav continues to chuckle in the background.Morkel's appointment as India's bowling coach marks a significant milestone in his coaching career. After a successful stint as a player for South Africa, he has now transitioned into a coaching role, guiding the Indian team's bowling attack.Morkel's expertise and experience have been instrumental in India's recent success in the shortest format of the game. He has played a pivotal role in developing the team's bowling strategies and nurturing the skills of young bowlers.The video shared by the BCCI provides a glimpse into the camaraderie and lighthearted atmosphere within the Indian team. It highlights the bond between Yadav and Morkel, who have quickly established a strong working relationship.As India prepares for the second ODI against Bangladesh, the team will undoubtedly draw inspiration from the positive and supportive environment that has been fostered within the squad. The video serves as a reminder that even in the midst of intense competition, there is always room for laughter and camaraderie.

Mahmudullah Retires from T20Is, Citing Focus on ODIsVeteran Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), effective after the third and final match of the ongoing series against India. The 38-year-old made the announcement at a pre-match press conference ahead of the second T20I in Delhi.Mahmudullah, who made his international debut in 2007, has been a mainstay in Bangladesh's T20I setup for over a decade. He has played 139 T20Is, scoring 2,213 runs at an average of 22.13 and taking 92 wickets with his off-spin bowling. He has also captained Bangladesh in 35 T20Is."Yes, I'm retiring from T20Is after the last game of this series. It was pre-decided," Mahmudullah said. "It's the right time to move on from this format and concentrate on ODI."Mahmudullah's decision to retire from T20Is comes as no surprise, as he has been struggling for form in recent times. He has not scored a half-century in his last 10 T20I innings and has taken only two wickets in his last five matches.However, Mahmudullah remains a key player for Bangladesh in ODIs. He has played 232 ODIs, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 33.14 and taking 153 wickets. He is also Bangladesh's most successful ODI captain, having led the team to 43 victories in 73 matches.Mahmudullah's retirement from T20Is will be a significant loss for Bangladesh, but it will also allow him to focus on his ODI career and help Bangladesh qualify for the 2023 World Cup.

Sanath Jayasuriya, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, has been appointed as the permanent head coach of the Sri Lankan men's cricket team until the conclusion of the 2026 T20 World Cup. This decision comes after Jayasuriya's impressive performance as interim coach since early July.Under Jayasuriya's guidance, Sri Lanka has achieved significant victories in recent months. They secured their first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years, defeated England in a Test match away from home for the first time in a decade, and whitewashed New Zealand 2-0 in home Tests. These results have boosted Sri Lanka's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.Sri Lanka Cricket's Executive Committee stated that Jayasuriya's appointment was based on the team's strong performances under his interim leadership. This is Jayasuriya's first major coaching role, and he has emphasized the importance of creating an environment where players feel free to express themselves.Jayasuriya's previous involvement with the Sri Lankan team was as chief selector, a position he held twice. However, he was banned for two years by the ICC for violating its anti-corruption code.Jayasuriya's first assignment as head coach will be the upcoming limited-overs matches against West Indies in Dambulla and Pallekele. The team will be looking to continue their winning ways under his leadership and secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.