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.

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.

In their sole warm-up match before the three-Test series against England, Sri Lanka face an uphill battle to salvage the game after conceding a substantial first-innings deficit to an inexperienced England Lions team in Worcester.Sri Lanka's batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a paltry 139 in just 43.5 overs, with no batter managing to reach 30. Gloucestershire's Zaman Akhter wreaked havoc, claiming 5 for 32, his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.The Lions gained a slender six-run lead heading into the second day, losing four wickets on the opening evening, three of them to Prabath Jayasuriya's left-arm spin. However, by the time rain intervened, the Lions had extended their lead to 185.Hamza Shaikh, the 18-year-old Warwickshire batter making his first-class debut, impressed with a gritty 91 from No. 4. He forged a crucial 104-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Kasey Aldridge, the Somerset allrounder, who contributed 78.Jayasuriya emerged as the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with 5 for 102 from 31.2 overs. Kasun Rajitha chipped in with 2 for 51, but Lahiru Kumara proved expensive, conceding 92 runs from 18 overs and only dismissing tailender Ajeet Singh Dale.The Lions fielded a depleted side, featuring two first-class debutants in Shaikh and Farhan Ahmed. The ECB withdrew only one player, Josh Hull, from the Hundred, which has attracted most of England's top young talent.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have not played a Test since their tour of Bangladesh in April, and most of their squad have not featured in first-class cricket since the domestic four-day tournament concluded in early May. Vishwa Fernando, who is not playing against the Lions, claimed 12 wickets in two appearances for Yorkshire in June.Sri Lanka's 18-man squad will travel to Manchester after the tour game for the first of three Tests against England, starting on Wednesday at Emirates Old Trafford. Former England batter Ian Bell will join them as a batting coach, providing local knowledge for the series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined the International Cricket Council's (ICC) request to host the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in October due to monsoon season and the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup in 2023.The ICC is now considering alternative venues, with Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as potential hosts. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 3-20.The decision to rule out India as a host stems from concerns about the monsoon season, which could disrupt matches, and the BCCI's desire to avoid hosting consecutive World Cups."They [ICC] have asked us if we would conduct the World Cup. I have categorically said no," BCCI Secretary Jay Shah told Times of India. "We're in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the Women's ODI World Cup next year. I don't want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups."The ICC is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh, which was originally scheduled to host the tournament. However, recent violence and security challenges have raised concerns about the safety of participants."The ICC is closely monitoring developments in co-ordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB], their security agencies and our own independent security consultants," an ICC statement said. "Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants."The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing a crisis, with its president and former sports minister Nazmul Hassan effectively out of office since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Several board directors have also been incommunicado.The BCCI has not yet spoken to the new Bangladesh authorities but plans to reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is considered important for India's preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.In other news, VVS Laxman's tenure as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will be extended. Laxman's current contract expires in September, but BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that he will continue in the role.

Umpires Admit Error in Not Enforcing Super Over in Sri Lanka-India ODIIn a surprising turn of events, match officials involved in the tied first ODI between Sri Lanka and India have acknowledged that they mistakenly failed to enforce a Super Over as per the International Cricket Council's (ICC) playing conditions.According to ESPNcricinfo, the on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Raveendra Wimalasiri, along with match referee Ranjan Madugalle, TV umpire Paul Reiffel, and fourth umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, have internally admitted to misinterpreting the ODI playing conditions. The rules clearly state that in the event of a tie, teams must contest a Super Over to determine a winner.While there was initial confusion over whether the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the tour allowed for a Super Over, it has since been clarified that all tied ODIs will feature a Super Over, provided time and conditions permit.Despite the tie, neither team inquired about the absence of the Super Over, and the players immediately shook hands. However, questions quickly arose on social media, prompting the match officials to review their decision.The latest edition of the ODI playing conditions, released by the ICC in December 2023, explicitly states: "If the teams' scores are equal after both innings have been completed, then a Super Over shall be played. If the Super Over is a tie, then unless exceptional circumstances arise subsequent Super Overs shall be played until there is a winner. Should it not be possible to play or to complete the Super Overs needed to determine a winner, the match shall be tied."It is understood that Madugalle, Wilson, and Wimalasiri did not initially discuss any specific reason for not enforcing the Super Over. However, after further discussions, they decided to activate the Super Over in case of another tie in the remaining two ODIs of the three-match series, which Sri Lanka eventually won 2-0.In the match in question, India needed five runs from the final three overs, with two wickets in hand, to chase down the target of 231. Shivam Dube managed a four, but India lost consecutive wickets in the 48th over, resulting in the tie.The admission of error by the match officials highlights the importance of adhering to the established playing conditions to ensure fair and consistent outcomes in cricket matches.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as Team India's head coach has witnessed a contrasting start, marked by a dominant T20I series victory over Sri Lanka followed by a disappointing ODI series loss.In the T20I series, India under Gambhir's leadership showcased their prowess, securing a 3-0 sweep against Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav emerged as a key performer, showcasing his exceptional batting skills. However, the euphoria was short-lived as Sri Lanka bounced back in the ODI series, claiming a 2-0 victory.The ODI series exposed India's batting frailties on turning pitches, despite the presence of star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa attributed the team's struggles to the departure of Rahul Dravid as head coach, leaving a significant void to fill.Uthappa expressed confidence in Gambhir's ability to guide India to continued success, particularly in the T20 format. He highlighted Gambhir's leadership qualities, tactical acumen, and ability to create a positive team environment."He's always been someone who thrives under pressure and has consistently sought out big stages to deliver. As far as I'm concerned, I see the same qualities in him as a leader within this group," Uthappa said.India's next challenge lies in a series against Bangladesh, commencing on September 19. The tour will feature two Tests and three T20Is, providing Gambhir with an opportunity to further shape the team's performance and establish his coaching credentials.

India's ODI Series Loss to Sri Lanka Sparks Banter Between Wasim Jaffer and Michael VaughanFormer Indian batter Wasim Jaffer and ex-England captain Michael Vaughan have engaged in a witty exchange on social media following India's defeat in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.Vaughan initiated the banter by inquiring about the series result, prompting Jaffer to respond with a tongue-in-cheek comparison to England's dismal Test record in Australia."I'll put it in Ashes terms for you Michael. Ind won as many games in that series as the Tests Eng have won in Aus in last 12 years," Jaffer tweeted.India had begun their tour of Sri Lanka with a dominant 3-0 victory in the T20I series. However, the ODI leg proved to be a different story, with Sri Lanka emerging victorious under the leadership of new captain Charith Asalanka and the guidance of coach Sanath Jayasuriya.The opening ODI ended in a thrilling tie, setting the stage for an exciting series. India suffered a 32-run defeat in the second ODI while chasing a target of 240.The decisive blow came in the final ODI, where Sri Lanka convincingly defeated India by 110 runs, successfully defending a total of 248. This marked a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, as it was their first ODI series triumph over India since 1997.Jaffer's witty response to Vaughan's initial query highlights the friendly rivalry between the two former cricketers. Their social media banter has become a source of entertainment for cricket fans, who appreciate the good-natured humor and camaraderie between the two legends.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has weighed in on Virat Kohli's performance in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, which India lost 2-0. Karthik believes that there is no cause for concern about Kohli's form, considering the challenging conditions faced by all Indian batsmen on pitches that heavily favored spinners.The Indian batting lineup encountered significant difficulties while playing at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Sri Lankan spinners dominated the proceedings, exploiting the conducive conditions to their advantage. Out of the 30 Indian wickets that fell during the three-match series, an astonishing 27 were claimed by the hosts' spin bowlers, highlighting their effectiveness on the turning tracks.This series loss marks the first time in 27 years that India has been defeated by Sri Lanka in a bilateral ODI series. Karthik, however, believes that the team can take some positives from the experience."It's been a tough pitch to play spin in this series, let's admit that first. Be it Virat Kohli, be it Rohit Sharma, or be it anyone else. With the slightly semi-new ball between overs about 8 to 30, it's been hard work (for batters)," Karthik said in a video on Cricbuzz."It's nothing to worry about. Not too many pitches work that way, but it's been a tough pitch to play spinners. I'm not going to defend Virat Kohli here, but I can tell you that playing spin was very hard," he added.Karthik also emphasized the positives for India from the series, which they can leverage in the future, particularly in the lead-up to the 2025 Champions Trophy."The biggest positive is the fact that India played all-rounders and bravely attacked. So that is something I really like, that is one. Number two, Riyan Parag, in his limited opportunities, is showing what he can do with the ball, which is again a small plus for us," Karthik said."Other than that, I think Rohit's batting is itself. The way he starts in powerplay. He is making batting look too easy in the series. Batted beautifully. These were the positives for me from this series," he added.Karthik also discussed why Indian batters struggle when facing spin on slow pitches."When you first end up playing international cricket, you end up playing a lot more quality fast-bowling. But the truth is, when every team ends up playing three fast-bowlers, and at times, four of them with just one spinner or sometimes two, we play on slow turning pitches, which doesn't happen too often," Karthik said."So, when you come from domestic cricket and go into international cricket, you focus on playing fast-bowling and hence, it is understandable of players losing their quality to play spin bowling over a period of time," he added.Karthik concluded by suggesting changes to the IPL mega auction system ahead of the 2025 season."I feel four to five (retentions) is a good number, but one or two Right to Match is also a very good option. But one small change in the Right to Match option is, once the player is bid for and the right to match option is used, I think bidding can still go on," Karthik said."If the team which has won the first bid believe they have something in their kitty to bid for that player, in that way, the player will get fair money, and the bidding has to happen between the team which has used the Right to match, and the team which has bid for him until then to get that player," he added.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team began with a promising 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in the T20Is. However, the team suffered a setback in the subsequent 50-over format, losing the three-match series 2-0.The conditions in the one-dayers were challenging, with spin-friendly surfaces making batting progressively difficult. While some argue that such pitches are outliers and should not be overanalyzed, the reverses in the ODIs may serve as a timely wake-up call for the team management.Gambhir's vision for the team emphasizes the development of all-rounders and the ability of batters to bowl. Players like Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have been given opportunities to roll their arms over. In last year's 50-over World Cup, India's lack of genuine all-rounders, aside from Ravindra Jadeja, left them with a long tail. In this series, India's batting depth extended to eight and even nine in the final one-dayer, with the inclusion of all-rounders Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Riyan Parag.Another notable aspect of the tour was the preference for having a left-handed and right-handed batter in the middle as much as possible. However, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will be maintained in the future.Individually, Washington and Parag impressed with their bowling. Parag was effective in the T20s and on his one-day debut, mixing his off- and leg-breaks well. Washington, the Player-of-the-Series in Zimbabwe, continued his fine form, providing vital breakthroughs in the one-dayers.Shivam Dube was given a sustained run in this series to assess his potential as a backup for Hardik Pandya. While his bowling was decent, his inability to close out games with the bat was a disappointment. Known for his ability to hit spinners, Dube failed to do so in the challenging conditions.Rishabh Pant's return to the one-day set-up in the final game came two years after his life-threatening accident but lasted only nine deliveries. For now, it seems that K.L. Rahul, who has been impressive as a middle-order batter in recent years, will continue to don the wicketkeeping gloves.A major concern for the coaching staff is the team's inability to find a reliable third seamer. Arshdeep Singh was unimpressive in the two games, and the team could not try out Khaleel Ahmed or Harshit Rana.India would have wanted to shore up its resources for a few slots in an otherwise settled one-day set-up. The results, though, were mixed, and management will have plenty to ponder in the near future.