Cricket

Archie Vaughan, the son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, is set to make his Under-19 Test debut against Sri Lanka next week. The 18-year-old top-order batter and offspinner has been named in a 14-man squad that includes several other familiar family connections.Rocky Flintoff, the son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, is also in the squad, as are Farhan Ahmed, the son of former Pakistan international Saqlain Mushtaq, and Jaydn Denly, the son of former England batsman Paul Denly.Vaughan has been part of Somerset's academy set-up since 2020 and signed his first professional contract with the county earlier this season. He has yet to make his Somerset first-team debut, but he made his mark at age-group level last week with an innings of 85 from 83 balls for a Young Lions Invitational XI in a warm-up match against the England U19 ODI squad.Flintoff Jr. top-scored for the England U19 ODI squad in that match with 106. Vaughan and Flintoff Sr. played alongside each other in 48 Tests between 1999 and 2008, and now their sons could begin their own partnership at age-group level in two Tests, at Wormsley on July 8-11, and Cheltenham on July 16-19.The team will be captained by Hamza Shaikh, who featured in two Youth Tests against Australia last year and is set to play against the touring West Indians in a Test warm-up at Beckenham this week. Shaikh has taken charge of Warwickshire's second XI on several occasions already this summer, during which time he has captained the likes of Chris Woakes, Liam Norwell, and Jake Lintott."They've helped me and given me more confidence in my leadership on and off the field, advising on bowling options and field placements," Shaikh told Warwickshire's website. "I like to think I'm a fairly calm guy and captaincy doesn't faze me. I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully coming away with a series win."The team will also feature several players who have already been in ODI action against Sri Lanka, including Kesh Fonseka, Noah Thain, and Freddie McCann, who made a matchwinning 174 from 139 balls at Hove on Monday.

West Indies' Stafanie Taylor and Afy Fletcher played pivotal roles in securing a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Hambantota, leveling the three-match series 1-1.Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 99 in 15 overs, Taylor's unbeaten 28 off 26 balls and Fletcher's four-wicket haul proved decisive. Taylor and captain Hayley Matthews provided a solid start with a 44-run partnership, keeping West Indies ahead of the DLS-par score.After Matthews' dismissal, Taylor anchored the chase, partnering with Shemaine Campbelle for 24 runs. Despite losing Campbelle, Qiana Joseph, and Chedean Nation, West Indies maintained a comfortable run rate. Aaliyah Alleyne sealed the victory with three boundaries in the penultimate over.Sri Lanka's innings was characterized by a slow start, with Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu scoring 44 runs in 6.5 overs. Fletcher's spin proved effective, dismissing Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama. Gunaratne's 24 off 35 was ended by a Fletcher googly.Dilhari's late cameo of 14 not out off six balls hinted at a potential counterattack, but rain intervened, ending the innings after 15.2 overs.West Indies' victory marks their first of the tour and sets up an intriguing decider in the final T20I.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews' absence due to illness has dealt a significant blow to the team's hopes of salvaging the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Matthews, who missed the second ODI in Hambantota, will also sit out the third and final match on June 21.Matthews' absence is a major setback for West Indies, who have already conceded the series 2-0. The 24-year-old all-rounder has been a key figure for the team in recent years, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2022 Women's World Cup.In the nine ODIs she has played since the start of 2023, Matthews has scored 519 runs at an average of 74.14, including three centuries. She has also taken 11 wickets, the joint-highest with Afy Fletcher.Matthews' absence will be particularly felt in the batting department, where West Indies have struggled in the series so far. In the second ODI, they were bowled out for just 92 runs, their lowest total in ODIs since 2019.Shemaine Campbelle, who led the team in Matthews' absence in the second ODI, is likely to continue as captain for the third match. However, West Indies will need to find a way to replace Matthews' all-round contributions if they are to avoid a whitewash.Cricket West Indies (CWI) has expressed hope that Matthews will recover in time for the three-match T20I series, which begins on June 24 at the same venue.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies witnessed a shocking turn of events as former champions Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and regular contenders New Zealand failed to advance to the Super Eight stage.Pakistan, alongside India, was expected to comfortably qualify from Group A. However, a Super Over loss to the host nation USA and a failed run chase against India left them one point short of qualification. Sri Lanka and New Zealand, on the other hand, found themselves in groups with multiple favorites. Sri Lanka was grouped with Bangladesh and South Africa, while New Zealand faced two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan.Subpar performances and tactical blunders contributed to the downfall of these heavyweights. Pakistan's benching of Tim Southee, the all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is, in a crucial encounter against Afghanistan proved costly. New Zealand's death-over bowling collapse against West Indies effectively eliminated them from the tournament after two losses in their opening games. Sri Lanka, after two losses and a No-Result against Nepal, finished third in their group with three points.The precarious nature of the pitches in the United States became a point of contention. Pakistan and Sri Lanka felt undone by the bizarre wicket at Nassau County Stadium in New York, believing that different circumstances could have yielded different results. Rain also played spoilsport, denying Sri Lanka and Pakistan their crucial fourth game, which may have altered their fortunes.Despite the setbacks for these established teams, the tournament has highlighted the rise of cricket in associate nations. The host USA defied expectations by beating Pakistan and qualifying for the Super Eight with five points, thanks to a spirited performance from Saurabh Netravalkar.

Gautam Gambhir's potential appointment as India's head coach has sparked speculation about the future of Shreyas Iyer's international career. Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL glory, could be in line for a recall to the national team for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in July-August.Gambhir, who mentored Iyer at KKR, is considered a strong contender for the India coach position. Under his guidance, Iyer flourished as a 50-over batter, amassing over 500 runs in the World Cup and averaging close to 50.Despite being dropped from BCCI's central contracts due to his absence from the Ranji Trophy, Iyer has maintained that a lower back injury prevented him from playing. However, his impressive performances in the IPL have kept him in contention for a national team recall.Sources within the BCCI have indicated that Iyer is not currently training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where young players are preparing for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. However, they believe that he has a strong chance of being selected for the ODI series against Sri Lanka.With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah expected to focus on ODIs and Tests, the T20I series against Zimbabwe could provide opportunities for new faces. IPL stars like Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed are likely to be included in the squad.If Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are not rested, they are expected to be named captain and vice-captain for the Zimbabwe tour. Both players have been in impressive form since the start of the IPL.

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign ended on a high note as they cruised to an 83-run victory over the Netherlands in their final Group D encounter. Despite being eliminated from Super Eight contention, the 2014 champions showcased their batting prowess, posting a formidable total of 201 for six.Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka led the charge for Sri Lanka, both scoring 46 runs. Mendis' innings was a steady accumulation of boundaries, while Asalanka's knock was a whirlwind of sixes and fours. The duo took advantage of the strong crosswinds at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia to propel their team to the first 200-plus total in a T20 International at the venue.The Netherlands' chase started brightly, with openers Max O'Dowd and Michael Levitt putting on a 45-run partnership. However, the innings fell apart after O'Dowd's dismissal, with Nuwan Thushara claiming three wickets to reduce the Dutch to 69 for four.News of Bangladesh's victory over Nepal, which secured their spot in the Super Eight, further dampened the Netherlands' spirits. Sri Lanka capitalized on the deflated Dutch team, bowling them out for 118 in 16.4 overs.Edwards and Levitt top-scored for the Netherlands with 31 runs each, but the Sri Lankan bowling attack proved too strong. Thushara was the standout performer, claiming three wickets for 24 runs.Despite their early exit from the tournament, Sri Lanka's victory over the Netherlands provided a glimmer of hope for the future. The team showed glimpses of their potential, and with a young and talented squad, they will be looking to make a stronger impact in future ICC events.

Sri Lanka vs Netherlands: A Clash of Pride and Motivation in T20 World Cup 2024The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to witness a thrilling encounter between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands on Monday, June 17. Both teams, placed in Group D, will be eager to salvage some pride and momentum in their final match of the tournament.Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, have endured a disappointing campaign, marred by off-field controversies and poor on-field performances. Despite their early exit from the Super Eight round, the Lankans will be determined to end their tournament on a high note.On the other hand, the Netherlands have exceeded expectations in this tournament, winning two out of three matches. However, they find themselves on the brink of elimination due to the tight competition in Group D. A victory against Sri Lanka would not only boost their morale but also keep their slim hopes of advancing alive.The match will be played at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, starting at 6:00 AM IST. The toss will take place at 5:30 AM IST.Key Players to Watch:* Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga* Netherlands: Scott Edwards (captain), Max O'Dowd, Bas de LeedeMatch Preview:Sri Lanka will be desperate to prove their worth and restore some pride after a forgettable tournament. They will rely on their experienced players like Shanaka and Nissanka to lead the charge. However, the Netherlands have shown great resilience and determination throughout the tournament. They will be confident of upsetting Sri Lanka and securing a memorable victory.The match promises to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams having something to prove. Sri Lanka will be eager to avoid further embarrassment, while the Netherlands will be determined to make a statement and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

The Netherlands and Sri Lanka face off in a crucial Group B encounter at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Gros Islet, with both teams seeking a much-needed victory.For Sri Lanka, this tournament has been a disappointment, with a washout against Nepal and a heavy defeat to Bangladesh leaving them on the brink of elimination. The team's confidence has been shaken, and they face an uphill battle to qualify for the Super Eight.The Netherlands, on the other hand, still have a chance to advance, but they need a dominant win against Sri Lanka and a Nepal victory over Bangladesh. This scenario would be a testament to the growing strength of Associate members in T20 cricket.Sri Lanka has a perfect 9-0 record against the Netherlands in limited-overs cricket, but their recent encounters have been closer than the scorecards suggest. The Dutch have impressed with their spin bowling, and Aryan Dutt could be a key player in Gros Islet.Angelo Mathews, a veteran of Sri Lanka's 2009 T20 World Cup triumph, is under pressure to adapt to the modern game's aggressive approach. The team's power-hitters are currently limited to the top three, and Mathews needs to step up to provide support.The pitch at Gros Islet is expected to favor spin bowling, and both teams may consider fielding an extra spinner. The Netherlands could bring in Saqib Zulfiqar, while Sri Lanka may hand Dunith Wellalage a T20I debut.The weather forecast suggests a possibility of rain later in the night, which could impact the match.

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage. Angelo Mathews, the team's most experienced player, expressed his heartfelt apology to the nation for their dismal performance.The Lankans lost both their completed matches, against South Africa and Bangladesh, and had their fixture against Nepal washed out. Their early exit marks a decade since they last reached the semi-finals of a men's T20 World Cup.Mathews acknowledged the logistical challenges faced by the team, with their group games scheduled at four different venues. However, he emphasized that these factors should not be used as excuses."We've let the entire nation down and we are really sorry because we've let ourselves down. We never expected this," Mathews said. "We came across a lot of challenges but those are not something to worry about. It's unfortunate that we didn't make the second round."Despite their elimination, Mathews stressed the importance of playing for pride in their final match against Netherlands. He warned against underestimating their opponents, citing Nepal's near-victory over South Africa."We can't take any given team lightly," Mathews said. "We saw Nepal almost beat South Africa yesterday. It's unfortunate that our Nepal game was washed out, but it is what it is. We have just one more game in the tournament and we'll play for our pride."Mathews expressed frustration over the team's inability to replicate their recent T20I series wins. He acknowledged that they had not done justice to their capabilities."That's something we regret because [with] the way we played Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh in Bangladesh, I thought we didn't do justice to our capabilities in this tournament," Mathews said. "When you come into a World Cup, you can't take any team lightly but unfortunately, the way we played against those teams just before the World Cup, and then once we came back here and the way we played, obviously the wickets were quite different but we didn't do justice to ourselves."