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.

Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz once again proved his mettle, rescuing his team from a precarious position against South Africa on the third morning of the Mirpur Test. After losing three wickets in the first 30 minutes, Mehidy and Jaker Ali forged an unbroken 89-run partnership for the seventh wicket, bringing Bangladesh within one run of making South Africa bat again.Mehidy and Jaker's resilience stemmed from their unwavering focus on playing simple shots and avoiding unnecessary risks. Despite the persistent threat posed by Kagiso Rabada, who had already claimed four wickets by lunch, the duo remained composed and determined.Rabada's early strikes in the fourth over of the morning had put Bangladesh on the back foot. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had looked solid on the second day, chased a wide delivery and edged it to first slip for 40. Mushfiqur Rahim, another experienced batsman, fell in a similar fashion to his first-innings dismissal, leaving a gap between bat and pad as Rabada angled the ball into him.Keshav Maharaj then accounted for Litton Das, who made only 7 after failing to score in the first innings. Captain Aiden Markram's last-second decision to review the dismissal proved fruitful, as replays showed an edge from Litton's shoulder.However, South Africa's early success did not translate into further breakthroughs in the remainder of the session. Mehidy's elegant cover drives off Rabada and Wiaan Mulder set the tone for his partnership with Jaker, who swept Maharaj for his first boundary. Mehidy launched Dane Piedt over long-off for his first six and punished Maharaj for two fours in the 49th over.Jaker also contributed with a boundary through extra cover off Piedt, and the pair reached a 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Mehidy and Jaker continued to frustrate South Africa, taking four runs each off Rabada in his second spell with square-cuts and pull shots.As the session drew to a close, Bangladesh were just one run away from making South Africa bat again. Mehidy and Jaker's partnership had not only saved their team from a potential innings defeat but had also given them a glimmer of hope for a positive result in the Test.

Dale Steyn, the legendary South African fast bowler, will join Andrew Flintoff's coaching staff for the England Lions tour of South Africa next month. Steyn, who retired from international cricket in 2019, will work with some of England's most promising young fast bowlers, including Pat Brown, Josh Hull, and Dillon Pennington.The Lions tour, which will run from November 20 to December 14, will consist of a training camp and a four-day match against South Africa A. The squad includes ten seamers, reflecting England's focus on developing fast bowlers.Steyn, who took 439 wickets in his Test career, will provide invaluable guidance to the young bowlers. He is known for his exceptional pace, accuracy, and swing bowling. His experience and expertise will be crucial in helping the Lions bowlers improve their skills and reach their full potential.Neil McKenzie, the former South Africa batter, will oversee the Lions' batting group. McKenzie, who has worked with the South Africa national team and Desert Vipers, will provide mentorship and support to the young batsmen.The Lions tour is part of the ECB's ongoing commitment to developing young players and building a strong pipeline of talent for the England team. The ECB's performance director, Ed Barney, said that the seam-dominated squad reflects "England's short and long-term needs" across formats.The Lions tour will provide a valuable opportunity for the young players to gain experience in South African conditions and learn from some of the best coaches in the world. It is expected to be a significant step in their development as they aim to represent England in the future.

Cameron Bancroft's Test recall hopes suffered another setback as he failed for the fourth consecutive time in the Sheffield Shield season. However, Josh Inglis continued to impress, while Hilton Cartwright guided Western Australia to a six-wicket victory over Tasmania at the WACA.Chasing a modest target of 83 on the final day, Bancroft had a chance to boost his confidence after scoring just eight runs in his previous three innings. However, he struggled against the probing bowling of Riley Meredith and Kieran Elliott, miscuing a pull shot to fine leg for just two runs."He's pretty good to be honest...keeping things really simple," said WA captain Sam Whiteman of Bancroft. "I think it's a matter of time. Each fail...he's one closer to a big score. He's a pretty positive guy."WA's chase hit a snag as they slumped to 18 for 4, with Whiteman, Mitchell Marsh, and Aaron Hardie falling to Elliott. Inglis and Cartwright then steadied the ship with a quick half-century partnership, guiding WA to victory. Inglis finished unbeaten on 26 from 36 balls, while Cartwright remained not out on 39 from 50 balls.Cartwright's performance was particularly remarkable as he had to leave the ground at tea on day two when his wife went into labor. He returned on day three to resume his innings on 52 after the birth of his second child.Tasmania's innings ended quickly on day four, with Brody Couch claiming his fourth wicket of the innings to trap Meredith in front. Couch finished with match figures of 7 for 83, touching speeds of 143kph.

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign has suffered a major setback as star batsman Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss the upcoming match against Tripura due to a shoulder injury. The injury comes as a blow to Iyer's comeback aspirations after a lengthy absence from the game due to a back injury.Iyer, who scored a century in Mumbai's last Ranji match against Maharashtra, had expressed concerns about his body's ability to withstand the rigors of consecutive matches. He emphasized the need to prioritize his physical well-being, stating, "I have to listen to my body because I know the amount of threshold I've carried over the last few years."The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that Iyer did not travel with the team to Agartala for the Tripura match. The injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Iyer, who underwent back surgery in London in 2022.Despite his recent return to form, Iyer has lost his place in the Indian team in both Test and T20 formats. He had hoped to earn a national comeback with strong performances in domestic cricket, but the shoulder injury has put those plans on hold.Iyer admitted that he had been fearful of his back injury flaring up again, but assured that he had trained extensively to improve his fitness. He also acknowledged that he had been perceived as shirking the longer format, but emphasized that he had addressed that issue by playing seven consecutive first-class matches.The 29-year-old stressed the importance of managing his body wisely, stating, "I have to be smart in terms of what decisions I make. I need to see to it that my body is in the best shape possible."Iyer's absence will be a significant loss for Mumbai, who are looking to build on their impressive start to the Ranji Trophy season. The team will now have to rely on other batsmen to step up and fill the void left by their star player.

Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional left-arm spin, combined with his fielding prowess and batting contributions, has solidified his position as India's premier Test spinner. With the Pune pitch expected to favor spinners significantly more than the Bengaluru surface, New Zealand may opt to include Mitchell Santner in their playing XI.According to Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach, there is optimism that Rishabh Pant will be fit to resume wicketkeeping duties in the second Test after sustaining a knee injury in the series opener. However, a selection battle is brewing between middle-order batters KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, with head coach Gautam Gambhir keen on giving Rahul an extended run.India's team selection remains a closely guarded secret, with the home side keeping their cards close to their chest. The team is eager to bounce back from their 0-1 deficit in the three-match series, not only to level the series but also to maintain their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.

Virat Kohli's 'Shot of the Century': A Moment Etched in Cricket HistoryTwo years ago, on this day, the cricketing world witnessed a moment of brilliance that would forever be etched in the annals of the sport. Virat Kohli, the Indian batting maestro, executed one of the most stunning shots in cricket history during the India vs Pakistan match at the 2022 T20 World Cup.With India in a precarious position, needing 28 runs off just eight balls, Kohli's performance became a beacon of hope. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was bowling exceptionally well, but Kohli turned the tide by smashing two sixes off his deliveries.The first was a breathtaking back-foot punch that soared down the ground, a moment that captured the hearts of fans and analysts alike. However, it was the second six, a tennis-like shot out of the park, that mesmerized every eye.Kohli's unbeaten 83 runs off 52 balls proved pivotal as India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over their arch-rivals. The shot, dubbed the 'Shot of the Century' by the ICC, became an instant sensation, showcasing Kohli's exceptional talent and unwavering determination.Haris Rauf himself later acknowledged Kohli's extraordinary talent, stating in an interview, "That was his class and the kind of shots that he plays, and the two sixes that he hit, I don't think any other player could hit those kind of shots."Kohli's shot not only won India the match but also cemented his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. It was a moment that transcended cricket, becoming a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions around the world.

Australia's search for a Test opener against India has taken an unexpected turn, with New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd suggesting that white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis should be considered alongside prodigy Sam Konstas.Inglis, 29, has been in impressive form in the Sheffield Shield this season, scoring two centuries and averaging over 50. Despite never having opened in first-class cricket, Shipperd believes Inglis' aggressive style and international experience make him a viable candidate."I'd have Inglis and Konstas in the conversation as one-two, two-one, and let the Australian selectors mull over those two," Shipperd said. "His performances for Australia have been first-class, and I think they're looking for a style of player at the top of the order, and Inglis may fit that brief."However, Inglis' lack of experience as an opener remains a concern. He has only batted above No. 6 in first-class cricket, and his highest score in that position is 122.Konstas, on the other hand, has shown promise as an opener, becoming the third-youngest player to score twin centuries in a Shield game. Shipperd believes Konstas has the skills and temperament to succeed at the highest level."He's really poised and balanced. Anytime you get through the first 25 overs of a Victorian attack with a new ball that shows you've got something," Shipperd said.Despite Konstas' impressive start, Shipperd acknowledges that he may benefit from more time in Shield cricket before making his Test debut."I'm not sure. That's a very good question, though," Shipperd said. "Yes, he was made to wait. So whether that made him or he was already made anyway, because he was scoring multiple hundreds across the course of that journey between him not being selected and then finally selected, I think at around 21.""But Sam, I do see a lot of that skill level and that poise at the crease, shots on both sides of the wicket, in front of the wicket, behind the wicket. I think he's got what it takes."The Australian selectors will have a tough decision to make when choosing their openers for the first Test against India. Inglis' experience and aggressive style could be a valuable asset, while Konstas' potential and impressive start in Shield cricket make him an intriguing option.

Left-Arm Spinners Dominate India-New Zealand Test SeriesLeft-arm finger spin has emerged as a dominant force in the ongoing India-New Zealand Test series, with four left-arm spinners featuring in the first Test in Bengaluru. Ravindra Jadeja, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, and Kuldeep Yadav all played significant roles, highlighting the effectiveness of this bowling style against right-handed batters.Left-arm finger spinners possess the ability to bowl attacking lines around the wicket, bringing LBW into play. They can also employ negative tactics by bowling over the wicket and outside leg-stump, as seen in the famous examples of Ashley Giles against Sachin Tendulkar and Nilesh Kulkarni against Delhi.This advantage has made Ravindra Jadeja India's first-choice Test spinner, due to his smartness, fielding, and batting contributions. In the first Test, none of the four left-arm spinners were economical, indicating the challenging conditions for spinners.Despite having another left-arm spinner in Axar Patel, India has added off-spinner Washington Sundar to their squad for the second Test in Pune. This move is aimed at countering the four left-handers in the New Zealand team, as off-spinners can take the ball away from them.New Zealand may also consider playing Mitchell Santner in Pune, given the expected spin-friendly conditions. Indian batsmen have historically struggled against unfancied left-arm spin at home, making the role of left-arm spinners crucial in this series.