Cricket news round-up – 16 August: England bowled out on Lord’s Red Day, Sri Lanka grit it out, VB Chandrasekhar passes away

Australia lost David Warner before stumps after bowling out England for 258 at Lord’s; Niroshan Dickwella and Suranga Lakmal took Sri Lanka to within 22 runs of New Zealand’s score at Galle; former Indian opening batsman VB Chandrasekhar passed away; and Oman won their second consecutive match at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.

Broad strikes after England get 258

Cricket returned to Lord’s after the first day’s play was entirely washed out. At stumps on Day 2, Australia trail by 228 with 9 wickets in hand.

England started poorly after asked to bat, losing both Jason Roy and Joe Root to Josh Hazlewood (3/58). However, Rory Burns (53) hung around, adding 66 with Joe Denly.

Unfortunately, the middle order did not put up a fight. At 138/6 England seemed likely to get bowled out for under 200, but Jonny Bairstow (52) rose to the challenge. He added 72 with Chris Woakes, and was eventually last out as England were bowled out for 258. Pat Cummins got 3/61 and Nathan Lyon 3/68.

Stuart Broad bowled David Warner in his third over, but Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja hung on. Australia finished the day on 30/1.

Lord’s celebrates Red Day

Lord’s celebrated Red Day in memory of Ruth Strauss, wife of former England captain Andrew Strauss who died of lung cancer. Strauss’s sons also rang the five-minute bell before the day’s play.

The initiative – which will become an annual event – was to raise funds to raise awareness and help fight rare forms of lung cancer.

Before the day’s play, the cricketers of both sides took field in red caps, and also spotted specially designed red text and numbers on the backs of their shirts. The commentators, too, wore red blazers, as did many attendees.

Lakmal, Patel dominate at Galle

After bowling out New Zealand for 249, Sri Lanka finished Day 2 at Galle on 227/7 on a pitch that has been assisting spinners since the first session of the Test.

Ross Taylor fell to Suranga Lakmal without adding to his overnight tally of 86. Lakmal then ran through the tail, picking up all 4 wickets to fall to bowlers today. He finished with 4/29 and Akila Dananjaya 5/80.

Sri Lanka were in control at 143/2 with Kusal Mendis (53) and Angelo Mathews (50) well set. However, Ajaz Patel (5/80) took out Mendis just before tea, and a post-tea collapse left Sri Lanka reeling at 161/7. Niroshan Dickwella and Lakmal then added an unbroken 66, lasting the day.

VB Chandrasekhar passes away

VB Chandrasekhar, the Tamil Nadu opening batsman who played 7 ODIs for India in the 1980s, passed away at Chennai following a massive cardiac arrest – though subsequent reports have mentioned suspected suicide. He was 57.

Chandrasekhar also scored 4,999 First-Class runs at 43. His most famous innings came in the 1988-89 Irani Cup, when he slammed a hundred in 56 balls – at that point the fastest in Indian domestic cricket – to help Tamil Nadu chase down 340.

He later served as a national selector, and attained renown as a coach and commentator.

Oman trounce Scotland

Oman strolled to an 8-wicket win against hosts Scotland in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match, at Aberdeen. Scotland got off to a bright start, with Matthew Cross (33) and Kyle Coetzer (56) adding 71 for the first wicket in 83 balls.

But the middle order caved in against the leg-breaks of Khawar Ali (4/23). Aamir Kaleem (2/30) and Zeeshan Maqsood (2/32) provided support. Scotland were bowled out for 168.

Oman barely broke a sweat, winning the match in the 46th over after Khawar (79*) and Aqib Ilyas (61) added 123 for the second wicket.