Cricket news round-up – 2 June: New Zealand trounce Sri Lanka; Australia beat Afghanistan as Warner, Smith return

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets at Cardiff even as Dimuth Karunaratne carried his bat. Later in the day, David Warner and Steven Smith returned to international cricket in a match where Australia overcame Afghanistan by 7 wickets.

In other news, Cricket Australia announced that The Gabba will host the first Test of the 2021-22 Ashes; and India A consolidated upon their lead against Sri Lanka A.

New Zealand roll over Sri Lanka

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets before lunch at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. The slide began with the second ball, when Matt Henry trapped Lahiru Thirimanne leg-before. Dimuth Karunaratne (52*) and Kusal Perera (29) then added 42 in 47 balls before they lost 5 wickets for 14 runs.

The slide began with the second ball, when Matt Henry trapped Lahiru Thirimanne leg-before. Dimuth Karunaratne (52* in 84 balls) and Kusal Perera (29 in 24) then added 42 in 47 balls before they lost 5 wickets for 14 runs.

Karunaratne became only the second batsman to carry his bat through a completed innings, after Ridley Jacobs in 1999 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 136. Thisara Perera (27 in 23) was the only other batsman to reach double figures. Lockie Ferguson took 3/22 and Henry 3/29.

Martin Guptill (73* in 51) and Colin Munro (58* in 47) then got New Zealand to a win inside 17 overs.

Australia beat spirited Afghanistan

Afghanistan put up an entertaining show against Australia before losing by 7 wickets at County Ground, Bristol. Both their openers scored ducks after they opted to bat, but they never stopped hitting. Rahmat Shah steadied the ship with a 60-ball 43, but even then they were reduced to 77/5.

Gulbadin Naib (31 in 33) and Najibullah Zadran (51 in 49) then added 83. Rashid Khan (27 in 11) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (13 in 9) hit out merrily, adding 39 in 15 balls, but Afghanistan were shot out for 207 inside 39 overs. Pat Cummins took 3/40 and Adam Zampa 3/60.

Aaron Finch (66 in 49) and David Warner (89* in 114 on comeback) then effectively sealed the match with a 96-run partnership. Steven Smith, also making his comeback, scored a 27-ball 18. Australia won with more than 15 overs to spare.

The Gabba to host 2021-22 Ashes opener

After a departure from the norm against India, where the first Test was played at Adelaide Oval, Cricket Australia has announced that The Gabba will host the first Test of the 2021-22 Ashes.

“Nothing excites Australian cricket fans like an Ashes series on home soil and the upgrades to The Gabba will ensure that in hosting the first Test of the Ashes series in 2021-22, fans in Queensland will get the first opportunity to enjoy world-class cricket while experiencing the upgraded facilities,” told CA CEO Kevin Roberts, as per ESPNCricinfo.

India A lead by 273

India A finished Day Two of the second “Test” against Sri Lanka A at Hubli 273 runs ahead, with 4 wickets in hand. Earlier in the day, Kamindu Mendis (68) had taken Sri Lanka A to 57 runs within India A’s score as Jayant Yadav took 3/24.

India A were 216/6 by stumps, runs coming from Anmolpreet Singh (60), Siddhesh Lad (58), and Srikar Bharat (60*).