Cricket news round-up – 24 August: India, Australia look set, rain interrupts Colombo Test

India and Australia progressed ahead in their respective Test matches as Colombo Test was affected by the rain for the second day running. RCB announced their new coaching staffs. Sri Lanka agreed to play limited over matches in Karachi and Lahore.

India ahead, thanks to Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma’s 9^th test fifer helped India to end day two of the first Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua at a stronger position. India still have a lead of 108 runs with only two West Indies wickets remaining. Most of the West Indian batsmen got starts but failed to capitalise with Roston Chase’ 48 being the only forty plus score in the innings. Still, with 174/5 they would have hoped to end the day positively but Ishant’s late spell of 3/8 spoilt the plan.

Earlier in the day, Ishant was part of a dogged partnership of 60 runs with Ravindra Jadeja after Rishabh Pant was dismissed early. The duo batted for 19 overs and frustrated the Windies. Jadeja batted well with the tail and recorded his 11^th test fifty and pushed India to 297 after being 25/3 on day one. This was his 4^th fifty plus scores in last six test matches and supported his all-rounder credentials well.

Australian pacers run through England

Australia are in a very strong position to win the second Test and retain the Ashes after England were blown out for 67 in their first innings. The pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and James Pattinson bowled brilliantly and shared all ten wickets. Hazlewood was the star of the show as he gave the early blows by picking up Jason Roy and Joe Root within first six overs to finish with 5/30. Joe Denly top scored for England with a modest 12 as all in the line up kept playing their shots even before getting settled.

After conceding a lead of 112, England hoped for an early breakthrough and they got David Warner for a duck. However, Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja batted with lots of grit and determination. Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, and Matthew Wade all contributed with Labuschagne scoring his second fifty of the day and remaining unbeaten on 53. England got a couple of late wickets which would comfort them but on 171/6, Australia are already leading by 283 runs and only a miracle can see England coming out positively from this match.

New Zealand fast bowlers show their tricks in another rain-hit day

Only 29.3 overs play was possible on the second day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the P Sara Oval, Colombo. Like day one, a big part of the day was washed away and only 66 overs play was possible in two days. Sri Lanka started the day with 85/2 and did not enjoy the batting as Kiwi fast bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee bowled brilliantly. They were supported by the conditions and kept troubling the Lankan batsmen.

Boult got rid of Angelo Mathews and Kushal Perera in a single over to give a double blow. Later Tim Southee did the same by picking up Dimuth Karunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella in one over. Karunaratne’s 65 and Dhananjaya de Silva’s 32 ensured took Sri Lanka to 144/6 when rain came back and stopped the play for rest of the day.

Pakistan to host Sri Lanka for ODI and T20I

Pakistan to host Sri Lanka for limited over matches soon. Sri Lanka will play three ODI and three T20I in Pakistan and then will host Pakistan for two Test matches at home. The dates have been announced for the limited-overs matches on Friday. Three ODI matches will be staged at Karachi’s National Stadium on September 27, 29 and October 2. Then Three T20Is will be organized at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 5,7 and 9.

The PCB Chairman Ehsan Manni said, “The upcoming matches will end the long wait of the Pakistan cricket fans and supporters to watch modern-day stars from both sides live in action. This is something that will contribute immensely to our revamped domestic cricket structure.”  SLC President Shammi Silva, on the other hand, informed, “If there had been any doubts, the SLC would not have gone ahead with this arrangement that we envisage will improve the players’ confidence and trust level and will also be critical when we start discussions on the schedule of the Test matches.”

RCB gets Director and head coach

Mike Hesson, former Kings XI Punjab coach has been appointed as Director Cricket Operations for Royal Challengers Bangalore whereas Simon Katich is the new head coach. Hesson will look after the overall RCB cricket operations including defining policy, strategy, programs, scouting, performance management, and bringing in best practices throughout all aspects. This is a new position created by the franchise, on which RCB Chairman Sanjeev Churiwala opined, “ RCB’s purpose is to be the most trusted, respected and best performing T20 Franchise and hence our constant endeavour is to create a culture of excellence and high performance for every member of the team.”

Gowtham show at KPL

Krishnappa Gowtham produced the perfect all-round show at Karnataka Premier League on Friday.  He walked in when Bellary Tuskers were struggling with 20/1 against Shivamogga Lions in the third over of their innings. Gowtham took the lead and went on to hit the fastest hundred of KPL with seven fours and 13 maximums. His unbeaten 134 off just 56 deliveries helped his team to set a total of 203/3 from 20/1 team in a rain-curtailed 17 over- per side match.

In reply, Shivamogga Lions started by losing one opener in the very first over. Next over saw the all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham picking up the second wicket of the Lions. Then he did not stop. He ran through the entire line up and ended with an outstanding analysis of 8/15 in four overs.  This gave the Tuskers a 70-run victory and a play-off position.