Cricket news round-up – 25 August: India look strong, Sri Lanka T20 team announced

India moved to a strong position against West Indies whereas the other two Tests are moving towards tight finish. Sri Lanka announced squad for the upcoming T20 series against the Kiwis.

India tighten grip in Antigua test

Twin unbeaten half centuries from the captain and vice captain put India into a very strong position at the end of day three of the first Test in the two-Test series. West Indies had their moments while both batting and bowling but could not drive the initiatives home.

The day started with West Indies captain Jason Holder and fast bowler Miguel Cummings in the middle frustrating the Indian bowlers for more than one hour to add 41 runs in the 9^th wicket. Finally, Mohammed Shami gave the breakthrough as Holder nicked to wicket keeper Rishabh Pant after scoring 39. West Indies soon bowled out for 222 as Ravindra Jadeja got through Cummins’ defense as he scored a 45-ball duck.

All the Indian top order players had a start but failed to capitalize. The openers added 30 before Mayank Agarwal was LBW off Roston Chase who bowled well. He also got the second wicket of KL Rahul who again threw away a good start after scoring 38. Pujara batted well and when he was looking set he got a peach of delivery from Kemar Roach which went through his bat and pad to crash the wickets. Post that wicket it was Kohli-Rahane show as they added unbeaten 104 runs and took the lead to 260 runs.

With two more days and seven wickets in hand, India would look to add another 100-150 and give West Indies and 350 plus target in the fourth innings.

England fighting hard led by captain Root

The third Ashes Test at the Headingley moving towards an exciting finish as England batsman giving a tough fight in the fourth innings. The day started with Australia on the top and they maintained their position through a 51-run partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and James Pattinson. Finally, Jofra Archer got the wicket and broke the partnership at 215. The last three wickets added 31 runs as Labuschagne kept batting well and was the ninth player to get out after scoring 80. For England, Ben Stokes finished with 3/56 as Archer and Stuart Broad finished with two wickets each.

With a target of 359 runs, England again had a terrible start as both the openers were dismissed with the scoreboard reading 15. Another familiar English collapse was prevented by Joe Root and Joe Denly. Root and Denly added 126 runs for the third wicket before Denly was dismissed off Hazlewood for 50. Ben Stokes came to bat and remained unbeaten for two after playing 50 balls. Root, on the other hand, moved to 75 as England reached 156/3 in 72 overs.

With more than 200 runs still to defend Australian are in the drivers’ seat and will Hope Lyon to lead the way. However, England will hope for Root to hold one end up and Stoke, Bairstow, and Buttler to provide the firepower from the other end to score a most unlikely victory.

Twin centuries highlight the Colombo Test

After two hugely rain-affected days, the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand had almost a complete day’s play which was highlighted by great shot-making two key hundreds, one each from both the teams.

Sri Lanka started the day on 144/6 and added exactly 100 runs to be bowled out for 244. 77 of those 100 runs came from Dhananjaya de Silva who scored his 5^th test century with 16 fours and two sixes. It was a brilliant counter attacking innings against Tim Southee and Trent Boult who finished with four and three wickets respectively.

New Zealand lost Jeet Raval for a duck and kept losing regular wickets. However, Tom Latham reached his 10^th test hundred off 169 balls. Thanks to Latham’s effort, New Zealand are now just 48 behind Sri Lanka. They would look to bat long today if they want to get a result out of this match.

Young squad announced by Sri Lanka for T20s against New Zealand

Sri Lankan selectors made some key changes in the T20 squad selected for the three-match T20 series against the touring New Zealanders. Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, and Dhananjaya de Silva were not included in the 15-man squad.

Lasith Malinga is leading a youthful team with Niroshan Dickwella his deputy. There are young players like Avishka Fernando and Shehan Jayasuriya with five seam bowling options as Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka and Isuru Udana join Malinga. For spin bowling options, there are Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, and Lakshan Sandakan.

Full squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Janith Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka