Cricket news roundup – 4th March 2019: South Africa win comfortably, cricket eyes Asian Games return

Cricket news roundup – 4th March 2019: South Africa win comfortably, cricket eyes Asian Games return

South Africa Sri Lanka Australia New Zealand Women Anil Kumble ICC PSL Asian Games

South Africa went 1-0 up in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, at New Wanderers, Johannesburg. Elsewhere, at Junction Oval, Melbourne, Australia Women completed a 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand Women.

In other news, cricket may return to Asian Games, in 2022; Anil Kumble has been reappointed as ICC Cricket Committee Chairperson; and three PSL matches have been shifted from Lahore to Karachi.

South Africa start afresh

South Africa shed off memories of the 0-2 Test whitewash with a comprehensive 8-wicket win in the first ODI, at Johannesburg.

Kusal Perera (33) and Oshada Fernando (49) added 76 for the third wicket and Kusal Mendis (60) and Dhananjaya de Silva (39) 94 for the fifth after Lungi Ngidi (3/60) got two quick wickets. But Imran Tahir (3/26) kept striking, and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 231.

Quinton de Kock (81 in 72 balls) and Faf du Plessis (112* in 114) then helped South Africa romp to an easy win with 67 balls to spare.

Southern Stars complete rout

Australia Women finished their 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand with a 7-wicket in the “dead rubber” third ODI. The White Ferns got off to a solid start, with Suzie Bates (35) and Sophie Devine (58) adding 70 for the first wicket. More contributions came from Amy Satterthwaite (49) and Katie Perkins (41), but New Zealand could reach only 231/8. Ashleigh Gardner took 3/49 and Georgia Wareham 2/36.

In response, the Australian top five – Rachel Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney – all scored at least 35 to ensure a comfortable win.

Cricket to find a way back?

Cricket was a medal sport in the 2006 (Guangzhou, China) and 2010 (Incheon, South Korea) Asian Games but was not part of the 2018 edition, at Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia.

However, chances are high that cricket will feature in the 2022 Asian Games at Hangzhou, China. Olympic Committee of Asia announced that India may feature in Asian Games cricket for the first time in history.

Lahore loses matches to Karachi

The Lahore Airport (among others) had to be closed temporarily due to the political tension between India and Pakistan. To ensure smooth logistics, PCB has decided to shift the three matches originally scheduled to be played at Lahore, to Karachi.

This includes two league matches and the Eliminator 1, which will be played on March 14.

Kumble returns

ICC have reappointed Anil Kumble as their Cricket Committee Chairperson. Kumble has been Chairperson since 2012. ICC reached this decision following a Board meeting on March 2.