Sri Lanka held India to a draw in a thrilling finale to the first ODI of their series on Friday.
Charith Asalanka was the hero for Sri Lanka in Colombo, taking two wickets in the space of two balls to bowl India out for 230.
Pathum Nissanka (56) and Dunith Wellalage (67) led the way for Sri Lanka with the bat, propelling them to 230-8 from their 50 overs, with the pair plundering 18 boundaries between them.
India looked well set for the first 12 overs, until the dismissal of Shubman Gill (16) kick-started a mini-capitulation, with captain Rohit Sharma (58), Washington Sundar (five), Virat Kohli (24) and Shreyas Iyer (23) following in quick succession.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel appeared to have steadied the ship, but Wanindu Hasaranga (3-58) and Asalanka (3-30) struck in the space of seven deliveries to drag Sri Lanka back into it.
And the day ultimately belonged to Asalanka who, after being hit for four by Shivam Dube (25) in the 48th over, hit back with a pair of LBWs to leave the tourists stunned.
Data Debrief: India's dominance ended
India had won each of their last six ODIs against Sri Lanka, their joint-longest winning streak against them in the history of the format (along with a run between July 1998 and May 1999), but for the first time since a loss in Colombo in July 2021, they failed to get the job done.
This match did see the two form teams in ODIs take each other on. India (27) and Sri Lanka (22) have won more 50-over games than any other teams since the start of 2023.
West Indies announce squad for South Africa Series: Kirk McKenzie dropped, Alzarri Joseph rested
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the squad for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, set to take place from August 7 to 19, 2024. The series will feature two Test matches, with the first being held at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago and the second at the National Stadium in Guyana.
Key changes in the squad include the dropping of out of form batsman Kirk McKenzie and the resting of vice-captain Alzarri Joseph. Kemar Roach, who was injured during the recent series against England, returns to bolster the bowling attack. Additionally, Keacy Carty and Tevin Imlach has been called up to strengthen the batting lineup.
The squad, captained by Kraigg Brathwaite with Joshua Da Silva as vice-captain, includes Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Bryan Charles, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Jomel Warrican. This combination reflects a balanced mix of experienced players and promising young talents, strategically selected to maximize performance in Trinidad and Guyana.
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, expressed confidence in the squad's ability to deliver strong performances against South Africa. "The selection process for this squad was led by our Head Coach, Andre Coley, pending the implementation of our new selection process, which will be rolled out in the coming days and articulated publicly shortly. This squad reflects a thorough evaluation of players' recent performances and suitability for the conditions we anticipate. We are confident that this team is well-balanced and capable of competing at the highest level," Bascombe said.
Head Coach Coley emphasized the strategic selection of a balanced mix of experience and youth to maximize performance in Trinidad and Guyana. He explained the decision to rest Alzarri Joseph, citing his recent heavy workload and the need for recuperation to ensure peak performance. "Kevin Sinclair is presently recovering from an injury," Coley added.
The full schedule for the series is as follows:
Test Series:
1st Test: August 7-11, 2024, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
2nd Test: August 15-18, 2024, National Stadium, Guyana
T20I Series:
1st T20I: August 23, 2024, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
2nd T20I: August 25, 2024, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
3rd T20I: August 27, 2024, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
'One of the best in the world' - Morgan backs McCullum to be England's white-ball coach
Former England captain Eoin Morgan believes Brendon McCullum is "one of the best coaches in the world" and should step into the white-ball vacancy.
Matthew Mott stepped down from the role earlier this week with immediate effect, having first taken charge of the one-day set-up in 2022 before leading England to T20 World Cup glory.
However, they endured a difficult 2023 Cricket World Cup, finishing seventh in the group, and failed to defend their T20 title earlier this year, scraping out of the groups before losing to eventual winners India.
Former England international Marcus Trescothick will take over as interim head coach, leading the team for the Australia series in September.
However, Morgan believes England have a ready replacement in McCullum if they can find a way to balance this job with his role as head coach at Test level.
"In my eyes at the moment, you would go to Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum," Morgan told Sky Sports.
"I say that because I believe he [McCullum] is one of the best coaches in the world. You can see what he did with the England Test team.
"Yes, the big question will be how he makes it fit over the course of the 12 months, but from Rob Key's point of view, he needs to make the job attractive.
"The option is not to have someone come in and let them grow in the job. You're talking about winning World Cups and winning Champions trophies.
"This is not an opportunity for a young guy to come in. You want the best person on the planet to come in and help Jos Buttler and the England cricket team get better."
McCullum has enjoyed an impressive two years alongside captain Ben Stokes at Test level, winning 17 of their 25 games, losing only eight and drawing one.
Most recently, they cruised to a 3-0 series win over West Indies, which saw debutants Gus Atkinson, who took a five-for in his first game, and Jamie Smith star in the comprehensive victory.
"I'm not sure McCullum has been given a lot of thought and if anything, he should," Morgan added.
"Key should have that conversation because we've seen a dramatic turnaround in the England Test team and the foil that he's made with Stokes.
"I've played under Brendon as a coach. We've seen what he's done in New Zealand cricket over the years and the success that he's had.
"He's a very versatile, more than capable coach who is highly, highly regarded, who ultimately has made the England Test team a better side, which is what you want from your head coach."
Springer hits 131 as West Indies Championship XI lead South Africa by 225 runs at stumps on day two of four-day warm-up game in Tarouba
Barbadian all-rounder Shamar Springer was the star of day two of the four-day warm-up match between the West Indies Championship XI and South Africa at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Thursday.
The 26-year-old former West Indies Under-19 star hit 131, his maiden first-class hundred, to propel the West Indians to a formidable 397 all out in their first innings.
The Championship XI started day two 245-6 off 82 overs with Springer and Joshua Bishop at the crease on 45 and 6, respectively.
The pair batted excellently, putting on a partnership of 107 for the seventh wicket before Bishop fell for a 78-ball 50 off the bowling of Dane Piedt.
Kemar Roach (6) and Bryan Charles (0) fell not son after before Springer became the last man to go, also off the bowling of Piedt in the 118th over.
Springer’s innings lasted 212 balls and included 16 fours and three sixes.
Piedt finished with 3-41 off 16.3 overs while pacer Kagiso Rabada took 3-47 from his nine overs.
At stumps, South Africa reached 172-2 off 52 overs, trailing the Championship XI by 225 runs.
Opener Aiden Markram made 82 before retiring hurt while captain Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham were the not out batsmen at the crease at the end of the day’s play on 36* and 35*, respectively.
Anderson Phillip and Nial Smith have split the two wickets.
Full Scores:
West Indies Championship XI 397 all out off 117.3 overs (Shamar Springer 131, Jeremy Solozano 111, Joshua Bishop 50, Dane Piedt 3-41, Kagiso Rabada 3-47, Keshav Maharaj 2-82)
South Africa 172-2 off 52 overs (Aiden Markram 82 retired hurt, Temba Bavuma 36*, David Bedingham 35*)
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