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The South Africa opener scored a 24-ball 37 to lead her team to victory against Australia in the semi-final of the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jan-2025Jemma Botha admitted being nervous heading out to bat with South Africa chasing 106 against Australia for a place in the Women’s Under-19 World Cup final, but said talking to head coach Dinesha Devnarain and having Simone Lourens alongside calmed her.”I think before the game I spoke to the coach because I was really nervous. But nerves are good. It means that we care,” Botha said after South Africa’s five-wicket win. “And I think if you don’t have nerves going into a semi-final, then you’re not human. Going out to bat with Simis [Lourens] is always nice. I think we complement each other in many ways. She really helps with a lot of my anxiety and my nerves.”Botha came storming out, smashing five fours and two sixes in her 24-ball 37 to set up a solid foundation for the chase. Riding on her knock, South Africa raced to 50 for 2 in the powerplay which made the task easier for the rest of the batters. Captain Kayla Reyneke shepherded the team towards the finishing line.Related

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There were a few nervy moments at the end but South Africa won rather comfortably with 11 balls to spare.”Simis going early was… I had a stressful moment there, but then I knew that it wasn’t about my stress or Simis’ wicket because there are still other batters and it’s not about us, it’s for the country,” Botha said. “And I think the country really needed us to go to the final and they need us to win it. So I’m happy that we can do this for them.”There was a lot of nerves and anxiety throughout the batting innings, but I’m glad that we [are] in the final.”This will be South Africa’s maiden appearance at the Women’s Under-19 World Cup final. They failed to make it to the semi-final in 2023 on run-rate but this time they have had an undefeated run in the tournament.”I think the 2023 group feels it the most because missing out due to net run rate is not the best thing,” Botha said. “And a lot of the management really deserve it because they put in so much hard work and so many hard hours.”I think us coming off and doing what they say is our way of thanking them for all that they do for us. Yeah, I think [the] 2023 group is really happy. I know some of the girls back home are watching us.South Africa will play the winner of the second semi-final between India and England in the final in Kuala Lumpur on February 2.

After five straight defeats, Stars posted five straight wins to book a knockout final against Sydney Thunder

Tristan Lavalette19-Jan-2025Glenn Maxwell may not be touring Sri Lanka, but in a silver lining he’ll be part of the BBL finals after Melbourne Stars’ remarkable regular season turnaround was complete with a comprehensive victory over Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG.Stars needed a win to leapfrog Perth Scorchers into fourth place and qualify for the finals. They took care of business against a Hurricanes team with little to play for.Maxwell continued his purple patch with 76 not out off 32 balls before quick Mark Steketee claimed three early wickets as Stars reached the finals for the first time since BBL 09.Related

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After a woeful start to the season with five straight defeats, Stars have gained significant momentum with five straight wins to book a knockout final against Sydney Thunder at the Showgrounds.The match was essentially a tune-up for Hurricanes, who had already locked up top spot and a home final in the Qualifier against Sydney Sixers.

Maxwell ignites again after Webster’s half-century

All eyes were on Maxwell. But the big crowd at the MCG had to wait for their hero as openers Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers laid a solid platform.Stars have badly struggled at the top of the order with Harper particularly out of form. But they peeled off 19 runs in the first two overs in the best opening stand of the season for Stars.Harper whacked four early boundaries, but Stars couldn’t get through the powerplay unblemished with Rogers succumbing to a clever change of pace from quick Nathan Ellis.Having ended a run of five straight single digit scores, Harper could not go on with it after he was trapped lbw by the spin of Nikhil Chaudhary.With Beau Webster struggling with his timing, Marcus Stoinis tried to regain Stars’ momentum with numerous powerful blows to race to 32 off 19 balls. But like countless times this season, Stoinis could not launch off the platform and his dismissal brought Maxwell to the crease.Maxwell, fresh off his extraordinary 90 against Renegades, started fast and smashed Chaudhary down the ground for six on his fourth delivery. His presence had a profound effect on Webster, who shook from his slumber to put the foot down.Webster hogged the strike, but didn’t cop the wrath of Maxwell’s legion of fans as he powered to his half-century with a six down the ground.Maxwell took over after Webster’s dismissal and had the crowd in the palm of his hands when he got under a slower short delivery from left-arm quick Marcus Bean and with a flick of the wrists whacked it over fine leg.He was unstoppable at the death, clubbing a six off quick Cameron Gannon to reach his half-century and then smashing two more into the crowd as Stars powered past 200.It brought some cheer for Maxwell, whose Test career looks over after he missed out on Australia’s squad to Sri Lanka.Mark Steketee took three wickets in his first two overs•Getty Images

Hurricanes experiment with their attack

With little to play for, Hurricanes decided to play it safe. Spearhead Riley Meredith did not play while Nathan Ellis only bowled one over with Ben McDermott on the broadcast saying he was managing a sore groin.Ellis used the match to experiment and seven bowlers were used. Tim David’s handy offspin opened the bowling, while Chris Jordan bowled in the backend in his return from a back injury but struggled amid Maxwell’s onslaught.With injured quick Billy Stanlake to miss the finals, his position is up for grabs and seemingly a race between Bean and Gannon, freshly signed as Stanlake’s replacement.Bean, plucked out of Tasmanian club cricket, impressed in his professional debut against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. Sporting a change of hair colour, from gold to silver, Bean enjoyed the wicket of Stoinis with an awkward delivery that climbed and hurried the batter.But he suffered in the backend and so too did Gannon, who was playing in the BBL for the first time in three years. He’s been in outstanding Sheffield Shield form, but Gannon struggled with his lengths to finish with 0 for 48 off 4 overs. Bean took 1 for 45 off his 4.Hurricanes were also extremely sloppy in the field to cap a forgettable performance.

Steketee continues strong form

Veteran quick Steketee has been a key part of Stars’ revival with 15 wickets in five matches. He’s been impactful with the new ball and so was the case again. In the second over he dismissed opener Caleb Jewell after Stoinis took a blinder with a full-stretch dive running backwards at mid on.Steketee struck again two balls alter when Charlie Wakim drove straight to backward point. He trapped McDermott lbw in his next over before claiming Ellis at the end to finish with 4 for 24 off 3.3 overs.

Owen unleashes early but in vain

Mitchell Owen has been the breakout player this season with his move up the order being a considerable success for Hurricanes. Their hopes in the chase largely rested on Owen getting off to a flier and he tried his best by bludgeoning left-arm quick Joel Paris for a couple of big sixes in the opening over.He also took a liking to veteran quick Peter Siddle with several mighty blows, unleashing his considerable power, to motor to 34 off 10 balls. But he slowed down slightly before holing out on 38 as Hurricanes’ slim chances effectively ended.Ellis top-scored with a rapid 40 at the end until he holed out to – quite fittingly – Maxwell, who pumped his fist to the jubilant fans knowing Stars’ season will continue.

Captain’s unbeaten hundred sees Lancashire declare on 494 for 6 and set about pursuit of victory

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford14-Jul-2019
Invitations do not come any pleasanter than that offered to Lancashire’s batsmen on the second morning of this game. They already possessed a 22-run lead on first innings and now had the opportunity to extend it for as long as they wished; they had nine wickets in hand and the pitch was good, although you would not have guessed so from the way Sussex had batted on the first day. Lancastrians, by contrast, had the chance to be greedy.Yet rather like polite diners when presented with a huge and delicious smorgasbord, Lancashire’s batsmen displayed perfect manners. Almost everyone helped themselves to something substantial but only Dane Vilas partook of rollmops, fläskkorv and isterband by making an unbeaten century. That, of course, was not the intention of the four other batsmen who made fifties in this innings; they wanted centuries as well. Yet when Vilas finally called his players from the table by declaring on 494 for 6 seven overs before the close, their combined efforts had given Lancashire a monstrous lead of 367. Sussex’s openers trimmed 15 runs from that advantage in four overs before the close but Ben Brown’s players face a colossal test of their techniques and temperaments over the next couple of days. At least they will hope it is a couple of days and not a session and a bit.Ah yes, Sussex. They were so far behind after the first day of this game that it was occasionally hard to see what Brown’s team could salvage from affairs. Respectability might have been identified as one aim but that has always been a poor consolation prize and almost an admission of inferiority following only three sessions of cricket. These, though, are the days when coaches discover a great deal about their players: in Sussex’s case their ability to fight when even a draw seems a distant goal. It is often forgotten how tough a game professional county cricket can be.Judged by all these standards, Sussex performed creditably on the second day of this game. They never quite let their heads drop even when Vilas was cutting loose in his 123-run stand with Steven Croft after tea. They prevented Lancashire collecting a full haul of bonus points, although the pitch may have had something to do with that, and they produced the moment of the match when Delray Rawlins leapt from backward point to complete an astonishing one-handed catch to remove Keaton Jennings for 65 off the bowling of Mir Hamza in the seventh over of the day. Rawlins sprinted away delightedly; Jennings, who had middled a full-blooded cut, just stood there for some seconds before dragging himself off.That first breakthrough for Sussex was followed five overs later by a second when Haseeb Hameed, the only Lancashire batsman to fail, was leg before wicket to David Wiese for 11. Replays suggested the point of contact was outside the off stump but the truth remained that Hameed’s very patchy season had continued.All the same Sussex had enjoyed their best moments of the day. For the rest of the morning Glenn Maxwell and Jones played with increasing assurance and had taken their partnership to 93 when Maxwell skied a pull off Abi Sakande and Phil Salt pouched a straightforward catch running back from slip. The Australian had made 59, his highest score in first-class cricket since December 2017, and he had nursed Jones through the early stages of what was to be another significant innings in the fast developing career of this remarkable young batsman.Indeed, at one stage it seemed that Jones would also make a century but he had to be content with a mere 88 after once again revealing a rare ability to thread the ball through midwicket off Rawlins or straight drive Luke Wells. And these were just two of his delights. However, in the over before tea Will Beer gained a little revenge for the spin bowlers’ collective when he tempted Jones forward with a legspinner on a good length only for the batsman to then go back and be bowled when failing to cover the turn. But young Jones had passed 500 runs in the Championship and can look back on a good season. Whether Sussex are able to do the same thing will depend on the degree to which they locate their powers of resistance over the next two days and then over their final four Championship matches of the season. One has the feeling that so much at Hove rides on how they perform at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Pakistan don’t expect Naseem’s injury to affect his availability for the World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Sep-2023Naseem Shah, who injured his bowling shoulder towards the end of Pakistan’s Asia Cup Super Four match against India, has been withdrawn from the squad, and has been replaced by Zaman Khan.The PCB said that Naseem “continues to be monitored by the team’s medical panel that is taking all necessary precautions” keeping in mind the ODI World Cup, which starts in less than a month’s time. Zaman has linked up with the Pakistan team already and has started training with them.ESPNcricinfo understands that, at this stage, Pakistan don’t expect Naseem’s injury to affect his availability for the World Cup.Related

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Meanwhile, Haris Rauf, who did not bowl on the reserve day of the India game after feeling “discomfort in his right flank” on the scheduled day of the match, “continues to recover well”, the PCB said.Team doctor Sohail Saleem said, “These two fast bowlers are our assets and the team’s medical panel will provide them the best possible care ahead of the all-important World Cup.”Neither Rauf nor Naseem batted in Pakistan’s chase against India, which ended on 128 for a 228-run defeat, which affected Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the Asia Cup final. They must now beat Sri Lanka in their final Super Four game. In case the weather forces an abandonment, Sri Lanka will go through to the final against India because of their superior net run-rate.As reported by ESPNcricinfo on Monday, Pakistan had called up Zaman and Shahnawaz Dahani once Rauf and Naseem, two members of the three-pronged Pakistan pace attack of which Shaheen Afridi is the leader, picked up their injuries.At the time, the PCB had said that Rauf and Naseem had not been ruled out of the tournament and would remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel. The board called it “only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players” ahead of the World Cup.

Mack reaches ton as duo share record-breaking stand of 191 for third wicket

ECB Reporters Network24-Apr-2024A century from Australian Katie Mack and a record-breaking partnership of 191 runs for the third wicket ensured Lancashire Thunder got off the mark in style with a commanding 142 run victory over Sunrisers at Emirates Old Trafford in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Thunder had lost their opening game in the competition by nine wickets to Northern Diamonds but there was no apparent hangover from that error-strewn performance with Mack and third-wicket partner Fi Morris, who hit 89, taking the hosts to a daunting total of 292 for 5 before Sunrisers were bundled out for just 150 in reply.With Saturday’s loss fresh in the memory, Thunder would have been forgiven for having a sense of déjà vu when opener Emma Lamb fell early, mistiming a pull shot to Maddy Villiers at midwicket off Kate Coppack for 5 and things got worse when Seren Smale missed a full, straight one from Jodi Grewcock to be bowled for 21 and leave the hosts 32 for 2.But where that defeat saw Thunder fail to recover from the loss of early wickets, here they seemed galvanised by the challenge as Mack and Morris set about a stunning rebuilding project. Full of inventiveness, skill and some excellent running between the wickets, the partnership began with the duo never allowing Sunrisers’ spinners to settle into any kind of rhythm.While Mack’s knock was full of ramps, sweeps and late cuts, Morris frequently walked down the pitch to meet the spinners’ deliveries with the combination of finesse and power between the two working perfectly.Mack reached her half-century off 67 balls with Morris passing hers off 66 as the pair’s partnership went beyond 100 runs and into record-breaking territory.Eventually Morris was dismissed by the returning Coppack who trapped her lbw for 89, but the damage was done and the stand was the second-highest for any wicket by any side in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Mack deservedly reached her century soon after with a characteristic late cut to the boundary before she was stumped off Villiers for 100 – her fourth century in List A cricket.The stage was set for Ellie Threlkeld and Sophie Ecclestone to have a swing and they extended the score to 285 before the England spinner was caught at long on for a breezy 24 which contained two sixes and helped Thunder reach their highest score in the competition as they closed on 292 for 5 with Threlkeld unbeaten on 26.Faced with a hefty target and the returning Ecclestone and Kate Cross, the task always looked a daunting one for Sunrisers and it was Cross who immediately hit the mark producing five overs for just eight runs and the wicket of Ariana Dowse caught by Lamb at short midwicket for 10.At the other end, Sunrisers skipper Grace Scrivens was stuck in an almighty rut and had reached just 9 off 46 balls when she skied one to bowler Hannah Jones to make it 36 for 2 which became 36 for 3 after Cordelia Griffith departed for 11 after another caught and bowled for Ecclestone.The longed-for partnership just would not materialise for the visitors with Mady Villiers and Amara Carr falling to Morris and Ecclestone as the run rate continued to climb.The one bright spot for Sunrisers was Grewcock who stood firm in reaching 38 as she and Florence Miller compiled 50 runs for the sixth wicket before the former was bowled by Jones and the latter edged Phobe Graham behind for 19.Ecclestone picked up her third when Nicola Hancock was caught on the boundary by Norris for 15 and her England teammate Cross made quick work of the rest of the tail in dismissing Joanne Gardner for six and Coppack without scoring to end with 3 for 21 off 8.1 overs as Sunrisers failed to score a run off the bat off the last 30 balls of the innings.

A round-up of Bangladesh Cricket League games played between February 19 and 22, 2017

The Report by Mohammad Isam22-Feb-2017Surviving a draw against South Zone on the last day helped North Zone retain their position on top of the BCL points table.Asked to follow on after trailing by 259 runs in the first innings, Farhad Hossain and Naeem Islam added 136 runs for the third wicket, as their individual centuries helped North Zone survive the fourth day on 403 for 8.Farhad’s 119 was studded with nine fours and three sixes, while Naeem remained unbeaten on 129, having batted for more than six hours. Naeem is now the second-highest run-getter of the tournament – averaging 106.25 – behind Tushar Imran, whose double-hundred helped South Zone post 501 in 144.4 overs.Tushar, the No.4 batsman, added 215 runs for the fourth wicket with Shahriar Nafees (74) and later strung a 96-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mosaddek Hossain, who chipped in with a 65-ball 57.Tushar knocked off 220 runs – his highest first-class score – to improve on his unbeaten 203 in the National Cricket League in 2015.Suhrawadi Shuvo returned the best figures for North Zone, picking up 4 for 105, before their batting line-up folded for 242 in the 63rd over.South Zone offspinner Nahidul Islam’s successive five-fors in the game earned him his maiden first-class ten-wicket haul and kept his team’s pursuit of victory alive till the end. He found able support in Abdur Razzak and Al-Amin Hossain, who claimed five wickets between them, but their efforts proved insufficient as North Zone managed to retain the last two wickets.Central Zone, meanwhile, registered their first win in the tournament, after crushing East Zone by 227 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.Put in to bat, Central Zone were bowled out for 328 in the first innings, despite fifties from Nurul Hasan (65) and Mohammad Sharif (70). East Zone seamer Abu Jayed picked up 5 for 77, while Saqlain Sajib and off-spinner Afif Hossain took two wickets apiece.Central Zone later snatched a first-innings lead of 117 runs, as Sharif, Shuvagata Hom and Mosharraf Hossain fetched combined returns of 8 for 143 to skittle East Zone for 211.Half-centuries from Marshall Ayub and Taibur Rahman then helped Central zone add 282 in their second innings; their overall lead soaring to 399 runs.With his side chasing 400, East Zone captain Alok Kapali (71) found little support from other batsmen, as Central Zone’s bowling attack – led by Hom’s four-wicket haul – strangled East Zone to 117 all out in 56.2 overs.Sharif’s all-round performance – 6 for 78 coupled with 71 runs – earned him the Player-of-the-Match award.

James Fuller earlier picked two wickets to restrict Comilla to 154 which was chased down in 19 overs by Barishal

Mohammad Isam01-Mar-2024Fortune Barishal lifted their maiden BPL trophy high above the Mirpur din, getting the better of powerhouse Comilla Victorians by a comprehensive six-wicket margin. Barishal’s bowling gave them a huge advantage before captain Tamim Iqbal and Kyle Mayers helped them chase down the 155-target with ease.Stopping Comilla, who have won the BPL title a record four times including the last two editions, needed a special performance. James Fuller was effective with the ball, taking two crucial wickets after Mayers struck in the first over. Taijul Islam and Obed McCoy provided control in their eight overs too as Comilla were restricted to 154 for 6.In reply, Tamim entertained the packed Shere Bangla National Stadium with his 26-ball 39. After Mehidy Hasan Miraz deposited newcomer Rohanat Doullah Borson for a six over square leg, Tamim hammered Tanvir Islam for consecutive sixes to become the tournament’s highest scorer. Miraz matched Tamim to hit his second six, off Sunil Narine, before Tamim deposited Moeen Ali for a six and two fours. He fell later in the same over, not before adding 76 runs for the opening wicket with Mehidy.It was left to Mayers to take Barishal closer to the trophy. He struck five fours and two sixes, both off Andre Russell who went for 21 in the 15th over. Mayers got 20 of those, to finish on 46 off 30 balls.Comilla made several fielding errors in the latter stages with catches going down. Mahmudullah and David Miller then got Barishal home in the 19th over.When Comilla were sent to bat first, Sunil Narine got an early life. Obed McCoy dropped him at third-man but he made it up later in the over. Narine swung one off his hips, only for McCoy to dive to his left to complete a fine catch at short fine-leg.Fuller kept up the pressure when he removed Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das in consecutive overs in the powerplay. McCoy accounted for Johnson Charles shortly after, before Moeen Ali fell short when Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored with a direct hit from point.Mahidul Islam Ankon and Jaker Ali kept Comilla chugging along in the middle overs but their 36 runs for the sixth wicket took up 29 balls. It was priceless for Barishal who could keep Andre Russell in the dressing room for a longer time.When Saifuddin removed Ankon in the 17th over, it gave Russell just 3.2 overs to do his thing. He hammered four sixes in the 14 balls he faced but struggled to get Saifuddin away in the final over. The allrounder conceded three wides and a no-ball but went for only seven runs in the over.More importantly, Saifuddin didn’t allow a four or a six at a time when Comilla could have still taken some momentum into the innings.

The mother of South Africa coach Russell Domingo passed away overnight on Sunday following a car accident last month

Firdose Moonda09-Jul-2017The mother of South Africa coach Russell Domingo passed away overnight on Sunday following a car accident last month, shortly after Domingo had left the tour of England for a second time to return home.Domingo went home at the time of the incident – during the T20 series against England late last month – then traveled back to the UK during the tour-match in Worcester when his mother was discharged but he left again before the end of the first Test at Lord’s when her condition worsened again.Cricket South Africa confirmed her passing on Twitter. “Our deepest condolences go out to Russell Domingo and his family following the untimely passing of his mother late last night. #RIP.”CSA has not put a timeline on Domingo’s return and will allow the coach as much time as he needs with his family. It is likely he will not return for the start of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Friday.Earlier this week, Domingo confirmed he had reapplied for his post as South Africa’s head coach following weeks of uncertainty over whether he wanted to continue in the role. Domingo was interviewed by the five-man panel appointed to recommend a candidate for the coaching position to CSA’s board, which includes former national coaches Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons. The committee will meet with CSA’s board on July 21 and a decision on the new coach will be made shortly thereafter.South Africa’s backroom staff includes assistant coach Adrian Birrell, batting consultant Neil McKenzie, bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and spin bowling consultant Claude Henderson. The team will travel to Nottingham to prepare for the second Test on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka captain Asalanka had earlier this year called for better batting tracks but now defended the pitches, saying turning tracks suited their strengths

Madushka Balasuriya18-Oct-20243:17

Sammy: West Indies sent a strong message

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has declared a “moral victory” for his side in the aftermath of the 2-1 T20I series defeat to Sri Lanka, and questioned the wisdom of the home side pivoting to turning tracks for the final two games, both must-wins for Sri Lanka.In a fairly scathing assessment, Sammy argued that while the next T20 World Cup – in 2026 – was going to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka, such turning tracks would not be the norm with the ICC having primary input over the curation of the wickets.”For us, to see the last two games, and the nature of the wicket from what it was at the start, I thought we actually won the contest,” Sammy said following the third T20I which Sri Lanka won by nine wickets. “Because we were the away team and in conditions set before us, we challenged them with a squad that was not our full squad, and they had to react to that.Related

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“So I told the guys, ‘yes, when the World Cup comes we won’t get these conditions – the ICC will make sure the pitches are good’. So it was a moral victory for us from the first game to the second game.”While Sri Lanka may no doubt contest Sammy’s views, it wasn’t long ago that many within Sri Lanka’s camp were themselves clamouring for more batter-friendly pitches. The calls had followed Sri Lanka’s dismal display in the 2023 World Cup in India, where their batters struggled to match the attacking approach of the top sides. This plan seemed to have taken root, to a fair amount of success, in the early part of the year where high scores were seen more frequently – particularly during the series against Afghanistan, where Sri Lanka narrowly failed to chase down a target of 210.Fast forward to the present, and Sri Lanka have just enjoyed their first-ever T20I bilateral series win against West Indies, which itself followed an ODI series win against India. Both triumphs have, however, taken place on turning tracks, which has brought up the uncomfortable question: are short-term results being prioritised in place of long-term gains?Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka – who had been one of those calling for better batting tracks – doesn’t think so, as he instead opted to focus on Sri Lanka’s strengths, in this case their spin bowling.”Sri Lanka’s strength has always been spin, and we still believe that it’s with spin that we will be able to win the most,” he said following Sri Lanka’s win in the third T20I. “So we made pitches to support that strength. When that’s working for us, I think it’s a lot easier for us to win.”Asalanka’s point is a valid one in many ways. In Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage, Sri Lanka boast a spin attack that would be the envy of most sides in the world, and so playing to those strengths makes sense. Sammy, though, believes this could be to the detriment of their fast-bowling contingent.”When you have pacers, like the two slingers (Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana) not getting an opportunity to bowl on good wickets, when the true test comes that’s where you really test your team.”I mean, there’s home advantage, but what good does that make for the development of your squad, especially your fast bowlers, in being able to bowl and have an impact on the game?”Charith Asalanka: “As a team, our goal is that if we get a good wicket abroad, we should be able to score 200-250″•AP Photo/Viraj Kothalawala

Sammy’s point holds some merit. In the final T20I, both Pathirana and Thushara bowled just two overs each, with the former being introduced as a seventh bowling option – after both part-time spinners Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis. In contrast, in Sri Lanka’s series win earlier in the year against Afghanistan, only two spinners had been used in each game.And this might be where Asalanka and Sammy perhaps can find some common ground. While Asalanka has championed Sri Lanka’s spinners, he too acknowledges that they need to bolster their fast-bowling ranks.”We have a lot of fast bowlers on our bench. Today you saw Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana, and they bowled well when called upon. As a team, however, we need our fast bowlers to improve a little more. Aside from those currently in the side, we need more coming in. That’s how we will be able to play well in any conditions.”Bowling and pitches aside, one immutable fact is that Sri Lanka’s batters turned up more often than did those of West Indies. Sammy, who had stated ahead of the series that he was looking to test their squad depth, is keenly aware of the improvements that need to be made on that front.”We came here with the T20 World Cup I think less than 20 months away. Having seen the way we played on a typical Dambulla wicket – what we expected from what all the stats said – I thought we dominated.”We started the series with a squad looking to see the depth, and the home side had to change the whole set-up to make sure that their spinners got the advantage. Ideally, yes, our men did not respond well to the spin. However, with the mindset that we have in our team being a championship winning team, we must be able to play in different conditions. You know, by letting [our] bowlers be challenged and also our batters be challenged.”Asalanka, for his part, had no such qualms about his batters. Indeed, the scores over the course of the West Indies T20Is indicate that Sri Lanka’s batting has been performing well – they scored at least 160 in each game – despite the nature of the tracks.”We were expecting a spinning wicket in the first game as well, but it didn’t play as we expected,” Asalanka said. “Then in the second game it turned a lot more, but we still managed to score 162, and in this game we chased down 163 in 18 overs. I think, if you look at the scores you can’t really say it’s a bad wicket.”But what about on better tracks? While that is a question that can only be answered definitively once Sri Lanka have to deal with such conditions, Asalanka is confident that their batting line-up is primed to deal with whatever challenges are put before them.”As a team, our goal is that if we get a good wicket abroad, we should be able to score 200-250, but if it’s a harder wicket then we should be able to score 160-170 or in that range.”Against India, we were chasing 200 or so, but after a good start we were unable to finish it off. Even in the last game, we were on the verge of winning but then our set batters were unable to finish the game. On pitches like this it’s important that the batter that is set, as much as possible, takes the game long or finishes it off.”

He also lauded openers David Warner and Travis Head for “putting the pressure straight back on South Africa” during the chase

Andrew Fidel Fernando16-Nov-20232:21

Starc on his form in the World Cup: ‘Nice to step up in a big game’

Australia’s new-ball bowling in unexpectedly helpful conditions, and the batting of their openers, made the difference in a tense semi-final. Mitchell Starc, who took the first wicket of the match, and finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 34, said this, having also been at the middle when the winning runs were hit.Though it’s been a difficult tournament for Starc the bowler, he and Josh Hazlewood reduced South Africa’s top order to 24 for 4 in the first 12 overs, and took five wickets between them. Although the match would have many dramatic moments later, this period likely proved the most definitive.”I think our powerplay was probably what got us on our way,” Starc said. “There were other key moments through the day with bat and ball, but to start the game like that with Joshie and I was great. Powerplay wickets have probably not been our strong suit through the tournament, so it’s nice to have a powerplay of what, 2 for 18 or something like that. The way Josh bowled throughout to finish two for 12 (from eight overs) was incredible.Related

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• Bavuma: 'Way we started with bat and ball was the turning point'

• Australia edge low-scoring thriller to book spot in eighth ODI World Cup final

“Looking at Josh’s pitch map – that’s what he does so well in Test match bowling. He was incredible today and the way we run off each other to have that powerplay that we did, and carry some momentum through to the middle overs was how we want to start matches. So it was nice to do it in a big game.”In the league match these teams had played, Quinton de Kock had made a century as opener, and South Africa hit 311 for 7, with Aiden Markram also adding a fast fifty. Neither de Kock nor Markram could make a serious impact with the bat in the semi-final, however.”We know that South Africa are very strong at the back end if they’ve got wickets in hand and if we can get David Miller and Heinrich Klaassen in early or within the first 20 overs, then we’re well on our way. It makes it a bit harder for them to back-end it. So, it went to plan with the ball today.”With the bat, later on, Australia raced to 60 in six overs, as David Warner struck 29 off 18 balls, and Travis Head went on to make 62 off 48, with Australia chasing 213.”I think the way not only Trav but also Davey batted put the pressure straight on South Africa there in the first 10 overs. We’ve seen throughout the tournament how tough the first 10 overs can be at certain times of the day, with the hard new balls. When you’re willing to take the game on like that and sometimes you take a little bit of luck with you, but the guys were fantastic in that opening partnership.”Head’s innings in particular, ensured that Australia had hit 106 runs – almost half the runs required – in the first 14 overs. South Africa’s spinners would then take wickets and make the game tight, but Australia’s middle and lower orders weren’t left with much to do.”Then Trav carried through a bit longer and he was probably looking a bit ominous there not to go further – closer to 100,” Starc said. “Certainly took some pressure off early with the way that the guys started. Those runs were much needed with how we saw the back end of the game. It gave ourselves a bit of extra time not to have to go so hard at the end.”