Mendis magic gives Sri Lanka perfect start

Updated September 19, 2012 07:37:25

Spinner Ajantha Mendis took a record six wickets for just eight runs as hosts Sri Lanka humbled Zimbabwe in the opening match of the World Twenty20 overnight.

Mendis, 27, marked his international return after an eight-month injury lay-off with the devastating haul to dismiss Zimbabwe for 100 in 17.3 overs in the Group C match in Hambantota.

Zimbabwe could never cope with Mendis's unreadable deliveries and collapsed like a pack of cards in pursuit of the daunting target of 183 set by Sri Lanka at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.

Sri Lanka, which lost the toss and was sent into bat, owed its total of 4 for 182 to Kumar Sangakkara (44) and Jeevan Mendis (43 not out), who shared a 94-run stand for the fourth wicket.

"It's tough paying a team like Zimbabwe," Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said.

"You can't take anything for granted. We had to make sure we played to our potential.

"It's a good wicket, just needed to get used to it a little bit. Our guys batted really well, and the bowlers then did a super job."

Mendis struck two blows in his first over, removing Vusi Sibanda (11) and Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor (0) off successive deliveries. He next had Zimbabwe's top-scorer Hamilton Masakadza (20).

He returned for his second spell and took four more wickets to end any lingering Zimbabwean hopes -- and improve his own international Twenty20 record figures of 6 for 16, set against Australia at Pallekele last year.

Jeevan Mendis took 3 for 24 to cap a great all-round performance.

"We are a better side than what we showed," Zimbabwe's captain Taylor said.

"Credit goes to Sri Lanka. They showed why they are one of the favourites to win the tournament.

"We have played enough cricket to go back from today, rethink and come back a better side."

Sangakkara, the newly crowned ICC player of the year, hit a 26-ball 44, studded with a six and two boundaries, while Jeevan Mendis smashed four boundaries and a six during his unbeaten 43 off 30 balls.

Both the left-handers lifted Sri Lanka from 3 for 82 after the hosts were put into bat.

Tillakaratne Dilshan hit five boundaries during his rapid 39 before he fell caught behind by Taylor off legspinner Graeme Cremer. Jayawardene was run out for 13 while debutant Dilshan Munaweera made 17.

Twelve teams competing in the event are divided in four groups, with the top two teams advancing to the Super Eight stage, which will decide the four semi-finalists.

Sri Lanka is bidding to end its 16-year wait for a second major title after winning the 50-over World Cup in 1996.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sri-lanka

First posted September 19, 2012 07:37:25

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Proteas off to solid start

Updated March 23, 2012 18:19:50

South Africa's batsmen made a mockery of supposedly helpful bowling conditions to finish the weather-affected first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand on 2 for 136.

Alviro Petersen was on 44 and JP Duminy on a quickly-compiled 23 when umpires offered them the option of leaving the field in the murky gloom, with 21 overs remaining in the day's play at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Hashim Amla was the only wicket to fall after tea when his mistimed pull shot from a Mark Gillespie bouncer fell for wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.

Amla, who did not add to his tea score of 63, was forced to wait for several minutes as umpires reviewed Gillespie's foot placement, with television replays suggesting his back foot was touching the line on the return crease, which would have meant a no-ball and Amla being recalled.

Third umpire Billy Doctrove upheld the decision, however, the second time he was forced to make a controversial ruling in the Proteas' innings.

Prior to tea, he affirmed a decision to give Proteas captain Graeme Smith out for 5 when he was adjudged to have got an inside edge to a Doug Bracewell delivery and was caught by van Wyk.

Smith initially stood his ground, walked down the pitch to talk with Petersen then asked for the decision to be reviewed.

Television replays showed clear daylight between his bat and the ball as it passed by, though microphones indicated some sort of sound and Doctrove upheld the decision.

Smith was shaking his head as he walked off the field.

The Black Caps failed to capitalise on the help that conditions offered after the pitch was covered for almost a week due to wet weather in Wellington.

They did not put any pressure on the Proteas batsmen, bowling wide of off-stump or too short allowing them to leave too many deliveries.

Such was captain Ross Taylor's desperation to upset the Proteas' rhythm before the tea break he introduced part-time medium pacer Dean Brownlie, who was belted for 20 runs from two overs.

Overnight rain had delayed the start of the match, with umpires deeming the ground unsuitable for play until 2:00pm (local time). The match had been scheduled to start at 10:30am

The Proteas only need to draw the match to seal the three-Test series after they won the second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton by nine wickets.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted March 23, 2012 18:19:50

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Sri Lanka overcome shaky start

Updated March 02, 2012 16:43:51

Sri Lanka has overcome a shaky start in the tri-series one-day international against Australia at the MCG.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat, were three for 152 after 33 overs.

Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal put together a partnership of 123 off 144 balls to rescue their side from a poor start.

Sangakkara was caught in the deep by Peter Forrest off the bowling of James Pattinson for 64 runs. Chandimal was not out 63 after 33 overs.

Sri Lanka is level on points with India and will advance to Sunday's first final against Australia in Brisbane on Sunday if it wins today.

That looked unlikely in the early stages of the match when Mahela Jayawardene was run out by David Hussey in the second over for five runs.

Soon after Tillakaratne Dilshan was dismissed for 9 off the bowling of James Pattinson.

Australia: Shane Watson (captain), David Warner, Peter Forrest, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Matthew Wade, Daniel Christian, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath

Tags: sport, cricket, australia

First posted March 02, 2012 14:31:53

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Clarke puts emphasis on strong start

Updated December 25, 2011 09:51:48

The ghosts from day one of last year's Boxing Day Test are irrelevant to Australian captain Michael Clarke

But he readily admits it is critical that his team make a strong start against India, whether they bat or bowl.

"How you start the game generally, for the Australian team anyway, that sums up or is a good indication for where the Test match is going to end up," Clarke said.

This Test a year ago proved a watershed moment for Australian cricket.

With the Ashes series tied at 1-1, Ricky Ponting lost the toss and Australia was skittled for 98.

England were 0 for 157 at stumps and the Test was effectively over.

The tourists went on to win the Ashes in Australia for the first time in 20 years.

Australian cricket was in crisis and two wide-ranging reviews followed.

There have been overhauls of the selection panel and team management.

Now Boxing Day is also the start of the four-Test series against keen rivals India.

Asked if the first session would carry any extra significance for Australia because of what happened a year ago, Clarke replied: "not to me, no.

"There's extra significance because that's the area of the game we're trying to work so hard at.

"It would make every one of us very pleased and proud if we can go out, if the ball is moving around, and play well.

"It is (significant) because of the date, because it's the Boxing Day Test match - it's built up because it is a special Test."

Clarke prefers to bat first if he wins the toss, but added he would look at the pitch and weather first.

"Hopefully I can win the toss and make that decision," he said.

Should he have his way, Clarke wants the Australian top order to play sensibly, but not too conservatively.

"It's important if we bat first that we play our natural game - that's what I think," he said.

"You have the confidence to back your own ability.

"We've done plenty of work ... our preparation has been spot-on.

"I have no concerns if we bat first on that wicket and there's a bit of movement - I'm confident we're ready for it."

The Australian top order had a batting camp at the MCG this week to prepare for the first Test.

MCG curator Cameron Hodgkins has predicted another lively first-day pitch.

"I will make no bones about it - we've had extra time as a batting unit because we know we need to get better at facing the new ball," Clarke said.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 25, 2011 09:51:48

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