Indian tour has hurt lanka’s WC preparation: Ranatunga
Colombo: Refusing to blame the players for the ODI debacle in India, World Cup winning former Sri lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga said the country’s administrators are responsible for the fiasco which has disturbed the team’s World Cup preparations as well. Ranatunga said he holds Sri lanka Cricket, the Ministry of Sports, his former teammates Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu and skipper Angelo Mathews responsible for the side’s poor show so far. His comments came after Sri lanka lost the fourth ODI at the Eden Gardens following Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 264-run knock. “In trying to please India they have taken Sri lanka Cricket into a depressing situation. Jayasuriya (Chairman of selectors) Atapattu (the national coach) made us believe that the Indian tour would come in good stead for our World Cup preparations,” Ranatunga said.
Pacers give Australia win in first ODI against South Africa
Perth: Australian captain Michael Clarke suffered a worrying recurrence of a hamstring injury as his side beat South Africa by 32 runs in the opening one-day international at Perth’s WACA Ground on Friday. After being sent in to bat in the opening encounter of the five-match series, the home team posted 300 for eight from their 50 overs. In reply, South Africa threatened a record run chase at the venue when their skipper, AB de Villiers (80) and David Miller (65) put on 126 for the fifth wicket, but ultimately fell 32 runs short and were dismissed for 268. Brief Scores — Pakistan: Australia 300/8 (George Bailey 70, Vernon Philander 4/45) beat South Africa: 268 (AB de Villiers 80, David Miller 65, Nathan Coulter-Nile 4/48) by 32 runs.
Clarke injures hamstring in match against SA
Perth: Australia captain Michael Clarke reinjured his hamstring in Perth on Friday, and was unable to play out the remainder of a one-day international against South Africa. The 33-year-old hurt his troublesome left hamstring during a brief stint at the crease at the Western Australian Cricket association stadium on Friday. “Michael has reinjured his left hamstring and is currently being assessed,” his doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement released by Cricket Australia. He missed the one-day matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and also returned home early from the previous limited overs tour of Zimbabwe because of the same problem. More significantly, it comes just three weeks out from the first Test against India, and only months away from the next World Cup.
Haddin doubtful for Test series against India
Sydney: Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been rendered doubtful for the Test series against India, starting next month after he was ruled out on Friday for the five-match ODI series against South Africa due to a should injury. “Haddin has been ruled out of the remainder of the Carlton Mid ODI series (against South Africa),” Cricket Australia said. Haddin badly injured his shoulder while doing wicket keeping duties in Australia’s 0-2 Test series defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the UAE. “While Brad will miss the ODI series the CA medical team is still hopeful that he will recover in time for the first Test against India,” the physio added. “
Tendulkar congratulates Rohit for double ton
New Delhi: The first cricketer to get a double hundred in ODIs, Sachin Tendulkar, on Friday congratulated Rohit Sharma for becoming the first to achieve the feat twice. Rohit smashed a 264-run knock against Sri lanka in Kolkata last night to not just become the highest run-getter in an ODI innings but also the first batsman to notch up two double hundreds. In the process, he surpassed Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, both of whom have got a double ton each. “I didn’t get to see his innings but getting another double ton is special and I feel very happy for Rohit. A perfect form of match practice and preparations before the Australian tour,” Tendulkar said. Tendulkar had also recorded 25 fours during his double century 200 not out in 2010.
Jubair’s five-five gives Bangladesh lead over Zimbabwe
Chittagong: Bangladesh reached 23-0 without trouble and extended its lead to 152 after bowling out Zimbabwe for 374 on the third day of the third Test on Friday. Imrul Kayes was batting on 11 with Tamim Iqbal on 8 at stumps, as Bangladesh chases a first 3-0 series sweep. legspinner Jubair Hossain claimed a career-best 5-96 earlier to help Bangladesh take a big 129-run lead on the first innings. Brief Scores — Bangladesh: 503 and 23-0 (Imrul Kayes 11*, Tamim Iqbal 8*) lead Zimbabwe: 374 (Elton Chigumbura 91, Sikandar Raza 82, Hamilton Masakadza 81; Jubair Hossain 5/96) by 152 runs.