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Will Tavare and Graeme van Buuren registered half-centuries as Gloucestershire reached the close on 236 for 4 on the opening day of the Specsavers Championship

ECB Reporters Network14-Apr-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Will Tavaré held Gloucestershire together with an unbeaten 73•Getty Images

Will Tavare and Graeme van Buuren registered half-centuries as Gloucestershire reached the close on 236 for 4 on the opening day of the Specsavers Championship match against Leicestershire at the Brightside Ground, Bristol.The third-wicket pair batted throughout the afternoon session, adding 127 after Gloucestershire had been put in by opponents who failed to make best use of the new ball. But the Foxes fought back during the final session, removing allrounder van Buuren and George Hankins in quick succession and restricting the run rate thereafter to put themselves back in contention before bad light brought a premature conclusion at the end of the 88th over.Determined to make amends after being shot out for 61 in their second innings and crashing to a heavy defeat in their Division Two opener at Kent last week, Gloucestershire summoned a gutsy response in their first home game of the season. No one demonstrated powers of recovery more admirably than Tavare, whose stubborn innings of 73 not out, chiseled from 213 balls and spanning just under four hours, characterised Gloucestershire’s approach.While van Buuren and Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft, who dominated an opening stand of 52 with Chris Dent, were prepared to play their shots and entertain a sparse Bank Holiday crowd, Tavare dropped anchor to provide the innings with the kind of gravitas that had been missing at Canterbury last time out.Mustering concentration and defiance in equal measure, the Bristolian ensured Gloucestershire were able to bank their first batting bonus points of the season and assume the upper hand against a Leicestershire side following their mauling at the hands of Nottinghamshire.Having helped shore up the innings in conditions conducive to swing following the departure of Bancroft and Dent prior to lunch, Tavare happily played second fiddle to the dashing van Buuren as the pair held sway during what turned out to be an afternoon of toil for Leicestershire’s misfiring seam attack.Promoted up the order in the absence of the unwell Gareth Roderick, van Buuren survived a searching examination from Ben Raine to stamp his authority and change the complexion of the game, carving 50 from 65 balls as the home side seized the initiative. Within sight of what would have been his third first-class hundred for the county, the 26-year-old edged a length ball from Raine behind for 79, cutting short an enterprising innings that comprised 128 balls and included 12 fours.When Hankins chased a ball outside his off stump and was held at first slip off the bowling of Gavin Griffiths soon afterwards, Gloucestershire were 204 for 4 and in need of reassurance. It was provided by the dependable Tavare and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Phil Mustard, who kept Leicestershire at bay until bad light hastened the end of proceedings.Leicestershire elected to bowl first and wasted the new ball as their frontline seamers struggled to muster line and length on a consistent basis.Griffiths claimed his maiden Championship wicket when bowling Bancroft for 32 with a superb inswinging yorker, while Richard Jones bowled Dent via an inside edge for 20. But Gloucestershire’s openers had done enough to take the shine off the ball.No doubt piqued at seeing four catches go down, Leicestershire captain Mark Cosgrove made a point when coming into the attack ahead of schedule in the 45th over. By that time, Gloucestershire had assumed a crucial foothold and van Buuren and Tavare were up and running.

Jake Lehmann completed his second first-class century on the third day of South Australia’s match against Queensland in Adelaide, but the Redbacks faced a huge task to push for victory on the final day

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-2016
ScorecardJake Lehmann (pictured playing in the BBL) completed his second first-class hundred on the third day in Adelaide•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Jake Lehmann completed his second first-class century on the third day of South Australia’s match against Queensland in Adelaide, but the Redbacks faced a huge task to push for victory on the final day. Set 418 to win, South Australia went to stumps on 0 for 29, with Tom Cooper on 18 and Mark Cosgrove on 10, and they needed a further 389 runs.The day had started with South Australia on 5 for 252 in their first innings and Lehmann was on 92; he moved into triple figures for the second time this summer and was the second-last man dismissed for the Redbacks, lbw to Peter George for 126. George finished with 3 for 50.Queensland’s 159-run first-innings lead ballooned in the second innings as Sam Heazlett scored 72 and Chris Hartley made 55, with Test squad member Chadd Sayers collecting 2 for 51. Test opener Joe Burns made 30 to add to his 35 in the first innings as he prepares for the series against New Zealand.

The PCB has decided, in principle, to file an intra-court appeal with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the judgement passed by the same court, which had earlier called for fresh elections for the chairman of the PCB

Umar Farooq24-Jul-2013The PCB has decided, in principle, to file an intra-court appeal with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the judgement passed by the same court, which had earlier called for fresh elections for the chairman of the PCB and overruled all major decisions taken by the interim chairman Najam Sethi. The Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination, Government of Pakistan (IPC), another respondent in the petition, has also filed an appeal against the judgement. The PCB was concerned that the judgement would impact its daily functioning and issues such as team selection, annual budget and television broadcast deals, which are yet to be finalised.The 30-page judgement, filed by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, has asked for drastic changes in the structure of the PCB, and questioned the appointment of the selection committee, as well as its financial and recruitment affairs. The judge ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to carry out the election of the PCB chairman, directed the federal government to appoint a District Management Group (DMG) officer as the PCB secretary, and also reduced the powers of the president of Pakistan, also the patron of the PCB. All major decisions can only be taken by the full-time chairman, who should be elected by October 18.”The judgement of the learned single Judge may result in gridlock for the PCB in matters such as electoral college and criteria for selection committees, specifically team selection for the tours of Zimbabwe, Singapore and South Africa (home series in UAE), all of which are before the end of October,” the PCB said in a statement.”PCB has today decided in principle to file an Intra-Court appeal against the judgement of Islamabad High Court passed in Writ Petition No.2242/2013 titled Maj (R) Ahmad Nadeem Sadal v. Federation of Pakistan Etc. as perusal of the detailed judgment received by PCB on 22-07-2013 reflects finding on such points of law and facts and administration which were neither part of the pleading, nor were argued by any party before the Court, and may potentially bring to standstill the day-to-day functioning of the PCB.”With the suspension of the former chairman Zaka Ashraf, the IHC had directed the government to name an interim chairman, with the prime minister Nawaz Sharif appointing Sethi. But the court overruled all of Sethi’s decisions taken over the last month, leaving the PCB in a fix.”The acting chairman appointed by the prime minister of Pakistan needs to effectively manage the affairs of the PCB as noted above until the election of a permanent chairman, for which no clear direction has been given in the judgement,” the PCB said. “Therefore, the PCB is left with no other option but to appeal the said judgement.”The PCB is yet to finalise a broadcasting deal after its five-year contract with TEN Sports, worth $140 million, ended last month. Of immediate importance are the two forthcoming home series in the UAE against South Africa and Sri Lanka.”The PCB needs to conclude arrangements for media broadcasting agreements related to its cricketing itinerary, which has expired and for which tenders are required to be floated on an urgent basis, failing which the PCB will suffer colossal monetary losses.”The judgment also raises concerns with regard to the ICC’s guidelines on non-intervention of the government in the administrative affairs of the PCB in so far as it directs the federal government to appoint a DMG officer as secretary of the PCB and the same may be argued against directing the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold the elections in PCB.”The judgement will not affect the Pakistan team currently in the West Indies for a limited-overs series. The PCB, in general, has been seized and will remain so till the newly elected chairman takes office. One of Sethi’s major decisions was appointing former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan as the chairman of selectors, but as per the court’s ruling, Moin’s appointment stands cancelled.

Kevin Pietersen could have played his last game for England after launching an astonishing attack on the ECB and other members of the England dressing room

George Dobell at Headingley06-Aug-2012Kevin Pietersen could have played his last game for England after conceding that there were deep, perhaps irrepairable, divisions with the ECB and some other members of the England dressing room.Pietersen, who has been unsettled for some time by the demands of the England schedule, refused to confirm that the final Test of the series against South Africa at Lord’s would not be his last and expressed his anger that private conversations between him and officials at the ECB had been leaked to the media.His comments are sure to be poorly received by those at Lord’s and by his England colleagues. With a vital Test looming it is far from impossible that Pietersen could be disciplined or even dropped in an attempt to retain a semblance of team spirit within the England camp.”I can’t give any assurances that the next Test won’t be my last,” Pietersen said. “I’d like to carry on but there are obstacles that need to be worked out. There are other points I’m trying to sort out in the dressing room.”It would be a huge shame. I love playing Test cricket for England, but we’ll see. For me, the saddest part about all this is that the spectators just love watching me play and I love playing for England.”Pietersen confirmed that some of his issues concerned a desire to play more IPL cricket, a wish to spend more time with his family and his enthusiasm to be included in England’s World T20 squad. But he also insisted that there were “a lot of other issues that are more important that are being sorted”.”It’s absolutely 100% not about money,” he said. “This is not a money issue. The politics is what I have to deal with personally. It’s tough being me playing for England.”There’s always speculation. There’s speculation every single day. You guys speculate about my life all day every day. I’m going to make some decisions that will make me very happy.”Pietersen’s current cause for concern is the leaking of information he regarded as private. Admitting that it revived memories of his sacking as England captain at the end of 2008, when Pietersen believes that his private concerns about the then England coach, Peter Moores, were also leaked to the media, he seemed to suggest that public opinion was being manipulated against him.”It was blamed on me that before this Test series I was grabbing the headlines,” he said. “Did I leak anything to the media about the meetings I was having with the ECB? I never spoke to the media for one single second and it was me grabbing the headlines and journalists talking about me grabbing the headlines. I never spoke a single word to a single journalist about anything that happened behind closed doors that I thought were closed doors. So you guys are always going to speculate and make me out to be the bad guy. No problem.”The catalyst for the latest controversy in a career that has seen more than most – including his dismissal as England captain and his departures from Nottinghamshire and Hampshire – is the prospect of a new round of annual central contracts in September. Pietersen, who effectively retired from international limited-overs cricket in May after expressing a reluctance to make himself available for all ODIs, has also requested that he is allowed to miss the Test series in New Zealand in March in order to play a whole season of IPL.While he insisted that, in a perfect world, he would like to continue to play for England in all forms of game, his desire to pick and choose his series is most unlikely to be tolerated by the ECB. The ECB, citing the importance of treating all players equally and the dangers of setting a precedent, demands that players are available for all matches if they are to be considered for any.Andrew Strauss, the England captain, was reluctant to be drawn on Pietersen’s words. He did, however, underline the fact that the needs of the team would remain more important than the needs of the individual and that it was vital England were not distracted ahead of a Test that will confirm which is the No. 1 ranked Test side.”One thing I will say, and it is important to stress this, is that the Team unity that we have had over the last three years has been outstanding,” Strauss said. “It is something we all pride ourselves on, always have done and will continue to do so going forward.”I hope the Kevin issue isn’t going to be a distraction. The truth is we want as few distractions as possible in making sure we win this third Test match. I’m not here to talk about Kevin Pietersen. It is not something I want to talk about at this stage.”

A round-up of the first match-day in the ICC Americas Region Division One Twenty20 2011

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jul-2011Bermuda beat Argentina by three wickets in a close match on the opening day of the ICC Americas Region Division One Twenty20 in Lauderhill, Florida. The win was fashioned by opener Lionel Cann, who scored an unbeaten 55 chasing a target of 94, and got his side home with three balls to spare. The winning runs came with a six, Cann’s third of the innings. He did not receive much support in the chase, with none of his team-mates getting into double figures and the middle order struggling against offspinner Esteban MacDermott, who almost derailed the chase with figures of 3 for 9. Earlier, Argentina – after choosing to bat – limped to 93 for 8 in their 20, the only sizeable contribution coming from Gary Savage who was run out for 38. Opening bowler Malachi Jones was Bermuda’s most successful, picking up three top-order wickets in a miserly spell.In a match that was shortened due to lightning strikes, USA defeated Suriname by 50 runs via the Duckworth/Lewis method. A lightning strike delayed the game, after which it was shortened to 13 overs-a-side. When a second lightning bolt struck in the 12th over of the Suriname chase to end the game, the D/L par score was 108, while the visitors had managed only 58 for 6. A half-century from USA opener Gowkaran Roopnarine backed up his team’s decision to bat. The rest of the top order delivered as well, hitting quickfire cameos to push the total to an imposing 124 for 2. The Suriname chase lacked momentum all through and the batsmen ran poorly, with four of the top six being run out as the USA bowlers strangled the innings.Canada began with a comprehensive 64-run win against Cayman Islands, thanks largely to legspinner Zahid Hussain who produced figures of 4 for 7 with Canada defending 131. Canada’s total was built on several cameos. Opener Khushroo Wadia top-scored with 40. Offspinner Alessandro Morris was the only Cayman Islands bowler to have much of an effect, taking 3 for 21 in three overs. Pearson Best scored a steady 21 in the chase, but received no support as his side slumped to 66 for 7 in their 20.

Former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer Conroy Ievers Gunasekera, famously known as ‘CI’, died in Colombo on Thursday at the age of 90

Sa'adi Thawfeeq29-Jul-2010Former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer and All Ceylon Captain Conroy Ievers Gunasekera, famously known as ‘CI’, died in Colombo on Thursday at the age of 90. Born on July 14, 1920, he learnt the game when Sri Lanka was under British rule. He was known to be one of the hardest hitters of the ball of his era, and also bowled right-arm legbreaks.Gunasekera played for Royal College, but drew notice with his performances for Singhalese SC. He won his first national cap at the age of 27 against Don Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’, and represented his country against international teams until 1964, with his last appearance also against the Australians, led by Bob Simpson.He was belatedly handed the national captaincy in 1960 at the age of 40, and is remembered for a quickfire cameo he played against Richie Benaud’s touring Australians a year later. He plundered three fours and two sixes in an over from left-arm spinner Lindsay Kline, looting 24 in all, before finishing with 28.Another of his famous knocks was against the MCC at the P. Sara Oval in 1952 while he was playing for a Commonwealth XI. He beat allrounder Keith Miller to his hundred. Gunasekera scored 135 and Miller 106 in a fourth-wicket partnership of 107. The Commonwealth XI went onto amass 517, and beat the MCC by an innings. His highest first-class score was 212 for Ceylon v Madras in the annual Gopalan trophy match played at P. Sara Oval in 1958-59.Gunasekera, who lived alone in his Colombo home, was devastated following the death of his wife a few years ago and became a virtual recluse. His son lives in England.In a recent interview with a Sunday paper, Gunasekera said, “I was a dreadful smoker, at 2 cents a cigarette; I could afford it for 50 years. That’s why my lungs are shrunk. No one knew that it was bad. Even doctors were offering you cigarettes. At the time they didn’t know medical science.”Gunasekera’s uncle was the famous Dr CH Gunasekara, who became the first Sri Lankan to play for a county side – Middlesex (1919-1922). Gunasekara also excelled in tennis and athletics, but he is remembered mainly for his cricketing exploits.

Vaas, Moin Khan and Owais Shah are among the coaches roped in by the franchises

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Sep-2024David Warner, James Neesham, Asif Ali and Carlos Brathwaite are among the direct signings for the second season of the six-team Zim Afro T10 league.The franchises picked their icon and global superstars as direct signings ahead of the draft, which is set to take place on September 8. The 15-member squad will have an additional 16th player as their global icon. The squad will feature as many as six local Zimbabwe players; the icon and global star can also be from Zimbabwe. The tournament will run from September 21 to 29 in Harare.Warner and Brathwaite were picked by Bulawayo Braves Jaguars while Cape Town Samp Army signed up David Willey, Dawid Malan, Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmed. Colin Munro and Mark Chapman were also among the direct signings along with Yasir Shah, who all went to Durban Wolves. Zimbabwe’s beanpole fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani was signed by New York Strikers Lagos while Bangladesh legspinner Rishad Hossain will team up with the likes of Neesham and Dasun Shanaka at Harare Bolts.Rishad, 22, earned a deal with Hobart Hurricanes, who have Ricky Ponting as part of their strategy team, at the BBL draft earlier this week. Rishad had emerged as Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker at this year’s T20 World Cup, with 14 strikes in seven matches at an economy rate of 7.76.

Vaas, Moin, Owais Shah among the coaches

The franchises also announced their head coaches on Saturday and the roster includes Moin Khan, Chaminda Vaas, Owais Shah, among others.Moin, who has coached the Pakistan national team and Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, was roped in by Durban Wolves. NYS Lagos brought in Vaas, who has also had coaching experience at the international level, with New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland.Bulawayo Braves Jaguars appointed Shah, who has coached the UAE national team and Dambulla Viiking in the Lanka Premier League. Cape Town Samp Army will get the services of James Foster, who has worked in the IPL, the T20 Blast in England and the Bangladesh Premier League, whereas Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers brought in Julian Wood, who has worked with some of the big hitters in the game. Harare Bolts handed over the coaching responsibilities to Sri Lankan Pubudu Dassanayake, who has worked with USA, Canada and Nepal as their head coach.The Zim Afro T10 will be followed by the second season of the US Masters League, Abu Dhabi T10 and the inaugural Lanka T10 will conclude the season in December.

Direct signings in Zim Afro T10

Harare Bolts: Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka: Global Superstar), James Neesham (New Zealand: Icon), George Munsey (Scotland), Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh), Shehan Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Kennar Lewis (West Indies)Bulawayo Braves Jaguars: David Warner (Australia: Icon), Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies), Nick Hobson (Australia), Kobe Herft (Australia)Durban Wolves: Colin Munro (New Zealand: Global Superstar), Mark Chapman (New Zealand: Icon), Will Smeed (England), Sharjeel Khan (Pakistan), Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan), Yasir Shah (Pakistan)Cape Town Samp Army: Haider Ali (Pakistan: Global Superstar), David Willey (England: Icon), Dawid Malan (England), Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan), Qais Ahmed (Afghanistan), Adam Rossington (England), Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan)NYS Lagos: Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe: Global Superstar), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka: Icon), Asif Ali (Pakistan), Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan), Binura Fernando (Sri Lanka), Akhilesh Bogudum (USA), Oshane Thomas (West Indies)Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers: Chris Lynn (Australia: Global Superstar), Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka: Icon), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka), Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan), Adam Milne (New Zealand), Luke Wood (England), Karim Janat (Afghanistan)

Hampshire bowler key to visitors’ first-innings demise for just 56 before batting woes deepen

ECB Reporters Network19-May-2023Northamptonshire 56 (Barker 4-13) and 50 for 2 (Whiteman 25*, Turner 1-10, Barker 1-20) f/o trail Hampshire 367 (Vince 95, Dawson 63, White 4-80) by 261 runsNorthamptonshire’s batting woes continued as they were bowled out for 56 – the lowest total in the Ageas Bowl’s 22-year history during their LV= County Championship match against Hampshire.Fast bowler Keith Barker was their main tormentor as he pilfered 4 for 13 in his 12 overs, while Mohammad Abbas and Ian Holland grabbed two wickets each for the home side.Only Saif Zaib managed to reach double figures – scoring 29 – with four of his team-mates falling for ducks as they scored one run fewer than Hampshire’s 57 against Kent on the ground last season.It meant they gave up a 311-run first-innings deficit, after Hampshire had earlier been bowled out for 367, with a further two wickets falling before the close – the score 50 for 2 and Hampshire’s lead 261.Northamptonshire exceeded many expectations with their sixth-placed finish in the Championship last season – with Luke Procter, Emilio Gay, and Rob Keogh all scoring in excess of 800 runs. So far this year, there has been just a solitary batting point in five matches and totals of 72, 63, and now 56. They are also the only side not to have a batter make 300 runs yet this season – although that is somewhat mitigated by Gay and Procter’s missed games through injury.Unsurprisingly that modest batting record has only translated to a single victory. Their attempts to improve that started horrendously as Hassan Azad was barbequed by Gay and run out without facing a ball in the first over – Mason Crane’s brilliant direct hit at point splattering the stumps.No words were spoken as Azad trudged off, while Gay would frenetically go on to get dropped at second slip before taking on an Abbas bouncer, only to stick it straight down deep square leg Fletcha Middleton’s throat. Sam Whiteman would also fall lbw to Barker as Northamptonshire reached lunch on 18 for 3.That 11-over stint saw the very best of left-armer Barker. His six overs returned 1 for 4 and included only one scoring shot – off the penultimate ball of the session.Barker returned from lunch hungry for wickets and had Ricardo Vasconcelos lbw when walking across his stumps. The former Warwickshire man then produced a double-wicket maiden – his seventh maiden in 12 overs – where he found Keogh pushing to third slip and James Sales beaten for pace.Tom Taylor was caught low at fourth slip off Abbas and Jordan Buckingham edged Holland to second slip to continue the collapse.Zaib had replicated the steady Hampshire batting approach from the first day, where the pitch had seemed slow and patience was needed to pick the moments to score. With partners running out he advanced and slapped to cover.Hampshire’s bowling attack is without Kyle Abbott and James Fuller for this match – due to knee trouble and illness – it meant Championship debutant John Turner and leg-spinner Crane were promoted into the team. Turner bowled with decent pace in his first 3.2 overs before he ended the sorry Northamptonshire innings by knocking back Jack White’s off stump.It was Northamptonshire’s second-lowest total of the 21st century and lowest ever away to Hampshire.Rain knocked 27 off the day, but the belated start to the second innings saw Gay once again put down at second slip and Azam complete a same-day pair – although this time at least faced seven balls before Barker pinned him lbw.Gay and Whiteman showed some solidity before Turner entered the attack and had the former lbw to complete a miserable day for the visitors.Earlier, Hampshire added 36 runs and lost their four remaining wickets, as they gained a third batting bonus point. Liam Dawson and Barker’s 74-run stand for the seventh wicket was ended when Tom Taylor nipped one back to bowl Dawson for 63.White, who ended up with figures of 4 for 80, had Holland lbw and Turner caught brilliantly at second slip by Gay in successive balls. The innings was rounded up when Abbas edged Taylor to first slip.

A stand of 83 with captain Dasun Shanaka decided the game after Australia struggled in both powerplays

Tristan Lavalette20-Feb-2022Kusal Mendis rediscovered his sublime touch as Sri Lanka’s misfiring batting order belatedly emerged from Australia’s stranglehold with a consolation five-wicket victory at the MCG to avoid a series whitewash.Chasing 155 in the fifth and final match, Sri Lanka were wobbling at 71 for 4 after all-too familiar sloppy dismissals before Mendis combined with skipper Dasun Shanaka in a match-winning 83-run partnership to provide the visitors with a confidence boost in Australian conditions ahead of a looming T20 World Cup.It was a deserved victory for Sri Lanka, who have tried hard in the series only to rue inconsistency as they snapped an eight match T20I losing streak in Australia. Australia’s attempts at a first 5-0 T20I series victory were thwarted in their final match of the home summer.With a 5.10pm local start, two hours earlier than usual, the family friendlier time slot reeled in 17,556 fans – compared to 13,000 who attended the MCG on Friday – in the highest attendance of the series.Mendis and Shanaka star for Sri Lanka in chaseEven though they lost in-form Pathum Nissanka and debutant Kamil Mishara early, Sri Lanka were all guns blazing and it paid dividends as they smashed their best powerplay of the series yielding 54 runs.Charith Asalanka started sublimely until a ham-fisted execution of a premediated scoop against Ashton Agar’s first delivery ended a promising knock. It put the pressure on opener Mendis, who was up to the task as he notched his first T20I half-century since September 2019. He found support through Shanaka who impressively targeted star spinner Adam Zampa down the ground.It came down to the last over with Sri Lanka favoured needing nine runs and Shanaka effectively sealed the result with a huge six over deep square leg. He fell next ball with Sri Lanka needing one run with two balls left but Chamika Karunaratne held his nerve to ensure the tourists tasted victory.A firing Mendis noticeably strengthens Sri Lanka’s batting and looms as their key batter at the T20 World Cup. The 27-year-old missed the opening two matches due to Covid-19 having returned from a lengthy suspension for a Covid breach during Sri Lanka’s tour of the UK in the middle of last year.As he showed here, Mendis is more than capable of conjuring match-winning knocks under pressure.Chameera relishes Australian conditions It was a complete performance for Sri Lanka, whose attack has mostly impressed and numerously put Australia under pressure during the series.They did so again in the finale, even without star allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga and quick Binura Fernando, to leave Australia in trouble at 55 for 3 at the halfway mark. Bowling at sharp speeds of 90mph/145kph, Dushmantha Chameera conjured menacing bounce, which accounted for in-form Josh Inglis who gloved a venomous short ball before it cannoned into his helmet.It was a fiery Chameera’s best performance of an encouraging series, which yielded seven wickets, as he relished quicker Australian conditions in a sign of what could be ahead later in the year. Sri Lanka should feel like they can inflict damage at the T20 World Cup with an attack well equipped for Australian conditions.Finch and McDermott fail at the topAustralia have experimented with their batting this series, but the trialling of spinning allrounder Agar as a pinch-hitting opener ended after two matches.Skipper Aaron Finch returned to the top but his form drought continued when he fell for 8 in his sixth single digit score in the last eight T20I matches. Fellow opener Ben McDermott too failed and has fallen away since a half-century in the opening match in a disappointment for the recently minted BBL MVP.He made just 3 from 13 before falling meekly and has not made a strong enough claim for a permanent spot in a line-up missing T20 World Cup winners David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith.Fringe batter Inglis had staked his claims and started fast with fluent strokes through his favoured mid-off area. However, the No. 3 fell on 23 leading to a middle-order collapse where Australia slumped to 82 for 5.But Matthew Wade, who hadn’t been needed much this series, showcased his growing prowess at finishing an innings with an unbeaten 43 off 27 balls to lift Australia to a total that proved not quite enough.

Other option on the table is to consider only those matches completed by end of March 2020

Osman Samiuddin22-Oct-2020The ICC is considering splitting points for unplayed games in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, as it prepares to host the final in June next year. That is one of two options to be considered by its cricket committee next month, on how to manage the points system in a league disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic; the other option considers only those matches actually played by the end of March and bases final positions on the percentage of points sides have won from those that they’ve contested.The aim is to have clarity in place by the time the next WTC commitment begins, with West Indies’ two-Test series in New Zealand in December this year. Any decision from the cricket committee would have to be signed off by the chief executives’ committee.A significant number of Tests have been postponed this year because of the pandemic. In many cases, it isn’t clear when they might be rescheduled to, let alone whether they can be squeezed in within this WTC league cycle, which concludes at the end of March 2021.What’s left in the World Test Championship?•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

That has thrown an already imperfect league structure – where sides play a different number of total Tests and not every side plays the other – into further complications. But, as the decision has been taken to conclude the league and play the final, what could be described as the “least bad” option is being sought to account for the impact of the disruption on the points table.Splitting the points would be within the regulations as they stand, whereby all Tests in the cycle that can’t be played (through no fault of either side) are deemed draws. In that scenario, both sides receive a third of the points available for a Test (120 points are available for every series). Basing it on percentages of points played for would require a tweak to existing regulations.There remains hope that a substantial number of the remaining commitments until the end of March will still go ahead. New Zealand, for example, have a full home summer, and South Africa are aiming to host Sri Lanka and Australia between now and next March. For now, Pakistan expect to host South Africa in January-February. Australia, England and India, meanwhile, will complete their commitments against each other by the end of March.As things stand, however, only India and England have a realistic chance of playing all six of their respective WTC series. For England, that depends on whether their Sri Lanka tour goes ahead. Pakistan can play six series but one against Bangladesh wouldn’t have been completed.The World Test Championship points table, as of October 2020•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Neither option is likely to feel satisfactory, not least for a side like Bangladesh, who could end this cycle having only played three of their six series. But a resolution is necessary given the push to complete this first WTC cycle.It was only last week that it emerged the final going ahead at Lord’s in June next year, when Tom Harrison, the ECB CEO, said his board had been in discussions with the ICC about its staging. That was the culmination of a few weeks of communications between the ICC and its members, in which some boards preferred to see the final postponed and others the cycle completed. One of the concerns cited by those wanting postponement was about the integrity of a league in which a final is held without all games in the run-up to it being played. Those in favour stressed the importance of completing the inaugural cycle of a tournament that had unanimous backing when conceived, even with imperfections.Postponement was the favoured option, though when practicalities were explored, a workable alternative could not be found. The lack of space in the calendar, in fact, is one of the driving reasons why there is keenness to ensure a final takes place next June and the first cycle of the league is officially completed.Soon after the final, the second WTC cycle starts with India’s Test series in England. After that, preparations – and attention – turns to the T20 World Cup in India and the year ends with the Ashes in Australia. Apart from the oddity of completing the first season of a league while the second is ongoing, there is a worry that between these high-profile events and series, the impact of a first World Test Championship final will be lost.With this in mind, and based on feedback from those in favour, the decision was taken to push ahead with the final.