Cricket: International Discussion Thread

[Creag]

Sri Lanka 320 & 282
Pakistan 332 & 165/9 (52.1 ov)

Sri Lanka won by 105 runs

 

[Creag]

Rangana Herath is man of the match, and man of the series as well. "One of the best games I have played." And when Russell Arnold reminds him of all the records he's broken in the match and the series: "I'm trying to get some more better, try and get some more wickets."

And here's Misbah: "I think we played good cricket in patches but credit should be given to Sri Lanka. Rangana Herath was terrific and I haven't seen many spells like that in Test cricket. Last evening he was getting a bit more bite. Even when we were bowling we were getting a bit more spin and bounce. Today it wasn't like that. We have to look forward, focus on the one-day series, put in some good performances."

Nothing from captain Mathews. Seems the last honour is left to MJ:

Mahela has the mike, folks!

"Don't know what to say but I promise I won't cry." He thanks his teammates, the Pakistan team, his coaches, "the past cricketers, everyone who's made me the person I am." He thanks his school (big cheer), the SSC, the SLC, "his excellency the President for gracing this occasion." Thanks the fans for coming in numbers. "I love you all, thank you so much for the support all these years. I still have a little bit left and I promise I'll give it my all for the World Cup."

Thanks his parents, his family and his friends, and his wife, who's standing by his side. "To the little one. It's been a tough journey but I think she's enjoyed it."

"Thank you to the boys. Sanga, I think you still have a little bit left. It's been great to play for Sri Lanka. I've always worn this cap with pride and passion."

Oh. Wait. Here he is:

Angelo Mathews: "It's an emotional day. Mahela has been a pillar of strength, an older brother for me. He's the smartest guy in the team, the go-to man always, and the effort that he makes with his knowledge and ability is wonderful. Thank you to his parents for bringing him up the way they have. It's not going to be easy to fill his shoes. One of the best players who has ever played the game. But we have a few young players who are ready to take up the challenge."

On Sanga: "I'm trying to keep him as long as possible. We can't lose both of them in a short span of time. Hope he plays for at least one more year with us."

 

[Wall]

Just saw what Herath did to Pakistan

 

[Creag]

Match bowling figures for Herath: 14/184

1st innings: 9/127
2nd innings: 5/57

 

[Creag]

12.05pm The Sri Lankans pose for photographs, with a trophy that looks vaguely like the World Cup. That's it from all of us. We already have a report up for all of you to read, and we'll soon have plenty of other stuff from our two correspondents at the ground, Andrew Fernando and Umar Farooq. It's been great to bring you this Test match, and a privilege since it was Mahela's final Test. Reading your comments, I can see how much he meant to his fans. In any case, I'm off now, and I'll leave you all with one final comment:

Ramesh: "In a span of 2 years, we've seen Ponting, Kallis, Sachin, Dravid, Laxman, and now Mahela retire. Test cricket is getting poorer, but some of us are richer to have witnessed some amazing innings by these once-in-a-lifetime players! "

Grim. but that is the reality of this game. I'll had Smith [Biff] to that list (love him or hate him). Sad though

 

[Creag]

Sri Lanka 310/9 (50.0 ov)

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat

http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-pakistan-2014/engine/match/745161.html

Mahela Jayawardene 67(74)
Angelo Mathews 93(115)
Thisara Perera 65(36)

Wahab Riaz 4/65
Mohammad Hafeez 3/39

6.30pm Sri Lanka looked to have lost their way a bit when they lost two wickets and scored only 24 in the batting Powerplay. But Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera took full toll of some wayward death bowling to power Sri Lanka to 310. Pakistan leaked 80 runs in the last six overs, and they'll have to bat out of their skins again if they are to win this one.

The innings has ended half an hour behind schedule. In the old days, that would have meant a couple of overs chopped off Pakistan's chase. I wonder whether Misbah will cop some sort of fine for the over rate, even with all the interruptions for wickets and bat changes and decision reviews.

The highest successful chase at Hambantota was Pakistan's 277 in the previous ODI. They did that in 45 overs, so they will believe they can pull off 300-plus today.

Phenomenal effort by SL after going 3/62. Partnerships of 122 and 87 both involving Mathews put them into this amazing position.

 

[Creag]

Source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-pakistan-2014/engine/match/745161.html

 

[Creag]

Collapse or capitulation from the Pakistani batsmen... again, and it's two from two for Sri Lanka

 

[Creag]

India 304/6

Raina 100(75)
Woakes 4/52

England 161/10
Hales 40
Jadeja 4/28

India win by 133 on the D/L method

 

[Creag]

The West Indies players have abruptly called off their India tour over an ongoing payment structure dispute between the WICB and WIPA. The fourth ODI in Dharamsala will be the last match of the tour. A senior BCCI official confirmed the development, saying the West Indies team management had informed the board of their decision earlier in the day.

According to the BCCI official, the board is trying to find an alternative team as a replacement, with Sri Lanka being the favourite.

More to follow...

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-west-indies-2014-15/content/current/story/789919.html

 

[NeonNinja]

 

[Creag]

Yikes! How about those totals!

 

[Creag]

I have been keeping an eye on this game [Pakistan v Australia] and watching the Aussies slowly collapse. Wait. Implode is probably the better word.

First test match.

Pakistan 454
Australia 282/8 (93.0 ov)
Australia trail by 172 runs with 2 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I have been keeping an eye on this game [Pakistan v Australia] and watching the Aussies slowly collapse. Wait. Implode is probably the better word.

First test match.

Pakistan 454
Australia 282/8 (93.0 ov)
Australia trail by 172 runs with 2 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Never underestimate Pakistan's ability to collapse though, they may outdo the Aussies in the second innings...

 

[Creag]

Agreed. This stubborn 9th wicket partnership is probably escalating their nerves already

 

[Creag]

Of course I wouldn't mind seeing a collapse or two by the Aussies. As things stand, I understand that if they win this match, the *spits* Aussies will go number one.

And who knows when our next test match will be.

 

[Creag]

Woot! And here it is:

Australia losing 10 for 175 then, after the 128-run opening partnership. Pakistan's inexperienced attack has done superbly to give their side a 151-run lead. Six wickets for the spinners, three for the debutant leggie Yasir Shah. The opening came via Rahat Ali, who removed Chris Rogers and then ran out Alex Doolan. Third successive hundred for David Warner but very little from the middle order before Johnson chipped in with 37.

Pakistan 454
Australia 303 (103.1 ov)
Australia trail by 151 runs with 0 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Now if the Pakis mess this up, I will be spitting on their flag Just kidding, JK8!

 

[Creag]

5.35 pm Light meter is out, umpires having a chat. The floodlights have been on for a while. And off we go, with two overs remaining.

Pakistan sitting on a lead of 189 at the end of day three, with all wickets intact in the second innings. It was a testing little session for them this evening, but in the absence of the injured Hafeez, Shehzad and Azhar have added 38 in 13 overs. They need around 210 to set Australia a target of 400. Just as they have done today, they need to avoid losing wickets next morning, and they are on their way to that mark. We will be back at 10 am on day four. Good bye.

Stumps day 3

Pakistan 454 & 38/0 (13.0 ov)
Australia 303
Pakistan lead by 189 runs with 10 wickets remaining

 

[Creag]

Stumps Day 4

Pakistan 454 & 286/2d
Australia 303 & 59/4 (23.0 ov)
Australia require another 379 runs with 6 wickets remaining

I am liking the look of progress on day 4. Aussies look intent on giving it to the Pakis.

 

[Creag]

Pakistan 454 & 286/2d
Australia 303 & 216 (91.1 ov)
Pakistan won by 221 runs

Pakistan get together in a huddle, it's broken only so they can shake hands with the opposition players. Younis Khan gets a stump, Yasir Shah gets a stump on debut, Misbah looks like its just another day in the office. But no, this is Pakistan 1-0 up in a two-match series.