Weekly CRICKET Review - LXIX | Afghans created history!
Hello, fellow Cricket Enthusiasts,
You already know I am sharing a weekly wrap-up of what is happening within the Cricket community. It's the 69th edition now. I am here after 2 weeks as there were not any interesting tournaments. But now, it has become way more excitng. So, let's see what's happening!!
New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka, 2024
As a part of the World Test Championship 2023-2025, Kiwis have come to Sri Lanka for a 2-match Test series. Sri Lanka is always good at home Tests and especially Galle is just like our fortress. That's why we have won all 5 Test matches against NZ in Galle.
Anyway, Sri Lanka started the batting and it was tough going from the start. After an early collapse at the top, our new batting sensation Kamindu came with a century again having a dream start to his Test career. He along with Mathews, Chandi, and Kusal carried Sri Lanka up to 305/10. William ORourke of NZ got a fifer. Kiwis got a good going at the start. At one point they were at 255/4, but ended up in 340/10 in day 03.
In the second innings, our veterans came strongly. Dimuth, Chandimal, and Mathews got the fifties and put a total of 309/10. It was a 275-run chase for the visitor. It's gettable in Galle, but never easy. Williamson, Tom Latham, and Blundell, all got starts but fell cheaply against spinners. On the fifth day morning, NZ need 68 runs to win with just 2 wickets remaining. Rachin Ravindra at 91* runs was their hope, but within 23 balls SL got the two wickets. Prabhath Jayasuriya who took 6 wickets was the man of the match.
Afghanistan v South Africa in UAE, 2024
Day by day Afghanistan Cricket team never fails to impress us. After a dramatic T20I World Cup tournament, they mark their name in the T20Is. But now they are doing it in the ODIs as well. They just won their first-ever ODI match and series against South Africa. I shared a separate article, after winning the first match, about their amazing journey.
The second ODI was even better. Afghanistan just destroyed the Proteas. Batting first Afghanistan got a slow and steady start. The inning was centered around Gurbaz who got his 7th ODI hundred. Azmatullah Omarzai carried the latter with a cameo of 86 off 50 balls to make the scorecard as 311/4. Did it become an easy chase for Africans?
They lose their first wicket in 73 runs in 13.1 overs. Then got all out for just 134 runs in 34.2 overs. Rashid Khan took a fifer on his birthday and Nangeyalia Kharote took 4.
- With some satisfaction, SA could pull off a win in the third match. They restricted Afghanistan to 169 runs. It's again 89 runs from Gurbaz. And SA could chase in 333 overs with 7 wickets remaining.
Bangladesh tour of India, 2024
I have earlier said that Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the underrated players of the current era in Tests. He is recognized as a proper spinner with 522 Test wickets. But he also 6 centuries as well. With an amazing all-round performance from him, India won the first match comfortably. He became the oldest player to take a fifer and score a century in the same match at the age of 37 years.
India started the batting and it was a lousy effort from the top order. At one stage they were at 144/6. But Ashwin and Jadeja put in a 199-run partnership and took the total to 376/10. Anyway, the Indian balling attack led by Bumrah destroyed the Ban batting line-up restricting them to just 149 runs.
- With a 227 runs lead India put another 287/4 before declaring the second innings. Gill and Pant got centuries. It was never easy to chase 514 runs under the circumstances. They were all out for 234 runs with 6 wickets from Ashwin.
Australia tour of England, 2024
It's a 5-ODI and 3-T20I series between the two teams. The T20I series was concluded as 1-1 with the third match being washed away.
The first ODI was very intense. Batting first England put a total of 317 runs. Ben Ducket scored 95 runs and all the top order contributed well. Anyway Aussies chased it in 44 overs. This is what happened when the beast Head on the crease for that much overs. He scored 154* runs in 129 balls and Marnus helped him with a 61 balls 77*.
- Aussies started the batting in the second matcH, but they weren't at their best. Fifties from Marsh and Carey helped to reach a total of 270 runs. But it was a brilliant balling effort from the Aussie ballers. They restricted England for 202 runs in 40 overs winning it as well.!!!
Until the next time! Enjoy!
Thank you.
Best Regards!
Oh my word! What a miserable tour it was for South Africa.
I do hope the selectors have learned something.
Oh yes! That's an unfortunate series!! You mean about the combination?
With the team selection.
Gosh, we have so many talented players they can choose from.
Your post has been rewarded by the Seven Team.
Support partner witnesses
We are the hope!