Despite being in a precarious position, Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Mendis showed immense grit and determination as he battled through a groin injury to score an unbeaten 74 runs and guide his team to a thrilling three-wicket victory against New Zealand. This win not only secured Sri Lanka their fifth ODI series win this year, but also broke a 12-year drought of not winning an ODI series against the Black Caps. The third and final match of the series will take place on Tuesday at Pallekele.
Kusal Mendis's Heroics Lead Sri Lanka to Thrilling ODI Series Win over New Zealand
Despite facing a debilitating groin injury, Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis displayed unwavering resilience as he anchored his team to a memorable three-wicket victory against New Zealand in the second ODI at Pallekele. His unbeaten 74-run knock not only secured Sri Lanka's fifth ODI series triumph this year but also ended a 12-year winless streak against the Black Caps.
Background
The two-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand marked the commencement of the home team's preparation for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Sri Lanka, buoyed by their recent triumph in the Asia Cup, was eager to test themselves against the formidable New Zealand side.
Mendis's Heroics
In the second ODI, Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious situation after losing quick wickets. However, Mendis, who was battling a nagging groin injury, stepped up and played a crucial role. Despite the discomfort, he batted with great determination and grit, scoring 74 runs off 81 deliveries. His innings included eight boundaries and two sixes.
Mendis's knock proved to be the catalyst for Sri Lanka's remarkable victory. With the support of Dinesh Chandimal's 24 runs and Kasun Rajitha's unbeaten 17, Sri Lanka chased down New Zealand's total of 219 with just three wickets to spare.
Significance
Sri Lanka's victory against New Zealand holds immense significance for several reasons:
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: What was the extent of Kusal Mendis's injury?
A1: Mendis suffered a groin injury, which caused him discomfort throughout the innings.
Q2: How did Sri Lanka manage to win despite losing early wickets?
A2: Mendis's unbeaten 74 and Dinesh Chandimal's 24 were crucial in Sri Lanka's recovery.
Q3: What is the significance of Sri Lanka's victory?
A3: It marks their fifth ODI series win this year, breaks a 12-year drought against New Zealand, and gives them momentum ahead of the World Cup.
Q4: What is the current status of the ODI series?
A4: Sri Lanka leads the two-match series 1-0. The third and final match will be played on Tuesday at Pallekele.
Q5: What are Sri Lanka's next challenges?
A5: Sri Lanka will next face Australia in a two-match Test series, followed by two T20Is and a five-match ODI series.
Fans at the second T20I match between Australia and Pakistan in Sydney made their disappointment known to Babar Azam, as the Pakistani captain struggled with his performance in the series. Despite the tense 13-run victory for Australia, fans were seen shouting and insulting Babar, even telling him to return to his hometown of Lahore. However, in the face of this rude behavior, Babar remained calm and even greeted the fans who were chanting his name in support.
In a thrilling T20 international cricket match between Australia and Pakistan, Pakistani bowlers Haris Rauf and Usman Khan put on an impressive display, taking crucial wickets and ultimately leading their team to victory. Australia's star batsmen, including Aaron Hardie and Glenn Maxwell, were no match for the precision and skill of the Pakistani bowlers. Despite a valiant effort from captain Josh Inglis and teammate Matt Short, Australia fell short in their attempt to chase down Pakistan's total.
After ESPNcricinfo's report of Aqib Javed replacing Jason Gillespie as the head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team, the PCB has stepped in to clarify that the former Australian cricketer will continue to coach the team for the upcoming two red-ball matches against South Africa. This comes after speculation of Gillespie's potential removal following Pakistan's loss at home against Bangladesh and subsequent win against England. With the PCB clarifying the situation, Gillespie's role as head coach remains secure for now.
In the third and final T20I match between Australia and Pakistan, Pakistan's stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha has won the toss and elected to bat first at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. With Rizwan and Naseem Shah rested, Jahandad Khan makes his debut for Pakistan while Australia remains unchanged. With a record of 5 wins for Australia and 0 for Pakistan, all eyes are on the two teams as they battle it out for the last time in this tour. Stay updated with live scores and updates from Hobart as the match unfolds.
The Belgium national team's head coach, Domenico Tedesco, has revealed that Napoli's star striker, Romelu Lukaku, may have to sit out the upcoming Serie A match against Roma due to a knee injury. Lukaku, who recently returned to the Belgium squad for the first time this season, felt discomfort in his knee after playing against Italy on Thursday. Tedesco announced that the 31-year-old will not be able to train or play for at least four to five days, putting his participation in the crucial match at risk.
The interim head coach of the England national team finished his tenure in style, as the Three Lions demolished 10-man Ireland in a dominant second-half display. The victory not only secured promotion to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League, but it also set a new record for England's biggest-ever win in a game that was goalless at half-time. To top it off, four different players scored their first goals for England in the same game, a feat that had not been achieved since 1930. The win ensured that England would finish at the top of their group and avoid the hassle of a playoff in the spring.
England dominated in their final game of Lee Carsley's interim tenure, easily defeating Republic of Ireland 5-0 in the Nations League. Goals from Kane, Gordon, Gallagher, Bowen, and Harwood-Bellis propelled England to a win and earned them a promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. Ireland, on the other hand, now face a relegation play-off. Fans can get involved in the conversation on social media using #bbcfootball.
Jon Jones, the undefeated heavyweight champion, is making waves in the UFC world after his latest TKO victory over Stipe Miocic. However, Jones is causing controversy by refusing to fight interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and is instead demanding to challenge light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, stating his desire to face "dangerous established champions." The UFC president Dana White has expressed interest in making the fight happen, but Jones is prepared to retire if his demands are not met, adding to the drama surrounding the potential matchup. As fans and experts debate over what should be next for Jones, one thing is certain: he holds all the power in this negotiation.
In a rain-affected finale to their white-ball tour of the West Indies, England came out victorious in the T20I series, clinching a 3-1 win against the hosts. After three consecutive wins, the West Indies managed to earn a consolation victory in the fourth T20I, chasing down 219. However, the fifth and final match was ultimately washed out after only five overs, securing England's victory. This win marks a successful end to Marcus Trescothick's time as manager for the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum set to take over in January as head coach for the Test team.