Lankan legend, Kumar Sangakkara became Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in ODIs overtaking dashing left-hander Sanath Jayusirya and claimed two catches to set a world record for wicket-keeping dismissals in ODIs, surpassing Australia’s Adam Gilchrist in the 4th week of January game against New Zealand.
Headlines from Australia reported Perth Scorchers winning the Big Bash League 2015 to cap off yet another entertaining T20 tournament while the Kangaroos continued their dominance over India and England when they clinched the tri-series comprehensively.
Unbeaten Australia lift the Triangular trophy
Glenn Maxwell scored 95 and took 4-46 to spur Australia to a 112-run win over England in the final of the ODI tri-series.
Maxwell led Australia to 278-8 as it batted first after losing the toss, then had the opportunity of a hat-trick as it bowled out England for 166 to boost its preparations for the World Cup. Mitchell Johnson also had the chance of a hat-trick, dismissing Moeen Ali (26) and England captain Eoin Morgan off consecutive deliveries to finish with 3-27 in an explosive return to the Australia team.
James Faulkner scored an unbeaten 50 off just 24 balls, completing his half-century with a six from the last ball of the innings, and took 1-11 before being forced from the field with a side strain.
New Zealand seal the series win in Dunedin
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 120 runs in the 6th ODI between the two nations at University Oval in Dunedin on January 25th, wrapping up the seven-match series 4-1 in the process.
The victory was scripted by the knocks of Kane Williamson (97) and Ross Taylor (96). The pair’s 117-run partnership for the third wicket was the anchor around which New Zealand’s batting revolved, ending at 315 for 8. Sri Lanka batting lineup was then bowled out for 195 in the 40.3 overs with only Kumar Sangakkara appearing at ease in the run chase with 81 off 66 deliveries.
Consolation win for Sri Lanka in the 7th ODI
Sri Lanka gained a morale boost ahead of the World Cup beating New Zealand by 34 runs in the last match of the seven-game one-day series.
Kumar Sangakkara made 113 and Tillakaratne Dilshan struck 81 in Sri Lanka’s total of 287 for 6 in 50 overs and debuting fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera took 2 for 60 as New Zealand was bowled out for 253 in reply.
New Zealand won the seven-match series 4-2, one match was rained out but Sri Lanka gained consolation and confidence from an improved performance. Classy left-hander Sangakkara scored 113 not out off 105 balls in compiling his 21st ODI century to dominate Sri Lanka’s innings after they elected to bat first.
New Zealand in an easy 7-wicket win over Pakistan
Grant Elliott stroked an unbeaten 64 and took 3 for 26 in an all-round performance which led New Zealand to a 7-wicket win over Pakistan with ten overs to spare in their 1st ODI match played on 31st January.
Ross Taylor made 59 and Martin Guptill 39 as New Zealand reached 213 for 3 in the 40th over in reply to Pakistan’s 210, cruising to a victory which further heightens expectations of a strong showing by the co-hosts in the upcoming World Cup. Shahidi Afridi scored 67 off 29 balls and captain Misbah-ul-Haq made a half-century in an otherwise poor batting performance by Pakistan.
Sunil Narine opts out of the World Cup
West Indies suffered a major blow last week with mystery spinner Sunil Narine withdrawing from the squad for the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.
According to a release from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Narine “requires more time to be able to confidently bowl for a sustained period in international cricket with his new action”. While the Trinidadian mystery spinner has not been under any cloud of official sanction from the International Cricket Council, his action was deemed on two occasions during the Indian Champions League T20 tournament last September to be illegal.
Rossouw, Amla tons set up 4-1 series win for South Africa
Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw smashed quick-fire tons for South Africa to crush a profligate West Indies by 131 runs in a rain-affected 5th and final ODI last week.
The pair put on 247 for the third wicket, equaling the South African record they had set in the second match of the series in Johannesburg, as the Proteas piled up 361 for five in their allotted 42 overs. West Indies lost forceful opener Chris Gayle to the first ball of their reply and despite some lively cameos, including a half-century from Marlon Samuels, were always behind the rate and were bowled out for 230 in 37.4 overs.
Dwayne Bravo quits Test cricket
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has called time on his Test career. Bravo, whose last Test match was against Sri Lanka in December 2010, made the announcement through a statement early on 31st January and said he had already informed the West Indies team about his decision.
The 31-year-old, who has had a decent Test career with 2200 runs and 86 wickets in 40 Tests, said he had tasted both success and devastating defeats during his career but had also accumulated joyous moments. “I have experienced the exhilarating joy of victory and the devastating pain of defeat. The joyous memories will remind me of what we are capable of achieving. I want to be part of that mission,” Bravo said.
Perth Scorchers win the Big Bash League 2015
Perth Scorchers registered a thrilling last-ball Big Bash League final win over the Sydney Sixers in Canberra last week to claim their consecutive Australia T20 championship.
Chasing 148 for victory, Shaun Marsh hit a memorable 73 from 59 deliveries. Earlier, Henriques played a gutsy captain’s knock to help the Sixers to a competitive total of 4-147 on what appeared to be a very difficult batting wicket. He showed tremendous patience as he hit an unbeaten 77 from 57 balls, his highest ever Big Bash score.
