ENG vs IND | 4th Test | Day 3: Playing 250 balls was the most pleasing thing, says Rohit Sharma

SL vs SA | 2nd ODI: Janneman Malan, Shamsi take series into decider after thumping win

South Africa made a fine comeback in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka after winning the second encounter by 67 runs (DLS Method) in a rain-curtailed game in Colombo. The match was initially reduced to 47 overs per side but had to get cut short once again handing the hosts a target of 265 runs in 41 overs eventually. The home side had a dismal start to the proceedings and were reduced to 19/3 to be left tottering at 61/4 before Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka chipped in with a partnership of 64 runs for the fifth wicket. Shanaka was then sent back in the hut for 30 by Shamsi while Asalanka continued to score runs and notched up a half-century. Sri Lanka then lost a couple of more wickets and were 147/7 when Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera tried to provide some resistance to the team with a stand of 45 runs for the 8th wicket. But their efforts weren’t really enough to take the team over the line and the hosts were bowled out for 197 in 26.4 overs. Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas after he bagged a fifer. Earlier, South Africa rode on a brilliant ton from Janneman Malan, a fifty from Hendricks and a late surge from Klassen to post 283/6 in the allotted 47 overs. Klassen compiled 43 off 27. The visitors capitalised on the steady start that they got in the initial phase of the game to put a good total on the board. South Africa stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj lauded the team and hailed the bowling unit for their efforts after the match. “My job was made easier by the team. We bowled well up first and pushed the Lankans on the back foot. I think the boys put in more energy behind the ball today. We talked about it. You should also play to the conditions,” he said. The three-match series is levelled at 1-1 with the third and deciding match to take place on Tuesday at the same venue.

STAT ALERT: Rohit Sharma hits ninth ton in England, most by an Indian batsman

India opener Rohit Sharma etched his name in the record books after scoring a century in the fourth Test of the five-match series against England at Kennington Oval on Saturday. Sharma has now struck 9 tons, the most by an Indian batsman in England surpassing former India captain Rahul Dravid who had 8 centuries to his name in the country. The right-handed batsman achieved the feat during India’s second innings of the fourth Test. Apart from this, he has now become the only visiting batsman to have scored a hundred in all three formats in England. Sir Don Bradman holds the record for scoring most number of centuries (11) in England. The opener’s ton helped India stay in front in this encounter as the visitors nullified the first innings lead that they had conceded against the hosts. India were trailing by 99 runs at the start of the innings but a cautious start from Rohit and KL Rahul helped the visitors overcome the pressure. The two openers put 83 runs for the first wicket before Rahul departed for 46 but Sharma continued with his form and stitched another important stand of 153 runs for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara also notched up a half-century during the course. India were 270/3, leading by 171 runs with captain Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja still at the crease when the stumps were called on Day 3. The five-match series is presently levelled at 1-1. The first encounter at Nottingham ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport while the Kohli-led side clinched a comprehensive win by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord’s. England then made a fine comeback in the series and thumped India by an innings and 76 runs in the third clash to equalise the series.

CPL 2021: Bowlers, Hemraj guide Guyana Amazon Warriors to easy win over Barbados Royals

Guyana Amazon Warriors were back in form after they clinched a convincing win over Barbados Royals by 9 wickets after chasing down a target of 131 runs within 15 overs in St Kitts. Riding on an emphatic century from Chandrapaul Hemraj, the Warriors went over the line quite comfortably. The left-handed batsman remained unbeaten at 105 off 56 deliveries which included five maximums and 14 fours during the course. Nyeem Young was the only Royals bowler to scalp a wicket as he trapped Brandon King in front of the stumps for a 17-ball 19. Earlier, the Barbados side never really looked in control as they were left tottering at 112/6 to eventually get bowled out for 130 in 20 overs. Wicket-keeper batsman Azam Khan top-scored with 28 off 26, hitting two sixes and as many fours. Imran Tahir scalped a three-wicket haul for Guyana and returned with figures of 3/34 in 4 overs while Romario Shepherd bagged a couple of wickets. Motie and Odean Smith had a scalp each to their names. Barbados are presently struggling to get any form and are bottom-placed in the points table after suffering five defeats in the six matches that they have played. Guyana on the other side have won three and lost three games out of the six they have featured in. Guyana captain Nicholas Pooran expressed delight after the win and credited the batsmen for their efforts after the match. “Very pleased. I had a lot of headaches with the batting positions and we just told our guys to win games for us. Pleased with how we batted,” he said. Royals skipper Holder admitted that the side didn’t really get any momentum and further added that the batting has been a cause of concern for them in the tournament. “The first game was a high scoring game. We never got any momentum. In all the games we have struggled with the bat. Trying to defend 120-130 is a tough task and we need to find a way to put runs on the board,” he said. The two teams will now take on each other on Wednesday (September 8, 2021) at the same venue.

CPL 2021 | SLK vs SNKP: Du Plessis returns to form as Kings hand Patriots their first defeat

Saint Lucia Kings skipper Faf du Plessis who wasn’t really having a great run in the on-going Caribbean Premier League was back in form with a scintillating century against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Saturday in St Kitts. Batting first, the Kings were off to a flying start after Andre Fletcher and du Plessis compiled a stand of 76 runs for the first wicket before Fletcher departed for 23 off 19 after he was undone by Fabian Allen. But Fletcher’s dismissal didn’t really have any impact on Du Plessis scoring rate as he went to score an unbeaten 120 off 60 deliveries that included five maximums and 13 fours during the course. While the South Africa notched up a ton, Roston chase who came in at number four also chipped in with an important 64* off 31. Chase hit three sixes and seven fours during the course of the innings as Saint Lucia posted 224/2 in 20 overs. In reply, the Patriots lost a couple of early wickets during the chase and were reduced to 22/2 with Chris Gayle back in the hut. But Evin Lewis tried to steady the ship for the side after he stitched a partnership of 60 runs with Ravi Bopara. But Bopara’s departure broke the shackles and the Patriots lost wickets in quick succession only to get bundled out for 124. Lewis though scored a half-century but his efforts went in vain as the Patriots lost the match by 100 runs. Alzarri Joseph and Keemo Paul picked up three wickets apiece while Wahab Riaz, Chase and Kesrick Williams had one scalp each to their names. The Patriots suffered their first defeat in six games in the competition but are still sitting at the helm of the points table. Fletcher lauded Faf’s knock after the match and said that it was a brilliant innings. “It was a brilliant innings. He was under pressure from the start of the tournament and he did well. We don't have great power at the back end,” he said. The two teams will now face each other on Sunday at the same venue.