Sri Lanka faced a challenging task of chasing 209 runs to win. The left-arm seamer, Richard Ngarava, created difficulties for the batsmen with his extra bounce, taking the first four Sri Lankan wickets. He ended up taking five wickets for 32 runs, making it his best performance in his career. Despite the early struggles, Sri Lanka managed to recover, thanks to a 56-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Maheesh Theekshana and Liyanage. However, Liyanage fell short of his century by five runs while attempting to clear mid-off. Ngarava’s impressive bowling performance helped Sri Lanka gain some breathing room, and Liyanage’s inclusion in the team for this series was based on his excellent form in domestic cricket.

His 95 came off 127 deliveries with six fours and two sixes. “I wanted get to the hundred but was disappointed,” he said.

When Liyanage got out, Sri Lanka needed 37 runs with two wickets left. Jeffrey Vandersay (19) and Dushmantha Chameera (18) successfully chased the target, adding an unbroken 39 runs for the ninth wicket. Rain caused a delay of more than an hour during the Sri Lankan innings, but the game continued without reducing the overs. Spin bowler Sikandar Raza supported Ngarava, taking two wickets for 32 runs in his 10 overs, but the other bowlers didn’t provide enough support. Zimbabwe chose to bat first, and captain Craig Ervine scored the highest with 82 runs. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s one-handed diving catch at extra cover dismissed Ervine, leading to Zimbabwe’s struggle. From 182 for four, Zimbabwe collapsed, losing the last six wickets for 26 runs, and ended up with a total of 209 all out. Theekshana took four wickets, while Chameera and Vandersay claimed two wickets each.

Ervine called it a “well fought game” and was “proud” of his bowlers. “We have one more game and we need to look at squaring the series,” he said.

Sri Lanka is ahead in the three-match series with a 1-0 lead. The first game on Saturday was canceled due to rain, and there’s a chance of bad weather affecting the upcoming match on Thursday at the same venue.

Craig Ervine, who missed the home series against Ireland in December due to injury, is back to lead the ODI side, while Sikandar Raza will captain the T20I side. The squad includes uncapped Tapiwa Mufudza, selected by caretaker coach Walter Chawaguta following Dave Houghton’s departure last month. Mufudza, an off-spinner, earned his place with consistently impressive performances in domestic cricket in Zimbabwe.

Pace bowler Faraz Akram, primarily a T20 player, is set to make his ODI debut. In the T20I matches in Colombo, Mufudza, Akram, and Takudzwanashe Kaitano are replaced by Brian Bennett, Carl Mumba, and Ainsley Ndlovu. The ODI matches are scheduled for January 6, 8, and 11, and the T20I matches for January 14, 16, and 18.

Squads:
ODI

Craig Ervine (capt),Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Tapiwa Mufudza, Tony Munyonga, Milton Shumba ,Faraz Akram, Blessing Muzarabani,Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza,

T20I
Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl,Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande, Milton Shumba ,Wellington Masakadza, Carl Mumba, Tony Munyonga, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava.

England scored 267 for three in their 20 overs at the Brian Lara Academy, led by Salt’s aggressive play and half-centuries from skipper Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone. This was the second-highest innings score in a match between full member nations. Despite West Indies making a fast start, they lost wickets quickly and were bowled out for 192 in 15.3 overs.

Salt, who had an unbeaten ton in the previous game, continued his impressive form, contributing to the opening partnership of 117 with skipper Jos Buttler. Buttler scored 55 before being caught by West Indies captain Rovman Powell off Jason Holder. Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone further maintained the momentum with quick partnerships.

Salt, who hit ten sixes and seven fours, was finally bowled by Andre Russell in the penultimate over. In the West Indies reply, Brandon King was removed with the first ball, and despite Nicholas Pooran’s quick 20, wickets kept falling. Andre Russell’s powerful 51 off 25 balls included five sixes, but England secured the win when Russell was caught by Harry Brook off Topley.

In his second one-day international, Burger bowled impressively, taking three wickets for 30 runs. Despite half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan (62) and captain KL Rahul (56), India were all out for 211. South Africa’s De Zorzi, playing in his fourth match, scored an unbeaten 119, marking his first international century. South Africa won with 7.3 overs to spare, setting up a series decider in Paarl on Thursday, following India’s eight-wicket victory in the first match in Johannesburg on Sunday. Burger, taking advantage of the well-grassed St George’s Park pitch, played a key role after South African captain Aiden Markram chose to bowl first.

“It was a tough wicket to bat on,” said Rahul. “But a couple of us got set. If one of us could have gone on to make a big hundred and control the innings we could have got 60 runs extra.”

Burger consistently bowled at a steady pace with occasional steep bounces. His fastest delivery reached a speed of 147 km/h.

Openers Sudharsan and Rahul showed sensible batting in a third-wicket partnership of 68. Sudharsan got caught behind by Lizaad Williams on a sharply-lifting ball when the total reached 114.

No other batsman managed to score over 20 runs.

Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh caused trouble for South Africa’s opening pair, Hendricks and De Zorzi. Hendricks got a lifeline when he was dropped at second slip by Ruturaj Gaikwad off Kumar, but he capitalized on it, scoring 52 in an opening stand of 130 with De Zorzi, significantly contributing to the home team’s victory.

“It was a much better all-round performance,” said Markram. “It was still quite a tough wicket when the openers walked out. To put on a hundred partnership to set the game up was great.”

De Zorzi, the Man of the Match, played aggressively, hitting powerful shots to score runs. He faced 122 balls, striking nine fours and six sixes.

 Kyle Jamieson Takes Break Due to Hamstring Stiffness

Kyle Jamieson has been given a break due to hamstring stiffness following his return from Bangladesh last week. Blackcaps coach Gary Stead emphasized that the decision was made with the broader schedule in mind, considering the extensive cricket ahead. The aim is to ensure Kyle is in the best possible condition without taking unnecessary risks.

Ben Sears Continues Stay with Kiwis

Initially added as cover for the Kiwis’ bowling unit before yesterday’s game, Ben Sears will extend his stay with the squad for the upcoming matches in Nelson and Napier.

Bangladesh won the ODI series against Pakistan today with a seven-wicket victory in the third ODI. Fargana Hoque Pinky and Murshida Khatun played crucial roles, both scoring fifties. Pinky and Murshida’s opening partnership of 125 runs was the highest for Bangladesh women’s team, surpassing the previous record set in 2011. Fargana scored 62 off 113 balls, while Murshida made 54 off 106 balls. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty and batter Sobhana Mostary secured the win with unbeaten scores of 18 and 19, respectively. The bowlers, especially Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan, played well, with Nahida taking three wickets for 26 runs and Rabeya grabbing two wickets for 35. Despite Sidra Ameen’s 84 for Pakistan, they couldn’t post a larger score, losing quick wickets in the second half of their innings.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson missed the last game due to an injury but is now fit and ready for the crucial World Cup match against Pakistan on Saturday. He left the match against Australia last Saturday with a minor issue in his right Achilles and couldn’t play against South Africa. New Zealand cricket stated, “Lockie Ferguson’s scan showed no major damage, and he’s expected to be ready for the Saturday game against Pakistan in Bengaluru.”

New Zealand’s team is dealing with multiple injuries as they progress in the World Cup. Five players, including regular captain Kane Williamson (thumb), are currently recovering from injuries. In addition to Ferguson, Mark Chapman is also dealing with a calf injury. On Wednesday, Matt Henry and James Neesham suffered injuries, with Matt Henry experiencing hamstring tightness.

The board mentioned, “Matt Henry will have an MRI scan in the next 24 hours to determine the extent of his right hamstring injury.” James Neesham, on the other hand, has a bruised right wrist from being hit while bowling in the first innings. Thankfully, X-rays showed no broken bones.

Chapman and Williamson’s conditions will be reevaluated in Bengaluru ahead of the crucial match on Saturday. The New Zealand team is set to arrive in Bengaluru from Pune on Thursday afternoon.

On Wednesday, India’s captain Rohit Sharma climbed to sixth place in the ICC ODI batters’ ranking due to his excellent performance in the World Cup. He scored 131 runs against Afghanistan and 86 runs against Pakistan, making him one of the top-performing batters in the tournament. South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock also moved up to third place after scoring centuries against Sri Lanka and Australia.

However, De Kock missed a chance to move closer to the top spot after getting out for 20 against the Netherlands. Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Netherlands’ captain Scott Edwards also rose in the rankings after their impressive innings led their teams to surprise victories.

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam increased his rating points and extended his lead in the ODI batting rankings. India’s opener Shubman Gill remained in the second spot after starting his World Cup campaign with 12 runs against Pakistan.

New Zealand’s experienced bowler Trent Boult is close to becoming the No.1 bowler in the ODI rankings after a strong performance against Bangladesh. He finished with 2/45 and took his 200th ODI wicket. Boult is only one rating point behind Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, the current top-ranked bowler.

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan moved up to fourth place in the bowling rankings, and South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj climbed seven spots to share the fifth position with Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Among fast bowlers, India’s Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada also moved up in the rankings to share the 14th spot, while Lungi Ngidi jumped six spots to 16th.

Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan maintained his position as the No.1 all-rounder in the ODI rankings with 343 rating points.