Lanka Premier League star rewarded with selection for Zimbabwe series

BBL | Hobart Hurricanes come out victorious in a tale of two collapses

Hobart Hurricanes were on the positive side of things despite not being at their best on Thursday, 13 January in the Big Bash League. Hurricanes defended their modest total of 177 runs and won the game by a margin of 9 runs after Thunder collapsed from 90/2 in 8 overs to getting to 168/9 in their registered 20 overs. Thunder, after getting off to a brilliant start from Alex Hales and Jason Sangha were victims of their own misadventures. Soft dismissals were the writing of the day as Thunder lost four wickets in a space of three overs adding just 20 runs to their name. Riley Meredith was the star of the show during that phase of the game and dismantled the stumps of Oliver Davies and Ben Cutting in back to back deliveries to change the complexion of the game. Things could have been much easier if Hurricanes would have had a better day in the field, but missed run out chances and balls being parried into the boundary line did not help their cause. Earlier in the day, the ‘Canes rode on a brilliant batting effort from captain Mathew Wade who scored almost half of Hobart’s runs. Barring his 83 off 54 balls, opener Caleb Jewel scored a fantastic half century (51 off 32) to put Hurricanes in a decent position. Jewel and Wade added 89 runs in 47 balls. After Jewel’s dismissal in the 13th over, Hurricanes’ willingness to up the scoring rate in rapid manner got the better of themselves and they went from 118/1 to 140/6 inside four overs. Big names like Ben McDermott, Tim David and former captain Peter Handscomb were removed cheaply as Hurricanes stared at an incredible collapse that would have taken the game away. However Wade’s persistence came through and the Hobart based side were taken to a safe score on which they later capitalised on. After the win, Hurricanes find themselves in the fourth position on the points table with 24 points from 12 games, whereas Thunder are unchanged in the second position with 31 points to their name.

SA vs IND | 3rd Test | Day 3: Kohli, Pant perform rescue operation after dismal start

India were in a spot of bother when wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant joined skipper Virat Kohli in the middle against South Africa in the second innings in Cape Town. The visitors had lost Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane early on the third day and the side needed someone to provide the resistance. Pant along with Kohli did exactly what the doctor ordered. While the captain once again showed a lot of patience and frustrated the South African bowlers in the first session of play, Pant played his natural game but in a cautious manner. He did send the bad deliveries to the boundary rope but also defended the good ones as the left-hander went on to notch up a half-century. India were 130/4, leading by 143 runs with Kohli at 28* and Pant unbeaten at 51 when the lunch was taken. The visitors would now look to capitalise on the partnership that Pant and Kohli have stitched in the first session. The Virat Kohli-led side had earlier taken a 13-run lead in the first innings after South Africa were bowled out for 210 in reply to 223.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa withdraws decision of international retirement

Sri Lanka batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa has withdrawn his decision of retiring from international cricket, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said. "Pursuant to a meeting with the Hon. Namal Rajapaksa - Minister of Youth & Sports and after consulting with the National Selectors, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has notified SLC that he wishes to withdraw his resignation which he tendered to SLC on 3rd Jan. 2022, with immediate effect,” SLC stated in a statement. "In his letter to SLC withdrawing his resignation, he further states that he wishes to represent his country in the game he loves for the years to come,” he added. Rajapaksa had earlier this month announced his retirement from international cricket citing family obligations. “I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations,” he had written in his retirement letter. Rajapaksha's announcement comes after the SLC decided to put several conditions on the retiring players. The conditions were specifically made to prevent players from prioritising franchise games over the national team. For example, if Rajapaksha wanted to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, he would have to go through a cooling period of six months before being eligible for selection in the league.

SA vs IND | 3rd Test | Day 3: South Africa remove Pujara, Rahane early

South Africa couldn’t have asked for a better start to the third day of this deciding Test against India in Cape Town. India began the day at 57/2 but Marco Jansen took just two deliveries to provide his team with the first breakthrough as he sent Cheteshwar Pujara packing to the pavilion after he just clipped a short delivery around the leg stump channel uppishly and found Keegan Petersen who was stationed at leg gully. Petersen held on to a blinder diving towards his right and grabbing a one-handed stunner. Later, Kagiso Rabada got into the act and removed Ajinkya Rahane for a 9-ball 1 as the right-hander’s woes with the bat continued. India were left tottering at 58/4. Earlier, India took a first innings lead on Day 2 after bowling out South Africa for 210 in reply to the visitors’ 223. The Virat Kohli-led side then had a dismal start to the second innings after the openers KL Rahul and Mayan Agarwal departed early. The three-match series is presently levelled at 1-1.