Sri Lanka Cricket

Having been down and out at one stage, Sri Lanka took a stunning win over India by 63 runs in Galle to go up 1-0 in the series.

It represents a stunning turnaround for the home side, who were bowled out for 183 on the first day and conceded a big lead in the first innings.

However, after Dinesh Chandimal’s effort on Day 3 as he made 162, the Sri Lankans were in a strong position and made it pay with victory on Day 4.

The series now moves to Colombo for the second Test, but before it does so, let’s first take a look back at the fourth day of the first Test and some notable events.

India have no answer to Rangana Herath

India were bowled out for 112, and it was largely thanks to Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who took 7-48 in 21 overs.

The left-armer is not known as a prodigious turner of the ball, but he got more than enough assistance from a wicket that was slowed considerably throughout the game.

He took the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma early, then did the same to top scorer Ajinkya Rahane just when it looked like he might take the hosts to the win.

Herath’s accuracy was notable, as he bowled just two half-volleys and one short ball in an 18-over spell in which he took 6-35.

Perhaps the best wicket he took was that of Wriddhiman Saha, who he dragged out of his crease with a ball that made him overbalance and saw Chandimal complete the stumping.

Herath is 37, so his time in international cricket is likely coming to an end, especially as he continues to struggle with fitness problems.

However, this bowling performance showed just what he is still capable of, especially on a pitch that offers plenty for the spinners.

Tharindu Kaushal provides strong bowling support

At the other end, Tharindu Kaushal recovered from a difficult first innings in which he took five wickets but struggled to stop conceding runs.

Kaushal proved to be the perfect foil for Herath, as he finished with 3-47, all three of which were vital wickets.

The off-spinner first dismissed the key man Virat Kohli, caught by Kaushal Silva for just three to leave India in trouble at 45-4.

He then quickly removed opener Shikhar Dhawan, whose 28 had held things together somewhat while his teammates crumbled.

Then, Kaushal completed the job by removing last man Amit Mishra, whose spirited 15 had frustrated Sri Lanka and maybe threatened to lead the visitors to an improbable victory.

He offered superb support to Herath, which rewarded him with some vital wickets in what, on balance, he will feel was an encouraging game.

Visitors’ middle order crumbles

Meanwhile, India will be incredibly disheartened as their much-vaunted batsmen failed to deliver them to a target that was difficult but not out of the question.

Only Dhawan, Rahane and Mishra reached double figures, with Rohit Sharma and Kohli only managing to get seven runs between them.

They were outdone by a bowling attack that found plenty of assistance on Day 4, and the visitors will be left with plenty of questions moving forward.

In particular, Sharma has endured a dreadful run of form and has only passed 50 twice in the last two years.

Talented player as he is, time may be running out for him to prove he belongs in Test cricket, having initially looked very assured in his debut series.

Kohli and the coaches have plenty to think about and will need to think of resolutions quickly if they are to get back into this series.

After three days of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, the visitors are left needing 153 to win having seen the hosts make something of a fightback.

That fightback was led by Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal, who hammered 162 not out from just 169 balls to guide the home side away from an embarrassing innings defeat.

It means India are required to chase down a target that is nearly double the highest successful run chase in Galle, which will be quite a task.

However, before India can make progress toward their target from resuming on 23-1, let’s take a look back at the third day and examine some key talking points.

Dinesh Chandimal’s Counter-Attack Pays Off

When Chandimal came to the crease, Sri Lanka were 92-4 and in real danger of failing to make India bat again.

However, over the next 247 minutes, he played with an aggression that started as wild swinging and ended as a true example of a counter-punching innings.

Chandimal finished unbeaten on 162, having hit 19 fours and four sixes and dominated proceedings.

He was fortunate to survive some early appeals for his wicket, but he did an expert job in shielding the tailenders and taking responsibility for the run-scoring thereafter.

It was a vital contribution from Sri Lanka’s wicketkeeper, and one that has given them a fighting chance in this game.

India’s Bowlers Have Problems Against Aggression

Against Chandimal’s onslaught, India’s bowlers looked clueless at times and unable to control what was happening to their bowling figures.

Only Amit Mishra managed to finish with an economy rate below four runs per over, and even he took some punishment, as he was hit for three sixes.

Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron got little assistance for their seam bowling, and it showed, as they both went at over five an over, with Sharma going at almost six an over.

Ravichandran Ashwin managed to stem the flow a little with four wickets, but they came at a cost of 114 runs in 28.2 overs.

It was disappointing for India on a spin-friendly pitch and may well come back to haunt them if their batsmen cannot do the business on Day 4.

Visitors Left with Difficult Chase

Chandimal’s counter-attack means India require 153 to win, a very tricky target on a wearing wicket in Galle.

Things have started badly for the visitors, as opener Lokesh Rahul was trapped leg before wicket by Rangana Herath, with Sharma unbeaten overnight as nightwatchman.

Tomorrow, they will need their big players to step up, not only first-innings centurions Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli but also Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.

Sri Lanka have given themselves a chance of the win on Saturday and will be determined to do so in what would be a stunning reversal of fortunes.

India are dominating the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle after two days, as they have reduced the hosts to 5-2, still behind by 187 in the second innings.

That strong, late bowling performance came after the away side’s batsmen made 375 to take what could be a vital lead of 192 runs and set themselves up in a match-winning position.

Having resumed on 128-2, there were certainly some interesting moments for India, while Sri Lanka struggled all day to assert themselves with either bat or ball.

It also sets up what could be a very intriguing third day, with the visitors in the ascendancy and surely on track for victory.

Before we get to the third day, let’s take a look at some takeaways from the second.

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli step up

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli resumed on 53 and 45, respectively, and over the course of the day were India’s biggest run-scorers as they racked up 375 all out.

Kohli was finally out for 103, while Dhawan finished on 134, and the pair put on a staggering 227 for the third wicket, leaving India in a position of real strength.

Their contributions were good for India, who only had Wriddhiman Saha pass 50 and two other players—Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra—reach double figures.

Two of India’s superstar batsmen did most of the work, however, and ensured the away side would look strong, even as a number of other stars failed to impress.

However, the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma will surely get another chance in either this game or subsequent fixtures, so all hope is not lost.

It was a tribute to the work of Dhawan and Kohli that they were able to steer India into a position of such dominance.

Tharindu Kaushal takes wickets expensively

Sri Lanka’s bowlers had a decent day despite conceding a big lead, and they were led by Tharindu Kaushal who took 5-134.

Unfortunately, Kaushal’s figures came in 32.4 overs and contained just two maidens, meaning he conceded his runs at an economy rate of 4.10 runs an over.

Compared to his teammates, who largely hovered around conceding three runs an over, it was disappointing to see Kaushal leak runs in spite of taking wickets.

Even more troubling, the off-spinner sent down nine no-balls in the course of the innings, something that is inexcusable for a slow bowler to do once, let alone nine times.

If he is to continue as one of Sri Lanka’s front-line spinners, he needs to rectify these problems, especially as he will likely play on a lot of spin-friendly pitches.

India profit despite lack of late aggression

Late on the second day, India’s tailenders were left to try and get the lead up past 200, and they are mostly capable batsmen who are able to hit out and up the run rate.

However, the away side did not do so, and instead seemed to dither a little even as the overs ticked away, meaning they would have less time at Sri Lanka’s batsmen in the evening.

Singh was one of the worst culprits, as he made 14 from 31 balls, while Ishant Sharma’s unbeaten three came from 39 balls.

Sharma’s effort was understandable as he tried to play a supporting role, but with so little time left in the day, surely the strategy would have been to hit out and see what happens.

Instead, India were bowled out for 375 having dallied in the last few minutes and been left just four overs to bowl at Sri Lanka before stumps.

That they were able to take two quick wickets and reduce the Sri Lankans to 5-2 at the close was a tribute to the Indian bowlers, who look very handy on this pitch.

However, if they had a little more time, maybe their position would be even stronger.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s one-day international series moves into the fourth of five games, with the visitors holding a 2-1 lead after a win last time out.

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Date: Wednesday, July 22

Start time: 2:30 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. BST

Live on: Ten Cricket and PTV Sports (Pakistan), Rupavahini Corporation (Sri Lanka), Zee Cinema (UK—subscription required)

Weather: According to Weather.com, Colombo may be in for some scattered thunderstorms, with temperatures peaking around 30 degrees Celsius.

Overview

In the third ODI, Pakistan looked dominant with both bat and ball as they beat Sri Lanka by 135 runs to go up 2-1 in the series.

The visitors batted first and reached 317-4 from their 50 overs, thanks to 77 from Sarfraz Ahmed and 54 from Mohammad Hafeez.

There were also useful cameos from Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali and Shoaib Malik, with Mohammad Rizwan also playing a typically aggressive knock.

In reply, Sri Lana subsided to 181 all out in 41.1 overs, with only Lahiru Thirimanne passing 50 as he made 56.

However, he received little other support, while Yasir Shah took 4-29 for Pakistan with his leg-spin.

It was a good win for the away side, but they face a tougher task as Mohammad Hafeez has been banned from bowling for a year.

Their options may be cut down by one, but Pakistan’s bowling is still plentiful, and their batsmen all look in good form after their last showing.

Team News

Sri Lanka

Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Seekkuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana.

 
Pakistan

Azhar Ali (capt), Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shezad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali.

Key Players

Lahiru Thirimanne

Last time out, the only Sri Lankan batsman to truly profit was Lahiru Thirimanne, who made 56 at No. 3 in the batting order.

It was a good showing amid the rubble of his side’s innings, and Thirimanne will be hopeful of more of the same in this game.

Yasir Shah

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah looked in very good form for Pakistan as he took 4-29 in 10 overs to hustle Sri Lanka to defeat.

Shah continues to profit on the pitches of Sri Lanka and has quickly assumed the mantle of Pakistan’s primary spinner in all forms of the game.

Sri Lanka face Pakistan in the third of a five-match one-day international series in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with the teams currently locked at 1-1 after two games.

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Date: Sunday, July 19

Start time: 2:30 p.m. local time/10 a.m. BST

Live on: Ten Cricket and PTV Sports (Pakistan), Rupavahini Corporation (Sri Lanka), Zee Cinema (UK—subscription required)

Weather: According to Weather.com, Colombo promises to be dogged by thunderstorms all day, with temperatures peaking at 30 degrees Celsius.

Overview

This ODI series is tied 1-1 after two games, with Sri Lanka getting their first win in the last game thanks to a tense victory by two wickets in Pallekele.

The away side batted first and reached 287 for eight from their 50 overs, led by 79 from captain Azhar Ali and other half-centuries from Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan.

Rizwan’s knock was especially notable as his 52 came from just 38 balls and helped his team gain some late impetus after something of a middle-order collapse.

In reply, the Sri Lankans got off to a very fast start thanks to 68 from 25 balls from Kusal Perera, while Tillakaratne Dilshan made 47.

However, their middle order faded, and it was left to Dinesh Chandimal to shepherd home the tail to victory, as he finished unbeaten on 48 from 63 balls.

It was a good win for the home side with 11 balls left in the game and sets up this game well in the third of this five-match series.

Team News

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Seekkuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana.
 
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (capt), Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shezad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali.

Key Players

Kusal Perera

Sri Lanka opener Kusal Perera was in quite spectacular form in the last game as he scored 68 from just 25 balls.

If he is in a similar mood, Pakistan can expect carnage at the top of the order and for the hosts to have a great deal of early momentum.

Azhar Ali

Last time out, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali scored a superb 79 but faced some questions after some interesting captaincy decisions.

The onus is on him to continue his strong batting form and combine that with a good showing as leader on the field.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan begin a five-match one-day series on Saturday, with Dambulla, Sri Lanka, the venue for the opening game.

The tourists secured an impressive Test series victory against the same opponents, chasing down a target of 377 in Pallekele to win the third and final match by seven wickets. 

Now, though, the focus switches to 50-over cricket. 

Sri Lanka have not played an ODI since their exit from the Cricket World Cup at the quarter-final stage, while Pakistan are desperate to improve on their current position in the rankings.

Date: Saturday, July 11

Time: 10 a.m. local/5.30 a.m. BST

Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Live stream and TV info: Ten Cricket and PTV Sports (Pakistan), Rupavahini Corporation (Sri Lanka), Zee Cinema (UK—subscription required)

Weather: Rain seems certain to play a part in proceedings. There is an 80 per cent chance of thunderstorms, per Weather.com, though the schedule for the series has seen the inclusion of reserve days.

Overview

For Sri Lanka, the series is the start of a new era.

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are no longer around for the hosts, the pair having retired from one-day cricket after the World Cup defeat at the hands of South Africa.

They combined to score 26,356 runs, including 43 centuries, for their country in 50-over action. 

The home side can still at least call upon the services of veteran batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, but the selectors have made a number of changes as they look to the future.

Milinda Siriwardana and Sachith Pathirana have been included in a 15-man squad, per ESPN Cricinfo.

The uncapped duo, left-arm spinners who can also bat, are joined in the party by slow bowlers Sachithra Senanayake and Seekkuge Prasanna. Rangana Herath, however, has been left out.

Pakistan, meanwhile, need an upturn in their one-day fortunes—they are currently ranked ninth by the ICC, leaving them in danger of missing out on the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

With only the top eight qualifying for the tournament in England, captain Azhar Ali told Agence France-Presse (h/t the Express Tribune): "This is obviously a very important series for us and we will make sure we play well and win. Most of the players know what to expect in Sri Lanka. We are ready."

Younis Khan and Shan Masood both hit centuries in the third Test victory, though neither are selected for the one-day leg of the tour.

Wahab Riaz is also missing due to injury, though chief selector Haroon Rashid admitted that he could yet play a part in the series, per Cricbuzz: "It is hoped that Wahab recovers well in time to be available for the last two ODIs, and if he is declared fit by the medical panel, the selection committee might consider sending him over depending on the situation of the series after consulting the team management."

The tourists do at least have the fit-again Mohammad Irfan available, while Mukhtar Ahmed and Bilal Asif are the two uncapped players in their 16-man squad.

Key players

Sri Lanka

With Jayawardene and Sangakkara no longer around to be the backbone of the batting order, even more pressure has been heaped on the shoulders of Sri Lanka's captain, Angelo Mathews.

The experienced all-rounder has an ODI batting average of 40.24 but has made just one century in his 156 appearances.

Pakistan

Irfan's return to action is timely for a Pakistan team still without the services of the injured Wahab.

The giant left-arm paceman has a strike-rate of 35.9 in one-day action and gives the bowling attack a cutting edge, even if the series is being played under the new one-day rules, (as detailed by ESPN Cricinfo), meaning no close catchers are required in the opening 10 overs.

Squads

Sri Lanka

Angelo Mathews (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Seekuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana

Pakistan

Azhar Ali (captain), Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shezad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Immad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali

All stats, as well as squad lists, are from ESPN Cricinfo

There is just one day left in the third and final Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and the game is very intriguingly poised.

The away side headed into the close of play on 230-2, requiring 147 runs to win and still with eight wickets in hand.

Things looked difficult for Pakistan at one stage, as they found themselves 13-2, but Shan Masood and Younis Khan helped them recover brilliantly.

It all came after Sri Lanka’s second innings folded for 313 after they had been 228-5, albeit on a pitch that has plenty to offer the bowlers.

With a fascinating fifth day in prospect for both teams, and with the away side in front and looking set for the win, let’s look at some takeaways from the fourth day.

Angelo Mathews leads Sri Lanka batting almost alone

Sri Lanka began the day on 228-5, ahead by 291 and so with plenty still to do if they were to move ahead and set Pakistan an unreachable total for the fourth innings.

They were led by captain Angelo Mathews, who made a very calm 122 from 252 balls, an innings that included 12 fours and one six.

He was aided by Dinesh Chandimal, who made 67 from 103 at No. 7, with Jehan Mubarak having departed the previous day.

However, when Chandimal was out with the score on 278-6, the tail crumbled in the face of some good bowling from seamer Imran Khan.

He removed Dhammika Prasad on the first ball, then cleaned up the rest in short order to finish with 5-58 off 20.4 overs.

In the end, Mathews was left to try to hit runs almost on his own and did well to bring up his century and take the Sri Lankans to a lead of 376.

Unfortunately for him, he had very little support from the tail, and by not reaching a 400 lead or more, the hosts have left the door open for Pakistan.

Early wickets will keep bowlers interested

Things looked promising for Sri Lanka, as they reduced Pakistan to 13-2,  with Suranga Lakmal removing Ahmed Shehzad for a duck in his first over of the innings.

Azhar Ali followed shortly after for just five runs, caught by Chandimal off Prasad, and at 13-2, things looked tough for the away side’s batsmen.

The pitch may have slowed down, but the early going has given the bowlers plenty of hope, especially as they kept things tight and their pace up. Given the assistance that somewhat exists in the pitch, the Sri Lankan bowlers may well feel they can rip some wickets out early on in the fifth day.

On the fourth, they showed what they are capable of, and what this pitch can offer if they get it right.

Pakistan in the driving seat

At 13-2, Masood and Khan would have feared the worst, but together they rebuilt the innings and have put Pakistan in a very strong position.

The pair coped well with the early pressure, then released the valve as they took 92 off 20 overs from inexperienced spinner Tharindu Kaushal. Both brought up centuries towards the end of the day, and with a full day ahead of them tomorrow, they are in the perfect spot to take their side to victory.

It would be a historic win, too, as no team has scored 300 or more to win batting last in Sri Lanka.

Conclusions

It promises to be an exciting fifth day, especially after a fourth day that ebbed and flowed but ended up with Pakistan holding the advantage.

If Khan and Masood can continue their good work from today and their teammates can follow suit, the away side will fancy their chances.

However, if Sri Lanka’s bowlers can step up and take wickets regularly, they could well force a win, too.

Either way, this game is now intriguingly poised.

With Angelo Mathews at the helm, Sri Lanka are on course to win the third and final Test against Pakistan in Pallekele.

The hosts closed Day 3 of the series decider on 228 for five in their second innings, meaning a lead of 291.

Captain Mathews made 77 not out to steer his side towards glory. The biggest obstacle that may yet stand in their way is not the opposition, but inclement weather.

Rain and then bad light meant Sunday's play was cut to 71.4 overs, though the game is at such an advanced stage ,that it might take a few serious downpours to deny Sri Lanka.

Pakistan had sensed an opportunity to bowl themselves back into the contest when they had the home team 80 for four.

Upul Tharanga's departure for a breezy 48 left Sri Lanka teetering, particularly after they had collapsed from 133 for two to 248 for seven in their first innings.

Mathews, though, made sure his side did not surrender their grip on proceedings.

He combined with team-mates Jehan Mubarak (35) and Dinesh Chandimal, who was 39 not out at stumps, to put on half-century stands that slowly sunk Pakistan's slim hopes.

Mathews had fallen cheaply in his first trip to the crease, one of five wickets to fall to leg-spinner Yasir Shah, but was not going to make the same mistake second time around.

The all-rounder’s score of three on day one was a rare failure against Pakistan.

In 16 previous Tests against Misbah-ul-Haq’s side, the right-hander had made eight scores of 50 or more, the best of them being an unbeaten 157 that spared Sri Lanka from defeat in Abu Dhabi in a match that straddled 2013 and 2014.

Another century is within sight—it would be his first three-figure score in 2015 but his fifth overall, with all but one of them coming as captain.

As pointed out by Cricketopia on Twitter, the 28-year-old continues to show that leadership has been a blessing for his batting, rather than a burden:

Highest Test batting-average as captain (min 1000 runs) #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/qbTTJ997sy

— Cricketopia.com (@Cricketopia) July 5, 2015

Sri Lanka's response since being comprehensively beaten in the opening Test in Galle has been impressive.

In the last match in Colombo, they successfully chased down a target of 153 to triumph, and now, despite being without the services of Kumar Sangakkara, they have batted themselves into a position to complete the comeback from a 1-0 deficit in the series.

The three previous matches played at Pallekele International Stadium have all ended in draws—Sri Lanka are in a fabulous position to end that run, weather permitting, of course.

All stats used in the article were from ESPN Cricinfo