Banned Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq will not be able to play in the Champions Trophy final if his team qualifies, the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled on Monday. Inzamam was banned for four one-day internationals last month after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.
World cricket boss Percy Sonn said on Sunday he was disappointed at South Africa’s decision to abandon the tour of Sri Lanka for security reasons, but declined to impose sanctions on the Proteas. ”I am deeply disappointed at their decision to go home,” Sonn told a media conference in the Sri Lankan capital.
South Africa have pulled out of the limited-overs tri-series against India and hosts Sri Lanka due to security concerns after a deadly bombing, a Sri Lankan cricket official said on Wednesday. ”South Africa have told us they want to pull out. It is unfortunate but true,” Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Samantha Algama said.
Sri Lankans can’t wait to welcome back a fit-again Sachin Tendulkar as India arrive in Colombo on Thursday night to play a tri-series also featuring South Africa. Tendulkar, arguably the most prolific batsman in history, returns to the Indian team after being out of action since March due to shoulder surgery.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardene and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya hit aggressive half-centuries to push Sri Lanka closer to a remarkable victory in the second Test against South Africa in Colombo on Monday. Jayasuriya smashed 73 off 74 balls and Jayawardene was unbeaten on 77 as Sri Lanka ended a tense fourth day’s play on 262-5.
Youngsters Chamara Kapugedera and Prasanna Jayawardene sparked a Sri Lankan batting revival after South Africa threatened to run away with the second cricket Test in Colombo on Saturday. The duo put on 105 for the sixth wicket after a four-wicket haul by South Africa’s Makhaya Ntini reduced the hosts to 86-5 before lunch.
South Africa are set for another agonising battle when the second and final Test against Sri Lanka starts on Friday at off-spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan’s home club. The Sara Oval at the Tamil Union Club, where Muralitharan plays his domestic cricket, is regarded as a spinners’ haven tailor-made for the prolific star.
South Africa’s veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock returns for the second Test against Sri Lanka on Friday with a war cry to teammates to rise from despair and defeat. The 33-year-old missed the first Test, which Sri Lanka won by an innings and 153 runs, to be by wife Trish’s side for the birth of their second daughter.
South Africa on Tuesday tried to unravel the mystery that has confounded the cricket world for years — how to stop Muttiah Muralitharan from taking wickets. The search drew a blank although Proteas coach Mickey Arthur insisted his batsmen had started to play the Sri Lankan spin wizard ”better and better”.
Mahela Jayawardene smashed the fourth-highest Test score of 374 and shared a world record stand of 624 with Kumar Sangakkara as Sri Lanka battered South Africa in the first Test on Saturday. The batting feast at the Sinhalese Sports Club saw Sri Lanka pile up a mammoth 756-5 declared in reply to South Africa’s modest 169 to gain a match-winning lead of 587 runs.