Sophie Molineux earns CA contract ahead of blockbuster year   Source: Cricket Australia – CA Multicultural Media – eLanka Cricket Australia announces a 17-strong group of centrally contracted women’s players ahead of the T20 World Cup and Ashes. Sophie Molineux’s outstanding return to international cricket has seen the allrounder earn a spot on Cricket Australia’s contract list, as part of a 17-strong women’s group for the 2024-25 schedule that features a T20 World Cup and Ashes. Molineux had earned an upgrade to the 2023-24 contract list last month during Australia’s tour of Bangladesh, and her excellent returns across five matches in that series see her effectively retain her place. Meg Lanning is the only player to drop off last season’s list, following the former Australia captain’s retirement from international cricket last November. CA contracted women’s players 2024-25: Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jessica ...

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Cricket Australia Statement Source: Cricket Australia – CA Multicultural Media – eLanka Cricket Australia (CA) has postponed the three-match men’s T20 International series against Afghanistan scheduled for August this year. Following consultation with the Australian Government, CA previously postponed the ODI series against Afghanistan scheduled for March 2023 after a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan, stating we would: “Continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country”. Over the past twelve months CA has continued to consult with the Australian Government on the situation in Afghanistan. The government’s advice is that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are getting worse. For this reason, we have maintained our previous position and will postpone the bilateral series against Afghanistan. CA continues its strong commitment to supporting participation by women and girls in cricket around the world ...

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SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (FEBRUARY  2024) Compiled by Victor Melder Bangladesh will play two World Test Championship (WTC) matches against Sri Lanka in Sylhet and Chattogram in March. It will be the first time since they started playing at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, that Bangladesh won’t play at that ground in a Test series, as the venue will be busy hosting the Australian women’s side at the end of March. Sri Lanka will arrive in Dhaka on March 1, the same day as the BPL final, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. They will play three T20Is in Sylhet on March 4, 6 and 9. The first two matches are scheduled to start from 6:00pm local time, while the third game is from 3:00pm. The teams will then move to Chattogram to play the three-match ODI series, on March 13, 15 and 18. The first two ODIs ...

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Embarrassed Sri Lanka answers critics in merciless fashion- Hasarsnga and Matthews lead Zimbabwe rout in decider- BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) Sri Lanka responded like a team stung by embarrassment smashing Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the T20 decider in Colombo. After two nail biters in the first two encounters, Sri Lanka hit their straps to set the record straight humiliating the Zimbabwean’s in a one-sided game that didn’t go the distance anticipated. New skipper Wannindu Hasarsnga De Silva underlined his liking to the new role leading from the front with a bamboozling performance with the ball to reduce Zimbabwe to rubble making Sri Lanka’s batting woes with less pressure to deal with. Hasarsnga mesmerised Zimbabwe’s batters to claim 4 fir 15 off 4 overs, Matthews 2 for 15and Maheesh Theeksheena 2 fir14 to destroy Zimbabwe to 82 all out. Angelo Matthews rectified his bowling embarrassment in ...

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Windies crumble to pace but strike back to grab two – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) West Indies struck back to grab two wickets by the close, but it was a day dominated by Australia’s bowlers who laid the platform for an early end to the first Test in Adelaide.  The Summer of cricket appears bleak and boring as the under strength West Indies crashed to a predictable 188 all out to put Australia in the driving seat for a early finish to the first Test in Adelaide.  Footy fans will  undoubtedly be counting the days for the start of the AFL season with little expectation of a West Indian challenge unlike the Pakistan series that had plenty of interest.  There is much speculation in cricketing circles about the West Indies thinking and why they would plan a tour against the World’s best with a side had ...

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Hasaranga’s Heroic Return: Sri Lanka Crushes Zimbabwe in One-Day Series with Dominant Performance – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports editor) Image source: © ICC 2023 | Courtesy of ICC | Media Zone Access by Trevine Rodrigo (eLanka) (taken form media article from ICC: Hasaranga and Gardner voted ICC Players of the Month for June ) Wannindu Hasarsnga celebrated his return to international cricket after being sidelined with injury for eight months by wrecking Zimbabwe with a seven wicket haul in an eight wicket thrashing in Colombo. Hasarsnga was almost unplayable, producing a mesmerising spell in which he claimed 7 for 19 off 5.5 overs, leaving the Zimbabwe batters all at sea as they crashed to 96 all out in 22.5 overs. Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis then led  the spirited run chase as they scurried to the under par target in 16.4 overs. Image source: © ICC 2023 ...

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Warner fails after two lives in rain shortened second day. – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports editor) Australia limped to 106 for 2 off 47 overs when bad light followed by rain, brought a halt to the second day’s play which was subsequently abandoned.  David Warner playing his last Test,  survived two lives but was unable to capitalise on his good fortune to be snapped up at first slip for 34. A clearly disappointed Warner left the SCG to a standing ovation from the 30,000 plus crowd. His close buddy and opening partner for many years, Usman Khawaja figured in their 22nd 50 run partnership before Warner departed.   Khawaja who has had tremendous success at the SCG appeared set for a half century until Pakistan’s batting hero Aamir Jamal bowling with venom, forced him to edge one to the slips for a painstaking 47. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith ...

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Chris Gayle’s heroics inspire Sarfaraz as Pakistan prepares for the PM XI Sarfaraz Ahmed, the seasoned Pakistani cricketer is ready to face the challenges that lay ahead in the upcoming four-day game against PM XI. Recalling the inspiring innings of Chris Gayle at Manuka Oval, Sarfaraz said: “I remember watching Chris Gayle’s incredible innings of 200 runs against Zimbabwe at Manuka Oval. Now, as we brace ourselves for a four-day clash in Canberra against Australia, the weather seems to be good. This match holds an immense significance as it kickstarts the three-match test series against the formidable Australian team.” Expressing his confidence, Sarfaraz highlighted the strength of the Pakistani lineup. “Australia boasts good batters, but we are no less. With Abdullah, Babar, Imam, Saud, and Agha in our ranks, we are well-equipped for the challenge,” he declared. Sarfaraz praised the quality bowlers in his lineup. “Shaheen and Hasan are exceptional, ...

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Australian men’s Test squad for the first NRMA Insurance Test match   The National Selection Panel (NSP) has named a 14-player men’s squad for the first NRMA Insurance Test match against Pakistan in Perth. Australia plays three Tests against Pakistan in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, followed by two Tests against the West Indies in Adelaide and Brisbane. Australia: Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c) Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club) Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club) Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club) Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club) Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club) Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club) Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club) Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club) Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club) Lance Morris (WA/Scarborough Cricket Club) Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club) David Warner (NSW/Randwick Petersham Cricket Club) NSP men’s Chair of Selectors George Bailey said: “This group, led by Pat ...

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