All Blacks and Springboks set the stage for a humdinger – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports editor) It couldn’t have been scripted better as the All Blacks and Springboks who have been powerhouses in world Rugby clash in what is expected to be one of the most memorable World Cup finals ever. While the Springboks came to France one of the favourites, the All Blacks were not rated for once, and to make an impact in this edition, they had to produce something special. They did Just that. But here they are, two of the fiercest rivals on the park in Rugby, going head to head in a proud quest of winning the Willam Webb Ellis Trophy, rugby’s greatest prize on the world stage and the reward puts the winner, one game ahead of each other, and any other nation to win it. With the stakes so high, ...

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India has the wood on Australia but South Africa looms as the biggest threat. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports editor) Photo Courtesy of ICC. © ICC 2023 (media contact; Trevine Rodrigo – ICC approved media partner India underlined their favourite tag with a clinical win over Australia proving that the recent series success has definitely given them the wood over another World Cup favourite.  The Aussies were all at sea against a varied and skilful Indian bowling attack that made heavy inroads after David Warner and Steven Smith earlier looked set to steer them to a winning total.  The exit of Warner and Smith signalled a steady stream of wickets as India’s pace spin combination disassembled the strong Australian batting to keep them down to less than 200 and apply enough pressure to ensure no fightback.  But the Aussies are known for their grit and determination when ...

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New Zealand stun England in World Cup opener with a sensational 9 wicket win – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports editor) New Zealand made a sensational start to their World Cup campaign annihilating defending champions England by 9 wickets in a lopsided replay of the last World Cup final. Beaten in the last encounter by England, the Kiwis were merciless in their demolition of one of the current favourites, leaving the Englishmen spent and dismayed.  It topped off a great day for New Zealand sport as the All Blacks were rampant in the Rugby World Cup in France as well destroying Uruguay 73-0 to storm into the quarter finals. The win also underlines and throws out an ominous warning that the Kiwis are ready to take that extra step this time around.  England will be desperate for answers to their bowling dilemmas which apart from Sam Curran, made no ...

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Ruthless England break Matildas hearts – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE  (eLanka Sports Editor) England were unsympathetic yet professionally switched on as they mercilessly destroyed a Matildas dream to advance to the World World Cup final.  The European Champions were clinical yet ruffled by a spirited home team that gave them a few shivers before pulling away in the last 20 minutes to scramble home 3-1 in an entertaining semi final that at times looked like it could go down to the wire. The Matildas had their chances of making the outcome different,  but England rose to and countered every challenge with forays of their own that was worthy of their eventual dominance and victory.  England lacked the skills of Denmark and France but adopted a cat and mouse strategy against a dangerous underdog, playing with new found confidence and overwhelming home crowd support.  England played with the dominant spirit ...

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Australia destroys England euphoria with a one-day hiding.- BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) England were drowned by the  T20 World Cup success and found swimming in the waters of euphoria does not translate to continued success.   Well, Australia made that wake up call.  Recovering from the hangover of a fantastic and unexpected World Cup glory, England found that maintaining that aura was about focus and consistency.  Australia reminded them that it was built around continued focus which the triumphant Englishmen found they were caught out in a program planned on maintaining status quo. It also brings into focus that Australia is never off the radar as the most fierce competitor in world cricket, also in most sports in the world.  The one-day whitewash clearly demonstrated the frivolous nature of the white ball game and gives hope to all competing nations in the next edition of the World Cup.  ...

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England shatter Pakistan dream to prevail in gripping T20 World Cup final – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor)  England skipper Jos Buttler marshalled his troops with the command of a cool ,calm, battle hardened veteran to contain an established Pakistan batting line-up. He then led his men to an emphatic T20 World Cup victory in front of over 80 thousand fans at the MCG.  As I said in my preview,  winning the toss was paramount. It gave England the platform to play to their strengths by putting Pakistan in and trying to strangle a free scoring team in an endeavour to chase down a reasonable target.  Man-of- match,  and the series, Sam Curran, provided that impetus with a devastating spell of seam bowling on an MCG track that was rwo paced and with plenty of swing off it. Curran and leg spinner Adil Rashid ripped through Pakistan ...

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Pakistan pace quartet stand between winning and losing their first T20 World Cup – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sport Editor)   Shaheen Shah Afridi leads a Pakistan pace quartet that can dismantle England’s batting line-up and their chances of snatching this edition of T20 World Cup.  England looked invincible against India,  chasing a par total. But they will be challenged if Pakistan wins the toss and invite them to have a first go with the bat.  Pakistan have a lethal pace combination that can destroy the best batting line-ups in the world, and a two paced MCG will give them the impetus to achieve just that  backed by serious options with spin. Pakistan’s batting has proved second to none.  Skipper Barbar Azam leads a talented line-up that can score freely on their day. The return of Afridi after missing tha Asia Cup, has given them that extra edge ...

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India’s castle blown down by a mighty England huff and puff. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.     England huffed and puffed and blew India’s house down, much to the dismay of the ICC, the rest of all experts, and all expectations.  So, Asia in the form of Pakistan, take on England, and I would be a optimist to even venture on predicting a winner with two teams not really a popular choice who have made this World Cup final, and are capable of winning against anyone on their day.  Skipper Jos Buttler and Alex Hales smashed unbeaten 80 and 86 in whirlwind fashion to lead England on a romp to the final chasing 170. They achieved a par total with four overs to spare after an incredible run chase.  India provided the early fireworks led by prolific batters Virat Kohli 50 0ff40 balls, and Hardik Pandiya whose brutal ...

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New Zealand and England look the favourites but an India- Pakistan final will be a winner – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) Pakistan may well reflect on a Houdini act that saw them scramble into the semi finals of the T20 World Cup, but their joy could be short lived against a well balanced New Zealand.  The Kiwis who dropped their guard and were overrun by England after a near faultless campaign upto that stage, are still a formidable force I believe should go all the way. England and India battle for the second spot in  a game that is evenly balanced and could go either way depending on whose day it is. England has been building gradually, and if Jos Butler and Alex Hales continue their consistency, are well justified in their belief they are capable if unsettling the Indians who have shown plenty of vulnerability.  ...

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