SPORTS Tuesday, November 28, 2017 21 Ashes: Australia beat smash Sri in first Test Lanka as Ashwin

Australia’s batsmen (R) and Cameron Bancroft celebrate their victory (Picture courtesy: theguardian)

Brisbane claims 300 ustralia completed a BRIEF SCORE Kolkata, India stump - Karunaratne flicked it straight 10- victory avichandran Ashwin towards at forward short AEngland in the first Ashes Australia 328 (Smith 141*, Marsh 51) dismantled ’s lower leg. The fielder had very little reaction Test on the fifth morning in and 0 for 173 (Warner 87*, Bancroft middle-orderR and became the fastest time but managed to grasp the ball hit Brisbane. Chasing a target of 82*) beat England 302 and 195 (Root bowler to 300 Test as the at him to earn India their first wicket of 170, the hosts got the 56 runs 51, Bairstow 42) by 10 wickets visitors folded meekly to give India their the morning. they required in little more than joint-biggest Test victory - by an innings Ishant’s first spell of the day - an hour, with David Warner 87 when on 60. and 239 runs. characterised by superb length and a and debutant Cameron He hit the winning runs The idea of saving the Test slight hint of reverse swing - lasted for Bancroft unbeaten on 82. off as Australia was always going to be a far- five overs. He didn’t get a wicket but On just two previous preserved their 29-year fetched expectation for Sri troubled every batsmen who came up occasions have England lost the unbeaten record at Lanka, but their batsmen against him. Even had first Test in Australia and gone on the third anniversary of the showed no intention or to be extra-attentive against the wobbling on to win the Ashes, but Joe death of Phillip Hughes. This drive to even make an effort ball that beat the batsman regularly. Root’s men need only draw the was England’s sixth successive towards the unthinkable, as Ishant’s replacement series to retain the urn. Test defeat in Australia they lost as many as seven also brought an immediate wicket. But The next Test, a day- following a 5-0 whitewash in wickets in the extended that breakthrough was more down to nighter in Adelaide, begins 2013-14. opening session. Dinesh Thirimanne’s poor decision-making on Saturday, so the tourists Despite the margin of Chandimal’s dodgy half- in the middle than Umesh’s brilliance. must re-group quickly both on victory, this match was even century and a brief stand Thirimanne stretched out to a nothing and off the field. News of an for the majority of the contest with No. 10 batsman ball bowled full and wide outside off- investigation into an alleged and offers some suggestion the ensured stump and sliced it straight to Jadeja headbutt by wicketkeeper series could be keenly fought. his side wouldn’t have at backward point, who didn’t have to on Australia’s Ultimately, it was decided by the ignominy of getting move an inch to take the catch. Bancroft in a Perth bar four some key moments going the bowled out before Lunch. For the adventurous Dickwealla, weeks ago emerged on Sunday. way of the home side, partly Shortly after the break, Kohli smartly brought back Ishant. The Both men were on the field through Australian excellence however, Umesh and fast bowler’s hardwork through his two throughout Monday’s play and and partly through England Ashwin completed the short bursts finally paid dividends, when shook hands at the conclusion mistakes. On the first day, with formalities, with the latter he bowled a length ball from around of the match. England 127-1, pipping ’s the stumps and got it to shape slightly It was Bancroft who offered was for 83 by a brilliant record by taking No.300 in away from the wicketkeeper-batsman. the only semblance of a chance, direct hit from . just his 54th Test. It was bowled in that perfect channel edging Jake Ball past lone slip (BBC) It was a morning session when where Dickwella didn’t have the choice a pro-active gave short of not playing at it, and ended up outside bursts of spells to each of his four edging it. Virat Kohli at second slip Virat Kohli rested for Sri Lanka bowlers. Ashwin began the proceedings caught it on second attempt after a alongside , but was juggle. (cricbuzz) ODI’s, to lead India still not getting a lot of turn from , India his maiden call-up in the ODI the surface. Most balls went with the ndia Virat Kohli side and is expected to bat in angle as the two left-handers - Dimuth was given a much-needed Kohli’s place at number three. Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne - BRIEF SCORE restI from the upcoming ODI The squad also includes managed to master the task of getting India 610 for 6 dec. (Kohli 213, Pujara series against Sri Lanka while uncapped Punjab right-arm behind the line of the ball pretty well. 143, Vijay 128, Rohit 102*) beat Sri spinners medium pacer Siddharth Kaul, Ashwin bowled just three overs in Lanka 205 (Chandimal 57, Karunaratne and continued who was incidentally a member his first spell on Day 4, and Ravindra 51, Ashwin 4-67, Ishant 3-37, Jadeja to be ignored in the 50-over of the 2008 U-19 World Cup Jadeja replaced him with instant 3-56) and 166 (Chandimal 61, Ashwin format. winning team, which was led success. Off the second ball he 4-63) by an innings and 239 runs While Kohli will play in by Kohli. Kaul has played for bowled - flighted on the middle- the third Test in New India A and has 175 wickets starting December 2, his limited from 50 first-class games and overs deputy Rohit Sharma 98 scalps from 52 List A games. will be leading the squad in The medium pacer has also three-match ODI series been a part of IPL franchises starting December 10. Delhi Daredevils and Ashwin and Jadeja’s . continued exclusion The squad for the T20 is a clear indication Internationals against the that they are not in the islanders and the Test tour immediate scheme of of has been things in this format. put off till the Shreyas third and final Iyer, who match in the made his T20 national international capital. debut against (TOI) Ravichandran Ashwin of India last month, has earned Virat Kohli (file pic)