Sri Lanka Stun India In

SPORTS Wednesday, March 7, 2018 21 Dale Steyn eyes Sri Lanka stun return in third test

IndiaColombo in T20 usal Perera’s blazing half-century trumped Shikhar Dhawan’s 49-ball K90 as Sri Lanka defeated India in the opening T20 of the Nidahas Trophy tri-series by five wickets at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. Riding on Perera’s 37-ball 66, the hosts chased down 175 in 18.3 overs. Kusal Perera was in some mood tonight as he smashed Indian bowlers all around the park with Dale Steyn (file pic) pacer Shardul Thakur bearing the brunt of his assault, leaking 27 runs in his first over of the night. Cape Town Steyn told local radio. The Sri Lankan struck him for three straight outh Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn made a comeback after fours followed by a six over mid-off. Steyn is targeting a return to 13 months out due to shoulder Stunned by the hiding, Shardul ended up BRIEF SCORE Stest cricket in the third match problems when he opened the bowling a waist-high no-ball and then was creamed Sri Lanka 175 for 5 (Kusal of the series against Australia bowling in January’s first test for two more fours. Sri Lanka sprinted to their fifty Perera 66, Sundar 2-28) beat this month, he said yesterday. victory over India at Newlands, in 3.4 overs and by the time Powerplay was over, India 174 for 5 (Dhawan 90, The 34-year-old, plagued only to hurt his heel. had scored 75/2. Chameera 2-32) by five wickets by injury over the last two “I’ve had a bit of an unlucky Perera reached his half-century off 22 deliveries years, is three wickets away one with my foot. It seems like – his eighth in the format. By the time he was from becoming South Africa’s every injury I get is really bad. stumped, Sri Lanka needed just 48 runs from seven overs. leading test wicket taker. I’m probably another two or Yuzvendra Chahal and Shardul then bowled some tight overs “I’m looking at trying to get three weeks away,” Steyn said. between them to make the chase interesting but Thisara Perera (22*) into the third test, get back with “I have to play one or two and Dasun Shanaka (18*) wiped off the arrears comfortably to seal the boys. It’s been a long time warm-up games. So hopefully two points. - shoulder, foot, all that kind everything goes according to Earlier, Dhawan hit 90 off 49 to guide India to a challenging of stuff. Watching the cricket plan, and by the end of next total after they lost two wickets inside two overs. Captain Rohit and seeing some of the things week, I should be back on Sharma (0) and Suresh Raina (1) fell cheaply after being sent in by that are happening on the field, the cricket field,” he added. Sri Lanka. Then Dhawan and Manish Pandey (37) got together I just want to get out there,” (Reuters) to repair the early damage with a solid 95-run stand for the third wicket. (TOI) Fiorentina, Cagliari retire Astori’s number 13 shirt London Astori joined Fiorentina from iorentina have retired Cagliari in 2016 and made 58 the shirt number worn appearances for them. Fby Davide Astori, the Italian On Monday, prosecutors defender who died on Sunday opened a routine at the age of 31. investigation into his death. Astori’s former club Udine chief prosecutor Cagliari, where he spent eight Antonio de Nicolo said years from 2008, have also he had opened a “culpable retired the number 13 shirt - homicide” inquiry - a routine which he wore at both teams. move before an autopsy in Capped 14 times by Italy, Italy. (BBC) Tottenham at critical point of season, says Hugo Lloris London of the Champions League ottenham Hotspur quarter-finals. A 2-2 draw goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in Turin last month means saysT the team have arrived Tottenham are favourites to at the moment of the season progress to the quarter-finals when they can “win or lose after the last 16 second-leg everything”, starting on game at Wembley Stadium. Wednesday against Juventus in “It’s true we have a small the Champions League. advantage because we scored Since Tottenham signed two goals away from home,” off the group stage of the Lloris, who conceded twice in competition with a 3-0 home the opening 10 minutes of the victory over Apoel Nicosia in first leg, told a news conference early December they have lost yesterday. only once in 20 games. “But if you don’t have Such consistency has taken the right energy, the right them into fourth spot in the mentality and the right attitude Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera slogs over the leg side (Pic courtesy: Espncricinfo) Premier league, the FA Cup things can turn very quickly.” quarter-finals and on the cusp (Reuters)