20 Monday, January 22, 2018 SPORTS Thisara Perera stars as Sri Lanka Triumph England Dhaka inspired Sri Lankan bowling attack that hisara Perera starred with bat limited Zimbabwe to 198 all out before his and ball as Sri Lanka ended unbeaten 39 helped the islanders to chase theirT recent dismal run by beating down their target in 44.5 overs. Zimbabwe by five wickets in the Sri Lanka were in trouble at 145-5 tri-nation one-day international before skipper Dinesh Chandimal (38 clinch tournament yesterday. not out) and Perera put on an unbeaten Perera claimed 57-run stand for the sixth wicket. four wickets Perera, who bats left-handed, sealed to lead an the win with a six to keep Sri Lanka’s tournament hopes alive after they lost against Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh. Zimbabwe paceman Blessing ODI series Muzarabani claimed three wickets to rattle the Sri Lankan top-order after opener Kusal Perera’s dominating 49. But the day belonged to Thisara Sydney Perera, who soon took the scintillating century seemed out of their reach until the attack to the opposition with from Jos Buttler brought England a final few overs. his 26-ball knock that was A16-run win and a one-day international Several English batsmen failed laced with a four and 3 sixes. series victory against Australia in Sydney to capitalise on promising starts, Chandimal, leading yesterday. but Buttler notched his fifth one- the side in place The hosts, set 303 to win by England day international century from the of injured Angelo after winning the toss and electing to last ball of the innings as England BRIEF Mathews, played the sheet anchor’s bowl, were always struggling in their chase helped themselves to 38 off the SCORE role to perfection during his 71-ball stay. and eventually managed only 286 for six. final two overs. Earlier Perera ran through the The result gave England an unbeatable Buttler himself took 28 runs Sri Lanka 202 Zimbabwe top-order, grabbing the most 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, from the last 11 balls he faced. for 5 (Kusal vital wicket of Brendan Taylor, who top- a remarkable turnaround after Australia He faced 83 balls, hitting six Perera 49, Thisara scored with 58 before his side were bowled had trounced the tourists 4-0 in the Ashes fours and four sixes, in a out in 44 overs. Tests. dashing innings that gathered 39*, Muzarabani The 28-year old Perera, who bowls Australia’s hopes largely rested with momentum in the last 10 3-52) beat medium-pace, was ably supported by Steve Smith (45) and Mitchell Marsh overs. Zimbabwe 198 fellow paceman Nuwan Pradeep (3-28). (55), but both were dismissed at a crucial Just as England appeared (Taylor 58, Thisara Left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan stage of the chase, with Smith falling to a to be struggling against a 4-33, Pradeep Sandakan took two wickets before Pradeep contentious low-down catch by Buttler off full-strength Australian attack, 3-28) by five wiped off the Zimbabwe tail including the the bowling of Mark Wood (2-46). Buttler found a willing ally in prized wicket of skipper Graeme Cremer Marcus Stoinis made a late attempt Chris Woakes late in the innings, wickets for 34. (AFP) to lift Australia with a punishing 56, but the seamer making 53 from 36 balls England managed to hold on despite in a match-winning partnership of losing pacemen Liam Plunkett to a leg 113 in 11.5 overs. injury early in the Australian innings. Australia recalled pacemen Pat Buttler, 27, was Cummins and Josh the only batsman Hazlewood for the match, from either team BRIEF SCORE the first time in the one- really to get to day series that the trio of grips with a slightly England 6 for 302 (Buttler 100*, Cummins, Hazlewood slow pitch, and his Woakes 53*) beat Australia 6 for and Mitchell Starc, late surge enabled 286 (Finch 62, Stoinis 56, Marsh who spearheaded the England to reach Ashes win, had been a total which had 55) by 16 runs reunited. (AFP) England’s Jos Buttler celebrates after scor- ing a century (Picture courtesy: Reuters)

Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera celebrates with teammates

London reigning Olympic marathon Bekele thiopia’s Kenenisa champion, who won the event Bekele will race Britain’s in 2015 and 2016, will also be MoE Farah in the London competing in London. Marathon in April. Bekele, Farah and Kipchoge Bekele is a triple Olympic have won a combined eight to face champion on the track and was Olympic gold medals and 12 second behind Kenyan Daniel World Championship gold Wanjiru in last year’s race. medals between them. “I am thrilled to be returning “This is a mouth-watering Farah to London for the third year in prospect,” said event director a row and would love to go one Hugh Brasher. better than last year and win “Sir Mo, Eliud and Kenenisa the race,” said Bekele. could all put forward a “Once again London has persuasive case for being the in London brought the best distance greatest of all time and now runners in the world together they meet for the first time so I know it will not be easy.” over the marathon distance.” Marathon Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, the (BBC)