THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 SPORTS Grasp Sri Lanka history chance, urges Jayasuriya COLOMBO: Batting legend Sanath Sri Lanka’s selectors, told AFP in an inter- A 3-0 clean sweep would be Sri Lanka’s are in a transition period. We are going bright.” Sri Lanka had been languishing at Jayasuriya has urged Sri Lanka’s cricketers view in Colombo. “If we can do that (win 3- greatest achievement since they were with youngsters at the moment with little seventh in the rankings before the current to seize the chance to make history by 0), then it’s history. So I hope the boys will granted Test status in 1981. It would also or no experience,” said Jayasuriya, who was series, with the prospect of having to play completing a series whitewash over world realise that we have got a big opportunity.” vindicate predictions from the likes of captain in Sri Lanka’s only previous victory nations such as Ireland and Afghanistan if number one Test team Australia. With an Sri Lanka had only beaten Australia Jayasuriya that the team has a bright over Australia 17 years ago. “We had a lot plans for a two Test divisions are pushed unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test once before in a Test, in 1999 when the future despite the retirements of world- of faith in them and we are very happy the through. Jayasuriya said he was firmly series, Sri Lanka might be tempted to ease likes of Jayasuriya and record-breaking class batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and way they played ... I think with experience against the proposal which could mean up in the final encounter which begins in spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan were in Mahela Jayawardene in the last couple of they will learn, but they have to start losing out on playing the likes of Australia Colombo on Saturday. But Jayasuriya, one their prime. years. Sri Lanka’s match-winner in somewhere and they started in Sri Lanka.” and India. of the stars of Sri Lanka’s World Cup tri- The victories in the first two Tests were Pallekele was 21-year-old Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka had endured a torrid start to “I don’t agree with the two-tier system,” umph in 1996, said that Angelo Mathews’ all the more unexpected as Sri Lanka have who scored a superb maiden century. 2016, being knocked out of the World Jayasuriya said. “And I am not saying young side could create their own piece of been sliding down the rankings and failed Twenty20 as defending champions before because of Sri Lanka’s ranking, because we history by inflicting a series whitewash on to win any of nine international matches ‘FUTURE IS BRIGHT’ the tour of England. Jayasuriya said the will rise after this series, but (the current a leading Test nation for the first time. “No against England on their recent tour. Few While the veteran offspinner Rangana batting in England lacked consistency but system) is better.” one thought we would be leading 2-0, observers had given them a hope of beat- Herath grabbed the headlines in Galle by was now “just beginning to click”. The International Cricket Council are everybody thought it would be the other ing the Australians but Steve Smith’s side taking a hat-trick, the match-winner was “They won (the first two Australia Tests) due to discuss the proposal next month. way round but we’ve turned it around as a have admitted to being totally outplayed younger spin partner Dilruwan Perera who and won convincingly and that’s impor- India are opposed, which could lead to its team,” Jayasuriya, who is now chairman of in the first two Tests in Palekelle and Galle. recorded match figures of 10 for 99. “We tant. So the future for Sri Lankan cricket is demise. — AFP Ashwin shines again for India in third test ST LUCIA: An unbeaten century stand for leg side to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich. the sixth wicket by Ravichandran Ashwin Jason Holder and Miguel Cummins and Wriddhiman Saha put India in a bowled with discipline in the four-pronged respectable position after the first day of pace attack but went wicketless. the third test against West Indies in St Lucia The day belonged to Ashwin, who was on Tuesday. dropped on 21 and received another The visitors were 234 for five at the close reprieve on 35 when he was caught at of play with all-rounder Ashwin on 75 and point off a Gabriel back foot no-ball. wicketkeeper Saha on 46, the pair having added 108 to leave honours even at the THORN IN SIDE Darren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet. Ashwin has been a thorn in West Indies’ Opener Lokesh Rahul chipped in with a side the entire series, making a century brisk 50 earlier but India’s batsmen were and claiming seven wickets in the first test otherwise bogged down until Ashwin and before picking up another six victims in Saha cut loose against the second new ball, the second match. Rahul followed up his plundering 46 runs off the final nine overs. 158 from the second test by reaching his The late flurry took the gloss off what half-century in 64 balls before falling to had been an encouraging day for West the very next delivery when he flicked Indies after the hosts won the toss and Chase straight into the waiting hands of decided to bowl. short fine leg. Teenage paceman Alzarri Joseph “I wanted to attack the bowlers and put enjoyed a dream debut, in his third over them under pressure because the wicket claiming the prized wicket of India captain was a little damp the first hour,” said Rahul. Virat Kohli, caught at first slip for three. “The ball was doing a bit with sideways Joseph (2-38) also snared Rohit Sharma, movement ... and with this being an open caught behind for nine, while all-rounder ground, and with the breeze, there was Roston Chase continued his excellent series swing throughout the day. by picking up two wickets with his off spin. “I did my job pretty well, got the team Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel (1-68) was off to a decent start and the boys carried expensive although he at least took the on from there. We’re pretty happy with our first wicket of the day when Shikhar effort at the end of the day.” India lead the Dhawan (one) gloved a short ball down the four-test series 1-0. — Reuters BULAWAYO: New Zealand cricket team celebrates with the series trophy after winning during the fifth day of the second test in a series of two SCOREBOARD matches where New Zealand beat hosts Zimbabwe 2-0 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, yesterday. — AFP GROS INLET, St: Scoreboard at stumps Tuesday on the first day of the third cricket Sodhi stars as N Zealand test between West Indies and India at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium: India, 1st Innings Overs: 90. Lokesh Rahul c Brathwaite b Chase 50 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-19, 3-77,4-87, 5-126. secure Zimbabwe series Shikhar Dhawan c Dowrich b Gabriel 1 Still to bat: Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Virat Kohli c Bravo b Joseph 3 Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane b Chase 35 Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. BULAWAYO: Ish Sodhi finished with seven wick- Rohit Sharma c Dowrich b Joseph 9 Bowling: Shannon Gabriel 16-2-68-1 ets in the match as New Zealand wrapped up a SCOREBOARD Ravichandran Ashwin not out 75 (5nb), Alzarri Joseph 14-3-38-2(1w), 254-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Wriddhiman Saha not out 46 Miguel Cummins 14-5-36-0, Jason Holder Test yesterday to sweep the series 2-0. Although Extras (5b,2lb,1w,7nb) 15 15-6-27-0, Roston Chase 23-8-38-2, Zimbabwe showed some fight early on day five BULAWAYO: Scoreboard at the end of the second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand TOTAL: (for five wickets) 234 Kraigg Brathwaite 8-1-20-0. when nightwatchman Donald Tiripano and first- yesterday: innings centurion Craig Ervine stood firm for the New Zealand first innings: 582/4 dec (T. P. Masvaure c Taylor b Sodhi 11 better part of 90 minutes, once they had fallen to Latham 136, R. Taylor 124 not out, S. Williams c Williamson b Guptill 11 some contentious umpiring decisions the hosts K. Williamson 113, S. Williams 1-62) P. Moor lbw b Sodhi 1 folded quickly. G. Cremer lbw b Guptill 1 Sodhi’s leg-spin claimed three of the last four Zimbabwe first innings: 362 all out (C. Ervine J. Nyumbu not out 0 wickets to go down, while part-timer Martin 146, P. Moor 71, I. Sodhi M. Chinouya c Williamson b Sodhi 0 Guptill finished with figures of 3 for 11 as 4-60, N. Wagner 2-61) Extras (1b, 2lb) 3 Zimbabwe were bowled out for 132 in their sec- Total (all out, 68.4 overs) 132 ond innings at the Queen’s Sports Club. “We New Zealand second innings: 166/2 dec (K. knew it was going to be especially tough to take Williamson 68 not out, R. Taylor Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Chibhabha), 2-58 20 wickets on this surface, so I think a lot of credit 67 not out, D. Tiripano 1-14, M Chinouya 1-45) (Mawoyo), 3-58 (Sikandar Raza), 4-97 needs to go to the bowlers for managing to do (Tiripano), 5-112 (Ervine), 6-130 (Williams), 7- that,” reflected New Zealand captain Kane Zimbabwe second innings: 131 (Moor), 8-132 (Cremer), 9-132 (Masvaure), Williamson, a centurion in the tourists’ huge first- T.