August 17, 2024

Darke 106*, Mack Half-Century Wrap Up White-ball Trophies for Australia A

Maddy Darke’s unbeaten 106 and Katie Mack’s 68 led Australia A to an eight-wicket victory over India A in the second one-dayer in Mackay. The openers’ 131-run partnership helped Australia effortlessly chase down India A’s target of 219, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

After being put into bat, India A saw Raghvi Bist and Tejal Hasabnis score fifties, contributing to a 124-run stand for the fourth wicket. However, Charli Knott and Grace Parsons triggered a collapse from 176 for 3 to 218 all out.

The match began with Tayla Vlaeminck’s excellent opening spell (4-3-3-1), including a Priya Punia wicket. Nicola Hancock followed with a dismissal of Shweta Sehrawat in her first over, and Knott removed Shubha Satheesh. Bist and Hasabnis managed to score the fifties. Still, their progress was halted when Parsons dismissed Hasabnis, and Knott took out Minnu Mani quickly.

Australia: A Cruise to Victory with Mack and Darke’s Solid Performances

Shipra Giri hit a few early boundaries, but India A’s innings faltered after Raghvi Bist was run out in the 45th over, leaving them at 203 for 6. Maitlan Brown then wrapped up the tail with a triple-wicket maiden over, including a run-out, as India A was bowled out for 218 in 48 overs.

Australia A, helped by wides and a few three-run singles, quickly reached fifty in the 11th over. Mack scored her fifty in the 16th over, and Darke reached hers in the 21st, with Australia A at 121 for 0.

Satghare dismissed Mack lbw in the 23rd over, but Darke continued to score. A 38-run partnership with Charli Knott kept the asking rate low. Tahlia McGrath’s aggressive 15-ball knock, featuring four boundaries, further ensured a comfortable chase. Darke completed her century in the 37th over, and the pair remained unbeaten as Australia A won by eight wickets with 58 balls to spare.

Australia A had already swept the T20I series 3-0 and aims to do the same in the ODI series, with the final match at the Gold Coast on Monday.

Niroshan Dickwella was suspended indefinitely for a doping violation.

Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended indefinitely due to a doping violation. According to World Anti-Doping Guidelines, Dickwella failed a doping test during the recent Lanka Premier League. He will be suspended from all cricket activities while further investigations are conducted.

“The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice,” stated an SLC media release.

“The test, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, is part of SLC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport.

“This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, is aimed at ensuring that cricket remains free from the influence of prohibited substances.

“SLC, together with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts these tests during domestic tournaments randomly to safeguard the sport against anti-doping violations.”

Niroshan Dickwella, 31, who captained the Galle Marvels in the 2024 Lanka Premier League, last played for the Sri Lankan national team in March 2023. He was called up for the T20I series against Bangladesh earlier this year but did not play any games.

Before his selection, the selectors had discussed Dickwella’s poor disciplinary record with him. Known for his off-field controversies and inconsistent performances, Dickwella faced criticism for his erratic form. In 2021, he was one of three players, along with Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilake, banned for breaching bio-bubble protocols.

Dickwella has been a critical wicketkeeper for Sri Lanka throughout his career, amassing 2,757 runs in Tests, 1,604 in ODIs, and 480 T20Is.