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Ryan Hicks guides Australia to a comprehensive win with a brilliant half-century

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2024

Editor

Under-19 World Cup 2024

Australia secured a resounding 6-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their final group game of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup at Mangaunh Oval, Bloemfontein on Sunday (28), thanks to an outstanding knock by Ryan Hicks.

Chasing a target of 208 runs, Australia got off to a flying start with Harry Dixon and Sam Konstas forming a solid opening partnership of 71 runs. However, Vishva Lahiru managed to break through and dismiss Dixon for 49, which slowed down Australia’s progress.

Sri Lanka struck again soon after, with left-arm spinner Lahiru sending back the in-form skipper Hugh Weibgen for just three runs in his next over. Malsha Tharupathi added to Australia’s woes by taking the wicket of Konstas for 23 in the following over.

With Australia struggling at 3-80, Harjas Singh and Ryan Hicks steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership. Harjas displayed solid defense, while Hicks played positively and accumulated runs. However, a sharp piece of fielding from wicketkeeper Shanmuganathan caught Harjas short of the crease off Jayawardena, giving Sri Lanka an opening.

With the game hanging in the balance, Ryan Hicks and Tom Cambell took control and put on a crucial 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket, ensuring no further setbacks for Australia.

Ryan Hicks led from the front with an unbeaten knock of 77 runs, which included 7 boundaries. Tom Cambell also played a valuable innings of 33 not out, helping his team cross the finish line with 7 balls to spare.

Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka elected to bat but could only manage a modest total of 208-all out, with Dinura Kalupahana top-scoring with a half-century. The Sri Lankan innings lacked firepower, with none of their batsmen posing a significant threat except for Kalupahana, who played a lone hand with an impressive innings of 64 runs off 78 balls, including 6 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Dinura’s performance was commendable, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Australia from securing a comprehensive victory.

Kalupahana also formed a 46-run partnership with Ravishan de Silva for the 5th wicket. However, the middle order collapsed once again, resulting in Sri Lanka being reduced to 7-172 before being bowled out for 208 runs.

Player of the Match, Ryan Hicks, shared his thoughts on the game, stating, “The plan was to take control of the game and bat positively. We wanted to avoid consecutive dot balls as it becomes difficult to recover from that. Campbell and I decided to keep the runs flowing against the spinners and then take advantage against the pacers.”

With this win, Australia remains unbeaten and advances to the super six stage. They will face England and West Indies at the Kimberley Oval on January 31 and February 2.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, who finished 2nd in the group, also secures their spot in the super six stage. They will face West Indies on Tuesday (30) and South Africa on February 02.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka: 208 all out (49.5 overs) (Dinura Kalupahana 64, Ravishan de Silva 30, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21, Callum Vidler 3-28, Mahli Beardman 2-30, Tom Campbell 2-47)
Australia: (Ryan Hicks 77, Harry Dixon 49, Tom Campbell 33, Vishwa Lahiru 2-24).

Cricket

Sri Lanka A Cruise to 140-Run Win as Three Half-Centurions Shine

Published

6 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka A delivered a dominant all-round performance to secure a comprehensive 140-run victory over New Zealand A, powered by three impressive half-centuries and a clinical bowling display in the first unofficial One day worked off at Galle International cricket stadium on Sunday.

After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka A posted a competitive 261 in 49.2 overs, with their top and middle order laying a solid foundation. Kamil Mishara set the tone early with a fluent 71 off just 49 balls, striking 12 fours and a six to give his side early momentum. Despite a few quick wickets in the first half, the innings was stabilized by skipper Sahan Arachchige, who compiled a composed 66 from 81 deliveries, anchoring the middle phase.

The innings gained further depth through Milan Rathnayaka, who added a crucial 53 off 89 balls. His patient knock ensured Sri Lanka A batted deep and pushed towards a strong total. Contributions from the lower order and useful extras helped the hosts cross the 260-mark, giving their bowlers a solid platform to defend.

In response, New Zealand A never found rhythm in their chase and were bundled out for just 121 in 28.4 overs. The Sri Lankan bowlers dominated from the outset, with Wanuja Sahan producing a match-winning spell. He claimed an outstanding five-wicket haul, dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup with accuracy and control.

Support came from Sonal Dinusha, who picked up two key wickets, while the rest of the attack maintained consistent pressure. Apart from a brief counterattack by Dale Phillips, New Zealand A struggled against disciplined bowling and regular breakthroughs.

Overall, it was a commanding performance from Sri Lanka A, highlighted by the half-centuries of Mishara, Arachchige, and Rathnayaka, complemented by Sahan’s brilliant five-for to seal an emphatic win.

Cricket

Pant Powers Lucknow to Win

Published

6 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Editor

Lucknow Super Giants secured a composed five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in a well-contested encounter, chasing down 157 with one ball to spare. After being put in, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 156/9 in their 20 overs, recovering from a disastrous start thanks to a strong middle-order effort.

The innings began poorly as Mohammed Shami struck early, removing Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head cheaply. Sunrisers slipped to 11/3 before Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy led a remarkable recovery. Klaasen scored a fluent 62 off 41 balls, while Reddy counterattacked brilliantly with 56 off 33 deliveries, lifting the scoring rate. However, late wickets from Avesh Khan and Prince Yadav restricted Hyderabad to a below-par total.

In reply, Lucknow Super Giants got off to a steady start through Aiden Markram, who played an aggressive knock of 45 from 27 balls. Despite a few middle-order hiccups, captain Rishabh Pant anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 68 off 50 balls. He found support from Abdul Samad, whose quick 16 proved valuable in maintaining momentum.

Sunrisers bowlers showed glimpses of fight, particularly Harsh Dubey, who picked up two key wickets. However, Pant’s calm finishing ensured Lucknow crossed the line at 160/5 in 19.5 overs.

Cricket

Sanga’s Royals win the last-over thriller to register back-to-back victory

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2026

Editor

Rajasthan Royals held their nerve in a high-scoring contest to edge past Gujarat Titans by six runs, successfully defending 210 in a last-over thriller.

Batting first, Rajasthan posted an imposing 210/6, powered by a superb knock from Dhruv Jurel, who smashed 75 off 42 balls. He was well supported by Yashasvi Jaiswal (55 off 36) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (31 off 18), as the Royals maintained a strong run rate throughout the innings. Late cameos from Shimron Hetmyer and others ensured a challenging total. For Gujarat, Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets.

In reply, Gujarat Titans mounted a spirited chase led by Sai Sudharsan, who scored a fluent 73 off 44 balls. Contributions from Jos Buttler and Rashid Khan kept the chase alive, while a late flourish from Rabada brought the equation down to the wire.

However, the turning point came through Ravi Bishnoi, who delivered a match-winning spell of 4/41, derailing the middle order at a crucial stage. Despite needing just a handful in the final over, Rajasthan held their composure to restrict Gujarat to 204/8.