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Travis Head, Nathan Lyon shine as Sri Lanka collapses against Australia in second Test match

Sri Lanka made three changes, bringing in Pathum Nissanka, Ramesh Mendis, and Lahiru Kumara in place of Oshada Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando.

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2025

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Travis Head and Nathan Lyon excelled as Australia dominated Sri Lanka in the second Test match, marked by a significant collapse of the Sri Lankan batting lineup.

On the first day in Galle, Australia’s versatile bowling attack, combined with effective strategies from stand-in captain Steven Smith, put Sri Lanka in a challenging position. After starting strong at 93 for 1, Sri Lanka struggled, losing four wickets for just 34 runs, ending the session at 144 for 5 in their first innings. Dinesh Chandimal stood firm, remaining unbeaten on 70.

In the wake of Sri Lanka’s previous record loss on a slow pitch, there had been hopes for an improved surface offering more turn. The second session did see sharper turn, but it was the Australian bowlers’ consistent accuracy that led to several quick dismissals.

Nathan Lyon was particularly impressive, skillfully mixing his speeds and lengths as he approached the 550 Test wicket milestone. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc also impressed with a reverse swing in a brilliant spell late in the session.

With only three specialist bowlers available, left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly, who replaced Todd Murphy, had limited impact with just two overs bowled. Allrounder Beau Webster contributed three overs of seam bowling, having not participated in the first Test. Smith effectively utilized his resources, with Travis Head surprising by taking the wicket of Kamindu Mendis with his off-spin.

Sri Lanka made three changes, bringing in Pathum Nissanka, Ramesh Mendis, and Lahiru Kumara in place of Oshada Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva chose to bat first in humid conditions. Retiring player Dimuth Karunaratne received a warm farewell as he stepped onto the pitch for his 100th and final match, aiming to reinstate his team’s confidence. He was challenged by Starc, against whom he had previously struggled.

Sri Lanka’s openers initially found their rhythm despite some shaky moments, but Lyon quickly struck, removing Nissanka after he misplayed a paddle sweep.

As lunch approached, Sri Lanka had settled, with Chandimal continuing his good form, hitting boundaries and building partnerships. Connolly’s introduction just before the break proved ineffective, and Sri Lanka managed to reach lunch in a decent position.

After the interval, however, the game shifted dramatically. Lyon delivered a fine spell, dismissing Karunaratne with a perfectly pitched ball that hit the stumps. He continued to employ a series of accurate deliveries, eventually getting Mathews out after a prolonged struggle, where he made just 1 run off 25 balls.

Lyon almost claimed his 550th wicket soon after but was denied by a successful review. Kamindu Mendis attempted to cut a delivery but ended up edging it to Smith at slip off Head’s bowling, continuing his disappointing form in the series.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

India News

MK Stalin attacks Vijay government over hindi signboard in Tamil Nadu

MK Stalin criticised the Tamil Nadu government over Hindi lettering on a State Highway signboard and warned the Vijay-led administration against interfering with the state’s two-language policy.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2026

APNLive Desk

The use of Hindi on a highway signboard in Tamil Nadu has triggered a political row, with DMK chief MK Stalin criticising the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government over the issue.

The controversy centres on a State Highway signboard that displayed place names in Tamil, English and Hindi. The board was installed on the Alwarthirunagari-Valliyoor State Highway 93 route through Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district.

Stalin objected to the inclusion of Hindi, saying Tamil Nadu has long opposed what he described as attempts to impose Hindi and warning the state government against altering its established two-language policy.

He questioned whether the use of Hindi on the signboard represented the kind of change promised by the TVK government. Stalin also urged the administration not to interfere with Tamil Nadu’s language policy.

Hindi removed from signboard

Following the controversy, the Hindi lettering was removed from the signboard. The state government also suspended two officials from the Highways Department over the matter and initiated departmental action against them.

According to officials, the Assistant Divisional Engineer and Assistant Engineer associated with the project had failed to inform higher authorities about the inclusion of Hindi on the board.

The Tamil Nadu government has said that the use of Hindi on the State Highways Department signboard was against the state’s two-language policy and warned that strict action would be taken against officials violating the policy.

Stalin targets Vijay government

Stalin also stepped up his criticism of the TVK administration, describing it as a “Reels government” and alleging that it was responding to social media trends involving influencers from northern states.

His comments came amid a wider political debate in Tamil Nadu over the state’s established Tamil-English two-language policy and the use of Hindi in government-related signage.

The latest controversy has therefore brought the language policy issue back into focus, with the DMK questioning the TVK government’s handling of the Hindi signboard and the state administration taking action against the officials concerned.

MK Stalin has criticised the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government over Hindi appearing on a State Highway signboard. The Hindi lettering was later removed, while two Highways Department officials were suspended and departmental action was initiated.