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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 13, 2014
Marsh ton leads Australia fightback in S.Africa
… Smith adds unbeaten 91 on first day By Mark Gleeson
Thisara Perera strikes with the last ball to seal the win for Sri Lanka.
Perera the hero as Sri Lanka pip Bangladesh
THISARA Perera struck in controversial fashion with the last ball of the game as Sri Lanka edged out Bangladesh by two runs in their Twenty20 international in Chittagong Responding to the tourists’ total of 168 for seven, built on 64 from Kusal Perera, Bangladesh were always there or thereabouts in a thrilling chase. But Thisara Perera decided it in his side’s favour when he had Anamul Haque (58) caught and bowled off the last delivery of the innings - a high full toss that could easily have been called a no-ball. It was a frantic end to a chase which had looked relatively serene by T20 standards until Bangladesh lost their third wicket. Shamsur Rahman eased his way to 22 before being caught and bowled by Ajantha Mendis, and Tamim Iqbal followed for a relatively sedate 30. Still Bangladesh looked on course as Shakib Al Hasan launched Thisara Perera for six then struck a couple of fours to take his side past 100 with just two wickets down. But he was bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara and thereafter it was left to Haque to do as much damage as he could with wickets falling at the other end. Things seemed to have slipped away from him when 29 runs were needed off the last two overs, but he eked out 12 against Lasith Malinga - helped by a no-ball - then came so close in the final over, hitting three fours and a two, before falling in unusual fashion. Kusal Perera proved to be the backbone of Sri Lanka’s innings with a brisk and effective 64 as wickets fell all around him. He took six off the first two balls but Tillakaratne Dilshan fell a few deliveries later, bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza attempting his trademark scoop shot, as the first over set the tone for the innings. Perera took a particular liking to Sohag Gazi, hammering four successive boundaries in an over that cost 18. At the other end Dinesh Chandimal lofted a big six and struck two fours to put Sri Lanka on course for a huge total, but when he fell for 18 - holing out off Shakib Al Hasan - Perera could not find an ally, with Kumar Sangakkara and Seekkuge Prasanna falling quickly. Perera nudged his way to 50 then launched a big six off Farhad Reza, but he fell soon after to a good catch from Anamul Haque on the rope. Kulasekara hit 32 off 21 to ensure the innings did not crumble but Sri Lanka were still some way short of where they could have been.
PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) - Late call-up Shaun Marsh scored an unbeaten century in his first Test in two years to lead a middle-order recovery as Australia closed
at 297 for four on the first day of the first Test against South Africa yesterday. Marsh, who arrived only on Sunday as an emergency replacement for the injured Shane Watson, was on 122 not out from 232 balls, and will resume
Shaun Marsh makes his second Test century, as he and Smith extend their unbroken partnership to 199 to make it Australia’s day.
Arsenal and United draw, Liverpool and Spurs win By Mike Collett LONDON, England (Reuters) - Arsenal squandered the chance to return to the top of the Premier League when they failed to break down Manchester United in a goalless stalemate at the Emirates Stadium yesterday. The home side had the better chances against a listless United but their failure to win left Chelsea top on 57 points, one clear of Arsenal with 12 matches to play. Manchester City stayed third on 54 points and have a game in hand after their home fixture with Sunderland was postponed because of dangerously strong winds. Liverpool are fourth on 53 points, a Steven Gerrard penalty in stoppage time giving them a 3-2 win at bottom of the table Fulham who twice led. Tottenham Hotspur are fifth, three points behind Liverpool, after a superb 4-0 win at Newcastle United following two goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and one each by Paulinho and Nacer Chadli. In the other match to survive the weather Stoke City drew 1-1 with Swansea City at the Britannia Stadium. The storms battering Britain not only claimed Manchester City’s game but also Everton’s clash with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.
at SuperSport Park today with Steven Smith, unbeaten on 91. The pair put on an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 199 to steady the tourists, who had been 98-4 just after lunch. Marsh, beset by injury problems and a lack of runs over the past year, was something of a gamble by the Australian selectors, but after offering a difficult catch on 12, he saw off South Africa’s vaunted attack on a piping hot day. It was his second Test century, after his first on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011. Smith provided ample backing, matching Marsh with 12 fours in his innings. “It took the rest of us a week to get over the jet lag, so it must have been hard for him being here only three days,” Smith said of Marsh’s effort. “He was amazing all day, he let the ball come into his areas and then capitalised on it. “We knew it would be tough initially but it has turned into a good wicket and there are now a couple of cracks developing. So we will want to get a big first-innings total and then hope the cracks begin to play a part in the game.”
AUSTRALIA first innings C. Rogers c Duminy b Morkel D. Warner b Steyn A. Doolan c Peterson b McLaren S. Marsh not out M. Clarke c Philander b Steyn S. Smith not out
4 12 27 122 23 91
The pair pushed the run rate up considerably after an uneasy start for the tourists, who were 83 for three at lunch then lost captain Michael Clarke soon after. Clarke was caught at deep fine-leg off a short delivery from Dale Steyn for 23 as the much-anticipated clash between the highly rated batsman and bowler went Steyn’s way. But it was one of few highlights for the quicks on a fast track. Early on it looked as if South African captain Graeme Smith had made the right decision by asking Australia to bat, but by the end of the day that was in the balance. He had admitted at the toss he was uncertain. After a fast start from Australia, South Africa removed both openers quickly to leave the tourists on 24-2. First David Warner (12) chopped a Steyn delivery on to his stumps, before Chris Rogers (four) was brilliantly caught by a diving JP Duminy at short leg off a rising Morne Morkel ball that rapped him on the gloves. Debutant Alex Doolan (27) was out 15 minutes before lunch, caught at mid-wicket by Robin Peterson as he tried to pull Ryan McLaren to the on-side. South Africa’s best bowling return came from Steyn, with two wickets for 54.
Extras: (b-4, lb-7, w-6, nb-1) 18 Total: (four wickets, 90 overs) 297 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-24, 3-72, 4-98. Bowling: D. Steyn 20-4-54-2, V. Philander 16-2-55-0, M. Morkel 185-56-1 (w-1), R. McLaren 16-4-53-1 (nb-1, w-1), R. Peterson 10-0-34-0, JP Duminy 10-1-34-0.
Fraser and Collingwood back in England fold LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former Test players Angus Fraser and Paul Collingwood have been brought back into the England fold as a selector and coach respectively. Fraser is to work alongside James Whitaker and Ashley Giles on the three-man selection panel while Collingwood will join the backroom staff for the forthcoming limited-overs tour to West Indies and the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. Former seam bowler Fraser, who played 46 Tests and 42 oneday matches for his country, will combine his England duties with his role as Middlesex’s director of cricket. “I am chuffed to be involved and am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” the 48-year-old told Sky Sports television. “Despite the doom and gloom after this winter’s Ashes I believe it’s a really exciting time to be involved in the England setup,” said Fraser, referring to Australia’s 5-0 Test series victory. Former England batsman Collingwood, 37, who played 68 Tests, 197 one-dayers and 35 Twenty20s, will combine his temporary international commitments with his playing role as captain of Durham. Paul Downton, managing director of England cricket, said: “I am delighted Paul has agreed to join the coaching staff for the trips to the West Indies and Bangladesh. ANGUS FRASER “He was an outstanding performer for England and proved a successful captain in Twenty20 cricket and the county game.”