The ongoing three-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is facing another delay due to rain in Hamilton. The second ODI was supposed to start with the toss, but the shower forced players to huddle up and wait for the ground to dry. As the teams prepare for the run chase, both sides are eager to secure a win in this tightly contested series.
Rain Disrupts New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka ODI Series in Hamilton
The ongoing three-match ODI series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka has encountered another weather-related delay due to heavy rain in Hamilton. The second ODI, scheduled to start with the toss, was postponed as players were forced to shelter from the downpour.
The rain delay marks another setback in the already weather-affected series. The opening match in Auckland was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain, while the third ODI in Napier is also under threat from the weather forecast.
Background
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have a rich history of ODI clashes, with the first encounter taking place in 1982. The Blacks Caps have a slight edge in the head-to-head record, having won 57 of the 102 matches played between the two sides.
The current series is crucial for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup. New Zealand, the defending champions, will be eager to maintain their momentum, while Sri Lanka will be looking to prove their credentials as potential challengers.
Top 5 FAQs
1. When will the second ODI resume?
The teams will reassess the situation and decide on a new start time once the rain subsides.
2. What are the chances of the third ODI being played?
The weather forecast for Napier on January 12 (the scheduled date for the third ODI) is uncertain. The match may be rescheduled if the weather does not improve.
3. Which team holds the upper hand in the series?
New Zealand currently has a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first ODI in Christchurch.
4. Who was named Man of the Match in the first ODI?
Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten innings of 112 runs.
5. What is the significance of the series for the upcoming Cricket World Cup?
The series provides an opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their preparations and identify areas for improvement ahead of the World Cup, which starts in October 2023.
Former Premier League player and current pundit Alan Shearer criticizes the decision of VAR official Darren England to uphold the referee's straight red card for Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, who caught a Wolves defender above the ankle. Despite the red card, Arsenal was able to come back and win the game, but manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming at the controversial call. Join the debate and share your thoughts on the incident.
Amidst a recent winless streak for Chelsea, 22-year-old midfielder Cole Palmer has caught the attention of assistant coach Enzo Maresca with his calm and composed performance in a 3-1 victory over Wolves. Maresca draws a comparison between Palmer and Liverpool's superstar Mohamed Salah, praising his ability to take charge and ask for the ball in difficult moments, much like Salah and Martin Odegaard do for their respective teams. With Chelsea's continued push for a Champions League spot, Maresca believes Palmer's presence will be crucial.
Manchester City reinserts themselves in the Premier League's top four after a thrilling comeback against Chelsea. After conceding an early goal from Noni Madueke's opener, the hosts rallied with goals from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden to seal a 3-1 victory. The win marks an important rebound for City after a midweek collapse against PSG and sees them return to the Champions League places.
Manchester City bounced back from an early deficit to defeat Chelsea 3-1 in a crucial Premier League match. The victory moves City up to fourth place in the table, putting them in the race for a spot in the UEFA Champions League. Despite a mistake from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov, City showed resilience and eventually took control of the match thanks to goals from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. With only seven matches left in the season, this win could have major implications for both teams in the race for European qualification.
Pep Guardiola believes that Abdukodir Khusanov, Man City's new £33.5m defender, will be able to improve after a difficult debut against Chelsea. The 20-year-old, signed only five days beforehand from Lens, made a costly error in the third minute which led to Chelsea's opening goal. Despite this, Guardiola has faith in his new player and believes that he will learn from this experience. Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp criticized Guardiola's decision to start Khusanov, calling it a "mistake."
Manchester City secured an important victory over Chelsea with the help of two new signings, Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov. Haaland, who himself scored a goal, was impressed by Marmoush's display and believes he will be a key player for the team. Marmoush, who was a constant threat to Chelsea's backline, was unfortunate to have his debut goal ruled out for offside. Despite this, Haaland hopes for more great performances from his new teammate in the future.
In a heated Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea, an error by Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez allowed Manchester City to secure a 3-1 victory. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believed that the game was completely changed after Manchester City's second goal, scored by Erling Haaland. With this win, Manchester City continues to dominate the league, while Chelsea will have to regroup after this costly mistake.
Tilak Varma, India's rising star, was given a valuable piece of advice by head coach Gautam Gambhir that helped him secure victory in the second T20I against England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. With the match on a knife edge, Gambhir instructed Varma to aim for one boundary per over, a tactic that Varma employed and shared with his number nine partner, leading them to a stunning last-over win against a formidable English team. Varma's undefeated 72 runs was his highest score and another testament to his dominance at the coveted number three position, solidifying his claim to the spot in the absence of Virat Kohli.
In this week's edition of The Radar, Nick Wright discusses the impressive rise of young football star Cole Palmer and his return to Manchester City, where he hopes to prove his former team wrong for letting him go. Also featured are the stunning long shots of Nottingham Forest's Murillo and the tough start at Leicester for Ruud van Nistelrooy. Don't miss out on all the need-to-know stories from the Premier League.
Arsenal fans were furious with referee Michael Oliver for sending off wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly in their 1-0 Premier League win over Wolves. The 18-year-old was given a straight red for a challenge on Matt Doherty just before half-time, in a decision that former PGMOL chief and Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes was wrong. To add to the controversy, the referee later gave Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes a second yellow for what some argue was a more dangerous tackle. Despite the setback, Arsenal managed to secure all three points thanks to a goal from Riccardo Calafiori, but fans took to social media to criticize the refereeing decision.