Cricket
One Day Internationals
New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Game 5
Guptill century helps New Zealand home
NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 36 RUNS, WIN THE SERIES 3-1
New Zealand completed a series win over Sri Lanka led by another century from star batsman Martin Guptill. New Zealand batted first putting 294 on the board as Guptill hit nine fours and three sixes in his 102. He was supported by Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who hit 61 each. Nuwan Kulasekara was the best of the bowlers taking 3 wickets.
In reply the middle order threatened to pull off the run chase with Angelo Mathews hitting 95 and Dinesh Chandimal 50. but New Zealand kept taking wickets to keep the pressure on with Matt Henry ending with figures of 5-40 helping New Zealand ease to a 36 run win and seal the series 3-1.
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe – Games 4 & 5
Game 4 – Opening stand for Zimbabwe sets up a decider
ZIMBABWE WIN BY 65 RUNS – SERIES LEVEL at 2-2
The first wicket stand between Peter Moor and set up Zimbabwe towards victory in the 4th ODI in Sharjah. Chibhabha hit 53 and Moor 52 as Zimbabwe posted 226 for the Afghans to chase. The Afghan’s star batsman Mohammad Shahzad hit 45 but that was the only resistance as they were bowled all out for 161 in a second straight batting collapse. Neville Madziva took four wickets as the African side set up a decider leveling the series at 2-2.
Game 5 – Naib the hero as Afghanistan seal the series
AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 2 WiCKETS – AFGHANISTAN WIN THE SERIES 3-2
Gulbadin Naib was the hero as his knock sealed a series win in a dramatic final game in Sharjah. Zimabawe batting first put a good total on the board helped by 110 from Hamilton Masakazda, 42 from Peter Moor and 40 from Richmond Motumbami in a total of 248. Zimbabwe looked on top as the Afghans were 146-6 when Naib came in. However he timed the run chase perfectly hitting 82 not out including six sixes and steering Afghanistan to a 2 wicket victory with two balls to spare hitting a six to finish it off in style. The series win should further help the development of the game in Afghanistan in this ongoing remarkable story of hope from the war torn nation.
Test Series
South Africa v England – Game 2
Batsmen dominate to see out draw
MATCH DRAWN – ENGLAND LEAD SERIES 1-0
On a wicket that ave the bowlers little in Cape Town batsmen took full advantage to post big scores. For England Ben Stokes scored the second quickest double hundred in history in his 258 and Johny Bairstow joined in with 150 not out as England put 629 on the board. However South Africa steadily hit back through their innings to ensure they did not go 2-0 down in the series. Hashim Amla scored 201 with Temba Bavuma hitting 102 not out with South Africa declaring just 2 runs short of the England total with 627. England batted poorly in the second innings losing six wickets with three of those taken by Dane Piedt, both there was not enough time left as the game timed out to the inevitable draw.
Australia v West Indies – Game 3
Rain the winner in Sydney
MATCH DRAWN – AUSTRALIA WIN THE SERIES 2-0
The final test in Sydney was ruined by the weather as the series finished with a bit of a whimper as the game timed out to a draw. West Indies batted first and did eventually manage to finish their first innings with Kraigg Braithwaite top scoring with 85 in a total of 303 as Nathan Lyon took three wickets for the hosts. In reply David Warner helped his averages at least with 122 not out as they finished on 176 for 2 as the shortened game time ended due to the rain. Australia win the series 2-0.
MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD
At The Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
New Zealand v Sri Lanka – 5th ODI
New Zealand 294/5 (Guptill 102, Williamson 61, Taylor 61, Kulasekara 3-53)
Sri Lanka 258/10 (Mathews 95, Chandimal 50, Henry 5-40)
New Zealand win by 36 runs – New Zealand win the series 3-1
MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
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At The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe – 4th ODI
Zimbabwe 226/10 (Chibhabha 53, Moor 52)
Afghanistan 161/10 (Shahzad 45, Chibhabha 4-45)
Zimbabwe win by 65 runs – Series level 2-2
MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Chamu Chibhabha (Zimbabwe)
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At The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe – 5th ODI
Zimbabwe 248/10 (Masakazda 110, Moor 42, Mutumbami 40 Hamza 3-41)
Afghanistan 254/8 (Naib 82*, Shahidi 32, Jongwe 3-50)
Afghanistan win by 2 Wickets – Afghanistan win the series 3-2
MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan)
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At Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa v England – 2nd Test Match
England 1st Inns 629/6 Dec (Stokes 258, Bairstow 150*, Hales 60, Root 50)
South Africa 1st Inns 627/7 Dec (Amla 201 Buvuma 102*, de Villers 82, du Plessis 81, Morris 69)
England 2nd Inns 159/6 (Bairstow 30* Peidt 3-38)
Match Drawn – England lead series 1-0
MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Ben Stokes (England)
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At The SCG, Sydney, Australia
Australia v West Indies – 3rd Teat Match
West Indies 1st Inns 303/10 (K Braithwaite 85, C Braithwaite 69, Ramdin 62, Lyon 3-120)
Australia 1st Inns 176/2 (Warner 122*, Warrican 2-62)
Match Drawn – Australia Win the series 2-0
MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – David Warner (Australia)
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