Windies destroy NZ to draw series
Hamilton (NZ): The West Indies racked up their highest-ever limited overs total to crush New Zealand by 203 runs in the fifth one-day international on Wednesday and draw the series 2-2. Kirk Edwards and Dwayne Bravo both notched centuries as the West Indies flayed New Zealand’s attack to reach 363 for four, before Nikita Miller dominated with the ball to skittle the Black Caps for 160. The mammoth total was the highest ever posted by the West Indies in a 50-over match, surpassing the previous mark of 360 set against Sri Lanka in 1987. Edwards and Dwayne Bravo came together at 143-3 and put on 211 runs, with Edwards finishing unbeaten on 123, his maiden ODI century. Skipper Bravo was dismissed shortly before the end of the innings for 106. New Zealand made a disastrous start, slumping to 65 for five after just 15 overs through a combination of rash shots and a much-improved West Indian attack. They never really recovered, falling well short of the target. (AFP)
Bowlers give Lanka edge in 2nd Test
Dubai: Sri Lanka owed it to their bowlers for taking the opening day honours against Pakistan in the second Test in Dubai on Wednesday. A three-pronged pace and one-man spin attack helped Sri Lanka bowl out Pakistan for just 165 after Angelo Mathews won the toss and opted to bowl on a seaming Dubai stadium pitch. Paceman Nuwan Pradeep finished with a career-best 3-62 while spinner Rangan Herath took 3-26. Fast bowlers Shaminda Eranga (2-25) and Suranga Lakmal (2-45) were also useful in the second session. By the close Sri Lanka had knocked off 57 runs for the loss of opener Dimuth Karunaratne, out leg-before to Junaid Khan for 32. (AFP)
Gutta, Ponappa pair in 2nd rd in Korea
Seoul: Top Indian women’s doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa began their new season on a winning note as they entered the second round of the Korea Open Super Series badminton tournament here on Wednesday. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist duo thrashed New Zealand pair of Anna Rankin and Madeleine Stapleton 21-10, 21-7. Ashwini then paired with Tarun Kona in mixed doubles and notched up a straight-game win over Germans Johannes Schoettler and Johanna Goliszewski. The Indian pair won 22-20, 21-17. Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold winner Kidambi Srikanth, who was also crowned the national champion in New Delhi in December, lost to Japanese fifth seed Kenichi Tago 10-21, 11-21. RMV Gurusaidutt lost his match to another Japanese, Takuma Ueda, 11-21, 11-21. (PTI)