Let’s take a look at important developments from the world of cricket that took place on 27 June.
England take 1-0 lead with an eight-wicket victory over India
England rode on a 119-run partnership between Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. They chased down a target of 202 runs set up by India in just over 34 overs.
Beaumont made 87 off as many deliveries, hitting 12 fours, and a six off Harmanpreet Kaur, to level the score. Sciver remained unbeaten on 74. For India, Jhulan Goswami and Ekta Bisht picked a wicket apiece.
Earlier, India crawled their way to 201. Mithali Raj made 72, but se took 108 balls. The Indian batters played out 108 dot balls.
Linde, Shamsi shine, South Africa level series
George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi put a brake on the West Indies innings with timely wickets to help South Africa sneak out a 16-run victory, despite putting an average total.
Kagiso Rabada claimed three wickets, but it was Linde and Shamsi who turned the tide in their favour. Linde conceded a six in his first over but made an excellent comeback to return impressive figures of 4-0-19-2.
Chasing 167, West Indies once again got off to a flier, but lost two wickets in quick succession to lose the authority in the contest. In the end, they were restricted to 150/9.
England-Sri Lanka match referee tests Covid-19 positive
Phil Whitticase, match referee for the recently concluded T20I series between England and Sri Lanka, has returned positive for the Covid-19. Whitticase, along with officials in close contact with him, will now go a mandatory self-isolation for ten days.
The players, however, are safe. The three-match ODI series will continue as originally planned. The first ODI will be played at the Riverside Ground in Durham, on Tuesday, 29 June.
Having lost the T20I series 0-3, Sri Lanka will be desperate to make a comeback. However, they will be without Avishka Fernando, who has been ruled out owing to a quadriceps tear.
Chance to everyone in Sri Lanka not possible: Dravid
Team India will be playing three ODIs and as many T20Is later this month against Sri Lanka. Rahul Dravid is the head coach of the side, as Ravi Shastri is currently on an England tour.
A lot of exciting prospects has received the call-ups, but Dravid feels that giving an opportunity to everyone is unrealistic: ‘I think it’s probably going to be unrealistic to expect us in a short tour like this with three games, or three one-dayers to give everyone an opportunity … and the selectors will be there as well.’