#Title

Lankans’ dynamism
their biggest weapon
DHAKA ﻿SUNDAY﻿ ﻿SEPTEMBER﻿ ﻿11﻿, ﻿2022﻿, BHADRA 27, 1429 BS
ABDULLAH AL MEHDI FROM DUBAI
Sri Lanka exude confidence at the moment, having secured four back-to-back victories that begun with the win over Bangladesh. They geared for the final with a win in the dead-rubber Super Four stage game against Pakistan in what was a dress rehearsal for the final. Their plans have been like clockwork, especially with the bat.
The batting had already clicked during four successful chases but the bowling only found its mark in the last game against Pakistan, where the Lankans bundled out the Babar-Azam led side for 121.
But it is in their batting that Sri Lanka have found their greatest strength, the most crucial aspect of which has been that their plans, individually and collectively, have changed to fit the scenario.
After being bundled out for a meagre total against Afghanistan in the group stages, Sri Lanka’s batting clicked into gear in the Super Four stage against the same opponent.
Curiously, none of the batters scored more than the 36 off 19 by opener Kusal Mendis. Yet, three others that reached 30-odd scores all did so in quick times. There was no reluctance to keep scoring quickly despite wickets falling.
And when this reporter asked captain Dasun Shanaka at the press conference ahead of the India game about this approach, it revealed the team’s dynamic nature.
“If a batsman can carry on at the top, he can be the finisher. At other times, all the batters can go for quick-fire runs. The plans depend on the day. There could be a batting-order change too, with one of the guys from below coming further up,” he said when asked if the intent to keep hitting was a plan for just the Afghanistan match.
There are no set roles as anchors for openers Mendis or Pathum Nissanka. If one does carry, it does not mean he will not go after the bowling while others keep playing their shots. In the game against India for example, both openers had identical approaches.
What matters for this side is the plan -- which bowler to target, what match scenario to do it in and who can make the most out of a situation.
They targeted Ebadot Hossain against Bangladesh, knowing that he might not have the experience of handling the death overs. Then they channeled aggression towards Arshdeep Singh against India and the first two Hasan Ali overs in the Pakistan match. One was lacking in experience and the other was playing his first match of the tournament.
Along with middle-order hitters like Danushka Gunathilaka and Bhanuka Rajapakse, their lower-middle order also goes pretty deep. That makes them a potent threat. The bowling from Mahesh Theeksana and Wanindu Hasaranga has been tight, while Dilshan Madushanka has been fiery with pace and swing.
Meanwhile, Pakistan are in the other category in terms of their batting plan although their hitting-approach has been pretty similar to Sri Lanka’s.
Both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are key anchors when it comes to holding the innings together. With the former still looking for big runs, it is Rizwan’s form that has kept Pakistan intact.
Fakhar Zaman too has struggled to get going and so a vaccum has been created that may be filled by Khusdil Shah, Mohamad Nawaz and Asif Ali -- who are capable of the big hits at the risk that they throw away wickets while going for such hits.
Thus, Pakistan are in a spot of bother regarding the start they make to their innings. However, they have the upper hand with the ball and Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf will be eager for early wickets with the new ball in the final today in order to make a considerable dent in the long Lankan batting order.

Double delights await Alcaraz, Ruud
REUTERS, New York
With poise beyond his 19 years and enviable stamina, Carlos Alcaraz faced down the crowd and Frances Tiafoe on Friday night to collect another thrilling win and reach the US Open final.
Despite wrapping up the latest-finishing match in tournament history in the early morning hours on Thursday, the Spaniard had plenty more in the tank on Friday, sprinting to drop shots, pounding forehands and coolly holding serve in the tense fifth set.
“I feel great right now,” a beaming Alcaraz told reporters after the win, which set up a final with Norway’s Casper Ruud on Sunday.
Alcaraz’s run at the tournament last year came to a jarring finish when he retired from his quarter-final with a leg injury he said came from playing long matches in his previous rounds.
That turn led some to wonder if the highly-touted teenager possessed the endurance needed to win a Grand Slam given its gruelling, best-of-five format. But he has more than silenced the doubters with three consecutive five-set victories on the sport’s biggest stage.
The stakes of Sunday’s final could not be higher. The winner will walk away with their first Grand Slam trophy and the world number one ranking.
Ruud, who defeated Russia’s Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, has an enjoyed a more straightforward and less talked about route to the final but will be the underdog against Alcaraz, who is 2-0 against the Norwegian including a win at the Miami Open final in April.
Ruud will be appearing in his second Grand Slam final of the season after finishing runner-up to Nadal at the French Open in June.

Robinson five-for puts England on top
REUTERS, LONDON
Seamer Ollie Robinson took 5-49 as England skittled South Africa for 118 inside 37 overs in their first innings on day three of the third and final Test at The Oval on Saturday.
South Africa had been put in to bat by the home side on Thursday morning, but no play was possible on day one due to rain, while the second day was cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth.
The Test is now limited to three days with the series poised at 1-1, but England have given themselves a chance of victory, with Stuart Broad also impressing with 4-41 in a dominant bowling performance from the home side.
All-rounder Marco Jansen top scored for the tourists with 30 before he became Robinson’s fifth wicket, caught at first slip by Joe Root.