The big news: Dilshan bids adieu
The swashbuckling Tillakaratne Dilshan signed off from international cricket after the second Twenty20 match between Sri Lanka and Australia on Friday. The 39-year-old pulled the curtains on a 17-year long career, which has seen him captain his country in all three formats, finishing as one of the finest that the Island Nation has had to offer.
Dilshan's swansong was heading for a disastrous finish as Glenn Maxwell continued from where left at Pallekele, almost making a mockery of the modest 128/9 set by Sri Lanka. Dilshan then departed for one from three deliveries. Seekkuge Prasanna led the home side's revival, and from 93/0, Australia slumped to 120/6.
Dilshan did not disappoint with the ball, taking two wickets, and put his name in an elite bracket off cricketers to take a wicket off his last ball in international cricket, dismissing Matthew Wade. However, it was not enough to prevent a defeat for his team, as Australia won the match by four wickets and, with it, took the series 2-0.
Other top stories:
- International Cricket Council chairman Shashank Manohar denied claims that England, who host the Champions Trophy next summer, received three times the funds the Indian board was allotted for the World T20 earlier this year. Manohar said that the reports were "not factually correct".
- A Test championship and a One-Day International and Twenty20 league format has reportedly been floated by the ICC, with full member nations slated to participate in playoffs. The changes will be discussed during the ICC board meeting in October.
- The first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A in Brisbane hangs in the balance as the Indian pacers struck late in the day. The hosts were 59/4 at the close of play, chasing 159 after the Indians were skittled out for 156 in the second innings.
- In the Tamil Nadu Premier League, R Sonu Yadav finished with figures of 4/22 to defend Karaikudi Kaalai's score of 159/5 against Lyca Kovai Kings.