NEW DELHI: Dhananjaya de Silva struck a defiant century to raise Sri Lanka’s hopes of saving the pollution-hit third Test against India on the fifth and final day in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka were 226 for five at tea after being set an imposing 410-run target at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground that has been enveloped in a thick blanket of smog for almost the entire duration of the Test.
Dhananjaya complained of muscle cramps and retired hurt on 119, having faced 219 balls and hit 15 fours and a six.
Roshen Silva (38) and Niroshan Dickwella (11) were at the crease with Sri Lanka needing to bat out one more session to draw the last Test of the series which India lead 1-0.
The Test has been marred by severe pollution in the Indian capital, with fast bowlers from both teams vomiting on the ground Tuesday.
The US embassy website on Wednesday showed concentrations of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants hit 234, better than a day earlier but still nearly nine times the World Health Organization’s safe limit.
Ravichandran Ashwin got the only wicket of the session when he dismissed skipper Dinesh Chandimal for 36 to bring an end to his 112-run partnership with Dhananjaya.
Ashwin’s spin partner Ravindra Jadeja has claimed three wickets so far including the key scalp of Angelo Mathews early Wednesday morning.
Dhananjaya showed remarkable application and registered his third Test hundred to frustrate the Indian attack before trudging back to the pavilion with the team physio in tow.
Doctors have criticized the decision to proceed with the Test amid smog so heavy players were physically ill, and Sri Lanka’s fielders wore pollution masks in unprecedented scenes.
The island’s sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara expressed concern but said the responsibility for player health and safety fell to India’s powerful cricket board.
“This is an air pollution problem. Our cricket board must take up issue with the Indian board given the good relations the two boards enjoy,” Jayasekera told reporters in Colombo Wednesday.
“If any of the players fall ill, it will be the responsibility of the Indian board as the hosts.
“Similarly if there are health issues when Indians tour, Sri Lanka must take responsibility as hosts,” he added.
Dhananjaya braves muscle cramps to hit ton in India Test
Dhananjaya braves muscle cramps to hit ton in India Test
Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como
- Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points
COMO, Italy: AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice to keep the away side in the Serie A title race.
Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points.
Como made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc-Oliver Kempf rose to head home a corner.
Despite the hosts controlling much of the first half, Milan struck in stoppage time as Christopher Nkunku calmly converted from the penalty spot after Kempf was penalized for pushing Rabiot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a series of strong saves to keep Como at bay after the break before Milan took the lead in the 55th minute when Rabiot knocked the ball in from close range.
Como were denied an equalizer as Nico Paz saw his effort from outside the box crash against the crossbar. Milan then sealed the win two minutes from time when Rabiot caught the Como defense off guard with a low strike from distance that crept into the bottom corner.
“This was a team victory, we showed our mentality,” Rabiot told DAZN after being named Man of the Match.
“We suffered a lot in the first half, but we talked during the break, came out with a different mentality, we all came out fighting for the three points.
“We gave something extra and I am very happy to score two goals, obviously, but above all I’m pleased with the mentality of the team.”
While Rabiot provided the goals, another Frenchman, goalkeeper Maignan, made his mark with a string of crucial saves.
“We knew that playing here would be difficult, we were well-prepared. We started a little sluggish and they scored, but we managed to keep the game open, and then all together started to play as a team,” Maignan said.
“We know these are great nights for Milan with an atmosphere like this. We suffered, we used up a lot of energy and left it all on the field.”
