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Australian hockey star amputates finger to play at Olympics

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An Australian field hockey player has opted to amputate part of his finger to compete at the Paris Olympics.

Matt Dawson badly broke a digit on his right-hand during team training in Perth two weeks ago, and recovery from surgery to repair it would have taken months.

So, the 30-year-old decided to have the finger removed from the knuckle up in order to take part in his third Games, shocking his teammates and coach.

He will take to the field with the Kookaburras as they face Argentina on Saturday, just 16 days after he was injured.

Dawson has told media the break was so bad that he passed out when he saw his finger in the changing room. He thought his Olympic dream was over.

He urgently consulted with a plastic surgeon who said that even with surgery to repair the finger – and the long recovery time – it may not regain full function. But if it was amputated, he could be back playing in 10 days.

Despite being warned by his wife not to do anything “rash”, Dawson says he made his “informed” decision that same afternoon.

“I’m definitely closer to the end of my career than the start and, who knows, this could be my last [Olympics], and if I felt that I could still perform at my best then that’s what I was going to do,” he told the Parlez Vous Hockey podcast.

“If taking the top of my finger was the price I had to pay, that’s what I would do.”

Team captain Aran Zalewski said the decision sent ripples of shock around the squad, but ultimately, they supported Dawson.

“We didn’t really know what to think, and then we heard that he went to the hospital and chopped his finger off, which was pretty interesting because I know people would give an arm and a leg and even a little bit of finger to be here sometimes,” he said at a press conference in Paris.

“When you’ve spent a lifetime of choice and sacrifice to come and compete at the highest level, I think for him it was an easy decision.”

Earlier this week Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said Dawson was back training with the team.

“Full marks to Matt. Obviously he’s really committed to playing in Paris. I’m not sure I would have done it, but he’s done it, so great,” he told Australia’s Seven News Network.

It is not the first time Dawson has faced an extreme injury, nearly losing an eye after being hit by a hockey stick in the lead up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

He managed to still play for the Kookaburras as they won gold in that tournament, and again when they won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

(BBC News)

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ODI & T20I squads against Kiwis, announced

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The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has announced squads for the T20I and ODI series to be played against the New Zealand national men’s team.

The two T20I games will be played on Nov. 09 and 10 while the ODIs will be held on Nov. 13, 17 and 19.

RDICS, Dambulla will be the venue for the first three games, while the final two ODIs will be played at PICS Pallekele.

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Sri Lanka clinches second Hong Kong Cricket Sixes title after 17 years

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Sri Lanka, led by Lahiru Madushanka, clinched their second Hong Kong Cricket Sixes title, defeating Pakistan by three wickets with an over to spare at the Mission Road ground. This victory marks Sri Lanka’s first title win since 2007.

Pakistan, five-time champions, were restricted to 72 in 5.2 overs, with Dhananjaya Lakshan and Tharindu Ratnayake taking two wickets each. 

Pakistan opener Muhammad Akhlaq top-scored with 48 off 20 balls. 

Chasing 74, Sri Lankan opener Sadun Weerakkody smashed 34 off 13 balls, supported by Madushanka (19) and Ratnayake, who hit the winning six to remain unbeaten on 16.

In the semi-final, Sri Lanka edged past Bangladesh by three wickets. Ratnayake’s outstanding figures of 4/33 secured him Player of the Match, while Weerakkody’s quick-fire 50 retired hurt helped chase down 104 with a ball to spare.

Ratnayake finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, earning him Player of the Series, while Lakshan’s final spell of 2/6 awarded him Player of the Final. South Africa and Oman won the Plate and Bowl Championships, respectively.

Chief Scores

Semi-final: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 3 wickets
Bangladesh 103/5 in 6 overs; Sri Lanka 104/4 in 5.5 overs
Player of the Match: Tharindu Ratnayake

Final: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 3 wickets
Pakistan 72/6 in 5.2 overs; Sri Lanka 76/3 in 5 overs
Player of the Final: Dhananjaya Lakshan

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Lanka T10 Super League team names announced

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Lanka T10 Super League has announced the six franchise teams which will compete in the inaugural edition of the competition.

  • Colombo Strikers
  • Galle Marvels
  • Jaffna Titans
  • Kandy Bolts
  • Hambantota Bangla Tigers
  • Negombo Braves

The Player Draft for the inaugural Lanka T10 Super League will take place on November 10, 2024, in Colombo.

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