SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(AUGUST 2025)
Compiled by Victor Melder
Sri Lanka have turned to English power-hitting guru Julian Wood in a desperate bid to crank up the firepower in their T20 arsenal ahead of the Asia Cup, as concerns grow over their lack of muscle in the shortest format. Currently ranked seventh in T20 Internationals — their lowest across formats — the former world champions were exposed badly in a recent home series defeat to Bangladesh, where the batting unit failed in successive games to suffer a series defeat. With modern-day T20 cricket demanding batters who can consistently strike at over 130, Sri Lanka’s think tank has acknowledged a pressing need to blood at least three reliable big hitters, a luxury most top-tier nations now take for granted. Enter Wood — a former Hampshire batter turned specialist coach who has worked with IPL franchises and international outfits, earning a reputation as a “power doctor” who breathes six-hitting life into otherwise conservative line-ups. “I’m not reinventing the wheel,” Wood said during his Colombo stint. “I’m giving them structure and understanding. A lot of them have good technique and hand-eye coordination. My job is to build on that to turn clean hits into sixes, even mishits into maximums.” “The mindset is the big thing,” he added. “When a batter walks out thinking he can clear any boundary, that’s when he becomes dangerous. It’s about giving them options and getting that strike rate ticking.” The Englishman’s brief spell in Colombo was not limited to the men’s team. The women’s squad too benefitted from his coaching sessions, as Sri Lanka aim for consistency in white ball cricket. Sanath Jayasuriya, head coach, welcomed the move, noting the short-term impact specialist coaches can bring. “We’ve had a few experienced coaches come in for these short stints and the results have been encouraging. I’m confident we’ll reap the rewards of this camp as well.” Sri Lanka will next host a triangular series featuring top T20 probables as part of their final tune-up before the Asia Cup next month. They are also scheduled to tour Zimbabwe for a limited-overs series later this August. [Telecom Asia Sport]. Daily Island, 7.8.2025)
Saliya Saman, the former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer, has been banned from all cricket for five years. An ICC anti-corruption tribunal found him guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) anti-corruption code. The ban is backdated to September 13, 2023, when Saman was provisionally suspended, as one of eight people – all associated with the Pune Devils franchise in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament – charged with breaching the code. Those eight included the Bangladesh allrounder Nasir Hossain, who in January 2024 was banned for two years after being found guilty of the three charges against him. The charges against Saman relate to three articles of the ECB’s anti-corruption code. 2.1.1 – Being party to an attempt to fix, contrive or influence improperly matches or aspects of matches in the Abu Dhabi T10 2021. 2.1.3 – Offering a Reward to another Participant in exchange for that player engaging in Corrupt Conduct under the Code. 2.1.4 – Directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any Participant to breach Code Article 2.1. In its final order, the three-member tribunal – comprising Nigel Peters KC, Justice Zak Yacoob and chairman Harish Salve KC – held that Saman had sought to recruit a player for the Abu Dhabi T10, offering that the player “would play all the fixtures, in two of those he would agree to do something that is commonly understood as match fixing. “The 39-year-old Saman, an all-rounder who has played 101 first-class matches, 77 List A games and 47 T20s, last played a recognised fixture during the SLC Twenty20 Tournament in March 2021. (Daily Mirror, 16.8.2025)
Sri Lanka has announced a 17-member T20 squad for the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe, featuring several fresh faces including Nuwanindu Fernando, Vishen Halambage, and Kamil Mishara. Veterans Dinesh Chandimal and Avishka Fernando have been left out of the squad, while Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the tour due to injury. Eashan Malinga has been dropped, making way for Dushmantha Chameera, while Dushan Hemantha steps in as the spin option in Hasaranga’s absence. Team: Charith Asalanka (C ), Pathum Nissanka , Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanindu Fernando , Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka , Dunith Wellalage , Chamika Karunarathne , Maheesh Theekshana , Dushan Hemantha , Dushmantha Chameera , Nuwan Thushara , Matheesha Pathirana (Ceylon Today, 28.8.2025)
The touring Sri Lankans beat Zimbabwe by 7 runs in the first ODI played at Harare Sports Stadium, Harare. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 298/6 in 50 Overs (Nissanka 78, Liyanage 70no, Kamindu Mendis 57, Kusal Mendis 35, Samarawickrama 35, Nyarava 2/34)
Zimbabwe – 291/8 in 50 Overs (Raza 92, Curran 70, Williams 57, Munyenga 43no, Madushanka 4/62, Fernando 3/50)
Player of the Match: Dilshan Madushanka.
