SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS

(APRIL 2017)
Compiled by Victor Melder

Sri Lanka beat the touring Bangladeshi’s by 70 runs to win the third and final ODI, played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds, Colombo. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 280/9 in 50 overs (Mendis 54, Perera 52, Tharanga 35, Mortaza 3/65,ahman 2/55, Miraz 1/49, Ahmed 1/50)
Bangladesh – 210 in 44.3 overs (Al Hasan 54, Miraz 51, Sarkar 38, Kulasekera 4/37, Prasanna 2/33, Lakmal 2/38, Perera 2/47)
3 match series drawn 1-1
Player of the match: N.L.T.C.Perera (Sri Lanka)
Player of the Series: B.K.G.Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Bangladesh’s limited-overs captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been suspended for one ODI, and fined 40% of his match fee, for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third one-dayer against Sri Lanka in Colombo. It was Mashrafe’s second over-rate penalty in 12 months after he was also sanctioned following the first ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch on December 26. It means he will miss Bangladesh’s first ODI against Ireland on May 12 which is part of a tri-series also involving New Zealand ahead of the Champions Trophy. The remaining Bangladesh players were also fined 20% of their match fees for the same offence after the match referee Andy Pycroft found the team two overs short. © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Sri Lanka beat the touring Bangladeshi’s by 6 wickets to win the first T20 match, played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scores:
Bangladesh – 155/6 in 20 overs (Hossain 34no, Mahmuddulah 31, Sarkar 29, Malinga 2/38, Prasanna 1/19, Sanjaya 1/24, Gunaratne 1/24)
Sri Lanka – 158/4 in 18.5 overs (Perera 77, Tharanga 24, Prasanna 22no, Mortaza 2/32, Ahmed 1/33)
T20 debut: Mohammad Saifuddin (Bangladesh)
Player of the match: M.D.K.J.Perera (Sri Lanka)

The touring Bangladeshi’s beat Sri Lanka by 45 runs to win the second and final T20 match played the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scores:
Bangladesh – 176/9 in 20 overs (Al Hasn 38, Kayes 36, Sarkar 34, Malinga 3/34, Gunaratne 1/15, Perera 1/24, Kulasekera 1/30)
Sri Lanka – 131 in 18 overs Kapugedera 50, Perera 27, Tharanga 23, Rahman 4/21, Al Hasan 3/24, mahmudullah 1/15, Saifuddin 1/24)
2-match series drawn 1-1
T20 debut: Mehedi Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)
Player of the match: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Player of the series: S.L.Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka’s selectors have named fast bowler Lasith Malinga and middle-order batsman Chamara Kapugedara in the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy in England and Wales this June. Malinga, who returned to T-20 cricket in February after a knee injury hasn’t played any ODI cricket since November 2015. Kapugedera meanwhile last featured in an ODI in January 2016 and his excellent form in the ongoing Provincial Tournament has earned him a recall. With the return of captain Angelo Mathews and wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella, who had been injured, the national cricket team is at full strength and their only weakness perhaps is the absence of an off-spinner. Sri Lanka made a bold decision not to include an off-spinner for the ODIs against Bangladesh and it cost them dearly as the left-handers in the opposition had a field day against an excess of left-arm spin. At the post match media briefing, stand-in captain Upul Tharanga regretted not having an offie and distanced himself from the decision. Dilruwan Perera was rushed to Dambulla for the remainder of the series but Sri Lanka were only crying over spilt milk as Bangladesh had already gone one up in the series. Perera has been named as one of the reserves in the squad and will travel to England along with Dhanushka Gunathilaka. “We assessed the conditions and the oppositions when selecting the squad. We can’t take more than two spinners to England. There will be not much of help for spinners in June. We feel we have the right combination as we have included Lakshan Sandakan (left-arm wrist-spin) and Seekkuge Prasanna (leg-spin). Asela Gunaratne can bowl off-spin if required,” Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya remarked during a media briefing at SLC yesterday. “This was the toughest and longest selection meeting that I was involved in. This is a well balanced side and I am glad that we are going to England well in advance to acclimatize to the conditions,” Jayasuriya added. However, the biggest news on Monday was the return of Malinga. SLC Chief Thilanga Sumathipala welcomed the return of the premier fast bowler. “Lasith has got the medical clearance now. That allows him to bowl ten overs. He is cleared to play ODI cricket. We are very excited that he is back playing ODI cricket. We know what an impact a player like him can create in any form of the game and we are looking forward to him leading our pace attack again,” Sumathipala said. “He is playing the IPL, which is good as that’s a fine cricketing environment. We are monitoring his progress and at the moment he is bowling eight overs. More than anyone, Malinga himself is keen to play the Champions Trophy. The plan is for him to bowl ten overs before the team leaves for England.” Captain Angelo Mathews, who returned to Colombo from India where he was having IPL commitments welcomed the additional days SLC has given the team in England to acclimatize to the conditions. SLC has arranged the national team to leave for England a week before scheduled. The team will be based in Kent and will play two warm-up games against Scotland in addition to the two warm-up games that the ICC will provide them. (Daily Island 25.4.2017)
Sri Lanka’s squad to tour England in June, comprises of: Angelo Mathews (Capt.), Upul Tharanga (V. Capt.), Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedara, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Perara, Lakshan Sandakan and Seekkuge Prasanna. On-tour standbys: Dilruwan Perera, Dhanushka Gunathilaka. Standbys on training in Colombo: Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Sachith Pathirana, Milinda Siriwardana and Akila Dananjaya. (Daily Island 25.4.2017)